US09235244B2

In one embodiment, a multicore processor includes cores that can independently execute instructions, each at an independent voltage and frequency. The processor may include a power controller having logic to provide for configurability of power management features of the processor. One such feature enables at least one core to operate at an independent performance state based on a state of a single power domain indicator present in a control register. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09235235B2

A slide device includes a first body, a second body and a constraint mechanism. The constraint mechanism includes a linkage set disposed on the second body, and a first hook and a second hook respectively disposed on the first body. The linkage set includes a first rod disposed on a first side of the second body, a second rod disposed on a second side of the second body, a first bar disposed between the first rod and the second rod, and a second bar disposed between the first rod and a third side of the second body. The first hook is for hooking a hole on the first rod, and the second hook is for hooking holes on the first rod or the second rod.
US09235226B2

A method for determining a maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic generator (PV) by variation of at least one parameter of search voltage and search current, within a maximally searchable search area on a power/voltage curve is disclosed. The method includes initializing by defining a start point with a start voltage and a start current, searching for the maximum power point (MPP) in at least one search direction by repeated variation of the search voltage or search current in the search area taking account of at least two limiting conditions for limiting the search area, wherein at least one of the limiting conditions for limiting the search area are is determined with evaluation of parameters provided in an operating state already attained during the search, and ending the search if one of the at least two limiting conditions for limiting the search area is met.
US09235224B2

A voltage regulating device includes a power supply adapter, a voltage and current signal processing module, a control module, and a voltage regulating module. The power supply adapter supplies voltage to an electronic device. The voltage and current signal processing module detects the current and voltage supplied by the power supply adapter, and calculated the desired voltage adapted for the electronic device according to the detected current and voltage and a preset voltage for the electronic device. The control module generates a control signal according to the calculated desired voltage. The voltage regulating module regulates the voltage supplied by the power supply adapter according to the control signal, to cause the voltage supplied by the power supply adapter to adapt for the electronic device. As a result, the voltage regulating device can regulate the voltage supplied by the power supply adapter to adapt for the electronic device, which can be used conveniently.
US09235222B2

A hybrid voltage regulator includes a shunt circuit, a shunt feedback circuit, a pass circuit, and a bias controller. The bias controller is configured to control the pass circuit. The hybrid voltage regulator may also include a current source. This hybrid voltage regulator reduces current consumption at low load conditions (improving power efficiency and battery life, particularly for CMOS based regulators), and also provides wideband power supply rejection and fast transient response.
US09235220B2

A thermostatic mixing valve unit in an emergency wash unit has an integrated housing with cold and hot water inlets each having an associated check valve, and a tempered water discharge having a thermostat for cold/hot water mixing to provide a predetermined tempered water discharge. A high temperature limit valve responds to the water discharge temperature to permit or prevent hot water inflow when the water discharge exceeds a preset temperature. A cold water bypass valve is coupled by a diverter valve to the lower of the cold and hot water supply pressures to maintain a substantial water discharge flow when the high temperature limit valve restricts hot water flow or when the hot water check valve is stuck closed, or upon failure of the cold water supply as by sticking of the cold water check valve in a closed position or by a clogged filter screen.
US09235212B2

Using distributed positioning, collaborative behavioral determination, and probabilistic conflict resolution objects can independently identify and resolve potential conflicts before the occur. In one embodiment of the invention, interactive tags and other sensor resources associated with each of a plurality of objects provide among the objects relative positional data and state information. Using this information each object develops a spatial awareness of its environment, including the positional and action of nearby objects so as to, when necessary, modify its behavior to more effectively achieve an objective and resolve potential conflicts.
US09235209B2

A display system includes a processing device for graphic representation of alarm reports from measured values of a technical plant or process. Measurement points of the measured values each respectively have a hierarchically structured identifier held in the processing device. The processing device decomposes the hierarchically structured identifiers into hierarchical levels of different significance, selects the identifiers of the hierarchical levels with the highest significance, and transmits them to a preconfigured mass alarm display unit. The identifiers of the hierarchical levels with the highest significance can be assigned to a correspondingly identified area within an overview image of the plant or process of the preconfigured mass alarm display unit. The alarm reports which are generated from the measured values can be represented graphically, taking into account the generated assignment of the identifier of the measurement points to the correspondingly identified area within the overview image of the plant or process.
US09235208B2

A monitoring system for determining the future behavior of a financial system includes an empirical model to receive reference data that indicates the normal behavior of the system and input pattern arrays. Each input pattern array has a plurality of input vectors, while each input vector represents a time point and has input values representing a plurality of parameters indicating the current condition of the system. The model generates estimate values based on a calculation that uses an input pattern array and the reference data to determine a similarity measure between the input values and reference data. The estimate values, in the form of an estimate matrix, include at least one estimate vector of inferred estimate values, and represents at least one time point that is not represented by the input vectors. The inferred estimate values are used to determine a future behavior of the financial system.
US09235207B2

A computer-implemented method for automatically generating dynamic frame packing groups for an automation system having a plurality of field devices. The field devices are assignable to different controllers, and the automation system is provided for communication between the field devices and the controllers using dynamic frame packing, where the method comprises receiving a description of the configurations of the field devices and the controllers, automatically generating the dynamic frame packing groups by analyzing the configurations, and assigning the field devices to packing groups.
US09235206B2

An apparatus for finding a machine tool origin includes a probe, a base, and a sensor positioned on a first side of the base. Probe engagement components are configured for movable engagement with a probe of the machine tool to produce electronic signals processed by electronic circuitry to provide a signal indicative of the machine tool origin. Mechanical positioning components are positioned on a second side of the base. The mechanical positioning components include a pedestal with a first tab (301) and a second tab (302) aligned to be operable as a mechanical stop with the first tab (301) corresponding to a position of a left-hand origin (107) for the machine tool and the first tab (301) and a third tab (303) aligned to be operable as a mechanical stop with the first tab (301) corresponding to a position of a right-hand origin (108) for the machine tool.
US09235205B2

A method for producing a measurement probe 30 inspection path on a machine tool is disclosed which includes the step of running a program e.g. a modified CAM editor program 44 which allows the selection of geometric features of a workpiece 34 to be inspected. Once selected the program will generate a measurement probe path which is included in software for loading into the numeric controller (NC) of the machine tool. The software can have cutting commands together with inspection path instructions either readable by the NC or written as unreadable instructions for use with a p.c. 20 connected to the NC controller and preferably operating at the same time as the NC.
US09235203B1

This disclosure is directed to providing audio playback to a mobile device user. According to one aspect of this disclosure, a mobile device may be to modify audio playback in response to detecting an inclination of the mobile device (and thereby a user) with respect to a reference plane. According to another aspect of this disclosure, a mobile device may be configured to automatically identify an audible sound that may be motivational to a user, and store an indication of the audible sound in response to the identification. According to another aspect of this disclosure, a mobile device may automatically play back a previously identified motivational song in response to detection of user movement.
US09235198B2

Systems and methods for using biometrics to select music preference are provided. A system for using biometrics to select music preferences for a user in a vehicle, comprises a music selection module electrically coupled to at least one biometric sensor in the vehicle, wherein the at least one biometric sensor senses a characteristic of the user and outputs data for the sensed characteristic to the music selection module, and wherein the music selection module selects a music selection for the user based on the sensed characteristic data, and a controller module electrically coupled to the music selection module to control playing of the music selection, wherein the controller module receives an output including the music selection from the music selection module.
US09235196B2

There are provided a constant voltage circuit that features low current consumption and stable operation, and an analog electronic clock provided with the constant voltage circuit. The constant voltage circuit includes a differential amplifier circuit which is turned on/off by a predetermined signal and which controls the voltage of a gate of an output transistor on the basis of a reference voltage and a feedback voltage that are received, a switch circuit which is connected to an output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit and which is turned on/off by a predetermined signal, and a voltage holding circuit which is connected between the gate of the output transistor and a power supply terminal and which has a resistor and a capacitor connected in series. An analog electronic clock provided with the foregoing constant voltage circuit that supplies a voltage to at least an oscillation circuit and a frequency division circuit.
US09235191B2

A timepiece mechanism structure for receiving and guiding at least one pivoting wheel set is provided. The structure includes at least one inseparable single-piece structure, including one inseparable single-piece frame which includes pivot housings aligned in pairs in a direction of alignment for receiving the pivots of an arbour of this pivoting wheel set, and each pivot housing is an open housing formed by a half bearing or by a dihedral, and includes at one end a stop bearing surface in this direction of alignment.
US09235189B2

An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit, a body accommodating the image forming unit, and a cover configured to form a part of an exterior covering of the body, is provided. The cover includes a first rib formed to protrude from an inner surface of the cover and extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the cover. The first rib extends to incline with respect to a horizontal plane to be higher at one end on a first side of the image forming apparatus and lower at the other end on a second side of the image forming apparatus. An upper surface of the first rib extends continuously from the one end to the other end and is discontinued at the other end, the other end of the upper surface of the first rib being separated from the exterior covering.
US09235183B2

A driving force transmission device includes a first driving member, a second driving member, a moving member, and a connection drive section. The connection drive section separates, in conjunction with movement of the moving member in a first direction, the first driving member and the second driving member respectively from a first rotating member and a second rotating member in such a manner as to cause a time difference between a separating operation for separating the first driving member from the first rotating member and a separating operation for separating the second driving member from the second rotating member.
US09235182B2

A fixing device capable of easily detecting a wrap jam of a recording sheet without increasing costs. A fixing roller fixes a toner image on a recording medium under heating control. A central thermistor and an end thermistor detect first and second temperatures of the fixing roller in respective sheet-passing and non-sheet-passing areas. A first temperature difference-detecting circuit compares a temperature difference between the first and second detected temperatures and a first threshold and outputs a first comparison result. A second temperature difference-detecting circuit compares the temperature difference and a second threshold larger than the first threshold and outputs a second comparison result. A switching circuit selects one of the first or second comparison results according to a switching signal from a CPU, and the CPU controls heating of the fixing roller based on the selected comparison result.
US09235175B2

An image fixing apparatus is provided including a pressing roller, a fixing belt rotatably disposed such that an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt contacts the pressing roller, and a rotating bush to support rotation of the fixing belt. The fixing belt includes a load support member arranged in an axial direction, a heating layer formed on an outer circumferential surface of the load support member to generate heat, and an electrode layer provided with an first portion axially contacting the heating layer at an axial end of the load support member, the electrode layer transferring electric energy to the heating layer. An inner end of the rotating bush axially extends to an inner side of the electrode layer such that the electrode layer is supported by the rotating bush. The image fixing apparatus may uniformly form a fixing nip and improve durability of the fixing belt.
US09235165B2

An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a transfer portion; a first electrostatic cleaning portion including a first electroconductive member; a second electrostatic cleaning portion including a second electroconductive member; a first detecting portion for outputting first information corresponding to a first current passing through the first electroconductive member; a second detecting portion for outputting second information corresponding to a second current passing through the second electroconductive member; and a controller for controlling, based on the first information and the second information, a transfer voltage so that the voltage is decreased when a decrease amount of the first current is larger than that of the second current and so that the voltage is increased when the decrease amount of the second current is larger than that of the first current.
US09235147B2

An alcohol-soluble organic coating including a hole transport material formed on a surface of organic photoconductor is provided. The coating comprises a cationic alternate fluorene-based copolymer with phosphonium salt terminal groups embedded in an in-situ cross-linked polymer.
US09235145B2

An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate, and a photosensitive layer provided on the conductive substrate, and an outermost surface layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is constituted with a polymerized product or crosslinked product of a composition including at least one selected from reactive compounds represented by the formulae (I) and (II) and a non-reactive charge transporting material, a content of the non-reactive charge transporting material in the composition is from 5% by weight to 40% by weight based on the weight of the outermost surface layer, and a content of the unreacted reactive compound in the outermost surface layer after forming the outermost surface layer is 3% by weight or less based on the weight of the outermost surface layer.
US09235136B2

A projection exposure apparatus for projection lithography comprises a light source for generating illumination light. An illumination optical unit guides the light to an object field. A catadioptric projection optical unit with at least one curved mirror images an object in the object field onto a substrate in an image field. An object displacement drive- and a substrate displacement drive serve to displace the object and the substrate. A compensation device serves to compensate aberrations of the projection optical unit, which are caused by an arching of the object or the substrate. The compensation device comprises a wavelength manipulation device for manipulating a wavelength of the illumination light during the projection exposure. The result of this is a projection exposure apparatus in which the imaging quality of the projection optical unit is optimized, particularly taking into account a field curvature.
US09235134B2

Photolithographic apparatus and methods are disclosed. One such apparatus includes an optical path configured to provide a first diffraction pattern in a portion of an optical system and to provide a second diffraction pattern to the portion of the optical system after providing the first diffraction pattern. Meanwhile, one such method includes providing a first diffraction pattern onto a portion of an optical system, wherein a semiconductor article is imaged using the first diffraction pattern. A second diffraction pattern is also provided onto the portion of the optical system, but the second diffraction pattern is not used to image the semiconductor article.
US09235130B2

Electrically-conductive articles are prepared to have electrically-conductive silver metal electrode grids and electrically-conductive silver connector wire patterns (BUS lines) on one or both supporting sides of a transparent substrate. The electrically-conductive silver connector wire patterns are designed with one silver main wire that comprises two or more adjacent silver micro-wires in bundled patterns. These bundled patterns and silver micro-wires are designed with specific dimensions and configurations to provide optimal fidelity (or correspondence) to the mask image used to provide such images in a silver halide emulsion layer. The electrically-conductive articles are provided by imagewise exposure, development, and fixing of corresponding silver halide-containing conductive film element precursors containing photosensitive silver halide emulsion layers. The electrically-conductive articles can be used as parts of various electronic devices including touch screen devices.
US09235127B2

The present invention relates to customizing individual workpieces, such as chip, flat panels or other electronic devices produced on substrates, by direct writing a custom pattern. Customization can be per device, per substrate, per batch or at some other small volume that makes it impractical to use a custom mask or mask set. In particular, it relates to customizing a latent image formed in a patterning sensitive layer over a substrate, merging standard and custom pattern data to form a custom pattern used to produce the customized latent image. A wide variety of substrates can benefit from the technology disclosed.
US09235126B1

A method for forming a flexographic plate includes providing a halftone image; detecting an edge region of image features and an interior region of image features; applying fine pixel mask pattern to the edge regions; applying coarse pixel mask pattern to the interior regions; combining the fine patterned edge and the coarse patterned interior into a patterned image; and imaging the flexographic plate.
US09235122B2

A polymer for resist use is obtainable from a monomer having formula (1) wherein R1 is H, CH3 or CF3 and R2 is H or an acid labile group. A resist composition comprising the polymer displays a high sensitivity and a high dissolution contrast during both alkaline development and organic solvent development.
US09235120B2

As a negative actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition capable of forming a pattern excellent in sensitivity, resolution and pattern profile and reduced in line edge roughness (LER), scum and development defect, a negative actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising (A) a polymer compound containing (a) a repeating unit capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation and (b) a repeating unit having a phenolic hydroxyl group, and (B) a crosslinking agent, is provided.
US09235116B2

According to one embodiment, an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a compound (P) containing at least one phenolic hydroxyl group and at least one group with a phenolic hydroxyl group whose hydrogen atom is replaced by any of groups of general formula (1) below.
US09235113B2

Embodiments of a drain in a lithographic projection apparatus are described that have, for example, a feature which reduces inflow of gas into the drain during a period when no liquid is present in the drain. In one example, a passive liquid removal mechanism is provided such that the pressure of gas in the drain is equal to the ambient gas pressure and in another embodiment a flap is provided to close off a chamber during times when no liquid needs removing.
US09235110B2

A projector can prevent a flicker from being caused by rotation of a rotating phosphor plate. The projector includes a solid-state light source that emits excitation light, a rotating phosphor plate that converts the excitation light into phosphor light, a liquid-crystal light modulating device that modulates the light from the rotating phosphor plate, a projection optical system that projects the modulated light onto a screen, and a control device that controls the solid-state light source and the rotating phosphor plate so as to satisfy any one of a conditional expression A=B, a conditional expression A=2B, and a conditional expression |A−B| is greater than or equal to 20 and |A−2B| is greater than or equal to 20, where A represents a pulse width modulation control frequency in hertz of the solid-state light source and B represents a rotation frequency in hertz of the rotating phosphor plate.
US09235107B2

Disclosed are a camera module and a method for assembling the camera module, the camera module including a cover part having an opening formed therein and a lens guide formed in the opening to prevent removal of a lens to an outside, a lens mounted to the opening of the cover part, and a back cap coming into close contact with the lens and mounted to the opening.
US09235101B2

An integrated optical device and method for generating photons by manipulating path entanglement is provided. An integrated optical splitter splits pump light between two interferometer arms wherein each arm comprises a substantially identical photon pair source configured to be able to convert at least one pump light photon into a signal and idler photon pair. An integrated optical combiner device in optical communication with a first and a second optical output path interferes light from the first and second arms and outputs the signal and idler photons by bunching the signal and idler photons together in one of the optical output paths, or anti-bunching the signal photon in one output path and the corresponding idler photon in the other optical output path.
US09235097B2

Devices and systems to perform optical alignment by using one or more liquid crystal layers to actively steer a light beam from an optical fiber to an optical waveguide integrated on a chip. An on-chip feedback mechanism can steer the beam between the fiber and a grating based waveguide to minimize the insertion loss of the system.
US09235095B2

In an active matrix type liquid crystal display device, in which functional circuits such as a shift register circuit and a buffer circuit are incorporated on the same substrate, an optimal TFT structure is provided along with the aperture ratio of a pixel matrix circuit is increased. There is a structure in which an n-channel TFT, with a third impurity region which overlaps a gate electrode, is formed in a buffer circuit, etc., and an n-channel TFT, in which a fourth impurity region which does not overlap the gate electrode, is formed in a pixel matrix circuit. A storage capacitor formed in the pixel matrix circuit is formed by a light shielding film, a dielectric film formed on the light shielding film, and a pixel electrode. Al is especially used in the light shielding film, and the dielectric film is formed anodic oxidation process, using an Al oxide film.
US09235089B2

A liquid crystal display screen includes a first substrate, a first alignment layer, a liquid crystal layer, a second alignment layer, and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment layer and the second alignment layer are respectively disposed on the first substrate and the second substrate, and face the liquid crystal layer. The first alignment layer and the second alignment layer respectively include a plurality of parallel first grooves and second grooves perpendicular to the first grooves formed thereon facing the liquid crystal layer. Furthermore, at least one of the alignment layers includes a carbon nanotube layer and a fixing layer disposed thereon facing the liquid crystal layer. The carbon nanotube layer includes at least one carbon nanotube film pulled out from an array of carbon nanotubes.
US09235083B2

In a liquid crystal display device of a lateral electric field mode including a first substrate (50) and a second substrate (60) having a liquid crystal layer (70) therebetween, a first electrode (18) and a second electrode (16) located in the first substrate, and an alignment film (28) provided to be in contact with the liquid crystal layer; the alignment film (28) includes a first alignment region that aligns liquid crystal molecules in a first domain (P1) in a first alignment axis azimuth (D1), a second alignment region that aligns liquid crystal molecules in a second domain (P2) in a second alignment axis azimuth (D2), a third alignment region that aligns liquid crystal molecules in a third domain (P3) in the first alignment axis azimuth (D1), and a fourth alignment region that aligns liquid crystal molecules in a fourth domain (P4) in the second alignment axis azimuth (D2). The liquid crystal molecules in the first domain, the second domain, the third domain and the fourth domain are all rotated in the same direction.
US09235072B1

A wall mount double-sided liquid crystal display is simple in structure, lightweight, thin, adjustable in angle, and fixed to a wall, including a base fixed to a wall; a frame pivotally connected to the base through a pivotal connection element; a first liquid crystal display panel unit disposed in the frame; a second liquid crystal display panel unit disposed in the frame in a manner to be parallel and adjacent to the first liquid crystal display panel unit; a first edge-lit backlight unit disposed in the frame; a second edge-lit backlight unit disposed in the frame; a control unit disposed in the base and electrically connected to the first liquid crystal display panel unit, second liquid crystal display panel unit, first edge-lit backlight unit, and second edge-lit backlight unit; and a power unit disposed in the base and electrically connected to the control unit.
US09235067B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device in which problems such as an increase of power consumption and increase of a load of when light is emitted are reduced by using a method for realizing pseudo impulsive driving by inserting an dark image, and a driving method thereof. A display device which displays a gray scale by dividing one frame period into a plurality of subframe periods, where one frame period is divided into at least a first subframe period and a second subframe period; and when luminance in the first subframe period to display the maximum gray scale is Lmax1 and luminance in the second subframe period to display the maximum gray scale is Lmax2, (½) Lmax2
US09235064B2

Improved eyewear is disclosed. The eyewear comprises a frame member and a lens. The eyewear also includes circuitry within the frame member for enhancing the use of the eyewear. A system and method in accordance with the present invention is directed to a variety of ways to enhance the use of eyeglasses. They are: (1) media focals, that is, utilizing the eyewear for its intended purpose and enhancing that use by using imaging techniques to improve the vision of the user; (2) telecommunications enhancements that allow the eyeglasses to be integrated with telecommunication devices such as cell phones or the like; and (3) entertainment enhancements that allow the eyewear to be integrated with devices such as MP3 players, radios, or the like.
US09235060B2

Speckle reduction apparatus includes a radiation path and a mask arranged within the radiation path. The mask includes an array of electrically controllable cells configured to form a pattern on the mask that varies with time. The speckle reduction mask includes a first linear array including first parallel lines arranged to change the phase of incident radiation, and a second linear array including second parallel lines arranged to change the phase of incident radiation and further arranged such that cells are formed at the intersections of the first parallel lines and the second parallel lines. The speckle reduction mask includes a N1×N2 array of cells, A, formed according to: ATA=βδk,l, where AT is the transpose of A, β is a real and positive constant, dk,l is Kronecker delta and N1≠N2.
US09235057B2

Disclosed is an imaging directional backlight polarization recovery apparatus including an imaging directional backlight with at least a polarization sensitive reflection component with optional polarization transformation and redirection elements. Viewing windows may be formed through imaging individual light sources and hence defines the relative positions of system elements and ray paths. The base imaging directional backlight systems provide substantially unpolarized light primarily for the illumination of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) resulting in at least 50% loss in light output when using a conventional sheet polarizer as input to the display. The invention herein introduces a polarization sensitive reflecting element to separate desired and undesired polarization states for the purposes of transformation and redirection of the reflected light for usable illumination. Polarization transformation and redirection can be provided by additional components such as retarder films and specular mirror surfaces.
US09235056B2

A three-dimensional image display device is provided which enables viewing an image displayed on a screen of an image display device as a three-dimensional image having a compact structure. The three-dimensional image display device which three-dimensionally displays an image displayed on the screen of an image display device using a mirror device includes a main body case for accommodating an image display device, and a minor device supported in a rear part of the main body case. A plurality of mirrors are rotatably supported on the mirror device in parallel at predetermined intervals in the depth direction, and when a three-dimensional image is displayed, the mirror device rotates about a shaft toward opening from the main body case so that the plurality of mirrors are supported at a predetermined angle toward a viewer relative to the screen of the image display device, and reflects the image displayed on the screen of an image display device toward the viewer.
US09235046B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing relatively thinner and less stiff compliant beams for a shutter assembly. A protective coating is deposited and patterned over the shutter assembly before it is released from a sacrificial mold over which the shutter assembly is formed. Because some primary surfaces of the compliant beams are in contact with the sacrificial mold, these primary surfaces are not coated with the protective coating. Therefore, when the shutter assembly is finally released, the resulting compliant beams are relatively thinner and less stiff providing a reduction in an actuation voltage used to operate the shutter assembly. In some instances, the protective coating is patterned into discontinuous segments before release.
US09235043B2

Controllable Fabry-Perot interferometers include two mirrors with a space between them. The mirrors are such that at least one layer is made of silicon-rich silicon nitride. Additionally, the mirrors' surfaces are formed to be of a roughness which reduces the risk of the mirrors sticking to each other.
US09235037B2

A zoom lens includes in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a negative refractive power. At the time of zooming, distances between the lens units change, and a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a telephoto end is shorter than a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit at a wide angle end, and an aperture stop is disposed on an image side of an image-side surface of the first lens unit, and on an object side of an image-side surface of the second lens unit, and the zoom lens satisfies the conditional expressions.
US09235033B2

An image lens assembly system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element and a seventh lens element. The first lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element has refractive power. The sixth lens element with refractive power is made of plastic material, wherein at least one surface of the sixth lens element is aspheric. The seventh lens element with refractive power made of plastic material has a concave image-side surface changing from concave in a paraxial region to convex in a peripheral region, and at least one surface thereof is aspheric.
US09235030B2

An imaging lens substantially consists, in order from an object side, five lenses of a first lens that has a positive refractive power and has a meniscus shape which is convex toward the object side, a second lens that has a negative refractive power, a third lens that has a negative refractive power, a fourth lens that has a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens that has a negative refractive power and has an object side surface and an image side surface which have aspheric shapes. Further, the imaging lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions.
US09235025B2

An imaging optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. The second lens unit moves toward the image side during focusing from a far object to a near object. The third lens unit includes, in order from the object side to the image side, two lenses having concave surfaces that face each other with a largest air gap in the third lens unit provided therebetween, and a positive lens. A focal length of the entire imaging optical system and a focal length of the second lens unit are appropriately set.
US09235019B2

An apparatus for providing self-aligned optical coupling between an opto-electronic substrate and a fiber array, where the substrate is enclosed by a transparent lid such that the associated optical signals enter and exit the arrangement through the transparent lid. The apparatus takes the form of a two-part connectorized fiber array assembly where the two pieces uniquely mate to form a self-aligned configuration. A first part, in the form of a plate, is attached to the transparent lid in the area where the optical signals pass through. The first plate includes a central opening with inwardly-tapering sidewalls surrounding its periphery. A second plate is also formed to include a central opening and has a lower protrusion with inwardly-tapering sidewalls that mate with the inwardly-tapering sidewalls of the first plate to form the self-aligned connectorized fiber array assembly. The fiber array is then attached to the second plate in a self-aligned fashion.
US09235017B1

A fiber optic transceiver comprising a substrate, a heat dissipating structure, a receptacle and a light source is disclosed. The substrate may have a hole extending therethrough. The heat dissipating structure may be coupled to the substrate and may comprise a major surface, a plurality of fins, a projecting member, and a plurality of insulating protrusions. The plurality of fins may project from the major surface of the heat dissipating structure away from the substrate. The projecting member may extend partially or completely through the hole of the substrate. The plurality of insulating protrusions may extend substantially perpendicularly from the major surface of the heat dissipating structure and coupled to the substrate. The plurality of insulating protrusions may be configured to separate the major surface of the heat dissipating structure with the substrate so as to reduce heat transfer between the substrate and the heat dissipating structure.
US09235014B2

An optics system module for use in an optical communications module is provided that can be more easily aligned with the module during the mounting process, that reduces the possibility of the fiber ends being damaged when they are connected to the respective optical ports of the optics system, and that eliminates or reduces the occurrence of Fresnel losses at the interfaces between the fiber end faces and the optical ports. The optical ports have non-round shapes that are symmetrical to the shapes of the fibers in the transverse direction, i.e., in the direction that is transverse to the optical axes of the fibers. The non-round, symmetrical shape of the optical ports reduces the amount of force that the optical ports exert on the respective optical fibers.
US09234997B2

Discussed are a liquid crystal display device and an assembly method thereof, which are capable of reducing, as much as possible, the width of a bezel defining an outer appearance of the liquid crystal display device through variation of an assembly structure of a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit and variation in the size of the backlight unit. The liquid crystal display device can include a backlight unit including a plurality of light sources, a light source holder, and a light guide plate, and a liquid crystal panel arranged at a front side of the backlight unit and fixed to the backlight unit by an adhesive material.
US09234992B2

A security device includes an optically variable device (OVD) having diffraction-based micro-optics including at least one moiré magnified visual representation of a micro-object. A diffractive structure provides micro-objects with unique optical effects when the OVD is viewed through the micro-object structure from a predetermined relative observation point. In addition to magnifying the micro-objects, the diffractive structure can impart optical effects such as change in observed color, enhanced contrast, animation of the observed visual representation, and change in size or shape of the observed visual representation. The micro-objects and the diffractive structure can be disposed on the same or different portions of a substrate. A method of making OVDs, and an article employing such OVDs are also disclosed.
US09234990B2

An exposed lens retroreflective article that includes a binder layer; a layer of spaced apart optical elements that are partially embedded in the binder layer; a penetrated colored layer that is located between the spaced apart optical elements; and a reflective layer that is located functionally behind the layer of optical elements and the penetrated colored layer.
US09234987B2

A multilayer optical film includes a wave plate having a refractive index profile of nx>ny≧nz and a fluoropolymer film comprising a moiety of wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fluorine atom, wherein R is each independently a substituent on the styrenic ring, n is an integer from 0 to 5 representing the number of the substituents on the styrenic ring, and wherein nx and ny represent in-plane refractive indices and nz the thickness-direction refractive index of the wave plates; wherein said multilayer optical film has a positive in-plane retardation (Re) and an out-of-plane retardation (Rth) that satisfies the equation of |Rth|
US09234986B2

A polyester resin having a diol unit containing a unit derived from ethylene glycol and a unit derived from a diol represented by the following formula (I), and a dicarboxylic acid unit containing a unit derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid in an amount of 50 mol % or more; wherein the entire diol unit contains the unit derived from ethylene glycol in an amount of 40 to 99 mol %, and the unit derived from a diol represented by formula (I) in an amount of 1 to 60 mol %: wherein A represents an aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene and pyrene; R1 represents a C1 to C12 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C12 aryl group or a halogen atom; n represents an integer of 0 to 4; and when plural R1 are present, R1 may be the same as or different from each other.
US09234982B2

A display system for an aircraft is provided. The system includes a processing unit configured to receive weather information associated with a flight path of a flight plan and to generate display commands based on the weather information. The flight plan includes a first waypoint associated with a first altitude. The system further includes a display device coupled with the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and to display symbology representing the weather information. The weather information includes first weather information for the first altitude and second weather information at a second altitude, different from the first altitude.
US09234955B2

A rod antenna and antenna circuit are described which make use of negative feedback to reduce the Q of the antenna, but which also makes use of a different coil tapping arrangement to significantly reduce electric field susceptibility on the detected signal from the main coil as well as different biasing arrangements to reduce noise. More particularly, in some embodiments of the invention the main detector coil of the antenna has a centre tap that is AC grounded with signal taps then being taken from the opposite ends of the main coil, and being respectively fed to the inputs of a differential amplifier. The output of the differential amplifier is then fed to the magnetic circuit of the rod antenna via a second inductor winding that is magnetically coupled to the resonance circuit of the main antenna coil.
US09234954B2

A method for creating a module for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus antenna, the method including: determining magnetic field distribution mapping B1+; constructing a matrix {tilde over (B)} from the selection of a plurality of x*m points B+1(i,j) such that {tilde over (B)}(i,j)−B+1(i,j) determining the singular vectors of the matrix {tilde over (B)} by singular value decomposition; and arranging a coupling means and/or phase-shifting means, forming said control module, such that a signal Soj outputted from the control module is a function of the equation So j = ∑ k = 1 n ⁢ ⁢ V k , j · Si k , with Sik being the input signal.
US09234951B2

In a method, magnetic resonance system and a reconstruction device for generation of magnetic resonance image data of an examination subject, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired in k-space, the raw magnetic resonance data including measurement values at multiple readout points that are arranged along multiple different trajectories in k-space. A displacement value is determined for each trajectory on the basis of the measurement values of a collection of multiple trajectories. Readout points of the raw magnetic resonance data are displaced by the displacement value, and image data are reconstructed from the displaced raw magnetic resonance data.
US09234938B2

The On-Chip Clock (OCC) circuit is for testing an integrated circuit having logic blocks connected in scan chains. An OCC controller is configured to receive a plurality of clock signals and output a plurality of shift/capture clock signals for use by the scan chains of logic blocks, the plurality of shift/capture clock signals including at least two consecutive at-speed capture clock pulses. An OCC monitor is configured to provide a verification of OCC operation based upon the at least two consecutive at-speed capture clock pulses. The OCC monitor may include a plurality of registers configured to provide delayed pulses based upon the at least two consecutive at-speed capture clock pulses, a counter configured to count differences between the delayed pulses, and an output register coupled to the counter and configured to provide a static data verification (e.g. output on an integrated circuit pad) for the test engineer.
US09234937B2

Techniques and devices for measuring phase noise in radio frequency (RF), microwave, or millimeter signals based on photonic delay.
US09234931B2

A fault detection system for a machine having a plurality of electrical conducting elements insulated from a frame ground of the machine is disclosed. The fault detection system may include a high voltage DC power source, a positive high voltage bus connected to a positive terminal of the high voltage DC power source and providing high voltage electrical power to the plurality of electrical conducting elements, and a negative high voltage bus connected to a negative terminal of the high voltage DC power source and returning high voltage electrical power from the plurality of electrical conducting elements. At least one of the positive and negative high voltage buses may be selectively connected through a plurality of switches to plural zones of the electrical conducting elements, with each of the plural zones being electrically connected in parallel, and selectively connected to the high voltage DC power source by one of the plurality of switches. A low voltage DC power source may be configured to form part of a leakage current detector selectively connected through each of the plurality of switches to each of the plural zones for detecting leakage current between an electrical conducting element and the frame ground.
US09234928B2

There is provided an electric field probe that can narrow a receiving range to a desired range when measuring a near electric field. An electric field probe includes a rodlike monopole antenna, and a conductive reflective member provided coaxially with the monopole antenna to cover the monopole antenna. The reflective member is open at its bottom in an axial direction of the monopole antenna.
US09234922B2

A measuring system is disclosed for monitoring at least one phase of a system. A measuring module includes a signal acquisition module and a signal further processing module. The signal acquisition module is formed by an ASIC. A printed circuit board includes a voltage sensor and the signal acquisition module includes current sensors and a voltage sensor connection connected to the voltage sensor in an electrically conductive manner, for each phase to be monitored. The signal further processing module is connected to the signal acquisition module and can evaluate current and voltage values which have been determined. The signal further processing module includes, output devices which can be used to output serial data and digital signals for control purposes.
US09234920B2

An electrically identifiable medical electrode lead. The lead includes a flexible lead body having a distal end and a connector end. The lead also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed near the distal end of the flexible lead body. The lead further includes a connector disposed at the connector end of the flexible lead body, the connector including a plurality of contacts. The lead additionally includes a plurality of conductors supported by and passing through the flexible lead body, the plurality of conductors including electrical conductors that provide paths for electrical current from the connector to the plurality of electrodes. Finally, the lead includes a memory circuit supported by the flexible lead body and being in electrical communication with a contact of the plurality of contacts in the connector.
US09234919B2

A sensor assembly for measuring an intensity of a current includes a first sensor apparatus configured to record an intensity of the electrical current with contact, a second sensor apparatus configured to record an intensity of the electrical current, the second sensor apparatus having a common measurement range with the first sensor apparatus, and a first analog-digital converter configured to convert analog measured values into digitized measured values. The first sensor apparatus, the second sensor apparatus and the first analog-digital converter are arranged on a common circuit carrier.
US09234912B2

One embodiment includes an accelerometer system. The accelerometer system can include a Far-Off Resonance Trap (FORT) control system configured to generate an optical trapping beam. The system can also include a FORT accelerometer detection system including a FORT that is configured to trap a cluster of atoms based on the optical trapping beam. The FORT accelerometer detection system can also include an interrogation system configured to determine motion of the cluster of atoms along at least one axis resulting from an external acceleration in the at least one axis based on a relative phase shift of an optical probe beam through the cluster of atoms. The system can further include an acceleration processor configured to calculate the external acceleration in the at least one axis based on the relative phase shift of the optical probe beam.
US09234911B2

A sensor device for an electronic apparatus, including a sensing structure for generating a first detection signal, and a dedicated integrated circuit connected to the sensing structure for detecting a first event associated with the electronic apparatus and for generating a first interrupt signal upon detection of the first event. The dedicated integrated circuit detects the first event as a function of changes to the first detection signal over time (i.e., temporal evolution), and in particular as a function of values assumed by the first detection signal within one or more successive time windows, and of a relation between these values.
US09234908B2

A rotation detecting device, which is compatible regardless of whether a process control device for processing an output signal of the rotation detecting device is standard one or new one having high input signal resolving power, and, also, a rotation detecting device equipped bearing assembly having such rotation detecting device, are provided. The rotation detecting device includes an encoder provided rotatably and having a plurality of circumferentially equidistantly arranged to-be-detected poles, and a sensor for detecting the to-be-detected poles. The use is made of a multiplying unit for multiplying the phase of the to-be-detected poles from an output of the sensor. The use is also made of a pulse outputting unit for receiving an output of the multiplying unit or both the output of the multiplying unit and an output of the sensor and output pulses having two multiplying powers different from each other.
US09234907B2

An angular velocity sensor is described with improved ageing and hysteresis properties. The sensor may be of a ring type driven by a driver circuit, the sensor further comprising primary and secondary portions having corresponding signal pickoffs. The gain of the primary pickoff signal and the capacitance of the primary portions of the sensor are controlled relative to the gain of the secondary pickoff and the capacitance of the secondary portions of the sensor. Control electronics is provided that enables matching of the relative signals from the respective channels. In this way, temperature hysteresis and ageing effects of materials used in forming the sensor are overcome.
US09234904B2

An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object.
US09234901B2

Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of the active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, in a body fluid sample using tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography.
US09234896B2

A method for the isolation of specific molecules which bind highly selectively to chosen target molecules. In particular, due to displacement with a specific competitor, binding molecules are selected which preferably bind to previously known epitopes.
US09234895B2

The present invention relates generally to methods for identifying organ-specific secreted proteins and for identifying organ-specific molecular blood fingerprints therefrom. As such, the present invention provides compositions comprising such proteins, detection reagents for detecting such proteins, and panels, and arrays for determining organ-specific molecular blood fingerprints.
US09234893B2

The present invention relates to a cytokeratin 8/18 complex-specific autoantibody or a fragment comprising an antigen-binding site (paratope) thereof, the use thereof in the diagnosis of breast cancer, a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of an epitope specifically binding to the autoantibody, a composition for diagnosing breast cancer comprising an agent capable of measuring an expression level of the autoantibody or the fragment comprising an antigen-binding site thereof, a hybridoma cell line producing the autoantibody, and a kit for diagnosing breast cancer comprising the composition of the present invention. Further, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing breast cancer, comprising the step of detecting the cytokeratin 8/18 complex-specific autoantibody or the fragment comprising the antigen-binding site thereof using the composition of the present invention, and a method for screening a therapeutic agent for breast cancer using the autoantibody.
US09234877B2

A probe for detecting magnetic particles. In one embodiment, the probe includes: a cylindrical probe core having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical probe core defining two channels for containing coils of wire, one of the channels being adjacent the first end of the cylindrical probe core; two sense coils, one each of the sense coils being located in a respective one of the channels; and two drive coils, one each of the drive coils being co-located with the respective sense coil in a respective one of the channels.
US09234873B2

A method is provided for determining analyte concentrations, for example glucose concentrations, that utilizes a dynamic determination of the appropriate time for making a glucose measurement, for example when a current versus time curve substantially conforms to a Cottrell decay, or when the current is established in a plateau region. Dynamic determination of the time to take the measurement allows each strip to operate in the shortest appropriate time frame, thereby avoiding using an average measurement time that may be longer than necessary for some strips and too short for others.
US09234872B2

Methods for fabricating silicon nanowire chemical sensing devices, devices thus obtained, and methods for utilizing devices for sensing and measuring chemical concentration of selected species in a fluid are described. Devices may comprise a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) structure.
US09234868B2

An NOX sensor control apparatus (10) is connected to an NOX sensor (100) which includes a first pumping cell (110) and a second pumping cell (130) through which a second pumping current flows corresponding to an NOX concentration in a to-be-measured gas. The NOX sensor control apparatus (10) includes a first pumping current detection unit; a second pumping current detection unit; an oxygen concentration calculation unit (60) for calculating oxygen concentration on the basis of the first pumping current and corrected in accordance with the pressure of the to-be-measured gas, oxygen (first) pressure correction information set for the NOX sensor, and pressure information; and an NOX concentration calculation unit (60) for calculating NOX concentration on the basis of the first pumping current and corrected in accordance with pressure of the to-be-measured gas, NOX (second) pressure correction information set for the NOX sensor, and pressure information.
US09234867B2

Sensor devices, methods and kits for detection of biomolecules are provided. According to various embodiments, the devices, methods and kits provide enhanced sensitivity through the measurement of electrochemical impedance and related properties. Certain embodiments employ nanostructured electrode elements including nanotubes, nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanocones. In a particular embodiment, single walled carbon nanotubes disposed in interconnected networks are used as electrodes. The device, methods and kits described herein have application for detection and measurement of biomolecular species including polynucleotides, proteins, polysaccharides and the like.
US09234866B2

A biosensor with an underfill recognition system assesses whether to analyze a sample for one or more analytes in response to the volume of the sample. The underfill recognition system applies polling and test excitation signals to the sample. The polling signals generate one or more polling output signals, which maybe used to detect when a sample is present and to determine whether the sample has sufficient volume for analysis. The test excitation signal generates one or more test output signals, which may be used to determine one or more analyte concentrations in the sample.
US09234860B2

A probe system, including: a connector apparatus; a treatment chamber part having at least one treatment medium supply line communicating with the treatment chamber; a measuring head seated so as to be axially shiftable, and a treatment position, wherein the immersion tube, on its connector apparatus-side front end, has a front-end closed, protective cylinder, and is arranged in a section of the immersion tube, so that, in the measuring position of the immersion tube, the measuring head is contactable via perforations with the process medium, and in the treatment position of the immersion tube, is contactable with the treatment medium; and a drive system for axial shifting of the immersion tube, arranged on the end region of the probe system facing away from the connector apparatus. The treatment chamber part is surrounded by a support structure connected with the connector apparatus and with the drive system.
US09234853B2

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses for ensuring the integrity of probe card assemblies, verifying that probe cards are ready for testing, and allowing analysis of probe card performance characteristics. In one embodiment, an apparatus allows rework of a probe card at an angle from a front position of the apparatus.
US09234849B2

Methods (600) and systems (100) for inspecting an indirect bandgap semiconductor structure (140) are described. A light source (110) generates light (612) suitable for inducing photoluminescence in the indirect bandgap semiconductor structure (140). A short-pass filter unit (114) reduces long-wavelength light of the generated light above a specified emission peak. A collimator (112) collimates (616) the light. A large area of the indirect bandgap semiconductor structure (140) is substantially uniformly and simultaneously illuminated (618) with the collimated, short-pass filtered light. An image capture device (130) captures (620) images of photoluminescence simultaneously induced by the substantially uniform, simultaneous illumination incident across the large area for the indirect bandgap semiconductor structure. The photoluminescence images are image processed (622) to quantify spatially resolved specified electronic properties of the indirect bandgap semiconductor structure (140) using the spatial variation of the photoluminescence induced in the large area.
US09234841B2

Generating an optical-phase conjugation of ultrasonically-modulated diffuse light emitted by a scattering medium includes illuminating the medium with a light beam from a coherent light source, modulating the diffuse light transmitted through the medium with an ultrasonic wave focused on a region of interest within the medium, and retro-reflectively illuminating the medium using a phase-conjugated copy of the diffuse light that was ultrasonically modulated.
US09234839B2

A portable spectrometer device includes an illumination source for directing at a sample, and a tapered light pipe (TLP) for capturing light interacting with the sample at a first focal ratio and for delivering the light at a second focal ratio lower than the first focal ratio. A linearly variable filter (LVF) separates the captured light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals; and a detector array, including a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels disposed to receive at least a portion of a plurality of the constituent wavelength signals provides a power reading for each constituent wavelength. Preferably, the TLP is lensed at one end, and recessed in a protective boot with stepped inner walls. The gap between the TLP and LVF is minimized to further enhance resolution and robustness.
US09234836B2

The fiber direction of a carbon fiber material of a test object is detected by means of the polarization direction of light reflected by the test object. If, for example, non-polarized light impinges upon carbon fibers, light reflected by the fibers is polarized in fiber direction.
US09234835B2

An apparatus for analyzing a fluid comprises a chamber to receive a fluid sample. A pump reduces a pressure in the chamber below a vapor pressure of a component of the fluid sample. At least one light system provides a light at a predetermined modulation frequency to the fluid sample. An acoustic sensor detects an acoustic signal caused by the interaction of the light and the fluid sample. A controller relates the acoustic signal to at least one chemical component of the fluid sample.
US09234825B2

A loaded wheel tester for testing asphalt mixtures comprises a loaded wheel tester having additional means for attachment to specimens under test to provide a measurement of tensile strain and for attachment between a frame of the loaded wheel tester and the loaded wheel to determine position of the loaded wheel over time. Output results demonstrate that viscoelastic and fatigue properties of asphalt mixtures are obtained in equivalent or improved format using a modified loaded wheel tester when compared with known pavement test apparatus and methods.
US09234823B2

A tissue handling apparatus is provided comprising a support and a locator, for processing and embedding tissue samples. The support and cover form a chamber, within which a tissue sample is oriented prior to processing. After processing, the tissue sample within the chamber is embedded and the locator is removed, leaving the tissue sample correctly oriented in embedding material, mounted to a support, ready for microtoming.
US09234818B2

To improve output and thermal efficiency of a gas engine by advancing the ignition timing to a maximum extent while knocking is suppressed, in the plurality of cylinders, by a simple and low-cost means, in a first calculation part 32, a knocking limit ignition timing Tia of a representing cylinder 14a is calculated based on an in-cylinder pressure waveform. In a second calculation part 34, a knocking limit ignition timing Tia′ of the representing cylinder 14a is calculated by substituting an operation state quantity and a basic engine specification value into a formula (1). In a third calculation part 36, the knocking limit ignition timings Tia and Tia′ are compared to obtain a correction factor C. In a fourth calculation part 38, based on the obtained correction factor C, the knocking limit ignition timings Tib-Tif of cylinders other than the representing cylinder 14a are calculated. In the fourth calculation part 38, the correction factor C of each of the cylinder is preferably modified based on test data obtained from a test machine of the same type as a gas engine 10.
US09234814B1

A reference surface is used to develop an empirical plot between a parameter of interest, such as roughness or modulation, and the position of the reference mirror in an interferometer by repeating measurements of the reference surface at different positions of the reference mirror so as to identify the in-focus position of the reference mirror. Serial quality-control measurements of samples of interest are carried out with the reference mirror in such in-focus position until a predetermined quality-control event triggers an automated system re-calibration by re-measuring the reference surface and, if the result does not correspond to the in-focus position of the reference mirror according to the plot, by finding a new in-focus position for the reference mirror using the same plot or, alternatively, a new similarly produced plot. Sample measurements are then resumed with the mirror placed at that new position.
US09234806B2

An upper section is formed of a base film. A developing media member is formed of a micro-porous film to be positioned correspondingly to the upper section such that the developing media member is joined with the upper section. A time control section is formed by engraving a movement path of developing media on the developing media member by means of a printer, cutter or the like. At least one or more cutaway sections and a plurality of transparent members are positioned on the time control section, wherein the cutaway sections are positioned at both side surfaces of the time control section corresponding to the movement path so as to temporarily store the developing media, and the transparent members have linear-shaped first display windows so as to display the arrival of the developing media, which indicates the end of the movement of the developing media.
US09234786B2

The object to create a system and a method which allows better running gear diagnosis of rail vehicles is achieved by the present invention by arranging a number of force measurement devices on the rail measurement zone to detect the forces and/or torques acting on the rail measurement zone, such that the system also comprises a number of sonic measurement devices for detecting the sound waves which occur when the rail vehicle travels over the rail measurement zone. The present invention thus offers a diagnostic system for analysis of the condition of wheel bearings and wheel geometries in particular in which the forces and sound waves occurring when the rail vehicle travels over the rail can be detected and analyzed, so that more reliable inferences about the condition of the running gear of the rail vehicle can be drawn from them.
US09234775B2

Methods of measuring gas flow rates in a gas supply system for supplying gas to a plasma processing chamber are provided. In a differential flow method, a flow controller is operated at different set flow rates, and upstream orifice pressures are measured for the set flow rates at ambient conditions. The measured orifice pressures are referenced to a secondary flow verification method that generates corresponding actual gas flow rates for the different set flow rates. The upstream orifice pressures can be used as a differential comparison for subsequent orifice pressure measurements taken at any temperature condition of the chamber. In an absolute flow method, some parameters of a selected gas and orifice are predetermined, and other parameters of the gas are measured while the gas is being flowed from a flow controller at a set flow rate through an orifice. In this method, any flow controller set point can be flowed at any time and at any chamber condition, such as during plasma processing operations. Gas supply systems are also disclosed.
US09234772B2

The optical encoder includes a scale provided with a periodic pattern in which an optical portion is periodically formed with a first period in a first direction, and a light receiver movable relatively with the scale in the first direction and photoelectrically converts a detection light from a light source and then passing through the optical portions. The optical portion periodically has a pattern, which is formed by pattern portions mutually adjacent in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and mutually shifted in the first direction, in the second direction with a second period of t. A width w of the light source in the second direction satisfies w=(a+b)/b·nt where n represents a natural number, and a:b represents a ratio of a distance from the light source to the periodic pattern and a distance from the periodic pattern to the light receiver.
US09234768B2

A sensor assembly may include a Wheatstone bridge with one or more sense elements, an amplifier coupled to the Wheatstone bridge for providing a sensor output signal, a resistor, and a switch for connecting the resistor between the sensor and an adjustable power source output to induce an offset in the sensor output signal. In some instances, a controller may perform an automatic shunt calibration procedure by activating the switch to connect the resistor between the sensor and the adjustable power source output to induce an offset in the sensor output signal. The controller may read the output value and compare the output value with a predetermined value. The controller may adjust the power source output to a value that moves the sensor output value toward the predetermined value. The controller may repeat the reading, comparing and adjusting step until the sensor output value is within a predetermined range of the predetermined value.
US09234754B2

An X-axis sensor, a Y-axis sensor, and a Z-axis sensor that detect a geomagnetic vector are provided, and the direction of the geomagnetic vector is sought on a spherical coordinate from the detection output of each sensor. A reference axis is determined in the spherical coordinate, a hypothetical central point is sought on the reference axis depending on data of two coordinate detection points, a perpendicular line to a plane that includes vectors from the hypothetical central point to the respective data is sought from the cross product of the vectors, an axis that is parallel to the perpendicular line and passes through an origin is set to be a calculated rotational axis, and movement centered around the calculated rotational axis is specified.
US09234750B2

A system for automated control of a machine within a work area having a crest includes a first data map and a second data map. At least one sensor system generates operating data indicative of a change in terrain and a controller compares the operating data to the first data map while the machine is within a zone adjacent the crest. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.
US09234733B2

The framing layout assembly includes a housing that is positionable proximate the member. A tape is operationally coupled to the housing. The tape may be extendable from the housing. The tape has indicia printed thereon. The indicia indicates distance. The tape has a tape hole extending therethrough. A guide is operationally coupled to the housing. The tape extends through the guide. A stop is operationally coupled to the housing. The stop is extendable through the hole in the tape. The tape is retained at a pre-determined distance. A jig is operationally coupled to the housing. The jig is positionable on the member. A user marks the member at the pre-determined distance.
US09234722B2

A device is convertible between a knife and a fore grip of a firearm. The device has a grip body operatively connected to a blade, and an attachment member connecting the grip body to a longitudinally extending rail of a firearm. The blade converts between an extended position when the device is disconnected from the firearm to a stored position when the device is connected the rail. The blade remains oriented along the longitudinal axis of the grip body when it is in both the stored position and the extended position. The grip body remains operatively connected to the blade when the device is disconnected from the firearm and the blade is in the extended position.
US09234716B2

The present invention relates to rifling of a gun barrel to provide grooves and bores in the gun barrel separated by a single edge area and a polygonal area.
US09234709B2

A heat exchanger tube with a tube axis, a tube wall, a tube outside and a tube inside. Continuously running, axially parallel or helically circling inner ribs are formed out of the tube wall on the tube inside, each inner rib having two rib flanks and a rib tip. A continuously extending groove is formed between adjacent inner ribs. The rib tip has at regular intervals recurring elevations which have an essentially frustopyramidal form. The inner ribs are raised in the radial direction on the contour line which is defined by the transitional edge of a rib flank to the rib tip and protuberances advancing out of the rib flank are formed in this region. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a heat exchanger tube.
US09234707B2

Heat exchanger systems and methods for controlling airflow cooling are provided. One system includes a bypass pre-cooler having a housing, an inlet configured to receive core engine airflow into the housing from one or more aircraft ducts, a heat exchanger within the housing and a bypass section within the housing having an airflow path separate from the heat exchanger. The bypass pre-cooler also includes a valve coupled to the inlet and configured to switch airflow between the heat exchanger and the bypass section and an outlet coupled to the heat exchanger and the bypass section.
US09234704B2

A heat exchanger 10 includes a conduit 12 for conveying cooling fluid relative to a body to be cooled. A heat transfer arrangement 62 is arranged in communication with an interior of the conduit 12, the heat transfer arrangement 62 and the conduit 12 together defining an assembly that is mountable adjacent the body to be cooled, convective heat exchange occurring, in use, due to movement of the cooling fluid relative to the body and to the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly and radiant heat exchange occurring between the body and at least part of the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly.
US09234698B2

A process for compressing a CO2-rich fluid containing water. The CO2-rich fluid is compressed in a compressor; upstream of the compression step, an antifreeze is mixed with the CO2-rich fluid containing water. The CO2-rich fluid containing antifreeze is cooled, water is separated from the cooled fluid and the water-depleted cooled fluid is compressed in the compressor, wherein the CO2-rich fluid containing water is sent to a scrubbing column fed, preferably at the top, with a water/antifreeze mixture, where it cools and is separated from the water, the water-depleted cooled fluid is extracted from the top of the column; a water/antifreeze mixture in the column is extracted at a level below the top; the mixture is cooled using the refrigeration from an apparatus for cooling and/or purifying the cooled fluid compressed in the compressor and the fluid is returned to the top of the column.
US09234692B2

According to one embodiment, there is provided a superconducting magnetic apparatus that conductively cools a superconducting coil contained in a vacuum container with a cryogenic refrigerator. The superconducting magnetic apparatus includes a thermal conductor thermally connecting a cooling stage of the cryogenic refrigerator to the superconducting coil, a radiation blocking layer provided around the superconducting coil, and a coil supporting body supporting the superconducting coil by partial or entire contact with a surface of the superconducting coil.
US09234691B2

A cryostat for providing temperature regulation, one purpose being measuring physical properties of materials, the cryostat employing a superconducting magnet assembly for generating variable magnetic field in the sample space and a cryogenic cooler for cooling the sample space. The cryogenic cooler chamber configuration provides for efficient heat exchange between different stages of the cryogenic cooler without the need for physical heat links. This construction enables selective delivery of cooling power from the cryogenic cooler to the desired areas within the cryostat without using flexible physical thermal links. A counter flow exchanger and ambient temperature valves facilitate efficient use of the cryogenic cooler stages. The removal of large heat load generated by the superconducting magnet while operating in the sweeping mode is achieved, in part, by employing a solid plate thermal coupling element between the cryogenic cooler chamber and the magnet assembly.
US09234690B2

A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice maker within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. In one example, a rotatable auger drives the ice pieces out of a removable ice bin via a driving force applied in a first direction. A latch is configured to apply a resisting force to the ice bin along a second direction. In another example, an air mover is disposed within the ice maker for delivering cooled air from an ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin. At least one air channel is formed into an inside surface of the ice maker chamber. In another example, a method of making ice in the refrigeration appliance is provided. The method includes the steps of operating the air mover and a defrost heating of the ice maker evaporator.
US09234686B2

A controller can be connected to a heat transfer system including pressure and temperature sensors, an electrically controlled valve, and a compressor. The controller can be configured to control the heat transfer system according to compressor suction superheat, compressor discharge superheat, compressor suction pressure, compressor discharge pressure, and temperature of water received at a condenser to be heated by waste-heat bearing fluid in an evaporator. The controller can include a touchscreen configured to display a user control interface configured to display views based on a permissions database defining different types of users. The views can include different views having different input fields, output fields, and output graphs. The permissions database can permit input of control loop parameters by one of the different types of users and prevent input of control loop parameters by another of the different types of users.
US09234680B2

A solar light reflecting plate used for a light condensing and heat collecting device which includes a solar light reflecting plate that reflects and condenses solar light and a heat collecting tube that receives the solar light condensed by the solar light reflecting plate and is heated by the condensed solar light, wherein the solar light reflecting plate includes at least a rolled substrate, a surface roughness of a solar light reflecting surface that is an outermost surface and that reflects solar light is 0.02 μm to 1.0 μm in terms of arithmetic mean roughness Ra, and the solar light reflecting plate is disposed so that an angle between a rolling direction of the substrate and a longitudinal direction of the heat collecting tube is 80° to 100°.
US09234677B2

An electric heating device that provides additional heating for motor vehicles includes several heating elements assembled to form a heating block, and a controller for controlling the heating elements. The controller forms a constructional unit together with the heating block. Contact and/or cooler elements extend between the controller and the heating block. The controller is held at a control means support. Between the controller support and a heating block housing accommodating the heating block, sealing elements are provided through which the contact or cooler elements project and which are sealed by clamping between the controller support and the heating block housing.
US09234664B1

A programmable and on-demand hot water heater unit that locally and remotely changes the set temperature for a conventional water heater and locally and remotely activates the hot water recirculation pump associated with a conventional hot water heating system.
US09234658B2

The object of the present disclosure is an active positioning system for positioning at least one mobile device (100) by utilizing radio frequency technology, the positioning system comprising at least one essentially stationary fixed base station (101) i.e. an active positioning system antenna (101), and an electronics unit (106) i.e. a transceiver of the antenna (101), which transceiver comprises at least one antenna for transmitting signals comprising at least position information to at least one mobile device (100), which position information of the signals comprises information on an effect area of the antenna (102, 104) by using certain transmit power. The active positioning system comprises as the mobile device a TAG (100), which is fixed to the user or application of the TAG directly or indirectly, an electronics unit (106) of the base station (101), at least one antenna (102, 104) directed to different sections of a controlled area. The active positioning system antenna (101) receives said transmitted at least one signal of the formed measurement signals and information signals, and the positioning system antenna (101) comprises control means to control transmit power of said at least one antenna based on at least one signal of the formed measurement signals and information signals received at least by the base station for performing information processing of the mobile device position i.e. the TAG position at least based on transmit power level.
US09234654B1

A twinkling hair band mainly includes a band main body and a light guiding decoration coupled to the band main body, where the light guiding decoration has a base and at least two light diffuser plates. Two light-emitting elements corresponding to each light diffuser plate and a control circuit controlling each light-emitting element to wink in sequence are configured inside said base, and a power source switch for turning on and off electricity is configured on the base. Whereby, the corresponding light diffuser plate twinkles immediately when each light-emitting element winks in sequence through the coupling of the band main body and light guiding decoration so as to profit decoration to the band main body.
US09234650B2

A lens for distributing light from a light emitter in a desired asymmetric illumination profile includes a lens body having an input side and an output side. The input side receives light from an emitter, and the output side includes a major total internal reflection surface and a refractive surface. A primary emission axis associated with the emitter is defined through the lens body, and a transverse reference plane is positioned parallel to the primary emission axis. A desired illumination region is located on a first side of the reference plane, and a desired dark region is located on a second side of the reference plane. In some embodiments, the total internal reflection surface is entirely positioned on the second side of the reference plane. In additional embodiments, the total internal reflection surface includes a plurality of substantially planar adjacent longitudinal faces.
US09234633B2

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an LED light bar and an LED light bar thereof. The method includes (1) providing a metal substrate (20) and a plurality of LED lights (40); (2) forming a graphene layer (60) on the metal substrate (20) in such a way that the graphene layer (60) includes hollow sections (62) formed to correspond to the LED lights (40); (3) mounting the LED lights (40) to the metal substrate (20) in the hollow sections (62); and (4) forming silicone layers (80) in the hollow sections (62). The method for manufacturing the LED light bar and the LED light bar thereof according to the present invention use a graphene layer formed on a metal substrate and use silicone layers for planarization and heat transfer so as to effectively enhance heat dissipation performance of the LED light bar and extend lifespan of the LED light bar.
US09234630B2

The invention relates to a method for supplying at least one analysis apparatus with at least one liquid. In the method, the liquid is kept available in a storage tank, from where it is transported into at least one buffer tank. The liquid is fed to the analysis apparatus from the buffer tank, whose filling level is monitored. Here, the buffer tank is arranged above the analysis apparatus and the storage tank is arranged below the analysis apparatus. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method as well as to an analysis apparatus in which this device is employed.
US09234628B2

A polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) pyrolyzate adsorbent is described, having utility for storing gases in an adsorbed state, and from which adsorbed gas may be desorbed to supply same for use. The PVDF pyrolyzate adsorbent can be of monolithic unitary form, or in a bead, powder, film, particulate or other finely divided form. The adsorbent is particularly suited for storage and supply of fluorine-containing gases, such as fluorine gas, nitrogen trifluoride, carbo-fluoride gases, and the like. The adsorbent may be utilized in a gas storage and dispensing system, in which the adsorbent is contained in a supply vessel, from which sorbate gas can be selectively dispensed.
US09234624B2

A shaft coupling guard is used to cover a shaft coupling that couples a main shaft of a prime mover and a main shaft of a driven apparatus as a rotatable apparatus driven by the prime mover. The shaft coupling guard includes a guard main body formed so as to extend in a direction along an axis and having a tubular shape for circumferentially covering the shaft coupling. The guard main body includes a guard main body upper portion, and a guard main body lower portion configured to be detachable from the guard main body upper portion. The shaft coupling guard further includes a leg portion formed integrally with the guard main body and configured to support the guard main body.
US09234619B2

A cap for covering an end of a tube is disclosed. The cap includes a body, a reinforcement structure, a positioning flange and ribs. The body is of a cup shape. The reinforcement structure is formed on a bottom of the body. The positioning flange is outward formed on a top of the body and has at least one notch. The ribs are outward formed on a peripheral wall of the body. Lower ends of the ribs are formed with tapered slants.
US09234617B2

A leakage-free pipe fitting of quick connection for Reverse Osmosis Membrane (RO) water treatment unit of household has a pipe fitting, a sealing O-ring, an annular cooperative bushing collar, a cylindrical elastic sleeving collet, an accessory latching clip with a cantilevered lug, and an annular reinforcing bolster with an inner bore. The annular reinforcing bolster is inserted into the cylindrical retainer of the pipe fitting sandwiched between the sealing O-ring and the bottom surface of the cylindrical elastic sleeving collet.
US09234614B2

An assembly for coupling a pair of double-walled tubes is provided. The assembly includes a pair of flanges disposed in an opposing relation to each other and mutually coupled thereto. Each flange defines a central opening that is configured to correspond with a similar opening on an opposing flange. The central openings of the coupled flanges are configured to communicate a first fluid. The assembly further includes an annular hub portion extending axially away from each of the flanges. The annular hub portion is disposed about the central opening of the respective flange. The assembly further includes a lip portion depending frustoconically from the hub portion. The flange, the hub portion, and the lip portion define a conduit extending therethrough. The conduits are configured to allow passage of a second fluid therethrough.
US09234613B2

Assemblies that can be disposed in a subterranean bore and that can facilitate branch wellbore creation are described. An assembly can include threadedly coupled components having inner and outer sealing members in grooves. The sealing member can cooperate with the components to provide a pressure seal. The assembly can also include a venting member for equalizing pressure in a chamber defined by the coupled components. One of the components can be made from aluminum. At least part of that component can be coated with a coating material that is nonconductive.
US09234609B1

An abrasion-resistant braided hose (1) having an abrasion-resistant layer (4) located between an inner hose (2) and a braiding covering (3). The abrasion-resistant layer is preferably a strip of Teflon® helically or spirally wrapped around the inner hose to allow for flexibility. The abrasion-resistant layer reduces the amount of friction between the inner hose and the braided covering, thereby reducing the likelihood of the inner hose rupturing and failing.
US09234605B2

A constant pressure valve includes a lock rod, a valve sleeve, a sliding shaft, a biasing unit, and a solenoid unit. The lock rod is formed with a first through hole. The valve sleeve is inserted fixedly into the lock rod, and includes an outer sleeve surface having a shrunk surface portion cooperating with the lock rod to define an annular space in fluid communication with the first through hole. The sliding shaft is movable in the valve sleeve to contact the lock rod, and includes a large-diameter section and a small-diameter section. The constant pressure valve is adapted to maintain a hydraulic device at a preset pressure. The less a difference between the diameters of the large-diameter section and the small-diameter section is, the more the preset pressure can be.
US09234600B2

A pipe break valve device includes a housing that has a recess continuous in a flow direction, a valve slide that is arranged displaceably in the flow direction in the recess, and a spatial volume of a throttle device that is arranged at least in regions between the outer wall of the valve slide and the inner wall of the housing. Throttle ducts that are present on the inlet side and on the outlet side are formed by a first gap and a second gap which are present in each case between the outer wall of the valve slide and the inner wall of the housing, and no sealing means are present between the inner wall of the housing and the outer wall of the valve slide.
US09234598B2

A valve apparatus including a check valve and a ball segment valve is provided within a fluid system for handling a flammable working fluid. The valve apparatus is arranged such that flapper doors of the cheek valve longitudinally overlaps a ball segment of the ball segment valve when each are in respective open positions such that the valve apparatus maintains a face-to-face dimension of a standard ball valve. The valve apparatus can thus provide positive isolation and directional fluid control in a congested fluid system with space savings over single valves. An isolated chamber is defined between the flapper doors and the ball segment when each is in a respective closed position. A non-flammable fluid is injected into the isolated chamber to urge the flapper doors and ball segment toward the closed positions to thereby provide a safe environment for performing maintenance operations on downstream fluid components.
US09234584B2

An automatic transmission has an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode. When an opposite manual operation is performed, during an automatic shift based on a shift map in the automatic shift mode, in an opposite direction opposite to the automatic shift or when the opposite manual operation is performed, during a forced shift performed regardless of the manual operation in the manual shift mode, in the opposite direction opposite to the forced shift, a control apparatus forbids a shift based on a first manual operation and permits a shift based on a second or subsequent manual operation in the opposite direction opposite to the automatic shift or the forced shift.
US09234577B2

A hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes a first pressure regulating valve for reducing an initial oil pressure of a working oil introduced from an inlet port, a solenoid-operated valve, and a second pressure regulating valve for converting the initial oil pressure of the working oil into an actuating pressure. The three valves share a single body. A joining boss and a relief valve, which is operable to release the working oil out of a passage in the body when the pressure of the working oil in the passage becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, are arranged on a closed end face of the body. The joining boss and the relief valve have respective upper surfaces that are covered by a cover.
US09234565B2

A two-speed transmission is provided. The transmission comprises a planetary gear train (8) having a sun gear, a fixed annular gear (8b), at least one planet gear (8c) and a planet carrier (8d). A dual clutch (10) is disposed between the planetary gear train and a prime mover which outputs rotational movement. The dual clutch is configured to be driven into a first clutching mode in which it kinematically couples the sun gear with the prime mover, and a second clutching mode in which it kinematically couples the planet carrier with the prime mover. And an actuator is configured to selectively drive the dual clutch into one of its first and second clutching modes. An electric vehicle comprises the two-speed transmission.
US09234564B2

The present invention relates to a closure assembly (1, 1′) for closing a connecting link (100) of a tire chain, comprising at least one closure element (10, 10′) that has at least one leg reception member (14, 14′) configured to receive therein, at least sectionwise, a leg (101) of the connecting link (100). In addition, the present invention relates to a connecting link (100) for connecting at least two links of a tire chain, comprising two legs (101) that are interconnected via a yoke (108) as well as to a tire chain, in particular a tire protection chain. In order to allow the closure assembly (1, 1′) to be secured to the connecting link (100) easily and in a repeatedly releasable manner, the closure element (10, 10′) according to the present invention comprises a rotary lock reception member (11, 11′) connected to the at least one leg reception member (14, 14′) and including a rotary lock (50, 50′), which is arranged therein at least sectionwise and which, in its closed position (S), projects into the at least one leg reception member (14, 14′) so as to lock the closure element (10, 10′) in position on the leg (101), and at least one of the two legs (101) according to the present invention is provided with an engagement portion (104), which is configured for cooperating with a closure assembly (1, 1′) according to the present invention.
US09234557B2

Flexible spring members can be dimensioned for securement to an associated gas spring end member. The flexible spring member can be at least partially formed from elastomeric material. The flexible spring member can also include a marking disposed along a surface thereof that includes one or more indicia. The marking can be at least partially formed by an indicia layer and an outer layer. The indicia layer can include one or more quantities of material that at least partially form the one or more indicia. The outer layer can be formed from a quantity of material that is disposed overtop of the indicia layer such that the one or more indicia of the indicia layer are substantially encapsulated. Gas spring assemblies, suspension systems, methods of manufacture and manufacturing systems are also included.
US09234552B2

A magnetic system for controlling the operating mode of an overrunning coupling assembly is provided. The system includes a ferromagnetic or magnetic element received within a pocket in an uncoupling position and is movable outwardly from the pocket to a coupling position. The element controls the operating mode of the coupling assembly. An armature is connected to the element to move the element between the coupling and uncoupling positions. A magnetic field sensor is disposed adjacent and stationary with respect to the element for sensing magnetic flux to produce an output signal which is based on the position of the element. A variable magnetic field is generated in response to movement of the element between the coupling and uncoupling positions.
US09234542B2

The improved bearing system includes an inner cartridge and an outer cartridge having respective bearing units configured to be mountable to a common axial shaft. A drain port is formed in the outer cartridge for discharging excess oil from the bearing system. An annular channel is generally formed from one of the cartridges for selectively receiving a preload ring. An annular groove is formed from a portion of the other cartridge and sized to slidably receive the preload ring. A preload element is disposed within the annular groove and axially compressed between a preload surface of the annular groove and the preload ring. The preload element maintains a simultaneous axial preload thrust on the bearing cartridges and respective bearing units in inwardly opposite axial directions.
US09234541B2

A suspension strut bearing (1) having two assemblies (11, 12), which are counter-rotatable about a longitudinal axis (z) and centered with respect to each other, including two bearing rings (2, 3), which are each allocated to one assembly (11, 12) and counter-rotatable when mounted, and a sealing device (8). In order to decouple the sealing device (8) and the centering from each other with respect to the function thereof and still provide said parts cost-effectively, a single-piece, two-component element (5) is provided on one of the bearing rings (2), which element centers the assemblies (11, 12) one over the other by a first component having a greater stiffness than a second component and forms the sealing device (8) with the second component.
US09234539B2

A fastener configured to couple a first substrate to a second substrate may include a head, a shank, and a tip. The shank may have a generally constant diameter between the head and tip, and the shank may include an unthreaded portion proximate the head, a threaded portion proximate the tip, and a reverse threaded portion therebetween. The threaded portion may include a plurality of right handed threads that continue onto the tip, and the reverse threaded portion includes a plurality of left handed threads. The unthreaded portion may have an axial length greater than an axial length of the reverse threaded portion. In addition, the fastener may include one or both of a cut extending radially inward toward the fastener axis proximate the tip and serrations on at least one of the plurality of right handed threads.
US09234534B2

The invention relates to a liquid piston arrangement for compressing and expanding gases. The liquid piston arrangement includes a liquid piston which is embodied by a liquid level formed by a liquid in a high-pressure space and a stack of sheets with mutually spaced apart sheet metal plates which is supported in the high-pressure space dipping in the liquid and is sequentially flowed around by the liquid.
US09234512B2

A compact, modular dosing pump system that is capable of microdose and macrodose volume flow rates, reduces or eliminates the need for additional flow control components such as temperature and pressure sensors, and utilizes a wider operational flow range than existing systems while maintaining the level of accuracy and precision exhibited by conventional dosing pump systems is provided. The dosing pump utilizes a pump and flow circuit, and a control system may be used to deliver a range of fluid volumes. The flow circuit utilizes a networked system of fluid paths and valves to route fluid through the dosing pump system in response to a pressure differential between fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports, while the controller monitors and controls the operation of the system.
US09234504B1

A wind-powered machine system includes a base station including a machine for performing work and a crankshaft operatively coupled to the machine. The rotation of the crankshaft drives the machine to perform work. The system further includes a first and a second airfoil operatively coupled to the crankshaft. In a first stage, a wind-driven movement of the first airfoil in a first direction away from the base station causes the crankshaft to rotate. The rotation of the crankshaft causes a movement of the second airfoil in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction and toward the base station. In a second stage, a wind-driven movement of the second airfoil in the first direction away from the base station causes the crankshaft to rotate. The rotation of the crankshaft causes a movement of the first airfoil in the second direction toward the base station.
US09234491B2

A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a tubular housing, a tubular insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode and a guide member. The guide member is configured to guide the flow of an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of the engine to a spark gap formed between the center electrode and the ground electrode. Moreover, in the spark plug, the following dimensional relationships are satisfied: b≧−67.8×(a/D)+27.4; b≦−123.7×(a/D)+64.5; −0.4≦(a/D)≦0.4; and 0°≦b≦90°. Further, with an oblique angle θ being in the range of 0 to 30°, the following dimensional relationship is also satisfied: 0.8≦r/R≦1. Consequently, the spark plug can secure, with a simple configuration, a stable ignition capability regardless of the mounting posture of the spark plug to the engine.
US09234488B2

A quill connector for a fuel system in an engine includes an elongate quill body defining a fuel conduit having a proximal accumulator segment, and a flow limiter subassembly, for limiting oversupplying of a pressurized fuel, positioned at least partially within the accumulator segment. The subassembly includes a seat component attached to the elongate quill body and supporting a guide component wherein a hydraulically actuated valve and a biaser are disposed. The valve is movable to a closed position during supplying pressurized fuel to a fuel injector, to interrupt a flow of the pressurized fuel thereto.
US09234485B2

The present invention provides a fuel gas supply system of a gas engine capable of supplying to a fuel gas supply unit a fuel gas of constant pressure which fluctuates little. In a fuel gas supply system, a high-pressure tank and a gas injector are connected to each other by a supply passage, and an electromagnetic pressure regulating valve is provided on the supply passage. The electromagnetic pressure regulating valve is configured to regulate the pressure of the gas, flowing through the supply passage, to pressure corresponding to a current supplied to the electromagnetic pressure regulating valve. The gas pressure downstream of the electromagnetic pressure regulating valve is detected by a low-pressure-side pressure sensor. A controller is electrically connected to the electromagnetic pressure regulating valve. The controller controls the current supplied to the electromagnetic pressure regulating valve such that pressure detected by the low-pressure-side pressure sensor becomes predetermined target pressure.
US09234480B2

A compressor or expander has a variable-volume chamber with a heat exchanger located inside the chamber. The heat exchanger can have a helical structure and may be connected between walls of the chamber that move relative to one another during compression or expansion. The heat exchanger comprises a passage containing a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchange fluid may add heat to or remove heat from a gas being expanded or compressed. Embodiments may provide isothermal or near isothermal compression or expansion.
US09234479B2

The oil control ring (1) comprises a retaining ring (2) and a scraper (3) having a scraper fin (3a), wherein the scraper (3) is arranged in the retaining ring (2) in such a way that the scraper fin (3a) is oriented towards the center (1a) of the oil control ring (1) in order to scrape oil on a piston rod (6). The scraper (3) comprises a plurality of scraper segments (3e) which are arranged in succession in the circumferential direction (1b) of the oil control ring (1), and the retaining ring (2) has a groove (2b) for accommodating the scraper segments (3a) in a positive manner, and the retaining ring (2) has an abutment point (2g). The retaining ring (2) forms at least one plastic first end face (2d, 2e) which is oriented towards the center (1a) of the oil control ring (1). The scraper (3) is made of a harder material than the plastic forming the first end face (2d, 2e), the scraping fin (3a) of the scraper (3) has a contact point (3c) oriented towards the center (1a) and the scraper (3) and the retaining ring (2) are adapted to each other in such a way that both the at least one first end face (2d, 2e) and the contact point (3c) can lie against the piston rod (6).
US09234476B2

Methods and systems are provided for estimating a fuel concentration in engine oil in an engine crankcase. In one example, an engine controller may adjust engine operation such as EGR flow and engine fueling based on the estimated fuel concentration in engine oil. The fuel concentration may be based on an output of an intake oxygen sensor when purge and EGR flow are disabled, engine oil temperature, and fuel composition.
US09234471B2

A driver alert and de-rate control system for a vehicle includes a sensor configured to monitor an engine operating condition, and a control unit in communication with the sensor. The control unit is configured to estimate a time until automatic de-rate of the engine based on the engine operating condition and to modify a performance parameter of the vehicle in dependence upon the estimated time until automatic de-rate.
US09234467B2

A valve actuation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has a first set of cylinders having a first set of exhaust valves and a second set of cylinders having a second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system for the exhaust valves includes one or more first cams having a compression-release lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the first set of exhaust valves, and one or more second cams having an early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system may provide any combination of (i) main exhaust valve actuation with or without compression release actuation with (ii) main exhaust valve actuation with or without EEVO for the two sets of cylinders.
US09234462B2

A fluidic dampening film supply method for a guiding bearing of a turbine engine shaft, said turbine engine being known to vibrate according to at least one given vibratory mode, said turbine engine being adapted to enter in resonance at a given resonance speed (wr) for said given vibratory mode, a monitoring range (P) being defined around the resonance speed (wr), a method wherein the fluidic dampening film of the guiding bearing being only supplied with fluid when the rotation speed of the turbine engine belongs to the monitoring range (P).
US09234448B2

A muffler for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, the muffler including a muffler housing, at least one exhaust gas inlet, at least one gas outlet and at least one muffling device arranged in the muffler housing. At least one cooling element arranged in the muffler housing is configured to extract heat energy from the exhaust gas and is arranged in the muffler housing.
US09234447B2

A control system for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system includes a dosing control module, a comparison module, and a status determination module. The dosing control module controls a dosing system to inject a desired amount of ammonia into exhaust gas at a first location in an exhaust stream. The comparison module compares a measured amount of ammonia in the exhaust gas to the desired amount of ammonia, wherein the measured amount of ammonia is measured at a second location downstream from the first location and upstream from or within an SCR catalyst. The status determination module determines a pass/fail status of a component of the dosing system based on the comparison between the measured amount of ammonia and the desired amount of ammonia.
US09234444B2

A flame detection system is disclosed. The system may have a flame chamber and a filter, wherein the filter includes filter media configured to collect matter from an engine exhaust. Additionally, the filter may be disposed downstream of the flame chamber. An ignition device may be disposed in the flame chamber and may be configured to ignite a flame in the flame chamber to regenerate the filter. A sensor may be disposed proximate the ignition device, and may be configured to sense a change in electrical conductivity that is indicative of a presence of the flame in the flame chamber.
US09234441B2

A method of immobilizing a low pressure spool assembly including maintaining a body of the locking tool in the annular gas path, attaching a securing portion of the body across an aperture defined through an annular wall delimiting the gas path; positioning a stop connected to the body of the locking tool into a rotary path of a given one of the sets of blades of the low pressure spool assembly; and rotating the high pressure spool assembly thereby biasing a blade of the given set of blades of the low pressure spool assembly against the stop, thereby immobilizing the low pressure spool assembly. A locking tool and a method of performing engine maintenance are also provided.
US09234422B2

A degradation assembly may comprise at least one sensor mounted on a pick; the pick comprising a first conductor in communication with the sensor. The assembly may also comprise a receiving element including a bore comprising a second conductor. The first and second conductors may combine to create a connection as the pick is inserted into the bore of the receiving element.
US09234420B2

A system and method for determining characteristics of a multiphase flow in a well/pipe are disclosed. The disclosed system and method use an optical immersion probe including a flow gap across which two or more types of radiation are transmitted in order to measure absorptions of two or more substances within the multiphase flow. Primarily, broadband ultraviolet (UV) and/or near infrared radiations (NIR) are utilized with the probe to gather absorption data at and/or around at least one of the water peaks and at and/or around one or more oil or oil-condensate peaks. This data may be utilized to calculate the water-cut of the multiphase flow over a wider range of gas volume fractions. Additionally, pressure ports having pressure sensors being located on the optical immersion probe for determining the impact pressures and flow rates of different phases of the multiphase flow may also be used.
US09234405B2

A device is described for a fluid operated valve body 200 for activation of a fluid operated tool, said valve body 200 is connected to a pipe section 11 of a pipe 160 arranged in a well 120 in a formation 140, and the device is characterized in that the valve comprises a plunger piston 5 in a channel 232, which plunger piston 5 is reset from a closed to an open position to let fluid into the tool, said resetting takes place with a piston 210, said piston 210 is brought to a number of stepwise forwards and backwards movements by increasing and decreasing, respectively, the fluid pressure P2, and said movements affect a slide body 14 which is moved stepwise, in one direction, to a position where it opens for balls 8 to fall out of channel 232, thereby releasing the plunger piston 5 to move and open for fluid flow P to the fluid operated tool. The piston 210 is an extended body the one end of which is exposed to the pipe fluid, while the other end 212 is held pre-stressed by a pre-stressing body 15, where the slide movement takes place when the piston 210 moves as a consequence of said pressure release, and the pre-stressing body 15 is arranged in a chamber that is in open fluid connection with the well outside the pipe section, and the piston 210 is hydraulically balanced. The piston 210 affects the slide body 4 by teeth 239 on the slide body 4 and lifting arm 10 on the piston 210. A method for operation of the valve body is also described.
US09234402B2

Method to modify an existing subsea arranged oil production well having installed a hydraulically operated downhole valve, characterized in using coiled tubing technology to: arrange an electrically operated downhole pump in the production tubing, lock the hydraulically operated downhole valve in an open position by placing a sleeve body in the open positioned valve, arrange an electrically operated downhole valve above the downhole pump. A modified oil production well.
US09234399B2

Drilling tools include a bit crown and an integrated reamer. The bit crown and integrated reamer can be configured with approximately equal drilling lives. The bit crown can be impregnated with abrasive cutting media and include one or more external flutes. The integrated reamer can be positioned at the base the bit crown and include one or more channels that align with one or more of the outer flutes. The channels can taper such that they increase in width as they extend away from the bit crown.
US09234385B2

The invention relates to a glazing panel (100), particularly an insulated glazing panel, comprising at least a first (10) and a second (11) sheet of glass which are joined together by an intercalated surround (12) which holds them a certain distance apart, and between said at least two sheets of glass at least one internal space (15) closed by the intercalated surround positioned around said internal space. According to the invention, the intercalated surround (12) comprises an opening (122) causing the internal space (15) to communicate with the outside of the panel, the panel comprises at least one electrically conducting element (14) inserted into the opening, a first end (141) of the conducting element being situated inside the internal space and a second end (142) of the conducting element being situated outside the internal space, and the panel also comprises a first plug (17) of thermoplastic elastomer material closing the opening (122) around the electric conducting element.
US09234382B2

The invention relates to an insulating double glazing comprising a sheet of glass which has on the face (2) an assembly of layers known as low-emissivity layers, produced by sputtering and comprising at least one infrared-reflecting metallic layer, the other glass sheet comprising on the face (4) one or more metal oxide layers deposited by gas pyrolysis, the space located between the sheets being sealed and filled with insulating gas composed of krypton for at least 86% by volume and at most 5% of air, this glazing having a light transmission which is no less than 60% (for thicknesses of the clear glass sheets of 4 mm), wherein said metal oxide layers comprising a doped tin oxide layer having haze of less than 0.3%, Ra of less than 10 nm, and thickness of not less than 200 nm.
US09234376B2

This top hung door assembly (10) for a merchandiser includes a pair of doors 12, 14 each having an upper frame member (20) including a metal reinforcing member (22). An upper track member (16) is provided including depending flange members (36) and (38) each having a roller mounting portion (48). A pair of spaced wheel assemblies (60) is provided including a bracket (50) having a lower portion (54) connected to the upper door frame and an upper portion (52) carrying a pair of rollers (60) received by the roller mounting portion (46). The upper track member (16) includes associate track members (46) having spaced notches (49) to facilitate mounting the doors. Also the flange members have flexible tips (44) facilitating the sealing and mounting of the doors.
US09234375B1

A hinge structure having the characteristics of space-saving and ease of installation is disclosed to include a mounting base member affixed to a base member of a low profile flip-up electronic product, female hinge shafts fixedly mounted in the mounting base member, a male hinge shaft affixed to a cover member of the flip-up electronic product and rotatably and axially movably inserted through the female hinge shafts, and a rotary knob coupled with one end of the male hinge shaft and rotatable to move the male hinge shaft axially relative to the female hinge shafts and the mounting base member.
US09234373B2

A back cover with an anti-theft function is for containing a monitor body cooperatively with a front frame and includes a reinforcement rib structure and a cover body having an anti-theft hole. The reinforcement rib structure is formed on an inner side of the cover body facing the monitor body and includes a first ring-shaped rib disposed around the anti-theft hole, a second ring-shaped rib disposed around the first ring-shaped rib, two longitudinal ribs, and four transverse ribs. The two longitudinal ribs extend respectively from a top end and a bottom end of the first ring-shaped rib to the second ring-shaped rib along a center longitudinal axis of the first ring-shaped rib. The four transverse ribs extend respectively from two sides of the first ring-shaped rib to the second ring-shaped rib along a center transverse axis of the first ring-shaped rib in a symmetrical arrangement.
US09234371B2

A security device may include a spool, locking mechanism, button, plug, and latch. The spool is configured to either wind or unwind a cable for wrapping around an object. The locking mechanism is configured to partially lock the spool. The button may be used to move the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions. The button may be blocked by inserting a plug into a housing of the device such that the button cannot be activated to unlock the spool. The plug may be secured to the housing through the latch that prevents the unauthorized removal of the plug. For an enhanced locking feature, the latch and the plug may be configured to require at least two forces to move the latch and free the plug. The spool, locking mechanism, and button may be stacked along a common axis to provide a more compacted design.
US09234369B2

A latch assembly for securing a furnace door to a furnace casing includes a latch for placement on an inside of the furnace door; a knob for placement on a front surface of the furnace door; a latch plate for placement between the latch and the knob; and a threaded screw for threadably coupling the knob to the latch. The latch plate supports the weight of the furnace door in a closed position and reduces a pinch force used for rotating the knob.
US09234368B2

An assembled fence includes a transverse bar, a vertical bar and a clip, wherein the clip is an elastic non-metal clip. Due to the installation of the elastic non-metal clip, all fence parts, including the clip, can be assembled in the assembly site; the clip which does not need to be assembled in the vertical bar in advance will not be damaged and is free from a problem of scratching other parts such as the vertical bar in a transportation process; and the non-metal clip is low in cost.
US09234364B2

The present invention relates to a frustoconical- or truncated pyramid-shaped support structure for wind-driven power generators which is formed by several precast concrete panels having the same dimensions, without horizontal joints between panels, which allows obtaining different section widths by means of a platform-guide that can be adjusted to one of said panels.
US09234363B1

A mixed-class service multiple-tier theater that allows different patrons attending the same movie to experience differing levels of service depending on how much they wish to pay. There are two tiers for seating. The upper tier would be for regular, stadium style seating, while the lower tier would be for VIP seating with fully reclining seats. The lower and upper tiers are completely separated, each offering its own ingress/egress access, with a balcony overhang from the upper tier cantilevered over the lower tier.
US09234354B2

An exemplary stair nosing assembly comprises an elongated base, a plate adhered to the base, and a cover temporarily covering the base and the plate. The base has at least one anchor portion extending downwardly from the upper portion for attaching to a lip of a tread pan and/or embedding in a concrete tread. The plate can have various features to enhance traction and visibility. The cover has front and rear lips that engage with front and rear edges of the base, and a weakened region adjacent the rear lip. When the assembly is embedded in a concrete tread, the cover is configured to fracture at the weakened region when the front lip of the cover is lifted upward from the base, leaving the rear lip remaining embedded in the concrete and allowing the rest of the cover to be removed to expose upper surfaces of the base and plate.
US09234353B2

A cover mat suitable for use in preventing debris from entering a rain gutter does not require support when positioned in the gutter other than by portions of the rain gutter engaging the cover mat. The cover mat is formed of a nonwoven polyester fiber material that is coated with a stiffening agent, such as a styrene monomer that will add stiffness without significantly affecting the flow of fluids through the porous or liquid permeable fiber mat.
US09234348B1

An elongate roll formed sheet metal molding, and method of its manufacture, for transitioning between a drywall ceiling and an acoustical tile ceiling, the molding have the general shape of an inverted tee formed by a horizontal drywall leg, a horizontal acoustical tile leg and a vertical leg between the horizontal legs, the drywall leg having a plurality of regularly spaced holes for receiving fasteners to attach the molding to a ceiling structure, a periphery of each hole being partially lanced in the sheet metal such that material from the hole forms a slug, the slug remaining attached to the sheet metal at a part of the hole, the slug being bent flat onto an area of the sheet metal adjacent the hole.
US09234343B2

An assembly for integrating an elongate structural member such as a post or a beam, and one or more panels is provided. The elongate structural member includes a notch defined within the elongate structural member. The notch includes a base surface and two side surfaces at opposite ends of the base surface. At least one of the side surfaces is tiered. The tiered side surface includes an inner portion and an outer portion that are substantially parallel to each other. The inner portion is substantially perpendicular and is adjacent to the base surface. The outer portion is offset from the inner portion and is positioned further away from the second side surface compared to the inner portion. A first panel is positioned within the notch and faces at least the base surface and the inner portion of the tiered surface. A second panel may be positioned within the notch.
US09234342B1

A hand-held drain cleaning machine which is of the type that employs a flexible snake that can be inserted into a waste line and rotated to remove a blockage, includes a drum in which the snake is coiled and a guide tube extending from a central front portion of the drum, through which the snake can be extended and retracted. An electric motor, which is coupled to the drum, provides rotational movement to the drum and the snake when AC line current is provided to the motor through an operator-activated switch located within a handle grip. The handle grip, which is secured to the electric motor, is preferably positioned directly above the machine' center of gravity. In addition, an extendable support, having a foot, is also secured to the electric motor and preferably positioned so that the foot is directly beneath the machine' center of gravity.
US09234339B2

In general, a flush toilet with a built-in clog removal system is described. In one embodiment, the disclosed toilet is defined by: a bowl connected to an drain pipe; at least one one-way valve positioned pipe; and a pump in fluid communication with the pipe so that (a) initiating the pump to force the piston downward or upward causes fluid-flow in the pipe so that the one-way valve closes or opens as a result of pressure or a vacuum against debris clogging the drain.
US09234334B2

A pressure tank assembly for use primarily in a plumbing system connected to a well or other water supply system includes a tank containing a bladder and a ring around the bladder in the tank midway between the top and bottom ends thereof. Water is introduced into the ring and discharged into the tank via holes in the bottom of the ring. Water for domestic use is drawn from the top of the tank. Sediment is removed through a drain in the bottom of the tank.
US09234332B2

A mechanical system (1) includes a support (10), a tooth (20) and a device (30) for interconnecting the two components. The device (30) includes a key (50), a nut (60) and an elastic sheath (40) provided with a wall that is adjustable by deformation in a housing (14) of the support, by screwing between the key and the nut, between an insertion configuration and a locking configuration. The device (30) also includes a support ring (70) inserted between the key and an opening (24) made in the tooth (20). In the insertion configuration of the device (30), the support ring (70) is adjusted in the opening (24), while in the locking configuration of the device (30), the support ring (70) exerts retaining forces on the tooth (20). A heavy-construction machine bucket (G) including such a system (1), and a method for implementing such a system are also described.
US09234323B2

This invention presents a security barrier post (10) which has an underground footing (12) and an impact post (14) that extends above the surface. The underground footing (12) has a substantially vertical tubular steel shaft (16) having an opening at its lower end on an impact facing side and a steel foot box (18) aligned with the opening. A bottom plate (20) is provided to which the shaft (16) and said foot (18) box are attached. A spring steel back plate (22) is arranged adjacent and perpendicular to rear facing side of the shaft (16), and extends to at least one side of it. The back plate (22) is located at a position that is flush with or slightly below the surface in which the footing is buried. The impact post (14) has at least a first spring steel element (32) which is L shaped, and at least one packing element (34, 36, 38) located behind the first element (32) to retain it in a position in which it extends into the foot box (18).
US09234322B2

The invention herein pertains to pavement marking patterns and the application thereof to roads, streets, walkways and the like. Various pattern designs for the markings are available to replicate layers of bricks, cobblestones, horizontal signage, logos and other components. The marking patterns are composed of two or more independent sections, the first section is a grid representing for example, the mortar joints in a brick wall. The second sections or inserts, for example represent bricks which are contained within the grid. As the first and second sections are generally formed from different colored, preferably thermoplastic materials, a hot melt adhesive spray is utilized on the bottom surface of the marking pattern to bridge the intersections between the first and second sections to maintain the integrity of the marking pattern for convenience during handling and application to a substrate. Preferably the hot melt spray adhesive has approximately the same softening point range as the pattern sections to accommodate heat treatment of the marking pattern during application of the marking pattern to the substrate.
US09234314B2

A gauge-plate insulator for positioning between and mounting to two rail-spacing members that in turn extend transversely between and mount to two parallel rails to mechanically interconnect but electrical insulate the rail-spacing members and thus the parallel rails. The insulator includes a plate, front and rear mounting holes extending vertically through the plate, and a tongue extending downward from the plate along its lateral midsection from front to back. In typical embodiments, the insulator includes elongated platforms surrounding the mounting holes and arranged perpendicular to the tongue, and the insulator is of a one-piece monolithic construction made of a material selected for mechanical strength and electric insulation. And in some embodiments the insulator includes a tented top surface, ribs extending perpendicular to the tongue, and/or multi-level platforms.
US09234310B2

A method for treating a fabric for ultraviolet radiation protection, enhanced resistance to degradation, and enhanced resistance to fire is disclosed which comprises the steps of adding zinc oxide nanoparticles to a solution of 3-glycidyloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane, placing a fabric in the mixture of zinc oxide particles and 3-glycidyloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane, curing the fabric, and washing the fabric. Other methods of treating a fabric are disclosed.
US09234307B2

A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum.
US09234305B2

The invention relates to a reinforcing textile thread (82) for an inflatable sail, such as a rigging sail or a flight sail, including a plurality of filaments which are agglutinated so as to form an elongate unitary body (820), and a binder (822) which ensures the cohesion among at least some of the filaments (821) of the unitary body (820), and which consists of a coating material. In order to guarantee an effective, directed reinforcement effect within an inflatable sail without limiting the lifespan of said sail, the unitary body has, in the cross-section thereof, an oblong outline, wherein the ratio of the maximum width (e) of said outline, which corresponds to a thickness of the unitary body, to the maximum length (l) of said outline, which corresponds to a width of the unitary body, is less than 0.06, a plurality of filaments (821) being arranged in series over the thickness of the unitary body.
US09234293B2

Processes and systems for electrolytically processing a microfeature workpiece with a first processing fluid and a counter electrode are described. Microfeature workpieces are electrolytically processed using a first processing fluid, a counter electrode, a second processing fluid, and an anion permeable barrier layer. The anion permeable barrier layer separates the first processing fluid from the second processing fluid while allowing certain anionic species to transfer between the two fluids.
US09234288B2

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to apparatuses for and methods of conducting electrical current in an oxygen and liquid metal environment. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods for production of metals from their oxides comprising providing a cathode in electrical contact with a molten electrolyte, providing a liquid metal anode separated from the cathode and the molten electrolyte by a solid oxygen ion conducting membrane, providing a current collector at the anode, and establishing a potential between the cathode and the anode.
US09234278B2

The present disclosure relates to a guiding element for guiding gas flow within a chamber. The guiding element includes a structure, one or more inlets, an outlet, and a transportation region. The one or more inlets are formed on a first side of the structure. The inlets have inlet sizes selected according to a removal rate and to mitigate gas flow variations within the chamber. The outlet is on a second side of the structure, opposite the first side of the structure. The outlet has an outlet size selected according to the removal rate. The transportation region is within the structure and couples or connects the inlets to the outlet.
US09234275B2

Provided is a method of forming a film of metal compound of first and second materials on an object to be processed, one of the first and second materials being metal, which includes: supplying a raw material gas containing the first material to the object such that the first material is adsorbed onto the object; supplying a raw material gas containing the second material to the object with the first material adsorbed thereon such that the second material is adsorbed onto the object with the first material adsorbed thereon; and supplying a third material different from the first and second materials onto the first and second materials adsorbed onto the object such that the first to third materials are chemically combined with one another.
US09234273B2

The present invention provides metal-containing compounds that include at least one β-diketiminate ligand, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the metal-containing compounds are homoleptic complexes that include unsymmetrical β-diketiminate ligands. In other embodiments, the metal-containing compounds are heteroleptic complexes including at least one β-diketiminate ligand. The compounds can be used to deposit metal-containing layers using vapor deposition methods. Vapor deposition systems including the compounds are also provided. Sources for β-diketiminate ligands are also provided.
US09234270B2

An electrostatic chuck, a thin film deposition apparatus including the electrostatic chuck, and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display apparatus using the thin film deposition apparatus. The electrostatic chuck includes: a first plate; a first common wire disposed on the first plate and electrically connected to a plus terminal of an electric power source; first electrode patterns electrically connected to the first common wire, separated by a distance from each other, and extending from the first common wire; a second common wire disposed on the first plate and electrically connected to a minus terminal of the electric power source; second electrode patterns electrically connected to the second common wire, separated by a distance from each other, and extending from the second common wire; a first additional wire electrically connected to the first common wire; and a second additional wire electrically connected to the second common wire.
US09234264B2

A method of producing a hydrogen storage material including the steps of: forming a magnesium-nickel melt having up to 50 wt % nickel; adding up to 2 wt % of a refining element to the melt under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, the refining element having an atomic radius within the range of 1-1.65 times the atomic radius of magnesium, such as at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Na, K, Ba, Ca, Sr, La, Y, Yb, Rb and Cs; and solidifying the melt to produce the hydrogen storage material.
US09234261B2

This invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, namely to manufacture of near-beta titanium alloys containing titanium and such alloying elements as molybdenum, vanadium, chromium, zirconium, iron and aluminum. The provided alloy contains the following components, in weight percentages: molybdenum—25 to 27; vanadium—25 to 27; chromium—14 to 16; titanium—9 to 11; with balance aluminum and iron and zirconium in the form of commercially pure metals. The technical result of this invention is capability to produce a near-beta titanium alloy with high chemical homogeneity alloyed by refractory elements and having aluminum content ≦6 wt %, wherein the alloy is characterized by a combination of stable high strength and high impact strength.
US09234239B2

Disclosed are systems and methods for polynucleotide sequencing where detection and correction of base calling errors can be achieved without reliance on a reference sequence. In certain embodiments, redundant information can be introduced during measurement so as to allow such detection of errors. Such redundant information and measurements can be facilitated by encoding of nucleotide sequence being measured. Various examples of such encoding, redundancy introduction, and decoding are provided.
US09234237B2

An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.
US09234233B2

A composition comprising an oligonucleotide having the structure 5′-Y1-L1-X-L2-Y2-3′. Y1 comprises a sequence of one or more DNA or RNA nucleotides, including a first nucleotide N1 having a 3′ phosphate covalently linked to L1. Y2 comprises a sequence of one or more DNA or RNA nucleotides, including a second nucleotide N2 having a 5′ phosphate covalently linked to L2. L1 and L2 each independently are a direct bond or a C1-C7 alkyl, alkynyl, alkenyl, heteroalkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, alkylaryl, or alkoxyl group. X is R1 is a hydrogen or a C1-C8 alkyl. M is a label or ligand comprising a fused polycyclic aromatic moiety.
US09234231B2

A screening tool for anti-inflammatory drug discovery and for the detection of the risk or presence of inflammatory conditions, comprising the sequence of the FPR2/ALX gene promoter, is disclosed.
US09234225B2

A method for generating human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) or precursors thereof, compounds obtainable by the method, and uses and compositions involving such compounds. The method comprising the steps of a) providing at least one donor selected from the group of compounds of any of formulae 5 to 10, b) providing at least one acceptor from a group of lactose, LNT, LNnT and derivatives thereof, c) providing at least one enzyme comprising a transglycosidase activity and/or a glycosynthase activity, d) preparing a mixture of the at least one donor, at least one acceptor and at least one enzyme provided in steps a), b) and c); and e) incubating the mixture prepared according to step d).
US09234213B2

The invention relates to engineered CRISPR/Cas9 systems for genomic modification in mammalian cells. The present specification describes the design and testing of a polynucleotide encoding the Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) Cas9 protein, where the nucleotide sequence has been optimized for expression in mammalian cells. The specification also describes all-in-one systems for RNA-guided genome engineering in mammalian cells, including human cells.
US09234211B2

The present invention relates to a hybrid promoter, in which a whole or a part of a CMV enhancer, a whole or a part of a β-actin promoter, a whole or a part of a CMV promoter, and a whole or a part of a β-actin intron are operably linked to each other, a recombinant vector comprising the same, a transformant transformed with the recombinant vector, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant vector or the transformant, and a method for preparing a target protein using the recombinant vector or the transformant. The hybrid promoter of the present invention is able to induce high expression of a target protein in a eukaryotic cell. Therefore, the hybrid promoter of the present invention can be effectively used for the development of an antibody or the production of a DNA vaccine.
US09234203B2

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a stabilized recombinant expression plasmid vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding an antitoxin gene which expresses a polypeptide that neutralizes a polypeptide toxic to a host cell, the toxic polypeptide being expressed by a toxin gene in the host cell, and a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide expression product, and the stabilized recombinant expression plasmid vector is derived from a Hafnia alvei autonomously replicable backbone plasmid. Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a transformant transformed with the stabilized recombinant expression plasmid vector disclosed herein, a method of producing biobased cadaverine using the transformant disclosed herein, and biobased cadaverine prepared by the method disclosed herein. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a polyamide formed using biobased cadaverine disclosed herein, and a composition thereof. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of preparing 1,5-diisocyanatopentane comprising preparing biobased cadaverine using the method disclosed herein and converting the biobased cadaverine to 1,5-diisocyanatopentane.
US09234199B2

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of an Insulin gene (INS), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of an Insulin gene (INS). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of Insulin Gene (INS).
US09234193B2

An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a 7-epizingiberene synthase, a chimeric gene comprising the nucleic acid molecule, vectors comprising the same, as well as isolated 7-epizingiberene synthase proteins themselves, are provided. In addition, transgenic plants and plant cells comprising a gene encoding a 7-epizingiberene synthase, optionally integrated in its genome, and methods for making such plants and cells, are provided. Especially Solanaceae plants and plant parts (seeds, fruit, leaves, etc.) with enhanced insect pest resistance are provided.
US09234187B2

Disclosed herein are compositions and method comprising non-canonical (e.g., non-C2H2) zinc finger proteins.
US09234185B2

The present invention relates to oncolytic adenoviruses having therapeutic applications. Recombinant chimeric adenoviruses, and methods to produce them are provided. The chimeric adenoviruses of the invention comprise nucleic acid sequences derived from adenoviral serotypes classified within the subgroups B through F and demonstrate an enhanced therapeutic index.
US09234182B2

The invention is in the field of virus vaccines for protecting animals against infection by parvovirus, their production and use. More in particular, the invention is related to a vaccine comprising an attenuated parvovirus comprising a capsid protein or fragment thereof derivable from another parvovirus. Surprisingly it was found that such a vaccine was capable of inducing higher titers of protecting antibodies against a challenge with the second type of parvovirus strains while maintaining good immunity against the first type of parvovirus. Recombinant virus strains also remained attenuated.
US09234177B2

The invention provides a plurality of embryonic stem cell-like progenitor cells, which are isolated from a human tissue by a systemic screening of human mesenchymal stromal stem/progenitor cells and a cell sorting by a cell antigen selected from the group consisting of CD34, CD117, CD133, CD201, GloboH and combination thereof, and cultured in a medium supplemented with at least one or more steroids and one or more growth factors. The cells of the invention express CD34 and exhibit sphere-like clonogenicity in early passages and express multipotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) like characteristics.
US09234176B2

Methods are provided for producing a cardiomyocyte population from a mammalian pluripotent stem cell population. Aspects of the methods include using a Wnt signaling agonist and antagonist, each in minimal media, to modulate Wnt signaling. Also provided are kits for practicing the methods described herein.
US09234168B2

The invention provides methods of producing vaccines directed against microorganisms, with the methods comprising culturing, harvesting and/or suspending the microorganism in the presence of a radiation-protective composition and irradiating the bacteria or viruses with a dose of radiation sufficient to render the microorganism replication-deficient and/or non-infective. The radiation-protective compositions used in the methods of the present invention comprise at least one nucleoside, at least one antioxidant and at least one small peptide. The invention also provides methods of rendering bacteria in culture resistant to ionizing radiation (IR), with these methods comprising culturing the bacteria in the presence of a radiation-protective composition.
US09234162B2

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a stable cleaning composition comprising: a chelating agent, a low-foaming, temperature- and alkaline-stable surfactant, and water. Other embodiments relate to the methods of preparing the stable cleaning compositions and the methods of their use. The stable cleaning composition described here is a low cost cleaning composition for use either alone or as an additive to a cleaning agent.
US09234158B2

The invention relates to a continuous process for pretreatment of an oil feedstock comprising at most 20% by weight of free fatty acids by esterification of free fatty acids in which a vertical liquid/liquid contactor containing an esterification catalyst in solid form is supplied in counter-current by an alcohol feedstock comprising at least 20% by weight of an alcohol and said oil feedstock, with said contactor being operated at a temperature of between 25 and 120° C., with said contactor performing the contact in liquid-liquid counter-current between a heavy phase and a light phase, with said heavy phase being able to be either an oil-rich phase or an alcohol-rich phase.
US09234154B2

A rolling bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements disposed between an inner race and an outer race and a retainer retaining the rolling elements. Lubricating grease is sealed in the bearing in an amount of not less than 20% of an entire spatial volume of an interior of the rolling bearing and not more than 80% of a stationary spatial volume of the interior of the rolling bearing. The lubricating grease includes a base oil having a dynamic viscosity at 40° C. of 13-73 cSt, and a thickening agent of aromatic urea family. The entire spatial volume is an entire interior volume of the bearing minus a total volume of the rolling elements and the retainer, and the stationary spatial volume is a portion of the entire spatial volume where neither the rolling elements nor the retainer passes while the bearing is rotating.
US09234151B2

This invention is directed to lubricating compositions comprising a first base oil component consisting of a polyalphaolefin base stock or combination of polyalphaolefin base stocks, each having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of from 3.2 cSt to 3.8 cSt and obtained by a process comprising: (a) contacting a catalyst, an activator, and a monomer in a first reactor to obtain a first reactor effluent, the effluent comprising a dimer product, a trimer product, and optionally a higher oligomer product, (b) feeding at least a portion of the dimer product to a second reactor, (c) contacting said dimer product with a second catalyst, a second activator, and optionally a second monomer in the second reactor, (d) obtaining a second reactor effluent, the effluent comprising at least a trimer product, and (e) hydrogenating at least the trimer product of the second reactor effluent.
US09234145B2

One exemplary embodiment can be a process for hydroprocessing. The process can include providing a hydroprocessing zone having at least two beds, and quenching downstream of a first bed of the at least two beds with a first vacuum gas oil that may be lighter than another vacuum gas oil fed to the first bed.
US09234142B2

A process and apparatus are disclosed for recovering hydroprocessing effluent from a hydroprocessing unit utilizing a hot stripping column and a cold stripping column. A light fractionation column fractionates naphtha from kerosene predominantly from a cold stripped stream. A heavy fractionation column fractionates diesel from unconverted oil predominantly present in a hot stripped stream. Only the hot hydroprocessing effluent is heated in a fired heater prior to entering the heavy fractionation column, resulting in substantial operating and capital savings.
US09234140B2

A rotary machine type shock wave reactor suitable for thermal cracking of hydrocarbon-containing materials includes a casing, a rotor whose periphery contains an axial-flow blade cascade, and a directing rim, provided with at least two stationary vane cascades, adjoining an axial-flow rotor cascade, wherein the casing substantially encloses the periphery of the rotor and the directing rim. The cascades are configured to direct feedstock containing process stream to repeatedly pass the cascades in a helical trajectory while propagating within the duct between the inlet and exit and to generate stationary shock-waves to heat the feedstock. The axial-flow rotor cascade is configured to provide kinetic energy and add velocity to feedstock containing process stream, and the stationary vanes located downstream the rotor cascade are configured to reduce the velocity of the stream and convert kinetic energy into heat. The reactor may also process carbohydrate-and glyceride-based feedstock, and gaseous biomass matter.
US09234137B2

Use of a phosphorus compound of the formula (I) as flame retardant, where the definitions of the symbols in the formula (I) are as follows: A is one of the following groups: Y is —P(═X2)SR3R4, H, a straight-chain or branched C1-C12-alkyl group, C5-C6-cycloalkyl, C6-C12-aryl, or benzyl, where the four last-mentioned groups are unsubstituted or have substitution by one or more radicals from the group of C1-C4-alkyl or C1-C4-alkenyl; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are identical or different and are hydrogen, OH, C1-C16-alkyl, C1-C16-alkenyl, C1-C16-alkoxy, C1-C16-alkenoxy, C3-C10-cycloalkyl, C3-C10-cycloalkoxy, C6-C10-aryl, C6-C10-aryloxy, C6-C10-aryl-C1-C16-alkyl, C6-C10-aryl-C1-C16-alkoxy, SR9 COR10, COOR11, CONR12R13 or two radicals R1, R2, R3, or R4 form, together with the phosphorus atom to which they are bonded, or the P—O-A-O—P group, a ring system; R5, R6, R7, and R8 are identical or different and are H, C1-C16-alkyl, C1-C16-alkenyl, C1-C16-alkoxy, C1-C16-alkenoxy; R9, R10, R11, R12, R13 are identical or different and are H, C1-C16-alkyl, C1-C16-alkenyl, C6-C10-aryl, C6-C10-aryl-C1-C16-alkyl, C6-C10-aryl-C1-C16-alkoxy; X1 and X2 are identical or different and are S or O; r and s are identical or different and are 0 or 1; X3, X4, X5, and X6 are identical or different and are S or O, and n is a natural number from 1 to 50.
US09234135B2

The present invention relates to liquid-crystal media and liquid-crystal displays (LC displays) comprising these media with homeotropic (vertical) alignment of the liquid-crystalline medium (LC medium). The LC medium having positive dielectric anisotropy according to the invention comprises particles having a mass of at least 450 Da which have been functionalised by a polar, organic anchor group. It is preferably stabilised by a polymerisable component.
US09234123B2

A composition of matter for the self-pressurized (aerosol) spraying of dusters and similar products. The composition includes a fluorinated propene-based propellant and fluorinated butene-based volatile solvent. The composition is totally non-flammable under all reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. The fluorinated propene-based propellant may include trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene, as typified by Honeywell Fluorine Products Division's SOLSTICE® HFO-1234ze(E) product. The fluorinated butene-based volatile solvent may include cis. (or cis./trans.) 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene, as typified by the DuPont Fluorochemicals Division's FORMACEL® 1100 (HFO-1336mzz) product. The fluorinated propene-based propellant component may be present at about 60 to 95%. The fluorinated butene-based volatile solvent component may be present at about 5% to 40%, but preferably between about 20% to 25% and ideally at about the azeotropic concentration of about 22%. Some or all of the fluorinated butene based component may be replaced with up to about 25% of a totally non-flammable component, such as iodotrifluoromethane (CIF.sub.3).
US09234114B2

A resin composition for paint and a film manufactured using the resin composition are provided. The composition includes an acrylic resin in an amount of about 10 to about 40 wt %, a cellulose-based resin in an amount of about 1 to about 10 wt %, a polyester resin in an amount of about 1 to about 30 wt %, and a balance amount of a solvent. A weight-average molecular weight of the acrylic resin is in a range from about 1,000 to about 4,000 g/mol.
US09234112B2

A metal precursor powder, a method of manufacturing a conductive metal layer or pattern, and an electronic device including the same, are provided, and in the metal precursor powder, the Gibbs free energy change of hydrogen removal at a temperature range of −25° C. to 25° C. is −100 kJ/mol to 300 kJ/mol.
US09234083B2

A method for causing a first polymer and a second polymer of a block copolymer to be self-assembled on an underlayer film and forming a periodic pattern in a guide layer is provided. The method includes a first etching process of etching the second polymer by plasma generated from a first gas, a first film deposition process of depositing a first protective film on surfaces of the first polymer and the guide layer except for an etched portion of the second polymer by plasma generated from a second gas after the first etching process, and a second etching process of further etching the second polymer by the plasma generated from the first gas after the first film deposition process.
US09234078B2

The present invention relates to methods, compositions, and kits for generating conjugated gold nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of generating unsaturated conjugated gold nanoparticles by mixing naked gold nanoparticles with a first type of attachment molecules at a molar ratio such that the attachment molecules attach to the naked gold particles at a density level below the saturation level of the naked gold particles (e.g., at a saturation level of 1-99%). In some embodiments, a second type of attachment molecules (e.g., with the opposite charge as the first type of attachment molecules) are mixed with the unsaturated conjugated gold nanoparticles to generate double-conjugated gold nanoparticles (e.g., that are zwitterionic).
US09234075B2

A method of preparing polylactic acid by combining lactide with a main catalyst and cocatalyst, wherein the main catalyst includes an organometallic compound and a cocatalyst includes a nanoparticle; as well as a composition are provided.
US09234063B2

A peroxide curable perfluoroelastomer comprising: recurring units derived from tetrafluoroethylene (TFE); and recurring units derived from perfluoromethylvinylether (MVE); such perfluoroelastomer possessing a Mooney Viscosity (ML2+9) at 121° C. of from 25 to 140 MU, when measured according to ASTM D1646 standard, and comprising such MVE recurring units in an amount of from 26 to 33% by moles with respect to total moles of TFE and MVE. A process for the manufacture of such perfluoroelastomer, and cured articles obtainable therefrom.
US09234062B2

Fluorinated macromonomers, a PCTFE-g-poly(M) graft copolymer, and moisture barrier films and articles formed therefrom are provided. The PCTFE-g-poly(M) graft copolymers have a PCTFE backbone component and a plurality of pendant groups attached to the PCTFE backbone component.
US09234054B2

A process comprising reacting a 2-indenylboranic acid (ester) with a bromosubstituted compound in the presence of the Pd catalyst bis(triphenylphosphin)palladium dichloride and a base to form the corresponding bridged bis(indenyl) ligand. Where the 2-indenylboranic acid (ester) is the pinacolester of 2-indenylboranic acid, the process may further comprise reacting a 2-bromo indene compound with pinacolborane in the presence of a Pd catalyst and a base to form the corresponding 2-indenylpinacolylborane compound. Bridged bis(indenyl)ligands may suitably be used in the preparation of metallocene complexes, such as 2,2′-bis(2-indenyl)biphenyl ZrCl2 and 1,2-bis (2-indenyl)benzene ZrCl2. These metallocene complexes may be used for the polymerization, optionally in the presence of a cocatalyst, of one or more α-olefins, preferably for the polymerization of ethylene.
US09234044B2

The present invention can provide a monoclonal antibody which comprises a heavy chain constant region which is IgG2 wherein valine at position 234, glutamine at position 237 and proline at position 331 are at least substituted with alanine, alanine and serine, respectively (numbering is based on the EU index of Kabat et al); has an agonist activity; and binds to human CD40.
US09234043B1

The present invention relates to anti-human OX40L antibodies, new medical uses and methods.
US09234040B2

The present invention includes compositions and methods for increasing the effectiveness of antigen presentation using a DCIR-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an antigen is attached that forms an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the antigen is processed and presented by a dendritic cell that has been contacted with the antibody-antigen complex.
US09234036B2

The present invention provides agents for inhibiting binding of a pro-neurotrophin to a Vps1 Op-domain receptor, in particular the binding of a pro-NGF or a pro-BDNF to a Sortilin receptor. The invention thus provides agents for the manufacture of a medicament, for treating and/or preventing disease or disorders such as but not limited to neurological, neuropsychiatric and ocular diseases, disorders, and degeneration as well as obesity, diabetes, pain and/or nociception in an individual.
US09234024B2

The present invention concerns affinity matured CRIg variants. In particular, the invention concerns CRIg variants having increased binding affinity to C3b and retaining selective binding to C3b over C3.
US09234021B2

Polypeptides comprising variant vascular endothelial growth factor sequences are provided. The polypeptides are useful in cancer imaging, cancer diagnosis, monitoring and treatment as well as treatment of diseases characterized by excessive neovascularization.
US09234017B2

The present disclosure provides human Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) peptides and peptides having homology to human Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) peptides. Also provided herein are methods for using human AQP4 peptides and peptides homologous to human AQP4 peptides for diagnosing and/or treating Neuromyelitis Optica.
US09234000B2

The present invention provides compounds of formula (I): compositions comprising such compounds; the use of such compounds in therapy (for example in the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition in which plasma kallikrein activity is implicated); and methods of treating patients with such compounds; wherein R1 to R9 are as defined herein.
US09233998B2

This invention provides novel compounds comprising the following anti-inflammatory pharmacore: wherein X, R1 and R2 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprising such compounds, methods and intermediates useful for making the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions.
US09233996B2

Multi-metallic organometallic complexes that allow performance of olefin based reaction and in particular polymerization of olefins to produce polyolefin polymers, and related methods and systems are described.
US09233992B2

The present invention relates to silicic acid (hetero)polycondensates comprising structural units of a following formula (1) wherein radicals, indices, and bonding symbols have the following meaning: R1 refers to a group that is accessible to a thiol-ene polyaddition when a thiol is added and can also be polymerized by a ROMP (ring opening metathesis polymerization), R2 is selected from (a) organically polymerizable groups that are available to a thiol-ene polyaddition when a thiol is added, but not to a ROMP, (b) —COOR8 with R8 equal to R4 or M1/xx+, (c) —OH or COOH, and (d) —(O)bP(O)(R5)2, wherein b is equal to 0 or 1, —SO3M1/xx+, NR72 or NR7+3.
US09233988B2

Silyl-protected nitrogen-containing cyclic compounds having formula (1) are provided wherein R1, R2 and R3 each are a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R4 and R5 each are a divalent hydrocarbon group, R6, R7 and R8 each are H or a monovalent hydrocarbon group. A is —C(O)OR9 or —C≡N, R9 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, and a is 0 or 1. The compounds are added to polyurethane, polyester or polycarbonate resins to form one part type curable compositions for imparting stiffness, mechanical strength and transparency thereto.
US09233986B2

Process for hydrophobizing a microporous thermal insulation molding comprising hydrophilic silica, in which the molding is treated with at least one organosilane and in which one or more organosilanes which are gaseous under the reaction conditions are introduced into a chamber containing the microporous thermal insulation molding comprising hydrophilic silica until the pressure difference Δp is ≧20 mbar.
US09233985B2

Compounds according to Formula I are potent inhibitors of Arginase I and II activity: where R1, R2, R3, R4, D, W, X, Y, and Z are defined in the specification. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds and methods of their use in treating or preventing a disease or a condition associated with arginase activity.
US09233982B2

The present invention provide compounds of Formula (I) used as BACE inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
US09233981B1

The present invention is directed to compounds, tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds which are disclosed, wherein the compounds have the structure of Formula I, wherein the variables R1 and R2 are as defined in the specification. Corresponding pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment, methods of synthesis, and intermediates are also disclosed.
US09233974B2

The disclosure is related to anti-viral compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US09233971B2

What is described are macrocyclic compounds formed by reaction of a cyclic compound, which contains an amine, with an epoxide. The macrocyclic compound has the following structure: When substituents R and R′ that are hydrophobic substituents, the macrocyclic compound functions as a lipid and is compatible with lipid systems, including liposomes and lipid particles. When present in certain lipid systems, the macrocyclic compound enhances the ability of the lipid system to facilitate delivery of therapeutic molecules to target cells in a mammalian subject.
US09233966B2

Provided are processes for preparing Ticagrelor and its intermediates that are useful in the processes. Also provided are salts of Ticagrelor, their processes and solid dispersion of Ticagrelor having Ticagrelor in amorphous form.
US09233965B2

Compounds corresponding to the general formula (I) wherein R2 represents a group C1-10-alkyl, C3-10-cycloalkyl, C3-7-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl, C1-6-alkyl-C3-7-cycloalkyl, C3-7-cycloalkyl-C3-7-cycloalkyl, C1-6-alkylthio-C-1-10-alkyl, C1-6-alkoxy-C1-10-alkyl, hydroxy-C1-10-alkyl, hydroxy-C1-6-alkyl-C3-7-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl, hydroxy-C3-10-cycloalkyl, C1-10-fluoroalkyl or C3-10-fluorocycloalkyl; an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; a group C1-10-alkyl substituted with an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; X6 represents a group chosen from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine and bromine atoms or a group C1-6-alkyl, C3-7-cycloalkyl, C3-7-cycloalkyl-C1-6-alkyl, C1-6-fluoroalkyl or cyano; and R7 represents an aryl group such as phenyl or naphthyl, optionally substituted with one or more substituents, in the form of the base or of an acid-addition salt, and the therapeutic use thereof.
US09233958B2

Compounds are provided having an excellent hypoglycemic effect and β cell- or pancreas-protecting effects, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition having an excellent therapeutic effect and/or prophylactic effect on type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and the like, which cause hyperglycemia due to abnormal glucose metabolism. A compound represented by general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is disclosed.
US09233957B2

Provided are a novel derivative of 5-carbamoyl adamantan-2-yl amide of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical use thereof for inhibiting the activity of 11β-hydroxystreroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11b-HSD1) or for preventing and/or treating various diseases mediated by 11β-hydroxystreroid dehydrogenase type 1.
US09233950B2

This invention relates to co-crystals and salts of CCR3 inhibitors of formula 1, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of using the same as agents for treatment and/or prevention of diseases related with the CCR3-receptor.
US09233948B2

Disclosed are salts and crystalline forms of N-(4-(2-amino-3-chloropyridin-4-yloxy)-3-fluorophenyl)-4-ethoxy-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxamide and salts thereof. Also disclosed are at least one pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one crystalline form of N-(4-(2-amino-3-chloropyridin-4-yloxy)-3-fluorophenyl)-4-ethoxy-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxamide, at least one method of using at least one crystalline form of N-(4-(2-amino-3-chloropyridin-4-yloxy)-3-fluorophenyl)-4-ethoxy-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxamide to treat cancer and/or other proliferative diseases, and processes to prepare crystalline forms of N-(4-(2-amino-3-chloropyridin-4-yloxy)-3-fluorophenyl)-4-ethoxy-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxamide and salts thereof.
US09233944B2

A process for epoxidizing an olefin comprising contacting an olefin with an oxidant in the presence of an insoluble oxidation catalyst in a solvent system comprising an organic water-miscible solvent to form an alkylene oxide. The insoluble oxidation catalyst comprises a metal, preferably selected from the group consisting of tungsten, cerium, and niobium. The metal is directly incorporated within a solid mesoporous silicate support, such as one selected from the group consisting of KIT-5, KIT-6, and TUD-1.
US09233938B2

The invention relates to novel oxazolidinones their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitors.
US09233937B2

Arylpyrazinone derivatives of formula (I), as insulin secretion stimulators, the preparation and use of these pyrazinone derivatives for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diabetes and pathologies associated.
US09233936B2

The invention concerns a new process for the preparation of bosentan or bosentan monohydrate by reaction of compound of Formula II with ethylene glycol in the presence of potassium bases and the potassium salt of bosentan.
US09233932B2

The invention provides (among other things) small molecule drugs that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer.
US09233926B2

Small molecule compounds and methods for stem cell differentiation are provided herein. An example of a class of compounds that may be used to practice the methods disclosed herein is represented by enantiomerically pure isomers of compounds of Formula I: or a chirally pure stereoisomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or solvate thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R5′, R6, R6′, R7, R7′ are as described herein.
US09233924B2

Novel methods and systems for producing a substantially pure d-threo stereoisomer of methylphenidate or a salt thereof are provided. In particular, methods and systems for producing d-threo-methylphenidate hydrochloride in pure stereoisomeric form from d-threo-ritalinic acid hydrochloride using diazomethane are described. The described methods can be performed on a large scale, and thus provide d-threo methylphenidate or a salt thereof, and particularly the hydrochloride salt of d-threo-methylphenidate, in stereoisomerically pure form and in large quantities from a single batch reaction. Also described are novel compositions of d-threo methylphenidate hydrochloride.
US09233919B2

A sulfonium salt having a 4-fluorophenyl group is introduced as recurring units into a polymer comprising hydroxyphenyl(meth)acrylate units and acid labile group-containing (meth)acrylate units to form a polymer which is useful as a base resin in a resist composition. The resist composition has a high sensitivity, high resolution and minimized LER.
US09233917B2

A process for the hydrocyanation of a hydrocarbon-based compound having at least one site of ethylenic unsaturation into a nitrile compound includes reaction thereof, in a liquid medium, with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst containing a metal element selected from among the transition metals and an organophosphorus ligand, wherein the organophosphorus ligand is a mixture of at least one monodentate organophosphite compound and at least one monodentate organophosphine compound; the subject process is especially useful for the synthesis of adiponitrile from butadiene.
US09233909B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing an amino compound by subjecting a polyamine and an alkenyl compound to addition reaction in the presence of an alkali metal hydride compound which is capable of supplying the amino compound in a stable manner without occurrence of odor.
US09233899B2

The present invention relates to a catalyst having an amorphous support and one or more active metals. The amorphous support may comprise a support material and an amorphous support modifier, which adjusts the acidity of the support material. In preparing the amorphous catalyst, post-synthesis treatment, i.e. calcination, may be used to adjust the catalyst performance while converting acetic acid to ethanol.
US09233895B2

The invention relates to a process to produce HCFC-244bb from HCFO-1233xf wherein, in one embodiment, one or more co-feed species having a normal boiling point of between about −80° C. to about 0° C., such as HFC-245cb, is added to the reaction at a pressure of at least about 100 psig; and in another embodiment it is added to maintain a mole ratio of HFC-245cb to HCFO-1233xf of between about 0.005:1 to about 1:1. The HFC-245cb may be added as recycled by-product of the reaction and/or added as fresh feed. The HFC-245cb provides elevated pressures to the reaction thereby facilitating reactor operation, mixing and HCFC-244bb product removal. Other co-feed species are also disclosed.
US09233862B2

A method for cleaning an oil spill in a marine environment includes forming a particle-stabilized emulsion containing seawater, carbon black and at least one oil spill component and allowing the at least one oil spill component to degrade, thereby removing said component from the marine environment. Carbon black can be added to an oil-seawater mixture to form a stabilized emulsion containing at least one oil spill component and the oil spill component allowed to degrade, thereby removing the at least one oil spill component from the oil spill. Also disclosed is an emulsion that includes one or more oil spill components, seawater and carbon black particles.
US09233849B2

By reacting a fluorine-containing sulfonylimide ammonium salt such as ammonium N,N-di(fluorosulfonyl)imide with an alkali metal hydroxide such as lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide under reduced pressure and at a low temperature of approximately 40° C., a fluorine-containing sulfonylimide alkali metal salt such as lithium N,N-di(fluorosulfonyl)imide, potassium N,N-di(fluorosulfonyl)imide or sodium N,N-di(fluorosulfonyl)imide is obtained.
US09233841B2

A production process for a micromechanical component includes at least partially structuring at least one structure from at least one monocrystalline silicon layer by at least performing a crystal-orientation-dependent etching step on an upper side of the silicon layer with a given (110) surface orientation of the silicon layer. For the at least partial structuring of the at least one structure, at least one crystal-orientation-independent etching step is additionally performed on the upper side of the silicon layer with the given (110) surface orientation of the silicon layer.
US09233834B2

A MEMS device wherein a die of semiconductor material has a first face and a second face. A diaphragm is formed in or on the die and faces the first surface. A cap is fixed to the first face of the die and has a hole forming a fluidic path connecting the diaphragm with the outside world. A closing region, for example a support, a second cap, or another die, is fixed to the second face of the die. The closing region forms, together with the die and the cap, a stop structure configured to limit movements of the suspended region in a direction perpendicular to the first face.
US09233829B2

The apparatus for dispensing refrigerated products includes at least one containment tank (2) mounted above a base body (6) and suitable to contain the product to be dispensed. Inside the tank (2) a mixing device suitable to perform the continuous circulation of the product inside the tank (2) and a cooling device for cooling the product are arranged. A dispensing device (3) for the product, placed at the front zone of the containment tank (2) is provided with a tap (4) which can be operated by an external lever member (5). The base body (6) carries frontally applied a ventilation member (10) suitable to produce a hot airflow which comes out from lower openings (13).
US09233827B2

Various container attachable pneumatic fluid dispensing apparatus (20), which includes a variety of differently configured container adapters (40); a latching coupler (50) for connecting the fluid dispensing apparatus to variously configured containers; a pressure relief valve (90-120) and also an orifice (236) limit the pneumatic dispensing force; a hand-controllable valve (230) along with cylindrical valve body (70) direct the pneumatic dispensing force into and out of a container (30); a fluid dispensing tube (190) co-axially and slidably attaches to the valve body and communicates with the fluid (31) of the container, with space between its exterior wall and the valve body interior wall to provide a passage for the pneumatic force to enter and exit the container. The dispensing tube has a release lever (210) for dispensing tube adjustment or removal; a filter (320) in pneumatic connector (370) filters the pneumatic dispensing force.
US09233826B2

A flow-rate selector having a main body at least partially defining a duct for feeding a pourable product; a shutter body mobile, within the main body, between a relative downstream stop position, in which the shutter body at least partially engages a segment of the main body defining an outlet of the pourable product, and a relative upstream stop position in which the body leaves the outlet segment free. The shutter body having a tubular body defining internally a duct through which the pourable product can flow and which has a smaller section than the section of the feeding duct.
US09233821B2

A device for filling containers includes a filling spout fitted with a valve system for minimizing the formation of drops after being closed. The valve system includes a cylindrical central valve moveably mounted in a main tubular valve. A control system enables, on the one hand, the main valve to move relative to a main seat of the spout in order to open or close the discharge aperture of the spout, and on the other hand, to move the central valve relative to a secondary seat of the main valve in order to open or close the secondary aperture of the latter. The lower edge of the main valve is provided with radial grooves extending over the inner surface thereof, wherein in the grooves the filling substance on the lower edge of the central valve can migrate via capillarity.
US09233818B2

The monitoring of a brake is disclosed. The brake includes first and second braking surfaces and a magnetizing device arranged to move the braking surfaces to an open state, in which the braking surfaces are separated from each other, and to a closed state, in which the braking surfaces are connected to each other. During the monitoring of the brake, the time is measured that elapses from the change in the magnetic field caused by the magnetizing device to the shift of the braking surfaces from one state to another.
US09233811B1

An image forming apparatus comprises a driving roller and at least one spherical driven roller. The driving roller and the at least one spherical driven roller nip a sheet therebetween from opposite sides of the sheet to convey the sheet.
US09233800B2

A transporting apparatus serves for transporting containers in a container-handling installation, which has a first container-handling arrangement for handling containers, and a second container-handling arrangement, which is arranged downstream of the first handling arrangement and serves for handling the containers once they have been handled by the first container-handling arrangement. The transporting apparatus includes a transporting path, which has its entire length arranged between the first and second container-handling arrangement and along which the containers can be transported from the first container-handling arrangement to the second container-handling arrangement. The apparatus includes at least one transporting element, which is mounted in a movable manner on the transporting path and is intended for retaining and transporting a container. The transporting path and the at least one transporting element are configured such that the at least one transporting element, en route between the first and second container-handling arrangements, compensate for a difference in speeds of transportation of the containers in the first and second container-handling arrangements.
US09233794B2

A cart including a container that defines an interior space. The cart also includes a cover that is movable between an open position providing access to the interior space and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior space, and a latch that is located between the container and the cover to releasably hold the cover in the closed position. The cart further includes a hands-free mechanism that is coupled to the container and engaged with the cover to move the cover between the open position and the closed position. The hands-free mechanism is further coupled to the latch and operable to disengage the latch to permit movement of the cover to the open position.
US09233787B2

A cushioning material of the present enclosure includes a base material and columnar support portions, and is arranged between a packed item and an outer box. The base material includes a main body portion which is brought into contact with a cushioned surface of the packed item and a bending part which is formed integrally with the main body portion. The columnar support portions are arranged in a plurality of places on a surface on the opposite side to a surface in contact with the cushioned surface of the base material. At least one of the columnar support portions is fixed to or formed integrally with the bending part such that, when the bending part is bent substantially perpendicularly with respect to the main body portion, all the columnar support portions protrude from the surface of the main body portion by substantially the same height.
US09233783B2

A stored liquid dispensing applicator includes a valving arrangement formed of a valve seat and a spring-driven shuttle that is disposed for axial displacement into and out of valve-defining abutment and engagement with the valve seat. The shuttle is displaceable between distal and proximal limits of travel that include a first position defining the distal limit and a second position proximally spaced from the distal limit and distally spaced from the proximal limit. The valve seat is arranged for contact with the shuttle uninterruptedly between the first and second positions to close the valve, and for spaced apart relation with the shuttle between the second position and the proximal limit of travel to open the valve for dispensing of stored liquid.
US09233779B2

The invention relates to a pouch (6) having a flexible casing delimiting a reservoir wherein a product to be dispensed is intended to be conditions, said pouch being provided with a tip (19) comprising a base that has an exterior wall whereon is fixed in a sealed manner a mouth (21), said tip having a duct extending between a lower opening and an upper opening, the tip (19) also having a well that extends between an interior opening and a lateral opening coming out into the exterior wall by being covered in a sealed manner by the mouth (20), the upper opening opening to the exterior of the pouch (6), said tip being provided with a cap (26) which is arranged in order to be able to be mounted in said upper opening by closing in a sealed manner the communication between the reservoir and the exterior while still leaving open the communication between the reservoir and the well.
US09233769B2

A system and method for activating a series of article protection features formed in product cartons in which a series of articles have been packaged includes an actuating assembly mounted along a path of travel for the cartons. The actuating assembly will include a series of actuating elements that are selectively moved into engagement with the article protection features of the cartons. The article protection features are urged into the cartons, between the articles therein and into positions engaging and supporting the articles.
US09233765B2

Methods and systems may provide for a structure having a plurality of interconnected panels, wherein each panel has a plurality of detection layers separated from one another by one or more non-detection layers. The plurality of detection layers may form a grid of conductive traces. Additionally, a monitor may be coupled to each grid of conductive traces, wherein the monitor is configured to detect damage to the plurality of interconnected panels in response to an electrical property change with respect to one or more of the conductive traces. In one example, the structure is part of an inflatable space platform such as a spacecraft or habitat.
US09233762B2

The display device comprises display means which highlight on a screen, preferably of PFD type, the information useful to the pilot relating to at least one flight parameter, especially while reducing the corresponding scale on said screen.
US09233761B2

A flight path maker (FPM) and a target attitude relative to air display are displayed on a primary flight display (PFD), which is an integrated indicator. The target attitude relative to air display is a mark indicating a target attitude relative to air representing a target angle-of-attack and a target sideslip angle of the aircraft to achieve a target flight path. The PFD displays the relative difference between the FPM and the target attitude relative to air display and shows that the aircraft is flying in the target traveling direction when the FPM matches (is superposed on) the target attitude relative to air display. Thus, controlling with higher trackability than controlling performed based on a target attitude relative to ground is enabled.
US09233758B2

A fuel line assembly for an aircraft comprises a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule affixed to an isolation tube, which may be directly affixed to a fuel tube or affixed to an extension tube, which in turn, is affixed to the fuel tube. The ferrule assembly provides electrostatic discharge protection and lightning protection as the isolation tube maintains a separation distance from the ferrule and fuel tube, both of which are made from metal. The isolation tube is made from a dielectric material, but which may have conductive particles added to aid in the dissipation of an electrostatic charge. The electrical resistance through the isolation tube has a lower limit to arrest the flow of the induced lightning current through the assembly. The amount of lightning protection afforded can be configured. The ferrule assembly components may be affixed by using thermo-welding, adhesive, or mechanical pressure.
US09233741B2

A life saving dan buoy for marine saving is revealed. The life saving dan buoy includes a strip-shaped first air bag, a second air bag disposed on a lower part of the first air bag, at least one inflation valve arranged at the first air bag and/or the second air bag for filling gas into an air chamber and allowing the first and the second air bags to expand and float over the water, and a weight. The first air bag and the second air are communicating with each other to form the air chamber. The second air bag includes an open space area that allows a user's body to get through. The weight is connected to a lower part of the first air bag so that the first air bag is standing vertically in the sea while the second air bag is floated over the sea.
US09233737B2

A marine anchor (1, 40, 40A, 40B, 40C) for deep embedment in a seabed soil (2) including a fluke member (4, 41) and a shank member (7, 49) and means (12, 62, 62A) for constraining a load application point thereon (13, 15, 63, 63A, 65) to lie in first and second directions from a centroid (9,46) of said fluke member (4, 41) forming, with respect to a fore-and-aft direction (10, 47) of the fluke member (4, 41), an acute forward-opening angle (A) and an acute rearward-opening angle (C) respectively whereby said marine anchor (1, 40, 40A, 40B, 40C) can be pulled rearward to bury deeply in a rearward direction (R) after having been pulled forward to bury deeply in a forward direction (F).
US09233733B2

Some implementations feature a mast stabilizing device that includes a mast comprising a first portion and a second portion, a sensor coupled to the first portion of the mast, and a pivot structure coupled to the mast. The pivot structure is configured to allow the mast to pivot in the mast stabilizing device. The mast is coupled to the pivot structure so as to pivot along a pivot portion of the mast. The mast stabilizing device also includes a mass coupled to the second portion of the mast. The mass is configured to counteract a force applied to the first portion of the mast. The mast stabilizing device further includes a platform coupled to the pivot structure, the platform configured to operate on a body of water. In some implementations, the pivot structure is a gimbal device.
US09233729B2

A steering damper control apparatus includes an MR damper having an adjustable steering damping force, a suspension pressure sensor that detects a pressure of a front suspension, a command value output unit that determines a damping force command value according to a pressure change rate of the front suspension based on a detection result of the suspension pressure sensor, and a damper driver that causes the MR damper to generate a damping force corresponding to the damping force command value. At a point of time when steering becomes easily shakable, the damping force corresponding to the damping force command value is generated to prevent shaking of the steering beforehand.
US09233725B2

An ergonomic bicycle seat to reduce pressure on a pubic bone, ischial tuberosity and pudendal surface of a user includes a concave frame with an opening in a central portion of the frame. The concave frame cradles the ischial tuberosity of the user and the opening removes pressure on the pubic bone and pudendal surface of the user. A support layer is affixed to a top portion of the concave frame and an arched rail is affixed to a bottom portion of the concave frame and a bicycle. The rail flexes and disperses a weight load of the user away from the pubic bone of the user.
US09233719B2

In a vehicle front structure, without increasing the thickness of the material of a damper housing structure and reinforcement portions, an adequate mechanical strength in supporting the damper can be ensured, and the cost of the manufacturing facilities can be minimized. The damper housing structure is formed by a damper base, a damper housing main body, a front reinforcement portion and a rear reinforcement portion, and the damper base. Each of the damper housing main body, the front reinforcement portion and the rear reinforcement portion includes a closed cross section portion extending linearly with a same cross section.
US09233716B2

A body on frame vehicle includes a SORB impact load management system including front blocker structures for limiting transfer of the SORB impact loads from being transferred to the passenger compartment area. A SORB impact load transfer apparatus in the form of a cable extends between the front end horns of the side rails of the frame to transfer SORB impact loads from the impacted side across the vehicle frame. In a second embodiment of the impact load transfer apparatus, the ends of the cables are coupled to the front sides of the front blocker structures and the cable is routed through the front end horns of the side rails of the frame to transfer SORB impact loads from the impacted side across the vehicle frame.
US09233713B2

An adjustable knuckle/steer arm assembly and method for adjusting a toe curve setting of a vehicle wheel is provided. The adjustable knuckle/steer arm assembly includes a knuckle and a steer arm. The steer arm is pivotally connected to the knuckle at a pivot. One of the knuckle and the steer arm has a slot formed therein and the other has a connector member which engages the slot. The steer arm is angularly adjustable with respect to the knuckle via adjustable engagement of the connector member along the slot to enable the toe curve setting to be adjusted.
US09233710B2

A trailer target detection system includes a camera located on a vehicle and arranged to capture video images of a trailer towed by the vehicle. The system includes an image processor processing the video images to detect a gesture by a user indicative of position of target on the trailer and identifying location of the target based on the detected gesture. A vehicle trailer backup assist system includes a camera and an image processor for processing images to detect a gesture and determine a command based on the gesture. The processor controls backing of the trailer based on the command.
US09233705B2

A steering column support apparatus for an electric power-steering apparatus with a tilt mechanism is achieved that is capable of sufficiently maintaining support rigidity of a tilt pivot shaft 15a to support a pivot bracket 28, and keeping the resistance when performing a tilt operation low with the durability of the side plate sections 32c of a pair of bushings 30c sufficiently maintained. The portions of the outer circumferential surface of the tilt pivot shaft 15a and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 29 that hold the cylindrical sections 31 of the bushings 30c are cylindrical surfaces. Moreover, main contact surface sections 36, which come in contact with the inner side surfaces of support plate sections 23 in the neutral state in which there is no assist reaction force, and sub contact surface sections 37, which do not come in contact with the support plate sections 23 in the neutral state, and come in contact with the inside surfaces of the support plate sections 23 only when there is elastic deformation due to the occurrence of an assist reaction force, are formed on outside surfaces of the side plate sections 32c of the bushings 30c.
US09233703B2

A wheeled enclosure having an interior volume defining body including a rigid base and a plurality of upwardly extending and flexible sides. A plurality of wheeled supports are incorporated into the rigid base, a perimeter establishing inner frame extending upwardly from the rigid base and provides structural support to the flexible sides such that the frame is converted between upward expanded and inward collapsed positions. A telescoping handle extends from a rear of the body and may be pivotally secured to an edge of the rigid base. The handles may extend from upper locations of a pair of opposite sides of the body in order to establish a reclosable top to the volume defining body. An accessory supporting pocket may be secured to an exterior of at least one of the flexible sides. Shoulder supporting straps are secured to upper edges of the sides to facilitate carrying the body in a handle retracted and enclosure expanded position.
US09233701B2

A scooter includes a frame having a leading end adjacent the front of the scooter and a trailing end adjacent the rear of the scooter, a front wheel mounted adjacent the leading end of the frame, and a rear wheel mounted adjacent the trailing end of the frame. The front wheel is pivotally mounted to a front head set of the scooter frame so as to enable the front wheel to pivot relative to the front head set. The front head set has a longitudinal axis that angles inwardly toward the rear of the scooter so that a lower end of the front head set is closer to the rear of the scooter than an upper end of the front head set. The rear end of the scooter frame has a rear head set that extends along a longitudinal axis that is angled inwardly toward the front of the scooter so that a lower end of the rear head set is closer to the front of the scooter than an upper end of the rear head set.
US09233694B2

A railcar includes a heat-resistant floor, and the heat-resistant floor includes a floor panel, a heat absorbing layer provided under the floor panel and configured to absorb heat, and a supporting plate configured to support the heat absorbing layer from below. The supporting plate includes contacting portions each configured to contact the heat absorbing layer and separated portions each continuously formed from the contacting portion in a railcar width direction, separated downward from the heat absorbing layer, and extending in a railcar longitudinal direction.
US09233689B2

When an ECU carries out vehicle yaw motion control on such a vehicle that a conversion rate of converting the braking/driving force into a vertical force is larger on rear wheels than on front wheels, a driver-requested braking/driving force is distributed to the four wheels so that a distribution ratio is larger for the rear wheels than for the front wheels. Thus, when roll control necessary as a result of the vehicle yaw motion control is carried out, a target braking/driving force of a turning outer wheel for which the largest control driving force is required becomes hard to reach a driving limit. From the foregoing, when vehicle motion control is carried out with use of a braking/driving force of each wheel, each wheel is prevented from reaching a driving force limit as much as possible.
US09233688B2

Systems and methods use cameras to provide autonomous navigation features. In one implementation, a lane ending detection system is provided for a vehicle. One or more processing devices associated with the system receive at least one image via a data interface. The device(s) extract lane ending information from the road sign(s) included in the image data and determine, based on at least one indicator of position of the vehicle, a distance from the vehicle to one or more lane constraints associated with the current lane. The processing device(s) determine, based on the lane ending information and the vehicle position, whether a current lane in which the vehicle is traveling is ending. Further, the system may cause the vehicle to change lanes if the lane in which the vehicle is traveling is ending.
US09233682B2

Vehicle includes an engine, a first rotating electric machine and a control device controlling the rotational speed of the first rotating electric machine such that the rotational speed of the engine matches a target rotational speed. The control device calculates a torque command value of the first rotating electric machine based on an upper limit value of electric power discharged from a power storage device supplying electric power to the first rotating electric machine. The control device calculates the torque command of the first rotating electric machine based on a further restricted value of the upper limit value when a torque restricting condition including simultaneous operation of an accelerator pedal and brake pedal is met.
US09233680B2

A method for controlling a vehicle system includes determining when the vehicle system approaches an airflow restricted area and distributing a total power output of the vehicle system among first and second vehicles of the vehicle system. The total power output is distributed by directing the first vehicle to decrease power output relative to a power output generated by the second vehicle and/or by directing the second vehicle to increase power output relative to the power output generated by the first vehicle. The method includes monitoring the power output of the second vehicle during travel of the vehicle system in the airflow restricted area to determine when the second vehicle derates and redistributing the total power output of the vehicle system among the at vehicles as the vehicle system travels in the airflow restricted area and responsive to the second vehicle derating.
US09233675B2

A method for controlling a valve for maintaining brake pressure in a specified region of a brake circuit in a motor vehicle, in which the valve is controlled using a first control method, the specified region of the brake circuit is monitored with respect to the occurrence of a loss of brake pressure, and in response to a detected loss of brake pressure, the valve is controlled using a second control method.
US09233674B2

A turning control device for a vehicle includes: a first standard yaw rate calculation unit that calculates a first standard yaw rate on the basis of detection signals of the lateral acceleration detection unit and the vehicle speed detection unit, a correction unit that corrects the first standard yaw rate, in an increasing direction on the basis of detection signals of a steering amount detection unit and the vehicle speed detection unit, and calculates a second standard yaw rate, a braking force control amount calculation unit that calculates a yaw rate deviation that is a deviation between the second standard yaw rate and an actual yaw rate, which is detected by the yaw rate detection unit, and determines a braking force control amount so as to cancel out the yaw rate deviation, and a braking control unit that controls the braking force on the basis of the braking force control amount determined by the braking force control amount calculation unit.
US09233669B2

A method includes operating a vehicle traveling in a transportation network with a throttle of the vehicle at a maximum throttle setting during a trip of the vehicle along a route from a first location to a different, second location. The method also includes applying a dynamic brake of the vehicle at a maximum brake setting of the dynamic brake, and alternating between operating the vehicle with the throttle at the maximum throttle setting and applying the dynamic brake of the vehicle at the maximum brake setting along a route being traveled by the vehicle from the first location to the second location.
US09233667B2

An apparatus that senses a minor collision of a vehicle is configured to minimize damage to the vehicle by actuating a brake system of the vehicle upon sensing a scratch of the vehicle by analyzing a sound (e.g., a sound wave signal) generated when a surface of the vehicle is scratched by, for example, a column of a building, the other vehicle, or the like when the vehicle is driven forward or backward at or below a certain speed.
US09233666B2

A vehicle includes both a transmission park mechanism and an electronic parking brake. As a failure management strategy, a controller monitors vehicle movement to verify that the park mechanism is successfully restraining the vehicle against movement. Specifically, when the driver releases the brake pedal with the transmission park mechanism commanded to restrain the vehicle, the controller waits for a predetermined amount of time. If the vehicle moves during this time, the controller commands application of the electronic parking brake. The controller may also command application of the electronic parking brake if the vehicle does not come to a stop after the transmission park mechanism is commanded to restrain the vehicle.
US09233663B2

Disclosed herein is a wiper lever assembly which is configured to prevent detachment of end cover members, which includes a lever member (a center cover lever, secondary levers and yoke levers) gripping a rubber blade disposed thereunder, and an end cover member which covers an end of the lever member from above and which includes claws formed on both lateral sides thereof. The claws may be extended inwardly from the end cover and engage with both lateral sides of a lower surface of the lever member to grip the lever member. The end cover member includes a support wall which is formed at the center of a width of the end cover member and is extended downwardly therefrom, and the lever member includes a receptor (an insert tube and a proximal insert tube) in which the support wall is fitted from above.
US09233646B2

A locking mechanism associated with a handrail is provided. A housing having a top open end is configured to accommodate the handrail in an upright position. The housing has a side open end configured to accommodate the handrail in a collapsed position. A pair of slots is provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing. Each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end. A bracket is affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing. A locking member is pivotally coupled to the bracket. The first arm of the locking member is configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position. A second arm of the locking member is configured to selectively release the first arm from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from the upright position to the collapsed position.
US09233636B2

A tie-down strap is described, having a length of fabric having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein a loop is securely formed at the distal end. A first hook having a first eye, is provided, wherein the loop passes through the first eye. A second hook, having a different configuration from the first hook is provided, having a second eye wherein the loop passes through the second eye. The second hook is sized and configured to pass through the first eye of the first hook.
US09233635B2

A mobile accommodation arrangement in the form of a bunkhouse trailer. The arrangement includes at least one lower living unit having a hollow interior, and an upper shell which fits over an outer periphery of the lower living unit and is telescopically displaceable relative to the lower living unit between a stowage position, in which the lower living unit nests inside the upper shell, and a deployed position, in which the upper shell is at least partially vertically spaced apart from the lower living unit and defines an upper living unit having a hollow interior, the floor of which is defined by a ceiling of the lower living unit. At least one partitioning member divides the hollow interior of the upper living unit into at least two separate volumes.
US09233627B2

A vehicle seat having a seat back pivotably coupled to a seat base by a seat recliner mechanism such that the seat back can be pivoted in a forward and rearward direction relative the seat base. The seat includes a track assembly coupled to the vehicle and the seat, such that the seat can be moved in the forward and rearward directions relative to the vehicle interior. The seat further includes an actuator mechanism having a first actuator that includes a push button located on the seat and an actuator in electrical communication with the push button, A force transmitting device has one end connected to the actuator and a second end connected to the seat recliner mechanism, such that energizing the actuator actuates the force transmitting device to release the seat recliner mechanism and move the seat between a use and a tipped and forward position.
US09233620B2

It is an object to provide a system for assisting a vehicle on the edge of battery exhaustion. An information providing device includes: an information acquiring part for acquiring the current location of a vehicle and the amount of power stored in a power storage unit of the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles; a vehicle selecting part for selecting one or more vehicles as available vehicles for power supply from the plurality of vehicles based on the respective current locations and the amounts of stored power of the plurality of vehicles, the one or more vehicles to be selected being capable of supplying charging power to a target vehicle requiring charge of its power storage unit; and a notifying part for notifying of an available vehicle for power supply selected by the vehicle selecting part.
US09233616B2

A vehicle-mounted electric storage device of an electrically driven vehicle is charged with a necessary amount of energy, which corresponds to an amount of energy consumption in a next-time running of the electrically driven vehicle, such that a shortage of renewable energy at a charging site is compensated for by charging the electrically driven vehicle with system energy.
US09233598B1

A sun visor including a sun visor body having a front side, back side, top side, bottom side, right side and left side. A first cavity and a second cavity disposed within the sun visor body separated by a dividing wall. A sun vision visor and a night vision visor contained within the respective first cavity and second cavity. Each of the sun vision visor and the night vision visor are contained within each of the respective first cavity and second cavity when in a retracted position. Each of the sun vision visor and the night vision visor are extendable to an extended position for use when needed. A friction hinge is disposed on each of the sun vision visor and the night vision visor allowing multi-directionally pivotablility of each visor toward each of the front side and the back side for desired positioning when in an extended position.
US09233572B2

Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a computer program product for validating a test thermoreflective mark. The computer program product can include computer usable program code configured to control a temperature regulation unit configured to govern a temperature of a thermoreflective mark. The computer usable program code can be further configured to control an electromagnetic waver emitter to present at a first temperature, a first electromagnetic wave. The computer usable program code can be further configured to record a first reflective profile. The computer usable program code can be further configured to control the electromagnetic wave emitter to present at a second temperature, a second electromagnetic wave. The computer usable program code can be further configured to record a second reflective profile. The computer usable code can be further configured to validate the thermoreflective mark based on the first reflective profile and the second reflective profile.
US09233565B2

An apparatus includes a memory storing computer-readable instructions to cause the apparatus to perform determining a scanning number of times. The scanning number of times is a number of times that a carriage of a printer is to be moved to increase a maximum density of a first ink to be higher than a unit density. The instructions also cause the apparatus to perform generating print data to cause ejection of the first and a second ink by multi-pass scans in a final printing unit. The final printing unit is continuous scans corresponding to a number of passes including a last scan, among the scans to be performed the scanning number of times. The second ink is an ink whose density is equal to or less than the unit density, among the different inks.
US09233561B2

A lens sheet is provided with a lens layer which is formed by arranging lenses, which extend in a y direction as a first direction, in a plurality of lines in an x direction as a second direction which is a direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, and an ink absorbing layer which configures a surface on the opposite side with regard to a surface which is configured by the lens layer, where the thickness of an edge which is an end surface on one side of the lens layer in the x direction is thinner than the thickness of an edge which is an end surface on the other side. The printer performs recording from the edge which is a reference side toward the edge on the opposite side.
US09233556B2

An ink jet recording apparatus includes a printer head that ejects ink and a platen. The ink includes an organic solvent, a surfactant, and 60% by mass or less of water. The platen is composed of a material containing a conductive resin. A solubility parameter A [(J/cm3)1/2] calculated from the organic solvent and the surfactant and a solubility parameter B [(J/cm3)1/2] of the conductive resin satisfy |A−B|≧2.
US09233554B2

When printing a first line, a control device controls energizing heat elements corresponding to pixels where a dot is formed on a second line that is printed continuously. A control device of a thermal head having a plurality of heat elements arranged in a line includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information of pixels forming dots when printing the second line during line printing of a first line and a second line by continuous line printing by the plural heat elements; and an energization control unit that controls energizing the heat elements during the first energizing period based on image data related to printing the first line when printing the first line, and controls energizing the heat elements in the second energizing period when printing the first line based on the image data related to printing the first line and the pixel information acquired by the acquisition unit.
US09233542B2

A wiper device enables to wipe selectively the unit heads to of an inkjet head has a simple, compact construction. The wiper device of a printer has four wiper units arranged in a line. When a drive shaft turns based on rotation of a wiper motor, the four wiper units operate sequentially from one end to the other in an outbound operating sequence, and operate sequentially in the reverse order in a return operating sequence. Four head units each have a row of unit heads, and a row of unit heads. The four wiper units can move to a position enabling wiping unit heads, and a position enabling wiping unit heads.
US09233527B2

A laminating system and a method of making a laminated product can include a roll of substrate material and a roll of film material to be laminated together to form a laminate. The system includes a sheeter station and, optionally, a breaker bar station and/or a registration station. The sheeter station is configured to cut the laminate at desired locations based on either signals received from the registration station or other system components. The breaker bar station is configured to remove any roll set curl that may reside in the laminate as a result of the substrate and/or film materials being fed to the system directly from rolls. The registration station is arranged, during an automated registration mode, to detect markings on the laminate and instruct the sheeter station to cut the laminate into individual sheets for subsequently processing into cards such as credit cards, gift cards, ID cards, etc.
US09233526B2

The invention relates to multi-layered composite materials and methods for making multi-layered composite materials having good adhesion between the layers. The adhesion between a polymer layer and a metal layer of a multi-layered composite material may be improved by a process including a step of pre-treating a surface of the metal layer prior to contacting the metal surface with the polymer layer, and by including filler particles in the polymer layer. Using this approach, it is possible to increase the peel strength by about 10% or more, by about 20% or more, by about 40% or more, or by about 100% or more, compared with an otherwise identical composite material that does not include both of these features.
US09233518B2

A hybrid porous structure may include a base template and an ionic polymer coating layer within the base template. The structural framework of the base template itself is non-porous. The base template fills the gaps among a plurality of imaginary spherical bodies stacked in three-dimensions as an imaginary stack. The ionic polymer coating layer is laminated on an inner surface of the base template inside the imaginary spherical bodies. The imaginary spherical bodies may have a pore in the center which is not occupied by the ionic polymer coating layer. The hybrid porous structure may include a plurality of necks, which are openings formed in a contact part where adjacent imaginary spherical bodies contact each other. The necks may be interconnected to the pores located in the center part of the imaginary spherical bodies.
US09233506B2

A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system, where the liquefier assembly includes a liquefier tube, a nozzle secured to an outlet end of the liquefier tube, a heating element extending at least partially around the liquefier tube to generate a hot zone in the liquefier tube, a hollow spacer disposed in the channel; and a hollow liner disposed in the channel abutting against an upstream shoulder of the hollow spacer.
US09233499B2

A feed device for feeding fibers during the production of fiber-reinforced plastics materials has a multi-shaft screw machine for the lateral guidance of the fibers into a preparation system for producing fiber-reinforced plastics materials. The multi-shaft screw machine comprises a housing, a plurality of housing bores penetrating one another as well as screw shafts, which are rotatably drivable and are arranged therein, and a feed opening. A suction mechanism, which produces an airstream sucking in the fibers, is provided to suck the fibers through the feed opening into the housing bores. The fibers are filtered by means of a filter mechanism out of the airstream. In order to ensure a long service life, the filter mechanism has a plurality of flow channels, which have a widening cross section in a flow direction.
US09233492B2

Composite materials are provided that include one or more CNT yarns embedded in a matrix material. The composite materials may be transparent. Methods for making the composite materials are also provided. The composite materials may be made by arranging at least one CNT yarn into a desired pattern and embedding the at least one CNT yarn into a matrix material.
US09233481B2

A method of patterning an electrically-conductive film is performed by providing a flexible substrate that carries the electrically-conductive film thereon to form a combined layer. The combined layer is then bent about a radius of curvature, so as to impart a stress on the brittle conductive film along the axis of curvature of the curved surface. The application of the stress to the conductive film results in the formation of crack lines that are substantially perpendicular to the direction to which the substrate and conductive film are bent. The crack lines serve to define and electrically isolate conductive sections therebetween that can be utilized as electrodes and address lines in electronic devices.
US09233470B1

Example methods and systems for determining 3D scene geometry by projecting patterns of light onto a scene are provided. In an example method, a first projector may project a first random texture pattern having a first wavelength and a second projector may project a second random texture pattern having a second wavelength. A computing device may receive sensor data that is indicative of an environment as perceived from a first viewpoint of a first optical sensor and a second viewpoint of a second optical sensor. Based on the received sensor data, the computing device may determine corresponding features between sensor data associated with the first viewpoint and sensor data associated with the second viewpoint. And based on the determined corresponding features, the computing device may determine an output including a virtual representation of the environment that includes depth measurements indicative of distances to at least one object.
US09233467B2

A master-slave device grips an object and performs a task while being in contact with a to-be-treated object. A force detection unit measures force information given to a slave mechanism. A force correction determination unit determines a force correction part serving as information from correction start to end times of force information transmitted to a master mechanism and, as a correcting method to perform correction, a first method determining a gain such that a reduction in absolute value of force information at the force correction part is maintained for a predetermined period of time or a second method determining a gain such that a reduction and an increase in the absolute value are repeated within a range that is not more than a value by reducing the absolute value. A force correction unit corrects information of a type of a force based on the force correction part and the gain.
US09233463B2

A modular weighted base bicycle stand having cross over and adjustable application. Said bicycle stand is comprised of light weight weather enduring durable material. The device of this invention having a removably attachable weighted planar base and several removably attachable extendable arms.
US09233462B2

A striking tool includes a striking head, a passage extending through the striking head, and an elongated handle defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated handle has a mounting portion disposed in the passage, and the mounting portion includes a finger and a plurality of ribs extending outwardly from the finger to define a gap between the ribs and an internal wall of the passage. The striking tool further includes a resin filling a volume between the mounting portion and the passage to provide an adhesive bond between the striking head and the handle. The resin interlocks with the ribs to provide a mechanical bond between the striking head and the handle.
US09233454B2

A manufacturing apparatus, of a grinding stone which is manufactured by attaching abrasive grains respectively having polyhedral shapes in which mutually opposed surfaces are parallel to each other to a base member, is provided with: an abrasive grains classifying apparatus adapted to classify the abrasive grains based on sizes of the abrasive grains defined by face-to-face distances between the mutually opposed surfaces; and an attaching apparatus adapted to attach the abrasive grains classified by the abrasive grains classifying apparatus to the base member. The attaching apparatus is provided with: a template which is disposed above the base member to be movable with respect to the base member and formed with a guide hole through which the classified abrasive grains pass; a vibration generator connected to the template or the base member and adapted to apply a vibration to the abrasive grains passing through the template; and an electrolytic deposition bath adapted to electrolytic deposit the abrasive grains passing through the template.
US09233448B2

A polishing apparatus polishes a substrate by moving the substrate and a polishing pad relative to each other. The apparatus includes: an elastic modulus measuring device configured to measure an elastic modulus of the polishing pad, and a polishing condition adjustor configured to adjust polishing conditions of the substrate based on a measured value of the elastic modulus. The polishing conditions include pressure of a retaining ring, arranged around the substrate, exerted on the polishing pad and a temperature of the polishing pad.
US09233443B2

On an outer surface 2b of a spindle 2, a first end surface 2f abutting on one end surface 11d in an axial direction of an inner ring 11 of a first ball bearing 10 is formed so as to be positioned in a plane perpendicular to an axial center, and a second end surface 2c is formed so as to be parallel to the first end surface 2f and be positioned a predetermined distance t apart in the axial direction from the other end surface 11c′ in the axial direction of an inner ring 11′ of a second ball bearing 10′, and a flange member 17 is attachably/detachably fitted to the second end surface 2c so as to come into close contact with the second end surface 2c, and between the flange member 17 and the other end surface 11c′ of the inner ring 11′, a collar member 19 having an axial-direction dimension slightly longer than the predetermined distance t is interposed.
US09233434B2

A method of optimizing the focus of a fibers laser is described, which comprises positioning the output of a fibers laser relative to a workpiece; measuring at least a portion of back reflected radiation from the workpiece (step 52); determining an integral of this; changing the relative position of the output and the workpiece one or more times (step 54,56), each time determining an integral of values for the back-reflection, and using the integrals to determine optimum focus.
US09233423B2

A handheld power drill apparatus includes a drill motor, a carriage motor, a drilling implement with an interchangeable locking chuck, an electronic controller, and guide plates. The guide plate is slidably mounted to accommodate different work piece thicknesses. The drilling implement is coaxially mounted on a lead screw mounting plate. The drilling implement is positioned substantially orthogonal to the workpiece. The drilling implement is automatically driven into a workpiece by the carriage motor.
US09233418B2

The present invention relates to a compound body comprising cemented carbide and steel with a carbon content corresponding to a carbon equivalent Ceq=wt-% C+0.3(wt-% Si+wt-% P) of from about 0.1 to about 0.85 wt-%. The body is particularly useful for earth moving tools e.g. dredge cutter heads.
US09233412B2

The invention relates to a process for forming a pipe portion, in which process a base having an opening and having an inwardly projecting collar is formed. It is provided that the pipe portion is made to rotate, that the pipe portion is drawn in by means of a forming roller, with the base being formed by the drawing-in process, that an inwardly projecting material thickening is formed integrally in the base and that an opening is made in the base in the region of the inwardly projecting material thickening, wherein the inwardly projecting collar is formed by at least part of the inwardly projecting material thickening. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for forming a workpiece.
US09233411B2

A work transfer apparatus includes an arm to transfer workpieces to be processed into a machine or carry processed workpieces out of the machine, a crossbar coupled to the arm, and right and left holding devices provided at the left and right sides of the crossbar. The crossbar includes an internal member and right and left cylindrical external members. One of the external members is rotatably provided around an outer surface of the internal member. The apparatus also includes tilt drive devices provided to the arm and connected with the external members. One of the tilt drive devices rotates one of the external members around an axis of a longitudinal direction of the crossbar independently of another of the external members.
US09233398B2

A feeder channel for use in a filter separator machine is used for separation of undesired particles from a well fluid used in petroleum industry which has a purpose of guiding fluid and particle flow to the area of the filter that provides the best utilization of available filtration area and includes: a feeder channel is arranged so that the upstream well fluid is guided via a guiding- and turning plate, which is installed in series in opposite repeated direction in which the outlet of each guiding- and the turning plate facing the center of the vertical line. The fluid will for this reason be independent on how the feeder channel is installed in the direction and angle, and will provide a homogeneous flow profile as it guided through the mouth guide plate and internal guide fin against the distribution plate. The fluid is then distributed to the filter's inner part and utilizes the entire filter surface area and the filter separator machines movement and function.
US09233394B2

Hydrophobic-core microcapsules and methods of their formation are provided. A hydrophobic-core microcapsule may include a shell that encapsulates a hydrophobic substance with a core substance, such as dye, corrosion indicator, corrosion inhibitor, and/or healing agent, dissolved or dispersed therein. The hydrophobic-core microcapsules may be formed from an emulsion having hydrophobic-phase droplets, e.g., containing the core substance and shell-forming compound, dispersed in a hydrophilic phase. The shells of the microcapsules may be capable of being broken down in response to being contacted by an alkali, e.g., produced during corrosion, contacting the shell.
US09233386B2

A modified version of an induction nozzle having a central “see-through” passive zone protects the induction ports from crosswind disruption. Modified features include: (i) a full-length wind band extending below the induction port inlets; (ii) multiple full-length mounting brackets, which impede circumferential crosswind flow around the nozzle; (iii) a transverse induction port separation plate, orthogonal to the centerlines of the induction ports; and (iv) elimination of one induction port opening.
US09233384B2

A dispenser for discharging liquids with a liquid reservoir for accommodating the liquid prior to being discharged, and a liquid outlet passage which leads to a liquid outlet opening through which the liquid reservoir communicates with a surrounding atmosphere. In a use position, the liquid outlet opening is arranged below the liquid reservoir such that the liquid flows on account of the weight thereof in the direction of the liquid outlet opening, and the liquid outlet passage in the use position does not simultaneously permit air to enter the liquid reservoir and liquid to exit into the surrounding atmosphere. In order to reduce the internal volume of the dispenser and therefore to effect a discharge of liquid, a slide is pushed manually in an actuating direction from a stroke starting position into a stroke end position.
US09233383B2

A device (10) for packaging and dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product, includes a substantially axial reservoir (12) having a transverse upper wall (14) provided with a neck (16) which receives a product release member (18) and an actuating element (20) for the release member (18), a cover (22) which is received on the neck (16) and which caps the release member (18) and the upper wall (14), characterized in that the cover (22) includes at least one first inner member (24) which is adapted to be axially and removably received on the neck (16) in a given axial position, and a second outer member (26) having a peripheral wall (58) which is fitted onto the first member (24) via a clearance compensation fastening element (27) for allowing the adjustment of the cover (22) with the transverse face (14) of the reservoir (12) with a reduced clearance (J).
US09233380B2

A revolvingly spraying device includes a sheath tube and a revolvingly spraying tube. The revolvingly spraying tube includes a transmitting tube and a curved tube connected with the transmitting tube. The transmitting tube is inserted within the sheath tube. A front bearing is provided in one end, near the curved tube, of the transmitting tube, and a rear bearing is provided in the other end of the transmitting tube. The revolvingly spraying tube has a front position limiting portion radially protruding therefrom to retain the front side of the front bearing, and a rear position limiting portion radially protruding therefrom to retain the rear side of the rear bearing. Thus, the revolvingly spraying device has fewer component parts and is convenient for assembly.
US09233373B2

A tube mill has a body arranged for rotation about an axis of rotation. Material to be ground can be introduced into the body for comminution. The tube mill has an electric motor for rotationally driving the body. The electric motor has a rotor arranged around the body and connected to the body for rotation therewith and has a stator arranged stationarily around the rotor. The tube mill has a concrete element running around at least half the circumference of the stator yoke which is connected to the concrete element in such a way that forces acting on the stator yoke are transferred to the concrete element.
US09233369B2

A method of fabricating a fluidic device comprises providing a fluidic device including a body having a surface and one or more channels located in the body. Recesses are defined on said surface. The one or more channels can have respective boundaries. A layer of adhesive including one or more panel-shaped pieces having a pattern based on the pattern of boundaries of the channels can be formed and applied on the surface of the body. It is further controlled that the layer of adhesive has respective boundaries surrounding the boundaries of the one or more channels.
US09233367B2

A process for preparing a molybdenum sulfide-based catalyst comprises drying a precipitated molybdenum sulfide-based catalyst precursor, for example, a wet filter cake, such that a particulate catalyst precursor, containing from 12 to 15 percent by weight water, is formed. The particulate catalyst precursor is desirably in the form of free-flowing particles. The particulate catalyst precursor is then auto-reduced. A rotary furnace that subjects the catalyst precursor to at least two zones having distinct temperatures may be conveniently used for drying, auto-reduction, or both. The staged drying and auto-reduction steps reduce the tendency of the precursor to self-heat, which is undesirable because it reduces both the activity and selectivity of the final catalyst.
US09233349B2

An olefin hydration process and reactor are provided, where an integrated membrane selectively removes alcohol product from the reactor, thereby allowing for increased yields.
US09233348B2

An equipment assembly for preparing, harvesting and collecting particles is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tandem filter system with one or more high pressure filters, one or more low pressure filters and one or more collection vessel. Particles can be prepared, harvested and collected continuously, semi-continuously or in a batch-type operation. A tandem filter system and its method of use are also disclosed. Particles made with the assembly and according the instant methods are also disclosed. The assembly provides improved particle harvesting and collection over other systems and permits continuous particle formation, in particular by dispersion of a solute-containing process fluid within a supercritical anti-solvent.
US09233345B2

An anion transport membrane is provided enabling efficient anion exchange across the membrane, which could be used in applications like fuel cells, water electrolyzers, or water filtration systems. The structural membrane morphology is based on a hydrophobic polysulfone membrane backbone and co-grafted thereon hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) grafts and anion conducting quaternary ammonium species. This structure defines a bi-continuous morphology with locally phase-separated hydrophobic-hydrophilic domains, and a co-localization of the anion conducting quaternary ammonium species with respect to the hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) grafts enabling efficient and continuous ion transport channels for facilitating anion transport.
US09233341B2

The present invention relates to devices and methods for inspecting filters for extracorporeal blood treatment devices, e.g., filters for filtering dialysis fluid. The inspection of the filter according to the present invention is based on the measurement of the flow potential before and after changing the fluid flow of an electrolytic fluid between a transversal flow through the semi-permeable membrane of the filter and a longitudinal flow along the semi-permeable membrane of the filter, or vice versa. Changing the flow direction of the electrolytic fluid results in a change to the conductivity proceeding from a base value P to a higher value P2 or a lower value P1, wherein the conductivity readjusts to the base value P after a certain time interval T1, T2. An improper state of the filter is determined on the basis of the change in conductivity after changing the flow direction of the electrolytic fluid.
US09233323B1

The bottom annular end of a vertical collar that extends into the vertical tubular portion of a T-housing and is fastened therein by resilient fingers extending radially outward from the collar, is contacted by a resilient finger of a filter inserted through the collar into the tubular portion, a radially inward extending shoulder in the collar is contacted by the bottom of an annular horizontal plate on the filter, and a liquid level alarm system housing is attached to the outer surface of the vertical tubular portion by a plurality of vertically spaced apart catches or studs received in slots on the alarm system housing, a tapered pipe having a first end fastened to a horizontal exit joint on the T-housing and a second tapered end force fit into an exit pipe of a septic tank.
US09233322B1

A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
US09233313B2

An ambulatory toy includes a body; a drive mechanism coupled to the body; a plurality of leg members coupled to the drive mechanism, each of the leg members having a distal end disposed downwardly in a first position and adapted to contact a support surface; and a self-righting member coupled to at least one of the legs. The self-righting member adapted to move the distal ends of the legs of the toy from a second position to the first downwardly disposed position. The method of self-righting using the self-righting member coupled to the leg.
US09233306B2

A method for providing a character in an online game includes, by a character provision apparatus, selecting at least one season character from a plurality of general characters previously provided in a game according to a preset season character selection criteria, generating at least one season character pool according to a period for which the season character is selected, and storing the selected season character in a corresponding season character pool, judging whether a status point limit adjustment item is provided, setting a status point limit of the at least one season character differently according to the period such that the status point limit of the at least one season character is higher than a status point limit of each general character acquired using the status point limit adjustment item, and displaying, on a user terminal, that the at least one season character is added to the game.
US09233297B2

A device and a method for accurately laying out the bases of an infield, said device comprising marking pieces that attach to one another to form a single integrated unit. Base marking pieces forming the integrated unit may mark the positions of the bases of an infield. The marking pieces may be connected, which connecting means may assist in measuring distances between marking pieces, which measured distances may determine proper positions of the base marking pieces. After bases are laid out and an infield set up, the marking pieces may re-attach to again form the integrated unit.In one embodiment, accuracy may be increased by utilizing a center reference point marked by a center marking piece. The center marking piece may be connected to some base marking pieces, and in one embodiment the base marking pieces may attach to the center marking piece and together form the integrated unit.
US09233295B2

The invention is a device for removably blocking a central-front part of a ski boot to a ski platform for actuating a Telemark technique. The boot sole (51) forms, at a bottom thereof, two lateral edges, internal and external (52A, 52B). A plate (1) is blockable to the ski platform, a blocking device (17, 18) constrained to the plate, which bear at least two ratchets. The ratchets are associated with the bottom of the boot supported by the plate, to corresponding edges of the internal edge (52A) and external edge (52B). An activator (16, 24) for the blocking device is supported by the plate, defining two configurations of the blocking device, respectively inoperative (11), with a disengagement of the ratchets from the corresponding edges (52A, 52B) and operative (12), with a blocking of the two edges against the plate (1).
US09233292B2

A system and method for improving a player's efficiency in shooting by providing a player with various shooting challenge routines at which a player makes either a total number of shots or a total number shots in a row. Statistics regarding the player's performance are gathered or collected, stored and/or tracked, printed and/or evaluated and the player can use the information to improve his or her efficiency at one or more of the plurality of different locations where the player shoots the basketball. One embodiment includes the ability of players from the same or different teams to compare statistics and enables the launchers at different locations to launch substantially exactly the same pass to different players to facilitate such competition.
US09233283B2

Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion with a toe portion, a heel portion, a rear portion, a front portion with a strike face, a sole portion, and a top portion with a plurality of weight ports. The body portion may define a periphery of the golf club head. The golf club head may also include a plurality of weight portions with each weight portion disposed in one weight port of the plurality of weight ports. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09233282B2

Golf clubs, club heads, and club weighting systems may include: (a) a club head body member; and (b) one or more weight members removably and/or movably engaged with the club head body member so as to move between a first position and a second position to change an overall exterior shape of the club head. This shape change may result in changes to the overall center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Alternatively or additionally, the weight member(s) may be removed from the club head body member, reoriented, and/or replaced with a different weight member, e.g., to change the overall exterior shape, center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Methods of making and using these clubs, club heads, and weighting systems also are described.
US09233273B2

A recumbent fitness equipment with synchronized pedals and armrests and a seat adjustment device includes a frame, a rotary wheel assembly, a pair of pedal assemblies, a pair of armrests, a seat mounting rack, and seat. When the user stamps the pedals, the armrests also move along with the pedals, so that the user's feet and hands can move simultaneously during exercise, so as to improve exercise effect. Besides, the distances from the seat member and the armrest rods to the pedal assemblies can be adjusted to meet the demands of different users.
US09233271B2

An exercising chair device includes a chair member having a seat element and an upwardly extended column, a lever pivotally attached to the column and having a bar for engaging with an ankle portion of the user, and a barrel rotatably attached to the lever and rotatable relative to the lever between a lateral working position that is located in front of the bar, and an upwardly extended folding position that is moved away from the bar and located in front of the lever, and for allowing the user to easily engage his feet onto the bar when the barrel is moved away from the bar, and for allowing the feet of the user to be engaged between the bar and the barrel when the barrel is rotated relative to the lever to the lateral working position.
US09233269B2

An apparatus is disclosed for enabling an operator to exercise comprising a frame having a body, a base and a top. A load is positioned on the frame for providing a resistive force. A press is positioned on the frame for displacement by the operator. A linkage joins the load with the press for displacing the load upon displacement of the press by the operator. An aria extends between a support end and a user end. A support pivot secures the support end of the arm to the top of the frame for pivoting the arm about the frame. A user interface inputs and outputs data. A user pivot securing the user interface to the user end of the arm for pivoting the user interface about the arm.
US09233267B2

An adjustable rebound device may include a support platform and a warping assembly to adjust a rebound resistance of the support platform. The warping assembly may include a plurality of mounting assemblies coupled to the support platform and a rebound adjustment assembly coupled to at least one of the mounting assemblies. The rebound adjustment assembly may be configured to actuate a mounting assembly such that the support platform is warped and a rebound resistance is adjusted. A method for adjusting a rebound resistance of a platform assembly is also described. An exercise machine may include a machine base assembly, a support platform, and a warping assembly. The warping assembly may include a plurality of mounting assemblies and a rebound adjustment assembly, such that the rebound adjustment assembly is configured to actuate a mounting assembly such that the support platform is warped and a rebound resistance is adjusted.
US09233264B2

A fire suppression system for aircraft storage containers includes a fire suppression unit removably located within each cargo container and a human to machine interface (HMI) located in the aircraft cockpit. Each fire suppression unit includes an identifier so that each unit is identified and correlated with its container. The HMI monitors each fire suppression unit including monitoring internal temperature, presence of chemical fumes, presence of smoke, presence of flammable gases, and presence of fire. Each fire suppression unit is programmed with specific thresholds of temperature, chemical fumes, smoke, and/or flammable gases, whereby when a threshold is reached activation of fire suppression means within the fire suppression unit is accomplished.
US09233262B2

An irrigant comprising either a hypochlorite compound or a chlorhexidine compound in combination with at least one surfactant and preferably two or more surfactants, including fluorosurfactants, ethoxylates, sulfonates, quaternary ammonium compounds, amine oxides, and combinations thereof, wherein each of the surfactants are capable of complexing with one another.
US09233254B2

Improved compliance voltage generation circuitry for a medical device is disclosed. The improved circuitry in one embodiment comprises a boost converter and a charge pump, either of which is capable of generating an appropriate compliance voltage from the voltage of the battery in the device. A telemetry enable signal indicating whether the implant's transmitter, receiver, or both, have been enabled is received. A “boost” signal from compliance voltage monitor-and-adjust logic circuitry is processed with the telemetry enable signal and its inverse to selectively enable either the charge pump or the boost converter: if the telemetry enable signal is not active, the boost converter is used to generate the compliance voltage; if the telemetry enable signal is active, the charge pump is used. Because the charge pump circuitry does not produce a magnetic field, the charge pump will not interfere with magnetically-coupled telemetry between the implant and an external controller. By contrast, the boost converter is allowed to operate during periods of no telemetry, when magnetic interference is not a concern, while obtaining the advantage of higher power efficiency.
US09233253B2

A co-connected hermetic feedthrough, feedthrough capacitor, and leadwire assembly includes a dielectric substrate with a via hole disposed through the dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A conductive fill is disposed within the via forming a hermetic seal and is electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A feedthrough capacitor is attached to the dielectric substrate and includes a capacitor dielectric substrate, an unfilled capacitor via hole including an inner metallization, a set of capacitor active electrode plates electrically coupled to the inner metallization, an outer metallization disposed and a set of capacitor ground electrode plates electrically coupled to the outer metallization. A conductive leadwire is disposed within the unfilled capacitor via hole. An electrical joint connects the conductive fill, the capacitor inner metallization along with the capacitor active electrode plates and the conductive leadwire.
US09233250B2

Embodiments of the present invention concern the timing of sending one or more commands to control circuitry of a multi-electrode lead (MEL). In one embodiment, the one or more commands are sent to control circuitry within the MEL during a predetermined portion of a cardiac pacing cycle to avoid potential problems of prior systems that were not synchronized with the cardiac pacing cycle. In one embodiment, the one or more commands are sent when cardiac tissue is refractory from a cardiac pacing pulse, to prevent the command(s) from potentially undesirably stimulating cardiac tissue. The command sending can occur such that the one or more commands are sent between instances when sensing circuitry of the implantable cardiac stimulation device is being used to obtain one or more signals indicative of cardiac electrical activity, to prevent interference between the one or more commands with the signals indicative of cardiac electrical activity that are sensed.
US09233246B2

Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated.
US09233238B2

Various embodiments of a pelvic treatment system and method are provided. The present invention can include one or more drug eluting darts or barbs that are lodged into the wall and will elute the drug over a desired time period (weeks, months for example) to treat OAB, BPH, tissue weaknesses, or other disorders or diseases.
US09233232B2

A liquid catheter, in particular a urinary catheter, includes a catheter shaft part (21) with a longitudinal liquid channel extending between a proximal and distal side thereof, and an anchoring body (22). The catheter body is intended to be received fully internally in a body cavity, such as in particular the urine bladder (50), and to drain the bladder from inside via the urethra (51). The catheter body has a length to span a distance between the bladder and a closure point (35) of the sphincter urethra. An operating member (24,25) is connected durably to the catheter body to enable a user to carry the catheter body transluminally out of the bladder past the closure point. An insertion device for the catheter includes an insertion sleeve which can be carried transluminally as far as the urine bladder and from which the catheter body can be carried into the bladder.
US09233227B2

An object of the present invention is to provide an operating member with which curving operation of a catheter distal part can be easily carried out without moving a comparatively-large member. An operating member has a rotational operation part (10) that is fixed to an elongated body (100) for medical use and rotates the elongated body for medical use about the axis, pull wires (20) fixed to the elongated body for medical use, and a pull operation part (30) that is connected to the pull wires and curves at least part of the elongated body for medical use in a direction intersecting the axial direction by pulling the pull wire. The operating member further has a support part (40) that is provided rotatably about the axis of the elongated body for medical use and supports the pull operation part in such a state that the pull action of the pull operation part is possible, joining parts (50) that join the rotational operation part to the support part and rotate the support part and the pull operation part about the axis of the elongated body for medical use in association with the rotation of the rotational operation part, and a grip part (60) that is restricted in movement in the axial direction by being disposed between the rotational operation part and the support part and is provided pivotally independently of the rotational operation part and the support part.
US09233225B2

A deflectable catheter including an outer member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, an elongated column member extending distally from the outer member and an inner member positioned coaxial with the outer member and attached to the column member. The inner member extends distally of the outer member and has a distal tip portion. A reinforcement member is positioned over the column member to restrict axial movement of the column member such that when one of the inner member or outer member is moved with respect to the other, axial compression of the column member is restricted by the reinforcement member causing the distal tip portion of the inner member to deflect laterally.
US09233222B2

A method for managing patient ventilator operation includes receiving data representing one or more hemodynamic parameters. In response to the received data representing the one or more hemodynamic parameters, one or more commands are provided for adaptively altering ventilator operation.
US09233212B2

The present invention relates to a device for removing delivery member shields which are intended to cover and protect delivery members, said device comprising a remover body arranged to accommodate a delivery member in its interior. The invention is characterised in that the remover body comprises at least two sets of gripping members extending into its interior and wherein each set of gripping members is configured for gripping a certain type of delivery member shield.
US09233208B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to flush syringe assemblies comprising an integrated contamination-prevention device integrated with device connector flushing positioned so that the practitioner cannot forget to apply disinfectant. The flush syringe assemblies comprise a barrel with an elongate plunger rod disposed therein and a cap comprising a passageway. The plunger rod includes a stopper of which at least a portion can be embedded in the passageway of the cap to form a plug in the cap.
US09233196B2

A method for pre-filling a hemodialysis apparatus includes providing a hemodialysis apparatus comprising a pre-filling liquid source which supplies a pre-filling liquid, a dialyzer, a dialysate side, a blood side. The dialysate side comprises a dialysate chamber, a dialysate pump to pump the pre-filling liquid to the dialysate chamber, and a waste pump to pump the pre-filling liquid away from the dialysate chamber. The blood side comprises an arterial line, a blood pump, a blood chamber of the dialyzer, and a venous line. A pressure sensor is arranged on the dialysate side or on the blood side. The arterial line and the venous line are pre-filled with the pre-filling liquid via the dialysate pump. A blood-side fluid pressure is continuously determined via the pressure sensor during the pre-filling. The pre-filling is stopped when the blood-side fluid pressure determined by the pressure sensor exceeds or falls below a defined limit pressure.
US09233194B2

A bursitis treatment device (100; 200) for treatment of inflammation of a bursa (150; 502) in a patients joint includes: a rinsing aid; a reservoir (101; 201) for holding the rinsing aid in fluid, freezing fluid or gaseous state; a supply line (103; 204, 208) for transporting the rinsing aid; a heat exchanger (104; 203) for controlling the temperature of the rinsing aid—such that the temperature of the rinsing aid enables to destroy cells causing the inflammation; an access device (209) for injecting the rinsing aid into the bursa (150; 205); and a drain (105; 210) for removing the rinsing aid from the bursa (150; 205) for elimination.
US09233189B2

The invention pertains to a biocompatible composition, suitable for use in soft or hard tissue augmentation, wherein the composition is an aqueous suspension containing a carrier fraction of ceramic particles of less than 15 μm and an augmentation fraction of ceramic particles of at least 20 μm. The ceramics typically include calcium phosphate. The composition is a may be used in soft tissue repair as well as hard bone replacement. It advantageously avoids the need for foreign body materials which are conventionally applied to stabilize augmentation suspensions.
US09233171B2

The present invention relates to the identification that EGFR antibody immunoconjugates are effective in inhibiting the growth of tumor cells that have developed EGFR and/or ALK resistance mechanisms. Methods of administering the EGFR antibody immunoconjugates to patients having resistant tumor cells is also disclosed.
US09233169B2

The invention provides oligomer-bis-chromonyl compound conjugates. The conjugates of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over previously administered compounds.
US09233168B2

The invention provides compounds that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits characteristics that are different from those of the compound not attached to the water-soluble oligomer.
US09233167B2

The invention provides compounds that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits characteristics that are different from those of the compound not attached to the water-soluble oligomer.
US09233161B2

The invention relates to the compounds of formula I or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I, and methods for the treatment of neurological conditions may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of fibromyalgia, depression, neuropathic pain, severe pain, chronic pain, generalized pain, injury, post-operative pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, migraine, HIV related neuropathic pain, post herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, cancer pain, fibromyalgia and lower back pain.
US09233156B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods that promote the induction of IL-12 in a patient. The composition includes activated allogeneic cells that are administered to a patient with a disease such as cancer. Administration of the composition skews the patient's immune response to a Th1 environment and produces detectable levels of IL-12 in the patient's plasma, without any IL-12 related toxicity.
US09233143B2

Provided are a medicinal agent which is highly safe for use as the treatment of a malignant tumor and is capable of efficiently treating a malignant tumor, that is, a medicinal agent for treating a malignant tumor or for suppressing or preventing the exacerbation thereof, comprising at least one kind of natriuretic peptide receptor GC-A agonist and at least one kind of natriuretic peptide receptor GC-B agonist to be administered in combination; a therapeutic method comprising administering the agent; etc.
US09233142B2

(Problems) To provide a therapeutic agent for infections comprising granulysin as an active ingredient which has little side effect and no cytotoxicity and to which bacteria can hardly acquire resistance, and a treatment method using the same.(Means for Solving Problems) The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for infections comprising as active ingredient: 15K granulysin, a combination of 15K granulysin and 15K granulysin in vivo expression vector, a combination of 15K granulysin and at least one interleukin selected from IL-6, IL-23 or IL-27, a combination of 15K granulysin in vivo expression vector and at least one interleukin selected from IL-6, IL-23 or IL-27, or a combination of 15K granulysin in vivo expression vector and HSP65DNA and IL-12DNA in vivo expression vector, which enhances killing effects on bacteria and has less side effect, and to which bacteria can hardly acquire resistance, and a treatment method using the same.
US09233141B2

The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.
US09233137B2

Compositions and methods useful for targeted depletion or modulation of dendritic cells are provided. The compositions and methods can be used to promote healing of ischemia-related injury, including ischemia-reperfusion injury. Disclosed are a variety of dendritic cell-targeted toxins, bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) agonists, and dendritic cell-targeted transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) antagonists, all useful in practicing methods of the invention. The inventive compositions and methods can be used in the treatment of various conditions including myocardial infarction, stroke, and critical limb ischemia.
US09233129B2

Disclosed is a method for the purification of bee venom on a mass scale. It comprises dissolving crude bee venom in a solvent to form a bee venom solution; applying an adsorbent to the bee venom solution to form a mixture; and removing the adsorbent through filtration to afford a pure bee venom solution. By the method of the present invention, crude bee venom collected from bee farms can be purified to a purity of 99% or higher on a mass scale, without inducing a change in the composition thereof, and thus the purified bee venom can be used as a material for medicines, cosmetics and foods.
US09233127B2

The present invention provides for enhancing engraftment by co-infusing at least two partially HLA matched umbilical cord blood (“UCB”) units. The invention further provides for positive C3a mediated priming on responsiveness to doses of SDF-1 and C3a induced incorporation of CXCR4 in membranes in HSC and progenitors. The invention further provides for enhancing the homing of UCB HSC and progenitors via the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway and that C3a and LL-37 are useful for this method. It is also disclosed herein that fragments of C3a (e.g., des-Arg) are effective in the methods of the invention, including enhancing homing of HSPCs to BM. The invention further encompasses the disclosure herein of NFAT1 regulation post-transcriptionally by both mir-184 and IFN-γ. The present invention further provides for measuring and using differences between UCB and adult CD4+/45RA+ T-cells as a means of defining strategies to enhance optimal allogeneic stem cell transplantation outcomes. The present invention further provides methods for maintaining IL-2 production in the absence of NFAT1 normal protein levels.
US09233125B2

The present invention provides a universal, yet adaptable, anti-tag chimeric antigen receptor (AT-CAR) system which provides T cells with the ability and specificity to recognize and kill target cells, such as tumor cells, that have been marked by tagged antibodies. As an example, αFITC-CAR-expressing T cells have been developed that specifically recognize various human cancer cells when those cells are bound by cancer-reactive FITC-labeled antibodies. The activation of αFITC-CAR-expressing T cells is shown to induce efficient target lysis, T cell proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine production. The system can be used to treating subjects having cancer.
US09233116B2

Composition containing iridoids such as morroniside and loganin, the use thereof in preparing medicaments for preventing and treating neurologic demyelinating diseases, and the method thereof in treating diseases related to neurologic demyelinating lesions are disclosed by the present application.
US09233113B2

The invention provides a method of inhibiting vascular hyperpermeability in an animal in need thereof. The method comprises administering a vascular-hyperpermeability-inhibiting amount of a danazol compound to the animal. The invention also provides a method of modulating the cytoskeleton of an endothelial cell in an animal. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a danazol compound to the animal.
US09233111B2

The present invention describes new pyrrolo pyrimidine derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which appear to interact with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Accordingly, the novel pyrrolo pyrimidines may be effective in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, allergic diseases, airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), transplant rejection, cancers e.g. of hematopoietic origin or solid tumors.
US09233108B2

The present invention relates to novel compounds having β2 adrenergic agonist and M3 muscarinic antagonist dual activity, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, to the process for their preparation and to their use in respiratory therapies.
US09233106B2

The present invention relates to methods of using cocaine-binding-site ligands and cocaine-binding-site RNA aptamers to treat or prevent Alzheimer's Disease and to reduce or prevent aggregation of beta-amyloid peptides in a subject.
US09233091B2

A method of treating or preventing age-related retinal dysfunction involves administering to a patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of a synthetic retinal derivative repeatedly over a duration of at least about 3 months. Effective synthetic retinal derivatives include 9-cis-retinyl esters, 11-cis-retinyl esters, derivatives and congeners thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable ester substituents include carboxylates of C1-C10 monocarboxylic acids and C2-C22 polycarboxylic acids.
US09233090B2

The present invention relates to the field of nutrition; in particular to the prevention and/or treatment of malnutrition. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a nutritional composition enriched in cysteine for use in the treatment and/or prevention of malnutrition and disorders related thereto. Such a composition may in particular, but not exclusively, be useful for the elderly population.
US09233087B2

Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating viral and bacterial infections, by administering certain thiourea compounds, specifically acylthiourea, carboximidoylthiourea and S-alkyl isothiourea derivatives and analogs, in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed.
US09233086B2

Peptidomimetics that inhibit the interaction between MLL1 and WDR5 are disclosed. Methods of inhibiting MLL1 activity and methods of treating cancers also are disclosed.
US09233080B2

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the delivery of cosmetics and medicants. In some embodiments, the invention relates to compositions comprising both hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the delivery of peptides, small molecules and other bioactive compounds using the compositions and methods disclosed herein.
US09233078B2

A pharmaceutical composition comprises nanoparticles comprising a poorly water soluble drug, a poorly aqueous soluble non-ionizable polymer, and an amine-functionalized methacrylate copolymer.
US09233076B2

Dosage forms having a core having a surface having means for controlling release(s) on an active agent(s); methods of manufacturing, tools used in manufacturing; and uses of the dosage forms are described.
US09233073B2

Disclosed in certain embodiments is a solid oral dosage form comprising: (a) an inert tamper resistant core; and (b) a coating surrounding the core, the coating comprising an active agent.
US09233067B2

The present invention relates to a method of producing and loading silk particles, preferably spider silk particles, with a compound. In particular, the present invention provides a novel two step method for loading silk particles, preferably spider silk particles, with small and water-soluble compounds. Also disclosed are silk particles, preferably spider silk particles, loaded with at least one compound which are eminently suited as carriers for controlled and sustained delivery applications. Furthermore, the invention relates to pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions comprising said silk particles, preferably spider silk particles, and a pharmaceutically active compound or cosmetic compound for controlled and sustained release. The present invention is also directed to silk particles, preferably spider silk particles, loaded with a compound obtainable by the method according to the invention.
US09233065B2

Disclosed is a method for producing resin particles, which can impart a desired function to the surface of resin particles efficiently and simply. Also disclosed are resin particles produced by the method.The method produces resin particles by melting and mixing an acidic-group-containing thermoplastic resin or elastomer with filler particles and a water-soluble material to give a resin composition containing resin fine particles formed by the thermoplastic resin and the filler particles and dispersed in a matrix including the water-soluble material; and removing the matrix component from the resin composition, to give the resin particles. The resulting resin particles each include a core particle including the acidic-group-containing thermoplastic resin or elastomer, and the filler particles immobilized on the outside of the core particle. The acidic group is preferably carboxyl group or carboxylic anhydride group.
US09233056B2

The present invention thus relates to a solid composition, in particular in the form of a loose or compact powder, comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium: a) at least one pulverulent phase; b) at least one lipophilic organic UV screening agent characterized in that the pulverulent phase comprises at least aerogel particles of hydrophobic silica exhibiting a specific surface per unit of weight (SW) ranging from 200 to 1500 m2/g, preferably from 600 to 1200 m2/g and better still from 600 to 800 m2/g, and a size, expressed as volume-average diameter (D[0.5]), of less than 1500 μm and preferably ranging from 1 to 30 μm, more preferably from 5 to 25 μm, better still from 5 to 20 μm and even better still from 5 to 15 μm. It also relates to a cosmetic method for caring for and/or making up human keratinous substances, in particular the skin of the body or of the face or the hair, comprising at least the application, to the surface of the keratinous substance, of at least one composition as defined above.
US09233055B2

An article that is a porous, dissolvable solid structure that dissolves easily due to the shape, product orientation and/or method of manufacturing the porous, dissolvable solid structure. The process of making the Article involves preparing a pre-mixture, aerating the pre-mixture, dosing the pre-mixture into individual cavities in molds, and drying the pre-mixture to an Article having an open celled foam with a % open cell of from about 80% to about 100%.
US09233054B2

The present application provides dental fillers, and methods of making and using dental fillers that include a treated surface that includes phosphorus and a divalent cation. Dental compositions including such dental fillers can be useful for delivering ions to the oral environment.
US09233051B2

A pocket-sized blister-pack case, designed to receive a blister pack of a known type with a plurality of cells each containing a product, for example a pharmaceutical product in the form of a pill or tablet, has a plurality of capacitive and/or optical sensors for counting and displaying the number of pills that are taken out of the respective cell, as likewise the date and time of when they were taken, and is able to communicate via a packet mobile-radio interface the data to an authorized remote control centre that can check the degree of compliance of the patient to the therapy prescribed and can dialogue with the patient himself via packet and/or circuit mobile-radio interface.
US09233046B2

A universal haptic drive system for arm and wrist rehabilitation that includes a hand accessory and a vertical handle for carrying the hand accessory, the vertical handle being movable in a transversal plane. The system furthermore includes a haptic actuator system for applying a force to the vertical handle. The vertical handle includes a universal joint with locking ability. When the universal joint is unlocked, it enables movements for wrist rehabilitation, and when it is locked it causes a stiff substantially vertical handle enabling movements for arm rehabilitation.
US09233034B2

Apparatus for a wheelchair foot rest that has two positions: stored and deployed. The foot rest has a base, a heel stop, a toe pocket, and a pair of straps that attach to the side of the base. The ends of the straps attach to extenders connected to the frame of the wheelchair. The extenders support the straps in front of the frame of the wheelchair. With the foot rest in the deployed position the base is suspended from the extenders. The foot rest has a magnetic attraction with a clip attached to the bottom of the seat whereby the foot rest is supported under the seat when in the stored position.
US09233031B2

A disposable diaper utilizing graphics to visually confirm whether the waist elastics are properly cut or cut off. A disposable diaper has a skin-facing side and a non-skin-facing side defining front and rear waist members, and includes an inner sheet lying on the skin-facing side, an outer sheet lying on the non-skin-facing side, waist elastics interposed between the inner and outer sheets and extending under a potential contractility in a transverse direction of the front and rear waist members, front and rear inelastic regions in which none of the waist elastics is present and graphic sheets having graphics adapted to be visually recognized through the outer sheet. End portions of the waist elastics interposed between the graphic sheets and the outer sheet extend from the outside of the graphic sheets across opposite side edges of the respective graphic sheets into the respective graphic sheets.
US09233029B2

A tampon applicator comprising a barrel having a generally tubular main body disposed intermediate an insertion end and a gripping end where the barrel is configured to contain a tampon capable of being expelled through the insertion end. A plunger having a generally tubular main body is partially disposed within the barrel for sliding movement and has a tampon engaging end within the barrel and a finger engaging end outside of the barrel. The gripping end of the barrel is formed with a reduced diameter region relative to the generally tubular main body located at the gripping end of the barrel and terminates in an outwardly and rearwardly graduated end through which the plunger extends. The finger engaging end of the plunger also has an outwardly and rearwardly graduated end which is configured to make contact with the outwardly flared end of the gripping end of the barrel to thereby limit sliding movement of the plunger. The plunger is configured so the outwardly and rearwardly graduated end will make contact with the outwardly and rearwardly graduated end at the gripping end of the barrel before the tampon engaging end can reach or contact the insertion end of the barrel.
US09233018B2

A hinge assembly for an orthopedic device having a pivoting assembly and a spring biased lock for locking the pivoting assembly in place. The hinge assembly also includes flexion and extension stop assemblies arranged for selectively locking onto notches formed along an arcuate channel located on an inner plate of the hinge assembly.
US09233016B2

The medical systems, apparatuses and uses thereof for treating obesity and/or obesity-related diseases are provided which relate to devices designed to stimulate an internal surface of the stomach such as the cardia. Features of the obesity treatment devices include insertion of said devices transorally and without invasive surgery, without associated patient risks of invasive surgery, and without substantial patient discomfort. The devices include flotation portions and cardia-stimulating portions, so that as the level of stomach contents rise, the devices will contact and stimulate the nerves in the cardia region of the stomach to induce satiety. The devices may have non-inflatable balls, be made of skinned foam, have ballast members such as a weighted ball or quantity of saline for orientation, and various combinations thereof.
US09233009B2

An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.
US09233005B2

Methods for altering the natural history of degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the spine are proposed. The methods focus on the prevention, or delayed onset or progression of, subchondral defects such as bone marrow edema or bone marrow lesion, and subchondral treatment to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease in the spine and thereby treat pain.
US09232991B2

An apparatus for retrieving an implanted device from a body vessel includes a distal hub with an elongated, bendable distal tip and with a first marker visible through body tissue with at least one imaging method; a proximal hub with a central longitudinal channel therethrough, arranged proximal from the distal hub, and bearing a second marker. A stylet wire extends from the distal hub through the central longitudinal channel of the proximal hub to a proximal stylet wire end. A flexible, radially expandable interlocking arrangement extends from the distal hub to the proximal hub. An elongated positioning device extending proximally from the proximal hub to a proximal device end. The positioning device and the stylet wire may be configured to perform a longitudinal relative movement between proximal hub and the distal hub, and the interlocking arrangement expands radially when the proximal and distal hubs approach each other.
US09232990B2

A skin gripping means for use with an injector (200) is disclosed. In one embodiment the skin gripping means is a needle guard (100). An exterior surface (7) of the skin gripping means (100) is provided with a plurality of fingers (6) adapted to engage a subject's skin (9) when in use. A method of performing a subcutaneous injection is also disclosed with includes the steps of bringing a skin gripping means (100) of an injector (200) into contact with the skin (9) of a subject, moving the skin gripping means (100) substantially parallel to the skin (9) to thereby form a fold (10) in the skin, moving a needle (11) of the injector (200) into the fold (10) to a suitable position for a subcutaneous injection and injecting a substance through the needle (11).
US09232985B2

An instrument tracking device for cooperating with an instrument during a surgical procedure where the instrument has an elongated body extending along a first longitudinal axis and including a working member at a distal tip includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end. An opening can be formed through the body along a second longitudinal axis. The opening can define a passthrough in the body from the distal end to the proximal end. A first tracking coil can be disposed in the body and can define a first tracking coil axis that is substantially coaxial with the second longitudinal axis of the body. A connection mechanism cooperates between the elongated housing and the body that secures the body to the elongated housing of the instrument upon passing at least a portion of the elongated housing through the passthrough of the body in an assembled position.
US09232984B2

Systems and methods for performing robotically-assisted surgical procedures on a patient enable an image display device to provide an operator with auxiliary information related to the surgical procedure, in addition to providing an image of the surgical site itself. The systems and methods allow an operator to selectively access and reference auxiliary information on the image display device during the performance of a surgical procedure.
US09232981B2

A surgical holder is provided, including a base unit, a first positioning unit, a second positioning unit, a connecting unit, a first orientating unit, and a second orientating unit. The first elastic element, the second elastic element, the plurality of third elastic elements and the plurality of the fourth elastic elements balance the surgical holder statically. Further, the connecting unit, the first and second orientating units are designed to have RCM points which restrict lateral displacement of the surgical holder on the surgical incision to increase safety in laparoscopic operations.
US09232979B2

A surgical tool is disclosed. The surgical tool has a tool mounting portion having a tool mounting housing, a tool mounting plate, and a coupler to couple a shaft assembly with an articulation section to the tool mounting portion. An articulation mechanism is located within the tool mounting portion and is configured to receive a proximal end of the shaft assembly to articulate the articulation section of the shaft assembly. An interface mechanically and electrically couples the tool mounting portion to a manipulator.
US09232974B2

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing, a shaft affixed to the housing, and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end of the shaft. The forceps also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative to the other jaw member from a first position to a second position for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move the jaw members from the first position to the second position. The forceps is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween.
US09232972B2

A grasping treatment device includes a probe including a first electrode portion in its distal portion, and a jaw configured to open or close relative to the first electrode portion and including a second electrode portion. The grasping treatment device includes a grasping force converting unit converting a grasping force so that a second grasping force between the distal portion of the probe and the jaw in a second treatment mode in which high-frequency current alone is transmitted to the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion is greater than a first grasping force between the distal portion of the probe and the jaw in a first treatment mode in which at least an ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the distal portion of the probe.
US09232969B2

A multi-axial screw assembly comprises a receiver, a base member, and a crown. The receiver comprises a channel for receiving a rod and an aperture extending from a bottom portion of the receiver. The base member comprises an aperture extending through the base member and an opening on a bottom portion of the base member. The base member is configured to couple to the receiver such that the aperture of the receiver is generally aligned with the aperture of the base member. The base member is rotatable relative to the receiver. The crown is received in the receiver and configured to mate to the base member. The crown has a mating feature configured to couple to the base member such that the crown rotates the base member when the crown is rotated.
US09232966B2

An adjustable articulating spinal rod system including a first elongated element secured to a first bone, a second elongated element secured to the spine, and an articulating joint connecting the first and second elongated elements. The articulating joint including a first movable joint, a second movable joint, and at least one locking mechanism. The first movable joint is coupled to the first elongated element and the second movable joint which is also coupled the second elongate element. The first and second movable joints are configured to allow polyaxial movement and rotation of the first elongated element with respect to the second elongated element. The at least one locking mechanism immobilizes the first and second movable joints in the locked position to secure the first elongate element in a position relative to the second elongate element and allow movement and rotation in an unlocked position.
US09232962B2

Medical devices, systems and methods are disclosed that serve to guide one or more medical devices through a port formed in bodily tissue to access a bodily cavity. One embodiment of the medical device includes a connection member, a rail, and a carrier. The connection member is structured for attachment to the port. The rail is attached to the connection member, and has a first portion extending distally through the port opening, and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion. The carrier is structured to selectively connect to the first portion of the rail, and is slidable along the first and second portions of the rail.
US09232958B2

A surgical instrument including a reusable and sterilizable hub assembly and a releasably connectable disposable blade assembly allows multiple reuse of the hub assembly in conjunction with single use disposable blade assemblies.
US09232944B2

A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, and actuation member, an elongated body portion, and a locking mechanism is disclosed. The locking mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the actuation member, and is configured to substantially prevent at least a partial movement of the actuation member when the elongated body portion is not engaged with a loading unit. The locking mechanism comprises a link, a bushing, and a connecting member. The link is configured for mechanical engagement with a portion of a loading unit. At least a portion of the busing is disposed proximally of at least a portion of the link. At least a portion of the connecting member is disposed proximally of at least a portion of the bushing. Engagement between a loading unit and the elongated body portion causes proximal movement of the link, the bushing, and the connecting member.
US09232941B2

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible extracellular matrix and a bioabsorbable material dispersed within the extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of the bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in the extracellular matrix. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into the channels. In at least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise dissolvable wicking members which, when dissolved, can leave behind channels in the tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one rupturable capsule.
US09232939B2

A flexible fixation assembly including a flexible main body and a suture engagement portion of the flexible main body. The suture engagement portion is configured to cooperate with a suture to mate the suture with the flexible main body. The flexible main body is configured to flex outward against walls of a bone hole when implanted therein to retain both the flexible main body and the suture mated therewith within the bone hole.
US09232931B2

An ultrasound imaging device and method for clutter filtering is provided. The ultrasound imaging device provides logic for calculating signal characteristic values from an in-phase/quadrature-phase (I/Q) of an ultrasound signal reflected from an object and determining to remove a clutter element from the I/Q signal through comparison of the calculated signal characteristic values. Accordingly, the ultrasound imaging device provides a blood flow distribution of the object, more precisely visualized, to a user.
US09232930B2

Provided are methods and systems for detecting a maturing arterio-venous fistula comprising a vein. An exemplary method comprises determining a wall thickness of the fistula and a lumen diameter of the fistula vein using a high frequency ultrasound imaging system. A blood pressure of the subject is determined. A circumferential vessel wall stress is determined from the measured blood pressure, the wall thickness of the fistula and a determined radius of the measured diameter of the fistula. The determined circumferential vessel stress is compared to a predetermined threshold stress to determine if the fistula is mature.
US09232927B2

A method for collecting multi-energy CT data is provided. A method of reconstruction from multi-energy CT scan is further provided, in which data collection is performed on the first-class object at voltage values of m sampling points of the first-class voltage varied periodically, to obtain n sets of multi-energy first-class scan data {yi}; and a data collection is performed on a double-cylinder correction phantom at the voltage values of m sampling points to obtain combination coefficients, and thus obtaining corresponding combination coefficients Cifirstand Cisecondcorresponding to the case that the first-class scan data is collected in the ith projection angle at the first-class voltage; and the image vectors Xfirst and Xsecond are obtained by calculating a minimum value of the difference between the first-class scan data {yi} and the combination projection data CifirstPi*Xfirst+CisecondPi*Xsecond.
US09232923B2

Disclosed herein is an X-ray imaging apparatus. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes at least one X-ray emitter which is configured to irradiate an object with X-rays at a plurality of X-ray emission positions, an X-ray detector which is configured to detect X-rays which are emitted by the X-ray emitter and to convert the detected X-rays into an electric signal, and an image processor which is configured to acquire a plurality of original X-ray images which respectively correspond to the X-ray emission positions from the generated electric signal and to estimate a virtual X-ray image which is acquirable at an X-ray emission position located between at least two of the plurality of X-ray emission positions, based on at least two of the original X-ray images.
US09232915B2

A method 1300 and apparatus for deriving a health index for determining cardiovascular health of a person is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the method 1300 includes (i) obtaining values of respiratory rate, Sp02 and heart rate from a PPG signal of the person at step 1304; (ii) assigning a score based on the values from a reference scoring system at step 1306; and (iii) deriving the health index based on the assigned scores at step 1308/1314. A method and device for obtaining the PPG signal at optimum pressure is also disclosed.
US09232911B2

Systems and methods for analyzing the gait of an individual are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can be configured to acquire data from a first array and a second array of sensors that are configured to be placed in a left and/or right shoe, respectively. The acquired data can be collected or separated into at least two separate gait phases for each array, compared to a baseline condition for each gait phase and categorized into one of at least two uniformity categories for each gait phase. Examples of collected and/or calculated data include pressure values, shear stress values and torque values. The analysis can be focused on both feet of a person, or focused on one foot. A graphical output showing at least one entire gait cycle based on the uniformity categories can then be generated.
US09232907B2

Exemplary embodiments of method, system and computer-accessible medium according to the present disclosure can be provided for converting magnetic resonance (MR) arterial signal intensity versus time curves to arterial input functions (AIF) with less susceptibility to artifacts such as flow-related enhancement. Exemplary methods, systems and computer-accessible medium can be used to constrain AIF to satisfies the indicator dilution principle, according to which the area under an initial pass component of AIF can be equal to the injected dose divided by the cardiac output. For example, Monte Carlo simulations of MR renography and tumor perfusion protocols can be performed for comparison with conventional methods.
US09232903B2

An interactive implantable medical device system includes an implantable medical device and a network-enabled external device capable of bi-directional communication and interaction with the implantable medical device. The external device is programmed to interact with other similarly-enabled devices. The system facilitates improved patient care by eliminating unnecessary geographic limitations on implantable medical device interrogation and programming, and by allowing patients, physicians, and other users to access medical records, history, and information and to receive status and care-related alerts and messages anywhere there is access to a communications network.
US09232899B2

A measurement device pressurizes two cuffs in a state in which the cuffs are attached to the distal side and the proximal side of the measurement device, respectively, calculates an AI value or the like based on a pulse wave detected from a change in cuff pressure on the distal side while pressurizing the two cuffs, and determines that avascularization on the distal side has been completed if the AI value or the like has converged. Once it is determined that avascularization has been completed, the cuff pressure on the distal side is fixed, and a pulse wave is detected from a change in cuff pressure on the proximal side in a state in which the distal side is avascularized.
US09232898B2

The disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus providing detection mechanism for lead-related conditions, including transient behaviors, on a conductive pathway of a medical electrical lead. In one example, a sense path arbitration module identifies a lead-related condition associated with a conductive pathway based on signal processing to identify transients emerging from a propagated signal. The sense path arbitration module may evaluate a plurality of conductive pathways of the medical electrical lead and arbitrates propagation of a sensed signal that is transmitted through the plurality of lead conductors based on the evaluation. Therapy delivery functions utilizing the medical electrical lead may also be controlled in response to the signal processing and identification of the lead-related condition on a conductive pathway.
US09232897B2

Devices and methods for improving the sensitivity and specificity of heart failure (HF) detection are described. The devices and methods can detect a HF status such as using physiological sensor data and external biomarker assays. An apparatus can comprise ambulatory physiological sensors that can provide a first HF status indicator and a second HF status indicator to a user. An external biomarker sensor can provide an amount of a biomarker present, such as an assay for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which provides information about HF status. A processor circuit can switch from a first HF detection mode to a second detection mode such as in response to the information from the biomarker sensor. The first detection mode can detect HF status using the first HF status indicator, and the second detection mode can detect HF status using the second HF status indicator. The second detection mode can have a higher specificity than the first detection mode.
US09232891B2

The invention relates, according to one aspect, to a retinal imaging device including at least one source (LSa, LSr) for emitting a light beam in order to illuminate the retina of an eye (10) of a subject, a retinal imaging path including a detection device (12) having a detection plane (121) and an optical imaging system (L1, L5, L6), an analysis path including a device (15) for measuring optical defects having an analysis plane (151) for receiving a set of light rays backscattered by the retina and optical means for adjoining said analysis plane and a predetermined plane in the input space of said imaging system of the imaging path, a correction device (14) shared by said analysis and imaging paths, which includes a correction plane (141) and which is intended to correct, in said correction plane, the light rays from said emission source and backscattered by the retina according to the optical defects measured by the device for measuring optical defects. The retinal imaging device further includes a light blackout system (20), which is positioned in an adjacent plane or which coincides with said correction plane, or which is positioned in an image plane of said correction plane located on an optical path shared by the analysis and imaging paths, and which is sized so as to at least partially black out the reflections of the light rays from said emission source by the corneal surface.
US09232889B2

The invention provides apparatuses and methods for detecting corneal surface defects. The methods and/or an apparatus of the invention can be used to detect corneal surface diseases, such as dry eye.
US09232885B2

In a method and apparatus for detecting tumorous cell tissue in a gastrointestinal tract, electromagnetic radiation is emitted in a locally defined manner from an endoscope onto cell tissue and, after deactivation of the radiation, the decay of the inherent fluorescence intensity of the irradiated cell tissue, excited by the electromagnetic radiation, is detected, with temporal and spectral resolution and with a known scanning rate for at least one wavelength. From the intensity measurement values obtained in this manner, the difference autocorrelation function of the intensity decay is determined, from which a fractal dimension for the irradiated cell tissue is determined. The value of the fractal dimension is used to classify the irradiated cell tissue as to a degree to which the cell tissue is tumorous.
US09232880B2

A vacuum bag attachment assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a locking handle movably connected to the vacuum cleaner and movable between first and second positions. An opening in the handle receives a fitting of a vacuum bag. When the locking handle is in the first position, an outer shell of the vacuum cleaner is prevented from closing. When the locking handle is in the second position, the outer shell of the vacuum cleaner is closable.
US09232879B2

The invention relates to a retaining plate for a vacuum-cleaner filter bag comprising a through-passage opening and a closure flap for closing the through-passage opening, wherein the closure flap comprises a first region comprising a first material of a first hardness and a second region comprising a second material of a second hardness, wherein the second hardness is at a lower level than the first hardness, wherein the second region is arranged, at least in part, on the periphery of the closure flap, and wherein the second material, at least in part, has a thickness of less than 1 mm.
US09232877B2

An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor cleaning head, an upright section movably mounted to the surface cleaning head, a portable cleaning unit detachably mounted to the upright section and comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member positioned in the air flow passage, wherein the cleaning unit is operable in a first configuration wherein the cleaning unit is mounted to the upright section and is in air flow communication with the floor cleaning head, and a second configuration in which the cleaning unit is detached from the upright section. The air treatment member comprises a filtration member housing that is detachable when the portable cleaning unit is in the first configuration and when the portable cleaning unit is in the second configuration.
US09232874B2

The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) having a tank (2) for containing a food-grade fluid, said tank comprising: (i) a reservoir body with side, bottom and top walls, (ii) at least one filling opening, (iii) at least one dispensing opening comprising a dispensing valve for establishing a fluid connecting between said machine and said tank, said tank having a weight WE when less than 5% of its total volume is filled, and a weight WF when at least 5% of its total volume is filled with fluid, said valve being reciprocally movable between a first position where the tank has a weight WE and the valve is open and a second position where the tank has a weight WF and the valve is closed characterized in that said machine comprises a switch disposed in the vicinity of at least one wall of the tank (2), so that: —when the tank has a weight WF said tank is in a first position so that it contacts said switch, and —when the tank has a weight WE said tank is in a second position, away from said switch, said machine further comprising a user warning means that is actuated when the switch does not contact the tank wall so as to warn the user that the tank needs a refill.
US09232868B2

A container (1) for drinking drinks is equipped with a body (2) made of shatterproof material and comprising a broad opening (3) for forming a glass, a goblet or a tankard the container has a lid (7) which can be removably associated with the opening (3) and with the base (4) of the container (1) through a threaded coupling.
US09232862B1

A portable, folding table is described. The table includes a left panel, a middle panel, and a right panel and has an extended position in which the panels are substantially co-planar and a collapsed position in which the left and right panels fold between about 90 and about 180 degrees relative to the middle panel. The table optionally includes a handle attached to the front or rear side of the middle panel, legs attached to the left and right panels, and a motor to move the panels between the extended and collapsed positions. Optionally, the left or right panel includes a bottom flange that serves as a leg and further serves to hide the other panels when the table is in the collapsed position. The table is particularly suited for changing a child's diaper.
US09232857B2

A modular storage frame includes: at least two storage floors each having four coupling heads, four coupling tubes, at least four opposing elements and a storage board, wherein the coupling head has two coupling portions, two neck portions and a joining portion; at least four joining tubes having four inner tubes and four outer tubes; and four supporting elements coupling respectively with the bottommost ones of the inner tubes, wherein the outer tube has two positioning elements protruding to an outside thereof. The positioning elements may provide the storage floors to be relatively firmly positioned. The opposing elements protruding from the coupling tubes may have the storage board to be easily placed and the plight that the opposing elements are not easily assembled with the coupling heads may be avoided.
US09232854B2

A oral hygiene tool has a tongue scraper and a toothbrush with an elongate toothbrush body. The tongue scraper is telescopically engaged with the elongate toothbrush body of the toothbrush, so that the tongue scraper can move between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration relative to the toothbrush. A locking system may be included for locking the tongue scraper with the toothbrush so that relative movement is prohibited, and a resilient wall may cover and seal each of the locking apertures.
US09232831B2

The heel counter structure includes a sole plate provided at least at the heel region of the shoe and having a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is upraised along the heel region of the shoe so as to enclose the lower portion of the heel portion of the foot of the wearer. The heel structure also includes a pair of heel counter portions provided on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the shoe so as to sandwich the heel portion of the foot sideways. The heel counter portions are coupled to the peripheral portion of the sole plate at the lower ends of the heel counter portions so that the heel counter portions can tilt inwardly and outwardly independently of the sole plate. The heel counter portions are separated from the peripheral portion of the sole plate except the lower ends of the heel counter portions.
US09232827B1

A cranial protective helmet having a pair of components made of an exterior hard plastic shell with sufficient flexibility to accommodate comfort for the patient with interior cushioning liners conforming to a side of the patient's skull. Each component of the helmet can conform to a side of the patient's head and accommodate an insertion of the patient's head by relative movement with one or more fastener units securing the helmet components to the patient. Openings can be provided to accommodate monitoring instrumentation after a craniectomy operation. The components can be separate or minimally connected to enable a rotational opening. Fastener units can provide a secure connection of the components and an elastic attachment about the patient's head.
US09232823B2

An upper torso garment and a lower torso garment each comprising a respective torso encircling band. The band includes an inner layer and an outer layer with each layer having a first series of courses. The first series of courses defined by a first, covered elastomeric, yarn and a second, low friction, yarn. The first and second yarns are knit such that the second yarn is float platted with the first yarn.
US09232816B2

The present invention relates to a fibrous starch with enhanced emulsifying capacity and emulsifying stability, and low-fat mayonnaise and margarine compositions using the same. More specifically, disclosed are fibrous starch which has an increased starch particle size and exhibits improved emulsifying capacity and emulsion stability, prepared by heat-treating starch at a temperature lower than a gelatinization temperature, phosphorylating the starch and further heat-treating the starch sample at a high temperature, and low-fat mayonnaise and margarine compositions in which the content of cooking oil is reduced by 50% or more by adding the fibrous starch with enhanced emulsifying capacity thereto.
US09232814B2

The invention provides methods and devices for heating or cooling viscous materials such as meat emulsions useful for producing food and other products. The devices include a heat exchanger comprising a first plate, a second plate attached to the first plate, and a first spacer and a second spacer arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, the first spacer, and the second spacer define at least one temperature controlled passage for a product to pass through the heat exchanger.
US09232813B2

A pet food composition comprising a supplement is provided. The supplement can comprise a Probiotic component, a cocoa butter component, and a sweetener component. A process for making the supplement can comprise providing a sweetener component, a cocoa butter component, and a Probiotic component, mixing the cocoa butter component and Probiotic component to form a mixture in a temperature and humidity controlled chamber; mixing the mixture with the sweetener component in the temperature and humidity controlled chamber to form a final mixture; optionally mixing in a colorant with the final mixture; and cooling the final mixture. A package for the supplement can comprise a secondary container housing a primary container, which houses a supplement. An array of packages is also provided.
US09232796B2

Provided herein are synergistic herbicidal compositions containing (a) a compound of formula (I): 4-amino-3-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) an ACCase inhibitor, including, e.g., clethodim, clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofop-R-butyl, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop-Pethyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop-R-methyl, metamifop, pinoxaden, profoxydim quizalofop-P-ethyl, sethoxydim and tralkoxydim, provide synergistic weed control of undesirable vegetation in rice, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, com/maize, sugarcane, sunflower, oilseed rape, canola, sugar beet, soybean, cotton, pineapple, pastures, grasslands, range-lands, fallowland, turf, tree and vine orchards, aquatics, plantation crops, vegetables, industrial vegetation management (IVM) or rights of way (ROW).
US09232792B2

Disclosed is a method for promoting the growth of a plant, comprising treating the plant with an effective amount of a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein any one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 represents a trifluoromethyl group, and the others represent a hydrogen atom, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof.
US09232786B2

An agrochemical formulation and its method of manufacture comprising an agrochemical active and a dispersant polymer comprising a copolymer of benzylmethacrylate, acrylic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid.
US09232784B2

Disclosed herein is an RGD-enriched solubilized extracellular matrix composition derived from endothelial cell culture that can be used to modify the immunogenicity or thrombogenicity of an organ intended for transplant. The RGD-enriched solubilized extracellular matrix composition is applied to the lumen of the vasculature of the organ, thereby placing a barrier between the antigens on the lumenal surfaces of the transplanted organ and the blood of the recipient.
US09232781B2

An animal deterring device has a carrier with a first conductive trace that is separated from a second conductive trace. The carrier has a bottom with a first glue trough disposed beneath the first conductive trace. The first conductive trace is coupled to the carrier by a first fastener that extends from the first glue trough to the first conductive trace.
US09232775B2

The present disclosure relates to an ASD genetically engineered model carrying a deletion of Shank2 gene and having reduced NMDA receptor function. According to the present disclosure, genetically engineered mice that show the clinical features of ASD due to the deletion of the Shank2 gene can be obtained, and the genetically engineered mice can be effectively used to screen candidate therapeutic agents.
US09232767B2

An animal litter, process for preparing the animal litter and a method for removal of animal waste using the animal litter are provided. The animal litter generally includes corn cob, a lubricant, and a cohesiveness agent. The animal litter is in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.
US09232766B1

A toilet seat and training system specifically designed for cats. The instant seat includes a circular sitting member having a center orifice therethrough, a wide platform formed on opposite sides thereof so a cat can be well balanced thereon, and a series of concentric annular tray members attached to an inner rim of the sitting member and formed having progressively smaller sizes, and which can be successively removed to vary the size of the center orifice, and is designed to releasably attach to an existing toilet and fit underneath a human toilet seat, so people can still have use of their toilet seat without interference from the cat's seat. This seat can be used in conjunction with specialized dissolving litter, a pet urine odor eliminator, and a urine detector light.
US09232762B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046953. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046953. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046953 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046953 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09232753B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045746. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045746. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045746 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045746 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09232748B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH827983. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH827983, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH827983 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH827983.
US09232747B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH942725. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH942725, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH942725 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH942725.
US09232740B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH840240. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH840240, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH840240 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH840240.
US09232737B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH286579. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH286579, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH286579 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH286579.
US09232735B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH399948. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH399948, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH399948 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH399948.
US09232734B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH664189. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH664189, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH664189 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH664189.
US09232722B1

A novel maize variety designated X05D944 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X05D944 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05D944 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05D944, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05D944. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05D944.
US09232717B1

A novel maize variety designated PH25MA and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH25MA with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25MA through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH25MA or a locus conversion of PH25MA with another maize variety.
US09232698B1

A lawn edging device having overlapping, alternating toe plates forming a base portion that covers a strip of soil. The toe plates are connected at proximal edges to a resilient, elongate backing strip, from which a plurality of ground insertion spikes depend downwardly. The device is may also be provided with a vertical edge-defining portion extending upwardly from the backing strip. Flexing or trimming notches of material being horizontal or vertical are made in the back or front surfaces of the backing strip or edge-defining portion providing changeable device dimensions and increasing flexion of the device for making custom lawn edging curves and angles without decreasing device strength.
US09232688B2

A combination of a tractor and an implement is pulled by the tractor. A draw bar is coupled to the tractor so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis. The implement is supported on the ground by wheels and comprises a cultivating element for cultivating a field. A control device is usable to activate a first actuator with which the a position of the draw bar is changeable in relation to the implement, where the control device can be operated in order to activate the first actuator in such a manner that the latter adjusts the draw bar with the effect of moving the implement toward the outside of a curve.
US09237682B2

This power module substrate with a heat sink includes a power module substrate having a circuit layer disposed on one surface of an insulating layer, and a heat sink bonded to the other surface of this power module substrate, wherein the bonding surface of the heat sink and the bonding surface of the power module substrate are each composed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a bonding layer (50) having a Mg-containing compound (52) (excluding MgO) which contains Mg dispersed in an Al—Si eutectic composition is formed at the bonding interface between the heat sink and the power module substrate, and the thickness t of this bonding layer (50) is within a range from 5 μm to 80 μm.
US09237674B2

The invention relates to a filter unit for a switchgear cabinet, comprising a filter housing having an air passage that can be covered by an air passage grating at least to some extent.To allow such a filter unit to be maintenanced easily, it provided according to the invention that the air passage grating is hinged indirectly or directly to the filter housing and can be adjusted between a closed position and an opened maintenance position. The filter housing has a retainer which positively blocks a catch of the air passage grating in the maintenance position.
US09237672B2

A data center system can include a mobile support structure; one or more enclosures for removable electronic equipment where the enclosures are housed by the support structure; a cooling system in fluid communication with the enclosures for cooling of the electronic equipment where the cooling system is housed by the support structure; and a power system operably connected to the electronic equipment and the cooling system for supplying power thereto where the power system comprises a generator housed by the support system. The mobile data center can be moved to remote locations, and the electronic equipment can be placed in communication with a network when at the remote location. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09237670B2

Exemplary embodiments include a socket interposer having a first plurality of connectors, at least one of on-board memory socket and a memory. The first plurality of connectors is configured to fit with a first form factor of a memory socket on a server board. The at least one on-board memory socket includes at least a second plurality of connectors and has a second form factor configured for a memory module having a first memory type. The memory has a second memory type different from the first memory type of the memory module.
US09237666B2

A folding electronic device includes a first main body having a first housing, an engagement unit, a second main body engaged with the first main body, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a hook member, a hook driving member, a first reset driving member, and a latch member. The hook member is fixed to the first main body. The latch member is fixed to the second main body. The hook driving member drives the hook member to protrude from the first housing to latch with the latch member when the electronic device is folded. The reset driving member retracts the hook member into the first housing when the electronic device is unfolded.
US09237658B2

Nanocarbon-based materials are provided in connection with various devices and methods of manufacturing. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a nanocarbon structure having inorganic particles covalently bonded thereto. The resulting hybrid structure functions as a circuit node such as an electrode terminal. In various embodiments, the hybrid structure includes two or more electrodes, at least one of which including the nanocarbon structure with inorganic particles covalently bonded thereto.
US09237656B2

Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter include a first laminated structure in which at least one conductor layer and at least one resin insulating layer are alternately formed is formed on a supporting substrate, and a core substrate is formed so as to come into contact with the conductor layer which is the uppermost layer of the first laminated structure. Then, laser light is emitted to the core substrate to form a through hole and a metal layer is formed in the through hole. Then, a second laminated structure including at least one conductor layer and at least one resin insulating layer is formed on the core substrate. At that time, the thickness of the conductor layer which is the uppermost layer of the first laminated structure is greater than that of the other conductor layers.
US09237654B2

An electronic component embedded substrate is disclosed. The electronic component embedded substrate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a core substrate having a cavity formed therein; a plurality of electronic components embedded in the cavity and arranged in a predetermined format; and a plurality of dielectric spacers interposed in between the plurality of electronic components that are adjacent to one another in the cavity.
US09237647B2

Disclosed herein is a device comprising a first package having a first side with a plurality of connectors disposed thereon and a second package mounted on the first package by the connectors. A molding compound is disposed on the first side of the first package and between the first package and the second package. A plurality of stress relief structures (SRSs) are disposed in the molding compound, the plurality of SRSs each comprising a cavity free of metal in the molding compound and spaced apart from each of the plurality of connectors.
US09237640B2

RF device (1) able to generate an RF acceleration voltage in a synchrocyclotron. The device comprises a resonant cavity (2) formed by a grounded conducting enclosure (5) and enveloping a conducting pillar (3) to a first end of which an accelerating electrode (4) is linked. A rotary variable capacitor (10) is mounted in the conducting enclosure at a second end of the pillar, opposite from the first end, comprising at least one fixed electrode (stator) (11) and a rotor (13) exhibiting a rotation shaft (14) supported and guided in rotation by galvanically isolating bearings (20), said rotor (13) comprising one moveable electrode (12) possibly facing the stator (11). When the shaft (14) rotates, the stator and the moveable electrode together form a variable capacitance whose value varies cyclically with time. The rotor (13) is galvanically isolated from the conducting enclosure (5) and from the pillar (3). The stator (11) is connected to the second end of the pillar (3) or to the conducting enclosure (5). The rotor is respectively coupled capacitively to the conducting enclosure or to the pillar. This makes it possible to dispense with sliding electrical contacts between the rotor and respectively the conducting enclosure or the pillar.
US09237639B2

A microwave resonant cavity is provided. The microwave resonant cavity includes: a sidewall having a generally cylindrical hollow shape; a gas flow tube disposed inside the sidewall and having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sidewall; a plurality of microwave waveguides, each microwave waveguide having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sidewall and having a distal end secured to the sidewall and aligned with a corresponding one of a plurality of holes formed on the sidewall; a top plate secured to one end of the sidewall; and a sliding short circuit having: a disk slidably mounted between the sidewall and the gas flow tube; and at least one bar disposed inside the sidewall and arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sidewall.
US09237630B2

A planar light emitting device includes a light-emitting element having a light-transmitting substrate on one side; and a front film in contact with the light-emitting element on the side of the light-transmitting substrate, the front film includes at least three layers including a substrate film and particle-containing resin layers on both surfaces of the substrate film; wherein the resin layer (a first particle-containing layer) on the light incidence side of the front film contains 1 to 50% by weight of the particles and the resin layer (a second particle-containing layer) on the light exiting side of the front film contains 20 to 80% by weight of the particles.
US09237626B2

Disclosed is an alternating current dimming drive circuit for an LED, comprising a rectification unit and N stages of LED direct current drive circuits. In the ith stage of LED direct current drive circuit, a first end of the ith voltage sampling unit and an input end of the ith LED light source module directly or indirectly receive the output voltage of the rectification unit; a voltage division end of the ith voltage sampling unit is connected to a second input end of the ith switch unit; and a first input end of the ith switch unit is connected to an output end of the ith LED light source module, and an output end of the ith switch unit, a second end of the ith voltage sampling unit and a second output end of the rectification unit are grounded. When the ith switch unit is switched on, the first to the ith LED light source modules emit light. When the ith switch unit is switched off, if i is less than N, the first to the (i+1)th LED light source modules emit light, and if i is equal to N, the first to the Nth LED light source modules stop emitting light. The present invention realizes an alternating current directly-driven LED light source module and will not flicker in the case of alternating current voltage fluctuation.
US09237621B1

A buck-boost LED driver circuit is provided with floating IC driving control. A DC power supply is provided with first and second inputs, the second input coupled to a mains ground. A PFC switching circuit is coupled to the first input and operable to drive an LED load. A current sensor is coupled to the switching circuit and configured to provide feedback signals representative of current through the LED load, and a dimming control circuit is coupled to the mains circuit ground and effectively superposes an external dimming control signal with the load feedback signal. A PFC controller is configured to provide driver signals to a switching element based on the superposed dimming and load feedback signals as compared to an internal reference. Each of the switching element, the current sensor and the controller are commonly coupled to a floating circuit ground.
US09237612B1

An illumination device and methods are provided herein for avoiding over-current and over-power conditions in one or more power converters included within the illumination device. The illumination device may generally include a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chains, a driver circuit, at least one power converter, a temperature sensor and a control circuit. The LED chains may produce illumination for the illumination device at a chromaticity consistent with a chromaticity setting. The power converter(s) may be coupled for powering the LED chains, and may each comprise a maximum safe current level or a maximum safe power level, which varies with temperature. The temperature sensor may be coupled for measuring a present temperature associated with the power converters. The control circuit may be configured for determining a target lumens value that can be safely produced by all LED chains at the present temperature to achieve the chromaticity setting without exceeding the maximum safe current level or the maximum safe power level associated with the power converters at the present temperature.
US09237610B2

A dimmable LED lamp assembly includes a power supply configured to receive an input power signal and produce a DC lamp current, a LED lamp coupled to the DC lamp current and configured to produce an amount of light corresponding to an amount of the DC lamp current, and a dimming controller coupled to the power supply and configured to adjust the amount of DC lamp current. The dimming controller is coupled to the input power signal and is further configured to determine a required dimming level based on the input power signal and to adjust the amount of DC lamp current such that the amount of light produced by the LED lamp corresponds to the determined required dimming level.
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