US09297467B1

A leak detection apparatus which is to detect a fluid leak in a closed fluid system and produce a display of the information of the leak on a display window of a control panel which may also be programmed to transmit that information to the human user such as a cell phone. The leak detection apparatus can be located in a closed position, not permitting flow of fluid within the closed fluid system, or in an open position permitting flow of fluid into the closed fluid system. During inactivity the closed fluid system is not capable of receiving fluid from a fluid supply pipe. During activity when fluid is being normally discharged from the closed fluid system the leak detection apparatus is to receive fluid from the fluid supply pipe.
US09297462B2

A switch valve which is configured such that a plurality of land sections and a valley section between the land sections are formed in a valve element that advances or retreats in an axial direction according to a manual operation, a plurality of port sections opened are provided in a cylinder section in which the valve element is inserted so as to be capable of advancing and retreating, and the prescribed port sections are made to communicate with each other via the valley section according to a position of the valve element in the axial direction or be blocked by the land section, the switch valve includes a seal section that seals a space between portions on both sides in the axial direction across either one of the land sections in a liquid-tight manner.
US09297453B2

A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission may generate low hydraulic pressure and high hydraulic pressure using oil stored in an oil pan and may supply the low hydraulic pressure and the high hydraulic pressure respectively to a low pressure portion and a high pressure portion. In the hydraulic pressure supply system, a low-pressure hydraulic pump pumping the oil stored in the oil pan and generating the low hydraulic pressure and a high-pressure hydraulic pump changing the low hydraulic pressure supplied from the low-pressure hydraulic pump into the high hydraulic pressure and supplying the high hydraulic pressure to the high pressure portion may be integrated as one hydraulic pump.
US09297451B2

The invention relates to a toothed wheel arrangement (1) comprising a main toothed wheel (2) and a toothed wheel (4) that can be rotated relative thereto in the circumferential direction (3), wherein the main toothed wheel (2) comprises a toothed wheel body (25) on which a hub (5) is arranged in a projecting manner in the axial direction so as, firstly, to accommodate a shaft and, secondly, to arrange the rotatable toothed wheel (4) thereon, for which purpose the rotatable toothed wheel (4) has a cutout (17) coaxial to an axially extending center axis of the main toothed wheel (2), and wherein the main toothed wheel (2) is connected to the rotatable toothed wheel (4) by means of a bayonet fastening (14). The bayonet fastening (14) is formed between the hub (5) and the rotatable toothed wheel (2) and/or between the hub (5) and a spring element (9) bearing on the rotatable toothed wheel (4).
US09297439B2

A vibration isolator having a housing defining a fluid chamber, piston assembly, tuning passage, and a switchable fluid path assembly for changing the isolation frequency of the vibration isolator. The piston assembly is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration tuning fluid is allowed to flow within the housing. Actuation of a valve in the switchable fluid path assembly selectively controls fluid flow within the fluid path of the switchable fluid path assembly.
US09297437B2

An adjustable damping valve arrangement for a vibration damper comprises an actuator which exerts an actuating force on a multiple-part auxiliary valve body of an auxiliary valve. The auxiliary valve influences a closing force on a main stage valve via an auxiliary valve closing body which is movable axially relative to a shaft portion on the actuator side. During a lift movement, a main stage valve body of the main stage valve compresses a rear space connected to the control space via the auxiliary valve. An auxiliary valve closing spring acts upon the auxiliary valve closing body in closing direction independently from the actuator control, and the rear space has a flow-off channel having a damping valve which generates a damping force during a lift movement of the main stage valve body when the rear space is closed.
US09297431B2

A pad pressing spring which is mounted on a pad of a disc brake by causing a pinching portion to pinch a pad back plate is configured as follows. An elastic arm which presses the pad in a disc rotor normal-rotating direction continuously extends from a base end side of the pinching portion, and the elastic arm has a configuration in which, when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in a direction opposite to a direction in which a pad is pressed, a tip end side of the elastic arm comes into contact with a lateral surface of the pad back plate or the pinching portion, and thus a spring constant of the pad pressing spring increases compared to a spring constant in a state where a load exceeding the predetermined value is not applied.
US09297429B2

A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller shell; a turbine shell; a turbine clutch formed by the turbine and impeller shells; and a stator formed of a single piece of material and including a protrusion extending in an axial direction and having a radial surface. In a drive mode: the cover transmits torque to the impeller shell; the turbine clutch is open; the radial surface forms an entirety of a portion of the stator closest, in the axial direction from the stator toward the turbine shell, to the turbine shell; and the radial surface is free of contact with the turbine shell. In a coast mode for the torque converter, at least a portion of the radial surface is in contact with the turbine shell or is separated from the turbine shell by a layer of fluid in contact with the radial surface and the turbine shell.
US09297427B2

A hydraulic shaft coupling apparatus transfers power from a rotating drive shaft to a driven load shaft, where the apparatus has a self-contained internal fluid flow path having a fluid control valve that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow path to allow fluid flow when there is a substantial difference between drive shaft and driven shaft rotational speeds, and to gradually restrict the fluid flow as the difference between drive shaft and driven shaft speeds decrease to the point where fluid flow through the fluid passage is substantially stopped by the control valve resulting in the one-to-one transfer of rotational power from the drive shaft to the driven shaft.
US09297426B2

A power take-off includes an input mechanism that is disposed within an input mechanism housing and is adapted to be connected to a source of rotational energy. A clutch assembly is disposed within a driveshaft housing and is adapted to be connected to a rotatably driven accessory. A driveshaft connects the input mechanism to the clutch assembly. The driveshaft may be disposed within the driveshaft housing, which also forms a housing for the clutch assembly.
US09297422B2

A gas turbine engine having a coupling element for coupling a first shaft to a second shaft, the second shaft being substantially axially aligned with the first shaft, the coupling element provided with an exterior surface that engages an opposing interior surface of the first shaft and an interior surface that engages an opposing exterior surface of the second shaft to facilitate torque transfer between the first shaft and the second shaft when rotated together, wherein the coupling element and at least one of the first and second shafts cooperate to define at least one fluid passageway therebetween.
US09297416B2

Slide bearings and methods of producing slide bearings are disclosed. The slide bearing has a metal support, an adhesive layer and a sliding layer. The adhesive layer is applied directly to the metal support. The adhesive layer comprises a blend of at least two fluoropolymers P1 and P2, wherein P1 is selected from perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA) or tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene (FEP). P2 is different from P1 and can be a fluoropolymer.
US09297415B2

A linear actuator includes a slide, a first half return member, a second half return member and a slide block. The first and second half return members are hollow frames and sleeved onto the rail. A circulation path can be formed when the first and second half return members and the slide block are assembled together, the second half return member is directly disposed in the first radial gap of the first half return member, and the slide block is directly disposed in the second radial gap of the second half return member. Furthermore, there is no level difference in the first and second return grooves of the two half return members, which will prevent noise caused during movement of the rolling elements, reduce impact of the rolling elements against the circulation path, and therefore extending the life of the linear actuator.
US09297409B2

A microphone stand is provided that includes a dual mic frame that carries a first microphone and a second microphone.
US09297393B2

An actuator is equipped with a moveable part 160 that moves according to changes in an intake amount of air, a cylinder 140 that contains air and pumps the air through a fluid pipe 150 to the moveable part 160 according to pressure applied to the air, and a piston 130 that applies pressure to the air in the cylinder 140. Further, the actuator is equipped with a motor 100 that generates rotational force, and a screw 110 and a slide nut 120 that convert the rotational force to a force to move the piston 130. The air is enclosed in the moveable part 160, the cylinder 140 and the fluid pipe 150.
US09297385B2

A vortex prevention device is capable of preventing creation of air entrained vortex and also provides a double suction vertical pump having such a vortex prevention device. The vortex prevention device is used in combination with the double suction vertical pump which is installed in an open channel and has an upper suction opening and a lower suction opening. The vortex prevention device includes a plate member as a vortex prevention structure arranged above the upper suction opening. The plate member is arranged away from the upper suction opening such that a passage is formed between the plate member and the upper suction opening.
US09297375B1

A fluid cylinder block includes a body having a plurality of bores formed therein that intersect at a junction, and a stress distributing joint comprising a groove formed in the body adjacent opposing bores of the plurality of bores on each side of the junction, wherein the grooves include a major dimension that is greater than a diameter of the opposing bores.
US09297373B2

A differential pressure valve is disclosed, comprising: a valve body, the valve body having at least one flow inlet and one flow outlet; at least one shutter, the shutter being movable between an open position and a closed position under a differential pressure across the valve; a flow passage from the flow inlet to the flow outlet; at least one biasing member configured to bias the shutter towards a closed position so as to block the flow passage through the flow inlet. The biasing member comprises at least two springs arranged in parallel, one of the springs having at least one resonance frequency different from at least one resonance frequency of the other of the two springs.
US09297365B2

An offshore wind turbine assembly is disclosed. The offshore wind turbine assembly includes cable meshes or networks arranged on at least two respective levels along the longitudinal direction of the towers of floatable wind turbines in the offshore wind turbine assembly. The cable mesh at each level interconnects the wind turbines in the assembly so as to substantially maintain the position of each wind turbine relatively to the assembly when the entire assembly is located at an offshore position. By means of the arrangement of cable meshes, an upright orientation of the tower of each wind turbine in the assembly can be achieved by appropriately setting the interlevel spacing of the cable meshes.
US09297361B2

A device for generating electrical power from fluid flow energy comprising a shaft member; at least one sleeve, wherein the shaft member passed through the at least one sleeve; a stationary stator, wherein the stationary stator coupled to the shaft member, and wherein the stationary stator comprising a first stator and a second stator, wherein the first stator is positioned adjacent to the second stator; and at least one moving stator, wherein the at least one moving stator positioned in concentric relation to the stationary stator.
US09297359B1

A pitch control assembly for a vertical axis wind turbine provides greater efficiency to the vertical axis wind turbine. The pitch control assembly comprises a pitch control assembly housing mechanically coupled to a first stop bar, a second stop bar and a cushion mass. The pitch control assembly housing is mechanically coupled to a pitch control assembly bottom plate where the pitch control assembly bottom plate is mechanically coupled to a dampening spring. The dampening spring is mechanically coupled to a blade control plate, where the blade control plate is mechanically coupled to a first blade control pusher bar, a second blade control pusher bar and a blade control plate stem. A heavier mass and a lighter mass rest upon the blade control plate; the blade control plate stem is mechanically coupled to a vertical axis, which is used in the vertical axis wind turbine.
US09297358B2

The invention relates to a Magnus rotor having a cylindrical body of revolution for converting wind power into a feed force using the Magnus effect. The Magnus rotor having: a rotational shaft about which the body of revolution rotates; a support member on which the body of revolution is mounted; and a body of revolution which has stiffening ribs for the reinforcement thereof. The body of revolution is primed in at least two planes arranged at a mutual spacing in the axial direction perpendicular to the rotational shaft of the body of revolution in order to accommodate balancing weights. The invention further relates to a method for balancing a body of revolution according to the invention.
US09297353B2

An apparatus has a base and a flow path assembly movably supported by the base and defining a serpentine flow path having an entry opening and an exit opening. An actuator is coupled with the flow path assembly and the base and is configured to rotate the flow path assembly between a vertical and an angled position relative to the base. The flow path is configured to allow a column of a first fluid with a first density to be trapped between columns of a second fluid with a second density higher than the first density. The first fluid column has a first height and the second fluid columns have second heights, so that a volume of the first fluid and a volume of the second fluid flow through the flow path and through the exit opening as the flow path assembly is rotated between the vertical and angled positions.
US09297350B2

A combined offshore system for generating electricity includes of an offshore windmill unit with a generator for extracting power from wind and transferring it into electricity, a electricity export cable connected to the windmill for exporting produced electricity to offshore or onshore consumers, and at least one offshore wave power unit for extracting power from waves. This offshore wave power unit is characterized in that electricity produced by the wave power unit is transferred via the same electricity export cable as the electricity generated by the windmill unit.
US09297346B2

Various methods for determining camshaft position based on position indicated by an electric motor controller are provided. In one example, a method comprises: during cranking of an engine, driving a camshaft of the engine by an electric motor controlled by a motor controller which indicates motor position and position of the camshaft; determining one or more engine operating parameters for controlling the engine during the cranking by an engine controller from the indicated cam position; and after the cranking, identifying the cam position from a sensor coupled to the camshaft.
US09297342B2

The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion. The base portion receives the fuel into the body and the nozzle portion can be positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve carried by the nozzle portion that is movable between a closed position and an open position to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber. An actuator is coupled the valve and extends longitudinally through the body towards the base portion, and a driver is carried by the body and is movable between a first position and a second position. Thermochemical regeneration of waste heat produced by combustion and associated combustion events is captured and invested in endothermic reactions to improve efficiency of the combustion event. Hydrogen characterized fuel may be used as a heat sink.
US09297336B2

A carburetor includes a body with an air intake path, a fuel pump and a fuel pressure regulator. The fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator are positioned on the same side of the body. A fuel pump and metering chamber diaphragm is sandwiched between the body of the carburetor and a pump body and cover. The diaphragm separates a pump chamber from a pulse chamber of the fuel pump and separates a fuel chamber from an air chamber in the fuel pressure regulator. Inlet and outlet flapper valves are part of the diaphragm or a separate flapper valve member positioned between the body and the diaphragm.
US09297331B2

Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and systems selectively operate the direct injection fuel pump with varying levels of efficiency. In one example, an amount of piston lift of a direct fuel injection pump may be adjusted to selectively alter the pump's operating efficiency.
US09297328B2

A fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine includes a first and a second fuel pump, a leakage-prone volume flow regulating valve arranged in a fuel line between the first and the second fuel pump, and a control unit configured to actuate the first fuel pump as a function of a position of the leakage-prone volume flow regulating valve, such that the leakage-prone volume flow regulating valve serves as the sole actuating element for pressure regulation in the fuel injection system. An associated pressure regulating method is also disclosed.
US09297325B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for compensating a mass airflow (MAF) sensor reading to account for the bleeding or diversion of intake airflow for compressor operation in determining fresh air flow into an engine. The engine is downstream from the compressor diversion.
US09297319B2

An engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation circuit, an air throttle system, and a charging system. A method to control the engine includes determining a feed forward control command for a first selected one of the exhaust gas recirculation system, the air throttle system, and the charging system based on an inverse flow model of the first selected system. This includes monitoring a first input based upon an effective flow area of the first selected system, monitoring a second input based upon a pressure value within the first selected system, and determining the feed forward control command for the first selected system based upon the first input and the second input. The first selected system is controlled based upon the feed forward control command for the first selected system.
US09297317B2

A method for controlling an internal combustion engine (1) comprising a number (W) of cylinders (3); the control method comprises determining the total target torque (Ci_obj) required to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1); determining a number (Wa) of active cylinders (3) to be controlled in use for injection and combustion; while a number (Ws) of cylinders (3) are not active and are not controlled for injection and combustion, but only for aspirating an air mass; determining the required target torque (Ci_obj) to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1) for each of the active cylinders (3); and controlling the internal combustion engine (1) as a function of the required target torque (Ci_obj) to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1) for each of the active cylinders (3).
US09297314B2

A nacelle for incorporation into a gas turbine engine has an inner wall defining a bypass duct, and an outer wall. At least one drive shaft extends through the inner wall. The at least one drive shaft is connected to a gas turbine engine receiving the nacelle. The at least one drive shaft is connected to drive at least two accessory gear boxes, with the at least two accessory gear boxes being received between the inner and outer walls of the nacelle. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
US09297312B2

An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a frame, a mount, and a fairing. The mount is attached to the frame and the fairing is connected to the mount. The fairing and mount have mating anti-deflection features that engage to prevent circumferential movement of the fairing relative to the frame.
US09297310B2

A cooling arrangement for a gas turbine engine. The cooling arrangement comprises a discharge channel for air flow from a compressor, a first cooling channel and at least one aperture providing communication between the flow of air through the discharge channel and the first cooling channel. A restrictor device in the aperture regulates the flow of air between the discharge channel and the first cooling channel. The restrictor device deforms to vary air flowing through the aperture in response to a physical condition of the engine. This physical condition of the engine may be that of the temperature of air flowing through the discharge channel, the restrictor device responding to regulate the flow of air based on that temperature. The restrictor device may be a two-way shape memory alloy.
US09297300B2

A vehicle body frame has a head pipe, a main frame, a down frame, and a lower frame. The main frame extends downward to the rear from the head pipe. The down frame extends downward to the rear from the head pipe in a position below the main frame. The lower frame connects an end of the down frame to an end of the main frame. An engine of the vehicle has a crankshaft, a crankcase, and a cylinder member. The crankshaft is housed in the crankcase. The cylinder member is attached to the crankcase. A cylinder is formed inside the cylinder member. An axis of the cylinder extends upward obliquely to the rear.
US09297285B2

A method and system are described for on-board treatment of an exhaust stream containing CO2 emitted by a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) used to power a vehicle in order to reduce the amount of CO2 discharged into the atmosphere which include: a. a first waste heat recovery zone on board the vehicle for receiving the high temperature exhaust gas stream in heat exchange relation and discharging the exhaust stream at a lower temperature, the waste heat recovery zone further including at least one heat exchanger and/or heat recovery device with an inlet for receiving the hot exhaust gas stream from the ICE for passage in heat exchange relation and an outlet for the cooled exhaust gas stream, the heat exchanger further including an inlet for receiving a heat exchange fluid at a first temperature and an outlet for discharging the fluid at a second higher temperature, the heat recovery device including power transmission means; b. a densification zone in fluid communication with the exhaust gas stream discharge outlet from the first waste heat recovery zone, the densification zone including means for reducing the temperature and volume of the CO2 to at least liquefy the CO2, and to produce a treated exhaust gas stream of reduced CO2 content; c. a separation zone in communication with the densification zone and having a discharge outlet for the treated exhaust stream; d. storage zone for receiving the densified CO2 for temporary storage on board the vehicle; and e. an exhaust gas conduit in fluid communication with the treated exhaust gas stream outlet from the separation zone.
US09297283B2

Camshaft unit (1) having a first camshaft (2), which is phase-adjustable with respect to a crankshaft, a second camshaft (3), which is disposed concentric to the first camshaft (2) and is always in phase with the crankshaft, a camshaft adjuster (5) with which the first camshaft (2) is phase-adjustable with respect to the crankshaft, a connecting member (4), which is displaceable in the axial direction of the camshafts (2, 3) and has first toothed section (16) that meshes with counter-toothed section (6) on the first camshaft (2), and an adjusting drive (9) by which a connecting member (4) can be displaced axially, wherein through an axial advance, a relative rotation of the first camshaft (2) with respect to the connecting member (4) takes place.
US09297277B2

A power plant is provided and includes components for generating power from fluids at high and intermediate pressures, a pathway defined between the components along which a heated fluid flows to the one of the components for generating power from fluids at intermediate pressures and a circuit fluidly coupled to the pathway to cool a portion of the heated fluid prior to the portion of the heated fluid reaching the one of the components for generating power from fluids at intermediate pressures.
US09297274B2

A turbomachine includes an expander; a central region having a first end attached to the expander; a compressor attached to a second end of the central region; an electrical device provided inside the central region; and an electrical connection including a first part and a second part, the first part being configured to be removably attached directly to the second part. The first part is configured to be removably attached to an external surface of an external casing of the central region, and the second part is configured to be fixedly attached to a bundle.
US09297268B2

A seal for sealing a gap between adjacent first and second components, includes a first portion for attaching to the first component and a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion, the second portion having a top extending therealong that is flat in an uninstalled position, a thickened portion beneath the top and a hinge wherein the thickened portion is disposed between the hinge and an end of the top.
US09297265B2

An apparatus having reduced wear and friction between CMC-to-metal attachment and interface of the apparatus, including a CMC component having a surface. The CMC component surface is configured for sliding contact with a surface of a metal component, the sliding contact resulting in formation of debris along the contacting surfaces. The surface of the CMC component has an engineered surface feature formed therein to substantially prevent an accumulation of debris along the contacting surfaces.
US09297260B2

An airflow control device 10 in an embodiment includes: a vortex shedding structure portion 20 discharging an airflow flowing on a surface in a flow direction as a vortex flow; and a first electrode 40 and a second electrode 41 disposed on a downstream side of the vortex shedding structure portion 20 via a dielectric. By applying a voltage between the first electrode 40 and the second electrode 41, flow of the airflow on the downstream side of the vortex shedding structure portion 20 is controlled.
US09297259B2

A compressor component having an improved airfoil profile so as to eliminate previously known vibratory issues in the blade tip is disclosed. By altering the airfoil profile throughout its span, the natural frequency of the airfoil is altered so as to not coincide with a critical engine order of the compressor. Further, the present invention provides a novel airfoil profile in accordance with the coordinates of Table 1.
US09297257B2

A gas turbine engine spinner assembly including a spinner defining at least in part an aerodynamically smooth surface, a shell defining at least in part the aerodynamically smooth surface, and circumferentially spaced apart removable aerodynamic fairings located around the shell. Fairing shanks disposed in circumferentially spaced apart axially extending slots in the shell may be attached to the aerodynamic fairings. The fairings may shield radially extending portions of the fan blades including portions of blade shanks or portions of transition regions of the blade shanks. The fairing shanks may be disposed between and monolithically formed with the fairings and fairing roots attached to the fairing shanks. The fairings may be made of an injectable thermoplastic and the shell made of metal. The fairing shanks may be setback from fairing forward tips and the fairing shanks may be setback from root forward tips of the fairing roots.
US09297239B2

A hydraulic pump smart device for production of oil, recording of pressure and temperature, temporary closing and leveling of pressure in a single and simple operation is provided. The intelligent hydraulic pumping device includes a jet pump assembly coupled with a bottom shut-off valve and is coupled to a gauge carrier, forming an integrated single-block unit. A bottom shut-off valve is incorporated into to the jet pump and is closed by a system of a plunger and two balls. The recovery of the smart device is generated by the opening of a by-pass on injecting a drive fluid in reverse at a low pressure (approximately 100 to 500 psi).
US09297238B2

A method and apparatus for operating a plunger lift system in a well can include: opening a control valve and allowing a plunger to rise to a top of the well; determining an actual rise time of the plunger based on a time it take the plunger to rise to the top of the well; using actual rise time of the plunger and a target rise time calculating adjustments to the afterflow time or close time; and allowing the afterflow time to pass before closing the control valve and keeping the valve closed for the close time. The methods are repeated, each time calculating a new adjusted afterflow time or adjusted close time to incrementally alter these times.
US09297236B2

A device for thermally insulating at least one element of a subsea installation from ambient cold sea water, the device comprising an external casing which encloses an internal fluid chamber. The fluid chamber accommodates a fluid having heat-storing capacity, the element being received in the fluid chamber with the fluid surrounding the element so as to allow the fluid to delay cooling of the element by means of heat stored in the fluid. A heat storing member is mounted in the fluid chamber so as to be surrounded by the fluid. The heat storing member contains a medium having heat-storing capacity so as to allow transfer of heat from the fluid to the medium in the heat storing and vice versa to thereby allow the heat storing member to delay cooling of the fluid by means of heat stored in the medium in the heat storing member.
US09297233B2

A well barrier for sealing a downhole conduit is described. The well barrier includes a housing defining a throughbore having a longitudinal axis, a valve actuator and a flapper valve. The flapper valve includes a flapper attached to the valve actuator. The flapper valve and the valve actuator are axially movable with respect to the housing in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The flapper is adapted to move from one of a throughbore open and throughbore closed positions to the other of said open and closed positions when the actuator and flapper valve move a predetermined axial distance.
US09297231B2

A wiper plug launching tool and a method of wiping a tubular after cementing, the wiper plug launching tool including a wiper plug; a retainer in operable communication with the wiper plug; and an interlock system operatively arranged for releasing the retainer only upon release of the interlock system.
US09297229B2

Methods include introducing a casing into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the casing forming an annulus with the wellbore surface, where the casing is subject to a first pressure value at a distal end and a second pressure value at a proximal region within the casing, and where a shoe is positioned at the distal end of the casing. Then, placing a sealable valve within the proximal region of the casing, injecting a first cement composition into the casing, through the sealable valve and shoe, and into the annulus, and the placing a second cement composition in a medial region of the tubular formed between the distal end and the proximal region. Afterward, the sealable valve is closed.
US09297214B2

A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.
US09297207B2

A device in place as, or suitable for use as, a vibrational tool of or in a downhole assembly, the device having a first magnetic assembly which is to be, or can be, rotated relative to a second magnetic assembly and which, when so rotated, causes the second magnetic assembly to oscillate and/or reciprocate at least substantially in an axial manner; wherein the oscillating and/or reciprocating magnetic assembly, at least substantially, at either one end, or both ends, is attached to and constrained in its oscillations and/or reciprocation by a compliant member thereby allowing the output force to be distributed to the outer body of the vibrational tool and/or any attached uphole and/or downhole tooling, from the compression and extension of the compliant member in a substantially sinusoidal manner.
US09297205B2

A method includes receiving toolface information corresponding to a location of the bottom hole assembly (BHA) with respect to a target drilling path and drift information. The surface steerable system calculates a first toolface vector from a first location of the BHA to the target drilling path to create a convergence path to the target drilling path and calculates an adjustment of the first toolface vector to a second toolface vector to account for system drift defined by the drift information such that the BHA will converge with the target drilling path by drilling in accordance with the second toolface vector. The surface steerable system modifies at least one drilling parameter to alter a drilling direction of the BHA based on the calculated second toolface vector and transmits the at least one drilling parameter to the drilling rig to target the BHA in accordance with the second toolface vector.
US09297197B2

An IG window unit includes a coating supported by a glass substrate. The coating from the glass substrate outwardly comprising at least the following: a dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride; a dielectric layer comprising an oxide of titanium; another dielectric layer; a layer comprising zinc oxide; an infrared (IR) reflecting layer comprising silver on the glass substrate, located over and directly contacting the layer comprising zinc oxide, wherein the coating includes only one IR reflecting layer; a layer comprising an oxide of Ni and/or Cr located over and directly contacting the IR reflecting layer comprising silver; and an overcoat comprising (i) a layer comprising tin oxide located over the layer comprising the oxide of Ni and/or Cr and (ii) a layer comprising silicon nitride located over and contacting the layer comprising tin oxide.
US09297193B1

The present invention relates to a torsion spring that has a proximal leg with a proximal segment and a distal segment, a distal leg with a proximal segment and a distal segment, and a coil between the proximal and distal legs. The torsion spring is preferably used adjacent to a door hinge to bias the door in an open position. The proximal segment of the proximal leg and the distal segment of the distal leg are preferably curved so that they may be hammered into the door and door frame in order to keep the torsion spring in place.
US09297189B2

A device having an opening structure includes a first body having a first locking part, a second body having a second locking part, a first magnetic component, and a second magnetic component. The second body has a closing position and an unlocking position relative to the first body. The first body overlaps the second body when the second body is located at the closing position. The first locking part separates from the second locking part when the second body is located at the unlocking position. The first magnetic component has a first pole fixed to the first locking part. The second magnetic component has a second pole and a third pole. The second pole attracts the first pole, and the third pole repels the first pole. The second pole is pivoted on the second body around an axis.
US09297187B2

A gate latch release mechanism has a cylindrical tubular guide having a first length, a mechanism to firmly fasten the tubular guide in a hole through a gate member, a compression spring having a length less than the first length of the tubular guide, the compression spring positioned within the tubular guide and having a first end bearing on a cap at a first end of the tubular guide, a flexible line of a length substantially longer than the tubular guide, the line passing through the compression spring and the tubular guide, and having a handle on one end and a coupling interface on an opposite end, and an element securely fastened to the line within the tubular guide, with the element bearing on a second end of the compression spring within the tubular guide.
US09297182B2

A handle assembly for a door includes at least a support member, an elongate handle body, an insert and a fastener. The elongate handle body includes an opening at a handle end. An outer hole is formed on a shell of the handle body near the handle end so as to be in communication with the opening. The insert is configured to be inserted into the opening. The insert includes an aperture and an inner hole. The aperture is configured to accommodate the support member mounted on a door. The inner hole is configured to be aligned with the outer hole and be in communication with the aperture. The insert includes a protrusion that protrudes into the aperture. The fastener is configured to be inserted through the outer hole and the inner hole and press the support member against the protrusion such that the protrusion extends into a neck portion of the support member.
US09297178B2

This invention relates to a false ceiling intended to be suspended inside a lightweight housing module provided with at least one stretched fabric referred to as exterior forming its roof and fixed along its lower peripheral edge on a rigid frame, the false ceiling being of double inverted curvature and comprising a fabric referred to as interior being, on the one hand, suspended inside said lightweight housing module under the exterior fabric and, on the other hand, fixed by its exterior peripheral edge to said frame, the false ceiling being remarkable in that said interior fabric comprises in its central portion an orifice of dimensions that are sufficient to allow for the passing of an operator and in that said interior fabric is sufficiently resistant and stretched in order to support the weight of at least one operator. This invention further relates to its method of assembly.
US09297176B2

A retention tie system for post-construction installation to stabilize masonry or composite walls. The system comprises a tie member anchored in an anchor hole bored into the existing foundation and a tensioned against a base plate and a cover plate seated along the top of the wall. A bracing member is used to provide lateral stability to the respective plate members. A tension washer is used to ensure that the tie members are tensioned to the appropriate load.
US09297173B2

A jump form system provided variously with an integral jump shoe lock mechanism, a reversible gang form shear platform, and a pinion lock mechanism for a roll back carriage. The jump shoe lock mechanism includes a lever pivotably mounted to the jump form system frame above a jump shoe bearing portion of a connecting member, a sleeve mounted to the jump form system frame below the jump shoe bearing portion of the connecting member, and a sleeve-mounted safety pin that is mechanically linked to the lever for engagement and disengagement with a jump shoe. The pinion lock mechanism includes a rack and pinion provided on inner and outer portions of a telescoping carriage assembly, respectively, and a lock arm pivotably mounted to the outer portion adjacent to the pinion, with the rack, pinion, and lock arm including complementary teeth which are locked into place upon pivoting engagement of the locking arm.
US09297172B2

A scaffold has several spaced apart systems of construction frames present on top of each other, as well as handrail frames that extend between the construction frames. The construction frames have three posts connected together by crossbars, in which the front post is shorter than the other two. The handrail frames are attached to these short posts. Each handrail frame is built up of two post sections with a handrail and a side plank between them. The post sections form half of a lengthwise divided post. The post sections of two adjacent handrail frames thus form one whole post, which can be inserted into the short post of a construction frame. As the post sections are part of the handrail frames, the handrail frames can be easily attached to the short posts already present at the front of the construction frames.
US09297169B2

A self-locking paneling system is provided and includes: a panel defining a void therein and a pin positioned within the void; another structure configured to connect with the panel, the other structure comprising a receptacle; and a magnet positioned on at least one of the receptacle and the pin. When the panel and the other structure are positioned together, the pin is configured to move from a retracted position from within the void to an extended position to engage the receptacle using magnetic force produced by the magnet. The self-locking paneling system can be used for raised-flooring systems.
US09297163B2

An assembly includes a reinforcement bar and a plurality of bar chair attached at spaced locations thereto. The bar chairs have an upper concave seat portion, and pairs of legs. The legs are spot welded to the reinforcement bar at locations, and at a height ‘h’ for the prescribed concrete cover for the reinforcement bar. The legs are located on opposing or alternating sides of the reinforcement bar to evenly distribute the construction loads onto the chair legs. As the reinforcement bar is attached to the legs of the wire form, the concave seat portion is oriented to support a reinforcement bar oriented at 90° to the reinforcement bar.
US09297160B2

The present invention relates to a composite panel made from cementitious mortar characterized in that a plurality of openings pass through its complete width, each of which is filled with a transparent to light material. The invention also relates to methods for producing this panel.
US09297159B2

A power lock system for stage truss towers for remotely locking a climbing truss sleeve block with its tower, thereby distributing the downward load directly into the tower and preventing upward motion. The power lock system for stage truss towers generally includes a remotely controlled locking mechanism that is mounted within a truss tower section with adjustable locations. The sleeve that slides or rolls up the tower is equipped with stirrups to provide a structural receptacle for the locking forks. The sleeve and the locking mechanism are equipped with sensors that indicate the sleeve is in the correct location for locking. The control system displays the status of the sensors and limit switches and uses logic to exercise the rules of operation.
US09297157B2

This disclosure provides a square closet flange support for overall support of closet flange and toilet bolts and to be used with new construction projects as well as in renovation projects to level, support and determine the final height of the closet flange and to prevent a need of cutting circular forms from floor tiles, hardwood or other floor covering. The square support has a seam that allows it to be snapped into two identical halves for use in renovation projects to enable sliding the support halves under the flange without a need to remove and reinstall an already installed flange.
US09297154B2

An adaptable toilet plumbing riser shroud provides for fast and simple field installation of toilet plumbing riser shrouds without requiring custom prefabrication of shrouds or constraining the plumbing design to a predetermined shape. Two cover portions, one of which is slidably inserted inside the other are secured together. The cover portions are also secured to a wall behind a toilet plumbing riser using brackets. A bottom cover may be provided and cut to permit the riser to pass therethrough. The bottom cover may also be formed from two portions one slidably inserted in the other and then glued together after cutting with plastic cement. The bottom is then attached to the bottom of the shroud using screws. The cover portions may be molded as a single piece and then singulated, and the bottom cover portions may also be formed as a single piece prior to singulation, as well.
US09297152B2

An internally mountable water flow device includes a water restriction element having a first end, a second end and a middle section, through which a centrally located aperture is provided. One or more gaskets are disposed adjacent to the first end of the restriction element, and a tightening member having a plurality of threaded elements functions to engage the restriction element and impart a pressure onto the one or more gaskets.
US09297151B2

A sanitary conduit, in particular for a shower device, is useful, for example, as a shower arm conduit in a shower system. The sanitary conduit has a rigid, hollow conduit housing including a base body (10′a) and a housing wall removably attached to the base body. At least one flexible conduit (12a, 12b) is inserted in the hollow conduit housing and is made from a flexural conduit material.
US09297148B2

An intelligent knuckle boom control system is disclosed where hoist and stick cylinders raise and lower main and stick booms, respectively, a base end control valve controls flow to the hoist and stick cylinder base ends, a hoist rod control valve controls flow to the hoist cylinder rod end, and a stick rod control valve controls flow to the stick cylinder rod end. A microprocessor computes control signals to direct flow through the control valves based on operator commands and boom position readings. The system can include an energy storage system for storing excess energy and releasing the stored energy, where the microprocessor directs storage of excess energy and release of stored energy. The energy storage system can include a hydraulic accumulator, an accumulator control valve and hydraulic pressure sensors; where the microprocessor receives pressure sensor readings and computes accumulator control valve control signals.
US09297144B2

A work machine includes a machine body, the machine body includes a bottom plate having an air outlet, and an exhaust air duct, the air outlet includes a major opening portion and a wide portion that is disposed with the major opening portion side by side in a left and right direction, the wide portion including a portion located immediately under an engine and having a greater width in a front and rear direction than a width of the major opening portion in the front and rear direction, the exhaust air duct includes a duct base portion including a lower opening that communicates with the air outlet, and an extension portion having an upper opening that is provided at an upper end thereof, and the duct base portion includes a wide-portion covering portion that covers the wide portion at a position immediately under the engine.
US09297134B1

A barrier for damming or channeling surface water flow is comprised of a non-woven polymer fabric sleeve within which is contained a water absorbent material which, upon contact with sufficient water, swells up to 20 or more times its initial weight. Preferred barriers have a D-shape front lobe and a rear lobe that inhibits overturning of the barrier during use. The water absorbent material is contained within a sheet that is captured by stitching which is the separator between the front and rear lobes. Barriers made of a dark color such as black or brown non-woven polypropylene fabric, and containing a super absorbent polymer (SAP), only minimally degrade in function when exposed to prolonged sunlight.
US09297132B2

A sea turtle friendly beach cleaning assembly designed for removal of seaweed and other debris from a sand beach. The device includes a beach raking assembly including a plurality of tines, in conjunction with a drag bar and a wire basket. When pulled across a sand surface, the device functions by pulling a plurality of “S” shaped tines across the sand surface in a substantially non-invasive manner, thereby eliminating any possible damage to turtle nests. The cooperation of the tine assembly and drag bar function to leave behind a smooth and clean surface free of ruts that would otherwise impede the movements of turtles and hatchlings.
US09297123B1

The water-filled stairs involves a modular staircase that is to be used on a temporary basis, and which is of hollowed construction so as to be filled with water when in use for the purpose of weighing down the staircase. The water-filled stairs is further defined with a plurality of steps adorning a top surface, and a flattened bottom surface. Distal ends of the water-filled stairs include a hook or connecting bar such that consecutive staircases may be attached to accommodate the needs of a particular application. Each staircase includes a male threaded port adjacent a top distal end as well as a bottom distal end. A flexible hose attaches in between the male threaded ports of adjacent staircases in order for a single water source to fill all staircases simultaneously.
US09297122B2

The invention relates to a guide plate for a system for fastening a rail to a substrate on which there is provided, laterally of the railway track, a shoulder, which absorbs the forces occurring when the rail is traveled on by a rail vehicle, the guide plate having an underside which is associated with the substrate and an upper side which is exposed in the installation position, is remote from the underside and on which it is possible to support a spring element provided for applying resiliently elastic holding-down forces to the rail to be fastened.
US09297120B2

Embodiments of a process for manufacturing a paper-based malleable dough for moulding and sculpting applications are described herein that include: soaking and mixing shredded paper in water, yielding a paper dough; and adding and mixing at least one setting-type joint compound with the paper dough. The at-least one setting type compound is added in a weight ratio of setting type compound to shredded paper of between about 11:8 to 17:8. The paper-based malleable dough allows creating objects that are ecological, durable, malleable and lightweight and that brings out the creative side of the user.
US09297110B2

A method for storing scanned information concerning a relevant laundry item in a data storage means which is assigned to a carrier holding the laundry item. The laundry item is assigned to a storage means or an intermediate storage means with the carrier comprising its information by a conveying system. The laundry items are sorted by way of their individual information stored on the carriers, moved into corresponding storage sections of the storage means and at the same time are both sorted and formed into laundry batches. The laundry batch then includes laundry items which require a same treatment. The laundry batch can then be supplied, for example, to a continuous-batch washing machine where the laundry items of the laundry batch are washed and, where applicable, subject to further treatments in the manner predefined according to their information. The sorting of the laundry items is automated to a large extent.
US09297086B2

A hydrogen-producing cell comprising a cell of a high temperature steam electrolyzer or HTSE comprising a porous cathode (404) and a porous anode (402) on either side of a dense and gases-impervious anion conducting electrolyte (403), wherein said cell of the high temperature steam electrolyzer is directly coupled, in series, with a cell of an electrochemical pump comprising a porous anode (406) and a porous cathode (408) on either side of a dense and gases-impervious proton conducting electrolyte (407), at the cathode (404) of the cell of the high temperature steam electrolyzer and at the anode (406) of the electrochemical pump.
US09297082B2

The present invention relates to processes for making calcium oxide electrolytically using calcium carbonate as a starting material. In a direct process, the present invention involves heating calcium carbonate to a temperature greater than its melting point or heating a molten mixture containing calcium carbonate; and subjecting the molten calcium carbonate or molten mixture to electrolysis to generate calcium oxide and oxygen, and a reduced carbon product. In an indirect process, the present invention involves heating solid calcium carbonate in a closed container to cause thermal decomposition to calcium oxide, and directing the evolved hot carbon dioxide byproduct into a molten carbonate solution, and subjecting the hot carbon dioxide molten mixture to electrolysis to generate solid carbon and oxygen, and a reduced carbon product.
US09297081B2

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for neutralizing acidic streams in an olefin or styrene production plant. More specifically, the invention relates to neutralizing agents for dilution steam systems in the steam cracker process and their use for reducing acid corrosion and fouling in such systems.
US09297075B2

A plasma deposition apparatus that includes a high-frequency electrode caused to face a deposition target and a ground electrode connected to the deposition target, and deposits a film on the deposition target by using plasma generated between the high-frequency electrode and the ground electrode, wherein the high-frequency electrode includes a first high-frequency electrode caused to face a first deposition target surface of the deposition target, and a second high-frequency electrode caused to face a second deposition target surface on the opposite side of the first deposition target surface, and the first high-frequency electrode, the second high-frequency electrode, and the ground electrode generate plasma between the first high-frequency electrode and the ground electrode for performing deposition on the first deposition target surface and plasma between the second high-frequency electrode and the ground electrode for performing deposition on the second deposition target surface at the same time.
US09297074B2

The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel repairing method and repairing system. The method includes: (1) providing a liquid crystal display panel, in which the liquid crystal display panel has a circuit that has a breaking site; and (2) applying laser chemical vapor deposition to form graphene on the liquid crystal display panel in such a way as to joint the breaking site. The liquid crystal display panel repairing method and repairing system of the present invention use laser chemical vapor deposition to form graphene on a breaking site to repair the breaking site. The process is simple and the result of repairing is good. Further, a common gas, such as methane, is used as a carbon source gas, making it favorable for environmental protection. Further, the number of layers of graphene so formed can be controlled by controlling whether to apply irradiation of the laser so as to achieve control of electrical conductivity of the graphene so formed and enhance the result of repairing. Further, the light spot of laser can be adjusted in regard to the radius thereof in order to control the resolution of graphene grown line and the optic path of the laser can be adjusted to allow the light spot to follow a predetermined path to heat selected areas of the substrate to deposit a desired graphene line or shape.
US09297073B2

Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to the processing of substrates, and more particularly, relate to methods for accurate control of film thickness using deposition-etch cycles. Particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in controlling film thickness during filling high aspect ratio features.
US09297068B2

Wear parts having run-out and methods of producing the same, systems and control structures used to produce wear parts having run-out, and associated methods and software are disclosed. Some methods utilize a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process to produce a coating with a desired coating profile on a wear part.
US09297065B2

A treatment installation for vacuum treatment of a front side of strip substrates includes first and second process chambers, each process chamber including a process roller and at least one process source. A transfer chamber arranged between the process chambers is coupled with both process chambers and can be separated in terms of pressure from at least one of the process chambers. The transfer chamber further includes an unwinding device with a removable unwinding reel and a winding-up device with a removable winding-up reel for the substrate and an outside air lock for loading and unloading the unwinding reel and/or winding-up reel. The rear side of the substrate faces the two process rollers and can be guided through the transfer chamber from the unwinding device to the first process roller, from the first process roller to the second process roller and from the second process roller to the winding-up device.
US09297064B2

In-line metallizer assemblies can include an external rotating actuator exchange that can be operable to exchange one or more parts between a conveyor system and a vacuum chamber, and an internal rotating actuator exchange within the vacuum chamber that can be operable to receive the one or more parts from the external rotating actuator exchange, transition the one or more parts to a sputter coater integrated with the vacuum chamber for metallizing, and return metallized one or more parts to the external rotating actuator exchange such that the external rotating actuator exchange can return the metallized one or more parts to the conveyor system.
US09297063B2

An ion implantation system including a plasma source, a mask-slit, and a plasma chamber. The plasma source is configured to generate a plasma within the plasma chamber in response to the introduction of a gas therein. The mask-slit is electrically isolated from the plasma chamber. A positive voltage bias is applied to the plasma chamber above a bias potential used to generate the plasma. The positive voltage bias drives the plasma potential to accelerate the ions to a desired implant energy. The accelerated ions pass through an aperture in the mask-slit and are directed toward a substrate for implantation. The mask-slit is electrically isolated from the plasma chamber and is maintained at ground potential with respect to the plasma.
US09297061B2

In a transparent electroconductive film including a transparent substrate and a transparent electroconductive oxide layer disposed on the transparent substrate, when the transparent electroconductive oxide layer is composed of zinc oxide, the surface resistivity of the transparent electroconductive oxide layer increases with time and thus it has been difficult to obtain a transparent electroconductive film stable against an environmental variation. Consequently, hard carbon films are provided on the surfaces of a transparent electroconductive oxide layer including at least one layer and containing zinc oxide as a main component in “the order of transparent substrate-hard carbon film-transparent electroconductive oxide layer-hard carbon film” or “the order of hard carbon film-transparent substrate-transparent electroconductive oxide layer-hard carbon film”. Alternatively, an organosilicon compound covering layer is provided on a surface of the transparent electroconductive oxide layer. Thereby, the water contact angle can be 75 degrees or more, and an increase in the resistivity of the transparent electroconductive oxide layer can be suppressed.
US09297043B2

The invention relates to methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which permit the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions on complementary strands of the double-stranded polynucleotide template. The two regions for sequence determination may or may not be complementary to each other.
US09297042B2

This invention provides a nucleotide analog comprising (i) a base selected from the group consisting of adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, (ii) a deoxyribose, (iii) an allyl moiety bound to the 3′-oxygen of the deoxyribose and (iv) a fluorophore bound to the base via an allyl linker, and methods of nucleic acid sequencing employing the nucleotide analog.
US09297036B2

The invention provides a nucleic acid probe for detecting a polynucleotide. The probe contains a region that base-pairs with a polynucleotide to form a duplex and a Tm enhancement domain that increases the stability of the duplex. The Tm enhancement domain may contain a nucleotide clamp and/or a hairpin structure, for example. Also provided is an array of subject nucleic acid probes bound to a surface of the solid support. Methods of using a subject probe to assess polynucleotides, e.g., small RNAs in a sample are provided, as are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.
US09297029B2

Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.
US09297022B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for controlling nematode infestation of plants or animals. In particular, the present invention provides vectors comprising sequences designed to control nematodes by RNA interference (RNAi) and transgenic plants transformed with such vectors.
US09297019B2

Described are synthetic promoters capable of mediating gene expression in plants upon pathogen infection. Furthermore, recombinant genes and vectors comprising said chimeric promoters as well as host cells transformed with such chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, or vectors are provided. Additionally, diagnostic compositions and kits comprising such chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, vectors or cells are described. Provided are further methods for the identification of compounds being capable of activating or inhibiting genes that are specifically expressed in plants upon pathogen infection employing the above described means. Furthermore, transgenic plant cells, plant tissue, and plants containing the above-described chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, and vectors as well as the use of the aforementioned chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, vectors and/or compounds identified by the method of the invention in plant cell and tissue culture, plant breeding, and/or agriculture are described.
US09297015B2

The invention relates to compositions and methods for making and using recombinant bacteria that are capable of regulated attenuation and/or regulated expression of one or more antigens of interest.
US09297011B2

Novel RET fusion molecules and uses are disclosed.
US09297010B2

The present invention is directed to novel double-stranded short interfering (siRNA) analogs comprising locked nucleic acid (LNA) monomers. Such compounds induces sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene silencing in many organisms by a process known as RNA interference (RNAi). The compounds disclosed herein has improved properties compared to non-modified siRNAs and may, accordingly, be useful as therapeutic agents, e.g., in the treatment of various cancer forms. More particularly, the present invention is directed to siRNA analogs comprising a sense strand and an antisense strand, wherein each strand comprises 12-35 nucleotides and wherein the siRNA analogs comprise at least one locked nucleic acid (LNA) monomer.
US09297009B2

This invention provides UNA oligomers for therapeutics that can be used to target micro-RNAs. The UNA oligomers can be composed of one or more 2′-3′-seco-nucleomonomers and one or more natural or non-natural nucleotide monomers, and can be a single stranded oligomer. Embodiments include UNA oligomers with phosphorothioate or boranophosphate intermonomer linkages. The UNA oligomers can be used to target micro-RNAs to reduce micro-RNA activity.
US09297008B2

The present invention provides compositions, pharmaceutical preparations, kits and methods for increasing expression of a gene product in a cell by contacting the cell with a small activating RNA (saRNA) molecule comprising a ribonucleic strand that is complementary to a non-coding nucleic acid sequence of the gene.
US09297006B2

Methods for amplification and sequencing of at least one nucleic acid comprising the following steps: (1) forming at least one nucleic acid template comprising the nucleic acid(s) to be amplified or sequenced, wherein said nucleic acid(s) contains at the 5′ end an oligonucleotide sequence Y and at the 3′ end an oligonucleotide sequence Z and, in addition, the nucleic acid(s) carry at the 5′ end a means for attaching the nucleic acid(s) to a solid support; (2) mixing said nucleic acid template(s) with one or more colony primers X, which can hybridize to the oligonucleotide sequence Z and carries at the 5′ end a means for attaching the colony primers to a solid support, in the presence of a solid support so that the 5′ ends of both the nucleic acid template and the colony primers bind to the solid support; (3) performing one or more nucleic acid amplification reactions on the bound template(s), so that nucleic acid colonies are generated and optionally, performing at least one step of sequence determination of one or more of the nucleic acid colonies generated. Solid supports, kits and apparatus for use in these methods.
US09297002B2

The present invention relates to polypeptides with xylanase activity and uses thereof. The present invention also relates to method of modifying polypeptides with xylanase activity to affect, preferably to increase, xylanase activity and/or bran solubility.
US09296996B2

Reaction solutions are disclosed herein comprising water, sucrose and a glucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes poly alpha-1,3-glucan. The glucosyltransferase enzyme can synthesize insoluble glucan polymer having at least 50% alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages and a number average degree of polymerization of at least 100. Further disclosed are methods of using such glucosyltransferase enzymes to produce insoluble poly alpha-1,3-glucan.
US09296995B2

The invention relates to an improved vaccine against pertussis wherein mutants of Bordetella pertussis having a modified LPS molecule or the obtainable LPS molecules are used. These mutants or the obtainable LPS molecules may further be used as an adjuvant.
US09296990B2

An oxygen depletion device. The device has a cartridge; a plurality of hollow fibers extending within the cartridge from an entrance to an exit thereof; an amount of an oxygen scavenger packed within the cartridge and contiguous to and in between the plurality of hollow fibers. The hollow fibers are adapted to receiving and conveying red blood cells. There is another embodiment of an oxygen depletion device and method for removing oxygen from red blood cells.
US09296984B2

A portable apparatus useful for collection and processing of human biological material containing adipose, such as extracted during a lipoplasty procedure to prepare a concentrated product (e.g., stromal vascular fraction) or a fat graft composition. The apparatus has a container with a containment volume with a tissue retention volume and a filtrate volume separated by a filter and with a tapered portion to a collection volume for collecting concentrate product. Inlet and suction ports provide access to the tissue retention volume and filtrate volume, respectively, and an extraction port provides versatile access for removal of target processed concentrate material or fat graft material, which access may be via a lumen through a rotatable mixer shaft. Access ports may be configured for access only from above the container. The apparatus may include a tissue collector disposed in the disuse retention volume to engage and collect collagen or other stringy tissue. A method of processing adipose tissue to concentrate leuko stromal vascular cells includes multi-step processing using a portable container.
US09296982B2

A cell picking support device, a display device and a culture container that can enhance work efficiency. An adapter fixes a well plate that holds cells cultured in a cell culture observation device. A control unit reads culture observation information that includes cell information and coordinate information, from a memory card that is fitted to an external memory I/F. A display unit is provided on a placing surface side of the well plate that is fixed by the adapter, and in response to control by the control unit, displays the cell information, read from the memory card, at display positions corresponding to positions on the bottom face of the well plate, as specified by the coordinate information. Embodiments can be used, for instance, as a cell picking support device that supports a picking operation that is performed in a clean bench.
US09296981B2

Methods of cleaning a medical device are provided via exposing the medical device to a compressed CO2-based mixture. The compressed CO2-based mixture includes carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and water in the form of water-in-CO2 microemulsions. In one particular embodiment, the ratio of water-to-surfactant mixed together in the CO2 has a range of about 5-100 molecules of water per molecule of surfactant (e.g., about 5-30 molecules of water per molecule of surfactant).
US09296977B2

Provided is a method for producing a fatty acid composition having a low content of saturated fatty acid easily and with a high yield from a decomposed fatty acid composition containing monoacylglycerol. The method for producing a fatty acid composition having the content of saturated fatty acid of 8% by mass or less, comprising the following steps (1) to (3): (1) obtaining a fatty acid mixture by adjusting the component ratio of a decomposed fatty acid composition obtained by hydrolyzing a fat or oil so that the content of fatty acid is from 80 to 96% by mass, the content of monoacylglycerol is from 0.3 to 8% by mass, the content of diacylglycerol is from 1 to 12% by mass, and the mass ratio of diacylglycerol to monoacylglycerol [ (DAG)/(MAG)] is from 0.5 to 40; (2) cooling the fatty acid mixture obtained in step (1) to a temperature within the range from the temperature 2° C. lower than the cloud point of the fatty acid mixture to the temperature 13° C. lower than the cloud point, then mixing an aqueous wetting agent solution therewith, and maintaining the temperature of the mixture within the above-mentioned range; and (3) separating the solid phase precipitated in step (2) and the aqueous phase from the liquid oil phase, thereby obtaining the fatty acid composition in the form of a liquid oil phase.
US09296975B2

A polyalkylene glycol comprising: a random copolymer comprising units derived from EO and units derived from PO initiated with polytetrahydrofuran; wherein the polyalkylene glycol has a pour point of less than or equal to −30° C. as measured using ASTM D97 and a traction value of less than 0.0165 at a contact pressure of 1.25 GPa, speed=2 m/s, SRR of 100% and temperature of 80° C. is provided. Also provided are lubricant compositions containing such polyalkylene glycol.
US09296967B2

[Object] To provide a solid fuel which comprises a binder, a form retaining agent and a vegetable oil-containing substance in a balanced manner, has a stable calorific value and suppresses the production of carbon dioxide.[Solution] A solid fuel formed from a mixture of a binder, a form retaining agent and a vegetable oil-containing substance, wherein the amount of the binder is 1 to 85 parts by weight, the amount of the form retaining agent is 1 to 55 parts by weight, and the amount of the vegetable oil-containing substance is 10 to 85 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the mixture, and the mixture is molded.
US09296961B2

A process is provided that is directed to a steam pyrolysis zone integrated with a hydroprocessing zone including residual bypass to permit direct processing of crude oil feedstocks to produce petrochemicals including olefins and aromatics. The integrated hydrotreating and steam pyrolysis process for the direct processing of a crude oil to produce olefinic and aromatic petrochemicals comprises separating the crude oil into light components and heavy components; charging the light components and hydrogen to a hydroprocessing zone operating under conditions effective to produce a hydroprocessed effluent reduced having a reduced content of contaminants, an increased paraffinicity, reduced Bureau of Mines Correlation Index, and an increased American Petroleum Institute gravity; thermally cracking the hydroprocessed effluent in the presence of steam to produce a mixed product stream; separating the mixed product stream; purifying hydrogen recovered from the mixed product stream and recycling it to the hydroprocessing zone; recovering olefins and aromatics from the separated mixed product stream; and recovering a combined stream of pyrolysis fuel oil from the separated mixed product stream and heavy components from step (a) as a fuel oil blend.
US09296960B2

Deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon feeds containing undesired organosulfur compounds to produce a hydrocarbon product having low levels of sulfur, i.e., 15 ppmw or less of sulfur, is achieved by flashing the feed at a target cut point temperature to obtain two fractions. A first fraction contains refractory organosulfur compounds, which boil at or above the target cut point temperature. A second fraction boiling below the target cut point temperature is substantially free of refractory sulfur-containing compounds. The second fraction is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone operating under mild conditions to reduce the quantity of organosulfur compounds to an ultra-low level. The first fraction is contacted with an oxidizing agent and an active metal catalyst in an oxidation reaction zone to convert the refractory organosulfur compounds to oxidized organosulfur compounds. The oxidized organosulfur compounds are removed, producing a stream containing an ultra-low level of organosulfur compounds. The two streams can be combined to obtain a full range hydrocarbon product having an ultra-low level of organosulfur compounds.
US09296958B2

A process and apparatus are disclosed for treating a hydrocarbon stream, the process including flowing the hydrocarbon stream through a hydrocarbon treating vessel, heating a portion of the hydrocarbon treating vessel to a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined amount of time and controlling sensitization and chloride stress corrosion cracking of the portion of the interior surface of the hydrocarbon treating vessel.
US09296955B2

A method and system are disclosed for co-production of olefins and electric power. The method includes determining a separation level, separating a hydrocarbon feed into a light fraction stream and a heavy fraction stream based on the determined separation level; generating electric power from the heavy fraction stream; and cracking the light fraction stream in a pyrolysis unit to produce an effluent comprising olefins. The separation level may be based on olefin production requirements and electric power requirements or specific split of the hydrocarbon feed to be utilized for power generation and olefin production.
US09296953B2

A system for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from sand and/or drill cuttings includes screening large debris from a first loading inlet hopper (101) to a screen covered receiving hopper (102) that may contain a chopper and chemical additive nozzles (105). A first inclined auger (104) receives the material from hopper (102) at its lower inlet port and conveys the material upwards dropping it into a hopper (106) and then to a unit (107) either of which may include a crasher (106). Unit (107) includes an eductor (109) which feeds the screened and treated sand slurry to desanding units (112) such as hydro cyclones. The underflow from the desanders is sent to an auger tank's (114) first compartment (113) while the overflow is sent to its second compartment (115) where a flow distributing conduit (117) that disperses it over the surface of both compartments (113), (115). The auger tank (114) employs horizontal augers (116) that are arterial both the first and second compartments (113) and (114). Second compartment (115) contains inclined plate separators (118) and sparging tubes (119). Overflow from auger tank (114) is sent to another two compartment separator (120). The first compartment (121) which receives the overflow from auger tank (114) includes a weir-type partition topped by an oil skimmer (123) connected to a voiding pump (125) feeding an oil tank (124) and defining a horizontal gap with the two compartment separator tank bottom as at (121). Clean water passing through the bottom weir is allowed to spill over the top of the an uppermost weir in the two compartment separator tank (120) into clean water collection tank (122) from when it is recycled to other components of the system. The undertow recovered from the auger separation tank (114) may be further decontaminated by sending it via an inclined conveyor to a serial connection with a second system similar to the one described herein above.
US09296950B2

A liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase, and contains a specific tricyclic compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific bicyclic compound having a small viscosity as a second component, and may contain a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a large dielectric anisotropy as a third component, and a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a fourth component, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition.
US09296947B2

The present invention is an etching gas comprising an unsaturated fluorohydrocarbon represented by CxHyFz (wherein x=3, 4, or 5, y+z≦2x, and y>z) and a method comprising selectively etching a silicon nitride film relative to a silicon oxide film or a silicon film using the etching gas. According to the present invention, a silicon nitride film stacked on a silicon oxide film or a silicon film can be highly selectively etched.
US09296944B2

Provided is an organic electroluminescence device having a low drive voltage and excellent durability. Provided also is an organic electroluminescence device having low dependency of voltage increment after driving on temperature of usage environment. A light emitting organic thin film containing at least one compound represented by Formula (PQ-1) and a hydrocarbon compound having a specific structure, and an organic electroluminescence device using the same. In Formula (PQ-1), each of Ra, Rb and Rc independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, wherein any one of Ra, Rb and Rc represents a hydrogen atom and the remaining two represent an alkyl group. Each of R1 to R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group. Each of Rx and Ry independently represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group.
US09296942B2

Compositions and methods of synthesis of anionic surfactants by alkoxylation of a Guerbet alcohol (GA) having 12 to 36 carbon atoms using butylene oxide, and optionally propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide followed by the incorporation of a terminal anionic group are described herein. The GA of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method that involves high temperature base catalyzed dimerization of alcohols with 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The large hydrophobe ether surfactants of the present invention find uses in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil and for environmental cleanup. Further, the hydrophobe alkoxylated GA without anionic terminal group can be used as an ultra-high molecular weight non-ionic surfactant.
US09296936B1

The present subject matter relates to a preparation method of a wettability reversal agent, comprising: (1) adding an emulsifier into water to prepare a mixed solution of emulsifier; (2) adding compounds represented by formula (1-a), (2-a), (3-a), (4-a), (5-a), and (6-a) to the mixed solution of emulsifier to obtain a pre-emulsion, adding an initiator, and initiating a polymerization reaction. When the wettability reversal agent and reservoir protecting agent composition disclosed in the present subject matter are used in a drilling fluid, they can effectively prevent the permeation of the water phase and oil phase in the drilling fluid into the reservoir, reduce the filter loss of the drilling fluid, and thereby effectively protect the reservoir against damages from the drilling fluid.
US09296925B2

A film is obtained by forming a film of and curing an energy ray-curable composition including a polymerizable silicone compound and an energy ray-curable resin having a viscosity at 25° C. of 100-5,000,000 mPa·S.
US09296920B2

The present invention provides polyurethanes including a reaction product of components including: (a) an isocyanate functional urethane prepolymer comprising a reaction product of components including: (i) about 1 equivalent of at least one polyisocyanate; and (ii) about 0.1 to about 0.5 equivalents of at least one diol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms; and (b) about 0.05 to about 0.9 equivalents of at least one branched polyol having 4 to 18 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups; and (c) up to about 0.9 equivalents of at least one polyol different from branched polyol (b) and having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein the reaction product components are essentially free of polyester polyol and polyether polyol; compositions, coatings and articles made therefrom and methods of making the same.
US09296915B1

Arylcyclobutene polymers having improved toughness are provided. Compositions and methods for coating arylcyclobutene polymers having improved toughness are also provided.
US09296912B2

In accordance with some embodiments, compositions and methods for forming solvent-based and water-based carbon nanotubes inks with removable additives are provided. In some embodiments, the ink composition comprises one or more carbon nanotubes, a solvent, and a removable additive, which may function as a stabilizing agent, a viscosity adjustment agent, or any suitable combination thereof. The removable additive may be removed from articles derived from the ink composition by means of thermal annealing.
US09296904B2

Presently described are coating compositions comprising a polymerizable resin composition and a non-ionic unpolymerizable surfactant. In some embodiments, the coating comprises greater than 10 wt-% of non-ionic unpolymerizable surfactant. In other embodiments, the coating composition comprises an an additive comprising a silicone group or a fluorinated group and a hydrophobic group. Also described are articles comprising the cured coating compositions. In one embodiment, an article is described comprising a cured coating wherein the cured coating exhibits a property of an initially visible simulated fingerprint reducing in visibility in 1-20 minutes. Also described is a method of determining the fingerprint visibility of a coating composition and a polyacylate composition useful as an additive. In another embodiment a coated surface is described comprising a polymeric organic material comprising a plurality of pores wherein a portion of the pores are interconnected and comprise a lipophilic liquid.
US09296901B2

Composite particles of the present invention comprise white inorganic particles, a surface modifier coating layer formed on surface of the respective white inorganic particles, and a dye or lake coat adhered onto the surface of the respective surface-modifier-coated white inorganic particles. The composite particles of the present invention not only exhibit excellent color-developing property and tinting strength but also suppress bleeding.
US09296897B2

A polyamide molding composition for the production of a stain-resistant article, the staining tendency (ST) of the article being at most 15. The composition contains 30-100% by weight of a polyamide mixture, consisting of more than 50 and up to 98% by weight of at least one semi-aromatic polyamide comprising 2 to up to 50% by weight of amorphous and/or microcrystalline polyamides having a glass transition temperature of at least 100° C., based on: 20-100 mol % of at least one cycloaliphatic diamine; and 0-80 mol % of at least one other aliphatic and/or aromatic diamine; and also aromatic and/or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids comprising at least 6 carbon atoms. In addition, the composition comprises inorganic white pigments, fibrous or particulate additives, impact toughness modifier and/or polymers different from (A), 0-25% by weight of a flame retardant.
US09296894B2

A composition includes specific amounts of a poly(butylene terephthalate), a reinforcing filler, and a polycarbonate that includes a copolyestercarbonate and a polycarbonate-polydiorganosiloxane block copolymer. The copolyestercarbonate includes aliphatic ester groups. The composition, which exhibits a desirable balance of melt flow and ductility, is especially useful for forming thin plastic parts of consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones.
US09296893B2

The present invention relates to flame-resistant, thermoplastic molding compositions containing at least one aromatic polycarbonate, at least one flameproofing agent, at least one rubber-free anhydride-modified alpha-olefin terpolymer, at least one glass fiber, at least one antidripping agent, and optionally, at least one mold release agent and/or further additives.The present invention furthermore relates to the use of the compositions according to the invention for the production of thin-walled housing parts or switch boxes in the EE sector.
US09296884B2

A propylene composition comprising (percent by weight): A) 60%-90%, of a crystalline propylene copolymer containing from 3.5% to 10% of ethylene derived units and having a melting temperature Tm (measured by DSC on the as-reactor polymer) ranging from 146° to 160° C.; B) 10%-40%, of a copolymer of propylene containing from 15% to 30%, of ethylene derived units.
US09296883B2

The present invention relates to a semiconductive polymer composition comprising: —an ethylene copolymer (A) comprising methyl(meth)acrylate co-monomer units, wherein the ethylene copolymer (A) has a melt temperature of 80° C. or below, and—carbon black, wherein the ethylene copolymer (A) is produced in a autoclave high pressure reactor or in a multi-feed tubular reactor; to a semiconductive polymer composition comprising—an ethylene copolymer (A) comprising methyl(meth)acrylate, comonomer units; and—carbon black, wherein ethylene copolymer (A) is characterized in that the fraction obtained in the first fractionation step (fraction 1) in the fractionation method of ethylene copolymer (A) as described herein, is present in an amount of not more than 40 wt. % based on the total amount of the ethylene copolymer (A); and to a cable comprising a semiconductive layer comprising the semiconductive polymer composition and to the use of the semiconductive polymer composition in the preparation of a semiconductive layer of a power cable.
US09296879B2

This invention provides a composition containing an organometallic compound having a chromophore moiety in the metal polymer backbone which allows a wider range of n/k values such that substrate reflectivity can be controlled under various conditions.
US09296869B2

A prepreg comprising a structural layer of packed unidirectional conductive fibres comprising thermosetting resin in the interstices, and a first outer layer of resin comprising thermosetting resin, and being essentially free of unidirectional conductive fibres, which when cured under elevated temperature, produces a cured composite material comprising a cured structural layer of packed unidirectional conductive fibres and a first outer layer of cured resin comprising unidirectional conductive fibres dispersed within.
US09296867B2

The invention provides a heat-shrinkable polyester-based film containing ethylene terephthalate as a main constituent component and 0-5 mol % of a monomer component that can be an amorphous component based on all of the polyester resin components. The inventive film has a main shrinkage direction in the longitudinal direction, with heat shrinkage properties in the longitudinal direction and the width direction and a refractive index within specified ranges.
US09296864B2

The present invention relates to a novel polymeric material for a highly efficient organic thin-film solar cell with high hole mobility and power conversion efficiency. In the polymeric material, a compound containing an electron donating group represented by Formula 1 or 2 and a compound containing an electron accepting group represented by one of Formulae 3 to 8 are repeatedly introduced in an alternating manner.
US09296862B2

A polyoctatriazacane molecule is disclosed that has a plurality of octatriazacane groups having the structure and a plurality of divalent bridging groups, each divalent bridging group comprising an aromatic group.
US09296860B2

There is described a process for producing a gel free hyperbranched polyamide polymer having primary amino groups (useful as a crosslinker). The process comprises the step of reacting at least one diamine and at least one unsaturated diester in a molar ratio of diamine to diester greater than 1 but less than 3 (preferably 2.1 to 2.9); to form the polyamide in a two stage reaction Michael addition and then amidation. The diamine in kept in excess with at least 5% of water by total weight of the diamine and diester, a reaction temperature less than the boiling point of the diamine; and is held under reduced pressure (30 mbar to 1 atms). Gelation does not occur even after substantially all ethylenic (—C═C—) double bonds; and >95% ester [—C(O)═O] groups have reacted. This violates the Flory rules which predict a gel would form based on the number of functional groups present and their degree of conversion.
US09296850B2

It has been found that certain cells in culture can convert more than about 0.002 percent of the carbon available in the cell culture medium into isoprene. These cells have a heterologous nucleic acid that (i) encodes an isoprene synthase polypeptide and (ii) is operably linked to a promoter. The isoprene produced in such a cultured medium can then be recovered and polymerized into synthetic rubbers and other useful polymeric materials. The synthetic isoprene containing polymers of this invention offer the benefit of being verifiable as to being derived from non-petrochemical based resources. They can also be analytically distinguished from rubbers that come from natural sources. The present invention more specifically discloses a polyisoprene polymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from isoprene monomer, wherein the polyisoprene polymer has δ13C value of greater than −22%.
US09296839B2

Provided herein is a multifunctional particle and methods of forming the same. The multifunctional particle includes: a silica particle; a hydrophobic silane; and a silane coupling agent; where each of the hydrophobic silane and the silane coupling agent are chemically bonded to the surface of the silica particle; where the multifunctional particle is superhydrophobic and chemically reactive.
US09296830B2

This specification discloses an improved method for conducting the removal of C5 xylan based sugars from biomass. The improved method involves a series of soakings and washings of the biomass as opposed to conducting one soaking and washing step.
US09296827B2

The present invention provides methods of reducing or enhancing T cell activation and/or B cell activation in a subject, comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of an inhibitor or enhancer, respectively, of Semaphorin 6D (Sema6D) activity on T cells and/or B cells.
US09296822B2

The present disclosure provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to O8E with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of this disclosure, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. This disclosure also provides methods for treating cancer.
US09296821B2

New combined therapeutic regimens for treatment of B-cell lymphomas are disclosed which comprise, in particular, administration of anti-CD20 antibodies to patients having low-, intermediate- or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
US09296815B2

Rationally designed antibodies and polypeptides that comprise multiple Fc region amino acid substitutions that synergistically provide enhanced selectivity and binding affinity to a target Fc receptor are provided. The polypeptides are mutated at multiple positions to make them more effective when incorporated in antibody therapeutics than those having wild-type Fc components.
US09296813B2

Antibodies and fragments that bind to the protein target Dickkopf (DKK1) are provided, as are methods of use and kits, for treating a target cell, in particular, a cell associated with an osteolytic condition.
US09296812B2

Compositions and methods relating to epitopes of sclerostin protein, and sclerostin binding agents, such as antibodies capable of binding to sclerostin, are provided.
US09296811B2

Combinations of agents that have a synergistic effect for the treatment of a tumor are disclosed herein. These combinations of agents can be used to treat tumors, wherein the cells of the cancer express a mutated BRAF. Methods are disclosed for treating a subject diagnosed with a tumor that expresses a mutated BRAF. The methods include administering to the subject (1) a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that specifically binds high molecular weight melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA), also known as CSPG4; and (2) a therapeutically effective amount of a BRAF inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tumor is melanoma. In some embodiments the method includes selecting a subject with primary or secondary resistance to a BRAF inhibitor. In further embodiments, treating the tumor comprises decreasing the metastasis of the tumor. In additional embodiments, the BRAF inhibitor comprises PLX4032 or PLX4720.
US09296808B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating autoimmune diseases, such as scleroderma, by administering to a subject a CTLA4 molecule that block endogenous B7 molecules from binding their ligands.
US09296792B2

Bacterial flagellin protein is modified to improve adjuvant activity.
US09296786B2

The present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21; or (b) an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 21, and to therapeutic treatments based thereon.
US09296776B2

The present invention relates to fatty acid and fatty alcohol substituted nucleoside derivatives and nucleoside and nucleoside derivatives substituted on multivalent scaffolds (e.g., polymers, peptides, polycarboxylic acid substituted compounds, compounds containing polycycloSaligenyl groups) that display potent anti-HIV activity. Furthermore, they show enhanced activity against multi-drug resistant, R5, and cell-associated virus. Some of them also display activity against other sexually transmitted pathogens and sperm. The present invention provides their methods of synthesis, composition of matter, and methods of use. Emphasis is placed on their application as topical microbicides to treat or prevent sexual transmission of disease, especially HIV/AIDS.
US09296760B2

The present invention is related to novel compounds of formula (I) that may inhibit the activity of the FabI enzyme, and which are useful in the treatment of bacterial infections. It further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and chemical processes for preparing these compounds.
US09296758B2

The invention provides compounds of formula (I): or a salt thereof as described herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula (I), processes for preparing compounds of formula (I), intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I and therapeutic methods for treating the proliferation of the HIV virus, treating AIDS or delaying the onset of AIDS or ARC symptoms in a mammal using compounds of formula (I).
US09296757B2

The present invention relates to substituted benzothienopyrimidine compounds of general formula I: in which R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, and R2c are as described and defined herein, to methods of preparing said compounds, to intermediate compounds useful for preparing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds and to the use of said compounds for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease, in particular of a hyper-proliferative and/or angiogenesis disorder, as a sole agent or in combination with other active ingredients.
US09296753B2

Described herein is the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor 1-((R)-3-(4-amino-3-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-1-yl)piperidin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, including crystalline forms, solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the Btk inhibitor, as well as methods of using the Btk inhibitor, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US09296751B1

Provided are an indolizino[3,2-c]quinoline derivative, pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a method for preparing the same. The indolizino[3,2-c]quinoline derivative, pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may function as an agonist of cystic fibrosis conductance transmembrane regulator, and thus may be useful for an agent for preventing or treating diseases caused by degradation of activity of cystic fibrosis conductance transmembrane regulator and for a pharmaceutical composition for stimulating proliferation of stem cells.
US09296749B2

The present invention relates to crystalline forms of cis-(E)-4-(3-Fluorophenyl)-2′,3′,4′,9′-tetrahydro-N,N-dimethyl-2′-(1-oxo-3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-spiro[cyclohexane-1,1′[1H]-pyrido[3,4-b]indol]-4-amine, pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments comprising these modifications, the use of these modifications as well as to a process for making the crystalline forms.
US09296743B2

Substituted pyridoindoles for incorporation in pharmaceutical compositions employed in the treatment of various diseases correspond to formula (I) wherein R1 is H or optionally substituted alkyl; R2, R3, R4 are each independently selected from H, —O-alkyl, —S-alkyl, alkyl, halo, —CF3, and —CN; G is —CR12R13—NR5— or —NR5—CR12R13; R5 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, —C(═O)—R6, —C(═O)—O—R7, or —C(═O)—NR19R20; R6 and R7 are each optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted heterocycle; R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R19 and R20 are each independently selected from H or optionally substituted alkyl; R14 and R15 are each independently H or halogen; L is —CH2—O—, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH— or a bond; and B is aryl or heteroaryl or cycloalkyl; with the proviso that, when L is a direct bond, B cannot be unsubstituted heteroaryl or heteroaryl monosubstituted with fluorine.
US09296742B2

Provided herein are compounds of formula (I-A), (I-B), (I-C), or (I-D), pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of use thereof. The compounds provided herein modulate kinase activity, including PI3 kinase activity, and are useful for treating diseases and conditions associated with kinase activity, including diseases and conditions associated with PI3 kinase activity.
US09296741B2

The present invention provides for compounds of formula (I) wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, X1, X2, Y1, L1, G1, Rx, and Ry have any of the values defined thereof in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as agents in the treatment of diseases and conditions, including inflammatory diseases, cancer, and AIDS. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of formula (I).
US09296739B2

The present invention relates to new pharmaceutical compositions comprising benzoquinoline compounds, and methods to inhibit vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) activity in a subject for the treatment of chronic hyperkinetic movement disorders.
US09296731B2

The present invention provides inhibitors of allergy, and allergic reactions specifically compounds of the present invention are described by the following chemical Formula I: A method for treating an allergic reaction, or allergy diseases or disorders includes administering a therapeutically effective composition comprising a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, vehicle or excipient to a subject in need thereof.
US09296730B2

The invention provides a compound of formula I: or a salt thereof, wherein ring A and R1-R4 have any of the values defined in the specification. The compounds have activity as Aurora B kinase inhibitors and are useful for treating conditions associated with Aurora B kinase activity (e.g. cancer).
US09296727B2

The present invention relates to the novel regioselective syntheses of 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidines through sequential nucleophilic aromatic substitutions.
US09296722B2

Provided herein are azolyl urea compounds for treatment of CSF-1R kinase mediated diseases. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds and compositions.
US09296721B1

Embodiment of present disclosure provides a method for preparing ceritinib of formula I, comprising: (1) contacting a compound of formula 12b with an amino protective group to obtain a compound of formula 3; (2) contacting the compound of formula 3 with a compound of formula 9a to obtain a compound of formula 5; and (3) subjecting the compound of formula 5 to a deprotection reaction to obtain the ceritinib of formula I. Then ceritinib may be effectively prepared.
US09296715B2

The present invention relates to a micropowder, wherein the particles of the micropowder have a Dv10 value of at least 2 micrometer and the micropowder comprises mesopores which have an average pore diameter in the range of from 2 to 50 nm and comprise, based on the weight of the micropowder, at least 95 weight-% of a microporous aluminum-free zeolitic material of structure type MWW containing titanium and zinc.
US09296713B2

The present disclosure relates to specific acylhydrazone compounds, their use as oxidation catalysts and to a process for removing stains and soil on textiles and hard surfaces. The compounds are substituted with a specific cyclic ammonium group adjacent to the acyl group.
US09296707B2

Compositions and methods for treatment of sexual dysfunctions by administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a delta opioid receptor agonist in an amount effective to delay the onset of ejaculation in the subject during sexual stimulation.
US09296696B2

The present invention relates to antimalarial compounds and their use against protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, including drug-resistant Plasmodia strains. This invention further relates to compositions containing such compounds and a process for making the compounds.
US09296695B2

The invention is directed to bipyridine-based compound and organic light emitting diodes (OLED) including organic layers having the bipyridine-based compound. OLEDs including organic layers having the bipyridine-based compounds can have low driving voltages, high current densities, high efficiencies and long lifetimes.
US09296692B2

Novel use of small molecules, particularly indolyl and indolinyl hydroxamates is disclosed herein. The indolyl and indolinyl hydroxamates are useful as lead compounds for manufacturing a medicament or a pharmaceutical composition for treating a patient suffering from heart failure or neuronal injury.
US09296688B2

The present invention is directed to a new class of synthetic carbohydrate receptor compounds comprising Formula I as described herein: (I). Other aspects of the present invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical delivery vehicles comprising the compound of Formula (I) The present invention is also directed to methods of treatment and diagnosis that involve the administration of a compound of Formula (I).
US09296677B2

The present invention relates to a new and improved synthesis of peretinoin.
US09296667B2

A process for recovering 1,3-butadiene from a C4 fraction, where the butadiene extraction processes may be operated at an intermediate pressure using a liquid ring type compressor. The use of a liquid ring compressor, among other process options presented herein, may advantageously reduce capital and operating costs, similar to the compressorless option, while mitigating the risks associated with the higher operating temperatures and pressures associated with the compressorless option. Thus, the embodiments of the processes disclosed herein encompass the best features of the conventional design (low pressure, with a compressor) with the advantages of the compressorless design (low capital and operating cost), as well as other advantages unique to the systems disclosed herein.
US09296662B2

The present invention describes a process involving a new method of use for methyl isothiocyanate (MITC)-generating compounds in the treatment of organic waste material to reduce vector attraction. The present invention results in waste that is more suitable for use as a fertilizer and meets the standard for vector attraction reduction (VAR) as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The method includes the application of MITC generating compounds, such as metam sodium, to organic waste material, resulting in the generation of MITC. The MITC generated by the process of the present invention results in a loss of attraction for organic waste material normally experienced by disease-transmitting pests such as flies and rodents.
US09296650B1

Embodiments provided herein describe low-e panels and methods for forming low-e panels. A transparent substrate is provided. A reflective layer is formed above the transparent substrate. A metal oxide layer is formed between the transparent substrate and the reflective layer. A base layer is formed between transparent substrate and the metal oxide layer. The base layer has a first refractive index. A dielectric layer is formed between the base layer and the metal oxide layer. The dielectric layer has a second refractive index.
US09296645B2

A transparent low-colour lithium aluminium silicate (LAS) glass ceramic and the use thereof are provided. The ceramic has an environmentally friendly composition with high-quartz mixed crystals as the main crystal phase. The glass ceramic contains the following components (in wt % on the basis of oxide): TiO2 1.6-<2.5; Nd2O3 0.005-0.15; MgO 0.2-1.0; ZnO 1-2.5; CaO+SrO 0-1.5; BaO 0-1.5 with the condition B1: MgO+ZnO>CaO+SrO +BaO. In some embodiments, the glass ceramic has a hue c* of less than 5.5, a light transmission Y greater than 81% and has no visually disruptive diffusion.
US09296642B2

Provided are an enamel composition, a preparation method thereof, and a cooking appliance including the same. The enamel composition includes a glass frit containing P2O5, SiO2, TiO2, Na2O, and Al2O3. The glass frit contains about 10 wt % to about 25 wt % of SiO2, about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of TiO2, about 5 wt % to about 15 wt % of Na2O, and about 9 wt % to about 20 wt % of Al2O3, and the glass frit has a glass deformation temperature of about 500° C. or more, and a reflectivity of about 70% or more.
US09296641B2

A soda-lime-silica glass container and related methods of manufacturing. A black-strikable glass composition having a base glass portion and a latent colorant portion is prepared. The base glass portion includes soda-lime-silica glass materials and one or more blue colorant materials, and the latent colorant portion includes cuprous oxide (Cu2O), stannous oxide (SnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), and carbon (C). Glass containers may be formed from the black-strikable glass composition, and these glass containers may be heated to a temperature greater than 600 degrees Celsius to strike black therein. The glass containers formed from the black-strikable glass composition may be inspected—before or after striking—by infrared inspection equipment.
US09296639B2

The invention relates to a plasma deposition process for producing an optical preform, which is characterized by a cladding glass layer having a non-round internal cross-section together with high fluorine doping and axially and radially specified dopant distribution, which in the simplest case is as uniform as possible. For this purpose, a two-stage method is proposed, wherein a substrate body having a non-round cross-section is first reshaped into a coated substrate body having a circular cross-section in that a POD filling layer made of quartz glass having the nominal fluorine concentration is deposited onto a present filling surface and rounded by grinding, and then in the second stage of the method a POD sheathing glass layer made of fluorine-doped quartz glass and having a circular-ring-shaped cross-section is deposited.
US09296629B2

Methods and systems for reducing a redox active contaminant in a waste stream in a waste treatment system involve performing a unit process of the waste treatment system by contacting redox active contaminant in the waste stream with oxyhydrogen-rich gas generated on-site by an oxyhydrogen gas generator that implements water dissociation technology. The oxyhydrogen gas generator involves applying a pulsed electrical signal to a series of closely spaced electrodes that are submerged in the waste stream to produce oxyhydrogen-rich gas from a water component of the waste stream. Operation of the oxyhydrogen gas generator in the waste stream may accomplish one or more unit processes for waste treatment, such as oxidation, stripping, floatation, disinfection, conditioning, stabilization, thickening, and dewatering, among others.
US09296619B2

A process for the manufacture of large crystal size synthetic porous crystalline molecular sieve requires an aqueous reaction mixture that is organic structure directing agent-free, has a H2O/MOH molar ratio (M is an alkali metal) of 75 or less, a source of X2O3 (X is a trivalent element) and a source of YO2 (Y is a tetravalent element). The source of X2O3 and YO2 is an amorphous material containing both X2O3 and YO2 and having a YO2/X2O3 molar ratio of 15 to 40. The resultant highly crystalline novel materials have crystals with at least one dimension greater than 1 μm, such as greater than 3 μm.
US09296617B2

Disclosed is a method for selectively separating and recovering silicon from waste silicon sludge generated during a semiconductor manufacturing process. With the method for separating and recovering silicon from the silicon sludge, oil components, iron, silicon carbide that are included in the silicon sludge may be removed and silicon may be selectively separated and recovered. In addition, silicon may be efficiently recovered without injection of an additive for precipitating a specific component or without a separate device such as a magnetic separator, or the like, for removing iron.
US09296613B2

The invention is directed to a carbon material dispersion, including: a fluorinated carbon material having a fluorinated surface formed by bringing a treatment gas with a fluorine concentration of 0.01 to 100 vol % into contact with a carbon material under conditions at 150 to 600° C.; and a dispersion medium in which the fluorinated carbon material is dispersed.
US09296605B2

System is provided for aiding a horseback rider in maintaining balance while riding, includes sensor pad positioned between rider and saddle, pad/blanket worn by the horse during riding. Sensor pad includes sensors for measuring force exerted by the rider on the horse at individual measuring points. Controller configured for receiving force data from the sensor pad, includes a microprocessor continuously polling each sensor in the sensor pad for force data, calibrating each measurement based on an initial value, aggregating measurements from sensors on a left side and a right side of the sensor pad over a predetermined time interval, and calculating the differences between measurements on the right side and left side of the sensor pad. Power supply, electronic circuitry and alert mechanism receive signal from controller and notify rider when rider is off-balance based on calculated differences between measurements on right side and left side of sensor pad.
US09296604B2

The present invention relates to a system for filling a sprayer tank with at least one liquid solution, including at least a first tank containing a first liquid solution and a second tank configured to contain a second liquid solution, means for temporarily connecting the system to the tank, means for incorporating an active material into the first tank or between the first tank and the connecting means, and pumping means controlled by a control device and configured to selectively fill the tank with the liquid solution(s). The system also includes means for preparing the first liquid solution in the first tank by mixing the second solution and the active material in predetermined proportions. The means for preparing the first liquid solution include at least the means for incorporating the active material, which are positioned between the first tank and the second tank, as well as agitation means configured to ensure that the first liquid solution remains a suspension in the first tank.
US09296596B2

A hybrid wedge jack/scissor lift device for lifting heavy loads is provided, the device having a horizontally-oriented actuator coupled to a wedge that acts on lower and upper rollers coupled to a scissor lift. In operation, the actuator can drive the wedge in between the rollers, spreading them apart to raise the scissor lift. When the actuator retracts, the wedge is removed and the scissor lift collapses under the weight of the load. The wedge can be shaped in such a way that the lift has one or more intrinsically safe positions in which the rollers on the scissor lift fit into seats on the wedge, preventing the scissor lift from collapsing in the event of an actuator failure. An optional restraint bar safety mechanism is also provided.
US09296588B2

An elevator dispatching system includes a plurality of elevator groups, each of the plurality of elevator groups including a group controller and a plurality of elevator cars, each of the plurality of elevator groups serving a respective set of floors; and a redirector configured to receive a service request including a destination floor, and, in the event more than one elevator group serves the destination floor, determine a best group to service the request from the plurality of elevator groups based on information stored in the redirector, wherein the group controller of the determined best group is configured to determine a best car from the plurality of elevator cars in the determined best group.
US09296584B2

A media conveying system for aligning a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus may include a first roll mounted across the media path, a second roll mounted relative to the first roll so as to define a first nip between the first roll and the second roll, and a reference edge positioned along a side of the media path. A drive mechanism is coupled to the second roll for translating the second roll in a first direction such that a media sheet positioned in the nip moves in the first direction towards the reference edge.
US09296581B2

A document feeder includes a lift plate, a storage section, and an operation display section. The lift plate lifts a document sheaf up to a feed position. The storage section stores a first travel amount. The first travel amount is a travel amount of the lift plate necessary for the lift plate to cause the document sheaf to arrive at the feed position in a situation in which the document sheaf has a maximum permitted thickness. When a second travel amount is less than the first travel amount, the operation display section informs that the number of the document sheets in the document sheaf exceeds a maximum sheet number. The second travel amount is a travel amount of the lift plate taken to cause the topmost part of the document sheaf to arrive at the feed position.
US09296579B2

A transporting apparatus includes a base unit made of resin, a tray configured to support a sheet, a transporting section supported by an upper portion of the base unit and configured to transport the sheet, and a feeding section supported by a lower portion of the base unit and including a feeding roller configured to contact an upper surface of the sheet supported by the tray and to feed the sheet toward the transporting section. The base unit is integrally formed with an inner-side guide which defines an inner side of a curved path which is configured to guide the sheet fed by the feeding section to the transport section.
US09296575B2

A pickup mechanism includes a mechanical frame, at least one pickup roller, a paper pressing board disposed above the mechanical frame, a transmitting element, a cover covered on the paper pressing board, at least one stopper element pivotally mounted to the paper pressing board, and at least one elastic element elastically disposed between the cover and the paper pressing board. The pickup roller is disposed under the mechanical frame. The paper pressing board has a bottom board. A top of the bottom board protrudes upward to form a movable portion. A front of the movable portion defines a driven link. The transmitting element is cooperated with the driven link of the paper pressing board to bring along the paper pressing board to be pressed downward and be raised up. The cover has a top wall. A bottom of the top wall protrudes downward to form a locking part.
US09296568B2

A conditioner for a fertilizer box configured to convey compacted particles away from a conveyor path of fertilizer particles. The conditioner may include a plurality of wings for deflecting a portion of a flow of fertilizer particles from a conveyor path. A method includes determining a constant effective dispense opening for a fertilizer box having the conditioner and using the constant effective dispense opening to determine a fertilizer dispense rate.
US09296563B2

A conveyor has a belt arranged to be urged around conveyor rollers, and a belt cover formed of an endless loop of fabric material and is in frictional communication over the belt. The belt cover is formed of two plies that are arranged to be adhered to one another in an edge region of the belt cover. The communication between the belt cover and the belt has a coefficient of friction of ˜0.50. A message is printed on the outer ply of the belt cover. In addition, an antimicrobial material is disposed on the belt cover, and is formed of silver nanoparticles embedded in a polyurethane film having a thickness of ˜0.5 mil.
US09296561B2

A device for providing items for more than one order from a warehouse according to each particular order comprises at least one temporary storage device linked with the warehouse for temporarily storing items of at least one order, at least one collection zone linked with the at least one temporary storage device for collecting the items of the at least one completed order, and a separation zone having a number of delivery lines for providing the items of the at least one completed order according to the respective order.
US09296558B2

A vertically adjustable collection arm assembly for picking up refuse cans has an arm mechanism to pick up the cans. A lift mechanism raises and lowers the arm mechanism. The lift mechanism is coupled with the arm mechanism and a structure. The lift provides vertical movement to lift and lower the arm mechanism with respect to the structure.
US09296556B2

An apparatus for shipping a flowable material in a cargo compartment of a transport includes an enclosure forming a chamber therein to house the flowable material. The enclosure is made of braided or woven fabric. The inner surface of the fabric is coated whereby the fabric is impermeable to the flowable material. The enclosure has at least one closable opening serving as an inlet or outlet to the chamber, and is pliable such that it can be housed within the cargo compartment in any orientation.
US09296555B2

This invention is directed to a non-rigid composite sheet comprising in order (i) a first component having an areal density of from 88 to 678 gsm comprising a first fabric of filamentary yarns having a tenacity of at least 11 g/dtex and a UV and weather impervious first polymeric layer. (ii) a second component having an areal density of from 30 to 237 gsm comprising a flame resistant substrate and an inorganic refractory layer and (iii) a third component having an areal density of from 88 to 678 gsm comprising a second fabric of filamentary yarns having a tenacity of at least 11 g/dtex and an impact and scratch resistant second polymeric layer, the second fabric of the third component being adjacent to the refractory layer of the second component.
US09296545B2

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles includes a housing and a drive system. The housing defines a hopper chamber to hold the articles, a dispensing outlet, and a dispensing path between the hopper chamber and the dispensing outlet. The drive system includes a belt and a belt actuator operable to drive the belt. The dispensing apparatus is configured such that articles disposed in the hopper chamber are directed onto the belt and the belt, when driven by the belt actuator, conveys the articles received from the hopper chamber in a dispensing direction along the dispensing path toward the dispensing outlet to be dispensed.
US09296543B2

A portable, durable, lightweight cooler system designed to maintain beverages, food, medical supplies, drugs, and other heat sensitive products at existing temperatures with substantially reduced heat gain or loss from the surrounding environment for extended periods of time, when no power source is available. This container is designed to greatly reduce radiant heat transfer along with conductive and convective heat transfer while diminishing decomposition effects of stored items and thus maintaining freshness. This system includes a cooler housing, a reinforced lid, a radiation reflective material application, and a system to remove air from the containment area, thus creating a vacuum within the cooler itself and sealing the lid to the cooler housing. Upon actuation of a vacuum release device, air is reintroduced into the containment area thus allowing the lid to be removed and the stored products be accessed.
US09296539B2

Base includes an outer support wall, a support surface extending inwardly from the outer support wall and defining a reference plane, an inner support wall extending upwardly from the support surface, a first radiused portion extending radially inward from the inner support wall and concave relative to the reference plane, a second radiused portion extending radially inward from the first radiused portion and convex relative to the reference plane, an intermediate surface extending radially inward from the second radiused portion and substantially parallel to the reference plane, a third radiused portion extending radially inward from the intermediate surface and convex relative to the reference plane, and a central portion disposed proximate the third radiused portion.
US09296536B2

Multiple blister pack (1) for button batteries comprising a blister foil (10) designed to provide individual storage cups (12) of center (C) and diameter (D) for receiving a button battery, and individual closure regions (13) for each said individual storage cup (12). Each closure region (13) receives a closure element (4), and the individual storage cups (12) are arranged on the blister foil (10) according to a matrix pattern with at least two columns. Each closure region (13) surrounding each individual storage cup (12) are mutually separated by column and row tearing lines (2,2′). The closure element (4) and/or the closure region (13) is provided with tracking information concerning the battery stored in said individual storage cup (12) and the centers (C) of the individual storage cups (12) are spaced apart of a distance equal to twice the diameter (2*D) of the individual storage cup (12) from each other along each column of said matrix, within a tolerance of 1 millimeter.
US09296524B2

A child-resistant packaging comprises a packaging container having a mouth and a drawstring positioned along the mouth for selectively opening and closing the mouth. A first cord lock is adapted to receive first and second ends of the drawstring. Actuation of the first cord lock enables the first cord lock to slidably engage the drawstring. In one aspect of the invention, a second cord lock has first and second lobes. The first lobe is adapted to receive the first end of the drawstring while the second lobe is adapted to receive the second end of the drawstring. Simultaneous actuation of the first and second lobes enables the second cord lock to slidably engage the drawstring.
US09296523B2

A lock system includes a first lock and a second lock each with two profile strips operable for engagement with an at least partially flexible bundle and effective to enable a connection of a first bundle with a second bundle in a closed docking position and for guidance of a flow in a flow direction through lock members from the first bundle into the second bundle in an open docking position. The second bundle provides the lock members facing toward the first bundle, which lock members in the open docking position engage the lock members of the first bundle and jointly with the lock members of the first bundle form a flow channel for flow in the flow direction. Additionally, a slider for connecting and separating such locks is provided.
US09296519B2

A food container includes a first interior face having disposed thereon a first protective layer for protecting the first interior face from exposure to contaminants that would interfere with recycling of the food container. The first protective layer is affixed to the first interior face by an adhesive interface so as to be peelable from the first interior face.
US09296487B2

A distributed heating system for a power train of a ram air turbine, which ram air turbine has a stowed position and a deployed position, has at least one electrical resistance heater element, with each electrical resistance heater element located proximate at least one respective lubrication surface for the power train; and an electrical controller for coupling electrical power to each electrical resistance heater element when the ram air turbine is in the stowed position and ambient temperature falls below a desired level.
US09296486B2

The invention provides in-flight refueling systems with a communication sub-system available in radio silence operations including at least a first digital wireless data link comprising a first RF transceiver and a second RF transceiver coupled, respectively, to first and second antennas located in two points inside the boom or the hose of the refueling system or in RF communication with them and connected, respectively, to refueling control units in the tanker aircraft and in the free end of the refueling device by data buses allowing a digital communication between them.
US09296484B2

Detailed are restraints intended principally (but not necessarily exclusively) for inflatable evacuation slides or rafts. At least one such restraint may be designed to release based on geometric shape of an object (such as a slide) rather than merely as a function of its inflation pressure or length. One version of this type of restraint includes a connector pin attached to a cord, with tensioning of the cord eventually retracting the pin to effect release of the restraint.
US09296478B2

An aircraft having at least two separate aircraft fuselages is provided. The aircraft includes a first wing arrangement with at least two non-connected wing sections, and a second wing. In each case the wing sections of the first wing arrangement extend from the outside of an aircraft fuselage towards the outside. The second wing is arranged between insides of the at least two aircraft fuselages. Connecting regions of the first wing arrangement and of the second wing are arranged so as to be offset relative to each other at least on an X-Z-plane of an aircraft-fixed coordinate system. Consequently, the first wing arrangement and the second wing do not influence each other as a result of downwash, and in addition it is possible to do without horizontal stabilizer units that generate downthrust.
US09296477B1

A helicopter system has multiple rotors and methods of operation. The helicopter has a fuselage with four rotors and an engine operably connected to the four rotors for powered rotation of a rotor shaft with a set of rotor blades attached for each of the four rotors. Each of the rotor shafts is positioned in a housing with each housing attached at a lower end to a distal end of a beam with beams attached at a proximal end on the right side and on the left side adjacent to the nose end of the fuselage, and on the right side and on the left side adjacent to the tail end of the fuselage. All four rotor shafts are inclined from a lower end to an upper end toward the fuselage. All four rotor shafts may be inclined toward the nose end or the tail end of the fuselage.
US09296476B2

A system and method to adjustably create a reacting force in response to a vibrating force of a vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable vibration absorber that creates a range of reacting forces. The method includes continuously monitoring the reacting force and the vibrating force with a sensor system operably associated with a control unit having an algorithm to determine if adjustment of the vibration absorber is required. If required, the control unit commands a driver to selectively adjust the vibration absorber such that the reacting force equals the vibrating force.
US09296470B1

An apparatus includes a first tube portion forming a portion of an air vehicle deployable pod and a second tube portion. The first and second tube portions are slidably coupled. The apparatus also includes a cavity formed between the tube portions. The second tube portion slides relative to the first tube portion to reduce the size of the cavity and dissipate energy upon impact of the first tube portion.
US09296467B1

An apparatus operable to seal an opening in an aircraft fuel tank during a pressure test of the fuel tank is described. The apparatus includes a substantially dome shaped body having a perimeter. The body further includes a rim extending in an orthogonal direction about the perimeter and a flange extending in a normal direction from the rim and about the perimeter. The flange is sized to engage the fuel tank about the opening. The apparatus further includes a sealing gasket proximate an intersection of the rim and the flange, extending completely around the perimeter. The seal is oriented to provide a sealing function between the fuel tank and the body as pressure is increased within the fuel tank.
US09296464B1

An aircraft having an opening therein, the aircraft including a door member moveable relative to the opening between at least an open position and a closed position, and a biasing assembly operatively connected to the door member to bias the door member to the closed position, the biasing assembly including a torsion spring.
US09296462B1

A system for terminating flight of a balloon having a balloon envelope is provided. The system includes an apparatus attached to the balloon. The apparatus includes a flexible tube that has first and second ends with a hollow tube portion disposed there between and a device attached to the flexible tube. The first end of the tube is sealed around a preconfigured opening in a balloon envelope and the second end is sealed shut. The device includes a main body that has an opening holding an actuating member that has a cavity and a cutting element. The cavity is arranged to hold at least a portion of the flexible tube. When activated, the device causes contact between the actuating member and the cutting element so as to cut open the partial portion of the flexible tube for allowing lift gas to escape the balloon envelope through the hollow tube portion.
US09296460B2

An airship is presented having a plurality of resilient gas bags and gas containers, a straight fuselage tubular hull, with an inner air passageway and propulsion system located therein, and, connecting air inlet, and outlet funnels fore, and aft, with air deflector cones axially positioned therein. The ship also contains propulsion, reverse, and directional rocket thrusters, in addition to typical airship components.
US09296458B2

An outboard motor includes an exhaust pipe that includes an outer wall section, an inner wall section, a coolant passage, and a constricted section. The inner wall section is arranged inward of the outer wall section. The coolant passage is arranged between the outer wall section and the inner wall section. The constricted section is configured to constrict a flow cross section of the coolant passage. A catalytic converter is housed in the exhaust pipe. A temperature sensor is installed in the constricted section and measures a temperature of a pipe wall of the exhaust pipe.
US09296454B1

A vegetation cutter attachment system for a trolling motor to aid in cutting water weeds and grass that wrap around the propeller or motor housing of the trolling motor during use. The attachment system includes a plate affixable to the motor housing and conformed to the motor housing's shape and at least one corner with a cutting surface.
US09296452B2

A one-piece diving weight with openings to quickly add and remove the invention from a user's weight belt.
US09296450B1

A life vest with a rescue handle located on the back side thereof. The rescue handle has a flange located at the lower end thereof, the flange being attached to the back side of the life vest with the rescue handle extending substantially vertically upwards. The rescue handle is attached to the back side of the life vest in a manner adapted to support the weight of a user. The rescue handle has a non-loop shape that eliminates the potential for entanglement with objects in the water.
US09296448B1

An apparatus configurable as a back support and as a boarding ladder for use with an inflatable boat is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first frame configured for mounting on an inflated tube of the inflatable boat and a second frame, pivotally coupled to the first frame, the second frame having a transverse element. The second frame is moveable, with respect to the first frame, between a raised position, where the transverse element provides a back support, and a lowered position where the transverse element provides a rung of a boarding ladder. The apparatus may also include one or more third frames that extend below the second fame when the second frame is in the lowered position, the one or more third frames providing one or more additional rungs of the boarding ladder.
US09296432B2

An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.
US09296422B2

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for determining target plausibility is comprised of an imaging device for imaging a scene and generating image data, sensors for generating hitch angle measurements, steering angle measurements, and vehicle speed measurements. A controller in communication with the imaging device and the sensors, wherein when a driving condition is satisfied, the controller calculates a hitch angle and selects a plausible target from the imaged scene based on the image data and the calculated hitch angle.
US09296413B2

An electric power steering device includes a steering shaft that is coupled to the steering wheel, an output shaft that is coupled to the steering shaft via a torsion bar, a torque sensor that detects a steering torque that acts on the torsion bar, a sensor case to which a magnetic material, which is a component of the torque sensor, is fixed, an upper column tube that rotatably supports the steering shaft, and a lower column tube that is movable relative to the upper column tube, wherein the lower column tube and the sensor case are configured as an integrated part made of a resin material.
US09296411B2

An autonomous vehicle including a chassis, a conveyance system carrying the chassis, and a controller configured to steer the conveyance system. The controller is further configured to execute the steps of receiving steering radius information from a source; and creating steering instructions for the vehicle dependent upon the steering radius information from the source. The source not being from the vehicle itself.
US09296410B2

A steering device includes an upper shaft, a lower shaft, and a cover member having a large inner-diameter portion and a small inner-diameter portion, and a sealing member. A portion to be locked is formed close to the upper side of the lower shaft, the sealing member is locked and attached to the portion to be locked, the upper shaft and the lower shaft are slidably connected through the outer spline and the inner spline, and the cover member covers a connection portion connecting the upper shaft and the lower shaft. The upper end of the cover member is fixed to the upper side of the upper shaft. The sealing member is not in contact with the large inner-diameter portion of the cover member. The sealing member comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the small inner-diameter portion by reaching the small inner-diameter portion of the sealing member in the extension process of the upper shaft and the lower shaft.
US09296405B2

A cart for transporting and securing ophthalmological lasers and other highly sensitive equipment to medical facilities by a vehicle, and within medical facilities by rolling the cart is disclosed. The cart includes a cart base member with a mounting plate attached to the top portion of the cart base member, a locking mechanism attached to the mounting plate, and a circular plate, rotary swivel bearing and roller plate contained between the cart base member and the mounting plate. The circular plate allows the mounting plate and the equipment mounted thereon to rotate when the locking mechanism is in its unlatched position. This rotation allows the equipment, which may include asymmetrical equipment such as an overhanging arm associated therewith, to rotate enough to allow the otherwise asymmetrical equipment to fit through a doorway and accordingly be transported from one room in a clinic or other surgical site to another room.
US09296394B2

An engine non-stop warning apparatus for a vehicle provided with an engine stop control section configured to stop an engine on condition that a stop switch is continuously pressed for a specified time duration during operation of the engine includes an engine stop determination section configured to determine whether or not the engine is going to stop or stopping by the lapse of the specified time duration after the stop switch is pressed during the operation of the engine, and an engine non-stop warning section configured to warn a vehicle user that the engine is not stopping in a case the engine stop determination section determines that the engine is not going to stop or stopping by the lapse of the specified time duration after the stop switch is pressed during the operation of the engine.
US09296372B2

A control apparatus includes a first control part and a second control part. The first control part controls a control target based on a control amount that is output from the second control part and a command amount that is manually input, and permits the control amount to exceed a predetermined amount based on a standard when respective control directions of the control amount and the command amount are coincident with one another.
US09296368B2

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining an effective brake pedal position for a vehicle. A determination is made as to whether automatic braking is occurring for a vehicle. If the automatic braking is occurring, a measure of braking is determined for the vehicle. The effective pedal position of the brake pedal is determined to be a position of the brake pedal that would be expected to be required to attain the measure of braking if automatic braking were not occurring.
US09296360B2

A vehicle occupant protection device includes a frontal collision airbag that is provided in front of a front seat, and inflates and deploys by gas being supplied into the airbag, and in which vent holes are provided in both a right side and a left side thereof; a frontal collision inflator that supplies the gas into the airbag by being activated; a discharge limiting portion capable of limiting a discharge of the gas from at least one vent hole, from among the left vent hole and the right vent hole; and a controller that activates the frontal collision inflator when a frontal collision is detected or predicted, and that controls the discharge limiting portion such that the discharge limiting portion limits the discharge of the gas from the one vent hole when a configuration of the frontal collision is an asymmetric collision on a side with the one vent hole.
US09296349B2

An electrical powered vehicle is equipped with a coil unit capable of receiving electric power from a facility self-resonant coil external to the vehicle. The electrical powered vehicle includes: a pair of side members aligned in a widthwise direction of the vehicle and extending in a fore-aft direction of the vehicle; a vehicle self-resonant coil coupled with the facility self-resonant coil resonantly via an electromagnetic field to be capable of at least one of transmitting electric power and receiving electric power; and a vehicle capacitor provided to the vehicle self-resonant coil between the paired side members.
US09296348B2

A power supply device includes functional modules, and a main controller that is connected to and controls the modules. Each module includes a battery block, a communication interface, a memory and a battery state detector. The block includes a battery cells that are connected in serial and/or in parallel to each other. The interface exchanges data with other modules or the controllers. The memory can store data exchanged through the interface. The battery state detector can detect at least one of current, voltage and temperature of the block. When the module is connected to the controller, the controller assigns a unique address to the module. The module stores the unique address, which is assigned by the controller, in the memory. The module exchanges data based on the address.
US09296342B1

An automobile air vent attachable beverage holding apparatus including a sleeve member disposed to gird at least a portion of a beverage container and supportively position said beverage container conjunct an airflow proximal an air vent interior to an automobile when at least one mounting insert is detachably secured to position the sleeve member thereat, whereby heat exchange between the beverage container and the airflow is facilitated and an associated beverage is maintainable within desired and palatable temperatures while heating or alternately cooling an automobile is concurrently effected.
US09296333B2

Described are lighting devices of passenger aircraft. Also described are methods of operating the devices as well as lighting systems and passenger service units.
US09296325B2

A vehicle USB port including: a base body attached to a vehicle-body-side member; a hook main body that is provided with a hinge portion rotatably attached to the base body and a hook portion to anchor an anchored member, and that is rotatable between an in-use position in which the hook portion is usable and a stowed position in which the hook portion is not used; a hook main body retaining portion that is formed at the base body and that retains the hook main body moved to the stowed position; a port opening that is formed at the hook main body retaining portion and that is covered by the hook main body moved to the stowed position; and a USB port that is provided in a position facing the port opening, and to which a USB cable can be coupled through the port opening.
US09296323B2

A vehicle egress aid comprising an elongated body having a pair of grasping members at a distal end thereof, a striker latch engaging member at an opposite end thereof adapted to releasable engage a vehicle door striker latch member, and a lever member located in proximity to the striker latch engaging member and adapted to actuate the striker latch engaging member to engage with and be removed from the vehicle door striker latch member. The vehicle egress aid is further comprised of at least one spacer member located in proximity to the striker latch engaging member and on an opposite side from the lever member, and is adapted to press against a vehicle pillar and provide a more secure connection between the vehicle egress aid and the vehicle.
US09296316B2

A seat frame of a conveyance seat includes: a cushion frame that has cushion side frames disposed on left and right sides; a back frame that has back side frames disposed on left and right sides; recliners that serve as rotary joints, each cushion side frame and the corresponding back side frame being coupled via the corresponding recliner; and recliner plates, each recliner and the corresponding cushion side frame being coupled via the corresponding recliner plate. Each recliner plate has a bent portion at which the recliner plate is bent such that a lower portion of the recliner plate under the recliner is offset in a width direction of the seat frame relative to another portion of the recliner plate, and a reinforcing portion that enhances a strength of the lower portion in an up-down direction of the seat frame.
US09296308B1

An electric vehicle includes a controlling device and a battery unit. The controlling device is connected to a switch, an electric motor, an accelerator controller, and a generator unit. The switch is connected to the generator unit. The battery unit includes a primary battery and a secondary battery. The primary battery is connected to the controlling device. The secondary battery is connected to the generator unit. When the switch is turned on, the controlling device and the generator unit are activated, and when the accelerator controller activates the generator unit via the generator unit controlling device, the controlling device firstly supplies power to the electric motor by the generator unit. After the electric motor has been started, the controlling device cuts off power supply from the generator unit to the electric motor, and the primary battery supplies power to the electric motor.
US09296306B2

A battery powered vehicle may include a battery power source, an electric drive motor, a charging receptacle, and a drive controller. The electric drive motor may be powered by the battery power source. The electric drive motor may be operably coupled to a wheel of the battery powered vehicle to provide drive power for the battery powered 5 vehicle. The charging receptacle may be configured to enable charging of the battery power source via a battery charging assembly connectable to the charging receptacle. The charging receptacle may include circuitry forming a detection loop closed responsive to operable coupling of the charging receptacle with a charger plug of the battery charging assembly. The closing of the detection loop may generate an indication that the charging 10 receptacle is operably coupled to the charger plug. The drive controller may include processing circuitry configured to implement a mobility restriction at least with respect to operation of the electric drive motor responsive to the indication.
US09296303B2

An EVSE assembly convertible between a charge cord and a charge station includes a charge unit having a connector of a first type, a charge station sub-assembly having a connector of a second type, and a cord set sub-assembly having a connector of the second type. The connector of the charge station sub-assembly is hard-wired to an (240V) electrical circuit. The charge unit electrically connects to the charge station sub-assembly while the connectors of the charge unit and the charge station sub-assembly are connected to one another to thereby form a (240V) charge station. The cord set sub-assembly further includes a power plug connectable to (one of a 120V and 240V) electrical outlet. The charge unit electrically connects to the cord set sub-assembly while the connectors of the charge unit and the cord set sub-assembly are connected to one another to thereby form a (120V or 240V) cord set.
US09296297B2

A dual stage accelerator pedal spring assembly is provided that allows the transition point between stroke stages to be set, thereby controlling pedal travel within the first stroke stage, and notifies the driver of a critical operating condition, such as a low battery pack level, via a pedal feedback system. The spring assembly, which uses two springs exhibiting different spring force, allows adjustment of the relative positions of the two springs in order to control the transition point between the first and second pedal stroke stages. The change in pedal resistance used to notify the driver of a change in a monitored vehicle characteristic is achieved by preloading one of the springs in the spring assembly.
US09296295B2

An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
US09296291B2

An electric vehicle having an in-wheel motor drive system including: a wheel bearing unit rotatably supporting a drive wheel; a motor unit; and a reducer unit interposed between the motor unit and the wheel bearing unit, a motor torque command value Tmr being calculated from: (i) an estimate ^Te of external force influence on the drive wheel, which is estimated from the motor torque command value Tmr and a rotational frequency ω1 of a driven wheel; and (ii) a correction value Tc which is calculated from a rotational frequency ω2 of the drive wheel, an accelerator signal Tr and the estimate ^Tc.
US09296290B2

A control system and method for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain supplies battery power boost torque to vehicle traction wheels to modify shift points for a multiple ratio transmission in the powertrain. A shift schedule is adjusted to avoid a downshift for small changes in torque demand, thus reducing shift frequency due to small transient changes in torque demand.
US09296289B2

The vehicle speed is set as the intermittent operation prohibition vehicle speed before the accumulated charge amount condition where each accumulated charge amount of the master battery and the slave battery becomes each preset value is satisfied, and the vehicle speed that is less than the vehicle speed is set as the intermittent operation prohibition vehicle speed after the accumulated charge amount condition is satisfied. Then, when the vehicle speed is less than the intermittent operation prohibition vehicle speed, the engine and the motor are controlled so that the hybrid vehicle is driven with the priority to the motor travel where the hybrid vehicle is driven with input and output power to and from the motor before accumulated charge amount condition is satisfied, and the engine and the motor are controlled so that the hybrid vehicle is driven with the intermittent operation of the engine corresponding to the power demand after the accumulated charge amount condition is satisfied.
US09296265B2

A tire pressure monitoring device is equipped for attaching to a wheel of a vehicle provided with pneumatic tires. The device measures the tire air pressure present in the pneumatic tire or a change of the tire pressure. An electrical circuit controls the tire pressure monitoring device. A memory stores a program for the electrical circuit. A first transmitter operates in a first frequency range for transmitting data out of the tire pressure monitoring device to a first receiver located outside the tire pressure monitoring device. In the memory initially a basic version of the program is stored, out of which multiple different versions of the program for multiple vehicle types can be developed. Subsequently, a fitting full version for a selected vehicle type is created in that program parameters intended for the selected vehicle type are subsequently stored in the memory of the tire pressure monitoring device.
US09296263B2

Smart Active Tire Pressure Optimizing System is a highly time sensitive design and technique that acts instantaneously to sense and control the tire pressure particularly during imminent/inevitable critical driving situations to reduce emergency and high speed breaking distance, mitigates loss of traction, hydroplaning, roll over, loss of stability, over and under steering, brake-failure, loss of control due to puncture through real-time sensing, perform context aware computing and directing Tire Pressure Control Units to actively control the tire pressure in right time with right pressure on right tires thereby instantly controlling footprint and sidewall deformation rate to enhance, traction and stability simultaneously sustaining drivability/steer-ability and restore/optimize to pre-set tire pressure value immediately after overcoming critical situation for further safe and comfortable driving. Other aspects are controlling tire temperature according to environmental temperature, moisture and humidity to enhance traction and vary tire pressure according to driving modes like comfort, standard, sports etcetera.
US09296260B2

A pneumatic tire tread capable of mitigating air column resonance and maintaining drainage performance while ensuring that the flexible fences are abraded to a similar extent to the tread portion is formed from a rubber composition and has a tread portion, in which is formed at least one primary groove of depth D and width W having a base surface and two opposing walls, and multiple flexible fences of thickness E, which extend inside the primary groove such that at least 70% of the cross-sectional area of the primary groove is blocked and which are disposed at intervals such that at least one of the multiple flexible fences is in the primary groove in the tread contact patch when the tire is rolling, wherein the multiple flexible fences are formed from at least a rubber composition for fences that is different from the rubber composition for the tread portion; and the rubber composition for fences has an abrasion index that is more than or equal to twice the abrasion index of the rubber composition of the tread portion.
US09296255B2

The present disclosure relates to a device for the ultrasonic processing of a workpiece using an ultrasonic resonator and optionally a counter-die, the workpiece lying against the ultrasonic resonator and the ultrasonic resonator having a converter, a booster and a sonotrode. According to the disclosure, an additional booster is provided between the converter and the sonotrode and both boosters carry a holder for the ultrasonic resonator.
US09296238B2

A calibration-pattern printing method in a page-wide array printer having an array of print nozzles extending in a transverse direction of the printer comprises printing a respective calibration pattern portion on a substrate by at least one first portion of the nozzle array, changing the relative position of the nozzle array and substrate in the transverse direction then printing a respective further calibration pattern portion on the substrate by the at least one first portion of the nozzle array so that a given first nozzle-array portion prints a calibration pattern portion and further calibration pattern portion that are at least partially aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction and join up in the transverse direction to form an enlarged calibration pattern portion.
US09296230B2

A data processing apparatus, a data processing method and an inkjet printing apparatus are offered that are capable of reducing, in any kind of image, the occurrence of color unevenness while achieving a high speed output via a bi-directional printing. In order to achieve this, forward scan print ratio and backward scan print ratio with respect to a predetermined area comprising a plurality of pixels is set based on multi-value image data of the predetermined area. Next, binary print data for the forward scans and binary print data for the backward scans at the predetermined area is generated based on the multi-value image data and the set print ratios. According to such a configuration it is possible to increase the ratio of bi-directional printing with respect to areas at which color unevenness appears with difficulty, and increase the ratio of one-directional printing at areas where color unevenness appears with ease.
US09296226B2

Airborne ink mist is prevented from sticking to the detector part of a paper detector disposed on a carriage without using a configuration for capturing the ink mist. A printer has a conveyance path that conveys paper past the print position of a printhead; a carriage that carries the printhead; and a carriage moving mechanism that moves the carriage bidirectionally on the transverse axis of the printer. A paper detector and a shutter that opens and closes the detection part of the paper detector are disposed on the carriage. When the carriage moves to one end of the range of carriage movement, a shutter operating member disposed on a second side frame facing the carriage contacts the shutter and moves the shutter from its open position or closed position to the other position.
US09296225B2

Conventionally, it has not been possible to perform detailed printing control in accordance with a purpose, such as the improvement in density and the improvement in rubfastness, by taking into consideration a slight difference in the kind of paper (slight difference in the receptive layer), such as matte paper and glossy paper. An information processing apparatus for determining a printing medium having a receptive layer has a transmitted light information acquisition unit configured to acquire information on transmitted light by irradiating a printing medium on which a determination image is printed with light, and a surface characteristics determination unit configured to determine the surface characteristics of the printing medium on which the determination image is printed based on the information on transmitted light.
US09296223B2

A printing device for transferring an image representing contents on electronic paper is provided. The printing device includes an electronic paper controller for generating a control signal for transferring the image and outputting the generated control signal to the electronic paper, a touch sensor on a top surface of which the electronic paper is disposed to detect a user input command, a touch sensor controller for outputting a control signal to the touch sensor for driving the touch sensor and receiving the user input command detected by the touch sensor, and a main controller for controlling the electronic paper controller to change an image displayed on the electronic paper according to the user input command input from the touch sensor controller.
US09296220B2

A printer apparatus includes a platen roller, a printer head for performing a printing on a recording paper provided between the printer head and the platen roller, a recording paper guide mounted to a part of a front surface of the printer head to guide the recording paper, and a spring positioned on a rear surface of the printer head to exert force toward the platen roller. The spring causes the printer head and the recording paper guide to move together toward a position in which the platen roller is mounted.
US09296218B2

A printing apparatus includes: a supporting member which supports a medium; a transport device which transports the medium; first to fourth heads which eject first to fourth radiation curable type inks; a first irradiation section; a second irradiation section; a third irradiation section; and a fourth irradiation section which is arranged on the downstream side of the fourth head, in which the radiation rays respectively irradiated from the first irradiation section to the third irradiation section have a peak wavelength of 350 nm to 450 nm, and coloring materials included in the third ink and the fourth ink have higher absorption properties of the radiation rays with the peak wavelength than coloring materials included in the first ink and the second ink.
US09296212B2

In one example an ink tank cap is provided. In another example an ink tank body is provided. For example, in assembled condition, the cap is affixed to the body in a predefined rotational orientation.
US09296209B2

An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a receiving face member, and a cleaner. The recording head discharges droplets. The receiving face member includes a receiving face to receive dummy discharge droplets discharged from the recording head and not contributing to image formation. With rotation of the receiving face member, the receiving face movable between a facing position at which the receiving face faces the recording head and a retracted position at which the receiving face does not face the recording head. The cleaner cleans the receiving face of the receiving face member.
US09296206B2

In a print group for an ink printing apparatus, a housing is provided with print bars comprising print heads. The print bars are moveable independently of one another in a vertical direction from a printing position adjacent to a printing substrate into a park position and back. A protective flap bar for each print bar is provided which is pivotable and which is open to one side. The protective flap bar is arranged in a vertical position next to the print bar in the printing position such that the open side is facing away from the print bar. The protective flap bar is arranged in a horizontal position with the open side upward in the park position such that the print bar is engaged with its print head side in the protective flap bar.
US09296204B2

An inkjet recording method, including applying stimulus to recording ink to allow the ink to jet to record image on recording medium, wherein the recording medium includes support and surface layer on at least one surface thereof, and has transferred amount of pure water on surface thereof at side of the surface layer of 1 to 10 mL/m2 with contact duration of 100 ms as measured by dynamic scanning absorptometer, wherein the recording medium is surface-modified with corona discharge treatment or plasma treatment, the ink contains water-dispersible colorant, organic solvent, surfactant, water-dispersible resin, and water, the organic solvent contains polyhydric alcohol(s) having equilibrium moisture content ≧30 mass % at 23° C./80% RH, certain amide compound, and at least one of certain compounds, and total of solid content of the water dispersible colorant (A) and solid content of the water dispersible resin (B) is 8 to 35 mass %, and mass ratio (A/B) is 2 to 8.
US09296202B2

The present invention relates to a substance(s) deposition control device for an offset printing system comprising at least one offset plate intended to receive at least one substance so as to transfer the substance or substances onto a substrate, at least one means for the controlled deposition of at least one substance, the deposition means comprising at least one head unit spraying at least one wetting solution and at least one head unit spraying at least one colored substance, at least one means for cleaning the offset plate. The covering of the offset plate comprises a mesh structure defined by a plurality of hydrophilic and lipophilic individual surfaces capable of receiving a controlled deposition of substance(s), each of these hydrophilic and lipophilic individual surfaces being separated from its direct neighbors by at least one hydrophobic and lipophobic peripheral surface. The invention also relates to a printing system incorporating the device and to a printing process implementing the device.
US09296198B2

A screen printing apparatus provided with a print executing part, a substrate loading part, a substrate unloading part and a transferring and holding device. The transferring and holding device includes a clamp unit. The transferring and holding device is configured to transfer the substrate to a print executing position upon holding the substrate with the clamp unit so that the print executing part enables performing printing at a substrate standby position. A substrate recognition camera enables imaging in the course of the transfer of the substrate.
US09296191B2

A method is disclosed of manufacturing a transparent wear resistant surface layer (1). The method may include the steps of, applying a decorative material on a carrier, applying a dry powder layer comprising a mix of processed wood fibers, binder and wear resistant particles above the decorative layer, curing the mix to a decorative surface, including the transparent wear resistant layer, by applying heat and pressure on the mix. In a preferred embodiment the method includes the step of pressing the mix against an embossed matrix to create an embossed decorative surface with high wear resistance.
US09296180B2

A metal foil including: a steel layer whose thickness is 10 to 200 μm; an alloy layer which contains Fe and Al and which is formed on the steel layer; and an Al-containing metal layer arranged on the alloy layer, wherein, when a cutting-plane line of a surface of the Al-containing metal layer is defined as a contour curve and an approximation straight line of the contour curve is defined as a contour average straight line, a maximum point, whose distance from the contour average straight line is more than 10 μm, is absent on the contour curve, and a thickness of the alloy layer is 0.1 to 8 μm and the alloy layer contains an Al7Cu2Fe intermetallic compound or FeAl3 based intermetallic compounds.
US09296179B2

The present invention provides a polyester film wherein an adhesive layer including a thermoplastic elastomer including a monovinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene, a compatibilizer having a glass transition temperature of 35 to 150° C., and a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 35 to 150° C. and a carboxyl group content of 10 to 100 mg KOH/g is laminated on a polyester substrate.
US09296176B2

The present invention provides a laminiferous nonwoven fabric with a high woodpulp content suitable for use in wipes, absorbent articles and other applications, and a method of making the same. The laminiferous nonwoven comprises 3 layers bonded together, where the outer layers are lightweight meltspun webs and the middle layer comprises mainly woodpulp fibers. Each of the first (3), second (2) and third (4) nonwoven layer are preferably first formed separately and individually to be self-supported webs, whereafter the three self-supported webs are brought together essentially immediately before bonding them together. When used as a substrate for wet wipes, the inventive fabric exhibits a combination of several useful properties; good wet and dry softness and bulk, good wet abrasion resistance and low wet linting propensity, and where the majority raw material is woodpulp.
US09296158B2

This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing an ophthalmic lens with an energy source incorporated therein.
US09296149B2

A method and system is provided for forming a three-dimensional image and, more particularly, for making three-dimensional digital image transfer thermoformed objects on, e.g., generic molds. The system comprises a computer infrastructure operable to receive images of a subject, display the images, stitch together the images to form a single image, adjust portions of the images or single image to compensate for deformation during thermoforming of the single image, register the single image with points on a mold, and print the single image.
US09296141B2

The hot runner nozzle (1) for injecting plastic material into a molding tool comprises a needle valve with a nozzle needle (19) for closing the discharge opening (25). The nozzle needle (19) has the same diameter as the cylindrical bore in the discharge opening (25) and is inserted therein in order to close the cylindrical bore in the discharge opening (25). During the injection process the nozzle needle (19) is outside the melt flow and cannot cause said melt flow to swirl and is not radially loaded by the melt flow.
US09296131B2

A method is provided for forming a substantially uniaxially-oriented, high content cellulose nanocrystal film. The method includes providing a plant-biomass-based suspension of cellulose nanocrystals and altering the pH of the cellulose nanocrystals to a substantially neutral pH. The suspension is sheared at a shearing rate. The method further includes orienting the cellulose nanocrystals in a substantially axial direction and removing water from the sheared cellulose nanocrystal suspension. As a result, a substantially uniaxially-oriented cellulose nanocrystal film is formed.
US09296121B1

A handle having improved ergonomics and relatively compact low cost design is provided. In particular, the handle may include two hand grip areas which may be integral with one another. The two hand grips may be approximately perpendicular to one another. Further, one or both of the grip areas may include grip alignment mechanisms that improve the ergonomic alignment of a persons hand on the hand grip area of the handle. In another aspect the hand grip(s) may have smooth rounded grasping surfaces to provide comfort when grasped by a hand. The alignment mechanism(s) may be placed at an optimal location on the hand grip(s) area and result in improved control and comfort during use. In addition, one of the alignment mechanisms may serve a dual purpose of hand alignment and as a stop that prevents a person's hand from slipping off of the grip area during use.
US09296115B2

The present invention provides a cheese slicer adjustable for slicing cheese in variable thicknesses, comprising a handle; a guiding plate pivotally connected to the handle; a slicing plate having a slicing blade, wherein the slicing blade and the guiding plate together define a gap as slice thickness; a linkage movably resting against the guiding plate so that the movement of the linkage enables the guiding plate to pivot around the handle relative to the slicing blade thereby to provide variable slice thickness for the item to be sliced; an actuator assembly in operative connection with the linkage to move the linkage on the guiding plate. The cheese slicer of the present invention further comprises an indicating mechanism to clearly indicate the selected thickness of the sliced cheese.
US09296114B2

The articulated multiple-axis robot structure has a frame, an arm and a forearm, a shaft for attaching a tool, an actuator commanding the pivoting of a slide-socket, an actuator commanding the pivoting, a rotatable nut-socket, and a coupling device for securing the sockets in rotation. The coupling device having a coupling washer between the sockets and connected in rotation with one of the slide-socket and the nut-socket. The coupling washer is movable between a coupling configuration, in which the translation of the shaft relative to the forearm is locked, and an operating configuration, in which the translation and rotation of the shaft relative to the forearm are freed by a first electromagnet.
US09296113B2

A linear delta mechanism includes a base platform, a movable platform, and a plurality of guide sets. The base platform includes a base structure and a base stand. The base stand is disposed at a center location of the base structure. The movable platform is movable with respect to the base platform. The plurality of guide sets are connected to the base platform and configured to drive the movable platform. Each of the guide sets includes a linear actuator and an actuating rod. The linear actuators of the guide sets are symmetrically disposed around the base stand. Each of the actuating rods has a first end and a second end. The first end is driven by the linear actuator, and the second end is connected to the movable platform.
US09296110B2

A gripping or tensioning device (10) for gripping or tensioning articles, has an electric drive (2), the drive driving a pinion (28) mounted on an output shaft (26) and jaws (12,14) which are coupled for movement with the pinion (28) and can be displaced along a base (18) by means of a jaw guide (80). The jaw guide (80) has bearing rollers (42) in the region between the jaws (12, 14) in such a manner that the rotational axes of the bearing rollers run parallel to the pinion rotational axis (84).
US09296087B2

A method for conditioning polishing pads for the simultaneous double-side polishing of semiconductor wafer uses a double-side polishing device. The device has an annular lower polishing plate and an annular upper polishing plate, each covered with a polishing pad, as well as a rolling device for carrier disks. The method for conditioning polishing pads includes disposing at least one conditioning tool having external teeth and at least one spacer having external teeth in a working gap formed between the first and second polishing pad, where the thickness of at least one of the conditioning tools differs from the thickness of at least one of the spacers. At least one conditioning tool and one spacer are set, simultaneously, in a revolving movement about the axis of the rolling device and in rotation themselves so as to generate material abrasion of at least one of the polishing pads.
US09296078B2

A cutter switching system includes a supporting platform, a cutter magazine mounted on the supporting platform, and a sensing assembly mounted on the cutter magazine. The cutter magazine includes a cutter storing frame and a driving assembly. The cutter storing frame includes a cylindrical main body, and a plurality of cutters mounted all around the main body. The driving assembly includes a cam indexer engaging with the cutter storing frame for rotating the cutter storing frame. The sensing assembly is mounted on the cam indexer, and the sensor senses the rotation of the cam indexer to establish the static position and the rotation required of the cutter magazine. The present disclosure further provides a machine tool using the cutter switching system.
US09296073B2

A method of manufacturing a bit for a rotary drill, the bit including a drill tip (30), the method including providing a precursor structure (10) comprising substrate body (14) and a super-hard structure (12) joined to an upper surface of the substrate body; cutting a plurality of conformal inserts (20) from the precursor structure (10), each insert (20) comprising a part of the super-hard structure; providing a drill tip (30) configured for receiving the insert (20); and joining the insert to the drill tip (30).
US09296071B2

The present invention relates to a stand for a welding machine having a base plate and a column which is flexurally rigidly connected thereto and which is attached to a guide rail. The rack furthermore has a linear drive for applying a force from a work member to a work piece which can positioned on the base plate, the linear drive being supported by a slide which is displaceably guided along the guide rail. A support is furthermore provided which supports the slide and which counteracts a force-induced displacement of the slide by the linear drive.
US09296065B2

In a method for ultrasonic bonding, two longitudinal ultrasonic waves propagating in a common working plane oriented parallel to a substrate are induced in one or more ultrasonic transducers and are passed through ultrasound-conducting arms from different spatial directions onto a common connection point of the arms. At the connection point the ultrasonic waves cause an ultrasonic tool arranged directly or indirectly at said connection point to oscillate in two or three dimensions. At least one of the ultrasonic transducers induces an ultrasonic wave with a first harmonic oscillation component and a second oscillation component.
US09296061B2

A system for thermally working a workpiece has a torch body having a first axial end positionable near the workpiece and a torch receptacle coupled to a second axial end of the torch body. A plurality of ports extend axially through the torch receptacle from a first axial end of the torch receptacle to a second axial end of the torch receptacle. A plurality of fittings provided at the second axial end of the torch body for communication with a subset of the plurality of ports. The torch body comprises one of a plasma torch body and an oxy-fuel torch body that is exchangeably coupled to the torch receptacle. The subset of the plurality of ports is a plasma subset when the plasma torch body is coupled to the torch receptacle and an oxy-fuel subset when the oxy-fuel torch body is coupled to the torch receptacle.
US09296054B2

An indexable cutting insert having a triangular shape includes three sides and three cutting corners. A first planar surface and a second, parallel planar surface connects the three sides. In one embodiment, three major cutting edges are formed at an intersection between a respective side and the first planar surface. In another aspect, six major cutting edges are formed at an intersection between a respective side and the planar surfaces. In another aspect six major right-handed cutting edges and six major left-handed cutting edges are formed at an intersection between the sides and the first and second planar surfaces.
US09296047B2

Wear of a sliding member is prevented or controlled in a portion of the sliding member at a specific angular position (phase) about an axis. A fixing device includes a chuck-actuating claw which rotates with a main spindle, and is displaced to open and close a chuck section, a rubber ring which rotates with the main spindle, and a bobbin (sliding member) which is provided to be movable between a first position and a second position along an axis direction of the main spindle, rotates with the rubber ring in contact with the rubber ring in the first position, rotates with the chuck-actuating claw while displacing the chuck-actuating claw in contact with the chuck-actuating claw in the second position, and does not have contact with both of the rubber ring and the chuck-actuating claw in a partial range between the first position and the second position.
US09296036B2

Methods for producing forged products and other worked products are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises using additive manufacturing to produce a metal shaped-preform and, after the using step, forging the metal shaped-preform into a final forged product. The final forged product may optionally be annealed.
US09296017B2

A material screening apparatus is adaptable between a reduced-bearing mode and an additional-bearing mode. The apparatus comprises a screen box coupled to a frame and comprising at least one screen deck. A rotatable shaft is coupled to the screen box for imparting vibrational and/or oscillatory motion to the screen deck(s). Drive means imparts rotational motion to the shaft and a first set of bearings couples the shaft to the screen box. In the additional-bearing mode only, a second set of bearings couples the shaft to the frame. Changing between modes allows the screening characteristics of the apparatus to be adjusted.
US09296013B2

A method of making a multi-layer micro-wire structure resistant to cracking on a substrate having a surface including forming a plurality of micro-channels in the substrate, locating a first electrically conductive material composition forming a first layer in each micro-channel, and locating a second electrically conductive material composition having a greater tensile ductility than the first material composition to form a second layer in each micro-channel and in electrical contact with the first electrically conductive material composition thereby providing an electrically conductive multi-layer micro-wire in each micro-channel that is resistant to cracking.
US09296007B2

In one aspect, methods of making a carbon coating are described herein. In some implementations, a method of making a carbon coating comprises applying a first adhesive material to a substrate surface to provide an adhesive surface; rolling a carbon source over the adhesive surface to provide a carbon layer on the adhesive surface; and rolling an adhesive roller over the carbon layer to remove some but not all of the carbon of the carbon layer to provide the carbon coating.
US09295992B2

A system (10) for recycling asphalt shingle scrap. There is a cold process, hot process, and a separation process. In the hot process, all of the components are ground except for the course surface granules. In the cold process, a type of grind is formed that is the same as the hot process except it is a dry powder. A horizontal mixer (20) can be used either hot or cold. The hot process and cold process can be run in combination with one another or independently. The component separation process uses a screen or the like (34) to separate the cold process material into surface granules, filled asphalt coating, and saturated felt component, while a magnet (38) may be used to help separate nails and other metal objects from the mixture.
US09295989B2

A channel device includes a first substrate having a groove portion for forming a channel, and a second substrate having a protruding portion that covers the groove portion, the first substrate and the second substrate being bonded together with an adhesive. The protruding portion of the second substrate extends along the extending direction of the groove portion of the first substrate, and mutually corresponding parts of the protruding portion of the second substrate and the groove portion of the first substrate are in direct and linear contact with each other without an adhesive therebetween, and the channel is thereby formed.
US09295983B2

The invention provides complexes in which a calixarene-related compound is coordinated to an iridium-containing metal colloid. The complexes can be immobilized on a substrate. The complexes of the invention are useful as tunable and highly robust isolated metal colloids that find use in binding of molecules and catalysis of chemical reactions.
US09295982B2

A series of MOF-based hierarchical porous material, namely IPD-mesoMOF-1˜9, based on nanoscale MOFs of MIL-100(Al, Fe, Cr, Sc and In), MIL-53(Al), HKUST-1, DUT-5, DUT-4, MIL-101(Cr), MIL-101NDC(Cr), MIL-101BPDC(Cr) and MIL-110 respectively, forming the permanent interparticle porosities by using close (or relatively close) packing, and preparation methods thereof. Modulated or functionalized IPD-mesoMOFs can be applied for gas adsorption and molecule separation (such as CH4- and CO2-adsorption, gasoline/diesel desulfurization and purification), catalyst loadings and molecular recognition/immobilization of biological macromolecules and enzymes.
US09295965B2

Methods and apparatus relate to the synthesis of polynucleotides having a predefined sequence on a support. Assembly methods include primer extension to generate overlapping construction oligonucleotides and assembly of the polynucleotides of interest onto an anchor support-bound oligonucleotides. Methods and apparatus for selection of polynucleotides having the predefined sequence and/or length are disclosed.
US09295961B2

A radiant heat chemical reactor is configured to generate chemical products including synthesis gas products. Two or more tubes in the radiant heat chemical reactor separate an exothermic heat source, such as flames and gas from a regenerative burner, from the endothermic reaction of the reactant gas occurring within the cavity of the refractory vessel. The exothermic heat source heats a space inside the tubes. One or more feed lines supply chemical reactants to the cavity area between an inner wall of the cavity of the refractory vessel of the chemical reactor and the two or more tubes that are internally heated located with the cavity.
US09295959B2

A fluid distribution device and method is presented for the collection and distribution of fluid between reactor beds. According to various aspects, the method includes a collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a fine distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray. The rough distribution tray includes a vapor chimney.
US09295942B2

A process for separating off acid gases from a water-comprising fluid stream wherein the water-comprising fluid stream is contacted in an absorption zone with an absorbent, producing a deacidified fluid stream and an acid gas-loaded absorbent; the deacidified fluid stream is contacted in a scrubbing zone with an aqueous scrubbing liquid, producing a deaminated, deacidified fluid stream and an amine-loaded scrubbing liquid which is cooled, producing an absorber top condensate; the loaded absorbent is passed into a desorption zone producing a regenerated absorbent and desorbed acid gases; the regenerated absorbent is returned to the absorption zone in order to form an absorbent circuit, to which the amine-loaded scrubbing liquid and the absorber top condensate are introduced; and the desorbed acid gases are conducted through an enrichment zone and the acid gases exiting at the top of the enrichment zone are cooled, producing a desorber top condensate.
US09295941B2

A method for filtration of harmful gas effluents from an industrial installation including the steps of providing a gas effluent from an industrial installation, the gas effluent including a mixture of gases; filtering the harmful, elements from the gas effluent by membrane separation through a plurality of membranes, the membrane separation being achieved by sifting, sorption and/or diffusion, each membrane being adapted for filtering a specific harmful element; sorting the filtered harmful elements and storing them in separate storage reservoirs, and discharging the processed gas effluent to the atmosphere.
US09295939B2

For separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gas stream, a substantially moisture free gas stream is produced using a first temperature swing adsorption (TSA), a first pressure swing adsorption (PSA), a first vacuum swing adsorption (VSA), membrane separation, a first absorption, or any combination thereof. CO2 is captured from the substantially moisture free gas stream and substantially dry CO2 depleted stream is produced using a second TSA, a second PSA, a second VSA, or a second absorption with a non-aqueous solvent with or without a chemical reaction. Adsorbents and/or absorbents used during moisture removal are regenerated using the substantially dry CO2 depleted stream. Purifying a gas stream containing CO2 and impurities includes producing a stream substantially depleted of moisture and impurities using a physical or reactive adsorbent, thermally regenerating the adsorbent to produce a stream substantially enriched in impurities, and removing impurities from the stream substantially enriched in impurities.
US09295938B2

The present invention relates to dehumidification apparatus and a method of regenerating desiccant material of a dehumidifier. The apparatus comprises a boiler and a desiccant dehumidifier, in which the boiler is coupled to the dehumidifier such that a heated air stream produced by the boiler is channelled to the dehumidifier to provide regeneration air for desiccant material of the dehumidifier. The present invention provides an advantage that low grade heat from a boiler is being used as a cheap heat source for the absorption dehumidifier. The dehumidifier may be a separate part for retrofitting to a boiler, or may alternatively be integrated with the boiler as a single unit.
US09295926B2

Cross flow trays are provided with a support system. The support system interconnects the upper cross flow tray to a downcomer of the lower cross flow tray to provide support for the upper tray. In some aspects, the support system may also interconnect the downcomer of the lower cross flow tray to an upper tray of an underlying pair, providing additional support for the assembly. Such tray assemblies may facilitate easier installation without impeding the performance of the column.
US09295925B2

A structured packing formed of a plurality of corrugated, rectangular sheets and a method relating to the use thereof. End regions of the corrugations are provided with straight, parallel corrugations extending inwardly from opposed edges of the sheets and a right angles thereto to reduce pressure drop at the interfaces between packing layers and thereby increase hydraulic capacity. Contact is promoted between descending liquid and ascending vapor phases within a main region of the corrugations that have straight, parallel sections of the corrugations oriented at an acute angle to the opposed edges. Transition regions having arcuate sections of the corrugations connect corrugations within the main and end regions to reduce internal pressure drop within the structured packing and thereby further reduce pressure drop at the interfaces and further increase the hydraulic capacity.
US09295923B2

An ultrasonic transducer suitable for use in ultrasonic metering of fluids at extreme temperatures. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric crystal, low-density epoxy encasing the piezoelectric crystal, and a cylindrical reinforcing sleeve embedded in the low-density epoxy. The sleeve includes fiber mesh, and surrounds the piezoelectric crystal.
US09295921B2

A module structured for use with a toy is provided. The module includes a light emitting assembly. The light emitting assembly has a circuit board and a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes an attachment portion coupled to the circuit board and an end portion opposite the attachment portion. The module further includes a housing, the housing having a containing portion and a stabilizing portion extending from the containing portion at a junction. The stabilizing portion is structured to engage the toy and the containing portion is located on the light emitting assembly. The end portion is located between the junction and the circuit board.
US09295916B1

Recommendations for in-game content are provided to players of an online game. An instance of a virtual space is executed in which an online game is conducted and implemented to facilitate presentation of a view of the virtual space to users through client computing platforms associated with the users. Device specification sets of the client computing devices are determined and recommendations for in-game content are presented to the users based on the obtained device specification sets of the client computing devices associated with the users.
US09295915B2

Embodiments of the present invention monitor and dynamically manage game instances within a game service. A game service provides a remote gaming environment to which users connect over a wide area network, such as the Internet. For example, embodiments of the invention may forecast demand for a specific game title. The demand forecast is used to determine how many standby game instances are needed to meet demand as players join and leave game sessions. Games with higher demand may have more standby game instances ready for players to drop in. Games with less demand may have fewer active game instances running waiting for players to drop in.
US09295913B2

An information processing device configured to play a game based on battle parameters generated from pictures includes an input unit inputting a picture drawn by a user; a display unit displaying on a left or right side of a display area of the display unit the input picture drawn by the user by arranging the input picture input by the input unit; a picture reverse unit processing the picture input by the input unit by mirror-reversal of the input picture; a generating unit for generating battle parameters being used for the game using a feature value of the picture input by the input unit; and an executing unit executing the game based on the battle parameters generated by the generating unit, wherein the picture to be displayed on the left side of the display area of the display unit is processed by mirror-reversal by the picture reverse unit.
US09295911B2

A device for the interactive practice of gymnastics in association with an image and sound system constituting the gymnastics program to be followed by a user. The device includes a platform, a sensor system housed in the platform making it possible to detect the position of the obstacles around the platform, and a connecting system sending the signals coming from the platform sensors to a digital processing unit.
US09295903B2

A bowling lane maintenance machine is provided with separate reservoirs for constituent conditioning components to allow separate storage of the conditioning components and mixing of the conditioning components just prior to application to a surface of the bowling lane. One conditioning component may be a polar component such as a polyethylene glycol and another conditioning component may be a non-polar component such as a mineral oil based product. Separate reservoirs for constituent cleaning components are also provided so that the cleaning components may also be stored separately and then mixed together just prior to application to the bowling lane surface. Primary and secondary drive wheels are positioned on opposite sides of the machine forwardly of a conditioner application roller in the intended forward direction of travel of the machine so that they do not leave “tracks” on the conditioner after its application on the bowling lane.
US09295899B1

A field view batting cage apparatus includes a support frame surrounding a foreshortened baseball playing field with baseball hitting and pitching positions in diagonally opposite corners of the field, and a netting suspended so as to form a plurality of vertical walls of netting and a ceiling of netting surrounding and overlying the field for providing containment of the baseball. The batting cage apparatus also includes either a plurality of cables strung on the support frame so as to suspend the netting to form the vertical walls of netting and a dome-shaped ceiling of netting, or a support roof attached to, and spanning diagonally between opposite corners of the support frame and at least one cable strung on the support frame so as to suspend the netting to form a dome-shaped ceiling of netting and the vertical walls of netting.
US09295896B1

A golf training device is disclosed that can include a shoulder harness, a waist harness, a torsion bar, a shoulder turn regulator, and a hip turn regulator. The torsion bar can extend vertically from the upper back to the lower back or the waist area of the wearer of the golf training aid. The shoulder turn regulator can connect between the shoulder harness and an upper end of the torsion bar, and can resist rotation of the shoulders of the wearer of the golf swing training aid beyond a threshold shoulder rotation amount during a backswing motion of the wearer. The hip turn regulator can connect between the waist harness and a lower end of the torsion bar, and can resist rotation of the hips of the wearer of the golf swing training aid beyond a threshold hip rotation amount during the backswing motion of the wearer.
US09295894B2

A bicycle rollers device, having a frame that includes a rear mounting assembly for two rear rollers; a front mounting assembly for a front roller; support elements, for supporting the frame above a surface, upon which the support elements are set to rest; and a central bridge connecting the front mounting assembly to the rear mounting gear. Also, two rear rollers are mounted in the rear mounting assembly and a front roller is mounted in the front mounting assembly and defines a roller width. Finally, the central bridge is more narrow than the roller width, thereby permitting a bicycle rider to mount and dismount a bicycle set on the rollers without encountering the central bridge.
US09295880B2

The invention generally relates to hand-held underwater propulsion systems. In certain embodiments, systems of the invention include a hand-held body having a water-tight compartment. There is a motor housed within the water-tight compartment. There are a plurality of propeller blades located at a front portion of the body and coupled to the motor. Each blade includes a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, and in the deployed configuration, the blades are biased away from the body.
US09295874B1

An elliptical trainer has a base, two sliding assemblies, a slope adjusting mechanism, and two stride adjusting mechanisms. A transverse diameter of an elliptical path that a user exercises along can be adjusted by driving the slope adjusting mechanism, so as to adjust each stride of the user. A slope of the elliptical path can also be adjusted by driving the stride adjusting mechanisms, so as to provide climbing exercise effects. The elliptical trainer can be easily adjusted to form different exercise modes and intensities. The user's desire for exercising on the elliptical trainer can be increased accordingly.
US09295862B2

A hose appliance is provided for use with a fire-fighting device. The hose appliance includes an inlet removably coupleable to a first hose and/or a first hose appliance, a first outlet removably coupleable to a second hose and/or a second hose appliance, a body extending between the inlet and the first outlet, and a control module including a transceiver configured to receive data from the fire-fighting device and to transmit data to the fire-fighting device to facilitate controlling the fire-fighting device.
US09295858B2

Described is an applicator for RF, ultrasound, and light skin treatment. The applicator allows a protrusion of skin to be formed within a cavity and maintained for a desired time, enables good coupling of the treatment energy with the skin and avoids negative pressure adversely affecting the skin.
US09295857B2

A method of delivering a radioactive liquid includes, performing an initialization, including; extracting at least a first amount of a radioactive liquid from a source of radioactive liquid, measuring a radioactivity level for the first amount of radioactive liquid, and performing a calibration phase. The calibration phase includes, extracting a second amount of radioactive liquid from the source of radioactive liquid wherein the second amount is calculated based on the radioactivity level of the first amount to provide a total dose of radioactive liquid having a predetermined radioactivity level, and delivering the total dose and performing at least one more calibration and delivery phases.
US09295853B2

A coil suitable for tissue stimulation and especially for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be used in conjunction with a pulse generator to induce electric field in the brain with less attenuation in depth compared to existing TMS coils. In an example, a coil winding is formed in a solenoid configuration around the head. Various related features, methods, and embodiments are described.
US09295843B2

A system or apparatus can provide electrostimulations via an electrode configuration that can be selected from multiple electrode configurations, the electrostimulations of the type for inducing a desired heart contraction, or a neurostimulation response. The system or apparatus can allow communicating with an external device to receive an input indicating a degree of patient discomfort with an electrostimulation delivered using a first electrode configuration, and can associate information about the degree of discomfort with information about the corresponding first electrode configuration for use by a controller circuit in determining a second electrode configuration for delivering a subsequent electrostimulation.
US09295842B2

Devices and methods are provided for performing procedure on tissue with flow monitoring using flow sensors. The devices include an elongated member, and at least one flow sensor disposed on the elongated member. The flow sensor includes at least one temperature sensor and at least one heating element having a cavity. At least a portion of the at least one temperature sensor is housed in the cavity. A temperature measurement of the temperature sensor provides an indication of the flow rate of a fluid proximate to the flow sensor.
US09295837B2

A cochlear implant arrangement includes an implant electrode having electrode contacts for delivering to adjacent neural tissue electrode stimulation signals for a defined frequency band reflecting tonotopic organization of the cochlea. An implantable stimulation processor is coupled to the implant electrode for producing the electrode stimulation signals. At least one of the electrode contacts is deactivated based on current spread overlap and an electrode masking function of long term average spectra data to avoid delivering electrode stimulation signals to an electrode contact masked by an adjacent electrode contact.
US09295833B2

An implantable lead for sensing mechanical activity of a human heart has an insulating polymeric tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the lead, an electrical conductor provided in the lumen of the polymeric tube, and a sensor connected to the conductor at the distal end thereof. The polymeric tube is provided with a conductive surface layer along the inner face between the polymeric tube and the electrical conductor, the conductive surface layer being in electrical contact with this conductor. Accumulation of electrical charges between the electric conductor and the polymeric tube is thereby prevented.
US09295827B2

A self-closing twisted slit valve which is opened by compression inside a receiving tapered female orifice. For luer fittings, internal taper of a female luer fitting provides sufficient distortion of an asymmetrical valve to distort a closed, preferably planar slit to a patent fluid pathway. The slit may be opened by valve displacement into a female connector orifice or by being pierced by a blunt cannula. The valve may be effectively used for both needleless connectors and for needleless connector adapters.
US09295819B2

A fluid supply body for supplying a fluid to a balloon formed of a material having elasticity and inflating the balloon, the fluid supply body includes a cylinder, a plunger, an adjusting portion that is attached to the plunger and adjusts the movement amount of the plunger so that the balloon is inflated with to a predetermined inflation diameter, and a fixing portion that is provided at the cylinder and fixes the plunger at a position within the cylinder corresponding to the movement amount adjusted by the adjusting portion, wherein the adjusting portion has a plurality of engaging portions that specify movement amounts corresponding to a plurality of different inflation diameters of the balloon, and the fixing portion has an engaged portion, and a converting portion.
US09295813B2

A guidewire includes a linear portion, a curved portion that is provided distally of the linear portion, a boundary portion that is provided between the linear portion and the curved portion, a lubricant portion that is provided on a surface of the linear portion, and a low lubricant portion that is provided at least on a surface of the boundary portion disposed on a side of the guidewire opposite of a direction toward which the curved portion is curved, a lubricating ability of the low lubricant portion being lower than that of the lubricant portion.
US09295812B2

Guidewires, actuators and methods of using the guidewires and actuators are described. These tools and methods allow a user to select and maintain different guidewire stiffness characteristics such that a single guidewire can address a range of access capabilities.
US09295809B2

Fixation and protective components for use with implantable medical devices, such as access ports and catheters, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a protective sleeve is employed about a catheter so as to distribute compressive loads and ensure patency of the catheter lumen, even in areas prone to pinch-off. A catheter assembly in one embodiment thus comprises an elongate catheter tube that defines at least one lumen. A protective mesh sleeve is disposed about an external portion of the catheter tube so as to cover at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the catheter tube. The protective sleeve is configured to distribute a compressive load on the catheter tube so as to ensure patency of the at least one lumen of the catheter tube.
US09295800B2

A cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient includes a base wall structured to be connected to a frame, an underlying support cushion extending away from the base wall towards the patient's face in use, and a membrane provided to substantially cover at least a portion of the underlying cushion. The membrane is adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face. The underlying cushion has a spring-like connection with the base wall. The underlying cushion and/or base wall define a spring constant that varies along a length of the seal.
US09295793B2

An inhaler device (1) contains, or is capable of accepting, a plurality of doses of a medicament to be dispensed from the inhaler (1). To ameliorate the problem of double dosing from the inhaler (1), the device further comprises prevention means (26, 28, 40) for preventing, at least temporarily, the dispensing of a dose of medicament, and detection means (32) for detecting the inhalation of a previously dispensed dose of medicament. When the detection means (32) detects the inhalation of the previously dispensed dose of medicament, it releases the prevention means (26, 28, 40), allowing the device to dispense a further dose of medicament. The detection means (32) may be a pressure sensor, and the prevention means (26, 28, 40) may operate by causing a disengagement of an actuation mechanism.
US09295791B2

A device for detecting moisture for an arrangement for monitoring an access to a patient for a system by which, via a flexible line, a liquid is fed to and/or out from the patient, for monitoring the vascular access in extra-corporeal blood treatment and for monitoring a central venous access in acute dialysis, an arrangement for monitoring an access to a patient, and a method of producing a device for detecting moisture for connection to a monitoring arrangement are described. The device for detecting moisture is characterized in that at least a part or portion of the device takes the form of a resilient attaching element having parts which fit round a flexible line and/or a system for connecting a flexible line. The attaching element, which is formed after the fashion of a clip, allows the device for detecting moisture to be attached quickly and securely to a flexible line.
US09295790B2

A medical device connectable to a frontal attachment, the medical device having a forwardly projecting fluid outlet member and a forwardly projecting protective guard extending beyond the outlet member to protect the outlet member from pathogenic contamination by contact prior to connection to the frontal attachment.
US09295775B2

The invention relates to a medical device for injecting contrast media including at least two separate vessels and immiscible contents inside one and/or both of the vessels, an injector and a distributor arranged such as to establish alternating communication between said vessels and said injector, said medical device being characterised in that it includes a means for providing said alternating communication at a frequency of 0.2 to 5 Hz.
US09295774B2

A dialysis valve includes a tube attached between an artery and a vein which, when elongated, simultaneously narrows in diameter at at least one location. The narrowed portion of the tube decreases the volume and velocity between the arterial and venous side of the patient to prevent damage or intimal hyperplasia on the venous side between dialysis treatments. When the valve is opened for dialysis, an unrestricted blood flow exists between the arterial and venous side, permitting a controlled, open blood flow during dialysis.
US09295768B2

Devices and methods for assisting cardiac function are provided. One such device for assisting heart function includes a first plate and an opposing second plate, each plate having an inner surface, a cardiac processor coupled to at least one of the first plate and the second plate, a bladder having an inner chamber and disposed between the inner surfaces, and a first catheter having a proximal end in communication with the inner chamber of the bladder and a distal end having a first pericardial balloon coupled thereto. A gas and/or a liquid within the inner chamber of the bladder can be injected into the first pericardial balloon upon compression of the first plate relative to the second plate, and the gas and/or the liquid can be removed from the first pericardial balloon upon retraction of the first plate relative to the second plate.
US09295764B2

A corporeal drainage system and a method of draining fluid from a bodily cavity. The corporeal drainage system includes a connection tube and a fluid receptacle in fluid communication with the connection tube. The fluid receptacle creates a negative pressure in the system by transitioning from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The system may include an activation member to initiate transitioning of the fluid receptacle.
US09295757B2

Described are embodiments of a multilaminate or multiple layer implantable surgical graft with an illustrative graft comprising a remodelable collagenous sheet material, the graft including one or more interweaving members to stitch together the graft to help prevent the layers from delaminating or separating during handling and the initial stages of remodeling. The interweaving members may comprise lines of suture, thread, individual stitches, strips of material, etc. that are woven through the layers of biomaterial in a desired pattern. In one embodiment, the interweaving members comprise a pharmacologically active substance, such as a drug, growth factors, etc. to elicit a desired biological response in the host tissue. In another embodiment, the graft further comprises a reinforcing material, such as a synthetic mesh, within the layers of remodelable biomaterial and stitched together by one or more interweaving members.
US09295756B2

The present invention is directed to methods of treating an organ or a tissue prior to transplantation thereof into a recipient, comprising ablating the cells composing the blood vessels of said organ or tissue, preferably the cells lining the lumen surface of the blood vessels, thereby obtaining a treated viable organ or tissue having reduced immunogenicity. The invention is also directed to treated viable organs or tissues having reduced immunogenicity and uses thereof.
US09295754B2

This disclosure relates to compounds and compositions for forming bone and methods related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of forming bone comprising implanting a bone graft composition comprising a growth factor such as BMP in a subject at a site of desired bone growth or enhancement in combination with a Noggin blocker.
US09295751B2

The invention relates to the use of gelatin and a cross-linking agent to provide a medical glue which forms a cross-linked gelatin gel in an area of application of the human or animal body. According to the invention, (i) the gelatin and the cross-linking agent are mixed with each other to form the cross-linking medical glue which is then administered to the area of application; or (ii) the gelatin and the cross-linking agent are made available in separate form and are administered, simultaneously or one after the other, to the area of application while forming the cross-linking medical glue.
US09295750B2

A method of making a composition comprising reacting (a) an isocyanate group-containing component having an average functionality of at least 2; and (b) an active hydrogen group-containing component having an average functionality of at least 2 to form a composition that is biodegradable, a solid at 22° C. and below, and has pressure sensitive adhesive properties at a temperature of 37° C. and relative humidity of 100%. A method of using the composition therefore to adhere polymer meshes or films to biological tissue is also disclosed.
US09295730B2

This invention relates to a conjugated molecule comprising a peptide derived from the CD4 receptor coupled to an organic molecule by means of a linker as well as a process for its preparation. Such a conjugated molecule can be used in antiviral treatment, namely in the treatment of AIDS.
US09295728B2

This application relates generally to biocompatible water-soluble polymers with pendant functional groups and methods for making them, and particularly to co-polymer polyglutamate amino acid conjugates useful for a variety of anti-cancer drug delivery applications.
US09295727B2

The present invention generally relates to polymers and macromolecules, in particular, to polymers useful in particles such as nanoparticles. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of developing nanoparticles with desired properties. In one set of embodiments, the method includes producing libraries of nanoparticles having highly controlled properties, which can be formed by mixing together two or more macromolecules in different ratios. One or more of the macromolecules may be a polymeric conjugate of a moiety to a biocompatible polymer. In some cases, the nanoparticle may contain a drug. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods using nanoparticle libraries.
US09295726B2

Multi-polymer compositions for the transdermal delivery of drugs, such as amine-functional drugs, in a flexible, finite form are described. The compositions comprise a polymer matrix that includes a drug or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a polymer matrix comprising acrylic polymer(s), polyisobutylene polymer(s) and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer(s). Methods of manufacturing and methods of using the compositions also are described.
US09295715B2

Techniques are disclosed for treating or reducing symptoms associated with abdominal dysfunction or ileus following surgery or other abdominal episode by treating the area with a combination of one or more protease, antibacterial compound, and inflammatory lipid mediator.
US09295704B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and health supplement for preventing or treating atopic dermatitis, the composition and supplement having as active ingredients extract of a galenical mixture including sophora root, licorice, lonicer aflower, Korean angelica root, Korean aralia root, saussurea root, seselos radix, zizyphus spinosi, Houttuynia cordata, forsythia fruit, lappa fruit, Epimedium koreanum Nakai, ginseng, lithospermum, oleoresin, cnidium, scorophulariae radix, and reynoutria, or lactobacillus fermentation of the galenical extract prepared by inoculating lactobacillus to the galenical extract and fermenting same. The galenical extract or the galenical extract fermentation of the present invention achieves reduced scratching, decreases clinical features of atopic symptoms such as erythema, itchiness and dry skin, edema and hematoma, erosion, and lichenification, and reduces IgE concentration in blood, which is related to exogenous atopic dermatitis, in laboratory animal models of atopic dermatitis, and is thereby, useful for preventing or treating atopic dermatitis.
US09295696B2

This invention relates to the use of autologous stem/progenitor cells to restore or rejuvenate adult stem cell function in a mammal, wherein the restoration or rejuvenating extends lifespan and/or improves health of the mammal. In addition, the invention also relates to compositions containing one or more regulatory factors secreted or released from isolated mammalian stem/progenitor cells and use of such compositions to extend lifespan and/or improve health of a mammal. Also provided are methods of treating, delaying, preventing or reversing progeria or related syndromes in a mammal using isolated autologous or allogeneic stem/progenitor cells and/or regulatory factors secreted or released therefrom.
US09295694B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of silver nanoparticles and extracts of Polygonum Multiflorum Thunb, a method for increasing hair growth by administering the pharmaceutical composition locally to a host, and use thereof.
US09295692B1

Provided herein are a biocompatible gels, such as an oral gel composition and a topical gel composition. Generally, the oral gel composition may comprise a formulation in ozonized water of a cross-linked polyacrylate polymer and a preservative and sodium hydroxide, acetic acid, and glycerol to polymerize the polyacrylate. Optionally, the oral gel composition may comprise a sweetener and/or a flavoring agent. The topical gel composition is a similar formulation in ozonized water with a cross-linked polyacrylate polymer and a preservative and sodium hydroxide, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide to polymerize the polyacrylate. Further provided are methods of using the gel compositions to reduce dental caries and to treat a skin injury.
US09295691B2

A method for repairing or replacing damaged tissue, or for providing post-surgical augmentation, comprising administering a pliable biocompatible material and a physiologically acceptable suspending agent to a patient is disclosed. Copolymers of unsubstituted acrylate and substituted acrylate are disclosed as pliable biocompatible materials.
US09295681B2

A two-part aqueous composition for treating skin ailments, such as acne vulgaris, includes an acidic part having salicylic acid and an α-hydroxy acid, and an alkaline part having an alkaline nitrite salt. The α-hydroxy acid is preferably glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid or a combination thereof. The alkaline nitrite salt is preferably sodium nitrite. The acidic part and the alkaline part are an acidic aqueous solution and an alkaline aqueous solution, respectively, which may either be mixed with one another then applied to an affected portion of a patient's skin or, alternatively, may be sequentially applied to the affected portion of the patient's skin, preferably within 15 minutes of one another.
US09295674B2

Methods and compositions for treating a subject suffering from exposure to a chemical threat agent are disclosed.
US09295666B2

Therapeutic compositions comprising an indoloquinone compound and various bladder cancer treatments and methods are disclosed. More specifically, the compositions comprise an indoloquinone compound and a formulation vehicle. The formulation vehicle improves the solubility and stability of the indoloquinone compound. Additionally, the coating compositions can include coating agents that provide better adhesion of the coating composition to the bladder wall during intravesical delivery of the coating composition.
US09295660B2

Provided is a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for malaria, comprising, as an active ingredient, 5-acetamido-4-oxo-5-hexenoic acid (Alaremycin) or a derivative thereof. A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for malaria is used which comprises, as an active ingredient, Alaremycin or a derivative thereof represented by formula (I) (wherein R1 represents a hydroxy group, an amino group, or a substituted or unsubstituted straight chain or branched alkoxy group or alkylamino group having 1 to 8 carbons; R2 represents hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted straight chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbons, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group having 4 to 10 carbons; and R3 represents hydrogen or a methyl group).
US09295656B2

The present invention provides a particulate composition wherein an oil component containing reduced coenzyme Q10 is polydispersed forming a domain in a matrix containing a water-soluble excipient, which simultaneously shows high oxidative stability and high oral absorbability, a production method thereof, and a stabilizing method thereof. It also provides a food, food with nutrient function claims, food for specified health uses, dietary supplement, nutritional product, animal drug, drink, feed, pet food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical product, therapeutic drug, prophylactic drug and the like, which contain the composition.
US09295650B2

The present invention provides optical agents comprising optically functional cross linked supramolecular structures and assemblies useful for tandem optical imaging and therapy. Supramolecular structures and assemblies of the present invention include optically functional shell-cross linked micelles wherein optical functionality is achieved via incorporation of one or more linking groups that include one or more photoactive moieties. The present invention further includes imaging and therapeutic methods using one or more optical agents of the present invention including optically functional shell cross-linked micelles having an associated therapeutic agent.
US09295649B2

The present disclosure relates in part to pharmaceutical compositions comprising polymeric nanoparticles having certain glass transition temperatures. Other aspects of the invention include methods of making such nanoparticles.
US09295640B2

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition that can produce a high antitumor effect by efficiently delivering a drug with antitumor activity to tumor tissues with the aid of carbonate apatite nanoparticles. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition including carbonate apatite nanoparticles with an average particle size of at most 50 nm containing a drug with antitumor activity and a pharmacologically acceptable solvent in which the carbonate apatite nanoparticles containing the drug are dispersed.
US09295635B2

Disclosed are compositions and methods for their use that include pomegranate extract having pomegranate sterols and shale extract having water-soluble minerals.
US09295634B2

Compositions and methods thereof, for preventing or minimizing skin penetration and that promote surface-layer fixation of dermatological molecules in a human body are disclosed. The molecules of the present invention and compositions containing said molecules comprise a tissue-reactive part, an amphiphilic part, a light-functional part and optionally a detachment mechanism for releasing said tissue-reactive part from said light-functional part. The methods include ways of combining the tissue-reactive part, amphiphilic part, light-functional part and optionally synthesizing a detachment mechanism therein. The parts when combined form molecular structures possessing novel photobiological persistence and efficacy.
US09295627B2

The present invention has an object to provide a mouthwash composition for preventing and/or treating periodontal diseases safely and effectively. The present invention solves the above object by providing a mouthwash composition for preventing and/or treating periodontal diseases, characterized in that it comprises, as an effective ingredient(s), one or more members selected from the group consisting of adenosine N1-oxide, 3′-glucosyladenosine N1-oxide, 5′-glucosyladenosine N1-oxide, 5′-adenosine diphosphate N1-oxide, and 5′-adenosine triphosphate N1-oxide but does not contain any saccharide assimilable by periodontal disease bacteria.
US09295626B2

What are described are compositions comprising a) one or more compounds of the formula (I) in which R is a straight-chain or branched saturated alkyl group having 5 to 11 carbon atoms or a straight-chain or branched mono- or polyunsaturated alkenyl group having 5 to 11 carbon atoms, and b) one or more substances selected from the group consisting of hydroxypyridones and their salts. The compositions are distinguished in particular by an advantageous antimicrobial activity.
US09295622B2

Disclosed is a composition comprising 55 to 65% by weight of water, 20 to 25% by weight of a combination of octisalate, avobenzone, homosalate, oxybenzone, and octocrylene, and 3 to 6% by weight of a combination of polyvinylpyrrolidon/eicosene copolymer and hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer/squalane/polysorbate 60, wherein the water is included in the continuous phase of the emulsion, and wherein the emulsion has a sun protection factor of at least 30 or from about 30 to 40.
US09295620B2

The present invention is a formable dental treatment tray utilizing poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and a gelatinous active. Blending of the active is accomplished by mixing the Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) with an active ingredient, such as a peroxide like hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, sodium perborate, or sodium percarbonate, usually also with water or an appropriate organic solvent. Peroxide concentrations in these new gels can reach a 30% concentration of hydrogen peroxide while maintaining a shelf life of six months at room temperature without developing peroxide decomposition. The gels are applied to an appropriate backing and dried to a gelatinous state. In use, the active is hydrated and regains adhesiveness. Then the tray is pressed and formed around a user's dental arch to form the customizable tray. Multiple active ingredients may be used, with or without peroxide, for accomplishing desired treatment regimens.
US09295585B1

A passive semi-insert noise reducing device configured for insertion into the ear of a subject includes at least one muffler tube having a closed end and an opposing open end, the muffler tube being configured to be secured to the head of a subject. The at least one muffler tube is defined by an elongate hollow tubular section, including the closed end, and a transverse hollow tube at the open end that is configured for placement in the outer ear of the subject. The at least one muffler tube is defined by a length that produces quarter wave resonance in low audible sound frequencies. A soft sealing member disposed onto an exterior surface of the hollow connecting tube has a distal end surface that is substantially flush with the open end of the muffler tube.
US09295579B1

A device providing erection assistance includes a first sleeve of flaccid material that can fit over a male penis and extend from the base to the corona of the penis. Also included is a second sleeve of flaccid material of similar length that can fit over the penis. One or more wall regions are disposed between the first and second sleeves. The wall region(s) extend(s) continuously along the lengths of the first and second sleeves. The wall region(s) is (are) coupled to the first and second sleeves, and define a void region along the length of the sleeves that is readily aligned with the urethral tube of a male user.
US09295577B2

A novel tightening device for orthoses for supporting and preserving the function of the human body, and more particularly for back orthoses surrounding the body, allows individual, segmental adjustment of the supporting action by way of individual, separate tackle assemblies.
US09295572B2

A vibrator sex toy is provided with touch-based sensors for an ergonomic in-situ method of controlling the operation and intensity of the vibrator. The vibrator sex toy has an internal end, an external end and a middle staging section. The staging section includes a control circuit and batteries. The internal end includes electric vibrator motors connected to the control circuit by wires. The external end includes ergonomically placed touch sensors that behave like variable resistors. The touch sensors respond to natural human gestures such as grasping, stretching, compressing and bending the external end of the sex toy with changes in resistance. The touch sensors are connected to the control circuit by wires and act as potentiometers in the control path of the vibrator motors. The user is able to vary the sensations from the motors intuitively and in-situ by manipulating the external end or applying it to a partner.
US09295569B2

The present invention relates to devices and methods for the treatment of diseases in the vasculature, and more specifically, devices and methods for treatment of aneurysms found in blood vessels. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a two part prostheses, where one part is an expandable sponge structure and the other part is an expandable tubular mesh structure, is provided. In the first embodiment, the expandable sponge structure is intended to fill the aneurysm cavity to prevent further dilatation of the vessel wall by creating a buffer or barrier between the pressurized pulsating blood flow and the thinning vessel wall. In the first embodiment, the expandable tubular mesh structure is placed across the aneurysm, contacting the inner wall of healthy vessel proximal and distal to the aneurysm.
US09295567B2

A suspension liner sleeve adapted to provide an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket, and having outer and inner surfaces. The liner sleeve includes an elongate, generally conical body portion formed from at least one material segment defining the liner outer surface. The at least one material segment being at least radially elastically extensible from a relaxed non-extended condition and including proximal and distal end areas. The liner sleeve includes a layer of polymeric material disposed on the at least one material segment and defining the liner sleeve inner surface, and a plurality of resilient seal elements protruding radially from the liner sleeve outer surface. The plurality of seal elements extend around at least one peripheral portion of the liner body portion. A pair of opposed annular recesses may be adjacently located above and below each of the at least one seal element.
US09295562B2

An expandable intervertebral implant (10) includes superior (20) and inferior (30) bone contacting members and at least one vertical wire netting (50) interconnecting the superior and inferior bone contacting members. The superior and inferior bone contacting members include at least two bone contacting components interconnected via one or more lateral wire nettings such that the implant is vertically and laterally expandable in situ from a first insertion configuration to a second expanded configuration. The vertical and lateral wire netting are preferably constructed of a plurality of individual link members. The present invention also preferably relates to an associated method of manufacturing the intervertebral implant such that the intervertebral implant can be manufactured as an integral component or part.
US09295551B2

A catheter insertion system for inserting an expandable valve stent into the body of a patient and a method of implanting a valve stent. The catheter insertion system includes a catheter having a handle for manipulating a catheter tip, and enables the implantation of a valve prosthesis attached to a valve stent. The handle is configured to enable a pre-set sequence of steps to manipulate the catheter tip and sequentially release the valve stent. The catheter tip is configured to sequentially release the valve stent from a first collapsed mode to a second expanded mode.
US09295548B2

A heart valve assembly includes an annular prosthesis and a plurality of guide shields removably attached around a circumference of the annular prosthesis. A plurality of elongate guide rails extend from the annular prosthesis, which are releasably retained by the guide shields. During use, the annular prosthesis is directed into a biological annulus, e.g., with the guide rails retained by the guide shields, and secured to tissue surrounding the biological annulus using fasteners. The guide rails are released from the guide shields, and a valve prosthesis is advanced over the leaders and through a passage defined by the guide shields towards the annular prosthesis. The guide rails may include retentions elements that secure the valve prosthesis to the annular prosthesis. The guide shields are removed from the annular prosthesis, the guide rails are separated from the annular prosthesis, and are removed from the biological annulus.
US09295545B2

An intraocular lens comprising a lens optic coupled to at least one haptic and at least one deformable connecting bar positioned between the lens optic and the at least one haptic.
US09295537B2

A 3-dimensional curing light that can cure a light curable material, such as a dental restoration, from 3 directions at once.
US09295533B2

A material composition for use in forming a porous metal structure and dental coping in the preparation of a dental restoration comprising a composite of metal particles in a matrix including low fusing temperature metal particles and at least between 35 to 85% medium fusing temperature metal particles by volume with the medium fusing temperature metal particles possessing a melting characteristic which during heat treatment of the material composition to form the porous metal structure results in partial melting of the medium fusing temperature metal particles to the extent of between about 4% to 50% by volume of the particle mass of each medium fusing temperature metal particle.
US09295510B2

A device includes an outer member extending between a first end and a second end. The outer member comprises an inner surface defining a passage. The device includes an inflatable member having a first end extending from the second end of the outer member and a second end. The inflatable member includes an inner surface defining a chamber. The inner surface of the outer member is continuous with the inner surface of the inflatable member. The device includes an inner member having a first end positioned within the passage and a second end coupled to the second end of the inflatable member such that the inner member does not engage the inner surface of the outer member. Systems and methods are disclosed.
US09295509B2

Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. Methods for treating a bone comprising: creating a cavity in the bone; inserting a containment jacket into the cavity; inserting a balloon into the containment jacket; inflating the balloon; and introducing a filler material into the containment jacket with isolation of the balloon from the filler material.
US09295503B2

A device for bone fixation defining at least one through hole extending therethrough, the through hole including first and second through apertures separated from one another by a first resilient element deformable radially outward from the first aperture to expand the first aperture and contract the second aperture, the second aperture being sized and shaped to receive therein a bone fixation element, the second through aperture being smaller in size than the first through aperture, a periphery of the first through aperture comprising at least two substantially circular arcs B1 and B2 with respective radii R1 and R2 and respective centers Z1 and Z2 located at a distance X≧0 extending transversely to the resilient element whereby the ratio R1:R2 is in the range between 0.5 and 2.0.
US09295500B2

A screwdriver with a release for driving a multi-axial bone screw into a vertebra of the spine includes an elongate shaft defining a driving tip at its distal end for engaging and rotating the head of the bone screw. The screw driver includes a screw engagement member affixed to the shaft for joint rotational movement therewith, the screw engagement member comprising a releasable retention member for releasable attachment to the bone screw yoke. A release member is disposed about the elongate shaft comprising a hollow grip sleeve and a hollow push sleeve joined together for common axial movement along the elongate shaft. The grip sleeve is freely rotatable about the shaft and the push sleeve is rotatable relative to the grip sleeve and engaged with a proximal portion of the shaft for joint rotational movement therewith.
US09295497B2

An orthopedic device includes a first patient-specific element having a first patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate and conform to a first anatomic portion of a specific patient based on medical scans of the patient. The orthopedic device includes a second patient-specific element having a second patient-specific surface preoperatively configured to mate and conform to a second anatomic portion of a specific patient based on medical scans of the patient. An arcuate bridge couples the first and second patient-specific portions. The arcuate bridge is configured to provide clearance the patient's anatomy between the first and second anatomic portions.
US09295489B2

The guide tube for forming a pneumoperitoneum of the present invention comprising a flexible tube having an inner cavity, has an outer diameter that allows the guide tube to be inserted into a puncture needle, a distal end of the guide tube is closed, the distal end is provided with a tip portion that can be held by holding forceps provided in an endoscope, a proximal end of the guide tube is provided with a connecting portion to an insufflation apparatus, and the guide tube is provided with a side hole region having at least one side hole that can establish communication between the inner cavity of the flexible tube and the outside in a case where the inner cavity is pressurized through insufflation. According to the guide tube for forming a pneumoperitoneum of the present invention, only with single puncture from the body surface into the lumen of a lumen organ, a preliminary pneumoperitoneum can be safely and reliably created without damaging other organs, and, at the same time, the part of the lumen organ wall pierced during formation of the pneumoperitoneum can be used as a route for accessing the peritoneal cavity from the lumen of the lumen organ.
US09295483B2

A patella drill guide includes a base portion rotatably mounted on a bone-gripping component. A trial portion with a contoured articulation surface is above the base portion. The base portion and trial portion have aligned drill guide bores. The base portion and trial portion can be rotated together on the bone-gripping component to optimize the positions of the drill guide bores with respect to the patella surface, thereby optimizing the locations of the mounting pegs of the patella implant component on the patella to optimize the orientation of the patella implant component. The base and the bone-gripping component may be unitary so that the entire assembly rotates on the patella about the central longitudinal axis of the bone-gripping component.
US09295474B2

A tourniquet cuff has a body configured for being wrapped around a limb. The body has an unpressurized state and a pressurized state. A securing portion on the body is releasably engageable to the body. The cuff also has an indicator that operates in response to movement of the securing portion for locating where the securing portion engages the body in order to apply a predetermined amount of force sufficient to secure the body to a limb without causing significant venous occlusion at the limb when the body is in the unpressurized state.
US09295468B2

Surgical instruments are disclosed that are couplable to or have an end effector or a disposable loading unit with an end effector, and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter.
US09295467B2

A surgical stapling device having a rotating knob locking mechanism, and a method of using the surgical stapling device is disclosed. The surgical stapling device includes a housing, an actuation member, an elongated body portion rotatably supported on the housing, and a locking mechanism for preventing the rotation of the elongate body portion, the locking mechanism being automatically engaged upon actuation of the actuation member. The stapling device further includes a knob for rotating the elongated body portion. The locking mechanism includes a pivotably mounted member configured to engage the knob. The stapling device may further include an articulating tool assembly and an articulation lever for articulating the tool assembly. The articulation lever may be disposed on the knob for rotating the elongated body portion.
US09295466B2

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a housing and an end effector secured to the housing. The housing supports a knife assembly including a knife. The end effector has first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members define a knife channel. The first jaw member defines fastener slots and the second jaw member defines fastener pockets. One or more of the knife channel, the fastener slots, and the fastener pockets includes lateral recesses. Fasteners are disposed in the fastener slots and formed by the fastener pockets. One or more surgical buttresses have a body that overlies one or both of the fastener slots and the fastener pockets. Portions of the body of the one or more surgical buttresses are disposed within the lateral recesses to secure the one or more surgical buttresses to one or both of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.
US09295465B2

A surgical including a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a stop member is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The stop member is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and is pivotable with respect to the first jaw member between a first position, a significant portion of the stop member being positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second position capturing the tissue between the first jaw member and second jaw member.
US09295456B2

The present invention generally relates to the field of transcatheter device closure techniques for closing an opening in a tissue and more particularly, to occlusion devices for closing anatomical defects in tissue. More particularly the present invention refers to occlusion devices for closing septal abnormalities such as atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale, and to methods of closing an anatomical defect in a tissue.
US09295453B2

A fluid collection and sampling container is disclosed, comprising; a cup member; a lid assembly removeably mounted to the cup member and having (a) on a location on the lid an aperture with closure means useful for introducing sampling means into the container without removing the lid assembly, and (b) on a further location on the lid a cannula and needle member useful for receiving an air evacuated tube and piercing its stopper. Furthermore a method is disclosed, for extracting a plurality of samples from a sampling container using alternate sampling methods which include extracting samples by means of evacuated tube and extracting samples by means of immersing extracting probe into liquid contained in the container, wherein there is no need in removal of the lid assembly or of other members from the cup during the extraction of samples through the use of the alternate sampling methods.
US09295450B2

The present invention discloses an imaging apparatus radial-operating a transmitting and receiving unit and generating cross-sectional images inside the body cavity by a plurality of images, which includes: an X-ray image memory holding a plurality of X-ray images obtained by X-ray imaging the transmitting and receiving unit inside the body cavity by a predetermined imaging cycle, an image processing unit generating a cross-sectional moving image by setting the rotation cycle of the transmitting and receiving unit to be frame rate, and an image processing unit reading out an X-ray image, obtained from X-ray imaging just previously at every timing for every rotation cycle of the transmitting and receiving unit, from the X-ray image memory and generating an X-ray moving image by the frame rate.
US09295447B2

A method comprises gathering intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) data using a transducer inserted into a vessel of a patient. The method further includes modulating the IVPA data to determine a first tissue border and displaying a border map representing the first tissue border.
US09295444B2

The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy. The analog-to-digital converter may convert the electrical energy into digital data, and the transmitter may transmit the digital data.
US09295442B2

An image obtainment unit obtains a series of time series medical images about a specific organ in different phases. A registration unit performs registration of voxel positions in the series of time series medical images between the series of time series medical images. A conversion unit converts signal values at corresponding voxel positions of the specific organ into a same display voxel value in the series of time series medical images.
US09295441B2

Human body back-scattering inspection systems and methods are disclosed. In the invention, X-rays modulated by the flying-spot forming unit having spirally distributed flying-spots have a distribution having alternating peaks and valleys on the irradiated surface. In this way, scanning starting times can be precisely controlled to cause two devices to have scanning starting times that are different by a half of a cycle. That is, the beams outputted from one device are at maximum when the beams outputted from the other device are at minimum. In other words, even if the ray source of one device emits rays, it will not significantly affect imaging result of the other device. In such way, the two devices may emit rays and perform scanning at the same time, and thus the total scanning time is reduced.
US09295432B2

A method of determining a distribution of a dose in a body is presented including the steps of scanning at least one region of the body to extract image data, calculating a plurality of parameters from the image data, and entering a plurality of computed tomography (CT) scan parameters. The method also includes the steps of calculating radiation distribution by using a local interaction principle and creating a three-dimensional dose map based on the calculated radiation distribution.
US09295419B2

It is disclosed a device for measuring a concentration of glucose, for example, in a translucent piece of a body, like an earlobe, a tissue connecting two fingers, a nasal ala, or a cheek. The piece is illuminated by a linearly polarized laser beam at a certain polarization direction. Consequently, a diffused radiated light is emitted from the piece, including a directed beam. The device includes a polarizing beam splitter which receives the directed beam, a lens, a sensor array, and means for connecting to a processor. The splitter splits components of the directed beam at two mutually orthogonal linear polarization directions into two polarized beams propagating at two respective different directions. The lens images the distribution of the directed beam on the translucent piece on two spatially separated groups within the sensor arrays. The processor defines pixel pairs from a first and second images which correspond to a same point on the second surface of the translucent piece, and subtracts the first pixels from the respective second pixels to get a difference image. In addition, the processor calculates the variance of the difference image, and calculates the desired concentration accordingly.
US09295414B1

A method of determining an adaptive interruption that is personalized for the user based on conditions of the user includes receiving data describing one or more conditions of a user. The method also includes determining an interruption state for the user based on the one or more conditions of the user and estimating that the user will act based on the interruption state. The method also includes, responsive to estimating that the user will act, determining an adaptive interruption that is personalized for the user based on the one or more conditions of the user.
US09295413B2

A fitness monitor comprises a housing, a wrist band, a motion sensor, a display, a non-transitory memory element and a processing element. The wrist band is coupled to the housing and configured to attach to a wrist of a user. The motion sensor is configured to sense motion of the user and generate motion data. The display is coupled to the housing and configured to present information associated with user activity. The memory element is located in the housing and configured to store the activity data and a daily activity goal. The processing element is operably coupled to the memory element and configured to determine daily activity data, a daily activity goal corresponding to a predetermined level of activity for the user, compute an activity countdown and level of inactivity, and present, on the display, the activity countdown and inactivity indicia indicating the level of inactivity.
US09295406B2

A system includes an image data processor for automatically processing data representing multiple patient anatomical images acquired in a single imaging scan. The images are acquired by, identifying multiple different anatomical elements in corresponding multiple different anatomical regions and identifying multiple different potentially pathology indicative features associated with the multiple different anatomical elements in response to first predetermined information associating different potentially pathology indicative features with corresponding different anatomical elements. The image data processor determines multiple different image acquisition methods for use in imaging the multiple different potentially pathology indicative features in response to second predetermined information associating different image acquisition methods with corresponding identified different pathology indicative features. An output processor collates images for output.
US09295405B2

A patient-specific model can show changes in cardiac stroke volume or cardiac output, such as to predict heart failure or to indicate cardiac remodeling. The patient-specific model can be derived from a surrogate indication of a cardiac stroke volume, such as a physical activity level, and features obtained from a thoracic impedance waveform, such as mean or peak-to-peak impedance values. In an example, several models corresponding to different patient physical activity levels can be determined.
US09295403B1

Wearable devices are described herein including a housing and a mount configured to mount the housing to an external surface of a wearer. The wearable devices further include first and second electrical contacts protruding from the housing and configured such that the electrical contacts can be used to measure a Galvanic skin resistance of skin proximate to the electrical contacts when the wearable device is mounted to the external surface of the wearer. The wearable devices are powered by rechargeable batteries disposed within the wearable devices. The electrical contacts are additionally configured to connect the wearable device to an external charger or other power source such that a recharger disposed within the wearable device can recharge the rechargeable battery using power from the external charger or other power source.
US09295395B2

Disclosed is an NGT system, the system comprises a nasogastric tube having a diameter and length configured to pass through an esophagus such that the lumen of the NGT maintains fluid communication with a portion of the digestive tract, and a digestive tract sensor operatively associated with the NGT, the digestive tract sensor configured to sense from inside the body and transmit signals in response to one or both of conditions relating to nourishment states of the digestive tract, and positioning of the NGT.
US09295394B2

A method and a device for recognition of paravasal bleeding upon a supplying of blood to a vascular access via a line and/or upon the removal of blood from a vascular access via a line is provided. A device for extracorporeal blood treatment comprising a device for recognition of paravasal bleeding is also provided. The method and the device are based on the change of arterial pressure in the arterial branch or the venous pressure in the venous branch of the extra-corporeal circuit being registered during the extracorporeal blood treatment. One aspect of the method and the device is that pressure changes that come from a pressure level exhibiting a large difference from a reference value are more strongly considered than those that come from a pressure level that exhibits only a minor difference from the reference value.
US09295387B2

An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an acquiring part, a first optical system, a forming part and a controller. The acquiring part acquires a first front image of an eye fundus. The first optical system scans the fundus by signal light and detects interference light of returned light of the signal light and reference light. The forming part repeatedly forms a second front image of the fundus and a cross sectional image showing a cross section perpendicular to the second front image based on the detection results repeatedly obtained by the first optical system. The controller displays the first front image on a display means, displays, as a moving image, the second front images repeatedly formed by the forming part over the first front image, and displays, as a moving image, the cross sectional images repeatedly formed by the forming part.
US09295384B2

Devices, systems, and methods that utilize a mechanical structure, such as a lever arm or a flexure mechanism, and an electrically energizable member, such as an actuator, to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging probe can include a handle; a cannula coupled to the handle; an optical fiber positioned at least partially within the handle and the cannula, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within a distal portion of the cannula; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including a mechanical structure and an electrically energizable member configured to selectively impart motion to the mechanical structure upon the electrically energizable member being electrically energized.
US09295375B2

An endoscopic illumination system for illuminating a subject for stereoscopic image capture, the illumination system includes a light source which outputs multi-spectral light; first and second light paths configured to transmit the multi-spectral light; and a digital mirror array (DMA) which receives the multi-spectral light and directs the multi-spectral light to a selected one of the first and second light paths. A controller controls the DMA to direct the multi-spectral light to the selected light path in accordance with a time-multiplexing scheme; and/or first and second complementary multiband bandpass filters (CMBF). The first CMBF may be situated in the first light path and the second CMBF may be situated in the second light path, where the first and second CMBFs filter the multi-spectral light incident thereupon to output filtered light.
US09295357B2

Method and apparatus for forming both carafe quantities and smaller (e.g., cup) quantities of a beverage using a cartridge-based beverage machine. A beverage forming machine accommodates cartridges having different sizes and/or shapes, including different rim sizes/shapes. The outlet used for receiving a beverage from a standard cartridge differs from the outlet used for receiving the beverage from a carafe cartridge inserted in a same cartridge holder. Beverage may exit the cartridge in an upward direction in some embodiments.
US09295342B2

A juvenile swing includes a foundation adapted to set on a floor, a swing, and a swing support coupled to the foundation and the swing. The swing is arranged to swing about a swing axis relative to the swing support.
US09295340B2

The invention provides a cushioning system having an adjustable contoured surface, the system comprising a panel, a plurality of cells; and attachment means for detachably attaching one or more cells to the panel at any location on the panel and in any orientation relative to the panel to provide the contoured surface. The contoured surface is determined by the number, shape, size, position, and orientation of cells on the panel. Optionally, the cells can be attached to each other and stackable upon one another.
US09295339B2

Upholstery chair covers and methods for upholstering a chair using the same are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the upholstery chair cover includes a piece of material sized and shaped to cover a body of a chair, and includes a back portion, a seat portion connected to the back portion, at least one flap connected to the seat portion with at least one fastener, wherein the at least one flap secures the piece of material to the body of the chair. In another embodiment, the piece of material includes at least one leg flap connected to the seat portion with at least one leg fastener, wherein the at least one leg fastener secures the at least one leg flap to at least one leg of the chair. The upholstery chair cover may include cushions. The upholstery chair cover gives the appearance of a new re-upholstered chair.
US09295335B2

A convertible dual purpose device (10) has a frame (12) movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, supporting material (28) connected to the frame for supporting one or more objects, handles (14, 16, 18, 20) at a first end of the frame, and a wheel (26) at a second end of the frame. When the frame is in the expanded configuration, the device can be positioned in a first orientation whereby the supporting material is adapted to serve as a load support for a chair, or in a second orientation whereby the supporting material is adapted to serve as a load support for a wheel barrow. When the frame is in the collapsed configuration, the device can be stored in a carry bag (42).
US09295333B2

A foldable leg rest has a seat, a folding frame and a drive mechanism. The folding frame is pivotally connected to the seat. The drive mechanism includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator has a front end and a rear end. The front end of the first actuator is pivotally connected to the folding frame. The second actuator has a front end and a rear end. The rear end of the second actuator is pivotally connected to the seat. The front end of the second actuator is secured to the rear end of the first actuator. The first actuator and the second actuator are actuated to pivot the folding frame to a horizontal plane in which the seat lies.
US09295329B2

A drive device for a movable furniture part includes a latching element which is movable in a slotted guide track shaped as a cardioid. The slotted guide track has a closing section in which the latching element moves during the closing of the movable furniture part, a locking section with a latching trough, in which the latching element is held in the locking position, an opening section in which the latching element is movable during the opening of the movable furniture part, and a first connecting section via which the latching element is movable from the opening section into the closing section when the furniture part is open. A second connecting section, which is formed closer to the latching trough, is located between opening section and closing section.
US09295326B2

A storage and display rack for various guitar types that also allows a user to easily add and remove said guitars. The rack includes a backboard, a first cleat, a second cleat, a wall mounting mechanism, an elongated gap, a locking mechanism, and a stop. The backboard acts as the support structure and includes a front surface and a rear surface. The first cleat and the second cleat are adjacently connected to the front surface, parallel and offset from each other. The first cleat, the second cleat, and the front surface delineate an elongated gap that is designed to receive guitar hangers. The wall mounting mechanism is attached to the rear surface and fastens the backboard to a wall surface. The locking mechanism and the stop contain the guitar hangers within the elongated gap and are positioned within the elongated gap, opposite to each other along the elongated gap.
US09295324B2

A turntable assembled from a plurality of flat sheet metal parts where the sheet metal parts include a series of voids and/or protrusions. The protrusions insert into the voids so that some flat sheet parts are disposed in a vertical orientation and some in a horizontal orientation, the vertical parts substantially perpendicular to the horizontal parts. The flat sheet parts are welded together to create a support structure with the voids and protrusions interacting to align the flat sheet parts within required manufacturing tolerances. One of the horizontally disposed parts has holes therein for attaching the support structure to a hub to create a rotating turntable.
US09295321B2

The foldable bearing structure includes a set of coplanar wheels and a folding device including a set of lower arms; at least a rear upper arm; an antiparallelogram deformable in a vertical plane, the antiparallelogram including two crossed segments; at least a first sidebar located in the vertical plane; the antiparallelogram deformed by folding between a first position corresponding to an unfolded of the structure and a second position corresponding to a folded position, the transition from the first position to the second position reducing the wheelbase of the structure.
US09295318B2

The present invention provides in some embodiments, the first for purpose designed, low cost, easy to transport, ergonomically correct, water transport backpack and storage device for the least developed countries of the world. The backpack includes a carrier bag and a food-safe liner configured to be disposed within the carrier bag. The carrier bag includes handles and straps to enable the user to carry the bag comfortably for long distances. The carrier bag and the food-safe liner also include wide-mouthed tops for filling the backpack with water and can be rolled down and secured with ties, in order to keep the backpack closed. The food-safe liner includes a spout for dispensing the water. The backpack also includes a flattened bottom for positioning the backpack on a flat surface for storage. The components of the water backpack can be provided as a kit for local manufacture to provide jobs.
US09295317B1

A footwear hanger including a bracing member, a lace-clamping member and an interconnecting member. The bracing member includes a first elongated side wall and a second elongated side wall. The bracing member is configured to be bracingly attached to a strap, such as a backpack shoulder strap or a belt, between the first elongated side wall and the second elongated side wall. The lace-clamping member includes a clamping mechanism and an inner wall surface, wherein at least one shoe lace can be removably clamped by the clamping mechanism. The interconnecting member securely attaches the external surface of the second elongated side wall and the inner wall surface of the lace-clamping member, forming a lacing gap between the second elongated side wall and the inner wall surface of the lace-clamping member. Thereby, facilitating wrapping of the at least one shoe lace onto the interconnecting member.
US09295296B2

A protective headgear is disclosed. The headgear protects regions of the wearer's head including the crown, temples, and chin. The headgear has a closure system having two adjustable closures, operating substantially perpendicular to each other and to reinforce one another, that act to provide custom fit for the headgear and to maintain a field of view for the wearer during use and after repeated uses.
US09295295B2

Apparel, sporting equipment, and other items include magnetic securing systems (e.g., for holding a ball marker on a golf glove. Housings for such systems include a mount area defining a base surface that includes a magnet or is made from a magnetic material. At least two retaining walls extend from the mount area and together with the base surface define a receptacle for receiving another component (e.g., a golf ball marker) to be held by magnetic force. In such housings, a combined total perimeter length of interior surfaces of the retaining walls around the receptacle may be less than 50% of a total length around the perimeter of the component being held.
US09295294B2

A fastener for releasably joining elements of a garment has a male part formed with a pair of oppositely projecting tongues each having a latch tab. A first female part adapted to be mounted on one of the elements is formed with a socket complementary to one of the tongues and is provided with a formation that latches with the tab of the respective tongue when same is inserted in the socket. A second female part adapted to be mounted on the other of the elements is similarly formed with a socket complementary to the other of the tongues, and is provided with a manually releasable latch formation that can move between a holding position latched with the tab of the respective tongue when same is inserted into the respective socket and a freeing position allowing the respective tongue to withdraw from the respective socket.
US09295293B2

According to one embodiment, a pocket system includes an item of clothing having a waistband portion that is connected to first and second leg portions by one or more waistband seams arranged around at least a portion of the waistband portion. The first leg portion includes one or more first leg seams, and the second leg portion includes one or more second leg seams. The system further includes one or more waistband cables coupled to a portion of the one or more waistband seams, and one or more leg cables coupled to a portion of the one or more first leg seams and further coupled to the one or more waistband cables. The system also include a first pocket frame coupled to the one or more leg cables, and a first pocket coupled to the first pocket frame.
US09295287B2

An improvement for an adjustable breast positioning system for a breast received within a breast cup of a woman's garment, and related methods.
US09295281B2

One variation of a method for dispensing toppings onto topping vehicles includes: indexing a first topping vehicle to a first position adjacent a first topping module, the first topping module comprising a first hopper containing a first topping of a first topping type; indexing a second topping vehicle to a second position adjacent a second topping module comprising a second hopper containing a second topping of a second topping type; retracting a first blade of the first topping module; advancing the first blade through the first topping; retracting a first retaining plate to dispense a topping slice from the first topping onto the first topping vehicle according to a first topping order for the first topping vehicle specifying the first topping type, the first retaining plate offset from the first blade opposite the first hopper; advancing the first retaining plate; and indexing the first topping vehicle to the second position.
US09295280B2

A cold plasma device for killing or reducing a microbiological pathogen, or denaturing a protein in food, in a food processing system using a cold plasma device. The cold plasma device directs a cold plasma at food or a food surface over an effective area for an effective amount of time. The cold plasma device can be a DBD electrode device, or an army of DBD electrode devices. A grounding rod assembly is also described.
US09295279B2

The invention relates to a system and method for pasteurizing a liquid product (P) consisting of at least one liquid component that can be pumped, comprising a supply container (6) for making the unpasteurized product available, an inlet line (8a) for conveying the unpasteurized product, a pasteurization circuit (25) for pasteurizing the product (P), and an outlet line (8b) for conveying the pasteurized product. The pasteurization circuit (25) comprises a buffer container (2) for holding the product (P) during a prescribed constant contact time for pasteurization and a fluctuating flow rate of the product (P) through the buffer container (2).
US09295271B2

An aspect provides a method of preparing a pet food product, including: placing a highly soluble aromatic composition in an upper portion of an appliance; placing a container having a composition comprising a grain based product and a dry pet food palatant in a lower portion of said appliance; mixing heated water with said highly soluble aromatic composition in said upper portion to form a heated aromatic liquid mixture; and catching said heated aromatic liquid mixture in said lower portion. Other embodiments are described.
US09295250B2

The present invention provides natural and/or simulated, synthetic, synergistic pesticidal compositions comprising terpenes, such as extracts from Chenopodium ambrosioides near ambrosioides, or compositions based on those found in Chenopodium ambrosioides near ambrosioides. The present invention also provides methods of using said compositions to kill, inhibit, prevent and/or repel plant pests from contacting and/or damaging plants.
US09295245B1

Apparatus and methods for an airborne biota monitoring and control system are disclosed. Radar and laser/optical sensors are used to detect insects, with detection zones being over water in some embodiments to reduce backscatter clutter. A pest control laser or small autonomous or radio controlled aircraft under automated or human control may be used to disable a targeted flying insect. One embodiment includes use of a head-mounted display for displaying insect targeting information superimposed on a real landscape view. Technologies such as adaptive lens, holographic optical elements, polarized radar and/or laser beams, light amplifiers and light guides, thin disk, spinning disk, or vertical cavity surface emitting lasers enhance performance of the apparatus or reduce cost of the apparatus. Also disclosed are methods of discrimination of insect types using spectral information and dynamic relative variation of spectral intensities at different wavelengths reflected from an insect in flight.
US09295242B2

A spinning reel for delivering fishing line has a spinning reel body, a handle, a rotor, and a spool. A rotor body of the rotor has a cylindrical coupling portion, a first rotor arm, and a second rotor arm. A first cover member of the rotor is removably attached to the rotor body covering a radially outer side of the first rotor arm. A first guard member of the rotor is removably attached to the rotor body and has a first guard portion covering a boundary between an outside surface of the coupling portion and a rear end surface of the coupling portion. A second guard member of the rotor is removably attached to the rotor body and has a second guard portion that covers the boundary between the outside surface and the rear end surface at a position opposing the first guard portion.
US09295236B2

An aquarium having an adjustable lighting system for enhancing the display of fluorescent objects, such as fluorescent fish, contained within the aquarium under various external lighting conditions, such as a dark room or a brightly lit room. The aquarium comprises a tank and a plurality of light sources. Each light source emits light at a different wavelength spectrum which is selected to enhance the display of the fluorescent object under each type of external lighting condition. An electronic control is provided to control the operation of the plurality of light sources such that each light source may be selectively turned on/off based on the external lighting condition, or chronological criteria, to provide the best viewing experience.
US09295220B2

The present invention relates to a Spinacia oleracea L. seed designated 51-518 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including early bolting, a semi-erect plant habit, smooth mature leaves, field resistance against leaf spot diseases and resistance to downy mildew (Peronsopera farinosa f. sp. spinaciae) races Pfs 1 to 12 and Pfs 14. The present invention also relates to a Spinacia oleracea plant produced by growing the 51-518 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the spinach cultivar, represented by spinach variety 51-518 RZ.
US09295217B1

The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CE1214014 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CE1214014 and its progeny, and methods of making CE1214014.
US09295211B1

A novel maize variety designated PH137K and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH137K with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH137K 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 PH137K or a locus conversion of PH137K with another maize variety.
US09295207B2

The present invention discloses B. oleracea plants resistant to clubroot disease. In particular, the plants of the present invention comprise a monogenic dominant resistance to the disease clubroot introgressed from B. rapa. This resistance provides improved resistance to the disease as compared to previously existing resistances in B. oleracea.
US09295205B2

A method for producing a biogas is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a polyculture of aquatic plants to a growth system; continuously providing water, carbon dioxide, air and nutrients to the polyculture contained within the growth system; growing the polyculture for a time sufficient to produce an aquatic plant-based biomass; withdrawing a portion of the aquatic plant-based biomass contained within the growth system; and treating the withdrawn aquatic plant-based biomass to produce a biogas.
US09295202B2

This disclosure is for an automated canopy greenhouse having a motor driven canopy that is pulled over curved arch supports. The greenhouse has a generally rectangular base framework to which the arches are attached, the outside of the structure having the general shape of a cylinder cut lengthwise and resting on its flat side. A canopy or tarp is wound around a drum positioned near the bottom of one of the long sides. A shuttle bar is attached to two trolleys each of which ride on an arch at each end of the greenhouse. The trolleys are motor driven. One end of the canopy is attached to the shuttle bar and closes or opens the greenhouse as the trolleys and shuttle bar are moved. Inside the drum there is a torsion spring that is preloaded to balance the load of the canopy and associated hardware as the canopy is being raised or lowered. Successive greenhouse units may be attached to a first greenhouse unit that has the motor, and tarps on the successive units may be closed or opened using the same motor.
US09295200B2

The invention relates to a clamp element for a temperature-independent turgor pressure measurement device for measuring the turgor pressure in a plant sample.
US09295199B2

A pruning system (1; 20) for planting rows (F) includes a frame (2) suited to support a pruning assembly (3; 30). The pruning assembly (3; 30) includes a first pruning assembly (3) in which it is possible to identify a plurality of cutting units (4) that are independent of and spaced from one another, the cutting units (4) being mechanically associated with the frame (2) through a plurality of first supporting rods (6) suited to allow the movement of the cutting units (4) according to an orthogonal direction with respect to the alignment direction of the planting rows (F). The supporting frame (2) can be associated with structure (7) for moving the frame (2) and the pruning assembly (3; 30) that are suited to make the pruning assembly (3; 30) assume different operating positions according to a parallel direction with respect to the alignment direction of the planting rows (F).
US09295198B2

An improved belt tensioning system for an agricultural round baler that temporarily bypasses a bale density, belt tension increasing system while the baler tailgate is moved out of a closed position thereby allowing the tailgate to be opened without encountering resistance form the belts and the belt tensioning system. Bypass operation is coordinated with the tailgate position so that the bypass is not activated when such activation would frustrate operation of the belt tensioning system. In balers equipped with a belt tensioning pre-tensioning system, the bypass operation is further coordinated with the pre-tensioning system to maintain proper pre-tension function.
US09295194B2

A cleaning apparatus is provided for cleaning crops, such as potatoes or beets, with adhering particles of soil and the like. The apparatus comprises a charging and or supply hopper with an opening at its underside from which the crops enter for cleaning; a housing with a cleaning region, wherein the crops are cleaned; a rotating screen drum rotating about an axis of rotation wherein the crops are cleaned; wherein the screen drum is arranged in the cleaning region; the axis of rotation of the rotating screen drum is inclined at an acute angle.
US09295193B2

A water rake for skimming vegetation and debris off ponds includes a handle and a frame. The frame is attached to the handle and the handle extends rearward from the frame. The frame has an open area closed by a net or web to capture the vegetation or debris as the rake is pulled through the water. A plurality of spaced-apart prongs are connected at base ends to the frame and extend from the frame generally in a rearward direction to retain collected vegetation and debris in the net or web, or otherwise collected in the frame.
US09295188B2

A manually operated aerating and dethatching device includes a housing having a frame. A plurality of tine members is rotatably connected to the frame. Each tine member includes a plurality of outwardly extending tines for engaging a ground surface. The tine members are generally aligned along a longitudinal axis. A first wheel is rotatably connected to the housing. The first wheel has an outer rolling surface offset from an outer end of the plurality of tine members. A handle is rigidly connected to the housing extending generally outwardly and upwardly therefrom. Movement of the handle in an upward direction pivots the tine members on the wheel into engagement with the ground surface wherein a degree of engagement of the tine members with the ground surface can be controlled by the user.
US09295187B2

The dual blade garden hoe device includes an elongated handle having a shaft mounted at the working end thereof. A pair of blades is secured onto the shaft and disposed at a variable pitch. The blades can be positioned at various locations along the length of the shaft to create different widths between the blades. The blades comprise a cutting portion that create a pair of parallel troughs when dragged through soil. When the blades are in contact with the ground, each blade creates a separate and parallel trough, thereby reducing the time and effort needed to make a systematic gardens design or a plurality of farming rows. Additionally, the blades can move in a back and forth motion, depending upon the direction of travel, and laterally depending on obstructions in the soil.
US09301430B2

An electronic module is provided in which a chip is disposed over a substrate and electrically connected to the substrate by a plurality of electrical connect structures disposed between the chip and the substrate. A heat distributor, fabricated of a thermally conductive material, is disposed between the chip and the substrate and sized to extend beyond an edge of the chip to facilitate conduction of heat laterally out from between the chip and substrate. The heat distributor includes openings sized and positioned to allow the electrical connect structures to pass through the heat distributor without electrically contacting the heat distributor. The heat distributor is electrically isolated from the electrical connect structures, the chip and the substrate. In one implementation, the heat distributor physically contacts a thermally conductive enclosure of the electronic module to facilitate conduction of heat from between the chip and substrate to the enclosure.
US09301419B1

An assembly structure for a server hard disk back panel includes a server chassis; a plurality of hard disk frames disposed inside the server chassis; and a back panel disposed between the server chassis and the hard disk frame. A hook is disposed, corresponding to the back panel, on a side edge of each of the two side portions of each hard disk frame. The hooks of any two adjacent hard disk frames are disposed adjacent to each other correspondingly. The back panel includes a plurality of hook holes, and a respective one of the hook holes is corresponding to each two adjacent hooks. Each of the hook holes includes two contact edges corresponding to each other at two sides and includes a hook edge between the two contact edges.
US09301418B2

In a waterproof control unit (100A) in which a part of a connector housing (330A) mounted on a circuit board (300A) is exposed and the circuit board (300A) is hermetically housed in a casing including a base (200A) and a cover (400A), in a gap between the cover and the connector housing, a waterproof sealing material (501) is applied to a first sealing gap defined by outer-step flat portions (401a,301a), slope portions (401b,301b), and inner-step flat portions (401c,301c), and in a gap between the base (200A) and the connector housing (330A) or between the base (200A) and the cover (400A), a waterproof sealing material (502,503) is applied to a second or third sealing gap defined by convexoconcave sealing surfaces having a convex thread loosely fitted into a concave thread.
US09301413B2

A mount for mounting a door to rack includes a rack including a first pair of vertically-extending supports, each support including an array of openings; a first mount coupled to the rack at a first position thereon, the first mount including: a first plate extending between the first pair of vertically-extending supports and including a first end and a second end, and a first hinge arm adjustably coupled with the first plate; a second mount coupled to the rack at a second position located below the first position, the second mount including: a second plate extending between the first pair of vertically-extending supports and including a first end and a second end, and a second hinge arm adjustably coupled with the second plate.
US09301409B2

The present invention is related to a microwave component packaging technique which ensures that there is no space between component and pocket after inserting the component into pocket. The continuity of ground connections at the microwave gates of the components is provided just compressing the component without using electrically conductive epoxy material.
US09301396B2

A connecting element can be used for a multi-chip module. The connecting element is provided for establishing an electrical connection between two elements and has a carrier and a first electrically conductive connecting structure on a first main surface of the carrier. The first connecting structure is designed in such a way that the first connecting structure connects the first and second elements to each other. A multi-chip module can have such a connecting element and two elements, wherein the two elements are electrically connected to each other in a wireless manner by the connecting element.
US09301393B2

A device includes a substrate, a first antenna connection, and a first retention mechanism. The substrate has a top surface and a bottom surface. The first antenna connection is mounted directly to the top surface of the substrate, and is configured to connect with a first antenna. The first retention mechanism is connected at a first location of the bottom surface of the substrate to provide support for the substrate at the first antenna connection when the first antenna connection is connected to the first antenna. The first location of the first retention mechanism is selected to be directly below the first antenna connection.
US09301391B2

A substrate structure includes first, second and third metal layers embedded in a dielectric layer between its opposite upper first and lower second surfaces. The entire upper surface of the first metal layer is exposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer, the entire lower surface of the third metal layer is exposed on the second surface of the dielectric layer, and the second metal layer is disposed between the first metal layer and the third metal layer, wherein the area of the third metal layer is larger than the area of the second metal layer.
US09301389B2

A display apparatus includes a flexible display panel configured to display an image, and a bending control portion including a plurality of blocks on a rear side of the display panel, the plurality of blocks being connected to each other and rotated toward the display panel at a predetermined angle, wherein first side surfaces of the blocks are spaced part from each other at a first distance, first side surfaces of the blocks being adjacent to front surfaces of the blocks facing the display panel, wherein second side surfaces of the blocks are adjacent to each other and substantially parallel to each other, the second side surfaces of the blocks being adjacent to rear surfaces of the blocks opposite the front surfaces of the blocks, and wherein the blocks are rotatable toward the display panel with respect to a border therebetween, such that the first distance decreases.
US09301382B2

A device and method are disclosed in which gas is caused to flow parallel to a flow of source material to form a gas shroud. The gas shroud may protect flow of source material from being disrupted by a cross flow of gas. The gas shroud may also limit heating of a physical shroud through which the source material passes and limit accumulation of source material on the physical shroud by deforming a plasma bubble formed during irradiation of the source material so that the plasma bubble does not come too near the physical shroud. A device and method are also disclosed for establishing an additional transverse flow of gas so that the gas shroud does not cause source material contamination of an optic used to collect light generated during irradiation of the source material.
US09301381B1

An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source pellet includes at least one metal particle embedded within a heavy noble gas cluster contained within a noble gas shell cluster. The EUV radiation source assembly can be activated by a sequential irradiation of at least one first laser pulse and at least one second laser pulse. Each first laser pulse generates plasma by detaching outer orbital electrons from the at least one metal particle and releasing the electrons into the heavy noble gas cluster. Each second laser pulse amplifies the plasma embedded in the heavy noble gas cluster triggering a laser-driven self-amplifying process. The amplified plasma induces inter-orbital electron transitions in heavy noble gas and other constitute atoms leading to emission of EUV radiation. The laser pulsing units can be combined with a source pellet generation unit to form an integrated EUV source system.
US09301378B2

An imaging system (300) includes a detector array (314) with direct conversion detector pixels that detect radiation traversing an examination region of the imaging system and generate a signal indicative of the detected radiation, a pulse shaper (316) configured to alternatively process the signal indicative of detected radiation generated by the detector array or a set of test pulses having different and known heights that correspond to different and known energy levels and to generate output pulses having heights indicative of the energy of the processed detected radiation or set of test pulses, and a thresholds adjuster (330) configured to analyze the heights of the output pulses corresponding to the set of test pulses in connection with the heights of set of test pulses and a set of predetermined fixed energy thresholds and generate a threshold adjustment signal indicative of a baseline based on a result of the analysis.
US09301373B2

A control unit (9) for controlling luminance in a space (3), wherein the control unit is configured to estimate a three-dimensional location of at least one target (8) as a function of time, and control the luminance in the space based on the estimated three-dimensional location of the at least one target.
US09301369B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving light output resolution of a backlight by individually controlling light sources in the backlight. Illumination intensity levels of light sources are individually controlled such that an overall illumination intensity level of all the light sources is substantially equal to a desired whole backlight illumination intensity value. The individual illumination levels of the light sources or a group of the light sources is controlled such that the backlight is uniformly illuminated. In some implementations, the illumination intensity levels are varied over different portions of an illumination period to provide uniform illumination of the backlight.
US09301367B2

The invention relates to a luminous element having a luminous layer which comprises electroluminescent particles and a water-dispersible or water-soluble protective colloid.
US09301359B2

A lighting system has first and second light sources operable to generate light having cool and warm white color temperatures, respectively. A color control provides a variable color control signal to adjust a perceived color output of the lighting system. Throughout a range of the color control signal, the controller is operable to smoothly vary the perceived color output of the lighting system between the cool white color and the warm white color. In second and thirds ranges of the color control signal, the perceived color output of the lighting system is the cool or warm white color, respectively.
US09301350B2

A two-stage LED driver for providing a substantially constant output current to an LED load, and related methods and systems. The first stage of the LED driver includes a conventional power factor correction (PFC) circuit that outputs a direct current (DC) voltage and a DC current. The second stage of the LED driver includes a low voltage flyback circuit that receives the DC voltage and the DC current. The low voltage flyback circuit includes a flyback transformer and a switch circuit that selectably toggles the substantially constant output current provided by the low voltage flyback circuit to the LED load between a first and a second, preset constant current. The secondary windings of the flyback transformer are split into two sections, and the switch circuit toggles the two sections of the secondary windings between a series and a parallel configuration to provide the first and second, preset constant currents.
US09301326B2

A wireless communication system includes a first wireless terminal including a first network control unit that sets first wireless setting information as current wireless setting information of the first wireless terminal, a generating unit that generates an SSID including identification information of the first wireless terminal, and a first wireless communication unit that transmits a beacon including the SSID; and a second wireless terminal including a second wireless communication unit that receives the beacon, an extracting unit that extracts the SSID from the beacon and extracts the identification information from the SSID, and a second network control unit that sets second wireless setting information, stored in the second wireless terminal and corresponding to the first wireless setting information, as current wireless setting information of the second wireless terminal and establishes a wireless connection with the first wireless terminal based on the identification information and the second wireless setting information.
US09301323B2

In order to provide a more robust contention-free random access procedure for use in a cellular wireless network and specifically, a contention-free random access procedure that is able to recover more quickly in case of failure a method for a radio access node (10) that is arranged in a wireless network and communications with user equipment, UE (20) and a radio access node are proposed. The method includes: receiving a first random access message (40) from a UE, the first message containing a pre-assigned contention-free random access preamble and representing a start of a random access procedure; responding to the received first message by sending a second message (50) to the UE, the second message containing time alignment information to enable a scheduled transmission of a third message (60) by the UE; ascertaining that no third message is received from the UE within a predetermined period of time and transmitting a command (80) to the UE ordering a restart of the random access procedure with the same pre-assigned contention-free random access preamble.
US09301317B2

A method and apparatus for processing a scheduling request in a handover scenario are provided. The method comprises: when user equipment has just handed over to a new cell, setting an advance time interval for triggering a scheduling request in advance according to a number of a subframe for sending a handover completion message of the user equipment; in the advance time interval, determining a trigger time for triggering the scheduling request in advance according to the number of the subframe for sending uplink data of the user equipment; and triggering the scheduling request in advance according to the trigger time. The technical solution is applied to guarantee that uplink FTP data are sent in time through sending a triggered scheduling request in advance, and avoid the occurrence of the FTP flow interruption phenomenon.
US09301315B1

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for transmitting network communications at a point in time automatically determined based on communication rates. In use, a communication to be transmitted over a network is identified, utilizing a device. Additionally, a point in time at which to transmit the communication over the network is automatically determined by the device, utilizing at least one rate for the communication. Further, transmission of the communication over the network is initiated at the determined point in time, utilizing the device.
US09301311B2

Aspects of the present invention relate to the scheduling of resources in a telecommunication system that includes a mobile terminal and base station. In one embodiment, the mobile terminal sends an initial scheduling request to a base station. Subsequently, the mobile terminal does not transmit a scheduling request to the base station unless and until a scheduling request triggering event is detected.
US09301307B1

In systems and methods of frequency band selection in a multiband communication system, it is determined for a wireless device that a lower frequency band signal strength criteria meets a first threshold above a higher frequency band signal strength criteria and that the higher frequency band signal strength meets a second threshold. A modulation and coding scheme of a communication link of the wireless device is determined. When the higher frequency band signal strength criteria meets the secpmd threshold and the determined modulation and coding scheme meets a third threshold, the wireless device is instructed to change from operating on the higher frequency band to operating on the lower frequency band.
US09301306B2

Systems and methods for a self-organizing OFDMA system for broadband communication are provided. In certain embodiments a communication node for a self organizing network comprises a communication interface configured to transmit data to and receive data from a plurality of nodes; and a processing unit configured to execute computer readable instructions. Further, computer readable instructions direct the processing unit to identify a sub-region within a cell, wherein the communication node is located in the sub-region; and transmit at least one data frame, wherein the data from the communication node is transmitted at a particular time and frequency as defined within the at least one data frame, where the time and frequency are associated with the sub-region.
US09301299B2

Various technologies described herein pertain to providing spectrum utilization feedback from a whitespace device. A database query for a set of available channels in a spectrum (e.g., broadcast spectrum, etc.) during a time period can be transmitted from the whitespace device to a regulatory authorized database system. The database query includes data that specifies a set of channels used by the whitespace device during a previous time period prior to the time period. Responsive to the database query, a response can be received at the whitespace device from the regulatory authorized database. The response indicates the set of available channels in the spectrum during the time period, where the available channels are unassigned to licensees at a location of the whitespace device during the time period. Moreover, the whitespace device is configured to opportunistically communicate in the spectrum over one or more of the available channels.
US09301295B1

In a wireless communication network, a network control system receives a request for a media session with a wireless communication device. The control system responsively determines if the wireless device is idle and determines if a source base station serving the wireless device can support the media session. If the wireless device is idle and the source base station does not support the media session, then the control system identifies a target base station to support the media session. The control system transfers a first redirect message for delivery to the wireless device through the source base station and transfers a second redirect message for delivery to the target base station. The redirect messages have session information for the media session. The target base station receives an acceptance of the media session from the wireless device and exchanges media for the media session responsive to the acceptance.
US09301294B2

A mobile station device that includes a receiving unit. The receiving unit of mobile station device receives using at least a first downlink component carrier and a second downlink component carrier which are aggregated, the receiving unit is configured to receive, a first physical downlink control channel for the mobile station device, on the first downlink component carrier, and a second physical downlink control channel for the mobile station device, on the second downlink component carrier, where both a first sequence including at least modulated symbols of the first physical downlink control channel and a second sequence including at least modulated symbols of the second physical downlink control channel are cyclically-shifted by a base station.
US09301293B2

A communication apparatus and a communication method capable of suppressing an increase of bits used for a request to send a reference signal and flexibly setting a resource used for sending a reference signal. In a base station, a transmission processing unit transmits, in one of a plurality of formats, control information containing a request to send a sounding reference signal (A-SRS), and a reception processing unit receives the transmitted A-SRS using the resource specified by the format of the transmitted control information. Then, the plurality of formats is associated with each different SRS resource by a setting unit.
US09301292B2

Disclosed are a method of transmitting a control channel in a wireless access system and a base station for the same. In transmitting a control channel of a 1st base station in a wireless communication system, the present invention includes receiving E-PDCCH (enhanced-physical downlink control channel) including a downlink scheduling information in a data region from a 2nd base station, assigning E-PDCCH including a downlink scheduling information of the 1st base station to the data region based on the downlink scheduling information received from the 2nd base station, and transmitting the downlink scheduling information of the 1st base station to the 2nd base station.
US09301287B2

Provided are a method and device for transmitting uplink control information in a wireless communication system. A terminal determines a feedback cell where uplink transmission blocks and uplink control information are multiplexed, from among a plurality of serving cells. The terminal multiplexes the uplink transmission blocks and the uplink control information on an uplink shared channel of the feedback cell, and the multiplexed uplink control information is transmitted on the uplink shared channel of the feedback cell.
US09301280B2

A system may include a first network device, configured to establish first and second channels with a user device, the first and second channels being channels of a network layer of an Open Systems Interconnect (“OSI”) model, receive traffic associated with the user device, and output the traffic via one of the first channel or the second channel. The system may also include a second network device, configured to receive the traffic outputted by the first network device, identify via which channel, of the first and second channels, the traffic was outputted, determine a paging scheme associated with the identified channel, generate a downlink data notification (“DDN”) request, the DDN request indicating the determined paging scheme, and output the DDN request to a third network device, wherein the third network device performs paging, based on the determined paging scheme, to locate the user device.
US09301279B2

A method, an apparatus, and a system for paging a User Equipment (UE) are provided. The method for paging a UE includes: sending a downlink data notification message inclusive of paging range indicator information to a core network control plane entity; receiving a paging message sent by the core network control plane entity and inclusive of a raging range; and initiating a paging to a UE corresponding to a user ID in the paging range. The apparatus for paging a UE includes: a first sending module, a first receiving module, and a paging initiating module. A system for paging a UE is further provided. With the method, apparatus, and system for paging a UE, the UE can be paged in only a set paging range.
US09301277B2

A wireless communication terminal according to an embodiment includes a wireless LAN communication unit, a prediction unit which predicts a moving area of a user, an estimation unit, and a communication control unit. The estimation unit estimates a switching state of a wireless LAN connection in the wireless LAN communication unit, on the basis of a wireless LAN communication environment in the moving area predicted by the prediction unit. The communication unit restricts the wireless LAN connection in the wireless LAN communication unit, on the basis of the switching state estimated by the estimation unit.
US09301275B2

A communication system includes a development sector for registering a plurality of wireless devices, a business sector for controlling utilization of an application program and for receiving application data, a service sector for deploying the application program and for providing the application data to the business sector in accordance with communication with at least one wireless device of the plurality; and a mobile sector comprising the plurality of wireless devices, each device for receiving the application program deployed by the service sector, executing the application program in response to the business sector, and communicating with the service sector to support provision of the application data to the business sector. The wireless device, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or palm top computer may include an auxiliary device such as a bar code scanner, a magnetic stripe card reader, or a printer. The business sector or service sector may monitor or limit utilization of the auxiliary device. Deployment of application programs may be controlled by the business sector or the development sector by rendering an application program or auxiliary device available for use only after a particular time or after receipt of a message. Distributed processing application programs having components in the business, service, and mobile sectors may thereby be updated in an orderly manner. An application program on a wireless device may assist confirmation of an order made by a buyer via a web site. The wireless device is expected to be operated by the buyer. Fraud reporting is accomplished by comparing data obtained by registration of the wireless device with data provided in the confirmation.
US09301272B2

The present invention relates to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), and to a communication method using same, that support MS-based social communication services or activities. The communication method for the WTRU according to one embodiment disclosed in the present description is characterized by comprising the steps of: generating a first service or activity; transmitting, to a second WTRU, a beacon signal including information on the properties of a radio resource corresponding to the first service or activity; receiving, from the second WTRU, an adjustment request for the first service or activity; adjusting the properties of a radio resource corresponding to the first service or activity in response to the request; and transmitting, to the second external WTRU, an adjustment response on the first service or activity including the result of the adjustment.
US09301268B2

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for device synchronization. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include establishing, at a first wireless device, a clock to be shared with at least a second wireless device; and sending, by the first wireless device over a short-range wireless link, a command to at least the second wireless device, the command indicating an operation to be performed by at least the second wireless device at a time defined by the clock. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US09301262B2

A power control method performed by a mobile communication terminal comprises determining a received signal code power of common pilot channel signals received from a base station on a common pilot channel in at least one time interval. A block error rate determination is performed to determine a block error rate for transmissions received from the base station. A downlink outer loop power control is performed in dependence on the determined received signal code power of the common pilot channel signals until the block error rate determination fulfills a convergence criterion.
US09301260B2

To perform control so as to achieve a transmission power that satisfies a desired communication quality by an access method which a mobile station apparatus uses, in consideration of the frequency-selective diversity effect, when switching an access method to the one having a different frequency-selective diversity effect. In a wireless communication system in which a communication control apparatus and a communication terminal apparatus that are able to use a plurality of types of access methods perform wireless communication using any of the access methods, the communication control apparatus, when the necessity of changing the access method arises, determines the access method after change and notifies the communication terminal apparatus of switching the access method before change to the determined access method, and performs the transmission power control in accordance with communication characteristics of the determined access method.
US09301255B2

Provided is a wireless communication device including, in a resource block assigned from among a plurality of resource blocks arranged in a grid pattern on a time axis and a frequency axis, a wireless communication unit for not performing transmission in a non-transmission region and for performing transmission in another region in the source block, the non-transmission region being set at a boundary with an adjacent resource block in a time direction or a frequency direction.
US09301253B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically powering on and off one or more radios in a mobile device according to a schedule generated automatically for each of the one or more radios. To generate the schedules, each of the one or more radios are powered on for a designated period of time. During the designated period of time, information is recorded specifying the availability of network coverage for each of the radios. A schedule for each of the radios is then generated according to this information. Each radio is subsequently automatically powered on and off according its schedule.
US09301252B2

A method that reduces power consumption in a wireless communication device having a first and a second modem. The method includes detecting access to a communication network via the second modem, and in response to that detection: establishing a communication channel between the second modem and a communication service over a communication network; and triggering the first modem to enter a sleep state. The communication service is configured to respond to receipt at the communication service of an incoming communication to be routed to the first modem via a first communication network by: (i) automatically transmitting a notification via the communication channel to the second modem and (ii) forwarding the incoming communication via the first communication network to the first modem. The method then includes, in response to receipt of the notification at the device: awakening the first modem to an active state to enable receipt of the incoming communication.
US09301248B2

An exemplary technique is provided for communication in a personal area network. The technique includes transmitting, to a personal area network coordinator, joint information of a sensor device indicated by reserved bits and includes a type, a channel access rate, and a latest node buffer occupation rate of the sensor device; receiving, from the personal area network coordinator, information regarding adjusted active duration and duty cycle of the communication of the sensor device; and performing further communication based upon the adjusted active duration and duty cycle. Also, the technique includes receiving, from a sensor device, joint information indicated by reserved bits and includes a type, a channel access rate, and a latest node buffer occupation rate of the sensor device; adjusting an active duration and a duty cycle of the communication of the sensor device; and transmitting information regarding the adjusted active duration and duty cycle to the sensor device.
US09301239B2

Provided is an access method which is carried out by a terminal in a wireless communication system. The method comprises: obtaining system information from a target cell; determining whether system information for extended access barring (EAB) has been scheduled to the system information; determining whether EAB information is included in the system information for the EAB, when the system information for the EAB has been scheduled; and determining whether to bar access to the target cell on the basis of the EAB information when the EAB information is included.
US09301229B2

A method and system for terminal switching in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A terminal accesses a packet data network through a packet data network gateway, when the terminal switches between gateways, the target gateway to which the terminal switches allocates a new Routing Identifier (RID) to the terminal, and stores a mapping relationship between the Access Identifier (AID) and the new RID of the terminal. The target gateway or the target mobility management entity (MME) of the terminal initiates a registration update request including the new RID of the terminal to the home Identity Location Register (ILR) of the terminal. After receiving the request, the home ILR of the terminal updates the stored AID-RID mapping information of the terminal according to the new RID of the terminal, and initiates a notification for updating the RID of the terminal to the opposite gateway and/or the opposite MME.
US09301228B2

A method, mobile device, network device, system, and software product are presented for providing an indication whether a source radio network controller requests to receive system information from a handover target, and for receiving the system information in a target to source transparent container, if the indication requests to receive the system information.
US09301224B2

Disclosed is a method in a network node (106) for establishing neighbor cell relations in a wireless network for a source cell (107) served by the network node (106). The method comprises establishing (34) a temporary neighbor cell relation for a received unknown neighbor cell identification; verifying (36) validity of the temporary neighbor cell relation, and establishing (38) a permanent neighbor cell relation based on the established temporary neighbor cell relation, if the temporary neighbor cell relation is found valid, thus avoiding that a false neighbor cell identification results in a faulty permanent neighbor cell relation. Disclosed is also a corresponding apparatus in a network node for establishing neighbor cell relations in a wireless network.
US09301223B2

A method includes comparing a vendor of a base station of the source cell to a vendor of the a base station of the target cell, when the vendor of the base station of the source cell is different from the vendor of the base station of the target cell, determining a second cell identifier used by the vendor of the base station of the target cell to identify the target cell, comparing the second cell identifier to a first cell identifier used by a vendor of the source base station to identify the target cell, and replacing one of the first and second cell identifiers with the other of the first and second cell identifiers.
US09301219B2

Examples are disclosed for determining, at a base station, a target received power parameter for a wireless device in communication with the base station. In some examples, the target received power parameter may be determined based on one or more uplink status signals received from the wireless device at the base station and/or one or more other base stations. For these examples, the wireless device may adjust one or more transmit power levels responsive to receiving the target received power parameter from the base station. Other examples are described and claimed.
US09301218B1

A base station's neighbor list may become outdated as nearer base stations are deployed. Because mobile devices report non-unique identifiers of surrounding base stations, a serving base station may confuse a newer neighboring base station with an out-of-date neighboring base station having the same non-unique identifier. The base station may attempt to hand over the mobile device to the wrong base station based on its outdated neighbor list. The mobile device may notify the serving base station of the failure and the associated non-unique identifier. When again attempting to hand over a mobile device to the target base station having that non-unique identifier, the serving base station may, based on knowing the previous handover failed, request the mobile device to provide the unique identifier of the target base station. If the unique identifier does not match the information in the neighbor list, the base station can update the neighbor list.
US09301216B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling cell activation, a base station, and a terminal. According to the method for controlling cell activation, the base station, and the terminal that are provided in the embodiments of the present invention, through determination on cell identification information in the RRC signaling reconfiguration message, a corresponding cell remembers a previous activated state, or activation processing is performed, thereby implementing in an MF-Tx scenario, optimized configuration of an activated or deactivated state of the cell that participates in the multi-flow transmission when reconfiguration is implemented through RRC signaling.
US09301214B2

In a method in a central node of a cellular radio network the central node is adapted to deciding if a mobile station connected to the cellular radio network via a first radio access technology controlled by the central node is to be moved to another radio access technology when a circuit switched call of the mobile station is ended. It is assumed that the cellular radio network is adapted to use a fallback to circuit switched procedure. First it is decided that a CS call for a particular mobile station has ended. Then in it is checked if the CS call was the result of a fallback to CS procedure. The central node then decides if the mobile station is to be moved to another radio access technology based at least partly on the, i.e. if the CS call was a result of a CS fallback procedure.
US09301208B1

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing optimal neighbor data utilizing a user device are provided. Aspects of the present invention relate to a source cell providing instructions to a user device instructing the user device to determine neighbor relation data, such as an internet protocol address, of a target cell. Additional aspects of the present invention concern a user device utilizing a neighbor relation table to determine neighbor relation data, such as an internet protocol address, of a target cell.
US09301202B2

The disclosure discloses a method and system for controlling access to a shared network. In both the method and the system, a core network node may send an overload indicator capable of distinguishing PLMNs to an access network node when the core network node is overloaded; and the access network node may learn a PLMN over which access control needs to be performed according to the overload indicator received. The method and the system of the disclosure distinguish the PLMNs in performing access control according to an actual situation of overload of the network node caused by a PLMN sharing the network, ensuring the fairness in performing access control over terminals of all PLMNs sharing the network. Therefore, the problem of unfairness in performing access control over terminals of different PLMNs in a network sharing scenario is solved.