US09477131B2
Controllers and control methods apply a drive voltage to bus bars of a thin film optically switchable device. The applied drive voltage is provided at a level that drives a transition over the entire surface of the optically switchable device but does not damage or degrade the device. This applied voltage produces an effective voltage at all locations on the face of the device that is within a bracketed range. The upper bound of this range is associated with a voltage safely below the level at which the device may experience damage or degradation impacting its performance in the short term or the long term. At the lower boundary of this range is an effective voltage at which the transition between optical states of the device occurs relatively rapidly. The level of voltage applied between the bus bars is significantly greater than the maximum value of the effective voltage within the bracketed range.
US09477128B2
A hybrid transparent conductive film, and methods for fabricating such hybrid transparent conductive films, involving the assembly of two-dimensional graphene-based materials with one-dimensional silver and/or copper nanowires with high optical transmittance and good electrical conductivity. The hybrid films are characterized by a good degree of control of the architecture at the nanoscale level, where the weakness(es) of each component are offset by the strengths of the other components. By rational design of the structure and using simple and locate-cost fabrication methods, hybrid films with sheet resistance of 26 ohm/sq and optical transmittance (at λ=550 nm) of 83% for reduced graphene oxide/silver nanowire films, and 64 ohm/sq and optical transmittance of 93.6% for monolayer graphene/silver nanowire films have been fabricated. These values are comparable to transparent conductive films based on indium tin oxide but are now able to be used in flexible electronics due to their good mechanical properties.
US09477126B2
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes an array substrate provided with pixel electrodes including a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode aligning in a first direction, a first gate line placed on one side of the pixel electrodes in a second direction, a second gate line placed on the other side of the pixel electrodes, a source line extending along the second direction, a first pixel switch for switching connection of the source line with the first pixel electrode by a gate signal provided through the first gate line, and a second pixel switch for switching connection of the source line with the second pixel electrode by another gate signal provided through the second gate line, an counter-substrate provided with an common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer held between the substrates.
US09477118B2
A method of manufacturing a display apparatus, includes disposing a first sealing material along an edge of a first substrate, disposing a second sealing material in a first area disposed at a side of the first sealing material, disposing liquid crystal on the first substrate, disposing a second substrate on the first substrate, curing the first sealing material and the second sealing material to seal the liquid crystal between the first substrate and the second substrate, and disposing an image capturing device in association with the first area of the first substrate. The second sealing material is disposed on the first substrate along imaginary lines. Each imaginary line includes a start point and an end point. The second sealing material is disposed, in association with each imaginary line, from a respective start point toward a respective end point.
US09477117B2
A backlight unit which provides light to a liquid crystal display panel of a liquid crystal display. The backlight unit includes an optical lens module including an optical lens disposed above a point light source and configured to refract light output from the point light source, and a reflective polarization layer disposed directly on the optical lens and configured to separate polarization components of the light to transmit one polarization component and reflect another polarization component.
US09477116B2
A light emitting device comprises a light emitting element and a light flux controlling member configured to control the distribution of light emitted from the light emitting element. The light flux controlling member comprises an incidence surface including an outer incidence surface including an inclining surface formed such that the distance from the light emitting element increases as the distance from the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting element increases and an inner incidence surface, a reflection surface disposed on a side of the light flux controlling member opposite to the incidence surface, and a emission surface disposed to surround the optical axis. Light emitted from the light emitting surface center of the light emitting element does not reach the inclining surface.
US09477110B2
A display device is provided. The display device includes a substrate including a plurality of pixel areas; a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; a first insulating layer disposed on the thin film transistor; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor and disposed on the first insulating layer; a common electrode separated from the pixel electrode with a microcavity interposed therebetween; a second insulating layer disposed on the common electrode; a roof layer disposed on the second insulating layer; a hydrophobic layer disposed on the roof layer and including a plurality of protrusions; an injection hole disposed in the common electrode, the second insulating layer, and the roof layer, the injection hole exposing a portion of the microcavity; a liquid crystal layer for filling the microcavity; and an overcoat formed on the roof layer and covering the injection hole, so as to seal the microcavity.
US09477108B2
A display device includes: a cover glass; a first adhesive layer under the cover glass; a touch film attached to the cover glass by the first adhesive layer; a passivation layer in an edge portion of a lower surface of the touch film; a second adhesive layer under the touch film; and a display panel attached to the touch film by the second adhesive layer, the passivation layer exposed outside the display panel.
US09477099B2
A transparent optical element with dual light-polarizing effect comprises a first film forming a linear light-polarizer in a first surface portion of the element, and a second film forming a retarder plate within a second surface portion. The second surface portion is contained in the first surface portion. Such element may form an eyeglass adapted for providing stereoscopic vision by light polarization selection in the second surface portion, while providing protection against excessive light intensity in the first surface portion.
US09477096B2
The present invention relates to sunglasses and goggles, and more particularly relates to a system for adjusting optical characteristics such as the color or the optical transmittance of sunglasses or goggles lens and relates to sunglasses and goggles equipped with the adjusting system. Provided is an optical characteristics adjusting system for sunglasses or goggles lenses, the system comprising: lenses equipped with an LCD panel; a lens drive unit equipped with an LCD drive unit for applying a driving voltage to the LCD panel; an illuminance detecting sensor for sensing the ambient illuminance; and a control unit for controlling the action of the lens drive unit in response to a signal from the illuminance detecting sensor. Also provided are sunglasses and goggles equipped with the optical characteristics adjusting system.
US09477094B2
An eyeglasses structure includes a frame, temples, metal bars that are curved and have two ends each forming a single-loop hook, rivets, and curved grooves. The temples each have a surface forming a curved groove receiving the single-loop hook therein so that the metal bar is curved toward the frame to allow the single-loop hook of the metal bar to connect to a side edge portion of the frame. The side edge portion of the frame is provided with a box having a channel formed therein to receive the single-loop hook to fit therein and includes a box base and a box cover that are formed with multiple the rivet holes, so that with the single-loop hooks of the metal bars being disposed in the channels and covered by the box covers, rivets are individually put through the rivet holes for riveting and fixing.
US09477091B2
An optical imaging system includes a first diffractive optical element that receives a multi-wavelength beam of light and separates the received beam of light into diffractive orders. The optical imaging system also includes a second diffractive optical element that includes panels displaced along the second diffractive element in at least one direction, where each panel is positioned to receive and pass the multi-wavelength beam of one of the diffractive orders. A refractive optical element is positioned to receive multi-wavelength beams of the diffractive orders that pass through the second diffractive element, and an optical lens that receives the multi-wavelength beams of the diffractive orders that pass through the refractive element and focuses each of the multi-wavelength beams of the diffractive orders to a different location on an image plane at the same time.
US09477090B2
Provided are a laminated body which is made to extend and contract to a reduced extent due to humidity so as to reduce the number of the occurrence of crosstalk, a polarization plate having the same, a stereoscopic image display device and a stereoscopic image display system. A laminated body includes a patterned phase difference film having a supporter film and a patterned optical anisotropic layer in which a first phase difference region and a second phase difference region having mutually different in-plane slow axis directions and/or phase differences are disposed in a predetermined pattern on the supporter film, and a stiff body attached to a surface of the patterned optical anisotropic layer through a first attaching layer.
US09477089B2
An illumination system includes an optical switch component, a wavelength conversion element, a first light splitter and a light combining element. The optical switch component switches between a first state and a second state. The illumination system generates first and second waveband lights on the first and second states respectively. The first light splitter reflects a first light generated by a first light source to the wavelength conversion element to generate a second light. The composite light splitter includes a second light splitter to transmit a third light generated by a second light source to the optical switch component. In the first state, the optical switch component reflects the second light to the second light splitter to generate the first waveband light. On the second state, the second light and the third light penetrate the optical switch component to a reflection component to generate the second waveband light.
US09477086B2
A display device includes a first polarizer for transmitting first light that is parallel to a first axis and pertains to a two-dimensional image. The display device further includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The liquid crystal layer includes a chiral dopant and a liquid crystal material and is configured to form a lens associated with a predetermined phase distribution. The lens is configured for refracting the first light to transmit second light. The display device further includes a second polarizer for polarizing the second light to transmit third light that is parallel to a second axis. The second axis is oriented at an angle with respect to the first axis in a plan view of the display device. The angle has a predetermined angle size greater than zero degree.
US09477085B2
Disclosed herein are a head-mounted display and a method of controlling the same, more particularly, a method of performing rotation compensation on a captured image based on an angle of rotating a user wearing the head-mounted display and an angle of rotating a camera detached from the head-mounted display.
US09477072B2
Illumination phase controls that provide precise and fast phase control of structured illumination patterns used in structure illumination microscopy are described. A coherent light source is used to generate a beam of coherent light that is split into at least three coherent beams of light. In one aspect, an illumination phase control is composed of at least one pair of rotatable windows to apply at least one phase shift to at least one of the beams. An objective lens is to receive the beams and focus the at least three beams to form an interference pattern. The phase control can be used to change the position of the interference pattern by changing the at least one phase shift applied to the at least one beam.
US09477065B1
A heliostat array comprising a modular grid is disclosed. The array comprises a plurality of grid members; a plurality of stanchions connected to six of the plurality of the grid members; a plurality of heliostats mounted on stanchions and grid members. Each stanchion may consist of a threaded rod and locking mechanism for rigidly affixing the six grid members to the threaded rod. Each of the plurality of heliostats comprises a mirror, a circular track, and a carousel for rotating the mirror about the circular track. The circular track is concentric with a stanchion and mounted to three grid members that are 120 degrees apart. Each of the carousels may be operably coupled to and biased toward the corresponding circular track.
US09477061B2
An infrared imaging system is formed by passively aligning two or more lens wafers including a plurality of lenses. The lens wafers may be pre-fabricated lens wafers in which the plurality of lenses are aligned utilizing an alignment jig having a plurality of conduits for distributing bonding material. Alternatively, the lens wafers may be formed of a base material molded around the plurality of optical lenses. The lens wafers may have a variety of alignment features, alignment inserts and/or alignment elements.
US09477060B2
A wet mateable connection assembly includes: at least one first and a second watertight case mateable to each other in a watertight manner, the first and the second case having respective first and second gates at respective first and second coupling ends; at least one first phase connector arranged inside the first case; and at least one second phase connector arranged inside the second case, wherein the first gate is movable inwardly to the second case.
US09477053B2
An optical coupling lens includes a first lens portion and a second lens portion. The first lens portion includes a substrate portion and a coupling portion. The substrate portion includes a supporting surface and a bottom surface opposite to the supporting surface, the bottom surface includes at least two lenses. The coupling portion is substantially a cuboid and includes at least one lens corresponding to one of the least two lenses and a top end surface. The top end surface defines a recess, the recess is arranged at least one reflecting portion. The second lens portion is formed on the supporting surface. The second lens portion includes a coupling surface and a fourth reflecting surface. The coupling surface is arranged an eighth lens corresponding to the other lens of the at least two lenses arranging on the bottom surface.
US09477044B2
A waveguide of a 3D interconnection structure and an optical data bus system of a 3D interconnection structure using the same are provided. The waveguide includes a main waveguide which is formed in a predetermined direction and at least one branch waveguide which connects to the main waveguide to form a predetermined angle, wherein the at least one branch waveguide branches an optical signal, which is propagated in the main waveguide, at a predetermined rate.
US09477042B2
Techniques and systems suitable for performing low-loss fusion splicing of optical waveguide sections are provided. According to some embodiments, multiple laser beams (from one or more laser) may be utilized to uniformly heat a splice region including portions of the optical waveguide sections to be spliced, which may have different cross-sectional dimensions. According to some embodiments, the relative distance of the optical waveguide sections and/or the power of the multiple laser beams may be varied during splicing operations.
US09477036B2
A post-assembly wavelength-tuning method for an optical filter provided along an optical fiber mounted under tension in a packaging assembly is provided. The packaging assembly includes at least one packaging component mechanically coupled to the optical fiber and optically accessible from outside of the packaging assembly. The method includes a step of measuring a post-assembly spectral response of the optical filter and determining therefrom a spectral deviation with respect to a target spectral response. The method also includes a step of forming one or more laser-welded zones on the packaging component so as to cause a permanent deformation thereof. The permanent deformation induces a modification in length of the optical fiber, thereby changing the post-assembly spectral response of the optical filter to compensate for the measured spectral deviation.
US09477035B2
An optical device includes: multiple cores each including an inner core and an outer core surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the inner core without any gap therebetween; and cladding surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the cores without any gap therebetween and having a refractive index lower than that of the outer core, wherein each of the cores has a tapered portion that is tapered from one side toward the other side thereof in a longitudinal direction, each of the inner cores includes a low-refractive-index portion, and a high-refractive-index portion surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the low-refractive-index portion without any gap therebetween and having a refractive index higher than that of the low-refractive-index portion, and the outer core has a refractive index lower than that of the high-refractive-index portion.
US09477033B2
A waveguide for use in solar power systems to capture sunlight without solar tracking. The waveguide includes a first transparent layer with a first surface receiving sunlight, and the waveguide includes a second surface, opposite the first surface of the first layer, including recessed surfaces (or “microstructures”) each defined by sidewalls extending from the second surface toward the first surface of the first layer. The waveguide includes a second layer of transparent material with a first surface proximate to the second surface of the first layer for receiving a portion of the sunlight transmitted through the first layer. The second layer has a second surface, opposite the first surface, including recessed surfaces of the same or differing shape, size, location, and orientation as those of the first layer. The recessed surfaces of the first and second layers capture sunlight of differing ranges of incidence angles with total internal reflection (TIR).
US09477032B2
A substrate for packaging flip-chip light emitting device (LED) includes a substrate including a chip mount region, a first metal pattern overlapping a part of the chip mount region and disposed on the substrate, a second metal pattern disposed in a region including the chip mount region that is not overlapped with the first metal pattern, at an outer side of the first metal pattern, a third metal pattern disposed at an outer side of the second metal pattern, a first isolation line defined in a boundary between the first metal pattern and the second metal pattern, a second isolation line defined in a boundary between the second metal pattern and the third metal pattern, a lower pad disposed on a bottom of the substrate, and a via disposed to connect the first and second metal patterns to the lower pad in the substrate.
US09477031B2
Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a light guiding plate. The apparatus for manufacturing a light guiding plate includes an unwinding unit unwinding a film formed of a flexible material and wound in a roll shape, a winding unit winding the film provided from the unwinding unit in a roll shape, a surface treatment unit disposed between the unwinding unit and the winding unit to treat a surface of the film transferred into the winding part into a hydrophobic surface, a pattern formation unit disposed between the surface treatment unit and the winding unit to form a micro lens pattern on the surface of the film of which the surface is treated, and a pattern curing unit disposed between the pattern formation unit and the winding unit to cure the pattern.
US09477028B2
A back light module includes a lens and a plurality of LED elements. The lens includes a light incident surface and a light extraction surface, a plurality of first recesses being defined in the light extraction surface, a plurality of second recesses being defined in the light incident surface. Each first recess has a pair of first inclined surfaces, and an angle between the first inclined surface and a plane where the light incident surface located is larger than or equal to a critical angle of total reflection of the lens. Each second recess has a pair of second inclined surfaces, and an angle between the second inclined surface and the plane where the light incident surface located is less than or equal to the angle between the first inclined surface and the plane where the light incident surface located.
US09477024B2
A polarizing element includes a transparent substrate, a reflective layer constituting, on the transparent substrate, grid-shaped convexities arrayed at a pitch smaller than a wavelength in a used optical bandwidth, a dielectric layer formed on the reflective layer, a diffusion barrier layer formed on the dielectric layer, and an absorbing layer formed on the diffusion barrier layer such that the diffusion barrier layer is sandwiched between the absorbing layer and the dielectric layer. This polarizing element has an excellent optical property and is able to prevent mixing of the absorbing layer and the dielectric layer under a high temperature.
US09477017B2
A method for structuring an omnidirectional non-metal mirror for any predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths. The mirror having at least two layers of different non-metal materials, with an elementary matrix associated to each layer, including physical parameters of the layer and parameters of the light passing through the layer.
US09477011B2
Multilayer optical film that can be used as a reflective polarizer or mirror is disclosed. The multilayer optical film comprises alternating optical layers of polyesters such as PET and PEN, copolymerized with 4,4′-biphenyl dicarboxylate. The multilayer optical film exhibits a high ratio of in-plane to out-of-plane birefringence.
US09477008B2
Transmitting acoustic signals from a wellbore. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including transmitting an acoustic signal comprising downhole data, receiving the acoustic signal (the receiving by a receiver disposed within the internal diameter of a casing in the wellbore) converting the acoustic signal to a corresponding first electromagnetic signal, and inducing a second electromagnetic signal in a tubing responsive to the first electromagnetic signal.
US09476999B2
A method of imaging a subterranean formation. The method includes emitting a primary wave from a source point, such that a portion of the primary wave travels into the subterranean formation and is refracted along a geologic layer in the subterranean formation and then emitted as a secondary wave from a refraction point on a boundary between the geologic layer and another geologic layer. The method also includes allowing a portion of the secondary wave to be reflected from a first reflection point as a tertiary wave. The method further includes allowing a portion of the tertiary wave to be reflected from a second reflection point as a quaternary wave, and collecting data about the quaternary wave at an observation point.
US09476996B2
A system and method are provided for determining a broadband high definition reflectivity based image for a geographical area of interest (GAI). The system and method generate a conventional reflectivity image based on acquired seismic data for the GAI, generate a high frequency (HF) velocity model of the GAI based on the acquired seismic data, convert the HF velocity model into a low frequency (LF) reflectivity image, and adaptively merge the LF reflectivity image with the conventional reflectivity image to form the broadband HD reflectivity image of the GAI.
US09476991B2
Various embodiments of a 3D high resolution X-ray sensor are described. In one aspect, an indirect X-ray sensor includes a silicon wafer that includes an array of photodiodes thereon with each of the photodiodes having a contact on a front side of the silicon wafer and self-aligned with a respective grid hole of an array of grid holes that are on a back side of the silicon wafer. Each of the grid holes is filled with a scintillator configured to convert beams of X-ray into light. The indirect X-ray sensor also includes one or more silicon dies with an array of photo-sensing circuits each of which including a contact at a top surface of the one or more silicon dies. Contact on each of the photodiodes is aligned and bonded to contact of a respective photo-sensing circuit of the array of photo-sensing circuits of the one or more silicon dies.
US09476986B2
Examples include systems and methods for decomposition of error components between angular, forward, and sideways errors in estimated positions of a computing device. One method includes determining an estimation of a current position of the computing device based on a previous position of the computing device, an estimated speed over an elapsed time, and a direction of travel of the computing device, determining a forward, sideways, and orientation change error component of the estimation of the current position of the computing device, determining a weight to apply to the forward, sideways, and orientation change error components based on average observed movement of the computing device, and using the weighted forward, sideways, and orientation change error components as constraints for determination of an updated estimation of the current position of the computing device.
US09476983B2
A system and method for fusing the outputs from multiple LiDAR sensors on a vehicle that includes cueing the fusion process in response to an object being detected by a radar sensor and/or a vision system. The method includes providing object files for objects detected by the LiDAR sensors at a previous sample time, where the object files identify the position, orientation and velocity of the detected objects. The method projects object models in the object files from the previous sample time to provide predicted object models. The method also includes receiving a plurality of scan returns from objects detected in the field-of-view of the sensors at a current sample time and constructing a point cloud from the scan returns. The method then segments the scan points in the point cloud into predicted scan clusters, where each cluster identifies an object detected by the sensors.
US09476980B2
Through discrimination of the scattered signal polarization state, a lidar system measures a distance through semi-transparent media by the reception of scattered signals from a first surface and scattered signals from a second surface. Combined and overlapped light signals scattered from the two surface signals can be separated by exploiting their differing polarization characteristics. This removes the traditional laser and detector pulse width limitations that determine the system's operational bandwidth, translating relative depth measurements into the conditions of single surface timing measurements and achieving sub-pulse width resolution.
US09476979B2
A method is for evaluating a coverage factor of a photon emission cone of a time of flight sensor. The method may include the steps of assigning a reference curve to the sensory providing a photon flux intensity as a function of time of flight; and acquiring a time of flight and a corresponding flux intensity with the sensor. The method may also include reading the intensity provided by the reference curve for the acquired time of flight, and providing an indication of the coverage factor based on the ratio between the acquired intensity and the read intensity.
US09476973B2
A radar assembly for linear and nonlinear radar transmission and reception comprising a signal generator; at least one filter operatively connected to the signal generator; a transmitter operatively connected to the at least one filter for transmitting radar signals; a receiver operative to receiving received signals comprising linear and nonlinear responses from the reflected transmitted signals; the receiver comprising a first channel for processing the linear response of the received signal; a second channel for the processing the nonlinear response of the received signal; at least one switch operative to select one of the first or second channels; at least one high pass filter operatively connected to the second channel to attenuate the linear response; at least one amplifier to amplify the nonlinear response; and at least one display operatively connected to both the first and second channels for displaying both linear and nonlinear responses.
US09476954B2
In a method, a magnetic resonance system, and a computer-readable storage medium to generate magnetic resonance measurement data of an imaging area of an examination subject, the imaging area being located in a measurement volume of the magnetic resonance system, by operation of the magnetic resonance system, during the acquisition of the magnetic resonance measurement data, at least one additional nonlinear gradient is switched in addition to the gradients for spatial coding, and k-space is read out according to a random pattern, less densely than is required by the Nyquist condition.
US09476953B1
A system and method for detecting at least one material under test (MUT) is presented. A Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) measurement system includes a waveform generator configured to generate a continuous wave (CW) input signal comprising one or more frequencies. An RF shielded chamber receives the at least one MUT that is carried by a person walking through the chamber. A probe within the chamber illuminates the MUT with the CW signal and simultaneously receives possible NQR emissions from the at least one MUT. A bridge circuit is utilized to cancel the strong excitation CW signal from the generator which would otherwise mask the weak NQR emissions from the MUT that are received and detected by the measurement system. A detector can then detect the MUT based, at least in part, on the resonance signal.
US09476950B2
The invention relates to a measuring instrument for time-variable magnetix fluxes, or flux gradients, to electrical resistance elements, and to a measuring system comprising a measuring instrument or electrical resistance element according to the invention. The core component of the measuring instrument is a flux transformer composed of a base material which has a phase transition to the superconducting state. According to the invention, even when the base material is in the superconducting state, this flux transformer comprises at least one load region having electrical resistance that is other than zero for dissipating the electric energy in the conductor loop thereof. For this purpose, according to the invention the conductor loop and the magnetic field source are disposed in one plane and are typically photolithographically structured. The resistance elements according to the invention, having resistance values of ≦10−4Ω, are used as core components in the measuring instrument. According to the invention, measurement is possible in a broader frequency range, with less noise and with greater sensitivity than was possible with generic measuring instruments or measuring systems.
US09476949B2
A semiconductor device is provided with a substrate including a main surface and a back surface that face in opposite directions to each other in a thickness direction, and first, second and third direction sensor elements having different detection reference axes from each other. The substrate is formed with a recessed portion that is recessed from the main surface toward the back surface side. The first direction sensor element is disposed at least partially within the recessed portion. The second direction sensor element is disposed so as to overlap with the main surface as viewed in the thickness direction.
US09476948B2
A linear magnetic sensor shield system comprises first and second shield parts. The system may include first and second field sensor assemblies, each having field sensors disposed therein. The first shield part may be disposed adjacent to a first side of the first field sensor assembly, and the second shield part may be disposed adjacent to a second side of the second field sensor assembly. The shield parts may be formed of mu metal or a mu metal and steel composite, by of example. A torque transmitting device is also provided.
US09476946B2
A system and method for monitoring a state-of-charge (SOC) of a battery, where the system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor provides a measurement signal that can track changes of a nominal volume of the battery by either measuring a size or pressure of the battery, where the nominal volume is the volume that the electrolyte, anode, cathode and current collectors would occupy if unconstrained. The controller is programmed to use a function to estimate the SOC from the measurement signal. The function can be established after constructing and finding a repeatable charging and discharging curve of the battery that graphs the measurement signal compared to the SOC of the battery.
US09476937B2
An integrated circuit (IC) operable in functional and debug modes includes a debug enable circuit, a pad control register, a debug circuit, a pad configuration register, and an input/output (IO) pad. The debug circuit receives a functional signal from a circuit monitoring circuit, a reference signal, a debug control signal from the debug enable circuit, and pull-enable control and pull-type select control signals from the pad control register, and generates pull-enable and pull-type select signals. The pad configuration register receives the pull-enable and pull-type select signals and configures the IO pad in one of logic low, logic high, and high impedance states. When the IO pad is in either of the logic high and low states longer than a predetermined time period, then the IO pad indicates that the IC is held in a reset phase of a reset sequence.
US09476934B2
An inspection apparatus for inspecting a wiring board having an opposing electrode facing an upper face of the wiring board, a capacitance meter electrically connected to the opposing electrode and the multi-layer wiring, and measuring capacitance between the opposing electrode and the multi-layer wiring, ground, a switch box that is connected to the ground wirings, the opposing electrode, and the ground, and switches to select between a first connection state, in which all the ground wirings are electrically connected to the opposing electrode, and a second connection state, in which one ground wiring is electrically connected to the ground. A control unit extracts a capacitance value by calculating difference between a first capacitance and a second capacitance, wherein capacitance in units of layers of the multi-layer wiring are measured based on the capacitance value extracted by the control unit.
US09476931B2
A location of a fault in an ungrounded power distribution system is determined by identifying a faulty feeder section and a type of the fault using voltages and currents measured before and after the fault and selecting the location of the fault at the faulty feeder section by testing a relationship of a current over a voltage measured at boundaries of the faulty feeder section after the fault with different equivalent admittance matrices of the faulty feeder section determined for different candidate locations of the fault of the determined type. The fault is a short-circuit fault including one or combination of a single-phase-to-ground fault, a phase-to-phase fault, a double-phase-to-ground fault, a three-phase-to-ground fault, and a phase-to-phase-to-phase fault.
US09476929B2
Propagating pin corrections through physically mating devices including bending one of a plurality of connectors of a first mating device; and mating the first mating device having the bent connector with an unmodified second mating device; wherein the mating of the first mating device and the unmodified second mating device bends a connector corresponding to the bent connector of the first mating device.
US09476926B2
In one embodiment, a method for determining electrostatic discharge (ESD) includes building a slider delta comparison map using slider electrical and/or row bar quasi testing results, wherein row bar quasi testing is performed on row bars of multiple sliders, and wherein slider electrical testing is performed on individual sliders, determining whether a test device in a parent job passes primary ESD delta criteria, when the test device fails the primary ESD delta criteria: flagging the parent job of the test device as a reroute job and performing automatic actual parts rerouting for any jobs related to the parent job to pull parts from a test bin as opposed to a supply bin, wherein all parts pulled from the test bin are tested prior to assembly as opposed to parts pulled from the supply bin which are not 100% tested.
US09476924B2
A sensor system has a first sensor device and a second capacitive sensor device for detecting a movement of the object relative to a detection surface, wherein the sensor system is configured to be operated in a first mode of operation and in a second mode of operation, wherein the sensor system is configured to be switched over from the first mode of operation into the second mode of operation, wherein the second capacitive sensor device has a number of second sensor electrodes, and wherein in the sensor system at least in the second mode of operation at least one signal path connectable with a predetermined fixed electric potential is provided, which is parallel to a parasitic capacitance of the first sensor device.
US09476919B2
A current measurement connector may include a first part and a second part. Each part may include a mount and a joint. The first and second part may be joined via the respective joints through a current transformer interposed between the first and second parts. The respective mounts may be configured to receive a current from a current source and pass the received current through the current transformer via the first and second parts inducing a current in the current transformer. The induced current may be useable to measure the current from the current source. Methods for fabricating the current measurement connector may include die casting the first and second parts and press fitting the first and second parts at the respective joints through the current transformer. Methods for use may include withstanding a fault current pulse and dissipating heat associated with the pulse via the first and second parts.
US09476916B2
An overcurrent detection apparatus includes a sense emitter current detection unit that detects a sense emitter current output from a sense emitter of an IGBT as a sense emitter voltage, and a comparison unit that detects an overcurrent by comparing the sense emitter voltage detected by the sense emitter current detection unit with a threshold voltage. The overcurrent detection apparatus also includes a correction current detection unit that detects a correction current corresponding to a current flowing between a gate and the sense emitter of the IGBT as a corrected voltage; and a voltage correction unit that calculates a sense emitter corrected voltage by subtracting the correction voltage detected by the corrected current detection unit from the sense emitter voltage detected by the sense emitter current detection unit, and supplies the sense emitter corrected voltage to the comparison unit.
US09476910B2
The present invention provides a test socket adaptable for testing different Integrated Circuit (IC) pad size during an IC testing. The test socket comprising a molded socket having an inner space and a plurality of through-apertures disposed on its surface; and a plurality of contact elements disposed within the inner space of the molded socket, each contact element has a pin contact edge and a pin-end; wherein each pin contact edge extends through the through-apertures of the molded socket; wherein each pin contact edge provides a linear surface area for contact with the DUT's lead; and wherein each pin contact edge provides a large contact area for various DUT's lead size.
US09476907B2
An accelerometer comprises a support (12), a proof mass (14) supported for movement relative to the support (12) by a plurality of mounting legs (16), a plurality of fixed capacitor fingers associated with the support (12) and a plurality of movable capacitor fingers associated with the proof mass (14), the fixed capacitor fingers being interdigitated with the movable capacitor fingers, the mounting legs (16) being of serpentine shape, each mounting leg (16) comprising at least a first generally straight section (16a), a second generally straight section (16a), and an end section (16b) of generally U-shaped form interconnecting the first and second generally straight sections (16a), wherein the thickness Te of the end section (16b) is greater than the thickness Tc of a central part (16c) of both of the first and second generally straight sections (16a).
US09476903B2
An accelerometer, comprises, a measurement mass, a top cap silicon wafer and a bottom cap silicon wafer, which both are coupled with the said measurement mass; the measurement mass comprises a support frame, a mass, and a plurality of resilient beams; the mass and the resilient beams are located within the support frame; the mass and the support frame are connected by several sets of the resilient beams, and each set comprises two resilient folding beams; the resilient folding beams are symmetrically provided with respect to the midline of the mass; a connection beam is provided in between each set of the resilient folding beams to connect the resilient folding beams together. Silicon wafers with electrodes are bonded on the top and bottom surfaces of the measurement mass; and forms a capacitor with the measurement mass. The accelerometer in the present invention has a large mode isolation ratio, and it is symmetrical in high order vibrational modes , which further decreases the noise of the MEMS chip. Therefore, the accelerometer has the advantages of high measurement accuracy, high stability, and low noise.
US09476902B2
The application discloses a device that determines how much material is dispensed from a container by measuring the angle at which the container is tilted. The device includes an accelerometer for measuring an angle by which the container is tilted, and an electronic component for transmitting data based on the angle measured by the accelerometer. In some embodiments, the accelerometer measures the angle by which the container is tilted at a multiple different times.
US09476901B2
Three light emitting elements and one light receiving element are provided on a surface of a substrate. An arithmetic processing portion of a signal processing circuit separates three reflected light signals from a light detection signal from the light receiving element. The arithmetic processing portion calculates a square sum of the difference between the entire waveforms of the reflected light signals while the reflected light signal is shifted. The arithmetic processing portion calculates a phase difference between the reflected light signals on the basis of a shift amount with which the calculated value is minimum. On the basis of similar processing, the arithmetic processing portion calculates a phase difference between the reflected light signals. The arithmetic processing portion identifies a movement direction of a detection object on the basis of the phase differences.
US09476886B2
A sensor for detecting and/or quantifying the amount of analyte in a sample, the sensor including: a sensing region; and a barrier layer including a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-quenching, analyte-permeable membrane having an ROS-quenching agent adsorbed thereto; wherein the sensor is adapted so that the sample enters the sensing region of the sensor through said barrier layer.
US09476874B2
The present disclosure provides methods and/or kits for detecting an analyte in a sample. Some embodiments provide a method for detecting a non-nucleic acid analyte in a sample using a solid substrate comprising a bound immobilization agent and an capture agent and a detectable agent, which can bind to the analyte. The capture agent comprises, at a plurality of sites, a ligand for the immobilization agent. A complex between the analyte, the capture agent and a detectable agent is formed and immobilized on the solid substrate by binding between the immobilization agent and the ligand. In some embodiments, the ligand and the immobilization agent are a binding pair comprising a peptide tag and an anti-peptide tag antibody.
US09476870B2
The invention relates to the fields of screening assays, compounds, and methods for altering gene expression and protein levels. In particular, the invention includes assays to screen for agents capable of modulating gene expression in a UTR-dependent manner and agents capable of modulating gene expression.
US09476866B2
Apparatuses for analyzing total carbon and chemical oxygen demand in a sample are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for analyzing carbon and chemical oxygen demand.
US09476863B2
A gas sensor element comprises an elongated plate-like element including, at a forward end portion, a detecting section comprising a solid electrolyte body having an outer surface and a back surface, a detection electrode on the outer surface and a reference electrode on the back surface, and a porous layer covering the detection electrode. The coating layer includes a first protection layer entirely covering the detecting section, and a second protection layer circumferentially covering the first protection layer and extending at least from a forward end of the first protection layer to a position located rearward of the porous layer. The thickness of the first protection layer on the porous layer is larger than that of the first protection layer rearward of the porous layer. The thickness of the second protection layer rearward of the porous layer is larger than that of the second protection layer above the porous layer.
US09476862B2
A nanostructure sensing device comprises a semiconductor nanostructure having an outer surface, and at least one of metal or metal-oxide nanoparticle clusters functionalizing the outer surface of the nanostructure and forming a photoconductive nanostructure/nanocluster hybrid sensor enabling light-assisted sensing of a target analyte.
US09476859B2
A calibration method for calibrating a phased array probe that is used for testing girth welds for defects. The method utilizes a calibration device on which is defined a series of reflectors that correspond to a series of target zones. The phased array probe is placed via a wedge relative to the calibration device and the phased array probe is configured with an initial set of acoustic parameters which define at least a transmitting aperture, a receiving aperture and a beam steering angle. Using a Full Matrix Capture (FMC) acquisition process and a ray-tracing module, the values of the initial set of acoustic parameters are optimized to evolve a final set of acoustic parameters which the phased array probe utilizes for testing actual devices for weld defects.
US09476857B2
The apparatus employs the remote field eddy-current (RFEC) inspection technique to electromagnetically measure physical parameters of a metallic pipe. RFEC devices inserted into and displaced along a cylindrical pipes may be used to measure the ratio of pipe thickness to electromagnetic skin-depth and thus allow for the non-invasive detection of flaws or metal loss. Typically these RFEC thickness measurements exhibit a so-called double-indication of flaws, an undesired artifact due to a double-peaked geometrical sensitivity function of the device.The method describes a means by which this double indication artifact may be removed by an appropriate processing of RFEC measurements performed by an apparatus specifically designed for this purpose. The invention is particularly well designed for applications in the oilfield industry.
US09476852B2
A manufacturing method of an electrochemical sensor comprises forming a graphene layer on a donor substrate, laminating a film of dry photoresist on the graphene layer, removing the donor substrate to obtain an intermediate structure comprising the film of dry photoresist and the graphene layer, and laminating the intermediate structure onto a final substrate with the graphene layer in electrical contact with first and second electrodes positioned on the final substrate. The film of dry photoresist is then patterned to form a microfluidic structure on the graphene layer and an additional dry photoresist layer is laminated over the structure. In one type of sensor manufactured by this process, the graphene layer acts as a channel region of a field-effect transistor, whose conductive properties vary according to characteristics of an analyte introduced into the microfluidic structure.
US09476851B2
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to sensors for measuring an amount of a gaseous species in a sample. The sensors comprise a gas permeable polysiloxane network membrane, comprising both alkyl and fluorinated alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the polysiloxane network can be formed from the co-condensation of a mixture of an alkylalkoxysilane and a fluorosilane. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of making the sensors, methods of selectively measuring an amount of a gaseous species, such as nitric oxide, in a sample, and to compositions comprising the polysiloxane networks.
US09476848B1
Monitoring cell (100) for performing an NMR measurement of a reaction fluid. The monitoring cell (100) has a hollow NMR sample probe (110) for receiving the reaction fluid. Inlet and outlet transport capillaries (112, 123) transport the reaction fluid to and from the sample probe (110). A feed line (306) and return line transport a temperature control fluid to and from the monitoring cell (100). An adapter head (108) couples the transport capillaries (112, 123) to the sample probe (110) and removably connects the sample probe (110) to an adapter section (106). The transport capillaries (112, 123) are positioned within the feed line (306) in parallel to one another. The feed and the return lines (306, 358) are attached to the adapter section (106) such that a reversal of the temperature control fluid stream occurs in the adapter section (106).
US09476843B2
A device for measuring at least one of dielectric and magnetic properties of a sample by means of a microwave transmission measurement includes a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna defining a transmission measuring section in which the sample to be measured is located, and transmitting and receiving modules. The transmitting and receiving modules include one or more transmission-side and receiving side synthesizers, a clock, one or more transmission side or receiving side mixers to generate intermediate-frequency signals based on high-frequency signals received from the synthesizers, and at least one evaluation unit to perform an evaluation based on the intermediate-frequency signals.
US09476836B2
The present invention aims to solve problems in the analysis of amplified nucleic acids, i.e., cost, workability, and contamination and pollution of samples. In the present invention, a sample containing a nucleic acid and a reagent for detecting the nucleic acid are mixed in a closed system. In this regard, the nucleic acid is amplified in the same closed system, and then mixed with the detecting reagent without opening the system. In order to carry out this method, for example, a device that includes the detecting reagent shielded by a coating material or the like is used.
US09476835B2
Some embodiments provided herein relate to bioluminescent packaging, methods of making, and methods of sensing the state of a material. In some embodiments, light emitted by a bioluminescent organism can be used to sense the state of a material.
US09476834B2
A method for preparing a linearly extended supramolecular fiber or a plurality of linearly aligned supramolecular fibers, which comprises the step of allowing supramolecular monomers to be self-assembled in a microfluidic channel.
US09476833B2
According to an example, methods for forming three-dimensional (3-D) nano-particle assemblies include depositing SES elements onto respective tips of nano-fingers, in which the nano-fingers are arranged in sufficiently close proximities to each other to enable the tips of groups of adjacent ones of the nano-fingers to come into sufficiently close proximities to each other to enable the SES elements on the tips to be bonded together when the nano-fingers are partially collapsed. The methods also include causing the nano-fingers to partially collapse toward adjacent ones of the nano-fingers to cause a plurality of SES elements on respective groups of the nano-fingers to be in relatively close proximities to each other and form respective clusters of SES elements, introducing additional particles that are to attach onto the clusters of SES elements, and causing the clusters of SES elements to detach from the nano-fingers.
US09476829B2
A system for classifying moving materials in real time, the system including a laser pulse generator operative to generate at least first and second laser pulses which impinge on the same impingement location on the moving materials, the first and second laser pulses being separated in time by up to 10 microseconds; and an absorption detector operative to sense an absorption spectrum at the impingement location over a detection time duration of up to 20 nanoseconds following the second laser pulse.
US09476827B2
The invention substantially relates to an imaging system for the chemical, biological or biochemical analysis of a sample (10), comprising a device (40) for holding the sample (10), a device (20) for optical detection, a lighting device (30), liable to emit a monochromatic light beam, and a wide aperture objective (f1), It is substantially characterized in that the objective (f1) is configured for, downstream of the sample (10): focusing the excitation light beam reflected at a point (C) located in the focal plane (FF) of said objective (f1), and transforming the retransmitted or scattered light beam into a quasi-parallel beam, and in that the system further comprises a device (70) for selectively blocking the collected light beam by said objective (f1).
US09476821B2
Due to repeated use of a gauge portion, used to perform positioning and accuracy comparison measurement at the time of manufacture of various type of molds for metalworking, a gauge line on an outer circumferential surface portion of the gauge portion can disappear due to friction. A plug gauge body, which helps a user recognize the time for maintenance and replacement of the plug gauge, has a constricted portion formed on one side of a shank portion and a cylindrical gauge portion having a uniform diameter and extending from one side of the constricted portion, with the shank portion, the constricted portion, and the gauge portion, being formed axially, a wear checking gauge line having a predetermined depth and width formed so as to extend from one end portion of an outer circumferential surface portion of the gauge portion in the direction of the constricted portion.
US09476815B2
Fatigue failure in composite materials can be successfully modeled and predicted by monitoring irreversible gains in entropy. Permanent degradations in composites are marked by irreversible processes that are characterized by increases in entropy. By measuring changes in entropy, one can model and predict the deterioration and failure of composites. The technique may be used to predict the deterioration and failure of composites under essentially any type of loading—constant, variable, bending, torsion, tension, compression, or other.
US09476812B2
The invention generally relates to methods of using compositions that include sets of magnetic particles, members of each set being conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen, and magnets to isolate a pathogen from a body fluid sample.
US09476810B2
Mineral samples for use in analytical instruments are created by a system that greatly reduces the sample preparation time and facilitates automation. For example, in some implementations, rather than grinding to expose the interior of mineral particles in sample plug containing mineral particles in an epoxy compound, the sample plug is sliced with a saw, which more rapidly provides in many applications a sufficiently smooth surface on the exposed particle surfaces for observation. Rather than slowly mixing a slow curing epoxy to avoid introducing bubbles into the sample plug, some implementations use a fast settle fixative and a mechanical mixture that avoid bubbles.
US09476801B2
A device for measuring the profile of the tread of a tire (12) comprises: a running surface (16), which is provided for the tire (12) to roll on and in which at least one measurement slot (14) is formed; at least one illumination apparatus (4), which is formed and arranged in such a manner that during operation it projects a plurality of light lines (6) through the measurement slot (14) onto the profile to be measured; and at least one image capture apparatus (18), which is formed to capture at least one image of at least one region of the profile to be measured. At least one monitoring and calibration device (22) is formed at at least one measurement slot (14), said monitoring and calibration device having at least one channel-shaped depression (24), which faces the illumination apparatus (4). The at least one depression (24) is formed at an angle to the plane of the running surface (16), which is parallel to the direction of a light beam, which in the proper state is emitted by the illumination apparatus (4) and is incident into the depression (24).
US09476797B2
It is intended to display a schematic diagram of substantially the whole of an internal combustion engine test system on a screen and a color, brightness, pattern or shape of a symbol representing a test device shown in the schematic diagram are changed according to a degree of operation safety of the test device, whereby a user is allowed to intuitively recognize a situation relating to the safety of the entire system at a glance.
US09476794B2
A pressure decay testing system including a testing device for determining the reliability of connectors is provided and includes a pneumatic cylinder that raises and lowers a sealing member that closes a second end of a connector inserted in the device. A base member is adjacent pneumatic cylinder and includes a receiving surface having at least one receiving member for holding the connector. A channel is disposed therethrough though the receiving surface of the base member and aligns with an inner bore of the connector inserted in the testing device. An air line is attached to base member fluidly connecting inner bore of the connector with decay tester. Decay tester introduces a pressure differential through the channel to reach a predetermined set point pressure when the connector is closed by the testing device. Decay tester is configured to measure a change in pressure over time with respect to the predetermined set point.
US09476791B2
A field testable instrument housing connection is made up of an integral instrument housing assembly that includes both an instrument housing and a separate one-piece compression nut portion and a separate modified reducing union. The instrument housing has a mating geometry that is disposed over the downhole portion of the separate modified reducing union and the separate one-piece compression nut portion is then disposed over both the uphole portion of the instrument housing and a downhole portion of the modified reducing union. The complete assembly of the modified reducing union, including primary and secondary seals in combination with the integral instrument housing assembly provide then both an annular seal and a seal of the instrument housing. The entire assembly is field testable via provided test ports.
US09476788B2
A pressure sensor has a housing having a bottom surface and side walls that form a cavity. A pressure sensor die is attached to the bottom of the cavity and covered with a layer of low modulus gel. A lid is secured to upper ends of the side walls and covers the cavity, gel and pressure sensor die. The lid has an inner surface facing the gel and an exposed outer surface, and includes protrusions extending from the inner surface along the side walls and towards the gel such that the gel near the upper ends of the side walls is displaced towards a central region of the cavity to ensure that the gel completely covers the pressure sensor die.
US09476781B2
A deposition device includes a deposition container with an intermediate plate, a sensor mat positioned on the deposition container, where the sensor mat includes at least two locating recesses for positioning the sensor mat within an area of a maximum permissible movement, and at least one detection sublayer. The intermediate plate includes at least one passthrough opening to allow an electrical connection device connected to the sensor mat to pass through, so that the sensor mat can be connected to a circuit board disposed in an electronics container space. The intermediate plate further includes locating pins arranged on the intermediate plate and protruding into a locating recess. The cross section of the locating pins is such that over the entire length thereof the locating recess permits local movability of the sensor mat in all directions in the planar extension thereof, within the maximum permissible range of movement.
US09476777B2
There is provided a temperature detector adapted to be provided in a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a temperature detection target. The temperature detector includes a cylindrical fixing body made of a metal material, the cylindrical fixing body having a single through hole extending therethrough and one axial end portion serving as a fixing portion, a thermocouple having a pair of wires partially inserted into the through hole and a welding material welded to the fixing portion while being at least partially inserted into the through hole to fix the thermocouple to the fixing portion. An end of the thermocouple is exposed on a surface of the welding material by polishing the welding material together with the thermocouple.
US09476775B2
A temperature sensor includes a housing and a temperature sensing element disposed in the housing. Electrical connections may extend from the temperature sensing element through the housing and an epoxy may be disposed in the housing, wherein the epoxy may at least partially around the temperature sensing element. The epoxy may provide a thermal pathway between the sensing element and the housing and may be being flexible to accommodate different rates of thermal expansion between the temperature sensing element and the electrical connections without requiring a separate mechanical strain relief. A temperature sensor system includes a temperature sensor and a mineral insulated cable coupled to the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be configured to be removably coupled to the mineral insulated cable via a stop flange and a sleeve coupled to the mineral insulated cable. The sleeve may be configured to provide stability and reduce vibrational stress to the temperature sensor system.
US09476774B2
An uncooled microbolometer pixel for detection of electromagnetic radiation is provided that includes a substrate, a thermistor assembly and an absorber assembly. The thermistor assembly includes a thermistor platform suspended above the substrate, one or more thermistors on the thermistor platform, and an electrode structure electrically connecting the thermistors to the substrate. The absorber assembly includes an optical absorber over the thermistor assembly and a reflector provided under and forming a resonant cavity with the optical absorber. The optical absorber is in thermal contact with the thermistors and exposed to the electromagnetic radiation. The optical absorber includes a set of elongated resonators determining an absorption spectrum of the optical absorber. An array of microbolometer pixels is also provided, in which the resonators of different pixels can have different lengths determining different absorption spectra, thereby enabling configurable broadband and/or multi-frequency detection, in particular in the terahertz region.
US09476764B2
Some embodiments of the present disclosure related to a method to form and operate the reflective surface to compensate for aberration effects on pattern uniformity. In some embodiments, the reflective surface comprises a mirror of within reduction optics of an EUV illumination tool. In some embodiments, the reflective surface comprises a reflective reticle. An EUV reflective surface topography comprising a reflective surface is disposed on a surface of a substrate, and is manipulated by mechanical force or thermal deformation. The substrate includes a plurality of cavities, where each cavity is coupled to a deformation element configured to expand a volume of the cavity and consequently deform a portion of the reflective surface above each cavity, for local control of the reflective surface through thermal deformation of a resistive material subject to an electric current, or mechanical deformation due to pressurized gas within the cavity or a piezoelectric effect.
US09476762B2
A sensor arrangement includes an infrared sensor and at least one acceleration sensor. The infrared sensor is configured to detect infrared radiation, and to output infrared image data. The at least one acceleration sensor is configured to detect an instantaneous acceleration of the sensor arrangement, and to output acceleration data. The output of the infrared image data from the infrared sensor is blocked when the instantaneous acceleration of the sensor arrangement exceeds a preprogrammed threshold value.
US09476748B1
A self-filling graduated cylinder system for efficiently filling a graduated cylinder with a chemical solution. The self-filling graduated cylinder system generally includes a graduated cylinder having an interior, an upper end, an upper opening in the upper end a lower end opposite of the upper end, and a check valve attached to the graduated cylinder near the lower end of the graduated cylinder. The check valve is adapted to allow a liquid chemical to flow upwardly through the check valve into the graduated cylinder and to prevent the liquid chemical within the interior of the graduated cylinder from flowing downwardly through the check valve.
US09476747B2
A laser-based mono-energetic gamma-ray source is used to provide non-destructive and non-intrusive, quantitative determination of the absolute amount of a specific isotope contained within pipe as part of a moving fluid or quasi-fluid material stream.
US09476742B2
A system, method, and computer readable medium for calculating well flow rates produced with electrical submersible pumps using measured voltage, current, frequency and pressure data. An efficiency to flow rate ratio is calculated from the voltage, current, and pressure data. The efficiency to flow rate ratio is used to obtain a non-dimensional flow rate. The flow rate through the electrical submersible pump is calculated from the non-dimensional flow rate.
US09476741B2
A method for determining mass flow of a two-phase medium flowing through a measuring tube of a vortex, flow measuring device. The measuring tube has in a measuring cross section at least one bluff body for producing vortices. By sensor registering of the produced vortices, a flow velocity of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section is determined. In the method, the density of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section is determined from the specific, total enthalpy of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section, from the flow velocity of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section, from a static pressure of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section and from the static temperature of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section. Additionally, the mass flow is determined from the determined flow velocity, the determined density and a flow cross section of the medium in the region of the measuring cross section.
US09476740B2
Technologies are described herein for detecting a reverse flow condition in a meter and providing an associated alert. An amount of reverse flow in the meter is accumulated over a time period. If the accumulated amount of reverse flow over the time period exceeds a threshold value, a reverse flow alert is provided.
US09476739B2
An indicator device comprises a first slide member (22) mounted on a planar base (1). The first slide member (22) is displaceable between a first position in which it reveals a first status indicating area (26) indicative of a first condition or state and a second position in which it reveals a second status indicating area (28) indicative of a second condition or state. A second slide member (30) is mounted on the base (10) and is displaceable into and across the path of the first indicator member (22) when the first indicator member is in the first position, to inhibit displacement of the first indicator member. The second indicator member (30) is displaceable between a first position in which it does not inhibit the displacement of the first indicator member (22) and a second position in which it inhibits the displacement of the first indicator member to its second position. The device may also be provided with one or more RFID tags (80, 82, 84) to permit remote monitoring of the status of the device. The device can be used, for example, in conjunction with a dispenser (60) to provide an indication of when stock needs to be reordered and whether reordering of the stock has taken place.
US09476737B2
The encoder includes a scale provided with multiple periodic patterns having mutually different periods, a sensor outputting, with a relative movement between the scale and the sensor, multiple periodic signals periodically changing respectively corresponding to the periods of the periodic patterns, and a signal processor calculating a detected movement amount as a detected relative movement amount between the scale and the sensor. The signal processor calculates, by using each of the periodic signals, an accumulated movement amount which is an accumulated value of the relative movement amount between the scale and the sensor in units of one over an integer of the period of the periodic pattern corresponding to the periodic signal used, unifies the units of the accumulated movement amounts calculated by using the respective periodic signals, and calculates the detected movement amount from the accumulated movement amounts with the unified units.
US09476734B2
Systems and methods of calibrating and adjusting for deviations in a vehicle's heading system, such as the attitude heading and reference system of an aircraft or the heading system of a ship, positioned along the Earth's surface involve calibrating magnetometers for hard iron and misalignment errors using single heading measurements. This can be accomplished by obtaining both actual and theoretical readings for the magnetometer of the heading system, and comparing these values to obtain calibration values for the heading system. The vehicle may be repositioned, such as to North, South, East, and west magnetic headings, with the procedure repeated at each of these headings, and the calibration values averaged, further increasing the accuracy.
US09476726B2
A navigation device 10 comprises: position detecting means 11 for determining the current position of a user from the absolute position in longitude and latitude by using the electric waves coming from a plurality of artificial satellites going around the earth; storage means 14 for storing the coordinates in longitude and latitude of nodes, as obtained by setting a starting point and a final place, on a scheduled route; display means 12 for displaying the current position and the scheduled route; and control means 16 for controlling the display on the display means 12 by converting the angular data of the absolute positions and the coordinates into distance data while making corrections according to the current position, and by calculating an element between the nodes thereby to calculate whether or not the current position is on the scheduled route, in dependence upon whether or not the distance between the element and the current position is within a predetermined range.
US09476723B1
Technologies are disclosed herein for providing a pathfinding service for processing and caching of path data for a grid. The pathfinding service is configured to initiate computing instances to process the path data, and to determine if an acceptable path exists through the grid. The pathfinding service may cache results for sub-portions of the grid as an overlying hierarchical representation. Thereafter, the cached results can be used to quickly determine acceptable paths for the entire grid. Additionally, the cached results may be updated when underlying information related to the sub-portions have been altered or invalidated.
US09476718B2
A vehicle navigation system may send and receive communications, such as text messages. Speech recognition may generate a text message without affecting a driver's control of the vehicle. A user may audibly control the navigation system and generate a text message through a speech recognition element. A microphone may record a user's voice, which is then transformed into a text message for transmission. The message may be recorded sentence-by-sentence, word-by-word, or letter-by-letter. The recorded text message may be visually or audibly presented to the user before transmission.
US09476713B2
An optical rotation sensor includes a Fabry Perot laser having an active gain medium for generating first and second light beams, a closed optical path through which the first and second light beams counter-propagate and first and second mirrors coupled to respective ends of the closed optical path. The first minor is a ring mirror having a complex valued reflectivity that varies with a rotation rate of a frame within which the optical rotation sensor is placed. A detector is coupled to an output of the Fabry Perot laser to measure an output intensity thereof.
US09476706B2
A detection apparatus attachable to a structure includes a transmission unit to transmit a transmission signal; a receiving unit to receive a reflection signal of the transmission signal reflected from a detection target; and a detection processing unit to detect the detection target based on the reflection signal. The structure includes a transmission translucent portion and a receiving translucent portion. The transmission signal having a given wavelength range passes through the transmission translucent portion, and the reflection signal having a given wavelength range passes through the receiving translucent portion.
US09476705B2
Systems, devices, features, and methods for determining geographic features corresponding to a travel path to develop a map database, such as a navigation database, are disclosed. For example, one method comprises emitting light from a light source, such as a LIDAR device, while on the travel path. Returning light is received based on the emitted light. The returning light is used to generate data points representing an area about the travel path. The data points are filtered as a function of a return intensity value to identify a feature associated with the travel path, in which the feature is treated with a retroreflective substance.
US09476704B2
There is provided a flexible display capable of improving an angle-measuring accuracy using different kinds of sensors and a method of measuring an angle thereof. The flexible display includes a first sensor unit disposed in a first region and including different kinds of sensors, a second sensor unit disposed in a second region adjacent to the first region and including different kinds of sensors, and an angle-measuring unit measuring a folding angle between the first region and the second region in response to sensing signals outputted from the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.
US09476702B2
A system for measuring a length of an electrode plate includes a body on which an electrode plate roll formed by spirally winding the electrode plate is provided; a control device to which the body is combined; and a measuring device including a thickness measurement unit combined with the body and electrically connected to the control device to measure a spirally wound thickness of the electrode plate that is spirally wound on the electrode plate roll, and a diameter measurement unit to measure a diameter of a hollow portion of the electrode plate roll, wherein the control device receives a moving distance of the thickness measurement unit and a moving distance of the diameter measurement unit and calculates the length of the electrode plate of the electrode plate roll.
US09476699B2
Techniques and devices for measuring stress, strain, or temperature based on polarization crosstalk analysis in birefringence optical birefringent media including polarization maintaining fiber. The disclosed techniques and devices can be implemented to measure polarization crosstalk distribution in polarization maintaining fiber by placing the PM fiber in a 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional configuration for sensing temperature, stress or strain in the PM fiber at different locations along the fiber with a high spatial sensing resolution. In some implementations, the disclosed techniques and devices can be implemented to simultaneously measure stress, strain and temperature from analyzing the probe light. For example, both temperature and stress/strain can be simultaneously measured by using the same sensors to extract and separate temperature measurements from stress/strain measurements.
US09476694B2
The present invention is related to a method for characterizing transparent objects (2, 3) in a transparent medium (1), said transparent objects (2, 3) presenting an optical focal area (5, 6) said method comprising the steps of: illuminating a sample comprising the objects (2, 3) to be characterized by means of a directional light (7) source, thereby inducing light intensity peaks (5, 6) at the focal area of said transparent objects; determining at least one characteristic of the light intensity peak (5, 6) induced by said object to be characterized, determining from said light intensity peak (5, 6) at least one property of said object.
US09476689B2
A wear indication device comprises an outer body exhibiting at least one opening extending at least partially therethrough, and at least one sensor within the at least one opening. The at least one sensor comprises at least one probe, and at least one electronic device operatively associated with the at least one probe. The at least one electronic device comprises at least one power supply and at least one output device. An assembly, and a method of detecting wear to a component of an assembly are also described.
US09476685B2
Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.
US09476684B2
A mechanism including: a toggle link rotatably connected to a base structure; a stop connected to the base structure for limiting a rotational travel of the toggle link; a biasing element having a first end attached to the base structure and a second end attached to the toggle link such that the toggle link is biased towards the stop when the toggle link is positioned on a first side of a singular position and the toggle link is biased towards an opposite direction from the stop when the toggle link is positioned on a second side of the singular position; and an inertial element movably disposed between the base structure and the toggle link such that that inertial element moves the toggle link from the first side of the singular position to the second side of the singular position when the base structure undergoes an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold.
US09476680B2
A self-defense device includes a housing structure, a spray apparatus and a sound generating mechanism. The housing structure includes an interior space accessible though an opening within a first end portion thereof. The spray apparatus is attached to a first end portion of the housing structure. The spray apparatus allows a substance configured for impairing at least one of sight and respiratory function of a person to be selectively sprayed therefrom. The sound generating mechanism within the interior space of the housing structure. Actuation of the sound generating mechanism causes a sound recognizable as that of a firearm being mechanically charged to be created thereby.
US09476679B2
Bar armor currently provides a means of providing partial protection of vehicles and structures against certain types of Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs). However, the individual bars must provide enough strength to cut through or deform the outer ogive of an RPG and cause electrical contact with the inner ogive. This in turn imposes constraints on the overall effectiveness of the system and how light it can be made. These constraints can be eased by providing cross-attachments for the bars, provided that the cross-attachments themselves are mutually supporting and of low enough density and sufficient frangibility to avoid detonating the RPG when they are struck by the RPG nosepiece, which contains a piezoelectric element that causes the fuse of the RPG to function. Through this means, bar armor can be made lighter, more effective, and easier to see through.
US09476669B2
A compressed gas gun is provided, having a body. A firing mechanism may be received within the body and may comprise a bolt and valve arranged in-line along a longitudinal axis of the compressed gas gun body. Externally accessible velocity adjustment mechanisms may be provided. A removable end cap may be engaged to a rearward end of the body. A control circuit may be provided in communication with a pressure sensor.
US09476663B2
A kit for use with a modular weapon having a barrel and having an upper receiver defining a gas port and a barrel opening. The kit comprises an upper receiver plate for attaching to the upper receiver, and a barrel plate. The weapon barrel passes though concentric openings in the upper receiver plate and the barrel plate and is secured in the opening within the barrel plate. Another opening in the barrel plate receives a primary gas tube such that a rearward segment of the primary gas tube extends rearwardly from that opening and a forward segment of the primary gas tube extends forwardly from that opening. A forward end of a gas tube extension couples to a rearward end of the primary gas tube and a rearward end of the gas tube extension is received within the gas port when the kit is in use with the modular rifle. An assembly removably attaches the upper receiver plate and the barrel plate thereby creating a gas flow path beginning at the gas port and comprising the gas tube extension, the rearward segment of the primary gas tube, and the forward segment of the primary gas tube.
US09476656B2
Systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein are directed to a heat exchange tube structure and an arrangement of heat exchange tubes that enhance or help promote fluid flow through a heat exchanger. Bend portions of heat exchange tubes may be structured and configured to allow for gaps so that fluid may pass an assembly of the heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes may be arranged to expose the air gaps at the bend portions of the heat exchange tubes to promote fluid flow.
US09476646B2
A castable refractory composition may include from 5% to 95% by weight of alumina, aluminosilicate, or mixtures thereof; up to 70% by weight silicon carbide; up to 10% by weight carbon; from 0.1% to 5% by weight alkaline earth metal oxide and/or hydroxide; and from 0.1% to 5% by weight of silica having a surface area of at least about 10 m2/g. The refractory composition may further include no more than 0.5% by weight of cementitious binder, and the refractory composition may not release a significant amount of hydrogen gas upon addition of water. The refractory composition may set on addition of water. An installable refractory lining may be formed using the composition and a method including at least one of casting, self-flowing, wet shotcreeting, rodding, cast-vibrating, spraying, conventional dry gunning, or high density gunning the castable refractory composition, and setting and drying the composition.
US09476644B2
In accordance with one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a furnace including a charge well is provided. The charge well comprises an open top chamber including side and base walls of a heat resistant material. An inlet is provided in a side wall of the chamber for receiving molten metal. A ramp is provided adjacent the side wall and an inner wall forms a central cavity. The ramp is disposed between the inner wall and the side wall. The ramp is generally inclined from an intersection with the base wall to adjacent a top surface of the inner wall. The cavity is in fluid communication with an outlet. A passage in the inner wall provides fluid communication between the inlet and the cavity. The inlet and an outlet each receives a conduit and at least one of the conduits can include an elbow joint.
US09476641B2
A condenser reboiler system located within a bottom region of a low pressure column of a double column arrangement that is used in an air separation system to separate air. The condenser reboiler system incorporates first and second heat exchangers of the down-flow type that are situated in a side-by-side relationship and with the first heat exchanger being shorter than the second heat exchanger so that the first heat exchanger will remain functional after a shut-down of the air separation system when the second heat exchanger(s) are not capable of operating due to liquid dumping into a sump region of the low pressure column. The side-by-side relationship allows the column to be fabricated without excessive height.
US09476639B2
A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and divided into first and second portions. The first and second portions are expanded to the fractionation tower pressure and supplied to the fractionation tower at upper mid-column feed positions, with the expanded second portion being heated before it enters the tower. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and supplied to the column at a mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column above the feed point of the second stream, combined with a portion of the tower overhead vapor stream, compressed to higher pressure, and directed into heat exchange relation with the remaining tower overhead vapor stream and the expanded second portion to cool the compressed combined vapor stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is expanded to the tower pressure and directed to the fractionation tower as its top feed. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.
US09476637B2
An illumination device is disclosed, having a lightguide optically coupled to a light source and a transducer for supplying power to the light source by converting energy received from a remote transmitter. Energy received from a remote transmitter can comprise radiofrequency waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, sunlight, sound waves or heat.
US09476636B2
A refrigerator includes a main refrigeration loop and a canister configured in a parallel circuit with the main refrigeration loop between the compressor and evaporator, with a liquid-filled bladder within the canister. The canister is pressurized by high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor, which forces the liquid within the bladder out of the bladder and to a pressurized water reservoir in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to house the evaporator and then out to a dispenser.
US09476617B2
A thermoelectric generator includes a thermoelectric module and a micro heat exchanger. The thermoelectric module includes p- and n-conducting thermoelectric material pieces which are alternately connected to one another via electrically conductive contacts. The thermoelectric module is thermally conductively connected to a micro heat exchanger. The micro heat exchanger includes a plurality of continuous channels having a diameter of at most 1 mm, through which a fluid heat exchanger medium can flow.
US09476616B2
A heat generator (10) which comprises magnetocaloric elements (2) that are arranged in a circle about a central axis. A magnetic arrangement (3) of alternating magnetized and non-magnetized zones (4, 5), that is located within the circle formed by the magnetocaloric elements (2), is rotatable around the central axis and co-operates with a field closing device (6) to loop magnetic flux generated by the magnetic arrangement (3) and alternately subject the magnetocaloric elements (2) to a magnetic field variation and create, alternately in each magnetocaloric element (2), heating and cooling cycles, in synchronization with the circulation of heat transfer fluid which flows through the magnetocaloric elements (2) during the heating and cooling cycles. The field closing device (6) comprises a heat insulation (9).
US09476608B2
The ceiling mounted ventilation fan with illumination employs a configuration in which a second opening for guiding light from an illumination unit into the room is formed in a lower part of a main housing and in which a air inlet on a fan casing of a fan unit is provided so as to open toward upper part of the main housing. Thus the air inlet of the fan unit opens in a direction opposite to the second opening communicating with inside of the room. As a result, sounds such as operation noises from the fan unit that are transmitted to outside of the fan unit chiefly through the air inlet can be made to resist being transmitted through the second opening into the room, so that the noises can be reduced.
US09476596B2
A function indicator system for displaying the control settings related to functions and features of an electric fireplace. The function indicator system can feature a function indicator module, a controller communicatively connected to the function indicator module, and a power source electrically connected to the function indicator module. The function indicator module can contain a plurality of light sources that emit paths of light, which can pass through control status indicia to create a visual display on an exterior surface of a projection screen of the electric fireplace. The visual display is visible to a viewer so as to alert the viewer as to the particular status of a control setting of the electric fireplace such as, for example, the temperature of heat produced, the brightness of simulated flames, or the length of time that the user desires for the electric fireplace to operate prior to automatic shutdown.
US09476587B2
Gas burner for oven, or grill, of the type comprising at least one Venturi tube (16), for forming the fuel mixture of primary air-gas, having at least one zone with a reduced section followed by a zone with a diverging section, at least one distribution chamber (17) of the fuel mixture, placed downstream the zone with a diverging section of the Venturi tube (16), and a plurality of flame openings (19) for the outflow of the fuel mixture, obtained within such a distribution chamber (17), or in fluidic communication with the latter, as well at least one ignition hole (13) for igniting the burner. Advantageously the latter comprises at least one diversion duct (12) for part of the flow of the fuel mixture, exhibiting its own inlet section obtained in a sector downstream the zone with a reduced section of the Venturi tube (16), and its own outlet section placed at the afore said ignition hole (13).
US09476586B2
A modular wick holder includes a first wick holder assembly and a second wick holder assembly joined together. The first and second wick holder assemblies are disposed symmetrical to each other. The first wick holder assembly includes a first projection, and the second wick holder assembly includes a second projection opposite and corresponding to the first projection. The first and second projections delimit a space therebetween. When the modular wick holder combines with a wick, the wick is securely held by the space. At least one adjusting member inserts through the first and second wick holder assemblies and is operable to move the first and second projections closer and to have the space include a reduced size.
US09476575B2
Disclosed is a video display module support system containing an attachment plate formed with a first and a second video support member. The attachment plate includes a horizontal attachment assembly and a vertical attachment assembly. The horizontal attachment assembly includes a fixed, video support member attachment portion and a pivotable, member body pivotally attached to the first attachment portion. The pivot member body including a video support member mount having a latch pivotable between open and closed positions. The vertical attachment assembly includes a mounting arm ratchet assembly and a mounting arm movable between a first position secured by a mounting arm ratchet and a second position unsecured by a mounting arm ratchet.
US09476570B2
A lens for distribution of light predominantly toward a preferential side from a light emitter having an emitter axis and defining an emitter plane. The lens has an emitter-adjacent base end forming an emitter-receiving opening to an emitter-surrounding cavity defined by an inner surface which includes a front sector centered on the preferential side and a back sector centered on the non-preferential side radially opposite the preferential side. The front and back sectors differ in their respective configurations for refracting light from the emitter. The lens further includes an primary back surface positioned to receive light from at least a portion of the inner-surface back sector and configured for total internal reflection (TIR) thereof. The inner-surface back sector and the primary back surface extend along substantially elliptical cross-sections in planes substantially parallel to the emitter plane. The emitter-adjacent base end forms a back opening to a back cavity substantially centered on the non-preferential side and partially bounded by the primary back surface.
US09476568B2
A white light illumination system may comprise: a phosphor package; a first radiation source for providing co-excitation radiation to the phosphor package, the source emitting in wavelengths ranging from about 250 nm to about 410 nm; and a second radiation source for providing co-excitation radiation to the phosphor package, the source emitting in wavelengths ranging from about 410 nm to about 540 nm; wherein the phosphor package is configured to emit photoluminescence in wavelengths ranging from about 440 nm to about 700 nm upon co-excitation from the first and second radiation sources, and wherein the phosphor package comprises at least one narrow band green phosphor with a photoluminescence peak with a full width at half maximum of less than 60 nm, and wherein the narrow band green phosphor is configured to emit photoluminescence in wavelengths ranging from about 500 nm to about 550 nm.
US09476565B2
An illuminating apparatus includes: a light source, and a lens sheet arranged on an optical axis of the light source on which a plurality of prisms arranged in concentric circles centered on the optical axis of the light source are formed. A light diffusing part including a plurality of hemispherical light scattering elements is provided on the lens sheet, the light diffusing part includes light scattering elements whose shape is distorted due to influence of light scattering elements that are adjacent in at least one direction, and the plurality of light scattering elements is arranged in concentric circles centered on the optical axis of the light source.
US09476564B2
An LED automobile headlamp includes an LED lamp positioned on a substrate (100); a heat conducting member (200) having a strip shape, with the substrate (100) being fixed to an end of the heat conducting member (200), and the heat conducting member (200) being internally filled with a low-boiling liquid; and a heat dissipating member (300), including a heat dissipating cylinder (320) and a plurality of heat dissipating fins (340), wherein the heat dissipating cylinder (320) defines a through hole to receive the heat conducting member (200), and the plurality of heat dissipating fins (340) are fixed to a periphery of an end of the heat dissipating cylinder (320) away from the substrate. The LED automobile headlamp uses an LED lamp instead of the traditional tungsten filament and HID, and transmits the heat generated by the LED lamp to the rear end by means of the circulation of the low-boiling liquid in the heat conducting member (200), and then uses the heat dissipating member (300) to dissipate heat.
US09476558B2
The invention relates to a projection lens for use in an LED module of a motor vehicle headlamp. The LED module has a light source in the form of an LED matrix including numerous LED chips disposed in a matrix adjacent to and/or above one another, a primary lens including numerous primary lens elements disposed in a matrix adjacent to and/or above one another for bundling light emitted from the light source, and a projection lens. The projection lens projects a light exit surface of the primary lens to generate a predefined light distribution on a surface in front of the vehicle. The projection lens is designed such that it generates at least two separate images of the light exit surface of the primary lens on its image side, which are offset to one another in the horizontal direction.
US09476548B2
The present invention is directed to a beacon light with a light emitting diode (LED) reflector optic. In one embodiment, the LED reflector optic includes a reflector having a plurality of reflecting surfaces and being associated with at least one optical axis, each reflecting surface including a curved cross-section and at least one LED positioned at a focal distance of a respective one of the plurality of reflecting surfaces.
US09476547B2
A duct intersection comprising a first duct portion and a second duct portion extending laterally from a side of the first duct portion. At least one flow modifier is mounted inside one of the first and second duct portions. The flow modifier is a contoured duct liner and/or the flow modifier includes at least one turning vane. The duct intersection may also include a transition portion extending between the first and second duct portions, wherein the transition portion has a length extending along a side of the first duct portion and a depth extending away from the side of the first duct portion, wherein the length is greater than a diameter of the second duct portion.
US09476543B2
An apparatus for mounting a device, an adjustable swivel mount, and a method are provided. The apparatus includes a bracket (106) and a shaft (108) pivotally coupled therewith. The apparatus also includes a first adjustment knob (143), with rotation of the first adjustment knob causing the shaft to pivot about a first axis (Y). The apparatus further includes a swivel bracket (144) coupled with the shaft, and a first paddle (128) coupled with the swivel bracket. The apparatus further includes a second adjustment knob (136), with rotation of the second adjustment knob causing the first paddle to pivot about a second axis (X). The apparatus also includes a mount (100) coupled to the first paddle and configured to couple to the device. Pivoting the first paddle about the first axis causes the mount to pivot about the first axis, and pivoting the first paddle about the second axis causes the mount to pivot about the second axis.
US09476540B2
The invention relates to a moving system for an assembly table or welding bench to be able to rapidly and safely adapt the size of the work area by moving the assembly table or welding bench or further support elements to the workpiece to be machined. The moving system comprises a guide rail (10) with grid holes (11); a foot element (20) for an assembly table or welding bench (40) which can be contacted with the guide rail (10) at a first end region, wherein a contact area and a rolling means are arranged at the first end region. The moving system also comprises an adjustment means which is coupled to the rolling means, wherein the rolling means can be moved from a first position relative to the contact area (22) to a second position relative to the contact area using the adjustment means, wherein in the first position the contact area (22) contacts the guide rail (10) in a planar fashion and wherein in the second position the foot element (20) on the guide rail (10) is supported on the rolling means and can be moved linearly along the guide rail (10) using the rolling means.
US09476538B2
In a pipe insulation apparatus includes a plurality of segments which are connected so as to be separable along division lines, and each of the plurality of segments is composed of a plurality of insulation layers, and is covered by a finishing cover. The finishing cover includes: at least one joint chassis that is made of a soft metal material, and has a first insertion groove and a second insertion groove formed at a first end portion and a second end portion, respectively, and has a saw-toothed first protrusion formed on one inner side surface of each of the first insertion groove and the second insertion groove and a saw-toothed second protrusion formed alternately with the first protrusion on the other inner side surface; and a plurality of plates that is made of a soft metal material.
US09476537B2
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for the rehabilitation of pipelines using a fluid line system (28) with at least one fluid line (54, 56) for supplying and/or removing a fluid medium, wherein the fluid line system (28) is provided with at least one pivot joint (30).
US09476532B2
The invention pertains to a protective device for a pressure line for conveying pressurized fluids, as well as to a pressure line section with a pressure line for conveying pressurized fluids and a corresponding protective device.
US09476530B2
A connecting device for connecting a fluid sensor to a channel module has a locking device that can secure the fluid sensor on the channel module, a closure device that can allow the flow of a fluid conducted in the channel module from the channel module to the fluid sensor, and an actuating means, the actuating means actuating the locking device.
US09476524B2
A hanger for use in a gas turbine engine exhaust system comprises a first bracket, a second bracket, a pin and a bumper. The first bracket is for connecting to an exhaust duct or liner of the gas turbine exhaust system. The second bracket is for connecting to an exhaust duct or liner of the gas turbine exhaust system. The pin extends through the first and second brackets to bring the first and second brackets into pivotable engagement. The bumper is positioned adjacent the first or second bracket to inhibit movement of the first bracket relative to the second bracket.
US09476521B2
A method of laying an undersea line at the bottom of the sea from the surface to connect the bottom end thereof to a coupling element at the sea bottom by positioning the undersea line suspended from the surface in a substantially vertical position and including a curving device extending between two points and having at least one cable and tensioning means for tensioning the cable suitable for reducing the length of the cable extending between the two fastening or guide points from a maximum length L0 to a given shorter limit value L1; moving the bottom end of the undersea line in such a manner as to move the bottom end of the undersea line away from its initial position through a distance D, if necessary, moving the undersea line closer to the sea bottom while simultaneously lowering the line additionally from the surface, and then finalizing the positioning and connecting of the bottom end of the line to the sea bottom.
US09476520B2
A fluid distribution door for use in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system includes a main body having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface cooperate to form a first surface configuration which intersects with a second surface configuration. Each of the first surface configuration and the second surface configuration is formed by a three-dimensional feature.
US09476517B2
Pilot valve structures are described as including a main valve having a main flow body and having an inlet and outlet, and a diaphragm, with a perimeter, a moveable portion, and first and second sides. A main flow orifice is located in the flow body between the inlet and outlet. A main valve plug is attached to and/or disposed in the moveable portion of the diaphragm and opens and closes the flow orifice when the moveable portion of the diaphragm is in first and second positions. The pilot valve also includes a pilot valve inlet that is connected to the flow path of the main flow body. A pilot valve outlet/orifice is disposed within and co-located with the main valve plug. The pilot valve includes a pilot valve plug, which is moveable to open and close the pilot valve orifice. Related mass flow controllers with such pilot valve structures are further described.
US09476513B2
A fuel cell compound valve that opens and closes an inflow line and an exhaust line of a fuel cell stack for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle includes a support frame having a first bore to which the exhaust line is connected and a second bore to which the inflow line is connected. A first rotation valve is configured to receive a driving torque of a motor installed in the support frame, rotate, and open and close the first bore. A second rotation valve is connected to the first rotation valve and is configured to open and close the second bore. A first coupler protrusion protrudes from a first shaft in a longitudinal direction and has at least one first flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A second coupler protrusion protrudes from a second shaft in the longitudinal direction of the first shaft.
US09476507B2
A valve includes a seat having a through hole through which ink flows and a valve body that is configured to be in contact with the seat to close the through hole such that the valve is in a closed state and to be separate from the seat to open the through hole such that the valve is in an open state. At least one of the seat and the valve body is configured to move relative to the other of the seat and the valve body while the valve is in the closed state.
US09476497B2
The patent application discloses a unidirectional clutch decoupling device for transferring torque between a belt wheel and a shaft. The unidirectional clutch decoupling device includes a friction spring, an outer ring, a shaft sleeve and an elastic unit. The friction spring is combined with the inner surface of the belt wheel in a rubbing mode. The outer ring is arranged in the space formed by the friction spring. The relative position of the outer ring and the friction spring is fixed. The shaft sleeve is used for accommodating the shaft, and the relative position of the shaft sleeve and the shaft is fixed. The elastic unit is located between the outer ring and the shaft sleeve and used for transferring torque of the outer ring to the shaft sleeve.
US09476490B2
A torque converter, including: an impeller and a turbine with: a shell; and at least one blade including: a blade body with a first edge connected to the shell; and a portion extending from the blade body. The torque converter includes a stator including: a stator body, and at least one stator blade axially disposed between the impeller and the turbine and connected to the stator body. A circumferential space is formed between the turbine shell and the stator body. At least a portion of the circumferential space is radially aligned with the portion of the at least one blade.
US09476488B2
A push-pull chain actuator (1) includes a housing with a chain exit/entry opening (4) and a sprocket (9) arranged to engage a push-pull chain (3). The sprocket (9) causes the polygon effect. The actuator includes a first chain guide part (10a) for guiding said push-pull chain (3) around the sprocket (9) and a second chain guide part (lob) for guiding said push-pull chain (3) at the correct angle between the chain exit/entry opening (4) and the sprocket (9). The second chain guide part (10b) is shaped and dimensioned to counteract the polygon effect. Alternatively, the second chain guide part (10b) can be shaped and dimensioned to reduce chain oscillations caused by the rollers (8c) engaging or disengaging the chain exit/entry opening (4) at the end of the second chain guide part (10b).
US09476480B2
Energy guiding chain, whose chain links (1, 2) each consist of two side straps (3, 4) that are connected to each other by cross-members (5, 6), where the cross-members display a bearing area (7) on at least one of their ends and, seen in the longitudinal direction of the side straps (3, 4), a contact area (9) outside the bearing area. To avoid the accumulation of foreign bodies, the side (11) of the contact area of the cross-members facing from the inside of the chain outwards displays a convex curvature or a linear slope towards its contact surface (10) and encloses an angle of <90° with the inner side (3a, 4a) of the respective side strap, such that the contact surface (10) moves along the inner side of the side strap towards the inside of the chain when the cross-member is pivoted open until a completely opened position is reached.
US09476477B2
A shock absorber includes a cylinder, a piston, a piston rod, a damping passage, a bypass path, a shutter, a biasing member, and a control spring secured to the cylinder by one end. Another end of the control spring is opposed to the shutter. When the piston exceeds a predetermined position with respect to the cylinder by displacing on the compression-side chamber side, the shutter is pushed by the control spring and closes the bypass path. The control spring is a conical coil spring. The other end side of the control spring has a small diameter. A guide ring, which is slidably in contact with an inner periphery of the cylinder, is mounted to the small-diameter side end of the control spring.
US09476465B2
An overrunning clutch is provided with a spatial wedge-shaped mechanism including a rotation guide mechanism (G) and a traction friction mechanism (F1). The traction friction mechanism (F1) has a friction member. A guide member of the rotation guide mechanism (G) preferably has a helical tooth guide surface. The rotation guide mechanism (G) and the traction friction mechanism (F1) are rigidly, axially linked by a common annular intermediate member, which has complementary guide surfaces and a rotation friction surface. The lead angle of the guide surfaces is less than the maximum value of the lead angle which is capable of ensuring self locking of the friction pairs between the guide surfaces, so that the intermediate member can be wedged between the guide member and the friction member, and then transfer torque therebetween. The invention has many advantages such as fully surface contact, a simple structure, no disperse and asymmetry rotation members, and various beneficial operating conditions can be achieved conveniently by the direction controllable scheme.
US09476459B2
A coupling shaft assembly system is disclosed. A coupling shaft assembly system may have a coupling shaft spline lock body having spline lock spline teeth, a main coupling shaft body having input spline teeth, and a locking bolt, wherein the locking bolt retains the coupling shaft spline lock body in substantially fixed communication with the main coupling shaft body, wherein the coupling shaft spline lock body retains the coupling shaft assembly system in mechanical communication with a power shaft. In this manner, a coupling shaft assembly system may reduce the axial forces transferred by the coupling shaft assembly system.
US09476454B2
The invention relates to a sliding element with a substrate and at least one layer of a sliding layer material applied onto the substrate. The sliding layer material can consist of an antifriction lacquer comprising at least one cross-linkable binder or at least one high-melting thermoplast material or of a material that contains a matrix of at last one high-melting thermoplast material or at least one duroplast material. Said sliding layer material contains Fe2O3 with a preferred fraction of 0.1 to 15 vol. %.
US09476448B2
A joint device (1) having an axially extending pivot pin (3), in particular a so-termed claw, and an elastically deformable layer (5) that wholly or partially surrounds the pivot pin radially. The deformable layer is at least partially in contact on its radially outer side (6) with a housing (2) and is connected, such as by vulcanization at least at one axial end, with an annular body (7). The pivot pin (3) with the elastically deformable layer (5) and the at least one annular body (7) form a joint body (8) which can move relative to the housing (2) and is designed, in such a manner, that the ability of the joint body (8) to rotate about its longitudinal axis (9) is inhibited by a rotation-impeding device (10) and by the contact of the outside (6) of the elastically deformable layer (5) against the housing.
US09476442B2
A retaining member for mounting an anti-fog sheet to a shield. According to some aspects, a main shaft of the retaining member, which is rotatably fitted into a support hole of the shield and has a head portion abuting against an outer face of the shield, has an elastic deformation part so as to absorb a load which comes from both the shield and the anti-fog sheet, and which acts on the retaining member by deforming the elastic deformation part.
US09476436B2
An actuator includes a cylinder, a piston, a rod, a rod-side chamber and a piston-side chamber, a tank, a first pump capable of supplying liquid to the rod-side chamber, a second pump capable of supplying the liquid to the piston-side chamber, a first control passage allowing communication between the rod-side chamber and the tank, a second control passage allowing communication between the piston-side chamber and the tank, a first variable relief valve capable of changing a valve opening pressure for permitting a flow of the liquid by being opened when a pressure in the rod-side chamber reaches the valve opening pressure, a second variable relief valve capable of changing a valve opening pressure for permitting a flow of the liquid by being opened when a pressure in the piston-side chamber reaches the valve opening pressure, and a center passage allowing communication between the tank and the interior of the cylinder.
US09476426B2
An axial fan assembly includes a hub, a plurality of connection structures, and a plurality of isolated members. The hub is rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a radially extending face and a cylindrical portion extending axially from the face. The face includes a radially inner face portion and a radially outer face portion. The plurality of connection structures extends radially inwardly from the radially outer face portion and extends radially outward from the radially inner face portion. The plurality of isolated members extends radially outwardly from the radially inner face portion and is isolated from the plurality of connection structures and from the radially outer face portion by a plurality of slots.
US09476419B2
An adhesive dispensing system includes a pump and at least one sensor positioned to sense movements of a component of the pump and produce signals based on the sensed movements. The dispensing system also includes a controller communicating with the at least one sensor to collect information regarding operational cycles of the pump based on the signals. As a result, one or more diagnostic processes are enabled at the controller during operation of the adhesive dispensing system. These diagnostic processes may include a leak rate test for the dispensing system, an overspeed detection test for the pump, and expected life cycle monitoring of the pump or other components.
US09476418B2
A system for determining mechanical stress of a compressor is provided. The system includes a reciprocating compressor. The system also includes a magnetostriction sensor coupled to the reciprocating compressor and configured to measure a change in magnetic permeability of a target material of the reciprocating compressor. Furthermore, the system includes a processor configured to convert the measured change in the magnetic permeability of the target material into an estimated mechanical stress under which the target material is exposed.
US09476416B2
The air compressor contains a casing member, a driving member, and a cylinder member. The casing member has a first accommodation section, a second accommodation section, and a connection section connecting the first and second accommodation sections. The first accommodation section has a number of first inlets and first outlets. The driving member is located between the first and second accommodation sections, and is adjacent to the first outlets. The cylinder member is located both in the second accommodation section and the connection section, and is adjacent to the second outlets. The outside cool air is drawn into the casing member through the first inlets. A portion of the drawn air is released through the first outlets, forming a first flow path for cooling down the driving member. Another portion is released through the second outlets, forming a second flow path for cooling down the cylinder member.
US09476413B2
An electric propulsion system includes a first stationary plasma thruster including a single first cathode, a first anode, and a first gas manifold, and a second stationary plasma thruster including a single second cathode, a second anode, and a second gas manifold. The system further includes an electrical connection device common to the first and second cathodes, first and second gas flow rate control devices with a common fluid flow device for feeding gas, and a selective control device for activating at any given instant only one of the first and second cathodes in co-operation with one or the other of the first and second anodes.
US09476410B2
An offshore floating platform having at least one buoyant column with an upper end extending above a sea surface, a lower end submerged below the sea surface, and at least one keel tank disposed at the lower end. A deck is supported at the upper end the column. An ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system is integrated with the platform in which heat is extracted from warm sea surface waters to vaporize a liquid working fluid and heat is rejected to cold water from lower depths of the sea to condense the vaporized working fluid. At least one turbine and power generator is disposed on the deck, at least one evaporator is disposed on the platform beneath the deck, and at least one condenser is disposed on the seabed or platform or keel tank a distance beneath the evaporator. A desalination system may also be combined and incorporated with the OTEC system.
US09476409B2
An offshore wind turbine apparatus may include a platform and an equalizer with sealed internal volumes, a turbine mast connected to the platform, a turbine which is connected to the turbine mast, and turbine blades connected to the turbine. The apparatus may be rotatably mounted on a barge via a trunnion. The apparatus may rotate from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially upright position when sufficient ballast material is inserted into the equalizer. The equalizer may rest on a sea floor. The platform may provide a restorative buoyant force that tends to cause the apparatus to return to the upright position when perturbed from the upright position.
US09476402B2
Systems and methods for generating electrical power using a solar power system comprising pressurized pipes for transporting liquid water. The pressurized pipes flow through solar collectors which concentrate sunlight on the water flowing through the pipes. The pressurization in the pipes allows for the water flowing therethrough to absorb large quantities of energy. The pressurized and heated water is then pumped to a heat exchanger where the thermal energy is released to produce steam for powering a steam turbine electrical generator. Thereafter, the water is returned to the solar collectors in a closed loop to repeat the process.
US09476393B2
A heated fuel injector for supplying fuel to a fuel consuming device includes a fuel inlet for receiving fuel, a fuel outlet for dispensing fuel from the fuel injector, and a fuel injector body extending along an axis and fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet such that fuel flows within the injector body. A cylindrical heating element radially surrounds the fuel injector body and operates to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector body. An annular space is defined between the heating element and the fuel injector body sufficiently large to accommodate thermally caused radial differential expansion between the fuel injector body and the heating element. A conductive material fills the annular space and has a melting point sufficiently low to be a liquid as the heating element operates to thereby substantially prevent transfer of mechanical stress to the heating element due to the radial differential expansion.
US09476392B2
A fluid pump includes an electric motor having a commutator and one or more brushes communicated with the commutator, and a pumping assembly driven by the electric motor. An outer shell of the pump encloses at least a portion of the electric motor and the pumping assembly, a cap is carried by the outer shell and has a brush passage formed therein for each brush, with each brush passage including a cavity defined by at least one wall. A brush cap has an end received in the cavity with an interference fit wherein the end of the brush cap has an outer diameter that is larger than the diameter of the cavity and the end of the brush cap has strength that causes it to deform upon installation into the cavity without causing significant plastic deformation of the wall of the cavity.
US09476389B2
A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine may include at least one distributor unit to supply liquid fluid and a plurality of preheating systems each connected to the distributor unit. The respective preheating systems may have a preheating chamber and at least one heating element. A plurality of connection nozzles may each be connected to respective preheating systems. A fuel path may lead from the distributor unit through the respective preheating chambers to the respective injection nozzles of the plurality of preheating systems. The respective preheating systems may include a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The housing may be connected via a plug-in connection on the inlet to the distributor unit and via a plug-in connection on the outlet to the respective injection nozzle.
US09476384B2
The invention relates to an actuation device (1) for moving the movable cowling of a thrust reverser, comprising: an actuator (7) with a first member (12) such as a screw, and a second member (14) such as a nut, wherein the first and second members are capable of engaging such that the rotation of the first member results in a translation of the second member, a locking device (33) including a locking part (34) movable between a locked position for preventing to the rotation of the first member and an unlocked position for enabling the rotation of the first member, and a lock inhibiting device (42) comprising a recess (46) and a ball (47) movable in the recess between a stowed position, in which the ball enables the movement of the locking part, and an inhibition position in which the ball prevents the locking part from returning into the locked position.
US09476377B2
A method includes determining a stored injection relationship that includes a number of fuel performance parameters. In one form the fuel performance parameters are related to a particular shape, and may be related to a particular operating condition. The method includes determining a fuel performance outcome during a fuel injection event, and updating the stored injection relationship in response to the fuel performance outcome. The fuel performance outcome can be an injected fuel quantity.
US09476369B2
A variable power drive mode system for a vehicle. The system includes a pedal, a processor, an engine or other vehicle power source for moving the vehicle and a battery. The processor of the vehicle determines, either automatically or based upon user input, a desired drive mode for the vehicle. A memory connected with the processor stores different data corresponding to the different drive modes determinable by the processor for the vehicle. The processor uses the different data stored in memory in combination with a position of the pedal to control the engine or other vehicle power source to generate power in accordance with the determined drive mode. Certain drive modes may provide for more aggressive driving profiles at the expense of fuel efficiency or fuel consumption when compared to other drive modes.
US09476366B2
There are provided a variable compression-ratio mechanism (20) capable of varying an engine compression ratio in accordance with a rotational position of a control shaft (24); a speed reducer (44) configured to reduce in speed a rotational power of an actuator and transmit the speed-reduced rotational power to the control shaft (24); and a speed-reducer accommodating case (43) accommodating the speed reducer (44). An input shaft of the speed reducer (44) which is connected to the actuator has a shaft center line extending along a horizontal direction, and at least a part of the input shaft is kept under a lubricating oil retained in the speed-reducer accommodating case (43). The input shaft of the speed reducer (44) is swung by a predetermined swing angle to avoid inadequate lubrication of the input shaft of the speed reducer (44), during an operating state where the engine compression ratio is maintained constant.
US09476364B2
A method for controlling valve actuation in an engine is provided. The method includes initiating combustion operation in a first cylinder, opening, via a first cam, a first exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a first opening duration. The method further includes opening, via a second cam, a second exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a second opening duration not equivalent to the first opening duration.
US09476353B2
The two-cycle engine includes a piston capable of reciprocating along a cylinder, the piston being provided with piston rings; and a lubrication port provided in the cylinder, the lubrication port being used to supply a lubricant to a sliding surface of the cylinder on which the piston rings slide. Inter-ring spaces are provided, each inter-ring space being between adjacent piston rings. In addition, the two-cycle engine includes a controller used to adjust a lubrication period of lubricating from the lubrication port during movement of the piston toward a top dead center thereof, so that a period before an uppermost inter-ring space passing by the lubrication port is excluded from the lubrication period and a period in which at least part of a lowermost inter-ring space faces the lubrication port is included in the lubrication period.
US09476352B2
A compact biomass gasification-based power generation system that converts carbonaceous material into electrical power, including an enclosure that encases: a gasifier including a pyrolysis module coaxially arranged above a reactor module, a generator including an engine and an alternator, and a hopper. The generator system additionally includes a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet of the reactor module and thermally connected to the drying module, a second heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet of the engine and thermally connected to the pyrolysis module, and a third heat exchanger fluidly connected between the outlet of the reactor module and the first heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger thermally connected to an air inlet of the reactor module. The system can additionally include a central wiring conduit electrically connected to the pyrolysis module, reactor module, and engine, and a control panel connected to the conduit that enables single-side operation.
US09476346B2
A combustion process with auto-ignition for direct-injection internal combustion engines involves dividing injection jets at a jet divider contour into a first partial quantity, a second partial quantity, and third partial quantities. The first partial quantity enters into the piston cavity, the second partial quantity enters via the piston step into a region between the piston crown and the cylinder head, and the third partial quantities, starting from the respective injection jet, spread out on both sides in the peripheral direction in opposite directions along the piston step, and the respective third partial quantities collide with one another between two adjacent injection jets within the piston step and are deflected radially inwardly. The first partial quantity and the second partial quantity form a first combustion front and a second combustion front, and the partial quantities which in each case are jointly deflected inwardly form a third combustion front radially inwardly into a gap between the injection jets. The injection jets are deflected upstream from the jet divider contour in the direction of the piston by means of a resultant flow formed essentially from a swirl, a squish gap flow, and a jet flow.
US09476342B2
A thermal displacement compensation assembly for an engine system including a cylinder head and an exhaust manifold coupled to the cylinder head. The thermal displacement assembly includes a bracket configured to be operatively coupled to cylinder head and to the exhaust manifold and a multi-layer coupler. The multi-layer coupler is configured to be disposed between the bracket and the cylinder head, wherein a first component of the coupler is configured to slide with respect to a second component of the coupler such that relative movement between the bracket and one of the cylinder head and exhaust manifold is enabled by relative movement of the first component with the second component of the multi-layer coupler.
US09476339B2
An aftertreatment system comprises a housing defining an internal volume. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet and a sidewall defining a recess therein. A base is positioned within the recess. The base includes an injection port which is in communication with the internal volume. An injector is disposed on the base and is disposed completely within the recess. The injector is in fluidic communication with the internal volume via the injection port. The injector is configured to inject an exhaust reductant into the internal volume via the opening. A cover plate can be disposed over the recess and structured to prevent objects from impacting the injector.
US09476338B2
An exemplary method includes determining an NH3 reference target in an exhaust conduit between a first SCR catalyst and a second SCR catalyst. The method includes determining a present amount of NH3 in the exhaust conduit between the first SCR catalyst and the second SCR catalyst, and determining an NH3 error term in response to the NH3 reference target and the present amount of NH3. The method further includes determining an amount of NOx downstream of the second SCR catalyst, and adjusting one of the NH3 reference target and a reductant doser command in response to the amount of NOx downstream of the second SCR catalyst. The method further includes providing a reductant doser command in response to the NH3 error term.
US09476337B2
Two sets of assemblies are arranged such that a diesel particulate filter device of the assembly, a selective catalytic reduction device of the assembly, a selective catalytic reduction device of the assembly, and a diesel particulate filter device of the assembly are located next to each other in this order. Exhaust tubes are provided to extend upward from gas outlets of the selective catalytic reduction device of the assembly and the selective catalytic reduction device of the assembly. The two exhaust tubes are located on a virtual plane orthogonal to longitudinal directions of the selective catalytic reduction devices of the assemblies. Thereby, an air intake position for an engine can be easily set to a position from which exhaust gas from the engine is less likely to be taken in, in a configuration provided with two sets of assemblies.
US09476329B2
A camshaft phaser includes an input member; an output member defining a phasing advance chamber and a phasing retard chamber with the input member; and a rotary valve spool coaxially disposed within the output member such that the rotary valve spool is rotatable relative to the output member and the input member, the valve spool defining a rotary valve spool advance chamber and a rotary valve spool retard chamber. Oil supplied to the rotary valve spool advance chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in a retard direction and oil supplied to the rotary valve spool retard chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in an advance direction.
US09476326B2
A system for generating electrical power, including a frame defining a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and having a support base generally extending along the longitudinal axis. The support base has an input end and an output end. At least a first shear station includes a first shearing blade adapted to reciprocate in a vertical direction between a first displaced position displaced from the support base and a second approximated position proximate the support base to shear the tree waste supported by the support base. An index blade is adapted for at least general horizontal movement along the support base. The index blade is dimensioned and adapted to direct the sheared tree waste toward the output end of the support base. A pulverizing station receives the sheared tree waste directed through the output end of the support base. The pulverizing station includes a pulverizing member actuable to pulverize the sheared tree waste. A furnace receives and converts the pulverized tree waste into steam energy. A steam generator turbine converts the steam energy into electricity.
US09476322B2
A transition duct assembly for a turbine engine includes a transition duct with an inner liner removably received therein. The duct is hollow with an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The duct can have an inlet end and an outlet end. The inner peripheral surface of the duct can be convergent along a majority of the length of the duct when moving from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof. The liner is hollow body with an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface of the liner can be correspondingly convergent to the inner peripheral surface of the duct. The inner peripheral surface of the liner can define an internal flow passage through the assembly. Such a construction permits the use of different materials for the liner and the duct and can allow the liner to be readily removed and replaced.
US09476321B2
An example turbomachine fluid delivery manifold provides a journal fluid path and a gear mesh fluid path that is separate from the journal fluid path. An example turbomachine lubrication system includes a geared architecture having a journal bearing and a gear. In this example, a manifold provides a portion of a first fluid path and a portion of a second fluid path separate from the first fluid path. The first fluid path is operative to communicate a first fluid from a fluid supply to the journal bearing. The second fluid path is operative to communicate a second fluid from the fluid supply to a gear mesh.
US09476319B2
A turbocharger has a turbine housing formed with a coolant inlet channel and a coolant outlet channel. The turbine housing contains a coolant separating region in which delivered coolant is separated and a coolant combining region in which coolant is combined again. Each of the coolant separating region and the coolant combining region is equipped with a conical conducting body.
US09476307B2
The pattern has a pattern material and a casting core combination. The pattern material has an airfoil. The casting core combination is at least partially embedded in the pattern material. The casting core combination comprises a metallic casting core and at least one additional casting core. The metallic casting core has opposite first and second faces. The metallic core and at least one additional casting core extend spanwise into the airfoil of the pattern material. In at least a portion of the pattern material outside the airfoil of the pattern material, the metallic casting core is bent transverse to the spanwise direction so as to at least partially surround an adjacent portion of the at least one additional casting core.
US09476302B2
A device for the conveying of material excavated in underground workings in a mine road stretch including a belt conveyor system which has an endless conveyor belt having a conveyor section which is continually extendible along a conveyor stretch in step with the rate of advance. The belt conveyor has at least one first support device and a plurality of inter-coupled conveyor belt vehicles movable in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor stretch, each carrying support elements. Arranged between the first support device and the plurality of conveyor belt vehicles is a second movable support device for coupled to the first support device and including guide means for the introduction of conveyor belt vehicles into the conveyor stretch. At least one part of the conveyor belt vehicles arranged in the conveyor stretch are guided in movable guide frame elements in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor stretch.
US09476297B2
This invention comprises systems, methods and apparatus for mud pulse telemetry involving sending benchmark pulses with known characteristics (such as amplitude or duration) from the surface to the BHA, measuring those characteristics at the BHA, using those measurements to predict the likely attenuation of downhole-to-surface mud pulse transmissions, and adjusting those transmissions to compensate for high attenuation or to obtain energy savings (or transmission rate increases) during low-attenuation conditions. Further refinements on these systems and methods, particularly concerning the use of signal-to-noise ratio measurements at the surface to more efficiently predict attenuation, are also disclosed.
US09476290B2
Detonation of a perforating gun is initiated by engagement of the lower distal end of the gun assembly against a bottom hole bore plug. A fluid pressure actuated firing head is initiated by well fluid that is pressurized by a free piston having an integral rod projecting from the distal end of the gun assembly. The piston is displaced against a closed fluid volume when the projecting rod engages the bore plug.
US09476284B2
An apparatus for continuous removal of fill in a sand screen in a down hole environment is provided, as well as methods of using the apparatus in a continuous fashion such that accumulation of fill is prevented in a sand screen in a down hole environment.
US09476282B2
A smooth bore toe valve includes a first sub defining a through bore and a fluid flow path through a wall thereof; a second sub; a housing mechanically engaged with the first and second subs to define a valve cavity axially between the first and second subs and to define a chamber radially between the first and second subs and the housing, the housing further defining a plurality of openings in a wall thereof; and a sleeve disposed within the chamber between the housing and the first and second subs to close the openings and, upon application of fluid pressure horn the through bore through the fluid this path, open the openings to fluid flow from the valve cavity to the exterior of the housing. A method for using such a valve is also disclosed.
US09476281B2
A well tool for sealing an annular gap between a tubing string and a wellbore wall is described. In one implementation, the well tool includes an annular inner seal, an annular sleeve disposed over the inner seal, an annular outer seal residing over the sleeve and comprising a swellable elastomer adapted to swell when contacted by a specified fluid, the annular outer seal being axially shorter than the sleeve, and an end ring adapted to be disposed at an end of the sleeve, the sleeve configured to buckle against the end ring in response to a deformation of the outer seal due to directional pressure.
US09476277B2
Magnetic means for managing and stopping leaks in metal pipes such as well bores and pipe risers is provided. A magnetic leak arrestor comprises a spool with magnetic collar disposed thereabout. The spool has a tapered end for inserting into a pipe riser. The magnetic collar creates a seal with the pipe riser, which may be welded in place, if desired. Additionally, a magnet may be positioned proximate a leak in a side wall of a pipe riser to seal the leak. The magnet may be shaped to conform to the shape of the pipe riser, and a seal gasket provided around an edge portion of the magnet. A slurry of magnetically active material may be provide inside the pipe to seal the leak in the side wall or to provide a blockage in the pipe riser so that killing fluids may be pumped into the well bore, if desired.
US09476275B2
A cable head with cable shear mechanism for attaching to a wireline to support oilfield equipment in a wellbore formed from a housing with a cable bore. The housing comprises a tapered sleeve with a tapered sleeve cable bore, a sliding bell with a sliding bell cable bore, a drive pinch cylinder, a linear biasing mechanism positioned between the tapered sleeve and the drive pinch cylinder, a plurality of shear pins disposed partially into the housing and though the drive pinch cylinder, wherein each shear pin is adapted to withstand from 100 pounds to 2000 pounds of shear load, a pair of slidable cutting segments and a pair of slidable cutting segment guides. When cable load exceeds a preset limit, the shear pins shear allowing the slidable cutting segments to be moved up the slidable cutting segment guides to impact and shear the cable.
US09476274B2
The present invention relates to a system for measuring data in a well extending below surface, said system comprising a body having a longitudinal axis and a front end and a rear end; locomotion means; control means adapted to control direction and/or speed of the locomotion means; said control means being controllable from the surface. Thereby is achieved that a body may be remotely controlled from the surface e.g. the entrance of an oil well.
US09476268B2
A pipe handler for assembling and deploying a string of threaded tubulars into a wellbore includes a pair of compensating bails and an elevator pivotally connected to the compensating bails. Each compensating bail includes: a first bail segment; a second bail segment; and a compensator connecting the respective first and second bail segments. Each compensator includes a load cylinder connected to the respective first bail segment and a linear actuator disposed in the respective load cylinder and operable to retract the respective second bail segment from a hoisting position to a ready position. Each second bail segment is engaged with the respective load cylinder in the hoisting position. The compensating bails are capable of supporting string weight in the hoisting position.
US09476253B2
An automatic cord collector of a window blind has a housing, a holding assembly mounted inside the housing with one end of each pull cord fastened therein, an adjusting assembly mounted inside the housing and extending into the holding assembly, and a spiral spring mounted inside the holding assembly. The adjusting assembly can be turned for the holding assembly to be unlocked or rotatable such that the spiral spring automatically drives the holding assembly to rotate for winding and collecting the pull cords. Users can pull the pull cords to rotate the holding assembly. When the pull cords need to be positioned, the adjusting assembly can be turned to abut against the holding assembly so that the holding assembly is unable to be rotated and the pull cords can be positioned. Accordingly, the automatic cord collector ensures operational convenience, cord safety and accident prevention.
US09476242B2
A window balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element, and a mounting bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a first mounting surface disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an exterior surface of carrier when the window balance assembly is in an uninstalled configuration. The first mounting surface may be substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the carrier when the window balance assembly is in an installed configuration and the mounting bracket is disengaged from the carrier.
US09476241B2
A key lockable window operator, including a crank handle that is shiftable between a folded storage position and an unfolded operating position and a lock cylinder operably engaged to a rack and a sliding pin. The rack and the sliding pin are shiftable between an unlocked position and a locked position. When in the locked position, at least a portion of the sliding pin is engaged into a cavity in the crank handle whereby the crank handle is secured in the folded storage position.
US09476240B1
A double door coordinator includes a release mechanism mounted in a body fixed in a door frame. A restraining mechanism is operably connected to the release mechanism. An actuation mechanism is pivotably connected to the body, is restrained by the restraining mechanism, and includes a buffering spring. When the inactive door is in a non-closed position, the restraining mechanism restrains the actuation mechanism to prevent the active door from pivoting to the closed position. When the inactive door is in the closed position, the release mechanism actuates the restraining mechanism to a position not hindering movement of the actuation mechanism, permitting the active door to pivot to the closed position. When the active door pivots towards the closed position under action of a large force, the buffering spring absorbs a portion of the large force to reduce damage to the double door coordinator and the active door.
US09476238B2
A hinge with first and second leaves. Bearing sleeves are attached along an edge of the first leaf and a bearing sleeve is attached along an edge of the second leaf. A hinge pintle is sized to extend into each of the apertures for mating engagement with the bearing sleeves and connect the hinge leaves for rotation. With an elastomeric member fastened between the first hinge leaf and a cover plate, and between the second hinge leaf and another cover plate, as one leaf is rotated, the member stretches and provides a force to urge the leaf to rotate.
US09476237B2
An opening-closing device for an opening in a vehicle includes an opening-closing body for opening and closing an opening formed in a vehicle body, a hinge arm for supporting the opening-closing body in a swingable manner on the vehicle body, and a torsion bar for pressing the hinge arm in the direction in which the opening-closing body is opened. The device includes a slide rail section provided on the surface of the hinge arm, and a slider capable of sliding in the longitudinal direction of the hinge arm by being guided by the slide rail section. The slider is held in a state in which the slider is always in contact with the slide rail section in the direction in which the torsion bar presses. The torsion bar is connected to the slider.
US09476236B2
A method for adjusting front and rear vehicle doors rotatably connected to a vehicle body by upper and lower hinges with hinge holes. The upper and lower hinges are positioned to the vehicle body and the vehicle doors by aligning the hinge holes to corresponding receiving holes. The vehicle doors are temporarily mounted to the vehicle body by inserting cam bolts into aligned pairs of the hinge holes and the receiving holes. The vehicle doors are adjusted to desired positions relative to the vehicle body by rotating the cam bolts. The desired positions are secured with fasteners and the cam bolts are replaced with additional fasteners.
US09476230B2
A vehicle latch (1) comprising a ratchet (15); a primary pawl (25) movable between a ratchet checking position and a ratchet release position; an auxiliary ratchet (26) movable between an enabling position and a disabling position; a secondary pawl (27) movable between an auxiliary ratchet holding position, in which the secondary pawl (27) is positioned to hold the auxiliary ratchet (26) in its enabling position, and an auxiliary ratchet release position; electrically-operated actuator means (6) for moving the secondary pawl (27) to the auxiliary ratchet release position and the auxiliary ratchet (26) to the enabling position; a back-up mechanism (7) for moving the secondary pawl (27) to the auxiliary ratchet release position or the auxiliary ratchet (26) to the enabling position; and an inhibiting lever (81) for selectively preventing interaction of the back-up mechanism (7) with the auxiliary ratchet (26).
US09476221B2
The present fencing system includes panel modules having a substantially planar central panel with semicolumnar projections extending at either side. The semicolumnar projections each have a longitudinal slot extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, such that two adjacent panel modules overlap to form a column element having an internal cavity. A support column secured to the ground is received within the internal cavity formed by the longitudinal slots of overlapping semicolumnar projections. One or more connection brackets fixed to the panel module engage the support column to hold the panel modules in place.
US09476216B2
Some embodiments provide a pool cleaner including a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, a turbine paddle, and a steering system. The turbine paddle is configured to rotate based on water movement through the pool cleaner. The steering system is engaged with the first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, and the turbine paddle and is driven by rotation of the turbine paddle. The steering system includes a cam with a first cam profile and a second cam profile different from the first cam profile. The steering system is configured to drive the pool cleaner in forward, reverse, and turn movements by rotating the first drive wheel based on the first cam profile and rotating the second drive wheel based on the second cam profile.
US09476208B2
A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a locking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other.
US09476207B2
A panel, with a horizontally and vertically active locking system, which allows two of such floor panels to be connected to each other at their sides by providing one of these floor panels, by means of a downward movement. The vertically active locking element comprises a locking element in the form of an insert and comprises at least a pivotable lock-up body and an attachment portion. The pivotable lock-up body and the attachment portion, in the non-coupled condition, horizontally extend at least for a part underneath each other and maintain a vertical mutual distance.
US09476205B2
Devices, methods, and systems are provided herein for spacing an outer skin of a roof from the supporting structure of the roof such that the roof shields against weather elements, admits light, and allows advantageous air circulation. In one embodiment, a wedge-shaped device for spacing panels on a roof includes a bottom surface, a top surface inclined at an angle relative to the bottom surface, and an integral support structure connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, the support structure including a plurality of ribs and a plurality of nail boxes.
US09476200B2
The present invention includes a method and a unit for a masonry wall system, each unit comprising a face shell wherein the interior surface has a transverse axis running from the top surface to the bottom surface of the face shell, and one or more webs having a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end of each web is integral with or attached to the interior surface of the face shell along the transverse axis. The method for wall construction further comprising positioning one or more vertical reinforcement rods or tendons with one end embedded in a wall-foundation and laying a layer wall units on the wall-foundation such that the one or more webs of the layers of wall units are aligned, and the vertical reinforcement rods or tendons run through or are adjacent to the webs of the wall units.
US09476196B2
Disclosed is a waterproofing membrane that comprises a carrier sheet (layer A); a waterproofing adhesive (layer B); a protective coating (layer C), wherein the protective coating is substantially free of surfactant and comprises an acrylic or methacrylic polymer or copolymer, an inorganic filler and a white pigment; and a releasable material (layer D), wherein the releasable material comprises amorphous nanoscale silica and a polymeric binder. The waterproofing membrane does not require a release liner, binds strongly to concrete cast against it (even after UV exposure), tolerates foot traffic, and withstands immersion in water over an extended period.
US09476189B2
A pump station includes a tank and a pump unit that is lowerable into the tank. The tank has a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom, and the peripheral wall has an inlet for incoming liquid flow and an outlet for outgoing liquid flow. The pump unit includes a cross beam and a pump connected to the cross beam. The inside of the wall of the tank presents a set of axially extending guide members, which set includes at least a first guide member arranged to receive and guide a first end of the cross beam and a second guide member arranged to receive and guide a second end of the cross beam.
US09476184B2
A lock assembly to lock two members together, typically an excavator wear member, such as a tooth, on to an adaptor. The lock assembly has a locking pin with a flange portion and a retaining assembly that receives the locking pin. The retaining assembly includes a locking member, in the form of a locking ring, which deforms radially when a tapered portion of the locking pin is inserted into the retaining assembly. In the locked position, the locking ring engages with the flange portion of the locking pin to prevent withdrawal of the locking pin from the retaining assembly.
US09476175B2
Disclosed are soil additives capable of hydrophilizing soil particles and/or increase available water capacity in soil. The soil additive are capable of increasing the available water content/capacity (AWC) in soils, the additive in one embodiment comprising a polymer composition having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion, wherein the hydrophobic portion of the copolymer binds with the soil particle surface and the hydrophilic portion of the copolymer can bind with water. This results in the prevention, arrest or decelerated loss of water from the targeted area, for example the plant root zone, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.
US09476171B2
The invention provides a construction comprising a structural element and at least one cable (101) arranged in tension to carry at least a part of the weight of the structural element. The cable defines an outer surface (102) onto which at least one strake (104) forms a protrusion for reducing rain and wind induced vibrations. The strake has a height being a distance from a strake root part connected to the outer surface of the cable and a strake end part terminating the strake outwards away from the cable, and the strake has a width being transverse to the height, the width decreasing in the direction from the strake root part towards the strake end part. The height is less than 5 percent of the diameter of the cable. Furthermore, the strake comprises a first strake surface portion facing away from the cable, which first strake surface portion is concave or straight.
US09476169B1
An attachment is pivotally connected to a compact loader and operable to level uncured concrete. A base of the attachment is removably securable to the loader and a horizontal roller support is pivotally connected to the base on a first side thereof and pivotal about a vertical pivot axis. A screed roller is suspended from the roller support and driven by a drive motor which may be mounted in the tube forming the roller. The roller support and attached screed roller pivot between a stowed position extending along a side of the loader, generally parallel to the direction of travel, and an extended position in which the roller support and screed roller extend up to approximately ninety degrees to the side of the loader. Pivot bearings are preferably included on both sides of the base so that the roller support may be pivotally mounted on either side.
US09476162B2
A cellulosic tissue includes cellulosic fibers that include at least one of (a) chemically pulped fibers and (b) mechanically pulped fibers. The cellulosic fibers include (i) from about 10% to about 50% by weight eucalyptus fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% by weight, and (ii) a percentage by weight of regenerated cellulosic microfibers. The cellulosic fibers further include virgin chemically pulped fibers, recycle fiber in an amount of up to 50%. The eucalyptus fiber has been prepared from eucalyptus chips by alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping, exhibiting an ISO brightness of at least 0.82×(% VCP)+0.795×(% RF)0.98+0.84×(% APMP), in which % VCP is the percentage of virgin chemical pulp in the sheet, % RF, the percentage of recycle fiber, and % alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP), the percentage of APMP eucalyptus.
US09476161B2
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a defibrating unit which defibrates a defibration object including fibers; a cylinder unit which allows a defibrated material which is defibration-processed in the defibrating unit and introduced via an introduction port to pass through a plurality of holes that is on a cylindrical surface by rotating; a supplying unit which is provided with a supply port which supplies additive agents that bond the plurality of fibers in the cylinder portion; and a bonding unit which forms a sheet by bonding the fibers and the additive agents.
US09476158B2
Provided is a dryer. In the dryer, foreign substances such naps generated during a drying process are filtered by a filter unit, and the foreign substances attached to the filter unit are automatically removed.
US09476153B2
The knitting spirality stabilizer is constituted of a frame (1) and a circle pattern constituted of one fixed ring (2) and one movable ring (3). A layout circumferentially located on the movable ring regulates the operation diameter according to the fabric. The layout includes external rests (4), which can be height regulated and position stabilized using external pins (6). External magnets (7) are located on the external rests. Turn wheels (10) on the external rests enable smooth fabric rolling without wears. Internal mechanism (9) is positioned inside the frame and constituted of foldable frame (11) and internal pins (16) for the initial placement. Internal rests (12) on the foldable frame correspond to the external rests, and have their own respective turn wheels (10) and internal magnets (8). Internal and external magnets have opposite polarity to create a magnetic field. Flexible bands (13) are used as drivers during the fabric passage.
US09476141B2
A system for growing a crystal ingot from a melt is provided. The system includes a first crucible, a barrier, and a shield. The first crucible has a first base and a first sidewall forming a first cavity for containing the melt. The barrier is disposed within the first cavity of the first crucible to inhibit movement of the melt from outward of the barrier to inward of the barrier. The barrier extends from the first base to above the melt. The barrier has an inner arm and an outer arm extending upward to form a channel therebetween. The shield extends downward between the inner arm and the outer arm to inhibit passage of contaminants.
US09476138B2
In one embodiment, there is provided a composite plating liquid. The composite plating liquid includes: a plating metal salt; a sulfate of at least one element selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals; boric acid; a carbon nanotube; and a dispersant. Also, there is provided a plating method of plating a member using the composite plating liquid, and a composite plating film formed by the plating method.
US09476129B2
The solar fuels generator includes an ionically conductive separator between a gaseous first phase and a second phase. A photoanode uses one or more components of the first phase to generate cations during operation of the solar fuels generator. A cation conduit is positioned provides a pathway along which the cations travel from the photoanode to the separator. The separator conducts the cations. A second solid cation conduit conducts the cations from the separator to a photocathode.
US09476126B2
Provided is a metal-resin complex in which a metal alloy and a resin composition that are heterogeneous materials are integrated with each other, and more particularly, a method for producing a metal-resin complex capable of improving bonding strength by producing a metal alloy having a more uniform etching surface using an alkaline aqueous solution to which a chelating agent is added and an acid aqueous solution to which the chelating agent and an amic acid are added, and injection-molding the resin composition by using the produced metal alloy.
US09476124B2
A method for selectively depositing a ferromagnetic layer on a conducting layer, includes providing a substrate including a conducting layer; preparing a solution including a metal salt; adding a complexing agent to the solution; adding a reducing agent to the solution; while a temperature of the solution is less than 75° C., immersing the substrate in the solution for a predetermined period to deposit a ferromagnetic layer on the conducting layer by electroless deposition, wherein the ferromagnetic layer comprises one of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) or CoFe; and after the predetermined period, removing the substrate from the solution.
US09476121B2
A showerhead for chemical vapor deposition includes: a plurality of reactive gas showerhead modules separated each other and having the same number as the number of kinds of reactive gases injected from the showerhead, each having a mixing zone in the reactive gas showerhead module to induce a mixing of a reactive gas and an injection support gas used to regulate the injection velocity of the reactive gas and a plurality of reactive gas injection tubes connected to the bottom surface of the reactive gas showerhead module for injecting the reactive gas mixed with the injection support gas over the substrate; and a purge gas showerhead module mounted under the reactive gas showerhead modules, with a purge gas supply port for supplying a purge gas to the purge gas showerhead module.
US09476113B1
Methods and apparatuses for stabilizing the strain-temperature response for a shape memory alloy are provided. To perform stabilization of a second sample of the shape memory alloy, a first sample of the shape memory alloy is selected for isobaric treatment and the second sample is selected for isothermal treatment. When applying the isobaric treatment to the first sample, a constant stress is applied to the first sample. Temperature is also cycled from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature until a strain on the first sample stabilizes. Once the strain on the first sample stabilizes, the isothermal treatment is performed on the second sample. During isothermal treatment, different levels of stress on the second sample are applied until a strain on the second sample matches the stabilized strain on the first sample.
US09476112B2
A steel wire rod or steel bar as hot-rolled, including: by mass %: C: 0.1 to 0.6%, Si: 0.01 to 1.5%, Mn: 0.05 to 2.5%, Al: 0.015 to 0.3%, and N: 0.0040 to 0.0150%, and P: limited to 0.035% or less and S: limited to 0.025% or less, and the balance substantially consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein a depth of d (mm) from the surface of the surface layer region with 20 HV 0.2 or more higher, relative to HV 0.2 that is the average hardness in the region where the depth from the surface is from sectional radius R×0.5 (mm) to the center satisfies the formula (1); the steel structure of the surface layer region has a ferrite fraction of 10% or less by area ratio, with the balance being one or two or more of martensite, bainite and pearlite; the steel structure where the depth from the surface is from the sectional radius R×0.5 (mm) to the center is ferrite-pearlite or ferrite-bainite; and the surface roughness Ra in the circumferential direction when scales adhering to the surface have been removed is 4 μm or less.
US09476098B2
The present invention provides methods for providing a prognosis for lung cancer using a panel of eleven molecular markers that includes BAG1, BRCA1, CDC6, CDK2AP1, ERBB3, FUT3, IL11, LCK, RND3, SH3BGR, and WNT3A, which are differentially expressed in lung cancer. The eleven markers are related to patient prognosis to 5-year overall survival outcomes, and are particularly useful in providing a prognosis for non-squamous NSCLC.
US09476097B2
Provided herein are diagnostic markers and methods for identifying a subject having an increased susceptibility for developing or having dilated cardiomyopathy. The method comprises determining if the subject has a mutation in the TTN nucleic as acid or titin polypeptide. Further provided herein are methods of treating subjects having or at risk of having dilated cardiomyopathy.
US09476095B2
The identification of mutations that are present in a small fraction of DNA templates is essential for progress in several areas of biomedical research. Though massively parallel sequencing instruments are in principle well-suited to this task, the error rates in such instruments are generally too high to allow confident identification of rare variants. We here describe an approach that can substantially increase the sensitivity of massively parallel sequencing instruments for this purpose. One example of this approach, called “Safe-SeqS” for (Safe-Sequencing System) includes (i) assignment of a unique identifier (UID) to each template molecule; (ii) amplification of each uniquely tagged template molecule to create UID-families; and (iii) redundant sequencing of the amplification products. PCR fragments with the same UID are truly mutant (“super-mutants”) if ≧95% of them contain the identical mutation. We illustrate the utility of this approach for determining the fidelity of a polymerase, the accuracy of oligonucleotides synthesized in vitro, and the prevalence of mutations in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of normal cells.
US09476093B2
This disclosure relates to methods of performing activation by polyphosphorolysis (APP) reactions using at least one of the polyphosphorylating agents triphosphate, polyphosphate, imidodiphosphate, thiodiphosphate (or μ-monothiopyrophosphate), and related compounds.
US09476077B2
The present invention provides fungal xylanase and/or beta-xylosidase enzymes suitable for use in saccharification reactions. The present application further provides genetically modified fungal organisms that produce xylanase and/or beta-xylosidases, as well as enzyme mixtures exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis of cellulosic material to fermentable sugars, enzyme mixtures produced by the genetically modified fungal organisms, and methods for producing fermentable sugars from cellulose using such enzyme mixtures.
US09476069B2
Systems and methods for cooling and processing materials are disclosed.
US09476066B2
The present invention provides a process for producing one or more products for use as a transportation or heating fuel. In various embodiments the process comprises treating a cellulosic feedstock in one or more processing steps that release extractives from the feedstock. A solids-liquid separation is subsequently conducted on the process stream comprising the extractives and solids. An aqueous stream comprising one or more of the extractives may be fed to an anaerobic digester to produce crude biogas from which one or more impurities may optionally be removed. In various embodiments the process further comprises providing a solids stream to a thermal process. A product produced or derived from the thermal process may displace a product made from fossil fuel. One or more products obtained or derived from at least one of the foregoing process steps are provided for use as a transportation or heating fuel. In various embodiments the process enables advantaged fuel credit generation.
US09476063B2
Described herein are copolymers, and methods of making and utilizing such copolymers. Such copolymers have at least two blocks: a first block that has at least one unit that is hydrophilic at physiologic pH, and a second block that has hydrophobic groups. This second block further has at least one unit with a group that is anionic at about physiologic pH. The described copolymers are disruptive of a cellular membrane, including an extracellular membrane, an intracellular membrane, a vesicle, an organelle, an endosome, a liposome, or a red blood cell. Preferably, in certain instances, the copolymer disrupts the membrane and enters the intracellular environment. In specific examples, the copolymer is endosomolytic.
US09476062B2
The present invention provides HIV-derived lentivectors which are safe, highly efficient, and very potent for expressing transgenes for human gene therapy, especially, in human hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as in all other blood cell derivatives. The lentiviral vectors comprise a self-inactivating configuration for biosafety and promoters such as the EF1α promoter as one example. Additional promoters are also described. The vectors can also comprise additional transcription enhancing elements such as the wood chuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element. These vectors therefore provide useful tools for genetic treatments such as inherited and acquired lympho-hematological disorders, gene-therapies for cancers especially the hematological cancers, as well as for the study of hematopoiesis via lentivector-mediated modification of human HSCs.
US09476048B2
The invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising the sequence of a human cytomegalovirus microRNA. In another embodiment, the invention relates to single stranded DNA virus microRNA molecules comprising the sequence of a human cytomegalovirus microRNA. The invention also relates to the anti-DNA virus microRNA molecules.
US09476046B2
Methods for targeting microRNA 128 (miR-128) for regulating cholesterol/lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
US09476036B2
The present invention relates to recombinant filamentous fungal host cells producing cellulolytic enzyme compositions and methods of producing and using the compositions.
US09476029B2
Disclosed herein are new methods of producing a novel line of dendritic cells. The method comprises subjecting a sample of hematopoietic stem/precursor cells to a first feeder culture system that is supplemented with a first set of factors and a second feeder culture system supplemented with a second group of factors. The disclosure also pertains to new cell types that may be used as cancer immunotherapy.
US09476028B2
The present invention relates to an in vitro method for priming genetically modified T cells suitable for administration to a patient having a tumor. The invention is also directed to the composition obtained by the method and uses thereof.
US09476018B2
Methods and systems for cleaning corrosion product of a metallic layer from the surface of a substrate are provided. According to one embodiment, a treatment solution includes a surfactant, a complexing agent, and a pH adjuster. The surfactant is configured to enhance wetting of the substrate surface, and inhibit further corrosion of the capping layer. The complexing agent is configured to bind to metal ions which have desorbed from the substrate surface. The pH adjuster is configured to adjust the pH to a desired level, so as to promote desorption of the corrosion product from the substrate surface.
US09476008B2
A process for separating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from less saturated long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) in a lipid composition, wherein said PUFAs and LCFAs are present as (i) triglycerides, or (ii) free fatty acids or monoalkyl esters, by exchange of at least a portion of LCFAs with short and/or medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). The process can suitably be employed on marine derived oil, marine oil 2 derived oil products and other sources of PUFAs, including PUFA-rich singe cell oils (SCOs), and oils from genetically modified organisms with a modified lipid metabolism. The inventive process is based on novel use of lipases and distillation techniques, selectively chemically modifying species in the substrate material such that the desired species and chemically similar species become sufficiently dissimilar to be separable. Thus PUFA can be effectively enriched from material such as 30 herring oil with low PUFA content and high content of equal length monounsaturated fatty acids such as 20:1 and 22:1 fatty acids.
US09476002B1
The present invention provides a blended fuel and methods for producing the blended fuel, wherein a low carbon fuel derived from a renewable resource such as biomass, is blended with a traditional, petroleum derived fuel. A blended fuel which includes greater than 10% by volume of low carbon fuel has an overall improved lifecycle greenhouse gas content of about 5% or more compared to the petroleum derived fuel. Also, blending of the low carbon fuel to the traditional, petroleum fuel improves various engine performance characteristics of the traditional fuel.
US09475998B2
Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali monosulfide and polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte solution and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.
US09475993B1
A continuous high capacity system for converting hydrocarbon containing post-consumer waste, post-industrial waste, renewable hydrocarbon feedstock into a biofuel, using a pug for blending less than 200 micron diameter particulate with a plasticizing agent; a sealing auger for forming an agglomerated material and sealing, a cutting device, a vacuum chamber to remove air from the cut material, an extruder forming an extrudate, a heating chamber or the heat exchanger to evolve at least one gas; a pressure sensor and temperature sensors in the heating chamber or the heat exchanger, a cooling chamber providing controlled pressure and controlled temperature cooling of the evolved gasses, wherein the cooling chamber liquefies sequentially at least 50 percent of the evolved gasses forming a liquid.
US09475989B2
A novel material of a binaphthyl compound represented by General Formula (G1) is provided. Ar11 and Ar12 independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkenylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, m represents 1 or 2, and n represents any one of 0 to 2. R12 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a single bond. R13 represents hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. One of R10 and R11 represents a substituent represented by General Formula (G2), and the other represents hydrogen.
US09475986B2
There is provided a red phosphor including a compound represented by an empirical formula Az(Sr,M)2(Si,Al)O4-xNy:R(0
US09475982B2
A multi-wavelength composite light-storing powder and method of manufacturing and applying the same. It utilizes organic compound having double-imide-bond steric structure, to produce high speed collisions with light-storing material containing rare earth elements in an environment of extremely low temperature, to make collision surface produce instantaneous high temperature, so that the organic compound is sputtered onto a surface of the light-storing material. The surface is cooled instantly due to extremely low temperature to produce the composite light-storing powder. The composite light-storing powder is apt to engage cross linked structure of thermoplastic polymer in a high temperature blending process. Then, through a filament process, to produce successfully light-storing fiber capable of emitting multi-wavelengths with high heat resistance and wash endurance.
US09475980B2
Incorporating at least oil-soluble organic peroxide into a mixture of an aqueous phase and at least one surfactant creates a breaker fluid that is a microemulsion or a nanoemulsion that can then perform as an internal breaker for reducing the viscosity of aqueous fluids gelled with a polymer, such as a crosslinked polysaccharide. One phase of the breaker fluid is water or water-based, e.g. brine, containing at least one oil-soluble organic peroxide as a non-aqueous internal phase that will, over time and optionally with heat, break the polymer-gelled portion of the gel. The overall breaking using the breaker fluid is slower as compared to introducing the organic peroxide breaker in a non-microemulsified or non-nanoemulsified form.
US09475979B2
The present invention relates to a surfactant mixture comprising at least three ionic surfactants which differ in terms of the hydrocarbyl moiety (R1)(R2)—CH—CH2— and are of the general formula (I) where R1, R2, A0, k, X, o, Y, a, b, M are each as defined in the description and the claims. The invention further relates to the use and preparation thereof, and to aqueous surfactant formulations comprising the mixtures, and to processes for producing mineral oil by means of Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which the aqueous surfactant formulation is injected into a mineral oil deposit through injection wells and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through production wells.
US09475960B2
Coating compositions containing components derived from the thermo-catalytic conversion of biomass are provided. The components derived from the thermo-catalytic conversion of biomass are useful in increasing the bond strength retention of such coating compositions to the surface of a substrate.
US09475959B2
The present invention relates to an ethylenically unsaturated hydroxyl-terminated polyurethane (I) obtained by reacting (i) at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound (A) containing at least two reactive groups capable of reacting with isocyanate groups and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; with (ii) at least one saturated alcohol component (B) comprising: (iia) at least one saturated hydroxylated compound (B1) containing hydrophilic groups capable of rendering the polyurethane dispersible in aqueous medium either directly or after the reaction with a neutralizing agent to provide a salt, and, optionally, at least one compound (B2) that is selected from saturated polyester polyols (B21) and/or from saturated polycarbonate polyols (B22); and/or (iib) at least one compound (B3) that is selected from saturated polyester polyols (B31) containing compound (B1) moieties and/or from saturated polycarbonate polyols (B32) containing compound (B1) moieties; and, optionally, one or more of compounds (B1) and/or (B2); (iii) optionally, at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound (C) containing essentially one reactive group capable of reacting with isocyanate groups; with (iv) at least one polyisocyanate (D) selected from a tetramethylxylenediisocyanate. The present invention further relates to dispersions in water containing same, to their production and uses.
US09475954B2
A high-hardness clear coating material capable of improving hardness and corrosion resistance of an aluminum material surface includes, in % by weight, 10 to 20% of a melamine curing agent, 10 to 15% of silica, 1 to 5% of a phenol resin, and a remainder of an acrylic resin and other unavoidable impurities.
US09475952B2
A reversible color-changing polymeric article includes a polymeric material and a dried reversible color-changing ink formulation durably bound to the polymeric material. During use, the polymeric article is impregnated with a sanitizer solution that contains a quaternary ammonium compound. The polymeric article reversibly changes between a first color when impregnated with the sanitizer solution and a second color when the sanitizer solution is depleted during use.
US09475951B2
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording contains a water-soluble colorant; water; and a water-insoluble liquid which is dispersed in the water and of which boiling point is not less than 250 degrees Celsius. The water-based ink may further contain a surfactant. The drying property of the water-based ink is improved and any odor can be lowered.
US09475947B2
Hard coatings are applied to a lens assembly. In an embodiment, the coated lens assembly (140) includes a first layer (106B) including siloxane; a second layer (106A) including siloxane, wherein the second layer has opposing sides and a hardness greater than the first layer; and a third layer (104) including an amorphous carbon selected from a diamond-like carbon and a diamond-like nano-composite. The first layer (106B) and third layer (104) are positioned on opposing sides of the second layer (106A). The third layer (104) has a hardness greater than the second layer (106A).
US09475943B2
Use of 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol as an additive in an aqueous suspension, containing from 25 to 62 vol. % of at least one calcium carbonate-comprising material, wherein the use provides improved stability with regard to the conductivity of the suspension.
US09475942B2
AlP composite materials comprise an AlP aggregate core, and a shell disposed partially or entirely over the core and formed from a pigment material, e.g., TiO2, having an index of refraction greater than the core, providing an overall index or refraction greater than the core and suited for use as a pigment replacement or extender. The AlP core comprises amorphous AlP, crystalline AlP, or a combination thereof, and can have an average particle size of less than about 30 microns. The TiO2 can have an average grain size less than about 10 microns. The shell can have a layer thickness that is at least about 0.0001 microns. The shell is bonded to the core by a reaction between functional groups of the shell and core. The AlP composite material can be engineered to provide properties in addition to brightness for use as a pigment such as anticorrosion and/or antimicrobial protection.
US09475941B1
A thermoplastic composite material and resulting product can be utilized in the wood-plastic composite and plastic lumber industries (WPC), for example, as pellets and extruded parts of physical and chemical characteristics intended for structure and/or finishing applications. Such a thermoplastic composite material and/or resulting products can be recycled and/or include recycled material for the good of the environment. Nanometer-sized components were used to obtain a final product with 30 to 54 percent wood content and improved resistance against fungi and bacteria, producing an optimized formulation with increased wood residue amounts, greater mechanical resistance, greater weather resistance, and longer durability of plastics.
US09475940B2
A polyarylene sulfide resin composition containing a polyarylene sulfide resin (A) and an olefin wax (B) having an acid value within the range of 65 to 150 [mgKOH/g], wherein the amount of the olefin wax (B) is 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of relative to 100 parts by mass of the polyarylene sulfide resin (A) and the olefin wax (B) contains a carboxyl group and a carboxylic anhydride group. A molded product prepared by molding the composition is also provided. The polyarylene sulfide resin composition has excellent mechanical properties and mold releasing properties and the molded product prepared from the polyarylene sulfide resin composition exhibits good adhesion to epoxy resins.
US09475931B2
Disclosed are a water-dispersible halogen-capping polyalkylacrylate, a vinyl chloride-based block copolymer and a method for preparing the same. By using the water-dispersible halogen-capping polyalkylacrylate derivative as a chain transfer agent for polymerization of a vinyl chloride-based monomer, it is possible to obtain effects such as reduction of coagulation of particles and adhesion of particles to a reactor wall, improvement in reaction efficiency and polydispersity index, and prevention of yellowing.
US09475923B2
A rubber composition by which a rubber elastic body having both of excellent low rolling resistance and wet skid resistance and also having excellent mechanical strength and wear resistance can be obtained, a rubber elastic body, a tire, and a block copolymer are provided. The rubber composition of the present invention comprises a block copolymer (A) comprising a block (a-1) of a conjugate diene and an aromatic vinyl and a block (a-2) of a conjugate diene or the diene and an aromatic vinyl, a specific polymer (B) other than the copolymer, and a filler (C), wherein the block copolymer (A) has a specific functional group; the block copolymer (A) has two glass transition temperatures separated from each other by 5° C. or more within a range of −100 to 20° C. in measurement in accordance with ASTM D3418; and the ratio of the block copolymer (A) is 10% by mass or more when the sum of the block copolymer (A) and the polymer (B) is taken as 100% by mass.
US09475919B2
In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a composite material is prepared by blending a bio-derived filler into a polymer, wherein the filler includes a diene-modified cellulosic nanomaterial (e.g., cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and/or cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) functionalized to contain a diene) and a dienophile-modified cellulosic nanomaterial (e.g., CNCs and/or CNFs functionalized to contain a dienophile). The modulus of the composite material is reversibly controllable by adjusting a degree of crosslinking between the diene-modified cellulosic nanomaterial and the dienophile-modified cellulosic nanomaterial. This degree of crosslinking is thermally reversible. On one hand, the degree of crosslinking may be increased via a Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition reaction at a first temperature, thereby increasing the modulus of the composite material. On the other hand, the degree of crosslinking may be decreased via a retro-DA reaction at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, thereby decreasing the modulus of the composite material.
US09475912B1
This application discloses a method of photomechanically manipulating optically fixable SMPs that employ glassy, photoresponsive polymeric materials, which are capable of rapid optical-fixing with short exposures (<<5 min) of eye-safe visible light. Key to the optical fixing is the use of polymeric materials composed of covalently attached photochromic units such as azobenzene and the use of light capable of inducing simultaneous trans-cis and cis-trans isomerization of azobenzene or other photochromic moieties capable of similar cycling. Upon exposure to light in this wavelength regime (440-514 nm for the azobenzene unit here), real and lasting reconfigurations are induced capable of fixing both the optically induced strain as well as mechanically induced strain. A linear dependence of bending angle on polarization angle is observed and may be used to control the shape reconfiguration of the SMPs.
US09475904B2
Heat-curable epoxy resin compositions and the use thereof, for example, in motor vehicle construction and sandwich panel construction, are disclosed. Exemplary heat-curable epoxy resin compositions include, in addition to epoxy resin components A1, optionally A2, a hardener component B, a carboxylic acid C and a hydroxyalkylamide or hydroxyalkylurea H, an accelerator E for activation of the conversion of components A1, A2 and B. The compositions and the structural foams produced therefrom are notable for high mechanical strength, high glass strength and good adhesion capacity on metallic and nonmetallic substrates, and it is possible at the same time to dispense with the use of toxic or inflammable blowing agents.
US09475899B2
The present invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a solid composite layer, said process comprising the following steps: (i) providing a mixture comprising: at least one functional fluoropolymer comprising at least one hydroxyl group [polymer (F)], at least one metal compound of formula (I) [compound (M)]: X4-mAYm wherein X is a hydrocarbon group, optionally comprising one or more functional groups, m is an integer from 1 to 4, A is a metal selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti and Zr, and Y is a hydrolysable group selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group and a hydroxyl group, and at least one inorganic filler material [filler (I)] in an amount of from 50% to 95% by weight, with respect to the total weight of said polymer (F) and said filler (I); (ii) reacting at least a fraction of said hydroxyl group(s) of at least one polymer (F) with at least a fraction of said hydrolysable group(s) Y of at least one compound (M), so as to provide a fluoropolymer composition comprising at least one grafted fluoropolymer [polymer (Fg)] comprising pendant groups of formula -Ym-1-AX4-m, wherein m, Y, A and X have the same meaning as defined above; and (iii) processing the fluoropolymer composition obtained in step (ii), so as to obtain a solid composite layer. The invention also pertains to the solid composite fluoropolymer layers obtained from said process and to uses of said solid composite fluoropolymer layers as separators in electrochemical devices.
US09475897B2
Process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes which comprises polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I): wherein: R2 and R3, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C1-C20 preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally substituted; R1 and R4, different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C1-C20 preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally substituted; arylalkyl groups; or R1 and R2 can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; or R3 and R4, can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; R5, R6 and R7, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, or they are selected from linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted; aryl groups optionally substituted; arylalkyl groups; or R5 and R6, can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, -sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; or R6 and R7, can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; X1 and X2, equal to or different from each other, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine; or they are selected from linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, —OCOR8 groups or —OR8 groups wherein R8 is selected from linear or branched C1-C20/preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups.
US09475881B2
The present invention relates to novel Fc variants that comprise at least one novel amino acid residue which may provide for enhanced effector function. More specifically, this invention provides Fc variants that have modified binding affinity to one or more Fc receptor or ligand (e.g., Fc gamma R, C1q). Additionally, the Fc variants have altered complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity and/or antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The invention further provides methods and protocols for the application of said Fc variants, particularly for therapeutic purposes.
US09475879B2
Antibody polypeptides that specifically bind a novel epitope of human CD40 are provided. The antibody polypeptides do not exhibit CD40 agonist activity. The antibody polypeptides are useful in the treatment of diseases involving CD40 activation, such as autoimmune diseases. The antibody polypeptides may be domain antibodies (dAbs) comprising a single VL or VH domain. The half-life of the antibody polypeptides may be increased by modifying the antibody polypeptides to be dual specific reagents that can also bind human serum albumin (HSA).
US09475876B2
A monoclonal antibody against oncostatin M specific receptor beta subunit, a hybridoma capable of producing the same and a medicament for treating atopic dermatitis comprising the same.
US09475869B2
The present invention provides antibodies that bind to the cat allergen, Fel d1, compositions comprising the antibodies, nucleic acids encoding the antibodies and methods of use of the antibodies. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies are fully human antibodies that bind to Fel d1. The antibodies of the invention are useful for binding to the Fel d1 allergen in vivo, thus preventing binding of the Fel d1 allergen to pre-formed IgE on the surface of mast cells or basophils. In doing so, the antibodies act to prevent the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators from mast cells and/or basophils, thus ameliorating the untoward response to the cat allergen in sensitized individuals. The antibodies of the invention may also be useful for diagnostic purposes to determine if a patient is allergic to the Fel d1 cat allergen.
US09475862B2
Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the HIV-1 gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER). Also disclosed are compositions including the disclosed antibodies that specifically bind gp41, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors including the nucleic acids, and isolated host cells that express the nucleic acids. The antibodies and compositions disclosed herein can be used for detecting the presence of HIV-1 in a biological sample, or detecting an HIV-1 infection or diagnosing AIDS in a subject. In additional, the broad neutralization breadth of the disclosed antibodies makes them ideal for treating a subject with an HIV infection. Thus, disclosed are methods of treating and/or preventing HIV infection.
US09475855B2
This invention provides a fusion protein comprising a signal peptide, EGF repeats 1-X of the extracellular domain of human Notch3 receptor protein wherein X is any integer from 12 to 34, and an Fc portion of an antibody bound thereto. This invention also provides a method for treating a subject having a tumor, a method for inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, a method for treating a subject having ovarian cancer, and a method for treating a subject having a metabolic disorder, comprising administering to the subject an amount of the above fusion protein effective to treat the subject. This invention further provides uses of the above fusion protein for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a subject having a tumor, for inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, for treating a subject having ovarian cancer, and for treating a subject having a metabolic disorder.
US09475852B2
The invention relates to the field of biotechnology and provides a method for producing recombinant proteins from the orb-weaving spider silk in yeast cells. This involves the construction of an expression vector which comprises a DNA sequence encoding a recombinant protein of the orb-weaving spider silk fused with a sequence encoding an ubiquitin-like protein occupying an N-terminal position with respect to the spider silk recombinant protein within the fused protein. The expression of a hybrid gene makes it possible to increase tens of times the production of recombinant spider silk protein, wherein the recombinant protein accumulates in the yeast cells in a water-insoluble fraction in the form of a processed protein free of a hybrid component.The invention also relates to fused proteins comprising sequences of recombinant proteins of the orb-weaving spider silk and of ubiquitin-like proteins, to recombinant DNAs encoding the fused proteins, to host yeast cells and to expression vectors suitable for carrying out the method, and also to producer strains of recombinant proteins of the orb-weaving spider silk.
US09475851B2
The invention relates to polypeptides containing a cytoplasmic domain ending with a MAST-2 binding domain, from 11 to 13 residues, the first two residues of which are S and W, and the last four residues of which are Q, T, R and L, the polypeptides presenting a high affinity for the PDZ domain of the human MAST2 protein. The invention also relates to polynucleotides, vectors, lentiviral particles, cells as well as compositions containing the same. The invention is also directed to the use of the polypeptides, polynucleotides, vectors, lentiviral particles, cells and compositions in the treatment and/or prevention of a disease, disorder or condition, which alters the Central Nervous System (CNS) and/or the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). The invention also concerns molecular signatures of cellular genes to determine the neurosurvival and/or neuroprotection activity of a molecule.
US09475826B2
Fluorine-containing nano composite particles comprising a condensate of a fluorine-containing alcohol represented by the general formula: RF-A-OH [I] wherein RF is a perfluoroalkyl group or a polyfluoroalkyl group in which some of the fluorine atoms of the perfluoroalkyl group are replaced by hydrogen atoms, and A is an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and an alkoxysilane, or fluorine-containing nano composite particles comprising a condensate of a fluorine-containing alcohol represented by the general formula: RF′-A-OH [Ia] or the general formula: HO-A-RF″-A-OH [Ib] wherein RF′ is a linear or branched perfluoroalkyl group containing an O, S, or N atom, RF″ is a linear or branched perfluoroalkylene group containing an O, S, or N atom, and A is an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and an alkoxysilane.
US09475825B2
Azaindazole compounds for treating various diseases and pathologies are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention concerns the use of an azaindazole compound or analogs thereof, in the treatment of disorders characterized by the activation of Wnt pathway signaling (e.g., cancer, abnormal cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, fibrotic disorders, bone or cartilage diseases, and osteoarthritis), the modulation of cellular events mediated by Wnt pathway signaling, as well as genetic diseases and neurological conditions/disorders/diseases due to mutations or dysregulation of the Wnt pathway and/or of one or more of Wnt signaling components. Also provided are methods for treating Wnt-related disease states.
US09475822B2
The present invention provides a novel amide derivative having a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory activity, and useful as a pharmaceutical agent, which is a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein ring A is an optionally substituted, nitrogen containing heterocycle, ring B is an optionally substituted monocyclic homocycle or an optionally substituted monocyclic heterocycle, Z is N or NR1 (R1 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group), is a single bond or a double bond, R2 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, X is an optionally substituted spacer having 1 to 6 atoms, ring C is (1) an optionally substituted homocycle or (2) an optionally substituted heterocycle other than a ring represented by (II) (X′ is S, O, SO, or CH2), and at least one of ring B and ring C has substituent(s), provided that N-{(1S,2R)-1-(3,5-difluorobenzyl)-3-[(3-ethylbenzyl)amino]2 hydroxypropyl} 5,6 dimethyl 4 oxo 1,4 dihydrothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2-carboxamide is excluded, or a salt thereof.
US09475802B2
Inhibitors of viral replication of formula (I), their process of preparation and their therapeutical uses. The present invention relates to compounds, their use in the treatment or the prevention of viral disorders, including HIV.
US09475791B2
Disclosed herein are methods for treatment of estrogen-related medical disorders. The methods of treatment may comprise administering to a subject in need of such treatment a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09475785B2
In its many embodiments, the present invention provides certain iminothiadiazine dioxide compounds, including compounds Formula (I): and include stereoisomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds stereoisomers, wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R9, ring A, ring B, m, n, p, -L1-, -L2-, and -L3- is selected independently and as defined herein. The novel iminothiadiazine dioxide compounds of the invention have surprisingly been found to exhibit properties which are expected to render them advantageous as BACE inhibitors and/or for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies related to β-amyloid (“Aβ”) production. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds (alone and in combination with one or more other active agents), and methods for their preparation and use in treating pathologies associated with amyloid beta (Aβ) protein, including Alzheimer's disease, are also disclosed.
US09475783B2
The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein R1-R7 and W have any of the values defined in the specification, and salts thereof. The compounds have good solubility and are useful for treating bacterial infections.
US09475782B2
The present invention relates to guanidine compounds of the general formula I corresponding enantiomeric, diastereomeric and/or tautomeric forms thereof as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present compound further relates to the use of guanidine compounds as binding partners for 5-HT5 receptors for the treatment of diseases which are modulated by a 5-HT5 receptor activity, in particular for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders as well as the associated signs, symptoms and dysfunctions.
US09475779B2
Substituted bicyclic dihydropyrimidinones of formula 1 which are inhibitors of neutrophil elastase and useful as medicaments for the treatment of, inter alia, COPD. An exemplary compound is:
US09475775B2
This invention relates to novel benzazepine dicarboxamide compounds of the formula wherein R1 to R4 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are TLR agonists and may therefore be useful as medicaments for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, sepsis, allergy, asthma, graft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, immunodeficiencies, and infectious diseases.
US09475774B2
Novel alpha-hydrogen substituted nitroxyl compounds and their corresponding oxidized (oxoammonium cations) and reduced (hydroxylamine) forms, and the use of such compounds, inter alia, for oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, respectively; resolution of racemic alcohols; desymmetrization of meso-alcohol; as radicals and spin trapping reagents; and as polymerization agents. Processes for preparing the novel nitroxyl/oxoammonium/hydroxylamine compounds from the corresponding amines, and certain novel amine derivatives and their uses. The compounds and amine precursors are useful as ligands for transition metals and as organocatalysts in e.g., aldol reactions.
US09475771B2
4,6-Dibromo-3-hydroxypicolinonitrile may be prepared from furfural in a series of chemical steps selected from cyano-amination, amine salt formation and bromination-rearrangement. 4-Alkoxy-3-hydroxypicolinic acids may be conveniently prepared from 4,6-dibromo-3-hydroxypicolinonitrile in a series of chemical steps selected from bromo substitution, nitrile hydrolysis and halogen reduction.
US09475765B2
The present invention relates to solid forms of herbicide safeners, to processes for their preparation, compositions comprising the solid forms and methods of their use as safeners.
US09475756B2
Selectively fluorinated molecules are important as materials, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals, but their synthesis by simple, mild, laboratory methods is challenging. We report a straightforward method for the cross-coupling of a difluoromethyl group with readily available reagents to form difluoromethylarenes. The reaction of electron-neutral, electron rich, and sterically hindered aryl and vinyl iodides with the combination of CuI, CsF and TMSCF2H leads to the formation of difluoromethylarenes in high yield with good functional group compatibility. This transformation is surprising, in part, because of the prior observation of the instability of CuCF2H.
US09475753B2
The present invention also relates to a process for preparing a diamine/dicarboxylic acid salt wherein the dicarboxylic acid comprises an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and is provided in a powder form; the diamine is provided in a liquid form gradually dosed to the dicarboxylic acid powder, while keeping the dicarboxylic acid powder in constant movement; the processing temperature is above 0° C. and below the boiling temperature of the diamine and the melting temperature of the acid and the salt, and the reaction mixture comprises at most 5 wt. % of water. The present invention also relates to an anhydrous diamine/dicarboxylic acid salt obtainable by the process according to invention, or any embodiment thereof as described above.
US09475743B2
Described is a novel process for the preparation of substituted tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane derivatives and the use of tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane derivatives for tertiary mineral oil production.
US09475740B2
Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of 1,2-dichloropropane, a by-product in the production of chlorohydrin, as a low cost starting material. 1,1,1,2,2-pentachloropropane produced by the process is subjected to catalytic dehydrochlorination and build-up of the same within the process is avoided.
US09475739B2
Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of a feedstock comprising 1,2,3-trichloropropane and chlorinates the 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropane generated by the process prior to a dehydrochlorination step. Production of the less desirable pentachloropropane isomer, 1,1,2,3,3-pentachloropropane, is thus minimized. The present processes provide better reaction yield as compared to conventional processes that require dehydrochlorination of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropane prior to chlorinating the same. The present process can also generate anhydrous HCl as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, while limiting the production of waste water, thus providing further time and cost savings.
US09475734B2
A method for reducing shrinkage variability of aluminum titanate honeycombs includes preparing an aluminum titanate-forming batch material that includes least one alkaline earth carbonate having a particle size distribution. The particle size distribution of the at least one alkaline earth carbonate is selected based on the predicted shrinkage during sintering of the aluminum titanate honeycombs.
US09475733B2
The present invention provides a ceramic material comprising magnesium, gallium, lithium, and oxygen as main components, wherein a crystal phase of a solid solution attained by dissolving gallium oxide and lithium oxide in magnesium oxide is a main phase. An XRD peak of a (200) plane of the solid solution with CuKα rays preferably appears at 2θ=42.91° or more which is larger than an angle at which a peak of a Cubic crystal of magnesium oxide appears, more preferably appears at 2θ=42.91° to 43.28°, and further preferably appears at 2θ=42.91° to 43.02°. In the ceramic material, a molar ratio Li/Ga of Li to Ga is preferably 0.80 or more and 1.20 or less.
US09475732B2
An expanded lightweight aggregate has compositional ranges (Wt. % Range) of about: (a) 40 to 60% ground glass or pumice, 40 to 60% water, 3 to 15% sodium silicate, and 0.1 to 5% NaNO3 for the slurry; and (b) 50 to 85% ground glass or pumice, and 15 to 50% slurry for the granulator.
US09475730B2
Disclosed is a system and method for constructing fibrous mats. In accordance with the disclosure, continuous lengths of filament are pre-coated with a liquefied thermoplastic. The pre-coated filaments are then laid down upon a belt to form a fibrous mat. The filaments can be laid down in continuous lengths or they can be chopped into discontinuous lengths. The filaments are heated after they have been laid down in order to re-liquefy the thermoplastic and facilitate bonding between intersecting fibers. The disclosure further relates to a system and method for incorporating constructed fibrous mats into a composite building board.
US09475725B2
Selenogermanate, selenogallo- or selenoindo-germanate glasses that are modified by alkali metals, for example, Na or Li and, as such, are characterized by high alkali ion mobility or conductivity. Ionic conducting chalcogenide glasses have potential application as an electrolyte medium for solid state batteries.
US09475717B2
The present invention relates to water purification systems and uses thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of water filtration systems to combat Legionella bacterial contamination of industrial and commercial water systems, such as grocery store misting systems.
US09475715B2
An automatically controlled wastewater treatment process can include automatically controlling nitrification and denitrification capacity in a water source. The nitrification and denitrification capacity can be automatically controlled simultaneously. In addition, the wastewater treatment process can also include automatically controlling solids retention time (SRT) and biological phosphorus removal in a water source as well as automatically controlling the removal of water from a containment device.
US09475712B2
A process is described for recovering alkali-chloride and alkali-sulfate salts from a salt solution. The salt solution comprises alkali metal, chloride and sulfate ions and is directed to a hydrous salt crystallization unit which crystallizes hydrated sulfate salts that comprise sulfate and at least one alkali metal. A purged solution from the hydrous salt crystallization unit is directed to a chloride salt crystallization unit while the hydrated sulfate salt crystals are melted to form an aqueous sulfate solution which is directed to a sulfate crystallization unit. Anhydrous sulfate salts are crystallized from the aqueous sulfate solution to form sulfate salt crystals comprising sulfate and at least one alkali metal. In the chloride salt crystallization unit, chloride salt is crystallized to form chloride salt crystals. A purge from the chloride salt crystallization unit is directed to the hydrous salt crystallization unit.
US09475709B2
A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.
US09475705B2
The present invention belongs to the synthesis technology field of inorganic functional materials, and particularly provides a self-balanced high-pressure and high-shear autoclave and its application in the preparation of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). In this invention, by imbedding the handpiece of emulsification mill into the autoclave, and by taking the motor driving system outside of the autoclave, the pressure of the autoclave can be highly stable by the use of self-balanced seal gland. These characters solve the problem that the typical emulsification mill cannot be used in high-pressure system, and ensure the crystallization under the high-pressure and high-shear conditions. Such autoclave takes the advantages of additional equipment, and eliminates the volume effect in the amplification process. By the use of this new autoclave, the reaction time can be shorten from 24 hours to 2-6 hours, the reaction temperature can be reduced from 180° C. to 140° C. The LDHs products with small particle size and narrow size distribution are obtained. These results are better than those prepared at the laboratory level.
US09475703B2
A graphene base, including: graphene; and a substrate, wherein the graphene is formed directly on at least one surface of the substrate, and at least about 90 percent of an area of the surface of the substrate does not have a graphene wrinkle.
US09475702B2
With a manufacturing method of a graphite sheet, a cavity-forming sheet having a mesh structure or a nonwoven fabric structure is firstly impregnated with polyamide acid and then molded into a sheet. The molded sheet is then heat treated to imidize polyamide acid so as to produce a polyimide sheet composed of polyimide and the cavity-forming sheet disposed in polyimide. The polyimide sheet is then fired in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to pyrolyze the polyimide so as to produce the graphite sheet. The cavity-forming sheet is made of material which maintains a shape thereof when the polyimide sheet is produced and which gasifies and loses at least 80% of its weight when the polyimide is pyrolyzed.
US09475699B2
A method of treating an offgas includes purifying the offgas to remove particulate matter, water, undesirable gaseous components and inert gases to produce a dried carbon oxide gas feedstock, and converting at least a portion of carbon oxides in the dried carbon oxide gas feedstock into solid carbon. In other embodiments, a method includes passing a dried carbon oxide gas feedstock through a multi-stage catalytic converter. A first stage is configured to catalyze methane-reforming reactions to convert methane into carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen with residual methane. A second stage is configured to catalyze the Bosch reaction and convert carbon oxides and hydrogen to solid carbon and water.
US09475698B2
The present disclosure provides methods for hydrothermally treating sewage wastes to preferably obtain valuable products, including fatty acids, carbon-neutral combustible hydrochar fuels, heavy metal salts for recycling into industrially important metals, and phosphoric acid and derivatives thereof. Fatty acids can be chemically transformed into useful products such as soaps, cosmetics and liquid transportation fuels such as biodiesel and conventional gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels; hydrochars created in the process can be combusted and the energy created used to generate electricity; heavy metal salts can be chemically reduced to form industrially important metals for use as catalysts; and phosphoric acid and its derivatives have very important roles as fertilizers in agriculture.
US09475697B2
Processes of and systems for removing free bromine from gaseous anhydrous HBr contaminated with free bromine are described. In one type of process the gaseous contaminated HBr is fed into countercurrent contact with at least one liquid alkylaromatic hydrocarbon within a packed section of a column while maintaining the packed section under free radical bromination conditions so that one or more than one liquid a-bromoalkylaromatic compound is produced along with one mole of gaseous HBr per mole of a-bromoalkylaromatic compound produced. In another type of process the gaseous anhydrous HBr is fed into countercurrent contact through at least two scrubbers so that the gaseous anhydrous HBr is scrubbed substantially free of bromine by passage through these at least two scrubbers, each of which contains a different specified type of scrubbing liquid. In one embodiment the liquid alkylaromatic hydrocarbon comprises 1,2-diphenylethane.
US09475694B2
Vertical mount package assemblies and methods for making the same are disclosed. A method for manufacturing a vertical mount package assembly includes providing a base substrate having electrical connections for affixing to external circuitry, and providing a package having a mounting region configured to receive a device therein. Flexible electrical leads are formed between the base substrate and the package. The flexible leads can include a plurality of aligned grooves to guide bending. After forming the flexible electrical leads, the package is rotated relative to the base substrate. The aligned grooves can constrain the relative positions of the substrates during rotation, and the beveled edges of the base substrate and package can maintain a desired angular relationship (e.g., perpendicular) between the base substrate and the package after rotation.
US09475687B2
An apparatus for dispensing liquid fuel comprises a plurality of inlet valves, each connected in-line with a respective inlet pipe in fluid communication with a respective source of a specific liquid fuel. A plurality of outlet valves are also provided, each connected in-line with a respective outlet pipe. A respective fuel hose is in fluid communication with each of the outlet pipes. The apparatus further comprises a Coriolis mass flow meter located between the inlet valves and outlet valves, the Coriolis mass flow meter providing a flow signal indicative of flow therethrough. A controller is operative to receive the flow signal and control the valves such that selected inputs of specific liquid fuels are dispensed to at least one of the fuel hoses. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the selected inputs of specific liquid fuels may include individual liquid fuels and blended combinations thereof. For example, the specific liquid fuels may include at least two of the following: a first octane gasoline, a second octane gasoline, diesel fuel, biodiesel and ethanol.
US09475683B2
A drink dispensing device has refillable sealed containers having ingredients known to a processor. Where the processor can initiate commands to mix and dispense the ingredients based on a selections by a consumer. The drink dispensing device may also retrieve suggested drinks from a remote server for display to a consumer. The suggested drinks may be based on historical data stored in the drink dispensing device.
US09475682B2
A liquid dispensing system for use with a bag having a pre-attached spigot includes a cavity arranged to receive the bag of liquid. A spigot-recess is configured to engage the spigot of the bag of liquid. A top plate assembly is locatable at or near the top of the system, the top plate assembly including a pressure plate arranged to apply a downward force on the bag of liquid. The system also includes a lifting plate arranged to apply an upward pressure on the bag of liquid.
US09475681B2
A filling element for a container treatment machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material includes a first channel formed in a filling element housing and forming a dispensing opening for controlled dispensing of filing material into a container, and a second channel formed in or on the housing for delivering a cleaning or disinfecting medium. On an outer face of the housing, a spray nozzle or spray-nozzle assembly connects to the second channel.
US09475669B2
A cable transport device having a pivotably mounted cable transporter, a first drive means connected in a stationary manner to a base frame and intended for achieving an exactly defined pivot movement of the cable transporter around a pivot axis and a second drive means for synchronous driving of at least two cooperating pressure rollers. The second drive means with a drive axle for the pressure rollers is connected in a stationary manner to the base frame, and the drive axle of the second drive means coincides with the pivot axis for the cable transporter. In additional versions, the second drive means with a drive axle for the pressure rollers is also connected in a stationary manner to the base frame, and the rollers' axes of rotation are parallel to one another and parallel to a common pitch axis. In these versions, transmission of the drive movement to the toothed belt driving the pressure rollers is effected via a toothed belt which is tensioned symmetrically to the center of rotation of the pivot axis between a first intermediate shaft arranged on a base plate of the cable transporter and a second intermediate shaft fixed to the machine frame, the pitch axis of the cable transporter being identical to the axis of the first intermediate shaft. The cable transport device may be equipped with a guide sleeve that includes a grooved plate and a cover plate that may be replaced for adaptation to different cable diameters and for correction of the cable position.
US09475667B2
A printer includes a medium storage section that stores a medium; a recording transport path that is a transport path transporting the medium that is fed from the medium storage section and extends on an upstream side and a downstream side of an ink jet recording head; a switchback path that transports a recording sheet in a reverse direction of a transporting direction by switching back the recording sheet after transporting the recording sheet that has passed through the recording transport path and bends the recording sheet by making a first surface facing the ink jet recording head be an inside of the recording sheet; and an invert path that inverts the switchback recording sheet by bypassing the recording sheet on an upper side of the ink jet recording head and makes the medium be confluent with the recording transport path at a position on an upstream side of the ink jet recording head. A second transport path is formed along a fourth transport path.
US09475664B2
A document conveyance device according to the present disclosure includes a document conveyance path, a first actuator, a second actuator, and an optical sensor. The first actuator is disposed in the document conveyance path. The second actuator is disposed on a more downstream side than the first actuator in the document conveyance path in the document conveyance direction. An output state of the optical sensor is switched based on pivoting of the first actuator and second actuator. A tip end of the document passes the first actuator, whereby the optical sensor outputs a first output indicating a first state, the tip end of the document passes the second actuator, whereby the optical sensor outputs a second output indicating a second state, and a rear end of the document passes the first actuator, whereby the optical sensor outputs the first output.
US09475657B2
Apparatus for transferring an object from a first station to a second station with a different orientation is provided comprising a stator, a rotor rotatable externally of the stator about an axis of rotation, and at least one retaining member for retaining the object. The retaining member can rotate integrally with the rotor, and is rotatable with respect to the rotor about its own axis of rotation. The stator has a cam profile coupled to and functionally cooperating with at least one axially extending follower which is constrained to the retaining member. The axis of rotation of the retaining member and the axis of extension of the follower are substantially always incident to the axis of rotation of the rotor.
US09475652B2
A system for processing core wheels and associated method are disclosed. A sorting station is configured to allow sorting of a source of wheels according to a first set of criteria. A first conveyor is configured to receive a plurality of wheels conforming to the first criteria and to a first inspection station, disposed along the first conveyor. The first inspection station is configured to allow examination of the wheels to determine whether the wheels conform to a second criteria. A diverter mechanism, downstream of the first inspection station, is configured to divert wheels conforming to the second criteria from the first conveyor. A second conveyor is configured to receive the diverted wheels and to direct the diverted wheels to a second inspection station, whereby the diverted wheels may be inspected at the second inspection station to confirm that the diverted wheels conform to the second criteria.
US09475651B2
A holding device to hold a side portion of a conveyed workpiece; a running device to convey the holding device in a feeding direction along a rail; and a support mechanism to support the holding device at front portion and rear portions of the mechanism. Eccentric shafts are with the holding device at respective positions, at one position, one of front and rear portions is eccentric in the feeding direction by a predetermined amount relative to one drive shaft's axis included in the running device. At the other position, one of front and rear portions is eccentric crossing the workpiece feeding direction by a predetermined amount relative to one drive shaft's axis in the running device. The yawing occurring while the workpiece is conveyed, is corrected by rotating the axes of eccentric shafts axes such the holding device moves relative to the running device's position.
US09475642B2
A flat wire conveyor belt and system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods and a plurality of rows of pickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, each of the rows of pickets including a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links, the plurality of first links have a first spacing and the plurality of second links have a second spacing, the first spacing being less than the second spacing. The system further includes a sprocket, wherein the plurality of spaced tractive rods terminate with clinched ends within the plurality of first links disposed on the outer edges of the flat wire conveyor belt, and the first links are dimensioned for receiving the clinched ends and the sprocket teeth therewithin.
US09475639B2
An inventory system can receive a receipt receptacle from a shipping vehicle. The receipt receptacle can be moved to a case shuttle without separating or sorting inventory items in the receipt receptacle. A mobile drive unit can move the case shuttle to a receiving station, where the receipt receptacle can be removed and where the inventory items can be stowed in a pickable inventory holder. A mobile drive unit can move the pickable inventory holder to an order-compiling station, where inventory items can be picked from the inventory holder into order receptacles. A mobile drive unit can move an order shuttle carrying order receptacles with completed orders to a shipping station, where the completed order receptacles can be transferred to a shipping vehicle.
US09475629B2
A flexible carrier for carrying a plurality of containers includes a flexible sheet having a row of container-receiving apertures formed therein. The flexible carrier further includes a handle integrated with respect to the flexible sheet. A package is formed by inserting a plurality of containers, each within a respective container-receiving aperture.
US09475627B2
A vacuum chamber system is provided which includes a vacuum chamber body, a lid, and an elastomeric sealing element. The elastomeric sealing may be positioned about the lid. The elastomeric sealing element includes a body having a base portion positioned between a first arm and a second arm. Each of the first and second arms have inner lid contacting surfaces and outer surfaces. The elastomeric sealing element has a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section defined by the base portion and the first and second arms, and is generally reversible between first and second configurations.
US09475626B2
A lid for use with a fluid container includes a body member and a valve. The body member defines an aperture and includes a central portion that extends to an outer periphery configured to couple to a rim of a fluid container. In one embodiment, the body member and the valve and connected by an interconnecting portion which are formed as an integral single piece structure. The valve has a first portion directly secured to the bottom surface of the body member and a second free end portion that extends from the first portion. The second free end portion includes a protuberance and is movable relative to the first portion between a free state in which the protuberance seals the aperture and a depressed state obtained in response to downward deflection of the central portion of the body member relative to the outer periphery in which the aperture is unsealed.
US09475618B2
A closing cap made of plastic for closing a container, having a head part and a jacket part, the jacket is substantially shaped like a hollow cylinder and has a longitudinal axis, the jacket extends from the head along the longitudinal axis, the jacket has an end segment at the end opposite the head. The closing cap has a tamper-evident part and bridge parts, wherein the tamper-evident part is arranged at a distance from the jacket and is connected to the end segment of the jacket by bridge parts. Additionally the tamper-evident part is arranged in the direction of extension of the longitudinal axis along the end segment, such that the tamper-evident part is arranged at a distance from the jacket in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis and extends in a circumferential direction to the longitudinal axis on the outside along the jacket.
US09475617B2
An extruder includes a first clamping plate, a second clamping plate, a connecting plate rotatably interconnecting the first and second clamping plate, a latching member, and a positioning protrusion. The latching member is formed on an end of the first clamping plate. The positioning protrusion is formed on an end of the second clamping plate, matching with the latching member to latch the first and second clamping plate.
US09475597B2
Apparatus for filling containers having stoppers that are penetrable for filling the containers with a substance, and thermally resealable for thermally sealing the resulting hole. A container support supports at least one such container in a substantially fixed position during filling and resealing. A manifold drivingly mounted over the container support comprises (1) a cartridge including a filling needle for penetrating the resealable stopper and introducing a substance therethrough into the container, a mount for mounting the cartridge on the manifold, and a removable cover releasably coupled to the mount for covering the filling needle during transportation, installation and/or removal of the cartridge from the manifold. The manifold includes a thermal source for heating a penetrated region of the stopper and, sealing the hole.
US09475593B2
A thermal protection system including a plurality of layers. A first layer includes a passive insulation material. A second layer includes a phase change insulation material. A third layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer to separate the passive insulation material from the phase change insulation material.
US09475591B2
A space launch apparatus comprising a solid triangular space frame constructed of a plurality of connected truss members that are attached to each other at nodes and are also attached to at least one rocket motor and to at least one payload whereby the force produced by the operation of the rocket motor is transferred to the payload and aerodynamic and vibration loads are distributed through the truss members and their nodes.
US09475582B2
An aircraft potable-water system (10) comprising an automatic valve (60) associated with an overflow line (50) and an automatic switch (70) associated with the storage tank (30). The switch (70) vents the storage tank (30) when it is not full, and automatically converts to a tank-pressurizing condition when the storage tank (30) is full. This conversion of the switch (70) causes the valve (60) to move to an overflow-open position so that excess potable water can be drained through the drainmast (18).
US09475580B2
A vehicle includes a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment separated by a floor structure, and a cargo unit including a storage rack arrangement and a transport arrangement operable for selectively transporting objects between the storage rack arrangement and a predetermined transfer position in a cavity of the cargo unit. The transport arrangement includes a conveying apparatus including a table unit movable along a vertical transport path, and the vehicle includes a mounting means adapted for securing the cargo unit in a predetermined operating position inside the cargo compartment, in which an access aperture in an upper cover of the cargo unit is disposed in alignment with a through hole in the floor structure. A lift apparatus including a gripping device is operable to convey objects from the transfer position through the access aperture and the through hole between the cargo compartment and the passenger compartment.
US09475570B2
An upper joint of a wing assembly of an aircraft includes an outboard upper wing panel, a center upper wing panel, a rib, and an upper joint assembly operatively interconnecting the outboard upper wing panel, the center upper wing panel, and the rib. In some embodiments, outboard upper stringers may be configured differently than center upper stringers. In some embodiments, a subset of the center upper stringers may not directly oppose the outboard upper stringers. In other embodiments, for at least a substantial fore/aft span of the upper joint, each of the center upper stringers may directly oppose an outboard upper stringer.
US09475566B2
A ballast water treatment device includes a ballast water treatment line, a pump for drawing and pressure feeding treatment target water, a filter, an ultraviolet reactor for irradiating filtrated treatment target water with ultraviolet, a ballast tank for storing treated water having been treated with ultraviolet, and an outboard discharger, and the pump, the filter, the ultraviolet reactor, the ballast tank, and the outboard discharger are provided on the ballast water treatment line. Treatment target water drawn for a predetermined period from start of drawing treatment target water is not caused to pass through the filter and the ultraviolet reactor but is discharged outboard by the outboard discharger, and discharging outboard by the outboard discharger is stopped at elapse of the predetermined period and treated water having been filtrated by the filter and having been treated with ultraviolet by the ultraviolet reactor is poured into the ballast tank.
US09475562B2
An outboard motor includes a drive shaft that transmits rotational power from the engine, and a shift unit provided in the middle of the drive shaft. The shift unit has a dog clutch that reciprocates in parallel with the drive shaft, a shift fork member that reciprocates the dog clutch in parallel with the drive shaft, and a linear motion type actuator that reciprocates the shift fork member in parallel with the drive shaft. The actuator is arranged in the vicinity of the front side of the dog clutch such that the direction of the rectilinear motion of the screw shaft is in parallel with the axial line of the drive shaft, and the shift fork member is connected to the screw shaft.
US09475554B2
A seating apparatus and system having dual application for above deck and below deck use. The device is hingely attached to the ledge of a deck by an anchor wherein said device rotates between upward and downward position. Additional elements may be attached to said device for convertible above and below deck purposes. One or more device may be adjacently positioned along the deck edge to form a recreational deck environment.
US09475550B2
A propeller protection shield for a propeller of a boat includes a weighted skirt and an attachment. The weighted skirt has a height and a width. The height of the weighted skirt extends from the surface of the water to below the boat propeller. The width of the weighted skirt extends at least the propeller width. The attachment secures the weighted skirt to the back of the boat behind the propeller. The weighted skirt is positioned approximately vertical in the water behind the propeller. The weighted skirt shields the propeller from contact in the water.
US09475547B2
A bicycle rear derailleur including a base member and a movable member movably coupled to the base member. A chain guide assembly is rotatably connected to the movable member and a damper assembly is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member. The damper assembly includes a damper disposed in the movable member, and a one-way clutch disposed between the damper and the chain guide assembly. The one-way clutch is configured to permit damping when the chain guide assembly rotates in a first direction. The damper is disposed exteriorly of the one-way clutch.
US09475544B2
A bicycle includes: a frame that supports a front wheel and a rear wheel; a pair of up-and-down links that are respectively provided on a right side and a left side of the frame in a front view; a pair of pedals that are respectively supported by the pair of up-and-down links; and a drive unit that drives the rear wheel. A front end of each of the pair of up-and-down links is pivotally attached to the frame, and a rear end of each of the pair of up-and-down links is respectively connected to each of the pair of pedals. The drive unit includes a pair of crank arms that are arranged point-symmetrically at an angle of 180° in a front view, and a force that depresses each of the pair of pedals so that the pair of pedals alternately swing is transmitted to the pair of crank arms through the pair of up-and-down links. The bicycle further includes a horizontally-holding mechanism that holds each of the pair of pedals approximately horizontally while rotating of each of the pair of up-and-down links.
US09475541B2
A rim brake having a right arm and a left arm respective with one upper and one lower longitudinal portion separated from one another by a pivot bearing. The lower longitudinal portion is provided for holding a brake pad and the upper longitudinal portion engages with at least one hydraulic cylinder through a wedge element. The hydraulic cylinder is disposed between the right arm and the left arm and is configured to move the wedge element. A method for the installation of a hydraulic brake having a master unit and a slave unit connected to a hydraulic line is also provided.
US09475520B2
When a shaft misalignment detection part detects occurrence of a shaft misalignment that is a misalignment in a relative position in a radial direction of a rotary shaft between a magnet part and a sensor part, the shaft misalignment detection part outputs a shaft misalignment determination flag to a correction part and a control change instruction part. The correction part calculates a motor rotational angle so as to reduce a detection error caused by the shaft misalignment. The control change instruction part outputs instructions of changing calculation methods so that influence by the detection error decreases to an assist torque setting part and an assist current instruction part.
US09475515B2
A mountable smart device holder for use on a shopping cart handle or the like. The holder includes: a front side having a generally planar surface; a lip that extends about a bottom and a side portion of the generally planar surface; a horizontal clamp and a vertical clamp proximately located in a lower corner region of the front side for holding a smart device, wherein the horizontal clamp and the vertical clamp include a lifting mechanism that raises both the horizontal clamp and the vertical clamp in response to pressing a single lever on one of the horizontal clamp and the vertical clamp; a mounting clamp affixed to the rear side of the holder, wherein the mounting clamp includes a spring loaded claw and lever element; and an opening in the generally planar surface that provides access to the lever element of the mounting clamp from the front side.
US09475512B2
A ladder carrier is disclosed herein. The ladder carrier includes a pair of pneumatic tires that are connected to each other through an axle. The ladder carrier further includes a support frame that is mounted on the axle. The support frame may include two bars that may be configured to hold at least one ladder such that center of gravity of the at least one ladder is supported by the pair of pneumatic tires. Further, the ladder carrier includes a base structure that may be connected between the two bars. The base structure may be connected to the two bars at a portion above the axle. The base structure may provide a platform for supporting the at least one ladder.
US09475509B2
A guided ground vehicle that travels on a track having an electric contact rail for supplying electricity to the vehicle, the rail including several electrical circuits, each electrical circuit being connected to at least one electric switching member. The vehicle includes a device for managing a derailment of the ground vehicle and generating means for generating a control signal for controlling one of the electric switching members connected to the electrical circuits positioned across from the ground vehicle, to close that electrical circuit. The device includes detecting means for detecting the derailment of the ground vehicle and processing means connected to the detecting means and to the generating means. The processing means are adapted to deactivate the generating means to inhibit the generation of the control signal, in order to cause the opening of the circuits across from the vehicle.
US09475501B2
In a method for ascertaining the stress level of the driver, the setpoint trajectory of the vehicle is ascertained and compared to the actual trajectory. A higher stress level is inferred from an increasing frequency and/or magnitude of the deviation of the actual trajectory from the setpoint trajectory.
US09475496B2
A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor configured to monitor at least one condition while operating in an autonomous mode. The vehicle further includes a processing device configured to identify at least one occupant, select a profile associated with the occupant, and autonomously operate at least one subsystem according to the selected profile and the at least condition monitored by the at least one autonomous driving sensor.
US09475489B2
A method and system for controlling a running mode change that prevent shock generated when releasing an engine clutch in changing from a running mode to another running mode. The method includes detecting, by a controller, a running mode change occurring in the hybrid vehicle and determining whether to change a state of the engine clutch from a lock-up state to an open state while the running mode change is being processed. The controller is further configured to slip-control the engine clutch to prevent torque occurring at a point in time when the engine clutch is changed to the open state from being transmitted to a driving shaft connected to the transmission, when the state of the engine clutch is determined to be changed from the lock-up state to the open state.
US09475487B2
A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a driver interface having a first driver-activated selector, and a controller. The controller selectively operates the engine according to a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the engine runs continuously. In the second mode the engine is turned off in response to a first set of operating conditions and turned on in response to a second set of operating conditions. The controller further, in response to a driver activation of the first selector, controls the engine according to the first mode and, in response to an anticipated end of a first vehicle acceleration event subsequent the driver activation of the first selector, controls the engine according to the second mode.
US09475478B2
A hybrid drive apparatus and a control apparatus for controlling the hybrid drive apparatus, a hybrid drive apparatus including a differential device made of a first differential mechanism and second differential mechanism, including four rotary components; and an engine, a first electric motor, second electric motor and an output rotary member, which are respectively connected to four rotary components, wherein one of the four rotary components consists of a rotary element of the first differential mechanism and a rotary element of the second differential mechanism which are selectively connected to each other through a coupling element, and the control apparatus controlling at least one of output torques of the first and second electric motors, to reduce a difference between rotating speeds of the rotary elements of the first and second differential mechanisms selectively connected to each other through the coupling element, to a value not larger than a predetermined threshold value, before the coupling element is brought into an engaged state when the drive system is re-started after the drive system is once placed in an off state.
US09475473B2
A master cylinder having a primary piston and a secondary piston is described. The secondary piston is realized of plastic material; it is composed of a skirt and an end wall. The forward edge of the skirt is equipped with longitudinal slots intended to cooperate with the resupply seal to resupply the secondary pressure chamber and ensure operation in rest position whenever the brake circuit is in ESP mode. Supply occurs from the supply chamber, which is connected to the brake fluid reservoir.
US09475472B2
A brake system includes a brake apparatus. This brake apparatus is configured to keep a vehicle braked by an electric mechanism in response to a parking brake request signal, and brake the vehicle by supply of a hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic source in response to an operation performed on a brake pedal. The brake system further includes a controller configured to drive the electric mechanism until a target pressing force is acquired to establish a brake holding state in response to the parking brake request signal. The controller is configured to change the target pressing force according to a change in a hydraulic pressure in the brake apparatus after starting driving the electric mechanism in response to the parking brake request signal.
US09475465B2
A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material having one groove, in which groove a longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed. Free ends of the wiper blade are connected to a respective connecting piece. The wiper blade is provided with a spoiler and at least one connecting piece having an internal reinforcement rib connecting lateral sides of the connecting piece. The spoiler is removed along a portion of the length of the wiper blade at a free end of the wiper blade facing the connecting piece. In the mounted position the internal transverse reinforcement rib; abuts the spoiler.
US09475460B2
A gear locking lever device having a gear lever locking device mounting base and a gear lever locking member mounted and attached to the gear lever locking device mounting base is provided. The gear lever locking member includes a base plate located above the gear lever locking device mounting base. The lateral side of the base plate is provided with engaging leg extending laterally toward both sides. An intermediate portion of the base plate is provided with a pin engaging hole. A lower portion of the base plate is provided with a ball bearing pocket with a ball bearing mounted inside the ball bearing pocket.
US09475457B1
A locking system for a golf cart and the like vehicle having a brake pedal and a speed control pedal located at a floor area is disclosed which comprises a moveable locking device adapted for installation at said floor area of said vehicle having a lock position and an unlock position. The locking device has a locking rod for maintaining the brake pedal down in a braking position, and which maintains the control pedal up in an inoperable position in the locked position, when installed, to disable the operation of the golf cart. The locking rod can be moved to the unlocked position when installed allowing said brake pedal to rise and become operable, and said control pedal to be moved downward rendering the vehicle operable. The vehicle is disabled in the locked position to prevent unauthorized use and theft of the vehicle.
US09475443B2
An aspect provides a method, including: capturing, using a sensor, positional information relating to a driver; determining, using a processor, a driver position with respect to an airbag containing component based on the positional information; and adjusting deployment of the airbag based on the determined driver position. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US09475439B2
A battery system for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes at least one starting circuit, a low-voltage on-board supply system, and an on-board supply system with an increased voltage. The starting circuit has a first battery and a starter that is configured to be connected to the first battery. The low-voltage supply system has at least one electrical consumer and a second battery configured to produce a first voltage. The supply system with increased voltage has an electrical generator and a third battery configured to produce a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. The electric generator is configured to produce a third voltage that is higher than the second voltage. A first coupling connects the supply system with increased voltage to the low-voltage supply system and transfers energy therebetween. A second coupling connects the low-voltage on-board supply system to the starter circuit.
US09475433B1
An automated, interchangeable vehicle grill includes a plurality of reversible motors, each mounted near an existing grill opening on the front end of a vehicle. Each motor rotates a drive shaft having a grill block mounted thereon. The grill block includes two adjacent sides, each having a unique, discrete grill configuration. For example, a first side is configured to resemble a standard, factory-installed grill, while a second side is configured to resemble a billet or other non-standard, aftermarket grill. Accordingly, a user can automatically switch between two different grill configurations by simply operating a switch within the passenger compartment.
US09475426B1
An illuminable vehicle floor mat assembly for synchronizing the lighting up of tape disposed in recessed portions in the transparent floor mat with the playing of music in the vehicle. The illuminable vehicle floor mat assembly includes a transparent floor adapted to rest upon the floor of a vehicle; and a lighting assembly attached to the transparent floor mat for displaying flashing and pulsating light with varying degrees of brightness and intensity.
US09475423B2
A lamp assembly is provided for installation in an opening of a vehicle body. The lamp assembly includes a lamp container having first and second sides, each of the first and second sides integrally including first and second stops, and at least one clip assembly including a clip, a threaded bolt, and a nut. The clip has a connecting wall with respective first and second side walls extending from the connecting wall, and first and second tabs extending inwardly respectively from the first and second side walls, the threaded bolt being inserted through an opening in the connecting wall of the clip, and the nut being threaded onto the bolt. When the lamp assembly is in a pre-compressed position, the nut is spaced away from the stops, and, when the lamp assembly is in a compressed position, at least one of the nut and the connecting wall contacts the stops.
US09475405B2
A vehicle system includes at least two sensors. A first sensor is configured to output a child restraint signal indicating a presence of a child restraint system. A second sensor is configured to output a belt tension signal representing a tension associated with a seat belt. A processing device is programmed to determine whether the child restraint system includes a child seat or a booster seat based on the child restraint signal and the belt tension signal.
US09475400B2
A charging device for use with an electric vehicle including a power storage device. The charging device includes a power conduit configured to electrically couple the power storage device to the charging device. The charging device includes a first protection device configured to electrically isolate the charging device from the power storage device if a current flowing through the power conduit exceeds a current limit. The charging device also includes a controller configured to control the current flowing through the power conduit if the current flowing through the power conduit causes an integration threshold to be exceeded, wherein the integration threshold is representative of a predetermined amount of current that is enabled to flow through the power conduit over a predetermined period of time.
US09475399B2
A power conduit for charging a power storage device of a vehicle includes an output terminal and locking mechanism operatively disposable in one of an engaged and a disengaged position. The locking mechanism locks the output terminal to the vehicle when the locking mechanism is in the engaged position and unlocks the output terminal when in the disengaged position. The power conduit includes a controller including a memory device configured to store a plurality of computer-executable instructions and a processor coupled to the memory device. The instructions configure the processor to receive an identifier associated with one of the vehicle and a user of the vehicle, and generate and transmit an unlocking signal to cause the locking mechanism to be in the disengaged position upon one of a determination that the identifier was received and a determination that a predetermined charge state of the power storage device has been reached.
US09475398B2
A battery management system for a rechargeable battery includes a battery monitor configured to acquire data regarding the rechargeable battery and a processor. The processor is configured to determine an initial state of charge of the battery based on the acquired data; determine a target state of charge for the battery; determine a plurality of charging solutions to achieve the target state of charge based on an optimization of one variable of the battery of a plurality of variables of the battery; narrow the plurality of charging solutions to charging solutions that meet an objective of each of the remaining plurality of variables of the battery; select the charging solution that corresponds with the fastest charge time for the battery from the charging solutions that meet the objective of each of the plurality of battery variables; and command a controller to regulate an amount of charge to the battery in accord with the selected charging solution.
US09475384B2
A powertrain system for driving a vehicle comprises an engine, a transaxle including a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic pump separated from the hydraulic motor, and a gearbox joined to the hydraulic pump. The engine includes an engine output shaft extended in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are fluidly connected to each other so as to constitute a hydrostatic transmission. The gearbox supports a PTO shaft. The gearbox incorporates gears for drivingly connecting the engine output shaft to the hydraulic pump, and for drivingly connecting the engine output shaft to the PTO shaft extended in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.
US09475382B2
An endoskeleton to support a fuel tank body and establish a fuel tank. The endoskeleton may include columns to support fuel system components, first and second beams staggered with respect to one another and having tank contact portions attachable to the tank body, and walls extending between adjacent first and second beams to baffle fuel and to yieldably restrain movement of the body. The fuel tank body may have a wall thickness of about 2 to 4 mm, and a combined weight of the tank body and the endoskeleton may be less than a weight of the fuel tank if the body were about 4 to 6 mm in wall thickness. Also, an endoskeleton-to-tank body contact surface area ratio may be greater than about 4% of a total interior surface area of the tank body. Further, fuel tank may include a strength to weight ratio greater than 250 l-mbar/kg.
US09475379B2
A tire/wheel assembly includes a cylindrical annular structure, a rubber material layer provided on a periphery of the annular structure and that faces a circumferential direction of the annular structure, and a plurality of curved metal spring members provided between the annular structure and an electric motor disposed on the inner side of the annular structure that transfers rotation of a rotor of the electric motor to the annular structure.
US09475376B2
Annular liquid chamber resonance in an inverted type liquid sealed mount is controlled without using flow resistance. In an engine mount including a secondary liquid chamber located in an upper position, a primary liquid chamber located in a lower position, a main body section of an insulator projecting upwardly in substantially a chevron shape, and an annular liquid chamber formed around the main body section, a control projection is provided on an outside wall of the main body section to project upwardly and configured to produce elastic body resonance in the vicinity of a resonance frequency of annular liquid chamber resonance. With this construction, the annular liquid chamber resonance is controllable by the elastic body resonance of the control projection, and the control projection is increased in size so as to endure flow resistance whereby to improve durability.
US09475373B2
A center pillar weather strip attached to a center pillar includes an attachment base that attached to the center pillar, a front side linkage part that extends obliquely upward in a front direction of the car body from the attachment base, a rear side linkage part that extends from the attachment base to a rear direction of the car body, a hollow seal part that is linked to tips of the front side linkage part and the rear side linkage part and formed in a shape curved convex to a car outside, and a front side seal lip that extends from a connection portion between the front side linkage part and the hollow seal part toward an extending direction of the hollow seal part and formed in a shape curved convex to the center pillar side.
US09475371B2
A cargo area conversion assembly, system and method for converting a cargo area, e.g., a cargo area of a trailer or a pickup truck, between an open bed position, a bed cover position and a camper top position. Conversion between the three positions may be manually accomplished or mechanically/electronically accomplished.
US09475361B2
A vehicle heating and air conditioning system basically includes an interior/exterior air introducing structure, a heating device, a driving end time acquiring section and an interior/exterior air switching control section. The interior/exterior air introducing structure switches the flow of cabin intake air between an interior air recirculation mode and an exterior air introducing mode. The heating device heats the cabin intake air being introduced by the interior/exterior air introducing structure. The driving end time acquiring section estimates a driving end time corresponding to a point in time at which driving of a vehicle is predicted to end. The interior/exterior air switching control section switches the interior/exterior air introducing structure from the exterior air introducing mode to the interior air recirculation mode during a period of time from a prescribed point in time until the driving end time to restrict windshield fogging while in the interior air recirculation mode.
US09475358B2
A suspension bushing includes an inner cylinder, an intermediate plate, an outer cylinder and an elastic member. An axis of the inner cylinder is arranged vertically and the inner cylinder is provided with an expanded portion in an axially central region. The expanded portion is enclosed by a curved surface section formed in an axially central region of the intermediate plate. An axially outward expanded end section is provided on either side of the curved surface section. An inside annular recess and an outside annular recess are provided on an axially outward end of the elastic member. When the twist is inputted, the outer cylinder and the intermediate plate are changed relative to the inner cylinder. However, due to the provision of the expanded end section, a twist angle is increased so that the intermediate plate is hard to interfere with an end portion of the inner cylinder.
US09475356B2
One variation may include a product comprising a top mount for a strut comprising a first shell portion and a second shell portion and a main resilient or elastomeric element housed by the first shell portion and the second shell portion, the resilient or elastomeric element being split into at least two pieces and construct and arranged to receive a portion of a strut rod. One variation may include a product for using in a strut top mount comprising an outer shell and a main resilient or elastomeric element received in the outer shell, the main resilient or elastomeric element being split into at least two pieces and being constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a strut rod.
US09475348B2
A method is provided to manage data transmitted between an RFID marker, which is mounted on a tire, and a wheel module, which is mounted on a rim. The wheel module includes a memory and at least one sensor. When the tire is mounted on the rim, a mounted assembly is formed, also known as a wheel, which is intended to be installed on a motor vehicle. According to the method, RFID data is transmitted between the RFID marker and the wheel module via an intermediate unit that is separate from the mounted assembly and the motor vehicle. The RFID data is stored in the memory of the wheel module. When the wheel module includes a sensor for detecting tire pressure, the RFID data stored in the memory of the wheel module is erased when a detected tire pressure is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure threshold.
US09475347B2
[Object] To provide a pneumatic tire which is excellent in durability.[Solution] A tire has a large number of dimples 62 on sidewalls thereof. The contour of each dimple 62 is composed of a first circular arc 66, a second circular arc 68, a first connection line 70, and a second connection line 72. The curvature radius R2 of the second circular arc 68 is larger than the curvature radius R1 of the first circular arc 66. The first connection line 70 is a straight line. The first connection line 70 connects one end 78 of the first circular arc 66 to one end 80 of the second circular arc 68. The second connection line 72 is a straight line. The second connection line 72 connects the other end 74 of the first circular arc 66 to the other end 76 of the second circular arc 68. Preferably, the length L of a longest line segment that can be drawn within the contour of each dimple 62 is larger than the sum of the curvature radius R1 of the first circular arc 66 and the curvature radius R2 of the second circular arc 68.
US09475335B2
The blank for making a file folder or mailer has side flaps that have a tab at each end. One tab serves to reinforce a bottom corner of the file holder to avoid popping out when filled to capacity and the other tab is rounded for extending above the front panel.
US09475328B2
A thermally responsive composition includes a dye and a developer that is free of polyhydric phenols having estrogenic agonist activity greater than or equal to that of bisphenol S. The thermally responsive composition can be used to make BPA-free thermally responsive record materials.
US09475327B2
The transfer inkjet printer device includes an intermediate transfer body including an intermediate transfer surface capable of moving along a rotation route; an inkjet head used to discharge ink including toner particles onto the intermediate transfer surface at a first area in the rotation route in a state where the toner particles are charged, so as to form an intermediate image composed of an ink layer on the intermediate transfer surface; a pressure device used to press the ink layer of the intermediate image on the intermediate transfer surface, onto a surface of a recording medium at a second area in the rotation route; and an electric field application device used to electrophorese the charged toner particles in the ink layer of the intermediate image toward the recording medium at the second area.
US09475326B2
A stamp die assembly for a self inking stamp in which the die plate having printing indicia thereon is easily removable from the die frame. There is a movable latch on the die plate that is received by a catch or slot in the die frame to lock the die plate to the die frame. By pushing on a push button the catch is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position in which the latch is released from the catch. A spring returns the latch to the original or locked position.
US09475325B2
A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front wall, a tape feed exit located on the front wall, and an arm portion formed by the front wall and an arm rear surface behind the front wall. The arm portion partially surrounds an opening extending from the top surface to the bottom surface behind the front wall, and a tape feed path passes through the arm portion from an upstream portion of the arm portion to a downstream end of the arm portion. The tape cassette also has a tape included at least partially in the housing and configured to be fed along the tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and a first aperture formed on a bottom edge of the front wall and positioned downstream of an upstream end of the opening.
US09475322B2
A tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a pair of side surfaces, a tape that is a print medium housed in the housing, a tape exit that discharges, from the housing, the tape guided in the housing along a predetermined feed path, at least a part of the feed path extending parallel to the front surface, and a type indicator portion provided adjacent to the tape exit and in a specified area of the front surface on an upstream side of the tape exit in a feed direction of the tape, the type indicator portion indicating a type of the tape and including vertical information sections and a protrusion formed in at least one of the vertical information sections, the vertical information sections being strip-shaped sections extending along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction.
US09475317B2
A power transmission switching device includes a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes: a first gear; a second gear; a switching gear movable between a first position for mesh with the first gear and a second position for mesh with the second gear; an input gear meshed with the switching gear; and a power transmitter comprising the input gear and configured to transmit the driving power from the drive source to the switching gear. Play is formed in the power transmitter so as to allow the input gear to rotate in its rotational direction.
US09475314B2
A printing device has an elongated shaped work divided into a preceding printing area and a following printing area along an elongated direction, and is configured to perform printing in the sequence of the preceding printing area and the following printing area. With the printing device, when performing printing on the following printing area, a feature point of the preceding printing area is extracted, and based on the extracted feature point, the position of the following printing area is adjusted, and printing is started on the following printing area.
US09475307B2
The present invention relates to a method of marking a substrate that comprises a color forming material, comprising the steps of: activating a region of the substrate so as to transform it from an inactive, low reactive state to an active, high reactive state; irradiating a part of the activated region with an initial color changing radiation to effect an initial color change to a first color; and irradiating a part of the substrate that has been changed to the first color with a high power density beam of visible electromagnetic radiation to effect a further color change of the irradiated region to a second color.
US09475304B2
An inkjet printing device includes a printer, including an inkjet head having a nozzle configured to eject ink, an ink tank configured to store the ink, a circulation path configured to circulate ink between the ink tank and the inkjet head, an ink pump configured to send the ink from the ink tank to the inkjet head in order to circulate ink and an ink temperature detector configured to detect an ink temperature, a pressure regulator configured to apply a negative pressure to the ink tank and to regulate a pressure in the ink tank and a controller configured to control the pressure regulator in accordance with the ink temperature in the printer to regulate the pressure in the ink tank and to regulate a driving rate of the ink pump.
US09475296B2
An ink cartridge for supplying the ink in an ink reserving chamber via an ink supply port into a recording head has a differential pressure valve mechanism disposed between an ink flow port and the ink supply port in the ink reserving chamber, whereby the ink is supplied an adequate amount to the recording head by opening or closing the differential pressure valve mechanism in accordance with an ink pressure of the recording head. As a result, it is possible to supply the ink at a substantially constant pressure to the recording head without regard to the variation in the amount of ink or the movement of the carriage.
US09475293B2
A recovery system for a recording head of the present disclosure includes a wiper, a drive mechanism, a first rotary mechanism, and a control portion. The first rotary mechanism causes the wiper to rotate. The control portion is capable of executing the recovery operation of a recording head including an ink push-out operation in which ink is forcibly pushed out, a first wipe-off operation in which purged ink is wiped off, a rotary moving-away operation in which, while being caused to move in a first direction, the wiper is caused to rotate toward an obliquely lower side in a second direction opposite to the first direction, thus moving away from the ink discharge surface, and a second wipe-off operation in which ink is wiped off by causing the wiper to move in the second direction.
US09475283B2
A liquid discharging apparatus includes a modulation portion that generates a modulation signal obtained by pulse-modulating a source signal; an amplifier that includes a first gate driver generating a first amplification control signal based on the modulation signal, a second gate driver generating a second amplification control signal based on the modulation signal, a first transistor operating based on the first amplification control signal, a second transistor connected to the first transistor on a low-potential side in series and operating based on the second amplification control signal; an operation control portion that controls operations of the first gate driver and the second gate driver; a low-pass filter that generates a driving signal by demodulating an amplification modulation signal generated based on operations of the first transistor and the second transistor; and a piezoelectric element that is displaced by applying the driving signal.
US09475282B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a signal modulation section that causes an original drive signal to be pulse-modulated to generate a modulation signal, a signal amplification section that amplifies the modulation signal to generate an amplification modulation signal, a coil that smooths the amplification modulation signal to generate a drive signal, a piezoelectric element that deforms when the drive signal is applied thereto, a cavity that expands or contracts due to a deformation of the piezoelectric element, and a nozzle that communicates with the cavity and ejects a liquid in accordance with an increase/decrease of a pressure inside the cavity. The coil is a ferrite core-type coil, and a core gap is provided to be equal to or wider than 1.1 mm.
US09475275B2
A screen printing apparatus includes print executing parts, first and second substrate loading parts and a substrate unloading part, and first and second substrate support tables for supporting a substrate. The first substrate support table moves between a first receiving position where the substrate loaded from the first substrate loading part is received, and a sending position where the substrate is unloaded from the substrate unloading part. The second substrate support table moves between a second receiving position where the substrate loaded from the second substrate loading part is received, and the sending position. The print executing parts are respectively placed at positions on the substrate support tables where printing on the substrate is enabled.
US09475274B2
The method comprises the steps of: preparing a multiple-layer film (10) comprising a first transparent protective layer (12), a second decorative layer (14) containing at least one pigment made of metal having a melting point below 250° C., and a third supporting layer (16) of thermoformable plastic material, at least a portion (13) of the surface of the first layer (12) opposite the second layer (14) being screen-printed with a polyurethane and/or acrylic based ink; thermoforming the film (10) at a temperature in the range from 130 to 180° C. and at a pressure in the range from 10 to 20 bar, in such a way as to form at least one recess (28) therein; pouring into the recess a thermosetting resin (30) which adheres to the third layer (16) of the film (10); making a covering sheet (32) adhere to the third layer (16) of the film (10) so as to enclose the poured resin (30), which undergoes a hardening process; and cutting the film (10) around the recess (28), thus producing a stratified decorative element comprising a portion of the film (10), a layer of resin (30) and a portion of the sheet (32).
US09475268B2
A process for producing a laminated glass pane made up of a base pane, a first laminating film, a coated polymer film with a coating, a second laminating film, and a top pane having at least one sensor window is described. The process has steps a) to d), wherein a) the coated polymer film with the coating is tensioned pointing upward by way of a vacuum table, b) at least one region from which the coating is removed is produced on the coated polymer film by means of laser treatment, c) the first laminating film is arranged on the base pane, the coated polymer film is arranged on the first laminating film, the second laminating film is arranged on the coated polymer film and the top pane is arranged on the second laminating film, and d) the arrangement is autoclaved. The region from which the coating is removed is produced by way of glass plates with which the vacuum table is equipped.
US09475267B2
A process for creating adhesive signage for in-store shelving involves applying a PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) tape to paper and then printing the signs on the modified substrate. The adhesive strips are 10 mils thick and the paper is 8 mils thick with the tape being positioned on a top portion only of the paper. This creates uneven stack issues in the feeder of the printer that prevents proper feeding of the sheets into the printer. These issues are eliminated by providing taped media imposition that orients the PSA to signage card color bands which are imposed in a mirror image. Mirror imaging of indicia on the card color bands evens out the sheet stack and enhances sheet feeding.
US09475265B2
Disclosed are composite structures having improved heat aging, processes for making them, and end use articles. The composite structures comprise a polyamide matrix resin composition comprising copper based heat stabilizer; a fibrous material and a polyamide surface resin composition comprising surface heat stabilizer; wherein the surface heat stabilizer is different than the copper based heat stabilizer.
US09475261B2
A thermal protection system including a plurality of layers. A first layer includes a passive insulation material. A second layer includes a phase change insulation material. A third layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer to separate the passive insulation material from the phase change insulation material. A structural system extends through the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, or a combination thereof.
US09475257B2
This present application relates to a three dimensional negative Poisson's ratio spacer knitted fabric and a method for making the same; the fabric includes a first surface layer fabric, a second surface layer fabric, and a spacer yarn layer connecting the first surface layer fabric with the second surface layer fabric, both the first surface layer fabric and the second surface layer fabric are bi-dimensional structures having the negative Poisson's ratio effects; the method is to compress and/or stretch a three dimensional mesh spacer knitted base fabric along one or two plane directions to form a structures having the negative Poisson's ratio effects. The advantages of the present application include low making cost, simple operation method, significant negative Poisson's ratio effects, good elastic recovery, and high practical application value.
US09475251B2
A multilayered polymeric structure for use as a packaging container comprising a first layer of oxygen barrier material and a second protective layer bonded to the first layer where the oxygen barrier layer material is selected from the group consisting of saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, modification products thereof, and mixtures thereof, and the second protective layer comprises a polymer and an inorganic filler in an amount sufficient to further enhance the moisture barrier property of the outer protective layer over what it would be in the absence of the filler.
US09475238B2
The present invention relates to a repair method using a pre-cured repairing patch, and a repaired product obtained from repairing using the repairing patch, and the present invention securely bonds a repairing patch, where an out-of-plane stiffness is required, to a repair target. In order to cover a repair target portion 23 formed in an outer panel 2 with a repairing patch 30, and bond the repairing patch 30 to a repair target, repairing plates 31, 32 that are formed of fibers and thermosetting resin, and pre-cured before repairing are used as the repairing patch 30, and a laminating step S4 of laminating the repairing plates 31, 32, and a bonding step S7 of bonding the repairing plates 31, 32 to each other are performed.
US09475236B2
A method for performing an infrared treatment includes the steps of receiving an extruded product and feeding the extruded product to an oven including at least one lamp unit. The lamp unit includes a lamp, a reflective surface enclosing a first side of the lamp and positioned to direct radiation from the lamp, and a glass disposed between a second side of the lamp and an extruded product, wherein the glass separates the lamp and the extruded product. The method further includes the step of creating cross-linking between layers of the extruded product by directing the radiation at the extruded product. Still further, the method includes the steps of directing a first gas flow at a surface of the product and directing a second gas flow at the glass.
US09475219B2
Before generated air bubbles grow, only the edge of a portion where strength is not to be reduced is locally cooled and solidified to form a wall of fluid. After that, a pin (107) or the like is pressed into a molten resin portion inside the edge to reduce the volume of a cavity (3), thereby reducing the size of generated bubbles. Alternatively, foaming gas is absorbed into resin so as to reduce the volume of generated air bubbles. Thus, a reduction in strength is suppressed.
US09475215B2
A process and form for casting a concrete light pole base having a decorative upper portion with a configuration for mounting a light pole. The form includes a base having an opening in which a resilient insert is positioned. The insert has openings for holding threaded ends of mounting bolts and for positioning wiring conduits. Ends of the bolts extend from the insert into the mold cavity. Different inserts may be used to accommodate different light pole mounting specifications. A first form section for shaping a decorative upper portion of the light pole base is positioned on the base, and forms for shaping the cylindrical lower end of the light pole base are secured above the first form section.
US09475213B2
An aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for reproducing a template. The template includes a transfer surface and a release layer. The transfer surface has a concavoconvex pattern. The release layer includes an inorganic functional group and an organic functional group, both being bonded to the transfer surface. The method for reproducing the template includes the following two steps: removing the organic functional group by oxidizing and decomposing the organic functional group included in the release layer; and removing the inorganic functional group; and forming the release layer by coupling a silane coupling agent with the transfer surface.
US09475204B2
The invention relates to a food product cutting machine comprising a driven cutting knife, a receiving device for product to be cut, a height adjustment device for the receiving device by means of which a height position of product to be cut relative to the cutting knife is adjustable, a carriage displaceable relative to the cutting knife and having the receiving device arranged thereat, and a support device for product to be cut having at least one support element and being capable of supporting product to be cut on a support face as it is cut, wherein the support device for product to be cut is coupled with the height adjustment device, the position of the effective support face being predetermined by the height position of the receiving device.
US09475193B2
Systems (100) and methods (600) for providing a robotic vehicle (100) with tip over prevention. The methods involve: determining a stability footprint, attitude and orientation of the robotic vehicle; computing a center of gravity of the robotic vehicle; projecting the center of gravity onto the stability footprint; determining whether the center of gravity is within an acceptable region of the stability footprint; calculating a new desired configuration for a movable component of the robotic vehicle when a determination is made that the center of gravity is within the acceptable region of the stability footprint; and commanding the movable component (106) to the new desired configuration.
US09475190B2
A robot includes a tool shaft, a first supporting mechanism attached to one portion of the tool shaft and tiltably supporting the tool shaft, a second supporting mechanism attached to a different portion of the tool shaft and tiltably supporting the tool shaft, a first in-plane movement mechanism that moves the first supporting mechanism in a first plane, a second in-plane movement mechanism that moves the second supporting mechanism in a second plane, and a controller that controls an in-plane position and an inclination angle of the tool shaft to control the first in-plane movement mechanism and the second in-plane movement mechanism. The first supporting mechanism or the second supporting mechanism supports the tool shaft movably in an axial direction.
US09475185B2
An implementation of a system and method for a hand tool having a pivot grip is provided. The pivot grip provides an axis of rotation perpendicular to and centered with a pair of concave finger holds positioned at the grip. The hand tool includes a housing forming the pivot grip, a sensor (e.g., stud sensor, capacitive sensor, electromagnetic sensor, metallic sensor, RF sensor, and/or the like) and a power switch.
US09475184B2
A telescopic rod in order to use objects or tools at a desired height above the head of a user, in particular for harvesting fruit from trees or for pruning tree branches or painting high walls or ceilings, comprises a rod base with a base end, a rod extension slidingly engaging with the rod base, a support member configured to support a tool, arranged at a support end of the rod extension opposite to the rod base, an actuation means to automatically push/pull the rod extension with respect to the rod base, a rod actuation command at said base end to operate the actuation means between a push position, in which the actuation means pushes said rod extension to elongate said rod, a pull position, in which the actuation means pulls the rod extension to shorten the rod, a standby position in which the actuation means is inoperative and the rod can be used at a desired rod length to maneuver the tool at a desired height.
US09475171B2
The present invention relates to a low magnetic chemical mechanical polishing conditioner and a method for producing the same. The method comprises: providing a substrate; providing a bonding layer disposed on the substrate; and providing a plurality of abrasive particles placed on the bonding layer, and the abrasive particles are placed on the substrate by the bonding layer; wherein the abrasive particles are screened into a non-magnetic content or a low magnetic content through a magnetic separation device. Therefore, the abrasive particles used in the low magnetic chemical mechanical polishing conditioner of the present invention are non-magnetic abrasive particles perfectly to avoid influence of polishing performance due to magnetic abrasive particles.
US09475168B2
The polishing pad is suitable for polishing or planarizing at least one of semiconductor, optical and magnetic substrates. The polishing pad has a polishing surface, an opening through the polishing pad and a transparent window within the opening in the polishing pad. The transparent window has a concave surface with a depth that increases with use of the polishing pad. A signal region slopes downward into the central region for facilitating debris removal and a debris drainage groove extending through the central region into the polishing pad. Rotating the polishing pad with polishing fluid in the debris drainage groove sends debris from the central region into the polishing pad through the debris drainage groove.
US09475166B2
A method for cutting-out a multi-layer ophthalmic lens (100) following a desired contour (C3), includes: a step of pre-blanking the ophthalmic lens (100) using a preliminary tool (210; 223), according to a preliminary contour (C1, C1′); a step of blanking the ophthalmic lens (100) using a blanking wheel (210), following a blanking contour (C2, C3); and a step of finishing the ophthalmic lens (100) using a finishing tool (212). According to the invention, the preliminary contour (C1, C1′) is larger than the desired contour (C3), and the blanking wheel (210) used has a granulometry of between 0.1 and 0.5 mm and is controlled in relation to the ophthalmic lens (100) so as to apply a radial force of between 0.1 and 5 N to the ophthalmic lens (100) during the blanking step.
US09475165B2
In a method and a machine tool for machining metallic workpieces, a cooling device is provided to supply a cryogenic coolant to a first tool and a precooling device is provided to supply the cryogenic coolant to a second tool. The first tool is held in a first chuck and processes a workpiece, with the first tool during processing being cooled via the cryogenic coolant. The second tool is held in a second chuck and will subsequently be used for processing the workpiece. The second tool is supplied via the precooling device with the cryogenic coolant and thus cooled to the operating temperature required for processing. Due to the fact that the second tool is precooled to the required processing temperature, after the change of tools, the processing of the workpiece can be continued immediately. By precooling the second tool during the primary processing time, the total processing time of the workpiece is reduced, providing the machine tool with higher productivity.
US09475163B1
A lathe includes a frame having a bed mounted on a top face of a base. A carriage includes a saddle movable relative to the frame along a rotational axis. A cross sliding board is movable relative to the saddle in a transverse direction perpendicular to the rotational axis. A cross feed screw received in the saddle is rotatable relative to the saddle about a first rotating axis to drive the cross sliding board to move in the transverse direction. A driven gear is mounted on the cross feed screw. The saddle further includes a servo motor having a driving shaft. A driving gear is mounted on the driving shaft. The driving gear is rotatable about a second rotating axis to drive the driven gear to rotate. The carriage includes a controller electrically connected to the servo motor to control rotation of the servo motor.
US09475162B2
A positioning device includes a fixing mechanism, a first positioning assembly, a second positioning assembly. The fixing mechanism includes a base, a first moving member movably passing through the base, and a second moving member movably passing through the base. The first positioning assembly includes a bottom board and two first guide portions protruding from the bottom board. Each first guide portion forms one first incline surface. The second positioning assembly includes a base body and two second guide portions. The base body is positioned between the two first guide portions respectively positioned on opposite side surfaces of the base body. Each second guide portion forms a guiding surface. The first moving member is fixed with the bottom board at one end away from the base. The second moving member is fixed with the base body at one end away from the base.
US09475161B2
A vertical machining center in gantry construction may comprise a machine frame having two side walls configured to receive a tool-carrying assembly and a workpiece-carrying assembly, a moveable pickup tool magazine store within the two side walls of the machine frame configured for a tool change by the pickup method, and a machine enclosure which completely encloses the machining center. Below the moveable pickup tool magazine store there may be a free space in which there is additionally at least one further spare magazine, equivalent in construction to the pickup tool magazine store. A force-driven reloading handling system, with which machining tools can be reloaded from the spare magazine into the pickup tool magazine store and vice versa, may be provided within the machine enclosure at an access opening of the machine frame.
US09475152B2
The present invention provides a laser processing method in which a modified layer is formed inside a workpiece by irradiating the workpiece with a laser beam having such a wavelength as to be transmitted through the workpiece with the focal point of the laser beam positioned inside the workpiece. In the laser processing method, the spectral line width of the laser beam is set equal to or smaller than 10 pm.
US09475146B2
A soldering jig comprises a shaped hole that fits a corresponding battery terminal, such as a square battery terminal, and provides a cavity for insertion of a solder wire. An opposite side from the cavity for insertion of the solder wire provides a blind hole for insertion of one end of the solder wire and a template for bending and cutting the solder wire to a correct length. Once cut, the solder wire is inserted into the cavity and is resiliently retained until the solder wire and jig are inverted and placed onto a hot battery terminal. Under pressure and residual heat the hot battery terminal, the solder wire melts, soldering an interface.
US09475145B2
A method includes heating a solder bump above a melting temperature of the solder bump. The solder bump is stretched to increase a height of the solder bump. The solder bump is cooled down to form a solder bump joint in an electrical device.
US09475139B2
A tool holder attachment structure includes a spindle and a tool holder. The spindle has a tip end face and a tapered hole. The tool holder has a tapered shank portion and a flange end face. In a clamped state, there is a clearance of a predetermined size between the flange end face of the tool holder and the tip end face of the spindle. As the spindle is rotated, the tapered hole of the spindle is slightly expanded by a centrifugal force caused by rotation of the spindle, and the presence of this clearance allows the tapered shank portion to be further drawn into the tapered hole so that the flange end face of the tool holder closely contacts the tip end face of the spindle, and the tapered shank portion is closely fitted in the tapered hole, whereby two-face restraint is implemented.
US09475122B2
A parting tool for the chip removing machining of metal blanks includes a blade and a replaceable cutting insert mounted in a seat, which is delimited between a bottom support and an elastically resilient clamping finger. The cutting insert includes an upper side, in which there is included a front rake surface, as well as an application surface positioned behind the same and against which the clamping finger is pressed. In the clamping finger, a flushing channel is included to spray a cooling medium toward the rake surface. A front nose of the clamping finger facing a shoulder is formed between the rake surface and the application surface and has the purpose of protecting the nose from chips. The shoulder has two knobs mutually separated by a central notch, via which cooling medium can pass from the flushing channel toward the rake surface.
US09475117B2
A centrifugal casting apparatus including: a lower half-mold (10) mounted on a support (12) provided with driver for rotation about a substantially vertical central axis (14), the lower half-mold (10) being a solid of revolution having a first central cavity (36); an upper half-mold (16) facing the lower half-mold (10), the upper half-mold (16) being a solid of revolution having a second central cavity (56); and a device for causing the axial movement of the half-molds (10, 16) towards and away from each other. The lower half-mold (10) and the upper half-mold (16) each have at least one passage (46, 66) which puts the respective central cavity (36, 56) into communication with the outside through an outlet aperture through which the central axis (14) does not pass.
US09475116B2
Processes for die casting metals are provided, which are more energy efficient and less expensive than the current metal die casting processes. The die casting processes discussed herein utilize a water-soluble die release fluid and hydraulic equipment which uses water-insoluble hydraulic fluid. By doing so, the hydraulic fluid and die release fluid present in the waste collected from the die casting process can be collected via separation techniques. One or both of the collected hydraulic fluid and die release fluid may then be re-used in the same die casting process, another die casting process, or other processes altogether.
US09475109B2
A method of and device for manufacturing a hollow anchor with a radial, helical contour on its outer surface is provided. The contour is preferably a raised external contour or helix that is formed on the outer wall of the anchor and is suitable for tapping a thread in masonry. The hollow anchor formed by the method has an internal cavity that can receive another member and an outer surface with a raised external contour that is suitable for tapping a thread in a blind bore in a masonry member.
US09475108B2
A roll-forming machine has a stand (11) and a row of forming stations (12), which comprise frames (14, 15) for carriers (17, 18) of pair of rollers laterally displaceably mounted on the stand. An intermediate piece (16) is pivotally mounted on each frame for being pivoted about a vertical axis, and two carriers of a pair of rollers are separately laterally displaceably mounted on each intermediate piece. Each carrier of a pair of rollers comprises two axle pins for carrying a forming roller each and the two carriers of a pair of rollers have their axle pins directed towards each other.
US09475096B2
A system for processing core wheels and associated method are disclosed. A sorting station is configured to allow sorting of a source of wheels according to a first set of criteria. A first conveyor is configured to receive a plurality of wheels conforming to the first criteria and to a first inspection station, disposed along the first conveyor. The first inspection station is configured to allow examination of the wheels to determine whether the wheels conform to a second criteria. A diverter mechanism, downstream of the first inspection station, is configured to divert wheels conforming to the second criteria from the first conveyor. A second conveyor is configured to receive the diverted wheels and to direct the diverted wheels to a second inspection station, whereby the diverted wheels may be inspected at the second inspection station to confirm that the diverted wheels conform to the second criteria.
US09475076B2
A system for treating surfaces of objects, in particular for painting objects, in particular vehicle body parts, comprising a treatment booth, which defines a treatment space. The objects are conveyed into and back out of the treatment space by means of a conveying device. The conveying device comprises a conveying element, by means of which a first surface having a first retaining device for at least one object and at least one second surface having a second retaining device for at least one object are provided. The first and the second surface are arranged in such a way that the first or the second surface bounds the treatment space at least in some areas depending on the position of the conveying element.
US09475073B2
A fluid dispensing device includes an electrostatic discharge protection system. Accumulation and discharge of electrostatic energy created by operation of the device is reduced or prevented by the electrostatic discharge protection system without an earth ground connection. The electrostatic discharge protection system may include a number of features, such as a static wick, nonconductive components that electrically isolate the spray tip of the device, nonconductive isolation barriers, nonconductive fluid reservoir and suction tube components, a nonconductive coating of a control valve component, and a nonconductive spring retainer of the control valve.
US09475069B2
A device (1) for separation of particles from a flow of gas is described. The device (1) comprises a first cyclone generator (6) comprising a first cyclone tube (8) with a length axis (4) and a first blocking means (9) arranged so that an annular first inlet (10) is arranged between the first cyclone tube (8) and the first blocking means (9). A first vortex generator (11) is arranged in the first inlet (10). The device comprises a further cyclone generator (12) comprising a further cyclone tube (13) with a length axis (4) and a further blocking means (14) arranged so that an annular further inlet (15) is arranged between the second cyclone tube (13) and the further blocking means (14), and a further vortex generator (16) arranged in the further inlet (15), and an outlet tube (22) comprising an outlet (23) and a length axis (4), which outlet tube (22) is arranged concentric in relation to the second cyclone tube (13). The first blocking means (9) overlaps the further inlet (15) seen in the direction of the length axis (4) and the second blocking means (14) has essentially the same extension as the outlet (23) seen in the direction of the length axis (4). The further cyclone generator (12) is arranged between the first cyclone generator (6) and the outlet (23).
US09475067B2
The present invention relates to a mineral processing technology and method for refractory chalcopyrite ores, particularly to a mineral processing technology and method for the separation of chalcopyrite from multiple natural types of copper ores containing chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, talc and serpentine, which belongs to the technical field of mineral processing. It's characterized by: conducting a two-stage grinding on the chalcopyrite ore, with each grinding stage followed by size grading, and treating ores in different size fractions separately, wherein coarse-grain ores are separated in the presence of xanthate, with calcium oxide and CMC controlling the pH and acting as depressor respectively, while fine-grained ores are subjected to rougher in the presence of kerosene, and subsequently subjected to cleaner in the presence of xanthate.
US09475066B2
A flotation apparatus may include a flotation chamber having a side wall and a base, a stirrer, a sparging device associated with the stirrer, a first foam-collecting device arranged in an upper region of the flotation chamber for the purpose of collecting a foam product formed during the flotation process, and a charge line for charging the flotation chamber with pulp, wherein the charge line leads into the flotation chamber at a point above the stirrer and an ejector is present in the charge line. Further, a flotation method is performed in two stages inside a flotation chamber of a flotation apparatus, wherein an ejector is used in a first flotation stage and a stirrer is used in a second flotation stage.
US09475064B2
A waste collection device configured to remove magnetically-sensitive particles from the air includes a main body, a collection mechanism, an air inlet mechanism, an air exhaust mechanism, and a discharge mechanism. The main body includes a cover, an electric controller, a partition, and a cavity. The partition divides the cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity. The collection mechanism includes a plurality of dust deposition portions received in the first and second cavities. Each dust deposition portion is electrically powered and includes a plurality of dust deposition plates. The air inlet mechanism includes a first wind shield coupled to the first cavity and a second wind shield coupled to the second cavity.
US09475056B2
A flow disrupter in a tube chamber of a tube assembly for homogenizing sample materials includes a flow-disrupting body that extends generally transversely into the tube chamber and divides the tube chamber into two sub-chambers. The flow-disrupting body includes at least one narrowed flow passageway through which the sample flows back and forth in both axially reciprocating directions as the tube assembly is vigorously shaken at high speeds faster and more reliably than what can be accomplished by hand shaking. And the flow-disrupting body includes at least two flow-interrupting surfaces facing generally in opposite axial directions and against which the sample impacts in each respective axially reciprocating direction as the tube assembly is vigorously shaken. In this way, the vigorous high-speed shaking of the tube assembly including the flow disrupter results in significant particle-size reduction of the sample by mechanical shear, fluid shear, cavitation, and/or pressure differentials.
US09475037B2
The invention relates to a nickel hexaaluminate-comprising catalyst for reforming hydrocarbons, preferably methane, in the presence of carbon dioxide, which comprises hexaaluminate in a proportion in the range from 65 to 95% by weight, preferably from 70 to 90% by weight, and a crystalline, oxidic secondary phase selected from the group consisting of LaAlO3, SrAl2O4 and BaAl2O4 in the range from 5 to 35% by weight, preferably from 10 to 30% by weight. The BET surface area of the catalyst is ≧5 m2/g, preferably ≧10 m2/g. The molar nickel content of the catalyst is ≦3 mol %, preferably ≦2.5 mol % and more preferably ≦2 mol %. The interlayer cations are preferably Ba and/or Sr. The process for producing the catalyst comprises the steps: (i) production of a mixture of metal salts, preferably nitrate salts of Ni and also Sr and/or La, and a nanoparticulate aluminum source, (ii) molding and (iii) calcination. The catalyst of the invention is brought into contact with hydrocarbons, preferably methane, and CO2 in a reforming process, preferably at a temperature of >800° C. The catalyst is also distinguished by structural and preferred properties of the nickel, namely that the nickel particles mostly have a tetragonal form and the particles have a size of ≦50 nm, preferably ≦40 nm and particularly preferably ≦30 nm, and are present finely dispersed as grown-on hexaaluminate particles. The catalyst has only a very low tendency for carbonaceous deposits to be formed.
US09475028B2
A method of irradiating a target region containing at least one fullerene comprising molecule promotes the heating or combustion of the target region. The heating method can be employed in a variety of applications including: selective targeting and destruction of cancer cells, detonation of explosives, ignition of a combustible mixture, photolithographic processes, and writing of optical storage media.
US09475019B2
Computer systems and non-transitory computer readable media for determining an amount of an ingredient for a preparation for a requested therapy (e.g., an order or a prescription) includes an identifier, volume, and amounts of first and second compounds in each of a plurality of premix solutions. A predefined formulary comprising a formulary concentration of each of a plurality of additions is provided. A premix solution is selected. An amount of a first additions to be added to the premix solution may be selected. A number of bags of the premix solution, needed to satisfy a volume associated with the selected premix solution, are optionally reserved. An additive volume is determined at least by the specified first amounts of the first addition and a corresponding formulary concentration.
US09475015B2
The unit for mixing two components filled into containers for producing a ready-to-use filler includes a manual drive for manually driven plungers to force the components out of the containers and to feed the components into a motor-driven mixing device. The manual drive, the containers and the mixing device are arranged on a horizontal base plate.
US09475013B2
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for creating droplets. In one aspect, a plurality of droplets (27) is introduced into a continuous fluid stream (21) to cause the continuous fluid stream to form discrete droplets. In some cases, the droplets that are formed from the continuous fluid stream may be substantially monodisperse. The continuous fluid stream may, in some cases, be a jetting fluid stream flowing at a relatively high linear flow rate, and in certain embodiments, high rates of droplet formation from the jetting fluid may thereby be achieved. Additionally, certain aspects of the invention are generally directed to devices, such as microfluidic devices, able to form such droplets. For example, in one set of embodiments, a device may include a junction (14) where a plurality of droplets (27) can be introduced into a continuous fluid stream (21), and optionally, the device may include additional junctions (12) able to cause the formation of the plurality of droplets and/or the formation of the continuous fluid stream. Still other disclosed aspects are generally directed to methods of making such devices, methods of using such devices, kits involving such devices, and the like.
US09475006B2
Described herein are various embodiments of an apparatus, a system, and a methods for reducing NOx emissions using ammonia storage on an SCR catalyst. For example, according to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling an SCR system of an internal combustion engine system includes an ammonia storage module and a reductant dosing module. The ammonia storage module determines an ammonia storage surface coverage on an SCR catalyst of the SCR system and an ammonia compensation value based on one of an excess ammonia flow rate entering the SCR catalyst and an excess NOx flow rate entering the SCR catalyst. The reductant dosing module that generates a reductant dosing command based on the ammonia compensation value.
US09475005B2
Three way catalysts (TWCs) for catalyst systems are disclosed. The disclosed TWC systems include Iron (Fe)-activated Rhodium (Rh) and Barium (Ba)-Palladium (Pd) layers capable of interacting with conventional and/or non-conventional catalyst supports and additives. Variations of TWC system samples are produced including Fe-activated Rh layers deposited onto a washcoat (WC) layer having one or more of an oxygen storage material (OSM). Other TWC system samples are produced including an impregnation (IMPG) layer having loading variations of Ba within a Pd, Ce, and Nd applied onto an OSM WC layer, and a further overcoat layer including Fe-activated Rh is applied onto the IMPG layer. The catalytic performance of disclosed TWC catalysts is evaluated by performing a series of light-off tests, wide pulse perturbation tests, and standard isothermal oxygen storage capacity oscillating tests. Disclosed TWC catalysts exhibit high catalytic performance and significant oxygen storage capacity.
US09474993B2
A filtration apparatus has a housing that has a main housing body and a base closure member. The base closure member is releasably attached to the main housing body, wherein the housing defines an enclosed space. A filter element is disposed in the enclosed space. The housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The base closure member has a peripheral channel extending about an entire periphery of the base closure member, wherein the peripheral channel is in communication with the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet of the housing. The base closure member has a fluid inlet passage and/or a fluid outlet passage communicating with the peripheral channel and communicating with the filter element.
US09474992B2
A fluid interconnect for a fluid handling device is disclosed. The fluid interconnect comprises a connector having a first axis. A sealing member is disposed on the connector. At least one camming member is also disposed on the connector. The at least one camming member is disposed inboard of the sealing member.
US09474983B2
Surfing toys and methods of attaching and detaching different types of upwardly protruding objects on the surfing toy with a hydrofoil underneath comprising a skeg and a wing/vanes. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to shore. The hydrofoil can have weights being extra weight or thickened portions at any location on the wing vanes, skegs, any combination, or have no extra weight. The wings/vanes can be bendable to different positions to enhance the toy's performance. Different versions of pegs can be used to attach the main wing, skeg, flotation device and upwardly protruding objects together. The upwardly protruding objects can include figurines, vehicles, toys, sails and the like, and the surfing toy can be used without an upwardly protruding object. The surfing toy can also be pulled through the water with motorboats and/or fishing poles.
US09474978B2
An Internet based pictorial game allows participants to both contribute and decode pictorial content. The participants' performance, as well as that of artists and their artwork, can be tabulated and presented for community entertainment. Supplemental features can be added according to a desired rule set. Speech recognition can be used in some applications of the invention as well. Advertising can be integrated into game play as part of the picture decoding process.
US09474976B2
Embodiments of the present invention address delivery of content, including advertising, in an online or networked digital environment. Undesirable content or content that needs to be removed from the digital environment may be eliminated through invocation of a ‘kill switch’ that terminates further delivery of the aforementioned content. The ‘kill switch’ may also eliminate certain instantiations of that content already delivered to end-user client devices. In order to lessen the need for termination of content following delivery to the digital environment, content developers and content providers may view content scheduled for delivery in digital environment ‘mock ups’ prior to actual delivery. Content developers and content providers, too, may control certain attributes related to content scheduled for delivery to further obviate post-delivery termination or modification.
US09474972B2
A graphics system for changing images on a gaming machine display, having a transition library of transition types, a graphics engine and a control means. The graphics engine applies a selected transition type from the transition library to at least one of at least two images for determining the way in which a substitution of one of the images by the other of the images occurs and initializes transition data for effecting an incremental substitution of the one image by the other image. The control means modifies the transition data such that, when the selected transition type is being effected, an incremental substitution of at least a part of the one image by the other image occurs serially until the one image has been substituted by the other image on the gaming machine display.
US09474971B2
An example recording medium records an information processing program causing an information processing apparatus to operate as: a reading part reading a game program capable of being executed by any other information processing apparatus having a configuration different from that of the information processing apparatus; an emulation part emulating the read-out game program; a restriction part restricting the emulation of the game program by the emulation part; and a link information presentation part presenting link information used for accepting a purchase request for the game program, in a manner of being in correspondence to the game to be emulated.
US09474965B2
Systems, apparatus and methods for enabling a mobile station to control a virtual world being executed on a console system are described. The method can include establishing a communication link between the mobile station and a console system, identifying user interface characteristics of the mobile station, and providing a controller application to the mobile station, the controller application being based on the identified user interface characteristics and configured to transform user interface inputs into controller commands. The method can further include receiving signals containing data representing the controller commands from the mobile station over the communication link and determining a sequence of events of the virtual world based on the received controller commands In one aspect, the controller application can execute in the context of an application on the mobile station.
US09474962B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique play experience carried out utilizing an interactive “wand” and/or other seemingly magical actuation/tracking device. The wand or other actuation device allows play participants to electronically and “magically” interact with their surrounding play environment(s), thereby giving play participants the realistic illusion of practicing, performing and mastering “real” magic. Optionally, multiple play participants, each provided with a suitable “wand” and/or other actuation/tracking device, may play and interact together, either within or outside one or more compatible play environments, to achieve desired goals, master certain magical spells and/or produce desired seemingly magical effects within the play environment.
US09474960B1
A method of using, computer software implementing, and a system for allowing a fantasy sports contest application to provide to a user the ability to substitute bench players for active players while a corresponding live game is in progress comprising establishing a position clock for each player, subtracting times from the position clocks as a stat feed entry is received, for each player adding active points for active players and inactive points for bench players, and scoring to the user only active points at the end of the game.
US09474959B1
This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide an in-game friend object in a game instance of a multiplayer online game uniquely associated with a host player. The friend object has a unique association with a player who is a guest player with respect to the host player's game instance. A state of the friend object is automatically altered, for example deteriorating at random intervals, and can be restored subject to performance of a maintenance object by the guest player, performance of the maintenance action being limited only to the guest player. The friend object may be a display object, such as a picture frame, that displays an image associated with the guest player.
US09474944B2
A golf club head according to the present invention includes a face portion, a sole portion, and a crown portion. The face portion has a central region, a toe region arranged on the toe side with respect to the central region in the toe-heel direction, and a heel region arranged on the heel side with respect to the central region in the toe-heel direction. The central region is formed with a higher thickness than the toe region and the heel region. The toe region and the heel region have multiple reduced-thickness portions that are arranged at intervals in the toe-heel direction and extend from the sole portion side to the crown portion side.
US09474943B2
Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
US09474936B2
The disclosed device, system and methods relate to a spinning rotation and meditation device, having a rotating platform set at a nonzero angle from horizontal. Certain embodiments comprise a platform capable of rotation about a central hub which further comprises a plurality of legs, wherein the platform is set to rotate on a plane which is set at a non-zero angle from the horizon. Certain embodiments of the disclosed devices, systems and methods relate to the acquisition and practice of a centrifugal balance process, skill and ability.
US09474920B1
A system for extinguishing fires is provided which is compliant with ANSI/UL 1254 1999. The system comprises a fire extinguishant liquified gas which is EPA compliant, an ammonium fire extinguishing material, a polymeric gelling agent that interacts with fire extinguishing substances (a) and (b) to promote the formation of a stable, gel-like suspension there between, and a viscosity reducing agent which facilitates the flow of the mixed phase agent from the extinguisher so that a sufficient amount of the fire extinguishing substances (a) and (b) is discharged from the system in response to heat generated by a fire in an area proximate to said fire extinguisher system to extinguish the fire in a manner compliant with ANSI/UL 1254 1999.
US09474914B2
Treatment targets such as tumors or lesions, located within an anatomical region that undergoes motion (which may be periodic with cycle P) are tracked. A 4D mathematical model may be established for the non-rigid motion and deformation of the anatomical region, from a set of CT or other 3D images. The 4D mathematical model relates the 3D locations of part(s) of the anatomical region with the targets being tracked, as a function of the position in time within P. Using non-rigid image registration between pre-operative and intra-operative images, the position of the target and/or other part(s) of the anatomical region may be determined.
US09474909B2
Illustrative embodiments of systems and methods for wireless magnetic tracking are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a wireless magnetic tracking system may include a plurality of transmitting coils each configured to generate a magnetic field when energized, an active transponder configured to simultaneously (i) obtain measurements of the magnetic field when one of the plurality of transmitting coils is energized and (ii) transmit a wireless signal containing data concerning the measurements, and a computing device configured to (i) cause each of the plurality of transmitting coils to be sequentially energized, (ii) receive the data concerning the measurements, and (iii) determine a position and an orientation of the active transponder relative to the plurality of transmitting coils in response to the data concerning the measurements.
US09474906B2
A system for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine to treat low back pain is provided. The system may include electrodes coupled to an implantable pulse generator (IPG), a handheld activator configured to transfer a stimulation command to the IPG, and an external programmer configured to transfer programming data to the IPG. The stimulation command directs the programmable controller to stimulate the tissue in accordance with the programming data. The system may include a software-based programming system run on a computer such that the treating physician may program and adjust stimulation parameters.
US09474894B2
The present disclosure discusses a system and methods for a deep brain stimulation lead. More particularly, the disclosure discusses a stimulation lead that includes one or more silicon based barrier layers within a MEMS film. The silicon based barrier layers can improve device reliability and durability. The silicon based barrier layers can also improve adhesion between the layers of the MEMS film.
US09474890B2
A liquid dispensing circuit is provided with: a multi-way cock; a first line; a second line; a third line; a fourth line; a fifth line; and a casing which houses some of the above. When a cock in the multi-way cock is situated in a priming position, a distal opening in a second part of a first flow channel communicates with a first port, and a distal opening in a third part communicates with a second port; thus, the first port and the second port are in an open state wherein the ports are connected to each other via the first flow channel, whereas a third port, a fourth port, and a sixth port are in an open state wherein the ports are connected to one another via a second flow channel.
US09474888B2
An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. The access port may include a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. The access port may further include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. The subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is included on a molded insert that is sandwiched between base and cap portions of the access port so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.
US09474885B2
Methods and devices to affect types, proportion, quantity, distribution, or proliferation of microorganisms within a female reproductive system.
US09474882B2
A system for deploying and selectively inflating a balloon at a desired location, without the aid of fluoroscopy is described.
US09474874B2
The present disclosure describes systems and methods that utilize a tracheal tube adaptor system. The tracheal tube adaptor system includes a tracheal tube adaptor and/or a flaring jig. A proximal end of a tracheal tube may be flared and the tracheal tube adaptor may be coupled to the proximal end of the tracheal tube. The tracheal tube adaptor may be configured to easily attach and detach an end connector. The end connector may be used to couple a variety of medical devices such as a ventilator, a manual respirator, a nebulizer, a vaporizer, suctioning equipment, and so forth, to the tracheal tube. The use of the tracheal tube adaptor system and methods enables the rapid detachment and attachment of various end connectors, thus allowing the coupling of the tracheal tube to a variety of medical devices.
US09474872B2
Methods and/or apparatuses for treating sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are provided. In particular, systems and/or methods are provided which may temporarily boost the pressure of a supply of breathable gas provided by an AutoSet device for the treatment of hypopnea. In certain example embodiments, a supply of breathable is provided to patients to treat apneas and/or hypopneas. The presence and/or absence of apneas and/or hypopneas are detected (e.g. by monitoring the Apnea-Hypopnea Index). When hypopnea events are detected, the pressure of the supply of breathable gas temporarily is increased above the Pcrit and/or CPAP levels, at least during patient inspiration. When the hypopnea events are normalized, the pressure is reduced. In certain example embodiments, the pressure will not be increased when a non-hypopnea event is detected at the same time as a hypopnea event.
US09474871B2
A respiratory treatment device comprising a self-sensing respiratory treatment device comprising: power supply means; a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture; electronic control means operable to control said actuator; liquid supply means; valving means; wherein said actuator is operable to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing respiratory treatment device and causing said actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein said electronic control means is operable to control said valving means and said actuator based on the reception of said command signal, wherein said actuator is a piezoelectric actuator, and the respiratory treatment degvice further comprising: a mouthpiece, and a fluidic interface, wherein said electronic control means and said piezoelectric actuator being arranged to detect a breathing pattern of a user through said mouthpiece.
US09474868B2
A single-use syringe assembly is disclosed which includes a syringe body defining a fluid reservoir and including an engagement surface, a plunger assembly including a plunger rod and a sealing member supported on a distal end of the plunger rod, and a releasable member having a proximal end releasably positioned within a sealing member throughbore and a distal end configured to engage the engagement surface of the syringe body when the sealing member is moved to the advanced position. The proximal end of the releasable member being configured to seal the sealing member throughbore. The releasable member is configured such that a force required to remove the distal end of the releasable member from engagement with the engagement surface of the syringe body is greater than the force required to disengage the proximal end of the releasable member from the sealing member throughbore. As such, upon movement of the sealing member from the advanced position to the retracted position, the proximal end of the releasable member is disengaged from the sealing member throughbore to unseal the throughbore.
US09474865B2
A needle shield includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis, and having a longitudinal channel configured to receive a syringe. The body has injection and protection positions. A first latching mechanism on the body is radially outwardly deflectable and includes a protuberance extending radially into the channel. A second latching mechanism disposed on the body and proximally of the first latching mechanism is radially outwardly deflectable and includes a tab at a proximal end thereof extending radially into the channel. The tab has a radially inwardly tapering portion toward a proximal edge of the tab oriented generally perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis. In the injection position, an annular ring on the syringe is located distally of the protuberance, and in the protection position, the proximal edge of the tab is in facing engagement with the annular ring to prevent proximal movement of the body on the syringe.
US09474860B2
The present invention resides in a needleless syringe for injecting an injection objective substance into an injection target area of a living body without using any injection needle; the needleless syringe comprising a main syringe body; an accommodating unit which accommodates the injection objective substance by the aid of a sealing member in an accommodating chamber provided in the main syringe body; a pressurizing unit which pressurizes the injection objective substance accommodated in the accommodating unit to move or destroy the sealing member thereby so that the injection objective substance is discharged to outside; a flow passage unit which forms a discharge port with respect to the injection target area and which defines a flow passage so that the injection objective substance pressurized by the pressurizing unit is discharged via the discharge port to the injection target area; and a preparatory filling unit which fills the flow passage unit with a part of the injection objective substance accommodated in the accommodating chamber by destroying a part of the sealing member before pressurization is performed by the pressurizing unit. Accordingly, it is possible to mitigate the load exerted on the nozzle during the injection and reduce the noise without deteriorating the convenience of a user of the needleless syringe.
US09474858B2
A dosing method using a device for transferring and dosing biomedical fluids between hospital containers includes a syringe body containing a biomedical fluid and a piston sealed fitted therein, the syringe body including a first extremity having joining elements to a first container and to a second container, and a second extremity opposite the first extremity, the method including gripping a handle having a coupling seat for fastening to the second extremity; placing first temporary fastening elements between the coupling seat and second extremity; placing second temporary fastening elements between the piston and thrust rod; operating a thrust rod of a motorized element mounted in the handle for pushing the piston; and dosing using control elements mounted on the handle, associated with the motorized element to dose volumetric quantities of biomedical fluid from the first container and dispensing to the second container.
US09474851B2
The present invention relates to a holder for an injection syringe (18), with a housing (12) designed to receive the syringe, with a stand (14) for placing on a supporting surface, and with retaining means (38, 52, 54, 62, 64) for axially and/or radially fixing the syringe (18) on or in the holder, wherein the retaining means (38, 52, 54, 62, 64) are designed in such a way that an outlet (26) of a syringe (18) arranged vertically in the holder comes to lie facing the free end of the stand (14) and at a distance therefrom.
US09474850B2
Medical apparatus includes a flexible insertion shaft, which is adapted for insertion into a body of a patient. A resilient end section is fixed to the distal end of the insertion shaft and is formed so as to assume, when unconstrained, an arcuate shape. One or more electrodes are disposed at respective locations along the end section. A first lumen runs from the insertion shaft through the end section so as to convey an irrigation fluid to exit the end section through perforations of the electrodes. A second lumen runs through the insertion shaft to a distal opening and is configured to permit a guide wire to pass through the second lumen from the proximal end of the insertion shaft to exit distally through the distal opening, while conveying the irrigation fluid from the proximal end through the distal opening together with the guide wire.
US09474846B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting an interruption of connection between a blood treatment apparatus and a patient blood circulation. The system includes a line shut-off for blocking the venous fluid line arranged between the blood treatment apparatus and a connector, an arterial fluid line arranged between the blood treatment apparatus and the patient blood circulation, a pressure sensor arranged in the venous fluid line or the arterial fluid line for measuring pressure, and a control and evaluation unit for evaluating a pressure curve in time of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor during blocking of the venous fluid line to detect an interruption or disturbance of the connection between the first connection means and the patient blood circulation.
US09474839B2
The present invention relates to a Heart Assist Device which comprises a motor, a control unit and an internal battery connected to the motor. The control unit is connected to the motor controlling the motor's operation. The motor of the Heart Assist Device further comprises a rotor without an axial pin running in magnetic bearing. The present disclosure has smaller size and consumes less energy to longer battery lives. The device has high power so that it generates high blood flow. The contact surface is small enough so that it does not cause any harmful effects for blood cells and coagulation systems.
US09474832B2
Many people need vascular access for procedures such as hemodialysis. It is desirable that this access remain open or patent for the entire duration of the course of treatments. A drug delivery device and methods of using the device are introduced that delivery drug to venous anastomosis of a synthetic vascular access shunt. In some embodiments this device serves as the shunt connecting the target artery and vein to create the vascular access shunt.
US09474831B2
Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable implant configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent microbial growth or adherence to the implant.
US09474826B2
A kit for bonding to biological hard tissues, containing a phosphorylated polysaccharide, a polyvalent metal salt other than phosphates, and a solvent. The adhesive composition for biological hard tissues provided by the kit for bonding to biological hard tissues is suitably used in for medical uses, such as cement for bones or dental cement. In addition, since the adhesive composition has excellent bio-absorbability, it is useful as fusion materials for artificial joint prosthesis, fusion materials for spine fracture, fusion materials for extremity fracture, filling materials for bone tumors in the region of orthopedics, filling materials and restorative materials at dental caries-defective sites, luting materials for prosthetic restorative materials such as inlay and crown, pulp-capping and lining materials, implant surface treatment materials, periodontal disease therapeutic materials, hyperesthesia preventive materials, dental pulp capping materials, substrates for DDS, substrates for systems engineering, and tissue bonding materials in the dental region.
US09474813B2
An apparatus for sterilizing containers includes a transport device which transports the containers along a predefined transport path (P), a radiation device which applies radiation (S) to at least some sections of the containers and/or components of the apparatus for sterilization purposes, and a sensor device which detects radiation occurring as a result of the radiation (S) emitted by the radiation device. The apparatus has a shielding element which attenuates the radiation reaching the sensor device in a working mode of the apparatus, and a movement device for moving said shielding element relative to the sensor device.
US09474808B2
The invention relates to industrial preparation of contrast agents, and further to an improved process for the purification of contrast agents. In particular, it relates to a process for reducing the salt content of compositions comprising an MR contrast agent or an X-ray contrast agent, such as a non-ionic iodinated monomeric compound or a non-ionic iodinated dimeric compound.
US09474807B2
The present invention is directed to non-cytotoxic protein conjugates for inhibition or reduction of exocytic fusion in a nociceptive sensory afferent cell. The protein conjugates comprise: (i) a Targeting Moiety (TM), wherein the TM is an agonist of a receptor present on a nociceptive sensory afferent cell, and wherein the receptor undergoes endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; (ii) a non-cytotoxic protease or a fragment thereof, wherein the protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; and (iii) a Translocation Domain, wherein the Translocation Domain translocates the protease or protease fragment from within the endosome, across the endosomal membrane, and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell wherein the Targeting Moiety is selected from the group consisting of BAM, β-endorphin, bradykinin, substance P, dynorphin and/or nociceptin.
US09474806B2
The invention relates to the compositions of synthetic oligo-β-(1→6)-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosides conjugated to carriers, and methods for making and use same.
US09474804B2
The present invention is directed membrane active poly(vinyl ester) polymers and compositions for targeted delivery of RNA interference (RNAi) polynucleotides to cells in vivo. RNAi polynucleotides are conjugated to the poly(vinyl ester) polymers and the polymers are reversibly modified to enable in vivo targeted delivery. Membrane activity of the poly(vinyl ester) provides for movement of the RNAi polynucleotides from outside the cell to inside the cell. Reversible modification provides physiological responsiveness.
US09474802B2
Compositions and methods for preventing and/or reducing hangover, when consumed before, after or during drinking alcohol. Compositions of the inventions include fructose powder, prickly pear extract, N-acetyl cysteine; kudzu; lemon balm; Vitamin C; nopal; white willow bark extract; milk thistle; Vitamin B1; Vitamin B6; lemon juice; acacia fiber; and other ingredients.
US09474790B2
The invention relates to novel stable and protracted GLP-1/glucagon receptor co-agonists, to the use of said peptides in therapy, to methods of treatment comprising administration of said peptides to patients, and to the use of said peptides in the manufacture of medicaments.
US09474788B2
The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for reactivating latent immunodeficiency virus in an immunodeficiency virus-infected cell. The methods generally involve contacting an immunodeficiency virus-infected cell with a synergistically effective amount of an inhibitor of cytosine methylation and an NF-κB activator. The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for reducing the reservoir of latent immunodeficiency virus in an individual, and for treating an immunodeficiency virus infection in an individual.
US09474785B2
The present invention relates to a chimeric protein that includes an N-terminus coupled to a C-terminus, where the N-terminus includes a portion of a paracrine fibroblast growth factor (“FGF”) and the C-terminus includes a C-terminal portion of an FGF19 molecule. The portion of the paracrine FGF is modified to decrease binding affinity for heparin and/or heparan sulfate compared to the portion without the modification. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including chimeric proteins according to the present invention, methods for treating a subject suffering from diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, and methods of screening for compounds with enhanced binding affinity for the βKlotho-FGF receptor complex involving the use of chimeric proteins of the present invention.
US09474784B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of inflammatory and/or tissue damage conditions. In particular, the use of Smad7 compositions delivered locally or systematically to a site of inflammation and/or tissue damage is described. Other specific embodiments concern treatment or prevention of side effects caused by radiation and/or chemotherapy, including but not limited to mucositis.
US09474782B2
The invention concerns decorin for increasing muscle mass, particularly in the treatment of muscular dystrophies.
US09474768B1
A composition for lubricant formulations is disclosed. The composition may include hypochlorite, dimethicone, and an emulsifier for improvement of lubricity. Methods of making and using the lubricant formulations are also disclosed.
US09474760B2
New compositions for and methods of treating ocular hypertension provide for effective treatment of ocular hypertension often using reduced concentrations of active components. Such compositions include a timolol component and a hypotensive lipid component. The present compositions and methods are relatively straightforward, can be easily produced, for example, using conventional manufacturing techniques, and can be easily and conveniently practiced, for example, using application or administration techniques or methodologies which are substantially similar to those employed with prior compositions used to treat ocular hypertension.
US09474749B2
Methods and materials related to the use of morphine, morphine precursors (e.g., reticuline), and inhibitors of morphine synthesis or activity to treat diseases, to reduce inflammation, or to restore normal function are provided.
US09474737B2
Substituted 2-[2-(phenyl)ethylamino]alkaneamide derivatives of formula (I) wherein X, Y, Z, R, R1, R2, R3, R′3 R4, R5, R6, R7 have the meanings defined in the specification and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredient and their use as sodium and/or calcium channel modulators useful in preventing, alleviating and curing a wide range of pathologies, including, but not limited to, neurological, cognitive, psychiatric, inflammatory, urogenital and gastrointestinal diseases, where the above mechanisms have been described as playing a pathological role.
US09474720B2
The present application provides a dosage form and related methods for making the dosage form. The dosage form generally comprises a hydrophilic active ingredient, a plurality of solid, porous microcarriers, each having a hydrophobic surface, an optional hydrophobic encapsulant, and a hydrophilic delivery agent, wherein (i) the hydrophilic active ingredient is associated with the plurality of solid, porous microcarriers, (ii) the plurality of solid, porous microcarriers is encapsulated by the hydrophobic encapsulant, and (iii) the hydrophilic delivery agent is physically separated from a majority of the hydrophilic active ingredient by a boundary between the hydrophilic delivery agent and the hydrophobic encapsulant. In some embodiments, the dosage form is for topical application. In some additional embodiments, the plurality of solid, porous microcarriers is formed by modifying the microcarriers to increase their hydrophobicity.
US09474713B2
The present invention relates to chewable compositions for oral administration, said compositions comprising high(methyl)pectin, glycerol and water. Advantageously, the chewable composition can comprise a drug substance. The present invention also concerns a process for preparing the chewable composition and the use of said chewable composition as a medicament.
US09474709B2
A preferred embodiment of a version of the invention is directed to a skin moisturizing composition for the treatment of a variety of skin disorders, including eczema, psoriasis, scleroderma, and similar skin conditions. The composition is comprised of a balm comprised of a base of shea butter and coconut oil. The composition may also be formulated as a cream or a soap. All of the formulations are comprised of natural ingredients that do not cause adverse side effects. All of the formulations may be used daily as moisturizers to promote smooth, healthy skin.
US09474708B2
The present invention provides for a formulation comprising: at least one hydrophilic polymer, at least one desquamatory agent and alpha hydroxyl acid.
US09474707B1
A treatment system and method includes use of a chemical facilitator to provide a result-effective event against one or more negative therapeutic effects related to exposing to a light output a skin portion including a condition treatable in whole or in part with light. In one exemplary embodiment for skin treatment including tattoo removal, perfluorodecalin is used to inhibit or resolve whitening, for example to speed a laser therapy session.
