US09222886B2
Systems, devices, methods, kits, and compositions for nucleic acid analysis using digital PCR are provided. In particular, methods to analyze high titer samples that cannot be divided into a sufficient number of partitions containing zero nucleic acid molecules per partition to allow for Poisson analysis (digital PCR analysis) are described.
US09222883B2
An optical measuring system includes at least one radiation source, at least one radiation receiver, and at least one flow through cell. The radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source passes at least partially in an optical path between the radiation source and the radiation receiver through the flow through cell and then strikes the at least one radiation receiver. The radiation receiver is embodied to output a signal dependent on the intensity of the radiation striking the radiation receiver, wherein the flow through cell is arranged in a cell holder, which is connected via a first connection interface releasably with the radiation receiver and which is connected via a second connection interface releasably with the radiation source.
US09222881B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for the determination of the secondary structure composition of proteins using coherent two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy of backbone amide I vibrations (1580-1720 cm−1). Fractions of α-helix, β-sheet, and unassigned regions in globular proteins were determined by singular value decomposition using basis spectra from sixteen commercially-available proteins with known crystal structures. Preferred methods included removing each protein from the set and comparing the predicted composition against the crystal structure. The root-mean-squared (RMS) errors of the predicted secondary structure compositions were found to be 7.9% for α-helix, 5.5% for β-sheet, and 7.6% for unassigned regions. The structure analysis can also be performed using one-dimensional absorption spectra and the RMS errors are compared with those obtained from 2DIR.
US09222879B2
The present invention relates to a device for optical characterization of a sample and/or of the material(s) of the same having an illumination unit that can be orientated to illuminate with incident light a sample spatial portion into which the sample can be introduced, a detection unit which is orientated or can be orientated to image the sample introduced into the sample spatial portion by receiving light reflected by the sample, and which is configured to detect at least two different, preferably orthogonal, polarization components in the reflected light, and an evaluation unit with which, in the imaging data recorded by the detection unit, those imaged surface elements (reflection elements) of the sample can be identified, and with which the detected different polarization components for these reflection elements can be evaluated for optical characterization.
US09222878B2
An optical imaging apparatus includes an optical signal source, an optical signal detector apparatus, and a resonant amplifier assembly. The optical signal source is configured (i) to generate an optical signal including a carrier signal and an imaging signal, and (ii) to guide the optical signal to a sample. The optical signal detector apparatus is configured (i) to detect a modified optical signal from the sample, and (ii) to generate an electrical image signal based on the modified optical signal. The electrical image signal includes a background component and a modulated image signal corresponding to an image of the sample. The resonant amplifier assembly is electrically coupled to the optical signal detector apparatus and is configured (i) to isolate the modulated image signal from the background component, (ii) to amplify the modulated image signal, and (iii) to rectify the modulated image signal.
US09222869B2
An embodiment of a sheath flow device may include: a reflecting plane, aspheric reflecting surface, and a conduit for passage of cells disposed in a central hollow. A focal point of the aspheric reflecting surface is positioned in a location where cells settle. A collimated beam generated by an external light source incident on a first reflective side of the reflecting plane, is reflected to reach a first reflective surface of the aspheric reflecting surface, and reflected before being focused on the focal point, after which the light proceeds to reach a second reflective surface of the aspheric reflecting surface to be reflected to reach a second reflective side of the reflecting plane to emerge after being reflected thereby. The first and second reflective sides and the first and second reflective surfaces may be centrosymmetric. The sheath flow device improves the alignment accuracy of beam commissioning during the application process.
US09222866B2
Evaluating ground surface hardness for a site involves using a mobile data collection device to automatically drop an object including an accelerometer onto a ground surface at sample locations spaced at regular intervals within the site. The acceleration of the object is detected with the accelerometer as the object impacts the ground surface at the sample locations. A value is generated representative of ground surface hardness for each of the sample locations. Evaluation using a handheld hardness measurement device is also disclosed.
US09222854B2
A dynamic load estimation system and method is provided, the system including a tire supporting a vehicle; a vehicle-mounted acceleration sensor for determining a vehicle lateral acceleration and a vehicle longitudinal acceleration; a roll angle calculating model for determining a vehicle roll angle; a roll rate calculating model for determining a vehicle roll rate; a static normal load calculation model for calculating a measured static normal load; and a dynamic tire load estimation model for calculating an estimated dynamic load on the tire from the measured static normal load, the vehicle roll angle, the vehicle roll rate, the vehicle lateral acceleration and the vehicle longitudinal acceleration.
US09222845B2
Methods of manufacturing a flexible force sensor include forming a first sensor part providing a plurality of spaced first electrode plates in an electrically non-conductive material. A second sensor part is also formed and includes a plurality of second electrode plates in an electrically non-conductive material. The second electrode plates are identical to the first electrode plates at least in terms of spacing. The first part is assembled to the second part such that each of the first electrode plates are aligned with and parallel to, yet spaced from, respective ones of the second electrode plates, establishing a plurality of capacitive sensing components. The first electrode plates are movable relative to the corresponding second electrode plates, establishing a variable gap therebetween. The sensor parts can be ring-shaped. The sensor parts can be formed via MEMS techniques, with the non-conductive material being a polymer.
US09222843B2
A thermal sensor providing simultaneous measurement of two diodes. A first diode and a second diode are coupled to a first current source and a second current source, respectively. The ratio of the currents provided by the two sources is accurately know The voltage across each of the two diodes may be coupled to the input of a differential amplifier for determination of temperature. Alternatively, the first diode may be coupled to a first current source by a resistor with a known voltage drop, the second diode may be coupled to an adjustable second current source. The current in the second diode is equal to the sum of voltage drop across the first diode and the known voltage drop across the resistor. Under the established conditions, the Diode Equation may be used to calculate a temperature.
US09222842B2
Aspects of the present disclosure disclose a component module in a process condition measuring device comprises a support for supporting a component, one or more legs configured to suspend the support in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to a substrate. An electrically conductive or low-resistivity semiconductor enclosure is configured to enclose the component, the support and the legs between the substrate and the enclosure. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09222839B2
A detection circuit includes a pyroelectric element, an amplifier circuit, a first switching element and a second switching element. The amplifier circuit includes a transistor in which a detection signal from the pyroelectric element is inputted to a gate. The first switching element interrupts an electric current that flows into the transistor. The second switching element interrupts a connection between the pyroelectric element and the gate of the transistor.
US09222835B2
A multi-angle colorimeter employs a multi-angle mode and a symmetrical arrangement mode in an optical arrangement. Light detection on both sides of the symmetrical arrangement is performed by a single photodetector unit. The photodetector unit is used on both sides, and thus, the device becomes simpler, without any impact on individual difference in characteristics of multiple photodetector units. Conversely, elements for illumination can be used on both sides. Also in a case where multiple photodetector units are used, the size and cost of the device can be reduced with the use of a photodetector unit having a relatively low wavelength resolution as a photodetector unit to be used on one side. This enables to reduce an attitude error due to relative tilting of a measurement surface while reducing the size and cost of the device.
US09222828B2
A method of verifying a substance interface location during a cementing operation can include optically measuring vibrations caused by substances flowing across structures distributed along a wellbore, the vibrations being caused at each structure, and the vibrations changing at each structure as the interface displaces across the structure. A method of determining a property of at least one substance flowed in a wellbore can include optically measuring vibrations caused by the substance flowing across structures distributed along a wellbore, the vibrations being caused at each structure, and the structures having different shapes, thereby causing the vibrations at the structures to be different from each other when the substance flows across the differently shaped structures.
US09222827B2
Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an ultra low power dosimeter assembly. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may comprise a low power voltage source and a table circuit. The table circuit may be adapted to convert an input voltage to a second voltage level. The second voltage level may correspond to noise dose. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may also comprise a switch adapted to trigger a control circuit. The control circuit may provide progressive attenuation of an output signal as the second voltage level increases. In certain embodiments, the control circuit may also be adapted to send one or more warning signals to a user of the ultra low power dosimeter. The one or more warning signals may be sent when the control circuit determines the second voltage level has reached one or more pre-determined threshold voltage levels.
US09222825B2
The invention relates to a device (1) which uses ultrasound to measure the filling level for liquids in a tank (2). The device (1) consists of a housing (3) in which a piezoelectric disc (4) connected to a circuit board (5) and an energy store (6) is provided. A display unit (8) is arranged in the housing (3), and on the side of the piezoelectric disc (4) that faces the tank (2), the disc is given a layer (11) consisting of elastic material.
US09222815B2
A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of a process fluid includes a meter body having an opening formed therein. The meter body is configured to be inserted in-line between process piping which carries the process fluid. A moveable extension is coupled to the meter body and configured to extend into the process piping. A coil of wire is carried by the extension and configured to generate a magnetic field. A pair of electrodes sense an EMF in the process fluid generated as a function of the applied magnetic field and flow of the process fluid.
US09222806B2
An encoder is configured for detection of rotational movement of a rotatable shaft in relation to a part of a machine, and a method is provided for generating a reference signal by an encoder.
US09222805B2
A circuit system for evaluating a sensor, wherein the circuit system comprises two complex impedances (2, 3, 13, 14), wherein the complex impedances (2, 3, 13, 14) are each part of a resonant circuit in which the complex impedances (2, 3, 13, 14) can be excited to perform oscillations, and wherein at least one of the two complex impedances (2, 3, 13, 14) are part of the sensor, is characterized with respect to a particularly cost-effective and as simple a circuit design as possible in that a counter (9, 18) and a switch apparatus (8, 16) are provided, wherein the counter (9, 18) can be used to alternately count the oscillations of one of the two resonant circuits, the switch apparatus (8, 16) can be switched when a specifiable counter reading has been reached, and the switch signal of the switch apparatus serves as a pulse width-modulated output signal (11, 21) for the circuit system.
US09222803B2
The invention relates to a metering and measuring point system for measuring and metering the electrical energy drawn off a connection device or fed in the connection device by a consumption and/or generation unit at a fixed geographical point, comprising (a) an identifiable stationary connection device as well as (b) an identifiable mobile or non-stationary functional unit, the latter comprising respective devices for (b1) detecting the identifier of the connection device, (b2) metering and measuring the electrical energy drawn off and/or fed in the recognized connection device, (b3) storing the determined metering and measuring data and the determined identifier of the respective connection device being used and (b4) reading out the stored data.The invention further relates to a method for mobile/non-stationary measuring, metering and billing/clearing of the electrical current.
US09222796B2
A map display system including a unit that stores map information including information about a facility icon, a display unit, a position detecting unit that detects a touch position on the screen of the display unit when the screen is touched, and a scroll control unit that performs follow scrolling in which a map image on the display unit is scrolled following movement of the touch position detected by the position detecting unit, and that performs inertial scrolling in which the map image is scrolled on the basis of a moving direction and speed of the touch position when touching the screen is released. When the facility icon is placed in a first given region having a center at a cursor displayed on the screen while the follow scrolling is being performed, the scroll control unit scrolls the map image so that the facility icon moves to a center position of the cursor and when the facility icon is placed in the first given region while the inertial scrolling is being performed, the scroll control unit continues the inertial scrolling.
US09222791B2
A point-to-point shortest path technique supports real-time queries and fast metric update or replacement (metric customization). Determining a shortest path between two locations uses three stages: a preprocessing stage, a metric customization stage, and a query stage. Extensions to the customizable route planning (CRP) technique for routing are provided. These extensions include, for example, the computation of alternative routes, faster techniques for unpacking shortcuts, efficient query techniques for batched shortest path (one-to-many, many-to-many, and points of interest) determinations, and determining routes and alternative routes using traffic information.
US09222783B2
An implementation of location estimation using image analysis is described. In this implementation, an image of a place is obtained and matched with previously stored images. The matching may be achieved by employing methods based on key feature extraction algorithm, color histogram analysis, pattern matching or other image comparison techniques. Upon determining a match, the location information associated with the image provides the location. The location information may be in the form of location tags or location keywords and the location information may be used by the user or other applications for the purposes of location determination. The technique allows for the user to enter location information. The location information may be assigned to the previously stored images residing in local and remote databases for users and applications to assign information or keywords to images.
US09222778B2
An apparatus and method for providing navigation service in an electronic device are provided. A method for providing navigation service in an electronic device includes determining whether candidate schedule information settable as a destination for navigation service among at least one schedule information exists and, when at least one candidate schedule information settable as the destination for navigation service exists, setting the destination for navigation service considering the at least one candidate schedule information.
US09222776B2
A gyro sensor includes a base, a first connection arm and a second connection arm that extend from the base in opposite directions along an X axis, a first drive oscillation arm that extends from the first connection arm along a Y axis, a second drive oscillation arm that extends from the second connection arm along the Y axis, and a first detection oscillation arm and a second detection oscillation arm that extend from the base in opposite directions along the Y axis, and each of the first drive oscillation arm and the second drive oscillation arm has an oscillation component along the X axis and an oscillation component along a Z axis.
US09222769B2
Systems, apparatuses and methods are described for integrating an electronic metrology sensor with precision production equipment such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines. For example, a laser distance measuring sensor is used. Measurements are taken at a relatively high sample rate and converted into a format compatible with other data generated or accepted by the CNC machine. Measurements from the sensor are synchronized with the position of the arm of the machine such as through the use of offsets. Processing yields a detailed and highly accurate three-dimensional map of a workpiece in the machine. Applicable metrology instruments include other near continuously reading non-destructive characterization instruments such as contact and non-contact dimensional, eddy current, ultra-sound, and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) sensors. Various uses of measurements include: multiple component matching, correction of machine drift, closed loop control of machines, and verification of product tolerances via substantially complete serialized dimensional quality control.
US09222764B2
Disclosed is a sensing device that includes a flexible substrate having an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions. The sensing device also includes a first compliant strain sensing element embedded within the compliant material and extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure. The first compliant strain sensing element includes a second compliant material that is flexible and bendable, where an electrical property of the first compliant strain sensing element changes in proportion to an applied strain on the elongated structure.
US09222763B2
A coordinate measuring machine has a measuring member for measuring a workpiece, a counterweight to control movement of the measuring member, and a pulley and cable system coupling the measuring member with the counterweight. The coordinate measuring machine also has a guide track, where the counterweight is movably secured to the guide track. The guide track substantially limits counterweight movement, relative to the measuring member, to one dimension.
US09222759B2
A barrier formed from a plurality of identical modular units that have an essentially planar front panel and triangular shaped top and bottom plates extending rearward from the front panel. A plate is removably attached to the front panel. Adjacent units are interconnected to one another at their terminal vertices by a square tubular member. A square shaped opening is formed approximately centrally through each of the triangular shaped plates. In addition, elongated linkages may be provided at about the midpoint of each side edge for purposes of interconnecting units that are positioned adjacent to another unit so as to assist in the formation of the overall barrier. The linkages provide pivotal movement between adjacent barriers through a range of angles from about 90 degrees (to provide a corner arrangement) to 180 degrees (to provide a straight wall arrangement).
US09222752B2
A weapon sighting system for gathering ambient or generated light and projecting a fixed or adjustable ballistic reticule image for targeting. The system includes a partially reflective, zero parallax, optical lens assembly, an illuminating reticule projection component, and an adjustable bracket fixed to the weapon being sighted. The bracket supports the lens assembly at one end and the projection component at an opposing end. The projection component is aligned to project a light image onto the lens assembly to be reflected back into the target sightline. The projection component gathers ambient (or generated) light through polymer acrylic solid materials and/or fiber optics, and directs the light through a fixed or adjustable mask. The movement of the weapon effects a corresponding movement in the angle of reflection through the optics of the sighting system. An adjustable mask allows the projected image to change to accommodate near and distant targets.
US09222749B1
A system and method for a user's appendages when firing a weapon is described. One embodiment includes a cover kit for a firearm handguard. The kit has a base and an insert. The base has a longitudinal axis, an upright axis, a transverse axis, a socket, an exterior surface, and an interior surface. The insert has an insert body and a plug. The socket has a movable engagement prong shaped to engage a wall surface of a handguard slot. The plug has a prong engagement surface shaped to engage the engagement prong. The plug is shaped to apply a force on the engagement prong such that a distal portion of the engagement prong is flexed more than a proximal portion of the engagement prong.
US09222744B2
A safety apparatus for striker-fired weapons, mountable at the back end of the weapon's slide and comprising a spring loaded button associated with a ram bar, wherein, when the spring loaded button is actuated by a user, the ram bar temporarily displaces a component of the weapon's firing mechanism, such that, although the weapon's trigger can still move full range, discharge of the weapon is prevented and the weapon is thus temporarily in safe mode; and wherein, as soon as the user releases the spring loaded button, the spring loaded button returns to its position before actuation by the user, causing the ram bar to stop the temporary displacement of the component of the weapon's firing mechanism, the weapon being thus returned to its normal, ready-to-fire mode.
US09222739B1
A follower for a firearm magazine is provided. In some embodiments, the follower has: a platform shaped to interface with a firearm cartridge; a first side face extending longitudinally from the platform and having a first end opposing the platform; and a second side face extending longitudinally from the platform and having a second end opposing the platform. The first side face and the second side face may define a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of a magazine spring. At least one of the first end and the second end may have a nonlinear profile shaped to translate a lateral spring force into a longitudinal spring force.
US09222736B2
A heat exchanger including a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from the first plate that defines a first gap between inner surfaces of the first plate and the second plate in which a first fluid circulates, where a major portion of the first gap is free of obstructions, where a second fluid contacts an outer surface of the first or second plate for heat exchange with the first fluid, where a first peripheral wall on the periphery of the first gap has a curved profile inside the first gap, and at least one inlet is radially positioned with respect to the first gap and injects the first fluid in the gap, and least one outlet is centrally positioned in one of the first and the second plate to enable the first fluid to exit the first gap, where first fluid circulates in a swirling flow in the major portion of the first gap.
US09222734B2
A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes extending between two tank bodies. At least one tank body includes a crown portion. At least one groove is formed in the crown portion. In order to avoid the creation of a thinner wall section in the crown portion, the inner and outer surfaces that form the groove are offset from each other.
US09222728B2
A device and related method are provided for lyophilizing a substance within the device and storing therein the lyophilized substance. The device is penetrable by a needle for filling the device with the substance to be lyophilized, and a resulting needle hole in the device is laser resealable by transmitting thereon laser radiation from a laser source. The device defines a chamber for receiving therein the substance to be lyophilized. A needle penetrable and laser resealable portion of the device is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough to fill the chamber with the substance to be lyophilized through the needle, and is laser resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation thereto. A filter is connectable in fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the chamber for permitting fluid to flow therethrough in a direction from the interior to the exterior of the chamber, and for substantially preventing contaminants from flowing therethrough in a direction from the exterior to the interior of the chamber.
US09222720B1
An air conditioner drainage system has a housing in a cylindrical configuration positionable in a hole. The housing has a side wall with a closed bottom and an open top. The side wall is imperforate over the majority of its extent and has a plurality of wall apertures there through. A plurality of stones positionable within the hole beneath the bottom of the housing and laterally spaced from the wall apertures is adapted to provide widely extended dispersion of water from the housing.
US09222707B2
Apparatus and methods incorporate magnetocaloric materials in integrated circuit chip-carrier structures for electronic packages. An integrated circuit chip is electrically connected to a substrate. A thermostabilization unit is physically connected to the integrated circuit chip and the substrate. The thermostabilization unit comprises a temperature detector and magnetocaloric material on the integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit structure includes a magnetic field generator operatively connected to the temperature detector. The magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field of variable intensity responsive to changes in temperature detected by the temperature detector.
US09222702B2
A solar energy collection system can include a plurality of heliostats configured to reflect sunlight to a target mounted on a tower. Each of the heliostats can have a heliostat controller configured to control a respective heliostat so that the sunlight reflected therefrom is directed to at least one of a plurality of cameras. The cameras can be oriented to image the heliostat. A second controller can be configured to compute geometry data that defines a geometry of the surface of the heliostat from captured images thereof. The geometry data can designate a plurality of subsections of the surface. The computing by the second controller can include storing data indicating sections of the captured images corresponding to the plurality of subsections of the heliostat. The second controller can also calculate data indicating respective surface normals of each of said subsections of each of said heliostat.
US09222691B2
A roof ventilator including: a first module defining a first module passageway having a first passageway longitudinal axis. The first module including a first module louver support extending substantially parallel to the first passageway longitudinal axis and a first module louver for creating a draft within the first module passageway upon wind blowing onto the first module louver. The first module louver extending from the first module louver support, located peripherally relatively to the first module passageway. A second module attached to the first module, defining a second module passageway, in fluid communication with the first module passageway and defining a second passageway longitudinal axis. The second module including a second module louver support, extending substantially parallel to the second passageway longitudinal axis. A second module louver creates a draft within the second module passageway upon wind blowing onto the second module louver. The second module louver extending from the second module louver support located peripherally relatively to the second module passageway. A fastener operatively couples the first and second modules biasing the first and second module louver supports towards each other.
US09222687B2
An air-handling unit includes a primary air plenum and a primary air inlet in fluid communication with the primary air plenum. The primary air inlet is configured to provide a flow of primary air to the primary air plenum. The air-handling unit also includes a chamber in fluid communication with the primary air plenum. The chamber includes an irradiate cavity and a secondary air inlet configured to accept a flow of secondary air into the irradiate cavity, and a sterilization mechanism positioned in the irradiate cavity. The sterilization mechanism is configured to effectively treat and sterilize the secondary air.
US09222682B2
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a portable heating device comprising a combustion-powered heater, a regulator, and an air quality detector, such as an oxygen depletion sensor. The combustion-powered heater may be supplied by an associated fuel source and may comprise a combustion region comprising a catalytic surface. The regulator may be adapted for fluid communication with the associated fuel source. The air quality detector may comprise a burner and a temperature detector. The burner may be in fluid communication with the regulator and may be adapted to combust fuel form the regulator with air to produce a flame. The temperature detector may be adapted to detect the temperature of the flame and may be adapted to selectively render the combustion-powered heater non-functional.
US09222681B2
The invention relates to a device for arresting flames in a gas flow, for example in a kitchen hood, the device includes at least two substantially parallel spaced apart fire proof sheets, wherein the sheets are provided with perforated zones, wherein at least a channel is formed by a perforated zone of the sheet upstream of the gas flow, the space between the at least two sheets and a perforated zone of the sheet downstream of the gas flow, wherein the channel includes a section which has a reverse direction relative to the gas flow.
US09222678B2
A heating assembly is provided to reduce the pre-heat time of an oven. The heating assembly vaporizes a phase change fluid in an evaporator, allows the phase change fluid vapor to travel to a reactor in thermal communication with a cooking chamber of an oven appliance. In the reactor, the phase change fluid combines with a reaction substance and condenses, releasing latent heat and providing heat to the cooking chamber of the oven appliance.
US09222677B2
Gas burner having at least two flame spreaders, at least one diffusion chamber between the flame spreaders for the diffusion of a primary air/gas mixture for at least one of the flame spreaders, and at least one cross-lighting duct for the flame passage between the flame spreaders. The duct is disposed transversally inside the diffusion chamber to define a first and a second region in the diffusion chamber and has two side walls and one upper wall, for the fluidic direct connection between the first and the second region of the diffusion chamber. The upper wall has at least one hole for the mixture inflow into the duct and the cross-lighting duct has at least one lower opening facing the upper wall of the cross-lighting duct.
US09222674B2
A multi-stage vortex mixer for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a vortex amplifier stage in communication with a first stage amplifier, the vortex amplifier stage in communication with a dilution hole.
US09222671B2
The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling a combustion reaction and the products thereof. One embodiment includes a combustion control system having an oxygenation stream substantially comprising oxygen and CO2 and having an oxygen to CO2 ratio, then mixing the oxygenation stream with a combustion fuel stream and combusting in a combustor to generate a combustion products stream having a temperature and a composition detected by a temperature sensor and an oxygen analyzer, respectively, the data from which are used to control the flow and composition of the oxygenation and combustion fuel streams. The system may also include a gas turbine with an expander and having a load and a load controller in a feedback arrangement.
US09222668B2
A burner apparatus for a furnace system and a method of burner operation. The burner has a series of fuel ejection structures which at least partially surround the burner wall for ejecting fuel into a combustion region projecting from the forward end of the burner wall. The ejection structures preferably eject fuel outside of the burner wall at alternating angles. Further, the burner apparatus preferably includes at least one additional series of fuel ejection structures which is spaced radially outward from the first series of ejection structures.
US09222663B1
A water lamp with a top decoration mainly includes a main body, base seat and top decoration. The main body is hollow and pervious to light, and slightly-thick, flowable low-boiling point fluid is filled hermetically and a poking member are mounted inside the main body; the base seat is configured below the main body, and a control circuit and at least one light-emitting element in electric connection with the control circuit are configured on the base seat correspondingly to the bottom of the main body, and a magnetic rotating shaft attracting the poking member magnetically to rotate is further configured on the base seat; the top decoration assumes a foggy, pervious-to-light, three-dimensional modeling, coupled to the upper side of the mainbody, a light-emitting element in electric connection with the control circuit being configured inside the top decoration. Whereby, the low-boiling-point fluid inside the water lamp will flow due to the heat generated from the light-emitting element when the base seat is switched on, and light further penetrates the top decoration, allowing the present invention to achieve both lighting and dynamic visual effects at the same time.
US09222652B2
A lighting module (1) having a connection end (2) for connection to a lamp holder (3), and a light output end (4) for outputting light, wherein the lighting module (1), at the light output end (4), is provided with a mechanical interface comprising first (6) and second (7) protrusions extending in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis (13) of the lighting module and being configured to interact with corresponding protrusions (6′,7′) on an identical mechanical interface to transfer at least one of a rotational force and a pulling force to the lighting module (1), so that a device (1′) provided with such an identical mechanical interface can be used as a tool for connecting/disconnecting the lighting module (1). An advantage is that it is possible to utilize one lighting module as a tool to connect/disconnect another lighting module from a lamp holder.
US09222650B2
The disclosure generally relates to switchable light extractors and in particular to switchable light extractors useful for extracting light from light ducts used for interior lighting of a building. The disclosure also relates to lighting systems that include the light extractors, and methods of extracting light from a lighting system. The switchable light extractors generally include a first and a second reflective film, each having a plurality of voids that can aligned to extract light from a light duct.
US09222649B2
A stage lighting fixture having: a casing having a closed first end and an open second end; a light source housed inside the casing, close to the first end, and which emits a light beam along an optical axis; an optical assembly positioned to intercept the light beam, and having a focal point located between the light source and the optical assembly; and a reflector coupled to the light source; the reflector and the light source being designed and coupled to concentrate the light beam substantially at a work point substantially coincident with the focal point of the optical assembly; and the light source being defined by a short-arc lamp to project a light bar.
US09222636B2
A vehicle information transmission device includes: a display device that displays light in a first mode at a position of a vehicle body, at which visual recognition of a certain object is prompted, when the visual recognition is prompted and that displays light in a second mode different from the first mode on the vehicle body when the visual recognition is not prompted or when the visual recognition is prompted; and a control unit that adjusts light in the second mode on the basis of light in the first mode when the visual recognition is prompted.
US09222634B2
A solar lighting apparatus and system, which is constructed into a street lamp, entrance lamp, garden lamp, nightlight, etc., includes a light emitting unit for providing illumination and a lighting apparatus body; a solar energy arrangement including a solar panel unit for light absorption and power supply; and a mounting plate; at least one ground supporting unit coupling with the mounting plate for securing the mounting plate onto a ground surface; and a light apparatus connecting unit provided through the mounting plate for firmly positioning the lighting apparatus, and a LED light control arrangement effectively controlling a power consumption in such a manner that the light emitting unit is arranged to being charged and discharged in a controlled manner and is protected against short circuit and overcharging, thereby maximizing power utilization, increasing lifespan and performance of the solar lighting apparatus.
US09222627B2
An annulus shaped luminaire includes an annular structure that includes one or more luminous panels, and transition structure that couples a support structure of the luminaire with the annular structure. The one or more luminous panels emit light that illuminates an area adjacent to the luminaire.
US09222626B1
A replacement light tube for replacing a fluorescent light tube includes an elongate tubular housing having first and second ends, first and second end caps disposed thereon, each configured to fit with a socket for the fluorescent light tube, and a rigid support structure having a planar portion having a first surface extending within the elongate tubular housing between the first and second ends and having spaced-apart sidewalls extending away from the first surface and extending within the housing between the first and second ends. At least a portion of the sidewalls are in contact with an interior surface of housing. A plurality of white light emitting diodes are supported only by a second surface of the planar portion opposite to the first surface and between the first and second ends, and are arranged to emit light through the housing.
US09222623B2
A fluid container comprises a first vessel, a second vessel connected or connectable to the first vessel, and a sealing partition preventing fluid flow from the second vessel. The container further includes a spherical opening element initially supported within the second vessel by the sealing partition and configured to be contacted with the sealing partition to open the sealing partition and permit fluid flow from the second vessel.
US09222614B2
A tilt roll table for use with uranium hexafluoride cylindrical containers securely holds the container, supported from its domed ends by spindles mounted to brackets as the container is tilted and rolled. The spindles have greater surface area over which to distribute the weight and are shaped to complement the domed container ends. The brackets supporting the spindles, stiffened by vertical and horizontal braces, can be adjusted vertically and moved axially toward and away from the domed ends of the containers by a gear drive to accommodate different sizes of cylindrical containers. In addition, bands encircle the containers to hold them onto the frame during tilting and rolling.
US09222611B2
A composite fabric includes: a fabric backing; an adhesive layer; a midlayer barrier bonded to the fabric backing by the adhesive layer; and an external barrier bonded to the midlayer barrier, wherein the composite fabric has a hydrostatic pressure resistance of at least 100 psi and is sufficiently flexible such that it can be formed into a tube and everted. A process and an apparatus for producing the composite fabric are also disclosed. The composite fabric is particularly suitable for use as a liner in a cured-in-place pipe repair method.
US09222589B2
An automatic shutoff device, comprising a housing member with a hollow opening, an inlet port coupled to a first end of the housing member, an outlet port coupled to a second end of the housing member, a valve coupled to the outlet port, a variable volume chamber within the housing member with an open end facing the inlet port of the housing member and a closed end with flow restriction holes in closed end facing the outlet port of the housing member, a one-way valve disposed in the closed end of the variable volume chamber, and a spring-biased piston within the variable volume chamber with a compressible spring coupled to the piston at the closed end of the chamber wherein the piston is mechanically coupled to the valve.
US09222587B2
An oil pressure regulator includes a chamber that extends between an oil supply line and an oil bypass line. The chamber extends from a closed end of the chamber to an open end of the chamber. The regulator includes a plunger that is positioned within the chamber. The plunger is movable within the chamber between a first position preventing oil flow from the oil supply line to the oil bypass line, and a second position allowing oil flow from the oil supply line to the oil bypass line. Also, the regulator includes a compression spring that is positioned within the chamber between the plunger and the closed end. When the plunger is in the first position, the compression spring is in an uncompressed state, and when the plunger is in the second position, the compression spring is in a compressed state.
US09222584B2
A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. The present invention is also directed to a flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a rigid piston into a diaphragm flush valve body.
US09222582B2
A valve assembly is described herein that includes a valve plate and a main valve contacting the valve plate, the main valve having an internal rigid structure and an outer shell, the internal rigid structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface.
US09222571B2
A system for thermally managing a transmission having a transmission heat exchanger, wherein the transmission is coupled to an engine having a block and a head. A closed cooling circuit is provided to flow coolant through the system. A block output valve is provided for receiving coolant exiting the block and having a first outlet in fluid communication with the transmission heat exchanger and a second output connected to a bypass. Thermosensors may also be provided to determine the temperature of the block and the transmission. A system having a controller to thermally manage a transmission is also provided. A method of thermally managing a transmission is also provided.
US09222569B2
A toothed wheel has a sequence of X teeth, wherein each N-th tooth at least partially has a smaller tooth rigidity compared to the remaining X−N teeth, N being a number which is selected from a range with a lower limit of 2 and an upper limit of X, in particular X/2. Alternatively, a number of M teeth at least partially have a smaller tooth rigidity than the remaining X−M teeth, where M is selected from a range with a lower limit of 1 and an upper limit of X−1 or an upper limit of X provided that at least individual teeth are divided or all the teeth have a different geometry, and/or wherein the tooth system has a pitch in which each Nth tooth stands out compared to the remaining X−N teeth.
US09222562B2
To provide a multi-shaft driving device that aims for a lightening of weight and lowering of cost as compared with conventional structures. In a structure in which, when a movable shaft (40) is slidably installed at an output shaft (20) and advances toward an input-side bevel gear (14), an output-side bevel gear (50) of a distal end side of the movable shaft (40) meshes-together with the input-side bevel gear (14), and the movable shaft (40) rotates and rotation of this movable shaft (40) is transmitted to the output shaft (20), the movable shaft (40) and the output-side bevel gear (50) are molded integrally of resin, and the output shaft (20) also is formed of resin, and the movable shaft (40) is slidably exteriorly placed on an outer peripheral side of the output shaft (20).
US09222561B2
A transmission for shredding machines includes a drive shaft, a driven shaft, and an intermediate shaft, with at least two spur gears each, at least one hydraulic shift clutch each, and at least one overload clutch. The shafts can releasably be coupled with each other via the spur gears and the hydraulic shift clutches, and the driven shaft can releasably be coupled with an output shaft by way of the overload clutch.
US09222557B2
A dual-screw linear actuator includes an inner push tube, an outer push tube, a first nut part, and a second nut part. The outer push tube is sheathed on the inner push tube and axially movable on the inner push tube; the first nut part is coupled to the outer push tube and screwed to an inner screw which has a coupling disposed at a front end of the inner screw; the second nut part is coupled to the inner push tube and screwed to an outer screw, and the outer screw is hollow, and the coupling is sleeved into the outer screw for an axial movement. The inner screw drives the outer screw to rotate, such that the first and second nut parts can synchronously push the inner and outer push tubes to extend or contract, so as to improve the stroke of extension or contraction.
US09222550B2
A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides between eight and ten forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio. Three planetary gear sets are located on the input axis and a fourth planetary gear set is located on an offset axis. Axis transfer gears convey power between the input axis and the offset axis. One axis transfer gear is supported by a front support while another is supported by a center support. The center support also supports a clutch module and supplies pressurized fluid to engage the clutches in the clutch module.
US09222545B2
A back face of each inner link plate of the chain is curved convexly. Heights from a pitch line connecting centers of pin holes of inner and guide link plates to the convex apex portion of the inner link plate and to an apex portion of the guide link plate are equalized. The convex apex portions are brought into contact with a guide face of the chain guide per every pitch and the ear apex portions are brought into contact with the chain guide per every pitch while being shifted by a half pitch from the convex apex portions.
US09222542B2
An engine mount includes: an insulator arranged inside a housing and deformed elastically in accordance with a force applied to a core connected to an upper end thereof; a nozzle plate having a flow channel opened up/downward for hydro liquid and connected between a diaphragm connected to the housing and the insulator; and a piston partitioning an internal space between the insulator and the nozzle plate and connected to the core to move in accordance force applied to the core, wherein upper and lower liquid chambers are formed between the piston and the nozzle plate, and between the nozzle plate and the diaphragm, respectively, and an air chamber through which ambient air can enter/exit is formed between the piston and the insulator. Vibration produced over a wide frequency region can be dampened more effectively by using air and the hydro liquid as an operation liquid.
US09222537B2
Damper, in particular for washing machines with a spin cycle, with a housing having a central longitudinal axis and at least partially encompassing a housing interior by housing walls, a plunger displaceable in the housing along the central longitudinal axis, guided out of the housing and having at least one friction lining recess, fastening elements, arranged on open ends of the housing and the plunger, and at least one friction lining, arranged in the at least one friction lining recess and in frictional contact with opposite housing walls.
US09222535B2
The invention relates to a spring element (1) for a cushioning device of a piece of furniture for sitting or lying, in particular for a bed mattress, comprising a spring body (10) and an accommodating section (30) arranged thereon, wherein the spring body (10) and the accommodating section (30) are injection-molded from plastic as one piece. In order to develop a spring element (1) of the type mentioned above in such a way that the spring element can be used for an extended range of applications, a spring element (1) is proposed that is characterized in that the spring body (10) is designed as a ring part (11) extended in the longitudinal direction (40), which ring part comprises two ring part sections (13, 14) that transition into each other as one piece in a center section (12), said ring part sections each having an upward slope in the height direction (42) starting from the center section (12), wherein the end areas (15, 16) of the ring part sections (13, 14) lying opposite each other in the longitudinal direction (40) are connected to each other, the accommodating section (30) lying therebetween.
US09222524B2
A drive force transmission device includes a clutch operatively interposed between a hub member and a drum member to selectively transmit drive power therebetween. A first rotating shaft member is coupled to the hub member to rotate with the hub member. A second rotating shaft member is coupled to a separating wall part of the drum member to rotate with the drum member. A support member rotatably supports the second rotating shaft member via a bearing. The support member includes a restriction part that restricts axial movement of an outer race of the bearing. A bottom portion of the separating wall part is a radially offset towards the bearing space with respect to a top portion of the separating wall so that the bottom portion radial overlaps with the restriction part as viewed perpendicular to a rotational axis of the drum member.
US09222508B2
A bearing race encapsulation apparatus, which has a spring assembly integrated into a hearing that allows the hearing to compensate for varying expansions and contractions caused by differences in temperature. The bearing race encapsulation apparatus includes an outer bearing ring with an end face and an outer face with a indent formed in the outer face. An encapsulation ring, which has a retention element that is snapped into the indent of the outer bearing ring, a first segment that extends axially outwardly from the retention element, and a second segment that extends radially inwardly from the first segment. A spring is arranged axially between the second segment of the encapsulation ring and the outer bearing ring to compensate for the expansion and contraction.
US09222500B2
A connection between components includes a first component, a second component, and at least two pairs of fixing elements spaced apart by which the two components are detachably connected. Each pair of fixing elements has a female fixing element and a male fixing element that is inserted into the female fixing element. A fixing element of each pair of fixing elements is provided on the first component and the other fixing element of each pair of fixing elements is provided on the second component. The fixing elements are arranged such that on detachable connection of the two components by the pairs of fixing elements in the two components, a bending stress results in the components.
US09222490B2
A fluid flow control device has an inlet, an outlet and an exhaust port all for an operating fluid. A pilot inlet receives a pilot pressure signal which operates a valve stem actuator via a piston. The valve stem is operable to open a supply valve between the inlet and outlet and, to open an exhaust valve disposed between the outlet and the exhaust. In a further position both the valves are closed. A first fluid leak path is provided between the valve stem and the supply valve for allowing fluid to leak through the supply valve chamber when the supply valve is open and a second fluid leak path is defined by the exhaust valve for allowing fluid to leak through the exhaust valve chamber. The leak paths provide for a force balancing arrangement. A quick exhaust feature allows exhaust flow through the device.
US09222485B2
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a centrifugal compressor diffuser vane including a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a constant thickness section extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. A radius of curvature of the leading edge and a radius of curvature of the trailing edge vary along a span of the vane. A ratio of a length of the constant thickness section to a chord length of the vane is at least approximately 50%, and the ratio is substantially constant along the span of the vane.
US09222478B2
A bladeless fan structure includes a driving member, a pipe member, and at least one air-pressure increasing area. The driving member has a shaft connected and extended through the pipe member, and a first space is formed between an inner surface of the pipe member and an outer surface of the shaft. The air-pressure area is provided on the inner surface of the pipe member or the outer surface of the shaft. The pipe member is provided with at least one opening communicating with the first space and the air-pressure increasing area. When the driving member drives the shaft to rotate in and relative to the pipe member, air in the first space is brought to flow and is compressed in a direction along the air-pressure increasing area to blow out of the pipe member via the opening to achieve the function of a bladeless fan.
US09222450B2
Pressure relief apparatus for use with fuel delivery systems are described herein. An example pressure relief apparatus includes a pressure relief system coupled to a body of a fuel cap to define a first side of the body and a second side of the body. The pressure relief system comprises a plurality of fluid valves to enable fluid flow from the first side of the body to the second side of the body when a first pressure differential across the pressure relief system from the first side to the second side is greater than a first reference pressure and to enable fluid flow from the second side of the body to the first side of the body when a second pressure differential across the pressure relief system from the second side to the first side is greater than a second reference pressure.
US09222447B2
A charge air cooler, a system to control condensation within a plurality of cooling tubes of a charge air cooler, and a method are disclosed. The system includes an air flow control arrangement configured to selectively ensure a flow rate of charge air through each individual cooling tube is either essentially zero or above a predetermined minimum flow rate in accordance with predetermined operating conditions of the engine.
US09222445B2
A fuel vapor processing apparatus may include a first canister and a second canister each having an adsorbent disposed therein. The second canister may include a first passage and a second passage each communicating between the first canister and an atmosphere. The first passage may be configured as an adsorption passage having the adsorbent disposed therein. The second passage may be configured as an air passage through which air flows. A control device may control flow of the air through the air passage. A heating device may heat the air flowing through the air passage. The air passage may be arranged so that the adsorbent of the adsorption chamber is heated by heat of the air that is heated by the heating device and flows through the air passage.
US09222442B2
One exemplary embodiment includes a product including a housing that has a mixer portion and first, second and third openings. The first opening is configured to receive at least a portion of exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine, and the second opening is configured to receive intake air. The mixer portion is in communication with the first and second openings to mix the exhaust gases and the intake air into a gas mixture. The third opening is in communication with the mixer portion to flow the gas mixture therethrough. The invention further includes a particulate separator disposed within the housing. The particulate separator is configured to remove particulates from the exhaust gases. The product may be included in a low-pressure EGR path and/or a high-pressure EGR path.
US09222441B2
An EGR apparatus includes a EGR passage for allowing part of exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber of an engine to an exhaust passage to flow in an intake passage and recirculate back to the combustion chamber, and an EGR valve provided in the EGR passage to regulate an EGR passage in this passage. The EGR valve includes a valve seat, a valve element to be seatable on the valve seat, and a step motor for driving the valve element to open and close. An electronic control device controls the EGR valve to repeat opening and closing of the valve element between a closing position and a small opening position in order to remove foreign matters adhered to the valve seat or valve element during deceleration fuel cutoff of the engine.
US09222440B2
A one-step starting carburetor system includes a body, a middle body, a fuel inlet pipe, a fuel outlet pipe, a lower cover and a temperature controller which is connected to the lower cover. The fuel inlet pipe pumps fuel from an oiler through the pipe. The fuel outlet pipe connects with an oil pumping unit through a pipe. The body connects with a pulse generator through a pipe, wherein the pulse generator comprises a pulse generating chamber, a cover, and a solenoid valve.
US09222436B2
There is described an airfoil combination for aircraft turbofan, designed to save fuel in aircraft operation, which is composed by two wings (5) and two supports (6) articulated or not, for each of the wings (5). These two wings (5) are located inside the turbofan, internally to the outer fairing (3) of the turbofan and externally to the other components of the turbofan. In one of the embodiments, the two wings may have high-lifting devices, such as flaps. The two wings use the “blown” air at great speed by the fan (1) to generate a pre-determined lifting effect pursuant to the flight phases and the operating regimes of the turbofans to compensate totally or partially the weight of the turbofan itself, reducing the lift effort to be generated by the aircraft wings. As the lift force generated by a wing is directly proportional to the square root of the air speed which passes over its surfaces, the lift effect obtained as described above is proportionally very high in relation to the area of the wings (5) that are the subject matter of the present invention.
US09222429B2
A control system for a gaseous-fueled engine is disclosed. The gaseous-fueled engine may have an intake valve mechanically driven by a camshaft. The control system may have a variable valve timing device configured to adjust a cyclical opening and closing timing of the intake valve. The control system may further have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the engine and a controller in communication with the variable valve timing device and the sensor. In addition, the controller may be configured to selectively initiate a first Miller Cycle timing and a second Miller Cycle timing based on the signal.
US09222418B2
A fuel feed circuit for an aeroengine, the circuit including a high-pressure pumping system including first and second positive displacement pumps, a hydraulic actuator, and a fuel metering unit. As a function of a position of a slide of the actuator, a feed orifice of the actuator may be connected to a high-pressure delivery orifice connected to an outlet of the second pump, or to a low-pressure delivery orifice connected to a low-pressure feed line. The fuel metering unit includes through sections, one of these through sections being connected to an outlet of the high-pressure pumping system and the other through section being connected to an outlet of the high-pressure pumping system and leading to a high-pressure pilot chamber of the hydraulic actuator.
US09222415B2
A fuel heating system for a gas turbine engine comprises a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a fuel pump and a valve. The first heat exchanger produces a heated air flow. The second heat exchanger receives the heated air flow from the first heat exchanger. The fuel pump provides a fuel flow. The valve is coupled to the fuel pump to intermittently include the second heat exchanger in the fuel flow based on a temperature of the fuel flow. A method of heating fuel in a gas turbine engine comprises providing fuel to a gas turbine engine with a fuel pump to sustain a combustion process, heating a flow of air with exhaust gas from the combustion process, and heating fuel from the fuel pump en route to the gas turbine engine with the flow of air based on a temperature of the fuel.
US09222412B2
A method of automatically performing an engine health check for checking the health of at least one turbine engine of an aircraft. During flight, the stability of at least one monitoring parameter is verified by acquiring a measurement signal, by performing first filtering of each signal by a high-pass filter over a long first duration (TPS1) and by verifying that a first amplitude (A1) of the signal filtered in this way does not exceed a first threshold defined by the manufacturer, by performing second filtering of each signal by a high-pass filter over a short second duration (TPS2) in parallel with said first filtering by a high-pass filter, and by verifying that a second amplitude (A2) of the signal filtered in this way does not exceed a second threshold defined by the manufacturer, the second duration (TPS2) being less than the first duration (TPS1), and the second amplitude (A2) being less than the first amplitude (A1).
US09222403B2
The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods for treating a fuel prior to ignition in a combustion engine in order to improve efficiency. In one aspect of the invention a throttle valve system that entrains a flow of gas, which can include a fuel, into a structured flow pattern via the inclusion of topological on a surface of the valve body and/or the flow chamber. The topological features can be arranged in a pattern configured to produce movement and/or structured turbulence in a stream of gas that is introduced to the throttle valve. An excitation source that ionizes or cracks species in the gas stream can be optionally utilized.
US09222390B2
The invention relates to a device for injecting a fluid (2), in particular into the exhaust-gas section of an internal combustion engine, having a reservoir (4) for storing the fluid (2) to be injected; an injection and metering module (10); a pump (8) which is configured for conveying fluid (2) during operation out of the reservoir (4) to the injection and metering module (10); and a return line (16) which makes an outflow of fluid (2) out of the injection and metering module (10) possible, wherein a switchable throttling valve (14) which is suitable for pumping fluid out of the injection and metering module (10) is arranged in the return line (16).
US09222389B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining a feed rate for direct introduction of a reductant gas into an exhaust stream to achieve a NOx emissions target and for controlling a reductant introduction device to admit the reductant gas into the exhaust stream at the determined feed rate.
US09222384B2
The exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is periodically dosed to recharge an SCR catalyst with ammonia. If dosing is scheduled and exhaust gas temperature is too low to ensure recharging, a forced increase in exhaust gas temperature is effected for the period of dosing. A diagnostic to confirm correct operation of a catalytic converter may advantageously run at the same time.
US09222381B2
An engine device in which a support structure of an exhaust throttle device can be made as a high rigidity structure, and it is possible to prevent the exhaust throttle device from being heated by radiation heat from peripheries of the exhaust throttle device. The engine device of the invention includes an engine having an exhaust manifold, and the exhaust throttle device adjusts exhaust gas pressure of the exhaust manifold An exhaust gas intake side of a throttle valve case of the exhaust throttle device is fastened to an exhaust gas outlet of the exhaust manifold, and an exhaust gas pipe is connected to the exhaust manifold through the throttle valve case. An intermediate portion of a cooling pipe of an EGR cooler is provided with a cooling water pipe of the exhaust throttle device.
US09222380B2
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain includes an internal combustion engine and an electric vehicle traction motor, an engine lubrication oil pump in fluid communication with a lubrication oil flow circuit for the internal combustion engine, an electric oil pump drive motor drivingly connected to the lubrication oil pump, and a powertrain control module. The powertrain control module is configured to start the electric oil pump drive motor immediately upon the initial start of the vehicle.
US09222377B2
A volume store which has a substantially hollow cylindrical housing and a separating element displaceably disposed within the housing. The housing is fixedly disposed within a hollow chamber of a camshaft.
US09222374B2
A camshaft for a combustion engine has a shaft and at least one cam thermally joined to a joining surface on the shaft side via a joining surface on the cam side. The shaft is embodied as a drawn and not additionally worked tube. Because of this the production of commercial vehicle camshafts can be realized in a more cost-effective manner since these do not have to be additionally ground or turned.
US09222369B2
A joint assembly for an annular structure comprises a first annular member having a first radially extending flange and a second annular member having a second radially extending flange. The first and second flanges having a plurality of first and second circumferentially aligned apertures. A plurality of fasteners are provided and each fastener is arranged to extend through a respective pair of the first and second apertures to join the first and second annular members together. The first and second radially extending flanges have a plurality of circumferentially aligned third and fourth apertures. A plurality of members are provided and each member is arranged to extend axially through a respective pair of the third and fourth apertures.
US09222363B2
A stator angular sector for a turbine engine compressor and including: an outer shroud and an inner shroud; and at least one vane extending radially between the shrouds and connected thereto at its radial ends. At one of its axial ends the outer shroud includes a cavity opening out to the axial end and extending between a radially-inner tongue of the outer shroud to which the radially-outer end of the vane is connected and a radially-outer tongue of the outer shroud carrying a mounting mechanism for mounting the stator angular sector to a casing of the engine. An abutment-forming insert is housed at least in part in the cavity, the abutment-forming insert configured to limit radial movements of the radially-inner tongue by contact and thus to modify vibratory behavior of the radially-inner tongue.
US09222361B2
A rotary piston machine is disclosed. In one aspect, the machine includes a shaft and a shaft encoder including a first structure, based on which the rotational speed and/or the rotational position of the shaft can be determined by scanning the first structure with a sensor. The shaft encoder has a rotationally asymmetrical mass distribution in order to produce an imbalance.
US09222359B2
A setting tool for inserting an anchor rod into a borehole filled with a curable mass or filled with a cartridge containing a curable mass is disclosed. The setting tool includes a housing, which has a receptacle for the anchor rod, into which the anchor rod can be inserted in the longitudinal direction and in which the anchor rod can be fixed. At least one clamping element is tilted at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the receptacle and is supported in a guide in the receptacle in such a way that the clamping element can be moved from a receiving position, in which the anchor rod can be inserted into the receptacle in the longitudinal direction, to a clamping position, in which the anchor rod is fixed in the receptacle in the circumferential direction, by rotating the housing relative to the anchor rod.
US09222355B2
Systems and methods for operating a mining machine. One system includes a controller, a stationary object, and a radar device. The radar device transmits radio waves toward the stationary object and detects reflections of the radio waves. The controller obtains timing information regarding the radio waves and the reflections. Based on the timing information, the controller is configured to determine a first distance between the radar device and the stationary object before sumping the mining machine into material and a second distance between the radar device and the stationary object after sumping the mining machine into the material. The controller is also configured to determine a sump depth of the mining machine based on the first distance and the second distance, compare the determined sump depth to a predetermined sump depth, and perform at least one automatic action when the determined sump depth does not satisfy the predetermined sump depth.
US09222353B2
A tip for use on an earth working roll for mining, construction and public works machines such as crushers, surface miners, milling machines and the like includes a working end provided with side relief to reduce drag and wearing, require less power to drive the rolls, and lengthen the usable life of the tip. The working end can also have a generally flat front surface to improve the yield in a crushing or other similar operation. The tip includes a base and a wear cap releasably secured together by a retainer.
US09222352B2
An apparatus including a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation and method of use thereof. The downhole tool may include a turbo-alternator disposed in a passageway for drilling mud, and a controller to: track operating points of the turbo-alternator, determine from the operating points a flow rate of the drilling mud, and control a component of the downhole tool based on the flow rate.
US09222351B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for the real-time detection and measurement of sag within a deviated borehole. One method includes measuring a first pressure at a first time at a point within the borehole, predicting a characteristic of the drilling fluid at the point using a computer model, thereby obtaining a predicted characteristic, calculating the characteristic based on the first pressure, thereby obtaining a calculated characteristic, and determining whether sag has occurred based on a comparison between the calculated characteristic and the predicted characteristic.
US09222340B2
A flow control assembly can be mechanically adjusted, rotationally or translationally, inside a tubing downhole between multiple positions by an intervening tool from the surface to change resistivity to flow through the flow control assembly. The positions among which the flow control assembly can be adjusted can include a closed position, a fully open position, and positions at which fluid experiences various resistances prior to flowing to an inner area of the tubing.
US09222334B2
A technique facilitates the delivery and testing of a tool string assembly downhole. The technique employs at least one rotatable element valve in the tool string at a location which enables the rotatable element valve to be used for selectively blocking or allowing fluid flow along an interior passage of the tool string. A one-way valve, such as a flapper valve, dart valve, or spring loaded ball valve, is deployed within a rotatable element of each rotatable element valve to combine flow control functions, thus enabling a shorter tool string section. The at least one rotatable element valve also may be designed to facilitate pressure testing of the tool string.
US09222333B2
An assembly for monitoring a fluid operation including a plug member operatively arranged to impede fluid flow past the plug when the plug member is engaged with a seat. A conveyor is coupled to the plug and operatively arranged for positioning the plug at a desired location. A signal conductor is disposed with the conveyor. At least one sensor is coupled with the signal conductor for monitoring one or more parameters related to the fluid operation. A method of monitoring a fluid operation is also included.
US09222331B2
A well isolation includes a radially expandable sealing element that engages an interior wall of the wellbore tubular and a radially expandable expansion cone in telescopic relationship with the sealing element. The expansion cone expands the sealing element and a swage telescopically engages and expands the expansion cone.
US09222330B2
A method for providing one or more seals in an annular space between a well tubular and the surrounding formation or between pipes of a wellbore system includes determining an in-situ temperature, pressure, earth formation properties and one or more fluids present at one or more locations where the seals are desired. A sealing substance is placed at the locations and allowed to flow into the annular space and undergo curing to form one or more seals. The sealing substance may be a setting expoxy based, phenolic based or polyester based fluid that includes at least one solid component. The sealing substance has physical and fluid dynamic properties compatible with the determined in-situ parameters.
US09222329B2
An injector spool supports a plurality of ball injector assemblies having respective ball cartridges adapted to load one frac ball at a time into a ball chamber of a ball launcher of the respective ball injector assemblies to provide a low profile, high capacity ball injector.
US09222323B2
A petroleum well drill- or coiled tubing string mounted fishing tool includes a main body including a lower housing with a magnet having at least one magnet surface facing downwards in the well at a lower end of the lower housing and arranged for catching and holding undesired magnetic objects present in the well, the main body provided with a connector to the drill- or coiled tubing string at its upper end. The tool further includes a generally cylindrical upper housing with a central channel with laterally directed curl flow forming nozzles through the cylindrical wall of the upper housing, the nozzles leading out into one or more helical grooves between helical ridges, the magnet including permanent magnets arranged in a magnetization pattern which concentrates their combined magnetic flux through the downwards facing surface, the upper housing's vertical channel extending near its lower end to peripherally directed channels extending to an outer wall of the lower housing about the magnets and leading to axially directed peripheral nose ports at a peripheral lower end of the lower housing and arranged for flushing fluid ahead of the magnet, the central channel provided with a vertically displaceable cylindrical flow control sleeve which is provided with a closing seat near its lower end so as for receiving a ball for shutting off the flow to the nose ports and redirecting the flow through apertures in the wall of the sleeve to the curl flow forming nozzles.
US09222320B2
A subsea pressure control system can include at least one subsea choke which variably restricts flow of drilling fluid from a well annulus to a surface location, the choke being positioned at a subsea location, and a subsea process control system which automatically operates the subsea choke, whereby a desired pressure is maintained in the well annulus. Another subsea pressure control system can include at least one subsea choke which variably restricts flow of drilling fluid from a well annulus to a surface location, the choke being positioned at a subsea location, and a subsea pump which pumps the drilling fluid from the subsea location to the surface location.
US09222318B2
Systems and methods for riser coupling are disclosed. A riser coupling system comprises a riser joint connector comprising a first tubular assembly coupled to a second tubular assembly. The riser coupling system further comprises a spider assembly which receives the riser joint connector and has a connector actuation tool. The connector actuation tool comprises a dog assembly, a clamping tool and a splined member. The dog assembly selectively extends a dog to engage the riser joint connector. The clamping tool couples the first tubular assembly and the second tubular assembly. Finally, the splined member actuates a locking member of the riser joint connector.
US09222316B2
A system and methodology facilitates extending the reach of coiled tubing during a well operation. The technique employs tubing which is deployed along wellbore. A plurality of extended reach devices is positioned along the tubing. Each extended reach device has at least one internal guide member oriented for extension into an interior of the tubing. The guide member engages and guides the coiled tubing during movement of the coiled tubing along the interior of the tubing, thus enabling an extended reach during a wellbore servicing application.
US09222304B2
An example door includes first and second tracks. The example door includes a retainer borne by the first track and an alignment guide associated with the first track. The example door also includes a curtain extending laterally between the first and second tracks. The curtain has a leading edge selectively movable between a closed position and an open position. The example door includes a primary projection borne by the curtain that is in guiding engagement with the retainer within the first track. The primary projection is dislodged from the track when the curtain is in the breakaway state. The example door includes a secondary projection borne by the curtain and arranged to travel outside of the alignment guide when the leading edge is traveling between the open position and the closed position.
US09222288B2
A position-controlled front hood latch bracket for a vehicle includes a bracket base having a hood latch opening configured to receive a hood latch assembly having a latch base, the latch base having a perimeter and a plurality of locating apertures. The front hood latch bracket also includes a plurality of spaced-apart hood latch keeper features, the hood latch keeper features configured to receive and keep the perimeter of the latch base in slidable engagement with the bracket base while enabling a predetermined amount of movement of the latch base relative to the bracket base in a pre-assembly position. The bracket further includes a plurality of fastener apertures each configured to receive a fastener for detachably attaching the latch base to the bracket base, the locating apertures having a size and a location that exposes the fastener apertures in the preinstallation position regardless of the predetermined amount of movement.
US09222287B2
An object gripping device using a electromagnetic assembly includes a base having two opposite ends thereof, a fastening portion pivoted at one end of the base and having an object-gripping trench and a through opening having a stopping surface therein at two opposite ends of the fastening portion, a transmission portion pivoted at the other end of the base, a stopping shaft extending through both the transmission portion and the through opening, a first spring connected both the base and the fastening portion, a second spring connected both the base and the transmission portion, and a electromagnetic assembly connected the base and the transmission portion.
US09222275B2
A cleaning robot that may include a control unit, a drive motor, a jet generator, a housing, a waterline proximity sensor, a filtering unit and a brushing unit. The jet generator has first and second openings that are positioned at opposite sides of the housing. The control unit is arranged to control the jet generator for jetting fluids to thereby inducing the pool cleaning robot to move according to a waterline movement scheme when the pool cleaning robot is proximate to the waterline. The waterline proximity sensor is arranged to sense proximity of the pool cleaning robot to a waterline. The drive motor and the jet generator are substantially closer to a front edge of the housing than to a rear edge of the housing.
US09222269B2
A composite decking board constructed from a thermoplastic polymer material including one or more reinforcing filaments located within and embedded in at least a lower portion of the board to impart and enhance structural stiffness and rigidity. A method is provided in which the board is formed by extruding molten material through a die and continuously feeding reinforcement filament in the molten thermoplastic feed material simultaneously. The reinforcement filament is disposed substantially within the cross section of the extruded board and can generally be disposed in the lower portion of the board.
US09222267B2
A set of essentially identical floorboards each including a front face and a rear face extending in the horizontal plane, a core, and a surface layer, a mechanical locking system is arranged at least at two opposite edges for connecting a floorboard with an adjacent floorboard in a horizontal and a vertical direction, said mechanical locking system being configured for connecting the floorboard with the adjacent floorboard by vertical folding, wherein one of said opposite edges is provided with a horizontally extending protrusion at an upper edge, and wherein said protrusion is configured to overlap a surface groove at an upper edge of the other of said opposite edges, such that two connected and adjacent floorboards have upper overlapping edges.
US09222259B2
A high impact and load bearing building panel includes a first magnesium oxide board, a phenolic resin sheet, an expanded polystyrene layer, and a second magnesium oxide board. The phenolic resin sheet is laminated with the expanded polystyrene layer, and the first magnesium oxide board is laminated with the phenolic resin sheet opposite of the expanded polystyrene layer. The second magnesium oxide board is laminated with the expanded polystyrene layer opposite of the phenolic resin sheet. The high impact and load bearing building panel is used for building construction to constructs exterior walls, interior walls, roofs, floors, and foundation systems.
US09222257B2
A hospital layout comprising a plurality of adjacent OR/intervention rooms (46, 48) uniquely configured and equipped to perform surgical and other interventional procedures, with adjacent intubation rooms (52) configured and equipped to prepare patients for procedures to occur in the OR/intervention rooms and at least one extubation room (54) adjacent the OR/intervention rooms, configured and equipped to post-intervention awaken and extubate patients. A plurality of universal patient rooms (40) are located adjacent the OR/intervention rooms and universal patient rooms, and are configured and equipped to admit patients for surgery/intervention, prepare patients for surgery/intervention, allow patients to recover post-intervention, and discharge patients post-recovery.
US09222252B1
The foundation wall and floor slab drain is a device that is designed to control the buildup of mold in basements by enabling the water that drains from wall to be channeled into a French drain that is provided there under. The device is installed during construction of the footing, foundation wall, and floor slab. The device is further defined as an elongated planar member with a plurality of tubes linearly aligned thereon, and which collectively form an assembly. Both the elongated member and the plurality of tubes are bent to form a right angle. A vertical portion of the assembly is adapted to interface against a foundation wall and a side surface of a floor slab. A horizontal portion of the assembly is adapted to interface between a bottom surface of the floor slab and a top surface of a footing.
US09222242B2
The present disclosure relates to fault detection, isolation and reconfiguration schemes, architectures and methods for use in electrohydraulic actuation systems for construction equipment. In one embodiment, a supervisory controller adapted to interface with a main controller of the construction vehicle is provided. A plurality of control nodes that interface with the supervisory controller are also disclosed, each of which includes pressure and position sensors. The nodes also include a first actuator control node for controlling operation of a first hydraulic actuator, a second actuator control node for controlling operation of a second hydraulic actuator, and a pump control node. The control system has an architecture in which faults are detected and isolated at the supervisory controller level and, where possible, within each of the control nodes at a sensor level, a component level, and a subsystem level.
US09222239B2
A self-contained, on-board diagnostic system integrated with a control system and method of using the same. Various control system coefficients and parameter settings may be set and edited with the on-board system, without the use of external hardware. In certain embodiments, an operator panel display may be used as a display for the on-board system. A menu navigation scheme can be employed to access a plurality of screens in an organized, efficient manner. The on-board system can be adapted for use with a tracked trencher and/or other mobile equipment.
US09222238B2
A drag head (100) for dredging material (2) from the bed (3) of a body of water and transporting the material (2) to a suction tube (120). The drag head (100) is arranged to be dragged over the bed (3) in a dragging direction (D). The drag head (100) includes a suction section (110) in which an under pressure can be created to suck up the material (2) from the bed (3) through a suction opening (113) into a suction chamber (112). A heel section (111) guides the drag head (100) along the bed (3). The suction section (110) is preferably rotatably connected to the heel section (111). The suction section (110) also includes an outlet (114) for transporting the material (2) towards the suction tube (120).
US09222233B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for creating an underwater foundation of a building, wherein a base element is provided as a module carrier (11) at the erection site and a pile (6) forms the foundation to be created or is a component of the foundation, wherein the pile (6) is implemented as a hollow body. The aim of the invention is to allow the creation of a foundation in geologically difficult conditions, while simultaneously reducing noise emissions in sensitive areas. The aim is achieved by clamping the pile (6) in a pivot module (13), by erecting the pile (6) by way of pivoting the pivot module (13), until the desired driving direction into the ground (9) relative to the horizontal is achieved, by locking the pivot module after erecting the desired slope, by sinking the pile (6) to the floor (8) of the water system (7) and pressing it into the floor (8) until a limit value of a driving force is reached, by installing a sinking device (24) in the pile (6) and sinking it to the floor (8), by loosening the rock (9) below the pile (6) and sinking the pile (6) until the final depth is reached.
US09222231B2
A handheld spreader having a fillable container for dispensing particulate from an electrically powered blower assembly in a detachable base. The spreader includes a feed slide leading from the container to the air stream channel of the base that has a vibrating eccentric plate for guiding and improving the flow of particulate from container into the air stream. The container and base are frictionally engaged together, thereby allowing for easy assembly of spreader, including assembly after container has been filled with particulate, as well as easy reassembly if container is removed and refilled. The spreader includes a rotating slide that may be operated by a user to open and partially close the feed slide of the container to control the feed rate.
US09222229B1
In one embodiment, provided is a sound attenuating barrier having a core structure between face sheets with a mass attached to at least one face sheet, and having a spatially varied stiffness distribution and/or a spatially varied density. The sound attenuating barrier may include at least one face sheet and/or core having a spatially varied stiffness distribution and/or a spatially varied mass distribution. In one embodiment, a sound attenuating barrier is provided having a core structure between face sheets with a mass structure attached to at least one face sheet, with the core/and or face sheet(s) being constructed to design an effective vibration length as well as enable a variable local stiffness and mass across the sound attenuating barrier such that the sandwich structure provides variable resonance frequency responses and broadband coverage.
US09222214B2
The present invention relates to an ironing board cover with at least three layers (18, 20, 22) that are arranged on top of each other, wherein one of the layers (18, 20, 22) is a heat resistant cover layer (18) that is permeable to steam (26), another one of the layers (18, 20, 22) is a porous layer (20) that is at least partially permeable to steam (26) and heat, and a further one of the layers (18, 20, 22) is a water proof layer (22) that is impermeable to steam (26) and/or liquid, wherein the porous layer (20) is arranged between the cover layer (18) and the water proof layer (22).
US09222212B2
The invention relates to a method for processing laundry in a laundry processing device (110) comprising a drum (112) that is rotatably mounted on a support so as to be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis. The method comprises recording, while the laundry is being processed, a signal that is correlated to the interaction between the drum (112) and the laundry (114), and that exhibits a variation caused by the rotation of the drum (112); on the basis of the signal and a desired process result, determining a target rotary speed of the drum (112); and adjusting the rotary speed of the drum (112) to the target rotary speed. Further, the invention relates to a laundry processing device capable of performing the method.
US09222211B2
A water inlet system for a washing machine including a main body, at least one insert and a valve assembly. The main body is made of a first material. The at least one insert is spin welded to the main body. The at least one insert is made of a material substantially the same as the first material. The valve assembly is mechanically coupled and sealed with the insert. The valve assembly has a valve body made of a second material, with the first material and the second material being different.
US09222207B2
A cross-tufting machine and process for manufacturing carpet. The cross-tufting machine includes a sewing head and a tufting gun. The sewing head is movably mounted on support railing and a support platform is provided to support carpet that is to be provided with a tufted secondary pattern. The carpet moves in steps on top of the support platform in a machine direction and the sewing head traverses back and forth in a cross-wise direction wherein the tufting gun forms the tufted secondary pattern in the carpet.
US09222203B2
A method for making items of clothing having shape memory, the method comprising: synthesizing (31) a shape memory polyurethane; subjecting (34) the shape memory polyurethane to wet spinning, dry spinning, melt spinning or multi-component spinning in order to produce shape memory fibers; and knitting or weaving (36) the shape memory fibers to form the item of clothing.
US09222195B2
In an electroplating process, electric current is applied to two or more electrodes, with the current varying over time according to a multi-variable function. The multi-variable current function is integrated over time, for each electrode, to determine a net plating charge delivered. A plating profile of a plated-on layer of material is compared to a target plating profile. Deviations between the actual plating profile and the target plating profile are identified and used to determine new net plating charges for each electrode. One or more variables of the multi-variable function is changed to provide a new multi-variable function. The new net plating charges are distributed according to the new multi-variable current function, and are used to electroplate a layer of material on a second substrate.
US09222194B2
An electroplating/etch apparatus including a fluid jet and a dryer present over the tank containing the electrolyte for the electroplating/etch process. The fluid jet and the dryer remove excess liquids, such as electrolyte, from the component being plated or etched, e.g., working electrode. The working electrode is present on a holder that traverses from a first position within the tank during a plating or etch operation to a second position that is outside the containing the plating electrolyte. The fluid jet rinses the working electrode when the holder is in the second position, and the forced air dryer blows any remaining fluid from the fluid jet and the electrolyte from the working electrode into the tank.
US09222192B2
A holding device for a treatment of a product (5), which holding device comprises a first holding part (41) and a second holding part (42). The first holding part (41) comprises at least one first electrical contact element (13) for establishing a contact with a first side (6) of the product (5). The second holding part (42) comprises at least one second electrical contact element (14) for establishing a contact with a second side (7) of the product (5), which second side that lies opposite the first side (6). The first holding part (41) and the second holding part (42) are arranged in such a way that they can be fastened to one another in a detachable manner for the purpose of holding the product (5). A product seal (15, 16) and a housing seal (17) provide a sealing arrangement to prevent the penetration of fluid into the at least one first electrical contact element (13) and the at least one second electrical contact element (14) in a treatment state.
US09222187B2
A method of processing an article having a substrate and a cobalt-phosphorous coating disposed on the substrate includes heat treating the article. At least one physical characteristic of the cobalt-phosphorous coating is altered using the heat treating to thereby change a performance characteristic of the article. For example, the article may be an actuator component having a bore or a shaft that is movably disposed at least partially within the bore.
US09222186B2
A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board includes forming a through hole in an insulating substrate such that the hole extends from first surface of the substrate to second surface of the substrate on the opposite side, forming a seed layer on the first and second surfaces and wall of the hole, and applying pulse plating to the substrate via the seed layer such that a through-hole conductor is formed in the hole. The applying of the pulse plating includes flowing forward and reverse current on the first and second surfaces of the substrate such that when the forward current flows on the first surface of the substrate, the reverse current flows on the second surface of the substrate and that when the reverse current flows on the first surface of the substrate, the forward current flows on the second surface of the substrate.
US09222184B2
The present invention related to a contact bar or contact bar segment, a contact bar and insulating capping board assembly and a method for operating an electrolytic cell including electrodes for refining metal. Embodiments of the contact bar include support sections with multiple support surfaces for lying against the insulating capping board, thereby distributing weight of the electrodes hanging on the contact bar; and contact sections for receiving the electrodes while providing good electrical contact and precise positioning thereof. While following the steps of the method for operating the electrolytic cell, lifetime of the contact bar and insulating capping board may be increased.
US09222183B2
An electrolytic cell anode, including an encasing conductive material configured to encase a dense conductive material and define the electrolytic cell anode, wherein the dense conductive material has an electrical conductivity greater than that of the encasing conductive material.
US09222182B2
A system comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells each comprising an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, each cell configured to electrolyze electrolyte to generate an anolyte and a catholyte, a plurality of sets of one or more flow control devices, each of the sets being configured to control a flow rate of the electrolyte into a corresponding cell, a plurality of current measuring devices, each configured to measure a current across a corresponding one of the plurality of cells, and a control system in data communication with the flow control devices and the current measuring devices. The control system is configured to compare the measured current across each of the cells to a current set point, and control the flow control devices to adjust the flow rate of the electrolyte in response to a difference between the measured current across a cell and the current set point.
US09222177B2
Provided are azeotropic or azeotrope-like mixtures of 1,3,3,3-tetrachloroprop-1-ene (HCO-1230zd) and hydrogen fluoride. Such compositions are useful as a feed stock in the production of HFC245fa and HCFO1233zd.
US09222176B2
Composition for cleaning surfaces which are susceptible to corrosion in alkaline liquids, comprising at least one alkalinity source, at least one inorganic salt containing at least one cation selected from the elements of the second or third main group of the periodic table of the elements, and whereby the composition is free of any triazole and/or any alkali metal borate, aqueous concentrate comprising the composition, use solutions comprising the composition or the aqueous concentrate and method of cleaning surfaces which are susceptible to corrosion in alkaline liquids using the above aqueous concentrate or any of the above use solutions.
US09222172B2
Methods and apparatus relating to aluminum nitride baffles are provided herein. In some embodiments, a baffle for use in semiconductor process chambers may include a body comprising aluminum nitride and a metal oxide binding agent, wherein a ratio of aluminum nitride to metal oxide on a surface of the body is greater than or equal to the ratio within the body. In some embodiments, the body may have a center stem and an outer annulus coupled to and extending radially outwards from a lower portion of the center stem. In some embodiments, a method of fabricating a baffle may include sintering aluminum, nitrogen, and a metal oxide binding agent to form a body of the baffle, the body having excess metal oxide binding agent disposed on a surface thereof; and removing a bulk of the excess metal oxide binding agent from a surface of the body.
US09222170B2
Anisotropic materials, such as rutile TiO2, can exhibit dielectric constant of 170 along the tetragonal axis of (001) direction, and dielectric constant of 86 along directions perpendicular to the tetragonal axis. Layer of anisotropic material nanorods, such as TiO2 nanorods, can form a seed layer to grow a dielectric layer that can exhibit the higher dielectric constant value in a direction parallel to the substrate surface. The anisotropic layer can then be patterned to expose a surface normal to the high dielectric constant direction. A conductive material can be formed in contact with the exposed surface to create an electrode/dielectric stack along the direction of high dielectric constant.
US09222167B2
A sputtering apparatus for depositing a material on a substrate through a sputtering process includes a vacuum chamber, a target positioned in the vacuum chamber and capable of sputtering a material to be deposited, a first plate attached for a substrate to be coupled thereto or decoupled therefrom and installed to be rotated in the vacuum chamber for the substrate to face the target, and a second plate installed to be rotated in the vacuum chamber to face the target.
US09222166B2
It is an objective of the invention to provide a slide part in which a seal member formed of an elastic body is in sliding contact with a hard member. There is provided a slide part comprising: a hard member having an amorphous carbon coating containing nitrogen formed on an outermost surface of a substrate; and a seal member formed of an elastic body, the seal member being in sliding contact with the hard member, wherein: content of the nitrogen in the coating is 3 at. % or more and 25 at. % or less, taking a total content of the carbon and the nitrogen in the coating as 100 at. %; the seal member contains fluorine at least in a sliding contact surface region thereof; and content of the fluorine in the surface region of the seal member is equal to or more than the nitrogen content in the coating.
US09222165B2
The present invention generally comprises a top shield for shielding a shadow frame within a PVD chamber. The top shield may remain in a stationary position and at least partially shield the shadow frame to reduce the amount of material that may deposit on the shadow frame during processing. The top shield may be cooled to reduce the amount of fluxuation in temperature of the top shield and shadow frame during processing and/or during down time.
US09222159B2
A method of forming bulk metallic glass engineering materials, and more particularly a method for forming coarsening microstructures within said engineering materials is provided. Specifically, the method forms ‘designed composites’ by introducing ‘soft’ elastic/plastic inhomogeneities in a metallic glass matrix to initiate local shear banding around the inhomogeneity, and matching of microstructural length scales (for example, L and S) to the characteristic length scale RP (for plastic shielding of an opening crack tip) to limit shear band extension, suppress shear band opening, and avoid crack development.
US09222144B2
An apparatus for injecting gas into a vessel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gas flow duct from which to discharge gas from the duct, an elongate central structure extending within the gas flow duct, and a plurality of flow directing vanes disposed about the central structure adjacent the forward end of the duct to impart swirl to a gas flow through the forward end of the duct. The apparatus also comprises cooling water flow passages in the vanes that have inlets at the forward ends of the vanes and outlets at the rear ends of the vanes.
US09222141B2
This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for determining the zygosity of corn plants containing one or more brown midrib (BMR) mutations. The disclosure also concerns methods that are useful for enhancing the breeding process for BMR corn. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods for determining the zygosity of corn plants with respect to the bm3 allele.
US09222134B2
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods used for detecting different types of molecules associated with a site on a solid support.
US09222128B2
System, including methods, apparatus, and compositions, for performing a multiplexed digital assay on a greater number of targets through combinatorial use of signals.
US09222125B2
The invention provides dimeric diagnostic arrays and methods for their use.
US09222123B2
This invention provides substrates for use in various applications, including single-molecule analytical reactions. Methods for propagating optical energy within a substrate are provided. Devices comprising waveguide substrates and dielectric omnidirectional reflectors are provided. Waveguide substrates with improved uniformity of optical energy intensity across one or more waveguides and enhanced waveguide illumination efficiency within an analytic detection region of the arrays are provided.
US09222117B2
Disclosed are compositions comprising isolated peptides having a leucine content of from about 12 to about 40 weight percent. Also disclosed is a method for isolating leucine-rich peptides from protein sources such as bovine whey and methods of use for these peptides to provide beneficial effects in a human and/or animal such as increasing blood flow, decreasing blood pressure, increasing muscle mass, improving cognitive function, improving cardiovascular function, etc.
US09222114B1
The presently-disclosed subject matter includes thermophilic glucan phosphatase polypeptides. In some embodiments the polypeptide includes non-native laforin polypeptides, or fragments and/or variants thereof, and in some instances the polypeptide can alter the biophysical properties of starch in vitro or in planta. The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes isolated polynucleotides encoding the present polypeptides, methods for processing starch by exposing starch to the present polypeptides, and methods for making the present polypeptides.
US09222105B2
Nucleases and methods of using these nucleases for modification of an HPRT locus and for increasing the frequency of gene modification at a targeted locus and clones and for generating animals.
US09222099B2
Recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful for modulating gene expression in plants, including molecules derived from Medicago truncatula 3′ UTR sequences, are provided. Transgenic plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising recombinant DNA molecules operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules are further provided, as are methods of their use.
US09222096B2
The present invention provides substantially purified or isolated fungi of Nodulisporium spp. or Ascocoryne spp., plants infected with said fungi, organic compounds produced by said fungi, and related nucleic acids, polypeptides and methods.
US09222093B2
A regulatable gene expression construct comprising a nucleic acid molecule comprising a two-way riboswitch operably linked to a target sequence. Also provided is a library screening strategy for efficient creation of target-specific riboswitches. A theophylline-repressible and IPTG-inducible riboswitch device achieves portable control of gene expression control in a ‘two-way’ manner. The default state of target genes is ON; the targets are switched off by adding theophylline, and switched back to the ON-state by adding IPTG without changing growth medium. The riboswitch device regulates gene expression in a portable, adjustable, and two-way manner with a variety of scientific and biotechnological applications.
US09222078B2
The use of a peroxidase and violuric acid, or a derivative thereof in the bleaching of pulp, such as paper materials, such as paper, linerboard, corrugated paperboard, tissue, towels, corrugated containers and boxes. The peroxidases of the invention are classified as EC 1.11.1.7. The effect of peroxidase is bleaching and de-inking of the pulp, e.g. the paper pulp and the resulting paper material.
US09222074B2
The invention provides a process for producing a three-dimensional tissue by cultivating eucaryotic cells by introducing the cells into a matrix and cultivating the cells within the matrix in a cell culture medium within a cell culture vessel under controlled dissolved oxygen conditions of the cell culture medium. The matrix contains a support containing an optical oxygen sensor, which is an oxygen-sensitive dye, which upon irradiation with an excitation wavelength changes its emission characteristics in dependence on the dissolved oxygen concentration in the surrounding medium, including a dye phosphorescing upon irradiation of an excitation wavelength, which phosphorescence is quenched by dissolved oxygen.
US09222073B2
The present invention relates to a composition for diagnosing a Parkinson's disease comprising mesenchymal stromal cells derived from adipose tissue, a method of providing information for diagnosing Parkinson's disease and/or the extent of the disease progression, a biomarker for diagnosing a Parkinson's disease, a method of screening a drug candidate treating Parkinson's disease where the drug candidate is a target of the biomarker, and an immortalized mesenchymal stromal cell from adipose tissue.
US09222071B2
T cell responses are often diminished in humans with a compromised immune system. We have developed a method to isolate, stimulate and expand naïve cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTLp) to antigen-specific effectors, capable of lysing tumor cells in vivo. This ex vivo protocol produces fully functional effectors. Artificial antigen presenting cells (AAPCs; Drosophila melanogaster) transfected with human HLA class I and defined accessory molecules, are used to stimulate CD8+ T cells from both normal donors and cancer patients. The class I molecules expressed to a high density on the surface of the Drosophila cells are empty, allowing for efficient loading of multiple peptides that results in the generation of polyclonal responses recognizing tumor cells endogenously expressing the specific peptides. The responses generated are robust, antigen-specific and reproducible if the peptide epitope is a defined immunogen. This artificial antigen expression system can be adapted to treat most cancers in a significant majority of the population.
US09222067B2
A method and apparatus for cell harvest of production scale quantities of cell cultures using single use components comprising a flexible membrane mounted on a rigid frame and is supported within a multiple use rigid centrifuge bowl, such single use components including a core with an increased diameter and an internal truncated cone shape in order to permit the system to maintain a sufficiently high angular velocity to create a settling velocity suited to efficiently processing highly concentrated cell culture streams. Features which minimize feed turbidity, and others which permit the continuous or semi-continuous discharge of cell concentrate, increase the overall production rate over the rate which can be achieved using current intermittent processing methods for large cell culture volumes. Injection of a diluent during the cell concentrate removal process permits more complete removal of viscous cell concentrates.
US09222066B2
An incubator includes filters in supply passages for supplying an environment-adjusting-medium. Divergent passages are connected to portions of the supply passages upstream from the filters. The divergent passages converge to a single supply/exhaust passage, which is provided with a pump. By driving the pump in a forward or reverse direction, decontamination gas is pumped from a culture space and discharged outside, and open air is introduced into the culture space. After sucking the contamination gas to adsorb it on the filter, open air is introduced so that the contamination gas is discharged into the culture space 6.
US09222061B2
The present invention provides lenticular or disc detergent particles comprising surfactant, inorganic salts and pigment, wherein the inorganic salts are present on the detergent particles as a coating and the surfactant and the pigment are present as a core. The particles show reduced staining.
US09222057B1
A precision cutting tool for removing the excess wax wall of a pillar styled candle includes a ring configured to encircle the candle and a handle extending from the ring. The handle includes an extendible and retractable cutting element. The cutting element may be extended into the circle defined by the interior circumference of the ring in a gradual manner. The tool includes a recess for the cutting element to be retained when the tool is not in use. The interior of the handle includes a cutting element mover configured to cause linear movement of the cutting element into and partially out of the recess. When the mover is actuated in a direction that results in movement of the cutting element out of the recess, the cutting element extends partially into the candle located in the interior circle established by the ring. The candle or the tool may then be rotated to cause cutting into the candle wall until the excess wax wall can be removed.
US09222056B2
A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent selected from the group consisting of (i) a salt and/or an ester of a phosphorous oxo acid, (ii) a derivative of the phosphorous oxo acid in which at least one P—H bond has been replaced by a P—C bond, (iii) a salt and/or an ester of the derivative, and (iv) combinations thereof; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product.
US09222051B2
The invention provides a lubricating composition containing a diarylamine, an aminobenzene and an oil of lubricating viscosity. The invention further relates to the use of the lubricating composition in an internal combustion engine. The invention further relates to the use of the lubricating composition to improve TBN retention.
US09222050B1
A lubricant composition including: tungsten disulfide having a particle size of 4 to 160 nm; an alkali metal borate; a borate ester; and a base oil.
US09222045B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a stable boron solution with lubricating characteristics which is intended to be used preferably as an addition in the form of a concentrate/additive to a liquid, e.g. to a liquid fuel or a lubricant. The invention is achieved by the method steps of using a boron substance of pharmaceutical quality (1, 11), using a liquid as solvent, applying a mixing ratio between the boron substance and the solvent (3, 13) of preferably 1 g of boron per 15-25 liters of liquid, agitating the mixture for an initial predetermined period of time (4, 14), adding further liquid to dilute the solution (6, 15), the quantity of liquid being chosen such that a final user mixture reaches a concentration of between 20 and 30 ppm of boron (8), and further agitating the mixture (7, 16) for a second predetermined period of time so that the boron substance is completely dissolved in the boron solution, resulting in a boron solution which is stable over time.
US09222044B2
Methods for producing low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. Starting biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is deoxygenated by exposing the biomass-derived oil to a first catalyst in the presence of hydrogen-containing gas at first hydroprocessing conditions to produce a partially deoxygenated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The first catalyst has a neutral catalyst support. The partially deoxygenated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is exposed to a second catalyst in the presence of additional hydrogen-containing gas at second hydroprocessing conditions to produce a hydrocarbon product. The biomass-derived pyrolysis oil may be esterified prior to deoxygenation. A portion of the low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is recycled.
US09222039B2
An improved active grate consisting of at least two elongated rockers positioned parallel to one and another, each rocker having a lower surface and an upper surface and configured to rotate back and forth about their longitudinal axis. Each individual rocker is further configured to rotate in the opposite direction of the adjacent rockers such that any pair of adjacent rockers alternately forms a void allowing material to pass through active grate when rotating in one direction into a first position, and closes the void when rotated in the opposite direction in a second position. The active grate finds particular utility in a combined gasification/vitrification waste treatment system, where it is used to pass partially oxidized materials from a gasification chamber to a vitrification chamber. The rockers include a coolant loop through the longitudinal axis of the rockers.
US09222035B2
A process for the preparation of at least one ARN acid or salt thereof comprising: (I) allowing at least one ARN acid salt to form during the production of crude oil in the presence of water; (II) removing at least 5 wt % of the formed at least one ARN acid salt, e.g. from the oil water interface; and optionally (III) converting said salt into an acid.
US09222033B2
A method and system for processing naphtha, including a high shear mechanical device. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a dispersion of gas in a naphtha hydrocarbon liquid in a high shear device prior to introduction in a cracking reactor/furnace. In another instance the system for processing naphtha comprises a high shear device for mechanically shearing hydrocarbons.
US09222030B2
The present invention provides a method for removing oxygen from an oil sand stream, the method including the steps of: (a) providing an oil sand stream; (b) introducing the oil sand stream into a liquid bath; (c) transporting the oil sand through the liquid bath to a confined space above the surface of the liquid bath; (d) removing the oil sand from the confined space; and (e) extracting bitumen from the oil sand removed in step (d).
US09222028B2
Biofuels can be produced by: (i) providing a biomass containing celluloses, hemicelluloses, lignin, nitrogen compounds and sulfur compounds; (ii) removing sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds from the biomass by contacting the biomass with a digestive solvent to form a pretreated biomass containing carbohydrates and having less than 35% of the sulfur content and less than 35% of the nitrogen content of untreated biomass on a dry mass basis; (iii) contacting the pretreated biomass directly with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates, and (vi) processing at least a portion of the oxygenated intermediates to form a liquid fuel.
US09222025B2
A method for coking coals having high driving pressure properties in a “non-recovery” or “heat-recovery” coking oven, wherein a coking oven battery which is composed of coking oven chambers arranged side by side is used for cyclic coking of coal, and wherein an amount of coal preheated to a high temperature is admitted into the coking chamber that is to be filled at such a level that the driving pressure resulting from the coking can escape over the coke cake into the gas chamber, in such a manner that the coking oven chamber wall surrounding the coking oven chamber is relieved by the driving pressure resulting from the coking. Also disclosed is a device with which this method can be carried out.
US09222024B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing polymerized films with line texture or fingerprint texture or for producing substrates coated with polymerized films with line texture or fingerprint texture, to polymerized films, obtainable by this process, with line texture or fingerprint texture or substrates coated with polymerized films with line texture or fingerprint texture, to pigments obtainable by comminuting such films, to the use of such films, substrates or pigments as or in optical filter(s), polarizers, decorative media, forgeryproof markers, reflective media or for focusing light (in solar cells), to the use of such films as an antibacterial coating, to a forgeryproof marker which comprises such a film, and to a process for detecting forgeryproof markings.
US09222022B2
An embodiment provides a polymer-stabilized optical isotropic liquid crystal formulation, including 50 to 99.5 parts by weight of an optical isotropic liquid crystal material; and 0.5 to 50 parts by weight of polymer, wherein the polymer is polymerized by an acrylic monomer containing fluorine groups and an acrylic monomer with a liquid crystal phase and/or an acrylic monomer without a liquid crystal phase.
US09222017B2
A method of manufacturing a fluoride phosphor includes mixing a first solution which contains at least Mn and F, a second solution which contains at least K and F, and a third solution which contains at least Si and F to form phosphor cores whose composition is represented by a formula K2[M1-aMn4+aF6] wherein a satisfies 0
US09222015B2
A thermochromic coating which comprises a thermochromic compound and a polyurea resin. The thermochromic compound and polyurea resin form a thermochromic layer. The coating optionally has a protective layer containing a resin and a UV-blocking material arranged on top of the thermochromic layer. A reflective layer containing a reflective material is optionally arranged between the thermochromic layer and the substrate. A thermochromic coating is formed by applying successive reflective, thermochromic, and protective layers on a substrate.
US09222006B2
A method and apparatus comprising a sol-gel solution. Zirconium n-propoxide is aged in a solvent to form a first part for the sol-gel solution. The first part is combined with deionized water to form a second part for the sol-gel solution. Aminoaryltrialkoxysilane is combined with an alcohol to form a third part for the sol-gel solution. The third part is combined with the second part to form a mixture for the sol-gel solution. The deionized water, or the alcohol, or a combination thereof is combined with the mixture to form a solution. The solution is aged to form the sol-gel solution comprising a mole balance ratio of approximately 1:5 between the zirconium n-propoxide and the aminoaryltrialkoxysilane.
US09222000B2
A method for coating a surface of a cell culture article includes dissolving a polymer having a covalently attached polypeptide in an aqueous solution to produce a polymer solution. The polymer is formed from monomers selected to form a polymer having a linear backbone, wherein the polymer is crosslink free. The weight percentage of the polypeptide relative to the polymer conjugated to the polypeptide is sufficiently high to render the polymer conjugated to the polypeptide water soluble. The aqueous solution is substantially free of organic solvents. The method further includes (i) disposing the polymer solution on the surface of the cell culture article to produce a coated article; and (ii) subjecting the coated article to sufficient heat or electromagnetic radiation to attach the polymer conjugated to a polypeptide to the surface of the cell culture article.
US09221988B2
An ink for inkjet includes water, a hydrosoluble organic material and a hydrodispersible colorant. The ink satisfies the following requirements (A) to (C): (A) the ink includes the hydrosoluble organic material in an amount of from 35 to 60% by weight; (B) the hydrosoluble organic material is 3-methoxy-1-butanol; and (C) the hydrodispersible colorant is a modified pigment modified with a geminal bisphosphonic acid group or a geminal bisphosphonic acid salt group.
US09221980B2
A conductive paste which can form a silver layer and a printed wiring board having a silver layer formed of the conductive paste. The conductive paste has silver particles and a migration inhibitor, which is present in the amount of 12 parts by mass to 40 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the silver particles and represented by Formula (1):
US09221969B2
The invention relates to compositions containing at least one epoxide adduct A that comprises an average of more than one epoxide group per molecule, at least one polymer B of formula (I), at least one thixotropic agent C based on a urea derivative in a non-diffusing carrier material, and at least one hardener D for epoxy resins, which is activated at an increased temperature. Said composition is used especially as an adhesive and is provided with an extraordinarily high impact peel working value, especially at low temperatures. The invention further relates to epoxide group-terminal impact strength modifiers of formula (I), which significantly increase the impact resistance in epoxy resin compositions, particularly two-component epoxy resin compositions.
US09221965B2
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mineral fiber-containing composite and the novel mineral fiber-containing element produced by that method.
US09221963B2
This invention relates to absorbent materials useful in the manufacture of absorbent articles, in particular dressings for the advanced wound care market. The absorbent materials of the present invention are sulfonated polysaccharides, particularly water-insoluble cellulose alkyl sulfonates in which the cellulose is substituted by one type of alkyl sulfonate group. The invention also provides a process for the manufacture of such materials. The preferred cellulose alkyl sulfonate described herein is cellulose ethyl sulfonate. Reinforcing fibers and/or antimicrobial agents are optionally applied to the cellulose alkyl sulfonate.
US09221960B2
Multifunctional melamine epoxy resins, methylols and amines are provided. Methods of making multifunctional melamine epoxy resins, methylols and amines are also provided.
US09221957B2
Technologies are described for methods for producing a pattern of a material on a substrate. The methods may comprise receiving a patterned block copolymer on a substrate. The patterned block copolymer may include a first polymer block domain and a second polymer block domain. The method may comprise exposing the patterned block copolymer to a light effective to oxidize the first polymer block domain in the patterned block copolymer. The method may comprise applying a precursor to the block copolymer. The precursor may infuse into the oxidized first polymer block domain and generate the material. The method may comprise applying a removal agent to the block copolymer. The removal agent may be effective to remove the first polymer block domain and the second polymer block domain from the substrate, and may not be effective to remove the material in the oxidized first polymer block domain.
US09221945B2
A polyester resin, comprising a polyester which comprises as esterified polymer units: at least one of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid and an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid; and at least one of an alkoxylated diol and an alkoxylated polyol is provided. An adhesion-promoting additive comprising the polyester resin is also provided.
US09221941B2
Polyurethane elastomers are formed by curing a reaction mixture containing at least one polyisocyanate at least one polyol, an aliphatic diol chain extender and a small amount of a secondary amino compound that may have none or one or more hydroxyl groups. The reaction is catalyzed with a metal catalyst. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is an organozirconium, organotitanium or tertiary amine-based catalyst. The presence of the secondary amine compound in those cases provides for a good surface appearance and good physical properties.
US09221934B2
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing polyethylene-silane-copolymer conducted in a plant including at least one compressor unit and at least one reactor downstream of the compressor unit. The process includes the steps of (a) feeding a first feed stream including ethylene into the at least one compressor unit and subsequently to the at least one reactor, and (b1) feeding a second feed stream including at least one silane comonomer to the at least one reactor as front feed and/or (b2) feeding a second feed stream including at least one silane comonomer to the at least one reactor at at least one location along the reactor.
US09221933B2
The invention concerns a process for the aqueous suspension, micro-suspension, emulsion or micro-emulsion polymerization of at least one halogenated monomer, in particular chlorinated, for example vinyl chloride, by itself or with one or more other vinyl monomers, preferably less than 50% by weight of one or more other vinyl monomers, in which at least one shortstopper and at least one perhalogenate, acting as a whitening agent, are added.The invention also concerns the use of an association of at least one shortstopper and at least one perhalogenate, acting as a whitening agent, in reactions for the polymerization of halogenated monomers.The invention further concerns compositions comprising at least one shortstopper and at least one perhalogenate.
US09221932B2
A method for making a support impregnated Ziegler-Natta-type catalyst precursor including at least two transition metals and a support material wherein the resulting catalyst precursor is free-flowing is provided. Also provided is a process for producing a Ziegler-Natta type procatalyst by halogenating the free flowing catalyst precursor. The Ziegler-Natta type procatalyst and the reaction product of at least one monomer in the presence of the Ziegler-Natta type procatalyst and cocatalyst are also provided.
US09221926B2
A functional TFE copolymer fine powder is described, wherein the TFE copolymer is a polymer of TFE and at least one functional comonomer, and wherein the TFE copolymer has functional groups that are pendant to the polymer chain. The functional TFE copolymer fine powder resin is paste extrudable and expandable. Methods for making the functional TFE copolymer are also described. The expanded functional TFE copolymer material may be post-reacted after expansion.
US09221917B2
The invention provides antibody-like binding proteins comprising four polypeptide chains that form four antigen binding sites, wherein each pair of polypeptides forming an antibody-like binding protein possesses dual variable domains having a cross-over orientation. The invention also provides methods for making such antigen-like binding proteins.
US09221906B2
Described herein are antibodies against GPR49 and uses of such antibodies. Various aspects relate to monoclonal, humanized, or fully human antibodies against GPR49, hybridomas or other cell lines expressing such antibodies, nucleic acids and vectors comprising nucleic acids encoding for such antibodies, and methods of treating cancer with such antibodies.
US09221896B2
The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.
US09221891B2
The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.
US09221880B2
The invention provides compounds of formula (I): and salts thereof, wherein X and Y have any of the values defined herein. The compounds inhibit bacterial RNA polymerase, inhibit bacterial growth, and have applications in, analysis of RNA polymerase structure and function, control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, antibacterial therapy, and drug discovery.
US09221879B2
Multiligand constructs and intermediate multivalent constructs for use in their preparation are described. The multiligand constructs have utility in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
US09221877B2
Conjugating LHRH to curcumin (LHRH-Curcumin) substantially enhances the bioavailability of curcumin, targets it to cells expressing LHRH receptors, facilitates intravenous administration, and increases the anti-cancer efficacy of curcumin. The conjugate may be used against cancer cells that express the LHRH receptor: pancreas, prostate, breast, testicular, uterine, ovarian, melanoma. LH-Curcumin conjugates may be used against cancer cells that express the LH receptor: prostate, breast, ovary, testis, uterus, pancreas, and melanoma.
US09221857B2
Iridium (III) complexes are described together with methods to prepare and use such complexes. Also described are devices that utilize the iridium (III) complexes.
US09221853B2
This invention provides the herbicidal active ingredient, a dimethylamine salt crystal of N-phosphonomethyl glycine (glyphosate), its preparation process and a solid formulation containing the crystalline dimethylamine salt of glyphosate as well as its application. Said preparation process comprises adding glyphosate and a suitable amount of solvent into a conventional reactor and introducing a dimethylamine gas for reaction, wherein the reaction temperature is controlled between 5 and 90° C. After the completion of the reaction, the temperature is reduced slowly to a certain value, a crystalline dimethylamine salt of glyphosate is precipitated (or precipitated after a crystal seed is added).
US09221852B2
Claimed is a process for producing a phosphorus-containing ligand, preferably a diphosphite ligand structure (DLS) such as structure I. The method includes contacting a phosphorochloridite (structure II) with a compound having the structure X—OH (which can be a bisaryl compound), and a tertiary organic amine to provide structure I′ and as preferred embodiment structure I.
US09221851B2
A mixture containing a monophosphite ligand is useful for the catalysis of a hydroformylation reaction.
US09221847B2
Provided is an ionic liquid comprising a cyclic quaternary ammonium cation indicated by formula (1) and a trimethylsilyl alkanesulfonate anion indicated by formula (2). (In the formula, R1 indicates a C1-3 alkyl group, R2 indicates a methyl group or an ethyl group, n indicates 1 or 2, and m indicates 2 or 3.)
US09221842B2
The oxidative functionalization of olefins is a common method for the formation of vicinal carbon-heteroatom bonds. However, oxidative methods to transform allenes into synthetic motifs containing three contiguous carbon-heteroatom bonds are much less developed. The use of bicyclic methylene aziridines (MAs), prepared via intramolecular allene aziridination, as scaffolds for functionalization of all three allene carbons, among other reactions, is described herein.
US09221841B2
This invention relates to inhibitors of mitotic kinesins, particularly KSP, and methods for producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of the invention and methods of utilizing the inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and prevention of various disorders.
US09221840B2
Novel CFTR corrector compounds that are effective in rescuing halide efflux in a cell are provided. Also provided are methods for treating protein folding disorders (e.g., cystic fibrosis). The methods include administering a CFTR corrector compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof. Methods of screening for CFTR corrector compounds are also described herein. The methods of screening include contacting a cell that endogenously expresses a CFTR mutation with the compound to be screened and detecting a rescue of halide efflux from the cell.
US09221839B2
In its many embodiments, the present invention provides certain iminothiadiazine dioxide compounds, including compounds Formula and tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds, said tautomers and said stereoisomers, wherein each of ring A, ring B, ring C, R2, R3, R4, m, n, p, and -L1- is as defined herein. The novel compounds of the invention may be useful as BACE inhibitors and/or for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies related thereto. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds (alone and in combination with one or more other active agents), and methods for their preparation and use, including Alzheimer's disease, are also disclosed.
US09221806B2
Compounds of the formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular Met kinase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumors.
US09221805B2
The present disclosure relates to compounds of the Formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, as kinase modulators, compatible with the Type-II inhibition of kinases.
US09221804B2
The present invention comprises compounds of Formula I. wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are defined in the specification. The invention also comprises a method of treating or ameliorating a syndrome, disorder or disease, wherein said syndrome, disorder or disease is rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. The invention also comprises a method of modulating RORγt activity in a mammal by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of claim 1.
US09221803B2
The present invention relates to formulations of asphaltenes' inhibitor-dispersant additives based on oxazolidine derived from polyalkyl or polyalkenyl N-hydroxyalkyl succinimides. Said formulations can contain inert organic solvents, preferably including: toluene, mixtures of xylene, o-xylene, p-xylene, kerosene, turbo-fuel; or inert hydrocarbon solvents having boiling points within the range of gasoline and diesel; or inert hydrocarbon or organic solvents having a boiling point within a range from 75 to 300° C. The ratio in weight of inert organic solvents to additive that prevents and controls the precipitation and deposition of asphaltenes ranges from 1:9 to 9:1, preferably from 1:3 to 3:1.
US09221801B2
Compounds of the form In which Q is selected from —CH═NR12, —W, —CH2NHR13, —CH═O and —CH(OR17)2 capable of modulating the activity of histone demethylases (HDMEs), which are useful for prevention and/or treatment of diseases in which genomic dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis, such as e.g. cancer and formulations and methods of use of such compounds.
US09221791B2
The instant invention describes compounds having metalloenzyme modulating activity, and methods of treating diseases, disorders or symptoms thereof mediated by such metalloenzymes.
US09221789B2
Novel solid forms of imatinib mesilate comprising as active ingredient 4-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-[[4-(3-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]-phenyl]-benzamide methanesulfonic acid salt and as co-crystal former benzoic acid, fumaric acid or succinic acid are described. The said multi-component crystalline forms possess improved physical and biological properties with respect to the crystalline forms of the active pharmaceutical ingredient previously known.
US09221787B2
The invention provides sulphonamide compounds and their use in treating medical disorders, such as obesity. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of making various sulphone compounds are provided. The compounds are contemplated to have activity against methionyl aminopeptidase 2.
US09221786B2
Provided are novel 2-fluorophenyl propionic acid derivatives which have excellent anti-inflammatory/analgesic effects while avoiding side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, namely 2-fluorophenyl propionic acid derivatives represented by the formula (I) below or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, [wherein, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, X represents —CH2—, —NH—, —O—, or —S—, and Y specifically represents group (II) (wherein, Z1 represents —CO—, —CH(OH)—, or —CH2—, and n represents an integer of 1 or 2.)]
US09221781B2
The present invention is directed to chromenone compounds of formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs thereof, and the composition comprising the compounds or the like. They can be used to modulating the function of estrogen receptor ER-α36 preventing and/or treating the estrogen related diseases, such as breast cancer, leukemia, liver cancer and etc.
US09221780B2
The invention relates to N-hydroxysulfonamide derivatives that donate nitroxyl (HNO) under physiological conditions and are useful in treating and/or preventing the onset and/or development of diseases or conditions that are responsive to nitroxyl therapy, including heart failure and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Novel N-hydroxysulfonamide derivatives release NHO at a controlled rate under physiological conditions, and the rate of HNO release is modulated by varying the nature and location of functional groups on the N-hydroxysulfonamide derivatives.
US09221773B2
Disclosed are benzamide derivatives useful in slowing the expansion of cancer cells including the killing of cancer cells and in the treatment of cancer.
US09221763B2
The invention provides processes for preparing intermediates useful for preparing compounds of the formula: or a salt thereof, where R1-3 are as defined in the specification.
US09221760B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formulas III and V that are useful as pharmaceutical agents, particularly as autophagy inhibitors.
US09221751B2
The invention provides 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same for treating liver disorders, in particular those requiring the reduction of plasma level of biochemical markers such as aminotransferases. The 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one derivatives of General Formula (I) have hepatoprotective properties and can be used in methods for treating liver disorders involving the pathological disruption, inflammation, degeneration, and/or proliferation of liver cells, such as liver fibrosis or fatty liver disease.
US09221743B2
Optical films are described having a polymerized microstructured surface that is the reaction product of a polymerizable resin composition comprising at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated triphenyl monomer. Also described are certain triphenyl (meth)acrylate monomers and polymerizable resin compositions.
US09221741B2
Ketocarboxylic acids such as levulinic acid can be efficiently purified in high yield by esterification with a hydrocarbon polyol to the corresponding polyketocarboxylic ester, which can be readily purified, for example recrystallized. After purification, the ketocarboxylic ester can be hydrolyzed to provide pure ketocarboxylic acid, or a salt thereof, after removal of the esterifying hydrocarbon polyol, or used for other synthetic transformations. Advantageously, the polyketocarboxylic esters, ketocarboxylic acids, and salts thereof produced by this method are obtained in high purity.
US09221737B2
A reaction zone is provided zone comprising a series of oxygen clean up zones and a series of oxidation zones. A first stream is introduced to oxidation clean up zones comprising liquid cyclohexane. Next, the first stream is passed downwardly from the oxygen clean up zones to the oxidation zones, while cross-currently passing the oxygen containing gas upwardly from the oxidation zones to the oxygen clean up zones. During the reaction, the oxidation zones are maintained at a temperature range of about 145° C. to about 170° C. The product mixture is withdrawn from the oxidation zones that comprises cyclohexylhydroperoxide (CHHP), cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. An oxidation off-gas comprising less than 3.0% by volume of unreacted oxygen is withdrawn from the oxygen clean up zones.
US09221734B2
The present invention provides a method of treating a fermentation stream to remove dissolved gases, comprising obtaining a fermentation stream including water, one or more fermentation products, and dissolved gases; continuously sonicating the fermentation stream to generate acoustically cavitated gases from the dissolved gases; and applying vacuum to release the acoustically cavitated gases from the fermentation stream. The dissolved gases may include air, oxygen, nitrogen, helium, argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, or other non-condensables. The release of acoustically cavitated gases may optionally be done simultaneously with sonication. At least 75%, such as up to 95% or more, of the dissolved gases may be released from the fermentation stream. The disclosed method positively impacts downstream operations and product quality by removing dissolved gases.
US09221728B2
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a H2, C6− hydrocarbon-containing gas phase and a C5+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase. The H2, (C1-C11) hydrocarbon-containing gas phase is partially condensed and separated to form a H2, C6− hydrocarbon-containing net gas stream and a C3+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream. The C5+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid phase, the C3+ hydrocarbon-containing liquid stream, and at least a portion of the H2, C6+ hydrocarbon-containing net gas stream are introduced to a re-contacting recovery zone for forming a H2-rich stream, a C3/C4 hydrocarbon-rich LPG stream, and a C5+ hydrocarbon-rich reformate stream.
US09221727B2
A composition comprising a supported hydrogenation catalyst comprising palladium and an organophosphorous compound, the supported hydrogenation catalyst being capable of selectively hydrogenating highly unsaturated hydrocarbons to unsaturated hydrocarbons. A method of making a selective hydrogenation catalyst comprising contacting a support with a palladium-containing compound to form a palladium supported composition, contacting the palladium supported composition with an organophosphorus compound to form a catalyst precursor, and reducing the catalyst precursor to form the catalyst. A method of selectively hydrogenating highly unsaturated hydrocarbons to an unsaturated hydrocarbon enriched composition comprising contacting a supported catalyst comprising palladium and an organophosphorous compound with a feed comprising highly unsaturated hydrocarbon under conditions suitable for hydrogenating at least a portion of the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon feed to form the unsaturated hydrocarbon enriched composition.
US09221716B2
A hardening accelerator for mineral binders including an amino alcohol A and/or of a salt of said amino alcohol A, for example, cementitious binders, is provided. The amino alcohol A has a structure according to formula (I) where a) R1 and R2, independently of one another, each represent an alkanol group including 3-4 carbon atoms, b) R3 is an organic group including 1-8 carbon atoms, and c) R3 is different from R1 and/or R2.
US09221706B2
An apparatus for forming a glass, the apparatus including a lower mold and an upper mold is disclosed. The lower mold may be configured to support a central portion of a lower surface of the glass. The upper mold may be configured to make point contact with an edge portion of an upper surface of the glass. The upper mold may press the edge portion of the upper surface of the glass to form a rounded portion of the edge portion of the glass. An apparatus for forming a glass, the apparatus including: a lower mold configured to make point contact with an edge portion of a lower surface of the glass; and an upper mold configured to press an interior portion of the upper surface of the glass to form a rounded portion at the edge portion of the glass, is also disclosed.
US09221691B1
Disclosed is an inorganic film made of an inorganic laminar compound, the film satisfying Formulae 1 and 2, Ha/Hb<2 (Formula 1) wherein Ha is the peak intensity in an X-ray diffraction measurement of the inorganic film; Hb is the peak intensity in an X-ray diffraction measurement of a film resulting from the below-defined treatment (A) applied to the inorganic film, Da−Db≧2 (Formula 2) wherein Da is the spacing (Å) of the inorganic laminar compound constituting the inorganic film; Db is the spacing (Å) of the inorganic laminar compound constituting the film resulting from the treatment (A) applied to the inorganic film, wherein in treatment (A), the inorganic film is heated at 350° C. for 60 minutes at a water vapor concentration of 50 g/cm3 or less and subsequently is left at rest for 24 hours at a temperature of 23° C. and a humidity of 50% RH.
US09221679B2
A sensor system includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor, processing circuitry, measurement circuitry, stimulus circuitry and memory. The system is configured to provide an output responsive to physical displacement within the MEMS sensor to the measurement circuitry. The stimulus circuitry is configured to provide a stimulus signal to the MEMS sensor to cause a physical displacement within the MEMS sensor. The measurement circuitry is configured to process the output from the MEMS sensor and provide it to the processing circuitry, which is configured to generate stimulus signals and provide them to the stimulus circuitry for provision to the MEMS sensor. Output from the measurement circuitry corresponding to the physical displacement occurring in the MEMS sensor is monitored and used to calculate MEMS sensor characteristics. Methods for monitoring and calibrating MEMS sensors are also provided.
US09221668B1
A container fill pipe preferably includes a hose end boss, a base tube, a tubular transition and a hook tube. The hose end boss extends from one end of the base tube and the tubular transition extends from the other end of the base tube. The hook tube extends from a distal end of the tubular transition. A thread counter bore is formed in the hose end boss. A through hole is formed through an end of the thread counter bore. A female garden hose thread is formed in the thread counter bore. The female garden hose thread is sized to threadably engage a male hose end of a garden hose. The tubular transition includes an inner entrance perimeter, which is greater than an inner exit perimeter. The hook tube includes an inner perimeter, which is substantially the same as the inner exit perimeter.
US09221650B1
An oil containment boom recovery apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a frame that supports an axle with a pair of vehicle rim and tire combinations mounted in a side by side relationship on the axle at a desired spacing. A motor bracket to support a motor to rotate the axle, and thus the rim and tire combinations is provided. To recover a containment boom, a user will grab and lift an end segment of a boom and place it between the rim and tire combinations that are mounted on the axle. When the axle is turned by the motor, the boom will be gripped by and between the rotating tires as the tires and axle turn.
US09221645B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a plurality of stacking units configured to stack the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, a reception unit configured to receive an instruction from a user for causing the image forming unit to form the image, a determination unit configured to determine whether a body height of the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a decision unit configured to decide a stacking unit for stacking the sheet on which the image is formed from among the plurality of stacking units based on a result of determination by the determination unit, and a control unit configured to perform control so as to discharge the sheet on which the image is formed to the stacking unit decided by the decision unit.
US09221644B2
A medium conveying device including a first stacker to which a medium is ejected, a first conveying path guiding the medium to the first stacker, a second conveying path branched from the first conveying path at a first branching position, and a second stacker to which the medium guided by the second conveying path is ejected. The second stacker is provided on an apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable. A first switching unit is movable between a first position and a second position. The first switching unit guides the medium to the first conveying path at the first branching position when the first switching unit is in the first position, and guides the medium to the second conveying path at the first branching position when the first switching unit is in the second position. A moving mechanism moves the first switching unit from the first position to the second position in conjunction with an opening operation of the second stacker.
US09221643B2
A recording apparatus includes a drive source, a medium receiving tray, a clutch, and a load applying unit. The medium receiving tray is configured to be driven by the drive source that is a motor having a cogging torque. The clutch is configured to idle when a predetermined amount of torque or more is applied, and provided to a power transmission pathway between the drive source and the medium receiving tray. The load applying unit is configured to apply a rotational load to a rotational body in the power transmission pathway closer to a side of the drive source than the clutch. The rotational load applied to the rotational body is set to a magnitude causing the clutch to idle before a rotational shaft of the motor rotates against the cogging torque when the medium receiving tray is operated by applying an external force to the medium receiving tray.
US09221640B2
The present application relates to techniques and equipment to stack mailpieces for sweeping. The mailpieces are manufactured on a mail processing machine such as, but not limited to an inserter or wrapper. More particularly, there is provided an on-edge conveyor where components have been ergonomically positioned to permit the filling of a mail tray in an efficient manner with minimal lifting of weight. A quantity of mailpieces that have already been offset can be pulled over the rolled/rounded edge of the conveyor into an awaiting mail tray supported on a roller conveyor. The operator is then able push the full tray to the side, load another empty tray, and repeat the process.
US09221632B2
A media cassette loader is described. The media cassette loader comprises a base; a media loading surface inclined at an angle to the base; and an end wall upstanding from a lower end of the media loading surface. The end wall supports media items stacked on the media loading surface. The media loading surface and the end wall are dimensioned to be accommodated within a media cassette body. This allows the media cassette body to be placed over the media loading surface when stacked with media items so that the cassette body surrounds the stacked media items.
US09221631B2
A loading ramp is supported between a first surface and a second surface. The loading ramp includes a first ramp portion. The first ramp portion includes a first rail portion extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The first ramp portion includes at least one first tread portion removably attached to the first rail portion. The at least one first tread portion supports a weight. The loading ramp includes a second ramp portion attached to the first ramp portion. The second ramp portion includes a second rail portion extending between a third end, which is attached to the second end of the first rail portion, and an opposing fourth end. The second ramp portion includes at least one second tread portion removably attached to the second rail portion. The at least one second tread portion supports the weight.
US09221628B2
A device for manufacturing stacks of product units, in particular of printed products is provided. The device includes a stacking device with a plurality of support units which in each case form a support surface for the stacks to be formed, furthermore a circulatory arrangement, in which the support units, arranged one after the other along a closed circulatory path, can be moved into and out of a stacking region. The support units moreover in each case include at least two support elements which are arranged next to one another. The stacking device includes a device for setting the distance between the lateral outer edges of the support units with a continued conveying operation.
US09221619B2
Method for monitoring and controlling a loading rate of a transport section with one or several individually speed-controlled consecutive partial sections (T1, T2, T3) in a filling line, including detecting a container loading over a certain region at an incoming region (E1) of the transport section; simulating a container flow in real time using the detected container loading in the incoming region of the transport section and a transport speed, the simulation including: entering the detected value for the container loading into a shift register (SR1); and synchronizing a shift register clock with the transport speed, so that the shift register content (DW0, DW1, . . . ) represents the container loading on the transport section.
US09221612B2
A conveying device and/or press having a feed device connected upstream and having a feeding space for material to be pressed. A feeding space bottom is cylindrically bent and rises in a transfer region upstream of the conveying device. A conveying apparatus which can be pivoted to and fro by means of a drive is provided in the feeding space, a pivot axis of the conveying device coinciding with a virtual center axis of the cylindrical shape. At least one rotatably driven rotor roller is arranged adjacent to the transfer region to further convey or press the material. The conveying apparatus is a conveyor arm with a conveyor head, and in order to convey the limited quantities of the material to be pressed from a position in a lower region of the bottom upwards to the transfer region, the conveyor head can be moved to and fro over the bottom.
US09221609B2
A conveying system is provided that includes two axially spaced supporting frames extending substantially parallel in the conveying direction of the conveying system, at least one roller, at least one supporting shaft, each supporting shaft configured to be engaged in at least one of the supporting tubular frames to support the at least one driving roller, and at least one first supporting bearing for each supporting shaft. Each roller includes at least one roller body extending around a rotation axis X-X, at least one engaging seat for the at least one supporting shaft, placed concentrically to the roller body, and at least first removably coupling elements for a second roller, a cover or a spacer.
US09221607B2
Storing vehicle tire casings (4) by providing at least two channels (12) for storing casings, each one having an end stop (22), and a casing conveyor, capable of coming into alignment with any of the channels and containing a platform (32) that can receive a casing. A casing located in the channel is lifted until it is higher than the end stop. The lifting is done by a roller (46), which is mounted in such a way that it can move in the vertical direction in relation to the platform.
US09221605B2
An article transfer device includes a placement support portion that is provided to a base platform and includes a pair of divided placement support portions for separately receiving and supporting both side portions, in the article lateral direction, of the bottom surface of an article, and a pair of clamp portions that can be projected and retracted along an article transfer direction with respect to the placement support portion and can be moved toward and away from each other by a clamp actuator between gripping positions and releasing positions that are spaced apart wider. The pair of divided placement support portions can be moved toward and away from each other within a movable range defined in the article lateral direction by a placement support portion actuator and to face each other in close proximity when located in approach limit positions of the movable range.
US09221602B2
An improved recyclables collection vehicle includes a lift mechanism for selective loading into any one of multiple hoppers on the vehicle. The lift mechanism includes a track which extends past the rear of the vehicle such that a moveable carriage may move along the track to collect a refuse bin located to the rear of the vehicle or on an elevated dock behind or alongside the vehicle. The carriage can be aligned with any one of the hoppers such that the lift mechanism will elevate the refuse bin and invert it over the hopper container. The movement of the carriage along the track and the raising of the lift mechanism are operated with a wireless remote control.
US09221595B2
An apparatus for delivering liquid includes a wand with a nozzle, a toggle switch, and a supply canister for delivering self-tanning and sun-tanning solutions to a human body. The wand may pivotably attach to a cap attached to the supply canister containing the chosen liquid to be delivered without the necessity of an exposed external tube suspended between the wand and the supply canister.
US09221587B2
Enclosure clamps and clamp systems are provided for fastening a cover to an enclosure body to provide an explosion-proof container, while minimizing the number of bolts used over conventional systems. The enclosure clamps and clamp systems create a sufficient force so as to provide a flamepath between the cover and the enclosure body. The enclosure clamps described include a channel for receiving the cover and a flange on the enclosure body. The enclosure clamp is secured to the enclosure body by one or more bolts and/or by a cam actuated securing mechanism. The clamp systems described include a force distributing plate secured to a cover by cam actuated securing mechanism that is coupled to an enclosure body. The enclosure clamps and clamp systems allow a user to attach or remove the cover from the enclosure body more easily than possible with conventional explosion-proof enclosures.
US09221583B2
The present technology provides a bisphenol A capture system for food and beverage containers which include BPA-containing coatings. The capture system is made of one or more materials which bind any BPA eluting from the BPA-containing coating. The present capture system therefore reduces or prevents BPA from migrating from the can coating into the food or beverages stored in the can. The present technology further provides methods of manufacturing and using such coatings.
US09221581B2
A cup holder has a height adjuster that includes a lock member turnably held by the tray, a guide groove that is formed on a sidewall of the holder body and that enables the lock member to move in a perpendicular direction, a lower latch recessed portion and an upper latch recessed portion that are formed on a groove side surface which faces the guide groove on the sidewall and that cause the tray to be held at a lower position or an upper position by latching the lock member, a latch energizing member that energizes the lock member to a latch direction for latching the lock member with the lower latch recessed portion or the upper latch recessed portion, an operation member that cancels latch of the lock member with the lower latch recessed portion when the tray is located at the lower position, and a movement energizing member that energizes the tray upward.
US09221580B2
A pallet assembly includes a support base including a support deck having a plurality of openings. A plurality of pallets each include a pallet deck having a plurality of feet extending downward therefrom. The plurality of pallets are arranged such that the plurality of feet are received in the plurality of openings in the support deck of the support base. In this manner, a plurality of smaller pallets can be handled as a single standard size pallet, including being stacked in a pallet rack.
US09221578B2
A food bottle comprising a body member, a top member, a first engagement section, a second engagement section and a feature, is disclosed. The body member comprises a top end and a container section. The top member comprises a neck section and a cap, wherein the neck section comprises a top end and a bottom end. The first engagement section is the section where the top end of the body member engages with the bottom end of the neck section of the top member. The second engagement section is the section where the top end of the neck section of the top member engages with the cap of the top member. The feature can be a valve, plug, vent, or the like.
US09221570B2
A production device of linked packaged products comprised of a first set number of packages linked in a line forms and transports a strip of linked packages, judges if the packages in the strip of linked packages are good packages or defective packages, cuts the strip of linked packages each time the first set number of the good packages are successively transported and cuts the strip of linked packages between the good package and the defective package, whereby good products which are comprised of the first set number of the good packages, fractional products which are comprised of a number of the good packages less than the first set number, and defective products which are comprised of at least one of the defective packages are formed, and transports the good products, the fractional products, and the defective products along respectively different transport routes.
US09221569B2
A rotary bag transfer device used in a bag filling and packaging apparatus and provided with a plurality of pairs of grippers installed around an intermittently rotating table. The bag transfer device includes an arm support mechanism (21), which supports the base portion of an arm (15) of each one of the pair of grippers (13), and a drive force transmission mechanism (22), which actuates the arm support mechanism. A link (51) that is part of the drive force transmission mechanism is linked at its one end to an adjusting ring (49), a link (46) is linked at its one end to the arm support mechanism, and these links are linked together at their other ends. When the adjusting ring rotates, a center plane (M) between the grippers is displaced (for amount Da) to offset from a reference plane (N) that passes through the center (O) of the table.
US09221559B2
An autonomous spontaneous deployment deployable mast includes at least one elementary structural unit having a longitudinal deployment axis X and two platforms parallel to a plane YZ orthogonal to the axis X. The elementary structural unit includes N stages stacked above one another parallel to the longitudinal deployment axis X, where N is greater than 1. Each stage includes at least three longitudinal flexible tape-springs, the N stages being fixed to one another two by two by means of connecting platforms parallel to the plane YZ and two contiguous lower and upper stages being offset angularly relative to each other by rotation about the deployment axis X, the tape-springs of the lower stage being interleaved between the tape-springs of the upper stage.
US09221557B1
An apparatus for capture of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprises a wind tunnel including at least one fan for generating airflow in the wind tunnel; sensors for sensing characteristics of the UAV; and a control system coupled to said sensors and said at least one fan. The control system is configured to cause the at least one fan to generate airflow based on the sensed characteristics of the UAV to bring the UAV that is in the wind tunnel to a low or zero airspeed above a floor of the wind tunnel, thereby allowing the UAV to be dropped onto the floor of the wind tunnel when the airflow and a motive force of the UAV are stopped.
US09221554B2
Disclosed is a runway alerting method and system for an aircraft performing a landing maneuver. During the landing maneuver, a minimum stopping position and a maximum stopping position for the aircraft along the runway is determined using aircraft energy state, deceleration and braking information. The minimum stopping position is based upon the aircraft performing a maximum flare maneuver prior to touchdown on the runway and the maximum stopping position is based upon the aircraft performing a minimum flare maneuver prior to touchdown on the runway. The minimum and maximum stopping positions are presented to the aircraft pilot on a display to assist the pilot in safely landing the aircraft.
US09221553B1
An on-board aircraft computer is configured to receive flight relevant data from another aircraft through a satellite data link configured to route data between aircraft. The on-board aircraft computer then incorporates such flight relevant data into one or more on-board systems such as a flight management system. The on-board aircraft computer may include two receivers such that a second receiver establishes communication with a second satellite signal during transition between two discrete regions of satellite communication. Furthermore, a satellite routes flight relevant data from one aircraft to another without communication with a ground station.
US09221540B2
A step (10) comprising a portable support assembly (30) having a vertical body (40) carrying a tread (31). The step includes at least two pegs (20) fastened to a fuselage (2). The body (40) includes one fastener orifice (50) per peg (20), said body (40) being carried by said pegs (20). The step includes at least one locking system (60) carried by said body (40) for automatically locking the position of at least one peg (20) in a fastener orifice (50), and manual unlocking means (86) connected to the locking system (60) for enabling the body (40) to be manually separated from the pegs (20).
US09221537B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.
US09221532B2
A flight-operable, truly modular aircraft has an aircraft core to which one or more of outer wings members, fuselage, cockpit, leading and trailing edge couplings, and empennage and tail sections can be removably coupled and/or replaced during the operating life span of the aircraft. In preferred embodiments the aircraft core houses the propulsive engines, avionics, at least 80% of the fuel, and all of the landing gear. The aircraft core is preferably constructed with curved forward and aft composite spars, that transfer loads across the center section, while accommodating a mid-wing configuration. The aircraft core preferably has a large central cavity dimensioned to interchangeably carry an ordnance launcher, a surveillance payload, electronic countermeasures, and other types of cargo. Contemplated aircraft can be quite large, for example having a wing span of at least 80 ft.
US09221531B1
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an apex fitting for securing to a high altitude balloon. An example apparatus involves: (a) a base plate defining an opening, where the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope, (b) at least one stud coupled to the base plate and configured to be securable to a tendon, (c) a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud, (d) a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate, and (e) a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body.
US09221529B1
A life jacket with a lock including a life jacket having at least one belt in combination with a releasable buckle, the releasable buckle having a female member and a male member. Each of the female member and the male member has a top side and a bottom side. An opening is continuously disposed through the male member from the top side to the bottom side. An aperture is continuously disposed through the female member from the top side to the bottom side. The opening and the aperture are colinearly disposed when the female member is securely engaged with the male member. A U-lock slidingly engages the opening in combination with the aperture when the female member is securely engaged with the male member.
US09221526B2
A device comprises a spring and a sleeve. The spring is configured to form a closed loop. The spring is moveable between a coiled configuration when the spring is collapsed and an uncoiled configuration when the spring is expanded. The spring defines a circumference while in the uncoiled configuration. The spring is disposed within the sleeve.
US09221525B2
A multi-directional signal assembly includes a signal display assembly having one or more display surfaces, and at least one signal indicia affixed to each display surface. The multi-directional display assembly comprises a buoyant construction such that the signal indicia affixed to the display surface(s) are readily visible above the surface of a body of water in which the assembly is deployed. A counterweight assembly is mounted to the signal display assembly to maintain the signal display assembly in a substantially upright, operative orientation when deployed. An illumination assembly comprising one or more illumination members is mounted to the signal display assembly, and is actuated to increase visibility of the signal display assembly while it is deployed on the surface of a body of water.
US09221518B2
A front derailleur with controllable full rotational movement with two operator selectable radial arms—one for pole-vaulting the chain to larger sprockets, the other for sliding the chain to smaller sprockets.
US09221511B2
A carrier apparatus is disclosed for attachment to a bicycle to carry a number of items including sporting good items. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a receptacle suspended from a fixed rear support and a movable front support. The receptacle includes a panel having a rear end connected to the rear support and a front end connected to the front support to cause the receptacle to be suspended therefrom. The apparatus includes a resilient member connecting the front support to the rear support, wherein the front support is tetheringly movable toward and away from the rear support to vary the opening and closing of the receptacle to receive and thereafter secure therein a plurality of differently sized items.
US09221499B1
A tailgate striker support bracket assembly for a pickup truck box. The assembly having a bracket with a striker support section sandwiched between a striker and a floating striker nut. The bracket having a web extending from the striker support section to a flange. The flange being affixed to a D-pillar of the truck box. The D-pillar being disposed between a side panel of the truck box and an outer panel of the pickup. The D-pillar also being disposed longitudinally forward from the striker. The pickup truck box being made from mostly aluminum alloy components.
US09221495B2
Motor-generators are incorporated in front wheels and drive the front wheels, respectively. An ECU determines whether or not a steering apparatus including a steering actuator, a tie rod and a steering angle sensor has failed, based on an operation angle of a steering wheel from a steering wheel angle sensor and a steering angle of the front wheels from the steering angle sensor. When the ECU determines that the steering apparatus has failed, the ECU provides torque difference for a torque instruction for the motor-generators in accordance with the operation angle of the steering wheel.
US09221494B2
A steering system to control a directional stability of a vehicle may include an active power steering assistance system, a sensor to detect vehicle dynamics data of the vehicle, a sensor to detect a torque of a steering system of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a torque value based on the vehicle dynamics data, calculate a torque component based on a difference between the torque value and the torque of the steering system, calculate a preliminary compensation torque on a basis of the torque component, calculate a final compensation torque by adding the preliminary compensation torque and the torque value, and actuate the active power steering assistance system based upon the final compensation torque. Systems and methods for controlling directional stability of a vehicle may compensate for short-term pull/drift and long-term pull/drift.
US09221492B2
A computer and function architecture for operating an electrical power-assisted steering system, comprises a control path and a monitoring path that has a diverse design in relation thereto and which are processed basically parallel to each other in each case on two associated cores of a redundant microcomputer, and arithmetic differences that occur within the control path or the monitoring path are detected at the functional level by way of a comparator, and the results of individual computing steps are detected at the granular level by way of a core comparator, and as a result of a detected difference of the comparator at the functional level, a transition is made into an emergency operating mode in the event that the core comparator has not diagnosed an arithmetic error, so as to ensure further availability of at least some of the steering assistance function or of the steering functions over at least a certain time period.
US09221482B2
A transporting system for transporting metal coils, for example hot coils, may include a multi-track rail system; a number of driverless transporting carriages, which can be moved on the rail system by means of a drive device and are equipped with an on-board communication device; a locating device, with which up-to-the-moment locational information can be determined for each transporting carriage located on the rail system; and a central control device, to which the locational information of each transporting carriage can be fed, wherein a communication link, which at least in certain sections is formed without any lines, can be established between the control device and the communication device.
US09221480B2
A control system including a measurement module configured to receive motor measurements that represent operating parameters of plural traction motors of a common vehicle system as the vehicle system propels along a route. The control system also includes an analysis module configured to compare the motor measurements to an expected measurement. The expected measurement corresponds to a designated motor type. The analysis module is configured to determine that at least one of the traction motors is different from the designated motor type based on comparing the motor measurements to the expected measurement.
US09221479B2
A method for determining the configuration of a train is provided. The train includes one safety management' device per unit, each device having two designated identifiers, one coupling communication for each pair of adjacent unit and a general network for connecting all the devices to each other. The method includes transmitting, over the general network and over each coupling communication link, with at least one device, a secured message to one of the adjacent devices to the device, the message including one of the identifiers of the device transmitting, over the general network, with each device having received an identifier of another connected through a coupling communication link, at least one restoration message including both identifiers of the device as well as the received identifier, receiving, with each device, the transmitted restoration messages, and determining, with at least one device, the configuration of the train.
US09221475B2
A suspension system for a rail car has at least two undercarriage members and at least one equalizer bar removably and pivotally secured to and between the two undercarriage members. A spherical bearing has an outer member that surrounds an inner member. The outer member is removably secured to one of the undercarriage members. The inner member is removably secured to the equalizer bar. The outer member defines at least one outer member section having an arcuate interior surface and the inner member defines at least one inner member section having an arcuate exterior surface. A low friction liner is disposed on at least one of the arcuate interior surface or the arcuate exterior surface.
US09221468B2
A system for limiting damage in a hazard situation of a motor vehicle encompasses a first sensing device for sensing the hazard situation, a second sensing device for sensing a state of the motor vehicle, a processing device for identifying an action instruction on the basis of the hazard situation and of the state of the motor vehicle, and a conveying device for conveying the action instruction to a person in the vicinity of the motor vehicle. A method for limiting damage in a hazard situation of a motor vehicle encompasses steps of sensing the hazard situation, sensing a state of the motor vehicle, identifying an action instruction on the basis of the hazard situation and of the state of the motor vehicle, and conveying the action instruction to a person in the vicinity of the motor vehicle.
US09221460B2
The present invention relates to a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine, having an electric machine, having a transmission unit, in particular a manual transmission, and having a clutch unit. The clutch unit comprises a first clutch actuable by a driver of the motor vehicle and a second clutch automatically actuable by a control unit. The electric machine can be coupled in terms of drive to the transmission unit by means of the first clutch and the internal combustion engine can be coupled in terms of drive to the electric machine by means of the second clutch.
US09221452B2
Disclosed is an exemplary method for optimizing vehicle performance. The method includes determining an optimized drive torque for maximizing vehicle fuel economy and detecting a driver requested drive torque. A determination is made on whether the driver requested drive torque is performance related or safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the optimized drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is not performance and safety related. The arbitrated drive torque is set to the driver requested drive torque when it is determined that the driver requested drive torque is either performance or safety related.
US09221441B2
In a control device for a brake system of a vehicle, given an actuation of a brake actuating element, a buildup of brake pressure is prevented at least in a first wheel brake caliper of a first brake circuit, a first wheel inlet valve of the first wheel brake caliper being controlled to a partly open state, and a first wheel outlet valve of the first wheel brake caliper being kept in a partly open state, a second wheel inlet valve of a second wheel brake caliper of the first brake circuit being controlled to a partly open state, and a second wheel outlet valve of the second wheel brake caliper being controlled to a closed state, in such a way that a brake pressure can be built up in the second wheel brake caliper.
US09221435B2
There is provided a parking brake device including a link plate which is disposed on a bracket and relays movement of a parking brake lever to a brake cable, and a connection rod with one end being connected to the link plate and the other end being connected to the brake cable, an approximately center portion of the connection rod being provided with a columnar portion. The columnar portion is provided with mutually facing flat faces on which a tensile load detector is mounted such that a tensile load applied to the brake cable is detected by the tensile load detector.
US09221434B2
A method for operating a self-propelled agricultural machine that has a traction drive, a service brake, a control and a man machine interface including an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, where a user actuation of the brake pedal causes the service brake to be operated. The method includes monitoring the user actuation of the accelerator pedal by the control to detect a brake indication, which is a predetermined indication for an approaching user actuation of the brake pedal. Upon detecting a brake indication, the control implements at least one preparatory measure by the control for the preparation of a user actuation of the brake pedal. The implemented preparatory measure alone does not have a braking effect on the agricultural machine.
US09221415B2
A method of assembling an airbag for a seatbelt restraint such that the deflated airbag lays flat when it is stacked and secured to a webbing of the seatbelt. The airbag is assembled from a plurality of material strips. The strips are edge joint welded together so that the joints lay flat between the individual strips comprising the airbag.
US09221411B2
A gasbag for a pneumatic personal protection device on a motor vehicle is provided. The gasbag has a membrane at least locally comprising an inner layer and an outer layer that exhibits a higher tolerance to a frictional load than the inner layer.
US09221408B2
A vehicle power supply control apparatus is provided including a power supply control unit, a control signal connection circuit unit, a remote operation signal obtaining unit for receiving a remote operation signal, a power supply control unit that is operated during remote operation, relays serving as electrical path opening/closing units, and fuses. An air conditioner and a heater are connected to an electrical path that is opened and closed by the relay. A wiper, a washer and a turn signal relay are connected to an electrical path that is opened and closed by the relay. If the remote operation signal obtaining unit obtains a remote operation signal, the control signal connection circuit unit turns the relay off, and does not switch an electrical current on to the electrical path to which the wiper, the washer, and the turn signal relay are connected.
US09221405B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products for displaying license plate information and regulating the use of a vehicle's license plate through the use of a multi-function electronic display license plate system are disclosed. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the multi-function electronic display license plate system utilizes a combination of motion sensors, position sensors, identification verification systems, and the like to allow a vehicle owner to regulate who may use the vehicle, while providing for a safer and more efficient use of the vehicle.
US09221401B1
A telescopic bracket assembly for vehicle waste tanks, having at least first and second longitudinal frame members, at least one transversal member, a wheel chock assembly, at least one aft transversal member, and at least one longitudinal telescopic assembly. The wheel chock assembly has at least first and second wheel chocks that are fixed to the at least first and second longitudinal frame members respectively. The telescopic bracket assembly for vehicle waste tanks also has at least one transversal telescopic assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the telescopic bracket assembly for vehicle waste tanks is mounted onto an underside of a vehicle, so that it does not obstruct any functionalities of the vehicle. As an example, the vehicle may be a recreational vehicle, or a food trailer, better known as food truck.
US09221398B1
A mirror mounting assembly for mounting a mirror to a vehicle, includes a mounting bracket including a mirror pivot mechanism for pivotally mounting a mirror mounting arm carrying the mirror to the mirror mounting bracket, and a top support bracket configured to connect to a top side of a first structural portion. The assembly also includes a back support bracket configured to connect to at least one of the top support bracket and the top side of the structural portion of the vehicle, and configured to connect to the mounting bracket while being supported by at least one of the first structural portion and at least a second structural portion of the vehicle.
US09221395B2
A system and method of determining wear of a wheel seal assembly. A warning indicative of wear of the wheel seal assembly may be generated when a wheel speed exceeds a threshold wheel speed for first amount of time, when a tire pressure exceeds a threshold tire pressure for a second amount of time, and/or when a wheel end temperature exceeds a threshold wheel end temperature for a third amount of time.
US09221393B2
A vehicle lighting glazing, includes first and second transparent sheets each having a first face, a second face and a rim; a lamination separator in contact with the second face of the first sheet and with the first face of the second sheet, one or more light-emitting diode modules (LED modules) each including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) fixed onto a support, the modules being positioned so that the emitting face of the LEDs is facing the rim of the first sheet, and a light extraction element, wherein the second sheet extends beyond the first sheet, at least in the parts of the edge of the glazing where the LED modules are housed, so as to create, on the first face of the second sheet or on a coating covering this face, an area for receiving a bead of glue intended to fix the glazing to the bodywork of the vehicle.
US09221390B1
A mudflap for a vehicle includes an upper portion for attachment to the vehicle and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a generally solid panel portion and at least one lighting element provided in or on the solid panel portion. The lower portion is located underneath the upper portion in a vertical direction and includes a plurality of airflow elements defining respective flow passages for the passage of air through the mudflap during movement of the vehicle.
US09221359B2
A driving force control device for an electric vehicle includes two motors for generating driving forces independently on left and right driving wheels corresponding to any one of a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, a motor torque limit unit capable of limiting torques of the two motors, a driving force determination unit for determining which of the driving forces of the left and right driving wheels is larger, and a motor torque control unit for correcting, when the torque limit is imposed on one of the two motors corresponding to one of the left and right driving wheels larger in driving force during a turn of the electric vehicle, the torque of another of the two motors to increase so that a total driving force of the left and right driving wheels is maintained.
US09221358B2
A control device (10) for controlling an operating device (100), comprising an evaluation unit (20), a first position sensor unit (30a) for determining the position of a first component (130a) of the operating device (100) and a second position sensor unit (30b) for determining the position of a second component (130b) of the operating device (100). The evaluation unit (20) is connected to the position sensor units (30a, 30b) to permit signal communications and is constructed as a common evaluation unit (20) for evaluating the signals of the position sensor units (30a, 30b).
US09221355B2
A method and display for displaying the operating range of an electric drive vehicle and a display for carrying out same are provided. The battery energy in a vehicle is detected, and a maximum operating range of the vehicle is determined therefrom. At least one battery service station is selected as destination point for determining the maximum operating range. Based on a starting point, a reachability threshold is determined. If exceeded, the vehicle will be unable to reach the destination point with the current battery energy available, wherein said reachability threshold is displayed as an operating range in a map illustration. During the determination of the reachability threshold, the current location is used as the starting point and the current battery energy of the vehicle is used, both of which are updated at pre-defined intervals while the vehicle is moving.
US09221353B2
A charging control apparatus (310) controls wireless charging between one charging apparatus (10) and a vehicle (20) which communicates with the one charging apparatus via a communication relay apparatus (30). The charging control apparatus is provided with: an outputting device (320, 330) for transmitting a first signal which is a signal for designating a signal outputted from the one charging apparatuses, to of the one charging apparatuses; a detecting device (320, 330) for detecting a third signal which is transmitted by wireless communication from the vehicle and which is a signal corresponding to a second signal which is a signal outputted from the one charging apparatus due to the transmitted first signal; and a distinguishing device (310) for correlating the one charging apparatus with the vehicle on the basis of the transmitted first signal and the detected third signal.
US09221350B2
When a charge connector has been removed from a vehicle-side connector while parking lock is set, an ECU determines whether or not there is return history that a momentary shift lever has moved to a home position after removal of the charge connector from the vehicle-side connector. When there is return history and when a brake-on state is set, the shift lever has been operated from the home position to any position of N, D and R, and the resultant position is continuously maintained for a prescribed period of time, the ECU unlocks the parking lock.
US09221348B2
An apparatus for managing a battery pack for a vehicle includes a temperature measurement module for measuring temperature of the battery pack; a current measurement module for measuring a charge/discharge current of the battery pack when the measured temperature is not within a predetermined temperature range; a time measurement module for measuring the time while the measured charge/discharge current is over a predetermined current value; a storage module for accumulating and storing the measured time; and a control module for determining a state of the battery pack according to the accumulated and stored time and providing the state information to a user.
US09221347B2
A charging control system that controls charging of an automobile that uses electric power as motive power include a receiving unit that receives electric power demands from an electric power supplier side; and a control unit that controls charging on and off of the automobile. The control unit changes a ratio of a charging-on duration and a charging-off duration in each duration in allowable charging durations for the automobile according to changes of the electric power demands over time.
US09221335B2
A drive device for an electrically driven axle of a motor vehicle, has, as appropriate, a driving electric machine, a transmission gearing and a differential which, via drive output shafts, outputs drive power to driven wheels of the motor vehicle. The transmission gearing is formed by two planetary gear sets which are coupled to one another and which can be switched into two transmission ratio stages by way of switching elements.
US09221331B2
A vehicle may include an engine, a housing, a lighting assembly and a conduit. The engine propels the vehicle. The housing is mounted to a body of the vehicle and includes an airflow passageway extending through the housing. The lighting assembly is mounted to the housing, defines an air inlet of the airflow passageway and is configured to emit a light pattern in response to receipt of electrical current. The conduit may be connected to the airflow passageway for fluid communication therebetween. The conduit may receive air from the air inlet and may provide the air to the engine for combustion within the engine.
US09221330B2
A motor vehicle recirculation baffle including a seal and a plurality of substrates connected to the seal. The seal having an upper portion and two side portions, the two side portions connected to the upper portion by flexible corners. The flexible corners allow the side portions to move independently of each other and independently of the upper portion of the seal. The seal and flexible corners can be molded in die draw. The flexible corners provide a cost savings in the manufacturing of the recirculation baffle, because after the seal is molded.
US09221329B2
When an idling stop request is generated, in the case of a B zone (the discharge limited zone) or a C zone (the discharge prohibited zone), then an internal combustion engine ENG is made to continue driving, and charging of an electric storage device BATT is performed. Thereafter, when an idling stop release request is generated, in the case of the B zone, a vehicle is started by driving an electric motor MG, while continuing driving of the internal combustion engine ENG and setting a first clutch C1 to an interrupted state. On the other hand, in the case of the C zone, the vehicle is started by continuing driving the internal combustion engine ENG, and setting the first clutch C1 to the connected state.
US09221313B2
Stabilizer for a lower link of a three-point hitch of a tractor, comprising a first stabilizer member and a second stabilizer member connected to the first stabilizer member by a spring mechanism which allows a longitudinal movement between the stabilizer members, wherein the overall length of the stabilizer is adjustable by rotating the stabilizer members against each other. Furthermore, a blocking means is connected to the first stabilizer member, wherein the blocking means can be moved into a closed position in which a longitudinal movement between the stabilizer members is restricted. The first stabilizer member comprises a rotation-symmetric locking collar which engages the blocking means in the closed position such in that a longitudinal movement between the stabilizer members is disabled, wherein a rotation between the stabilizer members is lockable by a safety means, wherein the safety means comprises a spring clip engaging a recess formed in the circumference of the locking collar.
US09221312B2
A vehicle towing device with a first extremity comprising a towing member, a second extremity comprising an attachment arrangement, and an elongated part extending there between is provided. The elongated part comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has a conical outer contact surface extending peripherally from the first portion towards the attachment arrangement. The conical contact surface has a first cone radius at an end of the second portion facing the first portion, and a second cone radius at an end of the second portion facing the attachment arrangement. The first cone radius is larger than the second cone radius, and a longitudinal extension of the second portion exceeds the second cone radius.
US09221310B1
The tire traction assembly for increasing traction in a granular material includes a band that may be wrapped around a tire. A paddle is coupled to the band so the paddle may engage a granular material when the tire is rotated. A coupler is coupled to the band so the coupler retains the band on the tire.
US09221306B2
A tire printing method capable of highly precise printing by quickly and accurately measuring the profile of the side face of a tire for printing and setting a printing clearance properly. The printing is done on the side face (3) of the tire (2) by discharging ink from nozzles of a print head (61) disposed to face the side face (3). The method includes the step of detecting side face information of the tire (2) using a two-dimensional displacement measuring sensor (51) disposed to face the side face (3) of the tire (2) and the step of adjusting the distance between the print head (61) and the side face (3) of the tire (2) by adjusting either the position of the print head (61) or the distance between the beads (24, 24) of the tire (2) based on the side face information of the tire (2).
US09221304B2
An intra-groove groove 310,330 is formed in circumferential groove 31,33 which is formed in a pneumatic tire 1, the intra-groove groove 310,330 is recessed farther inward in a tire radial direction TR than the circumferential groove 31,33. The intra-groove groove 310,330 includes a high-angle groove section 311,331 in which an angle θ1 formed between a straight line L1 and the intra-groove groove 310,330 is equal to or more than a predetermined angle, and a low-angle groove section 312,332 in which an angle θ2 formed between the straight line L1 and the intra-groove groove 310,330 is smaller than the predetermined angle. The high-angle groove section 311,331 is positioned closer to an intra-groove center line DCL than the low-angle groove section 312,332. A width W1 of the high-angle groove section 311, 331 is wider than a width W2 of the low-angle groove section 312, 332.
US09221302B2
A pneumatic tire has a unidirectional tread pattern. On each side of the tire equator, there are a circumferential groove and main oblique grooves extending form the tread edge to the circumferential groove while inclining to the intended tire rotational direction and gradually decreasing its inclination angle with respect to the tire circumferential direction. The inclination angle of the main oblique groove measured at the tread edge is 60 to 120 degrees. The width of the main oblique groove is gradually increased toward the axially outside from the circumferential groove. The width of the circumferential groove becomes narrower at heel-side ends of shoulder blocks than at toe-side ends of the shoulder blocks. The shoulder block is provided with an auxiliary oblique groove extending from the main oblique groove toward the intended tire rotational direction and terminating without reaching to the next main oblique groove.
US09221301B1
A removable wheel device which slides onto the base of a sports field goal. The wheel device allows one person to move a goal across a field without using excessive force by sliding one wheel device onto the base of each goalpost and using leverage to tilt the goal and push or pull it for a distance. When inserted onto the base of the goal, the wheel device does not require any type of fastening to remain in place, but rather uses its own unique shape to hold onto the goal. Because field goals vary in structure, so too do each of the embodiments of the removable wheel device. Some of these variances include the angle of the axle, the location and structure of the notch, the use of a protrusion, and the use of a removable pin to secure the goalpost in place.
US09221300B1
A removable wheel device which slides onto the base of a sports field goal. The wheel device allows one person to move a goal across a field without using excessive force by sliding one wheel device onto the base of each goalpost and using leverage to tilt the goal and push or pull it for a distance. When inserted onto the base of the goal, the wheel device does not require any type of fastening to remain in place, but rather uses its own unique shape to hold onto the goal. Because field goals vary in structure, so too do each of the embodiments of the removable wheel device. Some of these variances include the angle of the axle, the location and structure of the notch, and the use of a protrusion.
US09221294B2
A sheet system including a sheet of paper and a tab coupled to and protruding outwardly from the body, wherein the tab is co-planar with the body. In one embodiment, the invention is a sheet system including one or more sheets of paper having a generally rectangular body and a tab coupled to and protruding outwardly from the body, wherein the tab is co-planar with the body. In one case the tab and body are unitary and made of a single piece of paper. In some embodiments an unbound set of tabbed sheets may be provided. In other embodiments the system further includes a front cover, a rear cover, and a binding mechanism binding the front cover, rear cover, and the one or more sheets of paper together. In this embodiment the one or more sheets of paper and/or the front cover and/or rear cover may be tabbed.
US09221292B2
A label includes an optical function layer configured to pass light of a certain wavelength, a light absorption pattern facing one major surface of the optical function layer and configured to absorb the light of the wavelength, and a light reflecting layer facing the other major surface of the optical function layer and configured to reflect the light of the wavelength. The light reflecting layer is configured to raise an absorbance at the wavelength when heated.
US09221275B2
A container-printing arrangement configured to print graphic, numeric, and/or alpha-numeric information or an image on an external surface of a bottle or similar container. The arrangement comprises at least one electrostatic print head having a plurality of openings configured to dispense printing liquid and a plurality of corresponding electrodes. The openings are located in a row one after another along a print head longitudinal axis. A container handling arrangement is used to position a container adjacent the at least one electrostatic print head to permit dispensing of printing liquid onto an external surface of the container.
US09221267B2
A printer including: a detection unit which detects first remaining amounts of inks; a generation unit which generates a plurality of mixed color information on mixed colors having different distribution densities of the inks, the plurality of mixed color information each including a mixed color and second remaining amounts of the inks representing estimated remaining amounts of the inks based on the first remaining amounts if the mixed color were to be used for printing; and an obtaining unit which obtains mixed color information selected from the plurality of mixed color information.
US09221258B2
A liquid ejection head includes a recording element substrate for ejecting liquid, a mounting section to be loaded with a liquid container, and a connector equipped with a contact spring capable of expanding and contracting in an axial direction to be brought into contact with a contact substrate provided on the liquid container. The axial direction of the contact spring is inclined relative to the direction of loading the liquid container in the mounting section.
US09221257B2
Provided is a liquid ejection head including a support member; a liquid chamber member being fixed onto the support member through an adhesive and including a liquid chamber configured to store liquid therein; and a recording element substrate being fixed onto the liquid chamber member through the adhesive and including an ejection orifice from which the liquid is ejected and a recording element configured to generate ejection energy. The support member and the liquid chamber member have different coefficients of linear expansion. The surface of the liquid chamber member on the recording element substrate side includes a first region on which the adhesive for fixing the recording element substrate is applied; and a second region being a region other than the first region. The first region has a parallelogram shape, and the second region has a rectangular shape.
US09221254B2
The liquid jet head is provided with a piezoelectric substrate having a plurality of groove rows in each of which elongated ejection grooves and elongated non-ejection grooves are alternately arranged in a reference direction. The groove rows are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the grooves, and in adjacent ones of the groove rows, the right ends of ejection grooves included in a groove row located on a left side and the left ends of non-ejection grooves included in a groove row located on the right side are separated from each other, and overlap each other in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric substrate.
US09221250B2
The invention provides apparatuses and methods for acoustically ejecting the fluid from a reservoir contained in or disposed on a substrate. The reservoir has a portion adapted to contain a fluid, and an acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through at least the portion of the reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of determining the energy level of the transmitted acoustic radiation and raising the energy level of subsequent pulses to a level sufficient to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir. The invention is particularly suited for delivering fluid from a plurality of reservoirs in an accurate and efficient manner.
US09221249B2
A droplet discharge device having a droplet discharge head provided with a plurality of nozzles that discharge droplets; a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles; and a plurality of pressure generating units for changing a capacity of each pressure chamber by applying a drive signal. The drive signal includes an expansion pulse and a contraction pulse, and the plurality of nozzles are divided into a plurality of groups each comprising one or more nozzles. A drive voltage value of the expansion pulse is set to be common to the respective groups. The drive signal which has a drive voltage value of the contraction pulse independently set in accordance with a droplet speed level for each group is applied to the droplet discharge head, and the droplets are discharged.
US09221236B1
Methods of and systems for assembling stiffened composite structures are disclosed. Some methods include loading a stiffener onto an inner mold line layup mandrel and then loading a filler structure within the stiffener cavity of the stiffener. Some methods include loading, with a loading tool, a stiffener charge and a filler structure onto an inner mold line layup mandrel so the respective stiffener charge conforms to a stiffener form of the inner mold line layup mandrel to form a stiffener. Some methods include loading, with a loading tool, a stiffener and a filler structure onto an inner mold line layup mandrel.
US09221228B2
Disclosed herein is a container featuring at least one hole, and process for making the same. The container is prepared from a sheet-like composite having (i) a polymer outer layer facing the surroundings; (ii) a carrier layer following the polymer outer layer in the direction of the container interior; (iii) a barrier layer following the carrier layer in the direction of the container interior; (iv) an adhesive layer following the barrier layer in the direction of the container interior; and (v) a polymer inner layer following the adhesive layer in the direction of the container interior. The sheet-like composite is prepared by laminating the individual layers, wherein at least the polymer inner layer or the adhesive layer are stretched during application.
US09221224B2
The present invention comprises tire treads having sipes or other voids formed of non-curable inserts, as well as methods for forming sipes or other voids within a tread using non-curable inserts and apparatus for performing the same. Such methods include providing an uncured tread having a width and a thickness bounded by an outer side and a bottom side. Such methods further include providing a strip of non-curable material, the strip having a width and a length. Furthermore, such methods include inserting the strip of non-curable into the tread thickness from the tread outer side and to a predetermined depth within the tread thickness to form a void-forming insert within the tread thickness. Finally, these methods include curing the tread with the non-curable strip arranged within the tread thickness. The inserts may be folded, which may occur as the strips are inserted into the tread or prior to such insertion.
US09221223B2
A method of forming a container includes providing a preform of the container. The preform has a wall with an interior region and an exterior region. The method also includes disposing the preform in a mold cavity wherein the mold cavity has a mold surface. Furthermore, the method includes introducing a substance into the preform to expand the preform toward the mold surface. The interior region of the wall has a first interior temperature prior to the introduction of the substance and a second interior temperature after the introduction of the substance. The exterior region of the wall has a first exterior temperature prior to the introduction of the substance and a second exterior temperature after the introduction of the substance. The method further includes controlling the first interior temperature to be greater than the first exterior temperature prior to the introduction of the substance.
US09221219B2
A method of producing a composite structure comprising fiber reinforced material and having a longitudinal direction is described. The method comprises the following steps: a) manufacturing a first structure comprising a first cured composite part having a first thickness and a longitudinal direction with a first end, and a number of first fiber layers extending from the first end, b) manufacturing a second structure comprising a second cured composite part having a second thickness and a longitudinal direction with a second end, and a number of second fiber layers extending from the second end, and c) arranging the first structure and the second structure so that the first end faces towards the second end, and arranging the first fiber layers and the second fiber layers so that at least a part of the first fiber layers overlap at least a part of the second fiber layers in the longitudinal direction, d) supplying liquid resin in order to impregnate the first fiber layers and the second fiber layers, and e) curing the liquid resin in order to form the composite structure comprising the first cured composite part, the second cured composite part, and an intermediate composite part including the first fiber layers and the second fiber layers.
US09221209B2
The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of a blow molded container comprising a physical geometry that creates more than one undercut and a means for removal of said container from a mold used to form said container.
US09221200B2
The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of pressure-resistant gas and/or liquid tight containers made from thermoplastic materials. To this end the method comprises the following steps: providing a removable external mandrel around a neckpiece, followed by providing at the inside of such mandrel a thermoplastic material for the manufacture of a thermoplastic internal wall. Hereupon the external mandrel is removed and the thermoplastic internal wall is filled with a cooling liquid. Hereupon additional thermoplastic material is provided to the external side of the thermoplastic wall and is consolidated either during the provision hereof, or thereafter or both. Hereupon the cooling liquid is removed and the container is ready for being used.
US09221196B2
A method of manufacturing an optical component includes, bringing a mold including at least one portion made of an infrared transmitting material into tight contact with a substrate, heating the substrate by irradiating the substrate with an infrared ray in a state that a gap is present between the substrate and the mold, and placing the mold and the substrate into tight contact with each other.
US09221194B2
An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer alcohol solution comprising an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and an alcohol having a carbon number of not greater than 4 is brought into contact with an aqueous solution of at least one additive selected from a carboxylic compound, a boron compound and a phosphoric compound to replace a part or all of the alcohol with water, whereby an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition containing the additive is prepared. This preparation process makes it possible to efficiently replace the alcohol in the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer alcohol solution with water, and homogeneously incorporate the thermal stabilizer in the composition.
US09221190B2
An engineered stone production plant includes a vacuum vibration press (“VVP”) suspended above the ground, so that a conveyor belt and/or returning empty trays or molds from a curing oven to a mixing station can pass beneath the VVP. Rigid, self-supporting trays or molds can convey slabs through the plant on rollers, which allow independent horizontal movement of the slabs during spreading and coloring/veining of the slab mixture. Embodiments include air levitation for transporting slabs into and out of the VVP. The curing oven can be air-heated. The pressing plate can be sealed with the tray or mold by walls that extend downwardly from the press plate over a flexible covering sheet, by a gasket surrounding the pressing plate, or by an angle strip surrounding the slab mixture. In embodiments, the slab size can be changed by exchanging elastomeric mold walls, or by exchanging molds and pressing platens.
US09221182B2
An industrial robot including a first robot part and a second robot part arranged to be moved in relation to each other. A balancing device is arranged between the first robot part and the second robot part. The balancing device is arranged to counteract a gravitational force upon relative movement of the robot parts. The balancing device includes a mechanical spring and a spring housing arranged enclosing the spring. The spring housing includes at least one air inlet adapted for pressurized air supply.
US09221179B2
An articulating mechanism is provided with at least one pair of spherical joints interconnected by a set of tension members. Each joint includes a ball member, a socket member configured to pivotably receive at least a portion of the ball member, and at least one tension member extending through both the ball and socket members parallel to and offset from a central longitudinal axis of the joint.
US09221172B2
Redundant robotic manipulators may be constrained in their motions during operation in a gravity-compensated mode by applying, in addition to gravity-compensating torques, constraining torques to one or more of the joints. The constraining torques may urge the manipulator to a specified canonical posture, and may be modeled by virtual springs attached to the constrained joints.
US09221165B2
A tool receptacle is disclosed. The tool receptacle has a spindle which has a receiving area for receiving a tool and an elongated hole which is open into the receiving area in a radial direction. A barrier element disposed in the elongated hole projects into the receiving area and is movable in the elongated hole. A slider is used for sliding the barrier element to an output-side end of the elongated hole, where the slider is subject to the application of force by a first spring against an insertion direction. A radial limit stop forces the barrier element in the radial direction to engage in the receiving area. The radial limit stop is displaceable to enable a radial movement of the barrier element out of engagement with the receiving area. A second spring applies a spring force to the radial limit stop against the insertion direction.
US09221162B2
The nailing machine (1) comprises an air passage (510) allowing communication between a cylinder (200) and a return air chamber (500) in which compressed air for returning a piston (300) to the initial position is accumulated. The air passage (510) is provided with a control valve (520) controlling entry of compressed air into the return air chamber (500) from the cylinder (200). The control valve (520) opens the air passage (510) and allows entry of compressed air into the return air chamber (500) in the case wherein the nailed object produces a small reaction force upon driving the nail, namely when the upward moving distance of the body (100) relative to the push lever (700) is smaller than a predetermined distance. The compressed air that has entered the return air chamber (500) further enters a below-the-piston chamber and serves as air damper, reducing the driving force.
US09221158B2
A power screwdriver overload prevention means (100), which is arranged between an input drive part (110) and an output drive part (102, 121) and which interrupts the transmission of torque between the input drive part (110) and the output drive part (102, 121) when a threshold torque is exceeded, is characterized in that the input drive part (110) has at least one ring of balls (130) that is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in the input drive part, in that the output drive part (102, 121) has at least one ring of balls (140; 141, 142) that is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in the output drive part (102, 121), and in that the ring of balls (130) that is arranged in the input drive part (110) is spring-preloaded via the ring of balls (140; 141, 142) arranged in the output drive part (102, 121) such that the balls (130) of the input drive part (110) are located in each case between two balls (140; 141, 142) of the output drive part (102, 121) and thus transmit a torque, and such that, when the threshold torque is exceeded, the balls (130) of the input drive part (110) roll over the balls (140; 141, 142) of the output drive part (102, 121) and thus interrupt the transmission of torque.
US09221152B2
A sheet-like abrasive article includes a resilient backing sheet having opposed major surfaces and a continuous abrasive sheet affixed to the backing sheet. The abrasive sheet includes an abrasive support layer with abrasive particles arranged thereon, thereby defining an abrasive surface. A sanding tool assembly including such a sheet-like abrasive article is also disclosed.
US09221151B2
An abrasive article comprising a backing material and an abrasive layer disposed on the backing material, wherein the abrasive layer comprises a blend of abrasive particles comprising a first plurality of abrasive particles and a second plurality of abrasive particles.
US09221143B2
An apparatus includes an external input device that allows setting of the amount of runout and the phase of each cutting edge, a computation device that acquires the rotational phase of a tool and that computes the angular velocity and the phase of vibration of two, X-axis and Y-axis, feed shafts on the basis of the input amount of runout and angular velocity of each cutting edge to generate a feed shaft control signal, and a numerical control device that controls feed in the X-axis and the Y-axis directions. The numerical control device relatively vibrates a workpiece in synchronization with the angular velocity of the tool on the basis of the results of computation performed by the computation device.
US09221136B2
A transportable, deployable power system comprising a hybrid power box containing solar panels, wind turbine(s), fuel cells, fuel reformers, and other energy sources. The system could also include waste water and potable water inlet and outlet ports for water treatment. It will also allow for shelf mounted solar and wind turbine installation for disaster recovery, backup power for telecommunication, military power, Homeland Security power, off grid homes and water and wastewater packaging domestically and internationally. The present invention is ideal for any situation requiring immediate power and/or water treatment, such as remote construction sites or in emergency situations. The hybrid power box can be mounted to a standard shipping truck, train, or ship, and transported over land to the desired location.
US09221135B2
A rotor manufacturing apparatus includes a pusher and multiple blades. The pusher presses multiple magnets that are temporarily attached to a rotor core and arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the rotor core from an outer side in a radial direction of the rotor core. The multiple blades are individually inserted into gaps between the magnets pressed by the pusher.
US09221133B2
A welding device for a stretch bender is disclosed. The welding device for the stretch bender may include: an operating unit adapted to move forward toward or rearward from a bending die for shaping a shaped beam and mounted in front of the bending die; and a welding unit mounted at the operating unit and welding flange portions of the shaped beam that is completely formed by the bending die so as to prevent the flange portions from being overlapped with each other when extracting the shaped beam, the welding unit being movable forward or rearward against the operating unit.
US09221123B2
A laser processing apparatus includes: a reflection mirror (1, 4) reflecting a laser beam (LA, LB) to an inner or outer surface at an upper edge portion (14a) of a cup (14); a reflection mirror (2, 5) reflecting a part that has passed an outer side of the upper edge portion (14a), of the laser beam (LA, LB) reflected by the reflection mirror (1, 4), to an outer or inner surface of the cup (14); and a rotating pedestal (15) rotating the cup (14) around its center relative to the reflection mirror (1, 4) and the reflection mirror (2, 5).
US09221114B2
Apparatuses and processes for recycling printed wire boards, wherein electronic components, precious metals and base metals may be collected for reuse and recycling. The apparatuses generally include a mechanical solder removal module and/or a thermal module, a chemical solder removal module, and a precious metal leaching module, wherein the modules are attached for continuous passage of the e-waste from module to module.
US09221113B2
Methods for generating gear teeth of a double involute-face gear drive system, curved in their longitudinal direction in form of either shortened, normal or an extended involute curve, include methods for generating the teeth of both components. Methods for generating the teeth of a double involute pinion, shaped in form of a normal involute in their profile direction and curved in their longitudinal direction in form of an either shortened, a normal or an extended involute curve, include the use of one of the following tools (1) a face hob and (2) a conical hob. Methods for generating the teeth of a face gear curved in their longitudinal direction in form of an either shortened, a normal or an extended involute curve include the use of one of the following tools (1) a rack cutter, (2) a shaper cutter and (3) a conical hob.
US09221111B2
A hand-guided power tool has a support arm and a tool member supported on the support arm. A drive motor is provided and a drive belt is rotatably driven by the drive motor and drives in turn the tool member. The support arm has a belt chamber in which the drive belt is arranged. The belt chamber is closed off relative to the environment and sealed off relative to the environment.
US09221110B2
A power saw having a circular saw blade or, grinding wheel incorporated to a dust collection system that is easily portable is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, negative pressure and resulting air flow is provided at a lower blade guard to capture particulate matter as a byproduct of cutting a work piece. A unique dust collection housing is additionally provided having a filter to remove dust from air and exhaust the filtered air at a lateral side of the saw. A spin handle is additionally disclosed to increase the usable surface of the filter and to work in conjunction with a filter cleaning flap. A drive belt according to a preferred embodiment, drives the circular saw and a vacuum fan. Among the beneficial aspects of the power saw is its portability by obviating a need for a dust collection bag and/or a separate vacuum unit.
US09221107B2
The invention relates to a drilling/clamping device including a base body which can be extracted from the shaft or rod, provided at one end with a drilling head actuated by means of an electric motor housed inside the base body. The base body also includes means for coupling to the shaft or rod, provided with means for actuating an electrical contactor element in order to actuate the electric motor. In addition, a rising/falling pivoted connection is provided between the coupling means and the base body, such that, when pressure is applied to the rod or shank the coupling means move axially and abut against the contactor element associated with the electric motor, thereby starting the electric motor.
US09221103B2
The invention relates to a machine for machining the ends of pipes which, for control purposes, is assigned at least one computer unit and in the case of which the tools (13) are arranged displaceably such that they can engage radially in relation to the pipe in a tool head (11) which is driven by a motor (4) via a main spindle (10) guided through a headstock (6), the tool head rotating coaxially about the fixedly clamped pipe end, wherein the tools are arranged in tool holders in the form of slides (14A, 14B; 15A, 15B; 16A, 16B) and adjacent slides together mesh with a toothed wheel which is formed with weight compensation. According to the invention, the tool head (11) is formed with integrated advance motors (17) assigned to the slides (14A, 14B; 15A, 15B; 16A, 16B), and each slide is assigned a measuring device (24).
US09221101B2
A process and device in production of precise three-dimensional sinters of a shape substantially close to that of an original part, using flash sintering produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technology. A mold is produced in a die of an enclosure for SPS flash sintering, the mold being shaped as an impression of the original part. The following are deposited in successive layers in the mold: a layer based on a superalloy powder, a metallic protection layer, and a thermal barrier layer. In a sintering, pressurization is initiated and a pulsed current passes through, producing a rapid rise in temperature in accordance with a flash sintering cycle whose temperature, pressure, and duration are regulated, with at least one temperature plateau and one pressure plateau. The layer of superalloy forms, by diffusion, during the sintering, a bonding continuum of material with the part to be repaired.
US09221098B2
A refractory nozzle comprises a substantially tubular portion with an axial through bore and a plate comprising a first, contact surface normal to the axial through bore and comprising the outlet opening, and a second surface opposite to the first contact surface joining the wall of the tubular portion to the side edges defining the perimeter and thickness of the plate. All but the first contact surface of the inner nozzle plate are at least partially clad with a metal casing having side edges. The inner nozzle plate metal casing comprises three separate bearing elements jutting out of the side edges. Each bearing element comprises a bearing ledge facing in the direction of the contact surface and distributed around the perimeter of the plate. The centroids of the orthogonal projections onto a plane parallel to the contact surface of the bearing ledges form the vertices of a triangle.
US09221097B2
A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.
US09221094B2
A connection elements control for motion control of connection elements such as rivet elements or the like has at least one control unit with connection elements channel through which the connection elements are pushed, possibly by a fluid flow, the connection elements channel having an inlet section and an outlet section, and a control shaft extending through at least a portion of the connection elements channel in a control region between the sections, and the system is designed such that the passage of the connection elements and/or fluid through control region is controlled by swiveling control shaft.
US09221092B2
A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.
US09221090B2
A method and apparatus comprising a structure and a locking magnet. The structure comprises a retaining portion and a magnetic portion. The retaining portion of the structure is configured to receive a first section of a workpiece such that a second section of the workpiece is positioned at an angle relative to the magnetic portion of the structure. The magnetic portion of the structure is positioned at a first side of the workpiece. The locking magnet is configured to exert an attractive force that causes the magnetic portion of the structure to move towards the second section of the workpiece when the locking magnet is positioned at a second side of the workpiece.
US09221089B2
A clamping device for a bending press includes a clamping die with a space formed therein, a clamping holder rotatably disposed within the space of the clamping die around a rotation shaft formed thereto, an upper cam block and a lower cam block respectively disposed within the clamping holder and slidable along the horizontal direction, and of which a cam slant surface is formed at a front side of the upper cam block and the lower cam block respectively, an upper clamping block and a lower clamping block contacting each cam slant surface of the upper cam block and the lower cam block, and clamping an end of a pipe disposed therebetween by sliding along a slant direction of the clamping holder, and a pressing unit selectively pressing the upper cam block and the lower cam block.
US09221047B2
Production and the distribution of pico and nano-drops, which are extracted by the effect of a strong electric field generated by pyroelectric effect, in particular, but not exclusively, from a sessile drop (a drop placed on a surface assumes a form termed “sessile”) or by a liquid film, and distributed on a dielectric substrate. The electric field is advantageously generated applying a heat source on the dielectric substrate or utilizing a laser source emitting in the infrared region. In this new approach, it is not necessary to use fixed electrodes, circuits, high tension generators or to design intentionally, and therefore to realize, pico- and nano-nozzles.
US09221045B2
An automatic preparation system according to an embodiment includes a case, a pressure regulator, and a plurality of robots. The case has a workspace inside thereof. The pressure regulator keeps a negative pressure inside the case relative to the outside. The robots are installed on a ceiling surface of the case and have respective arms. The robots bring the arms into cooperation to perform a preparation operation.
US09221043B2
A method of regenerating an acidic catalyst is described. A borane compound is contacted with an acidic catalyst that contains conjunct polymer, which releases the conjunct polymer from the acidic catalyst. The acidic catalyst can then be re-activated with acid. The conjunct polymer can be separated from the borane compound, and the borane compound can be recycled.
US09221038B2
Novel metal-containing silicates, in particular redox-active as well as crystalline silicates, a process for preparing metal-containing crystalline silicates, as well as use thereof as high-temperature oxidation catalyst or diesel oxidation catalyst. Further, a catalytic composition and a shaped catalyst body which contains the metal-containing crystalline silicates.
US09221034B2
A process for manufacturing a catalyst composition comprises the steps of (i) precipitating one or more metal compounds from solution using an alkaline precipitant, preferably comprising an alkaline carbonate, optionally in the presence of a thermostabilizing material, ii) ageing the precipitated composition, and (iii) recovering and drying the aged composition, wherein the ageing step is performed using a pulse-flow reactor.
US09221031B2
Disclosed is an inorganic material that can exhibit an excellent photocatalytic gas decomposition function while maintaining an abrasion resistance on a level that is usually required of this type of inorganic materials. The inorganic material includes an inorganic material base and a photocatalyst layer that is formed by firing and is provided on the surface of the inorganic material base, the photocatalyst layer containing: photocatalyst particles; zirconia particles having a BET specific surface area of not less than 10 m2/g or crystalline zirconia particles having a mean crystallite diameter of less than 20 nm; and an alkali silicate. The inorganic material including the photocatalyst layer exhibits a high photocatalytic gas decomposition function while maintaining an abrasion resistance on a level that is usually required of this type of inorganic materials.
US09221030B2
A method for producing a water-absorbent resin includes a polymerization step of polymerizing a polymerizable component containing a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer dissolved in water using a water-soluble azo-type radical polymerization initiator to obtain a reaction system including a water-absorbent resin precursor, and a dehydration step of removing water from the reaction system by heating. In the dehydration step, a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator is added to the reaction system at any first dehydration stage when the residual water rate calculated by the formula (1) is 50% or more, and a reducing substance is added to the reaction system at any second dehydration stage when the residual water rate decreases from that at the first dehydration stage by 10% or more. According to this production method, a water-absorbent resin having satisfactory water-absorption capacity can be produced while suppressing the content of residual monomers. Residual Water Rate ( % ) = Mass of Water Remaining in Reaction System Mass of Water - Soluble Ethylenically Unsaturated Monomer Used in Polymerization Step × 100 ( 1 )
US09221014B2
An exhaust aftertreatment system may include a tank, an injector, a supply conduit, a pump, a pressure sensor, and a control module. The tank may contain a volume of a fluid. The injector may be configured to inject the fluid into a stream of exhaust gas discharged from the combustion engine. The supply conduit may fluidly connect the tank and the injector. The pump may pump the fluid from the tank to the injector. The control module may be in communication with the pressure sensor and the pump and may control the pump based on first and second measurements from the pressure sensor. The first measurement may be indicative of a first pressure within the supply conduit when the pump is operating. The second measurement from the pressure sensor may be indicative of a second pressure within the supply conduit when the pump is not operating.
US09221010B2
A two-step process for the cleaning of a stream of flue gas, containing noxious acidic compounds, by means of a quantity of basic sodium reagent, wherein the quantity of basic sodium reagent is injected in a secondary stream diverted from the main stream wherein it reacts in a first step with the noxious acidic compounds contained in the secondary stream during a pre reaction period, resulting in pre-reacted basic reagent, un-reacted basic reagent and partially cleaned secondary stream of flue gas; and wherein after the pre reaction period, the partially cleaned secondary stream comprising the quantity of pre reacted basic sodium reagent is reintroduced in the main stream, the pre-reacted reagent and un-reacted reagent further reacting in a second step with at least part of the remaining noxious acids left in the partially cleaned secondary stream of flue gas.
US09221005B2
A process and system for ventilation of welding smoke including an air passage configured to receive smoke from a welding environment, wherein said air passage has an inlet and an outlet and said inlet is positioned adjacent to said welding environment. The system also includes a filter coupled to the air passage, wherein the filter includes filter media that exhibits a burst strength of up to 20″ w.g., an initial resistance in the range of 0.3″ w.g. to 1.5″ w.g., an air flow in the range of 1,000 cubic feet per minute to 2,500 cubic feet per minute and a removal efficiency of greater than 50% for particles having a diameter of 0.3 μm to 10.0 μm.
US09220997B2
In the field of expanded bed adsorption chromatography, with particular but not exclusive relevance to disposable expanded bed chromatography columns, a method of conducting upward flow expanded bed chromatography comprising: supplying a liquid via an inlet to a stationary phase medium contained in a column, allowing adsorption of at least one component from the liquid by the stationary phase medium, withdrawing the liquid from the column via an outlet, regulating the expansion of the stationary phase medium by regulation of the flow rate of the liquid through at least the inlet, and restricting any overpressure in the headspace of the column to not more than the outside pressure plus 0.1 bar, is provided. In addition, apparatus for use in said method, in particular columns for use in expanded bed chromatography, are provided.
US09220996B2
A jet type condenser comprises a shell (8). A plurality of multilayered inner water chambers (3,4) is arranged in the shell, multilayered outer water chambers (9,10) being correspondingly in communication with the inner water chambers (3,4) are arranged outside the shell (8), each of the outer water chambers (9,10) is in communication with a water source, the lower portion of the inner water chamber (4) in a bottom layer is an air-cooling area (6), and a water guiding tube (16) in communication with the air-cooling area (6) is arranged at the bottom of the inner water chamber (4) of the bottom layer. A transverse partition board (5) is disposed in the inner water chamber (4) of the bottom layer, the inner space of the inner water chamber (4) of the bottom layer is divided into an upper cavity and a lower cavity (4-1, 4-2) which are independent, and correspondingly, the outer water chamber (10) corresponding to the inner water chamber (4) of the bottom layer is also divided into two independent cavities (10-1, 10-2) being respectively in communication with the two cavities (4-1, 4-2) of the inner water chamber (4) of the bottom layer and respectively connected with the water source. The use range of the jet type condenser is expanded, the condenser depression of condensate of the condenser can be remarkably reduced, and the running thermal consumption of a unit is reduced.
US09220994B2
A card-holding component. The card-holding component comprises a main body that includes a base and a card-holding portion. The card-holding portion having a geometry of a segment of a circle with an arcuate edge. The card-holding component also comprises a multiplicity of peripheral slots arranged to open on the arcuate edge of the card-holding portion. Additionally, the card-holding component comprises a coupling notch having a width that substantially matches a thickness of the main body.
US09220993B1
The set of construction panels is a set of toy building panels including two basic types of construction panels. The first type of construction panel includes a first planar member having at least one side edge and at least one first engaging member protruding from the at least one side edge thereof. A plurality of first apertures are formed through the first planar member, such that the plurality of first apertures are arrayed as a regular rectangular grid. The second type of construction panel includes an elongated planar member having at least one side edge and at least one second engaging member protruding from the at least one side edge thereof. A linear row of second apertures are formed through the elongated planar member. The construction panels may be releasably connected together by releasable insertion of the engaging members of one panel into the apertures of another panel.
US09220988B2
Rotating inclusive play devices are provided. In certain embodiments, a rotating play device includes a stationary base, a rotatable portion, and a speed limiting device that connects the stationary base to the rotatable portion. The speed limiting device illustratively limits a rotational speed of the rotatable portion relative to the stationary base. The rotatable portion may have an elevated outer perimeter that includes recessed and raised portions. The speed limiting device may include a cranking mechanism and/or a piston mechanism.
US09220986B2
A server device and the like providing a game and capable of enhancing the unpredictability and amusement of the game and increasing the fun and thrill of the game as a whole are realized. A server device according to the present invention is connected to a terminal device via a network and provides a game, and includes: an information storage unit for storing information related to the game; and a control unit for accessing the information, executing various operations, and displaying images of the game on the terminal device. In the game, a plurality of item boxes of a plurality of types, each of which is assigned a predetermined reward item, are displayed on the terminal device.
US09220982B2
Methods, computer-readable media, and specially configured machines are described for hosting an instance of a cross-realm zone that manages interaction among characters from different instances of a virtual world in a massively multiplayer online game. Different zones of the virtual world may support different numbers of realms or different combinations of realms, and some zones of the virtual world may remain as single-realm zones. When a character enters a zone, the character may be added to an instance of a cross-realm zone based on the virtual world for which the character is a member. A single cross-realm zone may handle all characters that enter the zone from a subset of realms, but not characters that enter the zone from other realms that are not in the subset of realms. Characters in a cross-realm zone might not have any affiliation or prior social connection or interaction with each other.
US09220980B2
Technologies are generally described for pausing and resuming a gesture-based game. In some examples, a method performed under control of a gesture-based game system includes receiving a pause command that indicates pausing play of a gesture-based game and in response to the receipt of the pause command, capturing a first image of a player currently playing the gesture-based game, the first image being associated with a first posture of the player substantially at the time of the pause command and generating an outline of the player corresponding to the first image of the player.
US09220974B2
A method of playing an instant scratch game lottery ticket. Each ticket provides a printed grid comprised of adjoining edge features that provide at least two enclosed symbol areas. Each edge feature is labeled by a unique indicium and covered in a transparent film. Each enclosed symbol area contains a prize symbol that is covered in an opaque film. Also provided are player indicia covered with an opaque film that is removed to reveal the player indicia. The transparent film covering each labeled edge feature that matches a player indicium is then removed. If the edge features that have been removed are adjoined and provide a fully enclosed area, the prize symbol(s) in the fully enclosed area is/are revealed by removing the opaque film covering the prize symbol(s). Any revealed prizes are provided as an award to the player.
US09220973B1
An educational board game includes a playing board, a plurality of cards, a die and a die launcher. The playing cards are separated into categories and the die has a plurality of colored faces, each color corresponding to a particular category. The die is placed on the launcher and a bellows-type pedal is depressed, thereby launching the die. The color displayed by the die represents the category of card to be taken. Each card has a challenge question or task disposed thereon which a user has to answer or perform. If the user answers the question correctly a game piece is moved on the playing board. The first game piece to advance through the playing board is the winner.
US09220971B2
A playing card handling device comprises a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the card storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least the first and second positions when a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area. Methods of card handling include employing the use of such a pivotal arm.
US09220970B1
A snowboard boot and binding system is disclosed which facilitates the engagement and disengagement of a snowboard boot and binding. The snowboard boot may include a boot engagement member extending from a rear of the boot. The boot engagement member is moved downwardly into a corresponding binding engagement member to provide an arrangement which prevents forward movement of the boot. The boot engagement member also may include one or more serrations to engage with one or more pawls on the binding to prevent upward movement of the boot. A snap-in arrangement may be provided in a boot toe region. The boot has protrusions extending outwardly from each side of the boot to engage with catches on the binding sidewalls. As the boot is pressed downwardly into the binding, the protrusions splay the catches until reaching recesses, at which point the catches rebound to capture the protrusions against upward movement.
US09220967B2
A method for enhancing tennis practice by disposing a freely movable tennis court practice target mat so as to lie horizontally within marked playing areas of a tennis court playing surface, the target mat having a plurality of areas each of which generates a signal when impacted by a descending tennis ball. An upright counter-display is also provide responsive to signals from each target area to numerically display the number of hits to each area. Lights and/or speakers may be included to provide an indication when each target area is impacted.
US09220960B2
A golf club head comprises a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion and a heel portion that together form a two-piece body and for which a center of gravity is defined. The body comprises a central portion as a first piece and a frame as a second piece. The frame encloses a substantial portion of the central portion within an XY-plane. The central portion is connected with the frame with fasteners along at least the front portion. The moment inertia of the club head about a z-axis of the center of gravity is between about 7,000 g·cm2 and about 14,000 g·cm2.
US09220959B2
The invention relates to golf club heads with improved mass distribution provided by novel cellular features. Because a club head can have very low mass density in certain parts, the club head can have much more mass in other parts, while keeping the overall club head mass equal to the mass of prior art club heads. A club head can be provided with optimized MOI and CG. The novel cellular structures of invention provide extensible functionality in the form of pockets, recesses, and windows and provide materials with excellent strength and restitution properties.
US09220951B1
A golf ball comprising a photonic pigmented layer formed from a layer composition and photonic pigments comprised of microcapsules having nanoparticles therein to create a predetermined overall golf ball color appearance. The nanoparticles are sized and spaced such that the diffraction and reflection of light creates the predetermined overall golf ball color appearance. The microcapsule may be UV curable/cured, and each microcapsule may have a diameter of from about 50 μm to about 150 μm. Each nanoparticle may comprise a nanoparticle core surrounded by a nanoparticle shell, the nanoparticle core having a diameter of from about 50 nm to about 100 nm, and the nanoparticle core and nanoparticle shell, combined, having a diameter of from about 120 nm to about 300 nm.
US09220950B2
Golf balls having cores with negative hardness gradients are provided. The cores are made of polyalkenamer rubber compositions that may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. In one version, a solid, single core having an outer surface and center is provided, wherein the outer surface has a hardness substantially the same or lower than the hardness of the center to define a zero or negative hardness gradient. Dual-cores having inner and outer cores can be made, wherein the inner core has a negative hardness gradient and the outer core has a positive or negative hardness gradient. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel.
US09220949B2
The present invention also relates to a crosslinked polyamide composition which is the reaction product of about 70 to about 99.5 wt % (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more polyamides and about 0.5 to about 30 wt % (based on the combined weight of Components A and B) of one or more crosslinking agents; and where the crosslinked polyamide composition has a flexural modulus of about 5 to about 500 kpsi, and a material Shore D hardness of about 25 to about 85. The present invention also relates to a golf ball having a core including a center, an outer cover layer, and one or more intermediate layers, where at least one or more of the core, outer cover layer or one or more intermediate layers includes the crosslinked polyamide composition.
US09220941B2
An exercise device is suitable for progressively strengthening the intrinsic muscle groups of a limb extremity and the associated limbs of a user. The device has a base unit and a gripping surface. The gripping surface can be gripped by at least one of the digits of the limb extremity of the user. The exercise device further includes a system for applying resistance. The gripping surface is configured to adapt to fit the shape of the digits of the limb extremity of the user.
US09220940B2
Disclosed is a treadmill device providing a cushioned layer of sand to walk upon. The device comprises a base having a conveyor walking surface and an underside sand storage area. The base connects to an upstanding support having a control interface to establish the walking surface speed. A second sand conveyance means draws collected sand from the lower storage area and dispenses a continuous and uniform volume of sand onto the leading end of the conveyor walking surface. The sand is then leveled to a defined depth and conveyed toward the trailing end of the walking surface. Sand is collected along the sides of the walking surface and along the trailing end thereof, whereby the sand is recollected and conveyed again to the walking surface leading end for reuse. The sand is then treated by high intensity light to prevent bacteria from forming in the sand over long periods of non-use.
US09220937B2
The present invention relates to an inerting method for extinguishing a fire in a closed room in which the oxygen content in the closed room is reduced to a specific inerting level within a given time (x), as well as a device for carrying out the method. In order to achieve the most exacting design possible to the inert gas fire-extinguishing system used during the inerting method, and in particular the most precise dimensioning possible to the inert gas to be provided, while simultaneously adhering to the required fire-fighting stage and re-ignition prevention stage necessary when extinguishing fires, the invention provides for the inerting level to be kept to the re-ignition prevention level within a given regulation range.
US09220933B2
An assembly for mixing and metering a foaming agent with a pressurized fluid output of a fire extinguisher, the extinguisher including a body with a trigger for issuing the fluid through an outlet. The assembly includes a manifold adapted to being attached at an inlet end to the extinguisher outlet, the manifold having an outlet end which is adapted to engage with an inlet of a flexible hose. A canister contains a volume of a fire retardant (dry or foaming) agent and is engaged to an intermediate location of the manifold between the inlet and outlet. In this manner, the manifold mixes the foaming agent with the fluid output prior to delivery through the hose.
US09220929B2
The invention relates to the use of a haemoglobin for the preparation of dressings and to the resulting dressings.
US09220928B2
The invention relates to plant extracts and bioactive molecules derived from the plant genus Acronychia and their use as antioxidants, antibacterials, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatories, cancer chemopreventatives, food additives and fragrance components in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, foods and cosmetics.
US09220925B2
A device and a method for the production of lipstick leads made of paste-like masses where, the device includes a chamber, a flexible mold part and a mold holder, and the flexible mold part is arranged in the chamber and paste-like mass is poured into the flexible mold part and can at least partially solidify in the flexible mold part and the at least partially solidified paste-like mass is removed with a removal device while elastically expanding the flexible mold part, and the mold holder is arranged for at least some of the time and at least partially in the chamber for holding part of the flexible mold part, so that the mold holder is moved relative to the flexible mold part, and the chamber can be filled with a heat transfer medium before and/or during the filling of the flexible mold part, and a negative pressure expands the flexible mold part in the chamber to remove the paste-like mass.
US09220908B2
A sleep apnea treatment device may include a flexible carrier configured to be implanted in a body of a subject. The device may also include at least one electrode disposed on the flexible carrier, the at least one electrode being configured to modulate nerve fibers of the subject. A flexible antenna may be disposed on the flexible carrier, the flexible antenna electrically connected to the at least one electrode in a manner permitting at least some energy received by the flexible antenna to be transferred to the at least one electrode. The flexible antenna may include: at least a first conductive trace arranged on a first side of the flexible carrier, the at least a first conductive trace defining at least a first elongated space between portions thereof; and at least a second conductive trace arranged on a second side of the flexible carrier, the at least a second conductive trace defining at least a second elongated space between portions thereof, wherein the at least a first conductive trace is at least partially offset from the at least a second conductive trace such that portions of the first conductive trace overly the at least a second elongated space and wherein portions of the second conductive trace underlay the at least a first elongated space.
US09220902B2
An implantable medical device includes two conductive enclosures that are attached together, wherein the first enclosure contains electronics, and the second enclosure contains a power source. The second enclosure, all or a portion of which is located outside the first enclosure, includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and a header plate, all of which are configured to provide redundant sealing for the power source. The inner and outer layers, formed by separate metal sheets nested one within the other, are preferably in direct mechanical and electrical contact. The first sheet, which forms the inner layer, approximately conforms to a profile of the power source, located therein, and the second sheet, which forms the outer layer, conforms to a profile of the first sheet. An insulative housing, which contains connector contacts of the device, is directly secured to the first and second conductive enclosures, for example, by mounting brackets.
US09220901B2
A neurostimulation device capable of being placed between an active stimulation state and an inactive stimulation state and method of using same. The neurostimulation device comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of stimulation electrodes, a first solid-state switching device coupled to a first one of the electrical terminals, a variable power source coupled to the first switching device, and a controller configured for, when the neurostimulation device is in the inactive stimulation state, prompting the variable power source to selectively output a relatively low voltage to place the first switching device into a first open state and a relatively high voltage to place the first switching device into a second open state.
US09220895B2
A system and method of stimulating a nerve of a patient is provided. A electro-therapy device is used that includes a signal generator and two electrodes. The first electrode is positioned on an epidermis of the patient over the nerve to be stimulated. The second electrode is positioned on an epidermis of the patient at a second location. A The electro-therapy device is configured to alternately deliver to a first and second electrode a summation of first and second signals which result in a therapeutic signal encompassing the nerve of the patient. The intensity of the first and second signal is adjusted over time.
US09220891B2
A cardiac electrode arrangement has one or several heart electrodes arranged on the exterior surface of a heart or attached to the heart from the outside and/or arranged with a pole in the cardiac tissue. The electrodes, which can be fixed in the operating position by an anchor, run to an implanted heart pacemaker. For positioning and affixing the anchor, a tool is used that is designed as a rod or stylet and acts on an attachment site of the anchor, whereby the anchor can be pushed into or through the myocardium. The anchor is, at the same time, attached to a tension element or thread, over which the electrode, which has an inner guide channel that accommodates the tension element or thread, can be moved in a fitted and controlled manner. In the operating position, the electrode can be connected to the tension element or thread located in the guide channel.
US09220889B2
Electrode devices having directional electrodes for use in deep brain stimulation or other uses. In one aspect, an electrode assembly comprises an elongate lead and a lead guide that are engageable with each other in a coaxial relationship. When the elongate lead and the lead guide are engaged with each other, the two components are rotationally fixed in relation to each other. In another aspect, an elongate lead comprises a radiologically-visible feature for indicating the orientation of the elongate lead. In yet another aspect, an electrode system is capable of determining the position and/or orientation of an electrode positioned within a body. In other aspects, methods for electrically stimulating a target site in the body are disclosed.
US09220887B2
An electrode lead comprises a tubular lead body, an electrode supported by the lead body, a rotatable member, a deployable member and a deployment mechanism. The rotatable member is contained within a distal end of the tubular lead body. The deployable member is attached to the rotatable member and comprises a tissue anchor. The deployment mechanism is configured to drive the deployable member along a central axis and out the distal end of the tubular lead body responsive to rotation of the rotatable member about the central axis. In one embodiment, the deployable member does not rotate about the central axis with the rotation of the rotatable member.
US09220885B2
A placement device for a medical patch includes an alignment guide having a shaft with a first end having a first anatomical alignment marker and a second end having a second anatomical alignment marker, a swinging gate both pivotally and rotationally coupled with the first end of the shaft for selectively pivoting the gate toward and away from the shaft and rotating the gate between opposite sides of the shaft, whereby the gate has first and second major faces and a first opening extending through the gate between the first and second major faces. The placement device includes a spacer for selectively adjusting spacing between the gate and the first end of the shaft, and a flexible diaphragm having a flexible dome disposed within the first gate opening. At least one magnet is located in the center of the flexible dome for holding the medical patch within the flexible dome.
US09220882B2
Featured is a vascular access device such as an IV catheter device including a housing, a tubular member and a seal member, and a securing mechanism. The housing includes a proximal and distal portion and a chamber that extends between the proximal and distal portions. The tubular member is coupled to the housing distal portion so it is fluidly coupled to the chamber. The seal member is disposed within the chamber and the securing mechanism secures the seal member distal end to the housing proximal portion so the seal member is sealingly and compressibly retained between a chamber proximal end and the securing mechanism. Such a seal member also is constituted so a portion of the seal member moves axially responsive to an axial force applied to the proximal end.
US09220870B2
Described herein are catheter securement devices that can be used to secure catheters, catheter hubs and other medical devices to the body of a patient. The catheter securement devices can include an adhesive pad and engagement tabs with a slide locking feature. Adaptors can be used to provide suture tabs to catheters that lack suture tabs.
US09220862B2
A patient interface device (8, 108) includes a mask component (16, 116) structured to engage a face of the patient, a head support member (22, 122) structured to rest on a head of the patient, and a coupling arm (24, 124) having a first end (40, 134) coupled to the mask component and a second end (42, 136) coupled to the head support member. The second end of the coupling arm is coupled to the head support member in a manner wherein the mask component is selectively moveable relative to the head support member in multiple planes such that the mask component can be rotated at least 180 degrees in a plane that is parallel to the patient's face.
US09220858B2
Devices and methods for allowing for improved assisted ventilation of a patient. The methods and devices provide a number of benefits over conventional approaches for assisted ventilation. Methods and devices that permit blind insertion of a device that can allow ventilation regardless of whether the device is positioned within a trachea or an esophagus.
US09220850B2
Objects are to ensure a required depressing force and puncture speed when a needle tube is punctured in the skin, and to be able to reliably situate a needle tip of a needle tube in the upper layer of skin. A needle injection assembly 2 includes a needle tube 5 having a needle tip 8 that can be punctured in a living body, a hub 6 that holds the needle tube 5, an adjustment section 12, a stabilizing section 13, and a puncture speed securing member 7. The adjustment section 12 is provided around the periphery of the needle tube 5 and has a needle projection surface 12a, from which the needle tip 8 of the needle tube 5 projects. The stabilizing section 13 extends from the hub 6, is disposed to surround the needle tube 5 and has an end face 13a that comes in contact with the skin when the needle tube 5 is punctured in the living body. The puncture speed securing member is provided at the adjustment section 12 or stabilizing section 13 such that the puncture speed securing member moves along the axial direction of the needle tube 5. The puncture speed securing member 7 is brought into contact with the skin ahead of the needle tip 8 of the needle tube 5 when the needle tube 5 is punctured in the living body and ensures the speed and depressing force as desired when the needle tube 5 is punctured in the living body.
US09220848B2
The invention relates to a device comprising a syringe body (10) having an axial direction (A) and a bearing sleeve (18) inside which the body is arranged. The sleeve has at least one holding lug (22) co-operating with the syringe body, at a proximal end (10A) of the latter, in order to hold the body in relation to the sleeve. Said proximal end is fixed to a wedging surface (42) having radial crenulations forming dips (42B) and bumps (42A) and the holding lug is inserted into a dip in order to prevent a relative rotation of the syringe body (10) and the sleeve perpendicularly to the axial direction.
US09220841B2
The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising a drive means configured to act on a medicament container for expelling a medicament; a holding means configured to hold said drive means in a pre-tensioned state; an activation means configured to interact with said holding means for releasing said drive means from the pre-tensioned state; wherein the device further comprises feedback means configured to interact both with said holding means and with said drive means for generating an audible and/or tactile and/or visual signal indicating that the medicament has been completely expelled.
US09220830B2
An apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment including a treatment unit; an extracorporeal blood circuit; an infusion line of a replacement fluid; a dialysis line connected in inlet to the second chamber; a fluid evacuation line; sensors for determining a first parameter relating to a patient's blood volume (BV %), a second parameter relating to an ultrafiltration flow rate (UFR) or to a patient's weight loss rate (WLR), a third parameter (Cd, Na) relating to a conductivity or concentration of a liquid crossing the dialysis line and/or the infusion line, and a fourth parameter relating to an infusion flow rate (QINF), and a control unit performing a control procedure to determine a variation in blood volume (BV %) and perform a setting sequence, wherein the control unit regulates a transmembrane pressure (TMP) to values which enable maximizing the convective exchanges.
US09220829B2
Systems and methods utilize semipermeable nanotubes in conjunction with application of controlled electrical potentials across semipermeable nanotube walls allow selective transport of charged impurities (e.g., charged impurities, ions, etc.) from a fluid into these nanotubes. Impurities collected in these nanotubes can then be removed from the fluid, (e.g., blood) as a waste stream. A collection of semipermeable nanotubes each carrying a waste stream can be aggregated and merged into a ureter for excretion thereby providing an artificial kidney system. Sensors that detect/measure various impurities may be included in the system to feed information to a microprocessor to inform on concentrations of impurities, and thereby control electrical potentials applied to the system.
US09220820B2
Coatings for medical devices, methods of making the coatings, and methods of using them are described.
US09220817B2
The invention is directed to an improved medical device. In particular, the invention is directed to an improved medical device having a coating comprising novel cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as CFS compositions), such CFS compositions including conditioned medium compositions obtained from culturing extraembryonic cytokine secreting cells (ECS cells), including Amnion-derived Cellular Cytokine Solution (referred to herein as ACCS) obtained from culturing Amnion-derived Multipotent Progenitor (AMP) cells, dispersed in a polymeric coating material.
US09220815B2
It is provided a polymer blend that contains a polymer formed of fluorinated monomers and hydrocarbon monomers and another biocompatible polymer.
US09220811B2
In various aspects, the present invention is directed to implantable neurostimulation leads and methods for their formation. In various additional aspects, the present invention is directed to medical devices having silicone-containing regions with overlying polymeric layers and to methods of forming the same.
US09220800B2
A dissolved ozone delivery system comprises a generator for producing gaseous ozone, a bottle for holding a liquid suitable for receiving the gaseous ozone, flow conduits for delivering the gaseous ozone to the bottle and dissolving the ozone into the liquid to form an ozonated liquid, and a multicomponent bottle closure sealing device. The multicomponent bottle closure sealing has several discrete gas flow passageways for channeling the ozone gas into the bottle, venting undissolved gas and delivering the ozonated liquid to an exterior surface for decontamination thereof or medical instruments for sterilization or use in medical or dental procedures.
US09220798B2
Hazardous waste is treated by shredding and then passing the material through an enclosure by means of a conveyor through direct steam impingement. The enclosure is maintained at a pressure greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure in order to maintain steam temperature at or above 212° F. Pressure locks are positioned at an inlet and discharge of the enclosure. The pressure locks allow transport of waste material into and out of the enclosure while maintaining a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the enclosure.
US09220796B1
Disclosed herein are methods of making sterilized ciprofloxacin compositions. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous suspension comprising ciprofloxacin particles; (b) heating the aqueous suspension comprising ciprofloxacin particles at a temperature range of from about 100° C. to about 120° C.; and (c) allowing the aqueous suspension comprising ciprofloxacin particles to cool down. Also described herein are otic formulations containing ciprofloxacin formed by the disclosed methods, and therapeutic use of such otic formulation for providing sustained release of ciprofloxacin into the ear for treating various otic disorders and conditions.
US09220793B2
Methods for in vivo identification of cancer initiating cells by multimodality reporter gene imaging
The present invention relates to a method for detecting cancer initiating cells in living animal body by multimodality reporter gene imaging. In the method of this invention, cells escaping from cell loss during tumor enlargement are identified as cancer initiating cells.
US09220788B2
Disclosed are methods of treating subjects having conditions related to angiogenesis including administering an effective amount of a polymeric nanoparticle form of thyroid hormone agonist, partial agonist or an antagonist thereof, to promote or inhibit angiogenesis in the subject. Nanoparticle forms of thyroid hormone or thyroid hormone analogs as well as uses thereof are also disclosed.
US09220779B2
Disclosed are a carrier for delivering a negatively charged drug, comprising a cationic lipid represented by formula 1, and a preparation method thereof. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a negatively charged drug and a cationic lipid represented by formula 1, wherein the negatively charged drug forms a complex with the cationic lipid. The composition can increase the in vivo stability of the negatively charged drug after local or systemic administration and allows the intracellular delivery of the negatively charged drug. Thus, the composition will be useful for improving the therapeutic effect of the negatively charged drug.
US09220776B2
The present invention relates to stable formulations of antibodies against human programmed death receptor PD-1, or antigen binding fragments thereof. The present invention further provides methods for treating various cancers and chronic infections with stable formulations of antibodies against human programmed death receptor PD-1, or antigen binding fragments thereof.
US09220774B2
Described herein are antibodies against GPR49 and uses of such antibodies. Various aspects relate to monoclonal, humanized, or fully human antibodies against GPR49, hybridomas or other cell lines expressing such antibodies, nucleic acids and vectors comprising nucleic acids encoding for such antibodies.
US09220772B2
Antibodies that bind to tumor associated antigen CD44 or to tumor associated antigen EphA2, are disclosed herein, as well as related compositions and methods of use. Methods of use encompass cancer therapies, diagnostics, and screening methods.
US09220770B2
Disclosed are vaccines and vaccine adjuvants useful in the treatment and/or prevention of infection and diseases associated with infectious pathogens, such as tetanus, as well as diseases associated with biological toxins. Also provided are methods of preparing an adjuvant and the vaccine containing the adjuvant. Methods are also provided for vaccinating/immunizing an animal against infection and diseases associated with infectious pathogens, such as tetanus, and other diseases associated with biological toxins. Adjuvant materials are presented that are prepared from an extracellular matrix material. The adjuvant may also be described as a heterologous acellular collagenous tissue preparation. The adjuvants are demonstrated to enhance the immunogencity of an infectious pathogen antigen or biological toxin antigen of interest, as well as to enhance the survival of an immunized animal.
US09220767B2
The present invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising: —at least one prophylactically active agent against influenza, and —at least one adjuvant, said adjuvant being a derivative of a galactosylceramide, for use in the treatment of influenza.
US09220752B2
An orally administered dietary product intended to reduce an obese person's visceral fat during the pre-operative phase prior to bariatric surgery, the product includes in particular a mixture of: a whey hydrolysate having a molecular weight of between 200 and 10,000 daltons, an isolate and/or a concentrate of whey, and calcium caseinate.
US09220733B2
The present invention relates to methods for removing antigens from tissues by sequentially destabilizing and/or depolymerizing cytoskeletal components and removing and/or reducing water-soluble antigens and lipid-soluble antigens. The invention further relates to tissue scaffolding and decellularized extracellular matrix produced by such methods.
US09220726B2
The present invention relates to the use of a combination of glycine, proline, and optionally a natural or synthetic film-forming polymer, and/or lysine and/or leucine, to prepare a composition for the treatment of mucositis induced by radiation or chemotherapy.
US09220724B2
The invention relates to microRNA mimics, corresponding to the miR-15/107 family, and to methodology for using microRNA mimics to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) by restoring regulation of the expression of target genes of the miR-15/107 family in MPM tumor cells.
US09220722B2
In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for diagnosing fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases and to a method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. The present invention further relates to compositions for use in the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions modulate the activity of a miRNA for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions inhibit the activity of miR-21 for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis.
US09220716B2
The technology described herein is directed to methods and compositions for the treatment of proliferative vascular disorders, e.g. hemangioma. In some aspects, the methods and compositions described herein related to a mTOR inhibitor or nifedipine.
US09220715B2
This disclosure is directed to treatment of addictions and primary impulse-control disorders using phosphodiesterase 7 (PDE7) inhibitors, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents.
US09220708B2
This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a eutectic composition of two pharmacologically active ingredients for delivery to the lung by inhalation. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a eutectic composition of two pharmacologically active ingredients for the treatment of respiratory disease.
US09220707B2
A method of treating hyperhidrosis in a mammalian subject comprising: a) providing a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and from about 1.0% to about 25% of a compound having the formula: and b) topically administering the composition to skin of an area of a mammalian subject suffering from hyperhidosis, before bedtime, such that, compared to untreated, baseline conditions, sweat production is reduced by at least about 25% for at least about six (6) hours.
US09220704B2
The present invention relates to a hard capsule composite formulation comprising a capsule having a hemispherical closure at each end and an interior space; and one or more tablets encapsulated in the capsule, wherein the tablet or the tablets as a whole have a shape conforming to the internal space of the capsule. The hard capsule composite formulation can efficiently charge pharmaceutical compositions inside the limited interior space of the capsule, and hence, it allows packing a high-dose of pharmaceutical composition in a relatively small-sized capsule, which increases productivity and patient compliance. Also, the composite formulation exhibits good dissolution rate because pharmaceutically active ingredients contained in the capsule are separated from one another, and thus, the ingredients are less affected by the dissolution rate of one another, allowing good storage stability which can optimize the therapeutic effects.
US09220692B2
The present invention is directed to methods of reducing symptoms associated with an abrupt reduction in an endogenous or exogenous chemical in subjects, the methods comprising: (a) administering to the subject a single dosage form comprising an active agent, wherein the release rate of the active agent from the single dosage form tapers throughout the administration; and (b) removing the single dosage form from the subjects after the release rate of the active agent is at or below a terminal symptom threshold level.
US09220690B2
The present invention relates to a patch for the transdermal release of diclofenac or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in particular diethylamine salt, and thiocolchicoside.
US09220684B2
A pulverulent crystalline maltitol composition, is characterized in that it has a laser volume mean diameter between 10 and 150 μm; in that it has a maltitol content between 80 and 99.9% by weight; in that at least 50% by weight of its particles flow through a sieve having a cut-off threshold of 2000 μm according to a test A1; in that at least 35% by weight of its particles flow through a sieve having a cut-off threshold of 2000 μm according to a test A2; and in that it includes from 0.1 to 20% by weight of at least one water-insoluble anti-caking agent, the anti-caking agent having a hygroscopicity, determined according to the test B, between 2.5 and 25%. This composition is not subject to caking, and finds applications in the food and pharmaceutical fields.
US09220681B2
This invention relates to compositions for delivering one or more active ingredients, and more particularly to compositions, e.g. beads, comprising a matrix material which matrix material comprises a microorganism. In particular, the invention relates to compositions comprising a microorganism selected from live, killed, attenuated and inactivated microorganisms. The matrix material may also comprise a surfactant and may further comprise an adjuvant. The invention further relates to the manufacture and use of such compositions, and to other subject matter.
US09220680B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of conditions affecting breast tissue. The compositions can include one or more therapeutic agents or diagnostic agents, and an effective carrier. The composition can be specifically adapted for transdermal permeation through the mammary papilla, areola, or a combination thereof, and into underlying breast tissue.
US09220666B2
The invention is a shaving formulation comprising 0.3 to 5% by weight of noncrystalline amorphous silicon dioxide SiO2 which has not been produced pyrogenically, having a particle size of 2 to 30 μm.
US09220663B2
There is provided a dental composition comprising at least one kind of filler and resin matrix, wherein the at least one kind of filler comprises a population of particles, wherein the population of particles has an average particle size from 110 to 500 μm, the maximum particle size of the population of particles is less than 1.4 times the average particle size, and the D30 of particle size distribution of the population of particles is no less than 0.9 times the average particle size.
US09220662B2
A mouth-holdable bottle holder comprising: an intermediate portion having, at a side adjacent a leading end thereof, a mouth engagement portion; wherein the intermediate portion having, at a second side adjacent a second leading end thereof, a bottle engagement portion; and wherein the bottle engagement portion being adapted in size and shape to engage a bottle.
US09220638B2
Deformed web materials are disclosed. The web materials have discrete deformations formed therein. The deformations may be features in the form of portions of a web with apertures therein, protrusions, depressed areas, and combinations thereof. These features may extend out from the surface on one side of the web, or from both of the surfaces of the web. Different features may be intermixed with one another.
US09220637B2
Absorbent articles having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet are disclosed. The absorbent articles include a thermoplastic elastomer joined to or disposed in a stretch zone on at least one component or region of the absorbent article to impart an elastic resistance that provides sizing or shaping capabilities to the article. The absorbent article can be in the form of diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, sanitary napkins, wipes, bibs, incontinence briefs or inserts.
US09220634B2
The invention provides a retinal prosthetic method and device that mimics the responses of the retina to a broad range of stimuli, including natural stimuli. Ganglion cell firing patterns are generated in response to a stimulus using a set of encoders, interfaces, and transducers, where each transducer targets a single cell or a small number of cells. The conversion occurs on the same time scale as that carried out by the normal retina. In addition, aspects of the invention may be used with robotic or other mechanical devices, where processing of visual information is required. The encoders may be adjusted over time with aging or the progression of a disease.
US09220633B2
An interchangeable lens assembly including a first lens, a lens bracket coupled to the first lens, and at least one connection portion disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the lens bracket. A goggle including a goggle frame and at least one coupling point disposed on the goggle frame and adapted to couple to the at least one connection portion on the lens bracket. The at least one coupling point and the at least one connection portion may be corresponding magnetic portions adapted to couple to each other by a magnetic interaction, and/or the at least one connection portion may be a protrusion, and the at least one coupling point may be an aperture adapted to receive and couple to the protrusion. This allows the lens assembly to be attached to and detached from the goggle frame quickly and easily with reduced manual dexterity.
US09220626B2
The present invention relates to a support device, in particular for giving lumbar support, which device comprises an elastic belt provided, at its ends, with complementary closure means, and at least one elongate side reinforcing element that is fastened over the height of the belt. In characteristic manner, over a fraction of its length, the belt has elasticity that varies over the height thereof, so that extending the belt longitudinally causes the elongate reinforcing element to shift angularly towards a respective one of the ends of the belt.
US09220623B2
A knee rehabilitation exercise device comprised of a right and left leg brace, a rear knee strap, an upper leg strap assembly, a lower leg strap assembly, a portable rear brace assembly and an elastic resistance band. The left and right leg brace members are each comprised of an upper member and a lower member rotatably pinned together at the area of the knee joint. The left and right leg braces are attached to the upper and lower leg strap assembly. The rear knee strap is attached to the left and right leg braces at the knee joint. When a user places the elastic resistance band onto L hooks mounted on the upper and lower strap assembly, and the rear brace assembly is placed between the rear of the user's knee and the elastic resistance band, a resistive stretching is caused when the user straightens his leg which exercises and strengthens the user's leg muscles in the area of the knee joint.
US09220614B2
This invention relates generally to medical devices, and more particularly, to endovascular grafts and methods for treating branched vessels in diverse patient populations including those with shorter than average common iliac arteries. A bifurcated stent graft as described herein comprises adjacent facing fenestrations formed in the graft legs in order to permit proper placement of an “up-and-over sheath” and a side branch which may be proximally located in order to properly align the side branch with the opening of the branch vessel such as the internal iliac artery while keeping the graft bifurcation seated near the aortic bifurcation.
US09220612B2
A system and method for improving positioning of a prosthesis, particularly prostheses having a preferred orientation with respect to a frame of reference of a patient.
US09220603B2
A prosthetic intervertebral disc includes an upper plate and a lower plate and employs congruent stepped features to provide limited articulating motion between the plates. The stepped features can be used to provide articulating motion of a rocking type rather than a rubbing or translating type of motion provided in many artificial discs. Each of two parts of the intervertebral disc includes two or more stepped bearing surfaces, having curved or flat shapes, which mate with one another to provide the articulation to the disc. The stepped features can be designed to restrict motion in flexion-extension or lateral bending to less than a predetermined angle. The stepped design can be modified to either allow or prevent rotational motion between the plates. The limited motion disc substantially prevents translation, however some limited translation can be provided by modification of the relative sizes of the stepped features.
US09220594B2
A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.
US09220592B2
A system for preparing an intraocular lens (IOL) injector for receipt of an IOL. A manifold mates with an injector cartridge and easily distributes a lubricating agent to a load chamber of the cartridge. The IOL is then transferred into the load chamber. The cartridge may be rotatably coupled to the handpiece, and then converted from a preparation and load position to a delivery position. The manifold may remain external to the load chamber or fit within the load chamber and include a handle that remains outside. One or more internal channels in the manifold lead from one or more inlet ports to surfaces in the load chamber than contact the IOL.
US09220589B2
Described are methods and apparatus for use in supporting tissue in a patient's body. In some embodiments, the patient's breast or another tissue is supported. One method involves introducing a superior soft tissue anchor into a patient, the anchor having an inferiorly facing total surface area; and introducing at least one inferior soft tissue anchor into the patient, such that the at least one inferior soft tissue anchor is suspended from the superior soft tissue anchor, the sum of all of the at least one inferior soft tissue anchors having a superiorly facing total surface area. The inferiorly facing total surface area of the superior anchor can be greater, such as at least two times greater than the superiorly facing total surface area of the at least one inferior anchor.
US09220585B2
A hernia patch supporting tissue in-growth conforms to a tissue wall upon surgical installation and fixation within a patient. The hernia patch can include a base and positioning straps. The base is formed of two layers that are affixed to each other around the perimeter of the patch, for example by stitching. A stabilizing washer is provided between the two layers, and the stitch is provided peripherally around the stabilizing washer, keeping the washer free-floating between the layers. The base, positioning straps, and stabilizing washer are formed of a structure that does not separate the layers of the implant or form a space in the form of a pocket, and promotes more uniform and confluent tissue incorporation or in-growth after implantation. The hernia patch may further include a hydrolysable bioabsorbable cross-linked coating of a fatty acid based material, such as an omega-3 fatty acid based material.
US09220582B2
Packaging system for dental implants allowing the conditioning of different types of implants due to its height regulation capacity that, additionally, eases the handling and the removal of the packaging implant by a gripper-shape mechanism, reducing damages or contamination risks of the implant before the usage.
US09220572B2
A method of implanting a hip joint prosthesis into a patient can include obtaining image data of hip joint anatomy of the patient. Physical activities that the patient desires to participate in subsequent to implanting the hip prosthesis can be determined. A size and an initial placement of the hip joint prosthesis based on the image data can be determined. A desired range of motion of the hip joint prosthesis based on the determined physical activities can be determined. A plan can be created comprising a desired implanted location of the hip joint prosthesis and based on the desired range of motion. The plan can be incorporated onto a guide. The plan can be executed with the guide thereby implanting the hip joint prosthesis into the patient at the desired implanted position.
US09220569B2
An apparatus includes an interface assembly and a shaft assembly. The interface assembly is configured for use with a robotic system and includes a first drive assembly and a mounting plate. The mounting plate includes an opening. The first drive assembly is positioned within the opening such that the first drive assembly is laterally translatable within the opening from a first position to a second position. The shaft assembly is removably coupled with the interface assembly. The shaft assembly includes an end effector and a first coupling feature. The first drive assembly of the interface assembly actuates the end effector of the shaft assembly. The first coupling feature is longitudinally aligned with the first drive assembly. The first drive assembly engages the first coupling feature of the shaft assembly when the first drive assembly is laterally translated from the first position to the second position.
US09220561B2
A first catheter is dimensioned for deployment within a renal artery. A second catheter has a shaft with an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first catheter's open lumen. A gap is formed between the shaft and the first catheter when the second catheter is situated within the first catheter. The gap facilitates transport of a fluid, such as imaging contrast media, along the first catheter. An electrode arrangement at the distal end of the shaft is configured to deliver ablative energy to perivascular renal nerves, and has an outer diameter about the same size as the inner diameter of the first catheter such that a fit therebetween substantially blocks fluid flow within the gap yet provides for relative movement between the electrode arrangement and the luminal wall. A conductor extends between the proximal and distal ends of the shaft and is coupled to electrode arrangement.
US09220552B2
A medical apparatus including a bar with a first attachment loop, a second attachment and a plurality of hooks, wherein the medical apparatus is an arch bar.
US09220551B2
Disclosed is a clamping element for setting a bone fracture. The element features a flexible and substantially non-plastically deformable continuous loop inside which at least two fixing elements can be pushed through, and an extension element of alterable length that can be inserted into and is expandable inside the continuous loop in such a manner that in order to enable the extension element to apply forces directed towards each other to the fixing elements, a predetermined tensile stress can be generated over the circumference of the continuous loop. Also disclosed is a setting device having the clamping element.
US09220549B2
A distal radius fixation plate for volar plating may comprise a distal radius fixation plate body configured to be placed adjacent a fractured volar distal radius and proximal to a watershed line of the volar distal radius and a distal radius fixation plate extension approximately 60 to 80% thinner on average than the distal radius fixation plate and projecting from the distal radius fixation plate body and configured to be placed so that it extends distal to the watershed line, the plate extension configured to curve around an ulnar/volar corner of the distal radius bone so as to engage the volar lip preferably without curving around other parts of the volar lip of the distal radius. The plate extension may have a hook at its upper end. The plate body may have an obliquely angled screw hole to buttress a radial styloid fragment.
US09220548B2
A fixation system includes a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a central longitudinal axis, at least one fixation hole extending between the top and bottom surfaces and comprising an undercut therein, and at least one passage intersecting one of the undercuts. At least one resilient clip is disposed in at least a portion of the undercut, with the at least one clip having a pair of generally parallel sides and an end tab. At least one fastener is provided and comprises a head and a threaded shaft, with the head comprising a perimetral groove extending around at least a portion thereof and an instrument receiving portion. The at least one clip is configured and dimensioned to seat in the undercut with the end tab extending within the passage, and the at least one fastener is configured and dimensioned to be received in the at least one fixation hole and securable therein when the at least one clip abuts the perimetral groove of the head.
US09220546B2
An expansion and compression instrument for fracture fixation. The instrument includes a first handle member, a second handle member, a bearing assembly, and a replaceable tip insert. The bearing assembly axially receives a driver, such as a hexagonal head screwdriver. The replaceable tip insert is adapted to engage an aperture of a fracture fixation plate. The driver is adapted to engage the head of a bone screw, partially threaded into bone proximate the fracture and disposed through a longitudinal slot of the plate. Manual manipulation of the handle members together or apart causes the driver head and replaceable tip insert to become farther apart or closer together, respectively. This in turn, causes the bone screw to be displaced along the longitudinal slot, expanding or compressing the fracture, respectively. Once the fracture has been expanded or compressed to the desired degree, rotation of the screwdriver, facilitated by the bearing assembly, tightens the bone screw, locking the plate into place.
US09220545B2
A method of reinforcing a femoral neck comprises creating a bore proximate to at least one of a Ward's triangle and a greater trochanter, creating at least one cavity in a cancellous bone region of the femoral neck, inserting a substantially collapsed support structure through the bore and into the at least one cavity, expanding the support structure, and allowing at least a portion of the load from the femoral neck bone to be transferred to the support structure. The support structure compresses at least a portion of the cancellous bone upon expansion. A cavity created by the expansion is adapted to receive a filler material such as, but not limited to, bone cement.
US09220534B2
An implantation pin kit and a method for implanting an implantation pin includes a cannulated implantation pin having a channel and a heating device. The channel of the pin extends in a longitudinal direction of the pin and connects a proximal opening at a proximal end of the pin with a distal opening at a distal end of the pin. The channel of the pin and the heating device are adapted such that the heating device can be accommodated within at least a portion of the channel of the pin. The heating device is adapted to thermally heat material comprised in at least one of the pin and the heating device. Thereby, meltable material of the pin can be liquefied or additional liquefied meltable material can be inserted into the pin and the liquefied material can then be push towards and out of the distal opening in order to augment and fix the implantation pin in a target structure.
US09220533B2
An external fixation frame for correcting a bone deformity includes a first fixation ring and a second fixation ring. A posterior adjustable length strut couples a posterior portion of the first fixation ring to a posterior portion of the second fixation ring and has universal joint. Medial and lateral adjustable length struts couples medial and lateral portions of the first fixation ring to medial and lateral portions of the second fixation ring respectively, each of the medial and lateral adjustable length struts including a constrained hinge joint. The fixation frame also includes a half ring hingedly coupled to the second fixation ring, and an anterior adjustable length strut coupling an anterior portion of the first fixation ring to the half ring.
US09220530B2
An atherectomy catheter is provided having a tissue collection chamber capable of being cleaned out in a simple, fast and effective way, and also provides methods of using said catheter to remove material from a blood vessel lumen. In one embodiment the tissue collection chamber has an expandable tip having a first closed position capable of retaining material in the chamber and having a second open position that may allow expulsion of material from the chamber. In a second embodiment the tissue collection chamber has a displaceable tip having a first closed position to retain material in the chamber and having a second open position to allow expulsion of material from the chamber.
US09220528B2
Discectomy kits with obturator, guard cannulas are provided. The kits have a safe and efficient cutting heads for removing a target tissue from a subject during a surgical procedure are provided, the cutting heads composing a part of systems that address several problems, including clogging of state-of-the-art systems during removal of such tissue, for example. The target tissue can include any tissue that is accessible through a small surgical opening, for example, a joint tissue such as a meniscus or an intervertebral tissue, such as a nucleus pulposus. The devices can be referred to as orthopedic tissue removal devices having cutting heads associated with vacuum systems, making the systems useful in several procedures, including X-LIF (lateral approach to an intervertebral fusions) procedures, T-LIF (transforaminal approach to intervertebral fusions) procedures, P-LIF (posterior approach to intervertebral fusions), and a percutaneous, transforaminal approach (Kambin triangle access).
US09220527B2
A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis and an end effector coupled to the transducer and extending from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The surgical device also may comprise a lower jaw extending parallel to the end effector. The lower jaw may comprise a clamp face extending toward the longitudinal axis. Also, the lower jaw may be slidable relative to the end effector to bring the clamp face toward a distal end of the end effector.
US09220519B2
A bone resection jig that can make ligament tension equal at extension and flexion positions without any actual measurements when resecting femur and tibia during artificial knee joint replacement surgery. The bone resection jig used in artificial knee joint replacement surgery includes a spacer block (1) comprised of a grip (6), a hollow box (7) that is provided on an other end side of the grip and has a vertical hole (7a) therein, and a reference spacer part (8) that extends out from the hollow box (7) and is adapted be inserted into the resection region between femur and tibia; a reference pin guide (2) which, when the femur and tibia are in the flexion position, is inserted into the vertical hole (7a) of the hollow box, extends on the reference spacer part (8) to the other end side of the grip so as to come into contact with a resection plane (FH) of the tip of the distal end of the femur, and is formed with guide holes (9) for guiding reference pins (3) to be installed from a front side into the resection plane (FH) of the tip of the distal end of the femur; and an aiming member (12) which is, after the spacer block (1) has been removed from a space between the femur and tibia leaving the reference pins (3), brought onto the reference pins (3) by being guided thereby, the aiming member being provided with an indicator (14) that indicates a resection plane (FR) at a back of the distal end of the femur when the aiming member (12) comes into contact with the resection plane (FH) of the tip of the distal end of the femur.
US09220499B2
A wound closure device includes an elongated body, a depth stop, and one or more barbs. The elongated body has first and second ends. The ends are configured and dimensioned for insertion within tissue on opposed sides of a wound. The depth stop is positioned on the elongated body to limit the insertion depth of at least a portion of the elongated body within tissue. The one or more barbs extend radially from the elongated body and define an inner surface. The inner surface includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is disposed at a first orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The second portion is disposed at a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. The third portion disposed at a third orientation relative to the longitudinal axis.
US09220472B2
A puncturing needle holder is attached to a flat-panel x-ray detector such that it is visible in the x-ray image as a point. The point can involve the crossing area of two struts, which are attached to the flat-panel x-ray detector. Mappings are created in which on the one hand a region of the body to be punctured and on the other hand the point created by the puncturing needle holder are mapped by the x-ray images created with the flat-panel x-ray detector. The x-ray C-arm is moved until such time as precisely the puncturing needle holder is shown in the mapping so that it points to the region of the body to be punctured. Subsequent puncturing can then be carried out in a number of different ways.
US09220469B2
A system includes an energy-discriminating, photon-counting X-ray detector, comprising a plurality of detector cells adapted to produce projection data in response to X-ray photons and to produce an electrical signal having a recorded count for the energy bins and a total energy intensity. The system also includes data processing circuitry adapted to receive the electrical signal, to generate a simulated count rate for each of the energy bins by using the total energy intensity, to determine a set of energy intensity dependent material decomposition vectors, and, for the measured projection data, to perform material decomposition.
US09220466B2
A system and a method for implementing warm-up scanning in a CT device are provided. The method includes: closing a slot of a beam limiter before a warm-up scanning process is initiated; implementing the warm-up scanning process to a CT radiation source; and opening the slot of the beam limiter after the warm-up scanning process is finished. The target object may not need to move during the warm-up scanning process. Therefore, a second time scout image scanning is no longer necessary and extra ionization radiation may be avoided.
US09220454B2
A drowsiness detection device and method for a person (4), having a digital camera device (2) and a control unit (5). The digital camera device (2) includes a video processor (6). The digital camera device (2) is arranged to detect the eyes (3) of the person (4) in a series of images. The video processor (6) is arranged to detect eyelid movements in the images and convert images of the eyelid movements to an electric signal (s(t)) which is transferred to the control unit (5) The control unit (5) is arranged to fit a modeled signal (y(t)) against the electric signal (s(t)) and to determine whether the modeled signal (y(t)) constitutes an eyelid blink. The control unit (5) uses a number of modeled signals (y(t)) determined to constitute an eyelid blink to determine whether the level of alertness has fallen below a certain threshold.
US09220437B2
Diagnostic classifications of pulse signal waveform data is provided. In one example, diagnosis or prediction of a disease may be performed by analyzing pulse signal waveform data, and comparing aspects of the pulse signal waveform data with a morphology pattern that has been found to indicate a subject is suffering from a specific disease. A pulse signal can be captured via wrist electrodes using bio-electric sensors based on an impedance plethysmographic principle, for example, and processed using feature extraction for diagnosis and assessment of the subject's proneness to a disease. Analysis of the pulse signal and pulse morphology patterns provides an in-vitro, non-invasive, and low-cost method for diagnosing diseases.
US09220430B2
Described herein are systems, devices and methods for guiding placement of electrodes, and particularly ECG electrodes on a patient. A picture of the patient's body the patient can be analyzed to determine where on the patient's body to place electrodes according to a predetermined, conventional or standard placement pattern. The methods, devices and systems may then guide a user in positioning or correcting the position of electrodes on the patient. For example, an image of the patient may be provided showing the correct position of the electrodes, which may act as a patient-specific map or guide. The electrode placement positions can correspond to conventional or standard 12-lead ECG electrode positions.
US09220428B2
A device for detecting a cardiac event is disclosed. Detection of an event is based on a test applied to a parameter whose value varies according to heart rate. Both the parameter value and heart rate (RR interval) are filtered with an exponential average filter. From these filtered values, the average change in the parameter and the RR interval are also computed with an exponential average filter. Before computing the average change in the parameter, large changes in the parameter over short times, which may be caused by body position shifts, are attenuated are removed, so that the average change represents an average of small/smooth changes in the parameter's value that are characteristic of acute ischemia, one of the cardiac events that may be detected. The test to detect the cardiac event depends on the heart rate, the difference between the parameter's value and its upper and lower normal values, and its average change over time, adjusted for heart rate changes. The upper and lower normal parameter values as a function of heart rate are determined from long term stored data of the filtered RR values and parameter values. Hysteresis related data and transitory deviations from normal (e.g. vasospasm related data) are excluded from the computation of normal upper and lower parameter bounds.
US09220413B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting obstructions in biological vessels includes a cylindrical hollow stent with an expandable body portion having an outer surface configured to engage the inner surface of the lumen of the vessel to urge the vessel against collapse, and an imaging system operatively coupled with stent. The imaging system includes a first power source, a light generating element, a light sensor generating a first signal representative of light received by the sensor element from the light generating elements, and a processor unit receiving the first signal and processing the first signal in accordance with image processing logic stored in a memory of the processor unit to generate an image signal representative of as image of associated target material such as plaque obstructing the flow. The imaging system and stent may be formed on opposite sides of a flexible organic substrate.
US09220408B2
A method of screening a pupil of a subject to determine whether the pupil reflex resembles a canonical pupil reflex is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of stimulating the pupil with a stimulus source, such as a pupilometer and determining whether one of various pupillary response conditions is met.
US09220406B2
An ophthalmic photographing apparatus includes: an interference optical system configured to acquire a tomographic image of an eye; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the ophthalmic photographing apparatus to: control the interference optical system to acquire multiple tomographic images, and store the multiple tomographic images in a storage unit; acquire a composite image based on the multiple tomographic images stored in the storage unit; start a photographing operation for acquiring the multiple tomographic images based on the photographing position; acquire the composite image from the multiple tomographic images which are acquired by the interference optical system and stored in the storage unit until a first operation signal is received during the photographing operation; and transfer a process to a subsequent photographing operation when a second operation signal is received from the operation unit.
US09220404B2
A method and apparatus for modeling a lens of an eye, comprising: measuring the anterior shape of the eye's cornea; determining direct optical measurements of at least one parameter of the cornea and at least one parameter of the lens; determining the refractive index of the cornea; correcting the optical measurements to account for the effect of the refractive index of the cornea on the direct optical measurements; measuring the aberration of the eye; calculating the refractive index of the lens by combining the corrected measurements and the measured aberration; and further correcting the optical measurements of the lens to account the effect of the refractive index of the lens on the direct optical measurements.
US09220402B2
Visualization and treatment of tissue regions via percutaneous access methods and devices are described herein. The system may include a deployment catheter and an expandable imaging hood. In use, the hood may be introduced from outside the patient body through a percutaneous incision and advanced through a subxiphoid pathway, for example, to the heart where entry may be accomplished via an incision through the left atrial appendage. Once within the heart, the hood can be advanced to any chamber to visualize and/or treat tissue by placing the hood against the tissue to be imaged and pumping translucent fluids into the hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Additionally, any number of therapeutic tools can also be passed through the deployment catheter and into the imaging hood for treating the tissue of interest.
US09220401B2
An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.
US09220397B2
Provided is an endoscope which is capable of preventing liquid drops from attaching onto the vicinity of an observation window even in the case where the observation window is placed in the vicinity of a round-chamfered peripheral edge part. In the case where an observation window is placed in the vicinity of a round-chamfered peripheral edge part, the peripheral edge part in the vicinity of the observation window is round-chamfered in a manner that the radius of curvature (round-chamfer) becomes larger along with an increase in distance from a starting point, the starting point being the point closest to the observation window. With this feature, it is possible to prevent the liquid drops from attaching onto the vicinity of the observation window to thereby block the field of view.
US09220391B1
A sponge holder allows a user both to store new dry sponges in a dry environment and to hold and dry a wet sponge. The sponge holder comprises a dry container detachably coupled to a drying container. The dry container further comprises a lid that can be opened to insert the dry sponges. The lid should partially cover the sponge holder such that water cannot permeate the dry container which keeps the dry sponges dry and free of contamination. The drying container further comprises at least one open end through which the wet sponge can be placed, vents and a reservoir in order to allow the wet sponge to dry. The drying container can be detached from the drying container allowing for portability and ease of use.
US09220389B2
A pad particularly adapted for surface cleaning. The pad includes an absorbent core having the ability to absorb and retain liquid material, and a liner layer in contact with and covering at least one side of the absorbent core. The liner layer has the ability to retain and wick liquid material through the liner layer. Cleaning apparatus containing such pads and methods of using such pads are also described.
US09220385B2
A blade assembly of an autonomous cleaning device. The blade assembly includes a blade having a first part fixed to the main body and a second part extended from the first part toward a floor and a support member having at least a portion disposed adjacent to the second part of the blade to restrict movement of the second part of the blade to within a predetermined range.
US09220374B2
A removable holding device for manipulating a cooking utensils has a shell having an internal cavity that opens laterally on a front face thereof via an oblong orifice. The internal cavity is adapted to receive a lug of the cooking utensil when the lug is inserted through the oblong orifice. A locking mechanism is received within a clearance chamber in the shell that is at least partially closed. The locking mechanism cooperates with an opening in the lug when the lug is received in the internal cavity. The shell is a single piece.
US09220372B2
A bowl assembly for a stand mixer includes an at least partially translucent container that includes a sidewall and a bottom wall. The container includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and an open upper edge. A channel is disposed on the outer surface substantially parallel with the open upper edge. The channel includes upper and lower circumferential walls and a channel wall that extends between the upper and lower circumferential walls. A gasket includes top and bottom sealing flanges and is configured for reception in the channel. A band assembly includes at least one elongate band and a tensioning mechanism. The band assembly is configured for reception in the channel. First and second support members extend substantially orthogonally from the at least one elongate band.
