US09389287B2

In a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, a sample spins about an axis tilted at a magic angle, a corrective magnetic field generating portion produces a corrective magnetic field, and a control portion controls the operation of the corrective magnetic field generating portion. An arithmetic unit included in the control portion uses at least one of BZ(1), B1(1)e, and B1(1)o or the linear sum of at least two of them as the first-order magnetic field component of the corrective magnetic field, uses at least one of B2(2)e, B2(2)o, B2(1)e, and B2(1)o or the linear sum of at least two of them as the second-order magnetic field component of the corrective magnetic field, and uses at least one of BZ(3), B3(1)e, B3(1)o, B3(2)e, B3(2)o, B3(3)e, and B3(3)o or the linear sum of at least two of them as the third-order magnetic field component of the corrective magnetic field.
US09389282B2

An apparatus for detecting magnetism includes a self-exciting fluxgate type magnetic oscillation sensor in each of three axes perpendicular to one another, the magnetic oscillation sensor including a magnetism sensor including a core-coil including a core made of a magnetic material and a coil wound around the core, and an operational amplifier circuit causing an AC excitation current to run through the coil to generate an output in accordance with a strength of an external magnetic field applied to the core. An air core coil not wound around a core is arranged in the vicinity of and in parallel with the core-coil of each of the magnetic oscillation sensors arranged in each of the axes.
US09389274B2

This disclosure relates generally to an electrical circuit and method. A capacitive element can be configured to be coupled in series with an electronic package component. A path resistance can be electrically coupled to the capacitive element. A driver can be configured to electrically charge the capacitive element. A voltage detector can be coupled to the capacitive element and configured to identify a condition of the electronic package component based on a measured voltage of the capacitive element.
US09389261B2

The present invention provides a method for measuring net charge density of membrane and apparatus thereof. The method measures the net charge density of a membrane by utilizing the relation between the mechanical pressure difference applied across the membrane and the generated streaming potential or the relation between the applied electric field and the generated electroosmotic flow. The present invention also provides a method and an apparatus for measuring the resistance of a membrane.
US09389260B2

An impedance analyzer is provided. The analyzer includes a signal excitation generator comprising a digital to analog converter, where a transfer function of the digital to analog converter from digital to analog is programmable. The impedance analyzer further includes a receiver comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA) and an analog to digital converter (ADC), where the LNA is a current to voltage converter; where the programmable digital to analog transfer function is implemented by a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) and a voltage mode digital to analog converter, or a digital phase locked loop (PLL), or both. Further, a multivariable sensor node having an impedance analyzer is provided. Furthermore, a multivariable sensor network having a plurality of multivariable sensor nodes is provided.
US09389258B2

Techniques for designs of single-layer touch sensors are described herein. In an example embodiment, a device comprises a sensor array. The sensor array comprises first plurality of electrodes and second plurality of electrodes that are interleaved without intersecting each other within a touch-sensing area in a single layer on a substrate of the sensor array. A first electrode (of the first or second plurality) comprises at least two shaped portions. The two shaped portions may be disposed across at least a portion of a given second electrode from each other, or may be disposed between two or more portions of the given second electrode. The two shaped portions of the first electrode are routed in different directions on the substrate and are coupled to each other outside of the touch-sensing area of the sensor array.
US09389255B2

An input signal Sx in a first millimeter-wave frequency band higher than 100 GHz is input to a millimeter-wave band filter 20 in which a pair of radio wave half mirrors 30A and 30B so as to opposite to each other and which performs a resonance operation. A signal component Sa corresponding to the resonance frequency of the filter is extracted, is mixed with a first local signal L1 with a fixed frequency, and is converted into a signal in a second frequency band. The converted signal component Sb is mixed with a second local signal L2 whose frequency is swept and is converted into a signal in a predetermined intermediate frequency band. Then, the level of the signal is detected. The millimeter-wave filter 20 has high selectivity characteristics in a frequency domain higher than 100 GHz and can change its passband center frequency.
US09389248B2

In one embodiment, a Sagnac interferometer-type fiber-optic sensor includes a synchronous detection circuit to carry out synchronous detection of detected light signal with a phase modulation angular frequency of a phase modulator. A signal processing circuit calculates and outputs the magnitude of current to be measured using the signal detected in the synchronous detection circuit. A phase modulator driving circuit controls the driving of the phase modulator. The phase modulator driving circuit controls a phase modulation depth of the phase modulator so that the amplitude of the second-order harmonics and the fourth-order harmonics obtained by carrying out the synchronous detection of the detected light signal with the phase modulation angular frequency becomes the same.
US09389246B2

Multi-layer capacitor divider voltage sensors include a plurality of voltage sensor conductive layers having sensor to ground interface surfaces. Respective voltage sensor conductive layers are connected to each other and sensor output voltage Vs by continuations of material forming the interface surfaces extending therebetween. The voltage sensors also include a plurality of conductive ground layers connected to electrical ground, the ground layers interleaved with the voltage sensor conductive layers so that a conductive ground layer resides between adjacent conductive voltage sensor layers. A first voltage sensor conductive layer (closest to a line conductor) is electrically connected to the other conductive voltage sensor layers and output voltage Vs and has a sensor to conductor interface surface with a corresponding interface area. The interface areas and the gap distances are configured to provide desired capacitance for attenuation of conductor voltage Vc for a suitably sized Vs in a compact sensor package.
US09389239B2

Provided is a liquid-sample collecting system and liquid-sample collecting method that can decrease the amount of carryover in the process of collecting a liquid sample while maintaining the efficiency of collecting the liquid sample. A liquid-sample collecting system according to the present invention includes: a sampling needle to be inserted into a sample container, for collecting a liquid sample contained in the sample container; a driver for moving the sampling needle; an input unit for allowing a user enter to information for setting the ascent speed of the sampling needle; an ascent-speed determiner for setting the ascent speed based on the entered information; and a controller for controlling the driver so as to move the sampling needle downward at a predetermined descent speed in a descent phase and upward at the aforementioned ascent speed in an ascent phase.
US09389226B2

There is disclosed a method for partially derivatizing a curved surface of particles in an electrically conducting solvent, said method comprises the steps: a) bringing particles in close contact with at least one surface by using a force, b) inducing a chemical reaction on at least one part of a particle by applying an electrical potential between said at least one surface and the electrically conducting solvent, and c) further reacting said at least one part of a particle where a chemical reaction has been induced in step b) above. There is further disclosed a partially derivatized particle as well as uses of the particle. Advantages include that the method is simple and only requires a potentiostat in addition to standard laboratory equipment, is inexpensive, time-efficient, and inherently parallel.
US09389224B2

The invention relates to a method of coating beads with a biological molecule comprising: (i) coating a plurality of beads with the biological molecule; (ii) mixing the coated beads with a liquid stabilizing and/or blocking agent (iii) dispersing the coated beads still substantially surrounded by a liquid phase comprising the liquid stabilizing and/or blocking agent across a surface that is at least partially liquid permeable; (iv) drying the beads on the surface to substantially remove the liquid phase; and (v) removing the dried beads from the surface.
US09389217B2

Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.
US09389212B2

One example includes a sensor for sensing NOX, including an electrically insulating substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode, each disposed onto the substrate, wherein each of the first electrode and the second electrode has a first end configured to receive a current and a second end and a sensor element formed of nickel oxide powder, the sensor element disposed on the substrate in electrical communication with the second ends of the first electrode and the second electrode. In some examples, electronics are used to measure the change in electrical resistance of a sensor in association with NOx concentration near the sensor. In some examples, the sensor is maintained at 575° C.
US09389211B2

The present invention relates to a device for investigating, measuring and/or detecting properties of chemical and/or biological fluids as well as to a device for performing these procedures and a system comprising a holder for holding at least one of said devices. A device for detecting properties of chemical and/or biological fluids may comprise a tubular structure with a cavity for accommodating the fluid, the tubular structure comprising a magnetizable and/or magnetic material, wherein the tubular structure comprises a segment that is transparent to light of wavelength 200 nm to 2000 nm.
US09389210B2

Provided is a thermal distribution display including, on a support, a thermal distribution display layer that includes at least two electron-donating dye precursors that develop mutually different color tones, the dye precursors including at least one electron-donating dye precursor that decomposes in a temperature range of 190° C. or higher to undergo a change in hue; at least one electron-accepting compound that allows the at least two electron-donating dye precursors to develop colors; and a binder, wherein, in the thermal distribution display layer, a temperature T0.2, at which a density is 0.2 greater than a background density, satisfies the following formula (1). 0.2 T 0.2 - T min ≤ 0.02 Formula ⁢ ⁢ ( 1 )
US09389209B2

To determine the concentration of an oxoanion in an aqueous solution, an aluminum reagent is added to the aqueous solution to form an optical analysis solution. Addition of the aluminum reagent may or may not form an alumino-oxoanion hydroxide hydrate precipitate. Light is directed into the optical analysis solution to determine an optical response of the optical analysis solution. Thereafter, the concentration of the oxoanion in the aqueous solution is determined based on the optical response of the optical analysis solution. For example, the concentration of the oxoanion may be calculated using a molar ratio relating oxoanion concentration to aluminum reagent concentration, when the aluminum reagent concentration corresponds to an inflection point of the optical response of the optical analysis solution.
US09389203B2

Image data and E-mode images used in ultrasonic elasticity imaging may be automatically evaluated for quality to provide a single value used as operator feedback or for automatic selection of images for averaging or animation.
US09389195B2

A wear sensor comprising: an insulating substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a conductive electrode formed on said top surface of said insulating substrate; an insulating wear lining material having a first side secured to said top surface of said insulating substrate and conductive electrode, an opposite second side that will be worn down by relative motion between the wear sensor and a moving component; one or more contact points where the electrical properties between the electrode and the moving component can be measured; and one or more perforations through the thickness of the substrate and electrode, through which an adhesive may flow, thereby increasing the peel strength between the wear sensor and race or between the wear sensor and the wear liner.
US09389192B2

A method for inspection includes capturing an optical image of one or more features on a surface of a sample and irradiating an area of the sample containing at least one of the features with an X-ray beam. An intensity of X-ray fluorescence emitted from the sample in response to the irradiating X-ray beam is measured. The optical image is processed so as to extract geometrical parameters of the at least one of the features and to compute a correction factor responsively to the geometrical parameters. The correction factor is applied to the measured intensity in order to derive a property of the at least one of the features.
US09389185B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for determining weight percent of solids in a suspension using Raman spectroscopy. The methods can be utilized to acquire Raman spectral data from the suspension and to determine weight percent of solids in a process being carried out, for example, in a vessel, without the need to remove samples for analysis. The weight percent of the solids can be determined with a desired accuracy in a relatively short time, typically 10 minutes or less. The acquired Raman spectral data may be processed by chemometric software using, for example, a partial least squares algorithm and data pretreatment to provide a predicted value of weight percent solids. In some embodiments, the invention is used to determine the weight percent of microparticles of a diketopiperazine in an aqueous solution.
US09389181B2

Method and apparatus for detecting metals in a liquid are described. The liquid is contacted with a hexahydrotriazine and/or a hemiaminal material, and a UV absorption spectrum of the material before and after exposure to the liquid is examined to determine whether metals are present in the liquid.
US09389180B2

An apparatus for use with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light comprising A) a duct having a first end opening, a second end opening and an intermediate opening intermediate the first end opening the second end opening, B) an optical component disposed to receive EUV light from the second end opening or to send light through the second end opening, and C) a source of low pressure gas at a first pressure to flow through the duct, the gas having a high transmission of EUV light, fluidly coupled to the intermediate opening. In addition to or rather than gas flow the apparatus may have A) a low pressure gas with a heat control unit thermally coupled to at least one of the duct and the optical component and/or B) a voltage device to generate voltage between a first portion and a second portion of the duet with a grounded insulative portion therebetween.
US09389179B2

An analysis apparatus includes an electric field enhancing element including a metallic layer, a transmissive layer on the metallic layer and transmitting excitation light, and metallic particles on the transmissive layer with first and second pitches in first and second directions; a light source irradiating the element with first direction linearly polarized light, second direction linearly polarized light, and/or circularly polarized light as the excitation light; and a detector detecting light from the element. The pitches are selected relative to the pitch of a diffraction grating. The thickness of the transmissive layer is selected relative to the wavelength of the excitation light.
US09389178B2

An analysis device includes an optical element which includes a metal layer, a light transmitting layer on the metal layer, and a plurality of metal particles on the light transmitting layer arranged at a first interval P1 in a first direction and arranged at a second interval P2 in a second direction intersecting the first direction, P1
US09389169B2

A surface inspection method for a steel sheet coated with a resin, includes irradiating the steel sheet with sheet-like light, which has been linearly polarized at a predetermined polarization angle, at an incidence angle different from Brewster's angle of the coating by a predetermined angle or greater; and imaging linearly-polarized light of a polarization angle of 0 degrees at an acceptance angle different from a regular reflection angle of incident light by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, it is not necessary to change the incidence angle and the acceptance angle depending on resin components and it is possible to inspect a substrate steel surface of the steel sheet highly accurately without observing abnormalities in the coating itself.
US09389164B2

Methods and apparatus for measuring the cleanliness of molten metals. Direct current is passed between electrodes through molten metal advancing through a passage in an electrically resistive wall. A voltage signal is analyzed for the presence of solid generally non-metallic inclusions in the metal. Direct current is supplied by one or more ultra-capacitors and the decay in discharge voltage of the capacitor(s) is compensated for by passing the current from each capacitor through a resistor ladder network circuit having resistors connected in parallel. Individual resistors are switched on or off in a sequence effective to change the resistance of the circuit and maintain the current within a predetermined range. Heat generation and noise pick-up are minimized by maintaining a low discharge voltage and measurement current while using FETs only in the fully ON or OFF conditions to switch the resistors into or out of the circuits.
US09389163B2

A soot sensor includes a soot sensor including a first element on a first surface of the soot sensor. A soot sensing system may include a soot sensor and circuitry electrically coupled to the first element of the soot sensor. The circuitry is configured to determine an amount of soot accumulated on the first element and to control heating of the first element in response to the soot accumulation.
US09389159B2

A rheometer is disclosed that includes rheometry logic that is responsive to a material selection control, to an objective selection control, to material property storage, and to process parameter storage, and is operative to assist the user with a measurement using the rheometer. In another general aspect, a rheometer includes sample history storage operative to store a history that spans a plurality of different operations performed by the rheometer on a same sample.
US09389158B2

An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.
US09389155B1

A metallic test specimen (20) extends along a central longitudinal axis (500) between a first end (22) and a second end (24). The specimen has a first mounting section (30) and a section mounting section (32). A narrowed gauge section (34) is between the first mounting section and the second mounting section. The first mounting section and the second mounting section each have a blind compartment (44) extending longitudinally inward to a closed end (46).
US09389153B2

A system for storing a biological sample for transfer between two different environments is provided. The system includes a first container defining a first container interior, and a second container defining a second container interior. A first closure is provided for enclosing the open end of the first container, with the first closure adapted to receive a sample holder. A second closure is also provided for enclosing the open end of the second container. The first container is adapted to removably receive the sample holder therein when the first closure encloses the open end of the first container, and the second container is adapted to subsequently receive the same sample holder therein when the first closure encloses the open end of the second container.
US09389144B2

A method for diagnosing an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system includes: a setting step of setting a temperature map with respect to a temperature at an outlet side of an EGR line for an output value reflecting a driving state of a vehicle in a state in which an EGR valve is closed; a measuring step of measuring the temperature at the outlet side of the EGR line at the time of an operation of the EGR system; and a diagnosing step of diagnosing that a fault has been generated in an EGR system when the measured temperature at the outlet side of the EGR line is equal to or less than a reference value set in the temperature map.
US09389139B2

A method for extracting material and mechanical properties of a cylinder subject to expansion cause by an explosion so as to better understand the evolution of damage. The method is directed towards obtaining material and mechanical properties of the cylinder between an undeformed state and a state of deformation prior to total fracture. The method includes the steps of providing: (1) a plurality of cylinders, each of which have the same physical dimensions; (2) a plurality of charges, each of the plurality of charges having a different diameter and hence explosive force; and (3) a fluid having a shock impedance less than a shock impedance of any of the plurality of charges. The method further includes the step of placing the charges in a respective cylinders, tilling the cylinder with the fluid and detonating the charge, and recording the cylinder radial velocity during radial expansion and post-mortem material properties.
US09389132B1

A system may include a tether coupled to a ground station. The system may also include an aerial vehicle coupled to the tether and configured to fly in a given path relative to the ground station based on a length of the tether. The system may also include one or more load cells coupled to the tether and configured to provide information indicative of a tether force between the tether and the aerial vehicle. The one or more load cells may be arranged in a given arrangement indicative of a direction of the tether force. The system may also include a controller configured to determine an angle between a direction of wind incident on the aerial vehicle and a plane defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the aerial vehicle based on the tether force.
US09389129B2

An embodiment of the present invention is an algorithmic method for testing performance characteristics of humidity and temperature probes, i.e., accuracy, stability, and repeatability of humidity and temperature sensor probes over a user selected dynamic range, which is programmable by an end user. Further, the testing is accomplished and completed by using a specially designed humidity and temperature test chamber that is traceable to NIST (National Institute of Science and Technology). Ongoing, and final, testing results are made visible for study by the end user via a computer display, and there is printout availability. Further, testing in the chamber utilizes a method for probe attachment to the chamber and control thereof.
US09389114B2

A sensor probe for monitoring levels of chemical solutions used in automatic car washes, the sensor probes comprising an elongated sensor probe tube able to be installed by being inserted into a hole in the top of storage drums. A sealed enclosure mounted to the top of the tube is thereby positioned above the associated tank, which enclosure contains a liquid level sensor and a wireless receiver/transmitter able to send data to a computer/display/and web server.
US09389112B2

A method for detecting the filling level in a motor vehicle. A device for ascertaining the tank filling level value of moving vehicles, including at least one tank, at least one filling level sensor, at least one control unit and at least one pump.
US09389100B2

An optical position measuring instrument including a first scale having a first graduation, wherein the first scale is disposed movable in a first measuring direction, and at a first defined position in the first measuring direction, the first scale includes a spatially limited first marking that differs from the first graduation. The optical position measuring instrument further including a second scale having a second graduation, wherein the second scale is disposed movable in a second measuring direction, and at a second defined position, the second scale includes a second reference marking that is usable for generating at least one reference signal at a reference position of the second scale only if the first scale is located in the first defined position.
US09389088B2

The present application describes techniques for fetching map data as a selected subset of entire map data available, by selecting map data tiles corresponding to an area that encompasses a first route and to an area encompassing a secondary route based on the first route. An amount of map data accessed may be adjusted based on a priority of the secondary route.
US09389079B2

An integrated optomechanical disk vibratory gyroscope device includes a mechanical oscillator having a substantially circular structure. The substantially circular structure is supported by a pillar, and mechanically isolated from a surrounding structure by a gap or slot. One or more actuators are coupled to the mechanical oscillator across the gap or slot. Each of the one or more actuators is configured to excite the mechanical oscillator in a driving mode. One or more optomechanical cavities are disposed substantially in a plane defined by the mechanical oscillator. At least one component of the one or more optomechanical cavities is disposed on or in the substantially circular structure. Each of the at least one or more optomechanical cavities configured to measure a displacement of the mechanical oscillator in a sensing mode. A method of manufacture is also described.
US09389070B2

A monitoring device is provided that is used for the monitoring of an area of building or land, including an optical strand used as a sensor, one optical source for emitting an optical emission signal transmitted in the optical strand, and one optical analogue detector for detecting an intensity of an optical return signal corresponding to the optical emission signal returning from the optical strand. The monitoring device is arranged as a compact unit and includes a controller for alternately activating and deactivating the emission of the optical source so that a ratio between the non-emission duration and the emission duration is greater than 5000. A monitoring system is also provided including such a monitoring device, and a monitoring method carried out in the monitoring device.
US09389068B2

A fringe image phase distribution analysis technique that performs one-dimensional discrete Fourier transform using temporal intensity information or spatial intensity information to calculate the phase distribution of the fringe image. To improve the analysis accuracy of the phase distribution, a plurality of phase-shifted moiré fringe images is generated from high-dimensional intensity data by a thinning-out (down-sampling) process and an image interpolation process, and the phase distribution of the moiré fringe is calculated by a two-dimensional or three-dimensional discrete Fourier transform. In addition, the phase distribution of thinned-out is added to calculate the phase distribution of an original fringe image. Since high-dimensional intensity information which is present in both spatio-domain and temporal-domain is used, phase distribution analysis is less likely to be affected by random noise or vibration. In addition, even when measurement conditions are poor, it is possible to perform phase distribution analysis with high accuracy.
US09389066B2

A position of a lens is detected by detecting, using a phototransistor, light that is emitted from a photodiode and that varies depending on lens position. A control unit divides a moving range of the lens into a plurality of areas, approximates a relationship between lens positions and current of the phototransistor for each of the areas, corrects a current of the phototransistor using the approximated relationship so as to obtain a corrected detection current having a linear relationship with respect to lens positions, and detects the position of the lens using the obtained corrected detection current.
US09389061B2

A magnetostrictive position sensor achieves an improved signal to noise ratio by implementing several electronic control features, including: enclosing a waveguide within an approximately tubular return conductor, adjusting the energy of an interrogation pulse and then clamping the waveguide, tracking the peak voltage of a sensed signal, cutting off the signal of a pickup during the time period outside of a signal time frame, adjusting the pass band of a filter based on an interrogation rate and waveguide length, zeroing and scaling a signal without digitizing the signal, and avoiding noise from an interrogation voltage generator.
US09389036B2

The present disclosure provides a method of creating a visible indicator upon a firearm magazine. The method may comprise fabricating a plurality of rectangular matrices of divots on an exterior surface of the magazine, the divots having concave surfaces, each matrix comprising a plurality of rows of divots and a plurality of columns of divots. A first divot of a first row is also a first divot of a first column, the first divot forming a substantially straight line with each other divot of the first column, and a first divot of a second row is also a second divot of the first column. The method may then comprise marking, with paint or ink, at least one of the divots.
US09389032B2

A firearm receiver wear surface is disclosed. When inserted within a corresponding wear surface cavity in a firearm receiver, a wear surface pin contacts and engages with the hook of a charging handle latch. In one example, a wear surface cavity for receiving a wear surface pin may be machined within the upper receiver of a modular rifle. The positioning of the wear surface cavity and wear surface pin can prevent the charging handle latch from contacting and causing unwanted wear on the upper receiver. In some embodiments, the wear surface pin may be a replaceable pin-shaped object made from a more durable material than the material of the upper receiver. For example, the wear surface pin may be a steel coiled spring pin that is pressure-fit into a wear surface cavity in an aluminum alloy upper receiver.
US09389026B2

A heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger may include a shell; a first pipe that guides a first fluid into the shell; a plurality of spiral pipe portions, through which a second fluid, which exchanges heat with the first fluid, may pass, that have different distances from a central axis; and a second pipe that guides the first fluid outside of the shell, in which an inner spiral pipe portion of the plurality of spiral pipe portions, which is closest to a central axis, and an outer spiral pipe portion, which is farthest from the central axis, are connected by a first connection tube, and a plurality of intermediate spiral pipes, which is farther from the central axis than the inner spiral pipe portion and closer to the central axis than the outer spiral pipe portion, is connected by a second connection tube, such that the plurality of spiral pipe portions is connected while minimizing a number of connection tubes and a reduction in performance that may be generated when a difference in length of a plurality of paths is large, by minimizing a difference in length of the paths formed by the plurality of spiral pipe portions and the connection tubes.
US09389025B2

A heat and mass exchanger including a plurality of vertical plates that are spaced apart from one another by gaps so as to allow a first gas to flow between the plates. Each plate includes a front wall that defines a front surface of the plate, a back wall that defines a back surface of the plate, and separate, parallel channels disposed between the front and back walls. The parallel channels include a first set of parallel channels, a first liquid flowing within the first set of channels and over one of the front or back surfaces of the plate, the first liquid having a bulk composition comprising one or more constituents, the first gas having at least one constituent in common with the first liquid, and a second set of parallel channels, a first fluid flowing within the second set of channels.
US09389024B2

The present invention relates to a heat storage system with a plurality of storage tanks, in which a latent heat storage medium is disposed, and with a conduit system with supply conduits for supplying heat into the storage tanks and with discharge conduits for removing heat from the storage tanks, wherein the conduit system includes one or more valves by means of which at least one supply conduit to at least one of the storage tanks and/or at least one discharge conduit from at least one of the storage tanks can be shut off or be varied in its flow rate, and with a control unit which is connected with the one or more valves and is configured such that it actuates the same.
US09389019B2

A rotary charging device for a shaft furnace comprising: a stationary housing (16) and a suspension rotor (22) that is supported so that it can rotate about a substantially vertical axis (A), a charge distributor (28) being pivotally suspended to the suspension rotor (22). Rotary drive means are provided for rotating the suspension rotor about its axis (A) and tilting drive means for pivoting the charge distributor (28) about a substantially horizontal pivoting axis (B), independently from said rotary drive means. The tilting drive means are mounted onto the suspension rotor (22) and rotate therewith; they comprise: an electric tilting motor (MB) is installed inside the main casing (36) and having a substantially horizontal output shaft (52); a tilting input gear (54) driven by the tilting motor output shaft; and a tilting output gear (56) rotationally integral with a suspension arm (34) of said chute distributor (28), said tilting input gear meshing with said tilting output gear.
US09389014B2

A fitting, in particular for a piece of furniture or a domestic appliance, comprises a first storage element, which is mounted such that it can be displaced from a rear storage position into an access position, and a second storage element, which is coupled to the first storage element via at least one connecting element, wherein the second storage element is mounted in a pivotable manner and can be raised, via the first storage element, from a lowered, storage position into an access position. This makes it possible for the stowage space in a domestic appliance to be optimally utilized.
US09389003B2

A solar collector has first and second manifolds and tubes that provide fluid communication between the manifolds. An enclosure of the collector extends between first and second ends thereof that are respectively proximal to the first and second manifolds, and the tubes extend out of the enclosure at the first and second ends passed a seal at each end to connect to the first and second manifolds.
US09388993B2

A power supply panel includes an engagement portion. An electrical component box includes a hook portion that engages with the engagement portion. A temporarily fixed state in which the power supply panel is attached to the electrical component box is set when the engagement portion engages with the hook portion.A securely fixed state in which the power supply panel is positioned inside the outer periphery of a housing, as the housing is seen in a plan view, and the power supply panel is positioned below the electrical component box is set when the electrical component box is placed in a machine chamber and the power supply panel is attached to the housing.
US09388991B2

An oven is provided including an oven cavity and an outlet duct for receiving exhaust gas from the oven cavity. The oven further includes a flow control device attached to the outlet duct. The flow control device includes a damper assembly positioned at least partially within the outlet duct. The damper assembly is movable with respect to the outlet duct. The flow control device further includes a drive unit attached to the damper assembly, the drive unit selectively moving the damper assembly between a closed position in which the damper assembly blocks a flow of the exhaust gas through the outlet duct and an opened position. The oven further includes a control system for controlling the damper assembly.
US09388986B2

An air blocker ring assembly including a proximal end and a distal end, a blocker ring, and a blocker ring support cooperating with the blocker ring to form a circumferentially extending split line at an interface between the blocker ring and the blocker ring support. The proximal end of the proximal ring assembly has a circumferential leading edge, and the circumferentially extending split line is located at least one of radially inside or radially outside the leading edge.
US09388984B2

A control system for a fuel-fired appliance and methods of operating are disclosed. When an electrical characteristic of a flame detector fails to cross a threshold level during an ignition attempt and when the electrical characteristic of the flame detector changes by a predetermined amount, the control system may activate an indicator indicating a problem with the flame detector (e.g. dirty, misaligned, or otherwise unable to properly detect the flame).
US09388982B2

A fuel nozzle assembly including a conduit defining a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and being operable to convey a fuel stream comprising a solid particulate fuel entrained in a fluid. The conduit has a flow area defined by an interior surface of the conduit. A first flow deflector and a second flow deflector extend inwardly from the interior surface. The first flow deflector and the second flow deflector are positioned to disrupt a velocity profile of the flow stream established upstream of the conduit.
US09388970B2

A plane light source having a plurality of light emitting devices arranged in a light emitting device matrix having rows and columns at a substrate, the plane light source including: a first matrix having a plurality of light emitting devices arranged in rows and columns; and a second matrix having a plurality of light emitting devices arranged in rows and columns, each of the light emitting devices located within a quadrangle formed by four neighboring light emitting devices included in the first matrix, wherein the pitch of the light emitting devices of the first and second matrices is different from each other.
US09388968B2

A light device includes a light engine. A plurality of petals extends radially outward from the light engine. A trim is disposed over the petals and light engine. An installation card is disposed between the trim and the petals and includes an elongated opening. A strap extends through the elongated opening of the installation card. A light-emitting diode is connected to the light engine. A support component is formed on a surface of the petals. The strap includes a hook surface and a loop surface opposite the hook surface. The installation card includes a second elongated opening formed near an edge of the installation card and a third opening formed in a central region of the installation card. A plurality of straps includes a width of the straps being less than a width of the elongated opening. The plurality of straps includes a zip tie.
US09388953B2

A portable lighting device includes a housing, a battery, a lighting element coupled to the battery, and a solar panel. The housing includes a first wall coupled to a second wall and defines an internal volume. The battery is positioned within the internal volume. The solar panel is disposed along the first wall and coupled to the battery. The second wall of the housing is angled relative to the first wall of the housing such that the solar panel is positioned in a target orientation when the second wall is disposed along a support surface.
US09388942B2

Methods and systems for modular fuel storage and transportation are provided. In an embodiment, a fuel storage system includes one or more fuel containers each supported by a fuel container support assembly. The fuel storage system may be mounted to a transportation device such as a vehicle or used in a stand-alone fashion. Each support assembly may include a plurality of detachable end support members such as end support members configured to support the end portions of the fuel container and side support members configured to support the body portion of the fuel container. Some of the end support members may include neck grooves such that when the end support members are coupled, the neck grooves form an enclosure around the neck portion of the fuel container. In an embodiment, the support assembly is configured to facilitate release of excess pressure in the fuel container.
US09388941B2

A compact lubricant injector is disclosed. The injector includes an injector body having an inlet for lubricant under pressure, an outlet, and a measuring chamber for receiving lubricant from the inlet. A piston is movable in the injector body along a first axis through a stroke in the measuring chamber for the discharge of a measured volume of lubricant from the measuring chamber and thence through the outlet. A valve is movable in the injector body along a second axis different from the first axis. The valve is responsive to pressure conditions in the inlet for operation of the injector in a cycles ending in a state for venting the injector to effect recharging of the measuring chamber involving the transmission of lubricant from the inlet to the measuring chamber. A combination of at least one such lubricant injector and a manifold is also disclosed.
US09388935B2

A display device includes a display main body having a housing having an opening formed through the front surface and a display unit attached to the housing to close the opening and displaying an image, a stand base placed on a mounting surface, and at least one support connected to the display main body at one end and connected to the stand base at the other end, in which the support includes a cable inputting/outputting power or signals to/from the display main body and a coating covering the cable.
US09388933B2

A support frame includes a base unit, a connecting unit and a supporting unit. The base unit includes two end portions and a receiving space. The connecting unit includes a connecting seat and a connect ing arm connected to the connecting seat. The supporting unit includes supporting arms and a handlebar. Each of the supporting arms has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portions of the supporting arms are disposed between and connected to the end portions of the base. The connecting arm has an end arm portion that is connected to the second end portions of the supporting arms. The connecting unit and the supporting unit are stackable together and are receivable in the receiving space.
US09388932B2

An automotive selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system assembly includes a holder for receiving an SCR system sensor. The holder has a tube, a chamber, and a retainer. The tube receives incoming fluid from a first SCR line and leads exiting fluid to a second SCR line. A passage is located in the tube. The chamber has a interior for receiving the SCR system sensor, and has an opening. The retainer has a portion moveable in and out of the chamber's opening for holding and releasing the SCR system sensor in the chamber's interior.
US09388931B2

There is provided a substrate processing apparatus to perform a predetermined process on a substrate on which a pattern mask is formed, comprising a compartment mechanism configured to switch between a compartmented state and an open state. The compartmented state includes a first section having the evaporation source formation part, and a second section configured to transfer the substrate between an outside of processing vessel and a mounting table. The substrate processing apparatus comprises a substrate transfer hole formed in the processing vessel and configured to open and close with respect to the second section being in the compartmented state; and an exhaust hole formed to connect to the second section and configured to exhaust the second section in the compartment state to remove a solvent atmosphere of the second section.
US09388929B2

A male bayonet connector connects a section of tubing to a female latch connector. The male bayonet connector includes a shaft defining a lumen, a distal end portion, and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion of the shaft has a sealing surface configured to engage a seal member within the female latch connector to create a fluid-tight seal. The shaft defines an annular recess proximal to and adjacent the distal end portion. The annular recess has a proximal chamfered side wall and a distal sidewall perpendicular to the axis of the lumen, which are separated by a band of smaller diameter than the sealing surface. A grip is formed on the male bayonet connector between the proximal end portion and the annular recess. A ratio of a length of the first sealing surface to a distance between the grip and the distal sidewall is such that a side-load force, as imparted on the male bayonet connector, will not break a fluid-tight seal between the sealing surface and the seal member.
US09388928B2

A valve assembly including a male member and a female member, the male member including a probe having a first fluid passageway having an exit aperture opening through a side face of the probe, and the female member including a socket for receiving the probe, a second fluid passageway having an exit aperture arranged on an internal side face of the socket, a first closing member freely moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a first securing means for releasably securing the first closing member to the probe to restrict relative movement therebetween, the first closing member including two sealing rings such that, when in the closed position, the rings form a seal on either side of the exit aperture.
US09388927B2

The polymer pipe joint assembly includes a fitting, positioned inside the polymer pipe, a coupling, having at least one cylindrical section, which covers the pipe and fitting, the assembly having a sleeve capable of changing its geometrical dimensions and shape under pressure. The sleeve has at least one cylindrical section placed between the pipe and coupling, the fitting has a shoulder on its outside surface, restricting the movement of the pipe and sleeve, while the inside surface of the coupling has a lead-in chamfer. The change of the dimensions of the sleeve can be performed both by selecting different types of sleeve material or by its construction.
US09388923B2

A flexible hose assembly is disclosed. The flexible hose assembly has a first coupling member with a first anti-rotational element on a first end and a crimping element on a second end, the crimping element being configured to receive a first flexible hose. The flexible hose assembly also has a second coupling member with a second anti-rotational element on a first end, the second anti-rotational element being configured to mate with the first anti-rotational element. The flexible hose assembly also has a clamping ring configured to retain the first ends of the first and the second coupling members together.
US09388919B2

A method of abandoning a pipeline from an offshore vessel, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a tubular member between a winch apparatus and the end of the pipeline being abandoned, the tubular member being received in a tensioning apparatus, and lowering the pipeline with the winch apparatus and the tensioning apparatus, the tensional load of the pipeline being held by the tensioning apparatus and the winch apparatus at the same time.
US09388913B2

A dynamic seal for sealing radially two members that are displaceable relative to each other axially comprises a sealing body made of elastomeric material having two axially spaced, radially exterior sealing lips and two axially spaced, radially interior sealing lips, and a supporting body bearing the sealing body and consisting of a harder material than the sealing body, in particular of a plastic. The supporting body possesses a radially exposed guiding portion extending between two sealing lips in the axial direction for axially guiding the movable member, and an anchoring portion opposing the guiding portion for anchoring the seal in the other member.
US09388910B2

A component for a faucet includes a substrate including alumina and a first material provided over at least a portion of the substrate. The first material includes titanium and carbon. The component also includes a second material provided over the first material, the second material including carbon and having carbon sp3 bonding of at least 40 percent.
US09388904B2

A gasket, in particular for a pressurized liquid, includes: a support ring (2) having an axial flange (3) and a radial flange (4); and a PTFE washer (5) arranged on the ring (2), the washer at least partially covering the outer face (3′) of the axial flange (3) and forming a flexible inner sealing lip (6) intended to be applied against an element to be sealed, such as a shaft. The sealing lip (6) includes an annular portion bearing mostly on the element to be sealed and a curved annular connecting portion. The sealing lip (6) has a small thickness (EL), typically less than 0.8 mm, and, in the absence of stress, substantially forms a frustoconical ring or sleeve having a vertex angle of between 40° and 80°.
US09388901B2

The invention relates to a support ring arrangement for a high-pressure seal which is provided, along with said support ring arrangement, for an axially slidable or pivotable container closure ( ) mounted in a cylindrical section of a high-pressure container, said high-pressure seal radially sealing the cylindrical section of the high pressure container with the aid of said support ring arrangement, and a maximum pressure of up to 10,000 bar being exerted, by means of a fluid, onto said support ring arrangement and high-pressure seal. Said support ring arrangement comprises, when viewed from the fluid side, an axial fixture for the arrangement (6) a sealing ring (4) which lies on the container closure (1) and is radially prestressed, at least one support ring which has an end-face (7) on the side of the ring that is perpendicular to the container closure (1) axis, at least one support ring arrangement (8) being provided which consists of at least two molded parts that are contoured so as to support one another, said molded parts lying one against another and comprising, on the sides thereof that lie one against the other, conical counter faces (12) that are parallel to each other, and one of said parallel, conical counter surfaces (12) beginning at the end face (7).
US09388898B2

In a shift device of the present invention, a shift range is switched to a drive range or a reverse range when a switch portion is operated additionally to moving of an operational member. Switching to a drive range is executed when the switch portion is operated further in a state in which the mount of move of the operational member tilted in a first direction from a home position exceeds a first threshold, and switching to a reverse range is executed when the switch portion is operated further in a state in which the mount of move of the operational member tilted in a second direction from the home position exceeds a second threshold which is greater than the first threshold. Accordingly, quick and easy selection of a traveling range can be conducted, ensuring the safety.
US09388897B2

Provided is an apparatus for electronically controllable transmission, and more particularly, an apparatus for electronically controllable transmission, the apparatus capable of shifting gears by moving a shift lever and sensing the magnetic flux density of a magnet, which moves in accordance with the rotation of the shift lever, by using a three-dimensional (3D) hall sensor. The apparatus includes: a shift lever including one end which is connected to a magnet and shifting gears by moving the shift lever; a shift lever body which is connected to the shift lever and is allowing the shift lever to move around shift axis or select axis; and a sensor unit including a 3D sensor which is mounted fixedly in the place intersecting the shift axis and select axis within the shift lever body and can sense the movement of the magnet around an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis as the magnet moves, wherein the 3D sensor is mounted at a tilted angle for providing at least two of three output signals with linearity.
US09388892B1

A hydrostatic transaxle for use as a drive apparatus of a vehicle is provided. The hydrostatic transaxle includes a main housing joined to a gear housing to enclose a hydrostatic transmission and a reduction gear set. The hydrostatic transmission includes an axial piston pump assembly and an axial piston motor assembly arranged in a parallel configuration on one side of a center section. A charge pump is contained within a pocket on an opposing side of the center section. A charge pump cover assembly secures the charge pump in the pocket and has a charge relief assembly that extends into a void volume defined by a ring gear of the gear reduction set. The gear reduction set drives an axle extending from the gear housing.
US09388890B2

A ball screw seal assembly which includes at least one energizer and a seal body, the ball screw seal assembly being configured for being positioned in a housing groove, the seal body including at least one outer diameter lip and two inner diameter lips, the at least one outer diameter lip being configured for contacting and sealing against the housing groove, the inner diameter lips being configured for wiping or scraping an outer surface of a threaded rod including a plurality of threads, the inner diameter lips being wipers or scrapers and being spaced apart from one another, the at least one energizer being configured for energizing and thereby biasing each of the inner diameter lips radially inwardly.
US09388888B2

Power actuator (2) device and method for submerged use at petroleum exploitation, where an electric motor (50) drives a displaceable actuating element (16) via a transmission element (80), and where the power actuator (2) comprises at least two parallel and cooperative screw-nut-connections (20) connected to the actuating element (16), and where the transmission elements (80) comprise a driving wheel (40) which synchronically drives a screw (22) or a nut (18) in each of the at least two screw-nut-connections (20).
US09388883B2

A continuously variable transmission essentially composed by a disc with a variable inclination articulated by an automatic servo-mechanism positioned in a driver axis is described. The inclined disc system activates a pivot using two opposed bearings fixed in the pivot. The pivot activates two alternative rods. A force transmitted by the rods is applied to a balancer, with a turn radius originating in the center line of a transversal axis positioned in the center of the transmission. One side of the transversal axis is installed in the interior of a semi-axis and transmits continuous rotation in only one direction using a sprag bearing. In the internal side of the set, there are external conical helical gears integral to the semi-axis. The exit-axis is an axis of a sprocket, positioned symmetrically between both gears, having a center line axial to the entrance axis of the transmission.
US09388878B2

A suspension device intervenes between a vehicle body and a wheel in a vehicle. The suspension device includes an outer tube coupled to the vehicle body, an inner tube inserted into the outer tube so as to allow the inner tube to advance and retreat, and a wheel-side bracket that includes a tubular holding portion into which an end portion on the wheel side of the inner tube is inserted and couples the inner tube to the wheel. The holding portion includes an annular ring disposed on the outer tube side and having an inner peripheral surface standing along an outer peripheral surface of the inner tube. The ring includes an outer peripheral tapered surface formed on an outer peripheral surface of the ring continuously from the end portion on the outer tube side of the inner peripheral surface and having a diameter gradually expanded to the holding portion side.
US09388873B1

A protective member includes outer and inner layers interconnected by multiple connectors under tension along their longitudinal axis. The connectors absorb energy from an impact force by resisting further tension along their longitudinal axis, can elongate along their longitudinal axis and allow the layers to move relative to each other. The protective member can be used in numerous applications and environments, including for participants in sports, in applications including bumpers, passenger cabins, car seats, beds, torso protection, ships, gloves, footwear and items.
US09388872B1

A laminate comprises a first ductile material textured with barbs and a second friable material. First material is preferably electro-plated steel. Second material may be a brake friction composition. Barbs may be pointed or headed or in combination. Second material may be in the form of castings, sheets or pads. Second material may be impaled by at least some of the barbs. Lamination of first and second materials preferably includes an adhesive therebetween. The adhesive may include uncured rubber to be vulcanized in place.
US09388870B2

A device for retracting a piston for a brake caliper is disclosed. The device is suitable for actuating at least one pad for brake calipers of the type comprising a body arranged astride of a brake disc having a rotation axis and two opposite friction surfaces perpendicular to the rotation axis. The piston is suitable for axially translating, thus bringing each pad in contact with force against a respective friction surface of the disc, generating a braking friction torque that is opposite to the rotation direction of the disc. The piston is slidably actuated within a respective seat formed in the caliper body, biased by the pressure of a brake fluid supplied by a supplying plant, in a manner that is controlled by a user to carry out a braking action.
US09388869B2

A return spring is provided between a friction pad and a mount member. The return spring biases the friction pad in a return direction for separating the friction pad from the disk, and is made of a metallic plate. The return spring includes a fixation portion on a proximal end side thereof, and the fixation portion is fixed to an ear portion of a back plate of the friction pad. The return spring includes an abutment portion, and the abutment portion is in elastic abutment with an abutment plate portion of a pad spring, which corresponds to a mount member side, on an outer side in a disk radial direction relative to the fixation portion. The pad spring includes a guide portion extending in a disk axial direction and supporting a side surface of an intermediate portion of the return spring.
US09388864B2

Provided is a roller type one-way clutch that can prevent rollers from coming off at the time of conveyance and assembling of an outer race without increasing a cost and a weight. The roller type one-way clutch includes: an outer race having pockets that have a cam surface formed on an inner surface thereof; an inner race that is apart on an inner diameter side in a radial direction from the outer race, concentrically arranged to allow its relative rotation, and has an annular outer peripheral raceway surface; a plurality of rollers each of which is arranged in each pocket, engaged with the cam surface, and transmits torque between the outer race and the inner race; and springs each of which is arranged in each pocket and energizes each roller by one end portion thereof in an engaging direction with respect to the cam surface, the other end portion of each spring is fixed to the outer race, and a support portion that supports each roller in a radial direction is provided at the other end portion.
US09388863B2

A shaft coupling mechanism 1 includes a coupling base body 3 coupled to a rotating shaft 2; a coupling base body 5 coupled to a rotating shaft 4; a pair of rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 interposed between both coupling base bodies 3 and 5 and adapted to transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft 2 in an R direction to the rotating shaft 4 through both coupling base bodies 3 and 5; an intermediate interposed member 8 interposed between the pair of rotation transmitting members 6 and 7; and a coupling means 9 for coupling the pair of rotation transmitting members 6 and 7 to each other.
US09388860B2

A retaining ring for a constant velocity joint includes an annular, C-shaped retainer body that tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal axis from a first end opening and a first end to a second end opening and a second end, the retainer body comprising a first retainer leg and an opposed second retainer leg, the first retainer leg and the second retainer leg joined together on a proximal end and separated on respective distal ends by a gap. It also includes an axially extending annular rib disposed on the first end of the retainer body. It further includes a relief feature formed on the second end of the first retainer leg and a relief feature formed on the second end of the second leg, the relief feature on the first retainer leg and the relief feature on the second retainer leg disposed closer to the proximal end than the distal ends.
US09388857B2

A pillar includes a radially outer projection that is formed at the radially outer side of a pillar's wall surface facing a pocket so as to project in the circumference direction and restricts radially outward movement of a roller. A radially inner projection is formed at the radially inner side of the pillar's wall surface facing the pocket so as to project in the circumference direction and restrict radially inward movement of the roller. Allowable distance Lo to which the roller can move radially outward from a pitch circle PCD of the rollers under the restriction of the radially outer projections and allowable distance Li to which the roller can move radially inward from the pitch circle PCD of the rollers under the restriction of the radially inner projections satisfy the relationship Lo>Li. The cage solves the problem that the rollers get caught by the roller retaining elongated projections.
US09388856B2

An end in an axial direction of a cage includes a first end face located so as to surround a pocket, a plurality of claw-shaped protrusions that protrude from a periphery of the pocket in a first end face outward in an axial direction and toward a center of the pocket and extend along the periphery at intervals, and a second end face that is connected to an end of the first end face, which is located on the opposite side of the first end face from the pocket side, via a step and is located further outward in the axial direction than the first end face. A recess is defined by the claw-shaped protrusions, the first end face, and the step.
US09388854B2

A magnetic bearing apparatus for supporting a rotational shaft includes a magnetic bearing, a rotation sensor, a controller which controls an electric current flown to an electromagnet, and at least one vibration sensor. The controller controls the electric current flown to the electromagnet as follows: in a first control mode, a first electric current is flown to the electromagnet for levitating and supporting the rotational shaft; and in a second control mode, a second electric current is flown to the electromagnet in place of the first electric current at a first periodic timing which is detected by the rotation sensor so that vibration is reduced to a lower level than a first vibration value detected in the first control mode in at least one of setting location of the at least one vibration sensor.
US09388853B2

A bearing element for two spatial directions, including a series of first rolling bodies (1), which roll on a first side (2) of an intermediate part (3) in a first direction, and a series of second rolling bodies (4), which roll on a second side (5) of the intermediate part and on a fastening part (6) in a second direction that differs to the first direction, the fastening part having a shaft (7), and a spring element (8) being arranged around the shaft. This bearing element addresses the problem of providing a bearing element for two spatial directions, which can absorb great forces perpendicularly to the two spatial directions and which is of compact design.
US09388851B1

A split cylindrical bearing assembly having a first split outer ring with an inner radial self-aligning feature aligning axially with a second split outer ring having an outer radial self-aligning feature, the second split outer ring having two sections that are fixedly assembled and circumferentially aligned. A split inner ring having two sections fixedly assembled and circumferentially aligned is assembled within and axially aligned with the second split outer ring, and a split cage retaining rolling elements disposed between the second split outer ring and the split inner ring. Also the split cylindrical bearing assembly assembled onto a shaft and into a housing assembly.
US09388849B2

A renewable bearing is for a tong including a housing and an engagement assembly. The bearing has a monolithic upper bearing element having a substantially planar upper surface and a monolithic lower bearing element having a substantially planar lower surface. The upper and lower bearing elements are configured to mount inside the housing with a substantially same outer horizontal profile as the upper bearing element. The upper bearing element and the lower bearing element define a central open area. The upper bearing element and the lower bearing element have an inner section define a radial recess opening to the central opening and for receiving the engagement assembly. The upper bearing element and the lower bearing element have outer sections that form a bearing portion radially intermediate the engagement assembly.
US09388825B1

The ventilation fan with automatic blade closure mechanism can include pivotable fan blades extending radially from a central hub. The fan blades pivot on their spars to allow the blades to assume positive pitch angles during operation. The fan blades are urged to a flat, substantially coplanar configuration when the fan is not in operation. A mechanism drives a motor shaft, the fan hub, and the blades axially outward for operation, and retracts the shaft, hub, and blades when the fan is not in operation. The tips of the blades seat in a groove of the surrounding rim when the fan is not in operation, with the outer surfaces of the blades, hub, and surrounding rim forming a substantially flat, continuous surface. This surface can be embellished with a decorative display, providing the fan with an attractive appearance when the fan is not in operation.
US09388819B2

An HVAC system includes a heating/cooling element; an electric motor; a speed sensor; and a control device. The heating/cooling element includes a heating element, a cooling element, and heat exchangers. The motor has a rotatable shaft coupled with a blower wheel. The speed sensor senses a rotational speed of the motor shaft and the blower wheel and includes a magnet coupled with the motor shaft for rotation therewith; and a coil assembly mounted concentrically over the magnet and operable to generate an alternating signal when the magnet rotates relative to the coil. The alternating signal has an electrical characteristic that is generally proportional to the rotational speed of the shaft. The control device determines a rotational speed of the motor shaft and disables operation of the heating/cooling element when the alternating signal indicates that the rotational speed of the shaft drops below a minimum threshold speed.
US09388818B2

A side channel blower for a vehicle heater includes a blower housing area (14) with a delivery channel (18), which extends in a ring-shaped pattern around a central axis (A) and is open on an axial side (16). A motor housing area (26) integral with the blower housing area (14) accommodates an electric drive motor (30) with a drive shaft (36). A first delivery wheel covers the delivery channel on a first axial side of the blower housing area and is carried at a first end of the drive shaft. A control device housing area is integral with the blower housing area or/and the motor housing area and is provided with a circumferential wall and with a bottom wall and with an opening located opposite the bottom wall. A partial area of the bottom wall of the control device housing area is formed by the motor housing area.
US09388808B2

A scroll compression device that is adaptable to a larger elimination capacity by using a balancer of magnetic material is provided. A scroll compression mechanism 11 for compressing refrigerant and a driving motor 13 that is connected to the scroll compression mechanism 11 through a driving shaft 15 and drives the scroll compression mechanism 11 are accommodated in a casing 3, the scroll compression mechanism 11 is supported in the casing by a main frame 21, a rotor 39 of the driving motor 13 is connected to the driving shaft 15, the driving shaft 15 is supported in the casing by a bearing plate 8, an upper balancer 63 of magnetic material is secured onto the shaft above the stator 37 of the driving shaft 15, a lower balancer 77 of non-magnetic material is secured to the lower end of the rotor 39, and an auxiliary balancer 64 of non-magnetic material is secured in the gap between the upper end of the rotor 39 and the upper balancer 63.
US09388803B2

Medical devices for extracorporeal blood treatment including tube roller pumps. Tube roller pumps including a pump housing having a bent bearing surface and a rotor being rotatable inside the bearing surface, wherein a tubing segment can be introduced between the bearing surface and the rotor in the form of a loop. A stationary first receiving portion for accommodating one end of the loop-shaped tubing segment and a rocker arm including a second receiving portion for accommodating the other end of the loop-shaped tubing segment is located at the pump housing, wherein the rocker arm is rotatable about a pivoting axis so that the second receiving portion with the tubing segment can be brought into at least two different positions and that a first position represents a threading position and a second position represents an unthreading position for the tubing segment.
US09388796B2

An assembly for absorbing torques at the rotor hub of a wind turbine whose rotation axis extends toward the wind, and for diverting axial and radial forces and tilting moments into a load-bearing structure by means of a main bearing, and for extracting rotational energy from the rotor hub by means of a gear whose planet gears mesh with a sun gear and a ring gear, and comprising a generator connectable to an output side of the planetary gear, and operates to convert the rotational energy into electrical energy, wherein the planetary gear is integrated with a main bearing of a wind power plant, and the ring gear of the planetary gear is driven by the rotor hub, while the planet gear carrier is fixed to the chassis of a gondola of the power plant, and the sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism is drivingly connected to the generator, and the generator does nor protrude radially beyond the rotor bearing or main bearing.
US09388794B2

Flying electric generator aircraft that include groupings of four rotors mounted to booms extending fore and aft of a fuselage structure wherein the rotors are placed so that when the aircraft is facing the wind, each rotor has a direct path to an undisturbed flow of air, regardless of pitch angle and during all flight maneuvers of the aircraft. The rotors are placed in counter-rotating pairs with the booms preferably angled so that the rotors in the front of the aircraft are spaced at a distance from one another that is different than a spacing of the rotors at the rear of the aircraft.
US09388790B2

A fan device for high torque output has two base plates, multiple fans, and a spindle. The base plates are mounted parallel to each other. The fans are mounted between the base plates, and each fan has an inner side, an outer side, and an inflection point. The spindle is connected with one of the base plates and is located at a middle position of the base plate. A connecting line that connects the inflection point and the spindle is out of an area defined between a connecting line that connects the spindle and the inner side and a connecting line that connects the spindle and the outer side when the inflection point, the inner side, and the outer side are located at the same horizontal plane. Therefore, each fan has a large frontal area to be pushed by fluid.
US09388782B2

Disclosed herein is a fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine. The fuel injection valve includes a valve body (10), a nozzle (20), a valve plate (30), a main needle spindle (40), a main needle (50), a main needle spring (60), a spring plate (70), a pilot needle spring (80), a pilot needle spindle (90) and a pilot needle (100). In the present invention, both the main needle and the pilot needle are opened or only the pilot needle is opened by compressed high-pressure fuel oil or compressed air, thereby enabling main injection and pilot injection to be separately performed by the single fuel-injection valve. Furthermore, because opening of the main needle valve can be controlled by compressed air for ignition or control of an engine, only the pilot injection may be conducted even without using a separate compression apparatus or the like.
US09388781B2

A fuel accumulator block is provided for testing high-pressure components of fuel injection devices. The fuel accumulator block includes an accumulator body and at least one pressure control valve, which is accommodated in a receptacle in the accumulator body. The accumulator body is connected to a test line for a test medium and to a cooling line for a cooling medium. Within the accumulator body a test line run is developed for the test medium and a cooling line run is developed for the cooling medium. The cooling line run has at least one section which runs in the vicinity of the receptacle for the pressure control valve.
US09388780B2

A resilient member is accommodated within a single support column, which connects a flange and a pump unit. The resilient member presses the pump unit in an axial direction toward a bottom part of a fuel tank through a holder member. The support column is formed in a polygonal tube shape and has a specific range in a part in the axial direction. A peripheral wall in the specific range is concave relative to corner parts of peripheral walls in an outside of the specific range so that a longitudinal groove having a groove bottom is provided to separate an inside and an outside of the support column. The holder member holding the pump unit is formed in a polygonal hole shape to be fitted with the peripheral walls. The holder member has a slide protrusion, which slidingly moves in the longitudinal groove in a state that the holder member is pushed into the longitudinal groove from the outside of the support column.
US09388778B2

A fuel circulation system and methods are provided. The system includes a supply pump for providing an outlet flow of fuel. The system also includes at least a first and a second servo. The first servo is connected to an outlet of the supply pump. A flow regulation device is interposed between the first and second servos. At least a portion of the outlet flow from the supply pump is directed through the first servo, flow regulation device, and second servo and is returned to an inlet of the supply pump.
US09388774B2

A pressure-assisted precision purge valve system is provided in an evaporative emission control system that provides flow of fuel vapor-air mixture from a fuel tank to an intake manifold. The pressure-assisted precision purge valve system comprises an absorbent canister through which the fuel vapor-air mixture flows, a purge valve configured to regulate flow of the fuel vapor-air mixture to the intake manifold and a fuel vapor pump configured to provide a forced flow to the purge valve dependent on a system differential pressure. The output of the purge valve can be connected to an upstream injection point and/or a downstream injection point of a forced induction device.
US09388773B2

An EGR valve includes a housing formed with a passage, a valve seat provided in the passage, a valve element seatable on the valve seat, a valve stem provided with the valve element at an end, and an actuator for making stroke movement of the valve stem. The valve element is moved together with the valve stem with respect to the valve seat to change an open area of a measuring section, thereby changing an opening degree of the valve element, to adjust a flow rate of EGR gas in the passage. The EGR valve has high-resolution flow-rate characteristics in a low opening region of the valve element and large flow-rate characteristics in a high opening region. The valve element and the valve seat have predetermined shapes to cause the flow-rate characteristics in the low opening region to change in a curve without a step.
US09388772B2

A needle sleeve, in particular for pivotably mounting the throttle valve shaft of a control device for recirculating exhaust gas in internal combustion engines. The needle sleeve provides a thin-walled outer ring formed without cutting. A needle roller and cage assembly is inserted in the outer ring. The needle cage carries the bearing needles at uniform spacings in the circumferential direction. The needle sleeve has, at its axial sides, two radially inward facing ribs holding the needle roller and cage assembly in the outer ring and has multiple seals that seal the sleeve to prevent exhaust gas condensates from flowing through. The outer ring of the needle sleeve is a rimless, cylindrical sleeve, and the seals are two lip sealing rings having an S-shaped cross-sectional profile. The seals are located at least partially outside the outer ring and are pressed onto its axial edges, and provide the radially inward facing ribs.
US09388758B2

A prediction module, based on a set of possible target values for M future times and a model of an engine, determines predicted torques of the engine for the M future times, respectively. M is an integer greater than one. A cost module determines a cost for the set of possible target values based on comparisons of the predicted torques for the M future times with engine torque requests for the M future times, respectively. A selection module, based on the cost, selects the set of possible target values from a group including the set of possible target values and N other sets of possible target values, wherein N is an integer greater than zero, and sets target values based on the selected set of possible target values. An actuator module controls an engine actuator based on a first one of the target values.
US09388756B2

A method of controlling a charging pressure of an internal combustion engine having a particle filter for the treatment of exhaust gases, wherein the charging pressure is controlled to achieve a nominal charging pressure value and wherein the nominal charging pressure value is set as a function of operating parameters, wherein there is determined a first value for a charging pressure minimizing a fuel consumption, taking into account a direct influence of the charging pressure on the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine; as well as an internal combustion engine having a particle filter for the treatment of exhaust gases, using such a control method.
US09388754B2

A control system includes a control module that receives a first request corresponding to a control value for at least one of a plurality of actuators, selectively receives a second request associated with a predicted future control value for at least one of the plurality of actuators, determines a target value for the actuator based on the first request if the second request was not received, and generates a reference signal representing the second request if the second request was received. The reference signal indicates at least one of a predicted increase in the control value and a predicted decrease in the control value. A model predictive control module receives the reference signal and adjusts one of the plurality of actuators associated with the predicted future control value based on the reference signal.
US09388750B2

Vehicles capable of operating in an energy conserving mode may include an interface for conveying inhibitors preventing activation of the energy conserving mode. The system may identify the inhibiting features and prompt an operator of the vehicle for authorization to disable the inhibiting features or adjust the feature states to enable the energy conserving mode. In response to receiving authorization, the system may automatically control feature interfaces to remove inhibits to the energy conserving mode. The interface may communicate active inhibitors to an operator using a display or a speaker, or both. Additionally, the interface may query the operator to approve automatic deactivation of the inhibiting features and facilitate the receipt of operator input to the query.
US09388737B2

The invention relates generally to electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, and more specifically to pressurized air injection that is useful for providing additional electrical power during periods of peak electrical power demand from a gas turbine system power plant, as well as to inlet heating to allow increased engine turn down during periods of reduced electrical demand.
US09388731B2

A noise suppression system for an air-cooled internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system may include an acoustically designed shroud forming a cavity and configured for attenuating noise produced by a cooling air fan associated with the engine. In one system, the shroud is mountable on a housing of the air fan. A pair of air inlet passages may be provided which are operable to draw ambient cooling air into the shroud to the fan. The air inlet passages are acoustically configured and tuned to attenuate noise generated by the fan. In one system, the air inlet passages may each be formed in a rear quadrant of the shroud. Various configurations of the shroud may include quarter wave resonators and/or micro-perforated panels to further attenuate fan noise.
US09388730B2

A ventilation structure of an engine compartment that houses an engine and is adjacent to a cooling fan that supplies cooling air to a heat exchanger in a form of a radiator is provided. A ventilation structure of the engine compartment includes: an exterior cover with which the engine and the cooling fan are covered; and a ventilation duct that includes an inner surface of the exterior cover, in which a first end of the ventilation duct is open in the engine compartment while a second end of the ventilation duct intercommunicates with a surrounding area of the cooling fan.
US09388724B2

An exhaust gas treatment device has a housing and a hollow body through which exhaust gas flows and which is accommodated in the housing. The hollow body consists at least partly of a gas permeable substrate. The hollow body is connected at least one end to a wall member arranged in the housing and formed to be flexible in the axial direction.
US09388720B2

A method for treating exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine involves introducing less fuel into at least one first cylinder of the internal combustion engine than into at least one second cylinder of the internal combustion engine. Exhaust gas emerging from the at least one first cylinder is at least partially recycled into a supply air section of the internal combustion engine. At least the exhaust gas of the at least one second cylinder is supplied to an exhaust gas after-treatment unit. An exhaust gas line, by means of which exhaust gas of the at least one first cylinder of the exhaust gas after treatment unit can be supplied, is at least partially blocked.
US09388708B2

A turbocharger (1) with variable turbine geometry (VTG), having a blade bearing ring (6), which has a multiplicity of guide blades (7), and which has a stop (25) at least for adjusting the minimum throughflow through the nozzle cross sections formed by the guide blades (7), wherein the stop (25) has a fixing peg (32) on which a deformable, arched adjusting section (26) is arranged. Since the stop is formed as a deformable component which can be fixed in the guide grate, it is possible after the assembly of the guide grate to rework said stop in a simple manner in order to precisely set the required stop position, since said stop is not integrally connected to the guide grate.
US09388705B2

The sealing device includes: an outer peripheral ring 2000 that is in contact with a side wall surface of an annular groove 4100 at a low pressure side (L), and slides with respect to an inner peripheral surface of a shaft hole in a housing 5000 through which a shaft 4000 is inserted. An inner peripheral ring 3000 made of a rubber-like elastic body that is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral ring 2000 and a groove bottom surface of the annular groove 4100, respectively. The outer peripheral ring 2000 is formed on its outer peripheral surface with a concave portion 2220 which extends from an end of a high pressure side (H) to a position which does not arrive at an end of a low pressure side, so as to introduce fluid thereinto from the high pressure side.
US09388704B2

A vane array adapted to be coupled to a vane carrier within a gas turbine engine is provided comprising: a plurality of elongated airfoils comprising at least a first airfoil and a second airfoil located adjacent to one another; a U-ring; first connector structure for coupling a radially inner end section of each of the first and second airfoils to the U-ring; second connector structure for coupling a radially outer end section of each of the first and second airfoils to the vane carrier; a platform extending between the first and second airfoils; and platform connector structure for coupling the platform to one of the U-ring and the vane carrier.
US09388699B2

A cooling circuit for a turbine bucket having an airfoil portion includes a trailing edge cooling circuit portion provided with a first radially outwardly directed inlet passage intermediate leading and trailing edges of the airfoil portion of the bucket, extending from a platform portion of the bucket to a location adjacent a radially outer tip of the bucket, and connecting to a second radially inwardly directed passage extending from a location adjacent the radially outer tip to a location adjacent the platform portion. The second radially inwardly directed passage connects to a third trailing edge region passage, and a plurality of crossover passages connect a radially outer half of the second radially inwardly directed passage to a radially outer half of the third trailing edge region passage.
US09388693B2

A conveyor system including a track extending between a loading region and a discharge region, an endless belt bendable into a tubular shape, the endless belt having thickened edges, a number of carriages moveably mounted to the track, the carriages including belt rollers for engaging the edges of the belt to thereby support the belt, a loading carriage for allowing material to be loaded onto the belt, the loading station being moveable at least within the loading region, a discharge carriage for allowing material to be discharged from the belt, the discharge station being moveable at least within the discharge region and a number of intermediate carriages positioned between the loading and discharge carriages for supporting the belt along transport and return paths with the tubular shape.
US09388691B2

The invention relates to a protective element (20) for connecting to a concrete element (10) of a tunnel lining, to the concrete element (10) and to the method for producing the concrete element (10). It is an object of the invention to provide a protective element (20) for a tunnel lining, or the associated concrete element, which ensures that the protective casing of the tunnel lining is better safeguarded against corrosive gases or liquids. The solution of the invention provides that the protective element (20) is produced from an injection-moldable plastics material, that a protective portion (21, 22, 23) is connected in a single piece to a seal (30), wherein the connection is gas-tight and liquid-tight, that the protective portion (21, 22, 23) is connected in a single piece to a connecting element (24, 25, 26, 27, 28), and that the single-piece connection is produced by injection molding of the plastics material.
US09388683B2

A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.
US09388682B2

A method, apparatus and program product utilize infeasible regions projected onto sets of substantially parallel feasibility planes extending through a subsurface region to perform anti-collision and other types of hazard avoidance analysis. Hazards, e.g., existing well trajectories, that intersect the feasibility planes, as well as any uncertainties associated therewith, may be represented as infeasible regions in the feasibility planes, such that an analysis of the feasibility of a proposed well trajectory may be determined in a computationally efficient manner through a comparison of the locations, within one or more feasibility planes, of the proposed well trajectory and any infeasible regions defined in such feasibility planes.
US09388681B2

Reducing or eliminating stick-slip and vibrations downhole may include controlling top drive torque in order to adjust drill bit angular speed in a manner that prevents, eliminates, or reduces stick-slip and vibration. Control methods and systems may include solving one or more optimization problems including an objective function. The objective function may be subject to conditions including a physical model of the drilling system. The objective function may be minimized without reference to a model, but instead by reference to estimated stick-slip frequency based upon a drill bit angular speed profile. In addition, actual downhole measurements for use in control methods and systems, such as drill bit angular speed, may be estimated using an observer.
US09388670B2

A containment system for recovering hydrocarbon fluid from a leaking device comprises a dome situated above the leaking device and forming a cavity for accumulating hydrocarbon fluid from the leaking device, and an injection system that inputs an injection fluid into the cavity. The injection system comprises a plurality of first injectors near the domes inner surface.
US09388668B2

There is herein described the prevention of hydrates and the provision of a Relief Well in an oil and gas Well. More particularly, there is described the prevention of hydrates in an oil and gas Well by utilizing the latent heat in the sub-soil and providing Subterranean Channels to facilitate the provision of Relief Well access.
US09388667B2

A method for heating a production fluid in a wellbore. The method can include heating, using a packer fluid, a working fluid flowing through a first medium disposed in a first section of the wellbore, where the first medium transfers heat from the packer fluid to the working fluid. The method can also include circulating the working fluid into a second section of the wellbore through a second medium, where the second medium transfers heat from the working fluid to the production fluid. The method can further include returning the working fluid to the first section of the wellbore through the first medium.
US09388658B2

Some embodiments of the present subsea pipe cutting apparatuses use or include a frame, one or more water jet nozzles coupled to the frame and configured to apply pressurized fluid to a pipe to cut the pipe, and one or more of: a flange configured to secure the subsea pipe cutting apparatus relative to a blowout preventer stack, one or more water jet nozzles coupled to a rotating portion of the frame and configured to rotate about the pipe, one or more water jet nozzles movable between a retracted state and a deployed state in which the one or more water jet nozzles are radially closer to the pipe than when in the retracted state, one or more water jet nozzles pivotally coupled to the frame and configured to pivot while applying pressurized fluid to a surface of the pipe, and two or more water jet nozzles.
US09388657B2

A blow-out preventer contains high pressure material within a drill casing. Specifically, an automatic blow-out preventer cuts off communication between a casing and a riser automatically when pressures rise within the casing. More specifically, the blow-out preventer comprises a plurality of curved blades or “petals” that automatically close to seal off casing pressure from riser pressure when pressure rises within the casing.
US09388655B2

A packoff and a locking assembly installed in a bore of a wellhead component are provided. In one embodiment, a packoff includes inner and outer annular seals and an energizing ring shaped to be wedged between the inner and outer annular seals so as to apply a radially inward biasing force on the inner annular seal and a radially outward biasing force on the outer annular seal. In another embodiment, a locking assembly includes a lock ring that extends into a recess in a wall of the bore of the wellhead component and an actuator radially disposed between an inner component within the bore and the lock ring to retain the lock ring within the recess. The actuator can have an interference fit with the inner component to inhibit movement of the actuator between the lock ring and the inner component. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
US09388652B2

A hydraulic jar having multiple high pressure chambers includes a jar body comprising an inner body telescopically engaged by an outer body. There is a first contact surface carried by the inner body, and a second contact surface carried by the outer body that engage when the jar body is moved to the jarring position. A plurality of axially spaced pressure chambers are spaced axially along the jar body, with each pressure chamber having a hydraulic delay section and a jarring section. A piston separates the pressure chamber. A hydraulic delay is in fluid communication with a high pressure section and a low pressure section of each pressure chamber and permits movement of the piston toward the second end at a first speed. A jarring valve permits movement of the piston toward the second end at a second speed that is greater than the first speed when in a japing section.
US09388644B2

A drilling device and method with a drill rod which can be driven in a rotating manner and has an internal line, a support rope, a rotary joint between the drill rod and the support rope and has a holding member which is in connection with the support rope and a rotary member which is in connection with the rotatable drill rod, a line and a rotary feed-through which is designed for the passage of fluid and/or data between the line and the internal line of the drill rod, wherein the rotary feed-through has a rotor connected to the drill rod and a non-rotating stator, to which the line is attached. Provision is made for the support rope to be designed in a torsion-proof manner and for a rigid connecting element to be arranged as a torque support between the stator of the rotary feed-through and the torsion-proof support rope.
US09388637B2

A reamer for underground passageways made, for instance, for the installation of cables or pipelines to distribute services in a reticulated network. It includes a support housing having plural integral pairs of spaced-apart laterally extending support wings, wherein between each pair of support wing there is a longitudinally extending slot to receive a laterally extending cutting wing such that each cutting wing is captured between a respective pair of support wings. A stabilization ring comprising a circular sleeve supported by plural radial support pillars which extend from a central collar. Wherein, the cutting wings engage with the support housing to resist rearward longitudinal movement, with the support wings to resist torsional forces, and with the circular sleeve of the stabilization ring to resist radial movement.
US09388635B2

In an apparatus of the type comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, an orientable rotatable connection between the first assembly and the second assembly, and a control device associated with the orientable rotatable connection, a method for controlling the actuation of the control device. Particular embodiments of the method include comparing an actual orientation of the second assembly with a target orientation, actuating the control device to perform a control device actuation cycle if the actual orientation is not acceptable, determining an updated actual orientation of the second assembly, comparing the updated actual orientation with the target orientation, and repeating the control device actuation cycle if the updated target orientation is not acceptable. A first exemplary embodiment of the method represents a target approach to achieving the target orientation. A second exemplary embodiment of the method represents an incremental approach to achieving the target orientation.
US09388634B2

Powered safety curtains are disclosed herein. An example barrier includes a motorized drive unit, and a curtain. The curtain includes a leading edge. The leading edge of the curtain is selectively moveable to a closed position and to an open position. The example barrier also includes a guide plate carried by the curtain and extending into a track and a nonferrous guide member attached to the guide plate. The example barrier also includes a first safety device including a first wireless portion and a first electrical portion. The first wireless portion is attached to the nonferrous guide member. The first electrical portion is in a first activated state when the first wireless portion is in proximity with the first electrical portion. The first wireless portion is in a first deactivated state when the first wireless portion is remote relative to the first electrical portion.
US09388630B1

This invention relates generally to a window blind protector, and more specifically, to a device that is positionable on or in a window frame to stop or divert a window blind away from a window sill for allowing access to the window sill. In one embodiment, a device includes, but is not limited to, a first panel that is positionable on a first side of a window sill and that includes a first guide portion; a second panel that is positionable on a second side of the window sill and that includes a second guide portion; and a first cross-member that is configured to extend between the first panel and the second panel to brace the first and second panels against opposing walls of the window frame, wherein the first and second guide portions are configured to divert a window blind away from the window sill when the window blind is lowered.
US09388627B2

A method of manufacturing an insulated frame member including first and second frame components held in a spaced relationship by a first, glazing unit facing connector component and by a second connector component, the first and second frame components together defining a void substantially filled with a foamed material, wherein the first connector component is of width greater than or equal to the thickness of the glazing unit.
US09388611B2

A multi-point lock having an easy to install modular drive mechanism for bolts located at the top and bottom edges of a door in which the multi-point locking system is installed that requires only relatively simple door preparation. The bolt operating mechanism is installed into a rectangular groove cut into a lateral edge of a door which may be cut using relatively simple tools in relatively quick fashion. The multi-point lock is configured to fit doors of any size, with a single kit accommodating doors of different thicknesses, in each case, with the plug-face of the lock cylinder substantially flush with a major face of a backplate of a handle set used with a particular door.
US09388607B2

A prisoner restraint system for securing a prisoner in a police car, the system having a locking attachment member securing the system to the child seat anchor located above and behind the rear seat, a first strap member having an upper end connected to the locking attachment member and a lower end to which a prisoner locking member is attached, the prisoner locking member adapted to be locked onto either a pair of handcuffs securing the prisoner's arms or the prisoner's arm itself, a second strap member of relatively short length having an upper end connected to the locking attachment member and a lower end to which a quick-release secured latch assembly is attached, a third strap member of relatively long length having an upper end connected to the locking attachment member and a lower free end, a tongue assembly mounted onto the third strap member in a manner allowing the tongue assembly to be repositioned along the third strap member to shorten or lengthen the restraining portion of the third strap member, the tongue assembly being received by the quick-release secured latch assembly in a manner whereby a release key is required to release the tongue assembly.
US09388594B2

A swimming pool accessory that is placed into and adjacent a sidewall of the pool includes a staircase assembly constructed from opposing sidewalls that support a plurality of steps that define an interior portion in which a filter assembly is mounted that includes a filter cartridge housing for receiving a removable filter cartridge, a pool skimmer having an inlet that is mounted through one of the opposing sidewalls and an outlet coupled to the filter cartridge housing, and a pump assembly having one end coupled to the filter cartridge housing and a second end forming a water discharge outlet and mounted to the other sidewall. The pump assembly includes a submersible water pump for drawing water through a filter cartridge positioned on the housing and pumping filtered water through the water discharge outlet to create a circulation of water about the interior periphery of the pool.
US09388590B1

The brick chimney guide is an apparatus for holding successive brick courses in proper alignment during the construction of brick chimneys or columns. The apparatus is comprised of four angle upright members mutually connected by eight horizontal bars. The end of each horizontal bar is held frictionally by corner brackets at the top and bottom of each angle upright member. The guide is attached to a chimney by jacking screws on the bottom of each of the four angle upright members. The screws hold the guide in place by friction and help align the guide in a plumb and square manner. The angle upright members physically maintain each of the four corners of the brick structure in vertical alignment throughout the construction process.
US09388576B2

A decor apparatus is based on a flexible panel. In the apparatus, a support structure includes a rail, and a flexible panel having an edge is attached to the rail, with the attachment between the rail and the edge including a plurality of discrete attachment points. A trim piece for the flexible panel is connected to the rail from between the attachment points. The trim piece overlays the attachment between the rail and the edge outside of a plane of the flexible panel.
US09388575B1

The present invention is an L-bracket formed, shaped and threaded to become a suspended ceiling anchor capable of engaging multiple diameters of threaded hanging rods, providing spacing means between threaded sections for a user to avoid threading the end of a threaded hanging rod up to two thirds of the end threads of the threaded hanging rod, thereby reducing installation time and complexity.
US09388569B2

The invention relates to a bridge-like supporting structure made of fireproof ceramic stones, wherein two outer, end bearing stones have a largely horizontal step on the inner side of the outer, end bearing stones and a keystone arranged between the two bearing stones has at least one corresponding step on the two outer sides of the keystone. By means of said structure, thermal expansions can be better compensated.
US09388563B1

A fastener guide for accurate spacing and aligning of fastening means in light wood frame construction, comprising a vertical leg comprising a generally flat rigid material and including a plurality of through-holes spaced according to a calculated matrix for driving fasteners therethrough to secure a first structural member to a second structural member, and a flange attached to or integral with the vertical leg and positioned approximately at a right angle thereto. The fastener guide is placed against a face of the first structural member such that the vertical leg plurality of through-holes are positioned to allow for transfer of thrust, tension and shear forces to the second structural member oriented adjacent thereto at a building frame joint. Fasteners are driven through the plurality of through-holes into the second structural member to secure the first structural member to the second structural member.
US09388561B2

A modular steel-framed construction mold apparatus comprised of a plurality of contiguous foundation, cavity wall and roof deck void spaces defined and formed by assemblies of interlocking encasement panels and connectors integrally attached to a structural steel grillage for accepting, containing, and shaping wet concrete fill, a method for forming, casting, and encasing monolithic composite concrete and steel buildings and structures in situ using said mold apparatus, and a permanently encased monolithic composite concrete and steel structure constructed by employing the foregoing modular mold apparatus and method of concrete construction. The structural steel grillage supports the encasement assemblies before and during the casting process, becoming fully embedded within the cast concrete, and provides tensile strength complementing the compressive strength of concrete fill. The panelized encasement assemblies remain in place following casting protecting and insulating the resulting composite concrete and steel buildings and structures.
US09388558B2

A drain system includes a basin and a drain, where a first one of the basin and the drain comprises at least two substantially inflexible protrusions and a second one of the basin and the drain forms at least two apertures. The protrusions and apertures form male-female connections that facilitate positioning and anchoring of the drain in the basin. Further, stoppers/strainer and ball valves for limiting or ceasing water flow through a drain are disclosed. The stoppers/strainers and quarter turn valves may be switch-activated and moved into position by electricity, water pressure, air pressure and the like.
US09388557B2

A sanitary fixture (6) is provided having a mounting housing (9) which has a thread (10) for fastening to a mating thread provided on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. The mounting housing (9) has a downstream housing end side (12) with flow-through holes (13), and wherein at least one insertion part can be inserted into the mounting housing (9) as far as an insertion stop. According to one of the solution proposals described here, it is provided that the fixture (6) has an aerated jet regulator (16) or is configured as such, that the circumferential wall of the mounting housing (9) borders at least one aeration duct (14) at least in a subregion of at least double-walled configuration, and that the at least one aeration duct (14), which is open towards the downstream housing end side (12), opens out in at least one aeration opening (15) leading into the housing interior of the mounting housing.
US09388549B2

A quick-coupler for coupling a tool such as an excavator bucket, a clamshell grapple or demolition shears to a tool guide such as an excavator arm or the like, includes a coupling mount for receiving a first locking part and a locking mount for receiving a second locking part, wherein a securing element, which can be actuated by a pressure medium, is associated with the coupling mount for capturing and/or securing the first locking part and a locking element, which can be actuated by a pressure medium, is associated with the locking mount for locking the second locking part in the locking mount. The securing element of the coupling mount can likewise be actuated by the pressure circuit for actuating the locking element of the locking mount, wherein a time control device is provided for reducing the actuation pressure built up at the securing element within a specific time duration.
US09388543B2

A Multi-purpose truck for re-establishment of safe and practicable road conditions, after car accidents, through cleaning of the road platform, said truck being equipped by: several tanks, a high-pressure water gun for spraying cleaning products, a suction system suitable to remove, from the road platform, an emulsion that results from the addition of cleaning products to the debris on the road platform, and tanks containing the resulting emulsion to be temporarily stocked at a location, before being definitely delivered to special and authorized plants for disposal. The power supply, necessary to make the multi-purpose truck work properly, can be directly provided by the engine of the truck and/or any other point of energy transmission in the kinematic chain, or it can be directly provided by a pneumatic circuit previously installed on the same truck. The extracted energy can be used as a power supply for mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic devices.
US09388542B2

Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.
US09388540B2

A bracket for attaching a safety handrail to a walkway comprising a C-shaped clamp with a retaining brace which slides under the lower flange of a metal walkway side rail, and is attached using a fastener. The back of the clamp has a retaining sleeve for holding a board for a safety handrail.
US09388538B2

A self-propelled construction machine includes machine frame that is laterally extendible to adjust a width of the machine frame. A frame lock can selectively lock and unlock the machine frame to permit the width adjustment. A controller includes a frame extension mode configured to steer at least one ground engaging unit to provide a lateral force to adjust the width of the machine frame as the machine is driven across the ground surface by the ground engaging units.
US09388532B2

A water dispersion paper made of wood pulp and/or non-wood pulp is characterized in that purified pulp containing α-cellulose by 88 percent by weight or more accounts for 15 to 95 percent by weight of all pulp. The water dispersion paper has quick water dispersion property and high strength (printability) and its paper surface pH is 6 to 8 (neutral range).
US09388523B2

An apparatus includes a first device to perform a first laundry treating operation and a second device to perform a second laundry treating operation. The first device has a first space to receive laundry through a first opening and the second device has a second space to receive laundry through a second opening. A controller controls the first and second devices to perform the first and second laundry treating operations respectively. The first device is coupled over the first device, and the first and second laundry treating operations are both washing operations or the first and second laundry treating operations are both drying operations.
US09388521B2

The invention relates to a system and a method taking advantage of the cleaning effect of pressurized cleaning fluid, typically water; and in a continuous process. Accordingly, a stream of cleaning fluid is generated and applied to the laundry via one or more nozzles, as the laundry passes by the nozzles. Advantages of the laundry system and method, without limitation, may include the following: (a) the system generally saves water, time and electricity; (b) washing time depends on the size of each laundry item; (c) there is no need to accumulate laundry rather it is efficient to wash even just one or a few laundry items; (d) there is no need to sort laundry items; and (e) using high pressure water may require less or no soap, thereby causing less pollution and saving money.
US09388517B2

A method of braiding a stent and associated braided stent. The method includes braiding a number of elongate filaments around a mandrel using tensioned braiding carriers without spooling the filaments to the tensioned braiding carriers to form a braided stent having atraumatic ends. The braided stent includes a plurality of filaments being inter-braided at a braiding angle formed at crossing filament locations. The braiding angle may be substantially constant for all of the filament crossing locations.
US09388516B2

A steam-drawing apparatus has supply roll 1 that transfers carbon-fiber-precursor acrylic fiber bundle (T) in a transfer direction of fiber bundle (T); fiber-opening device 2 for opening fiber bundle (T); width control device 3 for controlling the width of fiber bundle (T); steam box 4 to provide steam for heating fiber bundle (T) to a temperature that allows fiber bundle (T) to be drawn; and haul-off roll 5 that transfers fiber bundle (T) at a speed faster than that of supply roll 1. Using width control device 3 provided at a position between supply roll 1 and steam box 4, the width of fiber bundle (T) after passing through width control device 3 is set to be 65˜110% of the width of fiber bundle (T) before entering the supply roll. The present invention proposes a method for producing a carbon-fiber-precursor acrylic fiber bundle using such a steam-drawing apparatus capable of conducting a high-speed drawing process of carbon-fiber-precursor acrylic fiber bundles at a high draw rate with stable results.
US09388513B2

A thermal and electrical conducting apparatus includes a few-layer graphene film having a thickness D where D≦1.5 nm and a plurality of carbon nanotubes crystallographically aligned with the few-layer graphene film.
US09388506B2

The present invention provides a semiconductor crystal removal apparatus which realizes effective removal of a semiconductor crystal from a crucible through rapid melting of a solidified flux, and a method for producing a semiconductor crystal. The semiconductor crystal removal apparatus includes a crucible support for supporting a crucible so that the opening of the crucible is directed downward; a heater for heating the crucible supported on the crucible support; and a semiconductor crystal receiving net for receiving a semiconductor crystal falling from the opening of the crucible. The semiconductor crystal removal apparatus further includes a determination portion for determining removal of the semiconductor crystal on the basis of a change in weight through falling of the semiconductor crystal.
US09388504B2

A plating apparatus includes a processing bath configured to store a processing liquid therein, a transporter configured to immerse a substrate holder, holding a substrate, in the processing liquid, raise the substrate holder out of the processing bath, and transport the substrate holder in a horizontal direction, and a gas flow generator configured to generate a clean gas flow forward of the substrate with respect to a direction in which the substrate holder is transported. The transporter moves the gas flow generator together with the substrate holder in the horizontal direction while transporting the substrate holder in the horizontal direction.
US09388503B2

An electrochemical sensor system and membrane and method thereof for increased accuracy and effective life of electrochemical and enzyme sensors.
US09388497B2

There is provided a method of electroless gold plating, wherein the method includes a step of forming an underlying alloy layer on a base material and a step of forming a gold plate layer directly on the underlying alloy layer by means of electroless reduction plating using a cyanide-free gold plating bath, wherein the method is characterized in that the underlying alloy layer is formed of an M1-M2-M3 alloy (where M1 is at least one element selected from Ni, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn and Sn, M2 is at least one element selected from Pd, Re, Pt, Rh, Ag and Ru, and M3 is at least one element selected from P and B).
US09388496B2

A method for processing a substrate using a substrate processing apparatus is provided. The substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber and a rotatable turntable having a substrate receiving part provided in the process chamber. In the method, a substrate is placed on a substrate receiving part, and the substrate is processed by supplying process gases into the process chamber. At least a water vapor is supplied into the chamber when the substrate is placed on the substrate receiving part. After that, the substrate is carried out of the process chamber.
US09388493B2

A chemical vapor deposition reactor and a method of wafer processing are provided. The reactor can include a reaction chamber having an interior and an entry port for insertion and removal of substrates, a gas inlet manifold communicating with the interior of the chamber for admitting process gasses to form a deposit on substrates held within the interior, a shutter mounted to the chamber, and one or more cleaning elements mounted within the chamber. The shutter can be movable between (i) a run position in which the cleaning elements are remote from the exhaust channel and (ii) a cleaning position in which the one or more cleaning elements engage with the shutter so that the cleaning elements remove deposited particles from the shutter upon movement of the shutter to the cleaning position.
US09388491B2

A method for depositing a film in a substrate processing system includes arranging a substrate on a pedestal in a processing chamber, heating the substrate to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range, and supplying a gas mixture to the processing chamber for a predetermined period to deposit the film on the substrate, wherein the gas mixture includes a first precursor gas, ammonia gas and diborane gas.
US09388485B2

A thermal spray material includes granules of an oxyfluoride of yttrium (YOF). The granules may contain a fluoride of yttrium (YF3). The granules preferably have an oxygen content of 0.3 to 13.1 mass %. The granules preferably have a fracture strength of 0.3 MPa or more and less than 10 MPa. Part of yttrium (Y) of the granules may be displaced with at least one rare earth element (Ln) except yttrium, the molar fraction of Ln relative to the sum of Y and Ln being preferably 0.2 or less.
US09388482B2

A functionally graded cemented tungsten carbide material produced via heat treating a sintered cemented tungsten carbide is disclosed and described. The heat treating process comprises at least a step that heats the sintered material to the multi-phase temperature range in which multiple phases including solid tungsten carbide, liquid metal binder, and solid metal binder coexist. Additionally, the material, after the heat treating process comprises a surface layer with lower metal binder content than the nominal value of metal binder content of the bulk of the material. The material is used to make tools for rock drilling, machining of metal alloys, and machining of non-metallic materials. The material can also be used to make engineered wear parts that are used in mechanical systems and applications where wear resistance is required or desired.
US09388470B2

The present invention provides non-small cell lung cancer markers and the use thereof in diagnosing and monitoring diseases in vitro. The non-small cell lung cancer markers include at least one of the 26 selected detectable mature microRNAs existing stably in human serum or plasma. The invention also provides probe combinations, a kit and biochip for detecting the non-small cell lung cancer markers. The invention further provides a method for detecting the said lung cancer markers. The method in the present invention enables extensive detection spectrum, high sensitivity, low cost, convenient sample taking and preservation. The method can be applied in the general survey of disease, solves problems of the low specificity and sensitivity encountered with previous single markers, and increases significantly the clinical detection rate of diseases; it forms an effective means for diagnosing diseases at an early stage.
US09388465B2

The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, systems, and devices for polynucleotide processing. Such polynucleotide processing may be useful for a variety of applications, including polynucleotide sequencing. In some cases, this disclosure provides methods for the generation of polynucleotide barcode libraries, and for the attachment of such polynucleotides to target polynucleotides.
US09388464B2

The invention provides modified nucleotide or nucleoside molecule comprising a purine or pyrimidine base and a ribose or deoxyribose sugar moiety having a removable 3′-OH blocking group covalently attached thereto, such that the 3′ carbon atom has attached a group of the structure —O—Z wherein Z is any of —C(R′)2-O—R″, —C(R′)2-N(R″)2, —C(R′)2-N(H)R″, —C(R′)2-S—R″ and —C(R′)2-F, wherein each R″ is or is part of a removable protecting group; each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, substituted alkyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy or amido group, or a detectable label attached through a linking group; or (R′)2 represents an alkylidene group of formula ═C(R′″)2 wherein each R′″ may be the same or different and is selected from the group comprising hydrogen and halogen atoms and alkyl groups; and wherein said molecule may be reacted to yield an intermediate in which each R″ is exchanged for H or, where Z is —C(R′)2-F, the F is exchanged for OH, SH or NH2, preferably OH, which intermediate dissociates under aqueous conditions to afford a molecule with a free 3′OH; with the proviso that where Z is —C(R′)2-S—R″, both R′ groups are not H.
US09388461B2

Methods for genotyping polymorphisms using a locus specific primer that is complementary to a region near a selected polymorphism are described. Methods for synthesizing pools of locus specific primers that incorporate some degenerate positions are also disclosed. A plurality of different sequence capture probes are synthesized simultaneously using degenerate oligonucleotide synthesis. The sequence of the locus specific regions of the capture probes are related in that they have some bases that are identical in each sequence in the plurality of sequences and positions that vary from one locus specific region to another. The sequences are selected based on proximity to a polymorphism of interest and because they conform to a similar sequence pattern.
US09388456B2

The invention provides methods and compositions for performing a stringent wash step in a hybridization assay between at least one molecule and a target. The invention may, for example, eliminate the use of, or reduce the dependence on formamide in the stringent wash step. Compositions for use in the invention include an aqueous composition comprising at least one polar aprotic solvent in an amount effective to denature non-complementary sequences in a hybridization product.
US09388447B2

The present invention relates to methods for mammalian cell culture. The methods make use of independent tyrosine and cystine feed streams.
US09388439B2

The invention relates to novel enzymes that provide acetylated sphingoid bases.
US09388437B2

The present invention relates to the recombinant manufacture of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, it relates to acyltransferase polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding said acyltransferases as well as vectors, host cells, non-human transgenic organisms containing said polynucletides. Moreover, the present invention contemplates methods for the manufacture of polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as oils obtained by such methods.
US09388433B2

The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer, which comprises the step of performing a polymerization reaction using, as a starting material, an organic acid obtained by allowing a microorganism or a treated cell thereof to act on an organic raw material, wherein said microorganism has an ability to produce an organic acid and has been modified so as to produce less aromatic carboxylic acid as compared to an unmodified strain.
US09388420B2

Alkynyl-derivatized cap analogs, alkynyl-modified capped RNA, 1,4-disubstituted triazole-derivatized capped RNA, methods of preparation, methods of isolation, and uses thereof are provided. The “click” modification facilitates detection and isolation of capped RNAs and the 1,4-disubstituted triazole derivatives formed by the “click” reaction are useful for producing RNA transcripts and encoded protein.
US09388418B2

An aptamer-mRNA conjugate is provided. The aptamer-mRNA conjugate may include an aptamer component that binds a membrane associated protein on a target cell and an mRNA component that is expressed by the target cell.
US09388416B2

Compounds comprising an oligonucleotide moiety covalently linked to a lipid moiety are disclosed. The oligonucleotide moiety comprises a sequence that is complementary to the RNA component of human telomerase. The compounds inhibit telomerase activity in cells with a high potency and have superior cellular uptake characteristics.
US09388414B2

The present invention features methods for stimulating clearance of misfolded or aggregated proteins or peptides in microglia or neurons, and treating neurodegenerative diseases associated with such pathology in brain by selectively inhibiting the expression or activity of Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase 1, but not Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase 2.
US09388407B2

Disclosed are devices and methods to synthesize polynucleotides and libraries of polynucleotides such as libraries of oligonucleotides. In exemplary embodiments, the device includes a support having a plurality of features. Each feature contains a plurality of oligonucleotides. Within each feature, each of the plurality of oligonucleotides includes an identical predetermined subunit sequence of X nucleosides and a degenerate sequence of Y nucleosides. A predetermined combination of a subset of the features can be used to produce a polynucleotide having a predetermined sequence of Z nucleosides.
US09388402B2

The present invention provides a method for increasing the yield of a protein produced by cultivating eukaryotic cells and adding an ionic substance to the culture medium prior to harvest of the protein. Suitable ionic substances are the salts of the Hofmeister series, amino acids and peptone.
US09388401B2

The present invention relates antidotes to anticoagulants targeting factor Xa. The antidoes are factor Xa protein derivatives that bind to the factor Xa inhibitors thereby substantially neutralizing them but do not assemble into the prothrombinase complex. The derivatives describe herein lack or have reduced intrinsic coagulant activity. Disclosed herein are methods of stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor.
US09388392B2

Provided herein are polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity as well as microbial host cells comprising such polypeptides. Polypeptides provided herein may be used in biosynthetic pathways, including, but not limited to, isobutanol biosynthetic pathways.
US09388372B2

The invention features a bioreactor for the growth of macroalgae and methods for using the bioreactor to maintain optimal nutrient levels for the organisms in an aquarium or aquaculture system. The devices and methods of the invention provide for the bioremediation of excess nutrients in order to maintain nutrient balance in an aquarium or aquaculture system that facilitates growth and/or health of one or more of the organisms that reside therein.
US09388369B2

Methods for use of enzymes for sustainable wash water maintenance are disclosed. The invention relates to use of enzymes for removing soils from wash water sources in a variety of cleaning applications. The invention cleans wash water sources, prevents the re-deposition of soils on treated surfaces and enhances detergency. Methods of wash water maintenance according to the invention provide sustainable practices by improving water quality and minimizing water and energy consumption in wash systems.
US09388367B2

A composition comprising (a) an esterquat that is a quaternized reaction product of an alkanol amine and a fatty acid, wherein from at least 90 wt % to up to 100 wt % of the esterquat is comprised of triesterquat and from 0 wt % to up to 10 wt % of the esterquat is comprised of at least one of monoesterquat and diesterquat, and (b) a cationic surfactant. Also, a method of producing such a composition and a method of softening a fabric, and increasing fragrance delivery, comprising treating the fabric with the composition.
US09388366B2

A solid fabric softening composition is disclosed which includes a quaternary ammonium fabric softening compound which is stabilized to form a solid with a mixture of a water soluble organic salt and a medium to long chain carboxylic acid. This stabilizing combination has been shown to effectively form a solid quaternary ammonium based fabric softening composition with up to as much as 70% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound. The formulations are stable at typical storage temperatures of up to 110° F. and provide fabric softening similar to and even superior to other traditional liquid formulations.
US09388363B2

A process for extracting palm oil includes an ultrasonic horn press and a megasonic clarifier. The ultrasonic horn press uses ultrasonic vibrations to rupture the palm fruit. After pressing and filtering the palm oil from the ultrasonic horn press, the megasonic clarifier applies megasonic vibrations to clarify the palm oil. The ultrasonic horn press and megasonic clarifier significantly reduce the use of water and minimizes pollution as compared to conventional processes.
US09388351B2

Furfural is produced through hydrolysis of the hemi-cellulose in corn stover. Furfural may also be produced from other biomass. The direct conversion of furfural to mono-alcohols which can be blended with gasoline is an attractive chemical process for providing biomass into the liquid fuel supply. Examples of such alcohols include 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Preferred alcohols include C-4 and C-5 mono-alcohols that have suitable blending properties.
US09388341B2

Thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 10 to 98% by weight of a thermoplastic polyamide, B) from 0.1 to 60% by weight of red phosphorus, C) from 0.5 to 20% by weight of a melamine compound, D) from 1 to 30% by weight of titanium dioxide in the rutile form, E) from 0 to 40% by weight of an impact modifier, and F) from 0 to 60% by weight of further additives, where the sum of the percentages by weight of components A) to F) is 100%.
US09388337B2

A light emitting element according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured of a metal fluoride crystal which is represented by chemical formula LiM1M2F6 (wherein Li includes 6Li; M1 represents at least one alkaline earth metal element selected from among Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba; and M2 represents at least one metal element selected from among Al, Ga and Sc), said metal fluoride crystal containing 0.02% by mole or more of Eu and having an Eu2+ concentration of less than 0.01% by mole.
US09388331B2

Provided is a method for manufacturing an abrasive agent including a dispersant and also including cerium oxide as a main abrasive material component. The method involves: a step for recovering an abrasive agent component by salting out a spent abrasive material slurry by using a cation of an element of the first Group or second Group with an ionic radius of 80 pm to 160 pm in six-coordinate conversion, and solid-liquid separating the cerium oxide by coagulation and sedimentation; and a step for adding a dispersant including an anionic polymer to the abrasive agent component after the recovery.
US09388326B2

The invention provides compositions and methods for inducing and enhancing order and nanostructures in organosilicon block copolymers compositions by including certain organic additives in such compositions that include one or more moieties comprising a hydrogen bond acceptor or a hydrogen bond donor. Such block copolymer compositions may be used, for example, as a mask for lithographic patterning as is used, for example, during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication.
US09388317B2

An inkjet ink includes: (i) a disazo dye of formula (I): (ii) sulfolane; (iii) a glycol compound selected from the group consisting of: ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and pentaethylene glycol; and (iv) water.
US09388309B2

Disclosed are a copolymeric polyester resin composition having outstanding color stability (transparency) and a production method therefor. The copolymeric polyester resin composition comprises: between 95 and 99.99 percent by weight of a copolymeric polyester resin having a structure which is obtained by the copolymerization of a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component that comprises isosorbide, and in which there is repetition of a dicarboxylic acid moiety derived from the dicarboxylic acid component and a diol moiety derived from the diol component; and between 0.01 and 5 percent by weight of an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of hindered phenol-based antioxidants, phosphite-based antioxidants, thioether-based antioxidants and mixtures thereof.
US09388303B2

The present disclosure relates to a polyethylene resin composition contains an ethylene homopolymer.
US09388302B2

Provided are a latex for dip molding, a composition for dip molding, a preparation method of a dip molded product, and a dip molded product prepared thereby. The latex for dip molding includes a conjugated diene monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer, and an ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer, wherein the latex further includes sodium methallyl sulfonate as a copolymerizable ionic monomer. A dip molded product having excellent tensile strength, elongation, and touch may be obtained from a composition using the latex according to the present invention, and the generation of limitations, such as non-uniformity of physical properties and difficulties in product management, may be prevented.
US09388301B2

The present invention provides a formed article, or more specifically a transparent substrate, which effectively utilizes a natural stuff and which has a low linear expansion coefficient, a high light transmittance and an appropriate level of moisture permeability. The transparent substrate includes at least an oxidized polysaccharide and has a linear expansion coefficient of 50 ppm/° C. or less at 30-150° C. and a light transmittance of 70% or more at 660 nm. Its manufacturing method includes an oxidation process in which cellulose reacts with TEMPO or its derivatives as a catalyst to be oxidized in water under the presence of a co-oxidant, along with a fiberizing process in which the oxidized cellulose is fiberized in water to form a cellulose fiber, and a substrate-forming process in which a transparent substrate is formed from a cellulose dispersion liquid containing the cellulose fiber.
US09388293B2

A polyvinyl chloride composition having polyvinyl chloride resin and a plasticizer ester selected from di-butyl terephthalate, di-isobutyl terephthalate, or mixtures thereof.
US09388290B2

The invention relates to novel batches of cross-linking agents, containing marking substances, to novel cross-linkable rubber mixtures, to a method for the production thereof and to the use of same.
US09388285B2

Described is an isolated lignified plant cell wall including lignin, wherein the lignin includes a ferulate residue incorporated therein, such as from coniferyl ferulate and/or sinapyl ferulate. Also described is a method to make the isolated lignified plant cell wall, and the lignin produced by the method.
US09388281B2

Polythioethers and methods for forming polythioethers are described. These polythioethers can be crosslinked materials. The polythioethers are prepared from thiols and hexahydrotriazines. The thiols may be, for example, dithiols, trithiols, monothiols, or mixtures thereof. The polythioethers are prepared from an efficient and simple synthetic method, and the properties of the prepared polythioethers can be readily tuned. The prepared polythioethers may additionally have improved thermal properties, improved mechanical properties, and enhanced functionality.
US09388279B2

A poly(imide-amide) copolymer, which is a product of a reaction between a diamine and a dianhydride, wherein the diamine comprises a diamine represented by Chemical Formula 1 and the dianhydride comprises a dianhydride represented by Chemical Formula 5: wherein, the variables in Chemical Formulae 1 and 5 are described in the specification.
US09388275B2

Methods to form a polymer by ring-opening polymerization include reacting, a mixture comprising a monomer, an accelerator, an initiator, and a catalyst comprising a 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol-2-yl group to form the polymer. Also disclosed are polymers including a residual amount of the catalyst in an amount greater than 0 weight percent.
US09388272B2

There is provided a method of synthesizing a segmented copolymer that includes mixing one or more α,ω (alpha, omega) amine or α,ω (alpha, omega) hydroxyl terminated polysiloxane first soft segments having an average molecular weight of between about 2500 grams per mole to about 10,000 grams per mole, and one or more diisocyanate species, together to form a first reaction product; mixing the first reaction product and one or more low molecular weight diol or diamine chain extenders each having an average molecular weight of less than 400 grams per mole, together in a solvent to form a segmented copolymer; and, removing the solvent.
US09388268B2

Provided are novel polymer brushes that may be used in underlying buffer or imaging layers for block copolymer lithography. The novel polymer brushes include X-A-b-B and X-A-b-C block copolymer brushes, with X an anchoring group, the A block a lithographically sensitive polymer, and the C block a random copolymer. According to various embodiments, polymer block brushes for neutral and preferential layers are provided; the neutral layers non-preferential to the overlying block copolymer and the preferential layers preferential to a block of the overlying block copolymer. Also provided are novel methods of patterning polymer block brush layers as well as polymer block brush buffer and imaging layers that are directly patternable by e-beam, deep UV, extreme UV, X-ray or other lithographic methods.
US09388265B2

Methods for producing a silyl-functionalized polyolefin with silyl monomer incorporation are provided. The method includes reacting a silicon-containing olefin with an α-olefin, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a group IV catalyst for a time sufficient to produce a silyl-functionalized polyolefin.
US09388262B2

A process for producing a fluorinated olefin/vinyl alcohol copolymer, which comprises emulsion polymerizing a fluorinated olefin and a vinyl ether in the presence of an aqueous medium and an emulsifier and converting the repeating units based on the vinyl ether to the vinyl alcohol.
US09388260B2

The invention provides an ethylene-based polymer formed from at least the following: ethylene and a monomeric chain transfer agent (monomeric CTA) selected from Structure 1: wherein L is selected from a saturated hydrocarbon, a substituted saturated hydrocarbon, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, or a substituted unsaturated hydrocarbon; R1 is selected from hydrogen, a saturated hydrocarbon, a substituted saturated hydrocarbon, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, or a substituted unsaturated hydrocarbon; R2 is selected from hydrogen, a saturated hydrocarbon or a substituted saturated hydrocarbon; R3 is selected from hydrogen, a saturated hydrocarbon or a substituted saturated hydrocarbon; and R4 is selected from a saturated hydrocarbon, a substituted saturated hydrocarbon, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, or a substituted unsaturated hydrocarbon.
US09388258B2

The present invention relates to ionomers comprising a reaction product of the reaction between a halogenated isoolefin copolymer and at least one phosphorus based nucleophile comprising at least one pendant vinyl group. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing and curing these ionomers.
US09388239B2

Murine and humanized anti-human VEGF antibodies and uses are disclosed. The anti-human VEGF antibodies of the invention have higher binding affinity for human VEGF-A, are stronger inhibitors of the VEGF-A induced proliferation of endothelial cells in culture as compared with anti-human VEGF antibodies in the art. Moreover, these antibodies cross react with human VEGF-B. The antibodies of the invention inhibit tumor growth in vivo in greater extent than Bevacizumab when administered at the same dosage.
US09388230B2

Use of a chimeric protein selected from the group consisting of CTLA4-FasL and CD40-FasL proteins for treatment of lymphoma and/or a multiple myeloma and/or a leukemia as described herein, and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment thereof.
US09388229B2

A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2α or β. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to be identified receptor.
US09388226B2

The invention relates to citrulline peptides with anti-inflammatory properties. The invention also relates to an in vitro model for activation of macrophages, induced by immune complexes between specified IgG of rheumatoid arthritis and their citrulline targets.
US09388217B2

Polypeptides that recognize and are strong binders to Influenza A hemagglutinin and can be used, for example, to treat and/or limit development of an influenza infection are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention, recombinant expression vectors comprising the nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention operatively linked to a suitable control sequence, and recombinant host cells comprising the recombinant expression vectors of the invention are disclosed. Antibodies that selectively bind to the polypeptides of the invention, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more polypeptides according to the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are disclosed. Additionally, methods for treating and/or limiting an influenza infection, methods for diagnosing an influenza infection, or monitoring progression of an influenza infection, methods for identifying candidate influenza vaccines, and methods for identifying candidate compounds for treating, limiting, and/or diagnosing influenza infection are disclosed.
US09388216B2

The present invention relates to agents, compositions and methods for use in medicine. In particular, the invention relates to agents related to GnRH peptides.
US09388215B2

The invention provides peptides and analogs of INGAP and HIP peptides. The peptides and analogs can be used in methods for treating various diseases and conditions. Such diseases and conditions can include impaired pancreatic function, treating a metabolic disease, for example, diabetes, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, islets induction, expansion and proliferation for transplantation, promoting neuroprotection or nerve regeneration, promoting liver regeneration or inhibiting inflammation.
US09388211B2

N-Substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds, and pharmaceutical formulations of N-substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds are described. Also described are processes for preparing N-substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds. Also described are methods for treating cancer in mammals using the described N-substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds or pharmaceutical formulations thereof.
US09388204B2

Disclosed herein are methods for recovering diphosphite-containing compounds from mixtures comprising organic mononitriles and organic dinitriles, using liquid-liquid extraction. Also disclosed are treatments to enhance extractability of the diphosphite-containing compounds.
US09388193B2

Dipicolylamine compounds of Formula (I) set forth herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing metal ions and these compounds. Further disclosed is a method for treating a condition associated with cells containing inside-out phosphatidylserine, with these compounds.
US09388186B2

The instant invention relates to crystalline forms of MK-1775, an inhibitor of Weel kinase. Specifically, the instant invention relates to hemihydrates of MK-1775.
US09388177B2

The present invention relates to methods of preparing substituted triazolopyridine compounds of general formula (I) as described and defined herein, as well as to intermediate compounds useful in the preparation of said compounds.
US09388176B2

The present invention relates to a method of treating ophthalmic diseases and conditions, e.g. diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, etc., in a subject comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of formula I or a prodrug, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, racemic mixtures or enantiomers of said compound. The compounds of formula I are capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation.
US09388173B2

Described herein are compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Compounds of the present invention are useful for inhibiting PRMT5 activity. Methods of using the compounds for treating PRMT5-mediated disorders are also described.
US09388169B2

Disclosed is use of andrographolide derivative as shown by general formula 1 in manufacture of medicaments for anti-hepatitis C virus, and preventing and treating immunological liver damage caused by virus infection and different chemical liver damage.
US09388168B2

The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of of the formula (I) (I) wherein R1 and R2 are described herein. The compounds prepared by the present invention are useful in the synthesis and manufacture of compounds for treating diseases or conditions associated with inhibiting actin polymerization.
US09388160B2

The present invention is directed to novel quinazolines, their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, prodrug, stereoisomer, tautomer, metabolite and hydrates thereof. The compounds and compositions of the present invention have protein kinases inhibitory activities and are expected to be useful for the treatment of protein kinases mediated diseases and conditions.
US09388156B2

The invention relates to novel compounds that are useful for modulating mitochondrial morphology and/or expression of OXPHOS enzymes and/or cellular ROS. The compounds are derivatives of TroloxrM wherein the carboxylic acid moiety is replaced by an amide moiety and wherein the nitrogen atom of the amide moiety is connected via a linker to a cationic nitrogen atom. The compounds of the invention are formulated into pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions. The invention further relates to methods wherein the compounds of the invention are used for treating or preventing mitochondrial disorders, conditions associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including adverse drug effects, and/or neoplastic diseases. The invention also relates to cosmetic methods for treating or delaying further aging of the skin and veterinary applications.
US09388153B2

Compounds such as those represented by Formulas 1-6 can be used in topical liquids, creams, or other dosage forms such as solids, for reducing intraocular pressure, treating glaucoma, growing hair, or other medical uses.
US09388148B2

The present invention relates to novel acylaminocycloalkyl compounds, in particular to the compounds of the formula I as described herein and to their salts and N-oxides. The compounds possess valuable therapeutic properties and are suitable, in particular, for treating diseases that respond to modulation of the dopamine D3 receptor. In formula I, the variables have the following meanings: m is 1 or 2, n is 1 or 2, A is selected from the group consisting of CH2, CH2CH2, CHFCH2 and CF2CH2, R1 is an oxygen containing cyclic radical selected such as C3-C6 cycloalkyl, which carries one or two oxygen containing radicals selected from the group consisting of OH, C1-C2-alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C2-alkoxy, and a carbonyl oxygen, R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, OH and fluorine, R3a is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R3b is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R4 is branched C4-C6 alkyl or branched fluorinated C4-C6 alkyl, and R5 is inter alia C1-C6 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C2-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl, fluorinated C1-C2-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C4-alkyl, fluorinated hydroxy-C1-C4-alkyl, oxetanyl, fluorinated oxetanyl, oxolanyl, fluorinated oxolanyl, C3-C5 cycloalkyl, fluorinated C3-C5 cycloalkyl, etc.
US09388147B2

Compounds that selectively modulate the sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor are provided including compounds which modulate subtype 1 of the S1P receptor. Methods of chiral synthesis of such compounds are provided. Uses, methods of treatment or prevention and methods of preparing inventive compositions including inventive compounds are provided in connection with the treatment or prevention of diseases, malconditions, and disorders for which modulation of the sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor is medically indicated.
US09388144B2

Compounds according to Formula I and Formula II are potent inhibitors of PSMA activity: Pharmaceutical compositions may include a complex of a radionuclide and a compound of Formula I or Formula II.
US09388135B2

Disclosed herein is a process for preparing N-benzyl-3-hydroxypyridin-2-(1H)-ones that are substituted at the pyridine ring 4-position with a 4-carbamoylpiperazin-1-yl moiety.
US09388132B2

Compositions and methods of tagging peptides and other molecules using novel isobaric tandem mass tagging reagents, including novel N,N-dimethylated amino acid 8-plex and 16-plex isobaric tandem mass tagging reagents. The tagging reagents comprise: a) a reporter group having at least one atom that is optionally isotopically labeled; b) a balancing group, also having at least one atom that is optionally isotopically labeled, and c) an amine reactive group. The tagging reagents disclosed herein serve as attractive alternatives for isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and tandem mass tags (TMTs) due to their synthetic simplicity, labeling efficiency and improved fragmentation efficiency.
US09388131B2

Provided are methods for making and using chiral, non-racemic protected organoboronic acids, including pinene-derived iminodiacetic acid (PIDA) boronates, to direct and enable stereoselective synthesis of organic molecules. Also provided are methods for purifying PIDA boronates from solution. Also provided are methods for deprotection of boronic acids from their PIDA ligands. The purification and deprotection methods may be used in conjunction with methods for coupling or otherwise reacting boronic acids. Iterative cycles of deprotection, coupling, and purification can be performed to synthesize chiral, non-racemic compounds. The methods are suitable for use in an automated chemical synthesis process. Also provided is an automated small molecule synthesizer apparatus for performing automated stereoselective synthesis of chiral, non-racemic small molecules using iterative cycles of deprotection, coupling, and purification.
US09388125B2

The present invention generally relates to novel synthetic methods, systems, kits, salts, and precursors useful in medical imaging. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions comprising an imaging agent precursor, which may be formed using the synthetic methods described herein. An imaging agent may be converted to an imaging agent using the methods described herein. In some cases, the imaging agent is enriched in 18F. In some cases, an imaging agent including salt forms (e.g., ascorbate salt) may be used to image an area of interest in a subject, including, but not limited to, the heart, cardiovascular system, cardiac vessels, brain, and other organs.
US09388121B2

Provided are novel compositions and analogs which are useful in a number of applications, indications and diseases, as well as for monitoring pharmakinetics and patient management. These compounds and analogs are applicable to treating tumors of the central nervous system, e.g., glioblastoma (GBM).
US09388116B2

A process for making esters from organic acids by means of reacting a carboxylic acid with dialkylcarbonate in an alcohol-containing solvent without any extrinsic acid or base catalyst is described. A benefit of the preparation process is that it can make the separation and extraction of ester products simpler and more facile vis-a-vis conventional isolation techniques.
US09388088B2

The present invention relates to a process wherein organic material derived from plant and animal material is processed to recover nutritional elements. In particular, there is provided a process for releasing nutritional elements from plant and animal material comprising the steps of treating the material with one or more enzymes to digest said material under appropriate conditions and separating the resulting liquid hydrolysate from the undigested material.
US09388073B2

A plant for producing cement, having a first stage for crushing raw material to form raw powder, a second stage for calcination and sintering of the raw powder to form cement clinker, a third stage for cooling the sintered cement clinker, and a fourth stage for crushing the sintered cement clinker to form cement. The first stage for crushing raw material to form raw powder and the fourth stage for crushing the sintered cement clinker to form cement are structurally combined. In this way, during servicing or repair of one crushing stage, the plant need not be shut down because, y variable circuitry switching, the crushing stages permit plant operation with reduced production output.
US09388070B2

A method for producing a glass or glass ceramic composite material with a metallic decorative appearance is provided. The method includes: applying a layer onto a glass or glass ceramic substrate, the layer comprising a sol-gel and/or a polysiloxane; patterning the layer; and applying a metallic-looking layer onto the patterned layer.
US09388067B2

An apparatus and method for pulling tubular glass, such as pipettes, is disclosed. The invention is generally directed apparatus and techniques for precisely scanning a laser beam on the selected surfaces of the glass tube to uniformly, controllably and programmably soften the tube prior to and during pulling. The invention has application to both vertical and horizontal pullers.
US09388062B2

An ozone generator generates ozone gas; a gas-liquid mixer mixes the ozone gas and a liquid; a liquid storage tank separates an introduced gas-liquid mixture into gas and a liquid; a circulation path circulates gas among the ozone generator, the gas-liquid mixer and the liquid storage tank; and an opening and closing control means controls a flow of gas flowing out through a gas outlet port of the liquid storage tank in accordance with a stored liquid amount in the liquid storage tank. As a result, the stored liquid amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank can be adjusted.
US09388058B2

A system comprises an input, a brine chamber, a water softening chamber, and an output. One or more valves are configured to selectively prevent fluid communication of water from the input into the brine chamber; and to selectively permit communication of brine from the brine chamber to the water softening chamber when water is not being communicated through the input. The output is configured to output water softened in the water softening chamber. The one or more valves may include a first valve and a second valve. The first valve may be responsive to water being communicated through the input. The second valve may be responsive to either manual actuation or a fluid level in the brine chamber. The system may further include a cartridge that is removably coupled with the water softening chamber. The cartridge may contain salt and may further define the brine chamber.
US09388055B2

A silver compound having a silver complex structure composed of silver ion, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato, and diethylenetriamine is disclosed. A silver ink is prepared by the silver compound applied for inkjet printing of a flexible substrate. A method for inkjet printing of the flexible substrate comprises the steps of pre-heating the flexible substrate to the temperature of 60° C., inkjet printing the flexible substrate with the silver ink thereon, and heating the flexible substrate under a low temperature to form a thin film of silver conductive pattern thereon. The silver conductive pattern has excellent electrical conductivity and a resistance value proximate to that of a general silver slug.
US09388042B2

Apparatus and methods of use thereof for the production of carbon-based and other nanostructures, as well as fuels and reformed products, are provided.
US09388040B2

A stacked semiconductor device includes a CMOS device and a MEMS device. The CMOS device includes a multilayer interconnect with metal elements disposed over the multilayer interconnect. The MEMS device includes metal sections with a first dielectric layer disposed over the metal sections. A cavity in the first dielectric layer exposes portions of the metal sections. A dielectric stop layer is disposed at least over the interior surface of the cavity. A movable structure is disposed over a front surface of the first dielectric layer and suspending over the cavity. The movable structure includes a second dielectric layer over the front surface of the first dielectric layer and suspending over the cavity, metal features over the second dielectric layer, and a flexible dielectric membrane over the metal features. The CMOS device is bonded to the MEMS device with the metal elements toward the flexible dielectric membrane.
US09388035B2

Disclosed is a quantitative liquid discharge device capable of discharging liquid in a container at a preset liquid level. The device comprises a liquid discharge pipe, an outer sleeve and a liquid level control rod. The liquid discharge pipe is provided with a full-discharge liquid discharge port and at least one internal defined-level liquid discharge port. Installed outside the liquid discharge pipe, the outer sleeve is provided with an external defined-level liquid discharge port. The wall of the liquid level control rod is slidably sleeved between the wall of the liquid discharge pipe and the wall of the outer sleeve. The liquid level control rod is provided with a liquid guide port passing through the wall thereof. Provided between the walls of the outer sleeve and the liquid level control rod a sliding positioning assembly allows the liquid guide port to achieve liquid discharge at a defined liquid level.
US09388026B2

A winch for moving a load along a track from a first position to a higher position has a drum around which a retrieve and a launch cable are wound in different directions. Rotation of the drum acts to reel in one of the cables while paying out the other. The retrieve cable extends directly between the drum and the near end of the load and the launch cable extends past the rear of the load though a sheave mounted on the track, and then back to far end of the load. A winding mechanism operates in retrieve mode to turn the drum to reel in the retrieve cable and pay out the launch cable. The winding mechanism is used in launch mode to turn the drum in the opposite direction to pay out the retrieve cable and reel in the launch cable. A brake mechanism is operable to halt runaway of the load along and down the track when the winch is being operated in launch mode.
US09388023B2

The present invention relates to a particulate-handling bucket assembly that provides a sound seal between an extended lip section and an extended cavity section located on opposing scoops of the bucket assembly. The seal is formed by abutting elastomeric material located within a cavity of the extended cavity section against an abutting end of the extended lip section. The elastomeric material has an exposed edge which butts against the abutting end of the extended lip section, with the exposed edge having an exposed height that is greater than or equal to an abutting height of the abutting end of the extended lip section.
US09388017B1

An accumulator apparatus for strip steel has a base, a frame extending upwardly from the base, a reel rotatably mounted to the frame and having a surface suitable for wrapping the strip steel therearound, and at least two wheels connected to the base and extending therebelow. The wheels are extendable such that the base is supported above an underlying surface and retracted such that the base is supported by the underlying surface. A motor is cooperative with each of the wheels so as to cause rotational movement thereof. A steering controller is cooperative with each of the wheels so as to control an angular direction of the wheel. An air brake is affixed to the frame and cooperative at the reel so as to stop or slow a rotation of the reel.
US09388016B2

A folding and stacking machine of a web of paper has first and second feed lines. The machine also has a folding section with folding rollers having a linear folding speed, VP. The folding rollers are adapted to receive a plurality of sheets of length L that can overlap each other for a fraction Y of their length L and to fold them into a plurality of panels P. The machine also has rollers adapted to feed at the folding speed VP the series of cut sheets but not yet folded towards the folding rollers. The rollers are located at the confluence of the two sheet feeding lines. Upstream of the first and feed lines a single cutting section is provided to cut a web of paper that proceeds along a direction of movement at a speed V(1).
US09388014B2

A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head; a conveying mechanism; a holding mechanism for holding at least one recording medium between its first and second surfaces; a moving mechanism for moving the first surface; a reception tray disposed under the holding mechanism; and a controller. The controller is configured to: separate recording media to be recorded throughout one recording job, into recording-medium groups; control the conveying mechanism to convey the recording medium to a space between the first and second surfaces in each recording-medium group; acquire a waiting time in which each recording-medium group is to wait in the holding mechanism; and control the moving mechanism to move the first surface from a support position to a non-support position when a time elapsed from a timing when each recording-medium group has been conveyed to the holding mechanism reaches the waiting time.
US09388007B2

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet supplied from a holding unit, a sensor configured to detect an edge of the sheet in a width direction, and a control unit configured to detect, with the sensor, a displacement of the edge of the sheet in the width direction during movement of the sheet by a predetermined distance, and to cancel a subsequent skew detection operation if the displacement is larger than an allowable amount.
US09388005B2

A sheet conveying apparatus including: a locking member having an abutment surface abutting a sheet to correct skew feed of the sheet; a holding member configured to hold the locking member to rotate from a waiting position when the locking member is pushed by the sheet; a roller pair configured to nip the sheet abutting the abutment surface; a first urging portion configured to urge the holding member to the waiting position; a movable support portion configured to support the locking member in a manner that the locking member is located a retracted position where the locking member contacts a surface of the sheet and allows the sheet to pass; and a second urging portion configured to urge the locking member to a position where the abutment surface abuts a succeeding sheet.
US09388003B2

A sheet conveying apparatus includes a restricting portion provided on a second roller side with respect to a sheet conveying path and near a nip portion. This restricting portion is configured such that a first abutment portion is positioned on the second roller side from a straight line connecting a point protruding most to the sheet conveying path of the restricting portion and the nip portion in a state in which a second abutment portion is in contact with a surface of a first sheet as a rotary member rotates in a predetermined direction by the first abutment portion being pushed by the first sheet.
US09387997B2

A pipeline for conveyance of a multiphase fluid is provided. The pipeline comprises a containment element and a tubular element. The containment element defines a cavity and an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity. The tubular element passes through the containment element and with a portion thereof disposed within the cavity to be in fluid communication with the inlet of the containment element. A gasification system for gasification a solid powder and a method for conveyance of a multiphase fluid are also presented.
US09387995B2

A powder supplying device for a powder coating installation with at least one closable powder container, which has a substantially cuboidal powder chamber for coating powder and a fluidizing device for introducing fluidizing compressed air into the powder chamber. At least one inlet opening is provided in a side wall of the powder container for feeding coating powder during a powder coating operation of the powder coating installation or for introducing cleaning compressed air during a cleaning operation of the coating installation. At least one outlet is provided for discharging fluidizing compressed air introduced into the powder chamber or for discharging cleaning air introduced into the powder chamber during the cleaning operation together with residual powder transported along with the cleaning compressed air. At least one powder feed line and at least one cleaning compressed-air feed line are connected via a diverter to the at least one inlet opening.
US09387989B2

A laboratory automation system is described, comprising an automatic conveyor belt sliding within a sliding profile of a lane, and a coating tape interposed between the automatic conveyor belt and the sliding profile. The sliding profile includes a first region onto which a coating tape is applied by gluing and a second region where a coating tape is attached to a first end by means of a spring and to a second end by means of clamps.
US09387982B1

Disclosed are various embodiments for an apparatus that dampens or reduces the impact of an item as it is discharged from a device, such as a conveyer belt. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a basket assembly that receives items as they are discharged from a chute, a conveyer belt, or other device. The basket assembly may comprise a netting material that catches or receives items as they are displaced, dampens or reduces the impact of the items, and allows the items to slide to a bottom of a receptacle. A height of the basket assembly may be adjusted by an actuator as the receptacle is filled with items. In addition, the basket assembly may be rotated as the receptacle is filled.
US09387976B2

A carrier assembly facilitates the carrying (e.g. by a hiker) of a dispenser for materials such as insect repellents. There are two housings that couple together to form a sealed vault for storing the dispenser between uses. There is also a connector section of one housing in the form of a clip for mounting the housing structure on a backpack or belt loop. A sealing sleeve and a locking sleeve cooperate with the vault to achieve quick opening of the housing parts when desired, without compromising sealing between openings of the vault.
US09387974B2

The object of the present invention is to provide an single-dose package containing an internal adsorbent wherein the internal adsorbent is not trapped in the heat-sealed region thereof. In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide a single-dose package containing internal adsorbent wherein adhesion of the internal adsorbent around the vacuumed open region thereof is slight, whereby the internal adsorbent does not spill out on opening the package. The object of the present invention can be solved by a single-dose package characterized in that the internal adsorbent is tight-packed using a packaging material having a mean specific surface resistivity of from 4.4×109Ω or more to 1.0×1016Ω or less at its internal surface, under warming and/or reduced pressure.
US09387972B1

An anti-theft structure of a hand tool display tag includes a positioning protrusion seat extending from an extension portion of a display tag. A front end face of the positioning protrusion seat is provided with a positioning trough penetrating the inside of the positioning protrusion seat. A rear end of the positioning protrusion seat is provided with a side through hole with a side positioning piece. A C-shaped buckle embedded to a rod body of a hand tool is confined and hidden between the positioning trough and the side positioning piece, such that the hand tool is unable to disengage from the display tag so as to provide an anti-theft function. Scissors can be used to cut off the side positioning piece. A tool is inserted to push the C-shaped buckle out of the positioning trough, such that the hand tool can disengage from the display tag.
US09387970B2

A container structure having a sealing cap that is heat-sealed on a lid film. In the container structure, a locking rib that can be locked and unlocked to the locking unit is formed on an edge of the sealing cap, and the container includes a lid film that is thermally attached to an upper surface of the sealing cap and an edge of which protrudes outwards from the edge of the sealing cap, and the edge of the lid film is heat-sealed onto the flange of the container.
US09387969B2

A toothpaste composition includes different combinations of konjac gum and/or agar-agar, alginates, gelatin, pectin, xanthan, tara gum, gum arabic, carrageenan, celluloses, gellan gum, guar gum, inulin, konjac, locust bean gum, pectin, tragacanth, xanthan, polyethylene glycol-3350, xylitol, calcium carbonate, stevia, quillaja, liquid bioflavonoid extract, and water. The toothpaste composition produces a toothpaste product that maintains its shape prior to being used for brushing one's teeth and is preferably formed into a single serving of toothpaste stored in an open-top compartment having a removable protective film. A method of applying a single serving of toothpaste to a toothbrush includes the steps of pressing the bristles of a toothbrush against the single serving of toothpaste so that the single serving of toothpaste clings or otherwise adheres to the bristles, and subsequently pulling the toothbrush away from the compartment for brushing one's teeth.
US09387966B2

A lid of a disposable beverage cup, which has at least one drinking hole provided for a consumer to drink the beverage stored in the beverage cup, and at least one vent hole provided for maintaining the pressure equivalence between an inner side and an outer side of the beverage cup, includes at least one drinking hole plug arranged for detachably coupling with the drinking hole to seal and close the drinking hole so as to prevent the beverage from leaking out of the beverage cup.
US09387959B2

A two-part closure (1) which has a disc (2) and a skirt (3). In one example, the skirt wall is smooth between upper and lower rims so that the disc is moveable between the rim features. Typically in a metal skirt or ring, the upper rim feature is a curl (11) and the lower rim feature is a curled edge (12) with equi-spaced lugs (13) on the skirt wall.
US09387958B2

A crown metal cap comfortable for opening by turning or with a bottle opener. The crown metal cap before folding, has a bell-shaped closure flange with a plurality of intercalated protrusions and depressions, the protrusions have a smaller width than the width of the depressions, and each depression has on its outer edge a convex fold; such that when closing the closure flange is folded over the mouth of the bottle, each protrusion bifurcates into a pair of minor protrusions that acquire a curved shape separated by a central depression that takes a similar form within a spheroid, forming a flange surface comfortable to touch to facilitate manual opening by turning; whereas the convex fold of each depression prevents the collapse of the outer edge of the depression to form a bell-shaped opening edge for easy opening of the crown metal cap with the bottle opener.
US09387956B1

The present invention is a sports equipment carrying bag which contains internal compartments of conventional design to enable sporting equipment to be retained and carried therein. The unique feature of the present invention is that the carrying bag incorporates two bag retaining members which enable the sports bag to be hung from a fence such as a chain link fence in a manner which enables the bag to be horizontally oriented so that it is much easier to remove items from the bag without the items falling out and much easier to remove baseball bats from the bag so that bats are horizontally removed and it is not necessary to lift the bats out of and over the sports bag when the bag is hung from the chain link fence.
US09387952B2

A foldable packaging which may include a liquid-resistant paperboard form that is foldable to provide an attractive stackable container that resists water leakage, can be assembled without fastening hardware and has concealed gussets. The packaging can be folded into overlapping flaps and wings which are folded and interlocked to define a generally trapezoidal packaging which can receive a variety of different pot sizes and types. The die cut pattern forming the packaging can be of a universal shape but formed in a variety of different sizes to accommodate different sized potted plants.
US09387946B2

A panel unpacking method includes (1) providing a panel unpacking device, which includes a pickup device including a manipulator and suction cups mounted to the manipulator and a conveyance device including a main body, a mounting board mounted to the main body, pins mounted to the mounting board, and cushioning device installed on the pins; (2) moving the manipulator to approach the panel until the suction cups of the manipulator get into contact with the panel; (3) the suction cups sucking and holding the panel and the manipulator making a movement to lift up the panel; (4) the manipulator carrying the panel to approach the pins of the conveyance device until the panel gets into contact with the contact sections of the pins; and (5) the suction cups releasing the panel to allow the panel to be stably positioned on the pins of the conveyance device.
US09387944B2

A packaging system (20) for forming and filling a transportable container (22) of plurality of bulk goods includes a frame (26) having a bottom support (48) and an upper support (32). An upper turntable (34) is rotatably supported within the upper support (32) and a lower turntable (50) is rotatably supported on the bottom support (48). A drive system (58) includes at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66) interconnected to the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) for simultaneously driving and synchronizing rotation of the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66). A slip frame former (42) extends downwardly from the upper turntable (34) and a roll of stretch wrap (92) is disposed in overlapping relationship with the slip frame former (42) and the bottom support (48) during simultaneous and synchronized rotation of the turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66).
US09387943B2

There is described a forming member for controlling the volume of packs of pourable food products formed from a tube of packaging material and sealed at a number of sections of tube crosswise to an axis of tube, comprising: a wall comprising, in turn, a first surface which is adapted to interact with a first portion of tube; and a pair of sidewalls protruding from wall on the same side of wall, and comprising respective second surfaces which are adapted to interact with relative second portions of tube; first surface is at least partially concave.
US09387939B2

A commonly assumed operational requirement for a multi-rotor vehicle, often referred to as a “Quad-Copter” or “Quad-Rotor”, is to have onboard a minimum of three motors, in order to provide a stable hover, and more frequently as many as eight motors. The Twin Propeller Attitude Control (TPAC) Air Vehicle, using a hybrid control system, needs only two motors, in order to achieve full control of altitude, pitch, roll and yaw. Pitch control is achieved by means of differential thrust, while roll and yaw control is accomplished via thrust vectoring. In the event of loss power of one or both engines, a parachute will be automatically released.
US09387933B2

Torque boxes and thrust reversers are disclosed. Torque boxes include a torque box comprising a hinge beam, a forward wall having a bullnose profile connected to the hinge beam to support a torque load, an aft wall having a bullnose profile connected to the hinge beam to support the torque load, the aft wall located aft of the forward wall, and a vane connected to an aft surface of the forward wall and a forward surface of the aft wall, wherein the aft surface of the forward wall and the forward surface of the aft wall are configured to direct air flow in a forward direction and the vane is configured to direct air flow radially outward. Thrust reversers include a translating sleeve, a blocker door mounted to the translating sleeve, and a torque box.
US09387928B1

Systems and methods for providing a series of multiuse UAV docking stations are disclosed. The docking stations can be networked with a central control and a plurality of UAVs. The docking stations can include a number of services to facilitate both UAV guidance and maintenance and community acceptance and benefits. The docking stations can include package handling facilities and can act as a final destination or as a delivery hub. The docking stations can extend the range of UAVs by providing recharging/refueling stations for the UAVs. The docking stations can also include navigational aid to guide the UAVs to the docking stations and to provide routing information from the central control. The docking stations can be incorporated into existing structures such as cell towers, light and power poles, and buildings. The docking stations can also comprise standalone structures to provide additional services to underserved areas.
US09387927B2

The drone comprises: a vertical-view camera (132) pointing downward to pick up images of a scene of the ground overflown by the drone; gyrometer, magnetometer and accelerometer sensors (176); and an altimeter (174). Navigation means determine position coordinates (X, Y, Z) of the drone in an absolute coordinate system linked to the ground. These means are autonomous, operating without reception of external signals. They include image analysis means, adapted to derive a position signal from an analysis of known predetermined patterns (210), present in the scene picked up by the camera, and they implement a predictive-filter estimator (172) incorporating a representation of a dynamic model of the drone, with as an input the position signal, a horizontal speed signal, linear and rotational acceleration signals, and an altitude signal.
US09387923B2

A gas turbine engine (10) having an axial flow direction (X) therethrough in use. The gas turbine engine (10) comprises one or more rotor stages each comprising at least one rotor blade (120) having a root portion (122). The gas turbine engine (10) comprises a shroud (122) located upstream of one or more of the rotor stages relative to the axial flow direction (X). The shroud (122) defines a through passageway (128) extending between an inlet (130) and an outlet (132) which comprises a diffuser region (138). The diffuser region (138) is configured to reduce the axial velocity of air exiting the outlet (132) relative to air entering the diffuser portion (138) in use, wherein the outlet (132) is located such that air exiting the outlet (132) is directed substantially to the root portion (122) only of the rotor blades (120).
US09387920B2

A cabin structural unit for attaching cabin installation elements is provided for an aircraft. The cabin structural unit is set up in such a way that a cabin installation element is attachable. The cabin structural unit is implemented as self-supporting and fastenable to an aircraft structure.
US09387911B2

A subsea payload such as an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) or an AUV garage is lifted from an underwater location by flying a latch unit through the water to the payload. The latch unit carries a lift line toward the payload. The latch unit is then attached to the payload and the payload is lifted using tension applied through the lift line via the latch unit. The latch unit can also be used on a lift line to lower a payload and then to release the payload at an underwater location. The lift line is supported by a heave-compensating winch on a surface vessel that effects z-axis movement of the latch unit. The winch maintains tension on the lift line to prevent the lift line falling on the payload. Movement of the latch unit on x- and y-axes is effected by on-board thrusters.
US09387909B2

Mooring device for mooring a ship and comprising a base, a movable arm construction supported by the base, and at least one magnet mounted in a frame, which frame is supported by the movable arm construction, and wherein for mooring the ship the at least one magnet is arranged to attract the ship's hull, wherein at or near the at least one magnet a force generating device is provided comprising a movable force exerting part for applying a force on the ship's hull in order to test whether the magnet attracting the ship's hull provides at least a required mooring force, and that means for measuring for measuring the distance between the at least one magnet and the ship's hull are provided that are connected or connectable to a detection device for detecting whether or not the magnet is loose from the ship's hull.
US09387907B2

A snowmobile includes a frame, an engine mounted on the frame, a pair of skis connected to the frame, and a front body including a nose cone, a pair of side panels, and a hood covering a front portion of the frame. The nose cone, the pair of side panels, and the hood are preferably made of plastic.
US09387905B2

In a sprocket for a bicycle having a radial bearing acting as a bearing portion, an axial load acting on the bearing can be easily adjusted without having to dismount the components of the bicycle after the bicycle has been assembled; a spring washer is used as a component for an anti-rotation mechanism of an adjusting nut which serves to adjust the axial load of the radial bearing, so that an excessive load is not applied on the radial bearing to avoid a defective rotation, and the axial load acting on the radial bearing can be easily adjusted without having to dismount the components of the bicycle even after the bicycle has been assembled.
US09387903B2

A children's balancing vehicle comprising a front vehicle rack, a handle set, a rear fork, a seat tube and a fastening component. The front vehicle rack has a front fork. A front wheel is assembled below the front fork while a stand pipe is disposed thereon. A vehicle rack body is disposed at a rear of the stand pipe. The handle set is disposed onto the stand pipe. The rear fork has a plastic main body. A rear wheel is disposed below the rear fork. The seat tube passes between the vehicle rack body and the plastic main body of the rear fork. A seat cushion is disposed onto the seat tube. The fastening component passes through the vehicle rack body, the plastic main body of the rear fork and the seat tube so as to mutually assemble and fasten them. Assembly of the children's balancing vehicle can be completed by using simple fastening components.
US09387900B2

A personal mobility vehicle or scooter includes a least one swivel caster wheel supported at the rear of the scooter. The scooter has a body that includes a deck and a handlebar assembly. The scooter includes at least one front wheel with the deck extending between the at least one front wheel and the at least one swivel wheel. The scooter can also include an angled rear portion supporting a rear swivel caster wheel such that the pivot axis of the swivel wheel is inclined with respect to the top surface of the deck. Embodiments of the scooter also include a swivel braking assembly configured to apply a braking force to the at least one swivel wheel.
US09387899B1

An add-on implement for an open-air vehicle windshield to allow for suitable protection and viewing therethrough while simultaneously forcing blown air over the driver's/rider's/passenger's sight line is provided. Such a device includes a wing that produces a venturi effect when placed a specific range of distances from the windshield's outer surface and having a certain height range relative to the windshield. The venturi action sends air over the top of the windshield as much as four inches higher than a normal open-air vehicle windshield, thereby allowing the driver, etc., the ability to see well over the windshield without the problem of turbulent air in his or her face or on top of his or her head. The device is adjustable to permit the driver on-demand modification of wind displacement height. An open-air vehicle (again, such as a motorcycle) including such a device is also encompassed herein.
US09387893B2

An idler wheel assembly for a mobile machine is disclosed. The idler wheel assembly may have an idler body defining a cavity between a hub portion and a rim portion. The idler wheel assembly may also have a sound suppression device. The sound suppression device may have a first side plate attached to the idler body and enclosing at least a portion of the cavity to form a closed space, and a second side plate attached to the idler body. The sound suppression device may further have a dampening member disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and dampening material positioned inside the closed space and in contact with a surface of an inner portion of the rim portion.
US09387888B2

Mud flap assemblies including a frame, a securing assembly and mud flap panels; the securing assembly enabling the frame to be secured to a hitch assembly having a shaft, for further attachment to a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle; the frame having a rear plate that includes a hitch opening for receiving the shaft of the hitch assembly. The frame is preferably configured to rest on a portion of a bumper of the vehicle to minimize vibration of the frame during use. The mud flap assembly preferably including a pair of stops that are preferably adjustable and are constructed and arranged to rest against the bumper. The mud flap assembly preferably includes enlarged mud flap panels and mud flap support members for additional support of the enlarged mud flap panels. Methods of installing mud flap assemblies are also disclosed.
US09387880B2

A wheel assembly for vehicle includes a wheel, at least one lower suspension link and one upper part, the wheel being arranged to rotate at 360°, to steer the vehicle around a pivot line, a projection of the pivot line onto a vertical projection plane including a vertical axis passing through a contact point between the wheel and ground defining a caster angle (α) with the vertical axis. The wheel assembly includes a at least one screw arranged to adjust the caster angle (α) such that the position of the upper part is moveable relative to the vehicle along a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom.
US09387879B2

An electric power steering apparatus includes an input shaft to which steering force from a steering wheel is applied, an output shaft to which assisting force generated by an electric motor is applied, and a torque detection sleeve. One of the input shaft and the output shaft includes a cylindrical portion having a female stopper portion and a circumferential groove. The other of the input shaft and the output shaft has a male stopper portion being in concave-convex engagement with the female stopper portion and relatively rotatable in a given angular range. An edge of a base end portion of the torque detection sleeve is clinched to the circumferential groove. The circumferential groove is provided on a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion radially overlapping a stopper engagement region in which the female stopper portion and the male stopper portion are engaged with each other.
US09387876B2

A steering system includes a steering angle detection unit that detects a steering angle of a steering wheel; a steering torque detection unit that detects a steering torque with respect to the steering wheel; an ECU that calculates a corrected steering angle by nonlinearly correcting the steering angle, a first steering parameter as the product of an angular velocity of the steering angle and the steering torque, a second steering parameter as the product of the corrected steering angle and a time differential value of the steering torque, and a target control amount based on the first steering parameter and the second steering parameter; and a steering support unit that applies a rotation torque to the steering wheel based on the target control amount.
US09387873B2

A power assist apparatus includes an electric motor, a speed reducer, an annular torque sensor, a housing in which the speed reducer and the torque sensor are arranged, and an annular center aligning bracket. The housing includes a first housing element and a second housing element, and one of the first housing element and the second housing element is made of a synthetic resin. The center aligning bracket is fixed to the one of the first housing element and the second housing element by insert molding such that the center aligning bracket is concentric to the one of the first housing element and the second housing element. The first housing element and the second housing element are joined such that the first housing element and the second housing element are engaged with each other in an axial direction of the torque sensor via the center aligning bracket.
US09387869B1

A luggage unit, a trolley unit having stowed and non-stowed positions, and that, when in the non-stowed position, locks and unlocks such that the trolley unit is free to be raised and lowered when it is unlocked, the trolley unit being fastened to the luggage unit in both the stowed and the non-stowed positions, and including a locking mechanism for locking the trolley unit, an upper trolley body fastened to the luggage unit, a scissor lift mechanism fastened to the upper trolley body, that raises and lowers, a lower trolley body fastened to the lift mechanism, and guided rollers within the upper trolley body and within the lower trolley body, for raising and lowering the lift mechanism when the trolley unit is unlocked, and a release mechanism extending from the luggage unit to the trolley unit through a slit in the luggage unit, for unlocking the trolley unit.
US09387865B2

An end member assembly dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible spring member of an associated gas spring assembly. The end member assembly can include a base wall and a mounting wall disposed in axially-spaced relation to the base wall. A compliant support structure is disposed between the base and mounting walls. The compliant support structure includes at least one compliant element that includes a compliant element body and one or more reinforcing plies at least partially embedded within the compliant element body. Rigid elements can be disposed between adjacent compliant elements if two or more compliant elements are included. A gas spring assembly and a method of manufacture can include one or more of such end member assemblies.
US09387860B2

In one implementation, sets of probe data are collected by probe vehicles. The probe data describes the driving characteristics of the probe vehicles. The sets of probe data are sent to a server or a mobile device for analysis. A polycurve, including a piecewise function of map data, is modified based on the probe data. The polycurve may be a spline curve for an advanced driver assistance system. The modified polycurve may be used in the advanced driver assistance system for a vehicle traveling along the same path previously traversed by the probe vehicles. Based on the polycurve modified by the probe data, a driver assistance feature is provided to the vehicle.
US09387859B2

An acquisition part acquires the rotational speeds of a plurality of driving wheels of a moving vehicle, and normal reaction forces acting on the plurality of driving wheels. Subsequently, a friction coefficient information calculation part calculates friction coefficients relating to the plurality of driving wheels on the basis of torque command values for the plurality of driving wheels transmitted from a torque control part and the results of acquisition by the acquisition part. A slip ratio calculation part calculates the slip ratios of the plurality of driving wheels on the basis of the calculated friction coefficients, and the rotational speeds acquired by the acquisition part. Consequently, the slip ratios of the respective driving wheels are easily, rapidly, and accurately estimated.
US09387856B2

A computing device (e.g., a server computer hosted by a vehicle manufacturer or retailer) receives vehicle configuration information obtained via a user interface of a user device. The vehicle configuration information includes one or more user-adjustable settings. The computing device determines whether a conflict exists between the user-adjustable settings and a regulated vehicle parameter (e.g., a vehicle speed limit), which may be associated with greenhouse gas emissions of the vehicle. The computing device transmits feedback information to the user device. The feedback information may include a description of one or more conflicts between the user-adjustable settings and the regulated vehicle parameter, recommended adjustments to the settings, or the like. The recommended adjustments to the settings may, if accepted by a user, improve regulatory compliance for the vehicle, and may remove or reduce the degree of conflicts between the user-adjustable setting and the regulated vehicle parameter.
US09387853B2

A parking assist apparatus that causes a vehicle to be parked in a target parking position generates a traveling route of a vehicle M from a parking travel start position P0 to a target parking position P2 (S12); generates a plurality of speed patterns having different speeds when the vehicle travels on the traveling route (S14); selects a target speed pattern from the plurality of speed patterns based on information of an object around the traveling route (S18); and controls the traveling of the vehicle M based on the target speed pattern (S24).
US09387847B2

One embodiment provides a vehicle including: a first drive system configured to drive first wheels; and a second drive system configured to drive second wheels, wherein the first drive system includes: an electric motor; a motor controller; an engagement/disengagement unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side; an engagement/disengagement controller; and a one-way power transmission unit provided between the electric motor side and the first drive wheels side in parallel to the engagement/disengagement unit, and configured, at least, to engage the both sides when a reverse-direction rotational power is inputted from the first wheels side to the electric motor side, wherein, when the vehicle reverses, a reverse driving force to reverse the vehicle is generated at least in the first drive system.
US09387843B2

A method for controlling the traction slip of driven wheels of a vehicle between the wheels and the carriageway, in the case of which a manipulated variable is calculated for a drive engine of the vehicle on the basis of a detection of the instantaneous wheel speed and the calculation of a desired wheel speed, the manipulated variable being formed by an upper limit value for the rotational speed of the drive engine, characterized in that the instantaneous transmission ratio is calculated on the basis of the instantaneous rotational speed of the drive engine and the instantaneous wheel speed, and the upper limit value for the rotational speed of the drive engine is calculated from the desired wheel speed and the instantaneous transmission ratio.
US09387842B2

Disclosed is a control method of an electro-mechanical brake, including: a first step of operating a brake to stop a vehicle and generating a target pressure value of the brake; a second step of calculating an electrical angle of a three-phase motor and preparing movement of the electrical angle when the vehicle stops; a third step of checking errors of requested current and pressure; a fourth step of setting a range of the electrical angle when the current and the pressure are normal; and a fifth step of forcibly moving an actual position of the electrical angle to an adjacent electrical angle.
US09387832B2

A supporting assembly for semi-trailers includes a mounting unit configured to be arranged on a trailer component and a supporting device having an outer supporting tube and an inner supporting tube and extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the mounting unit is configured to fix the supporting device transversely to the longitudinal direction by a form fit and a force fit, wherein the mounting unit has an arrangement region comprising an outer contour of the supporting device about the longitudinal axis thereof such that the supporting device can be fixed in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner, and wherein an additional form-fit connection is provided between the supporting device and the mounting unit, which prevents a displacement of the supporting device and the mounting unit relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.
US09387823B2

A pedestrian air-bag for a vehicle may include a housing coupled to a lower end surface of a windshield side of a hood of the vehicle and having a cut line formed at an upper portion of a rear surface in the housing, and a hinge part formed at a lower portion, wherein the cut line and the hinge part forms an air-bag door, an air-bag module embedded in the housing, and a thermal damage preventing cover spaced apart from a lower portion of the housing, wherein the thermal damage preventing cover covers a lower surface and a front surface of the housing, and includes a rear end portion supporting the hinge part of the housing.
US09387821B1

Some embodiments are directed to an airbag lid defining a surface configured to cover a portion of an airbag prior to deployment. The airbag lid can be separated from a hinge side portion and a pillar side portion of an outer fringe by a seam that can tear and thereby separate the airbag lid from the hinge side portion and the pillar side portion of the outer fringe upon airbag deployment. The airbag lid includes a hinge portion disposed adjacent a hinge side edge of the airbag lid assembly, the hinge portion remaining attached to a window frame of a vehicle subsequent to airbag deployment. The hinge portion can include a hinge that is configured to enable the airbag lid to bend about the hinge, such that a portion of the airbag lid at an interior side of the hinge is maneuvered away from the structural pillar upon airbag deployment.
US09387806B2

The disclosure concerns a truck bed extender for use with a pickup truck. The truck bed extender is configurable in three states: (i) a first state provides for extending a size the enclosed truck bed, (ii) a second state provides a horizontal work surface, and (iii) a third state provides a collapsed storage about the tailgate portion of the pickup truck. Measuring gauges may be embedded or disposed on a surface of the truck bed extender. Additionally, a rectangular cover panel can be implemented for covering a gap disposed between a horizontal surface of the truck bed and the tailgate when extended outwardly.
US09387804B2

Disclosed is an image distortion compensating apparatus and an operating method thereof. The image distortion compensating apparatus includes an image composing unit, an edge detecting unit, a first straight line calculating unit, an intersection point calculating unit, a parking space generating unit, a parking space setting unit, and a second straight line calculating unit. The apparatus removes or deduces inconsistency that occurs at a boundary between images for channels in an AVM system.
US09387800B2

A lighting apparatus for an AC voltage supply is provided. A rectifier module of the apparatus converts an AC voltage from the AC voltage supply into a rectified supply voltage. A diode cascade of the apparatus has multiple diode cascade sections connected in series and each having an LED. Each diode cascade section has a connectable bypass device for bypassing the diode cascade section. The diode cascade section is in an illuminated state when the bypass device is deactivated and a dark state when the bypass device is activated. A current source module is provided for stabilizing the cascade current through the diode cascade to a setpoint value. At least one diode cascade section has a control device, which has a switching device for converting the detected illuminated state into a switching signal for reducing the setpoint value.
US09387799B2

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a safety sign board system attached to an inner surface of a trunk lid of an automobile comprises an upper case 20 having a space for receiving a safety sign board and attached to the inner surface of the trunk lid of the automobile, a support coupled with a front portion of the upper case via a hinge, and the safety sign board shaped as a triangle, having an upper plate and a lower plate attached to each other, and attached to the support via a bolt. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or lamps are formed on a surface of the upper plate.
US09387796B2

Speed of a vehicle is acquired from a speed detecting device, and then a beam switching threshold, according to the acquired speed, of an irradiation direction of a headlight is initially set. When the number of appearance (i.e. frequency of appearance) of a light source in a predetermined time detected by a light source detection means have become the beam switching threshold or more, the headlight is switched to a low beam. When a predetermined time (beam switching prohibition time Tp) has been passed after the irradiation direction of a headlight was switched to the low beam, the irradiation direction of the headlight is switched to a high beam.
US09387795B2

A headlamp device of a vehicle is configured as follows: A headlamp housing 30 is provided with a shock-absorbing portion 33 which protrudes from the rear wall of the headlamp housing 30 toward the rear of the vehicle, and whose longitudinal section is formed in a U-shape which opens toward the front of the vehicle. The shock-absorbing portion 33 is provided with a lamp mounting foot which protrudes from a posterior wall 33c of the shock-absorbing portion 33 toward the rear of the vehicle, and which has a leading end attached to a vehicle body 2.
US09387794B2

A vehicle lamp autocut apparatus and method are provided. The vehicle lamp autocut method includes acquiring, by a controller, current positional information of a vehicle when a power supply of the vehicle is turned off and detecting whether the vehicle is safe based on the current positional information. In addition, the controller is configured to detect whether a lamp within the vehicle is a turn on state when the vehicle is safe and whether a vehicle state satisfies a lamp turn off condition when the lamp is in the turn on state. The lamp is turned off when the vehicle state satisfies the lamp off condition, thereby preventing a battery of a vehicle from being discharged.
US09387792B2

A latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis is provided. The latching system includes an actuation device disposed on an upper surface of the container chassis, a linkage mechanism disposed below the upper surface, and a connector positioned on a further surface elevated above the upper surface. Placement of the container on the container chassis actuates the actuation device causing the linkage mechanism to move the connector and automatically secure the container to the container chassis.
US09387791B2

A tension absorber produced from a flexible strand which is only loadable under tension and which tension absorber possesses the advantages of a chain formed from strand material but can be easily and cost-effectively produced. The strand is folded into three or more loop sections. Proceeding from the beginning of the strand a succeeding loop section arranged offset in the direction of the end of the strand follows each preceding loop section arranged offset in the direction of the beginning, until the last loop section has been reached. Each loop section has a loop which encloses a loop opening. At least one bow is formed from the strand by guiding a succeeding loop section by its loop through the loop opening of a preceding loop section arranged adjacent to it.
US09387789B2

An apparatus, system and method for dovetail locking mechanisms are described herein. A system for locking the dovetail of a trailer in the travel position includes a sled for locking the dovetail of a trailer in the travel position, a railing on the underside of the trailer to accommodate the sled, wherein the sled is moveably attached to the railing such that the sled can slide into a loading position clear of the dovetail or a travel position at least partially beneath the dovetail, and means for actuating the sled to the loading position and travel position. A method for locking the dovetail of a trailer includes moving the dovetail of a trailer into the travel position and sliding a sled from a loading position underneath the trailer to a travel position at least partially underneath the dovetail of the trailer.
US09387783B2

Load imparted to a seat back frame is stably absorbed and efficiently absorbed. In a vehicle seat 10, a weak portion 48 is formed by a fixing plate (50). The weak portion (48) continuously extends from an edge portion of a fixing hole (44) in the relative movement direction with respect to a hinge base bracket (40) of a fastening bolt. Thus the weak portion (48) presses against the fastening bolt when the hinge base bracket (40) rotationally moves about the axial line of a support hole (42). Moreover, when the weak portion (48) plastically deforms, deformation so as to press the weak portion (48) wider is suppressed, such that the weak portion (48) is deformed so as to be squashed. Consequently, load imparted to a seatback frame (64) can be stably absorbed by the weak portion (48). Moreover, due to the weak portion (48) continuously plastically deforming when the weak portion (48) is plastically deformed by the fastening bolt, the load imparted by the weak portion (48) to the seatback frame (64) can be efficiently absorbed.
US09387764B2

A regenerative brake control system of an electric motorcycle includes an electric motor, a regeneration adjustment lever, sensors which detect vehicle states, respectively, and a control unit which sets reference regenerative torque according to the vehicle state, and the control unit calculates target torque obtained by compensating the reference regenerative torque based on the detected value of a regeneration amount sensor which detects the operation amount of a regeneration adjustment lever and controls the electric motor such that the electric motor generates regenerative torque.
US09387759B2

A main valve and method assembling for use on a machine is disclosed. The main valve may comprise a body, a free wheeling valve, a bypass valve, a flow divider valve, a free wheeling pilot valve, and a flow divider bypass pilot control valve. Each valve may be disposed inside the body. The body may define a plurality of ports and channels between the valves. The free wheeling valve may be operable between a free wheeling mode and a drive assist mode. The bypass valve may have a flow dividing mode that permits fluid communication between the free wheeling valve and the flow divider valve, and a bypass mode that permits fluid communication between the free wheeling valve and first and second bypass channels.
US09387758B2

The invention relates to wheel for a vehicle comprising, inside the wheel: a housing having a first side for mounting to a vehicle, an electrical motor for driving movement of said vehicle, said electrical motor comprising a stator rotation-fixedly connected to said housing and a rotor rotationally coupled to said stator and having an axis of rotation, said stator being arranged within said rotor, and a brake drum, forming an integral piece of equipment with the rotor. The invention further relates to a vehicle provided with such a wheel and a method and an adapter plate for mounting such a wheel to a vehicle, and to such a wheel having a rim system in which the rim forms an integral part with said rotor and with a brake drum of the brake system, i.e. forming one integral price of equipment.
US09387749B2

A sunroof apparatus includes: a movable panel that can open or close an opening formed in a roof of a vehicle; a deflector disposed along a front edge portion of the opening, and having arm portions extending rearward from both end portions of the deflector in a lateral direction, rear end portions of the arm portions being connected to the roof such that the deflector is turnable, and a biasing force is applied to the arm portions in a turning direction in which front ends pivotally move upward; guide rails disposed in both end portions of the opening in the lateral direction, and extending in a longitudinal direction; driving shoes provided to be able to move along the guide rails in the longitudinal direction; and support brackets, front end portions of which are supported by the guide rails.
US09387746B2

A door system, kit, and canopy for a vehicle. The door system includes a door 1 formed by a door frame and a skin extending over the door frame. A connection element is couplable to the door 1 to removably attach door 1 to a frame of the vehicle. Door 1 is dimensioned so that, when removed from the vehicle frame, door 1 is stowable one of under and within a canopy of the vehicle.
US09387744B2

The present invention relates to a window (1) including a glazing element (2), at least one profiled joint portion (3), at least one insert (4) such as a trim element, and at least one attachment element (5) for attaching said insert (4) to said profiled joint portion (3), said insert (4) having an inside face (41) with retaining flanges (40, 40′), and said attachment element (5) having a base (50), a head (52) and a body (51) arranged between this base and this head.
US09387740B2

A rear wheel suspension device includes a knuckle configured to support a rear wheel, a trailing arm and upper arm and lower arm configured to link the knuckle to a vehicle body, and an actuator configured to drive the knuckle in the general width direction of the vehicle, so as to adjust the rear wheel camber angle and toe angle. The knuckle is linked to the suspension arms via linking portion enabling turning of the knuckle in a direction of changing the rear wheel camber angle and toe angle. A turning axis defined by the linking portion is tilted with respect to longitudinal direction of the vehicle such that the front portion thereof in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is tilted outward in plan view, and is tilted upward in side view.
US09387739B2

A hitch device support assembly for securing hitch mounted accessories to a surface for storage or use when not attached to a vehicle hitch. One or more hitch accessory receivers are attached to a support strut by a pin. The pin may be a locking pin for security. The support strut mounts to any surface, preferably a wall or a work bench leg. The position of the hitch accessory receiver assembly relative to the support strut is adjustable by attachment of the hitch accessory receiver assembly through specific holes in the support strut. The hitch accessory receiver assembly can pivot with respect to the support strut. Hitch devices are secured to the hitch accessory receiver assembly by a pin or bolt, which may be a locking pin if security is required.
US09387738B2

An air valve connecting device or attachment includes a housing having a tilted inner peripheral surface, a sliding member slidably engaged in the housing and having a pathway for receiving a pressurized air, a gripping device having two casing members slidably engaged with the tilted inner peripheral surface of the housing and having a passage formed in the casing members, and an inflation valve engageable into the passage of the casing members for moving the casing members into the housing and for allowing the casing members to be forced toward each other with the tilted inner peripheral surface of the housing and in order to grasp the inflation valve with the casing members.
US09387733B2

A method locates an installation position of vehicles wheels in a motor vehicle having at least one vehicle wheel containing a wheel electronics unit. The method includes: determining from the wheel electronics unit a first rotational angle position of the vehicle wheel associated with the wheel electronics unit; transmitting a transmission signal with a first piece of rotational angle information dependent on the determined first rotational angle position; determining from the vehicle second rotational angle positions of the vehicle wheels, and depending thereon, providing second rotational angle information. The first rotational angle information is compared with the second rotational angle information. The installation position of the vehicle wheel associated with the wheel electronics unit is determined depending on the comparison. A device is provided for performing the method.
US09387732B1

A method for initiating and verifying operation of one or more tire pressure sensors is described. The process can be performed after installation of the sensors in vehicle wheels.
US09387728B2

Particular embodiments of the present invention include a multi-stage tire tread having two or more wear layers comprising an outer wear layer and one or more inner wear layers arranged within the thickness of the tread below the outer wear layer. One or more outer grooves are arranged within the outer wear layer, while one or more inner grooves arranged within at least one of the one or more inner wear layers. The tread further includes a volumetric void ratio equal to approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in a worn condition where the outer, ground-engaging side is arranged along one of the inner wear layers in the worn condition, the tread further having a contact surface ratio equal to approximately 0.66-0.72 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.56-0.66 in the worn condition.
US09387727B2

The present invention relates to a hybrid steel-textile reinforcement ply for tires comprising at least one continuous steel cord (2), and at least one textile yarn (3), wherein the continuous steel cord (2) is weft inserted in the textile yarn (3) essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the weft direction and wherein the steel cord (2) in the reinforcement ply (1) has continuous edges (4) as well as to a method for producing such a reinforcement ply.
US09387726B2

The present invention relates to an airless tire, and includes first and second bands that face each other with a distance interposed therebetween, a plurality of spokes that connect the first band to the second band and are provided at intervals, and first and second connecting members that connect the adjacent spokes. The spoke includes a first member of which one end is curved from the first band toward the second band, and a second member of which one end is curved from the second band toward the first band. The other ends of the first and second members are connected to each other, and the first and second members are curved in opposite directions.
US09387724B2

The present invention aims to provide a tire having improved abrasion resistance and appearance, as well as reduced rolling resistance and therefore improved fuel economy. The present invention relates to a tire including a tread, the tread containing 0.9 to 1.5% by mass of a wax, 0.9 to 1.5% by mass of an amine antioxidant, 0.3 to 1.0% by mass of a quinoline antioxidant, and a tread rubber component containing 3% by mass or more of a polybutadiene rubber, the tread having a rubber thickness between a tread groove bottom and an outermost belt-reinforcing layer of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
US09387723B2

A caster comprises a body including a stem cavity with a stem of the caster rotatably mounted in the stem cavity to permit rotation of the stem relative to the body about a stem access. The stem may comprise a spline shaft extending from the stem into the stem cavity. The stem and spline shaft are operatively connected. The stem cavity may have a spline bushing. The spline bushing and the body are operatively connected to each other. The spline shaft and the spline bushing are releasbeably interlockable. One of the spline bushing and the spline shaft may be movable in a direction along the stem axis between the swivel position wherein the spline shaft is not engaged with the spline bushing, and a fixed position wherein the spline shaft is engaged with the spline bushing.
US09387722B2

A wheel oil supply device assigned to a wheel of a vehicle includes an oil supply pathway for supplying oil to a hub bearing, which rotatably supports a hub connected to a disk wheel of the wheel, an oil seal which is interposed between the hub bearing and a region outside of the hub bearing to seal the oil supplied to the hub bearing through the oil supply pathway, and an oil guiding pathway for guiding the oil which has leaked from the hub bearing to the region outside of the hub bearing through the oil seal, to an oil reservoir which is a predetermined discharge region.
US09387711B2

In an image recording method of an image recording apparatus provided with an inspection unit which inspects the presence/absence of abnormality in each recording element of a print head at regular intervals, the recording element determined to have abnormality by inspection in the inspection unit is disabled during a determination period set in advance. If the disabled recording element is determined to have no abnormality by inspection immediately after the recording element is disabled, recovers the recording element to be enabled. If the disabled recording element is determined to have abnormality again by inspection within a prescribed frequency N from inspection immediately after the recording element is disabled, the recording element is continuously disabled during the determination period. In cases where the recording element is disabled, the use of the disabled recording element is prohibited, image defect due to the use-prohibited recording element is complemented, and an image is recorded.
US09387710B2

Provided is a printer with a blower that is capable of easier maintenance than a conventional printer. In order for this, the printer comprising an access cover and a blower unit, when the access cover is in a closed state, the blower unit blows airflow on a sheet where ink has been applied, when the access cover is in an opened state, the part of the blower unit is/are open together with the access cover to be exposed.
US09387709B2

The present teachings relate to various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system that can be readily transportable and assemblable and provide for maintaining a minimum inert gas volume and maximal access to various devices and apparatuses enclosed therein. Various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system of the present teachings can have a gas enclosure assembly constructed in a fashion that minimizes the internal volume of a gas enclosure assembly, and at the same time optimizes the working space to accommodate a variety of footprints of various OLED printing systems. Various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly so constructed additionally provide ready access to the interior of a gas enclosure assembly from the exterior during processing and readily access to the interior for maintenance, while minimizing downtime.
US09387693B2

A two-sided receipt printing method that prints on both sides of paper and produces receipts, and can reduce white space at the leading end of receipts without conveying the paper in reverse. A device that produces two-sided receipts has a cutter, a first printhead that prints on one side of the paper, and a second printhead that prints on the other side of the paper disposed at specific intervals along the paper conveyance path from the paper exit. When an end-of-transaction declaration is received, transaction information is printed by the second printhead and non-transaction information is printed by the first printhead. After printing the transaction information, header information of a length that fits between the cutter and the second print data is printed by the second printhead. The cutter then cuts the paper at a position between where the transaction information was printed and where the header information was printed.
US09387690B2

An image forming apparatus includes a signal generation unit configured to generate a light-emission signal. The signal generation unit stores information relating to a toner non-adherent area oriented light-emission pattern having been set beforehand. The toner non-adherent area oriented light-emission pattern is a light-emission pattern that causes a light irradiation unit to emit light in such a way as to prevent toner particles from adhering to a photosensitive member. When the light irradiation unit scans respective portions corresponding to two pixels adjacently disposed in a scanning direction a based on a part of the light-emission signal generated based on the toner non-adherent area oriented light-emission pattern, at least one of (a) light-emission start timing of light irradiation unit and (b) light-emission termination timing of the light irradiation unit is differentiated between the two pixels.
US09387687B2

An image forming device and method are provided which reduce erroneous detection of a border between transfer material areas when forming a new image by using unused portions of partially used transfer material areas. The image forming device forms an image having a first size or a second size which is one-half of the first size or smaller on a recording medium by transferring transfer materials respectively for transfer material areas, while feeding a strip-shaped transfer medium on which the transfer material areas each having the first size and respectively corresponding to the transfer materials are repeatedly arranged in a predetermined sequence in the longitudinal direction thereof. The transfer medium is fed in a forward direction until an unused portion of a subsequent transfer material area adjacent to a used portion of a transfer material area reaches the detection position and thereafter fed in the reverse direction, so that the border between the used and unused portions is detected from the unused portion side, when a second-size image is newly formed by using unused portions in the respective transfer material areas having been used to form a second-size image.
US09387685B2

There are provided an image formation device, an image formation method, a program, and an image forming product capable of preventing noise and granularity of an image from deteriorating even when dots with a plurality of dot sizes are arranged to be aggregated. When a continuous tone image signal is a signal which indicates a tint image, at least one of dot aggregation portions 16, 18, 68, and 72 is formed through arrangement for aggregation of dots 14 (dots 14L and 14S) with two or more dot sizes, on a part of dot images 10, 12, 66, and 70 which are indicated by dot image signals. In addition, the dot aggregation portions 16, 18, 68, and 72 are formed through arrangement for non-aggregation of the dots 14 (dots 14L) with at least one dot size.
US09387678B2

A liquid droplet ejection apparatus including a head 1 in which a plurality of ink chambers 11 are aligned in one or both of an X direction and a Y direction, liquid droplets are ejected from nozzles 12, and printing is carried out in a print region of a recording medium based on print data, wherein the ink contains a dispersion medium and solid particles having higher specific gravity than that of the dispersion medium, and the liquid droplet ejection apparatus includes a flushing device that performs a flushing operation when the head 1 is present in a non-print region in such a manner that an amount of liquid droplets ejected from the nozzle 11b placed at an end portion in an alignment direction becomes larger than an amount of liquid droplets ejected from the nozzle 11a placed in a central portion in the alignment direction.
US09387647B2

An electronic device includes a case having an opening, an electronic circuit and a dust cover. The electronic circuit is disposed in the case and includes a circuit board, a switch, and an expansion card slot. The switch and the expansion card slot are electrically connected at the circuit board. The opening exposes the switch and the expansion card slot. The expansion card slot includes an electrical connector used for electrical connection with an expansion card. The dust cover is detachably disposed at the opening. The dust cover includes a cap portion, a press portion and an elastic portion. The cap portion closes the opening. The press portion faces the switch. The elastic portion is respectively connected to the cap portion and the press portion, so the press portion is capable of moving relative to the cap portion and hence has a trigger position and a release position.
US09387629B2

There is provided a method of making a composite hat stiffener. The method has the steps of curing a composite hat stiffener in a hat tool to form a pre-cured composite hat stiffener. The pre-cured composite hat stiffener has a composite hat section, a plurality of composite stiffening plies with a body ply, a wrap ply, and a base ply, all coupled to the composite hat section, wherein the body ply is coupled to a first side of the composite hat section, the wrap ply is coupled to the body ply, and the base ply is coupled to the body ply and the wrap ply, a pair of radius filler noodles coupled to the composite hat section and disposed between the plurality of composite stiffening plies, and an outer ply coupled to the composite hat section. The method further includes bonding the pre-cured composite hat stiffener to a structure surface.
US09387624B2

A device for individually packaging medication comprises: a conveyance member for conveying a long packaging sheet, the packaging sheet being folded in two along the longitudinal direction thereof with a fold line disposed on the lower side; and a sealing member for sealing the packaging sheet. The sealing member is configured by integrating longitudinal and lateral sealing units. The longitudinal sealing unit being adapted to seal the edge of the packaging sheet, located on an opposite side of the fold line, and the lateral sealing unit being adapted to seal the packaging sheet at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. The device further comprises: a support member for supporting the sealing member; and a control unit causing the sealing member to rotate idle while separating the longitudinal sealing unit from the packaging sheet and thereafter causing the longitudinal sealing unit to come into contact again with the packaging sheet.
US09387608B2

This invention provides a heat curable resin composition for light reflection, which, after curing, can realize high reflectance in a range of visible light to near ultraviolet light, has excellent heat deterioration resistance and tablet moldability, and is less likely to cause burrs during transfer molding, and a process for producing the resin composition, and an optical semiconductor element mounting substrate and an optical semiconductor device using the resin composition. The heat curable resin composition for light reflection comprises a heat curable component and a white pigment and is characterized in that the length of burrs caused upon transfer molding under conditions of molding temperature 100° C. to 200° C., molding pressure not more than 20 MPa, and molding time 60 to 120 sec is not more than 5 mm and the light reflectance after heat curing at a wavelength of 350 nm to 800 nm is not less than 80%. The resin composition can be used for constructing the optical semiconductor element mounting substrate and the optical semiconductor device.
US09387605B2

A method for manufacturing a reinforcing member (2) consisting of fiber-reinforced plastic for mineral construction materials, in particular for concrete. In the method, curing the composite fiber rod (1) takes place in at least three stages (7, 16, 25) sequencing one after another, wherein after the first stage of curing (7) at least one radiation-reflecting and/or thermally-insulating covering agent (15) is applied onto the pre-cured composite fiber rod (1), wherein a second stage of curing (16) of the composite fiber rod (1), together with the covering agent(s) (15) applied is executed, in which the composite fiber rod (1) is further cured in the regions (14) not covered by the covering agents (15) by the supply of heat and/or radiation, and wherein the deformation (23) of the composite fiber rod (1) is executed between the second stage of curing (16) and the final stage of curing (25).
US09387601B2

An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for cutting materials such as concrete. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly, and a pair of blades that are mounted at an end of the mounting assembly. Various types of driving assemblies can be provided to supply the force necessary to rotate the two blades. The distance between the blades can also be varied in order to adjust the width of the cut.
US09387600B1

A method of preparing a mold to form an article is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a quantity of fluid including lightweight oil, submerging the mold in the quantity of fluid such that the fluid at least partially enters internal cavities of the mold, and filling asperities defined in walls of the mold. The filling includes creating a negative pressure in the mold while submerged in the quantity of fluid, and removing substantially all air from the internal cavities.
US09387592B2

There is provided a gas-pressure type gravity compensation elevator for ascending/descending a load object, which includes a control part. The control part is adapted to selectively connect a constant-pressure gas cylinder maintained at a constant pressure according to the grasping state, to a gas cylinder for exerting a driving force in the direction of ascent on an elevating mechanism. Further, the control part is adapted to control a sum of a volumes in the gas cylinder and the constant-pressure gas cylinder such that it equals to a sum of their average volumes, every time the grasping state is changed.
US09387586B2

The invention relates to a robot transmission (1) for a multi-axis robot, in particular for a painting robot or a hand-held robot of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components. Said transmission comprises a transmission housing (6) which is filled, when in operation, at least partially with a lubricant according to an operationally-dependent lubricant pressure, in order to lubricate the robot transmission (1), and has a construction-defined maximum pressure for the lubrication pressure. The transmission housing (6) is not air-tight if the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) exceeds the maximum pressure. According to the invention, the robot transmission also comprises a pressure compensation device (7) which compensates the pressure in the transmission housing (6) and thus prevents the lubrication pressure in the transmission housing (6) from exceeding the maximum pressure.
US09387560B2

An operation apparatus of this invention includes a main pallet and a sub pallet detachable from the main pallet, and can convey a work and a part. The operation apparatus includes a lifting mechanism disconnecting, from the main pallet, the work placed on the main pallet and lift/lower the work; a moving mechanism detaching, from the main pallet, the sub pallet attached to the main pallet and lift/lower the sub pallet; a rotation mechanism holding the work lifted to a work operation region by the lifting mechanism; and an operation unit extracting the part from the sub pallet lifted to a part preparation region by the moving mechanism and assembling the part to the work.
US09387558B2

A rigging table and system for assembling trusses using a rigging table. An embodiment of a rigging table includes a base having a generally longitudinal axis and a generally lateral extent, and at least two bunk assemblies moveable along the base in at least the generally longitudinal axis such that each bunk assembly is capable of being positioned on the base relative to another bunk assembly. Each bunk assembly may include a frame extending along the lateral extent of the base, a pair of guides slidably positioned on the frame to move generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base toward and away from each other and able to be fastened in position on the frame, and a pair of automated clamp members each positioned relative to and moveable with one of the guides on the frame, to accommodate assembly of different sized trusses.
US09387557B2

A method of riveting comprising using a punch to push a rivet through a workpiece such that a shank of the rivet is received in a die defined by a die body which is in contact with the workpiece, a slug of material being removed from the workpiece by the rivet and being received in the die, the method further comprising closing or substantially closing the die using a rod and using the rod to upset the shank of the rivet.
US09387551B2

A method for simulating friction stir welding is provided. The method may include restraining first and second parts in a fixture. The method may also include axially forcing a non-rotating friction stir welding tool against a joint between the parts. Thereafter one or more resultant parameters may be measured, such as displacement of the first part, the second parts, and/or the fixture. The resultant parameters may also include the force applied to the first part, the second parts, and/or the fixture. Thereby, movement of the parts and fixture that may occur during friction stir welding may be simulated without actually completing a welding operation. A related system and computer program product are also provided.
US09387546B2

A milling tool for hobbing a workpiece. The milling tool includes a cylindrical tool body having a rotation axis and a plurality of disc-shaped segments. Each of the segments including a hub part and a peripheral cam having a plurality of tangentially spaced-apart milling inserts. Each segment has a through hole situated on the rotation axis. Each of the holes is directed in relation to each other such that a central duct is formed in the cylindrical tool body. Bordering segments are detachably torsionally rigidly interconnected The milling tool also includes a first end piece, which on one side is detachably and torsionally rigidly interconnected with a first one of the segments and which on the other side has coupling members for torsionally rigid coupling to a source of torque, such that all torque from the source is supplied to the cylindrical tool body via the first end piece.
US09387545B2

A method for honing a workpiece includes moving the workpiece onto an intermediate retention member which is rotatable about a vertical workpiece axis. Then, the workpiece is brought into a rolling engagement with a teaching wheel. An angular transfer position of the workpiece is established by the rotary sensor of the teaching wheel retention member. Next, the workpiece is transferred from the intermediate retention member onto a workpiece spindle, where the workpiece is retained onto the workpiece spindle. Then, the workpiece goes through a honing process by bringing the workpiece into a synchronized rolling engagement with a honing tool by utilizing the angular transfer position of the workpiece, thereby eliminating a separate centering step of the workpiece.
US09387544B2

A spline connection apparatus includes a male spline apparatus and a female collar apparatus coupled together. The male spline apparatus includes an external spline and a plurality of first tooth spaces having spline relief portions for tool clearance extending angularly and conically into a shoulder portion and base portion of the male spline apparatus. The female collar apparatus includes and internal spline and a plurality of second tooth spaces having an internal spline relief portion for tool clearance extending angularly and conically into the counterbore engagement surface of the female collar apparatus. The external teeth of the external spline and the internal teeth of the internal are equal in length. The effective face width of the engagement is equal to the length of the external and internal teeth.
US09387542B2

An integrated clamping system for a machine tool includes a male locating taper and a tool holder integrally formed therewith and extending therefrom. The male locating taper is configured to be received by a female tapered holding fixture of the machine tool. The tool holder has an axial bore for slidably receiving a machining tool. The male locating taper is also provided with a circumferential groove for receiving cam lobes of a locking cam nut to secure the machining tool to the machine.
US09387541B2

A controlled feed speed drilling machine includes an output shaft for driving a cutting tool in motion. The output shaft is connected to first and second motors by a transmission, which includes a rotationally driving ring and a tapped drive nut. The driving ring is rotatable along the longitudinal axis of the output shaft via the transmission and the first motor. The output shaft is rotationally linked to the driving ring and is mobile in translation relative to the driving ring along the longitudinal axis via the transmission and the second motor. The tapped drive nut rotates along the longitudinal axis relative to the output shaft via the transmission and the first motor. The translation speed VT of the output shaft along its longitudinal axis is equal to the product of the rotation frequency FR of the second motor and a constant k according to VT=k. FR.
US09387538B2

A tool holder and method for a machine tool includes a rear facing fluid port that will flush the next tool loaded in a gang style tool block while also allowing the fluid, such as coolant, to flow to the tool that is engaged with the workpiece.
US09387537B2

A wedge clamp includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and a fluid port traversing from the front wall to the rear wall. The fluid port has a front opening and a rear opening to allow cooling fluid to pass therethrough. In one embodiment, the front opening is a rounded isosceles trapezoid in shape with a pair of parallel substantially planar side walls of different length and a pair of arcuate side walls connecting the pair of planar side walls. The rear opening has a greater surface area proximate the rear wall and a smaller surface area proximate the front opening, resulting in a funnel-shaped opening to cause an increase in velocity of the cooling fluid passing through the fluid port.
US09387534B2

A method for forming a control arm is provided. The method includes providing an insert and a mold and also includes overcasting the insert within a metal in the mold. The insert defines a recess that is shaped for receiving a mating component. After the insert is overcast within the metal, the mating component may be positioned or mounted within the recess of the insert. A related control arm is also provided.
US09387532B2

A substrate for an LED light emitting element having a small difference of linear thermal expansion coefficient with the III-V semiconductor crystal constituting an LED, having an excellent thermal conductivity, and suitable for high output LEDs. A porous body comprises one or more materials selected from silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, diamond, graphite, yttrium oxide, and magnesium oxide and has a porosity that is 10 to 50 volume % and a three-point bending strength that is 50 MPa or more. The porous body is infiltrated, by means of liquid metal forging, with aluminum alloy or pure aluminum at an infiltration pressure of 30 MPa or more, cut and/or ground to a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 mm and to a surface roughness (Ra) of 0.01 to 0.5 μm, then is formed with a metal layer comprising one or more elements selected from Ni, Co, Pd, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt and Sn on its surface to a thickness of 0.5 to 15 μm, so as to thereby produce the composite substrate for the LED light emitting element.
US09387530B2

A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.
US09387506B2

A process for preparing a ceramic body having a surface roughness, said process comprising the step of depositing particles of a ceramic material on the surface of a ceramic basic body. The process is characterized in that separate agglomerates comprising at least two particles and a binder binding the particles together are deposited on the surface of the basic body by projecting the agglomerates towards the basic body.
US09387499B2

The dispenser comprises an eductor for the drawing of a concentrate fluid from a liquid reservoir container into an input carrier fluid by means of the flow of the other fluid utilizing a venturi effect. In this dispenser the concentration of the concentrate fluid in the input fluid can be varied to differing preset amounts. The dispenser contains an elongated channel having an input for the input fluid and dispensing nozzle at an exit end for dispensing the chemical concentrate fluid in a diluted form. There is a transverse intersecting channel intermediate the input end and the exit end. The transverse intersecting channel has an insert that is moveable in the intersecting channel, apertures of the moveable insert being alignable with apertures in the transverse intersecting channel and the liquid reservoir container holding the concentrate fluid. One aperture is in alignment with the elongated channel and another aperture in alignment with a channel from the liquid reservoir container. The channels from the liquid reservoir container will have a plurality of various sized apertures to provide for the flow of differing amounts of chemical concentrate fluid into the input fluid at a given input fluid flow rate. This results in a product stream of the input fluid diluted to a set concentration. By adjusting the moveable insert in the transverse intersecting channel and/or the input fluid flow rate the concentration of the chemical concentrate in the product fluid is changed.
US09387494B2

A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage, a bearing housing in a side wall of the sprinkler body, and a nozzle insert received in an access opening formed in the side wall of the sprinkler body substantially opposite the bearing housing. The nozzle insert includes an insert body having a bearing portion received in the bearing housing, a ball-valve portion connected to the bearing portion and provided with a nozzle bore having an inlet and an outlet orifice, and a lock/release portion connected to the ball-valve portion, the lock/release portion including plural, flexible spring arms extending away from the ball-valve portion. The nozzle insert is rotatable to plural operating positions by manipulation of the spring arms.
US09387493B2

A showerhead for personal hygiene is provided that includes a valve actuator that is powered mechanically or electrically to provide variation in spray pattern, variation in water flow, or a combination thereof upon a user initiating valve actuator operation. A power supply, with a recharge capability for the power source, is provided of a battery-electric motor or a spring, the power supply is in mechanical communication with the actuator. A user interface includes buttons corresponding to different multimodal operational programs for the showerhead. A user programmable keypad allowing selection between different spray modes, flow rates and a combination thereof is provided within an integral showerhead housing or a remote control. A user is able to change modes without intervening manual manipulation between modes; as a result an enhanced massage experience is provided. A timed shower period, reduced water flow patterns, or a combination thereof is also provided to save water.
US09387491B2

A centrifugal separator includes a centrifuge rotor mounted to a spindle and includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space. Peripheral ports extend from the separation space through the rotor casing. A valve slide is movable between a closed position closing the peripheral ports and an open position opening the peripheral ports. A closing chamber is provided between the valve slide and the rotor casing. An inlet channel supplies hydraulic medium to the closing chamber to hold the valve slide in the closed position. An outlet passage permits an outlet flow of the hydraulic medium for moving the valve slide to the open position. The outlet passage includes outlet channels extending though the rotor casing. A valve body is provided in each outlet channel and is axially movable from a closing position to an opening position against the direction of the outlet flow.
US09387487B2

A collecting electrode for use in wet electrostatic precipitators, the collecting electrode being fabricated from an electrically-conductive, corrosion resistant and temperature and spark resistant composite material comprising carbon fiber and thermosetting resin so as to pro\ the collecting electrode with an improved arc resistance, as dictated by erosion density and direction, by controlling the weave pattern and/or fabric thickness of the carbon fibers.
US09387485B2

The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one magnetic particle, or contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one magnetic particle and at least one surface-modifying substance at the same time, contacting of the mixture from step (A) with at least one surface-modifying substance, if this has not been done in step (A), so that the at least one first material, the at least one surface-modifying substance and the at least one magnetic particle become attached to one another, and separation of the addition product by application of a magnetic field.
US09387484B2

A method and apparatus for extracting magnetic particles from a sample includes placing the sample near a liquid carrier, which is immiscible with it, in a configuration stable under the influence of gravity. The magnetic particles are moved by a magnetic field from the sample and into the carrier. The magnetic particles are non-wetting with respect to the carrier and will therefore form agglomerates in the carrier.
US09387481B2

A rotary drum apparatus comprising a drum rotatable around a longitudinal axis, and at least one electric motor for driving the drum in rotation around the longitudinal axis, each drive motor comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor comprising at least one ring portion joint together with the drum and extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The stator of each drive motor extending against a part of circumference of the drum perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
US09387480B2

The invention relates to the granulation by agglomeration of ceramic compositions ground in dry phase. The invention proposes an alternative to the method of wet-phase grinding and drying by atomization. The method consists of dry-phase grinding and preparing argillaceous ceramic compositions without binders, additives, or deflocculants from argillaceous minerals (about 60%) mixed with inorganic materials, grain sizes of less than 120 micrometers, in a horizontal rotary cylindrical device with deflecting paddles, the intake of said minerals, powdery materials and water takes place at one end of said device; and granules that are moved by said deflecting paddles are formed due to the rotation of said device. The outlet of the granulated material is at the opposite end of said device. The invention offers the following advantages: energy savings of 80%; savings in water consumption during granulation of 75-80% and 10-20% of additional savings in the pressure for pressing the granules. The time necessary to change from one ceramic composition to another is one hour, compared with several days using the current method of atomization. The method of granulation constitutes a novel environmental technology with zero air and water table pollution, and with much lower water consumption.
US09387472B2

The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including an outer sheath; a plurality of tubes within the sheath, in which at least one of the tubes acquires a sample, and at least one of the tubes expels a fluid that is immiscible with the sample, in which the at least one tube that acquires the sample is extendable beyond a distal end of the sheath and retractable to within the sheath; and a valve connected to a distal portion of the sheath, in which the valve opens when the tube extends beyond the distal end and closes when the tube retracts to within the sheath.
US09387466B2

This invention reveals a method for synthesizing a hydrotreating catalyst wherein the support is prepared by mixing of peptized alumina with an amorphous silica or crystalline aluminum silicate as one component of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises a group VI metal and/or a group VIII metal of the periodic table. The catalyst exhibits improved hydrocracking, hydrodesulfurization and hydrodemetallization activities and has a relatively stable life with time on stream. Thus, the invention concerns a method for developing a catalyst for hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks which is characterized by two steps: the first step consists of the optimization of a catalyst formulation with respect to the textural properties, number of acid sites, active metal incorporation. The second step consists of the evaluation with real feedstock and catalyst stability with time-on-stream.
US09387463B2

A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst includes, in a carbide formation step, treating an initial catalyst precursor comprising a catalyst support supporting cobalt and/or a cobalt compound, with a CO containing gas at a temperature T. T is from 200° C. to 280° C. The cobalt or cobalt compound is converted to cobalt carbide thereby obtaining a cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor. The CO containing gas (when it contains H2) does not have a CO to H2 molar ratio equal to or less than 33:1. The carbide formation step is carried out under non-oxidative conditions. In a subsequent activation step, the cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor is subjected to treatment with a hydrogen containing gas at a temperature T2. T2 is at least 300° C. The cobalt carbide is converted to cobalt metal thereby activating the cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor and obtaining a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst.
US09387460B2

A non-aqueous metal catalytic composition includes (a) a complex of silver and an oxime comprising reducible silver ions in an amount of at least 2 weight %, (b) a silver ion photoreducing composition in an amount of at least 1 weight %, and (c) a photocurable component, a non-curable polymer, or a combination of a photocurable component and a non-curable polymer. This non-aqueous metal catalytic composition can be used to form silver metal particles in situ during suitable reducing conditions. The silver metal can be provided in a suitable layer or pattern on a substrate, which can then be subsequently subjected to electroless plating to form electrically-conductive layers or patterns for use in various articles or as touch screen displays in electronic devices.
US09387458B2

A method for regulating the structure and properties of the composite nanoabsorbent is provided. This method uses nanoporous chloromethylated polystyrene-divinylbenzene beads as the support material and adopts in situ precipitation method to load dissociative functional nanoparticles thereon; the composite nanoabsorbent of different absorption capacity and absorption speed can be prepared through regulating the pore structure, which is realized herein by means of starting crosslinking reactions through heating chloromethylated beads under existence of the swelling agent and the catalyst; through changing the proportions of different components in the reaction system, modes of heating and time of reaction, the polymer support with different pore structures can be prepared. This invention can successfully regulate the distribution and size of inorganic nanoparticles; the composite nanomaterials prepared by the resin of different degrees of crosslinking present different structures and properties, and the specific structure and properties can be selected in order to meet practical requirements.
US09387456B2

Reactor for Fischer-Tropsch reaction which is carried out in a three-phase system essentially consisting of a reacting gaseous phase, a reacted liquid phase and a solid catalytic phase, wherein the solid catalytic phase consists of packed or structured bodies of catalytic material encaged within at least one honeycomb monolithic structure with a high thermal conductivity.
US09387449B2

Disclosed are a catalytic cracking method and an apparatus for implementing the method. The catalytic cracking is carried out in a primary reactor and a secondary light material reactor, wherein in a first reaction region of the primary reactor, a regenerated catalyst contacts and reacts with a raw oil, the reaction mixture flows upward, and the catalyst is separated out by a separator; the separated catalyst flows to a stripping section, and the reacted oil gas flows upward along a delivery pipe and enters a second reaction region of the primary reactor; the catalyst to be regenerated from the secondary light material reactor enters the second reaction region of the primary reactor, and is mixed with the reacted oil gas from the first reaction region for further reaction; after the completion of the reaction, the oil gas is separated from the catalyst, and fed to a subsequent fractionation system, and the catalyst flows to the stripping section, is stripped together with the catalyst separated by the separator in the first reaction region, and enters a regenerator for regeneration. By using the apparatus and method disclosed herein, the production distribution and production quality are improved, the project investment is reduced, the energy consumption is lowered, and the implementation of the project is convenient.
US09387445B2

To provide a separation membrane element that is able to increase the amount of permeate fluid per unit time and also able to improve stability performance, provided is a separation membrane element, comprising a separation membrane and a permeate spacer, wherein a separation functional layer is arranged on the surface of said separation membrane and a nonwoven fabric served as a substrate is arranged on the back surface of said separation membrane, wherein said permeate spacer is arranged on the back surface side of said substrate, wherein said permeate spacer is made of a different material from said separation membrane, and a projection area ratio of said permeate spacer to said separation membrane is 0.03 to 0.80.
US09387444B2

A pressure-based chemical etch method is used to shape polymer nanopores into cones. By varying the pressure, the pore tip diameter can be controlled, while the pore base diameter is largely unaffected. The method provides an easy, low-cost approach for conically etching high density nanopores.
US09387430B2

Methods and systems of enhanced carbon dioxide recovery from an inlet gas stream are provided, by introducing the gas stream to one or more membrane-based separation units to produce a permeate byproduct gas stream having increased concentration of carbon dioxide compared to the inlet gas stream and then introducing the permeate byproduct gas stream to one or more pressure swing adsorption units or trains to enhance recovery of hydrocarbons, such as methane, lost in the byproduct stream and to produce a substantially pure carbon dioxide stream, while minimizing process compression and eliminating process heat for process regeneration. The methods introduced herein are for enhancing product recovery by enhancing carbon dioxide recovery from gas streams with pressures greater than atmospheric conditions. Further refinement to the methods would be the introduction of hydrogen sulfide polishing units within the process to produce product that meets or exceeds sales quality specifications.
US09387419B2

In a method for manufacturing a filter element for filtration of a fluid, a filter medium web is treated along at least one treatment line and the filter medium web is cut along at least one cutting line that is adjacent to the at least one treatment line. An apparatus for performing the method has a combination of at least one treatment device and at least one cutting device. The at least one treatment device has at least one treatment element that treats a filter medium web along at least one treatment line. The at least one cutting device has at least one cutting element that cuts the filter medium web along at least one cutting line. The at least one treatment element and the at least one cutting element, viewed in a movement direction of the filter medium web relative to the apparatus, are arranged staggered relative to each other.
US09387414B2

The invention relates to a mass transfer tray of a column with a liquid feed on the tray feed side and a liquid discharge on the opposite tray discharge side, and with multiple profile-shaped channels of a U-shaped cross section that are arranged in the tray between the feed and the discharge, parallel to one another and transversely in relation to the direction of liquid flow, and form between them gas passage slits which are covered over by elongated profile-shaped hoods, which have an inverted U-shaped cross section, wherein the side walls of the channels reach into the hoods, and so the channel side walls are covered over by the hood side walls by a height that is less than the height of the channel side walls and the height of the hood side walls, wherein the liquid flows alternately in opposite directions in the channels, and so in every second channel the liquid flows in one direction and in the channels lying in between the liquid flows in the opposite direction, and wherein the hoods are set higher than the channels in the case of the channels and hoods that are closer to the tray feed side, and consequently the heights over which they cover one another are less than in the case of the channels and hoods that are closer to the tray discharge side.
US09387410B1

A loading and launching device for toy vehicles is disclosed that is actuated with a single pull of an actuator to both load and launch a toy vehicle, such as onto a toy vehicle track set. The device includes a horizontal toy vehicle loader and a toy vehicle launcher that are coupled to one another, such that as the launcher moves rearward, the loader moves from a vehicle receiving and loading position (in which the loading and launching device may receive a toy vehicle returning from the toy track set) to a launch position that pushes a toy vehicle into position directly in front of the launcher. When the launcher is released, it contacts and launches the toy vehicle.
US09387408B2

A waterslide attraction configured to display illuminated visualizations to a rider traveling thereon via one or more lights or LEDs. The waterslide attraction utilizes a slide for supporting a rider, either with a ride vehicle or without. The ride vehicle may be a mat, tube, or board with interactive elements, such as buttons, that allows the rider thereon to manipulate the interactive elements for providing rider input while on the slide. Upon manipulating an element, a signal may be transmitted, the illuminated visualizations being modified in response to such manipulations. Colors, shapes, and/or patterns may be displayed that animate or appear to shift or move in position along the waterslide. Gaming features, such as manipulating the interactive elements that corresponds to one or more displayed illumination visualizations may cause rewards or penalties, for example, based on position of the rider, as the rider travels on the slide.
US09387407B2

Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
US09387406B2

An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for guiding a player to the completion of a task during game play. The player selects a control device in a graphical user interface device generated by a processor. In response to the selection, a hint is provided to the user in the graphical user interface that presents a game board to a player. The player may use the hint to accomplish the task.
US09387398B2

A first area and a second area are set in a virtual space. Then, based on first configuration information for configuring a first state of a game world, a first object to be placed in the first area is generated. In addition, a second object to be placed in the second area is generated based on second configuration information for configuring a second state different from the first state at a predetermined position in the virtual space to which the first configuration information is applied.
US09387387B2

An exercise device may comprise at least one joint. The at least one joint may comprise at least one first surface positioned adjacent to at least one second surface, the at least one second surface movable relative to the at least one first surface at at least one interface. A damping grease having a dynamic viscosity greater than about 100 Pascal seconds at standard temperature and pressure may be positioned at the at least one interface between the at least one first surface and the at least one second surface of the at least one joint.
US09387384B2

A fall protection device for trampolines includes at least one rope which is preferably substantially non-resilient and can be connected to a user of the trampoline. At least one tautening device is provided for holding the rope taut when the fall protection device is in use. Also provided is at least one device for limiting the rope extension.
US09387379B1

In some embodiments, a golf club includes a reversible grip that that is universal to dexterity and can be used on a golf club configured for both right-handed golfers and left-handed golfers. Such a reversible golf club grip can provide the golf club with an identical grip configuration without removing the grip from the shaft of the golf club. In some embodiments, a reversible golf club grip as described herein can be used on an adjustable golf club such that as the orientation of the golf club shaft is reversed between a right-handed and left-handed dexterity, the grip can be used for either orientation without being repositioned on the shaft. In some embodiments, a reversible golf club grip can be configured to promote a traditional hands placement on the golf club grip in both right-handed and left-handed orientations.
US09387377B2

A golf club head comprising a channel and an expandable weight that can be removably fixed at any point within the channel is disclosed herein. The weight comprises at least an upper portion, a middle portion, a lower portion, and a bolt, and the upper portion and lower portion preferably are formed of metal materials while the middle portion preferably is formed of a polymeric material. The weight preferably is trapped within the channel so that it cannot fall out of the channel during use. The channel may also have an end that opens into a port, which can be filled with a plug or weight screw to prevent the weight from falling out of the channel, and also can be removed so that the weight can be removed and replaced with another expandable weight having a different overall mass.
US09387374B2

In accordance with the present invention, a set of golf club heads is disclosed. The set includes golf club heads with peripheral weights. The dimensions and configuration of at least the peripheral weights are changed from club-to-club along the set so that the center of gravity rises from the long irons to the short irons. By raising the center of gravity from the long irons to the short irons, a golfer will see a peak trajectory height along a line for each club head that is substantially more consistent along that line throughout the set than prior art clubs provide.
US09387372B2

A golf club set 2 includes a plurality of golf clubs 41 to 45 having different club lengths. Each of the golf clubs 41 to 45 includes a head 6, a shaft 8, and a grip 10. The club length of each of the clubs 41 to 45 is 38.5 inches or greater and 42 inches or less. Face progression of the head 6 is substantially constant. If a moment of inertia of the head about an axis line of the shaft is defined as MI, an MI difference ratio between the adjacent clubs is equal to or less than 3%. Preferably, a loft angle is equal to or greater than 17 degrees in each of all the clubs 41 to 45.
US09387366B2

Golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided. The center of the core is made of a thermoset rubber material and preferably has a positive hardness gradient. The intermediate core layers is made of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition. The outer core layer is made of a highly neutralized polymer composition. The inner cover is made of a thermoplastic composition, preferably an ethylene acid copolymer. The outer cover is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. The finished ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties.
US09387360B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a wrist strengthening device having a first handle, a second handle and a tightening mechanism for increasing the resistance between the first handle, the second handle and the tightening mechanism.
US09387359B2

Described is an exercise tool. More particularly, it is a therapy and exercise tool specifically devised as a foot-therapy and toe-aligning device to align, separate, and stretch toes. The foot-therapy and toe-aligning device comprises a frame with a plurality of posts connected with the frame. The device is formed of an elastic material such that a user may place at least one of the plurality of posts between a user's toes and pull the post to stretch and elongate the post between the toes. Upon release, the elastic material of the post causes the post to attempt to return to its original shape, thereby causing it to expand out and conform its shape to fit snugly against the user's toes. Additionally, the elastic material allows the toe posts to be positioned and maintained at numerous locations between the user's toes for customizable positioning between the toes.
US09387351B2

A support post assembly for a safety line system for a workman at a height above the ground. The assembly comprises a support post, a safety line mount to which a safety line may be secured, and a shock absorber. The support post has opposite first and second ends, a post axis extending therebetween, and at the first end, a base portion for fixing the assembly to a supporting surface. The safety line mount extends away from the second end of the support post. The shock absorber is within the support post between the ends of the support post, the shock absorber comprising a pivot, such that in the event of a fall by a worker secured to the safety line, lateral forces imparted to the safety line mount by the fall are transmitted to the shock absorber, causing the shock absorber to deflect laterally relative to the post axis.
US09387345B2

A control circuit optimizes a radiation-treatment plan (as regards treating at least one target volume for a given patient) by automatically determining a spatially-variant normal tissue constraint as a function, at least in part, of dose distribution for normal tissue that is proximal to the target volume. If desired, the control circuit can repeatedly determine spatially-variant normal tissue constraints while optimizing the radiation-treatment plan. This automatic determination can comprise evaluating dose distributions at specific different distances from the target volume. So configured, the control circuit can effect such evaluation by penalizing, during the optimization of the radiation-treatment plan, dose distribution levels that exceed a predetermined distribution property (such as an aggregation value for the dose values including, but not limited to, an average value of dose values for each of the given specific different distances) at a given one of the specific different distances.
US09387343B2

A medical apparatus for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body is disclosed. The medical apparatus may include a plurality of treatment channels configured to be positioned adjacent a body tissue and a plurality of delivery channels coupled to a corresponding number of treatment channels. The medical apparatus may also include a plurality of source channels configured to receive one or more energy sources, a tracking channel configured to receive a tracking element, and a connecting element configured to connect each delivery channel with either one of the plurality of sources channels or the tracking channel.
US09387342B2

A method of delivering external radiation beams to a target volume in a body portion includes positioning a radioactive isotope source at a plurality of locations spaced apart around the body portion, and collimating radiation beams of the radioactive isotope source from the plurality of locations, whereby the target volume in the body portion is deposited with a predetermined dose distribution. A radiation device employs a member having a configuration adapted to surround a body portion to be irradiated. The member has a channel and a plurality of collimators spaced apart along and coupled to the channel. The plurality of collimators define a plurality of dwelling locations for a radioactive isotope source in the channel and are configured to collimate radiation beams of the radioactive isotope source.
US09387339B2

A disposable housing including a single-use thermal exchange component can be configured to be mechanically, removably coupled to a receptacle on a cuff positionable around a joint to provide temperature-based therapy to the joint.
US09387338B2

In certain variations, systems and/or methods for electromagnetic induction therapy are provided. One or more ergonomic or body contoured applicators may be included. The applicators include one or more conductive coils configured to generate an electromagnetic or magnetic field focused on a target nerve, muscle or other body tissues positioned in proximity to the coil. One or more sensors may be utilized to detect stimulation and to provide feedback about the efficacy of the applied electromagnetic induction therapy. A controller may be adjustable to vary a current through a coil to adjust the magnetic field focused upon the target nerve, muscle or other body tissues based on the feedback provide by a sensor or by a patient. In certain systems or methods, pulsed magnetic fields may be intermittently applied to a target nerve, muscle or tissue without causing habituation.
US09387331B2

An implantable medical device (IMD) antenna and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An IMD can include a ceramic structure having at least one wall defining a hollow cavity. The ceramic structure can include a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first end being open to provide access to the hollow cavity and the second end being closed. The IMD also includes an antenna cofire-integrated into the at least one wall of the ceramic structure and a housing adjoined to the ceramic structure.
US09387324B2

Methods and devices for verifying that proper visual stimulation is applied to the visual prostheses are described. In one of the methods, a retinal stimulation system implanted on a subject is simulated externally. An external testing device is also discussed.
US09387314B2

Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, collapsed cross-sectional configuration, subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration, and subsequent removal in a third, collapsed cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is configured for use in the vascular system and has utility in the introduction and removal of implant delivery catheters. The access route is through the femoral arteries and the iliac arteries into the aorta. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, collapsed cross-sectional configuration during advancement to the arteries into the aorta. The distal end of the sheath is then expanded using a radial dilatation device, which is removed prior to the introduction of implant delivery catheters. The distal end of the sheath is subsequently reduced to a diametrically small size for removal.
US09387307B2

Needle assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needle assemblies having a tip protector with a plurality of wall surfaces for preventing contact with the needle tip from a side. Aspects of the tip protectors discussed herein include a first protector body having an arm for blocking a needle tip surrounded by a second protector body having a plurality of wall surfaces.
US09387300B2

The invention is directed to a ventilation interface, which includes a cannula having one or more nasal prongs, a ventilation tube connected to the cannula and headgear. The cannula is secured onto the patient through one or more arced couplers positioned between the cannula and headgear. The cannula has a first side wall, a second side wall and a top wall which form a reservoir. The top wall includes a first portion, a second portion and a notch positioned between the first portion and second portion. The ventilation tube includes one or more bleed ports and provides breathable gas to a patient. The headgear includes a first strap and a second strap. The first strap includes a first portion and second portion that contains two or more slots to connect the second strap. Each portion of the first strap includes an inner layer and an outer layer.
US09387299B2

A safety breathing apparatus has a sensor for measuring the difference in pressure between two points in the gas delivered to a head unit. The sensor is used to measure the difference in the pressure of the gas supplied through the apparatus between the two points in the gas flow, and the pressure difference is then used to calculate the gas flow rate.
US09387298B2

A fan unit that forms part of a gases supply unit used as part of a breathing assistance system for providing heated gases to a user. The fan has an impeller surrounded by an upwardly sloped surface to facilitate improved airflow performance under surge conditions.
US09387295B1

A system is disclosed for delivering gas during a laparoscopic surgical procedure performed within a patient's abdominal cavity requiring smoke evacuation which includes a gas delivery device having a housing with a port for receiving pressurized insufflating gas from a gas source, a pump assembly for circulating gas throughout the system, and a disposable gas conditioning unit or filter cartridge configured for operative association with the gas delivery device.
US09387288B2

A drug infusion assembly comprises a drug delivery device arranged to adhere to a patient's skin and includes a reservoir that holds the drug, a cannula that delivers the drug to the patient, and a pump that causes the drug to flow to the cannula. The assembly further includes a monitor device for providing information about the operation of a drug delivery device. The monitor device includes a housing arranged to be attached to and detached from the drug delivery device, a sensor that senses the operation of the drug delivery device and generates an activation signal, a clock mechanism that generates a time signal, a memory that receives and stores the activation signal and the time signal and creates an information packet coordinating the time signal and the activation signal, an interrogator that interrogates the memory such that the memory generates a memory signal in response thereto, and a responder that receives the memory signal and generates a response.
US09387286B2

A hemodialysis system includes: a peristaltic blood pump; a first peristaltic dialysate pump; a second peristaltic dialysate pump; and a fluid cassette including an upper portion and a lower portion, a blood pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the blood pumping tube actuated by the peristaltic blood pump, a first dialysate pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the first dialysate pumping tube actuated by the first dialysate pump, and a second dialysate pumping tube extending linearly from the upper portion to the lower portion, the second dialysate pumping tube actuated by the second dialysate pump.
US09387278B2

The present invention relates to an inflow cannula for blood circulatory assist devices, having a robust structure and possessing a thrombus anchoring effect. Furthermore, the inflow cannula for blood circulatory assist devices does not deform or exhibit loss of dimensional accuracy during the manufacture process. These features are achieved by a porous structure formed of one or more linear elements or of a porous shaped article.
US09387277B2

A bone replacement filler comprising a biomedical ceramic particulate, wherein the filler is able to flow without the application of an external shear stress or compressive force or under a relatively low shear stress or compressive force, but resists flow or does not flow when subjected to a higher shear stress or compressive force, and wherein at least some of the particles in the ceramic particulate have a micro-porous surface structure and/or a micro-porous sub-surface structure.
US09387275B2

One-component bone cement pastes, containing:AI at least one methacrylate monomer suitable for radical polymerization;AII at least one polymer that is soluble in AI;AIII at least one particulate polymer that is insoluble in AI and has a particle size of less than 500 μm;optionally AIV at least one radical-forming initiator or at least one radical initiator that is soluble in AI and subject to thermal decomposition;optionally AV at least one electrically conductive radio-opaquer, in the form of ferromagnetic particles.
US09387270B2

A method to condition the air in a bowling alley utilizes an oil mixture which is dispensed by conditioning apparatus which down and up a synthetic bowling lane. The oil mixture comprises original lane oil and a fragrance composition which admixed to the oil mixture to produce a fragrant lane oil which has at 1700 cm−1 a % T which is generally equivalent to the % T of the original lane oil.
US09387269B2

A cold plasma jet hand sanitizer and method of use are provided. A pair of opposing two-dimensional arrays of atmospheric pressure cold plasma jets is used to create a sterilizing volume. Any object placed into that volume will have its surface sterilized. The opposing arrays of plasma jets are operated electrically 180 degrees out of phase so that the opposing arrays of plasma jets essentially fire into each other in the absence of an intervening object, or directly impinge on the surface of an intervening object.
US09387268B2

Provided herein are systems, ultraviolet (UV) devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, room, space or defined environment. The systems, UV devices, and methods are particularly useful for the UV disinfection and sterilization of a container used in the food and dairy industry and for containers used in the process of fermentation for an alcoholic beverage. Provided are also systems, UV devices, and methods for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present in a container, room, space or defined environment preferably for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present on an interior surface of a container, room, space or defined environment.
US09387267B2

Disclosed herein is an iodine-containing radial-shaped macromolecule suitable for an active ingredient of the computed tomography (CT) contrast medium, a method to prepare the same, and a contrast medium composition including the same. With respect to the iodine-containing radial-shaped macromolecule according to the present invention, the duration of contrast enhancement has been significantly improved in comparison to that of the current small molecular contrast media compounds containing iodine.
US09387265B2

Described herein are compositions and methods for cancer cell biomarkers, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell biomarkers, and binding molecules for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, e.g., PDAC. Methods of identifying “accessible” proteomes are disclosed for identifying cancer biomarkers, such as plectin-1, a PDAC biomarker. Additionally, imaging compositions are provided comprising magnetofluorescent nanoparticles conjugated to peptide ligands for identifying PDACs.
US09387259B2

This invention relates to pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs), in particular pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimers having a C2-C3 double bond and an aryl group at the C2 position in each monomer unit, and their inclusion in targeted conjugates. The differing substituent groups may offer advantages in the preparation and use of the compounds, particularly in their biological properties and the synthesis of conjugates, and the biological properties of these conjugates.
US09387239B2

The present technology provides vaccine compositions comprising native outer membrane vesicles (NOMVs) from at least one genetically modified strain of Neisseria which provides protective immunity to meningococcal disease, more preferably subtype B meningococcal disease. The present technology further provides methods of immunizing an animal or human against meningococcal disease comprising administering the vaccine composition of the present invention.
US09387235B2

A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition includes a peptide parathyroid hormone fragment, derivatives thereof, salts thereof, and combinations thereof, where the peptide fragment conforms to the structure R1-NH-AA-R2 where R1 is selected from the group consisting of —H, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms optionally functionalized with an —OH, —SH, —COOH or —CONH2 group, or a sterol group which is bonded by a functional group with the peptide; where R2 is —OH, —OH functionalized by a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, or a sterol group; and where AA corresponds completely or partially to the sequence of amino acids according to SEQ ID No. 1 corresponding to the PTH (28 to 34) region.
US09387225B2

The present invention relates to novel gold-platinum based bi-metallic nanocrystal suspensions that have nanocrystal surfaces that are substantially free from organic or other impurities or films associated with typical chemical reductants/stabilizers and/or raw materials used in nanoparticle formation processes. Specifically, the surfaces are “clean” relative to the surfaces of metal-based nanoparticles made using chemical reduction (and other) processes that require organic (or other) reductants and/or surfactants to grow (and/or suspend) metal nanoparticles from metal ions in a solution. The invention includes novel electrochemical manufacturing apparatuses and techniques for making the bi-metallic nanocrystal suspensions. The techniques do not require the use or presence of chlorine ions/atoms and/or chlorides or chlorine-based materials for the manufacturing process/final suspension. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions thereof and the use of the bi-metallic nanocrystals or suspensions or colloids thereof for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions for which metal-based therapy is already known, including, for example, for cancerous diseases or conditions.
US09387223B2

A topical ophthalmic composition comprised of povidone-iodine 0.01% to 10.0% combined with a steroid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This solution is useful in the treatment of active infections of at least one tissue of the eye (e.g., conjunctiva and cornea) from bacterial, mycobacterial, viral, fungal, or amoebic causes, as well as treatment to prevent such infections in appropriate clinical settings (e.g. corneal abrasion, postoperative prophylaxis, post-LASIK/LASEK prophylaxis). Additionally the solution is effective in the prevention of infection and inflammation in the post-operative ophthalmic patient.
US09387206B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel combinatorial therapies of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. In particular, the invention concerns compounds which, alone or in combination(s), can effectively modulate synapse function and/or angiogenesis and/or cell stress response. The invention also relates to methods of producing a drug or a drug combination for treating Alzheimer's disease and to methods of treating Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.
US09387200B2

The present invention relates to novel compounds according to Formula I or II, methods, and compositions capable of decreasing HIF hydroxylase enzyme activity, thereby increasing the stability and/or activity of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). Formula (I) or (II).
US09387199B2

C. difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Unfortunately, antibiotic therapy remains as the standard treatment for this antibiotic-induced disease and relapses are common. Antibiotic treatment typically is given for 10 to 14 days for initial or second episode of CDI. For recurrent episodes, more prolonged courses are recommended. It is disclosed herein that lower dose or shorter course of the antimicrobial treatment is sufficient to treat the disease and prevent recurrent disease by enabling a good immunologic response to infection, and perhaps also by better preserving normal flora, thus protecting against relapses or reinfection.
US09387196B2

The present invention provides 3-{1-[5-chloro-2-(2-ethylbutoxy)benzyl]-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl}propanoicacid in crystalline form. The present invention further provides methods for treating disorders associated with DP1, FP, TP, EP1 and EP4 prostaglandin (PG) receptors.
US09387195B2

Methods of treating a disease selected from dermatomyositis, prurigo nodularis, pyoderma gangrenosum, alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurtiva, rosacea, lichen planus, giant cell arteritis, Sjogren's syndrome, gout, chronic prostatitis, posterior uveitis, vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis in a human are disclosed. Specific methods encompass the administration of (+)-2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, cyclopropyl {2-[(15)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-3-oxoisoindolin-4-yl}carboxamide or a combination thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug, metabolite, polymorph, salt, solvate or clathrate thereof.
US09387188B2

A composition comprising leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine and lysine for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US09387187B2

Dermatological disorders having an inflammatory or proliferative component are treated with pharmaceutical compositions containing on the order of 0.3% by weight of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthanoic acid (adapalene) or salt thereof, formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable media therefor, advantageously topically applicable gels, creams or lotions.
US09387183B2

The method of treating diabetes-related impaired wound healing includes the step of administering an effective amount of estrogen replacement therapy to a patient in need thereof to promote wound healing. Alternatively, the method of treating diabetes-related impaired wound healing includes the step of administering an effective amount of a TNF-α inhibitor to a patient in need thereof to promote wound healing. The method of treating diabetes-related impaired wound healing may also include both the step of administering an effective amount of estrogen replacement therapy and administering an effective amount of a TNF-α inhibitor to a patient in need thereof to promote wound healing.
US09387178B2

A modified release dosage form for the oral administration of tranexamic acid.
US09387177B2

Methods and compositions are provided which comprise effective amounts of analgesic to treat a subject, including reducing or eliminating an adverse effect associated with the analgesic.
US09387163B2

Methods, systems, devices, and medicaments are provided for locally administering to a pelvic-area organ or tissue structure in a patient at least one drug continuously or continually over a treatment period of 24 hours or more in an amount effective to achieve a therapeutic effect in another organ or tissue structure by means of shared or convergent pelvic afferent pathways. The methods systems, devices, and medicaments can be used in the treatment of IC/BPS, chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, orchialgia, urethral syndrome, dysparenia, chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain, levator ani syndrome, irritative bowel syndrome, or a combination thereof. The drug may include anesthetic agents, analgesic agents, antispasmodic agents, antimuscarinic agents, and combinations thereof. The drug may be released from a drug delivery device or a sustained release composition deployed inside the bladder.
US09387157B2

There is disclosed a nipple (10) suitable for a soother, feeding bottle or drinking vessel. The nipple (10) has a teat portion (12), an areola portion (14) and a base portion (16). The nipple (10) has an interior wall (15) and a plurality of paths (20), prefereably at least partly recessed, in the interior wall (15). Each path (20) has a first end (25) located in the teat portion (12) and a second end (26) located in the areola portion (14).
US09387152B2

The invention relates to blood substitute compositions, and methods of use thereof. Described herein are compositions in which hemoglobin is maintained substantially in the reduced form of hemoglobin as opposed to the oxidized methemoglobin form through inclusion of an oxido-reductase enzyme and reducing agent within a vesicle with the hemoglobin. The vesicles additionally can comprise a dismutase, a catalase, and an electron acceptor, each of which contribute to either the maintenance of hemoglobin in the active oxygen carrying state or provide a benefit not achieved with free hemoglobin.
US09387137B2

An absorbent article package is individually packaged by folding a packaging sheet and an absorbent article in a state where the absorbent article is arranged on the packaging sheet. In a state where the individually-packaged absorbent article is opened, in the packaging sheet and the absorbent article, a first folding line based on which the absorbent article and the packaging sheet are folded towards the topsheet side, and a second folding line based on which the absorbent article and the packaging sheet are folded towards the backsheet side are formed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction.
US09387136B2

An absorbent article includes a fluid pervious top sheet, a fluid impervious bottom sheet, and an absorbent core positioned therebetween. The absorbent core includes a plurality of superabsorbent sections defining a channel therebetween.
US09387126B2

An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. microfiltration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing mate rials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
US09387125B1

A tubular body is configured to be disposed around and to apply compression to an extremity. The tubular body includes a treatment area having a first filament and a second filament. Both the first filament and the second filament are disposed to engage the surface of the extremity. The first filament includes AgNP in a concentration effective to promote healing of a wound on the surface of the extremity. The second filament includes a metal having a composition that forms a galvanic couple with silver. The first filament and the second filament are arranged in the tubular body such that the AgNP and metal form galvanic couples across at least a portion of the treatment area when in the presence of a fluid in the wound of the extremity that produce an electric current in an amount effective to further promote healing of the wound.
US09387117B2

This invention provides an oral apparatus and method capable of alleviating or curing snore and obstructive sleep apnea by applying a negative pressure through a mini oral interface to the oral cavity. The mini oral interface creates a secure connection between the interface and mouth or teeth and prevents the interface from falling off. The oral interface also provides fixation between upper and lower lips (or tooth) and prevents opening of patient's mouth during sleeping. The negative pressure pulls the tongue toward upper palate and also pulls the soft palate forward as well. By moving the tongue and the soft palate in a forward direction, the patency of the upper airway near the pharynx is maintained to prevent sleep-disordered breathing. The negative pressure will pull the lips inward to close the mouth ad prevent air from entering the oral cavity from atmosphere. The negative pressure will also pull the soft palate into contact with the rear surface of the tongue to create a seal that prevents the air from entering the oral cavity through the nasal airway.
US09387116B2

Apparatus and methods are provided for treating sleep apnea, snoring, and the like using an implant within an oropharyngeal region adjacent an anterior longitudinal ligament. The implant may include a central region between first and second outer regions. In one embodiment, one of the outer regions is compressible to allow the outer region to be directed through or behind the ligament such that the central region is disposed within or behind the ligament, the outer region being resiliently expandable after passing through or behind the ligament. In another embodiment, the implant may include one or more tines or other features that may be directed into adjacent tissue, e.g., the anterior longitudinal ligament and/or vertebra to secure the implant within the oropharyngeal region.
US09387113B2

The invention relates to walkers, and in particular, to orthopaedic walker devices for assisting in the stabilization and healing of injuries to the lower leg and/or foot, including fractures to the bones of the foot, such as metatarsal fractures, ‘Jones Fracture or broken phalanges.
US09387109B2

A brace for relief of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome employs a strap element having a thumb aperture proximate a first end and a slot adjacent a peripheral edge of the strap element to receive a fifth finger. The strap element extends from the thumb aperture to be received in a central portion across a dorsal portion of a hand. The strap element then extends around the ulnar border and across the palm of the hand past the radial border with a tail portion of the strap element overlapping the central portion. A fastener moiety is provided on the tail portion of the strap element and a mating moiety on an outer surface of the strap element to engages the fastener moiety. The strap element tensioned around the hand produces approximation of carpals and metacarpals in the hand.
US09387107B2

Methods, devices and systems for delivering a device assembly into a gastric or other space within the body, allowing the device to expand to occupy volume within the gastric space and, after an effective period of time, delivering a substance or stimulus to begin breakdown of the expanded device so that it may release from the body.
US09387094B2

An osteoimplant is provided which comprises a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles, the osteoimplant possessing predetermined dimensions and shape. The osteoimplant is highly absorbent and sponge-like in nature. Also provided herein are a method of fabricating the osteoimplant and a method of repairing and/or treating bone defects utilizing the osteoimplant.
US09387092B2

An intervertebral implant for being implanted between adjacent vertebrae is provided. The implant includes a generally elongate implant body having a length extending between opposite longitudinal ends thereof, a superior face and an inferior face. The superior face and inferior face include cortical teeth adjacent to the implant body longitudinal ends. Additionally, the superior and inferior faces include longitudinally central teeth intermediate the cortical teeth and have bone engaging ends. The central teeth have a sharper configuration than that of the cortical teeth bone engaging ends for biting into the softer central bone material of the vertebrae. The cortical teeth are arranged in a first density per unit area and the central teeth are arranged in a second density per unit area that is less than the first density.
US09387089B2

An expandable anterior lumbar interbody fusion device comprises a deformable monolithic body having posterior and anterior ends, an upper bone contact structure and a lower bone contact structure. The body is expandable along a height axis between a first smaller height to a second larger height. The body comprises a pair of opposed side structures, each including a translatable center section being movable in a direction transverse to the height axis, a first locator arm adjacent the posterior end, a second locator arm adjacent the anterior end and a pair of formable load-bearing columns supported by the upper bone contact structure, the lower bone contact structure and the center section. The columns are not formed at the first height but are operative upon expansion of the body to the second height to form load-bearing columns along the height axis between the upper and lower bone contact structures.
US09387088B2

A method of performing percutaneous interbody spinal fusion on adjacent vertebrae in a patient including the steps of: creating a percutaneous access opening on the patient, using indirect visualization to establish a surgical path through the access opening via neural monitoring, creating a cavity in a disc space between the adjacent vertebra, without retraction, evaluating the created cavity, inserting a container sized and configured to fit through the access opening into the cavity and filling the container with fill material.
US09387084B2

A knee prosthesis that includes a tibial component and femoral component. The tibial component includes an articular surface, a posterior portion and an anterior portion. The posterior portion includes a recess for receipt of a posterior cruciate ligament. The anterior portion includes a post extending therefrom. The post includes a posterior surface. The femoral component includes a condylar portion and an intercondylar portion. The intercondylar portion includes a posterior recess for receipt of the posterior cruciate ligament, a cam, and an engagement recess for receipt of the post. The cam includes a sliding surface and is disposed between the engagement recess and posterior recess. The sliding surface of the cam slides along the posterior surface of the post for restricting anterior subluxation of a femur bone when the articular surface and the condylar portion articulates through flexion of a knee joint.
US09387079B2

Methods and devices are disclosed relating improved articular models, implant components, and related guide tools and procedures. In addition, methods and devices are disclosed relating articular models, implant components, and/or related guide tools and procedures that include one or more features derived from patient-data, for example, images of the patient's joint. The data can be used to create a model for analyzing a patient's joint and to devise and evaluate a course of corrective action. The data also can be used to create patient-adapted implant components and related tools and procedures.
US09387074B2

A delivery system for deploying a medical device includes a first attachment member configured to selectively couple to and radially constrain a first end portion of the medical device. The delivery system also includes a second attachment member configured to selectively couple to and radially constrain a second end portion of the medical device. The first attachment member is configured to move relative to the second attachment member such that the first attachment member applies a first tensile force to the first end portion of a medical device in a first direction and the second attachment member applies a second tensile force to the second end portion of a medical device in a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction.
US09387073B2

A connector for coupling a distal sheath to an inner shaft of a medical delivery device includes a wedge defining a lumen for accepting the inner shaft of the medical delivery device and a cylindrical ring sized to mate with the wedge. The wedge may be welded or otherwise fixed to the inner shaft. The wedge and the ring are configured to be pressed together and lock a portion of the distal sheath therebetween.
US09387045B2

A teleoperated surgical system includes a surgical instrument with an end effector and a master input device. A servomechanism may be operatively coupled to the end effector to apply a force to the end effector, and at least one processor may operatively couple the servomechanism to the master input device to apply a grip force with the first and second gripping elements in response to input at the master input device. The applied grip force may be based at least in part on a mechanical advantage of the surgical instrument end effector.
US09387036B2

Heat treatment is applied to tissue in need of such treatment which is surrounded by tissue not in need of such treatment, by positioning a deposit within the surrounding tissue adjacent the tissue in need of treatment. The dielectric constant and/or the conductivity of the deposit is greater than that of the surrounding tissue. A radio frequency antenna or antenna array directs a radio frequency signal at a selected frequency into the deposit. The deposit has a diameter within a range of about 0.5 times to about 0.16 times the wavelength of the radio frequency signal within the surrounding tissue. The deposit is heated, at least partially through resonant heating, to a temperature greater than the surrounding tissue to apply heat treatment to the tissue in need of treatment. The deposit may take the form of a balloon of a Mammosite® type device to provide hyperthermia treatment in conjunction with radiation treatment of a breast after a lumpectomy.
US09387033B2

Products and methods directed to the improved infusion of fluids are disclosed. Such products and methods can be used to more efficiently and efficaciously administer therapeutic pharmaceuticals to a subject in need of treatment. In many instances, the systems comprise a therapeutic fluid delivery system and a mechanism for enhancing the absorption of the therapeutic fluid. The enhancement of the absorption of the therapeutic fluid is generally performed locally i.e., at or near the site of administration of the therapeutic fluid. The system and methods can be used to deliver any number of therapeutic fluids including but not limited to insulin.
US09387030B2

A bone filling device includes a catheter that defines a longitudinal axis and extends between a proximal end and a distal end. A first lumen extends along the longitudinal axis of the catheter and defines a first passageway. A second lumen extends along the longitudinal axis of the catheter and defines a second passageway. An inflatable body includes a wall that defines a fillable cavity. The fillable cavity is in fluid communication with the first passageway. A bone filler delivery port is continuous with the second passageway and is configured to dispense bone filling material.
US09387024B2

An improved bone fracture binding has a length of binding having interrupted and discontinuous points of contact. The binding when placed under tension leaving gaps for soft tissue between the bone and the points of contact in the binding while securing and immobilizing the bone fracture. The binding may have a tension cable or wire positioned around the bone spaced above the bone by beads. The beads are closely spaced about the cable or wire to space the wire a distance above the bone. The beads are preferably abutting and spaces between the adjacent beads form the gaps for soft tissue. The beads are round, and preferably shaped as ovals or spheres. The cable or wire in the binding maintains tension force when tensioned around the bone.
US09387019B2

An implantable fixation system for fusing a joint between a first bone and a second bone. The system may include an intramedullary nail and an anchor. The intramedullary nail may include a standoff and a compression bolt. The system may be implanted across the joint along an intramedullary trajectory. The length of the system may be adjustable to provide compressive force between the anchor and the compression bolt. The system may be implanted across a tibiotalar joint with the anchor positioned in the sinus tarsi. A spacing member may be inserted between the two bones and the fixation system implanted to extend through an opening in the spacing member. The spacing member may be anatomically shaped and/or provide deformity correction. An ankle arthroplasty system may include a tibial plate, a talar plate, and a bearing insert. The plates may be anchored to the tibia and talus along a single trajectory. The ankle arthroplasty system may be revisable to a fusion system.
US09387013B1

A posterior cervical fixation system including an occipital plate member, a cross connector, a pair of elongated spinal rods and a plurality of polyaxial screws. The occipital plate member configured for fixing to an occipital bone comprises an aperture to receive a bone anchor member to secure the occipital plate member to the occipital bone and at least one rod clamping element dimensioned to receive at least one spinal rod. The cross connector secures the pair of elongated spinal rods to vertebral bodies. The cross connector includes a pair of collet connectors and a cross bar that is configured to secure the pair of elongated spinal rods in a desired distance. Each polyaxial screw has an anchor head associated with a fastening member. The pair of elongated spinal rods is configured to extend along the vertebral bodies between the occipital plate member and at least one of the polyaxial screws.
US09387011B2

A system is disclosed for repairing and reconstructing a joint which has been injured by trauma, and especially an acromioclavicular joint. Means are disclosed to strengthen the repair or reconstruction and to maintain alignment while the ligaments in the joint heal, thus allowing more aggressive rehabilitation. A new joint repair tool is disclosed which is inserted into two separated bones adjacent to their respective articular joint surfaces to connect the two bones and approximate the adjacent bearing articular joint surfaces while still allowing motion between the two bones. Instruments to perform the methods are also disclosed.
US09387007B2

A glans retainer comprises an annular cover for covering a glans during circumcision surgery. The annular cover may comprise a circular or oval cross section, and is sized to generally match the glans. Fixing straps are connected on the periphery of the annular cover for fixing the annular cover to a circumcision apparatus. Each fixing strap comprises an adhesive layer on its bottom. In one embodiment, six fixing straps are used. When the annular cover is placed over the glans and the fixing straps are connected to the circumcision apparatus, the glans is generally restrained from movement relative to the circumcision apparatus by virtue of the tension in the fixing straps as they hold the annular cover to the glans. Therefore, during removal of the necrotic prepuce, pain is reduced and the probability of bleeding is lowered, making the surgical procedure more safe and reliable.
US09387003B2

A handling device for a micro-invasive surgical instrument includes a gripping device to hold and guide the handling device, a shaft coupling to couple the handling device with a proximal end of a shaft, and a rod coupling that can slide linearly inside the handling device between a distal assembly position and a range of working positions for coupling with a proximal end of a transmission rod that can be slid inside a shaft coupled with the shaft coupling. The slidable rod coupling is configured, in the assembly position, to receive or release a proximal end of a transmission rod and to hold a proximal end of a transmission rod, in the range of working positions. The shaft coupling is configured to block a proximal end of a shaft in a position in which the proximal end of the shaft holds the rod coupling in the range of working positions.
US09387000B2

Apparatus for use in detecting analytes in a subject, wherein the apparatus includes a number of projections provided on a patch, such that applying the patch to the subject causes at least some of the projections to be inserted into the subject and target one or more analytes and a reagent for detecting the presence or absence of analytes.
US09386990B2

The subject invention provides materials and methods for effective nerve repair. In a preferred embodiment, the subject invention provides nerve repair methods comprising the steps of applying a fibrin glue between severed nerve stumps, coapting the nerve stumps, and applying a polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel to encase the coapted nerve stumps.
US09386989B2

Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including a connector having a tip configured to be inserted into a graft vessel, a body having a tine configured to engage tissue associated with a graft vessel, and a base having a front wing, a rear wing, and a barb, each of the front wing, the rear wing, and the barb being formed integrally with the base using a memory material, wherein the front wing, the rear wing, and the barb deploy at one or more pre-determined angles when a restraining force is removed, the restraining force keeping the front wing, the rear wing, and the barb in substantially axial alignment with the body.
US09386983B2

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized and configured for operation in connection with a robotic system. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.
US09386976B2

A suture anchor retaining a suture is fixated in hard tissue, in particular in bone tissue, using any per se known method and is then secured using a securing element including a material having thermoplastic properties, which is liquefied in situ and made to penetrate the hard tissue in which the suture anchor is fixated. The securing element is e.g. a thermoplastic plug or thermoplastic sleeve which is anchored above the suture anchor in a mouth area of the same hard tissue opening. Alternatively the securing element is a thermoplastic pin which is introduced into an inner cavity of the suture anchor, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied in this cavity and, in a liquid state is pressed through passages connecting the cavity with outer surfaces of the anchor.
US09386973B2

A system and method for performing surgical procedures within a body cavity, e.g. abdomen, uses a magnetized device is utilized to allow a surgeon to control intra-abdominal organs and objects. The system and method allows a surgeon to perform an intra-abdominal procedure without the need to position surgical tools inside of the body cavity. Additional surgical ports are not necessary as the magnetized device allows the surgeon to retract or position various objects within the abdomen.
US09386972B2

A method for providing an endoscopic port includes inserting a distal portion of an expandable member into soft tissue in a patient's body. The distal portion of the expandable member is inflated to form a passageway in the soft tissue. A rigid tube member is delivered into the passageway formed by the expandable member through the inside of the inflatable member. A port is established between a proximal opening in the rigid tube member and a distal opening in the rigid tube member.
US09386971B1

This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column during a medialized posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure.
US09386958B2

Provided is an intraoral X-ray imaging apparatus having a camera, including: a frame; an X-ray irradiator which is installed to be supported by the frame and of which the one end portion is inserted into the oral cavity and which irradiates X-ray through an X-ray irradiation hole formed on the one end portion inserted into the oral cavity; a camera unit which is installed at the one end portion of the X-ray irradiator to image an interior of the oral cavity; a monitor unit which is connected to a camera unit to output the image captured by the camera unit; and an X-ray detector which is arranged to be separated from the X-ray irradiator in the frame so as to detect the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray irradiator outside the oral cavity.
US09386956B2

The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray source that emits X-rays to an object at different original-view positions, an X-ray detector that acquires original-view images by detecting X-rays having passed through the object, and an image controller that reconstructs a 3D volume image representation of the object from the original-view images and generates close-view images by virtually emitting X-rays to the 3D volume image representation of the object at a shorter distance than a distance between the X-ray source and the object.
US09386943B2

A handheld tissue stretching device combined with an extremity flexibility number, stretchscore, enables users to independently evaluate and treat the flexibility of their extremity tissue minimizing physical therapist intervention to evaluate and treat tissue. The distance between handheld stretching devices and the extremity supports changes with a high degree of variability during home treatments; whereas, medical professionals monitor stretch intensity visually and manually. Patients performing home-based stretches impart variable intensity that leads to inconsistent tissue treatment resulting in increased tissue stiffness. The present inventors have discovered when the slack is automatically retracted, the distance between the users hands and the extremity support is continuously proportional to the flexibility of the extremity. This “distance matching” between the handheld stretching device and the extremity support provides a reliable, repeatable, and independent evaluation of extremity flexibility by directly relating this change in distance to the user's flexibility.
US09386940B2

A pediatric patient handling assembly includes a carrier on which a pediatric patient is positioned and prepared for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The carrier carrying the pediatric patient is set on a support table of an MRI scanner. The support table includes a local RF coil assembly mounted on the support table. The carrier is slid along the support table and into engagement with the local RF coil assembly. Interacting guide surfaces on the carrier and the local RF coil assembly align and engage the carrier along a longitudinal axis of the support table. The local RF coil assembly includes a pivotally mounted anterior coil which is lowered towards a base of the support table into an imaging or operating position. The support table, with the engaged local RF coil assembly, carrier and pediatric patient, is translated into a magnetic imaging region of the MRI scanner.
US09386932B2

A personal information system is provided. The system may include a portable information device having a housing including a top surface defined at least partially by a display, a bottom surface configured with a central region in which an optical sensor, electrical connector, and data connector are positioned, the housing enclosing an internal volume in which a processor is provided, the top surface and bottom surface being coupled by a perimeter side edge extending therebetween, and a mounting structure formed at least partially around the perimeter side edge of the housing. The system may further include a frame, which may be connected to a band, the frame surrounding a void and configured to receive the mounting structure, the frame and mounting structure being releasably securable via a tongue and groove connection. The system may further comprise a dock to which the information device may be connected.
US09386929B2

A heart monitor is disclosed including an electroacoustic transducer such as an earphone coupled to a controller. The transducer is positioned in a person's ear in acoustic communication with the tympanum. Signals from the transducer are processed to determine the presence of pulsatile blood flow. The heart monitor may be incorporated into a defibrillator to sense the presence of blood flow for use in a shock delivery decision.
US09386926B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating blood pressure measurement. An additional fluid reservoir is arranged to be connected in fluid communication with the blood pressure cuff. The fluid reservoir provides an additional, compliant volume to the fluid volume of the cuff, facilitating blood pressure measurement, particularly for small volume cuffs.
US09386925B2

The invention relates to a device for drug administration and/or monitoring the status of a patient, the device comprising a first and a second measuring means, and the time for using the second measuring means being set in accordance with the data of the first measuring means.
US09386923B2

An automatic sensor position recognition system including a position recognition unit located at pre-determined positions on a person's body and bearing a unique identification; a sensor bearing a unique identification; a communication unit assigned to the sensor and being in communication with the position recognition unit and the sensor; a data processing unit in communication with the communication unit; and a database being in communication with the data processing system and comprising the correlation of the unique identification of the position recognition unit and the pre-determined position of the position recognition unit. The system provides an automatic association between sensors and body segments as well as means to obtain these associations.
US09386908B2

A method for imaging, including capturing an initial image of a surface under investigation using a first endoscope, and delineating within the initial image a target region of interest surrounded by an initial image peripheral region, the target region of interest having a location defined with respect to the initial image peripheral region. The method includes capturing a subsequent image of the surface under investigation using a second endoscope and identifying in the subsequent image, by comparison with characteristics of the initial image peripheral region, a subsequent image peripheral region corresponding to the initial image peripheral region. The further includes computing the location of the target region of interest in the subsequent image in response to the identified subsequent image peripheral region.
US09386900B2

To provide a cleaning tool which, upon attachment of a cleaning body to a cleaning-body holder, feels good to use. The present invention relates to a cleaning tool comprising a holding tool for holding a cleaning sheet. In the present invention, a first extremity virtual line and a second extremity virtual line are formed. The first extremity virtual line is the shortest line linking a center line in the length direction and a first extremity of a holding part. The second extremity virtual line is the shortest line linking the center line in the length direction and a second extremity of a protruded part. The first extremity virtual line is formed so as to be longer than the second extremity virtual line.
US09386894B1

A vacuum cleaner provides a jet of high velocity air into debris resting along a floor edge. The jet of air is aimed down and to the side of the vacuum cleaner vacuum head. The jet of air dislodges the debris urging the debris into the path of the vacuum head. The jet of air is conveniently created from the vacuum cleaner exhaust, and a left or right jet may be manually selected, or automatically selected by a wall detection sensor.
US09386891B1

An embodiment of a device that includes a receptacle for urine collection, a flexible tube connecting the receptacle to a storage reservoir that sits on the floor and a receptacle holder that is stabilized by inserting it partially under the mattress, with a protruding section that has an opening used to store the receptacle in an easy to reach location between uses.
US09386881B1

An anti-oxidation frying device includes a frying vessel having an electrically conductive body configured to heat cooking oil carried therein by a heating unit. A removable basket, also formed of electrically conductive material, is configured to be carried within the frying vessel to enable the cooking of food in the heated oil. A rectification circuit is coupled to the heating unit, the body of the frying vessel, and the basket. During operation the rectification circuit converts AC power from an external power source into a rippled, rectified AC current signal that is supplied to the heating unit, body of the frying vessel, and the basket, so as to create a reducing environment of available electrons for absorption by the cooking oil and food as it is prepared, thus extending the life of the cooking oil.
US09386879B2

A hot drinks machine is provided that is configured to perform a cleaning program and a descaling program, both of which require the use of a service function object. The hot drinks machine is formed with a holder for the service function object.
US09386863B1

A child carrier adapted to hold a child in front pack and back pack configurations is described. Embodiments of the child carrier include a support device implemented for persons weighing between 7-17 lbs. Generally, the support device can have a first position for persons weighing between 10-17 lbs and a second position for persons weighing between 7-10 lbs. In the first position, a concave face of the support device can be contoured to interface with torso/buttocks of an infant. In the second position, the support device can be folded together providing an area suitable for an infant.
US09386860B2

An article comprising: (a) a first object having a frame, (b) a second object foldable under the frame, and (c) a movable stand, wherein the second object is attachable to the movable stand, wherein the movable stand is attached to the frame so that the movable stand can he stowed under the frame with the second object, and wherein the movable stand can be pulled from under the frame, pivoted to a horizontal position and the second object displayed.
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