US09311148B2

Methods and apparatus for pseudo-random hardware resource allocation through a plurality of hardware elements. In an embodiment, resource list entries are configured to each identify one hardware element of the plurality of hardware elements. Index list entries are configured to each identify one resource list entry. An index list pointer is set to identify a first index list entry of the plurality of index list entries, and hardware resources are requested from a first hardware element of the plurality of hardware elements by identifying, using the index list pointer, the first index list entry; identifying, using the first index list entry, a first resource list entry; selecting the hardware element identified by the first resource list entry as the first hardware element; and sending a request for hardware resources to the first hardware element.
US09311126B2

A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes rebasing a module in a virtual partition to load at a fixed address and storing a hash of a page of memory associated with the fixed address. An external handler may receive a notification associated with an event affecting the page. An internal agent within the virtual partition can execute a task and return results based on the task to the external handler, and a policy action may be taken based on the results returned by the internal agent. In some embodiments, a code portion and a data portion of the page can be identified and only a hash of the code portion is stored.
US09311121B2

The data storage system according to certain aspects can manage the archiving of virtual machines to (and restoring of virtual machines from) secondary storage. The system can determine whether to archive virtual machines based on usage data or information. The usage information may include storage usage, CPU usage, memory usage, network usage, events defined by a virtual machine software or application, etc. The system may archive virtual machines that are determined to have a low level of utilization. For example, a virtual machine can be archived when its usage level falls below a threshold level. The system may create a virtual machine placeholder for an archived virtual machine, which may be a “light” or minimal version of the virtual machine that acts as if it is the actual virtual machine. By using a virtual machine placeholder, a virtual machine may appear to be active and selectable by the user.
US09311112B2

An electronic device executes one or more software elements. Each software element is associated with a particular view, which includes one or more event recognizers. Each event recognizer has one or more event definitions based on one or more sub-events, and an event handler. The event handler is configured to send an action to a target in response to the event recognizer detecting an event corresponding to a particular event definition. The electronic device detects a sequence of sub-events, and identifies actively involved views. The electronic device delivers a respective sub-event to event recognizers for actively involved views. At least one event recognizer for actively involved views has a plurality of event definitions, one of which is selected in accordance with an internal state of the electronic device. The at least one event recognizer processes the respective sub-event in accordance with the selected event definition.
US09311108B2

A wireless communication system is disclosed. A data store stores for each of a plurality of nodes, each node comprising a wireless communication system element, a node image data comprising metadata about or otherwise associated with the node. In various embodiments, the data store has the capability to create and support an organically changing schema, and provides a mechanism to propagate changes to the schema or data, but only as necessary. A processor receives an indication of an objective and uses node image data stored in the data store to identify programmatically from among the plurality of nodes a node to help achieve the objective and to determine the configuration of the node.
US09311107B2

Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for automatically installing an operating system on a computing device that does not have an operating system pre-installed. Identifying information for the computing device is collected from a resource of the computing device. The identifying information is transmitted to a remote service. An indication is received of an operating system for the computing device selected by the remote service based on the identifying information. The selected operating system is downloaded for installation on the computing device.
US09311103B2

An arrangement of at least two arithmetic logic units carries out an operation defined by a decoded instruction including at least one operand and more than one operation code. The operation codes and at least one operand are received and corresponding executions are performed by the arithmetic logic units on a single clock cycle. The result of the execution from one arithmetic logic unit is used as an operand by a further arithmetic logic unit. The decoding of the instruction is performed in an immediately preceding single clock cycle.
US09311096B2

A method and circuit arrangement utilize a register file of an execution unit as a local instruction loop buffer to enable suitable algorithms, such as DSP algorithms, to be fetched and executed directly within the execution unit, and often enabling other logic circuits utilized for other, general purpose workloads to either be powered down or freed up to handle other workloads.
US09311088B2

An apparatus and method are provided for performing register renaming. Available register identifying circuitry is provided to identify which physical registers form a pool of physical registers available to be mapped by register renaming circuitry to an architectural register specified by an instruction to be executed. Configuration data whose value is modified during operation of the processing circuitry is stored such that, when the configuration data has a first value, the configuration data identifies at least one architectural register of the architectural register set which does not require mapping to a physical register by the register renaming circuitry. The register identifying circuitry is arranged to reference the modified data value, such that when the configuration data has the first value, the number of physical registers in the pool is increased due to the reduction in the number of architectural registers which require mapping to physical registers.
US09311083B1

A method of operating a machine includes receiving via a network machine interface a schema defining a hierarchy of page objects for application logic on a plurality of different machine platforms. The schema is applied to operate shell logic specific to a particular machine platform including the network machine interface via which the schema was received to provide a look and feel for application logic native to the particular machine platform. Layout logic and navigation logic of the shell logic are operated cooperatively to cause the look and feel of the application logic native to the particular machine platform as defined by the hierarchy of page objects to be inconsistent on the plurality of different machine platforms.
US09311082B2

A system and method for generating object graph data and transmitting the object graph over a network. For example, a computer-implemented method according to one embodiment comprises: analyzing relationships between objects within a network of objects to determine an object network structure; generating object graph data representing the object network structure; serializing the object graph data and transmitting the object graph data over a network to a requesting computer; and interpreting the object graph data to render a view of the object network structure in a graphical user interface.
US09311081B2

Methods and arrangements for employing a software model transform. A software model transform is accepted, and the transform is manipulated to obtain a transform representation. At least one functional path is explored with respect to the transform representation. A trace is conducted of at least one explored path, and an abstraction of the transform is produced via utilizing the trace, the abstraction comprising a simplified semantic view of the transform.
US09311080B2

Systems, methods, and machine-readable and executable instructions are provided for instrumented file deployment. Instrumented file deployment can include identifying a number of changes between a first artifact and a second artifact. Instrumented file deployment can also include identifying a number of class names and a number of method names within the second artifact where the changes reside. Instrumented file deployment can include creating an instrumented file from the identified number of class names and the identified number of method names. Instrumented file deployment can include deploying the second artifact and the instrumented file together.
US09311077B2

A computer retrieves a first changeset that is associated with a program. The computer identifies a first set of changes included in the first changeset based on a time stamp of a change, textual matching, and syntactical matching. The computer identifies a first area of interest within a source code of the program based, at least in part, on the first set of changes. The computer searches for a second set of changes based, at least in part, on the first area of interest. The computer generates a result that includes, at least in part, the first set of changes.
US09311075B2

An electronic apparatus including a central processing unit (CPU), a chipset, a first interface circuit, a temporary memory, a BIOS (basic input/output system) memory, a second interface circuit and a first switcher is provided. The chipset is coupled to the CPU and the first switcher. The temporary memory is coupled to the first switcher and the first interface circuit. The first interface circuit is coupled to the electronic apparatus and an extended storage including a first BIOS. The second interface circuit is coupled to the first switcher and the BIOS memory. If the first BIOS is stored in the temporary memory, the temporary memory is coupled to the chipset by the first switcher; if the first BIOS is not stored in the temporary memory, the second interface circuit is coupled to the chipset by the first switcher. The electronic device can safely updates the BIOS.
US09311056B2

The automated analysis of a code developer's profile comprises gathering data relating to code repository updates by a developer, analyzing the gathered data to determine profile attributes of the developer to provide a behavior analysis of the developer and analyzing, using a microprocessor, the profile attributes of the developer with respect to role descriptions.
US09311054B2

The method includes generating at least one base object, and generating at least one extendable object associated with the base object, the extendable object defining an insertion point and is configured to enable addition of new functionalities to an application including the at least one base object.
US09311050B2

Methods and systems for conversion of binary data to residue data, and for conversion of residue data to binary data, allow fully extensible operation with related methods and systems for residue number based ALUs, processors and other hardware. In one or more embodiments, a residue to binary data converter apparatus comprises a mixed radix to fixed radix conversion apparatus. In one or more embodiments, a mixed radix converter apparatus assists internal processing of a related residue number based ALU, processor or other hardware.
US09311037B2

An image forming apparatus includes: a communication unit that communicates with a print server, the print server providing, when the image forming apparatus is registered with the print server, a service of receiving and storing a print job for the image forming apparatus and sending the stored print job to the image forming apparatus, the communication unit receiving the print job sent from the print server; a printing unit that prints the print job received by the communication unit; a reception unit that receives an instruction to remove the registration of the image forming apparatus; and a controller that, when the reception unit receives the instruction, sends, via the communication unit to the print server, a request to send the print job, and then sends, via the communication unit to the print server, a request to remove the registration of the image forming apparatus from the print server.
US09311029B2

A receipt printer sends print data received from a POS terminal and identification information of the receipt printer to a control server. The control server acquires layout information related to the identification information based on relation information linking the identification and layout information, and analyzes the print data by a method appropriate to the acquired layout information.
US09311028B2

A print job management apparatus includes a storage unit in which a plurality of print jobs are stored, a holding condition managing unit, and a print controlling unit. The holding condition managing unit determines whether any of the print jobs satisfy a holding condition. The print controlling unit transmits each print job that is determined to satisfy the holding condition through a communication unit to an image forming apparatus.
US09311022B2

A system and method of improved communication in a storage network includes a storage node. The storage node includes a control unit and a plurality of local ports coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the storage node to a storage network. The control unit is configured to discover port addresses of other storage nodes in the storage network, select a first port pair including a first source port selected from the local ports and a first destination port selected from remote ports associated with the port addresses of a first one of the other storage nodes, open a first connection between the first source port and the first destination port, determine whether a less desirable notice associated with the first port pair is received, and when the less desirable notice is received, record the first port pair as being less desirable.
US09311016B2

There is provided a storage system and a method of identifying delta-data therein between two points-in-time. The method comprises: generating successive snapshots Si and Si+1 corresponding to the two points-in-time; upon generating the snapshot Si+1, searching the cache memory for data blocks associated with snap_version=i, thereby yielding cached delta-metadata; searching the SF mapping data structure for destaged data blocks associated with snap_version=i, thereby yielding destaged delta-metadata; and joining the cached delta-metadata and the destaged delta-metadata, thereby yielding delta-metadata indicative of the delta-data between points-in-time corresponding to the successive snapshots with Snap_ID=i and Snap_ID=i+1. The method operates with no need in copying, destaging to a dedicated location and/or any other special handling of data that needs to be transmitted to the RS system.
US09311015B2

There is provided a storage system comprising a control layer operable to manage a plurality of snapshot families, each family constituted by snapshot family members having hierarchical relations therebetween. The method of operating the storage system comprises searching a cache memory for an addressed data block corresponding to an addressed LBA and associated with an addressed snapshot family and an addressed SF member. In a case of missing the addressed data block in the cache memory, identifying in the cache memory all dirty data blocks corresponding to the addressed LBA and associated with the addressed snapshot family (candidate data blocks); identifying among SF members of the addressed snapshot family a destage owner, and in a case when the identified destage owner is associated with a candidate data block, reading from the cache memory such candidate data block.
US09311014B2

There is provided a storage system capable to maintain a snapshot family comprising a plurality of members having hierarchical relations therebetween, and a method of operating thereof. The method comprises generating a mapping data structure with mapping entries each comprising mappings for mapping a logical address range associated with the mapping entry into physical address ranges respectively correlated to representative members of the snapshot family; omitting mappings corresponding to omitted member(s) different from any of the one or more representative members sharing a respective range of physical addresses; responsive to an access request directed to a certain logical address range and a certain omitted member, determining, using a predefined rule related to the hierarchical and sequential relations between members of the snapshot family, a representative member from the one or more representative members; and responding to the access request by using a physical address range correlated to the representative member.
US09311012B2

The present invention provides a storage system capable of performing data migration without stopping the IO access from a host computer, without having to copy data in an external connection storage subsystem to a migration destination storage subsystem. A configuration information of a migration source volume in a migration source storage subsystem is migrated to the migration destination storage subsystem, and during migration, cache memories of the respective subsystems are used to duplicate and store write data from the host computer, and the migration destination storage subsystem reflects the write data to the external connection storage subsystem. Reading of data is also performed by the migration destination storage subsystem.
US09311008B2

In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for performing a system memory save in tiered or cached storage during transition to a decreased power state is disclosed. As disclosed herein, the system incorporating aspects of the present invention may include a solid-state drive, volatile memory, and at least one alternate storage media. Upon transition to a decreased power state, at least some of the data in the solid-state drive may be transferred to the at least one alternate storage media. After the SSD data is transferred, data stored in volatile system memory, such as a system context, may be transferred to the SSD memory. With the system context saved in SSD memory, power to the volatile system memory may be turned off.
US09311007B2

An integrated circuit has registers which it can place in a low power condition in which their state is lost; a power domain capable of reading the registers, the current operating mode of the domain being dependent on the state of the registers; a memory; and a configuration controller for configuring the registers. The configuration controller has access to a set of mappings. Each mapping indicates for bits represented in the memory the state of other bits storable in the registers. The configuration controller is configured to perform a register configuration operation by reading bits from the memory and populating the registers with a corresponding bit state.
US09311003B2

Exposing a proprietary disk file to a hypervisor as a native hypervisor disk file. In one example embodiment, a method of exposing a proprietary disk file to a hypervisor as a native hypervisor disk file includes various acts. For example, the method includes identifying a proprietary disk file having a proprietary format. The method further includes creating a plugin file corresponding to the proprietary disk file. The method also includes intercepting read requests directed to the plugin file. The method further includes responding to each of the read requests with data gathered from the plugin file and/or the proprietary disk file, where the data is structured such that the data appears to be gathered from a native hypervisor disk file due to being formatted in a native format of the hypervisor.
US09311002B1

Systems, methods, and computer readable media for accessing and compressing data at a virtually provisioned storage entity are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes receiving, at a data storage entity, an input/output (I/O) command to perform an operation on data associated with a logical block address (LBA) in a virtually provisioned device in the data storage entity, wherein the data storage entity has established an expanded private LBA space for the virtually provisioned device in the data storage entity to include both a compressed LBA space portion for storing compressed data and an associated uncompressed LBA space portion for storing uncompressed data. The method further includes determining if a data chunk containing the data in the uncompressed LBA space is available using the LBA in the I/O command to access the data chunk. If the data chunk in the uncompressed LBA space is available, the method includes performing the operation on the data chunk. If the data chunk in the uncompressed LBA space is not available, the method includes accessing the data chunk in the compressed LBA space using both the LBA and a predefined offset value and performing the operation on the data chunk.
US09311000B2

According to a method for displaying a keypad for a smart device of the present invention, a keypad can be displayed in a transparent or a translucent state by being overlapped with an output window displayed on a display module of a smart device such that both of an input window and the output window can be used over a wide area, and the transparency or color of the keypad periodically changes such that a user can check the keypad position which is displayed instantaneously, thereby enabling precise input operations without having to memorize all of the keypad positions and solving problems such as the confusion caused by overlapping the output window with the transparent keypad.
US09310987B2

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to adding or correcting orientation and/or location information for panoramic images. For example, some panoramic images may be associated with inaccurate orientation (or location) information or simply no orientation information at all. In this regard, a user may be provided with the ability to add or adjust the orientation of a panoramic image. The panoramic image can be projected onto a plane using stereographic projection and displayed relative to its location (and orientation, if available) on a map. This can allow a user to quickly identify inaccuracies and to make adjustments or corrections.
US09310982B1

Content corresponding to a literary work, movie, audio presentation, or other media is provided to a computing device associated with a user. Immersive content related to the content may be communicated to a computing device and presented to the user at times when the content is not being consumed. The formatting, communicational modes, apparent source, subject matter, or other aspects of the immersive content may correspond to the preferences or other information provided by the user. In this way, user engagement with a story or other media may be stimulated or enhanced when the user is not actively consuming the primary content.
US09310977B2

Novel tools and techniques for collecting and using presence information. In accordance with some techniques, a presence detection device (“PDD”) at a customer premises and/or another computer (such as a control server) can identify and/or authenticate a user. Once identified and/or authenticated, the user's profiles and/or media content may be sent to the PDD, and/or access to the user's profiles and/or media content may be provided to the PDD.
US09310973B2

An image processer executes image processing. An interface unit provides a user interface which receives an operation relating to the image processing from users. A receiver receives user information by an input method selected by the user among a plurality of input methods that are different from each other. A controller executes, when the receiver receives an input of the user information, making at least one of a first determination of whether the user interface is to be provided and a second determination of which one of a plurality of user interfaces is to be provided, depending on the input method when the receiver receives the user information. The controller executes controlling the interface unit according to one of a result of the first determination and a result of the second determination.
US09310969B2

A reading list panel is displayed as a sidebar window with respect to a main window of a content viewing application. In response to a first input, a first article representation of a first article associated with a presentation page displayed in the main window is listed in the reading list panel, where the first article representation includes information identifying the first article. In response to a selection of a second article representation from the reading list panel, content of a second article represented by the second article representation is presented in a reader mode within the main window.
US09310962B2

A data processing technology provides improved convenience. A user interface unit assigns a first object to a data file and displays the object on a screen. The unit also assigns a second object to an application processing the data file and displaying the object on the screen. When an operation to allow the first object to affect the second object is accepted, a notifying unit notifies the application of the direction or speed of the operation. The operation determining unit determines an operation performed in processing the data file, based an the direction or speed.
US09310958B2

Systems, methods and products are described that provide a dock for favorite applications. One aspect includes providing a dock point on a display device of an information handling device; responsive to user input associated with said dock point, launching a utility organizing a sub-set of user applications installed on said information handling device in a predetermined arrangement of launch points; providing an animated movement of said launch points in said utility responsive to user input; and responsive to user input selecting a launch point in said utility, launching an application associated with said launch point on the information handling device. Other embodiments are described.
US09310951B2

A processing system for an input device includes a receiver module and a charge distributor. The receiver module includes a first charge integrator coupled to a first sensor electrode and configured to integrate a charge on the first sensor electrode. The charge distributor includes a current conveyor and a plurality of output stages coupled to the current conveyor, wherein a first output stage of the plurality of output stages comprises a plurality of current mirrors and is configured to output a first scaled mirrored charge to offset the charge integrated by the first charge integrator, wherein the first scaled mirrored charge is based on a charge signal provided via the current conveyor.
US09310949B2

The invention relates to a touch-sensitive operating device (1) for a motor vehicle, having an actuation lever (2), in particular a steering column stalk, which has an elongate configuration, having a sensor arrangement comprising at least one touch-sensitive and/or proximity-sensitive sensor element (4) which is arranged on the actuation lever (2), and having an electronic evaluation device which is coupled to the at least one sensor element (4) and is configured to detect the at least one sensor element (4) being touched and/or the at least one sensor element (4) being approached. The evaluation device is configured to identify an operating gesture of an operator on the actuation lever on the basis of a combination of at least two detected touches on the sensor arrangement and/or approaches towards the sensor arrangement, and to trigger a predetermined operating function on the basis of the identified operating gesture.
US09310947B2

A sense line drive circuit (24) (i) receives signals passing through capacitances and outputted via sense lines (SeL1, SeL2 . . . and SeLn) during a period other than a period during which image data is sequentially written to a plurality of pixels in a liquid crystal panel and (ii) detects where, in a plurality of portions where the sense lines (SeL1, SeL2 . . . and SeLn) and drive lines (DL2, DL2 . . . and DLn) are close to each other, a detection target is present.
US09310946B2

A capacitive-type touch control display includes: a rear plate including a first polarizer sheet and a TFT array layer; a front plate including a color filter layer, a second polarizer sheet, an adhesive layer, a transparent touch sensor layer adhesively bonded to the second polarizer sheet through the adhesive layer, and a transparent hard coating layer formed on the touch sensor layer; a liquid crystal cell; and a housing including a main body and an end flange. The main body has an open end. The end flange extends inwardly and transversely from the open end, and defines a front window that exposes a touch sensing region of the touch sensor layer underneath the hard coating layer. The end flange covers a peripheral region of the touch sensor layer.
US09310944B2

In one embodiment, a touch sensor includes multiple first electrodes along a first direction. Each of the first electrodes includes multiple first conductive regions. The touch sensor also includes multiple second electrodes along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the second electrodes includes one second conductive region. The one second conductive region of each of the second electrodes are interdigitated with one of the first conductive regions of each of the first electrodes. The first and second conductive regions are disposed on a layer on or within a display stack including one or more layers.
US09310943B1

A system comprises a processing device and a capacitive sense array that includes a plurality of electrodes. The system performs a first scan of a plurality of electrodes in a capacitive sense array to determine a position of a stylus. The system also performs one or more additional scans of subsets of the plurality of electrodes to determine additional positions of the stylus. The system may continually perform the additional scans on of the subsets of the plurality of electrodes until the stylus is no longer detected.
US09310938B2

A projector controls a function in accordance with an operation of indicating a position if the operation is performed in a state in which an image is displayed. The projector projects an image on a screen based on a supply image supplied by an image source. The projector detects a position indicated on the screen using a position detector, and switches the projector between a first interactive mode and a second interactive mode based on the detected position, wherein when the first interactive mode is selected, an output switching section outputs the position information to a processing section of the projector, and when the second interactive mode is selected, the output switching section outputs the position information to an external device connected with the projector.
US09310936B2

An input device for inputting coordinates to a coordinate detector includes an operation detector to detect whether a coordinate input operation to the coordinate detector is conducted; a signal generation unit to generate an operation-in-progress signal indicating an operation is in progress when the operation detector detects the coordinate input operation; a signal outputting unit to output the operation-in-progress signal generated by the signal generation unit; and a light guide member to guide the operation-in-progress signal output by the signal outputting unit to an exit position.
US09310931B2

A touch input device configured to mitigate the effects of dynamic cross talk noise is provided. The touch input device can dither an effective resistance of a plurality of gate lines proximal to the touch sensor panel in order to determine if a phase of a touch signal demodulator needs to be adjusted.
US09310930B2

In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a touch sensor that includes a touch-sensitive area and a touch-sensor controller. The touch-sensor controller is operable to: scan two or more electrodes within the touch-sensitive area to determine a first location associated with an object within the touch-sensitive area, predict, based on the first location and one or more metrics, two or more next locations associated with the object, select, based on a first next location of the two or more next locations, a first region within the touch-sensitive area, select, based on a second next location of the two or more next locations, a second region within the touch-sensitive area, and scan two or more electrodes within the first region and two or more electrodes within the second region to determine a second location associated with the object. The second region is at least partially different from the first region.
US09310923B2

A method for receiving data from an input device to a computing device through a touch interface. The method includes detecting an input device, synchronizing with the input device by receiving a position signal and activating an input device scan of the touch interface, receiving a data signal from the input device through at least one of a sense line or a drive line of the touch interface, and scanning the touch interface for a touch input by applying a stimulation signal to the at least one drive line and analyzing the at least one sense line.
US09310921B2

Screen control methods and apparatus are provided. When it is determined that a touch control pressure value on a touch control screen exceeds a pre-set pressure threshold value to, a touch control operation by a finger on the touch control screen can be obtained. Corresponding to the touch control operation, a control instruction can be called according to a mapping relationship table that is pre-set. The mapping relationship table includes a mapping relationship between the touch control operation and the control instruction. The touch control screen can be controlled to display contents according to the control instruction.
US09310919B2

An adaptive threshold approach is applied to detect true touch signals and filter out increased noise signals. More specifically, statistics regarding the signals from a touch screen are used to create a touch signal threshold that changes with the statistics of the touch signals. Accordingly, the threshold can automatically move higher in high noise situations and lower in low noise situations. So configured, fewer noise signals are erroneously interpreted as touches for the device associated with the touch screen.
US09310917B2

A touch input device configured to mitigate the effects of dynamic cross talk noise is provided. The touch input device can dither an effective resistance of a plurality of gate lines proximal to the touch sensor panel in order to determine if a phase of a touch signal demodulator needs to be adjusted.
US09310914B2

A driving device includes a storage unit configured to store waveform data of driving signals for stopping excitation of an actuator at a sinusoidal wave of a resonance frequency of the actuator, at portions other than a center point of an amplitude of the sinusoidal wave; and a processor programmed to execute a process including reading the waveform data stored in the storage unit and outputting, to the actuator, the driving signals corresponding to the waveform data that has been read.
US09310902B2

A method for pairing a control device with a digital sign is provided. The method includes receiving control device geometric attributes and digital sign geometric attributes, determining a digital sign identification based on the control device geometric attributes and the digital sign geometric attributes, and transmitting the digital sign identification to the control device. The control device geometric attributes may define geometric attributes of the control device. The digital sign geometric attributes may define geometric attributes of the digital sign that the control device is attempting to control. The digital sign identification may define the digital sign that the control device.
US09310901B2

An input device and methods for detecting user input using an input device. An example input device includes a multi-touch sensing display configured to detect multiple simultaneous triggers on a surface of the multi-touch sensing display as distinct input events. The input device also includes at least one mechanical control element arranged on the surface of the multi-touch sensing display. The at least one mechanical control element is configured to generate an input event. The input event is detected by the multi-touch sensing display in response to actuation of the at least one mechanical control element.
US09310898B2

A method of an electronic device is provided according to various example embodiments of the present invention. The method includes confirming state information of an input pen placed on a touch screen, and performing at least one function corresponding to the confirmed state information.
US09310895B2

A series of depth maps image a scene. Each depth map includes a plurality of pixels, where each pixel defines a depth of a surface imaged by that pixel. A set of nonstatic pixels having a shallowest depth within the series of depth maps is identified. The position of this set of nonstatic pixels is mapped to a cursor position.
US09310894B2

A position indicated on a predetermined plane is calculated based on a first operation signal output from a pointing device, and it is determined whether or not the indicated position has moved from out of a predetermined area on the plane into the predetermined area. When a result of the determination is positive in a state where a second operation signal is used for information processing, operation signals used for the information processing are switched from the second operation signal to the first operation signal.
US09310892B2

Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image.
US09310870B2

A network appliance apparatus conveys communication signals over a communication network and is constructed from a communication circuit and a power conditioning circuit in a common housing. The power conditioning circuit conditions alternating current (AC) electrical power and it is determined which power criteria are met by the conditioned electrical power. The conditioned electrical power is selectively provided to the communication circuit in response to one of the power criteria being met such that the conditioned electrical power is removed from the communication circuit when another of the power criteria is met.
US09310861B2

A system and method for detecting a USB cable-type. A USB PD device configured at a near end of a USB cable is configured to (i) receive and process a signal from a device at a far end of the USB cable to determine a power rating of the USB cable and (ii) adjustably establish power delivered by the first device to the USB cable as a function of the determined USB cable power rating.
US09310858B2

A heat dissipating module includes a main body, a heat dissipating unit and at least one resilient engaging unit. A side of the heat dissipating unit is connected to the main body and the other side of the heat dissipating unit contacts against at least one heat component. An end of the at least one resilient engaging unit is connected to a side of the main body and the other end of the at least one resilient engaging unit engages with a side of a fastening base. The at least one resilient engaging unit is for resiliently pressing the main body so that the dissipating unit contacts with the at least one heat component closely.
US09310856B2

Computer cabinets, such as supercomputer cabinets, having progressive air velocity cooling systems are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer cabinet includes an air mover positioned beneath a plurality of computer module compartments. The computer module compartments can be arranged in tiers with the computer modules in each successive tier being positioned closer together than the computer modules in the tier directly below. The computer cabinet can also include one or more shrouds, flow restrictors, and/or sidewalls that further control the direction and/or speed of the cooling air flow through the cabinet.
US09310836B2

Portable multimedia devices, and techniques for their manufacture, are provided that feature functional parts embedded with a resin matrix that obviates the need for traditional structural components such as midframes and/or outer casings. The resin matrix may be provided through the use of a flowable liquid resin that is flowed around the functional components within a mold cavity. The liquid resin may then be cured into the resin matrix.
US09310834B2

Systems for, and methods of, dual screen smartphones are described herein. The dual screens are hingedly coupled and can be rotated into an open position forming one contiguous screen. A processor is configured to dismiss any action bar or status bar in response to a prompt thereby maximizing media across the entirety of any of the dual screens or contiguous screen formed by their intersection. An overlay command presented by the processor allows a user to minimize, tile, zoom, pan or dismiss the media when it is maximized.
US09310825B2

A voltage reference circuit includes three or more current mirrors, an operational amplifier, a voltage buffer, two or more diodes, and one or more resistors. The operational amplifier has two inputs separately coupled to an output of two of the three or more current mirrors and an output coupled to the three current mirrors. The voltage buffer has an input coupled to an output of the other one of the three or more current mirrors and another input coupled to an output of the voltage buffer. Each of the diodes is coupled between the output of the two of the three or more current mirrors and one of ground and a negative supply. The one or more resistors are coupled to an output of one or more of the three or more current mirrors to tune effects of input current and establish a first set absolute voltage and temperature coefficient on a voltage reference.
US09310821B2

An apparatus for obtaining information enabling a characteristic like determination of maximum power point of a power source, the apparatus including at least an inductor and a capacitor, the information enabling the determination of the characteristic of the power source being obtained by monitoring the voltage charge of the capacitor, and a mechanism discharging the capacitor through the inductor prior to the monitoring of the charge of the capacitor.
US09310812B2

A multi-stage fluid pressure regulator, including a first stage valve arranged to open and close a fluid flow path to control flow of fluid through the valve, a first stage piston arranged for movement to open and close the first stage valve, the piston having an inner side and an outer side, a gas delivery conduit having a proximal end attached to the first stage piston and a distal end extending away from the first stage piston, the gas delivery conduit having a passage in fluid communication with the inner side of the first stage piston, and a second stage valve in fluid communication with the gas delivery conduit, the second stage valve including a second valve chamber into which the distal end of the gas delivery conduit is positioned.
US09310810B2

An adjustable damping valve device (27), in particular for a vibration damper, comprises a first valve (47) and an emergency operation valve (61), both of which are actuated by magnetic force. The emergency operation has a valve body (61) which is preloaded in a closed position by at least one valve spring. A pressure-relief valve (85) is connected hydraulically in parallel with the emergency operation valve (61) so that the damping force is determined by the pressure-relief valve (85) when the emergency operation valve (61) is closed. The pressure-relief valve (85) is arranged in the valve body (63) of the emergency operation valve.
US09310809B2

An unmanned vehicle management system includes an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) control station controlling one or more unmanned vehicles (UV), a collaborative routing system, and a communication network connecting the UAS and the collaborative routing system. The collaborative routing system being configured to receive flight parameters from an operator of the UAS control station and, based on the received flight parameters, automatically present the UAS control station with flight plan options to enable the operator to operate the UV in a defined airspace.
US09310807B2

A method of creating an indoor environment map includes acquiring encoded position information by detecting revolutions of wheels when a mobile unit travels using encoders to predict a position of the mobile unit based on the encoded position information, acquiring a measured distance from the mobile unit to an object existing in a surrounding environment using the distance measuring sensor, predicting a position of the mobile unit to be moved, estimating a distance from the mobile unit to the object at the predicted position of the mobile unit, determining whether the estimated distance is matched with the measured distance, correcting the predicted position of the mobile unit to estimate a position of the mobile unit to be moved by the matching of the predicted position with the measured position, and creating the indoor environment map using the corrected position and the measured distance.
US09310805B2

Method of maneuvering a mobile mining machine including two or more self steered and optionally self propelled interconnected units being connected as train units over a respective articulating joint, said mobile mining machine having a forward and a backward direction, wherein in a tunnel following mode the method includes: producing a set of first signals representative of sideward distances between at least one side of the mobile mining machine and a respective nearby wall of said tunnel, and—evaluating said set of first signals so as to determine a sideways position of the mobile mining machine in respect of the walls of said tunnel during driving, and—producing steering commands to be sent to a propulsion arrangement in order to maintain a position of the mobile mining machine to ensure clearance to tunnel walls during driving. The invention also relates to a system and a mobile mining machine.
US09310802B1

A method of controlling a plurality of robotic vehicles may involve the steps of: Determining a state of each of the plurality of robotic vehicles; assigning a robotic vehicle to an operator in response to a Binding command from the operator; allowing the operator to command the assigned robotic vehicle to perform a mission; and releasing the assigned robotic vehicle in response to an Unbinding command from the operator.
US09310799B2

A numerical controller using table format data, the numerical controller including a memory which stores table format data, in which time or a position of a spindle or feed shaft serving as a reference is arranged so as to correspond to a position of a spindle or feed shaft other than the spindle or feed shaft of which position serves as a reference or an output of an auxiliary function, a reference value counter which inputs the time or the position of the spindle or feed shaft serving as a reference, wherein the position of the spindle or feed shaft other than the spindle or feed shaft of which position serves as a reference or the output of the auxiliary function is controlled.
US09310796B2

A multi-driver control method and an apparatus thereof are disclosed in the present invention. The multi-axis control method comprises the following steps: providing a set of control curves, each curve of the set of control curves controls a driver respectively; dividing the curves by a set time period; sending the divided curves in the same time period to the corresponding drivers in one time period, and sending a unified beat signal to all the drivers in order to synchronize execution time of all the drivers; fitting and restoring a programmed motion curve of each driver according to all received divided control curves; taking points at each driver's own programmed motion curve, which is restored locally, of each driver to control the rotation of each driver's own motor.
US09310789B2

A component verification method includes a component ID reading process of reading a component ID corresponding to a stored component of a subsequent tape, a tape insertion detecting process of detecting that the subsequent tape has been inserted into a tape feeder, a feeder specifying process of specifying a tape feeder in which the insertion of the subsequent tape has been detected, a component verifying process of verifying whether or not a correspondence relationship between the read component ID and the specified tape feeder is correct, and a re-verification requesting process of requesting re-execution of the verification to a worker if it is detected that the subsequent tape has fallen from the tape feeder after the component verifying process.
US09310788B2

An output module for an industrial controller configurable to simplify setup and commissioning is disclosed. The output module includes configurable PWM outputs that may be scheduled to start at different times within the PWM period, that may be configured to generate a fixed number of PWM pulses, and that may have an extendable PWM period. The output terminals are configurable to enter a first state upon generation of a fault and further configurable to enter a second state after a configurable time delay following the fault being generated. The output module may receive inputs signals directly from another module and set output signals at the terminals responsive to these signals.
US09310769B2

A holographic display system for generating a super hologram with full parallax in different fields of view in the horizontal and vertical directions. The system includes an array of holographic display devices, e.g., spatial light modulators (SLMs), operable to provide a plurality of holographic images of a scene from differing viewpoints of the scene. Each SLM is operated concurrently to output a narrow field of view, elemental hologram. The system includes coarse integral optics combining the holographic images into a single hologram (“super hologram”) viewable in a hologram image plane a distance from the course integral optics. The coarse integral optics combine the holographic images by providing angular tiling of the holographic images, e.g., bending the axes of parallel lenses. In this manner, the field of view, in one direction, of the super hologram is based on the number of holographic display devices provided in the array in one direction.
US09310758B2

An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge including an image bearing member is detachably mountable to a main assembly thereof includes a cartridge mounting portion, a transfer device contactable to the image bearing member, a feeding mechanism, and a guiding member. The guiding member is movable between a first position where the image bearing member and the transfer device are spaced from each other when the cartridge is in the cartridge mounting portion and a second position where when the cartridge is in the cartridge mounting portion, the image bearing member and the transfer device are permitted to contact each other and the recording material is guided toward the downstream side with respect to the feeding direction. When the guiding member is in the first position, the guiding member is positioned between the transfer device and the cartridge and covers the transfer device.
US09310756B2

An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly provided with an opening through which a cartridge is to be mounted, an openable member movable between a closed position and an open position, and a cartridge, including a portion-to-be-urged, detachably mountable to the main assembly in a mounting completion position. When the openable member is open, a supporting surface is capable of guiding the cartridge to the opening, and during a closing operation, an urging portion and the portion-to-be-urged contact each other to push the cartridge toward the mounting completion position. When the openable member is in the closed position, a spacing is provided between the recessed portion and the portion-to-be-urged. The cartridge is a process cartridge having a photosensitive member unit and a developing device unit including the portion-to-be-urged.
US09310755B2

An image forming apparatus has a plurality of photoconductive drums, a drawer configured to be movable with holding the plurality of photoconductive drums, a pair of frames arranged on both sides of the photoconductive drums. The frames have first supporting parts configured to movably support the drawer, a belt unit having an endless belt and a plurality of transfer members, first contacting parts respectively provided to the pair of frames, the first contacting parts contacting contacted parts provided to the drawer to position the drawer with respect to the pair of frames, and second contacting parts provided to the drawer, the second contacting part contacting second contacted parts provided to the belt unit to position the belt unit with respect to the drawer.
US09310751B2

A blade includes an elastic member including a tip ridgeline to contact the surface of a member to contact. The tip ridgeline includes an impregnation layer impregnated with a cured compound comprising an acrylate or methacrylate compound having an alicyclic structure including 6 or more carbon atoms in its molecule, and has an elastic power in the range of 50% to 80%.
US09310747B2

A gear transmission device includes a first external gear driven by a drive motor attached to a first side of a frame and a first internal gear driven by the first external gear. The first internal gear includes an outer cylinder portion, an end plate, an annular opening, and an inner cylinder portion including a shaft hole. The outer cylinder portion includes internal teeth formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof. The inner cylinder portion is formed concentrically inside the outer cylinder portion. The end plate connects the outer cylinder portion, the inner cylinder portion, and the shaft hole at one end in an axial direction. In a state in which the annular opening faces a second side of the frame opposite the first side thereof, the first external gear is inserted to the annular opening to mesh with the internal teeth of the outer cylinder portion.
US09310744B1

An image forming apparatus is provided to correct color misregistration and includes an image correcting unit. A toner density adjustment patch image forming section forms toner density adjustment patch images, and a toner density adjustment patch image misalignment measuring section measures amounts of misalignment of the images. Then, a color-misregistration correction patch image forming section forms color-misregistration correction patch images on a transfer member. A color-misregistration correcting section measures amounts of misalignment of the color-misregistration correction patch images to correct the color misregistration. The control unit controls the color-misregistration correction patch image forming section to change color-misregistration correction patch images to be formed in accordance with the amounts of misalignment of the toner density adjustment patch images measured by the toner density adjustment patch image misalignment measuring section.
US09310731B2

An image heating apparatus, to heat an image formed on a recording material includes a cylindrical rotatable member having a conductive layer, a coil having a helically shaped portion which is helically wound in a generatrix direction of the rotatable member inside the rotatable member, and a magnetic core disposed inside the helically shaped portion. The coil, which includes a number of turns, produces an alternating magnetic field to cause the conductive layer to generate heat by electromagnetic induction. The magnetic core includes a plurality of divided cores into which the magnetic core is divided in the generatrix direction. The number of turns of the coil per unit length, at a region that corresponds to a boundary between the plurality of divided cores, is larger than the number of turns of the coil at a region that corresponds to the plurality of divided cores.
US09310715B2

A developing device includes a developer bearer, a development casing in which a developer conveyance channel is formed facing the developer bearer through a communicating area, a developer supply member disposed in the developer conveyance channel, a developer regulator disposed facing a lower portion of the developer bearer to adjust an amount of developer carried on the developer bearer, and a sheet member that is removably installed to seal the communicating area and passes through a gap between the developer regulator and the developer bearer and an opening formed in the development casing. A first end of the sheet member is retained downstream from the gap in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer, and the sheet member is fixed to the development casing at a position across the communicating area from the first end with a second end positioned outside the development casing.
US09310706B2

Test patches are formed such that lengths of the test patches in a rotational direction of the intermediate transfer member are shorter than a length of the intermediate transfer member from a primary transfer portion located in the lowermost stream among the plurality of primary transfer portions to the secondary transfer portion.
US09310696B2

An immersion projection optical system having, for example, a catadioptric and off-axis structure, reduces the portion of an image space filled with liquid (immersion liquid). The projection optical system, which projects a reduced image of a first plane onto a second plane through the liquid, includes a refractive optical element (Lp) arranged nearest to the second plane. The refractive optical element includes a light emitting surface (Lpb) shaped to be substantially symmetric with respect to two axial directions (XY-axes) perpendicular to each other on the second plane. The light emitting surface has a central axis (Lpba) that substantially coincides with a central axis (40a) of a circle (40) corresponding to a circumference of a light entering surface (Lpa) of the refractive optical element. The central axis of the light emitting surface is decentered in one of the two axial directions (Y-axis) from an optical axis (AX).
US09310693B2

A method for operating a projection exposure tool for microlithography is provided. The projection exposure tool includes an optical system which includes a number of optical elements which, during an imaging process, convey electromagnetic radiation. All of the surfaces of the optical elements interact with the electromagnetic radiation during the imaging process to form an overall optical surface of the optical system. The method includes: determining respective individual thermal expansion coefficients at least two different locations of the overall optical surface; calculating a change to an optical property of the optical system brought about by heat emission of the electromagnetic radiation (during the imaging process upon the basis of the thermal expansion coefficients; and imaging mask structures into an image plane via the projection exposure tool with adaptation of the imaging characteristics of the projection exposure tool so that the calculated change to the optical property is at least partially compensated.
US09310670B2

With the purpose of controlling a light source to appropriately reduce the brightness of reflected light at the time of starting projection according to the conditions under which a projector is being used, the projector includes a solid-state light source unit that emits light, a power supply unit that supplies driving electric power to the solid-state light source unit, an image display device that modulates the light emitted from the solid-state light source unit according to an image signal and that projects the modulated light onto a projection surface, and a detection unit that detects the intensity of the ambient light of the projection surface.
US09310666B2

An optical image-stabilizing apparatus includes: an optical image-stabilizing unit including a movement frame and a support frame supporting the movement frame to be movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis; and a locking unit capable of locking the movement frame to not be moved in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein the locking unit includes: a locking barrel movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis and configured to limit movement of the movement frame according to a position in the direction parallel to the optical axis; a driving barrel rotatable and configured to transfer a driving force to the locking barrel so that the locking barrel is moved in the direction parallel to the optical axis; and a guide barrel between the locking barrel and the driving barrel and including rectilinear guide portions that extend in the direction parallel to the optical axis so that the locking barrel is moved in the direction parallel to the optical axis.
US09310656B2

A manufacturing apparatus of display element which forms highly reliable drive circuits or thin-film transistors on a flexible substrate, a manufacturing method, and a highly reliable display element are provided. A display element (50) includes a flexible substrate (FB), a first partition wall and second partition wall (BA) formed by pressing the flexible substrate, a lyophobic surface (PJ) formed on surfaces of the first partition wall and the second partition wall, and electrodes (S, P) formed by applying droplets onto a groove portion formed between the first partition wall and second partition wall. It is also possible for a lyophilic surface to be formed on the surface of the groove portion (GR) between the first partition wall and second partition wall (BA).
US09310655B2

An apparatus and method for fabricating a flat panel display device are discussed. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes a coating line configured to form a transparent conductive metal layer on a substrate, a blackening line configured to blacken the transparent conductive metal layer, an exposure line configured to expose the blackened metal layer, a developing line configured to receive the exposed substrate having the blackened metal layer and to perform development on the received substrate to form a blackened metal pattern on the substrate, and an annealing line configured to perform annealing on the blackened metal pattern on the substrate to restore the blackened metal pattern to a transparent metal pattern.
US09310646B2

A display device includes a display panel, a backlight unit disposed at the back of the display panel, and a back cover disposed at the back of the backlight unit, wherein the backlight unit including a base layer, a plurality of substrates disposed on the base layer and separated from each other, and light sources disposed on the substrates.
US09310645B2

A light source assembly includes a substrate extending in a first direction, and a plurality of light source parts arranged in the first direction. The light source part includes a light source disposed on the substrate to generate light, a first reflecting element disposed on the substrate and having a first opening which exposes the light source, a second reflecting element disposed on a first reflecting element and having a second opening which exposes the light source, the second reflecting element being smaller than the first reflecting element in a plan view, and a lens disposed on the light source and the second reflecting element to diffuse the light from the light source.
US09310640B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device, and the display device, comprising: a display panel, comprising a display region and a peripheral region around the display region; and an optical module, disposed on a light-exiting side of the display panel, the optical module configured to shift light emitted from the display panel towards edges of the display panel so as to make a part of the light shift into the peripheral region and emit from the peripheral region.
US09310631B1

An acousto-optic (AO) device includes an AO crystal having a plurality of faces including a first face and a second face. An input transducer bonded to the first face (top electrode) for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal and launching bulk acoustic waves (BAWs) configured to interact with an optical beam propagating in the AO crystal, wherein the BAWs are received at least in part by the second face after interacting with the optical beam. The second face has a roughened surface portion over an area of at least (≧) 50% of an area of the top electrode, and a root mean square (rms) surface roughness≧1 μm and a surface profile derivable from a Fourier transform which provides at least one a first spatial frequency peak from 1 cycle/mm to 300 cycles/mm or at least one band of spatial frequency peaks from 1 cycle/mm to 300 cycles/mm.
US09310627B2

Embodiments of the technology relate to a contact lens having a core that is coated by a hydrogel layer, and to methods of making such a lens. The coated lens can include a rigid gas permeable contact lens. The coated lens can also include a hybrid silicone and rigid gas permeable contact lens. In one aspect, embodiments provide for a coated contact lens comprising a lens core with a water equilibrium constant of less than about 2% comprising an outer surface; and a hydrogel layer covalently attached to at least a portion of the outer surface, the hydrogel layer adapted to contact an ophthalmic surface, wherein the hydrogel layer comprises a hydrophilic polymer population of one or more species.
US09310624B2

A multifocal ophthalmic device is disclosed, wherein the lens body comprises a curcuminoid compound as a UV-light stabilizer, and/or a co-polymeric composition which is derived from a pre-polymerization mixture of defined monomers. The lens body of the multifocal ophthalmic device is being formed with a plurality of concentric annular zones, which effect both diffraction and refraction of incident light, and which are separated by slanted steps that are substantially devoid of any diffractive or refractive power.
US09310623B2

An eyeglass apparatus comprises left and right eyeglass portions and a link. The link is configured to permit the eyeglass apparatus to transition between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the extended configuration, the eyeglass apparatus is adapted to be worn by a user in a conventional eyeglass wearing orientation. In the collapsed configuration: an inwardly facing lens face of one of left and right lenses faces an outwardly facing lens face of the other of the left and right lenses; a medial edge portion of the left lens is closer to a medial edge portion of the right lens than to a lateral edge portion of the right lens; and the lateral edge portion of the left lens is closer to the lateral edge portion of the right lens than to the medial edge portion of the right lens.
US09310615B2

Described is a sun-blocking hood for an electronic device in which the hood or shade includes a left, right, top, and back panel that may be various configured so as to fully collapse the hood or fully construct the hood so as to provide privacy and shading to the display of an electronic device. The hood is height adjustable, via side extenders that are attached to the top panel and that overlap the left or right panels. In the collapsed position, the hood may be attached to the electronic device so as to provide protection to the outside of the electronic device.
US09310613B2

An apparatus includes a monocular display with a wireless communications interface, a user input device, a transmitter, and a controller. The monocular display is positioned relative to the user's eye to display images to the user while occluding less than half of the user's maximum viewing space. The apparatus can incorporate a wireless communication controller that not only provides a video link to a host device, but also provides for control and management of a host device and other more devices. In this context, a host device may be any appropriate device that sources audio, video, text, office functionality and other information, such as a cell phone, personal computer, laptop, media player, and/or the like. The apparatus and the host may support Microsoft Windows SideShow, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), and Virtual Network Computing (VNC).
US09310605B2

A display apparatus includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a light shielding layer including a first opening which transmits a light. The second substrate includes a shutter including a second opening which corresponds to the first opening, and a first flexible electrode part which is connected to one end of the shutter and transmits or blocks the light by moving the shutter. The first flexible electrode part includes a first flexible electrode, a second flexible electrode, and an insulation pattern. The insulation pattern insulates the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode from each other, and exposes upper and lower surfaces of the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode which are parallel to the second substrate, by covering portions of the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode.
US09310602B1

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an electrowetting display comprising pixels that include colored subpixels that comprise: a colored reflective layer on a support plate; an electrode; a hydrophobic layer; and a liquid region including an electrolyte, and dark electrowetting oil and white electrowetting oil both being immiscible with the electrolyte. A coverage area of the dark electrowetting oil on the hydrophobic layer and a coverage area of the white electrowetting oil on the hydrophobic layer are individually electronically adjustable to affect light transmission to the colored reflective material.
US09310601B1

A system including a first refractive lens doublet comprising a first fixed focal length lens and a first liquid-based lens, the first liquid-based lens responsive to transition between a convex configuration and a concave configuration when electronically actuated, and a second refractive lens doublet comprising a second fixed focal length lens and a second liquid-based lens, the second liquid-based lens responsive to transition from a convex configuration to a concave configuration when electronically actuated. A focal length of the first liquid-based lens and a focal length of the second liquid-based lens are switched between a positive focal length and a negative focal length when electronically actuated to provide a net focal length to produce a varied collimated magnification of light.
US09310595B2

A super-resolution microscope comprises: an illumination optical system that condenses a first illumination light beam for exciting the molecule from a stable state to a first quantum state and a second illumination light beam for further transitioning the molecule onto a sample in a manner that the first and the second illumination light beams are partially overlapped; a scanning section that scans the sample by relatively displacing the first and the second illumination light beams and the sample; a detection section that detects an optical response signal emitted from the sample; and a phase plate that is arranged in the illumination optical system and has M surface areas for modulating the phase of the second illumination light beam, wherein the phase plate comprises a monolayer optical thin film with M surface areas formed on an optical substrate with a thickness that satisfies the predetermined conditional expression.
US09310594B2

A light source module includes a light source and an optical lens facing the light source. The optical lens includes a light incident face facing the light source, a light emitting face opposite to the light incident face, and a connecting face connecting the light incident face and the light emitting face. The connecting face is planar. The light emitting face includes a lateral face extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the connecting face and a top face located above the light incident face. The top face of the light emitting face comprises a center curved facet and a periphery curved facet surrounding and extending outwardly from the center curved facet. The light incident face is a discontinuous face and includes a plurality of curved facets.
US09310592B2

A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side: a positive first lens unit that does not move for zooming and comprises a negative first sub-lens unit, a positive second sub-lens unit that moves during adjustment of a focal point, and a positive third sub-lens unit composed of at least one negative lens, and at least two positive lenses; a lens group including at least two lens units that move during zooming; an aperture stop; and a positive last lens unit that does not move for zooming. Focal lengths of the first lens unit, the first sub-lens unit, and the zoom lens at a wide angle end, imaging magnification of the last lens unit, average values of an Abbe constant for d-line of the at least one negative lens and of the at least two positive lenses are appropriately set.
US09310587B2

A photographing optical lens assembly comprises, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with refractive power has a concave object-side surface in a paraxial region. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side and an image-side surfaces both being aspheric. The fifth lens element with refractive power has an aspheric object-side surface and an aspheric image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region with at least one inflection point. The photographing optical lens assembly has a total of five lens elements with refractive power.
US09310585B2

There is provided a lens module including: a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having refractive power, an image-side surface thereof being concave; a third lens having positive refractive power; a fourth lens having negative refractive power, an object-side surface thereof being convex; and a fifth lens having refractive power and having one or more inflection point formed on at least one of an object-side surface and an image-side surface thereof, wherein the first, second, third, fourth and fifth lenses are disposed in a sequential order from the first lens to the fifth lens.
US09310583B2

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a support unit, at least two or more connection units extended from the support unit, a lens coupling unit connected to each of the connection units, formed at an inner surface with a window and coupled to at least one or more sheets of lenses, and a piezoelectric driving unit formed at each of the connection units for ascending or descending the connection units and the lens coupling unit.
US09310580B2

A method and spacer for assembling flexible optical waveguide ribbons and assembled stack of such ribbons. The method includes the steps of: providing at least two optical waveguide ribbons and a spacer, which includes at least two calibrated spaces; positioning a ribbon stack in the spacer, where the ribbon stack includes the at least two optical waveguide ribbons stacked on top of each other; constraining positioned ribbon stack in one of the calibrated spaces; and fixing constrained ribbon stack in the calibrated spaces.
US09310576B1

Various embodiments include an integrated circuit having: at least one waveguide disposed in a low refractive index layer; a splitter connected to the at least one waveguide, the splitter consisting of at least two signal paths; an optical signal detector connected to an end of each of the at least two signal paths; and an electrical disconnect member connected to each optical signal detector.
US09310572B2

Fiber optic cable sub-assemblies having an end cap device with an internal bend relief are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic cable sub-assembly has at least one optical fiber of a fiber optic cable attached to a circuit board with the end cap device providing strain relief to the fiber optic cable. The circuit board includes an active optical component in operable communication with the optical fiber for forming an active optical cable (AOC) assembly. Additionally, a strain relief device may be used for attaching an end portion of the fiber optic cable to the circuit board, thereby forming the cable sub-assembly. Methods of assembling the fiber optic cable sub-assembly are also.
US09310566B2

An optical waveguide (2) arranged to transmit light under total internal reflection has a first diffractive grating region (8) arranged to receive light and diffract the received light along the optical waveguide (2), an intermediate diffraction grating (10) optically coupled to the first diffractive grating region (8) arranged to expand received light in a first dimension and a second diffractive grating region (9) optically coupled to the intermediate diffraction grating (10) arranged to expand light in a second dimension, orthogonal to the first dimension and to output the light expanded in the first and second dimensions from the optical waveguide (2) by diffraction. The first and second diffractive grating regions (8,9) are fabricated as a common grating whereas the second grating is fabricated above the common grating in an area where the common grating is erased by a coating.
US09310556B1

A waveguide choke joint includes a first array of pillars positioned on a substrate, each pillar in the first array of pillars having a first size and configured to receive an input plane wave at a first end of the choke joint. The choke joint has a second end configured to transmit the input plane wave away from the choke joint. The choke joint further includes a second array of pillars positioned on the substrate between the first array of pillars and the second end of the choke joint. Each pillar in the second array of pillars has a second size. The choke joint also has a third array of pillars positioned on the substrate between the second array and the second end of the choke joint. Each pillar in the third array of pillars has a third size.
US09310555B2

One aspect of the invention provides a method of fabricating a mode size converter. The method includes: exposing a photoresist-coated substrate to varying doses of light exposure to produce a profile in the photoresist of a beam mode size converter; and etching the photoresist-coated substrate to remove an equal thickness of the photoresist and substrate. The beam mode sized converter includes: a first surface having a first surface height and a first surface width; a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having a second surface height different than the first surface height and a second surface width different than the first surface width; and one or more boundary surfaces connecting the first surface and second surfaces.
US09310551B2

Illumination device having a viscoelastic lightguide and a flexible light source is described. The flexible light source includes a plurality of electrically inter-connected light emitting diodes disposed on a flexible mat and optically coupled to the viscoelastic lightguide.
US09310549B2

The present disclosure provides a backlight module and a display device. The backlight module includes a light guide plate; an optical sheet arranged on one side of the light guide plate and provided with a first positioning part at an edge position of the optical sheet; and a mold frame arranged on the periphery of the light guide plate, wherein the mold frame includes at least a coverage part, which is located at one side of the optical sheet far away from the light guide plate and covers the edge position of the optical sheet, and a second positioning part used for coordinating with the first positioning part to realize positioning of the optical sheet is arranged on a surface of the coverage part facing the optical sheet.
US09310548B2

A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight device. The backlight device includes: a light guide for emitting a planar light beam, a first optical sheet disposed on a back side of the light guide, and an optical sheet group disposed on an irradiation-surface side of the light guide and including a plurality of optical sheets arranged in stacked relation. Periphery parts of the first optical sheet and at least one second optical sheet of the optical sheet group are bonded together to form a bag shape, and the light guide and the other optical sheets are retained in the bag-like body formed of the first optical sheet and the second optical sheet.
US09310535B1

An optical diffraction grating includes a substantially transparent grating substrate which has substantially flat first and second surfaces, and a set of grating lines on the first surface characterized by a grating spacing Λ. The grating substrate has a temperature-dependent refractive index nsub and is immersed in a medium having a temperature-dependent refractive index nmed. The first and second substrate surfaces are non-parallel and form a dihedral angle α. The gratings lines are substantially perpendicular to a plane of incidence defined by surface-normal vectors of the first and second surfaces. Variation of a diffraction angle θd′ with temperature, exhibited by the optical diffraction grating at a design wavelength λ and at a design incidence angle θin in the plane of incidence, is less than that variation exhibited by a reference diffraction grating that has parallel first and second substrate surfaces but is otherwise identical to the optical diffraction grating.
US09310527B2

Antireflective films are described comprising a light transmissive substrate and a low refractive index layer disposed on the light transmissive substrate. The low refractive index layer comprises the reaction product of polymerizable resin composition comprising at least 20 wt-% fumed silica. In one embodiment, the polymerizable resin is ethylenically unsaturated. In a favored embodiment, the low refractive index layer increases in porosity from the light transmissive substrate interface to an opposing porous surface.
US09310523B2

A laminate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a resin substrate; a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer formed on one side of the resin substrate; and an antistatic layer formed on another side of the resin substrate and comprising a binder resin and a conductive material. The binder resin includes a polyurethane-based resin; the antistatic layer has an arithmetic average surface roughness Ra of 10 nm or more; and the conductive material includes a conductive polymer.
US09310519B2

Disclosed is a see-through type photovoltaic module that includes: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate; a first transparent electrode and a second electrode, all of which are placed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate; a photoactive layer being placed between the first transparent electrode and the second electrode and converting light into electrical energy; and a protective layer placed between the second electrode and the second transparent substrate, wherein a 3-dimensional photonic crystal structural layer is formed on the surface of the second transparent substrate facing the first transparent substrate.
US09310511B2

A method of processing electromagnetic signal data includes: receiving transient electromagnetic (TEM) signal data from a downhole tool disposed in an earth formation, the downhole tool including at least one conductive component; estimating an initial bucking coefficient based on relative positions of the at least two receivers; combining the TEM signal data using the initial bucking coefficient to estimate an initial formation signal; selecting a plurality of bucking coefficient values based on the initial bucking coefficient and estimating a plurality of formation signals, each formation signal corresponding to one of the plurality of bucking coefficients; and selecting an optimal bucking coefficient from one of the initial bucking coefficient and the plurality of bucking coefficients based on the plurality of formation signals, the optimal bucking coefficient providing suppression of parasitic signals due to the at least one conductive component.
US09310495B2

An photon (energy) identifying radiation imaging device, for imaging x-ray, gamma ray and charged radiation in medical, dental and industrial applications. The imaging device includes a detector substrate and a readout substrate. The detector substrate has a plurality of detector pixels and the readout substrate has a plurality of corresponding pixel readout circuits. Each pixel readout circuit has circuitry for processing an input analog signal and also has one or more buffers for temporarily storing values corresponding to the signal of at least two individual incoming radiation events. The readout substrate includes a digital controller having digital processing units for carrying out off-pixel digital signal processing and data/rate reduction prior to readout.
US09310492B2

A radiographic image reading device includes a reading unit configured to photoelectrically read photostimulated luminescence light produced from a storage phosphor sheet illuminated with excitation light, the storage phosphor sheet, at which a radiographic image is stored, being scanned by a scanning unit using the excitation light; and a control unit configured to control the reading unit so as to cause the reading unit, in a case of reading at a first resolution, to read with excitation light at a first scanning speed and a first intensity and, in a case of reading at a second resolution that is a higher resolution than the first resolution, to read with excitation light at a second scanning speed that is slower than the first scanning speed and a second intensity that is smaller than the first intensity.
US09310486B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for a terminal to determine whether an object is approaching, wherein the method includes: reading, by an infrared receiver, a first infrared intensity value when an infrared emitting diode does not work, and reading, by the infrared receiver, a second infrared intensity value when the infrared emitting diode works; obtaining a first difference value between the second infrared intensity value and the first infrared intensity value as an intensity value of a reflected infrared ray; determining whether a second difference value between the intensity value of the reflected infrared ray and an infrared intensity threshold is greater than a preset second threshold; and determining that an object is approaching the terminal when the second difference value is greater than the preset second threshold value. The present invention enables each terminal to accurately determine whether there is an object approaching.
US09310485B2

A CMUT on CMOS imaging chip is disclosed. The imaging chip can use direct connection, CMOS architecture to minimize external connections and minimize chip cross-section. The CMOS architecture can enable substantially the entire chip area to be utilized for element placement. The chip can utilize arbitrarily selected transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) element arrays to improve image quality, while reducing sampling time. The chip can comprise a plurality of dummy elements dispersed throughout the Tx and Rx elements to reduce cross-talk. The chip can utilize batch firing techniques to increase transmit power using sparse Tx arrays. The chip can comprise hexagonal Tx and or Rx subarrays for improved image quality with reduce sample sizes. The chip can utilize electrode geometry, bias voltage, and polarity to create phased and amplitude apodized arrays of Tx and Rx elements.
US09310484B2

A device having at least one ultrasonic sensor for detecting a moving object, in particular, an approaching vehicle. To this end, the device is equipped with a control unit for determining the distance and/or the relative speed of the object. To prevent misinterpretations in the acquisition of measured values, relevant environmental conditions are simultaneously detected by an additional ultrasonic sensor and, as a correction value, provide the basis for the signal generation.
US09310479B2

A transportable weather radar having radar electronics functionally located above the elevational joint and a frame superstructure rotationally connected to the elevational joint onto which is mounted a parabolic radar antenna adapted for Doppler weather radar use. The radar has a rotational drive assembly mounted below and supporting the elevational joint and a harmonic drive unit positioned inside the elevational joint so that the antennae may be rotated without significant backlash during rotational changes. A hollow center in the rotational joint allows for the passing of electronics cable through the middle of the joint and down through rotating assemblies and to electronics in or adjacent to the radar pedestal.
US09310477B1

Systems and methods for monitoring airborne objects are described herein. An air traffic management (ATM) system is provided that includes a memory device for storing data and a processor coupled to the memory device. The processor is programmed to receive object data associated with each of a plurality of airborne objects transmitted by at least one remote sensor device and generate an air traffic map to display a present location and a flight path for each airborne object based on the received object data. The object data includes situational awareness information for each airborne object and real-time position information for the at least one remote sensor device.
US09310472B2

Transmitting an ultrasonic wave focused on a predetermined transmit focus position by driving each of the elements of the ultrasonic probe based on a predetermined transmit delay time, and determining a true focal position of the ultrasonic wave transmitted to the transmit focus position or a focal point valid region that includes the true focal position based on a receive signal received by each element according to a reflection wave reflected by the transmission of the ultrasonic wave to the transmit focus position.
US09310470B2

There is provided a radar apparatus. A derivation unit derives this time-decided transverse distance of the target of this time processing, by filtering, with a predetermined filter constant, this time transverse distance of paired data of this time processing, and a predicted transverse distance. A change unit changes, when the transverse distance of an object moving target moving in a traveling direction of a vehicle mounted with the radar apparatus and the transverse distance of a specific target satisfy a predetermined relation, the filter constant for filtering this time transverse distance and the predicted transverse distance of the object moving target so that a reflection amount of this time transverse distance is reduced in comparison to before the change.
US09310469B2

A radar performance monitor is provided. The monitor includes a receiver for receiving a transmission signal of which a temporal change of a frequency is non-linear, the transmission signal being transmitted from a radar unit of a pulse-compression radar apparatus, and a response signal generator for generating a response signal of which a temporal change of a frequency is linear and transmitting the response signal to the radar unit as a response to the transmission signal received by the receiver.
US09310466B2

These teachings are suitable for use in conjunction with a process having access to both coverage information that maps the coverage area for each of a plurality of RFID-tag readers to physical locations within a given monitored facility and historical-read information for a population of RFID tags, and that uses that historical-read information and that coverage information to automatically determine the physical location of RFID tags. In particular, these teachings generally provide for accessing supplemental information regarding physical locations for at least some of those RFID tags and then comparing the automatically-determined physical location information with the supplemental information to thereby identify physical-location discrepancies. By one approach those physical-location discrepancies are used to adjust the automated process by which the automatically-determined physical location information is automatically determined to thereby improve accuracy of the automated process.
US09310463B2

Embodiments provide techniques for detecting access points on a position map, particularly incorrectly placed access points. For each access point in a plurality of access points, a subset of the plurality of access points that neighbor the access point are identified. Embodiments estimate a location of the access point, based on a respective indication of signal strength from each neighboring access point in the subset of access points and a respective position of each of the neighboring access points in position map. A difference between a recorded position of the access point in the position map and the estimated location of the access point is calculated. Embodiments then determine that the position within the position map for a first one of the plurality of access points is incorrect, based on the determined difference for the first access point.
US09310456B2

An offset compensation method of a current sensor is provided for determining whether an offset compensation of the current sensor is abnormal, and a motor driving system includes the current sensor. The offset compensation method includes: compensating for an offset of the current sensor, and determining whether the offset compensation of the current sensor is abnormal.
US09310454B2

A measuring apparatus for detecting a dielectric object comprises a potential probe for determining an electric potential in an electric field, a first capacitance device, a second capacitance device, and a control device configured to supply alternating voltages to the first and the second capacitance devices. The control device is configured to amplify the alternating voltages in opposite directions to one another in order to minimize the magnitude of an AC voltage component, which is clock-synchronous with the alternating voltages, of a voltage which is recorded by means of the potential probe. The dielectric object is detected when a ratio of the alternating voltages does not correspond to a ratio of (i) a first distance of the potential probe from the first capacitance device to (ii) a second distance of the potential probe from the second capacitance device.
US09310449B2

Provided is a total electrical nuclear-spin polarization device that is applicable to many narrow-gap semiconductor two-dimensional quantum structures such as InSb with a large g-factor and with a mobility having a normal value. A nuclear-spin polarization device 1 creates a state where the Landau-level separation and the Zeeman-level separation in a sample are equal to each other in a magnetic field, thereby crossing different spin states, and detects nuclear-spin polarization from a resistance change at the crossing point caused by the nuclear-spin polarization.
US09310448B2

Detection of the rotation angle of a magnetic field using a magnetic sensor in which two sensor units are arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to each other is performed with a resolution of an angle smaller than 45° with a simple circuit configuration. A detection circuit is connectable to a magnetic sensor in which first and second sensor units are arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to each other, each sensor unit having a bridge circuit of magnetoresistance elements. The detection circuit includes a first comparison circuit that compares output signals of the first or second sensor unit, a second comparison circuit that compares an output signal of the first sensor unit with an output signal of second sensor unit, and a rotation angle calculation circuit that calculates a rotation angle of a magnetic field based on the comparison results of the first and second comparison circuits.
US09310444B2

A battery testing system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a penetrating device and an impedance meter electrically connected to the penetrating device.
US09310441B2

Provided are battery SOC estimating apparatus and method. The battery SOC estimating apparatus according to the present invention includes an input/output power pattern analyzing unit which analyzes an input/output power of a battery during a predetermined time to obtain an input/output power pattern of the battery; an application status determining unit which analyzes the input/output power pattern of the battery to determine a current application status of the battery; and an SOC calculating unit which calculates an SOC of the battery using a state of charge (SOC) estimation algorithm corresponding to the current application status of the battery.
US09310417B2

A method uses time-domain reflectometry to measure a signal reflection delay in a conductive trace formed on a specific passive printed circuit board, and uses the measured signal reflection delay as an index into a table storing a predetermined association between signal reflection delay and passive printed circuit board manufacturing information, wherein the table includes a plurality of predetermined signal reflection delay values, and wherein each of the predetermined signal reflection delay values is associated with unique passive printed circuit board manufacturing information. During manufacturing of the passive printed circuit board, a hole is drilled through the passive printed circuit board so that the hole intersects with the conductive trace and divides the conductive trace into a proximal segment extending from the connector to the hole and a distal segment that is electrically isolated from the proximal segment by the hole.
US09310411B2

A diagnostic device is provided for a multi-voltage electrical system of a motor vehicle which has a first subnetwork acted on by a first voltage and a second subnetwork acted on by a second voltage, the first voltage being higher than the second voltage, and the first and the second subnetwork having a shared ground connection. The diagnostic device includes a second ground connection, a measuring unit configured to measure a current flow via the second ground connection, and a diagnostic unit configured to diagnose a disturbance in the shared ground connection and/or in the second ground connection on the basis of the measured current flow via the second ground connection as a function of at least one operating state of the vehicle electrical system.
US09310409B2

A capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit is utilized to obtain a voltage corresponding to a detected capacitance differential, which may be associated with the operation of a capacitive sensing cell. The interface circuit includes a capacitive sensing cell, an operational amplifier adapted for selective coupling to the capacitive sensing cell, a feedback capacitor for the operational amplifier, a load capacitor for the operational amplifier, and a switching architecture associated with the capacitive sensing cell, the operational amplifier, the feedback capacitor, and the load capacitor. During use, the switching architecture reconfigures the capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit for operation in a plurality of different phases. The different operational phases enable the single operational amplifier to be used for both capacitance-to-voltage conversion and voltage amplification.
US09310407B2

A power strip includes: jack portions; current meters each configured to measure a current being supplied from the corresponding jack portion to one of external electrical devices, and to output a measurement signal corresponding to a magnitude of the current; and a computing unit configured to obtain instantaneous values of the current at a plurality of time points on the basis of the measurement signal, and to calculate a power value using the instantaneous values. The computing unit configured to obtain the instantaneous values-of the current by using any one of a first zero point and a second zero point as a reference.
US09310402B2

Systems and methods are provided for automated electricity delivery management. More specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for instantly and electronically determining available electricity, predicting short-term delivery forecasts, evaluating transmission availability, capacity and paths, determining inter-tie availability, capacity and price, and bidding the power into the market. Such systems and methods may occur on a mobile device, and/or web interface.
US09310396B2

Methods and apparatus for measuring minority carrier lifetimes using liquid probes are provided. In one embodiment, a method of measuring the minority carrier lifetime of a semiconductor material comprises: providing a semiconductor material having a surface; forming a rectifying junction at a first location on the surface by temporarily contacting the surface with a conductive liquid probe; electrically coupling a second junction to the semiconductor material at a second location, wherein the first location and the second location are physically separated; applying a forward bias to the rectifying junction causing minority carrier injection in the semiconductor material; measuring a total capacitance as a function of frequency between the rectifying junction and the second junction; determining an inflection frequency of the total capacitance; and determining a minority lifetime of the semiconductor material from the inflection frequency.
US09310391B2

An inertial sensor comprising: a frame; a proof mass suspended from the frame; a pair of first resonant elements electrically coupled to the proof mass, or to an intermediate component mechanically coupled to the proof mass, each first resonant element coupled to an opposite side of the proof mass to the other, the first resonant elements being substantially identical to one another and having substantially identical electrostatic coupling with the proof mass when the sensor is not accelerating; wherein the first resonant elements and proof mass lie substantially in a plane, and wherein movement of the proof mass relative to the first resonant elements orthogonal to the plane alters the electrostatic coupling between the proof mass and the first resonant elements; drive means coupled to the first resonant elements for vibrating each of the first resonant elements; and a sensor assembly for detecting a shift in the resonant frequency of each of the first resonant elements; and processing means for summing the shifts of each of the first resonant elements to provide a measure of acceleration of the proof mass parallel to a first axis, the first axis being orthogonal to the plane.
US09310381B2

The present invention relates to engineered Clostridium difficile type IV pilin (tfp) genes, type IV pilin proteins which can serve as a diagnostic marker for identification of patients infected with C. difficile, and vaccines comprising type IV pilin proteins, antigenic fragments and variants thereof for therapeutic interventions.
US09310375B2

A microarray-based assay is provided, which is used for analyzing molecular interactions, including polynucleotides, polypeptides, antibodies, small molecule compounds, peptides and carbohydrates. Such method comprises labeling a target molecule with a luminophore, coupling the target molecule to a particle, and binding to a probe molecule on microarray. In particular, multiplexed genetic analysis of nucleic acid fragments can be implemented. Specific genes, single nucleotide polymorphisms or gene mutations, such as deletions, insertions, and indels, can be identified. This technology, with high sensitivity, enables the detection and interpretation of molecular interactions in an efficient way.
US09310370B2

Early detection of tumors is a major determinant of survival of patients suffering from tumors, including gastric tumors. Members of the GTM gene family can be differentially expressed in gastric tumor tissue, and thus can be used as markers for the detection of gastric and other types of cancer. The present invention provides for novel GTMs for the detection of tumors, including gastric tumors, and in particular human zymogen granule protein 16 (ZG16). The GTMs can be used in isolation or together with other known GTMs to provide for novel signatures to be used in the detection of tumors, including gastric tumors.
US09310365B2

Non-invasive methods are provided herein for the diagnosis of melioidosis with specific antibodies capable of detecting molecules associated with melioidosis in a biological fluid, such as urine or serum. These molecules can be identified using proteomic methods, including but not limited to antibody based methods, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), a radioimmunoassay (RIA), or a lateral flow immunoassay. Methods of inducing an immune response to melioidosis are also disclosed. The methods include the use of the immunogenic melioidosis polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides, and/or viral vectors encoding an immunogenic melioidosis polypeptide, alone or in conjunction with other agents, such as traditional melioidosis therapies. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject having melioidosis. These methods include inducing an immune response to melioidosis and/or using an inhibitory nucleic acid, such as a siRNA or antisense molecule, to decrease a melioidosis associated molecule expression in order to treat melioidosis.
US09310361B2

Method for making multifunctional particles. The method includes flowing a first monomer stream loaded with a fluorescent entity along a microfluidic channel and flowing a second monomer stream loaded with a probe adjacent to the first monomer stream along the microfluidic channel. The monomer streams are polymerized to synthesize particles having a fluorescent, graphically encoded region and a probe-loaded region.
US09310354B2

The present invention relates to the fields of agriculture, plant breeding or genetic engineering for plants with increased yield, crop forecasting and crop management. In particular, the methods herein describe novel methods of predicting a plant's yield through the measurement of specific metabolites either individually or in combination with one another in a specific plant reproductive tissue. The plant predictive methods described herein may be used to predict yield of plant populations as well as allow for more efficient crop management practices (e.g. amount and timing of chemical applications or amount of irrigation water applied to a field).
US09310349B2

A system and method controls a ratio of fuel to gas delivered to an internal combustion engine. Fuel for the engine is stored in a fuel supply. The fuel supply generates fuel vapor that is retained in a canister. The canister is in fluid communication with the engine via a flow path. Hydrocarbon concentration of fuel vapor in the flow path is determined. Pressure drop across a restrictive orifice provided in the flow path is measured to determine a flow rate of the fuel vapor in the flow path. A flow of the fuel vapor through the flow path and to the engine is controlled and injection valves that inject fuel into the engine are controlled so that an amount of fuel injected into the engine is based on the determined concentration of hydrocarbons in the fuel vapor.
US09310347B2

Systems and methods for analyzing combustion system operation are provided. According to one embodiment, a method can include receiving multiple CO measurements from respective CO sensors distributed within a combustion system; receiving multiple O2 measurements from respective O2 sensors distributed within the combustion system; and determining at least one operating condition of the combustion system based at least in part on CO indicated by the CO measurements relative to O2 indicated by the O2 measurements.
US09310345B2

A machine in a sensor system is configured to measure conditions of parts in the machine with sensors, collect pieces of sensor data generated by the measurements, and transmit the collected pieces of sensor data to a computer while connecting to the computer via a network. The computer in the sensor system is configured to create an index for indicating that the machine is in a predetermined condition, based on the transmitted pieces of sensor data, and transmit the created index to the machine. The machine is configured to diagnose whether the machine is in the predetermined condition with the transmitted index and collected pieces of sensor data.
US09310333B2

The invention provides a method of measuring ammonia and/or calcium in a sample of dental plaque, comprising obtaining the sample of plaque and measuring ammonium and calcium ions using capillary electrophoresis, together with methods of diagnosis, treatment and screening based on evaluation of plaque.
US09310332B2

One or more semiconductor devices and array arrangements and methods of formation are provided. A semiconductor device includes an ion sensing device and a heating element proximate the ion sensing device. The ion sensing device has an active region, including a source, a drain, and a channel, the channel situated between the source and the drain. The ion sensing device also has an ion sensing film situated over the channel, and an ion sensing region over the ion sensing film. Responsive to a temperature sensed by a thermal sensor proximate the ion sensing device, the heating element is selectively activated to alter a temperature of the ion sensing region to promote desired operation of the semiconductor device, such as to function as a bio sensor. Multiple semiconductor devices can be formed into an array.
US09310323B2

A second stage screening system configured to resolve a threat alarm detected in a cargo by a first stage screening system. The second stage screening system includes layers of first muon detectors placed above the cargo to detect a first coordinate and an angle of incidence of incoming muons and layers of second muon detectors placed below the cargo to detect an actual coordinate and an actual angle of exit of the incoming muons. The first and second detectors measure a momentum of the incoming muons. A processing unit receives threat sensitivity vectors determined from the first stage, operates a cargo positioning system that centers a high-Z threat within the cargo, relative to the first and second muon detectors, and analyzes the momentum and a distribution of deflection angles between the angles of incidence and exit to resolve the threat alarm.
US09310321B1

A system and associated method for quickly and automatically determining if the safety and performance of a gun tube have been compromised by firing damage or by an excessive number of fatigue cycles. An electromagnetic resonant cavity inspection provides a means of rapidly evaluating the health of the gun tube by monitoring the resonant frequencies that evolve from microwave signals introduced into the cavity or bore of the gun tube. This approach exploits the high sensitivity of the electromagnetic cavity resonance phenomena. Defects and degradation in the structure's cavity produce quantifiable changes in the quality factor, frequency shifts, and mode splitting.
US09310317B2

A detection system including a target object having a target object coordinate system, a tracking unit configured to monitor a position and/or an orientation of the target object and generate a target object position signal indicative of the position and/or the orientation of the target object, a camera positioned to capture an image of the target object, an orienting mechanism connected to the camera to control an orientation of the camera relative to the target object, and a processor configured to analyze the image to detect a discrepancy in the image and, when the discrepancy is present in the image, determine a location of the discrepancy relative to the target object coordinate system based at least upon the target object position signal and the orientation of the camera, and then orient the camera and laser to aim at and point out the discrepancy.
US09310313B1

A groove-monitoring system for imaging an optical tape surface is provided. The optical tape surface includes a plurality of groove patterns embossed thereon. The groove-monitoring system includes an optical sensor, a first light source directing a first light beam onto the optical tape surface with a first angle of incidence such that the first light beam is directly reflected from the optical tape surface and imaged by the optical sensor. The groove-monitoring system also includes a second light source directing a second light beam onto the optical tape surface with a second angle of incidence such that the second light beam is diffracted from the optical tape surface and imaged by the optical sensor as a diffracted light image.
US09310302B2

Multiple modality contrast can be used to produce images that can be combined and rendered to produce images similar to those produced with wavelength absorbing stains viewed under transmitted white light illumination. Images obtained with other complementary contrast modalities can be presented using engineered color schemes based on classical contrast methods used to reveal the same anatomical structures and histochemistry, thereby providing relevance to medical training and experience. Dark-field contrast images derived from refractive index and fluorescent DAPI counterstain images are combined to produce images similar to those obtained with conventional H&E staining for pathology interpretation. Such multi-modal image data can be streamed for live navigation of histological samples, and can be combined with molecular localizations of genetic DNA probes (FISH), sites of mRNA expression (mRNA-ISH), and immunohistochemical (IHC) probes localized on the same tissue sections, used to evaluate and map tissue sections prepared for imaging mass spectrometry.
US09310294B2

Methods and systems are provided for monitoring at least one gas in a sample gas. An exemplary system includes a source used for generating a beam of radiation, at least one retro-reflector configured to receive the beam of radiation from the source in an incident direction and reflect the beam of radiation toward the source in alignment with the incident direction, and a motor configured to move the at least one retro-reflector with respect to the source in a direction collinear with the incident direction. The system also includes a sample cell storing a sample gas comprising at least one gas. The sample cell is configured to allow at least a portion of an extracted beam of radiation from a cavity, defined by the source and the at least one retro-reflector, to propagate therethrough.
US09310290B2

An apparatus includes (i) a bright light source for providing an illumination beam at multiple wavelengths selectable with a range from a deep ultraviolet wavelength to an infrared wavelength, (ii) illumination optics for directing the illumination beam towards a sample at selectable sets of angles of incidence (AOI's) or azimuth angles (AZ's) and polarization states to provide spectroscopic ellipsometry, wherein the illumination optics include an apodizer for controlling a spot size of the illumination beam on the sample at each of the selectable AOI/AZ sets, (iii) collection optics for directing an output beam from the sample in response to the illumination beam at each of the selectable AOI/AZ sets and polarization states towards a detector that generates an output signal or image based on the output beam, and (v) a controller for characterizing a feature of the sample based on the output signal or image.
US09310288B2

Example methods, systems, and computer readable media are provided for monitoring operating processes. An example method includes monitoring an equipment parameter associated with an asset in an operating process unit and monitoring a process parameter associated with the asset. The example method includes determining an asset health corresponding to the asset. The asset health is determined based on a potential state of corrosion associated with the asset by comparing a corrosivity index to a corrosion threshold. The corrosivity index is a function of at least one of current values or changes in the monitored equipment parameter or the monitored process parameter over time.
US09310271B2

Disclosed are a method and system for measuring leakage area for construction of smoke control equipment. The invention provides a system for measuring a leakage area of a test room that can include: a chamber positioned in the test room and storing air compressed by a compressor; one or more pressure sensors configured to measure a pressure change of the test room when the compressed air in the chamber is discharged instantaneously; and a gauging means configured to measure an effective leakage area in the test room by using a pressure change value of the test room detected by the one or more pressure sensors. Embodiments of the invention can enable an accurate measurement of leakage area at low cost.
US09310268B2

A pressure sensor 100 may comprise a nylon socket 200, an upper PCB 320, a lower PCB 340, and a hex housing 400. The nylon socket 200 may include co-molded electrical pin conductors 230a, 230b, 230c extending axially from electrical connectors 240a, 240b, 240c defined within a top end of the nylon socket 200 to a bottom end of the nylon socket 200. The upper PCB 320 may have contacts configured to contact the electrical pin conductors 230a, 230b, 230c. The lower PCB 340 may be electrically coupled to the upper PCB 320 and to strain gauges 355 coupled to a diaphragm 360. The hex housing 440 may have an interior axial port 430 extending from a bottom of said hex housing 400 to a counterbore 440 for holding the diaphragm 360, thereby exposing a first side of said diaphragm 360 to the fluid within the axial port 430.
US09310262B2

A defrost indicator including: a body member defining a cavity; two or more fluids, each having one or more of a different composition or characteristic; and wherein when the two or more fluids are exposed to a predetermined temperature, the two or more fluids mix or interact to produce a different composition or characteristic.
US09310258B2

The present disclosure relates to a dosimeter for measuring exposure to heat over time in combination with peak temperature indicators and reversible temperature indicators. The preferred temperature indicator tag is credit card sized and comprises four time-temperature dosimeters. Each dosimeter has a wick in contact with a separate reservoir containing a mix of a colored dye, a wax and an amorphous polymer to indicate a distinct temperature range when the mix melts. The wicks are preferably made of porous paper with a pore size around 8 microns to allow for proper capillary action along its length. An adhesive, except where each wick contacts its respective reservoir and at a vent, preferably seals each wick. The tag preferably has a plurality of peak temperature indicators where each indicator has a blend of a dye, a wax and a polymer for a temperature indication range. The tag also preferably has a plurality of reversible temperature sensors.
US09310257B2

Disposable, zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature probes are constructed using a support assembly constituted of a flexible substrate that supports elements of the probe. One support assembly embodiment includes a folded substrate with a heater and thermal sensors disposed on it. Another support assembly includes multiple sections separable into strata supporting a covering guard heater, a central thermal sensor, and a thermal sensor displaced at least radially from the central thermal sensor.
US09310237B2

Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. An ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a flow processor. The temperature sensor is disposed to provide measured temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid. The flow processor is configured to 1) compute speed of sound through the fluid based on the transit time; 2) calculate a computed temperature of the fluid based on the speed of sound; 3) apply compensation, based on a historical difference between the computed temperature and the measured temperature, to a temperature verification parameter; and 4) determine, based on the temperature verification parameter, whether a current difference between the measured temperature and the computed temperature is within a predetermined range.
US09310233B2

A system for estimating a flow rate of an agrichemical includes a conduit delivering the agrichemical from a repository to an application in a field, and a flow meter connected in-line with the conduit. The flow meter provides an estimate of a flow rate of the agrichemical through the conduit.
US09310222B1

A system and apparatus assists pilots and flight crews in determining the best course of action at any particular point inflight for any category of emergency. The system monitors a plurality of static and dynamic flight parameters including atmospheric conditions along the flight path, ground conditions and terrain, conditions aboard the aircraft, and pilot/crew data. Based on these parameters, the system may provide continually updated information to the pilot or crew about the best available landing sites or recommend solutions to aircraft configuration errors. In case of emergency, the system may provide the pilot with procedure sets associated with a hierarchy of available emergency landing sites (or execute these procedure sets via the autopilot system) depending on the specific nature of the emergency.
US09310218B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for displaying a point of interest (POI). According to the present invention, a screen for path guiding and a screen for POI guiding can be simultaneously and separately provided, thereby facilitating the recognition of a POI and increasing the accessibility to a POI while driving.
US09310212B2

A system, method and apparatus for hybrid off-board vehicle navigation are disclosed. In the system, a multi-stop route package is created and sent from a route server to a navigation device. The route package can include a collection of vehicle attributes and corresponding road restrictions for guiding the vehicle towards its destination. The server can optionally push the route package to the vehicle in an email message or other stored communication. When an off-route condition is detected, the navigation device can send a route request to the server that includes the vehicle attributes and the corresponding road restrictions. The server can respond with a partial route correction that is determined based on the vehicle attributes and road restrictions.
US09310210B2

An assessment module for assessing data from a digital map for a vehicle. The assessment is made on the basis of a piece of dedicated map quality information and measurement data from an ambient sensor system in the vehicle. The connected driver assistance systems and safety systems in the vehicle use the digital map data on the basis of the assessment.
US09310206B2

Location information is used to build a database of locations having associated audio, video, image, or text data. In some implementations, a device includes a touch-sensitive display and collects data associated with a geographic location of interest. The geographic location of interest can be displayed on a map using an indicator. A touch selection of the indicator provides access to the data through an interface displayed on the touch-sensitive display. One or more locations of interest can be displayed and grouped together by an attribute.
US09310203B2

An object of the invention is to provide a physical quantity sensor capable of producing a highly accurate physical quantity detection signal. The physical quantity sensor has an oscillator for converting an externally applied physical quantity into an electrical signal, an oscillation circuit which makes the oscillator oscillate, and a detector circuit for detecting a to-be-detected signal output from the oscillator by using a detection signal output from the oscillation circuit, includes a delta-sigma modulator, preceding the detector circuit, for delta-sigma modulating either one of the detection signal output from the oscillation circuit and the to-be-detected signal output from the oscillator, and for outputting a modulated signal, a variable voltage source capable of varying an output voltage, and a control unit for controlling the output voltage of the variable voltage source, and wherein the delta-sigma modulator performs the delta-sigma modulation by using a feedback signal created based on the output voltage.
US09310200B2

A sensor device includes a sensor element; and a wiring substrate having a first joint surface electrically joined with the sensor element, a substrate body that contains an organic insulating material and in which an electronic component is embedded, and a regulation part that regulates the first joint surface from deforming.
US09310199B2

A z-axis gyroscope design is presented with a 2-degree of freedom (DOF) sense mode allowing interchangeable operation in either precision (mode-matched) or robust (wide-bandwidth) modes. This is accomplished using a complete 2-DOF coupled system which allows for the specification of the sense mode resonant frequencies and coupling independent of frequency. By decoupling the frame connecting the sense system to a central anchor, x-y symmetry is preserved while enabling a fully coupled 2-DOF sense mode providing control over both the bandwidth and the amount of coupling independent of operational frequency. The robust mode corresponds to operation between the 2-DOF sense mode resonant frequencies providing a response gain and bandwidth controlled by frequency spacing. Precision mode of operation, however, relies on mode-matching the drive to the second, anti-phase sense mode resonant frequency which can be designed to provide a gain advantage over a similar 1-DOF system.
US09310197B2

A measuring device and a method for adjusting the measuring device is disclosed. The device includes a first electro-optical component, a second electro-optical component, a beam-shaping optical element, an optics carrier, and a printed circuit board. The optics carrier includes a first receptacle, where the first electro-optical component is mounted in the first receptacle, and a second receptacle, where the beam-shaping optical element is mounted in the second receptacle. The printed circuit board includes a third receptacle, where the second electro-optical component is mounted in the third receptacle. The first electro-optical component and the beam-shaping optical element are adjustable relative to the optics carrier in a direction of a respective optical axis of the first electro-optical component and the beam-shaping optical element and the second electro-optical component is adjustable and fixable in a plane essentially perpendicular to an optical axis of the second electro-optical element.
US09310192B2

Alignment of layers during manufacture of a multi-layer sample is controlled by applying optical measurements to a measurement site in the sample. The measurement site includes two diffractive structures located one above the other in two different layers, respectively. The optical measurements include at least two measurements with different polarization states of incident light, each measurement including illuminating the measurement site so as to illuminate one of the diffractive structures through the other. The diffraction properties of the measurement site are indicative of a lateral shift between the diffractive structures. The diffraction properties detected are analyzed for the different polarization states of the incident light to determine an existing lateral shift between the layers.
US09310189B2

The invention relates to a method for the remote inspection of a structure, comprising the following operations: producing a 3D image of an area of the structure to be inspected, superimposing said 3D image with a previously stored digital model of the structure, geographically locating the area of the structure to be inspected on the structure model, and inspecting the area of the structure to be inspected on the 3D image superimposed with the digital model. The invention also relates to a system for implementing the method, comprising an imaging device (10) that can be installed in the vicinity of the area of the structure to be inspected (2), and an image-processing device (6) located remotely from the imaging device (10) in order to generate a 3D image from the images captured by the camera (11).
US09310186B2

The invention is a system and method for obtaining interference and optical coherence tomography images from an object. The system comprises a wideband source, an optical mask for extending the depth of field, a a liquid crystal tunable filter and a phase modulator all of which are uniquely integrated in a Linnik interferometer microscope. The system has several imaging modes: in the time domain mode the device may operate either with wideband illumination or with quasi monochromatic illumination. The monochromatic illumination can be varied in wavelength along a wide spectral region thus allowing true spectroscopic imaging in high resolution and with high speed. Due to the liquid crystal tunable filter and the optical mask, the frequency domain mode is also accessible. The method of obtaining the optical coherence tomography images, both in the time and in the frequency domains, using the liquid crystal retarder is described in detail.
US09310184B2

Methods and systems are provided for suppressing speckle and/or diffraction artifacts in coherent structured illumination sensing systems. A coherent radiation pattern forms an interference pattern at an illumination image plane and illuminates an object. Radiation scattered or otherwise emitted by the object is detected to produce a signal, which is integrated in time. Coherent artifact suppression is attained by using a spatial modulator, such as an acousto-optic device, to vary a phase gradient at the illumination image plane during the signal integration time. Various embodiments are provided for purposes including without limitation: preserving the depth of field of the coherent illumination; using the same acousto-optic device for pattern generation and coherent artifact suppression; electronically controlling the effective spatial coherence of the illumination system; and reducing errors due to coherent artifacts in a laser-based three dimensional imaging system.
US09310155B2

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a compound archery bow that has a rigid vertical riser structure. At least one flexible limb extends rearward from the vertical riser structure. One end of the flexible limb is secured to the cable arrangement of the compound bow, so that when the bowstring is drawn, the flexible limb is flexed toward the cams of the bow. As the flexible limb is bent, it stores energy that is transferred to an arrow when the bowstring is released.
US09310154B1

A mortar barrel elevation system is provided. The mortar barrel elevation system includes an elevation rail attached to a framework. The elevation rail includes a plurality of apertures positioned to be spaced apart in an outward direction. A carriage assembly is configured to slidably seat on the elevation rail and further configured to attach to an aperture in the elevation rail. A yoke assembly is pivotally attached to the carriage assembly. The yoke assembly includes extension members configured to support a mortar barrel. Attaching the carriage assembly to apertures positioned in an increasing outward direction decreases a launch angle of the mortar barrel and attaching the carriage assembly apertures positioned in an increasing inward direction increases the launch angle of the mortar barrel.
US09310143B2

A heat exchange device comprises plural tubes arranged parallel to one another to form one or more tube bundles inserted axially in a cylindrical shell. A first fluid supplied through one or more first inlet holes at a first end of the cylindrical shell and oriented axially, flows inside the tubes and a second fluid, supplied through a second inlet hole, flows inside the cylindrical shell to effect heat transfer with the first fluid through the tube walls. One end of the tubes is connected to a tube plate at first inlet hole(s), which separates the second fluid from the first fluid. At least two impingement plates, each provided with plural through holes, are placed in succession between each first inlet hole and the tube plate. The impingement plates are parallel to one another and orthogonal to the cylindrical shell central axis to distribute the first fluid inside the tubes.
US09310141B2

Heat exchange apparatus comprises a plurality of thermally conductive, moisture impervious sheets. Each sheet comprises a plurality of corrugations. The plurality of sheets are disposed in a stack such that each alternate sheet has its corrugations affixed to and disposed at an angle to the corrugations of an adjacent sheet to provide a plurality of separate flow pathways. The plurality of separate flow pathways comprises first predetermined pathways and second predetermined pathways. The stack of sheets have first end portions disposed to provide a first inlets and a first outlets for the first predetermined pathways and second end portions to provide second inlets and second outlets for the second predetermined pathways. The corrugations forming the second predetermined pathways comprise a wettable surface. The first predetermined pathways are adapted for a first fluid flow and the second predetermined pathways are adapted for a countercurrent second fluid flow.
US09310139B2

An apparatus for managing heat generated by at least one electronic component of a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: a housing for containing the electronic component of the mobile device; and a vapor chamber arranged in the housing, the vapor chamber having a cavity defined by a front wall and a rear wall opposite the rear wall, the front wall for receiving heat generated by the electronic component of the mobile device to evaporate fluid in the cavity into a vapor, the rear wall for receiving the vapor to allow the vapor to condense to liquid thereby cooling the rear wall of the vapor chamber; wherein an outer surface of the housing comprises at least a portion of the rear wall of the vapor chamber.
US09310138B2

Techniques for cooling concentrating solar collector systems are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for cooling a photovoltaic cell includes a heat exchanger having a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of from about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface; a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend; and a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic system and method for operating a photovoltaic system are also provided.
US09310132B1

A device and a method are disclosed for replaceably insulating a roof of an industrial oven that allows repair of damaged insulation while the oven continues operation at high temperatures.
US09310131B2

A counter-current shaft dryer with moving shelves for drying agglomerates of a small mechanical strength having a vertical shaft, which comprises a top charging zone, a multi-level drying zone, preferably comprising from two thru six levels and a bottom discharging zone. An outlet stub pipe or outlet collector of drying gases situated between the bottom discharging zone and the drying zone. An outlet stub pipe or outlet collector of moist gases situated between the drying zone and the top charging zone. Shelves of the charging zone and the discharging zone are made of a number of rectangular not perforated sheet metal plates. Shelves of the drying zone are made of a number of rectangular perforated sheet metal plates. Every rectangular metal sheet plate shelf is attached along its long edge to parallel pins mounted swiveling to walls of the shaft, transverse against the axis of the shaft.
US09310128B2

This method comprises cooling the supply flow in a first heat exchanger, separation in a first separation flask in order to produce a light upper flow and a heavy lower flow and dividing the light upper flow into a supply fraction of a dynamic pressure reduction turbine and a supply fraction of a first distillation column.The method comprises forming a cooled reflux flow from an effluent from a dynamic pressure reduction turbine, the portion of the effluent being cooled and at least partially liquefied in a heat exchanger.It comprises introducing the cooled reflux flow from the heat exchanger into the first distillation column.
US09310116B2

An ice support and storage tray includes one or more cavities having upwardly facing spherical surface portions that support spherical pieces of ice. The tray is preferably made of a material having a low thermal conductivity to reduce melting of the spherical pieces of ice. The spherical support surfaces minimize melting points that could otherwise cause the spherical pieces of ice to melt and develop irregular surface shapes. The ice tray may be used in a freezer having an ice maker that transports spheres of ice to the ice support cavities. The ice storage tray may be configured to permit removal of spheres of ice without tipping the tray upside down and/or twisting/deforming the tray.
US09310108B2

There are provided a magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration improving a magnetic refrigeration efficiency by including a wide operation temperature range and a magnetic refrigeration apparatus and a magnetic refrigeration system using the magnetic material. The magnetically refrigerating magnetic material is formed of a magnetic material shown by a composition formula of Gd100-x-yZrxYy, wherein 0
US09310106B2

A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit and a controller. The refrigerant circuit has usage units connected to a heat source unit. The usage units have first usage-side heat exchangers and second usage-side heat exchangers. The heat source unit has heat-source-side heat exchanger and a compressor. The controller causes the heat-source-side heat exchanger to function as an evaporator or as a radiator in accordance with an overall heat load of the usage units when the heating operation or the cooling operation has been set for each of the usage units. The aqueous medium is heated by heat radiation of the refrigerant in the first usage-side heat exchangers in the heating operating, and is cooled by evaporation of the heat-source-side refrigerant in the second usage-side heat exchangers in the cooling operation.
US09310092B2

Methods and systems for systems and methods for optimizing usage of a free cooling subsystem are provided. The method includes collecting micro-climate data from one or more sensors surrounding a facility. The method also includes analyzing the micro-climate data and making a determination to operate a free cooling subsystem or a paid cooling subsystem based on the analysis of the micro-climate data.
US09310091B2

A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.
US09310083B2

A combustion chamber in which the injection system is attached so as to prevent any axial motion of the injection system, the combustion chamber includes: a baffle including a tubular portion having a first upstream end surrounded by a first radially projecting collar; and an injection system including a bowl which includes a cylindrical portion inserted into the tubular portion, the cylindrical portion including a second upstream end surrounded by a second radially projecting collar, the second collar axially bearing against the first collar, wherein the combustion chamber includes a clamp which axially clamps the first and the second collars against one another, and a fastener which retains the clamp clamped on either side of the first and second collars.
US09310080B2

An airblast fuel injector for a gas turbine engine fuel spray nozzle has, in order from radially inner to outer, a coaxial arrangement of an inner air swirler passage, an annular fuel passage, an annular outer air swirler passage, and an annular shroud air swirler passage. The injector further has an annular shroud having an inner surface profile. Relative to the overall axial direction of flow through the injector the shroud inner surface profile has a convergent section followed by a divergent section, the transition of which forming a first inwardly directed annular nose. The injector further has an annular wall having an outer surface profile, and having an inner surface profile. Relative to the overall axial direction of flow through the injector the wall outer surface profile has a convergent section followed by an outwardly turning section which faces across the shroud air passage to the first nose.
US09310079B2

The disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine combustion liner and a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine combustion liner may include a thermally cooled wall section, an acoustically damped wall section, or a thermally cooled and acoustically damped wall section. Open cell foam or honeycomb may be disposed between inner and outer combustion liner walls. The walls, open cell foam, or honeycomb may be made of a composite material.
US09310075B2

The present invention relates to a method and a boiler for decreasing the amount of nitrogen oxides in flue gases of a boiler, which flue gases are generated in the combustion of fuels and air. The boiler has a water circulation system comprising superheaters (8) and a furnace (1) for combustion of fuel and for generating flue gases that contain nitrogen oxides, which flue gases mainly flow upwards in the furnace and further to the superheater zone and via other heat recovery surfaces of the boiler out of the boiler, and a nitrogen oxides reducing agent is introduced into the flue gases. It is essential that the nitrogen oxides reducing agent is introduced into the flue gases prior to the superheater zone, before which the temperature of the flue gases is decreased by means of at least one heat exchanger (15) that is located in the flue gas flow upstream of the introduction of the reducing agent, for obtaining a suitable temperature window in the flue gas flow in order to reduce nitrogen oxides.
US09310074B2

The invention relates to a lance (1) for a heating hand tool, comprising a nozzle (2) connected at a first of the ends (21) thereof to a handle (3), the nozzle (2) comprising an inlet (23) for combustible gas and a conductive wire (24) forming an electrode for the priming of a spark; characterized in that it further comprises a grid (25) arranged at a second end (22) of the nozzle (2) for holding a flame that ignites at the priming of the spark in a flow of combustible gas, the conductive wire (24) extending through said grid (25) and outside the nozzle (2), and in that it comprises a cup (4) for evacuating burned gas positioned at the second end (22), the evacuation cup (4) directing the hot burned gas so that that it remains out of contact with the nozzle (2).
US09310073B2

A flow directing device for imparting swirl on a fluid includes a flow directing body having a first surface and opposed second surface. A flow channel is defined in the first surface of the flow directing body for conducting fluids flowing through the flow directing body. The flow channel includes a channel surface set in from the first surface. A swirl bore extends though the flow directing body from the channel surface to the second surface of the flow directing body at an oblique angle relative to the channel surface for imparting a tangential swirl component onto fluids flowing through the swirl bore. Having an asymmetrical terminus portion of the channel surface, and positioning of the swirl bore within the terminus portion, allow control of the swirl direction for flow within the terminus portion and swirl bore.
US09310072B2

A fuel nozzle arrangement includes an annular combustor having four quadrants. Fuel injectors are located in the four quadrants and each fuel injector has either a first or second type nozzle attached to it. The first and second type fuel nozzles are located in an array so that at least two of one nozzle type are located together to allow for non-uniform injector spacing with uniform downstream temperatures.
US09310067B2

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising a housing having a first end and a second end, a first set of light emitting diodes, and a channel coupled to the set of light emitting diodes. The channel can comprise a surface to mount the set of light emitting diodes.
US09310066B2

An electronic component includes a housing, a heat-generating component, a heat sink, and a sealing element. The housing is made of a first metallic material. The heat-generating component is disposed in the housing. The heat sink, which is made of a second metallic material, is disposed adjacent the heat-generating component and configured to dissipate heat from the heat-generating component. The sealing element is disposed between the housing and the heat sink and insulates the second metallic material from the first metallic material.
US09310063B1

Illumination devices are disclose having at least three thermally conductive fins that are attached to each other adjacent a central location and extend outward from the central location, with each of the fins having an opposed pair of major surfaces. The devices include a plurality of light-emitting diodes that emit light and produce heat, with at least one of the light-emitting diodes being mounted on each of the fins. The heat from the light-emitting diode flows along the fin and is radiated from at least one of the major surfaces, while the light from the light-emitting diode is reflected from the major surfaces of adjacent fins and exits the device.
US09310062B2

A light-emitting device includes a base material having a conductor layer on a surface thereof, the conductor layer being configured to be connected to an external power source, a light-emitting element mounted on the base, a phosphor layer arranged above the light-emitting element, and a resin layer contacting both of the phosphor layer and the conductor layer and containing heat-conductive particles dispersed therein. The heat-conductive particles have a thermal conductivity of not less than 100 W/m·K and an insulator property or a semiconductor property.
US09310058B2

A lamp connector may include a base member, a top member and connector members that connect the base member to the top member. The base member may include arcuate passageways in a bottom portion and a first and second pair of opposing sidewall members that extend upwardly from the bottom portion. The top portion of each of the first pair and second pair of opposing sidewall members may have a cutaway portion having a radius. The radius of the cutaway portion of the first pair of opposing sidewalls may be different from the radius of the second pair of opposing sidewalls. The cutaway portion may be formed to fit a lamp connecting member. The base member may be selectively rotatable with respect to the top member so as to enable engagement between one of the first pair of sidewalls and the second pair of sidewalls with the lamp connecting member.
US09310055B2

The invention proposes a lighting device (250). The lighting device (250) for road lighting comprises a lighting module and a control module coupled to the lighting module, and configured to control the lighting module to radiate a first light beam (221) towards a first direction to generate a first lighting pattern on the road surface (B), when a first predetermined condition is satisfied, and to control the lighting module to radiate a second light beam (231) towards a second direction to generate a second lighting pattern on the road surface (A), when a second predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein the first direction is oriented to go along the traffic direction and the second direction is oriented to go opposite the traffic direction.
US09310035B2

There is provided a light fixture comprising a baffle system and a side reflector, the baffle system comprising at least an outer baffle structure and an inner baffle structure. Also, there is provided a light fixture which comprises at least two recessed concentric square elements, triangular connecting elements and lenses which are recessed from the faces of each of the square elements. In some embodiments, the lighting device comprises at least one solid state light emitter. In some embodiments, the light fixture further comprises at least one lens positioned between at least two respective baffle elements.
US09310033B2

A light source device includes a plurality of light sources with different polarizations. A combined wavelength band of the light of a first polarization and second polarization is a first wavelength band. A combined wavelength band of a third polarization and fourth polarization is a second wavelength band. A plurality of selective transmission elements transmits one or more combined light of one or more polarizations and reflects one or more light of one or more polarizations. Thus, the light of the first polarization, the light of the second polarization and the light of the third polarization passing through a third selective transmission element, and the light of the fourth polarization reflected by the third selective transmission element proceed in the same direction.
US09310032B2

A light source may comprise a housing, a window mounted in a front plane of the housing, a window length spanning a front plane length, and a linear array of light-emitting elements within the housing. The linear array may be aligned with and emit light through the window, and the linear array may span the window length, wherein first and last light-emitting elements of the linear array are positioned adjacent to widthwise edges of the window, and wherein window sidewalls at the widthwise edges are aligned flush with housing sidewalls.
US09310001B2

Nickel-base radiant tube includes straight and curved elbow tube sections. The straight tube section has constant inner and outer radii. The elbow tube section has a constant inner radius and variable outer radius. The inner diameter of the elbow tube section is equal the inner radius of the straight tube section. Mating end portion of the elbow tube section has an outer radius equal to the outer radius of the straight tube section. Method for making the radiant tube comprises the steps of positioning a mating end portion of the straight tube section adjacent to and aligned with the mating end portion of the elbow tube section so that end faces of the straight and elbow tube sections face each other to define a circumferentially extending weld groove, and butt welding the mating end portions of the straight and elbow tube sections together at the weld groove.
US09310000B2

A retractable pipe structure may include an inner tube, an outer tube, two connectors and two locking rings. In one embodiment, the inner tube is cover by the outer tube and the connectors are disposed at both ends of the inner tube and connecting portions are inserted into both ends of the inner tube and the tightening unit is used to tighten and secure each end. When the inner tube along with the outer tube are connecting with the connecting portion of the connector and the tightening unit is disposed outside the outer tube, the restricting ring is disposed outside the outer tube and used to cover the connecting portion along with the locking ring. When a restricting ring is squeezed by the locking ring, an engaging unit is disposed outside the restricting ring to prevent the inner tube and outer tube from directly contacting with the engaging unit.
US09309998B2

The invention relates to a flexible tube of multilayer construction having unbonded layers, wherein at least one layer is formed in that a tape made of a plastic molding compound is spirally wound about a further inner layer, wherein the upper and lower layers of the tape are simultaneously or subsequently welded to each other at overlapping regions. The tube is particularly suitable for offshore application in oil and gas extraction
US09309996B2

The invention is directed generally to improvements in irrigation and fertilization assessment and delivery. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide an improved fluid delivery tube, method to manufacture such tube, and systems that include such tube. The delivery tube is beneficial at least because it minimizes the life cycle cost of a plant-responsive delivery tube.
US09309995B2

A low profile downspout extension is formed in multiple segments including a flexible conduit, a splash block and an extension. The splash block transitions from a circular inlet into a low profile pentagon configuration with a central bead along the top surface of the low profile body portion to define an apex of the pentagon shape. The body portion is wider than the diameter of the circular inlet but has a height at the central bead that is more than half the diameter of the circular inlet. The body portion has ribbed side walls to strengthen the splash block without requiring internal reinforcement. The bottom surface of the splash block defines a flow path that extends generally linearly from the bottom of the inlet opening to the bottom of the pentagon-shaped outlet. An open configuration for the splash block provides an alternative above-ground splash pad structure.
US09309986B2

An electromagnetically actuated valve includes at least one sleeve and a magnet armature. A magnetic core is arranged in a stationary manner in the at least one sleeve. The magnet armature is configured to actuate a valve element and is axially movable. An elastically deformable spring element is clamped and retained between a core end face of the magnetic core facing the magnet armature and an armature end face of the magnet armature facing the magnetic core. The spring element forms at least one contact point in conjunction with the armature end face and the core end face. The contour of the spring element, the armature end face and/or the core end face are formed in the radial extent such that a radial position of the at least one contact point changes as a function of a distance of the armature end face from the core end face.
US09309972B2

In a case wherein a force acts upward from below on a face plate (34) of a hole plug (14) that is closing an attachment hole (12) of a body panel (10), the face plate (34) is pushed up, and an intermediate wall portion (26) moves upward relative to an outer circumferential wall portion (18). At that time, an outside portion (40B) of an abutment portion (40) is folded inward, and an inside portion (40A) of the abutment portion (40) abuts against an inside face of a lower portion of the outer circumferential wall portion (18). As a result, the inside portion (40A) of the abutment portion (40) can control engagement claws (20) from deforming inward.
US09309969B2

A method for controlling a hydrostatic drive unit of a work vehicle is disclosed. The method may generally include determining a reference swashplate position for a hydraulic pump of the hydrostatic drive unit, wherein the reference swashplate position is associated with an uncompensated current command, and monitoring an actual swashplate position of the hydraulic pump, wherein the actual swashplate position differs from the reference swashplate position due to a loading condition of the work vehicle. In addition, the method may include determining a current compensation based at least in part on the actual and reference swashplate positions and generating a compensated current command by adjusting the uncompensated current command based on the current compensation, wherein the compensated current command is associated with a compensated swashplate position for the hydraulic that differs from the reference swashplate position.
US09309961B2

An axle assembly including a housing having a first axle tube and a second axle tube, a crown wheel mounted in the housing, a pinion in meshing engagement with the crown wheel, a first reservoir for retaining fluid in contact with the crown wheel for lubricating the crown wheel, a second reservoir for retaining fluid remote from the crown wheel, a first system for transferring fluid in the first reservoir to the second reservoir, a second system for transferring fluid in the second reservoir to the first reservoir, a sensor for generating a signal representative of an axle assembly characteristic, the axle assembly further including a control system for receiving said signal and operating said first system and or said second system to transfer fluid to or from the first reservoir in response to said signal.
US09309952B2

Provided is a belt-type continuously variable transmission which may prevent a servo spool from sliding even when a movable sieve slides due to reduced pressure in a hydraulic cylinder. A hydraulic servo mechanism comprises a servo spool and a feedback spool, and contiguous members coming into contact with the feedback spool (84) between a hydraulic cylinder and the feedback spool The present invention also comprises a spool position maintaining unit that makes it possible for the contiguous members to slide in relation to a movable side cylinder case when pressure in the hydraulic cylinder is lower than a predetermined value.
US09309950B2

The invention relates to rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate.
US09309949B2

A vibration insulating member is equipped between one component and an other component. The vibration insulating member includes a through hole forming portion and a contact portion. The through hole forming portion is formed of an elastic material to have a through hole in which a connection member is inserted to connect the one component with the other component. The contact portion is projected radially inward from an inner wall of the through hole forming portion. The contact portion has an inner wall on a radially inside. When the connection member is inserted in the through hole, an outer wall of the connection member forms a gap with the inner wall of the through hole forming portion and is in contact with the inner wall of the contact portion.
US09309942B2

A vibration damping device having stopper rubbers including: a first and second mounting members; an outer bracket attached to the second mounting member; and a plurality of stopper rubbers attached to the outer bracket and providing a stopper mechanism for limiting an amount of relative displacement between the first and second mounting members by means of contact between a first mounting member side and the outer bracket via the stopper rubbers. The stopper rubbers include respective mating recesses and the mating recesses open toward a same direction. The stopper rubbers are integrally connected by at least one rubber connecting portion. The stopper rubbers are attached to the outer bracket with the rubber connecting portion being deformed so that the mating recesses are arranged so as to open toward different directions and are mated with the outer bracket.
US09309930B2

A vehicular torque limiter having a first shaft including connecting means complementary to connecting means of an end of an axle-shaft of the vehicle, a second shaft connectable to a hub assembly of a wheel of the vehicle by bolts of the wheel which are accessible, torque limiting elements, for limiting torque between the first and second shafts, thereby a drive member of the wheel which directly connects the axle-shaft to the hub assembly, is replaceable with the torque limiter, thereby providing a universal, easy to install torque limiter designed for vehicles.
US09309929B2

An apparatus and method for connecting a drive shaft end to a vehicle drive flange of the type that has six equally spaced, axially directed threaded bores. The apparatus includes a yoke member defining a pair of ears for receiving pin members defined by the drive shaft. The yoke member has at least four equally spaced apart axial through bores that are alignable with four of the bores in the drive flange. Fasteners extending through the through bores are threadably received by the aligned drive flange bores and clamp the yoke member to the drive flange. At least one, but preferably two, drive pins are threadably received by two of the six drive flange bores and include portions that are received by associated bores in the yoke member and are preferably sized to tightly fit the bores in a torque transmitting relationship.
US09309926B2

A coupling has face gears for transmitting torque or transverse forces between a first part provided with a first face gear and a second part provided with a second face gear complementary to the first face gear. At least one of the parts is a shaft, an axle, a pin or a flange, and it is possible to bring the first face gear into form-fitting engagement with the second face gear. At least one of the face gears has at least one groove having a constant width and a longitudinal centerline forming a semicircular arc having a respective first center of curvature in at least one section of the groove and, in at least one other section of the groove, forming another semicircular arc having a respective second center of curvature.
US09309909B2

The subject invention comprises a modular, pop-up shelf display system that includes vertical slotted shelf support posts, horizontal tie bars, and shelf or accessory members. Two slotted support posts are connected at the top and bottom ends by a pair of tie bars; the top of each slotted support post leans against a wall. Shelves or accessories, which include brackets that engage the slots in the vertical support posts are then attached to the support posts to form horizontal shelves or accessories between the support posts at desired heights and orientation. The system includes internal connectors positioned inside the post ends and the ends of the tie bars which secure the tie bars to the posts to secure the posts in an upright manner against the wall.
US09309898B2

A pressure calibration device can include certain features that allow it to be used with a variety of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. A pressure calibration device can be configured to provide pressure or vacuum, and can have a mode selector for selecting to provide pressure or vacuum. A pressure calibration device can have a volume adjuster configured to modify pressures for hydraulic or pneumatic systems. A pressure calibration device can have a pressure release valve and a bleed valve for adjusting pressure values.
US09309889B2

A screw-type compressor, in particular for use in a vehicle, wherein the screw-type compressor has an oil sump with a device for damping sloshing of oil. A screw-type compressor is made available in which the device for damping sloshing of oil is improved compared to the prior art. The device for damping sloshing of oil is a barrier device which prevents the oil from rising up a housing wall of the screw-type compressor.
US09309876B2

A compressor assembly having a high velocity muffler system which produces a particle-free compressor pump feed while reducing noise output from the compressor assembly during compressing operations. The high velocity muffler system is maintenance-free and comprises an inertia filter. The compressor assembly uses a method for producing a compressor pump feed and reducing noise during compressing operations by processing a gas through the high velocity muffler system which has an inertia filter and a muffler chamber to produce a compressor pump feed which can be compressed by a pump assembly.
US09309874B2

In a compressor according to the present invention, an actuator is arranged in a swash plate chamber in a manner rotatable integrally with a drive shaft. The actuator includes a rotation body, a movable body, and a control pressure chamber. A control mechanism includes a bleed passage, a supply passage, and a control valve. The control mechanism is capable of changing the pressure in the control pressure chamber to move the movable body. The movable body opposes the lug arm with a swash plate arranged between the movable body and the lug arm.
US09309873B2

A sealing system for a high pressure pump, in which the pump includes a vessel defining a vessel bore and having an end portion, the vessel bore having a first engagement face and defining a central longitudinal axis, and in which the pump further includes a plunger cooperative with the vessel to increase the pressure of a fluid within the bore, includes a seal member at least partially received within the bore and defining a second engagement face. The sealing system further includes a retaining member in operative contact with the seal member to mate the first engagement face with the second engagement face to inhibit fluid leakage from the bore. The first engagement face includes a first contacting surface having a non-linear cross-section. The second engagement face includes a second contacting surface having a non-linear cross-section in contact with the first contacting surface.
US09309870B2

The present disclosure provides a thermal actuator which comprises at least two containers containing a first fluid. The at least two containers define interior portions that are interconnected such that the interior portions of the containers are in fluidal communication with each other. The first fluid comprises a first liquid component and a second gaseous component. The thermal actuator is arranged such that a change in a temperature difference between one container and the or another container and within a predetermined range of temperature difference causes a quantity of a fluid contained in the thermal actuator to be transferred from the one container to the or another container such that a mass distribution of the thermal actuator is altered in response to the change in temperature difference so as to cause actuation.
US09309867B2

A fluid turbine apparatus contains a set of radially arranged magnets and a set of radially arranged coils axially aligned with the set of radially arranged magnets. A turbine base supports a first of the sets. A plurality of vanes having a rotatable connection to the turbine base is coupled to a second of the sets. A linear actuator supported on the turbine base influences the axial proximity of the set of radially arranged magnets to the set of radially arranged coils.
US09309861B1

A system and method for producing electrical energy utilizing horizontal axis water turbine assemblies, completely submerged and secured to a foundation on the seafloor beneath ocean surface waves in water depths corresponding to a nominal range of 1/30th to 1/10th of the wave lengths of prevailing waves. The water turbine assembly captures kinetic energy of vertically compressed elliptical orbital water particle motion having accentuated horizontal velocity for production of electrical power delivered to an onshore terminal. A group of multiple water turbine assemblies may be disposed at selected distances apart relative to one another and at selected distances from the coastline to form an array spanning a range of surface wave lengths in the shallow water depth to reduce temporal variability and collectively amplify and optimize the electrical power produced by the facility ashore.
US09309854B2

A system for starting an internal combustion engine without assistance of a battery uses a pull-start assembly to generate electricity and store the generated power in one or more capacitors electrically connected to an electronic control unit via a permanent magnet alternator. The system includes a hand pump for manually forcing a portion of liquid fuel into an air/fuel mixture chamber while an air relief valve connected to an air injector is open. By closing the relief valve and activating the pull-start assembly, the user causes the fuel into the combustion chamber, where the ignition process is initiated upon receipt of a control signal from the electronic control unit.
US09309853B2

A fuel injection valve which has: swirl chambers each having an inner wall whose curvature is gradually increased from upstream to downstream along fuel flow; passages for swirling motion, the passages permitting introduction of fuel into the swirl chambers; fuel injection holes opening into the swirl chambers and including at least two narrow-angle injection holes and a wide-angle injection hole from which at least two narrow-angle sprays and a wide-angle spray are respectively ejected; and an orifice plate provided with the injection holes. The narrow-angle injection holes are spaced a given distance from the center of the orifice plate. The wide-angle injection hole is formed on a line perpendicularly intersecting a line segment that interconnects the centers of the narrow-angle injection holes.
US09309849B2

A method to reduce engine noise in a multi-cylinder direct injection internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a high pressure fuel pump having both an inlet valve fluidly connected to a fuel source and an outlet valve typically connected to a pressurized fuel rail. In order to reduce engine noise, especially at low engine speeds, the timing of the opening of either the fuel pump inlet valve or fuel pump outlet valve is varied so that it coincides with the opening of the fuel injectors.
US09309835B2

A thrust reverser actuation system for a jet engine having a turbine engine surrounded by a nacelle to define an annular air flow path between the turbine engine and the nacelle, with a thrust reverser having a movable element to reverse the direction of at least a portion of the air flow along the air flow path, where the thrust reverser actuation system includes a hydraulic actuator configured to be operably coupled to the movable element, and a remote actuator that controls the inhibit function of the hydraulic system.
US09309833B2

A hanger assembly for use between a first duct and a second duct has a flexible leaf spring having a body and a leg, a locking member for attaching the leg to the first duct, and a mounting member for attaching the body to the second duct.
US09309832B2

A rocket having a motor with a user adjustable thrust is provided. The rocket includes a main cylinder containing a rocket propellant, the propellant configured to generate gas during operation and one or more nozzles arranged to direct the gas in a first direction. A thrust adjustment device is arranged to receive a portion of the gas, the thrust adjustment device configured to change the direction of flow of at least a portion of the gas.
US09309827B2

A fuel injection control device includes a throttle opening read timing setter that sets the timing at which a throttle opening is read. The setter is triggered to detect the throttle opening used for calculation of a basic injection amount by the start of calculation timing of the basic injection amount (FICAL) if the FICAL is at the position corresponding to a toothless part of a crank pulsar rotor. The setter detects the throttle opening based on crank pulse interrupt according to a crank pulse if the FICAL is at a position other than the position corresponding to the toothless part.
US09309825B2

A method for adapting the adaptation values for the adaptation of fuel injection quantities of an internal combustion engine, to which fuel is supplyable via a mixed operation of two injection types, a first adaptation value for adapting a first injection quantity specification according to which the internal combustion engine is operated by a first injection type, and a second adaptation value for adapting a second injection quantity specification according to which the internal combustion engine is operated by a second injection type, the adaptation values being each adapted in defined, not overlapping adaptation ranges as a function of the operating state, at least one of the adaptation ranges including operating states in which fuel is supplied to the internal combustion engine via both injection types.
US09309823B2

A system and method of operating an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system of a vehicle includes controlling an EGR valve actuable between an EGR enabled position and an EGR disabled position, such that with the EGR valve in the EGR enabled position a portion of exhaust gas emitted from an engine is directed through an EGR cooler for recirculation into the engine, and with the EGR valve in the EGR disabled position the exhaust gas is not recirculated through the engine. An EGR coolant temperature is predicted based on measured engine speed, vehicle speed, outside ambient temperature, and commanded fuel level of the vehicle. The EGR valve is actuated to the EGR disabled position when the predicted EGR coolant temperature is equal or greater than an EGR coolant temperature threshold. The EGR coolant temperature is predicted without direct measurement of engine coolant temperature.
US09309821B2

A fuel control system of an engine includes a fuel economy module. The fuel economy module determines a first valve lift state and a second valve lift state of a valve of the engine. The fuel economy module generates a first fuel consumption signal based on the first valve lift state and an engine torque request signal, and generates a second fuel consumption signal based on the second valve lift state and the engine torque request signal. The fuel control system also includes a valve lift state module. The valve lift state module selects one of the first valve lift state and the second valve lift state based the first fuel consumption signal and the second fuel consumption signal. The valve lift state module generates a valve lift select signal. The valve lift select signal indicates the selected one of the first valve lift state and the second valve lift state.
US09309816B2

The present variable compression ratio V-type internal combustion engine is a variable compression ratio V-type internal combustion engine which joins cylinder blocks of two cylinder groups and makes the joined cylinder block move relatively to a crankcase, wherein at each relative movement position of the joined cylinder block, the intake valve closing timings of the cylinders are controlled so that the actual compression ratios of the two cylinder groups become equal and thus the temperature difference and pressure difference in the cylinders at top dead center between the two cylinder groups are reduced.
US09309812B2

In an internal combustion engine 20 that promotes combustion of fuel injected from an injector 50 to a combustion chamber 21 by way of electromagnetic wave plasma, a plurality of pieces of the electromagnetic wave plasma are generated respectively for a plurality of jet flows injected from the injector 50. A plurality of antennae 36 are provided respectively for a plurality of injection holes of the injector 50. Each antenna 36 is disposed on an exposed surface 46a of a piston 46 exposed to the combustion chamber 21 at a location corresponding to each injection hole 55. While the injector 50 injects fuel, each antenna 36 emits the electromagnetic wave to the combustion chamber 21, thereby generating the electromagnetic wave plasma.
US09309810B2

A system for converting gaseous fuel into liquid fuel is provided. The system may have a combustor configured to receive a supply of gaseous fuel. The system may also have a gas compressor configured to direct gaseous fuel from the supply into the combustor. The system may also have an air compressor configured to direct compressed air into the combustor, and a turbine in fluid communication with an outlet of the combustor. The turbine may be connected to drive the gas compressor and the air compressor. The system may also have at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with an outlet of the gas compressor and an outlet of the air compressor. The system may also have at least one expander in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one heat exchanger. The system may also have a condenser in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one expander.
US09309808B2

A turboprop provided with a blade-positioning device including a stationary nacelle, a rotary nacelle including a plurality of blade roots, a turbine, the stationary and rotary nacelles and the turbine being coaxial along a longitudinal axis, a blade positioning device including for each blade a device configured to transform movement suitable for transforming a translation movement into a rotation movement, each one of the device for transforming movement being secured to the rotary nacelle and being suitable for pivoting a blade. The positioning device is placed between the inner surface of the stationary nacelle and the outer surface of the turbine, the positioning device including a member including a body secured to the stationary nacelle and a rod for sliding along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
US09309804B2

A method of providing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to an air-boosted internal combustion engine. The engine has both a high pressure EGR loop and a low pressure EGR loop. Each EGR loop has a valve that controls the amount of EGR that is delivered to the engine intake from that loop. During low-speed engine conditions, more EGR is delivered to the engine intake from the low pressure EGR loop than from the high pressure EGR loop. During high-speed engine conditions, more EGR is delivered to the engine intake from the high pressure EGR loop than from the low pressure EGR loop.
US09309801B2

Various methods and systems are provided for cooling an engine system. In one example, a system includes an exhaust gas recirculation cooler and an engine. The system further includes a cooling fluid circuit in which the exhaust gas recirculation cooler and the engine are positionable in series with the exhaust gas recirculation cooler disposed upstream of the engine.
US09309800B2

An exhaust system for an off-road vehicle including an outlet port configured to release exhaust gas and an outlet stack disposed about the outlet port, in which at least a portion of the outlet stack is radially spaced from the outlet port to form a gap between the outlet stack and the outlet port. The outlet stack is configured to direct a flow of exhaust gas from the outlet port toward a distal end of the outlet stack. The exhaust system further includes an exhaust shield in close proximity or coupled to the outlet stack comprising at least one opening and an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed within the exhaust shield. The gap is configured to establish an airflow path from the at least one opening to a region of the outlet stack downstream from the outlet port, and the ECU is positioned within the airflow path between the at least one opening and the gap to facilitate cooling of the ECU.
US09309795B2

Disclosed is an oil management system for an internal combustion engine that includes a crankcase. The oil management system includes a first container for storage of a first quantity of oil and a second container for temporary storage of a predetermined second quantity of oil. The oil management system further includes a pump arranged for operating in a first and a second mode, in which modes oil is transferrable respectively to and from the second container, and a flow measuring unit arranged for measuring an oil flow to or from the second container when the pump is operating. The oil management system is arranged for delivery of the predetermined second quantity of oil to the crankcase in dependence of the measured oil flow. Also described is a method for oil management of an internal combustion engine that includes a crankcase.
US09309788B2

A valve bridge assembly is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The valve bridge assembly may have a valve bridge with a center portion, opposing lateral extensions, a central cavity formed within the center portion, and a bore formed within each of the opposing lateral extensions. The valve bridge assembly may also have a lash adjuster disposed within the central cavity, and a sleeve insert disposed within each bore of the opposing lateral extensions. Each sleeve insert may be configured to receive a corresponding valve stem.
US09309786B2

A valve operating device for an engine is provided. The device includes at least two cam elements per one shaft. End face cams are formed in opposing end faces of two adjacent cam elements, and the end face cams respectively have protruding portions being formed offset in phase so that the protruding portions overlap in the axial directions when the two cam elements are close to each other. A control member is provided, the control member is projected to an actuated position at which the control member is projected to engage with the end face cams so as to separate the adjacent cam elements from each other when the cam elements are close to each other, and the control member is retreated to a non-actuated position at which the control member is retreated from the actuated position.
US09309785B2

A method and system using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an expander to cause it to do mechanical work. The expander is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the expander. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the expander, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the expander to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the expander, the working fluids are is exhausted from the expander, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. Control circuitry controls the admission of the first and second working fluids responsive to monitoring the load on the expander.
US09309784B2

A positioning arrangement (142), including: an outer casing having a frame member (78); a low pressure steam turbine inner casing (140) having an appendage (60) and a threaded hole through the appendage; and an alignment constraint (10) configured to be positioned in the threaded hole and define a positional relationship between the inner casing and the frame member. The alignment constraint includes a main body (14) and a discrete piggyback body (16), both configured to rotate in the threaded hole as a unitary body when in a joined, end-to-end configuration.
US09309782B2

A damper system for the buckets of a gas turbine engine. The damper system may include damper pins having a generally rounded top portion and a generally flat bottom portion along substantially the entire length thereof. The generally flat bottom portion may allow addition or removal of material to or from the pin in order to achieve an optimal dynamic weight ratio.
US09309776B2

An assembly and method are provided for sealing a compressor in a gas turbine engine. The method comprises forming an annular groove in a compressor casing such that the groove extends circumferentially about a rotor that is housed within the casing. The compressor casing is then coupled to the rotor such that the compressor casing extends circumferentially about the rotor. A plurality of arcuate seal segments are then inserted into the annular groove without removing the rotor from the compressor casing such that the plurality of seal segments extend circumferentially about the rotor to facilitate sealing a gap that is defined between the rotor and the compressor casing.
US09309775B2

A debris discourager for a gas turbine engine is rotatable about an engine axis and extends between a fore end and an aft end. A portion of the debris discourager includes a non-uniform surface that generates a wind flow to prevent debris from entering a sealed interface.
US09309771B2

A cooling channel array for a gas turbine engine is provided. The cooling channel array is carried by a component wall having an inner surface and an outer surface and comprises at least two metering portions that communicate with a diffusion cavity.
US09309767B2

A stator for a progressive cavity pump or motor comprises a tubular housing having a central axis. In addition, the stator comprises a stator insert coaxially disposed within the housing. The stator insert has a radially outer surface that engages the housing and a radially inner surface defining a helical-shaped through bore extending axially through the stator insert. The stator insert includes an insert body and an insert liner attached to the insert body. The insert body is radially positioned between the housing and the insert liner. The insert body comprises a reinforcement structure and a plurality of voids dispersed within the reinforcement structure.
US09309763B2

A drive assembly for a mining machine. The drive assembly includes one-and-only-one sprocket and a housing coupled to the mining machine. The housing includes a shoe and at least partially receives the sprocket. The drive assembly also includes a motor and a drive shaft that couples the sprocket and the motor. The drive shaft rotates the sprocket and defines a longitudinal axis. The housing rotates relative to the mining machine about the longitudinal axis and in a face-to-gob direction.
US09309759B2

Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids.
US09309758B2

A method and/or a system determines mechanical properties of a fluid-bearing formation. One or more packers may be used to measure and/or collect data regarding mechanical properties of a formation. The formation characteristics may be, for example, the stability of the formation, design parameters for frac-pack/gravel-pack operations, and sand production. The packer may expand within a wellbore of a formation until enough pressure is applied to fracture a wall of the wellbore. Before, during and/or after the fracturing of the wall, multiple measurements may be taken by the packer. After fractures are initiated, fluid may be pumped into and/or drawn from the formation using drains disposed on the packer. Additional packers may be used above and/or below the packer for isolating intervals of the wellbore.
US09309755B2

A method for accommodating thermal expansion of a heater in a formation includes flowing a heat transfer fluid through a conduit to provide heat to the formation and providing substantially constant tension to an end portion of the conduit that extends outside the formation. At least a portion of the end portion of the conduit is wound around a movable wheel used to apply tension to the conduit.
US09309746B1

A well system can include a well tool with a retarder chemical. The retarder chemical is released from the well tool into an annulus and retards setting of cement therein. A method of retarding setting of cement at a location in an annulus can include releasing a retarder chemical from a well tool connected in a casing string, after the cement is placed in the annulus. A well tool can include a valve that controls fluid communication via a port between an exterior of the tool and a flow passage extending through the tool, an annular recess, and a dispersible annular exterior component received in the recess. Another well tool can include a valve that controls fluid communication between an exterior of the tool and a flow passage extending through the well tool, an internal chamber, and a retarder chemical in the chamber.
US09309744B2

A plug for isolating a wellbore. The plug can include a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is formed from one or more composite materials and adapted to receive a setting tool through the first end thereof, at least one malleable element disposed about the body, at least one slip disposed about the body, at least one conical member disposed about the body, and one or more shearable threads disposed on an inner surface of the body, adjacent the second end thereof, wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to receive at least a portion of a setting tool that enters the body through the first end thereof, and wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to engage the setting tool when disposed through the body and adapted to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force.
US09309740B2

A system, in some embodiments, for producing well production fluids through a tubing hanger connected with a production tubing string. The system includes a subsea tree with a production flow passage and a tree annulus flow passage. The system also includes a spool assembly separate from the subsea tree that includes a body with a longitudinal passage configured to receive and support the tubing hanger, there being an annulus between the production tubing string and the body. The spool assembly also includes a lateral flow passage extending from the spool longitudinal passage and configured to transfer the production fluids. Further, the system includes an annulus flow passage extending externally from the spool assembly and in fluid communication with the annulus.
US09309737B2

A rotating gate valve can be used to shear cables or tubing as it closes to obstruct flow. In embodiments, a valve body can have a flow passage and a lateral bore that is transverse to the flow passage. The gate can have a generally cylindrical shape and can rotate about the axis of the gate as it moves laterally to close a flow passage. The lateral and rotational movement can shear articles such as, for example, cables and tubing that extend through the flow passage.
US09309731B2

An example method comprises collecting formation temperature data along a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, determining test operating parameter values, performing a wellbore hydraulic simulation of the response of wellbore fluid conditions to the test operating parameter values and the formation temperature data, determining whether the response of wellbore fluid conditions is indicative of one of a well control and a well stability problem, and initiating a test based on the determination whether the response of wellbore fluid conditions is indicative of one of a well control and a well stability problem.
US09309727B2

A mousehole apparatus having a main body configured for holding a drill pipe or similar elongate element, includes a carrier connected to a deck structure and having a support region adapted for releasable supportive interaction with an abutment element on the main body. The carrier comprises guiding devices for the main body and movement means operable to move the main body with respect to the carrier.
US09309724B2

A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a volume of superabrasive material on a substrate. The cutting element has an elongated shape in a lateral dimension parallel to a front cutting face of the cutting element, and has a maximum lateral width in a first direction parallel to the front cutting face of the cutting element and a maximum lateral length in a second perpendicular direction parallel to the front cutting face of the cutting element. The maximum lateral length is significantly greater than the maximum lateral width. An earth-boring tool includes one or more such cutting elements mounted to a body of the earth-boring tool. A method of forming such an earth-boring tool includes selecting at least one such cutting element and mounting the cutting element to a body of an earth-boring tool.
US09309709B2

A window balance assembly for a tilt-in window comprising a bracket, a spring and a carrier. The first spring has a first portion engaging the bracket. The carrier has a vertical portion including a first slot, a first projection extending outwardly from a first side of the vertical portion, and a second attachment projection extending outwardly from a second side of the vertical portion. The first slot receives a pivot bar of the tilt-in window via a vertical drop-in installation. One of the first and second attachment protrusions engages the first portion of the spring. The horizontal portion includes an aperture rotatably engaging a cam between a first position and a second position. The cam has a second slot aligned with the first slot when the cam is in the first position allowing for the pivot bar to move between the first slot and the second slot.
US09309701B2

A slam type locking mechanism is described. The locking mechanism allows a storage container with the locking mechanism to be slammed shut in a single motion. The operator may slam the lid or door to the container using a single hand that is only pressing or pushing the lid or door closed. The slam type locking mechanism includes a lock having a lock housing, a paddle handle, and a spring loading mechanism. The paddle handle is rotatably engaged to the spring loading mechanism. The rods are in a rotational engagement with the lock, wherein the rods have an offset that interacts with a striker on the container or lid in a locking relationship.
US09309700B2

A glove compartment device having a lock body being mounted directly on a lid and a latch urging spring provided between a pivoting latch and the lock body with a spring force urging the pivoting latch to the side where engagement with a striker is released. A plate spring that is mounted on the lock body so as to urge the striker to the side to disengage from the pivoting latch when the plate spring has one end thereof engaged with the lock body before mounting of the plate spring onto the lock body is completed. A latch urging spring is a torsion spring and has one end engaged with the lock body opposing the plate spring from the side that prevents disengagement of the one end of the plate spring from the lock body.
US09309699B2

A latch device includes: a base plate; an open lever rotatably attached to the base plate; a biasing unit that biases the open lever; and an electric release unit to be installed in an electric release type latch device in which the open lever is operated by power and a manual release unit to be installed in a manual release type latch device in which the open lever is manually operated are capable of being selectively installed in the base plate. The open lever includes an action end portion to press a ratchet engaged with a latch and disengaging the ratchet from the latch. The biasing unit biases the open lever. The manual release unit is provided with a manual release stopping unit to abut against a driven portion.
US09309695B2

A locking apparatus includes a fixed housing with a longitudinal elongated bore between two open ends. One end defines an arcuate track with a new rotational displacement range. A pivoting riser extends from a driver to an elongated retainer moving across a locking core configured with a predefined rotational range. A follower on the driver travels within the track. The core and the driver may be connected and inserted via the same open end for rotation within the bore. When the locking core is unlocked and rotated with an operating key, the riser displaces the retainer to retain the core within the housing, while the follower continues to rotate within the track so that the rotational range of the core is changed to the new rotational displacement range. The apparatus may include the core. The apparatus may exclude the core to allow separate installation for combined rotation with the driver.
US09309690B1

A fence includes a plurality of posts, and fence panels having rails which extend across the plurality of posts, and are secured thereto. Jambs may be formed onto the fence system, and one or more gates may be hung to the jambs.
US09309678B1

A backed panel comprising a facing panel and a backing panel. The backing panel has a groove, recessed portion, or any other suitable type of relief channel adapted to receive a side edge portion of a facing panel of an adjacent backed panel. By providing a space to receive a side edge portion of an adjacent facing panel, the relief channel may enable an improved lap joint to be established between adjacent backed panels.
US09309671B2

A structural panel includes a rigid foam core, a spray foam on an exterior surface of the rigid foam core, and a first outer skin on the spray foam. The rigid foam core includes a tongue portion along a first longitudinal side face and a groove portion along a second longitudinal side face. A second outer skin is also on the spray foam.
US09309670B2

An apparatus for dividing regions is described. The apparatus includes at least one glass dividing wall and at least one holding device. At least one first mounting device is arranged on the holding device, and at least one second mounting device is arranged on the holding device. The first mounting device has a first end provided with a first radius, and the second mounting device has a second end provided with a second radius. At least one clamping holder is arranged at one of the ends of one of the mounting devices. The clamping holder has a first clamping part and a second clamping part between which is clamped the dividing wall.
US09309668B2

An article of flexible furniture having a core formed from a plurality of laminar panels of material and each panel having a pair of oppositely directed major faces, said panels being inter-connected to provide a cellular structure upon movement of abutting faces away from each other, a pair of supports at opposite ends of said core and connected to respective ones of said faces, said supports being self-supporting to provide rigidity to said core whereby said supports may be moved apart to expand said cellular and extend the length of said partition.
US09309662B2

The Elevated Habitable Module is primarily an enclosed living space that folds to a very small size and deploys to a tall and large elevated living quarters. It is designed to be readily transported and erected by utilizing a light weight design that unfolds easily and is uncomplicated to assemble. The floor is secure from ground animals and people by elevating it off of ground level. The design also ensures important basic living features, such as electricity which is often not initially available on site in remote locations, and a method of collecting rain water along with filtration so it can be used for drinking or sanitation purposes. The supporting structure is suitable for a variety of places, including flat surfaces or rugged terrain.
US09309658B1

Urinal screens include a urinal screen panel sized and configured for placement in a restroom urinal; a first screen panel eyelet carried by the urinal screen panel; and a second screen panel eyelet carried by the urinal screen panel in spaced-apart relationship to the first screen panel eyelet In some embodiments, the urinal screens may include a urinal screen panel sized and configured for placement in a restroom urinal; a self-standing screen lift handle upward-standing from the urinal screen panel; a plurality of centralizing peg openings in the urinal screen panel; and a screen centralizing insert having at least two centralizing pegs extending through at least two, respectively, of the plurality of centralizing peg openings.
US09309657B2

A moppable floor mat is disclosed comprising a plurality of layers sharing a common peripheral boundary, the layers including an adhesive layer, a liquid impermeable layer, a high-traction layer, and a liquid absorbent layer. The adhesive layer is configured to be releasably adhered to a floor and capable of being mopped over without causing a movement of the moppable floor mat relative to a surface of the floor. The moppable floor mat further comprises a seal formed adjacent the peripheral boundary of the plurality of layers, wherein the seal is configured to form a fluid-tight barrier preventing liquids from exiting through the seal from the moppable floor mat.
US09309643B2

A wheel loader is provided with a top plate, a plate-like member, a diesel particulate filtering device, and a first duct. The top plate has a first outdoor air intake port. The plate-like member is disposed below the first outdoor air intake port. The diesel particulate filtering device is disposed below the plate-like member. A first end part of the first duct is positioned to the rear of the diesel particulate filtering device. A second end part of the first duct is positioned inside the cooling compartment. A connector is disposed in an air flow generated between a gap and the first end part.
US09309641B2

Apparatus including fluid motors and a pair of collars for adjustably mounting a coffer dam upon a piling by assembling equipment while operating above the water line thereby avoiding the need for underwater divers to perform dangerous underwater operations. Also included are a plurality of scrapers that are biased against the piling for removing accumulated detritus during upward and downward movement of the scrapers upon the piling.
US09309636B2

A rock fall barrier including a plurality of support posts and a deformable net spanning the plurality of support posts. Each support post includes: a base fixed to a sloped surface; a first arm pivotally coupled to the base at a first hinge; a first hinge brake for providing friction at the first hinge to provide controlled resistance against pivotal rotation of the first arm relative to the base; a second arm pivotally coupled to the first arm at a second hinge; and a second hinge brake for providing friction at the second hinge to provide controlled resistance against relative pivotal rotation between the first arm and the second arm. A guy wire system is attached to the distal end of each support post on one end and anchored to the sloped surface on the other end. The guy wire system includes upper guy wires having cable brakes.
US09309630B2

A synthetic turf sports flooring product with a performance surface upon which sports can be played. The flooring product is formed from polymer fibers entangled to provide a sports surface layer which provides the performance surface, and substantially all of the polymer fibers of the sports surface layer are locked in position relative to the synthetic turf sports flooring product as a whole by the arrangement of fibers and contact between fibers in the mat. The fibers may be locked in position by entanglement, surface friction between fibers and/or inherent bonding of fibers in the synthetic turf sports flooring product. The product can provide a predictable playing surface which changes little with varying moisture and temperature changes during play, at least in part by avoiding the use of bonding chemicals in its structure. An underlay material of similar construction can be used in conjunction with the playing surface.
US09309628B2

The present invention relates to wallpaper and a method for manufacturing the same. The wallpaper may be manufactured at low energy and low costs regardless of an increase in oil price and does not produce greenhouse gases and hazardous substances in the course of manufacture, use or disposal, or during fire. In addition, the wallpaper can decompose readily in the natural environment, even when buried.
US09309620B2

A rope (20) comprising a core element (22) surrounded by a plurality of helically twisted and compacted steel strands (24) comprising steel wires (25, 26, 27) having a nominal tensile strength of at least 1960 N/mm2. The core element (22) comprises natural fibers having a linear density of at least 50 g/m.
US09309618B2

A laundry treating apparatus is provided. The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet having a receiving space in which laundry is received, a supply device supplying at least one of air or moisture into the receiving space, and a presser provided in the receiving space, the presser including a support device to support the laundry and a compression device to compress the laundry supported by the support device to form a crease in the laundry.
US09309613B1

A substantially continuous sewn helical fabric circular loom bed plate turntable system is described herein. The circular loom bed plate turntable may comprise a positive lay down delivery station, a rotating table comprising a plurality of pass-through grooves, a robotic sewing head comprising a needle configured to pass through a first subset of the plurality of pass-through grooves, and a fabric packaging station. The circular loom bed may comprise a positive lay down delivery station, a first semi-circular conveying system, a sewing zone comprising a robotic sewing head, a second semi-circular conveying system, and a fabric packaging station.
US09309611B2

A reinforced textile support, particularly for bituminous membranes, made of at least one layer of polyester non woven web and continuous high modulus reinforcement yarns longitudinally set with respect to said layer. The reinforcement yarns consist of cellulosic fiber multi-filaments of the Lyocell type. The assembly is bound by mechanical needling or water entangling, stabilized by means of thermal treatment at a temperature of 200-250° C. and consolidated by means of a chemical binder.
US09309605B2

Provided herein are methods and apparatus for determining leveler concentration in an electroplating solution. The approach allows the concentration of leveler to be detected and measured, even at very low leveler concentrations. According to the various embodiments, the methods involve providing an electrode with a metal surface, exposing the electrode to a pre-acceleration solution with at least one accelerator, allowing the surface of the electrode to become saturated with accelerator, measuring an electrochemical response while plating the electrode in a solution, and determining the concentration of leveler in the solution by comparing the measured electrochemical response to a model relating leveler concentration to known electrochemical responses. According to other embodiments, the apparatus includes an electrode, a measuring apparatus or an electrochemical cell configured to measure an electrochemical response, and a controller designed to carry out the method outlined above.
US09309604B2

An apparatus for electroplating a layer of metal onto the surface of a wafer includes an ionically resistive ionically permeable element located in close proximity of the wafer and an auxiliary cathode located between the anode and the ionically resistive ionically permeable element. The ionically resistive ionically permeable element serves to modulate ionic current at the wafer surface. The auxiliary cathode is configured to shape the current distribution from the anode. The provided configuration effectively redistributes ionic current in the plating system allowing plating of uniform metal layers and mitigating the terminal effect.
US09309596B2

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method of sintering inorganic powder coatings on substrates, and includes a flame and an electric plasma. The method is capable of being used in an open atmospheric environment. The substrate is electrically conductive and is used as one electrode while the flame is used as the other electrode that is moved over the areas of the powder coating to be sintered. An electrical current is used to cause a plasma produced through the flame, resulting in a combined energy and temperature profile sufficient for inorganic powder-powder and powder-substrate bonding. This method is referred to as flame-assisted flash sintering” (FAFS).
US09309590B2

A method for making multiple single molecule receptors in a nanopore structure includes depositing a first material and a second material by a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique onto different selected interior surfaces of a nanochannel and functionalizing a surface of the first material, the second material, or both the first and second materials with a chemical compound having at least two functional groups. The first and second materials can be the same or different and form patches having diameters of about 1 to about 100 nanometers (nm). Also disclosed are embodiments of a nanopore structure including multiple single molecule receptors.
US09309588B2

A thin film deposition source, a deposition apparatus and a deposition method using the same are disclosed. The deposition apparatus includes a deposition source including a plurality of jet nozzles that spray a deposition substance on a surface of a substrate and are arranged in a first direction, and at least one shutter controlling a jet region of the deposition substance by opening or shielding at least a portion of a jetting passageway of the deposition substance.
US09309576B2

The embodiments described herein include one embodiment that provides a method for controlling sugar crystallization. The method includes, during a crystallization process, determining supersaturation of a sugar slurry of syrup and regulating influx of syrup into the sugar slurry to promote sugar crystallization in a closed-loop manner based upon the determined supersaturation.
US09309572B2

Provided are methods of predicting a trait in a subject including obtaining information about at least a portion of a polynucleotide sequence of the subject, the polynucleotide sequence encoding the acid ceramidase polypeptide, and using the information to predict the expression of the trait in the subject. Further provided are methods of developing a treatment plan for a subject with a disease or condition responsive to exercise. The methods may include obtaining information about at least a portion of a polynucleotide sequence of the subject, the polynucleotide sequence encoding the acid ceramidase polypeptide, using the information to predict a trait selected from maintaining an exercise program and physiological responsiveness to an exercise program, and developing a treatment plan for the subject to treat the disease or condition.
US09309567B2

The present invention concerns a method for a polymerase chain reaction, in which a template nucleic acid, at least one primer, deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates as well as a DNA polymerase with proofreading activity are used. In addition, according to this invention, at least one target substrate is added to the polymerase chain reaction, whereby the efficiency of the DNA polymerase with proofreading activity is significantly increased. Any molecule that reduces or, in the optimal case, blocks the 3′,5′-exonuclease activity of the DNA polymerase used is suitable as target substrate. Technical solutions for the added substrate (target substrate) are in particular single stranded, linear oligonucleotides, hairpin oligonucleotides and RNA and DNA molecules. Furthermore, a kit is disclosed which comprise the required reagents for the implementation of the method according to the invention.
US09309565B2

This disclosure relates to methods and kits for karyotyping in which chromosomes are interrogated by amplifying loci that are not within copy number variable regions thereof.
US09309558B2

In some embodiments, the present teachings provide methods for nucleic acid amplification, comprising forming a reaction mixture, and subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions suitable for nucleic acid amplification. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification include subjecting the nucleic acid to be amplified to partially denaturing conditions. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification include amplifying without fully denaturing the nucleic acid that is amplified. In some embodiments, the methods for nucleic acid amplification employ an enzyme that catalyzes homologous recombination and a polymerase. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification can be conducted in a single reaction vessel. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification can be conducted in a single continuous liquid phase of a reaction mixture, without need for compartmentalization of the reaction mixture or immobilization of reaction components. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification comprise a amplifying at least one polynucleotide onto a surface under isothermal amplification conditions, optionally in the presence of a polymer. The polymer can include a sieving agent and/or a diffusion-reducing agent.
US09309557B2

In some embodiments, the present teachings provide methods for nucleic acid amplification, comprising forming a reaction mixture, and subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions suitable for nucleic acid amplification. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification include subjecting the nucleic acid to be amplified to partially denaturing conditions. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification include amplifying without fully denaturing the nucleic acid that is amplified. In some embodiments, the methods for nucleic acid amplification employ an enzyme that catalyzes homologous recombination and a polymerase. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification can be conducted in a single reaction vessel. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification can be conducted in a single continuous liquid phase of a reaction mixture, without need for compartmentalization of the reaction mixture or immobilization of reaction components. In some embodiments, methods for nucleic acid amplification comprise a amplifying at least one polynucleotide onto a surface under isothermal amplification conditions, optionally in the presence of a polymer. The polymer can include a sieving agent and/or a diffusion-reducing agent.
US09309556B2

Certain embodiments provide a method for capturing a genomic fragment. The method may comprise: obtaining a substrate comprising a first population of surface-bound oligonucleotides and a second population of surface-bound oligonucleotides; hybridizing a first member of the first population of surface-bound oligonucleotides to a selection oligonucleotide comprising a region that hybridizes with the first member and a region that contains a genomic sequence; extending the first member of the first population of surface-bound oligonucleotides to produce a support-bound selection primer that comprises a sequence that is complementary to the genomic sequence; hybridizing the support-bound selection primer to a nucleic acid fragment comprising the genomic sequence; extending the support-bound selection primer to produce an extension product that contains a sequence that flanks the genomic sequence, e.g., in a genome; and amplifying the extension product on the substrate.
US09309551B2

In some aspects, a device is provided having a member with a region of enhanced electrochemical activity. In one aspect, a sensor of enhanced electrochemical activity is provided for detecting an analyte concentration level in a bio-fluid sample. The sensor may include a sensor member of a semiconductor material wherein the sensor member has a surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity. In other aspects, the member may be made of semiconducting foam having a surface region of enhanced electrochemical activity. In some embodiments, the region may be thermally-induced. Manufacturing methods and apparatus are also provided, as are numerous other aspects.
US09309549B2

The present invention relates to a method for extracting components from yeast cells with a purified phospholipase.
US09309540B2

The present disclosure describes novel bacterial strains which express a pyruvate decarboxylase gene and at least one alcohol dehydrogenase gene from a bacteria of the genus Zymomonas and also express a hemoglobin gene from a bacteria of the genus Vitreoscilla. The present disclosure further describes methods for producing fermentation products with a microorganism which expresses a pyruvate decarboxylase gene and at least one alcohol dehydrogenase gene from a bacteria of the genus Zymomonas and also express a hemoglobin gene from a bacteria of the genus Vitreoscilla. Further the present disclosure describes methods for increasing production of a fermentation product comprising genetically engineering a microorganism which expresses a xylose isomerase gene to also express a hemoglobin gene from a bacteria of the genus Vitreoscilla.
US09309537B2

The present invention provides a preparation method of a chimeric embryo and a chimeric rat, which is characterized by contacting a rat pluripotent stem cell and a host embryo in the presence of an ES cell differentiation inhibitor. The method includes (a) a step for contacting a fertilized host embryo collected from a female rat and a rat pluripotent stem cell in the presence of an ES cell differentiation suppressant, and (b) a step for culturing the host embryo in contact with the rat pluripotent stem cell to form a chimeric embryo.
US09309536B2

The invention describes novel virus-like particles for use as vaccines, diagnostic tools and R&D tools based on recombinant DNA and cell cultivation techniques for production. The recombinant virus-like particles of the invention are assembled by polypeptide chains that incorporate several, in particular two or more, different epitopes which are selected either (a) from different viral strains of the same virus and/or (b) from different serotypes of the same virus and/or (c) from different viral strains specific for different hosts. These epitopes are then displayed on the particle surface.
US09309530B2

An object of the present invention is to search for a gene having a novel function that can cause an increase or decrease in material productivity, and particularly, fat and oil content. In the present invention, a chimeric protein obtained by fusing a transcription factor consisting of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence shown in any of the even-numbered SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 158 and a functional peptide capable of converting an arbitrary transcription factor into a transcriptional repressor is expressed in a plant.
US09309527B2

The present invention discloses a protein IPA1 related to plant architecture, its coding genes and uses, wherein the protein is 1) or 2) as follows: 1) the protein consisting of the amino acid sequence showed by sequence 1 in the sequence list; 2) the protein derived from the protein of 1) by substitution and/or deletion and/or addition of one or several amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence defined in 1) and relating to plant architecture. IPA1 gene can be used for molecular marker-assisted breeding, cultivating new rice varieties and improving rice yield.
US09309524B2

The present invention relates to methods for obtaining ethanol-producing yeast strains, yeast strains thus produced, and the industrial production of ethanol from said strains. More particularly, the present invention describes in its most general aspect, a method for preparing yeasts from Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains by means of the integration, into the genome of the yeast, of at least one gene encoding xylose isomerase and of at least one gene encoding xylitol dehydrogenase. The strains of the invention are useful for producing ethanol from a medium comprising at least one pentose, preferably xylose or a mixture of xylose and arabinose.
US09309501B2

Isolated DNA polymerase and the mutant DNA polymerases thereof are provided. The DNA polymerases have good thermostability.
US09309496B2

The present invention demonstrates that SALL4A and SALL4B are strong positive regulators of hematopoetic stem cell expansion. HSCs receiving expression of SALL4A or SALL4B are able to achieve a high-level of expansion. Cultures of SALL4-transduced cells results in extensive HSC expansion with over 1000-fold higher levels than controls within 2 to 3 weeks and expanded HSCs show no or very little maturation. Moreover, the expansion occurs quite rapidly with significant HSC growth in just a few days. In addition, SALL4-induced HSC expansion exhibits no impairment of hematopoietic cell differentiation. SALL4 appears to function in the maintenance of an undifferentiated proliferation state and block cell differentiation for HSCs.
US09309485B2

The invention involves liquid cleaning compositions that are cocamide DEA free. According to the invention, nonionic surfactants can be used as rheology modifiers in combination with various coupling agents to provide an environmentally friendly alternative for traditional liquid cleaning compositions that rely on cocamide DEA thickening agents.
US09309481B2

A lubricant oil composition which is excellent in deposition resistance, corrosion resistance and wear resistance, despite its low phosphorus content and low sulfuric acid ash content, is provided by using a succinimide compound in combination with at least one selected from specific sulfur-containing compounds, specific heterocyclic compounds and reaction products thereof.
US09309479B2

A lubricating grease is provided that comprises 90 to 99.45 percent by mass of perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) and 0.5 to 5 percent by mass of fumed silica.
US09309476B2

A process and a plant for obtaining highly pure methane from biogas where biogas coming from a fermenter is compressed and fed to at least one membrane unit having a selectively permeable membrane, which provides a product gas stream containing an elevated proportion of methane and a gas stream containing a reduced proportion of methane. A quality sensor may be arranged in the outlet line for the highly pure product gas. A vacuum pump, the capacity of which can be regulated, may be connected to the low-pressure side of one of the membrane units. It is controlled by a control unit which receives its input signal from the quality sensor in the outlet line, and if the proportion of methane measured by the quality sensor falls below a certain value, the capacity of the vacuum pump is regulated so that the pressure difference at the membrane increases.
US09309472B2

Methods are provided for improving the yield of distillate products from hydroprocessing of gas oil feedstocks, such as vacuum gas oils. It has been unexpectedly found that stripping of gases or fractionation to separate out a distillate fraction during initial hydrotreatment of a feed can provide a substantial increase in distillate yield at a desired amount of feedstock conversion. The improvement in yield of distillate products can allow a desired level of conversion to be performed on a feedstock for generating lubricating base oil products while reducing or minimizing the amount of naphtha (or lower) boiling range products. Alternatively, the improvement in yield of distillate products can correspond to an improved yield during a single pass through a reaction system, so that distillate yield is increased even though a lubricant boiling range product is not generated.
US09309470B2

The present invention provides a process for producing olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms from ethane stably in a simpler process. The present invention provides a method for producing olefin having a step of obtaining a cold fraction by cooling an ethane-cracked gas, which is obtained by thermal cracking of ethane in the presence of steam, to 600° C. or less; and a step of obtaining a catalytic cracking gas containing olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms by bringing the cold fraction into contact with a catalyst containing a medium pore diameter zeolite.
US09309465B2

A coal reforming method includes: drying; performing carbonizing; and cooling. (1) In the drying, coal is classified into coarse coal and fine coal while being dried, and heat obtained by burning at least a portion of the fine coal and at least a portion of the carbonizing gas is used as a heat source during the drying or the carbonizing. (2) In the cooling, the char is classified while being cooled to separate fine char from the char, and heat obtained by burning at least a portion of the fine char and at least a portion of the carbonizing gas is used as a heat source during the drying or the carbonizing. At least any one of (1) and (2) is performed.
US09309461B2

The present invention provides a phosphor dispersion liquid in which phosphor particles, laminar clay mineral microparticles, and oxide microparticles are dispersed in a solvent, wherein when a glass bottle of a 15-mm inner diameter is filled with 5 ml of the phosphor dispersion liquid and left standing, the time taken for a supernatant layer to be generated due to settling of the phosphor particles is four hours or longer.
US09309460B2

Provided are: a phosphor that has a crystal structure identical to a CaAlSiN3 crystal phase, which absorbs light of a light emitting element such as an LED and emits red light, as a host crystal and exhibits luminous efficiency more excellent than those of conventional phosphors; and a light emitting device which has high luminance and long service life by the use of this phosphor. A powder phosphor, which is represented by general formula Cax(Si,Al)2(N,O)3+y (wherein 0.75≦x≦0.92 and −0.2≦y≦0.2), and wherein some of Ca element is substituted by Eu element. This powder phosphor has an Si/Al ratio (molar ratio) of from 0.9 to 1.55 (inclusive), an Eu content of from 0.01 at % to 0.3 at % (inclusive), and an amount of intragranular solid-solved oxygen of from 0.4% by mass to 0.7% by mass (inclusive).
US09309459B2

A high-brightness phosphor having high-temperature characteristics and long-term reliability, and a white light-emitting device using this phosphor are provided. The phosphor contains a silicate phosphor (A) having a peak wavelength of at least 525 nm but not higher than 535 nm and fluorescence intensity of at least 250% but not higher than 270%; an oxynitride phosphor (B) having a peak wavelength of at least 540 nm but not higher than 545 nm and fluorescence intensity of at least 260% but not higher than 280%; and an oxynitride phosphor (C) having a peak wavelength of at least 645 nm but not higher than 655 nm, wherein the amount of the silicate phosphor (A) is at least 20% but not higher than 35% by mass, the amount of the oxynitride phosphor (B) is at least 50% but not higher than 70% by mass, and the amount of the oxynitride phosphor (C) is at least 10% but not higher than 20% by mass.
US09309456B2

In one embodiment, a scintillator material includes a polymer matrix; and a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount of 5 wt % or more; wherein the scintillator material exhibits an optical response signature for neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for gamma rays. In another embodiment, a scintillator material includes a polymer matrix; and a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount greater than 10 wt %.
US09309449B2

The present disclosure relates generally to deicer compositions comprising a liquid deicing agent which is as an aqueous solution of a deicing salt and additives that provide reduced corrosiveness with reduced biochemical oxygen demand. Aspects of the disclosure are particularly directed to use of the deicer composition as a liquid deicer or an anti-icer. The deicer composition can further include a solid deicing agent such as sodium chloride, where the liquid deicing agent and additive form a pre-wetting agent when mixed with the solid deicing agent to form a pre-wetted deicer.
US09309445B2

According to one or more embodiments, a polymeric article includes a polymeric composition which in turn includes a volume of polymer intermixed with a number of color balloons, at least a portion of the number of color balloons each including a shell enclosing a colored agent.
US09309437B2

Weather resistant and water repellent surfacing compositions especially useful in roofing applications contain an alkoxysilane-terminated polymer and a reactive silane plasticizer containing a C6-40 hydrocarbon group. The surfacing compositions are of low viscosity and may be used without non-reactive plasticizers or organic solvents.
US09309436B2

Composite Maillard-resole binders to produce or promote cohesion in non-assembled or loosely assembled matter.
US09309432B1

In a composition aspect of the invention, a nanoparticle coating comprises repeating polyacrylic acid monomers covalently bound together in an aliphatic chain having a plurality of carboxylic acid functional groups and modified carboxylic acid functional groups extending therefrom. A first portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having a terminal methoxy functional group and a second portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having at least one terminal catechol group.
US09309431B2

Provided is a vinyl alcohol polymer that provides a coating film having superior water resistance and binder performances, and has sufficient solubility in water and viscosity stability even in a neutral pH region. Further provided are an aqueous solution, a coating agent, an ink jet recording material, a thermal recording material and a base paper for a release paper that comprise the vinyl alcohol polymer, and a method for producing same, and the like. The vinyl alcohol polymer includes a monomer unit represented by the following formula (1), with the following inequality (I) being satisfied. Preferably, the following inequalities (II) and (III) are further satisfied according to the PVA: wherein, P represents the viscosity average degree of polymerization; and S represents the content (mol %) of the monomer unit.
US09309430B2

A pigment dispersion liquid is a pigment dispersion liquid for a solvent-based ink including a base metal pigment and an organic solvent, in which the base metal pigment is subjected to a surface treatment by a fluorine-based compound, and in which the concentration of a fluorine element is from 8 atm % to 35 atm % when an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the surface of the base metal pigment is performed.
US09309424B2

A coating for a substrate is formed by milling cationic pigment particles in the presence of a water-soluble polymer, where the water-soluble polymer acts as a binder and a dispersant for the cationic pigment particles.
US09309418B2

The invention relates to removable temporary paint having a release agent including a non-ionic surfactant and having a pH of 3 to 6. The paint includes: 10 wt % to 50 wt % of a natural alkyd resin in an aqueous emulsion, the alkyd resin having a molar mass Mp of 3,000 g/mol to 100,000 g/mol, a polydispersity index lp of 1 to 20, an oil length of 20% to 40%, and an acid index of 10 to 35; at least one inorganic filler and/or pigment; and a sufficient amount of water. The paint can be used as eco-friendly road paint for temporary markings.
US09309412B2

A graft co-polymer is provided comprising a vinyl polymeric backbone with grafts of siloxane monomers and monomers containing an anchoring group. Such co-polymers are well suited for coating metal molds. The siloxane groups provide release to the metal mold, while the anchoring groups provide durability to the coating. The durability and release characteristics may be varied by the number of grafts of each monomer and the molecular weight of the siloxane moiety. The co-polymers may be coated from water or organic solvents.
US09309411B2

The present invention relates to a nacreous pigment and a method of preparing the same. The nacreous pigment includes a flake substrate, a first metal oxide layer coated on the substrate, and an oxide layer coated on the first metal oxide layer and containing MgO.SiO2, and a second metal oxide layer coated on the oxide layer. The pigment exhibits high brightness, high chroma, high gloss, and multi-color effects.
US09309408B2

The invention is directed to an additive composition comprising at least one clarifying and/or nucleating agent for polyolefins, which agent is a powder having a melting point of at least 190° C., in an amount of at least 70 wt. %, based on the weight of the composition, and at least one wax having a viscosity, as defined herein of at least 500 m Pa·s, in an amount between 0.5 and 30 wt. %, based on the weight of the composition.
US09309401B2

The present invention relates to plastic materials comprising lignin and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) to methods of manufacturing those plastic materials and to articles obtained by molding the plastic materials of the invention. Since PBS can be obtained from renewable sources, the present invention also provides for bioplastic materials comprising lignin and PBS. The present invention also provides for plastic materials comprising lignin and PBS and at least one fiber and to articles obtained from those plastic materials that are degradable, compostable and recyclable.
US09309400B2

A composition including a styrene block copolymer, a polar-modified styrene block copolymer, plant fibers and a polyolefin solid at 25° C., and to molded bodies, especially membranes, produced from such compositions.
US09309398B2

Provided is an expanded composite resin bead comprising a styrene resin and a propylene resin. The content of the propylene resin component in the expanded composite resin bead is from 20 to 40% by mass relative to a total of 100% by mass of the styrene resin component and the propylene resin component. In a transmission electron micrograph of a cross-section of a cell wall 1 forming the expanded composite resin bead, disperse phases 3 made of the styrene resin are dispersed in a continuous phase 2 made of the propylene resin. An average value of the maximum diameters of the disperse phases 3 is from 0.01 to 1 μm and a value of ratio of the average value of the maximum diameters to an average value of the minimum diameters of the disperse phases 3 is from 1 to 10.
US09309394B2

A masterbatch composition comprising:70-90% wt of a component (A) being a propylene homopolymer or copolymer of propylene with ethylene or C4-C10 alpha olefins, having a MFRA according to ISO 1133 (230° C./2.16 Kg) ranging from 15 to 70 g/10 min; and10-30% wt of a component B) being a propylene-ethylene copolymer comprising 25-45% wt of ethylene derived units and having a value of the intrinsic viscosity [η] of the fraction soluble in xylene at room temperature ranging from 5 to 9 dl/g, said masterbatch composition having a total MFR higher than 4 g/10 min, and a value of the flexural modulus measured according to ISO method 178 ranging from 950 to 2000 MPa.
US09309389B2

A rubber composition in which from 80 to 150 parts by weight of carbon black having a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area of from 200 to 400 m2/g is compounded per 100 parts by weight of styrene-butadiene rubber including from 60% to 100% by weight of solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber S-SBR1 and from 40% to 0% by weight of solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber S-SBR2 to result in a total of 100% by weight, the styrene quantity of the S-SBR1 being from 30% to 38% by weight, the vinyl quantity of the S-SBR1 being from 60% to 80% by weight, the glass transition temperature of the S-SBR1 being from −20° C. to −5° C., the weight-average molecular weight of the S-SBR1 being from 1,000,000 to 1,800,000, the glass transition temperature of the S-SBR2 being not less than −30° C. and less than −20° C., and the weight-average molecular weight of the S-SBR2 being from 1,000,000 to 1,800,000.
US09309378B2

A polyacrylamide-based composition as a microemulsion is provided in the form of a water-in-oil microemulsion with polyacrylamide dissolved in the water phase, and further comprising ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer. Specifically, the present invention includes, dissolved in the water phase, a polyacrylamide copolymer and an EO/PO block copolymer, with the water phase mixed with an oil phase. Preferably, the present invention may further comprise the presence of at least one fatty acid and/or at least one nonionic surfactant to stabilize the microemulsion. In addition, the present invention may further comprise effective amount of other components, such as pesticides and/or fertilizers, that may be delivered to trees, plants or other vegetation.
US09309375B2

To provide (i) a water-absorbing agent, having a water-absorbent resin as a main component, whose absorbency is high and liquid permeability is enhanced and (ii) a production method thereof. The water-absorbing agent of the present invention includes a water-absorbent resin obtained by polymerizing an unsaturated monomer having a carboxyl group and included in an aqueous monomer solution in the presence of at least a non high molecular compound having four or more functional groups each capable of forming a covalent bond with a carboxyl group.
US09309373B2

Provided is an adhesive composition leading to sufficient adhesive strength when used for bonding to a polyolefin resin molded article that bonds poorly with other members. Also provided is an adhesive composition having excellent heat resistance (heat resistant adhesion) in the bonded part of a composite body obtained by joining a polyolefin resin-formed body and other member. This adhesive composition contains an organic solvent, a carboxyl group-containing polyolefin resin which is dissolved in this organic solvent and which has a melt flow rate of 5 to 40 g/10 min when measured at 130° C., and a polyfunctional isocyanate compound. This adhesive composition may further contain a carboxyl group-containing polyolefin resin having a melting point of 120° C. to 170° C.
US09309372B2

Disclosed herein are rubber compositions suitable for use in tire treads comprising (a) at least one conjugated diene polymer or copolymer; (b) at least one filler; (c) a curative package; and (d) at least one of: (i) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax, or (ii) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one silicone-containing wax comprising a functionalized polyalkylsiloxane, a functionalized polyalkylsilsesquioxane resin, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax is a chlorinated hydrocarbon or a fluorinated hydrocarbon wax.
US09309371B2

The present disclosure relates to a polymerization initiator and a modified conjugated diene polymer prepared using the same, and more particularly to a polymerization initiator which is a compound represented by the following formula 1, and a modified conjugated diene polymer prepared using the same: wherein R1 to R5 are each independently hydrogen or a C1-10 alkylgroup or its carbanion; n− represents the number of negative charges of the carbanion and is 1− to 5−; M is a metal; and n is equal to the number of carbanions in R1 to R5.
US09309366B2

A flexible polyurethane foam containing a flame retardant blend of at least one diester diol a ring-brominated aromatic compound and at least one epoxy resin.
US09309363B2

The present invention provides a method for making uniform, spherical, acrylic polymeric beads by jetting, the beads produced, and ion exchange resins produced from functionalizing the uniform, spherical polymeric beads.
US09309356B2

The present invention relates to a process for the activation of double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts with heterocumulenes for the preparation of polyether carbonate polyols by catalytic copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO2) with alkylene oxides in the presence of one or more H-functional starter substances, and to a process for the preparation of polyether carbonate polyols from one or more H-functional starter substances, one or more alkylene oxides and carbon dioxide in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst, characterized in that (α) under an inert gas atmosphere, under an atmosphere of an inert gas/carbon dioxide mixture or under a pure carbon dioxide atmosphere, at temperatures of from 90 to 150° C., the DMC catalyst is mixed with a heterocumulene and H-functional starter substance, (β) alkylene oxide is added at temperatures of from 100 to 150° C. to the mixture from step (α) under an inert gas atmosphere, under an atmosphere of an inert gas/carbon dioxide mixture or under a pure carbon dioxide atmosphere, and (γ) one or more alkylene oxides and carbon dioxide are metered continuously into the mixture resulting from step (β).
US09309350B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball polyurethane composition excellent in resilience. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball excellent in a shot feeling and resilience. The present invention provides a golf ball polyurethane composition comprising, as a resin component, a polyurethane elastomer including a polyisocyanate with at least two alicyclic hydrocarbon structures having 3 or more carbon atoms as a constituting component, and having a storage modulus E′ (Pa) and a loss modulus E″ (Pa) satisfying a following expression; log(E′/E″2)≧−6.08 when measured in a tensile mode using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus.
US09309346B2

A method is provided for preparing polyurethane foams, which comprises contacting at least one organic isocyanate compound, at least one polyol, at least one blowing agent, and a tertiary amine catalyst composition. The catalyst composition has the general formula wherein R1, R2, and Y are, independently, an alkyl group having from one to three carbon atoms or —CH2CH2OH; Z is —CH2CH2OH; and n is an integer from 3 to 7, inclusive. Also provided is a method for catalyzing the reaction between at least one isocyanate compound and at least one active hydrogen-containing compound, such as a polyol and/or a blowing agent.
US09309339B2

A mid-range vinylidene content, high viscosity PIB polymer composition including PIB molecules, wherein a first portion of the PIB molecules have alpha position double bonds and a second portion of the PIB molecules have beta position double bonds, and the first and second portions together include at least 80 mole % of the PIB molecules of the composition. The first portion includes less than 75 mole % of the PIB molecules of the composition. Additionally, no more than 10 mole % of the PIB molecules of the composition have tetra-substituted double bonds, while the composition is further characterized by having a polydispersity of no more than 2.7 and in that the composition has a kinematic viscosity in the range of 3000 cSt to 5000 cSt, a number average molecular weight, Mn, in the range of 2800 Daltons to 4000 Daltons and a ratio of Mn:PDI of greater than 1100.
US09309336B2

A zwitterionic monomer and corresponding cyclopolymerized polyzwitterion (±) (PZ) containing, on each repeating unit, both phosphonate and sulfonate functionalities. Phosphonate ester hydrolysis in PZ gave a pH-responsive polyzwitterionic acid (±) (PZA). The PZA under pH-induced transformation was converted into polyzwitterion/anion (±−) (PZAN) and polyzwitterion/dianion (±=) (PZDAN).
US09309335B2

A process for producing a polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder including: (1) a step of preparing an aqueous dispersion containing polytetrafluoroethylene, water and a surfactant (A); (2) a step of initiating coagulation of the polytetrafluoroethylene in said aqueous dispersion by agitating said aqueous dispersion; (3) a step of adding a surfactant (B) after the step (2); (4) a step of terminating coagulation after the step (3); (5) a step of collecting a wet powder of the polytetrafluoroethylene; and (6) a step of drying the wet powder of the polytetrafluoroethylene.
US09309331B2

This invention provides a method for shortstopping free radical polymerization reactions using a shortstopping agent comprising at least two alkyl hydroxylamines (AHAs) selected from the group consisting of primary AHAs, a mixture of at least one of each of primary and secondary AHAs, and salts thereof. A method for producing elastomers using the aforesaid shortstopping agents is also provided.
US09309328B2

Disclosed herein is a method of preparing a cationic dextrin, including: performing cationization reaction by adding a cationization agent to dextrin.
US09309326B2

A bispecific antibody format providing ease of isolation is provided, comprising immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domains that are differentially modified in the CH3 domain, wherein the differential modifications are non-immunogenic or substantially non-immunogenic with respect to the CH3 modifications, and at least one of the modifications results in a differential affinity for the bispecific antibody for an affinity reagent such as Protein A, and the bispecific antibody is isolable from a disrupted cell, from medium, or from a mixture of antibodies based on its affinity for Protein A.
US09309325B2

The disclosure relates to protease-binding agent specific for a protease. The agent may be an antibody capable of specifically binding and inhibiting a protease, such as a P1-Arg-specific protease. The disclosure also provides methods of producing, and compositions comprising the subject agent. Methods and kits related to the protease-binding agent find use in protection against, detection, diagnosing, treating cancer and infections due to pathogens containing active proteases.
US09309320B2

The present invention relates to methods for treating an individual with high grade glioblastoma multiforme by preventing or disrupting the binding of CD95 to its ligand, CD95L, in vivo, whereupon that neutralization of CD95 activity reduces undesirable glial cell migration and invasion into body tissue.
US09309315B2

The present invention relates to a peptide, such as an antibody, capable of binding to CD4 and use thereof for the mediation of radiation treatment of a clinical condition. The radiation treatment may for instance by treatment with PUVA.
US09309310B2

The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to C5a and to use of the antibodies in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders such as, but not limited to, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, severe burn, antiphospholipid syndrome, asthma, lupus nephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US09309306B2

The invention provides anti-MCSP antibodies and methods of using the same.
US09309299B2

A protein structure capable of selective interaction with an organic target is provided. The protein structure is a polymer comprising as a repeating structural unit a recombinant fusion protein that is capable of selective interaction with the organic target. The fusion protein is comprising the moieties B, REP and CT, and optionally NT. B is a non-spidroin moiety of more than 30 amino acid residues, which provides the capacity of selective interaction with the organic target. REP is a moiety of from 70 to 300 amino acid residues and is derived from the repetitive fragment of a spider silk protein. CT is a moiety of from 70 to 120 amino acid residues and is derived from the C-terminal fragment of a spider silk protein. NT is an optional moiety of from 100 to 160 amino acid residues and is derived from the N-terminal fragment of a spider silk protein. The fusion protein and protein structure thereof is useful as an affinity medium and a cell scaffold material.
US09309290B2

The generation of optimized H1N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to H1N1 influenza virus isolates is described. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on selected H1N1 viruses isolated from 1918-2012. Optimized H1N1 HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides are described. Condon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides are also described. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also described.
US09309285B2

Provided herein are antibacterial compounds, wherein the compounds in some embodiments have broad spectrum bioactivity. In various embodiments, the compounds act by inhibition of bacterial type 1 signal peptidase (SpsB), an essential protein in bacteria. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treatment using the compounds described herein are also provided.
US09309269B2

The present invention describes chemical systems and methods for silylating aromatic organic substrates, said system comprising a mixture of (a) at least one organosilane and (b) at least one strong base, said system being substantially free of a transition-metal compound, and said methods comprising contacting a quantity of the organic substrate with a mixture of (a) at least one organosilane and (b) at least one strong base, under conditions sufficient to silylate the aromatic substrate; wherein said system is substantially free of a transition-metal compound.
US09309267B2

The present invention relates to novel derivatives that are suitable as precursors to compounds that are useful for imaging amyloid deposits in living patients, their compositions, methods of use and processes to make such compounds. The compounds deriving from these precursors are useful in methods of imaging amyloid deposits in brain in vivo to allow antemortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease by positron emission tomography (PET) as well as measuring clinical efficacy of Alzheimer's disease therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the present invention also discloses the precursor compounds in crystalline form.
US09309266B2

A highly energetic, high-oxygen carrier suitable as high-performing green replacement for ammonium perchlorate includes halogen-free ionic salts consisting of fuel cations and over-oxidized anions containing multiple nitro- or nitromethyl-substituted azolyl ligands. The over-oxidized anions include a central atom selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum, or gallium. Characteristically, the carrier has sufficient amounts of oxygen for complete or near complete combustion of the over-oxidized anions, the fuel cations, metal additives and binders.
US09309264B2

The present invention provides a method for adsorbing carbon dioxide onto porous metal-organic framework materials, a method for cooling porous metal-organic framework materials, a method for obtaining aldehyde using porous metal-organic framework materials and a method for warming porous metal-organic framework materials. In each method, porous metal-organic framework materials are used while an electric field or an electromagnetic field is applied to the porous metal-organic framework materials, or while a magnetic field or an electromagnetic field is applied to the porous metal-organic framework materials. If an electric field is applied, at least one organic compound included in the porous metal-organic framework materials is a polar compound. Instead, if a magnetic field is applied, at least one metal included in the porous metal-organic framework materials has an unpaired electron.
US09309262B2

The present invention generally relates to a series of compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, and to use of the compounds and compositions as therapeutic agents. More specifically, compounds of the present invention are thienylindole azepines. These compounds are serotonin receptor (5-HT2c) ligands and are useful for treating diseases, disorders, and conditions wherein modulation of the activity of serotonin receptors (5-HT2c) is desired (e.g. addiction, anxiety, depression, obesity, and others).
US09309258B2

The present disclosure provides improved methods for N-dealkylation of tertiary amines, including methods for N-demethylation of alkaloids and opioids, in which the dealkylation reaction is carried out in a solvent comprising a tertiary alcohol. The present disclosure also provides improved processes for preparing semi-synthetic opioids that incorporate the disclosed methods for N-dealkylation of tertiary amines.
US09309244B2

A novel compound able to inhibit JAK is disclosed, that comprises a compound according to Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound may be prepared as a pharmaceutical composition, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, proliferative diseases, transplantation rejection, diseases involving impairment of cartilage turnover, congenital cartilage malformations, and/or diseases associated with hypersecretion of IL6.
US09309243B2

A series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives of formula (I), being potent modulators of human TNFa activity, are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of various human ailments, including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders; neurological and neurodegenerative disorders; pain and nociceptive disorders; cardiovascular disorders; metabolic disorders; ocular disorders; and oncological disorders.
US09309237B2

Chemical compounds that inhibit retroviruses are presented herein. More particularly, this disclosure provides small molecule compounds that inhibit infection with, or treat infection caused by, human immunodeficiency viruses.
US09309236B2

Compounds and methods are provided for the treatment of pathogen infections. In some embodiments, the anti-infective compounds have broad spectrum activity against a variety of infective diseases, where the diseases are caused by pathogens containing a basic amino acid PIP-2 pincer (BAAPP) domain that interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP-2) to mediate pathogen replication. Also provided are methods of inhibiting a PI4-kinase and methods of inhibiting viral infection. In some embodiments, the compound is a PI4-kinase inhibiting compound that is a 5-aryl-thiazole. The subject compounds may be formulated or provided to a subject in combination with a second anti-infective agent, e.g. interferon, ribivarin, and the like.
US09309235B2

Compounds of Formula I are described. They are useful as stimulators of sGC, particularly NO-independent, heme-dependent stimulators. These compounds may be useful for treating, preventing or managing various disorders that are herein disclosed.
US09309223B2

Provided is a novel heterocyclic compound which can be used as a host material for dispersing a light-emitting material in a light-emitting layer of a light-emitting element. Further provided is a light-emitting element which is driven at a low voltage and has high current efficiency. By including the light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, an electronic device, and a lighting device each with reduced power consumption are provided. The light-emitting element contains a compound in which a dibenzo[f,h]quinoline ring and a hole-transport skeleton are bonded through an arylene group. The light-emitting device, the electronic device, and the lighting device each including the light-emitting element are provided. The light-emitting element contains a heterocyclic compound having a structure represented by the following general formula (G1).
US09309222B2

The present invention comprises compounds of Formula I. wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are defined in the specification. The invention also comprises a method of treating or ameliorating a syndrome, disorder or disease, wherein said syndrome, disorder or disease is rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. The invention also comprises a method of modulating RORγt activity in a mammal by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of claim 1.
US09309220B2

Provided are processes for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched or enantiomerically pure 3-(4-((4-(morpholinomethyl)benzyl)oxy)-1-oxoisoindolin-2-yl)piperidine-2,6-dione, or a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof.
US09309215B2

The compound of formula (I): is provided. It may be produced by subjecting a compound of formula (IV) to a reduction reaction wherein R represents hydrogen, straight or branched C1-C6 alkyl. This compound is a valuable intermediate which may be used in the synthesis of fesoterodine, tolterodine, its active metabolite, and related compounds.
US09309208B2

The present invention provides methods of making and using 5-(2-(indol-3-yl)-2-oxoethylidene)-3-phenyl-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one derivatives having HIV-1 or JSP-1 inhibitory activity.
US09309201B2

Ivabradine hydrochloride Form IV, its pharmaceutical composition, process for its preparation, and its use as therapeutically active ingredient and pharmaceutical compositions containing Ivabradine hydrochloride Form IV.
US09309195B2

Novel salt forms of [R—(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-β,δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid characterized by their X-ray powder diffraction pattern and solid-state NMR spectra are described, as well as methods for the preparation and pharmaceutical composition of the same, which are useful as agents for treating hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and Alzheimer's Disease.
US09309187B2

The compounds of formula (1) in which R1, R4, A and X have the meanings as given in the description, are novel effective EP2 agonists.
US09309182B2

This invention relates to novel derivatives of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and prodrugs thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the foregoing. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating narcolepsy, fibromyalgia, other disorders or conditions that are beneficially treated by improving nocturnal sleep or by administering sodium oxybate.
US09309180B2

Method for producing acrylic acid by dehydration of a C3 hydroxycarboxylic acid, characterized in that dehydration is achieved by contacting, at a temperature of more than 150° C., the hydroxycarboxylic acid with a mixture which is liquid at this temperature and comprises at least one metal salt of a C3 hydroxycarboxylic acid, and water.
US09309179B2

The invention relates to hydroxyphenyl derivatives of formula (I); and uses thereof as anti-bacterial and/or anti-parasitic agents.
US09309173B2

A decontamination system for decontaminating at least one contaminant in a process stream. Decontaminant liquid is dispersed into the process stream using atomization. A controller detects contaminant levels in the process stream and adjusts the flow of decontaminant fluid into the process stream in response.
US09309170B2

This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene which contain a substantial concentration of nonaromatics using a catalyst system which features the ability to both convert nonaromatics and to obtain an improved yield of para-xylene from the mixture relative to processes of the known art.
US09309168B2

Processes for forming propylene are described herein. The processes generally include reacting a metathesis feed stream including butene with ethylene in the presence of a first metathesis catalyst via a first metathesis reaction to form a first metathesis product stream including propylene, ethylene, butene, and C5+ olefins; separating at least a portion of the propylene and ethylene from the first metathesis product stream to form a first overhead stream and to form a first de-propenized bottoms stream including butene and C5+ olefins; reacting at least a portion of the first de-propenized bottoms stream with ethylene in the presence of a second metathesis catalyst via a second metathesis reaction to form a second metathesis product stream including propylene, ethylene, butene, and C5+ olefins; and separating at least a portion of the propylene and ethylene from the second metathesis product stream to form a second overhead stream; and recovering propylene from the first overhead stream, the second overhead stream or combinations thereof.
US09309165B2

The present invention discloses the compound 6-chloro-3-(phenyl-d5)-inden-1-one (I) and routes of synthesis to obtain (I). In a further aspect the present invention discloses the use of (I) for the synthesis of (S)-6-chloro-3-(phenyl-d5)-indan-1-one.
US09309158B2

A process for producing a homogenous multi compound system which is hydroxide- and/or oxide-based includes a first alternative process comprising providing a first and a second refractory metal in respective hydrofluoric solutions, and mixing the first and second hydrofluoric solutions to provide a mixed hydrofluoric solution comprising a dissolved first and second refractory metal. A second alternative process comprises dissolving the first and the second refractory metal in an alternative mixed hydrofluoric solution. The mixed hydrofluoric solution or the alternative mixed hydrofluoric solution is precipitated with a precipitant to provide a solids mixture in a suspension. The first and second refractory metal is from the group consisting of Mo, W, Nb, Re, Zr, Hf, V, Sb, Si, Al, and Ta. The first and second refractory metal are different. At least one of the first and second refractory metal is provided as a fluoro and/or as an oxyfluoro complex.
US09309155B2

The invention relates to a granulated powder intended, in particular, for the production of ceramic sintered parts, said powder having the following chemical weight composition, based on dry matter, namely: at least 1% of a first binder having a glass transition temperature less than or equal to 25° C.; 0-4% of an additional binder having a glass transition temperature greater than 25° C.; 0-4% of a temporary additive different from the first binder and the additional binder, the total content of the first binder, the additional binder and the temporary additive being less than 9%; 0-15% of an additive for sintering the ceramic material; at least 2% impurities; and the remainder comprising a ceramic material, and optionally an agent for stabilizing said ceramic material, to make up 100%. According to the invention, the median diameter D50 of the powder is between 80 and 130 μm, the percentile D99.5 is less than 500 μm and the relative density of the granules is between 30% and 60%.
US09309143B2

A method of making optical fibers that includes controlled cooling to produce fibers having a low concentration of non-bridging oxygen defects and low sensitivity to hydrogen. The method may include heating a fiber preform above its softening point, drawing a fiber from the heated preform and passing the fiber through two treatment stages. The fiber may enter the first treatment stage at a temperature between 1500° C. and 1700° C., may exit the first treatment stage at a temperature between 1200° C. and 1400° C., and may experience a cooling rate less than 5000° C./s in the first treatment stage. The fiber may enter the second treatment stage downstream from the first treatment stage at a temperature between 1200° C. and 1400° C., may exit the second treatment stage at a temperature between 1000° C. and 1150° C., and may experience a cooling rate between 5000° C./s and 12,000° C./s in the second treatment stage. The method may also include redirecting the fiber with a fluid bearing device or an air-turn device.
US09309136B2

A composition for the bioremediation of soil or groundwater includes 35 to 60% by weight of an emulsifiable C4-C22 vegetable oil such as soybean or corn oil, about 60-35% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant/co-surfactant blend such as Tween 80®/Labrafil® mixed with Kolliphor EL®/Waglinol®, and about 0-12% by weight water.
US09309131B2

A reaction product of silicious material, aluminum metal, and an aqueous solution is disclosed. The reaction product may be used to form a sorbent that is used to purify water of contaminants such as biological matter, dyes, soluble metals, arsenic, or radioactive elements. Additives may be added to the reaction product to further improve the sorption qualities of the sorbent. Water purification devices having the sorbent are also disclosed.
US09309122B2

The preparation of graphene, mono-, bi- and multi-layers from graphite-based precursor materials, for example, pencil lead or graphite, by a method of mechanical thinning on the surface of a planar substrate with controlled roughness, followed by sonication in order to collect the graphene deposited on the substrate in a liquid medium. The bearing force during thinning by mechanical friction enables the number of graphene sheets deposited on the surface of the substrate to be controlled.
US09309119B2

There is provided a producing method of metal fine particles or metal oxide fine particles for producing metal fine particles or metal oxide fine particles by atomizing raw materials by performing processes including an oxidizing process and a reducing process to the raw materials composed of metal or a metal compound.
US09309108B2

A MEMS microphone packaging method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a conducting part and a through hole; mounting a processor chip on the substrate and electrically connecting the processor chip to the conducting part; mounting a sensor chip on the substrate over the through hole and adjacent to the processor chip and electrically connecting the sensor chip to the processor chip; and mounting a cover on the substrate over the processor chip and the sensor chip. The cover has a conducting circuit, and the conducting circuit electrically coupled with the conducting part. Thus, the method of the invention can make a flip architecture MEMS microphone, reducing the steps of the packaging process and lowering the degree of difficulty of the manufacturing process and the manufacturing costs.
US09309107B2

A micromechanical system is described having a substrate; a first micromechanical functional area, which is situated above the substrate; a second micromechanical functional area, which is situated above the first micromechanical functional area and is connected via a first weblike anchoring structure to the first micromechanical functional area; a third micromechanical functional area, which is situated above the second micromechanical functional area, and which has a first subarea and a second subarea; the first subarea being connected via a second weblike anchoring structure to the second micromechanical functional area; and the second subarea being mounted floating over the substrate by the first subarea. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing such a micromechanical system.
US09309104B2

A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.
US09309090B2

A safety apparatus for elevator apparatuses which can move a cab via a drive including a monitoring unit for monitoring at least one of the drive and/or the motor regulation system of the drive, a safety device having at least two sensors, which can be switched between at least two switching states depending on a state, in particular a closing state. In order to be able to reduce operating costs, at least one of the safety device and the monitoring unit includes a controller, which is designed to identify the respective switching states of the sensors, and to transmit at least one of data and monitoring signals to the monitoring unit.
US09309078B2

A roll of a sheet material such as a sheet vinyl floor covering and a process of manufacturing the roll to prevent the leading edge of the floor covering from causing damage to succeeding layers. The process comprises winding the sheet material about the surface of a roll core and inserting a thin sheet of a relatively stiff material, such as paperboard, between the leading edge of the sheet material and the next succeeding layer of sheet material. The relatively stiff material is inserted under tension so that the leading edge of sheet material is pulled down against the surface of the roll core.
US09309077B2

An apparatus is provided for receiving and positioning veneers fed by a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes grippers controlled to be independently movable, for gripping the veneers, and detection means for detecting the location and/or position of the veneers on a conveyor belt. At least one gripper is disposed on both sides of the feeding direction center line of the veneer. The grippers are arranged to reciprocate at least in the feeding direction of the veneers, to grip each successive veneer on its leading edge side, and to align the leading edge side of the veneer to correspond to the position of the veneer in the veneer assembly, in response to information provided by the detection means.
US09309072B2

A method and apparatus for preventing excess spin of idler rollers after a sheet of paper or other media has passed a media guide with the idler rollers including a retard function within plastic idler rollers. The retard function is provided by adding a retard flexure molded into the idler roller. This adds a brake which stops excess over spin of the idler rollers.
US09309066B2

In a sheet feeding device, a feeding roller is driven and rotated to feed a sheet in a conveying direction of a sheet conveying path and a drive transmission mechanism transmits rotation drive force generated in a driving portion to the feeding roller. In this mechanism, a drive input gear having an inner space is arranged on a rotation axis supporting the feeding roller rotatably so as to rotate by the rotation drive force. A drive transmission gear arranged between the feeding roller and drive input gear on the rotation axis rotates and becomes slide-movable along the rotation axis between a first position transmitting the rotation drive force to the feeding roller and a second position cutting off the transmission of the rotation drive force to the feeding roller by the rotation drive force from the drive input gear to transmit the rotation drive force to the feeding roller.
US09309065B2

Devices include a platform having a media side that supports sheets of media. The platform moves in a direction perpendicular to the surface upon which the devices rests between a home position and a plurality of paper supply positions located in an upward direction from the home position. A user interface displays a first reload option that, when selected, lowers the platform to the home position for reloading the sheets of media onto the platform. The user interface also displays an accessibility option for reloading the sheets of media onto the platform that, when selected, lowers the platform to an accessibility position that is in the upward direction relative to the home position.
US09309056B2

A system and method for automatically preparing client orders in a distribution facility, where the inputs to the system are complete pallets of cases of individual products and the outputs of the system are client order pallets of mixed products. Specifically, the methods and systems are for conveying, storing, and dispensing cases using automated case order sequencing typically using non-product-dedicated and non-accumulating buffer conveyors.
US09309052B2

A system and method for causing a differential flow rate to exist in a downspout so as to reduce abrasion of a bottom side of said downspout and to sort dry bulk material flowing therethrough. The present invention reduces the velocity of the mass of the dry bulk material, such as corn, thus preserving grain quality and reducing the exit velocity at the lower end of the spout.
US09309038B2

A cooler includes a cooler body including one or more cooler walls. The cooler further includes a cover configured to be disposed around an exterior of the cooler body, the cover being sized and dimensioned to generally cover an exterior of the one or more cooler walls of the cooler body. The cover preferably includes a moisture-absorbent material. The cover also preferably includes an image, logo, symbol, or text; or a panel preferably includes the image, logo, symbol, or text, which panel is removably attachable to the cover.
US09309036B2

A package having a toothpick or other utensil that is defined or protectable within an interior sterile and/or sanitary area of the package that will not be confused with consumable contents. Multiple utensils can be provided of the same or different types.
US09309033B2

A mounting feature for a cable tie is provided in which the mounting feature has at least one divided retention component. The center-most edges of the at least one divided retention component contact a mating article on the edge of the mating article, such as the threaded portion, decreasing the amount of fastening force required to affix the mounting feature of the cable tie to a mating article while not compromising the optimal amount of required extraction force. A method for affixing the mounting feature to a mating article is also provided.
US09309025B2

A pallet, a method of securing a load to a pallet, and a method of manufacturing therefor, in which the pallet includes a top plate defining a first surface area, a base structure defining a second surface area that is less than the first surface area, and support legs, at least a portion of which join the top plate and the base structure. The support legs are disposed between the top plate and the base structure in an arrangement that accommodates engagement of the pallet with a standard jacking device along any edge of the pallet. Securing slots extend through the top plate, wherein a first subset of the securing slots is oriented lengthwise parallel to a first edge of the top plate and a second subset of the securing slots is oriented lengthwise perpendicular to the first edge of the top plate. A pair of edges of the top plate extend beyond a pair of edges of the base structure that are parallel to the pair of edges of the top plate to further facilitate engagement of the pallet with a lifting mechanism.
US09309020B2

A device for providing sterilized or cleaned fluid to a receptacle and thereby facilitating conveyance of a substance out of the receptacle, comprising a connector and a container which form an integrated unit. The connector is provided with a first means for connection to a receptacle. Sterilized or cleaned fluid is transferred from the container to the receptacle.
US09309012B1

This application discloses a method of preparing an assembly. A base assembly is provided and includes a base, and a second fastener structure coupled to the base at a joint. The base assembly is then attached to a receiving element that is configured to physically receive a module and includes a first fastener structure. The first fastener structure is fastened with the second fastener structure and provides a first degree of freedom of motion of the receiving element with respect to the base, and the movement of the receiving element is unlimited in a first direction of travel associated with the first degree of freedom of motion. The receiving element is rotated along the first direction of travel until the receiving element reaches a nominal position at which the receiving element and the module received thereby are configured to face substantially up when they are flipped down via the joint.
US09309010B2

A first inclination vector associated with a first satellite of the plurality of satellites is established. A second inclination vector associated with a second satellite of the plurality of satellites is established. The first satellite and the second satellite are controlled, such that the first satellite and the second satellite are synchronized with a node.
US09308995B2

One particular overhead space utilization device, adapted for installation in a hull structure, incorporates at least one berth module with first and second berth portions, first and second intermediate support members, and first and second coupling members. Each berth module has two opposing berth members with a walkway therebetween. The first and second intermediate support members each has a first end pivotably coupled to the corresponding one of the first and second berth portions, and a second end configured to be pivotably coupled to the hull structure. The first and second coupling members are configured to pivotably couple the second berth portions to the hull structure. The first and second coupling members and the second berth portions are configured to be positioned outboard of the first berth portion.
US09308993B2

A method of providing apparatus comprising: providing a first store and a first payload on or in the first store, the first store being for mounting to the outside of an aircraft; acquiring aerodynamic properties, moments of inertia, and the mass distribution of the first store and first payload; providing a second store and a second payload, the second payload being on or in the second store, the second store being for mounting to the outside of the aircraft, the second payload being different to the first, the second payload comprising a sensor and/or a projecting means; and configuring the second store and the second payload such that the aerodynamic properties, moments of inertia, and mass distribution of the second store and the second payload are substantially the same as those of the first store and first payload.
US09308989B2

A front landing gear system for an aircraft including a swing arm rotatively coupled to a wheel, a forward link arm rotatively coupled to the swing arm, a oleopneumatic cylinder rotatively coupled to the swing arm, second extension arm and a bulkhead, a plate rotatively coupled to the bulkhead, an actuation device rotatively coupled to the bulkhead and to the plate, where refraction of the linear actuation device causes the plate and extension arms to move upward towards the bulkhead.
US09308978B2

A vessel propeller comprising a cylindrical hub rotatable about a rotation axis and a plurality of blades provided radially around the hub with a certain pitch angle. The propeller is characterized in that the hub comprises a blade connection housing helically formed on the cylindrical surface of the hub for the demountable connection of each blade to the hub; each blade comprises a hub connector to be placed in the respective connection housing; and plurality of external connecting members extending axially along the hub thickness for rigidly connecting the hub and plurality of blades.
US09308977B2

A remotely operated underwater vehicle for cleaning surfaces submerged in water, the underwater vehicle having a first side, a second side, a propulsion means, a plurality of trimming means, a first buoyancy means attached to the first side and a second buoyancy means attached to the second side. Elements of the plurality of trimming means are arranged on opposite sides of the centre of gravity of the vehicle and at least one of the plurality of trimming means has a movable mass and a displacement region into which the movable mass can move. The center of gravity of the vehicle is automatically shifted when the vehicle is accelerating or changes orientation, in which the first buoyancy means provides more buoyancy than the second buoyancy means such that the center of buoyancy is located above the center of gravity of the vehicle irrespective of the orientation of the vehicle.
US09308974B1

A drying rack includes a coupling mechanism configured to couple to a boat, a supporting member pivotably coupled to the coupling mechanism, and at least one hanger coupled to the supporting member and configured to hang a wet material to dry. The supporting member pivots, relative to the coupling mechanism, to a plurality of positions, at least one position allowing a longest length of the at least one hanger to be positioned substantially parallel to a deck of the boat. In implementations a cross member is coupled to the supporting member such that a longest length of the cross member is substantially perpendicular to a longest length of the supporting member. In implementations the cross member pivots, relative to the supporting member, to a plurality of positions, at least one position allowing a longest length of the cross member to be positioned substantially parallel to the deck of the boat.
US09308965B2

The invention relates to an electric wheel hub drive for a vehicle, in particular a bicycle. The wheel hub drive comprises a hub housing that is pivot-mounted about an axis and a brushless electric motor coaxially arranged with regard to the axis and including a rotor and a stator for driving the hub housing. The rotor of the electric motor includes at least one permanent magnet. According to the invention, the stator includes an ironless stator winding.
US09308963B2

A bicycle pedal unit comprises a central body (2) associable with a tube of a bicycle frame; two pedal cranks (3, 4) connected to opposite ends (2a) of the central body (2); two pedals (5, 6), each connected to a respective pedal crank (3, 4); the angular position of at least a movable pedal crank (3) is adjustable relative to the other pedal crank (4), which is fixed.
US09308962B1

A rear motorcycle suspension enhances the performance of the bike without compromising the appearance. Two pairs of nested springs are connected between a spring plate secured to the motorcycle chassis and a pair of triangularly-shaped rockers which support the axle of the rear wheel providing shock absorption for that wheel.
US09308953B2

In a method of making a motor vehicle body structure, at least one region of a sheet metal plate of hardenable steel sheet is pierced using a blanking and/or cutting process. The at least one region of the sheet metal plate is preformed into a preform which is then hot formed in a hot forming tool and press hardened.
US09308948B1

The present invention relates to a semi-tractor living quarters. The living quarters includes a roof, floor, rear wall, and first and second side walls. The walls of the livings quarters are connected to actuation members that allow any combination of the first side wall, second side wall, and the rear wall to extend outward from the cab to increase the available space within the cab. Positioned within the cab are a plurality of appliances and a bed.
US09308934B2

A steering control system for a vehicle includes an electric motor, a torque sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and a control unit. The electric motor applies assist force to a turning operation of a steering wheel. The torque sensor detects a torque generated in a steering system including the steering wheel and varying with the turning operation. The angular velocity sensor detects an angular velocity generated in the steering system and varying with the turning operation. The control unit computes an assist control amount for the turning operation by using the torque and the angular velocity, and, when an abnormality occurs in a torque detection operation, increases a control amount computed by using the angular velocity among control amounts that constitute the assist control amount as compared to that when torque sensor operation is normal and executes drive control over the electric motor based on the assist control amount.
US09308931B2

An assembly includes a first cam carrier and at least one other cam carrier for a securing device for an adjustable steering column of a motor vehicle. Each of the cam carriers has at least one cam, and the carriers are located opposite one another so that they can rotate against one another about a rotational axis. When the first cam carrier rotates against the other cam carrier through a rotational angle about the rotational axis, the cam of the first cam carrier rests on and glides along the cam of the other cam carrier on a contact path. The contact path runs at a radial distance from the rotational axis, and the distance altering depends on the rotational angle.
US09308930B2

A steering wheel is provided that may include a central member, a rim, a structural member, a switch-frame and a switch assembly. The rim may be spaced apart from the central member. The structural member may extend between the central member and the rim. The switch-frame may be secured relative to the structural member and may include first, second, and third members cooperating to define an opening. The first member may be disposed between the central member and the rim and may extend laterally across the structural member. The second and third members may be spaced apart from each other and may extend from the first member toward the rim. The switch assembly may be mounted to the switch-frame and may at least partially extend through the opening.
US09308918B2

An object collision warning system for a motor vehicle comprises a sensing means (11) adapted to sense a surrounding of the motor vehicle and a processing means (14) adapted to detect objects in a surrounding of the motor vehicle by processing a signal provided by the sensing means (11), to perform an estimation of a collision probability between the vehicle and the detected object, and to output a corresponding signal in case the collision probability is non-negligible. The processing means (14) is adapted to determine, after having passed a curve, information describing the passed curve, to store the curve describing information, and to use the curve describing information of at least one previously passed curve for determining the vehicle path in a current curve in the estimation of the collision probability.
US09308917B2

A driver assistance apparatus and a vehicle including the same are disclosed. The driver assistance apparatus includes a stereo camera and a processor to perform a calibration based on first regions that include objects for vehicle structures or external to the vehicle in stereo images acquired by the stereo camera in a calibration mode and to detect a distance to an object ahead of the vehicle based on second regions not including the objects for the vehicle structures in the stereo images acquired by the stereo camera in a normal mode. Consequently, it is possible to accurately perform distance detection based on images photographed by the stereo camera.
US09308910B2

A power generating set includes an engine operable in response to a flow of fuel to produce a flow of exhaust gas. A generator is coupled to the engine and is operable in response to operation of the engine to produce a total electrical power, a primary load is electrically connected to the generator to receive a portion of the total electrical power, and a secondary load is selectively connected to the generator to receive a portion of the total electrical power. An insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is positioned to selectively transition between a connected state and a disconnected state. The secondary load is connected to the generator when the IGBT is in the connected state and is disconnected from the generator when the IGBT is in the disconnected state.
US09308909B2

Methods and systems are provided for improving engine restarts in a hybrid vehicle. In response to a wide-open pedal tip-in, maximum torque is rapidly provided by cranking an engine while advancing intake cams and while discharging compressed air from an accumulator into the engine intake. Motor torque can be transitioned out faster since maximum engine torque output is enabled earlier.
US09308905B2

A motor vehicle brake system actuated in brake-by-wire and fallback operating modes, having a brake master cylinder, brake circuits, a pressure medium storage vessel, a brake pedal, a separating valve for separating the brake circuit into a first section connected to the separating valve the master cylinder, and a second section connected to the separating valve and the wheel brakes. A first pressure provision device has a piston actuated by an actuator, a simulation device connected by a simulator release valve to the master cylinder for a pleasant brake pedal feel in the brake-by-wire operating mode. A first electronic control and regulating unit actuates the first pressure provision device, the separating valves and the simulator release valve. A second pressure provision device has a suction connector and a pressure connector per brake circuit being connected to the inlet of the separating valve.
US09308900B2

An electric parking brake control system for automatically controlling one or more parking brakes in a vehicle. The parking brake control system includes an electric brake switch in communication with a low-pressure switch for automatically applying the parking brakes. The electric brake switch is preferably a latching type mechanism, which is capable of controlling a solenoid air valve external to the vehicle cab. The low-pressure switch automatically monitors an air reservoir for a low-pressure condition. The electric brake switch incorporates a time delay upon release of the switch, in order to prevent inadvertent application of the parking brakes due to a momentary loss of vehicle electrical power.
US09308895B2

An axle assembly includes an elongated axle body, axle spindles coupled to ends of the axle body, and axle hub assemblies each comprising a hub housing having an interior space that receives one of the spindles therein, the hub housing including a radially extending drum brake mounting flange adapted to have a brake drum assembly mounted thereto, and a disc brake mounting portion separate from the drum mounting flange and adapted to have a disc brake assembly mounted thereto, and a first bearing assembly rotationally supporting the first hub housing from the first axle spindle, whereby the brake drum assembly and the disc brake assembly may alternatively be mounted to the drum brake mounting flange and the disc brake mounting portion of the hub housing, respectively.
US09308891B2

A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes determining whether a primary user is present in an autonomous vehicle, allowing use of a plurality of functions of the autonomous vehicle in response to determining that the primary user is present in the autonomous vehicle, and receiving and storing preferences input by the primary user, wherein the preferences identify a limitation on one or more of the plurality of functions of the autonomous vehicle that should be enforced during use of the autonomous vehicle if the primary user is not present in the autonomous vehicle. The method further includes limiting use of the one or more of the plurality of functions of the autonomous vehicle as specified by the preferences in response to determining that the primary user is not present in the autonomous vehicle.
US09308882B2

A vehicle has a front seat in which an airbag is deployed so as to inflate in an interior of a seat back in response to a collision, and a rear seat disposed behind the front seat. The vehicle includes: a rear occupancy detector that detects the presence of a seat occupant in the rear seat; and a controller that controls deployment/inflation of the airbag. The airbag in the seat back elastically supports an upper body of a seat occupant of the front seat, and elastically receives an impact force exerted on a back surface of the seat back. The controller cancels deployment/inflation of the airbag when a seat occupant is not present in the rear seat.
US09308880B1

A bumper protection device for an automobile including a parallel track mounted to an underside of an automobile, a bumper shield continuously disposed atop the parallel track, a pair of spring loaded hinges, a linear actuator, a central processing unit, and a power connector. The bumper shield has an extended position and an alternate retracted position. The central processing unit is configured to activate the linear actuator to transport the bumper shield along the parallel track to the extended position when a user selectively engages an automobile in a parking gear. The central processing unit is configured to activate the linear actuator to transport the bumper shield along the parallel track to the retracted position when the user selectively engages the automobile from the parking gear to an alternate gear.
US09308872B2

The invention relates to a roof rack (2) for a vehicle (K) comprising a front crossmember (3) and a rear crossmember (4), the crossmembers (3, 4) comprising fastening feet (5) at the end, by which they are supported on the lateral roof rails (DR), and in which at least the fastening feet (5) of the front crossmember (3) comprise fastening means (8), by means of which the fastening feet (5) are able to be secured to the respectively associated roof rail (DR) of the vehicle (K). For improved securing of the roof rack (2) to the vehicle (K) it is proposed that at least one crossmember (3, 4) is connected to the rear roof rail (HR) via at least one connection element (12).
US09308861B2

A dash switch module includes an operator interface device, a haptic feedback device associated with the operator interface device, and a visual feedback device associated with the operator interface device. The haptic feedback device provides a first haptic feedback if an operator's intended action is achieved via the operator interface device. The visual feedback device provides a first visual feedback if the operator's intended action is achieved via the operator interface device.
US09308860B2

An apparatus mounted on a vehicle to protect a passenger using a graphic light projection includes a first detection unit configured to detect an opening of a vehicle door, a second detection unit configured to detect a boarding of a boarding person or an alighting of an alighting person, a side step driving unit configured to drive an intelligent side step, a light projection unit configured to project a boarding protection light or an alighting protection light, and a control unit configured to control the side step driving unit to pull out the intelligent side step set within the vehicle when the first detection unit detects the opening of the vehicle door and configured to control the light projection unit to project the alighting protection light when the second detection unit detects the alighting of the alighting person.
US09308859B2

A motor vehicle door having a lower door flange defined on the door adjacent to a door lower edge, between a lower portion of the side edges of the door, and a luminant component applied to overlie at least a portion of the lower door flange of the door, so that the luminant component reflects light to the inside of the door.
US09308858B2

A lamp unit may be provided that includes: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate; and a plurality of light sources disposed on the second substrate, wherein at least two light source arrays are provided, in each of which a plurality of the light sources are disposed in a row, and wherein at least a first light source array and a second light source array among the light source arrays are individually driven.
US09308854B2

A floor anchor assembly for cargo vans that mounts totally below surface of cargo floor, but will provide for tie-down attach points above the cargo floor. Such anchor assemblies combine a rigid frame with a high strength web-cable that forms a loop. The web-cable loop from the anchor will rout through the center of the anchor and extend upward to pass through a narrow slot cut into the cargo floor panel. When the loop end is fully extended, the top of the loop will be just above floor surface for use as a tie-down point. When particular anchor loops are not needed, the extended loop-ends are merely pushed down into the slot to allow for easy roll and slide of cargo pallets and boxes. The loop-ends are immediately retrievable using a tool like a small screwdriver.
US09308853B2

In some embodiments, a convertible platform system may include a platform, a first platform attachment, and a second platform attachment. The platform may include a first side at least two wheels, a loading system, and a coupling system. The first platform attachment may include a first surface which couples, during use, to the first side of the platform. The first platform attachment may include a first function. The second platform attachment may include a second surface which couples, during use, to the first side of the platform. The second platform attachment may include a second function. The loading system may couple to a first end of at least one of the platform attachments and convey the platform attachment from a first unloaded position to a second loaded position. The coupling system may couple during use either the first platform attachment or the second platform attachment to the first side of the platform.
US09308848B2

A backrest part for a seat, in particular a vehicle seat, includes at least one back metal sheet and individual profiled elements. The back metal sheet has beadings which protrude in the direction of the profiled elements in some sections. The profiled elements are connected to the back metal sheet in a force-fitting and/or bonded manner in a region of the beadings. A section with beadings is formed in each corner of the back metal sheet. The beadings of each section are arranged in parallel at a specifiable distance to one another. The beadings of each section extend diagonally between the adjoining edges of the back metal sheet. The beadings of mutually adjacent sections run at an angle relative to one another. The length of the beadings running parallel to one another in each section decreases in the direction of the corners.
US09308847B2

A lumbar support operation member comprising a shaft attachment portion that is configured so as to be fixed to a rotation shaft that transmits rotation force to a moving mechanism of a lumbar support provided to a seatback and that is positioned at a side portion of the seatback; and operation portions that are provided at an radial direction outside of the shaft attachment portion, that are separated from each other in a circumferential direction of the shaft attachment portion, and that make the shaft attachment portion rotate.
US09308829B2

A straddle electric vehicle which rotates a drive wheel by driving power generated in an electric motor, comprises a battery unit which is an electric power supply; and a battery case for storing the battery unit; wherein the battery case includes a pair of first case member and second case member which are joined together such that the first case member and the second case member are horizontally separable from each other, and a parting line of the first case member and the second case member extends above a bottom wall of the battery case; and wherein the first case member and the second case member include a first flange section and a second flange section, respectively, which define the parting line, and are separably joined to each other in a state in which the first flange section and the second flange section are engaged with each other.
US09308828B2

A power system of an electric vehicle, an electric vehicle including the power system and a method for heating a battery group of the electric vehicle are provided. The power system of the electric vehicle includes: a battery group; a battery heater connected with the battery group; a battery management device connected with the battery group and the battery heater respectively, and configured to control the battery heater (102) to heat the battery group intermittently when a temperature of the battery group is lower than a first temperature threshold and a residual electric quantity of the battery group is larger than an electric quantity threshold; an electric distribution box; a motor; a motor controller connected with the motor and the electric distribution box respectively; and an isolation inductor.
US09308818B2

A power transmission device includes an input rotary member having a pressing portion, and an output rotary member having a receiving portion to be pressed by the pressing portion. The input rotary member forces the output rotary member to rotate when resilient members disposed between the input rotary member and the output rotary member are deformed by predetermined amounts.
US09308816B1

A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank and a coupling assembly for coupling the fuel tank to the underbody of a vehicle. The fuel tank includes a tank body and a plurality of tabs extending from the tank body. Each tab has a tab opening. The coupling assembly includes at least one strap partially surrounding the fuel tank. The strap defines a strap opening. The coupling assembly further includes at least one fastener extending through the strap opening and the tab opening. Further, the coupling assembly includes a compression sleeve partially positioned in the tab opening. The compression sleeve defines a sleeve opening for receiving the fastener. The compression sleeve has a height that is greater than the height of each of the tabs in order to attenuate the transfer of tensile loads from the at least one strap to the tabs.
US09308809B2

A hybrid powertrain may include a planetary gear PG that includes three rotational elements with a carrier C coupled to an engine, a motor generator MG directly coupled to one of the remaining two rotational elements of the planetary gear PG, a first driving gear D1 installed to be rotated by receiving driving force from the rotational element coupled to the motor generator MG, a second driving gear D2 installed to be rotated by receiving driving force from the other one of the remaining two rotational elements of the planetary gear PG, an output shaft OUT having a first driven gear P1 and a second driven gear P2 meshed with the first driving gear D1 and the second driving gear D2, respectively, and a first brake BK1 installed to switch a state limiting a rotation of the rotational element coupled to the second driving gear D2.
US09308807B2

A total driving force according to an acceleration request of a driver is secured, and deterioration of acceleration performance, such as slowness at the time of starting, is suppressed. When an engine torque is converted into motor torque through a generator, a power distribution ratio α from the engine torque to the motor torque is set. Additionally, as a road surface gradient θ is smaller on an upward slope side, the power distribution ratio α is limited. Specifically, when the road surface gradient θ is more than or equal to a predetermined θ1 on the upward slope side, the power distribution ratio α is set to a predetermined maximum value αMAX. When the road surface gradient θ is less than or equal to θ2, which is smaller than θ1, on the upward slope side, the power distribution ratio α is set to a minimum value αMIN.
US09308790B1

A towing assembly includes a hitch that may be removably coupled to a first cart. A first rod is removably coupled between the hitch and a second cart to facilitate towing of the second cart with the first cart. The first rod is structured to be quickly coupled and de-coupled from the first cart and the second cart. A pivot is coupled to the first rod. A second rod is coupled to the pivot such that the second rod is pivotally coupled to the first rod. The second rod is positionable in a deployed position with respect to the first rod. The second rod is removably coupled to the second cart. The second rod is structured to be quickly coupled and de-coupled from the second cart.
US09308789B2

A hitch ball mount is shown and described. The hitch ball mount may include a generally tubular body having first and second end portions, the first end portion engageable with a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle, and a drop portion monolithic with the tubular body and formed between the first and second end portions of the tubular member. The hitch ball mount may further include a hitch ball mounting portion monolithic with the drop portion and tubular body, the hitch ball mounting portion formed at the second end portion of the tubular member and extending from the drop portion, where a hitch ball is selectively attachable to the hitch ball mounting portion.
US09308785B2

A member (12) forming a mount for a device (26) includes: a substantially flat bottom surface (16) for connection with a tire, delimited by a contour (20), a top surface (24) for mounting the device (26), delimited by a contour (30), a peripheral surface (34) forming a skirt for connecting of the contour (20) of the bottom surface (16) to the contour (30) of the top surface (24), in which the contour (30) of the top surface (24) has a variable curvature and has a continuous variation along the contour.
US09308779B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a tire possessing improved partial wear resistance by optimizing shapes and dimensions of a block land portion and its position and arrangement. The tire has plural block land portion arrays 5 formed by a large number of block land portions 4 defined on a tread portion 1. Between two block land portion arrays 5 located adjacent to each other across the circumferential groove 2, the block land portions 4 constituting the block land portion arrays 5 are arranged on the tread portion 1 so as to be positionally displaced from each other in the circumferential direction of the tire; a groove 6 between the block land portions adjacent to each other in the width direction of the tire extends obliquely with respect to the width and circumferential directions of the tire. At this time, the distance d2 between the block land portions adjacent to each other in the width direction of the tire is shorter than the distance d1 between the block land portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the tire. Further, a length d3 of the block land portion 4 in the circumferential direction of the tire falls within a range of 1.0 to 2.5% of a circumferential length of the tire.
US09308775B2

A bearing device for a wheel includes an outer member having double-row outer raceway surfaces formed on an inner circumference thereof, an inner member including a hub wheel having a wheel mounting flange formed thereon and at least one inner race fitted to a small-diameter step portion formed on an outer circumference of the hub wheel, the inner member having double-row inner raceway surfaces formed thereon so as to be opposed to the double-row outer raceway surfaces, and a plurality of rolling elements in spaces between the double-row inner and outer raceway surfaces. The at least one inner race being fixed in an axial direction thereof by a staked portion, the staked portion having a face spline formed on an end surface thereof by plastic working.
US09308773B2

The present application is directed to articles useful as graphic films. Specifically, the present application is directed to an article comprising a film layer, the film layer comprising a polymer blend comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and a cellulose ester, and an ink layer adjacent to at least one surface of the film. In some embodiments, the cellulose ester is a cellulose acetate butyrate. In some embodiments, the cellulose ester is a cellulose acetate propionate.
US09308766B2

Bookbinding apparatus adhesive applicator accurately, briefly controls adhesive temperature to a set value by selecting, in accordance with adhesive initial temperature, one of a plurality of temperature-controller heating modes defining different supply powers and supply durations for supplying power to an adhesive-container heater to control its heating temperature. A sensor detects the temperature of the adhesive in the container at applicator start-up, or on restarting a post-standby applicator. In accordance with the detected temperature, one of the heating modes is selected to heat the adhesive. The applicator warm-up time is thus set in response to the state of the adhesive: If solidified, the adhesive is heated and melted in a maximum supply-power, supply-duration mode; if low-temperature liquefied at, it is heated and melted in a second-magnitude supply-power, supply-duration mode; and if the adhesive temperature is high, it is heated and melted in a minimal supply-power, supply-duration mode.
US09308765B2

Use of a rigid roller obtainable by a method comprising the steps: providing a roller core; applying a liquid coating composition based on a polyimide or polyamide-imide prepolymer with a layer thickness of 1 to 1000 μm; solidifying the liquid coating composition on the roller core; as an distributor or Rilsan roller.
US09308763B2

A printable recording material containing an opaque supporting substrate; a hydrophobic layer; an ink vehicle-receiving layer having a two-layer structure or having bimodal pore size distribution; and an ink colorant-receiving layer comprising inorganic particles. Also disclosed are the method for making such material and the method for producing printed images using said printable recording material.
US09308760B2

A printer 1 includes a conveyance unit that conveys roll paper stored in a paper feed device; a computing unit 100a that calculates the distance between detection marks of the roll paper conveyed by the conveyance unit; a memory unit 105 that stores a first step count corresponding to the distance between detection marks; a communication interface 106 that receives print data containing start coordinates for rendering image data of images to print in an image buffer; a print control unit 100b that corrects the start coordinates contained in the print data based on the distance between detection marks calculated by the computing unit 100a and a distance between detection marks stored in the memory unit 105; and a print unit that prints based on the print data at start coordinates corrected by the print control unit 100b.
US09308759B2

To suppress cleaning fluid from remaining on a conveyor belt and dirtying of a medium to be recorded by the cleaning fluid when applying the cleaning fluid to clean the conveyor belt. This is equipped with a conveyor belt 2 configured to support a medium to be recorded P on a support surface S and conveying it, and wiper blades 13 and 16 abuttable with the conveyor belt 2. The wiper blades 13 and 16 are more hydrophilic than the support surface S. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the cleaning fluid from remaining on the conveyor belt and dirtying the medium to be recorded with the cleaning fluid when applying the cleaning fluid to clean the conveyor belt.
US09308737B1

A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer has a ink filter tower portion that contains filtered ink and includes multiple, substantially parallel extending elements. Settling of ink in an ink filter tower could clog the printhead nozzles and lessen the print quality. Therefore, in order to prevent the settling of the ink in the ink filter tower of the present design, a free-floating weighted slider is installed within the ink filter tower. The weighted slider has a top bridging member and downward-pointing shafts that are movable within trenches formed between the extending elements. During a reciprocating motion of the printhead assembly, the slider moves in a direction opposite to the direction of the printhead assembly and thereby agitates the ink within the tower. In addition to sliding from side to side of the printhead assembly, the slider may also be designed to pivot about an upper axis as it moves to further agitate the ink.
US09308728B2

A method of making inkjet print heads may include forming recesses in a first surface of a first wafer to define inkjet chambers. The method may also include forming openings extending from a second surface of the first wafer through to respective ones of the inkjet chambers to define inkjet orifices. The method may further include forming a second wafer including ink heaters, and joining the first and second wafers together so that the ink heaters are aligned within respective inkjet chambers to thereby define the inkjet print heads.
US09308726B2

A method for forming an ink jet printhead subassembly can include the use of a sacrificial form coated with a coating material to fabricate a printhead subassembly having a plurality of ink channels configured for flowing ink therethrough. The sacrificial form can be manufactured using one or more described techniques. Subsequently, the sacrificial form may be removed from the coating material to provide a printhead subassembly including the coating material and an ink channel through the coating material. The completed printhead subassembly can include a single solid structure manufactured from a single material, or can include more than one solid structures assembled together.
US09308724B2

A liquid ejecting head includes a plurality of pressure generators each including a first electrode individually provided therefor, the first electrode being located on a face of the flow path plate so as to correspond to one of the pressure chambers, a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode, and a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer; a lead electrode electrically connected to the first electrode; and a conductive layer provided in a section where the first electrode is partially exposed, the section being located in a region where the second electrode is not provided and the piezoelectric layer is exposed, at least a part of the conductive layer being in contact with the first electrode. The lead electrode is connected to the first electrode via the conductive layer.
US09308723B2

According to one embodiment, there is provided an ink jet head which includes a pressure chamber which is formed in a thickness direction of a substrate, and fills ink; a vibrating plate which is provided on a first face of the pressure chamber, and includes a nozzle which communicates with the pressure chamber; a driving unit which is provided on the vibrating plate, and includes a piezoelectric substance; and a warpage reducing layer which is provided on a second face which is opposite to the first face of the pressure chamber, and reduces warpage of the substrate.
US09308722B2

In a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid by using thermal energy, reduction of film thickness caused by elution of a protective layer when kogation on the protective layer is removed is made uniform and decrease in liquid ejection performance is suppressed. More specifically, a counter electrode is provided around a portion on which an ejection port of a flow path forming member is formed.
US09308717B2

A printing assembly incorporating a clamping annulus having axial and oppositely axial ends, the clamping annulus's axial and oppositely axial ends having outside diameters, the axial end's outside diameter having an excess dimension defining a guide sleeve receiving space; a tiered clamping sleeve received within the clamping annulus, the tiered clamping sleeve having chamfered axial and oppositely axial ends; axial and oppositely axial jaw faces fitted for sloped engagements with the tiered clamping sleeve's ends; axial and oppositely axial jaws operatively connected to the axial and oppositely axial jaw faces, the axial jaw including an oppositely axially extending guide sleeve; an axle extending through the tiered clamping sleeve; and a screw mounted to the axle, the screw being adapted for pressing the axial and oppositely axial jaw faces against the tiered clamping sleeve's ends, and for radially outwardly wedging the ends toward the clamping annulus's tiered circumferential end.
US09308711B2

A method for disassembling two ultrasonically welded elements, one of the elements comprising, at a surface opposite the other element, an energy director that concentrates the heating during ultrasonic welding and forms a material junction between the two assembled elements after the ultrasonic welding. The method includes the steps of positioning a wire between the two assembled elements, so as to be secant to the energy director, said wire having suitable mechanical characteristics allowing it to cut the junction formed by the energy director and moving the wire between the two assembled elements so as to cut said junction.
US09308708B2

A process for producing components containing ceramic materials. The process entails forming a first region of a component with plies containing a reinforcement material in a precursor of a ceramic material. The plies include at least a first set of plies between at least second and third sets of plies. Distal portions of the second and third sets of plies are then folded away from the first set of plies so that they are oriented transverse to the first set of plies. A fourth set of plies is then interleaved among the folded distal portions of the second and third sets of plies.
US09308707B2

A joined product has a cemented carbide sintered compact serving as a first material to be joined and a cBN sintered compact serving as a second material to be joined, wherein: the first material to be joined and the second material to be joined are joined together via a joining material disposed therebetween and containing titanium (Ti); and a titanium nitride (TiN) compound layer having a thickness of 10-300 nm is produced at an interface between the second material to be joined and the joining material.
US09308706B2

The present disclosure relates to a graphite oxide-containing resin formulation, including: 15-80 parts by weight of a polyamideimide precursor, 0.01-10 parts by weight of a graphite oxide as a dispersant, 10-400 parts by weight of an inorganic powder, and 20-350 parts by weight of a solvent.
US09308704B2

A method for and apparatus for forming a bladder system. A bladder with an open end is formed. The open end of the bladder is placed into an interior of a fitting. The open end of the bladder is connected to the interior of the fitting.
US09308703B2

A corrugator system for corrugating metallic foil tape. The corrugated metallic foil tape made by the system is suitable to be applied to contoured or three-dimensional surfaces, and is particularly suitable for use in sealing or joining components of heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.
US09308701B2

A process and apparatus for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels includes the step of building, on a forming support, a belt structure including at least one reinforcing structure of the so-called zero-degree type. The reinforcing structure is formed by depositing a continuous elongated reinforcing element on a deposition surface arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the forming support. The aforementioned deposition includes the step of exerting, through at least one element made from magnetic material, a magnetic attraction on a portion of the continuous elongated reinforcing element arranged at at least one pressing member and moving said at least one pressing member toward the forming support until the continuous elongated reinforcing element is brought into contact with the deposition surface.
US09308697B2

A method for fabricating flexible display module mainly includes following steps: providing a transparent carrier with a carrying-surface and a back-surface opposite to the carrying-surface; forming a photosensitive-release-film on the carrying-surface; providing a flexible substrate on the photosensitive-release-film; forming a pixel array on the flexible substrate; during or after forming the pixel array, conducting irradiation on the photosensitive-release-film from the back-surface of the transparent carrier to weaken bonding force between the photosensitive-release-film and the transparent carrier or simultaneously weaken both the bonding force between the photosensitive-release-film and the transparent carrier and the structure strength of the photosensitive-release-film; and then, removing the flexible substrate from the transparent carrier, in which at least one portion of the photosensitive-release-film is peeled off from the carrying-surface and remains on the flexible substrate.
US09308694B2

A plastic film is drawn by a method different from a conventional one. The plastic film is intermittently fed in the longitudinal direction. A drawing member and a support base are installed in a plastic film feeding path, oppositely to each other, on both sides of the plastic film in the thickness direction. When the plastic film is temporarily stopped, the drawing member advances toward the support base between the lateral both side edges of the plastic film and is pressed against the plastic film and the support base to draw the plastic film in the longitudinal direction. Then, the drawing member retreats from the support base, and is separated from the plastic film.
US09308691B2

A device for producing a three dimensional object from a powdery material by solidifying the powdery material through the application of energy includes a working surface, an application device for applying the powdery material onto the working surface, and a solidifying device for solidifying the powdery material applied onto the working surface. The application device can apply predefined, locally different amounts of powdery material and includes a transfer device, which can be magnetized and/or electrostatically charged and discharged, as well as a magnetizing and/or charging device.
US09308689B2

The invention relates to a method for applying and fastening a decorative layer on a preform for the formation of a support part, with the steps: inserting a first section (22) of the preform (20) together with the decorative layer (30) into a first tool (W1), moving the first tool (W1) together, wherein an end section (32) of the decorative layer (30) covers at least a portion of the first region (42) of a connecting section (40), having a groove, placing a second section (24) of the preform (20) onto a second tool (W2), moving the first (W1) and the second tool (W2) relative to one another in the groove depth direction (NT), whereby the second region (44) of the connecting section (40) is deformed such that the latter forms a groove (46) with an increasing groove depth and wherein the relative movement of the tools (W1, W2) with respect to one another takes place such that the end section (32) of the decorative layer (30) is introduced in the groove depth direction (NT) into the groove (46), and pressing together the groove side walls (48) for fixing the end section (32) of the decorative layer (32) in the groove (46).
US09308688B1

An installation assembly and an associated method for forming a bonded join are provided to permit the adhesive attachment of a first workpiece, such as a patch, to a portion of a second workpiece. The installation assembly and the associated method provide for at least partial debulking of the adhesive prior to curing of the adhesive such that the resulting bondline may have improved mechanical properties as a result of having fewer voids and/or porosity. The installation assembly may include an installation stand and a carrier plate supported by the installation stand and including an attachment surface configured to carry the first workpiece. The installation stand also includes an adjustment mechanism for positioning a carrier plate to a first predefined position to define a gap between the first and second workpieces and also to a second predefined position such that a predetermined bondline thickness is defined between the first and second workpieces.
US09308686B2

An apparatus and method for improving friction spot welding process is described herein. According to the method of the present invention, two different metal sheets of similar or dissimilar material can be joined together with the help of a filler material that is filled in a cavity formed at the top of the upper metal sheet. Additionally, either a reinforcement material or an alloy element or combination of both is added in the cavity. The material is plasticized as the filler material is rotated and pushed in the cavity under the application of force. The weld is completed by filling the entire filler material at the weld interface. The addition of reinforcement material or an alloy element enables in customization of interface material properties enhancing the joint strength.
US09308684B2

An apparatus for manufacturing plastic preforms, comprising a rotating carousel forming device for plastic preforms and movement elements adapted to pick up the preforms from the rotating carousel forming device; the movement elements are associated with a supporting structure for a plurality of shaping receptacles, which are mutually spaced and movable along a transfer path, the shaping receptacles being adapted to receive a respective preform directly from the rotating carousel forming device and at an angular pick-up portion which is defined along the circular movement trajectory of the preforms on the rotating carousel forming device.
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