US09353719B2

A power supply device is mounted in a vehicle capable of starting an engine with power supplied from a battery, and includes a booster configured to boost voltage supplied from the battery, a detecting unit configured to detect an engine start, a counting unit configured to count an engine start count based on the detecting unit, and a control unit configured to control the booster. The control unit outputs a control signal to permit the booster to boost the voltage in response to the engine start when the engine start count counted by the counting unit within a timer period does not exceed an allowable number of times.
US09353718B2

Controls for improved drivability of a vehicle equipped with start/stop logic are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method comprising operating a vehicle system including an internal combustion engine and a controller configured to conditionally stop and re-start the engine. The controller tracks the distance that the vehicle has traveled since the most recent vehicle stop and determines a time limit as a function of that distance. The controller further tracks the time that an engine stop request condition has been true, evaluates that time relative to the time limit, and selectably enables or disables an engine stop based upon the relationship between said time and said time limit.
US09353712B2

Fuel interface modules that can be used in automotive vehicle fuel systems can include a body that defines a fuel channel and a plurality of ports through which fluid communication with the fuel channel can be established. Some modules include a check valve, a shutoff valve, and a coalescing filter assembly that are each coupled with a separate port. The fuel modules can be quickly installed and can eliminate many of the installing materials typically associated with automotive vehicle fuel systems.
US09353703B2

A gas generator includes a housing, an inner cylindrical member defining an ignition chamber therein and a combustion chamber outside, an ignition device disposed inside the ignition chamber, a solid gas generating agent charged in the combustion chamber, the inner cylindrical member including, a plurality of nozzles provided in a circumferential wall to communicate the ignition chamber with the combustion chamber, a guide member provided at least in the outer side or the inner side of the circumferential wall, so that combustion products from the ignition chamber is discharged from the nozzles and guided towards a bottom plate of the housing, the combustion chamber defined by the circumferential wall of the inner cylindrical member and the circumferential wall portion of the housing, an outlet from the inner cylindrical member being formed closer to the bottom plate than to the gas discharge port.
US09353699B2

Methods are provided for rapid zero flow lubrication of a high pressure fuel pump, wherein a fuel rail pressure rapidly responds to commanded duty cycles. A method is needed to control operation of the high pressure pump during times when no direct injection is requested by an engine system and when operation of the high pressure pump is continued to maintain pump lubrication. To lubricate the high pressure pump while gaining zero flow rate data, methods are proposed that involve both open and closed loop control of the high pressure pump.
US09353697B2

A control unit for an internal combustion engine includes a load detector to detect a load on the engine, an injection volume calculator to calculate a cylinder injection volume indicating a volume of fuel injected from a direct injector, a first controller to perform a first control for increasing the frequency of the injection by the direct injector upon a reduction in the cylinder injection volume, a second controller to perform a second control for increasing a port injection volume indicating a volume of fuel injected from a port injector upon a reduction in the cylinder injection volume, and a switching controller to switch between the first control with the first controller and the second control with the second controller depending on the load.
US09353696B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling combustion in an internal combustion engine having a fuel delivery system includes a cylinder contents prediction module configured to predict at least one condition within a combustion cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The apparatus also includes a fueling parameter selection module configured to generate a fuel command for the fuel delivery system. The fuel command is based at least partially on the predicted at least one condition within the combustion cylinder.
US09353694B2

An engine control system of a vehicle includes a first temperature module, a second temperature module, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control module. The first temperature module determines a temperature of gas within an intake manifold of an engine. The second temperature module determines a temperature of an EGR conduit that is coupled to the intake manifold. The EGR control module reduces opening of an EGR valve when the temperature of the gas and the temperature of the conduit is greater than a predetermined temperature.
US09353683B2

A methodology for storing compressed air in porous subterranean formations for subsequent production and use in generating electricity.
US09353673B2

This document discloses an adaptive fan control system for controlling a fan that cools an engine of a machine. Many machines carry out repetitive tasks or work cycles. The cooling requirements of the engine vary for each portion or segment of a work cycle. The disclosed system includes a controller with a memory having a plurality of stored work cycle patterns. Using a variety of sensors, the system and controller identifies the work cycle that the machine is carrying out and, using one of the stored work cycle patterns, the system anticipates the cooling requirements of the machine as the machine progresses through the work cycle and the system proactively changes the fan speed for upcoming segments of the work cycle.
US09353671B2

A fan unit for a heat exchanger, has a plate-like support structure or shroud with a main opening defining an air passage for ventilation of the heat exchanger. An electric drive motor is fixed to the support structure or shroud. An impeller is arranged inside the main opening and driven by the drive motor. A spray protection screen associated with a side of the motor remote from the impeller is fixed to the support structure or shroud in such a way that, during use, it is substantially vertical and defines an inlet opening for an air flow for cooling the motor. The spray protection screen has an outwardly projecting deviating formation designed to deflect outside of the inlet opening, water which may flow over the outer surface of the screen during operation of the fan unit.
US09353670B2

An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust gas recirculation conduit fluidly connecting an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine, first and second exhaust gas coolers located in series in the exhaust gas recirculation conduit, each of the first and second exhaust gas coolers comprising an inlet and an outlet fluidly connected to a first and a second coolant circuit respectively, wherein the second coolant circuit comprises a radiator having a coolant inlet in fluid communication with the coolant outlet of the second exhaust gas cooler, a pump having a coolant inlet in fluid communication with a coolant outlet of the radiator and a coolant outlet in fluid communication with the coolant inlet of the second exhaust gas cooler, and an additional conduit fluidly connecting the coolant outlet of the exhaust cooler.
US09353665B2

A system including a reductant source storing reductant, an ammonia generation system configured to generate gaseous ammonia via cavitation, and a gaseous ammonia delivery device in fluid communication with the ammonia generation system and an exhaust system. The system may selectively activate the ammonia generation system responsive to a detected temperature of an exhaust gas of an exhaust system being equal to or below a predetermined value. The ammonia generation system may utilize ultrasonic cavitation or laser cavitation to generate gaseous ammonia to be delivered to the exhaust system responsive to the temperature of the exhaust gas of the exhaust system being equal to or below the predetermined value. If the temperature of the exhaust gas of the exhaust system above the predetermined value, a dosing module to dose reductant to the exhaust system may be activated.
US09353662B2

An assembled media line, or a section of a media line, for connecting a tank to a dosing unit in order to add a reducing agent into a SCR catalyst system of an internal combustion engine. The fluid line has electric heating in some sections for heating of the fluid. The fluid line is additionally provided, at least in some areas, with fluid tempering. In use, the media line connects a tank to a dosing unit in order to add a reducing agent in a SCR catalyst system of an internal combustion engine, and wherein the engine coolant is used as tempering fluid. The tempering is achieved by inclusion of at least one tempering line running alongside the fluid line. A line connector for such a media line includes a connecting housing in which the fluid line and two tempering lines can be connected.
US09353654B2

A fixed chain engine braking device includes a brake box, a driving mechanism and a braking mechanism. One upright blind hole and one horizontal blind hole are placed in the brake box, and the upright blind hole intersects the horizontal blind hole orthogonally. The driving mechanism includes a rolling ball and/or a driving piston placed in the horizontal blind hole, the braking mechanism includes a braking plunger placed in the upright blind hole. A fluid passage is placed in the brake box, and the fluid passage is communicated with the entry of the horizontal blind hole.
US09353653B2

A vane rotor includes a laminated portion and seal portions. The laminated portion includes a plurality of metal plates, which are stacked in an axial direction. The seal portions are placed on two axially opposite sides of each of an advancing port, a retarding port, and a supply port. Each seal portion is configured into an annular form to extend along an outer peripheral surface of a sleeve in a circumferential direction and is engaged with the laminated portion to limit deformation of the seal portion toward a radially outer side. The seal portion is made of a material that has a thermal expansion coefficient, which is larger than a thermal expansion coefficient of a material of each metal plate.
US09353652B2

A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes a cylinder arrangement which is a VR cylinder arrangement having rows of cylinders which are arranged in an offset manner and nested into each other. The crank drive acts crosswise onto a crankshaft and a common cylinder head is provided. The inlet channels in the cylinder head are arranged in an identical manner for all of the cylinders. Alternatively, the inlet channels of the one row of cylinders are disposed adjacent to one of two or three camshafts and the inlet channels of the other row of cylinders are disposed on the other side of the camshaft.
US09353644B2

A bumper assembly includes a bracket and a pad. The pad is connected to the bracket by a first rivet. Additionally, a synchronizing ring assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a ring section and a bumper assembly. The bumper assembly is connected to a side surface of the ring section and extends axially adjacent an inner radial surface of the ring. The bumper assembly is disposed adjacent a gap at an end of the ring section.
US09353639B2

The disclosure describes a windback device for a circumferential seal within a turbine engine. The windback device includes an annular collar at one end of an annular fluid seal housing, at least one inclined thread, and a plurality of inclined baffles separately disposed along an outer circumferential surface of a rotatable runner. The housing is adapted at another end for an annular seal. The collar has an opening therethrough sized to receive the runner without contact. The annular seal surrounds and sealingly engages the runner. The threads extend from an inner face of the collar toward the runner. The baffles are separately recessed in or raised above the outer circumferential surface of the runner. The baffles are interposed between the runner and threads. Each baffle is separated from the threads via a radial clearance. Threads and baffles direct lubricant away from the annular seal.
US09353632B2

An aerofoil structure for a rotating blade-row in a casing. The aerofoil structure includes a suction side, a pressure side and a tip therebetween. At least a portion of the tip includes a shaped feature provided on a surface of the tip. The shaped feature has a convergent portion orientated to reduce a gap between the tip and the casing in a direction from the pressure side to the suction side of the aerofoil structure.
US09353630B2

A turbine rotor of a turbine includes a hub that serves as an axis of rotation, and a plurality of turbine blades. The turbine blades each have a line extending along a shroud-side edge of the turbine blade from the inlet to the outlet as a shroud line. The shroud line includes an entrance-side shroud line La that makes a small change from the inlet toward the outlet in a blade angle with respect to the axis of rotation, a center shroud line Lb that extends from the outlet side of the entrance-side shroud line La and makes a greater change than that of the entrance-side shroud line La, and an exit-side shroud line Lc that extends from the outlet side of the center shroud line Lb to the outlet and makes a smaller change than that of the center shroud line Lb.
US09353623B2

A seal assembly includes first and second seal elements configured to lie adjacent to one another with a lower portion of each one disposed in a groove and an upper portion of each one projecting above the groove. The groove has a length disposed transverse to the direction of relative motion of a housing and a moving member and is located in the housing. The seal elements are further configured so that a contact surface of the upper portion of each seal element abuts the moving member and configured to allow independent movement of each seal element relative to each other in a direction transverse to the groove length. The seal elements are shaped to define a lubrication channel therebetween that is configured to allow the passage of a lubricant therein so as to lubricate motion of the seal elements relative to each other and relative to the moving member.
US09353619B2

Disclosed is a method for estimating a pore pressure of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole and an associated uncertainty. The method includes: conveying a carrier through the borehole; performing formation measurements at a plurality of depths in the borehole using a downhole tool coupled to the carrier; defining a first depth interval and a second depth interval deeper than the first depth interval, the first depth interval including a first set of formation measurement points and the second depth interval including a second set of formation measurement points; establishing a plurality of trendlines of depth versus formation measurements using a processor with each trendline in the plurality of trendlines extending from a point in the first depth interval through a point in the second depth interval; and calculating a pore pressure line and associated uncertainty using the plurality of trendlines.
US09353616B2

A wellbore sensing system comprises a wellbore tubular string comprising at least one gauge carrier and at least one adjacent component, and at least one gauge disposed in the gauge carrier. The at least one gauge carrier is configured to provide an annular fluid communication between a housing and a mandrel, and the at least one gauge carrier is sealingly engaged with the at least one adjacent component. The at least one adjacent component comprises at least one of a filter element or a production sleeve, and the at least one gauge is configured to sense at least one parameter within a wellbore.
US09353613B2

A method includes preparing a hydraulic fracturing fluid that includes a proppant mixture; adjusting the hydraulic fracturing fluid to a flow pattern operable to distribute a substantially equal distribution of an amount of proppant from the proppant mixture into a plurality of fracture clusters formed in a subterranean zone; and distributing the hydraulic fracturing fluid in the substantially equal distribution of the amount of proppant from the proppant mixture into the plurality of fracture clusters, each of the plurality of fracture clusters formed in the subterranean zone at a unique depth from the terranean surface.
US09353611B2

Superheated steam from a generator (10) proximate a well (14) is delivered through an output pipe (12) that communicates through a dual entry wellhead (17) with downhole steam piping (18) extending into the well (14). Steam is delivered at approximately 50 PSIG over the frictional and other losses encountered from the surface to the steam piping outlet (19). Oil is extracted through production tubing (20) passing through wellhead (17). Production tubing (20) and steam delivery piping (18) are secured in parallel relationship by clamps (46). The production tubing (20) communicates with a lift pump, and the steam piping (18) is terminated generally at a midpoint of the production tubing (20), several feet above the lift pump. A thermocouple (43) is placed approximately two feet below the end of the steam piping (18).
US09353609B2

A method for treating a deposit is disclosed, wherein the deposit comprises a hydrophobic portion and an inorganic portion, the method including but not limited to contacting the deposit with a treating material to form a treated deposit, the treating material comprising peroxygen and surfactant and contacting the treated deposit with an acid. A product resulting from using the method is also disclosed.
US09353600B2

A well tool has a housing and an actuator sleeve in the housing. An actuator in the housing includes a spring and an internal shifting tool engaging profile. The actuator is responsive, independent of well annulus pressure, to a remote hydraulic signal in a central bore of the well tool to change from an unactuated state to an actuated state to shift the actuator sleeve from a first position to a second position. The actuator is responsive to reset to the unactuated state using the internal shifting tool engaging profile.
US09353597B2

An apparatus for isolating fluid flow in a bottomhole tool assembly comprises a generally cylindrically shaped flow tube with a side, a top, and a bottom; an upper ball seat connected to the top of the flow tube; a lower ball seat connected to the bottom of the flow tube; a plurality of openings in the side of the flow tube; a tapered inner diameter in the upper ball seat, acting as a ball valve; a tapered inner diameter in the lower ball seat, acting as a ball valve, smaller than the tapered inner diameter in the upper ball seat; an upper sub attached to the bottomhole tool assembly; a lower sub attached to the bottomhole tool assembly; shear pins connecting the upper ball seat to the upper sub; and a limiting pin in the lower sub below the lower ball assembly.
US09353594B2

Systems and methods for replacing a hose coupled to a BOP located subsea are provided. Embodiments include coupling an electromechanical tool to a hose fitting coupled to the BOP, and rotating, with the electromechanical tool, a first swivel fitting with respect to the hose fitting until a first hose is decoupled from the hose fitting. Some embodiments may also include coupling, with the electromechanical tool, a second swivel fitting to the hose fitting to couple a second hose to the hose fitting. The second swivel fitting may be rotated with respect to the hose fitting until the second hose is securely coupled to the hose fitting.
US09353583B2

Systems, apparatus, and methods for longitudinally moving or running a tubular, with the system including an elevator suspended from a rig. The elevator includes a body defining a bore to receive a tubular and wedges defining channels therebetween, with the wedges being configured to engage the tubular. The system may also include a spider including a body defining a bore to receive the tubular and wedges defining channels therebetween. The wedges of the spider may be configured to engage the tubular, and the wedges of the elevator may be configured to slide axially at least partially in the channels of the spider. The wedges of the spider may be configured to slide axially at least partially in the channels of the elevator.
US09353577B2

According to the invention, a method for designing a rotary drill bit for drilling a cavity in a medium is disclosed. The method may include determining a characteristic of a drillstring with which the rotary drill bit is coupled. The method may also include determining an initial number of groups of cutters for the rotary drill bit, where each group of cutters includes a plurality of cutters substantially aligned along a different radius of the drilling face. The method may moreover include determining a characteristic of the medium relative to a characteristic of the cutters. The method may additionally include determining a characteristic of a rotational motion source used to rotate the rotary drill bit. The method may further include determining the angles of pitch between each of the groups of cutters to minimize an amount of sticking or slipping of the bit in the medium during a drilling operation.
US09353575B2

An earth boring drill bit is described, the bit having a bit body having a central longitudinal axis that defines an axial center of the bit body and configured at its upper extent for connection into a drillstring; at least one primary fixed blade extending downwardly from the bit body and inwardly toward, but not proximate to, the central axis of the drill bit; at least one secondary fixed blade extending radially outward from proximate the central axis of the drill bit; a plurality of fixed cutting elements secured to the primary and secondary fixed blades; at least one bit leg secured to the bit body; and a rolling cutter mounted for rotation on the bit leg; wherein the fixed cutting elements on at least one fixed blade extend from the center of the bit outward toward the gage of the bit but do not include a gage cutting region, and wherein at least one roller cone cutter portion extends from substantially the drill bit's gage region inwardly toward the center of the bit, the apex of the roller cone cutter being proximate to the terminal end of the at least one secondary fixed blade, but does not extend to the center of the bit.
US09353549B1

A combination lock is provided, the combination lock having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane; and a bolt configured for movement between a first position and a second position along a second plane the second plane being oriented at a different location than the first plane, the bolt engaging the rotary latch in the first position such that rotation of the rotary latch from the locked position to the unlocked position is prevented.
US09353540B2

A cover device for a swimming pool is disclosed that effectively keeps out debris including leaves, branches, or even small animals, and helps trap heat underneath the cover saving users the cost of a pool heater. The cover device comprises a flexible member that can be folded up for storage when deflated. Once the flexible member is substantially inflated, the exterior surface forms a generally convex shape which allows the flexible member to float on and cover substantially an entire surface of the swimming pool. The cover device further comprises a plurality of handles secured around a perimeter of the flexible member, and a skirt secured below the plurality of handles. The skirt is inflated and weighted, such that the skirt retains the flexible member on the surface of the swimming pool, sealing the swimming pool.
US09353539B2

A cover assembly for covering a container of liquid includes: a drive shaft including a drive pin; an engagement device configured for moving axially on the drive shaft when the drive pin engages the engagement device, the engagement device including at least one first engagement mechanism; and a first engagement hub rotatably mounted to the drive shaft and configured for being driven by the engagement device, the first engagement hub including at least one second engagement mechanism which includes at least one magnet configured for pulling the at least one first engagement mechanism and thereby for facilitating an engagement of the at least one first engagement mechanism with said at least one second engagement mechanism.
US09353536B2

A reinforcing structure for a concrete column is provided, which is capable of preventing the concrete column from being destroyed. A reinforcing structure for a concrete column comprises: a plurality of steel plates 6, overlapping portions of which are arranged to be slidable with each other by vibration due to an external force; grout material 7 filled into a space portion 3 formed in between the plurality of steel plates 6 and a concrete column 1; and a reinforcing sheet 5 with adhesive wound around an outer circumference of the plurality of steel plates 6, wherein: the plurality of steel plates 6 are bound by the reinforcing sheet with adhesive. Preferably, a restricting portion 12 is provided for restricting sliding movement of the overlapping portions, at the overlapping portions of the plurality of steel plates 6.
US09353519B2

A system for constructing wall panels comprising a plurality of structural members includes: a source of structural members of predetermined size; a horizontal table configured to support planks as they are being formed into a wall panel, the table including a stationary section and a movable carriage that is configured to move in a longitudinal direction toward and away from the stationary section; an articulated arm unit having a gripper, the articulating arm unit positioned to retrieve boards from the source with the gripper and place them on the table; at least one first clamping unit mounted to the stationary section for clamping structural members thereto; at least one second clamping unit mounted to the movable carriage for clamping structural members thereto; and a controller that controls the movement of the articulating arm unit and the movable carriage.
US09353512B2

A siphonic, gravity-powered toilet bowl assembly having a toilet bowl, which includes a bowl inlet in fluid communication with a source of fluid; a rim around an upper perimeter of the bowl defining a rim channel, having an inlet port in fluid communication with the bowl inlet and at least one outlet port; a bowl outlet in fluid communication with a sewage outlet; a direct-fed jet having an inlet port in fluid communication with the bowl inlet for receiving fluid and the bowl outlet for discharging fluid; and a control unit arranged in communication with the bowl inlet for controlling flow from the source of fluid passing through the bowl inlet into the inlet ports of the rim channel and the direct-fed jet, having a first extending rear portion and a second rim channel end portion, wherein the rear portion may extend at least partially into the bowl inlet.
US09353510B2

A water vapor pressure lowering agent which is safe, is easily mixed with seal water, and is usable even in a cold region; the water vapor pressure lowering agent includes urea, a surfactant, purified glycerol, and water or alkaline reducing water, and the purified glycerol is obtained by purifying waste glycerol containing ethanol, an oil or fat, water, and a carbide by distillation. In a method for preventing seal breakage in a drain trap (T) by using the water vapor pressure lowering agent, the vapor pressure lowering agent is introduced such that a liquid level is equal to or higher than a seal water maintenance lower limit in a seal water portion of the drain trap (T).
US09353504B2

A revolving apparatus for a work vehicle includes a drive unit, a brake unit under the drive unit, a deceleration unit under the brake unit, and an output unit under the deceleration unit. The brake unit has a brake main body that stops revolution, a housing, a piston and a spring. The housing has a first face with a first concave component. The piston has a second face opposite the first face with a second concave component. The piston is disposed between the brake main body and the housing, and is movable with respect to the housing in order to actuate the brake main body. The spring member has two ends held in the first and second concave components. The first and second concave components have cylindrical shapes. The inside diameter of the first concave component is greater than the inside diameter of the second concave component.
US09353500B1

A thumb for a hydraulic excavator having a boom, stick and bucket. The bucket pivots on a bucket axis. The thumb pivots on a thumb axis on or parallel to the bucket axis on which the bucket swings. The thumb swings to and away from the bucket to pick up and carry massive objects. Teeth having hardened tips are arranged proximally and distally along the length of the thumb and define a platform spaced from a wear and tear surface of the thumb to save frame components of the thumb from wear and tear and to better engage the massive objects.
US09353494B2

A snow compression and removal device is provided that includes a horizontal auger supported within a concave snow plow, a pump having an input disposed at a first end of the auger and an opening at a second end, a compression module first end disposed at an output of the pump, where the compression module includes a tubular casing having a snow inlet and a snow outlet, where the snow outlet has a converging or straight cross-section tubular shape that is perforated with air holes, and a conveyor screw, where the conveyor screw rotates on an axis that is disposed concentric to the tubular casing and spans from the snow inlet to the outlet and is powered to move and compact snow from the inlet to the outlet, where air from the snow is exhausted through the air holes, where the compressed snow is output.
US09353491B2

Described is an ejector unit for a milling drum of a mobile ground preparation machine comprising a discharge side and a reverse side that is opposite to the discharge side. It comprises a basic unit on the drum and an ejector plate, which is held on the basic unit by means of screw-threaded bolts. There is a positive fit between the basic unit and the ejector plate, which positive fit involves at least one pin, on the one hand, and at least one complementary cylindrical counterbore on the other hand, whereby the at least one pin and the at least one ejector are oriented so as to be coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the screw-threaded bolts. Preferably, a shoulder is also provided along the base of the basic unit on its side facing the ejector plate, and the ejector plate has at least one complementary shoulder, whereby the shoulder on the basic unit and the at least one shoulder on the plate have meshing regions, which in the mounted state prevent transverse displacements in three directions.
US09353490B2

A screeding machine for screeding an uncured concrete surface includes a wheeled unit having a plurality of wheels for moving the wheeled unit over a support surface. A screed head assembly includes a grade setting device and a vibrating member and is movable over the concrete area via the wheeled unit. The screeding machine includes a roller that is rotatably mounted at the screed head assembly and rotatably driven about its longitudinal axis. The roller is rotatably driven by a rotatable drive motor that is operable independently of the vibrating member or grade setting device. The grade setting device or roller plow assembly may be provided as an aftermarket kit for attachment at a screed head assembly of a screeding machine.
US09353488B2

A ground covering for sports areas, in particular tennis courts. In order to provide a ground covering for sports areas and in particular for tennis courts which has not only the advantageous play properties of a sand court but also the care and maintenance properties of a hard court, there is provided at least one layer (4) having a first, mineral particle material (1) which is doubly crushed and a second particle material (3) and also a binder (2), wherein an average particle size of the second material (3) is less than an average particle size of the first material (1), and the second material (3) is arranged at least partially in depot zones (5) formed by the first material.
US09353486B2

An electrical load balanced heating system and method. The load balanced heating system and method is configured to facilitate smooth electrical operation as well as energy savings. The system is configured to group the heating elements based on load characteristics of the heating elements and turn the groups on and off sequentially in a matter that promote efficient and smooth operations.
US09353485B2

A vehicle pick-up and delivery device includes: two mainline tracks including a pair of first guide portions which guide a pair of first guide wheels provided on a vehicle on an outer side of each of the first guide wheels; a pick-up and delivery travel path on which the vehicle is capable of traveling and which is provided between the two mainline tracks and is configured to pick up and deliver the vehicle between the two mainline tracks; a second guide portion which is provided inside the pick-up and delivery travel path and guides a second guide wheel disposed below the vehicle; and a switching unit which is provided on the mainline tracks and is capable of switching a direction of the vehicle between a direction along the mainline tracks and a direction along the pick-up and delivery travel path.
US09353484B2

An article including a first fiber derived from a first natural source and a second fiber derived from a fruit. A method of manufacturing an article may include combining a first and second fiber to form a fiber mixture, where the first and second fibers are obtained from discrete materials, and where at least one of the fibers is derived from an edible fruit of a plant. The article may be formed from the fiber mixture.
US09353483B2

Resin systems and methods for making and using same are provided. The method for making a paper product can include contacting a plurality of pulp fibers with a resin system. The resin system can include a first polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin and a second resin that can include a second polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin, a urea-formaldehyde resin, or a mixture thereof to produce a paper product. The first resin and the second resin can be sequentially or simultaneously contacted with the plurality of pulp fibers. The period for sequential addition between the first resin and the second resin is about 1 second to about 1 hour.
US09353473B2

A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus (100) includes a treating chamber (110) to accommodate laundry; a supply device (120) to supply at least one of heated air and steam to the treating chamber (110); a hanger bar (150) provided in the treating chamber; and a driving part (113) to generate a rotational force, wherein the hanger bar (150) comprises a hanger groove (151) having a hanger (200) hung thereon and the hanger groove (151) is configured of plural steps having different widths (W1, W2), respectively.
US09353471B2

A washing machine with a balancer that may be commonly used irrespective of the size of a drum. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet, an annular recess provided at the drum, and a balancer assembly mounted to the recess. The balancer assembly includes a balancer to offset unbalanced load generated in the drum during rotation of the drum and at least one balancer guide coupled to an outer circumference of the balancer to constitute the balancer assembly, the balancer guide being mounted to the recess along with the balancer so that an outer diameter of the balancer assembly corresponds to the recess.
US09353470B2

Method for producing a fibrous product comprising: passing a texturized yarn (10) through a first passage (12) having a first outlet (14); projecting the texturized yarn (10) from the first outlet (14), inside a chamber (20), so as to fill the chamber (20) with the texturized yarn (10), thereby forming a first segment (31) of the fibrous product; moving the first segment (31) away from the first outlet (14); and forming a second segment (32) of the fibrous product in place of the first segment (31) and contiguously to the first segment (31), as many segments as necessary being contiguously formed by repeating the above steps. Apparatus for implementing the method.
US09353468B2

A drum has a plurality of yarn loops wound thereon which are to be unwound upon request from a downstream machine. A weft-braking device provided with a braking member having a circular profile is biased against a delivery edge of the drum by driving elements. The yarn is adapted to run between the delivery edge and the braking member to receive a braking action by friction from them. The driving elements comprise at least one piezoelectric actuator which is deformable in response to a voltage applied thereto and has a movable operative end which is operatively connected to the braking member and a stationary operative end which is anchored to a stationary support.
US09353466B2

A heat-treated cord comprising a low modulus yarn core that is wrapped by a plurality of high modulus wrapping yarns that were heat-treated for a time at a temperature and under a load sufficient to provide a free shrinkage of at least 2½ percent and a shrinkage force of at least 3 pounds.
US09353465B2

Provided is a bulked yarn, comprising a bulked single spun yarn obtained from a composite twisted yarn comprising a single spun yarn and a water-soluble yarn, which are twisted together in a direction opposite to a twisting direction of the single spun yarn, by dissolving and removing the water-soluble yarn in a hydrophilic solvent from the composite twisted yarn. When the bulked yarn having a length of 100 cm is hung down in a state where both ends of the yarn are fixed at a distance of 10 cm from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravitational force, twisting does not occur or an average value of the distances from the uppermost end of a twisting section to the first and second fixed ends of the yarn is 30 cm or more.
US09353462B1

A fiber blend is provided that includes highly fibrillated aramid fibers and is easily dispersed in a polymer matrix. Embodiments of the fiber blend include highly-fibrillated aramid fibers; non-fibrillated aramid fibers; and an anti-static agent.
US09353461B2

Various methods and systems are provided for fabrication of nanoporous membranes. In one embodiment, among others, a system includes electrode pairs including substantially parallel electrodes, a controllable power supply to control the electrical potential of each of the electrode pairs, and a syringe to eject an electrically charged solution from a needle to form a nanofiber. The orientation of the nanofiber in a nanofiber layer is determined by the electrical potentials of the electrode pairs. In another embodiment, a method includes providing a nanoporous membrane including nanofiber layers between a transferor and a mainmold of a stamp-through-mold (STM) where adjacent nanofiber layers are approximately aligned in different directions. A patterned membrane is sheared from the nanoporous membrane using the transferor and the mainmold of the STM and transferred to a substrate.
US09353459B2

According to an embodiment of the present invention, provided is a method of synthesizing nanowires that includes the following steps of: disposing a covering inside a reaction furnace such that the covering is spaced apart by a predetermined gap from a substrate which is provided for synthesis of nanowires; heating the reaction furnace; and synthesizing nanowires by allowing a source gas to be deposited on the substrate while flowing through the gap between the substrate and the covering.
US09353458B2

The present invention provides a base substrate for epitaxial diamond film capable of epitaxially growing a large area of high quality diamond, having a diameter of 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more, on an iridium base by using the CVD method, a method for producing the base substrate for epitaxial diamond film, an epitaxial diamond film produced with the base substrate for epitaxial diamond film and a method for producing the epitaxial diamond film. An iridium (Ir) film is formed by epitaxial growth on a single crystal magnesium oxide (MgO) substrate or a single crystal sapphire (α-Al2O3) substrate by means of a vacuum deposition method or a sputtering method, and a bias nucleus generation process of forming epitaxial diamond nuclei is applied to the surface of the iridium (Ir) base formed as a film by exposing an ion-containing direct current plasma to the surface of the iridium (Ir) base formed as a film.
US09353454B2

A method for anodizing and dyeing a metallic article including a decorated surface to be dyed, includes steps as follows: anodizing the metallic article to form an anodization layer on the decorated surface by an anodizing treatment, in which the anodization layer is porous with a number of holes; sealing the anodization layer of the metallic article anodized by a first sealing treatment in a first sealing solution, in which a contacting time of the anodization layer and the first sealing solution changes gradually along a predetermined direction, and thereby a depth of the holes of the anodization layer after sealing changes gradually along the predetermined direction; and coloring the metallic article sealed in a dyeing treatment.
US09353439B2

An apparatus for use in semiconductor processing operations to distribute process gases across a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus may include one or more annular baffles arranged in a stack of annular baffle layers within a plenum volume of the apparatus. Each annular baffle may have a mid-diameter substantially equal to and inner diameter or outer diameter of a baffle in the annular baffle layer above it. The annular baffles may be arranged in a cascading fashion.
US09353438B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to a substrate processing apparatus. In one embodiment, a substrate processing apparatus includes a plurality of process units. The process unit includes a process chamber for processing a substrate, an exhaust conduit connected to the process chamber and an exhaust pump arranged in the path of the exhaust conduit. The substrate processing apparatus further includes a connecting conduit connected to the exhaust conduits of the process units in the upstream of the exhaust pump and a switching unit which switches an exhaust path of the process chamber to the other exhaust pump in the other process unit via the connecting conduit.
US09353432B2

Disclosed is a pure titanium sheet having a strength corresponding to JIS Grade 2 level (215 MPa in terms of 0.2% yield strength) or more and having satisfactory stamping formability. The pure titanium sheet includes titanium and inevitable impurities, has a 0.2% yield strength of 215 MPa or more, has an average grain size d of its structure of 25 μm or more and 75 μm or less, and has a hexagonal crystal structure, in which respective grains in the hexagonal crystal structure have an average of Schmidt factors (SF) of (11-22) twins with a rolling direction as axes, and the average Schmidt factor (SF) and the average grain size d satisfy following Expression (1): 0.055≦[SF/√d]≦0.084  (1).
US09353423B2

Replicons of genotype 6 hepatitis C virus (HCV) are provided. These replicons contain adaptive mutations giving rise to the HCV's capability to replicate in vitro. Methods of preparing genotype 6 replicons and methods of using these replicons to screen antiviral agents are also provided.
US09353420B2

The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for identifying a subject's predisposition to a gastrointestinal disease or disorder.
US09353419B2

A method of selecting a subject having cancer for treatment with an IAP inhibitor.
US09353417B1

Methods of diagnosing large granular lymphocytic leukemia are provided herein. Novel splice variants of Granzyme B and Granzyme H as well as methods for screening for compositions regulating the splice variants and the development of therapeutic agents for the modulation thereof are also provided herein. Regulation of the splice variants is useful in the treatment of leukemic LGL, where these isoforms are constitutively over-expressed.
US09353414B2

Disclosed is a method to achieve digital quantification of DNA (i.e., counting differences between identical sequences) using direct shotgun sequencing followed by mapping to the chromosome of origin and enumeration of fragments per chromosome. The preferred method uses massively parallel sequencing, which can produce tens of millions of short sequence tags in a single run and enabling a sampling that can be statistically evaluated. By counting the number of sequence tags mapped to a predefined window in each chromosome, the over- or under-representation of any chromosome in maternal plasma DNA contributed by an aneuploid fetus can be detected. This method does not require the differentiation of fetal versus maternal DNA. The median count of autosomal values is used as a normalization constant to account for differences in total number of sequence tags is used for comparison between samples and between chromosomes.
US09353413B2

Disclosed are standardized reference genes for microRNAs and the use thereof. The reference gene is microRNA let-7d, let-7g, let-7i or a combination thereof. The reference genes have extremely high stability and accuracy compared to the currently most commonly used reference genes in microRNA quantitation.
US09353411B2

The invention relates to a composition, method and apparatus for determining the sequence of a nucleic acid strand utilizing a pH-sensing agent.
US09353410B2

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a magnetic rack comprising a lateral movement structure and/or a longitudinal movement structure. In particular embodiments, the lateral movement structure and/or longitudinal movement structure move one or more magnets to or away from a reaction tube, in order to control the magnetic forces exerted on microbeads in the reaction tube. The microbeads are attracted onto the reaction tube wall, thereby facilitating separation of the microbeads from a solution in the tube. In particular embodiments, the magnetic rack is used to extract or purify nucleic acid from a sample.
US09353404B2

The present invention relates to methods and kits useful for the detection of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample. In general, the methods of the present invention are predicated on the target-mediated capture of a nuclease into a complex wherein the extent of complex formation, as measured by nuclease activity, is positively correlated with the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample.
US09353385B2

Provided are labdenediol diphosphate synthase polypeptides, sclareol synthase polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules encoding the labdenediol diphosphate synthase polypeptides and sclareol synthase polypeptides, and methods of using the labdenediol diphosphate synthase polypeptides, sclareol synthase polypeptides. Also provided are methods for producing labdenediol diphosphate, sclareol and (−)-ambroxide.
US09353379B2

The present invention provides a method for cultivation of a genetically-modified plant that can highly produce a desired protein. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for cultivation of a genetically-modified plant comprising: cultivating the genetically-modified plant in a medium, wherein the genetically-modified plant is transformed by introducing an expression vector comprising a promoter regulating expression of RNA and a seed storage protein isolated from a plant that highly expresses RNA and the seed storage protein under a high nitrogen condition; and a polynucleotide encoding an objective protein, and wherein the medium is adjusted so that nitrate nitrogen is 70 mg/L to 750 mg/L and/or ammonium nitrogen is 70 mg/L to 750 mg/L for a definite period in a period from 30 days before an expected flowering date to a date on or before flowering of the genetically-modified plant.
US09353371B2

The present invention provides compounds comprising oligonucleotides complementary to an Usher transcript. Certain such compounds are useful for hybridizing to an Usher transcript, including but not limited, to an Usher transcript in a cell. In certain embodiments, such hybridization results in modulation of splicing of the Usher transcript. In certain such embodiments, the Usher transcript includes a mutation that results in cryptic splicing and hybridization of the oligonucleotide results in a decrease in the amount of cryptic splicing. In certain embodiments, such compounds are used to treat Usher Syndrome.
US09353370B2

The present invention provides (a) a functional nucleic acid molecule comprises: a target determinant sequence comprising antisense sequence to a target sequence in the protein-encoding RNA for which protein synthesis efficiency is to be increased and a regulatory sequence having an activity of increasing of the protein synthesis efficiency, and (b) a use of the functional nucleic acid molecule.
US09353367B2

A non-leachable, crosslinked, on a nanometer scale formed magnetic enzyme aggregate, consisting of a non-layered, hybrid nano-composite of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and aggregated enzyme particles, is described. The magnetic enzyme aggregate can have a high enzyme content, of up to 99%. The high enzyme content allows the use on a small scale, such as for example in a fluidized bed, of the magnetic enzyme aggregate. Also, a process for the preparation of the present magnetic enzyme aggregate is described.
US09353365B2

The present invention relates to novel polypeptide variants of factor VII (FVII) or factor VIIa (FVIIa) polypeptides, where said variants comprise an amino acid substitution in position 10 and 32 and where said variants further comprise a sugar moiety covalently attached to an introduced in vivo N-glycosylation site located outside of the Gla domain. Such polypeptide variants are useful in therapy, in particular for the treatment of a variety of coagulation-related disorders, such as trauma.
US09353364B2

The present invention relates to a polypeptide which has β-glucosidase activity, and which includes an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence in which one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted, or added in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence having 91% or greater sequence identity with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1. According to the present invention, a novel β-glucosidase enzyme derived from Acremonium cellulolyticus, a polynucleotide encoding the β-glucosidase, an expression vector for expressing the β-glucosidase, a transformant incorporated with that expression vector, and a method for producing a cellulose degradation product using the β-glucosidase can be provided.
US09353352B2

The methods of the present application describe that introduction of physiologically relevant miRNAs can enhance or modulate somatic cell reprogramming, generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). These miRNAs did not further enhance reprogramming in the presence of cMyc. Furthermore, unlike previously described methods of generating iPS cells, such as through the introduction of genetic elements using viruses, the methods of the present invention reduce the risk of activating oncogenes in the iPS cells. The methods of the invention generate iPS cells that can be free of genetic modifications and thus have greater potential for use as therapeutic agents than those generated by existing methods.
US09353337B2

The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning composition comprising colored abrasive cleaning particles.
US09353334B2

The present invention discloses the method for cleaning a medical instrument using a treatment liquid, wherein the treatment liquid contains: (A) an alkanolamine in an amount of 0.004 to 1% by mass, (B) a nonionic surfactant in an amount of 0.002 to 1% by mass, (C) a polyhydric alcohol in an amount of 0.004 to 10% by mass, (D) an alkaline protease in an effective amount, and (E) water, and has a pH of not lower than 9.
US09353333B1

The present invention relates to a liquid laundry additive composition and method of use in washing laundry. Not only does the composition reduce laundry odors but it also reduces washing machine drum odor.
US09353332B2

A method is provided for the use of a process additive system to improve the separation of oil from a process stream (whole stillage, thin stillage, or syrup) generated as a byproduct in grain to ethanol production.
US09353329B2

The present invention provides a lubricating oil composition for an internal combustion engine used mainly to drive a generator and to improve the fuel economy thereof. The composition comprises (A) a base oil being a hydrocarbon base oil having a ratio (CA/CB) of the proportion of the component of 24 or fewer carbon atoms (CA) and the proportion of the component of 25 or more carbon atoms (CB) in the carbon number distribution obtained by gas chromatography distillation of 2.0 or higher, the composition having a ratio (Vs/Vk) of the 80° C. high-temperature high-shear (HTHS) viscosity (Vk) and the 150° C. HTHS viscosity (Vs) of 0.4 or higher and a 100° C. kinematic viscosity of 5.2 mm2/s or higher and 8 mm2/s or lower.
US09353327B2

A lubricating oil additive composition comprising at least one carboxylate detergent wherein at least one of the carboxylate detergents has a TBN of the actives of greater than about 60 to about 200; at least one polyalkenyl succinimide; a first phenate detergent having a TBN of the actives of greater than about 60 to about 200; and a second phenate detergent having a TBN of the actives of greater than about 200 to about 400.
US09353324B2

This mixed coal fuel is obtained by mixing a low-grade coal and residual coal. The residual coal is obtained by separating, through evaporation, a solvent from concentrated solids left over when a solution portion, which contains soluble coal components in solvent, is separated from a slurry obtained by mixing and heating coal and a solvent. Furthermore, the ratio (base/acid) of basic components to acidic components contained in ash of the residual coal is lower than that of the low-grade coal.
US09353312B2

A polymerizable compound-containing liquid crystal composition of the present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable compound represented by general formula (I) and a compound represented by general formula (II) and can be used for a liquid crystal display device imparted with liquid crystal aligning ability by polymerization. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition is required to cause no precipitation in a wide temperature range and have a low viscosity corresponding to fast switching, and a liquid crystal display device using the composition is required to have more stable alignment after polymerization and to cause no defect in display characteristics. In the present invention, the problems can be solved using a specified compound.
US09353309B2

The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation by contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a fluid that includes at least one of a polyol or polyol ether, wherein the polyol and polyol ether independently have from 2 to 25 carbon atoms; and at least one of a monohydroxy alcohol, ether, or ketone, wherein the monohydroxy alcohol, ether, and ketone independently have from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the at least one of a polyol or polyol ether is present in the fluid at at least 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of the fluid.
US09353308B2

Light to ultra-light cement compositions with modified rheological properties. The cement composition includes cement, hydrophobic nano-silica, at least one additive and a sufficient amount of water to make a cement slurry with high compressive strength, low porosity, low free water, and low fluid loss with a quick thickening time.
US09353307B2

Methods useful in oil and gas production include producing a degradable (hydrolysable) polymer emulsion for downhole operations by mixing a degradable (hydrolysable) polymer solution with a treatment fluid using intense stirring to produce a stable emulsion at surface conditions, and allowing the degradable (hydrolysable) polymer emulsion to controllably decompose in downhole conditions to produce droplets of sticky polymer
US09353303B2

To provide a working medium for heat cycle, of which combustibility is suppressed, which has less influence over the ozone layer, which has less influence over global warming and which provides a heat cycle system excellent in the cycle performance (capacity), and a heat cycle system, of which the safety is secured, and which is excellent in the cycle performance (capacity). A working medium for heat cycle comprising 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is employed for a heat cycle system (such as a Rankine cycle system, a heat pump cycle system, a refrigerating cycle system or a heat transport system).
US09353299B2

A 2-cyanoacrylate-based adhesive composition includes a 2-cyanoacrylic acid ester (a) and an onium salt (b) represented by general formula C+A−. In the formula, C+ is an onium cation, and A− is a hydrogen sulfate anion, bisulfite anion, sulfonate anion represented by R1SO3− (where R1 is an alkyl group, perfluoroalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl group, vinyl group, aryl group, perfluoroaryl group, aralkyl group, or halogen atom), or bis(substituted sulfonyl)imide anion represented by (R2SO2)2N− (where R2 is an alkyl group, perfluoroalkyl group, or aryl group).) The 2-cyanoacrylate-based adhesive composition has good storage stability and has an excellent adhesion rate to metals and thermoplastic elastomers.
US09353293B2

A novel transparent double-sided adhesive sheet for image display device is provided, that, under the constraint of holding down the thickness of the adhesive sheet to 250 μm or less, can relieve a distortion arising within the adhesive sheet after laminating even if a member has a stepped portion of 50 μm to 100 μm in height on the laminating surface.Proposed is a transparent double-sided adhesive sheet for image display device which is used for the purpose of laminating an image display device constitutive member having on a laminating surface a stepped portion of 50 μm to 100 μm in height and a flat surface portion, and another image display device constitutive member, wherein a thickness of the maximum thickness portion of the adhesive sheet is 250 μm or less, and a gel fraction (a) at a position in contact with a stepped portion after laminating is 10% or greater and smaller than a gel fraction (b) at a position in contact with a flat surface portion.
US09353280B2

An ink composition comprising (A) a polyether-modified silicone having formula (I), (B) a polyether-modified silicone having formula (II), water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a colorant has excellent wettability and penetrability and forms printed images with good color development and uniformity and without color bleeding.
US09353278B2

Provided is an ink containing a self-dispersible pigment, a polyurethane polymer particle, a surfactant, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water. The surfactant includes a fluorinated surfactant represented by Formula (1) and having an HLB value determined by a Griffin method of 11 or less. The water-soluble organic solvent includes at least one water-soluble organic solvent selected from a specific group, and the total content of the water-soluble organic solvents of the specific group is higher than the total content of the water-soluble organic solvents other than the solvents of the specific group.
US09353274B1

An ink includes water, a pigment, and a copolymer, wherein the copolymer contains a structure unit represented by the following Chemical formula 1, where R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, M1+ and M2+ each, independently represent monovalent cations, n and m each, independently represent 0 or integers of from 1 to 6 excluding a case where both are 0 and a structure unit represented by the following Chemical formula 2, where R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Y represents an alkylene group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms.
US09353269B2

Reactive compositions are provided, having biocidal and chemical decontamination/neutralization properties, comprising a hygroscopic polymer and an active, which are useful in a variety of commercial, healthcare and military applications and a wide variety of contaminants, including without limitation chemical and biological warfare agents. The reactive compositions are renewable or rechargeable after use by exposure to an additional application of the active and do not require removal, disposal or replacement of the originally applied composition. Methods for preparing and applying the reactive compositions are disclosed.
US09353259B2

Provided is a thermoplastic resin composition having high flame resistance and high fluidity during injection molding, and improved impact resistance in a molded article. A method for producing a thermoplastic resin composition, the method including the step (1) of obtaining a polyester resin mixture by melt-kneading 50 to 80 parts by weight of crystalline polyester resin and 20 to 50 parts by weight of amorphous polyester resin with an extruder, and the step (2) of mixing the polyester resin mixture, a polycarbonate resin, a flame retardant, a dripping inhibitor and a toughening agent, wherein the cylinder temperature of the extruder is 250 to 280° C.
US09353253B2

A low gloss thermoplastic resin composition can have improved scratch resistance, and includes a silicon compound-grafted aromatic vinyl-vinyl cyanide-based copolymer to improve mechanical physical properties such as scratch resistance, and the like, and to implement low gloss property. The low gloss composition can be used in a vehicle interior material.
US09353248B2

Disclosed herein is a rubber composition for use in tire treads including a rubber component and, per 100 parts by mass thereof, from 1 to 20 parts by mass of a gel; and a pneumatic tire using the rubber composition in a tread. The gel can be produced by dissolving a polyvinyl alcohol powder in an aqueous solution containing water or water and an organic solvent including a group selected from a hydroxy group, an amino group, and an amide group; and crosslinking by adding a crosslinking agent thereto.
US09353225B2

This invention relates to compounds having guanidine groups and containing semi-organic silicon groups, their use for the curing of compounds containing alkoxysilyl groups, compositions comprising the curing catalysts of the invention, and use of the compositions as adhesives and sealants and also as coating materials.
US09353217B2

Spherical biodegradable particles have improved flexibility, cause less aggregation among particles, and have improved particle shape-recovering ability after passing through a catheter or the like. The biodegradable particles include a synthetic polymer chemically cross-linked to a polyvalent carboxylic acid, the biodegradable particles having a water content of 20 to 90% in a water-saturated state.
US09353178B2

Provided herein are methods, compositions, and uses relating to inhibitors of stem cell factor. For example, provided herein are antibodies targeting stem cell factor and methods for treating fibrotic and tissue remodeling diseases.
US09353170B2

Long-acting polymer exendin-4 or exendin agonist derivatives of the formula Pol-L-E are provided wherein Pol is a polymer, L is a releasing linker undergoing slow autohydrolysis and E is an exendin or exendin agonist. These exendin or exendin agonists are slowly released from Pol-L upon administration to a living organism. The derivatives are useful e.g. for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
US09353162B2

Disclosed are methods and compositions for early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of an ocular disorder. In particular, the invention relates to a novel protein, that is differentially transcribed and expressed in subjects suffering from retinal dystrophies and the like, such as retinal dystrophy and age-related macular degeneration compared with healthy subjects, antibodies which recognize this protein, and methods for diagnosing such conditions.
US09353160B2

The present invention is directed to improved microbial antigen vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions and antibodies and their use in the treatment of microbial infections, particularly those of bacterial origin, including Staphylococcal origin. Ideally, the present invention is directed to a recombinant staphylococcal MSCRAMM or MSCRAMM-like proteins, or fragment thereof, with reduced binding to its host ligand, for use in therapy.
US09353155B2

A cell-penetrating peptide is described. Also described is a pro-apoptotic agent including the cell-penetrating peptide and a pro-apoptotic peptide linked thereto. The pro-apoptotic agent is useful for inhibition of in vitro cell proliferation and for treatment of tumors.
US09353154B2

The present invention provides methods for guiding preservation of neurons or nerves during surgery by administering a fluorescently-labeled peptide that associates with (e.g., specifically binds to) the neurons or nerves. The invention further provides targeting molecules of fluorescently-labeled peptides or aptamers that associate with (e.g., specifically bind to) neurons or nerves and for compositions thereof.
US09353149B2

The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of diseases through inhibiting the activity of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). More specifically, the disclosed compounds, compositions and methods are useful in the treatment of certain cancers (e.g. multiple myeloma, hematologic malignancies), diseases associated with excessive TGF-β activity including fibrosis, dermal scarring, immune dysfunction, and bone loss by inhibiting the conversion of latent TGF-β to active TGF-β. A method of preventing the activation of TGF-β in pathology is also provided, comprising administering an amount of the compounds sufficient to inhibit conversion of latent TGF-β to active TGF-β by thrombospondin1 (TSP1), resulting in reduced TGF-β activity and reduced adverse effects such as fibrosis, bone loss, and immune dysfunction.
US09353146B2

The present invention belongs to the field of natural medicine and pharmaceutical chemistry, and relates to novel Polyphyllin I derivatives of formula (I) that is acylated at the 5′-position of arabinofuranosyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a process for the preparation of these compounds, compositions containing such compounds and their use in preparing antineoplastic medicaments.
US09353143B1

An ecdysterone compound is described. An ecdysterone compound may include ecdysterone and decanoic acid. An ecdysterone compound may further include ecdysterone and isobutyric acid. An ecdysterone compound may comprise a physiologically active salt or ester of ecdysterone. An ecdysterone compound may further comprise a physiologically active salt or ester of decanoic acid. Alternatively, an ecdysterone compound may include a physiologically active salt or ester of isobutyric acid.
US09353141B2

The present invention relates to novel compounds prepared from readily accessible 3-O-propargyl-D-galactopyranoside derivatives and having an effect as i.a., galectin inhibitors, the use of said compounds as a medicament as well as for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of disorders relating to the binding of galectin to ligands in a mammal, wherein said galectin is preferably a galectin-3. The novel compounds are defined by the general formula (I).
US09353129B2

Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional coordination complex that includes a plurality of inorganic centers; a plurality of a first bis(bidentate) linker; and a plurality of a second bis(bidentate) linker, where the first and the second bis(bidentate) linkers are have different lengths, and the bidentate binding sites on each linker face in opposite directions on an axis.
US09353125B2

Process for the preparation of a benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with heteroaryl groups which comprises reacting at least one benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with at least one heteroaryl compound. Said benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with heteroaryl groups can be advantageously used in the construction of luminescent solar concentrators (LSC). Furthermore, said benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with heteroaryl groups can be advantageously used in the construction of photovoltaic devices such as, for example, photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic modules, solar cells, solar modules, on both a rigid and flexible support. Said benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with heteroaryl groups can also be advantageously used as a precursor of monomeric units in the preparation of semiconductor polymers.
US09353124B2

Bridged bicyclic aryl or heteroaryl substituted triazoles and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds are disclosed as being useful in inhibiting the activity of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Axl. Methods of using the compounds in treating diseases or conditions associated with Axl activity are also disclosed.
US09353121B2

The invention provides methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a mammal by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the mammal. The invention also provides small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions containing the therapeutically effective compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.
US09353117B2

Substituted pyrazolopyrimidines and dihydropyrazolopyrimidines and related compounds, their methods of manufacture, compositions containing these compounds, and methods of use of these compounds in treating lysosomal storage disorders such as Gaucher disease are described herein. The compounds are of general Formula (I) in which variables R1-R7 and X are described in the application.
US09353116B2

The present invention sets forth a new chemical genetic approach for engineering kinase enzymes with a cysteine gatekeeper residue as well as for developing electrophilic inhibitors thereto. The present invention also provides a Src proto-oncogenic tyrosine kinase with a cysteine gatekeeper that recapitulates wild type activity and can be irreversibly inhibited both in vitro and in cells. The present invention also provides methods and compositions for modulating kinases and for treating kinase-associate diseases.
US09353113B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a drug having the inhibitory activity on ENPP2 which is a different target from that of the existing drug, as a medicament useful in a urinary excretion disorder patient for whom the existing drug has the insufficient effect.The present invention provides a compound represented by the general formula (I): (wherein definition of each group is as defined in the description) having the ENPP2 inhibitory activity, a salt thereof or a solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof, and an agent for preventing or treating urinary excretion disorder and/or improving symptoms thereof, containing them as an active ingredient.
US09353112B2

Disclosed embodiments concern polycyclic alkaloid compounds and methods for their use and synthesis. Particular embodiments concern polycyclic alkaloids having a fused, six-membered ring, while other embodiments concern polycyclic alkaloids having a fused, five-membered ring. Methods for making the polycyclic alkaloids are disclosed, as well as methods for their use as prophylactics or treatments for certain diseases. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polycyclic alkaloids and their use.
US09353108B2

A compound having an SSTR5 antagonist action and use of the compound as a medicament are provided. Specifically, a compound represented by the following formula: wherein each symbol is as defined herein, or a salt thereof, a medicament comprising the compound or a salt thereof, and use of the compound or a salt thereof as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes mellitus are provided.
US09353107B2

The present application relates to novel 3-(pyrazolyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives of formula (I), as protein kinase inhibitors. The invention particularly relates to compounds of formula (I), preparation of compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The invention further relates to pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions comprising the said novel 3-(pyrazolyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives and their use in the treatment of various disorders.
US09353101B2

Compounds having the structure of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, are CETP inhibitors and may be useful for raising HDL-cholesterol and reducing LDL-cholesterol in human patients and for treating or preventing atherosclerosis.
US09353098B2

The present invention is directed to novel polymorphs and salts of a compound which is an inhibitor of kinase activity.
US09353097B2

This application relates to various salts and solid state forms of Compound (I). This application also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic uses of these materials and compositions.
US09353093B2

This invention is directed to a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and X are as defined herein. The compounds of Formula I are useful as receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors and can be used to treat such diseases as cancer, blood vessel proliferative disorders, fibrotic disorders, mesangial cell proliferative disorders and metabolic diseases.
US09353085B2

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) for an organic electroluminescent device: wherein X1, X2, X3, Y, Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, Ar4, Ar5, Ar6, and Ar7 are as defined in the description.
US09353083B2

Methods for treating hypopigmentary pathologies and photosensitive dermatoses are described. Also described, are compounds that are agonists of the MCIR receptor and that exhibit reduced toxicity relative to other compounds of the same class. These compounds can have the general formula (I) wherein: R1 represents a cyclopropylmethyl or a 4-hydroxybutyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and also the salts and enantiomers of the corresponding compounds of general formula (I).
US09353079B2

Provided herein are multiple solid forms of a defined α,{acute over (ω)}-disubstituted dihydroxy cyclopentyl compound, and methods for the preparation and use thereof. In one aspect, there are provided crystalline forms of said cyclopentyl compound, and methods for the preparation and use thereof. In another aspect, there are provided substantially amorphous forms of said dihydroxy cyclopentyl compound, and methods for the preparation and use thereof. In yet another aspect, there are provided compositions containing compounds according to the present invention. In certain aspects, such compositions are suitable for delivery of active agents according to the present invention to a subject in need thereof. In another aspect of the invention, there are provided methods for the treatment of a variety of indications, including glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and the like. In still another aspect of the present invention, there are provided kits containing compounds according to the present invention and/or compositions containing same.
US09353077B2

The present invention discloses organocatalytic process for asymmetric synthesis of highly enantioselective decanolide compounds in high yield with >99% ee. Further, the present invention disclose cost effective, improved organocatalytic process for asymmetric synthesis of highly enantioselective decanolides compounds from non-chiral, cheap, easily available raw materials.
US09353074B2

Process for dehydrating an ethanol feed to ethylene then oxidating the ethanol to ethylene oxide, comprising vaporizing the feed and a flow of diluting water comprising recycled ethanol to produce a vaporized feed, dehydrating a mixture of vaporized feed and a vaporized flow of diluting water comprising ethanol, separating the dehydration effluent into ethylene and water effluents, purifying at least a portion of the water effluent and separating a flow of treated water and a flow of diluting water comprising ethanol, recycling and vaporizing at least a portion of the separated diluting water by partial or complete vaporization in an exchanger using heat exchange with a quench flow obtained from the oxidation, said quench flow, cooled, then recycled to the oxidation reactor(s), and oxidation of the ethylene in the effluent comprising ethylene into ethylene oxide, this oxidation using a tubular oxidation reactor cooled by vaporization of said quench flow.
US09353068B2

The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein Ht, G, R10, R30, R40, R50 and R60 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which are valuable pharmaceutical active compounds. They are inhibitors of the protease cathepsin A, and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, renal diseases, liver diseases or inflammatory diseases, for example. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, their use and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09353064B2

The present invention is directed to processes and intermediates useful for the preparation of 1-[3-(4-bromo-2-methyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4-methoxy-phenyl]-3-(2,4-difluoro-phenyl)-urea (Compound I), crystalline forms and solvate forms thereof; and compositions comprising 1-[3-(4-bromo-2-methyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-4-methoxy-phenyl]-3-(2,4-difluoro-phenyl)-urea, crystalline forms and solvate forms thereof prepared by processes as described herein.
US09353062B2

The present invention is directed to novel quinolines, their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof. The compounds and compositions of the present invention have protein kinases inhibitory activities and are useful for the treatment of protein kinases mediated diseases and conditions. The disclosed substituted quinolines include Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitors.
US09353059B2

The composition containing a pamoate salt of donepezil, the method of preparation and the use thereof are disclosed.
US09353057B2

Methods for synthesis of 1-(acyloxy)-alkyl carbamates, particularly, the synthesis of 1-(acyloxy)-alkyl carbamate prodrugs of primary or secondary amine-containing drugs are described. Also described are methods for synthesis of 1-(acyloxy)-alkyl N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbonates which are useful intermediates in the synthesis of 1-(acyloxy)-alkyl carbamates are also described.
US09353055B2

The present invention provides a method for the purification of a prostaglandin by supercritical fluid chromatography, said method comprising the use of a stationary phase and a mobile phase comprising carbon dioxide, provided that when the stationary phase is unmodified silica gel, the prostaglandin is not luprostiol. The invention also provides prostaglandins obtainable by the method.
US09353051B2

Compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating viral infections, by administering certain compounds in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are also disclosed. In particular, the treatment and prophylaxis of viral infections such as caused by flavivirus is disclosed, i.e., including but not limited to, Dengue virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus.
US09353043B2

In a process for preparing (meth)acrylic esters (E) of polyalkoxy-containing alcohols which comprises reacting polyalkoxy-containing alcohols (P) of formula (I) where R1 is hydrogen, a hydroxyl group or a straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alcohol of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are each independently H or methyl, and m and n are each independently an integer between 0 and 100, with the proviso that m and n cannot both be 0, with a (meth)acrylic anhydride (A) in the presence of at least one basic catalyst (K) having a pKB value of not more than 7.0 and of at least one sterically hindered polymerization inhibitor, the reaction mixture is quenched with a C1-C6 alkanol after the reaction has ended.
US09353035B2

A process is disclosed for producing ethanol comprising contacting reactants comprising acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a first catalyst in a first zone and a second catalyst in a second zone. The first catalyst is a mixed oxide comprising tin and at least one of cobalt or nickel. The second catalyst may be either: i) a supported Group VIII hydrogenation catalyst; ii) a copper-based catalyst; and iii) a secondary mixed oxide catalyst, wherein the secondary mixed oxide catalyst is different than the mixed oxide catalyst of the first zone.
US09353029B2

The invention relates to a process to prepare tetrahalopropenes, such as 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (1233xf). The process comprises atomizing a feed material, such as 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (1230xa) and the like, and mixing it with superheated HF to form a vaporized composition of feed material and HF with substantially instantaneous contact with a vapor phase fluorination catalyst. The invention extends catalyst life and forestalls catalyst deactivation.
US09353023B2

Disclosed is a hydrocarbon conversion process that is less energy intensive than comparable processes. The hydrocarbon conversion process is particularly desirable for converting alkanes, such as methane into C2+ olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, particularly with increasing selectivity to ethylene production. It is also desirable for effectively removing a C2 composition (i.e., ethane, ethylene and/or acetylene) produced from the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon comprised of C2+ olefins. In addition, the hydrocarbon process is desirable for providing a substantially non-cryogenic separation of the desired C2 compositions from the hydrocarbons (e.g., methane) present in the reaction mixture.
US09353022B2

A process for the conversion of natural gas to hydrocarbon products by (a) mixing natural gas with a small amount of hydrogen, (b) purifying the mixture from (a) to obtain purified natural gas, (c) mixing the purified natural gas from (b) with steam to obtain the desired steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratio, (d) mixing the natural gas/steam mixture from (c) with tail gas from the downstream Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and converting the mixture into a synthesis gas, (e) cooling the synthesis gas from (d) and condensing out the process water from it, (f) leading the dry synthesis gas from (e) to a carbon dioxide removal section, and (g) sending the CO2-deprived synthesis gas to the downstream Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit as a make-up gas. The carbon dioxide removed from the syngas in step (f) is either vented or kept for other use without any part of it being recycled.
US09353017B2

A method of trimming a current source in an IC includes deriving a reference voltage from an external supply, and developing a measurement voltage across an external reference resistance receiving the current to be trimmed. An on-chip ADC is used to provide corresponding digital reference and digital measurement signals. A digital comparator compares the digital signals and provides a digital trim signal, which is used to adjust the current to be trimmed until the digital measurement signal is equal to the digital reference signal within an acceptable tolerance. Gain and offset errors in the ADC cancel and do not affect the calibration of the trim operation.
US09353007B2

A dry mortar mixture based on at least one hydraulic and/or latently hydraulic binder which in the made-up and not yet cured state has firm properties is claimed. The novel dry mortar mixture is characterized in that it contains at least one representative of a dispersant and at least one compound having superabsorbent properties. This mixture makes it possible to carry over the advantages of known tile adhesives for horizontal application to vertical application possibilities.
US09353006B2

The present invention relates to improved concrete elements, particularly to high-performance self-compacting concrete (HP-SCC); to cementitious compositions suitable for producing such concrete elements; to methods of manufacturing such concrete elements and such cementitious compositions; to the use of specific additives in concrete elements and cementitious mixtures. The inventive compositions comprise an effective amount of polymer fibers and of hydrogels. The inventive concrete elements show improved fire resistance, particularly towards explosive spalling.
US09353003B2

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates generally to a hydraulic composition with a prolonged open time. More particularly, the composition comprises at least one cement retarder and at least one accelerator. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) further relates to a dry mortar composition comprising the hydraulic composition having prolonged open time without deterioration of the other cement tile adhesive properties such as workability, setting time, strength development and sag resistance.
US09353000B2

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to articles including anticondensation coatings that are exposed to an external environment, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the anticondensation coatings may be survivable in an outside environment. The coatings also may have a sufficiently low sheet resistance and hemispherical emissivity such that the glass surface is more likely to retain heat from the interior area, thereby reducing (and sometimes completely eliminating) the presence condensation thereon. The articles of certain example embodiments may be, for example, skylights, vehicle windows or windshields, IG units, VIG units, refrigerator/freezer doors, and/or the like.
US09352999B2

A glass composition including SiO2 in an amount from about 69.5 to about 80.0% by weight, Al2O3 in an amount from about 5.0 to about 18.5% by weight, MgO in an amount from about 5.0 to about 14.75% by weight, CaO in an amount from 0.0 to about 3.0% by weight, Li2O in an amount from about 3.25 to about 4.0% by weight, and Na20 in an amount from 0.0 to about 2.0% by weight is provided. Glass fibers formed from the inventive composition may be used in applications that require high strength, high stiffness, and low weight. Such applications include, but are not limited to, woven fabrics for use in forming wind blades, armor plating, and aerospace structures.
US09352993B2

Boiler water is heated in a steam boiler while feed water, which has a hardness of 5 mg CaCO3/L or less and is used as the boiler water, is supplied to the steam boiler. A part of the boiler water is appropriately disposed of. A chemical aqueous solution containing an alkaline metal silicate, an alkaline metal hydroxide and at least one kind of scale preventive agents of ethylenediamine tetraacetate, and its alkaline metal salt, is supplied to the feed water so that a concentration of the scale preventive agent is at least 1.5 mol equivalent times relative to the hardness of the feed water. In the steam boiler, a condensation rate of the boiler water is set so that the concentration of the scale preventive agent in the boiler water is 40 mg EDTA/L or less.
US09352981B2

Disclosed are examples of apparatuses for evaporative purification of a contaminated liquid. In each example, there is a vessel for storing the contaminated fluid. The vessel includes a surface coated with a layer of superhydrophobic material and the surface is at least partially in contact with the contaminated liquid. The contaminants do not adhere to the surface as the purified liquid evaporates, thus allowing the contaminants to be harvested.
US09352979B2

A portable water treatment system includes at least one sub-system to treat water including a flocculation system, a chlorination system, and a bio-sand filter system. The water treatment system may include multiple sub-systems for treating water that feed into one another. The sand filter system may include a mini bio-sand filter, a foam filter, or a pressed block filter. The flocculation system may include a tank bottom that urges settling particles toward a sump and a ladle that removes settled particles. A manual pump or siphon may be included in the water treatment system.
US09352962B2

A device may comprise a substrate formed of a first semiconductor material and a trench formed in the substrate. A second semiconductor material may be formed in the trench. The second semiconductor material may have first and second portions that are isolated with respect to one another and that are isolated with respect to the first semiconductor material.
US09352957B2

A semiconductor device may include an enclosure structure. The semiconductor device may further include a getter for absorb gas molecules. The getter may be positioned (and enclosed) inside the enclosure structure and may overlap a first portion of a surface of the enclosure structure. The semiconductor device may further include an inductor. The inductor may be positioned (and enclosed) inside the enclosure structure and may overlap a second portion of the surface of the enclosure structure without overlapping the getter in a direction perpendicular to the first surface of the enclosure structure.
US09352953B2

Structures and formation methods of a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) device are provided. The MEMS device includes a substrate and a MEMS structure over the substrate, and the MEMS structure has a movable element. The movable element is surrounded by a cavity. The MEMS device also includes a fuse layer on the movable element.
US09352952B2

The present invention relates to dispensers of fluids such as liquids, powders or particulate solids and in particular, relates to apparatus to quickly, hygienically and accurately dispense predetermined measures of fluid products into a vessel according to the capacity of the vessel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a fluid portion dispenser comprising at least one fluid reservoir, one or more nozzles, each of which being fixed to a work surface and having a nozzle outlet configured to dispense fluid from and a pump unit, connecting each reservoir to a nozzle and configured to pump fluid from each reservoir to a nozzle wherein each nozzle includes an activation mechanism, adapted to identify the capacity of a vessel in association with a nozzle outlet and activate the pump unit to dispense a portion of fluid from the nozzle outlet according to the capacity of the vessel identified.
US09352930B2

Methods and systems are provided to wrap a faired tether around a drum. The tether may be connected to an aerial vehicle. The method may involve guiding a faired tether around an exterior surface of a drum, wherein the drum comprises a helical shaped step around the exterior surface that is configured to mate with at least part of the faired tether, and to stack subsequent layers of wrapped tether in a staggered manner along the longitudinal axis of the drum. The faired tether may be guided onto the step using one or more level winds.
US09352926B2

A sheet stacking apparatus for stacking a sheet includes a plurality of sheet stacking units, an engaging member, and a first and second moving unit. The plurality of sheet stacking units are lapped over one another in a sheet thickness direction and each includes a stacking member that stacks a sheet thereon, a contact member that contacts an edge of a sheet stacked on the stacking member, the contact member being mounted to be movable to move the sheet stacked on the stacking member, and a contact engaged member mounted to be movable integrally with the contact member. The engaging member engages with the contact engaged member. The first moving unit moves the engaging member to engage the engaging member with the contact engaged member, and moves the contact member together with the contact engaged member. The second moving unit moves the engaging member in the sheet thickness direction.
US09352922B2

A control unit allows a rotational position of a tension generating roller to be changed depending on a width of a web at time of the beginning of conveyance of the web, controls a motor according to a detection signal of a second sensor such that a tension guide maintains its position within a predetermined range during conveyance of the web, causes position data at time of keeping the same value of the position data of the motor for a predetermined period to be stored, calculates an initial operational position of the tension generating roller using the position data and a predetermined correction coefficient, and sets the calculated initial operational position as an initial operational position of the tension generating roller at time of the beginning of next conveyance of web.
US09352915B2

A method of scanning documents and moving such documents along a path such that during scanning a method of improving the documents velocity and the documents image quality is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of documents in an input tray and transporting each document along the path from the input tray at a transport velocity past the scanner to obtain scanned image data. By monitoring and controlling the velocity profile of the transport system, the scanning system may provide higher image quality, reduce slippage, misfeeds and jams, and provide alerts to an operator in the even slippage, misfeeds, or jams do occur.
US09352914B2

A pneumatic tube delivery system and method for simultaneously transporting pneumatic carriers across a plurality of sending and receiving stations connected via pneumatic tubing and diverters. The plurality of sending and receiving stations each comprises a pneumatic device to coordinate and direct the transportation of carriers through vacuum or pressure throughout the pneumatic tube system. One or more diverters in the pneumatic tube system may also comprise a pneumatic device for transporting carriers between two diverters. Each pneumatic device is only responsible for transporting a carrier though a single pneumatic tube sector within the system, enabling the pneumatic tube sectors to operate independently from one another. Accordingly, two or more carriers can be simultaneously transported within the pneumatic tube system. The diverter of the present invention for diverting carriers between pneumatic tube sectors may comprise at least one robotic arm connected to a movable tube for retaining the carrier and shifting the carrier within the diverter.
US09352903B1

The present invention comprises a surface mount secondary containment system comprising prefabricated pieces that may be assembled to form a wall and adjoining corner with overlapping sections to capture leaks, spillage or the like from a primary liquid container member.
US09352896B2

A fluid-dispensing unit in accordance with the present disclosure includes a fluid-storage can, a fluid-discharge controller, and a discharge unit coupled to the fluid-discharge controller. The fluid-storage can includes a container formed to include a fluid reservoir and a fluid discharger coupled to the container to communicate with the fluid reservoir in the container and allow pressurized fluid to exit the fluid-storage can in response to engagement of an actuator of the fluid-discharge controller. The discharge unit is configured to direct the exiting fluid through a spray path in response to engagement of the actuator.
US09352892B2

A system, method and apparatus for forming a flex-column includes a three-sided column having a triangular cross-sectional shape, an open first end, an open second end, and three corners, each one of the three sides including a flex line dividing each of the three sides into two portions, at least one perforation along an edge of each one of the two portions wherein the edge of each one of the two portions coincides with one of the three corners and at least one non-perforation along an edge of each one of the two portions.
US09352891B2

A packaging structure that is adapted for insertion into an outer container. The packaging structure includes a support frame including at least a platform panel having opposed first and second faces and at least a pair of opposed side panels pivotally connected to the platform panel. A first flexible sheet overlies at least a portion of the first face of the platform panel and a second flexible sheet overlies at least a portion of the first flexible sheet and is coupled to the pair of opposed side panels to allow the second flexible sheet to be tensioned when the side panels are pivoted away from the first face of the platform panel.
US09352870B2

Disclosed is a bag stand including: a first side panel, the first side panel having a top end, a bottom end, and two adjacent side ends; a second side panel, the second side panel having a top end, a bottom end, and two adjacent side ends, the second side panel connected to the first side panel; and a first foot panel connected proximate the bottom end of the first side panel, a second foot panel connected proximate the bottom end of the second side panel, the second foot panel connected to the first foot panel, the bag stand further defining a bottom opening when the first foot panel is connected proximate the bottom end of the first side panel.
US09352868B2

A specially designed sonotrode and anvil are adapted to be used in combination for ultrasonic welding of work pieces, to produce a narrower weld region, but one exhibiting greater durability, thereby permitting use of less packaging material. The contact surfaces comprise a surface of the anvil having a plurality of energy directors, where the plurality of energy directors are arranged into a three-dimensional grid pattern to be capable of distributed vibration-transmissive contact. The energy directors may comprise a series of plateau surfaces being regularly spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, to form the grid pattern. The rectangular-shaped plateaus may be spaced apart by valleys. Engagement of the energy directors of the anvil with the corresponding surface of the sonotrode may cause minor elastic deformation of work pieces positioned therebetween prior to ultrasonic welding.
US09352861B2

A vortex reduction cap for use within a fluid holding vessel above a discharge port for discharging the fluid from the vessel is disclosed. The vortex reduction cap includes a top solid surface greater than or equal to the area of the discharge port. The vortex reduction cap includes one or more inlets to allow fluid to flow from the vessel to an internal volume of the vortex reduction cap and then to the discharge port in the vessel. A passive element is positioned within the internal volume of the vortex reduction cap so that the flow of fluids through the cap and towards the discharge port of the vessel will be redirected around the passive element.
US09352860B2

Rotary packaging machine and method for filling open-mouth bags with multiple filling units disposed over the circumference and rotating along, each of which having a filling spout with a filling opening to which the open-mouth bags can be appended by way of a motion oriented upwardly relative to the filling spout. A handling unit configured as a take-over device is provided for taking over the filled open-mouth bags from the filling units and comprises a gripping arm with a gripping unit provided thereat. The gripping arm is rotatingly disposed at the take-over device. The gripping unit is pivotally disposed at the gripping arm for performing relative to the gripping arm a pivoting motion superimposed on the gripping arm rotation.
US09352857B2

A waste handling system includes a waste processing unit that includes a urine inlet configured to receive urine from a urinal. A pumping element is fluidly connected between the urine inlet and the urine outlet. A distribution system with a differential pressure valve selectively fluidly connects the urine outlet to first and second urine storage containers. The distribution system includes a switching system that selectively fluidly connects the urinal to the first and second urinal storage containers in response to an input. Each urine storage containers includes a cavity with a bag. The bag is movable between first and second volumes. An electrical switch communicates with the bag and includes first and second contact elements biased apart from one another in a first condition that corresponds to the first volume. The first and second contact elements electrically engage one another in a second condition corresponding to the second volume.
US09352851B2

The nonintrusive control method consists in using a tugging device attached to the aircraft's landing gear which is towing the aircraft over a detector line, detector line fixed onto the runway under a penetrating radiation source held by a telescopic boom fixed on a mobile scanning unit. The aircraft is towed with constant speed and electronically controlled in a secured and delimited perimeter. The system consists of a mobile scanning unit (MSU), controlled remotely by a towable mobile control center positioned outside an exclusion area. The MSU consists of a telescopic boom holding on its extremity a penetrating radiation source and a detector line fixed onto the runway and a tugging device, which attaches to the aircraft's undercarriage.
US09352849B2

A power safety system is configured to provide power information in an aircraft. The power safety system includes a power safety instrument having a power required indicator and a power available indicator, each being located on a display. A position of the power required indicator and the power available indicator represent the power available and power required to perform a hover flight maneuver. The power safety system may be operated in a flight planning mode or in a current flight mode. The power safety system uses at least one sensor to measure variables having an effect on the power required and the power available.
US09352847B2

A pressure regulator valve arrangement may include first and second regulator valves for closing a fluid passage in the event of over-pressure. The valve members may each have pressure ports for sensing the pressure, and the ports may be located downstream of the valve members to minimize interaction between the valves.
US09352841B2

An example flight display for an aircraft includes a virtual ice accretion meter display having a liquid water content portion and an ice thickness portion. The ice thickness portion is configured to display a virtual ice thickness value.
US09352837B2

An aircraft galley with appliance inserts includes a system for locating and attaching an aircraft monument such as a galley insert or a galley appliance, a single line replaceable unit, or part of a componentized system, within an aircraft galley to provide primary structural support for functional components of the aircraft monument required for normal operation. The system includes an inner liner with upper and lower fixed, sliding or floating connectors, which can include thermal insulators.
US09352835B2

A cargo management system is described having a slide bushing supported cargo shuttle. The cargo shuttle includes an aft bushing slide plate and a forward bushing slide plate. The cargo shuttle also includes an aft wedge positioned between the top surface and the aft bushing slide plate. The cargo shuttle also includes a forward wedge positioned between the top surface and the forward bushing slide plate. The cargo shuttle also includes a top surface configured to be displaced upward as a first force is applied to the aft wedge and a second force is applied to the forward wedge. The cargo management system also includes an aft shuttle drive belt coupled to the cargo shuttle and a forward shuttle drive belt coupled to the cargo shuttle.
US09352832B2

The system may include a ground station, a tether attached to a ground station on a first end and to two or more bridles on a second, and a kite. The kite may include a main wing. Each bridle of the two or more bridles may be attached to the main wing, and the two or more bridles may be adapted to provide a torque on the kite to control a roll of the kite.
US09352828B2

A compact vibration reducing apparatus includes a dynamic mass; elastic member which apply elastic force to the dynamic mass so that the dynamic mass vibrates in a parallel to a vibration damping direction; a control mass; an actuator which move in parallel to a length change direction; and a motion direction converting mechanism which moves the control mass to the dynamic mass so that the control mass moves in a vibration damping direction to the dynamic mass through the operation of the actuator. The actuator is supported by the dynamic mass so that the operation direction of the actuator is not parallel to the vibration damping direction.
US09352827B2

A hydraulic shimmy damper that resolves drawbacks in several known shimmy dampers, such as damping characteristics that are dependent on oil temperature variations. The disclosed shimmy damper includes a hydraulic compensator (40) having an internal fluid volume that is significantly more important than a fluid volume expelled from the body of the shimmy damper when its piston moves fore and aft. The shimmy damper also includes a hydraulic manifold (30) arranged between the body and the hydraulic compensator and defining a transfer channel between chambers in the piston that is connected to the hydraulic compensator. The manifold receives interchangeable hydraulic cartridge-type valves (CV1,RV1; CV2,RV2) for metering the fluid flowing from the chambers to the transfer channel, and allows the fluid to freely enter the chambers from the transfer channel. The present shimmy damper is therefore much less sensitive to oil temperature variation under intense shimmy.
US09352824B2

A yoke for controlling the attitude of an aircraft is provided. The yoke includes a chassis, a pitch hub, a roll hub, a support column, a control wheel and a connection arrangement. The pitch hub rotatably mounts to the chassis. The roll hub rotatably mounts to the chassis for motion being generally parallel to the pitch hub. The support column attaches to the pitch hub for rotational motion with the pitch hub relative to the chassis. The control wheel pivotally attaches to the support column for rotational motion about a control wheel pivot axis being generally perpendicular to the pitch and roll hubs. The connection arrangement couples the control wheel to the roll hub and is configured to rotate the roll hub about the roll axis when the control wheel is rotated about the control wheel pivot axis. A system including interconnected yokes is also provided.
US09352813B2

The present invention relates to an inflatable floatable liferaft (1) for marine rescue which in its deflated state is capable of being stored in a container on board a ship, vessel or sea installation, and which is inflatable when deployed into the water, the fully inflatable floatable liferaft (1) extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a non-rigid bottom element (2) having a water side (2a) and an air side (2b). The inflatable floatable liferaft (1) further comprises a plurality of non-rigid floatation tubes (3) arranged beneath the non-rigid bottom element (2), the non-rigid bottom element (2) extending in the longitudinal direction and being arranged with an intermediate distance (ID1) between neighboring non-rigid floatation tubes (3). The present invention further more relates to improved propulsion through the water of such an inflatable liferaft (1).
US09352802B2

A snowmobile comprises a chassis with a front portion and a tunnel, and a power train unit supported by the chassis. The snowmobile further includes a plurality of ground-engaging members cooperating with the power train unit to operate the snowmobile. The plurality of ground-engaging members includes a pair of front skis and an endless track assembly. A snowmobile is also depicted which has a raised front chassis relative to the drives haft, which raises the clearance of the front chassis for deep snow.
US09352801B2

A snowmobile has a frame having a tunnel, an engine supported by the frame, at least one ski connected to the frame, a drive track operatively connected to the engine and disposed at least in part below the tunnel, and a fuel tank connected to a top of the tunnel. The fuel tank defines a passage extending therethrough from a top of the fuel tank to a bottom of the fuel tank. The passage is adapted for receiving a battery therein.
US09352796B2

A fuel supply piping arrangement structure includes an internal combustion engine, an air cleaner attached to a seat rail, an intake air passage connecting the internal combustion engine to the air cleaner, and a pair of fuel injection valves attached, on downstream upstream sides, respectively, to an intake system including the air cleaner and the intake air passage. Fuel supply piping having one end connected to a fuel tank, and another end side connected to each of the fuel injection valves. Joint portions connected to the fuel supply piping are oriented to one side in a vehicle width direction. Connector portions of the fuel supply piping connected to the joint portions are oriented to another side in the vehicle width direction toward the joint portions. The fuel supply piping disposed along the intake system and connected to the fuel injection valves from the one side in the vehicle width direction.
US09352782B2

An axle assembly for an agricultural vehicle that includes an axle configured to be coupled to a wheel. The axle comprises a body and a first arm extending from the body. The body is configured to be disposed within a frame member of the agricultural vehicle and to contact an inner surface of the frame member. Also, the axle is configured to move within the frame member to adjust a distance between the wheel and the frame member, and the first arm is configured to contact a second arm disposed within the frame member to provide structural support to the axle assembly as the axle moves within the frame member.
US09352777B2

A system for configuring a trailer model for a trailer maneuvering system is disclosed. The system comprises a controller having a memory and being operable to communicate with the trailer maneuvering system. The controller is configured to receive trailer dimensional data from a mobile device. The trailer dimensional data may then be stored in the memory as a first trailer profile. The controller is operable to access the trailer dimensional data in the first trailer profile to determine at least one vehicle operation configured to maneuver the trailer.
US09352774B2

A vehicle driving assistance apparatus mounted in a vehicle. In the apparatus, a drivable route detection unit detects a drivable route, a vehicle state quantity detection unit detects state quantities of the vehicle, and a steering control unit controls steering of the vehicle. Further, in the apparatus, an allowable region estimation unit estimates a driving allowable region on the basis of the detected state quantities and a predetermined allowable range of behavior of the vehicle. A deviation determination unit determines that the vehicle will deviate from the drivable route when a minimum width of an overlap region of the drivable route and the driving allowable region is less than a predetermined threshold. An intervention instruction unit then outputs to the steering control unit an intervention control signal to control steering of the vehicle.
US09352772B2

A method for controlling a steering system in a motor vehicle, which system is designed to convert a steering wheel angle to a steering angle of a steered wheel of the motor vehicle in order to control a yaw angle of the motor vehicle. The method comprises steps of sampling oscillations of the steering wheel angle and of the yaw rate, detecting a predetermined phase difference between the oscillation of the steering wheel angle and the oscillation of the yaw rate, and increasing damping in the conversion of the steering wheel angle to the steering angle.
US09352764B1

A method and adjustable and multi-use cart system are disclosed for moving objects. A user can utilize the present invention as a simple cart, a dolly, or even as a full size hand cart to move a variety of objects of various sizes.
US09352760B2

A tread surface cleaning system has a cleaning element mounted to a truck frame of a steering truck in a position facing a tread surface of a wheel. The cleaning element moves freely to come into contact with and to move away from the tread surface. A pressing-load application spring biases the cleaning element toward the tread surface and a stopper restrains the cleaning element from approaching the tread surface. A forward and backward movement of a wheel axle 2 in the travel direction caused by steering is used so that the cleaning element makes contact only on the inner rail side toward which the tread surface of the wheel approaches when passing through a curved section. The cleaning element does not make contact on the outer rail side from which the tread surface moves away when passing through a curved section and when traveling through a straight section.
US09352753B2

A support for a camera dolly comprising spaced-apart first and second rails comprised of longitudinal rail members. The first rail has a first seam between its rail members, and the second rail has a second seam between its rail members. The first seam in the first rail is directly opposed from a corresponding second seam in the second rail. The first and second seams have first and second leading edges formed at crowns on the first and second rails, and the leading edge of the first seam is offset longitudinally with respect to the leading edge of the corresponding second seam.
US09352749B2

A control system of a vehicle comprises a torque sensor, a vehicle direction module, and a control module. The torque sensor determines a driveline torque signal based on a torque produced by a device of a driveline. The vehicle direction module determines whether a vehicle direction includes one of a forward direction and a reverse direction based on the driveline torque signal. The control module controls the vehicle based on the vehicle direction.
US09352739B2

A method for operating a hybrid vehicle, particularly one that includes both a primary and an auxiliary power source. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method seeks to decouple or disassociate a driver's engagement of an accelerator pedal with activation of an auxiliary power source, such as an internal combustion engine. This way, if the driver aggressively engages the accelerator pedal while the hybrid vehicle is being propelled by a battery and an electrical motor, the method will delay activation of the internal combustion engine so that the two events do not appear to be linked or connected to one another. Delaying activation of the internal combustion engine while the electric motor is under a heavy stress load may also improve the drive quality of the hybrid vehicle.
US09352726B2

A system for removing snow and ice from a roof of a vehicle includes a piece of heavy equipment having at least one arm capable of raising and lowering, and a rotating brush assembly coupled to the at least one arm of the piece of heavy equipment to remove snow and ice from the roof of the vehicle. The rotating brush assembly includes a rotating brush, and a frame including a first portion configured to secure the rotating brush, and a second portion coupled to the first portion and configured to be secured to an apparatus capable of raising and lowering the frame. The first portion of the frame is configured to orient the rotating brush at an angle with respect of a direction of travel of the vehicle. A method of removing snow from a roof of a vehicle is further disclosed.
US09352719B2

An airbag device including an inflator, an airbag and a silicone rubber sheet. The silicone rubber sheet is used for a flow passage to feed gas from an inflator to an airbag and is produced by stacking 0.5 mm or more of silicone composition comprising: 100 parts by weight of organopolysiloxane which is represented by the following average composition formula R1SiO(4-n)/2, where in the formula, R1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group and n represents a positive number of 1.95 to 2.05, and which exhibits an average degree of polymerization of 1,000 or more; 20 to 80 parts by weight of reinforcing silica powder having a specific surface area of 50 m2/g or more; and a curing agent on at least an inner surface of a fiber fabric constituting the flow passage and performing heat curing.
US09352712B2

A bumper assembly for a car includes a bumper and at least two buffering assemblies inclined to each other. Each buffering assembly includes an elastic member, a pivoting member, and a coupling rod. The pivoting member is coupled to a first end portion of the elastic member. The pivoting member is configured to pivot to the car. The coupling rod is coupled to a second end portion of the elastic member. An end portion of the coupling rod away from the elastic member is pivoted to the bumper.
US09352710B2

An anti-collision component consisting of a metal hollow profile for automobiles includes a collision side flange, a body side flange, and a web connected to the flanges. The hollow profile has a longitudinal end at which a cross-sectional configuration is deformed by swaging to reduce a dimension between the flanges. The following relations are established: tW>TW RCI≧(tW−TW) where tW is a wall thickness of the web at the end, TW is a wall thickness of the web at a portion where the cross-sectional configuration is not deformed, and RCI is an inside corner radius of a corner formed of the web and each flange at the portion.
US09352708B2

A receptacle assembly is provided with an electrically conductive terminal received within a receptacle. A longitudinal guide body is received within the receptacle in engagement with the terminal. The guide body has an aperture formed therethrough, which is sized to receive a pin through the aperture. At least one fastener extends from the guide body to provide an interference fit with a housing of the receptacle. A retainer is also provided with at least one fastener extending from a guide body to fasten the retainer to the receptacle. A charge assembly is also provided with a handle housing. A shoulder extends transversely from the guide body to engage a distal end of the receptacle and to position the guide body relative to the receptacle. A sleeve extends from the shoulder at least partially over the receptacle housing. The sleeve is formed integrally with the handle housing.
US09352707B2

A bracket assembly includes a polymer bracket that has a first side, a second side, and an opening that extends between the first and second sides. A compression limiting clip includes a plate portion coupled with the second side. A member borders at least a portion of the opening and extends orthogonally from the plate portion through the opening for receiving compression from a fastener engaging the polymer bracket.
US09352705B2

The present invention provides a decorative panel including a design surface; and a circumferential edge portion that is formed so as to cross from the design surface, wherein the circumferential edge portion has a first face 7 that is continuous from the design surface along a circumferential extension direction and a second face 8 that is formed in a circumferential extension direction along the first face 7, wherein a face variation line is provided at a boundary between the first face 7 and the second face 8, wherein a decorative panel 1 is provided in such a manner that a decoration film 5 is imparted to at least a part of the design surface and a part of the circumferential edge portion, and wherein the decoration film 5 includes a trimming terminal portion CL along the face variation line.
US09352693B2

A trunk panel comprises a bottom portion, a first standing wall portion, and a second standing wall portion. A protrusion portion is provided at a rear end portion of the bottom portion and the second standing wall portion to protrude upward. This protrusion portion is spaced apart from the first standing wall portion such that a passage is formed between the protrusion portion and the first standing wall portion, wherein the passage is configured to allow water to flow down from a portion of the bottom portion which is located forward of the protrusion portion toward a rear end portion of the bottom portion and the second standing wall portion. Thereby, any bad influences of rainwater or the like, which may be brought to various kinds of members around or arranged below a rear lamp, can be properly restrained.
US09352689B2

A driver assistance apparatus and a vehicle including the same are disclosed. The driver assistance apparatus includes a stereo camera, a sensor unit to sense a travel state of a vehicle, and a processor to diagnose a part of the vehicle based on stereo images received from the stereo camera and vehicle travel state information sensed by the sensor unit. Consequently, it is possible to easily diagnose parts of the vehicle that may be in need of repair or replacement.
US09352677B2

A vehicle seat includes a cover (1) and a side covering (5). A reinforcing strip (3) is provided at least in sections of the edge region of the cover (1) and is arranged in a gap (4) between the cushion (2) and the side covering (5).
US09352666B2

A vehicle seat with a height adjustable seat bottom, includes left and right side frames each including a main body portion extending in a front-rear direction and a mount portion for a seat back frame protruding from a rear portion of the main body portion, which side frames constitute left and right frames of the seat bottom, a height adjustment mechanism configured to allow the left and right side frames to be lifted and lowered, and an operation unit including an operation knob configured to be operated by an occupant to cause the height adjustment mechanism to be actuated which operation unit is fixed to one of the left and right side frames. The operation unit is so disposed that at least a part thereof lies over the mount portion.
US09352662B2

A vehicle battery charger for providing a charging current to a rechargeable vehicle battery which stores electric traction power includes a relay for interrupting the charging current, and fault diagnosing means for switching an operating condition of the relay to thereby diagnose a fault in the relay. At a time of starting and/or stopping a supply of the charging current, if a given condition is satisfied, the fault diagnosing means executes a diagnosis of the fault, or if the given condition is not satisfied, the fault diagnosing means does not execute a diagnosis of the fault.
US09352661B2

A power receiver is configured to supply current to a load and to be wirelessly operatively coupled to a power transmitter and includes a plurality of inductive elements. The power receiver further includes a circuit operatively coupled to the plurality of inductive elements and configured to be selectively switched among a plurality of coupling states. The circuit is further configured to be selectively switched such that each inductive element has a reactance state of a plurality of reactance states. The power receiver further includes a controller configured to select the coupling state and to select the reactance state of each inductive element based on one or more signals indicative of one or more operating parameters of at least one of the power receiver and the power transmitter.
US09352654B2

A slider is slightly moved in a direction in which both side surfaces of the slider come in contact with inclined surfaces of impact mitigating parts of neighboring contact strip pieces. For this reason, the inclined surface of the impact mitigating part of the contact strip piece which the slider approaches is relatively downwardly slid with respect to one side surface of the slider. In addition, the inclined surface of the impact mitigating part of the contact strip piece from which the slider moves away is relatively upwardly slid with respect to the other side surface of the slider. As a result, since an impact generated between the contact strip piece and the slider is mitigated by the impact mitigating part without fitting the slider into a stepped section between the neighboring contact strip pieces, the slider is smoothly transferred from the one contact strip piece of the neighboring contact strip pieces to the other contact strip piece.
US09352649B2

An accessory relay for a turbine engine, including a housing in which at least one gear wheel is installed for mechanically driving an accessory mounted on the housing, the gear of the wheel being driven via an input shaft supplying torque required for the mechanical drive, the shaft of the wheel being supported by at least two ball or roller bearings, and passing through at least one of the walls of the housing via an opening positioned opposite the accessory and closed by a first accessory cover attached onto the housing, wherein, for at least one of the gear wheels, the shaft thereof passes through two walls of the housing via openings closed by covers attached onto the housing, and the outer races of the two bearings are supported by the covers.
US09352647B2

A drivetrain transmits a first drive force from a transmission including a motor to a first axle and a second axle. This drivetrain is comprised of: a first drivetrain section drivingly coupled with the first axle to steadily transmit the first drive force to the first axle; a second drivetrain section drivingly coupled with the second axle; an intermediate train section interposed between the first drivetrain section and the second drive section, the intermediate train section being capable of transmitting a part of the first drive force to the second drive section; an electric motor drivingly coupled with the intermediate train section to give a second drive force to the intermediate train section; a first clutch disconnectably connecting the first drivetrain section with the intermediate train section; and a second clutch disconnectably connecting the intermediate train section with the second drivetrain section.
US09352637B1

A protective window attachment for use with a vehicle includes a frame assembly detachably coupled to the vehicle and having an upper assembly pivotably mounted to the lower assembly, the upper assembly having an upper outer frame placed against edges of the window and upper bars having top ends coupled to the upper outer frame, each upper bar extending over the window and having a convex curvature, the lower assembly having a lower outer frame pivotably mounted to the upper outer frame, and a plurality of lower bars, the lower bars having top ends pivotably mounted to bottom ends of the upper bars and bottom ends coupled to the lower outer frame. The convex curvature of the upper bars creates sufficient space between the upper bars and the window to prevent external impact forces from reaching the window.
US09352635B1

A method of controlling an electric vehicle having an HVAC system configured to condition a passenger cabin of the electric vehicle, and one or more batteries configured to provide energy to the HVAC system, may include controlling an output of the HVAC system based on one or more of a charging state of the one or more batteries, a state of charge of the one or more batteries, and an ambient temperature outside of the electric vehicle.
US09352626B1

A multi-purpose boat has both land and water propulsion. The land propulsion wheels are selectively retractable, to lower the boat into engagement with ice. At least one ice fishing portal is provided in the bottom of the boat hull, and a portal cover is coupled with the boat hull to selectively open or close the portal. In some embodiments, a plurality of motive power sources are provided, as are various low-speed rudder systems, and a variety of canopies or shelters for various sporting activities.
US09352623B2

A tow hitching aid system for a vehicle includes a camera, at least one ultrasonic sensor, a display screen and a control. The camera has a rearward field of view that encompasses a vehicle hitching element. The control receives input from the camera and input from the at least one ultrasonic sensor. When the vehicle is reversing towards a trailer hitching element of a trailer to establish a hitch connection, the control determines at least one of (i) distance to the trailer and (ii) orientation of the vehicle relative to the trailer, and during the reversing maneuver, the control (a) provides video images for display by the display screen and (b) provides, for display by the display screen, at least one graphic overlay that indicates to the vehicle driver at least one of (i) distance to the trailer and (ii) orientation of the vehicle relative to the trailer.
US09352622B2

A rotary transmission leadthrough as part of a vehicle tire pressure regulating system, comprising a rotor structural group that can be connected in a torque-connected manner to a shaft of the vehicle which supports a wheel, and a stator structural group stationarily mounted opposite the rotary movement of the rotor structural group. A sealable conduit between the rotor structural group and the stator structural group is a path for transferring gas from the stator structural group to the rotor structural group and/or the inverse to regulate tire pressure. The rotor structural group is multipartite. A first rotor part is a closed annular body that can be pushed on the vehicle shaft. A second rotor part mounted axially to the first rotor part and connected to it in a torque-connected manner is designed as a tensioning ring for connecting the rotor structural group to the vehicle shaft in a torque-connected manner.
US09352617B2

A hollowed-out non-pneumatic tire with reinforcing ribs comprises a tire body. A row or rows of through holes are uniformly and annularly distributed in the tire body. The through holes are uniformly distributed in the tire body in 360 degrees by taking the central axis of the tire body as a center. The through holes transversely penetrate through the two sides of the tire body. The reinforcing ribs are arranged in the through holes. The hollowed-out non-pneumatic tire with the reinforcing ribs provided by the invention has the advantages that the elasticity is high, the friction area between the tire and the ground is reduced and the driving force of the bicycles, the motorcycles and the automobiles is effectively decreased.
US09352614B2

An industrially applicable method for preparing color-coated vehicle wheel components and vehicle wheels, which is characterized in that the metal body is at first machined at least in areas to be coated, after which at least two layers of paint are applied one after another, and at least one layer of paint is removed by machining in a partial area of the wheel. A component according to the present invention with a surface coating is thus characterized by areas machined with high precision and provided with a coating, wherein said coating has at least two layers of paint applied one on top of another, of which at least a first layer of paint is exposed in visible partial areas of the metal body, by a second layer of paint covering it being mechanically removed in partial areas not covered by it.
US09352602B2

A lithographic printing plate precursor includes a photosensitive layer and a protective layer in this order on a support, the photosensitive layer contains a sensitizing dye, a polymerization initiator, a polymerizable compound and a binder polymer, and the protective layer contains a polymer which has a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) as defined herein and a repeating unit represented by the formula (2) as defined herein in which a sum of the repeating unit represented by the formula (1) and the repeating unit represented by the formula (2) is 90% by mole or more based on total repeating units constituting the polymer.
US09352597B2

A paper ejector unit which transports paper printed by a printing mechanism of a printer along a transport path includes a paper accumulator provided ahead of an end-of-transport path on a downstream side in a transport direction of the paper, the paper accumulator accumulating the paper ejected from the end, a door which opens and closes between a closed condition in which the paper accumulator is separated from an outside and an open condition in which the paper accumulator communicates with the outside, and a door opening and closing controller which maintains the door in the closed condition with no reception of input of an opening operation signal which opens the door, and changes the door from the closed condition to the open condition with reception of the input of the opening operation signal.
US09352593B2

An image forming apparatus including: a housing; a display whose display surface is provided on a front-surface side of the housing; an image forming unit provided in the housing and configured to form an image on a recording sheet; and an ejector configured to eject the recording sheet with the image formed thereon from inside to outside of the housing in a direction approaching the display surface.
US09352592B2

A liquid discharging apparatus includes a discharge unit capable of discharging a liquid to a discharge region, a medium movement unit capable of moving in movement directions while supporting a medium onto which the liquid is discharged, a base unit that constitutes a movement path along which the medium movement unit moves, a detected unit, and a detector unit capable of detecting a position of the medium movement unit by detecting the detected unit. The detected unit and the detector unit are disposed so that the detected unit is detected by the detector unit when the medium movement unit is at a protrusion position at which a one direction-side end portion of the medium movement unit which is at a one direction side in the movement directions protrudes more toward the one direction side than does a one direction-side end portion of the base unit.
US09352591B2

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a power conversion apparatus comprises a power motor and a power converter configured to selectively convert rotation power of the power motor into a gear train 340 for transferring and a gear train for cutting, respectively, depending on a rotation direction of the power motor. The power converter comprises a sun gear configured to receive power from the power motor, a planetary gear configured to receive a rotating force while being engaged with the sun gear and to selectively couple with the gear train for cutting and the gear train for transferring, respectively, a rotating link configured to constrain a position of the sun gear, and a pressing means configured increase an adhesion between the sun gear and the rotating link.
US09352582B2

A color erasing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a color erasing unit that heats a recording medium having an image formed with a plurality of decolorable materials to a setting temperature. A controller sets the setting temperature of the color erasing unit to be lower than a highest color erasing temperature among plural color erasing temperatures of the plurality of decolorable materials, and to be equal to or higher than a lowest color erasing temperature among the plural erasing temperatures.
US09352580B2

A printer with adhesive capabilities is presented. A printer includes one or more printing elements to image one or two sides of print media. The printer also includes an adhesive element to apply or activate adhesive material on at least one of the two sides of the print media.
US09352572B2

An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing of three-dimensional objects. The apparatus includes an optical sensor that generates measurements of a height, a diameter, and a position for test dots formed on a substrate with material ejected from a printhead. These measurements are analyzed to detect inoperative inkjets to enable printhead maintenance at appropriate times to maintain the operational status of the inkjets in the printhead.
US09352570B2

A control unit 6 of a printer 1 determines the combination of conditions of regular flushing that ejects ink into a maintenance unit 5, and onto-paper flushing that ejects ink onto printing paper P, based on the set print mode. To achieve the dot density defined by the selected combination, flushing dots Df are added to the input data 10 to be printed and are printed. When printing, regular flushing is executed at the frequency and strength determined by the selected combination of conditions.
US09352568B2

In an embodiment, a fluid ejection device includes a thin-film layer formed over a substrate, a chamber layer formed over the thin-film layer, the chamber layer defining a fluidic channel that leads to a firing chamber, a slot extending through the substrate and into the chamber layer through an ink feed hole in the thin-film layer, and a particle tolerant thin-film extension of the thin-film layer that protrudes into the slot from between the substrate and the chamber layer.
US09352547B2

A paste supply apparatus includes a plurality of paste pots each including a tubular container which stores paste and which includes a bottom portion provided with a through hole and a movable inner lid provided in the tubular container, and a pot holder which holds the paste pots so as to be horizontally arranged along an arrangement direction such that the through hole of each of the paste pots is directed downward and downward movement of the tubular container thereof is regulated. The paste supply apparatus further includes a pot holder moving device which moves the pot holder along the arrangement direction and selectively positions one of the plurality of paste pots at an ejection position, and a paste ejecting device which presses the inner lid of the paste pot positioned at the ejection position and which ejects the paste in the tubular container from the through hole.
US09352542B2

A bonding method including an adhesive layer forming process in which a thermoplastic adhesive is applied to a substrate or a support plate and an adhesive layer is formed; a heating process in which the adhesive layer that is formed on the substrate or the support plate is heated; and a bonding process in which the substrate and the support plate are pressed against each other via the heated adhesive layer, thereby bonding the substrate and the support plate.
US09352535B2

A cover material used for a container has a seal part formed from a polypropylene resin. The cover material includes a base material and a sealant layer. The sealant layer has a laminated structure obtained through lamination of a first thermoplastic resin layer, adhesive to the base material, and a second thermoplastic resin layer, adhesive to the seal part formed from the polypropylene resin. Thicknesses of the first thermoplastic resin layer and the second thermoplastic resin layer satisfy: thickness of first thermoplastic resin layer≦thickness of second thermoplastic resin layer. The layer of the second thermoplastic resin has a dispersion structure obtained by dispersing, in the first thermoplastic resin, the second thermoplastic resin that is non-compatible or partially compatible to the first thermoplastic resin such that a ratio l/s of a domain longer diameter l and a domain shorter diameter s of the second thermoplastic resin is within 1.5≦l/s≦10.
US09352533B2

An array of aerodynamic riblets incorporates a high elongation elastomeric layer having spaced tips and optionally a protective cladding. The elastomeric layer may be adhered to an aerodynamic surface directly or as an appliqué in combination with one or more of an adhesive layer, one or more supporting polymer layers and a metal foil layer.
US09352529B2

A sandwich material having both structural strength and significant acoustic attenuation. In one embodiment, a sandwich is composed of an architected core secured between two facesheets, with a compliant layer forming the connection between the core and the facesheets. The compliant core has a low modulus, resulting in a low speed for elastic shear waves in the sandwich, at low static loads. At high static loads the compliant material stiffens and allows the sandwich to exhibit significant structural strength.
US09352520B2

There is provided a pattern forming method, including: forming an organic film layer on a substrate; forming a patterned photoresist mask on the organic film layer; and performing a specific dry etching process to form a pattern on the organic layer.
US09352516B2

Method and apparatus for producing a scrim. The method includes depositing several band sections next to one another on a conveyor device that at least temporarily moves in a direction of transport. The direction of transport is oriented at a predetermined angle to a band direction and each band section has a front edge running in the band direction and a rear edge running in the band direction. The method also includes placing the band sections so that the rear edge of a first band section is adjacent the front edge of a second band section, calculating a rear-edge shape of the first band section and a front-edge shape of the second band section and placing the second band section on the conveyor device relative to the first band section as a function of a relation between the front-edge shape and the rear-edge shape.
US09352505B2

There is disclosed a member for sealing, baffling and/or reinforcing components of an automotive vehicle. The assembly generally includes a carrier, an expandable material and at least one fastener.
US09352502B2

The cooling of injection molded plastic is targeted. Coolant flows into a porous medium disposed within an injection molding component via a porous medium inlet. The porous medium is thermally coupled to a mold cavity configured to receive injected liquid plastic. The porous medium beneficially allows for an increased rate of heat transfer from the injected liquid plastic to the coolant and provides additional structural support over a hollow cooling well. When the temperature of the injected liquid plastic falls below a solidifying temperature threshold, the molded component is ejected and collected.
US09352501B2

A hot-runner system, comprising: a melt flow modular assembly having a gate melt flow control apparatus; and a Lorentz force actuator assembly being coupled to the gate melt flow control apparatus. A valve gate drive controller for control of the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. An injection plastic molding apparatus devised to mold plastic articles, and the injection plastic molding apparatus having the hot-runner system. A method comprising operating the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. A melt flow modular assembly for use with the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system.
US09352495B1

An active barrier release agent includes a combination mixture of sodium borate, sodium hydroxide, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, psyllium husk, corn fiber, and water. Acacia powder may also be added to the mixture.
US09352494B2

Provided is a molding die including a die body for molding a molded article, which has an undercut, and a demolding core movable to approach and separate from the die body. When the demolding core is separated from the die body, the demolding core elastically deforms the molded article such that the undercut separates from the die body and makes it possible to remove the molded article from the die body. The die body includes a recess where the depth gradually reduces along the direction in which the demolding core separates from the die body. During molding of the molded article, a projection is formed on the undercut in accordance with the shape of the recess. During removal of the molded article, the engagement between the projection and the recess regulates the movement of the molded article in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the demolding core.
US09352493B2

Disclosed in this specification is a casting cup assembly comprising frontcurve and basecurve molds which of which includes a ring that circumscribes the respective concave and convex mold surface. When the casting cup is assembled, the rings align and minimize de-centering and tilting of the concave and convex mold surfaces which, in turn, reduces edge defects.
US09352487B2

The invention relates to a block molding machine (1) comprising a bearing block (3) and a primary frame (2) which can be locked on the bearing block (3) in a vertically adjustable manner. At least one mold lifting device (19) for lifting and lowering a block mold (20) is provided on the primary frame (2). The primary frame (2) can be displaced relative to the bearing block (3) by actuating the mold lifting device (19) which is supported on the bearing block (3). The invention further relates to a method for vertically adjusting a block molding machine (1), comprising the following steps: displacing a mold lifting device (19) to a position (AS) supported on a bearing block (3); releasing a primary frame locking unit (9) for the primary frame (2); actuating the mold lifting device (19) such that the primary frame (2) is lifted; and applying the primary frame locking unit (9) for the primary frame (2).
US09352485B2

A dioxaborinane compound, or salt thereof, where boron has two oxy substituents, each independently substituted with H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, —C(O)R3, —C(O)OR3, —C(O)NHR3, or the two oxy substituents, together with the oxygen atoms to which they are bonded, join to form a 5- or 6-membered ring; and R3 is H, alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl, where the alkyl and alkenyl are optionally interrupted with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms; and where boron also has the substituent -L-X1-PG1; where L may be absent, or alkylenyl, alkenylenyl, or arylene, where the alkylenyl and alkenylenyl are optionally interrupted with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms; X1 is absent, or is amino, oxo, thio, or phosphino; and PG1 is a polymerizable group. The dioxaborinane compound can be used as a wood preservative.
US09352483B2

The invention relates to a method in which the coating (6) is thermoformed and the coating (6) is cut in at least one cutting region (18). According to one aspect of the invention, the reinforcement layer (12) is impregnated with a thermosetting resin at least in one cutting region (18), and the coating (6) is cut in the cutting region after the thermoforming of the coating and the setting of the thermosetting resin.
US09352476B1

The hair clippers use a self-contained motor-driven adjustment mechanism to adjust the relative position of the stationary and reciprocating blades of a common type of blade set. Two momentary switches operable by the thumb of the hand holding the clipper afford a barber total automatic adjustment with the clipper itself in an on or off condition. Since the reversible gear train assembly may be operated by direct current, the adjustment feature is most compatible with cordless clippers already using an on-board DC source in the form of a re-chargeable battery to drive the reciprocating blade. The invention will be described as a modification of a cordless clipper, although AC driven corded type clippers can also be modified with this feature by the addition of an on-board AC to DC power supply for the adjustment motor.
US09352470B1

An example method may include determining a requested yaw for a body of a robot, where the biped robot comprises a foot coupled to the body via a leg. The robot may then detect, via one or more sensors, a yaw rotation of the body with respect to a ground surface, where the foot is in contact with the ground surface. Based on the detected yaw rotation of the body, the robot may determine a measured yaw for the body. The robot may also determine a target yaw for the body, where the target yaw for the body is between the measured yaw for the body and the requested yaw for the body. The robot may then cause the foot to rotate the body to the target yaw for the body.
US09352464B2

A robot includes: an arm; a driving source that pivots the arm; an angle sensor that detects a pivot angle and outputs pivot angle information; an inertia sensor that is attached to the arm and outputs inertial force information; a control command generating unit that outputs a control command defining rotational operation of the arm; a control conversion determining unit that determines whether the inertial force information is used when the driving source is controlled; and an arm operation control unit that performs a first control based on the control command, the pivot angle information, and the inertial force information, if the control conversion determining unit determines that the inertial force information should be used, and performs a second control based on the control command and the pivot angle information, if the control conversion determining unit determines that the inertial force information should not be used.
US09352457B2

A wrench stabilizing system, wherein the wrench has an insertion opening machined on an exterior surface of the wrench head which extends throughout a length of the wrench head. A stabilizing portion is inserted through the insertion opening on the wrench head, and effectively stabilizes and supports a wrench in a use position and prevents rotation of the pipe being worked on, while at the same time, enabling a worker to operate another wrench in the process.
US09352455B2

A fastener driver configured for use with a rotary power tool having a chuck. The fastener driver includes a drive including a shank, an elongated extension including an aperture that extends through the elongated extension, and the drive is removably coupled to the elongated extension. The fastener driver further includes a driver including an aperture that extends through the driver and a drive to engage a fastener to rotate the fastener, and the driver is removably coupled to elongated extension to allow the fastener to pass through the aperture of the driver and into the aperture of the elongated extension. The fastener driver further includes a connector that couples the driver to the drive for co-rotation without the elongated extension when the elongated extension is not utilized and the connector couples the driver, the elongated extension, and the drive for co-rotation when the elongated extension is utilized.
US09352453B2

A hand tool includes a first part and a second part which is pivotably connected to the first part. The first part has a first jaw. An assistance member is connected to the first part and has a second jaw connected there. The assistance member has an adjustment screw, the second jaw is movable by rotating the adjustment screw. The user uses the first and second parts as the conventional pliers. A locking member is located in the positioning hole of the first part and can lock the relative position of the first and second parts. The second jaw is then adjusted relative to the first jaw by rotating the adjustment screw to be functioned as an adjustment wrench.
US09352448B2

A superhard structure comprises a body of polycrystalline superhard material comprising a first region and a second region. The second region is adjacent an exposed surface of the superhard structure and comprises a diamond material or cubic boron nitride with a density greater than 3.4×103 kilograms per cubic meter when the second region comprises diamond material. The material(s) forming the first and second regions have a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion, the first and second regions being arranged such that this difference induces compression in the second region adjacent the exposed surface. The first/a further region has the highest coefficient of thermal expansion of the polycrystalline body and is separated in part from a peripheral free surface of the body by the second region or one or more further regions formed of a material(s) of a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. The regions comprise a plurality of grains of polycrystalline superhard material. The second region is peripherally discontinuous with a gap therein through which a portion of the region formed of the material of highest coefficient of thermal expansion extends to the free surface of the superhard structure. There is also disclosed a method for making such a structure.
US09352445B2

In at least one illustrative embodiment, a grinding tool may comprise a housing including a mount, a shaft extending from the mount along a drive axis, where the shaft is configured to support a grinding wheel for rotation about the drive axis, and a guard coupled to the mount. The guard may comprise a central ring extending around the mount, a shroud extending radially outward from the central ring along a first portion of a circumference of the central ring, and a standoff coupled to a second portion of the circumference of the central ring. The standoff may extend from the central ring along a direction substantially parallel to the drive axis such that the standoff limits rotation of the guard about a tipping axis that is substantially perpendicular to the drive axis.
US09352444B2

A skate blade sharpening system includes a chassis and an elongated slot for receiving a skate blade, and a skate blade retention mechanism to retain the skate blade in the sharpening position. A grinding wheel moves along the slot including the lower edge of the skate blade during sharpening. One or more slot covers are mounted to the chassis at respective ends of the slot. The slot covers are movable between covering and non-covering positions. In the non-covering positions the slot covers uncover the slot sufficiently to permit insertion and removal of the skate blade. In the covering positions, the slot covers cover end portions of the slot adjacent the ends of the skate blade to avoid exposing the user and mechanical components of the sharpening system to unsafe operating conditions.
US09352440B2

A method of controlling polishing includes polishing a substrate having a second layer overlying a first layer, detecting exposure of the first layer with an in-situ monitoring system, receiving an identification of a selected spectral feature and a characteristic of the selected spectral feature to monitor during polishing, measuring a sequence of spectra of light from the substrate while the substrate is being polished, determining a first value for the characteristic of the feature at the time that the first in-situ monitoring technique detects exposure of the first layer, adding an offset to the first value to generate a second value, and monitoring the characteristic of the feature and halting polishing when the characteristic of the feature is determined to reach the second value.
US09352437B2

A skate blade sharpening system includes a chassis having a slot for receiving a skate blade, and a skate blade retention mechanism for retaining the skate blade in a sharpening position. The skate blade retention mechanism includes an actuator and a pair of jaws on respective sides of the slot, the jaws being coupled to the actuator and configured for symmetrical opening and closing movements about a centerline of the skate blade. The jaws are secured to the chassis by guide blocks extending though corresponding guide slots of the jaws. The guide blocks have respective angled surfaces contacting corresponding angled surfaces of the jaws permitting the jaws to slide on the guide blocks when the jaws are open. The angled surfaces are oriented in a manner urging the jaws upward against a surface referenced to the chassis as the jaws are urged to a closed position by the actuator.
US09352434B2

The present disclosure relates generally to fixturing devices and more specifically to a pivoting fixture device configured to locate and lock a check feature in a precise location.
US09352427B2

A method for producing a recessed steel piston ring provided with a wear-resistant layer includes generating a main body that has a recess on the running surface side and that, in the region where a lower flank of the main body transitions into the running surface is worked so that a chamfer is created, providing the running surface and at least portions of the chamfer with at least one wear-resistant layer, nitriding the circumferential surface and the lower and upper flanks of the main body that are not provided with the wear-resistant layer so that a section having a defined width and having no nitride layer remains on the flank adjacent the chamfer, and removing the at least one wear-resistant layer to such an extent that a substantially sharp, but unnitrided functional edge is created in the region where the lower flank transitions into the running surface.
US09352419B2

A method of repairing service-induced surface cracks (92) in a superalloy component (90). A layer of powdered flux material (100) is applied over the cracks and is melted with a laser beam (98) to form a re-melted zone (104) of the superalloy material under a layer of slag (106). The slag cleanses the melt pool of contaminants that may have been trapped in the cracks, thereby eliminating the need for pre-melting fluoride ion cleaning. Optionally, alloy feed material may be applied with the powdered flux material to augment the volume of the melt or to modify the composition of the re-melted zone.
US09352410B2

A system and method is provided for narrow groove joining of metals. The method includes feeding a wire to a weld joint formed by the metals to be joined and transmitting a welding current through a length of the wire. The method also includes creating a molten puddle in the weld joint with the welding current. The method further includes performing a low heat transfer process on the wire for a predetermined low heat duration to transfer a first portion of the wire to the molten puddle, and performing a high heat transfer process on the wire for a predetermined high heat duration to transfer a second portion of the wire to the molten puddle. The low heat transfer process creates the molten puddle at a root of the weld joint. The high heat transfer process creates an arc that climbs sidewalls of the weld joint and the molten puddle follows the arc up the sidewalls to a top of the weld joint.
US09352409B2

A screen printing machine for forming a print of paste supplied to a mask plate having pattern holes, includes: a filling squeegee which is held to have a given clearance with respect to the mask plate, and which fills the pattern holes with the paste by moving the filling squeegee relative to the mask plate in a printing direction; and an urging member which urges the filling squeegee toward the mask plate such that at least the given clearance is maintained. The screen printing machine further includes a scraping squeegee which is held to maintain a given interval from the filling squeegee in the printing direction, and which scraps off paste remaining on the mask plate after passage of the filling squeegee by moving the scraping squeegee together with the filling squeegee in the printing direction.
US09352408B2

A solder joint structure includes a metal pin in the shape of a prism or a circular or substantially circular cylinder; an aluminum wire including a wound portion wound around the metal pin; and a solder layer arranged to join the metal pin and at least one portion of the wound portion to each other. The at least one portion of the wound portion includes a deformed surface resulting from a partial disappearance or elimination of the aluminum wire in a cross-section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the aluminum wire extends, and the solder layer is directly and closely adhered to the deformed surface.
US09352406B2

Method for milling a series of teeth of a toothed gear element with teeth in a straight line with a milling cutter rotatable about a milling cutter axis and having at its periphery interchangeable cutting inserts arranged such that, when the milling cutter is brought to the toothed gear element, they reach into gaps between adjacent teeth or generate these gaps, and a corresponding milling cutter. Cutting edges of mounted cutting inserts extend radially and perpendicularly relative to the milling cutter axis. During milling of the tooth profile, the milling cutter axis is aligned in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the tooth back and, during entering of the cutting inserts, rotated about the milling cutter axis, into the surface or gaps between the teeth, and pivoted in this plane over an angular range covering all normals to the profile surface of the tooth to be produced.
US09352402B2

A cutting tool for machining a workpiece. The cutting tool comprises a holder and at least two cutting inserts which are separated from each other by a spacer element. The cutting tool may be used to produce two or more bevels (and/or joints and/or grooves) at precisely defined spacings in only one operation. Through the use of spacer elements of different lengths, it is possible to produce bevels at different spacings. The spacer element preferably has an interface which comprises only radial contact surfaces, which run parallel to a longitudinal axis of the spacer element, and a substantially flat axial contact surface, which runs transverse to the longitudinal axis. The length of the spacer element can therefore be shortened on the rear side of the spacer element without destroying said interface.
US09352401B2

An indexable ball end mill comprising first to third inserts having arcuate cutting edges detachably attached with first to third screws to first to third seats in a semispherical tip end portion of a tool body; a first threaded hole for the first screw slantingly penetrating a slit-shaped first seat; the first insert having an inclined hole to avoid interference between the first screw and the second and third screws; a hole of the first insert and the first screw having at least partially finished surfaces, so that when the first screw penetrates the first insert attached to the first seat, the first insert is precisely positioned by tight engagement of both finished surfaces.
US09352394B2

The present invention discloses size controlled and stabilized nano-aggregates of molecular ultra small clusters of noble metals and a process for the preparation thereof. The present invention discloses single source multicolor noble metal spherical and uniform nano aggregates of 10-22 nm made up of discrete molecular ultra small noble metal (Nb) nanoclusters (MUSNbNC's) of 1-6 atoms. The MUSNbNC's are capped with amine/DCA (dicarboxy acetone) group acting as a steric and kinetic hindrance for core growth suppressing the further autocatalysis and conversion of super critical nucleus or growth by ripening and formation of nanoparticles and thus having intense fluorescence.
US09352388B2

A method for manufacturing an inner door panel for a vehicle side door that employs a die casting process. The method includes providing a die cast mold having opposing mold halves that combine to define a die cavity configured to provide the inner door panel having an integrated impact beam. The mold cavity also includes channels that form a runner and gating system that causes the molten material to form an outer frame defining a central opening that allows the mold halves to be separated when the door panel has hardened within the mold.
US09352385B2

The present invention relates to a core-sheath particle for use as filler for feeder compositions for the production of feeders, comprising (a) a carrier core which has a size within a range of from 30 μm to 500 μm and consists of a material which is maximally resistant up to a temperature of 1400° C. and does not contain any polystyrene, (b) a sheath which encloses the core and consists of or comprises (b1) particles having a D 50 value for the particle size of at most 15 μm, which are resistant up to a temperature of at least 1500° C., and (b2) a binder which binds the particles to one another and to the carrier core, the core-sheath particle being resistant up to a temperature of at least 1450° C.
US09352380B2

A thermal module and a manufacturing method thereof. The thermal module includes a retainer member and at least one heat conduction member. The retainer has a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm opposite to the first clamping arm. The heat conduction member is disposed and fixedly clamped between the first and second clamping arms. The retainer member is formed by means of punching and integrally connected with the heat conduction member also by means of punching so that the manufacturing cost of the thermal module is lowered and the heat dissipation efficiency of the thermal module is enhanced.
US09352371B1

A process for manufacturing finished wire and cable having reduced coefficient of friction and pulling force during installation, includes providing a payoff reel containing at least one internal conductor wire; supplying the at least one internal conductor wire from the reel to at least one extruder; providing the least one extruder, wherein the at least one extruder applies an insulating material and a polymerized jacket composition over the at least one internal conductor wire, wherein the polymerized jacket composition comprises a predetermined amount by weight of nylon; and at least 3% by weight of a silica; providing a cooling device for lowering the temperature of the extruded insulating material and the polymerized jacket composition and cooling the insulating material and the polymerized jacket composition in the cooling device; and, reeling onto a storage reel the finished, cooled, wire and cable for storage and distribution.
US09352367B2

Cold rolled material manufacturing equipment includes: an unwinding device for unwinding a hot rolled coil after acid pickling; a joining device, disposed on the exit side of the unwinding device, for joining the tail end of a preceding coil to the leading end of a succeeding coil unwound from the unwinding device; a rolling mill for continuously rolling the coils in one direction; a strip storage device, disposed between the joining device and the rolling mill, for storing a strip to perform continuous rolling during the joining; a strip cutting device for cutting the strip to a desired length; a winding device for winding the rolled coil; a transport device for transporting the coil to the unwinding device so that the coil is rolled a plurality of times; and a rolling speed control device controlling a rolling speed during the joining to a speed lower than a steady rolling speed.
US09352365B2

A reusable tool assembly for purging fluid from a fluid flow pipe system or a portion thereof is presented. The tool assembly includes an input portion configured to accommodate a positively-pressurized flow of air/gas, a flow control portion configured to regulate an amount of pressurized air/gas flow, and a pressure measurement gauge device configured to measure and indicate the amount of pressurized air/gas flow, as regulated by the flow control portion. The tool further includes and an output portion configured to introduce the regulated amount of pressurized air/gas flow into the fluid flow pipe system, the output portion containing a pressure-fitted slip coupling device that temporarily, releasably, and sealably engages an exterior, unthreaded surface of an open pipe portion providing access into the fluid flow pipe system and enabling the air/gas flow to purge fluid from the fluid flow pipe system.
US09352363B2

The present invention relates to a device (1) for cleaning plastic chips, comprising a container (2) for the reception of the plastic chips and a stirring device (4) which is rotatably arranged about a rotational axis (400) in the container for stirring the plastic chips, wherein the stirring device (4) has a rotational body (5) which extends along the rotational axis (400), wherein the rotational body (5) has a cross section having a varying distance (a) from the rotational axis (400).
US09352357B2

Methods and systems for cleaning, coating and sealing leaks in existing pipes, in a single operation. A piping system can be cleaned in one pass by dry particulates forced and pulled by air throughout the piping system by a generator and a vacuum. Pipes can be protected from water corrosion, erosion and electrolysis, extending the life of pipes such as copper, steel, lead, brass, cast iron piping and composite materials. Coatings can be applied to pipes having diameters up to approximately 6″. Leak sealants of at least approximately 4 mils thick can cover insides of pipes, and can include novel mixtures of fillers and epoxy materials, and viscosity levels. A positive pressure can be maintained within the pipes during applications. Piping systems can be returned to service within approximately 96 hours.
US09352353B2

The invention relates to a discharge device (1) comprising a tank housing (3) having at least one outlet (4) at one end and having a drive means at the opposite end. A connector (6) can be placed over the outlet (4) on the discharge device. The connector comprises a releasable mounting device that can be released by manual pressure on two opposite side surfaces of the connector. One guide surface (9) is provided on each of the two opposite side surfaces, each being oriented diagonally to the longitudinal axis (L) of the discharge device (1) and spaced in the direction of the discharge device. The connector is placed over the outlet on the discharge device in a mounting position. The guide surfaces (9) are moved radially toward each other in a released position by pressure (F) on the side surfaces. The guide surfaces thereby slide on an edge (15) of the discharge device (1), and the force is diverted to the edge (15), so that the connector (6) is axially displaced away from the drive direction in the released position.
US09352345B2

A dispenser head for dispensing a liquid or pasty medium, which dispenser head is fastenable to a container storing the medium, including an intermediate element with a receiving opening for the container and an actuating handle which is coupled displaceably in an actuating direction to the intermediate element, wherein the intermediate element and/or the actuating handle have/has at least one releasable connecting element providing a retaining force between the intermediate element and the actuating handle, which retaining force is opposed to a relative movement between the intermediate element and the actuating handle.
US09352344B2

A metering device removes a medium from a pressurized medium container. The metering device includes a metering container which is designed to measure off a quantity of the medium and which has a first region and a second region. The first region is separated from the second region by a movable separating element. The separating element has a first contact face, which is directed towards the first region and delimits or closes off the first region. The separating element also has a second contact face, which is directed toward the second region and delimits or closes off the second region. The first contact face and the second contact face have different surface dimensions.
US09352332B2

An apparatus and method for removing solids and particulates from fluid by magnetic separation. First and second spaced rotatable drums move a closed loop belt. A portion of the belt is disposed in contact with the fluid flowing through a fluid passage disposed adjacent to a circumferential portion of the first rotatable drum where solids and particulates in the fluid are attracted to the belt by magnetic attraction from a magnetic source within the first rotatable drum. A wiper scrapes the solids deposited on the belt.
US09352327B2

A grinder pump basin system is provided which includes a basin; a cover plate; a bracket secured to the cover plate; and a grinder pump with cutter plate with openings and a cutter blade secured to the bracket above a bottom surface of the basin. The openings in the cutter plate have an unique shape which assists in the cutting of material which flows through an inlet of a grinder pump. The shape of the cutter blade cooperates with the openings in the cutter plate such that solids are forced between these respective components and thereby are efficiently cut into small pieces for passing through the openings and for discharge from the grinder pump basin system.
US09352326B2

A disc mill includes an inlet configured to provide solid material for grinding to the grind plates in a smooth and constant manner. A solid ring is added around an outer circumference of the grind plates to control the grinded solid discharge rate. In some embodiments, the grind plates are configured with constant solid path way open area from row to row. The grind surface and solid pass way open area are maximized by increasing the relative tooth height compared to the tooth width. The teeth can be positioned according to a block channel configurations so as to force the solid material to pass along the grind surface of each row. A grind plate design program is used to enable conjunction of the design parameters with application variation, thereby enabling the optimum grind plate design to meeting various applications needed.
US09352320B2

A device for thermal cycling a plurality of samples, the device including a chamber for housing a plurality of sample containers, the chamber having a selectively openable port, wherein one or more selected sample containers can be introduced to or withdrawn from the chamber through the port during thermal cycling.
US09352301B2

An exhaust gas purification catalyst contains a first catalyst in which an oxide of general formula (1): LaxM1-xM′O3-δ (where La is lanthanum, M is at least one selected from a group consisting of barium (Ba), strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca), M′ is at least one selected from a group consisting of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn), δ is the amount of oxygen defect, and x and δ satisfy 0
US09352299B2

A method for preparing a neutral, stable and transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sol is provided. The method comprises (1) contacting an alkaline titanium dioxide sol with an alkaline peptizing agent to provide a peptized alkaline titanium dioxide sol; (2) neutralizing the peptized alkaline titanium dioxide sol; and (3) obtaining or collecting the neutral, stable and transparent photocatalytic titanium dioxide sol. The titanium dioxide sol is stable and transparent over a range of pH of about 7.0 to about 9.5. The titanium dioxide sol may include crystallites of titanium dioxide having an average particle size of less than about 10 nm with at least 90% of the crystallites being in the anatase form.
US09352297B2

Activated carbon\nickel oxide\zinc oxide (AC\NiO\ZnO) and activated carbon\zinc oxide (AC\ZnO) were prepared and used as adsorbents for removal of thiophene, benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) as sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon materials such as diesel fuel. The materials exhibited an efficient and economical way for removing sulfur compounds due to its low-energy consumption, ambient operation temperature and atmospheric pressure. A simple regeneration method of the spent adsorbents.
US09352295B2

The present disclosure provides oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) systems for small scale and world scale production of olefins. An OCM system may comprise an OCM subsystem that generates a product stream comprising C2+ compounds and non-C2+ impurities from methane and an oxidizing agent. At least one separations subsystem downstream of, and fluidically coupled to, the OCM subsystem can be used to separate the non-C2+ impurities from the C2+ compounds. A methanation subsystem downstream and fluidically coupled to the OCM subsystem can be used to react H2 with CO and/or CO2 in the non-C2+ impurities to generate methane, which can be recycled to the OCM subsystem. The OCM system can be integrated in a non-OCM system, such as a natural gas liquids system or an existing ethylene cracker.
US09352289B2

The present invention has as an objective to provide a new emulsification method, which can produce concentrated water-continuous emulsion containing lipophilic compounds in a dispersed phase, with a very fine dispersed phase droplet size less than a micron, and a narrow size distribution of the dispersed phase. This objective has been met by a method wherein a water-continuous emulsion is made using a Controlled Deformation Dynamic Mixer or a Cavity Transfer Mixer.
US09352278B2

The invention relates to a method for preparing a substrate surface structured with thermally stable metal alloy nanoparticles, which method comprises—providing a micellar solution of amphiphilic molecules such as organic diblock or multiblock copolymers in a suitable solvent; —loading the micelles of said micellar solution with metal ions of a first metal salt; —loading the micelles of said micellar solution with metal ions of at least one second metal salt; —depositing the metal ion-loaded micellar solution onto a substrate surface to form a (polymer) film comprising an ordered array of (polymer) domains; co-reducing the metal ions contained in the deposited domains of the (polymer) film by means of a plasma treatment to form an ordered array of nanoparticles consisting of an alloy of the metals used for loading the micelles on the substrate surface. The invention also provides a nanostructured substrate surface obtainable by said method as well as the use of said nanostructured substrate surface as a catalyst.
US09352277B2

A method of making a filter for filtering particulate matter from exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn internal combustion engine, which filter comprising a porous substrate having inlet surfaces and outlet surfaces, wherein the inlet surfaces are separated from the outlet surfaces by a porous structure containing pores of a first mean pore size, wherein the inlet surfaces comprise a bridge network comprising interconnected particles of refractory material over the pores of the porous structure, which method comprising the step of contacting inlet surfaces of the filter substrate with an aerosol comprising refractory material in dry powder form. The invention also relates to a filter obtainable by such method.
US09352270B2

The present disclosure is directed to a process that allows dry sorbents to remove a target constituent, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), from a gas stream. A staged fluidized bed separator enables gas and sorbent to move in opposite directions. The sorbent is loaded with target constituent in the separator. It is then transferred to a regenerator where the target constituent is stripped. The temperature of the separator and regenerator are controlled. After it is removed from the regenerator, the sorbent is then transferred back to the separator.
US09352269B2

Provided are apparatus and systems having a rotary valve assembly integrated with a reciprocating valve assembly to perform swing adsorption processes. The rotary valve assembly is utilized with the reciprocating valve assembly to manage the flow of streams through the system in an enhanced manner.
US09352250B2

The present invention provides a sludge scraping apparatus which includes a piston attached to a traction core member, a body formed of a driving cylinder provided with front and rear sealing connection parts, a sludge scraper attached to the body, position switching means that switches the sludge scraper to a scraping position at advancement of the body and switches the sludge scraper to a non-scraping position at retreat of the body, and a treatment part attached in front of the driving cylinder and has a treatment chamber therein, the extending part of the traction core member passing through the treatment chamber, and the body can be moved along the traction core member in an advancing and retreating direction by injection/discharge of water into/from the driving cylinder by fluid control means, and at movement of the body, injection/discharge of water into/from the treatment chamber is performed.
US09352243B2

Kits for creating optical art come with precut cellophane and/or adhesive tape and instructions for folding the cellophane into origami structures having desired optical qualities and/or applying the adhesive tape in a layered fashion to achieve desired optical properties. Adhesive tape or cellophane cut into specific decorative shapes is provided on a tape roll or sheet for easily peeling it off and applying it to create optical art. Tools are provided for cutting, punching out, or otherwise shaping provided cellophane and/or tape. Instruments such as polarizing films, light sources, and/or polarizing glasses are provided for viewing the optical art under polarized light. These instruments may include toy polariscopes, particularly having an ergonomic design. Diffusion lenses are provided to enhance the viewing experience. Photoelastic models and puppets may also be provided.
US09352241B1

A rubber band powered toy vehicle uses the stored energy of a twisted rubber band to power a propeller during vehicle travel, either airborne flight or water borne travel. The vehicle has a slide tube attached to its underside which is slidably disposed along a main tube, the main tube having the rubber band passing therethrough. Prior to flight, the slide tube and its attached vehicle are slid rearwardly along the main tube until stopped by a positioning ring. Once the vehicle is released for travel, the rubber band untwists providing energy for rotation of the propeller. When the vehicle crashes, either during a crash landing into the ground or crashing in flight into an object, the slide tube and its attached vehicle slide forwardly along the main tube in order to act as a shock absorber for the crash in order to help protect the components of the toy.
US09352240B1

The current inventive technology includes methods and apparatus for a balloon display system. In one embodiment, the invention includes an balloon display apparatus having at least one mounting pole; at least one balloon cluster pole bracket secured to a mounting pole having at least one coupling; at least one flexible rod configured to be secured to a coupling; and at least one inflatable balloon configured to be secured to the upper portion of a flexible rod.
US09352239B2

Toy surfboards and methods of snapping together a figurine with a surfboard and a skeg and a wing to form a surfboard toy. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to a shore. The hydrofoil can have a V or boomerang shape with side wings having ends extending rearward and out from the surfboard. Wing ends can incorporate curved discs for stability. Optional stabilizing tail/fin/rudder can extend rearward from the hydrofoil. Games can include racing toys by tossing them simultaneously from the shore to see which one reaches the shore first.
US09352230B1

Techniques for interpreting motions of a motion-sensitive device are described to allow natural and intuitive interfaces for controlling an application (e.g. video game). A motion-sensitive device includes inertial and generates sensor signals sufficient to derive positions and orientations of the device in six degrees of freedom. The motion of the device in six degrees of freedom is tracked by analyzing sensor data from the inertial sensors in conjunction with data from a secondary source that may be a camera or a non-inertial sensor. Different techniques are provided to correct or minimize errors in deriving the positions and orientations of the device. These techniques include “stop” detection, back tracking, extrapolation of sensor data beyond the sensor ranges, and using constraints from multi trackable objects in an application being interfaced with the motion-sensitive device.
US09352225B2

A system and method for providing a multi-player game experience through a computerized theme-park ride. The system includes a ride control module configured to manage ride control parameters and settings of a computerized theme park ride. The system includes a ride interface module configured to provide an interface to operate and navigate the computerized theme park ride. The ride interface module include a plurality of interface devices. The system includes a ride engine module, including a processor, configured to operate a multi-player game experience. The system includes a communications module configured to bridge communications between the ride engine module, the ride interface module, and the ride control module over a computerized network. The system includes an account module configured to provide player specific information to the ride control module.
US09352219B2

Incorporating player-generated audio in an electronic game is disclosed. Incorporation may include receiving an audio clip from an electronic game player, applying a modification to the audio clip to generate a chant, associating the chant to the execution of an event in the electronic game, retrieving the chant when the event in the electronic game is executed, and initiating the play of the chant upon execution of the event in the electronic game.
US09352213B2

An augmented reality (AR) game system is disclosed wherein real-world objects are transformed into AR terrain elements and AR events generate real-world impact. The game environment is set up using real-world objects that include everyday objects and game pieces on a field of play. When viewed on the screen of a computing device executing the modules of the game system, the everyday objects are transformed into elements of an AR terrain while the game pieces can be augmented with various controls. Multiple viewing modes, for example, a third person view, a first person view or “POV” view from a selected game piece or a split screen view are contemplated for viewing the field of play. A subset of the augmented controls can be activated by the user to execute AR events some of which can have real-world impact. The AR events are executed based on game rules.
US09352198B2

The invention provides a golf club head that uses a light-weight material for part of the body and a strong material for a face-to-sole transition to provide a durable face with a high coefficient of restitution. The club head may have a first body part and a second body part. Material of the first body part extends down from a face member, bends around a face-sole transition, and continues into a sole return member to provide at least a portion of a ball-striking face and a sole surface. The first body part also provides a hosel. The second body part provides a significant proportion of the volume of the club head (e.g., at least about a third or even a majority). The low-density of the second body part allows for inclusion of one or more high-density third body parts to optimize mass distribution.
US09352196B2

A golf club c1 has a base part 2, a laser discoloration layer 6, and a protection layer 8. The laser discoloration layer 6 is provided on the outer side of the base part 2. The protection layer 8 is provided on the outer side of the laser discoloration layer 6. The protection layer 8 has laser beam transparency. The laser discoloration layer 6 can be discolored by irradiation of a laser beam. Preferably, an undercoat layer 4 is further provided between the base part 2 and the laser discoloration layer 6. Preferably, the undercoat layer 4 is not discolored by the laser beam. Preferably, the laser discoloration layer 6 includes abase material resin and a laser discoloration material.
US09352193B2

Multi-piece golf balls containing a core of at least one layer and cover of at least one layer are provided. At least one component is formed from a rubber composition comprising: i) about 10 to about 65 weight percent of a cycloalkene rubber having a trans-content of about 55% or greater and a melting point of 30° C. or greater; ii) about 30 to about 80 weight percent of an ionomeric resin; and 3) about 5 to about 40 weight percent of a polyamide. The rubber composition may further include other thermoplastic and thermosetting materials such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency, durability, scuff-resistance, and feel of the ball.
US09352191B2

Swimming goggles include left and right frames each having an inner peripheral face and an outer peripheral face and being assembled with a lens, a connecting element interconnecting the left and right frames, skirt portions being respectively attached to the inner peripheral faces, and head strap apparatuses. Each of the inner peripheral faces is defined with a first arc face and a second arc face, in which the first arc face connected with the outer face, and the second arc face connected with the skirt portion. The first and second arc faces cooperatively form an angle less than 180 degrees so as to enable the skirt portions to be hermetically attached to contours of eye sockets and a nose of a wearer, whereby providing a comfortable wearing of the swimming goggles for the wearer.
US09352190B2

A secondary ascender system for use in rope climbing and with other rope climbing systems that provides a knee ascender permitting full range of motion and energy capture from two legs by encasing an interior portion of the length of an elastic cord used for tending the knee ascender within a load bearing member. The load bearing member connects a foot attachment to an ascender and transfers loads applied to the foot attachment and via the elastic cord during tending to the ascender to advance up the rope.
US09352186B2

A treadmill includes an impact absorption mechanism operatively positioned at least in part between a deck and a base frame of the treadmill so that the impact absorption mechanism enables the deck to move relative to at least a portion of the base frame during impact events on the deck and a selectively engageable deck stiffening mechanism that reduces the amount of movement of at least a portion of the deck relative to the base frame during impact events on the deck. The deck stiffening mechanism includes one or more generally rigid members and an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism selectively engages the one or more generally rigid members with the deck to provide support to the deck during impact events on the deck.
US09352182B1

Embodiments relate to a pneumatic sock exercise device utilizing pneumatic resistance transmitted to a user by a pneumatic sock capable of slidable movement within a pneumatic conduit configured to be removably interfaced with a source of airflow. The pneumatic sock is a tubular structure made of a flexible material that includes various aspects and features. When an embodiment is interfaced with the source of airflow, the pneumatic sock enables airflow within the pneumatic conduit or pneumatic conduit structure to oppose the user and his/her movement of the sock in either direction (with or against airflow) during exercise. Some embodiments may include an extension means and/or an anti-friction means to extend the range of movement of the pneumatic sock. The same or other embodiments may include a housing including a pneumatic conduit structure. A cushion of a resilient material may be included in an embodiment.
US09352175B1

A method for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter includes: providing at least one CP filter comprising a filter bed; and passing an airstream through a supplemental bed configured to enhance the filter bed by promoting reactions that facilitate the removal of one or more of chemical warfare agents and toxic threat compounds. An apparatus for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter, the apparatus including: a CP filter comprising a filter bed; and a supplemental bed configured so as to enhance the filter bed by promoting reactions that facilitate the removal of chemical warfare agents and toxic chemicals.
US09352173B2

A treatment device includes a treatment portion, a transmission portion and a moment shift portion. The treatment portion transmits ultrasonic vibration. The length of the treatment portion is shorter than ¼ of a wavelength of the ultrasonic vibration. The transmission portion has one end at a node position where the first generated node from the distal end of the treatment portion appears, and is located closer to a proximal side than the node position. The length of the transmission portion is ¼ of the wavelength. The moment shift portion is located between the treatment portion and the transmission portion. An average of I1/A12 is greater than an average of I2/A22, where I1 is the second moment of area and A1 is a sectional area in the treatment portion, and I2 is the second moment of area and A2 is a sectional area in the transmission portion.
US09352165B2

A method and medical device for detecting a cardiac event that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes forming a first sensing vector sensing a first interval and a second sensing vector simultaneously sensing a second, determining, for each of the first interval and the second interval, whether each beat of the plurality of beats is one of a match beat and a non-match beat, determining whether each beat of the plurality of beats is one of a high confidence beat and a low confidence beat, determining, for each of the first interval and the second interval, the number of beats determined to be both a non-match beat and a high confidence beat is greater than a non-match threshold, and determining whether to deliver therapy for the cardiac event in response to identifying of each of the first interval and the second interval as being one of shockable and not shockable.
US09352163B2

A defibrillating system includes a processor coupled to a memory. The processor and the memory are configured to identify a treatment event associated with treatment of a victim with the defibrillating system, and transmit a representation of a portion of an ECG signal associated with the identified treatment event. In some cases, the processor and the memory are configured to identify the portion of the ECG signal associated with the identified treatment event. In some cases, the portion of the ECG signal is of a predetermined length of time having a start time and an end time based on a time associated with the identified treatment event.
US09352162B2

An improved architecture for an implantable medical device using a primary battery is disclosed which reduces the circumstances in which the voltage of the primary battery is boosted, and hence reduces the power draw in the implant. The architecture includes a boost converter for selectively boosting the voltage of the primary battery and for supplying that boosted voltage to certain of the circuit blocks, including digital circuitry, analog circuitry, and memory. However, the boost converter is only used to boost the battery voltage when its magnitude is below a threshold; if above the threshold, the battery voltage is passed to the circuit blocks without boosting. Additionally, some circuitry capable of operation even at low battery voltages—including the telemetry tank circuitry and the compliance voltage generator—receives the battery voltage directly without boosting, and without regard to the current magnitude of the battery voltage.
US09352157B2

A device for vestibular substitution includes a mouthpiece fitting entirely within a person's mouth in a shape that conforms to the palate. The mouthpiece encases a circuit board containing an electronic system that can deliver electrical pulses to electrical stimulators touching the palate based on head movement. The electronic system includes a motion sensor, a control unit; a stimulation circuit; and a battery. The control unit is preferably a microcontroller with a digital Input/Output capability, a Serial Peripheral Interface/Inter-Integrated Circuit protocol, a timer, and an oscillator for sensor interfacing and timing control. The microcontroller enables processing data from the accelerometer to indicate head movement, and controlling each embedded electrical stimulator to deliver electrical pulses with adjustable waveform parameters. The device may also include a wireless transceiver for remote control of the device from outside the person's mouth.
US09352155B2

A method is provided for finding an energy-optimal stimulus which gives a positive Lyapunov exponent, and hence desynchronization, for a neural population. The method is illustrated for three different neural models. Not only does it achieve desynchronization for each model, but it also does so using less energy than recently proposed methods, suggesting a powerful alternative to pulsatile stimuli for deep brain stimulation. Furthermore, we calculate error bounds on the optimal stimulus which will guarantee a minimum Lyapunov exponent. Also, a related control strategy is developed for desynchronizing neurons based on the population's phase distribution.
US09352151B2

A method and apparatus for applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation to an agonist/antagonist muscle pair to move a limb about a joint includes generating a first pattern of neuromuscular electrical stimulation pulses for output through a first channel to a first pair of electrodes and generating a second pattern of neuromuscular stimulation pulses for output through a second channel to a second pair of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes are attached to the agonist muscle of the agonist/antagonist muscle pair, and the second pair of electrodes are attached to the antagonist muscle. A first pattern of electrical stimulation pulses is transmitted through the first pair of electrodes to the agonist muscle at a first intensity level to initiate contraction of the agonist muscle, and then at a second intensity level which is less than the first intensity level to continue contraction of the agonist muscle. A second pattern of electrical stimulation pulses is transmitted through the second pair of electrodes to the antagonist muscle at a first intensity level to reduce the acceleration of the limb, and then at a second intensity level which is less than the first intensity level to regulate the movement of the limb.
US09352140B2

The microbial scrub brush in one embodiment employs an insert that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant and that is housed within a housing of alcohol-compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After removal of the lid, the insert is moved over the end of a female luer or other portion of a medical device and rotated in order to clean the exterior surface as well as the interior luminal surface of the device. In one embodiment, the scrub brush integrally includes both a cleansing portion with a cleansing insert to cleanse a part of a medical device and a protection portion with a cover component to cover and protect the cleansed medical device part from subsequent contamination. The cleansing insert includes a plurality of compliant fingers to ensure adequate cleansing of the medical device part.
US09352138B2

An access port for introduction of a needle cannula tip into an IV tube set includes a rigid tubular housing and a resilient member disposed within an inlet of the housing. The resilient member includes a proximal face exposed to an exterior of the rigid housing and a distal face disposed within the rigid housing. An axial perforation extends through the resilient member, and is normally closed by a resilient character of the resilient member. A depression is defined in the proximal face of the resilient member, and includes sidewalls extending between the proximal face and the axial perforation to guide the needle cannula tip toward the axial perforation as a needle cannula associated with the needle cannula tip is introduced into the access port.
US09352120B2

Apparatus for enhancing pushability and minimizing kinking of a balloon catheter is provided, wherein a catheter comprises inner and outer tubes, and a balloon that is proximally affixed to the outer tube and distally affixed to the inner tube. The catheter of the present invention further comprises a tubular member imposed on the inner tube which is configured to form a reversible mechanical linkage between inner tube and outer tube while an axially compressive load is applied to the catheter tip.
US09352119B2

A system and method is provided for applying an anti-pathogenic material to various surfaces of a medical device, wherein the method includes identifying various surfaces of the medical tests which include noncritical dimensions, and limiting the application of the anti-pathogenic material to those surfaces. Some aspects of the invention further include the application of an anti-pathogenic lubricant material to various parts or components of a medical device to reduce friction.
US09352104B2

An adapter mountable to a retractable syringe barrel comprises a body that includes a needle portion and a barrel-engaging portion and a needle aperture. The adapter facilitates mounting a needle assembly to the barrel. The needle assembly comprises a needle body and cannula and an immobile, compressible needle seal, wherein the needle body and the needle seal are releasably engaged. The needle seal is engageable with a needle portion of the adapter. The needle body comprises one or more fluid reclaim channels that facilitate efficient delivery of the fluid contents of the retractable syringe. The retractable syringe also comprises dual locking systems to impede or prevent re-use.
US09352099B2

According to the invention, a safety device for a pre-filled syringe comprises a hollow support body for mounting the pre-filled syringe therein, a hollow needle shield that is slidable relative to the support body and guiding means for guiding the movement of the needle shield relative to the support body. The guiding means comprise a flexible arm with a guide pin, a guide track and a separating wall. The guide pin extends from the flexible arm in a radial direction, and protrudes into the guide track. The separating wall extends into the guide track in a direction parallel to a central axis of the safety device. When the needle shield is slid relative to the support body the guide pin moves along the guide track to deflect the flexible arm in a lateral direction perpendicular to the central axis and the movement of the guide pin along the guide track is guided by the interplay of the flexible arm and the separating wall.
US09352097B2

A spindle (242; 414; 542; 642) for driving a bung of a cartridge is provided. The spindle includes a generally circular shaft having an outer surface (560). The generally circular shaft extends from a distal end to a proximal end of said circular shaft. A first helical groove (219; 519; 619) is provided along a first portion of the outer surface. The first helical groove having a first pitch. A second helical groove (221; 521; 621) provided along a second portion of the outer surface of the generally circular shaft. The second helical groove overlapping the first helical groove. The second helical groove having a second pitch.
US09352096B2

A reduced profile syringe assembly is provided that includes an overall profile that is substantially similar to a profile of a syringe barrel. The syringe assembly includes a plunger rod that is significantly disposed within the syringe barrel when filled for use, with the plunger rod adapted to be retracted from the syringe barrel during dispensing of contents of the syringe barrel.
US09352090B2

An auto-injector comprising a tubular chassis, a carrier subassembly comprising a tubular carrier slidably arranged partially inside the chassis, a drive spring and a plunger, the syringe is lockable for joint axial translation with a carrier, a control spring, and a needle insertion control mechanism comprising a first collar biased by the control spring in a proximal direction. At least one resilient beam is proximally arranged on the first collar, wherein respective recesses are arranged in the carrier and case. A transversal extension of a head of the resilient beam is wider than a gap between the carrier and the chassis causing the head of the resilient beam to abut a distal face on the recess in the chassis.
US09352088B2

Auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament includes a housing to contain a syringe with a hollow needle and a stopper for sealing the syringe and displacing the medicament (M), the housing having a distal end (D) and a proximal end (P) with an orifice to apply against an injection site. A spring means, upon activation, can push the needle from inside the housing through the orifice and past the proximal end (P), operate the syringe to supply the dose of medicament (M), and retract the syringe with the needle after delivering the medicament (M). An activating means can lock the spring means in a pressurized state prior to manual operation and capable of, upon manual operation, releasing the spring means for injection.
US09352087B2

Describe is an auto-injector comprising a syringe carrier arranged to retain a syringe, a plunger arranged to displace a stopper within the syringe, a feedback component retainable in a first position and biased towards a second position, a pin disposed on the feedback component, and an exterior component having a bore. The feedback component moves from the first position to the second position when the plunger during displacement of the stopper reaches a predetermined position. The pin enters the bore when the feedback component is in the second position.
US09352081B2

A drip chamber for an infusion tube, including: a first end including a drip tube; a second end including an exit port; and a wall connecting the first and second ends and including an interior surface with a hydrophobic portion. The drip chamber includes a space enclosed by the interior wall and the first and second ends. The hydrophobic portion of the interior surface repels liquid contacting the hydrophobic coating. The hydrophobic portion of the interior surface enables light to refract through the hydrophobic portion and the wall in the same manner as is the case when the hydrophobic portion is not present on the interior surface.
US09352080B2

A burette (10) to receive liquid from an intravenous supply (29) to deliver liquid to a patient via a tube (30). The burette (10) includes a hollow body (11) that is generally cylindrical configuration and that contains a float valve (24). Liquid level in the chamber (12) of the body (11) regulates liquid level within the chamber (12) by engaging an inlet passage (36) or an outlet tube (25).
US09352079B2

This invention relates to a safety needle accessory sealed within a pack suitable for sealing pre-filled syringes. The safety needle accessory comprises a hub for surrounding a hollow needle having a tip and having a connector for attachment to a syringe, a slidable sleeve adapted to slide over the needle in a first longitudinal direction from a first position in which the needle is fully or partially covered by the sleeve to a second position in which the needle is exposed, and in a second longitudinal direction from the second position to a third position in which the needle is fully covered by the sleeve, and a pack surrounding the hollow needle, hub and slidable sleeve having a closed end covering the needle and an open end exposing the connector of the hub. The safety needle accessory further comprises a first seal attached to the connector of the hub and a second seal between the hub and the pack.
US09352076B2

A system for stimulating the healing of tissue comprises a porous pad positioned within a wound cavity, and an airtight dressing secured over the pad, so as to provide an airtight seal to the wound cavity. A proximal end of a conduit is connectable to the dressing. A distal end of the conduit is connectable to a negative pressure source, which may be an electric pump housed within a portable housing, or wall suction. A canister is positioned along the conduit to retain exudates suctioned from the wound site during the application of negative pressure. A controller for automated oscillation of pressure over time is provided to further enhance and stimulate the healing of an open wound. A power management motor control for varying pump drive frequency and managing a portable power supply is provided to increase battery life and improve patient mobility.
US09352070B2

Non-antigenic, resilient, bioremodelable, biocompatible tissue prostheses that can be engineered into a variety of shapes and used to repair, augment, reconstruct or replace damaged or diseased biological structures and associated tissue.
US09352068B2

An article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex comprising an interpenetrating network of at least one predominantly positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte polymer, the polyelectrolyte complex further comprising a plurality of closed-shell pores, the plurality of pores having at least one average transverse dimension between about 100 nanometer and about 1000 micrometers.
US09352066B2

Hemostatic devices for promoting blood clotting can include a substrate (e.g., gauze, textile, sponge, sponge matrix, one or more fibers, etc.), a hemostatic material disposed thereon such as kaolin clay, and a binder material such as crosslinked calcium alginate with a high guluronate monomer molar percentage disposed on the substrate to substantially retain the hemostatic material. When the device is used to treat a bleeding wound, at least a portion of the clay material comes into contact with blood to accelerate clotting. Moreover, when exposed to blood, the binder has low solubility and retains a majority of the clay material on the gauze. A bandage that can be applied to a bleeding wound to promote blood clotting includes a flexible substrate and a gauze substrate mounted thereon.
US09352052B2

Provided is a lentiviral vector system which sustains a high-frequency retrograde transportation ability in animal brain and has a higher titer. A kit for preparing a retrograde transport viral vector, which comprises: (1) a packaging plasmid containing the gag gene and pol gene of HIV-1; (2) a packaging plasmid containing an accessory gene of HIV-1; (3) a transfer plasmid containing a target gene; and (4) an envelope plasmid containing, as an envelope gene, a gene encoding a fused polypeptide comprising the extracellular domain of rabies virus glycoprotein (RV-G), the transmembrane domain of rabies virus glycoprotein (RV-G) or vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) and the intracellular domain of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G).
US09352051B1

Novel modulators, including antibodies and derivatives thereof, and methods of using such modulators to treat proliferative disorders are provided.
US09352046B2

A composition of matter and method for preparation of a tissue augmentation material. A polysaccharide gel composition is prepared with rheological properties selected for a particular selected application. The method includes preparing a polymeric polysaccharide in a buffer to create a polymer solution or gel suspending properties in the gel and selecting a rheology profile for the desired tissue region.
US09352023B2

The invention provides methods, pharmaceutical compositions and kits for treating, inhibiting and/or reducing the severity of inflammatory bowel disease and necrotizing enterocolitis in a subject in need thereof by administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an activator of ErbB4.
US09352022B2

Procedures are described which use solvents to increase the topical insecticidal activity of toxic insect peptides. These procedures comprise drying the peptides, if needed, followed by the addition of either: 1) a polar organic solvent, with or without water, to a dried peptide, or 2) the addition of polar aprotic solvent or other adjuvant to the dried peptide, followed by the addition of either: 1) a polar organic solvent, with or without water, (where a polar aprotic solvent is added first) or 2) a polar aprotic solvent or other adjuvant to the peptide polar organic solvent (where the polar organic solvent is added first), to the peptide formulation.
US09352008B2

The document provides compositions such as dietary supplements. Such compositions can be used to reduce pain, inflammation, stiffness, and/or discomfort associated with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. The document also provides methods for reducing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and/or discomfort associated with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
US09352007B2

Processes for producing an extract containing phytochemicals from pomegranates are disclosed. The processes generally comprise providing pomegranate solids, such as the pericarp, inner membrane and seeds; creating a mixture comprising the pomegranate solids in an aqueous solution; adding enzymes to the mixture in an amount sufficient to at least partially degrade the pomegranate solids; heating the mixture to a temperature that permits the maximum rate of catalysis of the enzyme; maintaining the temperature of the heated mixture for a time sufficient to allow at least partial degradation of the pomegranate solids; and removing residual insoluble solid materials from the mixture. Compositions containing the extract may be used as a food product, beverage, pharmaceutical preparations, nutritional supplements, vitamin supplements, food additives, and food supplements. The compositions may also be used for preventing or ameliorating disease conditions by administering an effective amount of the composition to a subject in need thereof.
US09352004B2

The present invention provides muscle-derived cells, preferably myoblasts and muscle-derived stem cells, genetically engineered to contain and express one or more heterologous genes or functional segments of such genes, for delivery of the encoded gene products at or near sites of musculoskeletal, bone, ligament, meniscus, cartilage or genitourinary disease, injury, defect, or dysfunction. Ex vivo myoblast mediated gene delivery of human inducible nitric oxide synthase, and the resulting production of nitric oxide at and around the site of injury, are particularly provided by the invention as a treatment for lower genitourinary tract dysfunctions. Ex vivo gene transfer for the musculoskeletal system includes genes encoding acidic fibroblast growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-1, transforming growth factor-a, nerve growth factor and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), bone morphogenetic protein (BMPs), cartilage derived morphogenetic protein (CDMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and sonic hedgehog proteins.
US09351998B2

The present invention relates to methods of maintaining, and methods of restoring, a desired calcium homeostasis in a non-human terrestrial animal by administering an effective amount of one or more Calcium-Sensing Receptor modulators (CaSRs) to the animal. The invention further provides methods of reducing foot lesions in chickens. The invention also relates to food compositions useful in the methods of the invention.
US09351986B2

Methods for preparing monomeric cytotoxic drug/carrier conjugates with a drug loading significantly higher than in previously reported procedures and with decreased aggregation and low conjugate fraction (LCF) are described. Cytotoxic drug derivative/antibody conjugates, compositions comprising the conjugates and uses of the conjugates are also described. Monomeric calicheamicin derivative/anti-CD22 antibody conjugates, compositions comprising the conjugates and uses of the conjugates are also described.
US09351985B2

Described herein are topical pain compositions comprising between 15 and 90% mannitol, for use in the treatment of pain, itch and other cutaneous nerve conditions. The resulting compositions may be in the form of creams, gels, lotions, ointments, foams, suppositories, and sprays.
US09351981B2

The subject invention pertains to uses of PKC-iota inhibitors for treatment of breast cancer. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides novel uses of 1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide, 5-amino-1-[2,3-dihydroxy-4-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]cyclopentyl]-,[1R-(1α, 2β, 3β, 4α)] (ICA-1) and related compounds for treatment of breast cancer. The compounds of the subject invention have potent anti-proliferative effects against human breast cancer cells. The compounds of the subject invention also inhibit the phosphorylation of IKK-α/IKK-β, induce chromatin condensation, and/or induce DNA fragmentation in cancer cells.
US09351976B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising sorbitan esters of carboxylic acids that are useful for the delivery of anti-psychotic drugs.
US09351961B2

The invention provides methods for treating multiple sclerosis by administering biotin. The invention also provides methods for treating sequelae after multiple sclerosis attacks by administering biotin.
US09351960B2

The invention relates to medicine and comprises an agent for the treatment of a viral hepatitis C, which is glutaryl histamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. This agent can also be administered in combination with a pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a viral hepatitis C. This invention solves the problem of providing a novel agent, which is effective in the treatment of a viral hepatitis C and makes it possible to produce a sustained virologic response.
US09351957B2

The present invention provides an amorphous form of apremilast and process for preparation thereof. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amorphous apremilast and one or more of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or diluents used for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis.
US09351956B1

This invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising substantially enantiomerically pure lipoamide and derivatives thereof and methods of use of such compositions to modulate signaling pathways for the treatment of diseases and disorders.
US09351954B2

Provided herein are multicyclic compounds, methods of their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of their use. For example, disclosed herein are compounds having formula (IIa) shown below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof, wherein the variables are defined herein. The compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or management of various neurological disorders, including but not limited to, psychosis and schizophrenia.
US09351950B2

The present invention relates to a method for preventing, alleviating or treating allergic diseases using capsiate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Capsiate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to the present invention may be used for the purpose of preventing, alleviating or treating allergic diseases.
US09351949B2

Provided is a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for influenza viral infection that is effective not only before and at an early stage of infection with influenza virus but also at an intermediate or late stage of the infection and is highly safe for human bodies. A prophylactic/therapeutic drug for influenza viral infection comprising, as active ingredients, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a derivative thereof or a salt of the 5-ALA or the derivative, and an iron compound is prepared. This prophylactic/therapeutic agent can be used for ameliorating (preventing) depression in food consumption, water consumption and body weight, for ameliorating (decreasing) increase in ketone body levels in blood that may otherwise cause ketosis, for ameliorating (preventing) depression in ATP levels in blood, or for ameliorating (increasing) a survival rate and depression in a body surface temperature.
US09351948B2

The present invention relates to novel amide derivatives of N-urea substituted amino acids, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor.
US09351947B2

A catecholamine or related compound having (S)-configuration at β-carbon, a physiologically tolerated salt thereof, a prodrug thereof, a physiologically functional derivative thereof or any mixture thereof and having a lipophilicity greater than (S)-noradrenaline has use as an anti-angiogenic agent. A catecholamine or related compound in which a β-hydroxy group has been modified are also anti-angiogenic. The anti-angiogenic agent is preferably a compound of formula (I) or (II) a physiologically tolerated salt thereof, a prodrug thereof, a physiologically functional derivative thereof or any mixture thereof.
US09351946B2

The present invention relates to a composition comprising an autophagy enhancement compound. Small molecules that are able to enhance autophagy and lysosome biogenesis by activating the gene TFEB which can prevent the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates in treating neurodegenerative diseases are disclosed.
US09351943B2

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods targeting tissue resident cells, such as fibroblasts, in a subject harboring conditions or at risk for conditions that would benefit from anti-fibroblastic therapy. The present invention relates to the use of fluorochemical compositions and methods of delivery that result in retention of the fluorochemical composition and any bioactive agent delivered in combination with the fluorochemical composition.
US09351928B2

A method for making composite excipient particles for use in a pharmaceutical composition comprises a milling step in which particles of an excipient material are milled in the presence of an additive material. The product particles are of small size and the milling requires relatively low input of time and energy. The composite particles are suitable for use in inhalable pharmaceutical compositions.
US09351918B2

A polyglycerol-azelaic acid polyesters and cosmetic compositions that incorporate them as active components in combination with a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. A process for producing esters and polyesters between azelaic acid and glycerol or oligomers thereof containing up to 10 monomer units.
US09351913B2

The present application relates to a facial and/or body wash composition that after rinsing provides a sun protection factor of at least about 6 comprising (i) red petrolatum; (ii) at least one surface-treated metal oxide pigment that blocks ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength range of from about 290 nm to about 400 nm; (iii) at least one organic sunscreen agent having a log P of greater than about 4.0 that blocks or absorbs ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength range of from about 290 nm to about 400 nm; (iv) at least one lathering anionic surfactant; (v) at least one lathering non-ionic surfactant; (vi) an alkyl silicone; and (vii) a volatile cyclic silicone.
US09351909B2

An adhesion promoter for endodontic sealant compositions for filling and sealing a root canal.
US09351908B2

Orthodontic adhesives are claimed which use polymeric filler particles with defined particle size characteristics. The particle size characteristics are controlled such that these adhesives provide comparable mechanical retention and cohesive strength of conventional orthodontic adhesives when used to bond orthodontic appliances to teeth. Because polymeric fillers are generally softer than inorganic fillers, these adhesives are easier to remove from the tooth than conventional adhesives after debonding an orthodontic appliance. Embodiments of the invention include both self-curing and two-part adhesives, packaged adhesive-coated orthodontic appliances, and methods for removing a cured adhesive from a tooth surface.
US09351903B2

An eye rinsing device for rinsing at least one eye is embodied as an attachable attachment, which can be connected to a container, wherein the attachment can be placed onto the eye of a person. The eye rinsing device is provided with at least one rinsing opening, which is directed towards the eye by means of which the washing of an eye is carried out in an improved manner. The attachment encompasses a device having wing-like spreading elements which pull the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid apart so as to support the opening of the eye during the rinsing process.
US09351895B2

The present invention relates to a spinal surgical table which is used during spine and spinal-related surgical operations and on which the patient is laid down. The spinal surgical table includes at least one carrying skeleton, at least one carrying connection member, at least one stand, at least six supporting pads, and at least one head rest. The present invention enables to decrease pressure-related complications by leaving the abdominal area on the hole, be connected to any kind of operation table, be accorded with different body sizes and be accorded with the position of the patient. The present invention can also be connected to other apparatuses which help position the patient.
US09351892B2

A sonic percussion therapy system includes a patient support apparatus and a control module. The sonic percussion structure is attached to the inflatable cell so that the sonic percussion structure moves in response to movement of the inflatable cell. The control module includes a sonic percussion control module and a position control module. The sonic percussion control module independently controls frequency and/or intensity of at least one of the plurality of sonic percussion structures. The position control module selectively raises and lowers at least one of the plurality of sonic percussion structures with respect to a patient surface.
US09351891B2

A raising wheelchair comprises a wheeled frame and a raising system mounted to the frame and supporting a seat and a backrest. The raising system is configured to be movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The raising system includes at least one double-armed lever including a first lever member and a second lever member, a coupling member fixedly mounted to the frame, wherein the first lever member and the second lever member are pivotally coupled to the coupling member, and a coupling mechanism translationally coupled or pivotally coupled to a second end of the first lever member, pivotally coupled to a second end of the second lever member, and coupled to the backrest. The raising system maintains an orientation of the backrest relative to the ground that is substantially constant throughout substantially an entire range of movement between the lowered position and the raised position.
US09351889B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters can selectively engage the arm assembly based on at least one of a seat position, position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground surface. The arm limiters can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.
US09351881B2

An eyewear temple arm mounted to an eyewear device, wherein a distal portion of the elongated body member defines a parking structure. A distal edge portion of the structure defines an opening into a cavity thereof which is formed and dimensioned for free sliding, peripheral receipt of at least the proximal portion of a functional element therein between an operational condition and a parked condition. A cover member is configured to cooperate with the parking structure for movement between an opened condition and a closed condition. In the opened condition, the functional element can be moved to the operational condition, while in the closed condition, the cover member extends over the parking structure opening to substantially enclose at least the distal portion of the functional element therein.
US09351880B2

Anti-fog, interchangeable-lens goggle adapted for use with a battery comprising: a body with a flexible posterior portion for engaging a user's face and an anterior portion; a lens having a resistive anti-fog element thereon, the lens adapted for engaging the anterior portion of the body; an engagement mechanism for releasably interconnecting the lens and the body; an interconnection mechanism depending from the body adapted for detachably interconnecting the heating element of the lens and the battery, the interconnection means operable or integral with the engagement mechanism such that interconnecting the heating element of the lens with the battery also reinforces interconnecting of the lens with the semi-rigid anterior portion of the body; and a strap adapted for holding the goggle on one of a user's head and helmet.
US09351876B1

A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, an optic fiber, and an optic fiber sleeve. The housing tube may have a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater that the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the optic fiber sleeve, the actuation structure, and the housing tube. The optic fiber sleeve may enclose at least a portion of the optic fiber and the optic fiber sleeve may be disposed within the actuation structure and the housing tube. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to curve the housing tube and the optic fiber.
US09351874B2

A method of deploying an ocular implant into Schlemm's canal of a human eye including the following steps: inserting a distal tip of a delivery tool within an anterior chamber of the eye through trabecular meshwork of the eye into Schlemm's canal of the eye; and advancing an ocular implant through a curved portion and a distal opening of the delivery tool to place a body portion of the ocular implant in Schlemm's canal and an inlet portion of the ocular implant in the anterior chamber.
US09351867B2

A method of treating prolapse of a vagina includes inserting a shell into the vagina; contacting a convex exterior apex of the shell with an interior apical portion of the vagina; and securing a first portion of an anchor to the shell and securing a second portion of the anchor to a ligament or a sacrum exterior to and separate from the vagina.
US09351862B2

Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided.
US09351858B2

A joint and method for producing a joint in an endovascular graft. In one embodiment, a flap of a flexible material portion of an endovascular graft is folded about a portion of an expandable member to form a loop portion. The flap is secured in the loop configuration so that tensile force on the expandable member is transferred into a shear force on the fixed portion of the flap.
US09351851B2

Devices and methods are provided for measuring and/or adjusting the distance between two opposing surfaces of a work space, such as two vertebral bodies separated by a disc space. A sizing device may include at least one distraction member, an actuator, and an actuator controller. The actuator controller is movable to move the actuator, with movement of the actuator changing the height dimension of the distraction member. The amount of movement of the actuator controller is generally linearly related to the change of the height dimension of the distraction member. The amount of expansion force applied by the distraction member is also generally linearly related to the amount of movement of the actuator controller.
US09351843B2

Systems and methods for the treatment of a joint are provided. These systems and methods may also include a subchondral treatment of bone of the same joint. These joint treatment methods may be non-surgical or surgical. Also provided are devices and instruments associated with the methods.
US09351838B2

A deformable prosthetic member, including an acetabular shell, can be formed of appropriate materials to engage a liner. The deformable member can include one or more feature to deform and engage a second member, such as a liner, in a selected position. A plurality of deformable features allows for a plurality of possible positions for the second member.
US09351833B2

A dynamic, adjustable annuloplasty ring sizer can include an adjustable ring replica, which can be adjusted through a range of sizes corresponding to available prosthetic annuloplasty repair ring sizes. Actuation of an adjustment trigger on a handle portion of the ring sizer can displace tension wires that extend through a malleable shaft and through a plurality of articulating segments that form the ring replica. Displacement of the tension wires causes flexion of the joints between adjacent articulating segments, thereby reducing the overall size of the ring replica. Releasing the tension wires can allow an elastic extension wire to act on the ring replica, enlarging the ring replica to its maximum, at-rest size. In this manner, the appropriate size of annuloplasty ring prosthesis can be determined with a single device, without requiring a plurality of static ring sizers that require individual insertion and placement for the conventional trial-and-error sizing methods.
US09351826B2

A system and method of replacing a lens to treat a cataract is disclosed. Cataractous tissue is ablated via a multi-photon process using focused, ultra-short laser pulses. Multi-photon ablation requires an energy intensity between 1013 to 1015 W/cm2. Using lasers having femto-second duration pulses, this intensity is achieved with 50 micro-Joules of energy, allowing material disruption with very little heating or shock. The multi-photon ablated material is removed through a micro-channel that leads from the multi-photon ablated region to at least the surface of the eye. Once the material is removed a pre-polymer fluid is injected in to fill the void. This polymerizes into a gel once inside the lens. The polymerized, transformed material matches both the transparency to visible light and the Young's modulus of healthy lens.
US09351823B2

A breast implant and process to optimize the treatment of breast cancer patients that offers more effective alternatives in breast reconstruction and simultaneously administers regional therapies in order to minimize the possibility of local recurrences. The breast implant comprises an inner porous core contained by an elastic holding layer with a system of tubes and conducts within it covered with biodegradable chemotherapeutic and attaching layers.
US09351821B2

A blood filter includes a hub, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of arms. Each of the legs includes a hook at a distal end thereof, a first linear segment extending substantially parallel to a hub longitudinal axis, a second linear segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a first angle, and an intermediate linear segment coupled to the first and second segments, the intermediate segment extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle less than the first angle. Each of the arms has a free end closer to the longitudinal axis than the hook of each of the legs. The free ends of the arms are spaced radially transverse to the longitudinal axis at substantially the same radial distance.
US09351820B2

A device for repair surgery of cylindrical organs, particularly ruptured tendons, is configured as a tubular sheath (T) made of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The tubular sheath comprises an elastic fiber mesh formed by electrospinning of said polymer and has an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface substantially parallel thereto. One of said wall surfaces is comparatively rough (WR) and the other one of said wall surfaces is comparatively smooth (WS), with the tubular sheath having a Young elasticity modulus of about 2 to about 5 MPa and an elongation at break of about 50 to about 1,000%. Preferably, the polymer is a biodegradable polyester urethane block copolymer with poly-hydroxy-butyrate as a hard 10 segment and ε-caprolactone as a soft segment.
US09351819B2

Devices and methods for treating an abdominal incision or hernia are described. An implant for the restoration or prophylactic treatment of an abdominal wall comprises an elongate element and at least one sheet connected to the elongate element along a longitudinal axis of the elongate element. The elongate element is positioned along the line of incision, and the at least one sheet is secured to the abdominal muscles surrounding the incision.
US09351817B1

Disclosed herein is a dental anesthetic injection device. The dental anesthetic injection device includes a laser generator, a pressure generator filled with a liquid for generating pressure, which expands due to a laser emitted by the laser generator, an anesthetic container which contains an anesthetic for dental use, a separation film disposed between the pressure generator and the anesthetic container and formed to be elastically deformable to transfer expansion energy of the pressure generator to the anesthetic container, and a replacement nozzle detachably coupled with the anesthetic container to be replaceable depending on an oral environment and configured to jet the anesthetic of the anesthetic container toward an oral cavity.
US09351811B2

Provided is an orthodontic bracket that is capable of a more effective motion on the tooth surface. The orthodontic bracket includes a substrate surface that is bonded to the tooth surface and an arch wire retaining portion that is configured to retain an arch wire with the substrate surface as a bottom surface, the orthodontic bracket being connected by the arch wire and continuously applying a stress to individual teeth to thereby straighten a row of teeth, wherein the orthodontic bracket is in an approximately cambered cross-sectional shape that is orthogonal to the direction in which the arch wire is stretched with the substrate surface bonded to the tooth surface as the bottom surface, and is provided with a plurality of arch wire through holes respectively for inserting the arch wires into the holes and connecting adjacent orthodontic brackets by the arch wires.
US09351809B2

The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both.
US09351801B2

A dental hand instrument having an elongate handle sleeve, at the front end of which there is disposed a tool holder for holding a treatment tool, for example a dental drill, there is disposed inside the handle sleeve a driving mechanism for driving the treatment tool, the driving mechanism having at least two rotatably mounted shafts that are coupled to each other, and a sealing element is disposed in the coupling region of the two shafts inside the handle sleeve.
US09351795B2

A medical drape is disclosed. The drape comprises a main portion having a front side, a back side, a first edge, a second edge, a top, and a bottom. The first and second edges are positioned opposite one another. The top and the bottom are positioned opposite one other. The drape further comprises a first and a second fenestration extending completely through the main portion and spaced generally equidistant from a vertical axis. The vertical axis is generally parallel to the first and second edges. The drape further comprises a third and a fourth fenestration extending completely through the main portion and are spaced generally equidistant from the vertical axis. The first and second fenestrations are closer to the top than the third and fourth fenestrations.
US09351783B2

A method and system for performing pulmonary vein isolation, mapping, and assessing pulmonary vein occlusion using a single device. The device may generally include an ablation element, such as a cryoballoon, and a sensing component slidably disposed within a lumen of the device and bearing one or more mapping electrodes and one or more pressure sensors. The method may generally include mapping cardiac electrical signals within a heart and/or pulmonary vein, positioning a distal portion of the sensing component within a pulmonary vein, advancing the ablation element until it is in contact with the pulmonary vein ostium, recording blood pressure measurements within the pulmonary vein with the one or more pressure sensors to assess pulmonary vein occlusion, and activating the treatment element when the pulmonary vein is completely occluded. The sensing component may have a straight or hooped configuration, or a configuration therebetween.
US09351775B2

A bone plate having at least one screw hole adapted to receive a bone screw, a blocker having a blocking end for blocking a bone screw from further backout of bone the blocker being predisposed in a blocking position wherein the blocking end at least partially overlaps a portion of the screw hole, the blocker being moveable from the blocking position by contact with the bone screw during insertion of the bone screw into the screw hole, and a blocker fixation element having an open orientation at which the blocker can move from the blocking position and a closed orientation preventing substantial movement of the blocker from the blocking position. The blocker fixation element cannot be moved to the closed orientation unless the screw head passes the blocker, thereby revealing that the blocker fixation element is in position to prevent substantial movement of the blocker.
US09351772B2

Methods and devices for facilitating the treatment and repair of nasal sinus afflictions utilizing devices that are positioned within proximity of the nasal sinus and the afflicted location. The methods and devices are particularly beneficial for the treatment of sinusitis, broken noses, sleep apnea, cleft palates and deviated septums. In addition, the devices may enhance and expedite patient recovery and reduce or mitigate bleeding.
US09351771B2

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for fusion, stabilization, or fixation of bones are provided.
US09351770B2

A system and associated surgical method for the correction of a spinal deformity by derotating one or more vertebrae of the spine, including: a rotation rod; a cephalad extender configured to be rotatably coupled to the rotation rod and coupled to a cephalad vertebra; a caudal extender configured to be rotatably coupled to the rotation rod and coupled to a caudal vertebra; and one or more intermediate extenders configured to be coupled to one or more intermediate vertebrae; wherein, when the rotation rod is rotated, a portion of the rotation rod engages a portion of the one or more intermediate extenders, causing the one or more intermediate extenders to rotate about an axis of the spine, thereby causing the one or more intermediate vertebrae to also rotate about the axis. The extenders are each coupled to their respective vertebra via a pedicle screw or the like.
US09351758B2

A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.
US09351756B2

A valvuloplasty catheter comprises a balloon or other expansible shell which carries a plurality of scoring elements, typically formed in an elastic, self-dosing metal cage. The expansible shell and scoring elements are positioned inside an aortic or other cardiac valve, and the shell expanded to engage the scoring elements against stenotic material which covers the valve leaflets and valve annulus. The scoring elements uniformly districuted force to break up the stenotic material, and the cage further contributes to rapid balloon deflation allowing shortening of the treatment time.
US09351750B2

Devices and methods are described for improving drainage and/or aeration of maxillary sinuses and for treating maxillary sinus disease. Spacer devices are implanted through natural or man-made openings in the maxillary sinus. In some embodiments, the spacer device is loaded with a therapeutic substance which then exits the device over a desired time period to treat maxillary sinus disease.
US09351741B2

A device for removing tissue from a patient may include an elongate flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate body having opposed first and second major surfaces with a lateral orientation across the axis, and a plurality of blades distributed laterally across the first major surface. Each blade may have a first end adjacent the first surface and extending to a cantilevered second end, a first edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the distal end of the elongate body, a second edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the proximal end of the elongate body, a height of the blade between its first and second ends, and an axial length of the blade between its first and second edges.
US09351730B2

A tissue thickness compensator can comprise a tissue contacting surface and a network of channels defined in the tissue contacting surface. In at least one embodiment, the channels can be configured to store at least one medicament therein. In certain embodiments, the channels can define gripping surfaces configured to grip tissue. In various embodiments, the tissue contacting surface can further comprise ridges extending therefrom.
US09351729B2

Reinforcing lumen rings are configured and adapted for use in conjunction with a circular endoscopic stapling instrument having a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. The reinforcing lumen rings maintain anastomotic lumen, e.g. as formed by the circular endoscopic stapling apparatus, in an open condition. The reinforcing lumen rings can include an annular ring having an outer terminal edge and an inner terminal edge, the outer terminal edge having a diameter which is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the staple cartridge assembly and the inner terminal edge having a diameter which is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the staple cartridge assembly.
US09351716B2

Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a delivery system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes an actuation assembly operatively coupled to a medical device including an anchor portion and an occluder portion. The actuation assembly is configured to move the anchor portion between a deployed state and retracted state while the occluder portion maintains a deployed state. With this arrangement, the deployed occluder portion can be visualized via imaging at a preferred position prior to deploying the anchor portion of the medical device.
US09351708B2

An automatic, stand-alone, hand-held ultrasound blood-vessel examination device includes a reduced number of transducer elements and presents a simplified user interface, without the need for displaying an image of any of the vessels. The probe, in one embodiment, acquires and examines a volume of interest, searches for a target vessel, tests the vessel for normality of blood flow, and reports the diagnosis, all automatically and without need for user intervention. In another embodiment, the probe finds a body vessel in a volume, and extracts a clinical Doppler parameter, all automatically and without need for user intervention.
US09351705B2

A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope includes a light source configured to emit a light pulse, a signal detection or transmission unit configured to detect or emit an ultrasonic pulse, and a rotatable reflector. The rotatable reflector is configured to reflect at least one of the light pulse and the ultrasonic pulse into a target area of an object, and reflect a response signal to the signal detection unit. The response signal is one of a photoacoustic wave generated by the object responsive to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object responsive to the ultrasonic pulse.
US09351702B2

A mechanical scanning device is composed of an oscillating beam onto which a transducer is mounted, part of which is flexible such that the beam will oscillate at a frequency between 8 and 15 Hz when mechanically energized. To sustain oscillations, energy is supplied by means of two electromagnetic coils acting on two permanent magnets mounted on either side of the beam. In order to improve the linear performance of the probe, feedback control was employed. A position sensor along with supporting electronics was designed to provide control signal for the feedback system.
US09351700B2

A scanning method and device are provided. The method includes: determining values for a first scanning dosage and a second scanning dosage used in a scanning process based on a trigger condition which varies regularly and attenuation fluctuations of an object to be scanned, wherein the first scanning dosage is higher than the second scanning dosage, and at least one of the first scanning dosage and the second scanning dosage has an inconstant value; and scanning a target position with the determined values. In the present disclosure, a scanning dosage may be reduced and different image noises may be kept consistent.
US09351697B2

The invention relates generally to the measurement and dimensional analysis of an object and, more particularly, to the correction of distortion in volumetric data of the object using dimensional data of the object. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of analyzing an object, the method comprising: acquiring volumetric data of an object using an X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system; acquiring dimensional data of the object using a vision-based system; determining whether the volumetric data include a distortion; and in the case that the volumetric data are determined to include a distortion, correcting the distortion in the volumetric data using the dimensional data.
US09351693B2

An imaging system (500) includes an annular shaped rotating gantry (504) having an aperture (501) and configured to support at least a radiation source, wherein the rotating gantry rotates about a rotation axis (508) around an examination region, and wherein the rotation axis is located within the aperture in a center region (508) of the examination region. The imaging system further includes a stationary gantry (502), configured to rotatably support the rotating gantry. The stationary gantry includes a gantry base (516), an annular shaped tilt frame (518) that rotatably supports the rotating gantry, and a tilt system (520) affixed to and between the gantry base and the tilt frame, wherein the tilt system defines a tilt axis (522) of the stationary gantry, the tilt axis is located between the gantry base and the rotation axis, and the tilt frame tilts about the tilt axis.
US09351687B2

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one electronic, optical, or electro-optical component positioned within a distal portion of the device and one or more connectors positioned at a distal portion of the device. In some instances, the connectors are flexible coils, such as a ribbon coil, formed of a conductive material. In some particular instances, the conductive coil is embedded within a polymer tubing. Further, in some embodiments the electronic, optical, or electro-optical component is positioned within a flexible element at the distal portion of the device. In some instances the flexible element is a coil. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.
US09351686B1

An oximeter probe includes sensor head with a probe face having one or more sensor structures to make measurements, a handle, and an elastic member connected between the handle and the base. A user can hold the handle while measurements are made and the elastic member permits the handle to flex relative to the sensor head with one or more sensor structures.
US09351685B2

An optical sensor, having a cover layer, an emitter disposed on a first side of the cover, a detector disposed on the first side of said cover, and a plurality of stacked independent adhesive layers disposed on the same first side of the cover, wherein the top most exposed adhesive layer is attached to a patient's skin. Thus, when the sensor is removed to perform a site check of the tissue location, one of the adhesive layers may also be removed and discarded, exposing a fresh adhesive surface below for re-attachment to a patient's skin. The independent pieces of the adhesive layers can he serially used to extend the useful life of the product.
US09351682B2

A sensor interface system for providing a connection between at least one sensor and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the sensor(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The sensor interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the sensor(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynamometer.
US09351680B2

An analyte monitoring system is provided. The system may include a housing (200) and a visual display (206) on the housing (200), the visual display (206) having at lease one visual indicator position next to a corresponding marking (208, 210, 212, 214 and 216) on the housing (200). The system may include a processor (60) driving the visual display (206), wherein the processor (60) runs software that is modifiable to provide a variable user interface on the visual display (206). The system may include a wireless communication to allow applets or programs to be down-loaded by the processor (60).
US09351679B2

The specification describes a cartridge for insertion into a meter, the interior of the meter comprising a boss having a main body and a protrusion extending from the main body. The cartridge comprises an orientation member provided at one end of the cartridge, the orientation member comprising a recess having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of the boss and configured to receive the boss therein, the orientation member further comprising a ramp surrounding at least part of the portion of the recess corresponding to the main body, the portion of the recess which corresponds to the protrusion adjoining the lower end of the ramp via a step.
US09351662B2

Described herein are various technologies pertaining to diagnosing and/or prescribing treatment for osteoporosis. A bone of a patient is subjected to an MRI scan, and the resultant signal is subjected to a likelihood function. The output of the likelihood function are values that are parameters that are employed to ascertain connectivity of trabeculae in the bone of the patient and volumetric trabecular density of the bone.
US09351644B2

This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
US09351633B2

A Laryngoscope system for controlling and monitoring characteristics associated with airway management and a remote access unit continuously interfacing through instant wireless private direct connectivity to a laryngoscope. The system also includes a plurality of sensors and controllers that measure and control characteristics and provide the remote unit with measurements and control results. In other aspects, the laryngoscope and display unit are sensitive to movement and may power on and off with motion or absence of motion. In another aspect, the laryngoscope is capable of wirelessly communicating with the screen for command and control of the Laryngoscope and laryngoscope system.
US09351631B2

A bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope includes a rod member that is disposed along a traveling path of a long member that is connected to a bending portion that is bendable and is pulled, a support member made of metal that is integrally provided to support both ends of the rod member, an adjustment piece that is engaged with the rod member, is movable along the rod member, and restricts movement of the long member, a guide member made of resin having a guide surface for guiding movement of the adjustment piece, wherein the guide member is fixed in a state in which the guide member is sandwiched between the adjustment piece and the support member so that the guide surface is disposed in a position capable of guiding the adjustment piece.
US09351616B2

A window cleaning apparatus includes a first cleaning unit and a second cleaning unit that is attached to both sides of a window, respectively, by a magnetic force and moved on the sides, and a method of controlling a movement of the window cleaning apparatus. The method includes detecting the first initial attachment position of the window cleaning apparatus and moving the window cleaning apparatus close to the detected initial attachment position after cleaning.
US09351615B2

A storage caddy for a cleaning implement can include a holder configured to receive a wand or cleaning implement and a storage container having a lid connected to the storage container. The storage caddy can also include a tray for holding a first set of cleaning pads and a sleeve for holding a second set of cleaning pads. The first set of cleaning pads can be arranged in an upper portion of the storage container above the second set of cleaning pads, and the second set of cleaning pads can be located in a lower portion of the storage container. The wand or cleaning implement can be configured to receive one of the first set of cleaning pads from the tray or one of the second set of cleaning pads from the sleeve.
US09351614B2

A quick installation hinge seat of a closestool cover plate includes two hinge shafts and two support seats. Each hinge shaft has a pin hole for connection of a pin provided on each support seat. A button switch is mounted between the two hinge shafts to control the pin in the pin hole. The button switch includes a hinge pipe, a button seat, a lock control rod slidable in the radial direction of the hinge pipe, a spring, and a button to press the lock control rod. Two ends of the lock control rod are axially inserted in the two hinge shafts respectively and slideable radially. Each of the two ends of the lock control rod has a locking plate and an unlocking plate. The locking plate and the unlocking plate are arranged in a stagger manner. Each pin has a locking groove and an unlocking groove thereon.
US09351610B2

Provided is a food processor with shredding and/or slicing functions, including a driving device and a main component; the main component includes a main body, a lid, a transmission axle and a cutterhead component; the cutterhead component includes a fixed cutterhead and a movable cutterhead, a cutter body is disposed on the fixed cutterhead or the movable cutterhead, a cutting channel is formed between a cutting edge of the cutter body and the movable cutterhead or the fixed cutterhead for cut-out food passing through; the main component further includes a height adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a height of the cutting channel, and an operation part of the height adjusting mechanism is disposed on the lid. With the food processor of the present disclosure, the thickness of cut-out food can be adjusted without removing the lid, which is convenient for operating.
US09351607B2

A multi-purpose unit configured for fire usage having a body with an interior volume selectively closable by doors attached to sidewalls spaced between a base and a top. The interior volume contains spaces for grilling, baking, and heating. The heating space houses a grate to support a heat source. The grate is positionable between a first position generally adjacent the base and a second position generally adjacent the baking or grilling space. The intensity of heat in the baking and grilling spaces is adjusted by positing the heat source closer to or further from the space. In one embodiment the heating space may be exposed by selectively opening one or more doors over the space for use as an outdoor fire pit.
US09351603B2

A flowmeter (1) comprises: an outermost casing (2,4) containing a measuring chamber (10); an outermost face (20) on the casing; a generator (3,36) for generating at the outermost face a signal representative of a flow through the measuring chamber; and a connection arrangement (28) for fastening the outermost casing against a PCB (50) which extends over and beyond the outermost casing and contains a sensor (51) that is located at the outermost face and that is configured to sense the signal from the generator upon connection. The connection arrangement is configured for connection against the PCB, which connection between the PCB and the casing is distinct from the sensor.
US09351601B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a coffee beverage in a brewing chamber (36) of a coffee machine (10) and to a coffee machine (10) for performing a method for producing a coffee beverage. The aim of the invention is to improve the dispensing of coffee, especially in its first phase, in order to avoid undesired splashing due to increased pressure of the coffee beverage at the coffee beverage outlet (47), According to the method of the invention, the brewing water is supplied to the brewing water inlet (35-1) of the brewing chamber (36) at a first volume flow rate during a first period of time (T1) of a first brewing phase (a), and during a second period of time (T2) of the first brewing phase (a), the brewing water is supplied to the brewing water inlet (35-1) of the brewing chamber (36) at a second volume flow rate, wherein the first volume flow rate and the second volume flow rate are both different from zero and wherein the second volume flow rate is lower than the first volume flow rate.
US09351596B2

A disposable beverage cup is provided to be received by a cup holder having a cup engagement means associated with an opening of the cup holder. The beverage cup comprises a base, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the base to define a cup opening, and at least one projection disposed substantially horizontally on an outer surface of the sidewall a predetermined height above the base, the projection extending a predetermined distance outwardly from the sidewall. The at least one projection is configured to engage with the cup holder cup engagement means to retain the cup in the cup holder such that the cup is twisted a predetermined angle about a longitudinal axis of the cup to release the cup projection from engagement with the cup holder engagement means. In an alternative embodiment, the projection can be replaced by at least one depression disposed substantially horizontally in an outer surface of the sidewall a predetermined height above the base, the depression extending a predetermined distance inwardly from the sidewall so that the at least one depression is configured to engage with the cup holder cup engagement means to retain the cup in the cup holder such that the cup is twisted a predetermined angle about a longitudinal axis of the cup to release the cup depression from engagement with the cup holder engagement means.
US09351594B2

Disclosed here are methods, devices, paradigms and structures for wiring a picture frame, and for generating user defined templates for hanging picture frames wired using the device in various layouts. The device allows the maker of the frame to install a hanging wire to the frame at a predefined position, for example, at a predefined distance from a top edge of the frame. A spring-loaded peg mounted on a flat slab, at a predefined distance from a wall member of the device, allows wiring the frame such that the apex of the wire is at the predefined distance from the top edge of the frame. The frame is placed in the device with the top edge of the frame adjacent to the wall member. The flat slab is configured to move vertically on a channel guide mounted on the wall member to accommodate varying thickness of the frame.
US09351593B1

A first frame has a top edge and a bottom edge, and a left edge and a right edge, and an exterior face and an interior face. A first picture is on the exterior face of the first frame. A second picture is on the interior face of the first frame. A second frame has a top edge and a bottom edge, and a left edge and a right edge, and an exterior face and an interior face. A first mirror is on the interior face of the second frame. A support leg is pivotably supported on the exterior face of the second frame for resting the system on a horizontal counter top.
US09351587B2

A play yard system for infants or small children. They play yard includes a frame, and the system includes at least one child support unit for mounting to the frame of the play yard. The at least one child support unit may take the form of a bassinet and/or a changing table. The play yard frame may be collapsible for storage and transport, and the child support unit may be removable from the play yard frame.
US09351572B2

A bathroom shelf assembly and a bathroom shelf having the same are provided. The bathroom shelf assembly includes a tubular member, at least one inserting member, a first rod member and at least one first connecting bar. The tubular member has a tubular wall and an interior channel extending between two ends thereof, and the tubular wall is formed with at least one first through hole. The inserting member is disposed in the tubular channel and has an axial through bore parallel to the interior channel. The first rod member is disposed through the axial through bore in the interior channel. At least one end of each first connecting bar is formed with a first radial slot, and each first connecting bar is disposed through corresponding through hole and spraddled onto the first rod member via the first radial slot.
US09351567B2

Provided is a prefabricated shelf which can be used to display or store various products or items in a shop or a warehouse, and may include, but is not limited to, a vertical frame, a horizontal frame and a shelf panel. A horizontal frame having an engaging slot that is engaged to the vertical frame having a plurality of engaging protrusions in a predetermined arrangement, thus easily and durably assembling the shelf without using a separate engaging member, for example, a screw, a bolt, etc., and if necessary it is possible to freely adjust the height of the shelf panel of the prefabricated shelf.
US09351562B2

A device to set up on a regular work desk—and to extend such a regular work desk—so that the user can work standing up which is healthier than sitting down for extended periods of time as most the nation's work force does. The device has been especially designed for quick adoption in large corporations. The device is easily removable and foldable into a small volume. The device is composed of a foldable base on which is placed a flat top board, itself foldable. The base is configured in an series of elements articulated to form a multi-pointed star. Height adjusting feet are added. Board and base are made of light materials.
US09351561B2

A multipurpose brush mechanism featuring an attachment and retainer mechanism to provide ease of use and effective storage for professional painters and consumers alike. The attachment mechanism includes an embedded hook which may be removably attached and may utilize numerous clip mechanisms and magnetic attraction members. The brush functions as an ordinary paint brush but the magnetic attachments allow it hang inside a paint can, or on any other accessory. The multifunctional hook can also allow for easy storage when the project is completed.
US09351560B2

A cleaning device for cleaning a plumbing fixture with a solution comprises a vessel, bristles at the bottom of the vessel that extend into the vessel, and a retainer configured to retain the vessel in a working position. The retainer may be a drawstring with a stop to secure the drawstring. The retainer may retain the vessel in the working position by sufficiently narrowing the opening defined by the vessel. In use, the vessel surrounds the fixture and the bristles lie adjacent to the fixture. The vessel holds the cleaning solution to thereby at least partially submerge the fixture in the cleaning solution. The bristles may be used to scrub the fixture.
US09351544B2

A coupling structure includes: a rod-shaped rod attached to a first end of an accessory; and a receiving portion attached to a second end of the accessory and an insertion hole portion, which receives the rod, and an accommodating portion. The receiving portion includes: a cylindrical slider into which at least a tip end portion of the rod is inserted and which is slidable and rotatable in the insertion hole and the accommodating portion; a guide groove configured to restrict the movement of the slider to switch the position of the slider to a first position or a second position; and a locking pin that inhibits the movement of the rod in the receiving portion in a pull-out direction when the slider is located at the first position and that allows the rod to move when the slider is located at the second position.
US09351543B2

A releasable fastener assembly which includes a first panel carrying an area of a first engagement material; and a second panel carrying an area of a second engagement material. The first and second engagement materials are releasably securable to one another. A portion of a perimeter of the area of the second engagement material defines a recess which extends in a direction nonparallel to an edge of the second panel and into the area of the second engagement material. The recess is accessible from the edge of the second panel. Further included is a method for using the releasable fastener assembly.
US09351540B2

A last assembly includes a plurality of retractable pins and a plurality of vacuum holes, both acting to hold footwear segments to the last assembly to facilitate manufacturing of, or modification to, an article of footwear. A method of making or modifying an article of footwear includes placing footwear segments on the last assembly by associating an extension portion of at least one footwear segment with the retractable pins, modifying the footwear segments and then removing the extension portion.
US09351527B1

An attachable/detachable sleeve removably secured to the bra strap of the wearer before the wearer puts on the desired article of clothing. The sleeve can be constructed of a sheer fabric, such as, but not limited to, a chiffon-like material, that drapes over the shoulder and gives partial concealment or a veil like coverage as a short sleeve in a fashionable manner. With the article of clothing on the wearer, the sleeve appears as if it was always part of the original design of the clothing and the article of clothing covers the securement of the sleeve to the bra strap. The sleeve offers versatility as it can attach and remove easily from the bra strap and provides a unique fashion accessory that creates a comfortable solution to enhance and transform any outfit from daytime to evening.
US09351523B2

A skirt liner 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a skirt-type main body 10, and an abdomen and crotch tightening part 20 joined at one end side thereof to a region around a front waist part of the main body 10, extending from the one end side so as to cover an abdominal part and a crotch part, and joined at the other end side thereof to a back lower center of the main body 10, in which the portion of the abdomen and crotch tightening part 20 other than the one end side and the other end side is unjoined to the main body 10.
US09351520B2

Cigarettes and cigarette components such as tobacco cut filler and cigarette paper, and methods for making cigarette components are provided that comprise nanostructured fibrils. The nanostructured fibrils, which can be formed and deposited in situ on tobacco cut filler and/or cigarette paper by laser vaporization controlled condensation or chemical reaction, are capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Cigarettes are provided that comprise tobacco cut filler and cigarette paper, wherein nanostructured fibrils are deposited on, or incorporated in, at least one of the tobacco cut filler and cigarette paper.
US09351517B2

Provided are compositions that contain water-soluble vitamin E derivative mixtures (compositions), such as tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS), TPGS analogs, TPGS homologs and TPGS derivatives. The water-soluble vitamin E mixtures contain mixtures that include dimers and monomers of the vitamin E derivative, where the amount of dimer is greater than 12%, such as 29%, 35%, 50%, 60%, and the amount of monomer is less than 87%, by weight, of the water-soluble vitamin E derivative mixture. Also provided are products containing the water-soluble vitamin E derivative mixtures, including concentrates for dilution into aqueous beverages and compositions for direct ingestion.
US09351513B2

A product for cooking a food in oil and/or fat is provided. An adjusted pH protein suspension is produced in an aqueous or dry form and includes myofibrillar proteins and sarcoplasmic proteins substantially free of myofibrils and sarcomeres. The amount of oil and/or fat absorbed by the food during cooking is substantially reduced while the food retains its color and taste.
US09351512B2

A method is provided of prolonging the shelf life of probiotic lactic-acid producing bacteria formulated in oil, by using a specific moisture absorbing technology.
US09351510B2

Stable thickener formulations and nutritional compositions having the stable thickener formulations are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a stable thickener formulation comprising from about 0.015% to about 0.05% by weight of carrageenan and from about 1.2% to about 4.0% by weight of starch. The stable thickener formulation can be used in nutritional compositions used to treat a variety of physiological conditions.
US09351506B2

A food product having at least a first part and a second part, where the water activity of the first part is lower than the water activity of the second part, and a moisture barrier between the first part and the second part, wherein the moisture barrier is formed upon dehydration of an emulsion comprising lipid a biopolymer emulsifier.
US09351505B2

A process for extraction of crude oil from DDGS and producing corn distillers meal that may be used as a livestock supplement is disclosed. For example, the corn distillers meal may be used as a crude protein supplement for use in a livestock feed diet or a poultry feed diet.
US09351497B1

A meat tenderizer having a handle; a plurality of spaced apart curved blades; a plurality of cross bars; a right side plate; and a left side plate, the convex edges of the curved blades not being sharpened, the blades attached at each end thereof near one end of the side plates, the handle being attached at each end thereof near the other end of the side plates, the cross bars being attached to and across the concave edges of the blades. In addition, a method for tenderizing a cut of meat by rocking a plurality of curved blades into a cut of meat, the convex edges of the blades not being sharpened, the depth of impression of the blades into the meat being limited by a plurality of cross bars attached to and across the concave edge of the blades so that a portion of the fibers of the meat are severed by the impression of the blades into the meat thereby tenderizing the cut of meat.
US09351496B2

Provided are a production device and a production method for producing layered food having an outer shape and an inner hole shape formed into a shape different from a circular shape. A production device for layered food (1) includes: a dough supply section (3) for causing liquid dough to adhere to an outer circumference of a spit (12); a dough baking section (4) for baking the liquid dough to form baked dough (11) around the spit (12); conveyance means (5) for conveying the spit (12) between the dough supply section (3) and the dough baking section (4); a forming tool (70) including a forming surface (70A) conforming to a shape of at least a part of an outer shape of the spit (12); and drive means (71) for pressing the forming tool (70) against the baked dough (11) in the shape of the layer that is formed around the spit (12).
US09351489B2

The present invention relates to cyanoenamine derivatives, their process of preparation, intermediate compounds, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions, and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants and in material protection, using these compounds or compositions.
US09351482B2

A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.
US09351478B2

An interactive cat entertainment device wherein light elements are incorporated into a carpet in a pattern. The light elements are controlled through a microprocessor or electronic circuitry that activates the lights sequentially to provide the appearance of a moving object to a cat or similar animal.
US09351473B2

The present invention relates to lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.) which may comprise a genetic determinant, which when homozygous present in a seed, provides the seed in an unprimed state with the capability to germinate at a high temperature, which genetic determinant is obtainable from a lettuce plant which may comprise said genetic determinant, representative seed which was deposited with the NCIMB under accession number NCIMB 41914, NCIMB 41915, NCIMB 41916, NCIMB 41917, NCIMB 41918, NCIMB 41919, NCIMB 41922, NCIMB 41923, and NCIMB 41926.
US09351460B1

A novel maize variety designated X00D864 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X00D864 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00D864 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00D864, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00D864. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00D864.
US09351459B1

The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 1374689. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 1374689, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 1374689 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety 1374689.
US09351457B1

The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 2643350. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 2643350, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 2643350 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety 2643350.
US09351442B1

An apparatus for collecting leaves includes a mobile carrier and a leaf raking mechanism, hollow chute, blower unit and exhaust duct on the mobile carrier. The mobile carrier is movable forwardly over a surface during performance of leaf collection operations. Forced air flow produced by the blower unit is directed through the hollow chute from a rear end to a front end thereof past the leaf raking mechanism so as to create a vacuum effect in the hollow chute that assists the leaf raking mechanism in gathering leaves from the surface and delivering the leaves into the hollow chute where the leaves become entrained in the forced air flow directed to and through an outlet of the hollow chute and through the open top of a leaf collection bag, and into the bag, being disposed below the outlet of the hollow chute.
US09351437B2

A tool bar apparatus has an elongate tool bar having a longitudinal tool bar axis, and ground engaging tools fixed thereto. Wheels are rotatably fixed to the tool bar and roll about a rotational axis parallel to the tool bar. A hitch frame is pivotally attached at a rear end thereof to the tool bar about a hitch pivot axis parallel to the tool bar axis, and has a hitch tongue at a front end thereof. An actuator pivots the tool bar about the hitch pivot axis from an operating position, where the ground engaging tools extend rearward, to a transport position where the ground engaging tools extend upward from the tool bar. The wheels move rearward under the tool bar when the tool bar pivots from the operating position to the transport position such that a downward force is exerted on the hitch tongue when in the transport position.
US09357681B2

A data center row infrastructure module enables rapid deployment of a computing room enclosure for computer systems that provides intake air circulation to, and exhaust air removal from, the computer systems in the enclosure. The data center row infrastructure module includes free-standing exhaust plenum structures encompassing opposite sides of the enclosure and a plenum module spanning a top end of the enclosure between the free-standing exhaust plenum structures. Each free-standing exhaust plenum structure includes an internal exhaust air plenum that directs exhaust air received from the enclosure through an exhaust air outlet on a top end of the free-standing exhaust plenum structure. The plenum module establishes a bottom end of a cooling air plenum above and separate from the enclosure and between the free-standing exhaust plenum structures. Some plenum modules can direct cooling air directly to the enclosure as intake air. Some plenum modules can mix cooling air with recirculated exhaust to provide the intake air.
US09357676B2

A cooling device includes: a heat dissipating part disposed at an end of a heat transfer member; a heat-receiving plate disposed at the other end of the heat transfer member, provided opposite to a noise-generating part mounted on a circuit board, and thermally coupled to the noise-generating part; and a shielding unit disposed at the other end of the heat transfer member, the shielding unit covering the noise-generating part.
US09357669B2

An improved locking cover assembly to prevent access to rack-mounted equipment and the connections to and from conventional rack systems without trays or hinges. The locking cover assembly includes a three-sided front cover that slides onto mounting brackets, which are fastened to either the rack system via rack holes, rack ears, or over rack-mounted equipment. An internal tie bar allows the user to secure connections to the tie bar within the cover assembly. A locking mechanism attached to the front cover locks into the mounting brackets, and when locked, the cover assembly and mounting brackets preclude unauthorized access to the rack equipment, its connections, and the fasteners securing the both the rack-mounted equipment and mounting brackets.
US09357666B1

An IT device includes a system board, a drive controller system, a mid-plane assembly, a bridge connector assembly configured to releasably couple the system board and the drive controller system, and a second connector assembly configured to releasably couple the drive controller system and the mid-plane assembly.
US09357660B2

A printed wiring board includes a core substrate having opening, an electronic component device accommodated in the opening of the substrate and including inductor and passive components, a wiring structure connecting the inductor and passive components in the electronic device, a filler resin body filling space formed between the substrate and electronic device in the opening of the substrate, a first buildup layer including a first interlayer insulation layer on first surface of the substrate, a first conductive layer on the first insulation layer, and a first via conductor in the first insulation layer, and a second buildup layer including a second interlayer insulation layer on second surface of the substrate on the opposite side of the first surface of the substrate, a second conductive layer on the second insulation layer, and a second via conductor in the second insulation layer.
US09357649B2

An embodiment is a memory card including a rectangular printed circuit card having a first side and a second side, a first length of between 151.35 and 161.5 millimeters, and first and second ends having a second length smaller than the first length. The memory card also includes a first plurality of pins on the first side extending along a first edge of the rectangular printed circuit card that extends along a length of the rectangular printed circuit card, a second plurality of pins on the second side extending on the first edge of the rectangular printed circuit card, and a positioning key having its center positioned on the first edge of the rectangular printed circuit card and located between 94.0 and 95.5 millimeters from the first end of the rectangular printed circuit card.
US09357648B2

A multi-layer interposer substrate includes multiple layers of single interposer substrates. Each single interposer substrate has a first array of interposer interconnects, each interposer interconnect in the first array of interposer interconnects corresponding to interconnects in an array of processor interconnects, a second array of interposer interconnects, each interposer interconnect in the second array of the interposer interconnects corresponding to an array of circuit interconnects on a circuit substrate, and at least one conductive trace in the interposer substrate in connection with at least one interconnect in the first array of interposer interconnects. The conductive trace has a parallel portion parallel to the interposer substrate such that no electrical connection exists between the interconnect and a corresponding one of the interposer interconnects in the second array of interposer interconnects. An array of connections for a peripheral circuit on each single interposer is connected to the at least one conductive trace.
US09357644B2

According to one embodiment, a joined structural body for mounting an electronic component on the body which is provided with a first member, a second member and a joining portion. The joining portion is provided between the first member and the second member so as to connect the first member and the second member with each other mechanically. The joining portion contains at least one metal of a tin, an indium or a zinc, and a copper. The content of the metal in the joining portion decreases toward a side of at least one of the first member and the second member, and the content of the copper in the joining portion increases in the same direction as the decreasing direction of the content of the metal.
US09357639B2

In some embodiments, an interconnectable circuit board may include one or more of the following features: (a) a first electrically conductive pad located on a top of the circuit board, (b) a plated through hole on the conductive pad which passes through the circuit board, (c) a second electrically conductive pad coupled to the plated through hole; the second conductive pad capable of being electrically connected to a third electrically conductive pad attached to a top of a second interconnectable circuit board, (d) cut marks indicating safe locations for separating the circuit board, and (e) a second cut mark adjacent to the first cut mark where the area between the first and second cut mark can be utilized to make a safe cut through the circuit board.
US09357636B2

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a conductive structure body that comprises a darkening pattern layer having AlOxNy, and a method for manufacturing the same. The conductive structure body according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may prevent reflection by a conductive pattern layer without affecting conductivity of the conductive pattern layer, and improve a concealing property of the conductive pattern layer by improving absorbance. Accordingly, a display panel having improved visibility may be developed by using the conductive structure body according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
US09357631B2

An FPCB includes a flexible base, a wiring layer formed on a top surface of the base, a covering layer formed on the wiring layer, and a shielding layer formed on a portion of the covering layer. The wiring layer includes a grounding line. The covering layer defines an opening to expose the grounding line to the outside. A portion of the shielding layer fills into the opening. The shielding layer is electrically connected to the grounding line through the opening.
US09357630B2

Disclosed are an epoxy resin compound and a radiant heat circuit board using the same. The epoxy resin compound mainly includes an epoxy resin, a curing agent, and an inorganic filler. The curing agent comprises epoxy adducts formed to add the curing agent to a crystalline epoxy resin. The epoxy resin is used on a printed circuit board as an insulating material, so that a substrate having a high heat radiation property is provided.
US09357626B2

A laser driven light source comprises laser and focusing optics. These produce a beam of radiation focused on a plasma forming zone within a container containing a gas (e.g., Xe). Collection optics collects photons emitted by a plasma maintained by the laser radiation to form a beam of output radiation. Plasma has an elongate form (L>d) and collecting optics is configured to collect photons emerging in the longitudinal direction from the plasma. The brightness of the plasma is increased compared with sources which collect radiation emerging transversely from the plasma. A metrology apparatus using the light source can achieve greater accuracy and/or throughput as a result of the increased brightness. Back reflectors may be provided. Microwave radiation may be used instead of laser radiation to form the plasma.
US09357625B2

An initial pulse of radiation is generated; a section of the initial pulse of radiation is extracted to form a modified pulse of radiation, the modified pulse of radiation including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being temporally connected to the second portion, and the first portion having a maximum energy that is less than a maximum energy of the second portion; the first portion of the modified pulse of radiation is interacted with a target material to form a modified target; and the second portion of the modified pulse of radiation is interacted with the modified target to generate plasma that emits extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light.
US09357623B2

Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit. The circuit includes a transistor configured to control energy entering the circuit from a power supply, a capacitor coupled with the transistor to store the energy that enters the circuit, and a protection circuit configured to counteract a voltage change of the transistor that is caused by a step voltage change in the power supply. In an embodiment, the protection circuit operates independent of the stored energy on the capacitor.
US09357621B2

Disclosed are a lighting control apparatus, a lighting control method, and a lighting control system. The lighting control apparatus makes communication with lighting devices, registers at least one of the lighting devices according to received signal strengths of the lighting devices, and controls the registered lighting device. The lighting control apparatus easily registers and controls the lighting devices.
US09357619B2

A sheet processing device includes a supporting plate, a stapler, a casing, a protrusion structure, and a swinging arm. The casing is disposed over the supporting plate. A sheet conveying channel is formed between the supporting plate and the casing. The protrusion structure is disposed on a lower surface of the casing, located beside the stapler and accommodated within the sheet conveying channel. During the process of introducing a sheet into the supporting plate, the stapled side of the sheet is flattened by the protrusion structure, and thus the possibility of upturning the sheet is minimized. During the process of introducing the plural sheets to the stapler, the stapled sides of the plural sheets are flattened by the protrusion structure, and thus the formation of the folded corners of the sheets is avoided.
US09357617B2

A lighting control module provides an enclosure for a circuit board, with the circuit board being mounted to and grounded to the enclosure. A primary power system is provided to receive and transmit voltage to lighting circuits, utilizing a terminal bus bar, a main switch, a voltage selection switch, and a transformer. An auxiliary power system draws energy from portable power sources in the event of a main power source failure. The auxiliary power system includes an associated terminal bus bar and an auxiliary switch. The primary and auxiliary power systems are connected to the lighting circuits through a circuit protection unit, e.g. fuse. The lighting circuits have both positive and negative terminals, LED indicators, switches, and individual fuses. The lighting circuits can be turned on and off individually by virtue of the switches for each lighting circuit. Status indicators and ground terminals are also provided.
US09357616B2

A patient monitoring device comprising a display unit comprising a plurality of light sources, wherein the plurality of light sources is configured to backlight a medical image film placed on the display unit for viewing the medical image film, and a control unit configured to activate the plurality of light sources based on a user input.
US09357613B2

The invention provides a display and lighting arrangement (100) comprising a display unit (110), a sensor system (120), a control unit (130) and a lighting system (140), wherein the sensor system (120) is configured to sense a person (1) in a predetermined area (2) and to generate a corresponding sensor system signal. The lighting system (140) comprises a first light source (141) configured to provide front face light (41) to the person (1) and a second light source (142) configured to provide top light (42) to the person (1) in the predetermined area (2). The control unit (130) is configured to derive a person feature from the sensor system signal and to control, based on the person feature, the light (41) of the first light source (141) and the light (42) of the second light source (142). The display unit (110) is configured to display an image (5) of the person (1) located in the predetermined area (2) to the person (1) in the predetermined area (2).
US09357600B2

A lighting driver includes a rectifier having an input connected to receive AC electrical power from an electronic ballast and having an output connected to supply a current to a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in series with each other in a string, and a switching device disposed at the output of the rectifier and configured to receive a switching control signal and in response thereto to execute a switching operation to modulate an amount of power supplied to the plurality of LEDs so as to cause an average of the power supplied to the plurality of LEDs to be equal to a target power level. A current sensor may be provided to sense the current, and a controller configured to control the switching operation of the switching device in response to the sensed current.
US09357588B2

Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and melting of a transition material that is non-electrically conductive in the solid state and electrically conductive in the non-solid state in an electric induction heating and melting process wherein solid or semi-solid charge is periodically added to a heel of molten transition material initially placed in a refractory crucible. Induction power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of coils surrounding the exterior height of the crucible at high power level and high frequency with in-phase voltage until a crucible batch of transition material is in the crucible when the induction power is reduced in power level and frequency with voltage phase shifting to the induction coils along the height of the crucible to induce a unidirectional electromagnetic stir of the crucible batch of material.
US09357576B2

Systems and methods may provide for establishing automatic pairing between a portable computing device and a base device. A processor is configured to receive a dock event notification when the portable computing device docks with the base device. An identifier retriever is configured to retrieve the identifier of a wireless communication component in a base device. A pairing portion of the processor is configured to automatically pair a wireless communication component in a portable computing device with the wireless communication component in the base device. Automatic wireless connection may follow automatic pairing.
US09357566B2

Techniques for transmitting data with persistent interference mitigation in a wireless communication system are described. A station (e.g., a base station or a terminal) may observe high interference and may send a request to reduce interference to interfering stations. The request may be valid for a time period covering multiple response periods. Each interfering station may grant or dismiss the request in each response period, may dismiss the request by transmitting at full power, and may grant the request by transmitting at lower than full power. The station may receive a response from each interfering station indicating grant or dismissal of the request by that interfering station in each response period. The station may estimate SINR based on the response received from each interfering station and may exchange data with another station based on the estimated SINR. Persistent interference mitigation may reduce signaling overhead and improve resource utilization and performance.
US09357561B2

A CB resource feedback method is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a network device, uplink information that is sent by a sending device on a CB resource; when the uplink information is decoded, feeding back, by the network device correct reception of the uplink information to the sending device through a first physical downlink control channel, where the first physical downlink control channel is masked with an identifier of the sending device. Through the technical solutions provided in embodiments of the present invention, the sending device may be enabled to accurately know that the uplink information sent by the sending device is received correctly or is received incorrectly, and the sending device may be enabled to know a receiving status more quickly.
US09357553B2

A method of managing a load within a cellular network. The method includes obtaining network usage records from the cellular network; extracting cell information from the network usage records; establishing terminal carrier routes for cellular terminals that have changed location as determined from the extracted cell information; deriving terminal carrier profile attributes for the cellular terminals that have changed location, based on the established terminal carrier routes; determining a load on a resource of the cellular network, based on the established terminal carrier routes and the derived terminal carrier profile attributes; and controlling resources of the cellular network in response to the determined load, so as to manage the load within the cellular network. By combining established terminal carrier routes with derived terminal carrier profile attributes, it is possible to anticipate areas where cellular terminal carriers are likely to be concentrated at specific times during the day and allocate resources accordingly.
US09357550B2

Both a wireless terminal apparatus and wireless base station apparatus are provided that can, in an operation of encoding the control signals of the upstream link transmitted from the multiple terminal stations while encoding with regard to each of the terminal stations, increase a number of the terminal stations to which different codes are respectively assigned. A wireless terminal apparatus includes: an encoding information receiving portion receiving encoding information which is used at the wireless terminal apparatus from the base station; a phase-shifting unit which conducts a phase-shifting operation on a predetermined first code based on the encoding information; a code selection unit which, based on the received encoding information, selects a second code from multiple codes orthogonally crossing each other; and a control signal encoding portion which conducts an encoding operation on the control signal that is going to be transmitted to the base station by using both the first code on which the phase-shifting operation has been conducted and the second code.
US09357546B1

A radio access network (RAN) determines whether transmission time interval (TTI) bundling is warranted for a wireless communication device (WCD) based on information contained in one or more reports from the WCD. The information may include a reference-signal value, such as a reference signal received power (RSRP) or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), in a measurement report, an amount of data indicated in a buffer status report as being buffered by the WCD for transmission via one or more bearers in a bearer group, and a service class associated with the bearer group. If the RAN determines that TTI bundling is warranted for the WCD, the RAN may further select a TTI bundle size for the WCD. The RAN may select the TTI bundle size from among a plurality of values, which values may include a standard TTI bundle size and a smaller TTI bundle size.
US09357544B2

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and disclosed are a method and device for determining a PDSCH transmission resource. The method is: in the embodiments of the present invention, a network side determines a mapping relationship between a PDSCH transmission point and a zero-power CSI-RS for UE, and the UE does not receive a PDSCH over a zero-power CSI-RS resource which corresponds to a cell currently transmitting the PDSCH and measures an interference and still receives the PDSCH over a zero-power CSI-RS resource which corresponds to a cell not currently transmitting the PDSCH and measures an interference, thereby ensuring that the UE can accurately measure the interference and further improving the accuracy of CQI estimation; furthermore, the signalling overhead required for realizing the technical solution of the present invention is very small, only some RRC signalings are required, and a dynamic signaling can reuse a current signaling to the greatest extent, in this way, the compatibility of the system is effectively improved and the complexity of implementation is reduced.
US09357541B2

A scheme for transmission of control channel information in a compact form intended to support SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling) in a wireless communication system. As applied to LTE, the scheme is to indicate a pre-configured UE-specific resource allocation in a Downlink Control Information (DCI) format containing information for multiple UEs in the same PDCCH. In order to avoid increasing the number of blind decodes, the DCI format size may be the same as an existing DCI format. Preferably the size of the new format is the same as that of DCI formats 0/1A/3/3A. The number of required bits per UE is minimized by signalling only one of a limited set of DCI messages per UE. The scheme provides a means for re-configuring SPS resources for multiple UEs using a single PDCCH transmission, while enabling better support for variable packet sizes and variable intervals between packets than currently defined SPS.
US09357539B2

Apparatus, methods, computer program products, systems and circuits are provided that allow for persistent uplink and downlink resource allocations. A method includes: allocating resources to a user equipment for a data flow over a plurality of time intervals with a single signaling event at a wireless network radio network layer; and informing the user equipment of the allocated resources.
US09357534B2

Wireless communication systems and methods are described in which a network device may establish a connection with a user device within a wireless network. Through this connection location information regarding the user device is received. Based on the received location information, a second network device may be configured to beamform a high-frequency communication transmission session with the user device.
US09357532B2

Methods and user equipment (UE) apparatuses are provided to transmit a control signal using a first sequence or a second sequence, in response to a detected control channel. A method includes determining a first resource for the control signal transmission from a sum of a lowest control channel element (CCE) index of the detected control channel and a first offset, if the UE is not configured to use the second sequence by higher layer signaling; determining a second resource for the control signal transmission from a sum of the lowest CCE index of the detected control channel and a second offset, if the UE is configured to use the second sequence by the higher layer signaling; and transmitting the control signal in the first resource or in the second resource.
US09357529B2

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting data in a wireless communication system for supporting multi-cells formed of a plurality of sub-cells. The method includes the steps of: connecting at least one virtual transmission port to each of the plurality of sub-cells; determining the transmission mode for a terminal on the basis of channel states between at least two of the plurality of sub-cells and the terminal; and transmitting data for each sub-cell to the terminal through at least one virtual transmission port connected to a corresponding sub-cell on the basis of the determined transmission mode.
US09357523B2

A method includes receiving from a core network entity a paging message including a permanent user identity of a user for a specific user equipment, and determining, using the permanent user identity, a set of small cells to which the paging message should be sent based on a small cell last visited by the specific user equipment and small cells that are neighbors to the last-visited small cell. The paging message, without the permanent user identity, is sent to the determined set of small cells. Another method includes, responsive to determining a paging message for a specific user equipment is to be communicated toward the specific user equipment, determining whether a gateway can receive paging messages comprising a permanent user identity and a temporary user identity, and responsive thereto, sending the paging message for the specific user equipment to the gateway. Apparatus and computer program products are also disclosed.
US09357519B2

A first wireless device (e.g., an access point) receives a message from a second wireless device (e.g., a client device). The first device determines an angle-of-arrival of the message at a plurality of antennas of the first wireless device. The first device compares the angle-of-arrival with an angle-of-arrival threshold to determine whether to transmit a response message to the second wireless device. In one example, the first wireless device is a wireless access point device operating in a wireless network, the second wireless device is a wireless client device operating in the wireless network, the message is a probe request message and the response message is a probe response message.
US09357515B2

The present invention discloses a method of time synchronization and a base station system. The base station system includes a main unit, at least one radio unit, and a transmission medium adapted to transmit information between the main unit and the at least one radio unit. The base station system further includes a clock synchronization server configured close to the side of the at least one radio unit or integrated with the at least one radio unit. The clock synchronization server is adapted to transmit synchronization data to the main unit through the transmission medium, so that the main unit performs configuration processing according to the synchronization data to implement time synchronization with the clock synchronization server.
US09357513B2

A technology for a power management module that is operable to reduce power consumption in a communications network. A resource availability of one or more evolved node B (eNode Bs) in the communications network can be determine to receive data traffic of a plurality of user equipment (UEs) in communication with a serving eNode B. A power consumption rate of the communications network can be calculated when the serving eNode B is placed in a power saving mode. The serving eNode B can be switched to a power savings mode when the resource availability of the one or more eNode Bs enables the plurality of UEs to be handed over from the serving eNode B to selected eNode Bs of the one or more eNode Bs.
US09357509B2

A method of transmitting a power headroom (PH) by a user equipment (UE) in a multi-carrier system is provided. The method includes: receiving power determination information from a base station (BS); determining a plurality of maximum transmission power values for a plurality of serving cells by using the power determination information and a UE specific parameter; determining a plurality of PHs on the basis of the plurality of maximum power transmission values; and transmitting the plurality of maximum transmission power values and the plurality of PHs to the BS. Accordingly, since the maximum transmission power value and the power headroom information are provided to the BS, reliable carrier aggregation scheduling can be induced, thereby being able to improve uplink transmission capability.
US09357503B2

The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for determining transmission power for a base station. The method may comprise receiving information on link resource configuration of at least one interfered base station; determining the transmission power for the base station, based on link resource configuration for the base station and the information on link resource configuration of the at least one interfered base station. With embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a new power control scheme by which the cross-subframe co-channel interference might be mitigated and thus the uplink performance of a user equipment, and besides, the downlink performance of the edge UE might also be improved. Additionally, the present disclosure also provides a method and apparatus for providing information for power determination.
US09357500B2

A method of power management for a mobile station in a multi-carrier wireless network is provided. A primary connection between the mobile station and a serving base station is first established by performing initial ranging over a primary radio frequency (RF) carrier. A secondary connection between the mobile station and the base station is then established by performing periodic ranging over a secondary RF carrier. To achieve efficient power management, the mobile station performs Open Loop Power Control and obtains long-term link measurement (CSI) of the primary carrier. The mobile station then adjusts carrier-specific parameters based on the primary carrier CSI. For RF carriers that convey on-going data traffic, Close Loop Power Control is updated per RF carrier. When the mobile station enters sleep mode operation, it receives traffic indication messages on the primary RF carrier and then dynamically wakes up one or more corresponding RF carriers for data reception.
US09357495B2

Certain embodiments herein relate to dynamic allocation of power budgets for wireless modules that may be integrated onto a wireless combo module. An individual power budget for each wireless module may be modified based on the performance of the wireless module such that wireless modules that may benefit from additional power consumption may receive additional power budget from other wireless modules that may be consuming less power than currently allocated. In this way, power budgets may be cooperatively shared among wireless modules to facilitate optimized wireless communications. Various techniques may be used to configure a wireless module to operate within or at certain power values, including adjusting a transmission speed and/or a time interval for sending backoffs to attain a desired power consumption.
US09357492B2

Operations for a WLAN-capable remote control device and a controlled device are disclosed. A first network device (e.g., remote control) may receive a user input for controlling operation of a second network device (e.g., controlled device) of a communication network. The first network device may transition to an active operating state in response to receiving the user input. The first network device may transmit the first user input to the second network device. The first network device may exit the active operating state in response to successfully transmitting the first user input to the second network device.
US09357485B2

The present invention relates to a method for determining an operational channel c_op of a communication network comprising at least two potential proxies for an energy-restricted device to join the network, and a set C of radio channels, wherein an energy-restricted device is to join the network, the method comprising the following steps: —the energy-restricted device transmitting a first beacon message on a first channel succ(m−1)(c) in MAC broadcast, wherein c belongs to the set C, and switching to receiving mode on channel listen(c), wherein succ and listen is an arithmetical function, from C to C, and m is a positive integer, —the proxies receiving the beacon message sent on channel succ(m−1)(c), —the temporary master device switching its radio receiver to channel succm(c), —the energy-restricted device transmitting a second beacon message on a second channel succ(c) and switching to receiving mode on channel listen (succm(c)), —upon receipt of the second beacon, the temporary master device transmitting a response on a channel listen listen(succm(c)), 20 —the energy-restricted device receiving the beacon response on a channel listen listen(succm(c)), determining that c=c_op. The invention also relates to an energy-restricted device and a proxy device therefor.
US09357483B2

A method and a device for energy saving control in the home base station environment are provided to solve the problem of energy saving control in the home base station environment. In the present invention, a source base station sends an energy saving control request to a target home base station, wherein the energy saving control request comprises the information of the target base station, the information of the source base station, and the type of the energy saving control request. After receiving the energy saving control request, the target home base station performs an energy saving control processing operation, and sends a result of the energy saving control processing to the source base station through an energy saving control response. If the energy saving control processing fails, the energy saving control response further comprises a reason for the failure and/or a wait time. In the present invention, by exchanging energy saving control related messages between the source base station and the target home base station, energy saving control can be implemented on a home base station in time, and the home base station can sleep or be awakened, and thereby effective energy saving of a network in the home base station environment is achieved.
US09357478B2

A method and apparatus for a wireless device that can adapt a rate of related wireless network unit scans for adjacent networks is disclosed. In one embodiment, the wireless device can include a wireless network unit and a co-located geo-location signal receiver, and a processor. The processor can determine the position and speed of the wireless device from data received from the geo-location signal receiver. The processor can configure the wireless network unit to adapt the rate of related wireless network scans based upon determined speed and position. In one embodiment, the wireless network unit scans can be wireless scans for other nearby networks for roaming or location based services.
US09357475B2

A method and a system of controlling a public land mobile network (PLMN) scan rate (PCR) in a vehicle telematics unit. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: (a) determining a power condition that includes a powered mode, an unpowered mode, and a discontinuous reception (DRx) mode; (b) determining whether the telematics unit is scanning one or more home networks or one or more visitor networks; and (c) setting the PCR based on the determined power condition and the determined network, including: (c1) when in the powered mode and scanning a visitor network, the PCR is set to a first scan rate; (c2) when in the powered mode and scanning a home network, the PCR is set to a second scan rate that is slower than the first rate; and (c3) when in the DRx mode, the PCR is set to a third scan rate that is slower than the second rate.
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