US09488818B2
A microscope immersion objective having a numerical aperture of NA>1.36 includes a front lens group. The front lens group has a first, object-side optical element having a plane parallel plate and a second optical element having a hyper-hemisphere. The plane parallel plate is wrung together with a planar side of the hyper-hemisphere.
US09488815B2
An pattern evaluation method includes a step of estimating imaging deviation allowed to evaluate an overlay position on one or more evaluation point candidates based on pattern layout information, a step of deciding one or more evaluation points from among the evaluation point candidates based on the allowed imaging deviation, a step of deciding an imaging sequence for imaging the selected evaluation point, and a step of evaluating an overlay position between first and second patterns based on an image obtained by imaging the evaluation point according to the imaging sequence.
US09488812B2
To provide thin imaging optics that have magnification-adjustment functionality and can fit in a small-form-factor electronic device that has limited thickness or layout space. These imaging optics, which have magnification-adjustment functionality that allows magnification adjustment, are characterized in that a prism (P) with the ability to bend the optical axis by 90° is positioned on the object side. These imaging optics are also characterized in that at least the following are laid out, in this order, behind the optical-axis bending means: a positive-power first group (G1) that produces an intermediate image (II), said intermediate image (II) being a real image; a positive-power second group (G2) that refracts off-axis light rays toward a central axis (O); and a positive-power third group (G3) that focuses the intermediate image (II) onto an imaging element. Light-ray heights at the V-edges throughout the imaging optics are thereby kept low.
US09488810B2
Apparatuses and methods to image onto a flat surface with a spot-size that is about less than or equal to the wavelength of an incident planar electromagnetic wave, and with large field of view, are disclosed herein. More specifically, the apparatuses and methods disclosed herein utilize two hemispheres comprised of one or more dielectric materials to produce the Fourier transform of an incident planar electromagnetic wave onto a flat surface located in a projection plane.
US09488807B2
An optical imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface thereof has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof.
US09488802B2
An optical image lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has a convex image-side surface, wherein at least one surface of the fifth lens element is aspheric. The sixth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein at least one surface of the sixth lens element is aspheric, and the sixth lens element has at least one inflection point on the image-side surface thereof.
US09488800B2
A wide angle lens consists of a front group, a stop, and a positive rear group in order from the object side. A positive lens with a convex surface on the object side and a lens having a negative meniscus shape with a convex surface on the object side are respectively disposed first and second from the object side in the front group. When Abbe number with respect to the d-line and the partial dispersion ratio between the g-line and the F-line of the lens having a negative meniscus shape are taken as νdf and θgFf respectively, the wide angle lens satisfies a conditional expression (1): 0.038<θgFf −0.6415+0.001618×νdf and a conditional expression (2): νdf<19.
US09488797B2
A lens barrel in which tilt adjustment can be made depending on the position of a lens unit in the optical axis direction. This lens barrel includes: at least three guide bars provided so as to extend along the optical axis direction; a driving unit that respectively drives the at least three guide bars in the optical axis direction; a lens frame holding unit that holds an image-capturing lens, the lens frame holding unit being attached to at least three guide bars and being driven in the optical axis direction by the at least three guide bars; and a control unit that controls said at least three linear actuators so as to adjust the respective drive amounts in the optical axis direction of the at least three guide bars and to tilt the lens frame holding unit from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis.
US09488792B2
A surface (17d′) facing a photoelectric conversion apparatus is formed on the optical block (3) side, said surface having light from a light emitting element (10) inputted thereto and monitor light outputted therefrom, and a coupling light output surface (12) having coupling light outputted therefrom is formed on the optical housing (4) side, and consequently, the surface (17d′) and the coupling light output surface (12) are simply and highly accurately formed. Then, an optical block (3) and an optical housing (4) are simply and accurately combined by being fitted together by means of fitting sections (21, 24). Adhesion of foreign materials and formation of scratches on the reflecting surface (18) of the optical block (3) are suppressed by covering the reflecting surface (18) with the optical housing (4).
US09488787B2
An optical cross-connect including two deflector arrays optically separated by an angle-to-offset (ATO) element, wherein each deflector array includes a plurality of deflectors aligned in an array direction, each deflector array having a switching direction substantially perpendicular to the corresponding array direction, the array direction of the two deflector arrays being substantially perpendicular. Beam shaping optics convert light transmitted towards the first deflector array to have an elliptical cross-section at the first deflector array, thus providing a relatively simple and compact optical cross-connect.
US09488786B2
Optical-based apparatus and method for sensing parameters in connection with an asset, such as a pipeline, are provided. At least two sites in an optical fiber may include a respective fiber grating arranged to have a respective optical response in a wavelength spectrum having a distinguishing feature indicative of a value of a respective local parameter at a respective grating site. The two fiber gratings may be further arranged to form, in combination with a respective portion of the optical fiber which extends between the two sites, respective optical backscatter portions that when combined with one another are effective to sense an optical change in the fiber portion between the sites indicative of a value of a distributed parameter. This is a parameter modality different from a parameter modality of the respective local parameters at the respective grating sites.
US09488777B2
A fabrication technique for cleaving a substrate in an integrated circuit is described. During this fabrication technique, a trench is defined on a back side of a substrate. For example, the trench may be defined using photoresist and/or a mask pattern on the back side of the substrate. The trench may extend from the back side to a depth less than a thickness of the substrate. Moreover, a buried-oxide layer and a semiconductor layer may be disposed on a front side of the substrate. In particular, the substrate may be included in a silicon-on-insulator technology. By applying a force proximate to the trench, the substrate may be cleaved to define a surface, such as an optical facet. This surface may have high optical quality and may extend across the substrate, the buried-oxide layer and the semiconductor layer.
US09488763B2
The polycyclic organic compounds which are substantially transparent for an electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectral range, an anisotropic optical film comprising at least one polycyclic organic compound and a method of producing thereof are disclosed. The polycyclic organic compounds have a general formula (I) wherein A and B are acid groups; n is the number of phenyl rings in the range from 3 to 10; m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; l is 1, 2, or 3; p is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; C is a counterion from a list comprising H+, NH+4, Na+, K+, Li+, Cs+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, La3+, Zn2+, Zr4+, Ce3+, Y3+, Yb3+, Gd3+, and any combination thereof; k is the number of counterions necessary for compensation of the negative electric charge equal to (−p).
US09488761B2
The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for fabricating display panels and color filter substrates. The fabricating methods include: providing a glass substrate having a flexible area; forming a etching material layer on a surface of the glass substrate; etching the etching material layer to form black matrices on the glass substrate, wherein the black matrix of the flexible area, which is narrower than the black matrix on the other area, corresponds to a vertical projection of a opaque area between pixels when the flexible area is bending. Hence, the present invention may reduce shadows and improve the transmittance by above methods.
US09488758B2
A liquid lens structure and method of fabrication are provided. The liquid lens includes a substrate with a channel opening extending through the substrate. A liquid drop is disposed within the channel and an enclosure at least partially surrounds the substrate, and forms a chamber. The liquid drop resides within the chamber, and a second liquid is disposed within the chamber in direct or indirect contact with the liquid drop at a first interface and a second interface. The first and second interfaces define first and second protruding liquid portions relative to the first and second surfaces, respectively. Taken together, the first and second liquid portions define a total protruding liquid volume. A lens magnification control is provided for adjusting magnification of the liquid lens by increasing or decreasing the total protruding liquid volume defined relative to the first and second surfaces.
US09488754B2
In the prior art electromagnetic measurement systems for meteorology are known with which Spherics signals are recorded and analyzed. To design a measurement system in such a way that the creation, development and transfer of discharge processes is relatively observable for comprehensive monitoring network, it is provided, that a subnetwork (SN) is underlain to a base net (BN), wherein in the cells of the subnetwork (SN) sensors (SSN) with the ratio of between 1:8 and 1:12, preferably 1:10, smaller distance are distributed, wherein sensors (SBN) located in the basic network (BN), which are in standby-mode and which if receiving Spherics-burst signals in an adjustable time period are self-activating and make a preprocessing for the extraction of event patterns, and wherein a central station (Z) turns on said sensors (SSN) of the subnetwork (SN) for a finer resolution with respect to the observation.
US09488750B2
A system can be constructed and operated with at least a wellbore that is connected to a gas detection system. The gas detection system can house a control module, infrared sensor, and first and second pumps in a portable case. The first and second pumps may be respectively positioned on opposite sides of the infrared sensor and configured to provide uniform sample gas flow through the infrared sensor to detect multiple different types of gasses flowing from the wellbore.
US09488749B2
A method includes obtaining a first small defect response at a given frequency of a first small defect on a first wellbore pipe positioned within a wellbore. A Fourier transform of the first small defect response is then calculated, and a first measured response at the given frequency of a first arbitrary metal loss defect in the first wellbore pipe is obtained with a sensor of a pipe inspection tool. A Fourier transform of the first measured response is then calculated, and a magnitude of the first arbitrary metal loss based on the Fourier transform of the first small defect response and the Fourier transform of the first measured response is then estimated.
US09488736B2
A method of improving position determination of a device using locally measured movement. A first position fix of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver system of a device is accessed. A second position fix of the GNSS receiver system is accessed at a time subsequent to the first position fix. Locally measured device movement information is obtained from at least one sensor, that is in a known physical relationship to the device, for a time period after the first position fix and no later than the second position fix, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an image capture device. The quality of measurement of the second position fix is improved by disciplining the second position fix based on the locally measured device movement information.
US09488730B2
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for isolating a desired GNSS signal from a plurality of GNSS signals with the same code are presented. In some embodiments, a method may comprise receiving, by a mobile device, the plurality of GNSS signals, wherein the plurality of GNSS signals include the desired GNSS signal. Subsequently, the method may comprise processing the received plurality of GNSS signals to a down-converted signal, wherein the down-converted signal has a lower frequency than the desired GNSS signal, and wherein the down-converted signal includes a first channel associated with a non-zero frequency. Moreover, the method may comprise processing the down-converted signal to offset the first channel by an offset frequency corresponding to a fraction of the first channel to create an offset down-converted signal. Furthermore, the method may comprise determining the desired GNSS signal from the offset down-converted signal based on the offset frequency.
US09488727B2
The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor arrangement (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a trim element (3), in particular a bumper, comprising a radiator grill (4), and at least one first and one second ultrasonic sensor (5, 6) each comprising a membrane (11) for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals, wherein the first ultrasonic sensor (5) with its membrane (11) is arranged on a back side of the trim element (3) so that the membrane (11) of the first ultrasonic sensor (5) is configured for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic sensor signals through the trim element (3) and the second ultrasonic sensor (6) is arranged on the radiator grill (4). By detuning means (7, 9) the second ultrasonic sensor (6) is detuned and hereby its emission and/or receiving behavior adapted to the emission and/or receiving behavior of the first ultrasonic sensor (5).
US09488720B2
An active and passive detection device is provided with a low probability of interception having a fixed antenna structure, transmission means and reception means. The antenna structure is formed by a plurality of radiating elements grouped into identical subnetworks and comprises at least one transmission subnetwork and at least three reception subnetworks. The transmission means are capable of generating an unfocused continuous waveform having low peak power in one plane and of transmitting said waveform. The reception means are capable of detecting the targets following the formation of a plurality of directional beams on the basis of the signals received on the reception subnetworks. The reception means are likewise capable of implementing the interception of radar signals from other radar sources using cross correlation processing between the signals received on at least three reception subnetworks.
US09488716B2
Provided are methods and systems for calibrating a distributed sensor (e.g., microphone) array using time-of-flight (TOF) measurements for a plurality of spatially distributed acoustic events at the sensors. The calibration includes localization and gain equalization of the sensors. Accurate measurements of TOFs are obtained from spatially distributed acoustic events using a controlled signal emitted at known intervals by a moving acoustic source. A portable user device capable of playing out audio is used to produce a plurality of acoustic events (e.g., sound clicks) at known intervals of time and at different, but arbitrary locations based on the device being moved around in space by a user while producing the acoustic events. As such, the times of the acoustic event generation are known, and are spatially diverse. The calibration signals emitted by the acoustic source are designed to provide robustness to noise and reverberation.
US09488708B2
In a magnetic (MR) method and apparatus to generate an MR angiography image of a vascular structure of an examination region, spins in the examination region are saturated by an RF saturation pulse to cause these spins to produce a lower signal intensity in the angiography image than spins that flow from a major artery via a feed artery into the examination region, which are not saturated by the RF saturation pulse. A saturation volume is established that is saturated by the RF saturation pulse in order to be able to depict substantially all the vascular structure, such that the major artery and the tissue surrounding the major artery are not situated at the level of the branching of the feed artery in the saturation volume. The MR angiography image is generated using the established saturation volume.
US09488702B2
A magnetic sensor includes a plurality of magneto-resistive effect elements each configured by using a magneto-resistive effect film formed by laminating a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a free layer in order from a side of a substrate. A first linear pattern is formed in a first portion on the substrate in a first direction. A second linear pattern is formed in a second portion on the substrate in a second direction. A magnetization direction of the first portion is different from a magnetization direction of the second portion. The magneto-resistive effect film is further formed on the substrate. Each of the plurality of magneto-resistive effect elements includes a pair of electrodes formed by the magneto-resistive effect film processed into a predetermined shape.
US09488696B2
A voltage detection apparatus comprises discharge circuits constituted by switch elements and resistors connected in series, and respectively connected in parallel to each of a plurality of battery cells constituting a storage battery, filter circuits provided for the respective battery cells and removing noise contained in voltage inputted by the battery cells, and voltage detection units (D) and (M) which detect voltage of the respective battery cells in which noise is removed by the filter circuits. The voltage detection units correct detection results, based on time from when the switch elements of the discharge circuits change into an OFF state to timing for detecting voltage of the battery cells. With this voltage detection apparatus, it is possible to correct the detection error of the voltage of the battery cell due to the influence of the filter circuit, thus improving the detection accuracy of the voltage of the battery cell.
US09488691B2
An integrated circuit comprises: a first processing stage comprising processing logic for performing a processing operation on an input signal to generate an output signal, wherein the input signal corresponds to an output signal of a previous processing stage; a first sampling element adapted to sample a first value of said output signal synchronously with a clock signal; a second sampling element adapted to sample a second value of said output signal synchronously with a first delayed clock signal; and a first delayed clock signal generator, adapted to selectively generate said first delayed clock signal in response to a control signal generated in said previous processing stage.
US09488686B2
Methods and apparatus are presented for detecting filter capacitor degradation in a power converter in which filter circuit branch currents and voltages are concurrently measured, nominal current values are automatically computed according to the measured voltages, the operating frequency and nominal capacitance values, and current change values are calculated based on the difference between the measured currents and the calculated nominal currents, and the change values are evaluated to selectively identify filter capacitor degradation conditions in the filter circuit.
US09488679B2
A current sensor includes a magnetic core with a gap in part of a circumference and formed in an annular shape, and a magneto-electric conversion element arranged in the gap, the magneto-electric conversion element detecting magnetic fluxes changing with a measurement target current passing through a hollow part of the magnetic core. The magnetic core is formed by laminating a plurality of materials in a direction except a circumferential direction, and is formed so that magnetic flux densities of two points in an area defined in advance as an area where a sensing part of the magneto-electric conversion element can exist (hereinafter referred to as a sensing part existence area) approximate to each other, the two points being away from each other with a distance in a laminating direction being a length of the sensing part in the laminating direction.
US09488669B2
Techniques are disclosed for providing an optical assembly to provide stereoscopic images of a reflected laser spot to a camera for wind measurement. According to certain embodiments of the invention, an optical assembly can include left and right (or first and second) subassemblies having lens groups and reflective elements that cause light traveling left and right subassemblies to follow similar paths to focus on respective left and right portions of a camera. The camera can then use left and right images of reflected laser light to determine wind based on turbulence patterns in the left and right images.
US09488665B2
Methods for separating, in a continuous, multizone fluid medium, cells, particles, or other molecules of interest (MOI) from associated or contaminating unwanted materials not of interest (MNOI). The invention involves forced movement of MOI into certain zones having properties which deter the entry of unwanted materials. Differential movement of MOI and MNOI occurs by active counterforces that move MNOI but not MOI. MOI are tagged with magnetic particles and moved with a magnetic field through a fluid, or zones, of higher specific gravity that prevents, by flotation counterforce, unwanted less dense materials from entering.Surfaces specifically coated with reactants are reactive with the MOI in the tagged magnetic particle complex and of buoyant or other forces are used to remove any unbound material from the surface before reading. Readable labels, in addition to the magnetic particle tagged complex itself, such as enzymes, fluorophors, chemiluminescent materials, radioactive isotopes, chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates and other labels may be used. In most embodiments, materials of interest are delivered to a special final zone for reading or harvesting. The invention applies to many assays, diagnostic tests, separative procedures and chemical syntheses.
US09488658B2
A biological testing device includes a housing body having a meter storage compartment, and a testing meter that is disposed in the meter storage compartment and that operates with a biosensor strip which is disposed after being used. The housing body further has a waste storage compartment that is separated from the meter storage compartment and that has a waste take-out opening, and an insertion hole for inserting the used biosensor strip into the waste storage compartment. The waste take-out opening is larger than the insertion hole. The waste take-out opening is normally closed and is openable for permitting taking out of the used biosensor strip from the waste storage compartment.
US09488650B2
The disclosure relates to the detection of analytes (e.g., biological pathogens such as bacteria or viruses) using a conductive polymer label. The disclosed detection system utilizing the conductive polymer label generally involves the formation of an analyte conjugate between the target analyte and a conductive polymer moiety conjugated to the target analyte. The conductive polymer portion of the analyte conjugate is electrically activated to form an electrically activated analyte conjugate having an increased electrical conductivity relative to the analyte conjugate as originally formed. The electrically activated analyte conjugate can then be detected by any suitable means, such as by conductimetric or electrochemical detection.
US09488640B2
The invention provides a screening method for identifying an insect-specific TRPA1 modulator by comparing modulation of an insect TRPA1 and a mammalian TRPA1. The invention further provides method of insect control by applying to an insect a insect-specific TRPA1 modulator identified by the screening method.
US09488639B2
Methods for cell-based tissue analysis utilize modern trends in digital microscopy to obtain, process, calibrate, and analyze digital images of tissue sections to quantify cell-based data for improved histological analysis. Using data from multiple images of a common tissue section, or data from images of multiple tissue sections, additional degrees of freedom are realized and the resulting analysis provides added depth to histological analysis of tissue samples. With computerized analytical methods, speed and accuracy of histological analysis is greatly improved.
US09488638B2
Tritiated planar carbon forms and their production are provided. Methods are provided for the stoichiometrically controlled labeling of planar carbon forms capitalizing on normal flaws of carboxylic acids ubiquitously present in commercial preparations of these planar carbon forms. Alternative methods include generation of a metallated intermediate whereby a metal is substituted for hydrogen on the carbon backbone of a planar carbon form. The metalized intermediate is then reacted with a tritium donor to covalently label the planar carbon form. The tritiated planar carbon forms produced are useful, for example, for determination of a biological property or environmental fate of planar carbon forms.
US09488634B2
A combination includes a container and a coupling configured to receive the container. The coupling has a unitary body having a first side and an opposing second side, the first side comprising a first orifice and a second orifice, the second side comprising a third orifice. The first orifice is disposed in flow-through communication with the third orifice from the first side to the second side, and the third orifice is disposed in flow-through communication with the second orifice from the second side to the first side. A first flow path through the first orifice is disposed parallel with a second flow path through the third orifice, and a third flow path through the third orifice is disposed parallel with a fourth flow path through the second orifice.
US09488633B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining the concentration of iron ions in a hydrocarbon composition, as well as reagents and kits for use in such methods. The method utilises a thiocarboxylic acid having formula (I) which reduces the ferric ions and complexes ferrous ions producing a colored solution, which can be analysed to determine the amount of iron ions in the starting sample.
US09488626B2
The invention relates to diagnostic methods according to the preamble of the equivalent claims 1 and 2, with which the state of a poppet valve in the course of the switching cycles and/or events thereof, such as the occurrence of pressure shocks or surges during continuous operation is/are monitored continuously, the measured signals are stored and the stored measured signals are interpreted in a targeted manner and early indication of cases of damage is carried out. According to a preferred variant of the diagnostic method, said aim is achieved in that at the same time as the force-time curve of the actuating force or the reaction force (F1(t); F2(t)), a displacement-time curve (h(t)) of the displacement (h) of the at least one closing element (8*) is measured, in that the force-time curve of the actuating force or of the reaction force (F1(t); F2(t)) and the displacement-time curve (h(t)) are combined with each other and used to determine a force-displacement curve of the actuating force or the reaction force (F1(h); F2(h)), in that the current force-displacement curve of the actuating force (F1(h)) or the reaction force (F2(h)) of a switching cycle, in each case determined over the operating period or lifetime of the poppet valve (100), is compared with an earlier, stored curve, in that deviations are determined from the comparison, in that, within a predefined tolerance range for said deviations, the latter are accepted, and in that, when said deviations exceed the predefined tolerance range, a message and/or a control signal is/are generated.
US09488615B2
The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having an integrated bio-sensor having horizontal and vertical sensing surfaces. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a sensing device disposed within a semiconductor substrate. A back-end-of the line (BEOL) metallization stack with a plurality of metal interconnect layers electrically coupled to the sensing device is arranged within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer overlying the semiconductor substrate. A sensing well is located within a top surface of the ILD layer. The sensing well has a horizontal sensing surface extending along a top surface of a first one of the plurality of metal interconnect layers and a vertical sensing surface extending along a sidewall of a second one of the plurality of metal interconnect layers overlying the first one of the plurality of metal interconnect layers. The use of both horizontal and vertical sensing surfaces enables more accurate sensing.
US09488610B2
A weaving method for producing a plurality of moisture sensors for a device for monitoring an access to a patient, in particular for monitoring the vascular access in an extracorporeal blood treatment, wherein the moisture sensors are woven. During the weaving of the moisture sensors, non-conductive warp threads, non-conductive weft threads, conductive warp threads and conductive weft threads are disposed in the textile two-dimensionally extending structure, such that spatially demarcatable structures of electrical strip conductors are created. The strip conductor structures can be produced by spatial separation or contacting of the conductive warp or weft threads. In order to be able to produce the moisture sensors cost effectively in large numbers, a plurality of individual moisture sensors are repeatedly woven each time beside one another normal to the production direction on a common woven fabric web as the web progressively advances, so that the width of the woven fabric web is occupied in the best possible way by as many moisture sensors as possible. The individual moisture sensors are separated from one another after weaving.
US09488604B2
A system for the automated serial testing and/or measuring of a plurality of substantially identical components by X-radiation, the system comprising a testing device with a support, a rotor mounted so as to be continuously rotatable on the support, and an X-ray device disposed on the rotor, a protective enclosure surrounding the testing device, a handling device for handling a component during X-ray testing, and a control/evaluation unit configured for automatically controlling the system as well as evaluating the X-ray signals by computer tomography. The handling device is configured for periodically reciprocating between a loading region and a testing region and comprises an end face element on which the component can be disposed on the side of the end face.
US09488592B1
A method and an apparatus for automatically collecting and processing nondestructive test (NDT) data to determine the presence, type, location, size, and strength of defects in composite, honeycomb, and grid structures like those found in aircraft, wind blades, boats, cars, building structures. The preferred embodiment is comprised of an uncooled IR mounted on a frame, a conductive heating mat, an IR Ruler with fiducials in a recognizable pattern, a computer, a processor, and output displays. The data collection, processing, and display output can be controlled or reviewed remotely via the internet. The processing, location, and output displays can be applied to any NDT system that collects and processes a two-dimensional amplitude image (e.g., x-ray systems).
US09488583B2
In the present invention, a molecular analysis device comprises a substrate, and a waveguide with a planar integrating element and filter or reflector element adjacent thereto is disposed on the substrate. The waveguide comprises a coupling means configured for coupling a predetermined frequency range of laser radiation into the waveguide. At least one metallic nanostructure is disposed on or adjacent to the planar integrating element, at least one metallic nanostructure is configured such that the field intensity and the gradient of the laser radiation, that is coupled into the waveguide, are enhanced over a sufficiently large volume around the nanostructure to simultaneously cause plasmonic based optical trapping of analyte(s) in a medium, and plasmonic based excitation of the particles to produce Raman scattered radiation. A Raman scattered radiation collection means is disposed on the substrate for collecting said Raman scattered radiation produced by the particles.
US09488577B2
A gas sensor (20) comprising a substrate (231); an objective (211) situated on the substrate (231), adapted to collect a light beam (212, 213) emitted by a light source (210); an eyepiece (250) situated on the substrate (231), adapted to collect an incident light beam to focus it on a detector (251); return reflective surfaces (281, 282), situated facing said substrate; and at least one field lens (221), arranged on an intermediate reflective surface (222) formed on the substrate (231), and adapted to deviate the rays (213) of the light beam emitted by the light source, to bring them closer to the optical axis of the eyepiece (250).
US09488576B2
Optical measuring apparatus for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops includes a liquid handling system with at least one liquid handling tip. The apparatus has a light source for irradiating the drop, a detector for measuring sample light, an optics system with first optical elements for transmitting irradiation light, and a processor for processing measurement signals. The drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the tip in a position where the drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The drop is physically touched only by the liquid handling tip and the liquid sample inside the tip. The tip is attached to a robot arm which adjusts the position of the liquid drop with respect to at least one optical element of the optics system.
US09488574B2
A device (1) for imaging the interior of an optically turbid medium is provided. The device comprises a receptacle (3; 103) structured to accommodate an optically turbid medium for examination and an optically matching medium filling a space between an inner surface (6; 106) of the receptacle (3; 103) and the optically turbid medium. The device comprises at least one light source generating light to be coupled into the receptacle (3; 103) and at least one detector for detecting light emanating from the receptacle (3; 103). A coupling surface (10; 110) optically coupled to the inner surface (6; 106) of the receptacle and a coupling member (11; 111) optically coupled to the light source and the detector are provided. The coupling surface (10; 110) and the coupling member (11; 111) are movable to a plurality of different positions relative to each other and structured to establish an optical connection from the light source to the inner surface (6; 106) of the receptacle and from the inner surface (6; 106) of the receptacle to the at least one detector in the plurality of different positions.
US09488569B2
Methods and systems for determining material composition of a test sample may be provided. The test sample may be placed in a magnetic region having a magnetic field. A light beam may be directed at the test sample in the magnetic region. A birefringence in the light beam that has passed through the test sample may be detected. The material composition of the test sample may be determined based on the detected birefringence in the light beam.
US09488567B2
A pipe damage detection apparatus and method are disclosed. The pipe damage detection apparatus includes an ultrasonic supply unit configured to supply an ultrasonic signal to a pipe; an ultrasonic reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic signal of the pipe; and an analysis unit configured to analyze the ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic reception unit, and determine whether the pipe is damaged. The pipe damage detection apparatus and method can detect whether a pipe that is difficult for an inspector to access because it is coated with an insulating material or buried in the ground is damaged.
US09488563B2
Method for detecting an analyte of interest in a sample. The method can include providing a container comprising a microstructured surface, and centrifuging the container toward the microstructured surface to form a sediment and a supernatant of the sample. Following centrifugation, the container can be inverted to decant at least a portion of the supernatant of the sample from the second portion, such that a concentrate (e.g., comprising the sediment) of the sample is retained in the microstructured surface. The concentrate can then be interrogated in the microstructured surface for the analyte of interest. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second portion can be substantially transparent, such that the concentrate can be interrogated from the outside of the container, without requiring that the container be opened prior to interrogation.
US09488559B2
A device for fixing a rock sample, the device including: a lower clamp and an upper clamp. The lower clamp includes: a lower connector connected to a bottom loading base, a lower end cap for fixing samples, a lower chain connecting the lower connector and the lower end cap, a first spiral spring, a first central position-limit mechanism, a second central position-limit mechanism, and a first hydraulic mechanism. The lower end cap includes: a first sample fixing groove and a first connecting segment. The upper clamp includes: an upper connector connected to a top loading base, an upper end cap for fixing the samples, an upper chain connecting with the upper connector and the upper end cap, a second spiral spring, a third central position-limit mechanism, fourth central position-limit mechanism, and a second hydraulic mechanism. The upper end cap includes: a second sample fixing groove and a second connecting segment.
US09488555B2
A method and apparatus for adjusting the height of a tip of a mixing element, such as a needle probe, compares the mixing efficiency observed at two heights separated by a predetermined distance. The heights can be incrementally adjusted to determine the location of the bottom of a mixing vessel and, by extension, the approximate location for placing the mixing element for efficient mixing of solutions in the mixing vessel.
US09488550B2
Disclosed are a method for determining pitches of cooling fins for a pneumatic tire so that the heat dissipation performance of the sidewall may be improved and an airflow noise generated by a high speed air may be decreased, and a pneumatic tire including the cooling fins arranged by the same. The method for determining pitches of cooling fins for a pneumatic tire, including: selecting a total number of cooling fins, the number of pitch-types, and a size of each pitch; generating a random number and arranging each type of pitch sequentially by the generated random number to produce a random pitch arrangement; Fourier transforming the obtained pitch arrangement to calculate a result value (FT); and repeatedly performing the steps of producing a random pitch arrangement and calculating the FT to determine a pitch arrangement when a change in amplitude of the FT is smallest.
US09488549B2
A sensor element with air pressure measurement includes a layer stack from a plurality of layers arranged one on top of the other. At least one first layer contains a measurement sensor device for measuring a measurement parameter different from an ambient pressure of the sensor. The first or at least one second layer contains a pressure measurement device for measuring the air pressure in an environment on one side of the sensor element, or a channel for coupling a pressure measurement device to an environment on one side of the sensor element.
US09488544B2
A method and apparatus for identifying loads caused by wind. Information for a group of aircraft parameters recorded by an information recorder is received in an aircraft during operation of the aircraft. A number of loads on an aerodynamic structure of the aircraft is estimated using the information for the group of aircraft parameters.
US09488543B2
The electronic device is provided with an automatic leak detection means, notably for a gas leak, in the case of the device. The automatic leak detection means includes a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a calculation unit connected to the pressure sensor and to the temperature sensor. The calculation unit, which is a microcontroller, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are arranged inside the case. In operation, the microcontroller checks, based on measurements performed by the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor over time, whether the variation in pressure in the case is within a defined margin proportional to the variation in temperature to determine whether or not the case has a sufficient degree of sealing.
US09488540B2
A barometer with multi-functions of measurement and depressurization has a body, an intake set, an exhaust set, a depressurizing set and a pressure meter. The intake set is mounted on a side of the body. The exhaust set and the depressurizing set are mounted on the body and aligning with the intake set. The pressure meter is mounted on a top surface of the body. The body has an inner channel communicating with the intake set, the exhaust set, the depressurizing set and the pressure meter. Thus, the functions of inflating, pressure measuring, depressurization and re-inflating can be accomplished by the barometer for eliminating the inconvenience of frequent installing and removing an inflation apparatus, a depressurization device and a pressure meter.
US09488537B2
The present system determines a significant stress value (σ) of a component made of magnetizable material. The system has a generating stage for generating a magnetic field of varying amplitude (H); and also includes a pickup stage for acquiring a Barkhausen noise signal (MBN) alongside variations in the amplitude (H) of the magnetic field. The system is characterized by having a processing unit for calculating the reciprocal (1/MBNmax) of the maximum value (MBNmax) of the signal (MBN), alongside variations in the amplitude (H) of the magnetic field. The processing unit has a memory stage storing a linear relation between the reciprocal (1/MBNmax) of the maximum value and the significant stress value (σ).
US09488536B2
A process for manufacturing a fabric pressure sensor comprises cutting a sensing fabric to a pre-determined size, connecting a flexible electric wire with a wire of the sensing fabric by sewing, fixing the sensing fabric by means of a clamping positioner at a pre-determined tension, bonding a lower conversion layer with the sensing fabric by means of a lower conversion layer positioning box, bonding an adjustable column with the sensing fabric by means of an upper conversion layer positioning box, and bonding the upper conversion layer with the adjustable column by means of the upper conversion layer positioning box. A tool for manufacturing the sensor comprises an electrical property measuring device, a wire connecting tool, and a sensor structural component assembling tool. The present invention provides an easy and convenient way of manufacturing a fabric pressure sensor, monitoring the quality of manufacture, and enhancing the manufacturing precision and product yield.
US09488534B2
A total air temperature sensor includes a supercritical airfoil body extending from an airfoil base to an opposed airfoil tip along a longitudinal axis. The supercritical airfoil body defines an interior flow passage with an inlet for fluid communication of fluid into the interior flow passage and an outlet for exhausting fluid out from the interior flow passage. A temperature probe is mounted within the interior flow passage for measuring temperature of flow through the interior flow passage to determine total air temperature.
US09488532B2
A temperature distribution measurement system includes an optical fiber, a laser light source optically connected to the optical fiber, a photodetector configured to detect light backscattered in the optical fiber, and a temperature distribution measurement unit configured to perform correction calculation using a transfer function on a measured temperature distribution obtained from an output from the photodetector. The temperature distribution measurement unit acquires an actual temperature distribution in a location where the optical fiber is laid and determines appropriateness of the transfer function by computing a difference between the measured temperature distribution after the correction and the actual temperature distribution.
US09488524B2
A spectroscopic measurement device includes: a dividing optical system for dividing a measurement beam emitted from each of a plurality of measurement points located within a measurement area of an object to be measured, into a first measurement beam and a second measurement beam; an imaging optical system; an optical path length difference providing means; a detector including a plurality of pixels; a processor for acquiring an interferogram of a measurement point of the object to be measured; a conjugate plane imaging optical system located between the object to be measured and the dividing optical system; and a periodicity providing means located on the conjugate plane.
US09488522B2
An identifying method for detecting a specific region of a translucent medium provided includes steps as follows. A light sensing module is adjusted to allow an operation point of the light sensing module to be in an active region. Light is emitted to a driven translucent medium by a light-emitting module. The light been passed through the translucent medium is sensed by the light sensing module to generate a first light-intensity signal based on the light sensed at one time instant, and the voltages of the first light-intensity signal are regulated to derive a second light-intensity signal. A voltage level of the first light-intensity signal is compared with that of the second light-intensity signal to generate a comparison result. A determination of whether a specific region of the translucent medium is positioned between light sensing module and light-emitting module is made based on the comparison result.
US09488520B2
Eyewear having radiation monitoring capability is disclosed. Radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, infrared (IR) radiation or light, can be measured by a detector. The measured radiation can then be used in providing radiation-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their exposure to radiation.
US09488518B2
A brightness calculating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a setting unit configured to set an calculation target position on an emission surface; a sectioning unit configured to section a plurality of light sources into a plurality of sectioned regions in accordance with the calculation target position set by the setting unit; and a calculating unit configured to calculate the brightness at the calculation target position when light is emitted from the plurality of light sources by calculating, for each of the sectioned regions, the brightness at the calculation target position due to light sources in the sectioned region and summing up calculation results of the respective sectioned regions, wherein the sectioning unit sections light sources outside of a predetermined range from the calculation target position more roughly than light sources inside of the predetermined range from the calculation target position.
US09488511B2
A magnetic flowmeter includes a pipe having a non-conductive liner, afield coil adjacent to the pipe and configured to generate a magnetic field across a fluid flowing through the pipe, a first electrode located in a first tunnel passing through the pipe and into the liner, and a second electrode located in a second tunnel passing through the pipe and into the liner. The electrodes are configured to sense a voltage induced by the magnetic field across the fluid flowing through the pipe. The flowmeter also includes a sealed compartment attached to the pipe and enclosing the field coil, the first electrode, or the second electrode. The flowmeter further includes a vapor sensor within the sealed compartment configured to sense relative humidity in the compartment, and an electronics compartment having transmitter circuitry connected to the field coil, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the vapor sensor.
US09488498B2
A sensor device is provided with a magnetic field sensitive element to be positioned in a magnetic field of a magnet. The magnet is positioned on an end face of a cam shaft of an engine. The magnetic field sensitive element is configured to sense an orientation angle of the magnetic field in the range between 0° and 360°. Further, the sensor device is provided with a memory. The memory stores a mapping of pulse edges to orientation angles. Further, the sensor device is provided with electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry is configured to generate, depending on the sensed orientation angle and the stored mapping of pulse edges to orientation angles, a signal comprising a pattern of pulses with rising and falling pulse edges which are mapped to predefined orientation angles as sensed by the magnetic field sensitive element.
US09488495B2
A system, method, device and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, for identifying connectives in electrical networks are provided. The system has a first current sensor and a first clock for detecting events defined as changes in a magnitude of a passive electric current circulating through an electrical load point, and the time between events; a second current sensor and a second clock for detecting events defined as changes in a magnitude of a passive electric current circulating through a distribution line and/or through a supply point connected thereto, and the time between event; and a processor and a memory to compare the time between the events detected by the first current sensor an first clock with the ones detected by the second event current sensor and second clock, to determine at which distribution line the load point is connected to.
US09488487B2
In an embodiment, a data processing method provides an improvement in personal tracking and comprises, using a server computer, obtaining a plurality of personal calendar records, wherein each of the calendar records comprises a location value specifying a geographical location of an event, and a start time value specifying a start time of an event at the location; using the server computer, obtaining a plurality of present location updates, wherein each of the present location updates comprises a geo-location value indicating a then-current location of a computing device; using the server computer, creating and storing polygon data that defines a polygon in geographical space that contains a final set of the plurality of location values; using the server computer, determining a street address that is contained in the polygon; creating and storing a database record that associates a particular calendar record with the street address.
US09488485B2
An approach for generating one or more personalized travel routes based on recorded routes and calculated routes is disclosed. An apparatus and method determines to generate at least one intersection point between at least one calculated route and at least one recorded route, wherein the at least one calculated route and the at least one recorded route include one or more common endpoints, and cause a generation of at least one personalized route by causing a combination of one or more segments of the at least one recorded route with one or more other segments of the at least one calculated route based, at least in part, on the at least one intersection point. The apparatus and method to determine the personalized route can cause a filtering of the at least one recorded route based on at least one filtering criterion to determine one or more candidate recorded routes.
US09488484B2
Computationally implemented methods and systems that are designed for receiving a request for transporting one or more end users; identifying one or more transportation vehicle units for transporting the one or more end users to one or more destination locations based, at least in part, on determining whether the one or more transportation vehicle units have one or more delivery package obligations; and transmitting one or more directives that direct the one or more transportation vehicle units to rendezvous with the one or more end users in order to transport the one or more end users to the one or more destination locations. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
US09488482B2
A system for informing a navigation system of a vehicle of a protrusion includes a sensor and a processing circuit. The sensor is configured to generate sensor data based on a position of cargo. The processing circuit is configured to determine a contour of the vehicle, detect protruding cargo extending outside the contour of the vehicle, where detecting the protruding cargo is based on the sensor data and the contour, and notify the navigation system of the vehicle of the protruding cargo.
US09488480B2
A navigation module and method for providing an INS/GNSS navigation solution for a moving platform, comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source (e.g., such as a satellite), means for obtaining speed or velocity information and an assembly of self-contained sensors capable of obtaining readings (e.g., such as relative or non-reference based navigational information) about the moving platform, and further comprising at least one processor, coupled to receive the output information from the receiver, sensor assembly and means for obtaining speed or velocity information, and operative to integrate the output information to produce a navigation solution. The at least one processor may operate to provide a navigation solution by using the speed or velocity information to decouple the actual motion of the platform from the readings of the sensor assembly.
US09488479B2
A method, system, and device for to-do-list based navigation includes identifying a selection of tasks to be completed from the to-do-list. The selected tasks may be prioritized or ordered based on navigation data and context data associated with each of the selected tasks to develop a trip plan for completing the selected tasks. The context data may include attributes, such as constraint data, associated with one or more of the selected tasks. In some embodiments, a status update for the current task may be periodically or occasionally communicated to one or more mobile computing devices to inform a user of the mobile computing device of the status of completion of the current task.
US09488470B1
A method for evaluating the condition of a ceramic coating deposited on a substrate comprising illuminating the ceramic coating with light, measuring the intensity of light returned from the ceramic coating as function of depth in the coating and transverse position on the coating, and analyzing the measured light intensities to obtain one or more of intensity of the light returned from the exposed coating surface relative to the intensity of light returned from the coating/substrate interface, intensity of the light returned from the coating/substrate interface relative to the intensity of light returned from the bulk of the ceramic coating, determination of roughness at the exposed surface of the ceramic coating, and determination of roughness of the interface between the ceramic coating and underlying bond coat or substrate.
US09488462B2
A structure for mounting a resolver in a housing, in which it is not necessary to use various different plates for forming the stator and accuracy of concentricity of the rotor and the stator is prevented from decreasing by a simple structure, are provided. The structure for mounting a resolver in a housing has a rotor and a stator arranged the outside of the rotor, in which the stator is mounted at an opening of the housing by clamps, projections are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the stator, protruding portions are formed on the clamps, and the stator is pressed to the housing by the clamps in a state in which the protruding portions are engaged with the concavities of the stator.
US09488461B2
A rotation angle detection device includes a magnetic field generation section, a yoke, and a magnetism detection section. The magnetic field generation section has a first end portion and a second end portion. The yoke has such a tube shape that the magnetic field generation section and a rotation axis of a rotating body are located therein. The yoke has a gap at a part in a circumferential direction in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis. The magnetism detection section is disposed in the gap and outputs an electrical signal in accordance with a magnetic field strength in the gap. The magnetic field generation section is disposed in such a manner that a magnetic force line passing through the magnetic field generation section passes through the rotation axis regardless of the rotation angle of the rotating body and the rotation axis passes through the first end portion.
US09488451B2
Embodiments of an initiator support assembly that includes an initiator housing including an initiator cavity system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a bridge substrate is positioned within the initiator cavity. The bridge substrate includes a substrate base including a uniform first planar surface and an opposed second surface. The bridge substrate further includes a first bridge contact extending over the substrate base. The first bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. A second bridge contact extends over the substrate base. The second bridge contact is substantially flush with the first planar surface. The first and second bridge contacts and the uniform first planar surface form a continuous planar mounting surface. An explosive charge, positioned within the initiator cavity, includes a charge mounting surface that is continuously coupled in surface-to-surface contact across the continuous planar mounting surface.
US09488449B2
An operation platform (1), comprising: a platform base (20); a movement mechanism (26) connectable to said platform base and, when so connected, configured for displacement of the platform base; at least one operation tool zone (30) on said platform base configured for accommodating thereat at least one operation tool (50); and at least one boom assembly (10) having a first end fixable to said platform base (20), and a second free end (14), the boom assembly being controllable for displacing said second free end towards at least said one operation tool zone (30), coupling the second free end (14) to at least said one operation tool (50) accommodated within the operation tool zone (30), and maneuvering said second free end (14) with at least said one operation tool coupled thereto.
US09488448B2
Protection equipment (10) for protecting a target (1) against attacking missiles with a plurality of protection elements (11, 12) that are triggerable individually in order to combat a missile, wherein the protection elements (11, 12) are arranged in such a manner that a triggered protection element (11) may be replaced by a replacement protection element (12) arranged redundantly in relation to the former. The protection equipment may be associated with a vehicle (1). The disclosure includes a method for protecting a target (1) against attacking missiles using the disclosed protection equipment.
US09488443B2
A method for acquiring the coordinates of a trigger point of a projectile above a plot of land on which a target is located, said method being characterized in that it includes the following steps: performing a three-dimensional acquisition of the plot of land using a laser observation means, constructing by calculation, and then displaying an image of the plot of land from a bird's eye view observation direction, and recovering the coordinates of the trigger point desired for the projectile after the positioning said area on the image of the land. The invention also relates to a fire control implementing such a method.
US09488437B1
A firearm mounted video camera system that is intended for civilians, law enforcement, and military professionals to generate tangible evidence for examination of firearm shooting related incidents. A mounting frame has a pressure switch grip assembly, a trigger guard cover assembly, a trigger guard side plate assembly, and an audio-visual rail. In addition, the firearm mounted video camera system has an audio-visual recording assembly. The audio-visual recording assembly mounts onto the audio-visual rail. The audio-visual recording assembly has recording means to record audio and/or video recordings of a target and/or surrounding area when a pressure switch of the pressure switch grip assembly is activated. The pressure switch grip assembly comprises a bottom edge, a top end, an exterior face, and an interior face. A pressure switch is cooperatively mounted within the pressure switch grip assembly. The pressure switch grip assembly mounts onto a grip of a firearm.
US09488433B2
A gun stock incorporating a buffer tube sleeve; a butt plate extending from the buffer tube sleeve; a spool housing attached to and extending downwardly from the buffer tube sleeve; a spool and axle combination operatively mounted within the housing; a sling having proximal end fixedly attached to the spool; a recoil spring connected operatively to the spool for drawing the sling toward the spool; multiplicities of lugs and recesses, each recess being bounded by a pair of the lugs and the recesses and lugs being formed wholly with the spool; and a pawl and pawl actuator attached to the frame, the actuator being adapted for normally engaging the pawl within at least one of the recesses.
US09488430B2
A removable dust gate for an automatic weapon is described. The removable dust gate can include a retractable pivot pin having rod sections with compressible objects therebetween that allow the rod sections to be temporarily pushed together, shortening the length of the retractable pivot pin. When the pivot pin is shortened, it can be placed between two pin ports on the weapon. When released, the pivot pin will engage with the pin ports to secure the dust gate to the weapon in the correct position to engage with the ejection port on the weapon. By shortening the pivot pin, the dust gate can be an easily removed without having to change the design or configuration of current weapons or weapon design.
US09488429B1
A recovery system for recovering a disrupter after the disrupter has been fired to launch a projectile toward an explosive device. The recovery system includes a retainer that couples to the barrel of the disrupter, a slide that couples to the retainer, and a base that couples to a support. The slide removeably couples to the base. Responsive to a recoil force of firing the disrupter, the slide decouples from the base, and the disrupter, the slide, and the retainer moves away from the base and the support in a direction opposite a direction of travel of the projectile thereby completely separating the slide from the base. The disrupter may be recovered after separation from the base. The recovery system may further include a plunger that extends while the slide is removeably coupled to the base to retain the slide coupled to the base prior to firing the disrupter. Responsive to firing the disrupter, the plunger retracts to facilitate decoupling of the slide from the base.
US09488419B2
A tube support in the form of a stake having at least one protrusion mounted on its longitudinal surface. The protrusion contacts adjoining tubes of a tube bundle and exerts a force tending to separate the tubes.
US09488418B2
A heat plate sealing method and structure thereof includes a) providing a bottom plate and a cover plate engaging with each other; b) providing a welding frame; c) disposing the welding frame between the bottom plate and the cover plate; d) placing solder on the welding frame; e) sandwiching the welding frame having the solder thereon between the bottom plate and the cover plate; and f) conducting thermal melting on the solder to seal the bottom plate and the cover plate. Therefore, a sealing structure is strengthened and the airtightness during a sealing process is enhanced.
US09488417B2
The invention relates to a heat exchanger including exchange components and fluid flow components (2, 2′, 3), at least one fluid collecting tank (11, 11′) into which the exchange components open out (2, 2′, 3), and a housing (4) for accommodating the exchange components (2, 2′, 3). The exchanger is characterized in that it includes a flange (5) for fixing the collecting tank (11, 11′) on the housing (4), the flange comprising a groove (G1) for fixing the housing (4) and a groove (G2) for fixing the collecting tank (11), the grooves (G1, G2) having a common wall (19).Thanks to the invention, a very compact heat exchanger is obtained.
US09488414B2
A crucible heating apparatus includes a crucible, a metal barrel around the crucible, a heating wire wound between the metal barrel and the crucible, a measuring unit for measuring the position of the liquid level of a material in the crucible and a controller, and the apparatus is characterized in that the heating wire includes at least two subsections arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the controller controls the heating power of each subsection respectively, thus dividing the crucible into at least two corresponding temperature control zones. In such a manner, by disposing a plurality of subsections of the heating wire and the corresponding temperature control zones of the crucible, the temperature of each position of the crucible is accurately controlled. A crucible heating method is also provided.
US09488412B2
A drying system and a laundry drying device are provided. The drying system includes a compressor, a draught fan, a casing, a throttling device, an evaporator and a condenser. The condenser and the evaporator are relatively fixedly arranged inside the casing, and the evaporator is obliquely arranged inside the casing; an inner space of the casing at least includes a first space at one side of the evaporator, a second space between the evaporator and the condenser, and a third space at another side of the condenser; a bottom portion of the casing is provided with a water reserving portion or a drainage hole, and the casing has a high point A at a portion where the condenser is arranged and a high point B at a portion where the evaporator is arranged, and the high point A is substantially same as the high point B.
US09488411B2
A method and device for drying sheets is described. The sheets are guided through a drier divided into drying chambers and brought in contact with the drying air by means of impinging jet aeration. The impinging-jet aeration utilizes cross-aerated nozzle boxes and the main drying stage exhaust air is introduced in the pressure chamber of one or more drying chambers in the first half of the final drying stage. Pan of the exhaust air in the recirculated-air operation is used for drying in the drying chamber and part of the exhaust air is introduced into the suction chamber of the respective subsequent drying chamber. The exhaust air collectively passes through the final drying stage in this manner, and the exhaust air from one or more drying chambers in the second half of said stage is extracted at a significantly lower temperature.
US09488406B2
A refrigerator dispenser includes a housing assembly having a fascia and a spout, the spout being located so that a dispensed substance passes through the spout when the dispenser is activated. The dispenser also includes a printed circuit board coupled to the housing assembly and a plurality of light sources coupled to the printed circuit board. A plurality of light guides is located adjacent to the plurality of light sources, the plurality of light guides being configured to be illuminated by the plurality of light sources. A rear wall, bottom wall and sidewalls of the dispenser define a dispensing area, and the plurality of light guides provides illumination to the dispensing area.
US09488399B2
An air conditioning apparatus has a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger are interconnected. The outdoor heat exchanger uses multi-hole flat tubes as heat transfer tubes. When stopping a heating operation, the air conditioning apparatus performs pressure equalization control that switches the four-way switching valve from a heating cycle state to a cooling cycle state, thereafter stops the compressor, and equalizes the pressure in the refrigerant circuit.
US09488392B2
An exchanger for absorption or desorption of a refrigerant employs an ultra thin film (UTF) of a refrigerant solution constrained to a channel by a permeable membrane. The UTF has a thickness of about 250 μm or less. The permeable membrane can be a nanostructured membrane, such as a membrane of nanofibers. The exchangers can be employed in an absorption refrigeration system (ARS) that use waste heat or solar heaters permitting the ARS to be less than one tenth the volume and mass of a conventional ARS.
US09488389B2
An apparatus includes a regenerator configured to transfer heat to a fluid and to absorb heat from the fluid as the fluid flows between a warm end and a cold end of a cryocooler. The regenerator includes an anisotropic thermal layer configured to reduce a flow of heat axially along the regenerator and to spread the absorbed heat radially or laterally in a plane of the anisotropic thermal layer. The anisotropic thermal layer includes at least one allotropic form of carbon. The anisotropic thermal layer could have a higher radial or lateral thermal conductivity and a lower axial thermal conductivity. The anisotropic thermal layer could include carbon nanotubes and/or graphene. The regenerator could include multiple anisotropic thermal layers that divide the regenerator into multiple segments, where the anisotropic thermal layers are configured to reduce heat transfer between adjacent segments of the regenerator.
US09488388B1
A method for operating a geothermal system is provided to optimize heat exchange between a geothermal loop and a heat pump load loop. The flow through the earth loop is adjusted to meet current thermal demand of a heat pump array, so as to reduce the electrical demand of the earth loop circulator when heat pump thermal demand is low. The speed of the earthloop circulator adjusts to meet the operating conditions of the heat pumps and earth loop, thereby permitting efficient laminar flow whenever possible, as long as thermal demand is met.Specifically, if flow in the earth loop transitions from turbulent to laminar, this method insures that the current thermal demand of the heat pumps is met, and if not, increases the earth loop circulator speed to meet current thermal demand, otherwise maintaining laminar flow.
US09488385B2
A heater includes: a power source for supplying power; a heating section for receiving power from the power source and converting the received power into heat energy; an electrical leakage breaker circuit for cutting off a power transfer from the power source to the heating section; and a control section for receiving leaked current information from the electrical leakage breaker circuit and operating the electrical leakage breaker circuit when the leaked current amount exceeds a preset amount or electrical leakage breaker state information is stored, wherein when the power transfer is cut off, the control section stores the electrical leakage breaker state information.
US09488384B2
A water heater module with a heat exchanger configured to be submersible inside a water storage tank, and further configured to divert refrigerant between the heat exchanger and an air handler in response to a demand for heating water or a demand for conditioning an interior space.
US09488383B2
A hermetically sealed gas heater (110) includes a heater main body, an introduction hole (132) configured to introduce a fuel gas into the heater main body, a combustion chamber (136) configured to combust the fuel gas flowing from introduction hole, and a discharge section (138) into which an exhaust gas generated by combustion in the combustion chamber is guided. The heater main body includes a radiation surface (140) heated by the exhaust gas flowing through the discharge section and configured to transfer radiant heat to a heating target (156). An ejection port (142a) configured to partially or entirely eject the exhaust gas to the heating target is formed at the radiation surface.
US09488381B2
An air-conditioning indoor unit is operable in a Coanda effect use mode in which blown air from a blow-out port is diverted in a predetermined direction. The indoor unit includes a scroll leading conditioned air to the blow-out port, a Coanda vane in proximity to the blow-out port, and a controller controlling orientation of the Coanda vane. The Coanda vane alters an airflow direction of the blown air via the Coanda effect and turns the blown air into a Coanda airflow along a bottom surface of the Coanda vane. A convex shaped curved surface formed in the bottom surface of the Coanda vane has a radius of 50 to 300 mm. The controller adjusts the orientation of the Coanda vane away from a casing front surface as the Coanda vane separates from the blow-out port in the Coanda effect use mode.
US09488376B2
An ignition switch assembly suitable for being connected to a rotary shaft of a gas tap of a cooking appliance. According to one implementation the ignition switch includes a coupling element through which the ignition switch assembly is coupled to the rotary shaft, the coupling element being rotational with the rotary shaft. A fixed contact element and a movable contact element are provided within a casing of the assembly along with the coupling element which includes a cam on an outside surface thereof. The movable and fixed contact elements and the coupling element are arranged so that the cam urges the moveable contact element into contact with the fixed contact element when the coupling element is rotated between a selective angular range. A resistance element is arranged to contact at least a portion of the body of the coupling element to provide resistance against the rotational movement of the coupling element.
US09488375B2
An adjustable circulating chamber for a fireplace insert having a rear wall including two linear sets of perforations forming two bendable side walls, and adapted such that the chamber can be adjusted to fit within fireplace inserts of differing dimensions and a top member including a linear set of perforations forming a flange portion thereon. The flange portion is adapted to be adjustably attached to the rear wall to thereby provide means to vary the height of the top member with respect to the rear wall. The top member further includes an oval-shaped opening therethrough and an adjustable flange member slidably mounted thereto and over the oval-shaped opening and having a circular opening therethrough, such that the oval-shaped opening and the adjustable flange member working together are adapted to receive, adjust, and fit fireplace flue pipes of differing dimensions to the fireplace insert.
US09488369B2
A gas mixing device has a plurality of interleaved rows of adjustable louvers. When at least two flowing gas streams are received that are desired to be mixed, the louvers of each row directs the gas streams in a direction different from that of the adjacent rows, mixing the gas streams. When effectively only a single flowing gas stream is received, the louvers are positioned vertically thereby reducing the pressure drop across the gas mixing device.
US09488363B2
An illumination apparatus disclosed herein includes a first light emitting section, a thermal actuator, and a displacement mechanism. The thermal actuator is configured to generate a driving force on the basis of heat dissipated by the first light emitting section. The displacement mechanism is configured to displace a predetermined object by making use of the driving force generated by the thermal actuator.
US09488360B2
There is provided a lighting device 100 comprising at least one LED-based light source 102 for generating light, and a light exit element 101 which is optically and thermally coupled to the LED-based light source. The light exit element comprises a heat conducting structure 150 arranged for distributing heat generated by the LED-based light source over a predetermined sub area of the light exit element. The heat conducting structure may be embedded in or thermally connected to the light exit element and comprises aligned heat conducting paths 151. The introduction of heat conductive structures into the light exit element that spread heat in the light exit element and may be arranged to conduct heat from a heat sink into the light exit element or from the light exit element to a heat sink makes the light exit element to an integral part of the heat transferring external surface of the lighting device.
US09488342B2
Provided is an underwater lighting device and underwater electronic device which are comparatively inexpensive yet durable enough for long-term use. An underwater lighting unit 10, which has an internally provided light source 11 and a gas-tight case 12 with a window 13 for allowing the passage of light from the light source 11, is connected to a land-based unit 30 by a gas-sending tube 40. Air is sent from the land-based unit 30 to the underwater lighting unit 10 to maintain the pressure inside the underwater lighting unit 10 at a value slightly higher than the water pressure at the location. A power line for supplying power to the underwater lighting unit 10 and a signal line for controlling the emission of their light are installed in the gas-sending tube 40. Even if the gas-tight state of one underwater lighting unit 10 is broken, water cannot enter the underwater lighting unit 10. Furthermore, the thereby generated bubbles help users locate the underwater lighting unit 10 in which the gas-tight state has been broken. If a plurality of underwater lighting units 10 are provided, they should preferably be connected in the form of a loop or matrix to the land-based unit 30.
US09488321B2
A semiconductor light emitting element includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) structures. The transparent substrate has a support surface and a second main surface disposed opposite to each other. At least some of the LED structures are disposed on the support surface and form a first main surface where light emitted from with a part of the support surface without the LED structures. Each of the LED structures includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Light emitted from at least one of the LED structures passes through the transparent substrate and emerges from the second main surface. An illumination device includes the semiconductor light emitting element and a supporting base. The semiconductor light emitting element is disposed on the supporting base, and an angle is formed between the semiconductor light emitting element and the supporting base.
US09488314B1
A pump-less inflation device including a hollow conical casing, a puncturable membrane, a one-way valve that allows gas egress from the casing, a first chemical that reacts with oxygen and generates heat, and a second chemical that decomposes when heated and releases nitrogen gas. A method of inflating an inflatable object using the inflation device whereby the puncturable membrane is punctured with a puncturing device to allow oxygen to enter the inflation device and react with the first chemical, which generates heat and decomposes the second chemical, which releases nitrogen gas that escapes from the narrow first end of the inflation device. The inflatable object is inflated with the released nitrogen gas.
US09488311B2
The present invention relates to a thermal and/or sound insulation system with resistance to elevated temperatures comprising at least one layer of a chemically expanded and crosslinked high consistency (HCR) polysiloxane polymer blend, the process for manufacturing of such system and the use of such system.
US09488297B1
A guide 100 for a wire harness 610 is disclosed. The guide 100 comprises a first surface 120; a second surface 130, at least a second portion 132 of which is parallel to at least a first portion of the first surface 120; a contoured surface 140 between the first surface 120 and the second surface 130; and a plurality of through, circumferentially enclosed openings 170 extending from the first surface 120 to the second surface 130. The contoured surface 140 has a non-linear central axis 141 parallel to at least the first portion 122 of the first surface 120 and to at least the second portion 132 of the second surface 130. Further, the contoured surface 140 has a concave cross-section 142.
US09488295B2
A line pipe tray for supporting a line pipe has outer sidewalls operatively coupled to outer end walls, inner sidewalls operatively coupled to the inner end walls, and a bottom surface extending between the inner sidewalls and the inner end walls to form a basin. The tray can further include pipe saddles on the top edges of the end walls and sidewalls. The tray can further include a pour lip on the end wall pipe saddles, and a recess on the end walls for receiving a pail or fluid container. Lifting handles disposed through the end walls can further include a tab for hooking onto a pail or fluid container to keep it from slipping away when the tray is lifted and tilted to pour fluids from the basin into the pail or fluid container.
US09488282B2
A gas valve capable of switching for two different gas supplies, has two outlets, two independent rotation positioning areas and two staggered groups of fire holes, one outlet responds to the first gas supply, and the other outlet corresponds to a second gas supply; when the gas valve is mounted on a stove, each outlet is connected to the gas nozzle fit for the corresponding gas supply, then when the corresponding gas supply is used, only the valve rod is switched to the corresponding rotating positioning area, the rotating positioning area corresponds to the corresponding group of fire holes and outlet, only the outlet fit for the gas supply supplies gas to the stove at the moment, and the other outlet is in a closed state all the time, so the gas valve capable of switching for two different gas supplies can be realized without replacing the gas nozzles.
US09488277B2
Low-pressure and high-pressure reciprocating and rotary applications use seal assemblies to prevent leakage. One embodiment of a seal assembly includes a major annular body having opposing spaced-apart annular lips extending from a heel portion with a bore extending through the heel portion. A first spring is disposed between the lips, biasing the lips apart. A minor annular body extends from one of the lips of the major annular body. The minor annular body has opposing spaced-apart walls that extend from a base region and form a pocket. A second spring is disposed in the pocket between the spaced-apart walls, biasing the walls apart. During actuator operation, pressurized fluid urges one wall of the minor annular body against a pump head surface to produce a face seal and one of the lips of the major annular body against a rod surface to produce a radial seal.
US09488273B2
A neutral locking system and method for a vehicle includes a park release shaft and a neutral locking tool. The park release shaft is operatively connected to a transmission of the vehicle such that rotation of the park release shaft in a first rotatable direction places the transmission in a neutral state. The neutral locking includes a fixture element and a rotatable element rotatably received within the fixture element. The rotatable element has one end configured to nonrotatably and removably couple to the park release shaft such that rotation of the rotatable element within the fixture element rotates the park release shaft.
US09488270B2
A slip control device includes a control unit configured to: calculate a difference value between a target value and a current value or an estimated value of a difference in a rotational speed between an input shaft and an output shaft of a fluid type power transmitting device, or a difference value being a difference between a target value and a current value or an estimated value of a speed of an engine; calculate an inclination of torque capacity of the fluid type power transmitting device with respect to an input parameter at a current value of the input parameter having correlative relationship with the torque capacity of the fluid type power transmitting device; calculate torque capacity of a lock-up clutch by multiplying the inclination by the difference value; and control a slip amount of the lock-up clutch by using the calculated torque capacity.
US09488263B2
Transmission for coupling to hydromechanical power source includes differential and range modules including planetary gear arrangements, a plurality of selectively engagable clutch assemblies, and a drop box module, which includes a final output member. First and second power source paths provide power to the differential module. The clutch assemblies are selectively engagable to provide variable rotational power from the differential module to the range module, and from the range module to the drop box module in a plurality of directional ranges. The drop box adapts the variable rotational power provided in the selected range for connection in a given application.
US09488255B2
A ball screw including: a male component having male grooves on an outer periphery for a ball to roll; a female component fitted together with the male component in an axial direction having female grooves facing the male grooves on an inner periphery for the ball to roll and a circulation path for the ball to circulate; and a seal member at one end, at the other end, or at each of one and the other ends of the female component in the axial direction and including a hole capable of communicating with the inner periphery, a fiber layer having a fitting surface having a convex part capable of being fitted in the male grooves when the male component is inserted into the hole and a surface made of fibers impregnated with rubber or resin, and a rubber or resin layer laminated on a surface opposite to the fitting surface.
US09488243B2
A damper with a vehicle height adjusting function includes a damper body and a vehicle height adjusting mechanism adapted to adjust an axial length of the damper body. The damper body includes a cylinder, a head member having an annular shape and closing one end of the cylinder, a piston rod axially supported on an inner periphery of the head member and inserted in the cylinder so as to be movable in an axial direction, and a piston retained by the piston rod and partitioning an inside of the cylinder into two pressure chambers. The vehicle height adjusting mechanism includes a partition wall member defining a jack chamber in one of the pressure chambers and being capable of extending and contracting in the axial direction, and a pump supplying/discharging a working fluid into/from the jack chamber.
US09488235B2
A centrifugal brake assembly comprises at least one pawl, at least one biasing member, and a rotor. The at least one pawl includes a base from which a circular portion extends. The rotor includes at least one receiving portion having a notched portion configured and arranged to receive the circular portion. One of the at least one pawl and the rotor has a curved slotted portion, the at least one biasing member being seated within the curved slotted portion, and another of the at least one pawl and the rotor having a curved elongated protrusion extending in line with the curved slotted portion and the at least one biasing member. The at least one pawl is pivotable about the circular portion relative to the rotor, and the at least one pawl is configured and arranged to engage a stop member when the at least one pawl is in an engaged position.
US09488230B2
A wheel spindle drive element for a wheel disconnect system. The wheel spindle assembling onto an outer diameter of a spindle, displacing material to form a joint with high torque transmission characteristics.
US09488223B2
A guide carriage for an elongated guide rail includes a main body, an end cap, and at least one row of rolling bodies accommodated in a continuous bypass channel. The end cap bears indirectly against a longitudinal end face of the main body and has a fastening bore through which a fastening screw passes. The fastening screw is screwed into the main body. The continuous bypass channel has a supporting portion and a return channel that are connected via a curved bypass channel that is arranged in the end cap. A lubricant flow path is arranged in the end cap and extends from a lubrication port to the row of rolling bodies. A first cavity is arranged between the fastening bore and the fastening screw. The first cavity forms a component of the lubricant flow path.
US09488221B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively carry nonuniform loads, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, under some operational conditions, one or more portions of the bearing assemblies and bearing apparatus may be preferentially loaded, such as to carry preferentially higher loads (e.g., radial and/or axial loads) than other portion(s) of the bearing assemblies and bearing apparatus.
US09488220B2
A channel module of a linear guideway includes a slider, two circulators, and two wire holders. The slider has two opposite inner loading surfaces. The circulators are respectively installed on two opposite sides of the slider and respectively connected to the inner loading surfaces. Each circulator includes an outer loading surface and two corner portions respectively extended from two opposite ends of the outer loading surface to two opposite ends of the corresponding inner loading surface. Each corner portion has a corner surface and a connecting surface. In each corner portion, an altitude difference is formed between an end of the corner surface connected to the connecting surface and the adjacent inner loading surface. The connecting surface is connected to the corresponding inner loading surface seamlessly for eliminating the altitude difference. The wire holders are respectively arranged adjacent to the inner loading surfaces.
US09488212B2
A dust proof structure for a stress-sensible screw is provided. The dust proof structure includes a sensing screw, a head, a dust proof boot and a displayer. The sensing screw includes a base and at least one exposed lead, and the exposed lead is located in the base and transmits a stress signal. The head includes a lead base, the head is fitted with the base, and the exposed lead is detachably connected to the lead base. The dust proof boot is disposed on the head, and sleeves a connecting portion between the lead base and the exposed lead. The displayer is electrically connected w the had for displaying the stress signal.
US09488211B2
a fastened structure comprising: a first member provided with a female screw; a second member provided with an opening; and a male screw fastening the first member and the second member with each other and including a male screw portion, and a head portion having a bearing surface, wherein the male screw portion is threaded in the female screw through the opening of the second member, wherein the second member is provided with a substantially circular folded portion including a curved surface defining the opening and including a free end having an edge pressed against the bearing surface of the male screw.
US09488201B2
A process of forming a cushioned clamp in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes configuring a single-ply of woven fiberglass into a longitudinal tube to form a single-ply fiberglass sleeving, coating the single-ply fiberglass sleeving with an aluminum paint, subjecting the coated single-ply fiberglass sleeving to a warming medium, while pliable due to the warming medium, cutting the sleeving into discreet, individual pieces configured for forming a sleeve, folding a first cut end in on itself and pulling the first cut end toward a center of the sleeve to form a first rolled end, and folding a second cut end in on itself and pulling the second cut end toward a center of the sleeve to form a second rolled end, and slidably mounting the sleeve onto a bare metal clamp to form the cushioned clamp.
US09488180B2
A system, method, and apparatus for compressing a process fluid are provided. The system includes a sealed housing configured to be submerged in a body of water, and a compressor disposed in the sealed housing and including a compressor casing, the compressor being configured to compress a process fluid. The system also includes a motor operably coupled to the compressor and disposed in the sealed housing, the motor being configured to drive the compressor. The system further includes a source of hydrogen, such as a hydrogen generator, disposed in the sealed housing or submerged and disposed proximate thereto, the source of hydrogen being fluidly coupled with the compressor and configured to provide the hydrogen gas thereto.
US09488172B2
A pump assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The pump assembly includes a housing defining a cavity extending along a central axis to present a wall disposed radially relative to the central axis and a base transverse to the central axis. The pump assembly also includes a first gear disposed in the cavity. The first gear has a first side and a second side each extending along the central axis. The first side faces the wall and the second side opposes the first side. The first side of the first gear is complementary to the wall. The wall defines a recess adjacent to the cavity and spaced from the base. The recess is in fluid communication with the cavity for providing lubrication between the wall and the first side of the first gear.
US09488171B2
One embodiment includes a gear pump with a drive gear, a gear shaft passing through the drive gear, and a stationary journal bearing. Also included is a fluid film, between a surface of the stationary journal bearing and a surface of the gear shaft, and a hybrid pad on the stationary journal bearing. The hybrid pad has a minimum leading edge angular location on the stationary journal bearing of 29.5° and a maximum trailing edge angular location on the stationary journal bearing of 42.5°. The gear pump also includes a porting path for supplying high pressure fluid from a discharge of the gear pump to the fluid film at the hybrid pad.
US09488166B2
There is provided an electromagnetically driven fluid pump. Even if deviation of a center plate from the diaphragm arises, centering of the center plate is carried out during the work for setting the center plate to an oscillator. The diaphragm and the center plate are fixed to the oscillator by means of a screw member, the diaphragm has a rising portion fitting to a through-hole at the center of the center plate, and the center plate has a ring-shaped rib on its surface where the screw member is inserted. The screw member is formed integrally with a washer portion and a diameter of the washer portion is nearly the same as an inner diameter of a bottom surface of the rib and the washer portion is formed so as to press a part of the rib in the case of maximum deviation of the center plate from the diaphragm.
US09488165B2
Disclosed is a reciprocating compressor. A cylinder in which a piston makes a reciprocal movement is insertedly coupled to a cylinder part of a frame which fixes a stator of a reciprocating motor, and a collision preventing portion is formed in the cylinder to allow a piston connection portion to collide therewith. Thus, although the piston connection portion overstrokes, the piston connection portion prevent collision force from being transferred to the frame having the cylinder part, whereby a laminated state of the stator can be prevented from being distorted to prevent a degradation of efficiency of the motor, and thus, reliability and performance of the compressor can be enhanced.
US09488155B2
An ocean current power generating apparatus using dual-duct with boundary layer control effect is provided. The ocean current power generating apparatus with dual-duct includes at least one power generating unit. The power generating unit includes a turbine, an inner duct and an outer duct. The turbine has a shaft box. The turbine is located inside the inner duct. An outer diameter of an inflow side of the inner duct is less than an outer diameter of an outflow side of the inner duct. The outflow side of the inner duct is located inside the outer duct. An outer diameter of an inflow side of the outer duct is less than an outer diameter of an outflow side of the outer duct.
US09488153B2
A method for operating a glow plug by means of pulse-width-modulated voltage pulses which are generated by controlling a load transistor, wherein a heating current flowing through the glow plug is measured and the duty cycle of the pulse-width-modulated voltage pulses is changed in accordance with values of the heating current. The heating current can be measured by means of a current measurement circuit, through which a sense current flows parallel to the load transistor, and the value of the heating current is calculated by multiplying a measured value of the sense current by a kILIS factor, wherein the temperature of the current measurement circuit is measured and the kILIS factor is defined in accordance with the measured circuit temperature. A glow plug control device is also disclosed.
US09488150B2
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine that utilizes a single primary coil and a single secondary coil to drive a pair of spark plugs. Current flowing in both a first direction and a second direction passes through the primary coil. The current flowing through the primary coil induces corresponding current in the secondary coil, which flows from the secondary coil to one of two spark plugs. Each spark plug is coupled to the secondary coil such that each of the two spark plugs receives current flowing only in a single direction. The current flowing through the ignition system can be from either a power source or created by the rotation of a flywheel having a series of magnet clusters.
US09488137B2
A portable engine-driven system comprising an engine having an air intake passage, a fuel tank operatively coupled to the engine, a valve, and a pressure regulator. The valve may be coupled between the fuel tank and the air intake passage and configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The first position may allow fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake passage and the second position may inhibit the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake passage. The pressure regulator may be positioned in line between the fuel tank and the air intake passage.
US09488136B2
Systems and methods to control fuel tank pressure to reduce fuel oxidation in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are disclosed. A method comprises routing vapors from a fuel system canister to the fuel tank to maintain the fuel tank pressure at a desired pressure. In this way, the engine may be maintained off for greater durations while still retaining fuel quality of fuel stored on-board the vehicle.
US09488131B2
A control device for controlling a variable section nozzle of an aircraft power plant, the variable section nozzle including one or several movable parts capable of modifying the nozzle section and connected by a mechanical transmission chain to an actuator. The control device includes a system for regulating the power plant connected to a control member configured to control the actuator. The control device includes a single control member, an immobilization unit configured to immobilize all the movable parts which are deactivated only when the regulation system controls the positional change of the movable part or parts and a determination unit configured to determine the actual position of the movable part or parts.
US09488116B2
A secondary controller for controlling the performance of a vehicle is described. The secondary controller sends control commands to a vehicle controller while the vehicle is being driven to effect the operation of the vehicle's power train without requiring any modification of the vehicle controller and without falsifying any information sent to the vehicle controller. In some embodiments, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In one aspect, the secondary controller is used to direct the vehicle controller not to utilize a start/stop feature to automatically turn off the engine in the selected circumstances during normal operation of the vehicle. As such, the control command causes the vehicle controller to operate the vehicle in the selected operating mode in manner dictated by the engine controller.
US09488114B2
A control system for a dual gaseous and liquid fuel engine includes an electronic controller configured to receive data from a plurality of sensing mechanisms indicative of an error in a plurality of different engine operating parameters. The electronic controller is further configured to determine a highest priority one of the errors, and limit substitution of the gaseous fuel responsive to a normalized value thereof.
US09488112B2
A variable valve timing control apparatus includes an abnormality determining portion and a valve controller. The abnormality determining portion determines whether there is an abnormality in a system of a VCT phase control in which an oil pressure control valve is controlled in a manner that an actual VCT phase coincides with a target phase. The valve controller controls the oil pressure control valve to drive a lock pin in a locking direction so as to lock the VCT phase when the abnormality determining portion determines that there is an abnormality in the system of the VCT phase control.
US09488107B2
A fuel injector for a turbine engine, the injector including a body including a primary fuel circuit and a secondary fuel circuit fed by a metering valve. A leakage channel extends from a zone in fluid flow connection with the primary circuit to a zone in fluid flow connection with the secondary circuit. The leakage channel is configured to be open in a closed position of the metering valve and to be closed by the metering valve moving.
US09488104B2
A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The lubrication system is configured to provide pressurized air and lubricant to a bearing sump of the gas turbine engine to cool and lubricate a bearing included in the bearing sump.
US09488096B2
An actuating force transmitting device (10) of an exhaust-gas turbocharger (1), having: a regulating rod (12) which can be displaced by an actuator (11); a guide piece (15) arranged on a free end region (14) of the regulating rod (12); and a lever (16) which is fastened to a guide piece pin (19) of the guide piece (15). There is radial play (SR) between a lever bore (50) and the guide piece pin (19) which extends through the lever bore (50), and there is axial play (SA) between the guide piece (15) and the lever (16). A clamping spring (20; 20′; 20″) preloads the lever (16) relative to the guide piece pin (19).
US09488095B2
A method of controlling a pump (43), including operating an engine (23) having an engine intake (49) coupled to a pump output (51) of a pump, and a transmission (41) coupled to the engine and to the pump, and operating a valve (58) between a pump input of the pump and the engine intake, such that the valve can be opened during a ratio change of the transmission.
US09488094B2
A direct injection engine includes an ignition assistance section applying energy to fuel injected into a cylinder using an injector to assist auto-ignition combustion of the fuel when the engine is within an auto-ignition combustion operation range. A start time of fuel injection is set within a period from a terminal stage of a compression stroke to a compression top dead center. The energy is applied to the fuel injected into the cylinder in a period from start of the fuel injection to an initial stage of an expansion stroke such that a time of a specific crank angle when an increase rate of in-cylinder pressure, which is a ratio of a change in the in-cylinder pressure to a change in a crank angle in motoring the engine, reaches a negative maximum value overlaps a combustion period when a combustion mass percentage of the fuel ranges from 10% to 90%.
US09488091B2
An exhaust pipe structure is the exhaust pipe structure with a catalyst converter provided immediately close to an engine and includes a plurality of exhaust passages and a collecting portion. The collecting portion arranged between the first exhaust passage provided at an end side and a second exhaust passage includes a first guiding portion, a second guiding portion, and a rotating/guiding portion. The exhaust gas introduced from the first exhaust passage and the exhaust gas introduced from the second exhaust passage are guided obliquely downward by the first guiding portion and the second guiding portion, respectively, and are then rotated and guided by the rotating/guiding portion in respective directions opposite to each other to flow toward the catalyst converter.
US09488089B2
In an engine unit including a combustion unit and an exhaust fluid recirculation apparatus where unburnt fuel is provided to an exhaust flow treatment apparatus for combustion, it may be desirable to prevent unburnt fuel from entering the exhaust fluid recirculation apparatus. A method of controlling operation of an engine unit includes confirming that a valve of the exhaust flow recirculation apparatus is closed, and overriding a control signal for controlling the valve in order to ensure that the valve remains closed before injecting fuel upstream of the valve for combustion in the exhaust fluid treatment apparatus.
US09488082B2
A reducing agent supplying device includes a reaction container, an ozone generator, an air pump, an ozone-containing air pipe, a compressed air pipe, a switching device, and a switching controller. The reaction container defines a reaction chamber therein in which a reducing agent is reformed. The ozone generator generates ozone from oxygen in air. The air pump supplies air into the ozone generator. An ozone-containing air flows through the ozone-containing air pipe toward the reaction chamber. A portion of a compressed air flows through the compressed air pipe toward the reaction chamber. The switching device switches between an air pump mode, in which the ozone-containing air is supplied into the reaction chamber, and a supercharging mode, in which the compressed air is supplied into the reaction chamber. The switching controller controls the switching device based on a catalyst temperature, which is a temperature of the reducing catalyst, and an exhaust pressure, which is a pressure in the exhaust passage.
US09488078B2
A startup/shutdown control module selectively generates an engine startup command when an engine of the vehicle is off. A starter control module applies power to a starter motor when the engine startup command is generated. A valve control module, in response to the generation of the engine startup command: operates intake valves of cylinders of the engine in a low lift mode when an engine temperature is less than a predetermined temperature; and operates the intake valves of the cylinders of the engine in a high lift mode when the engine temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature.
US09488075B2
A rocker arm for engaging a cam in a valve actuation arrangement includes a latch pin assembly having includes a latch pin, retainer, and biasing mechanism. The latch pin has a pin body with a head and a tail at the second end; the body defining an open volume; the tail having an open mouth in communication with the open volume of the body; and the open volume having a non-circular cross-section. The retainer has a male engagement portion and an outer portion. The male engagement portion is within the open volume of the body through the open mouth. The male engagement portion has a non-circular cross section. The outer portion is non-removably secured to an outer arm of the rocker arm. The biasing mechanism is oriented in the open volume of the body and between and against the latch pin and the retainer.
US09488060B2
A turbine engine assembly is provided. The turbine engine assembly includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly having a rotor disk coupled to a plurality of rotor blades, the plurality of rotor blades extending radially outward from the rotor disk. The assembly also includes a casing that at least partially circumscribes the plurality of rotor blades. The assembly also includes a dynamic sealing device coupled to the stator assembly. The at least one dynamic sealing device is configured to insert a seal between the casing and the plurality of rotor blades to facilitate reducing a clearance gap defined between the plurality of rotor blades and the casing while the rotor assembly is operating.
US09488056B2
According to one embodiment, a propeller blade includes a foam core and a structural layer formed of multiple layers that surrounds at least a portion of the foam core. The structural layer includes a mid-thickness location defined between the foam core and an outer edge of the structural layer and the multiple layers include at least one unidirectional layer and at least one biased layer disposed asymmetrically about the mid-thickness location.
US09488055B2
A turbine engine is provided and includes an aerodynamic element disposed to aerodynamically interact with a flow of working fluid and contour features disposed on the aerodynamic element in alignment in at least one dimension. The contour features are proximate to one another and configured to encourage counter-rotating vortex flow generation oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to a main flow direction along the aerodynamic element.
US09488054B2
A method of automatically regulating a power plant (3′) of an aircraft (1), said power plant comprising at least one turbine engine (3), said aircraft (1) having at least one rotary wing (300) provided with a plurality of blades (301) having variable pitch and driven in rotation by said power plant (3′), it being possible for each engine (3) to operate in an idling mode of operation and in a flight mode of operation. During a selection step (STP0), a two-position selector (60) is operated either to stop each engine (3) or to set each engine (3) into operation. During a regulation step (STP1), each engine (3) is controlled automatically so as to implement the idling mode of operation if the collective pitch (CLP) of said blades is less than a threshold and if the aircraft (1) is standing on the ground.
US09488053B2
A method is provided for repairing a single crystal turbine blade, which includes an airfoil with a tip having a tip cover plate, tip cooling air holes and a tip crown. The method includes removing the tip crown by manual grinding, thereby preserving the underlying tip cover plate; preparing the tip cooling air holes by manual grinding; closing said prepared tip cooling air holes by manual welding; and building-up a new tip crown by a LMF (Laser Metal Forming) process.
US09488050B2
A hydraulic machine includes oscillating radial cylinders close to an external shell of a crown or star of cylinder-piston groups. The pistons of the groups are made sliding on a crank shaft with throw or on interposed concentric elements, which create an alternative movement in the oscillating radial cylinders. The oscillating cylinders are placed in contact with a spherical oscillation surface made on a body or shell of the hydraulic machine. A passage of the hydraulic liquid to and from the oscillating radial cylinder, to create feeding and discharge of the cylinder, is formed through at least a flat lateral external surface on the side of the oscillating cylinder, parallel to an oscillation plane of the cylinders, to and from a feeding channel on a lateral body or cover of the hydraulic machine. A seal ring, fitted at least with a contact surface that is resistant to abrasion on the wall of the lateral flat sliding surface, is interposed between the flat lateral surface in contact for passage of the liquid under pressure, and a thrust member is formed on the oscillating cylinders against the spherical oscillation surface outside of the cylinders themselves.
US09488047B2
A method is described for producing an amended realization of a geostatistical model of a hydrocarbon reservoir using the Karhunen-Loève (KL) expansion. The KL expansion may be used to produce amended realizations for history matching and is widely used. However, it is necessary in order to use the KL expansion to perform singular value decomposition of the covariance matrix of the model to provide eigenvectors and eigen values for use in the expansion. In a typical geostatistical model, the covariance matrix is too large for singular value decomposition to be performed. Prior solutions to this problem involved reducing the resolution of the model so as to reduce the size of the covariance matrix. In the method described, a plurality of random realizations are generated and an approximation of the covariance matrix is constructed from the realizations, the approximation matrix having smaller dimensions than the true covariance matrix.
US09488046B2
A method for downhole communication and an apparatus for remote actuation of a downhole tool is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: programming at least one tag (20) to emit a radio frequency identification signal in the form of a frequency change in a carrier wave; locating a reader (10) responsive to signals emitted from the at least one tag downhole; moving the at least one tag (20) past the downhole reader (10) such that the downhole reader (10) is capable of reading data from the tag (20) when the tag (20) passes the reader (10); and thereby communicating data from the tag (20) to the reader (10) downhole. Typically, the method includes programming the tag (20) and the reader (10) to communicate data by at least one of the following means: transitions between discrete frequencies; use of specific discrete frequencies; and length of time in which a carrier wave emits a specific frequency in preference to at least one other frequency.
US09488041B2
A well chemical treatment system includes a chemical dispenser having a control signal input and a chemical outlet in fluid communication with a well. A chemical dispenser controller operates the dispenser and detects a well fluid lift pump controller signal. The chemical dispenser controller transmits a control signal to the chemical dispenser at selected times and is configured to increment the counter and inhibit transmission of the control signal when a selected time occurs and a pump in operation signal is not detected. When the chemical dispenser controller detects a pump in operation signal at one of the selected times, the chemical dispenser controller sends a control signal to the chemical dispenser to dispense an amount of chemical into the well equal to a product of a number in the counter plus one and an amount of chemical to be dispensed into the well at each selected time.
US09488034B2
A method of opening a conduit cemented in a subterranean well can include flowing a fluid through a passage in the well after the conduit is cemented in the well, and the conduit opening in response to the flow of the fluid through the passage. A well system can include a flow control device cemented in a wellbore, and a conduit positioned adjacent a passage of the flow control device, whereby the conduit opens in response to the passage being opened.
US09488032B2
An apparatus for retaining and securing elevated objects such as cement valves. A harness member is wrapped around the outer surface of an elevated object, and adjustable straps are tightened to secure the harness member in place. An elongate sling member, attached the harness member, is securely attached to a cement head assembly or other nearby support structure. The apparatus provides positive retention should an elevated object become detached, thereby preventing the object from falling and injuring personnel or damaging property.
US09488030B2
A pressure compensation system for enclosed spaces at a subterranean location changes volume with thermally induced solubility changes of a salt in water. The salt is held in an enclosure that is either rigid, or impervious and flexible or porous and flexible. As well conditions change and temperature increases, some of the salt goes into solution with a resulting decrease in volume that compensates for thermally induced volume increase due to temperature increase in the borehole. Conversely, a decrease in borehole temperature brings some of the salt out of solution for a volume increase to offset the volume decrease of the adjacent fluid to keep the pressure stabilized in the enclosed volume. In the porous enclosure embodiment the openings are sufficiently small to retain the salt even in solution. However, minimal net flows are anticipated for pressure compensation due to changing thermal effects.
US09488025B2
A rotating control device can include a rotatably mounted seal which sealingly engages a drill string, and a gripping device which grips the drill string and thereby forces the seal to rotate with the drill string. A drilling method can include positioning a drill string in a rotating control device, gripping the drill string with a gripping device of the rotating control device, and rotating the drill string, gripping engagement between the gripping device and the drill string causing a seal of the rotating control device to rotate along with the drill string. A well system can include a drill string, and a rotating control device including a seal which sealingly engages the drill string and a gripping device which grippingly engages the drill string.
US09488021B2
A core barrel head assembly positionable within a drill string of a drilling apparatus. The core barrel head assembly includes an upper latch body having a latch assembly for engageably latching the drill string and a reduced diametric portion below the latch assembly for receiving a seal member. The reduced diametric portion has a lower coupling portion on a bottom portion thereof. The head assembly also includes a lower latch body including an upper coupling portion on a top portion thereof, and a coupler for removably coupling the upper latch body to the lower latch body. The seal member is installable on and removable from the reduced diametric portion upon uncoupling the upper latch body from the lower latch body. The head assembly is quickly reconfigurable between surface and pump in/underground configurations. Core barrel outer tube components also do not require reconfiguring between these two configurations.
US09488017B2
A method for running a tubular string in wellbore operations according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a tubular running tool comprising gripping assembly rotationally connected to a carrier, the gripping assembly comprising a body and slips; connecting the carrier to a quill of a top drive of a drilling rig; positioning an end of a tubular for gripping with the slips; actuating the slips into gripping engagement with the tubular; and rotating the tubular with the slips in gripping engagement therewith.
US09488013B2
Disclosed herein is a bi-directionally raisable drilling rig mast system that includes a drilling rig mast having a bi-directional mast erection connection, a first erection connection positioned proximate a first side of a rig substructure, and a second erection connection positioned proximate a second side of the rig substructure, the second side being at an opposite side of the rig substructure from the first side. The system further includes at least one mast erection apparatus having an upper end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the bi-directional mast erection connection and a lower end that is adapted to be pivotably attached to the first erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the first side of the substructure, the lower end being further adapted to be pivotably attached to the second erection connection for erecting the drilling rig mast from the second side of the substructure.
US09488005B2
A method for transporting a hydrocarbon fluid, such as crude oil and/or natural gas, comprises: drilling a chain of double ended U-shaped boreholes into the earth crust, such that at least one pair of the boreholes has an adjacent pair of upper ends at or near the earth surface; lining each of the boreholes with an at least partly expanded impermeable liner comprising an expandable tubular, which is circumferentially expanded after insertion into the borehole; interconnecting each pair of adjacent upper ends of the chain of lined U-shaped boreholes by a connection conduit; and transporting the hydrocarbon fluid through a transportation pipeline with one or more W-shaped sections provided by the chain of lined U-shaped boreholes and the connection conduit.
US09487992B2
A threshold assembly for an entryway system includes a sill presenting an upper sill surface, and a rail coupled to and disposed above the upper sill surface. The rail is movable between an initial and second position. The rail presents a lower rail surface facing the upper sill surface and has first and second retaining arms extending from the lower rail surface toward the upper sill surface to a distal retention end of the first and second retaining arms. The distal retention ends define a retaining width (W1) therebetween. The first retaining arm, the lower rail surface, and the second retaining arm collectively define a retention pocket. The threshold assembly includes a biasing member comprising a first portion disposed in the retention pocket. The retention pocket has a width (W2) greater than the retaining width (W1) for retaining the first portion of the biasing member within the retention pocket.
US09487989B2
An apparatus holds a door closed comprising: a top panel, a left wall and a right wall. A flap is attached to the left wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus. A flap is attached to the right wall opposite the top panel and folded under the apparatus. The apparatus contains a front end, a back end and an opening at the front end that has a larger cross section than a cross section of the back end thereby providing for a tapered shape of the apparatus overall, such that the apparatus is configured to fit over two hinged arms of a door closing system, preventing the arms from articulating open to prevent the door from opening.
US09487982B2
A pivotally rotating positioner for a support illuminating multi-task device which can be applied to conductively connect a light rotating arm to a body in a fashion of pivotal rotations at variable angles. However, upon pivotally rotating, it is possible to compress the electrically conductive spring to prevent serious abrasions in the snapping recesses and the snapping bumps on the rotating arm case and the base housing. Moreover, by means of the elastic coercion between the electrically conductive spring and the electrically conductive pivotal axis assembly, it is possible to allow the electrical energy coming from the body to be smoothly provided to the light rotating arm via the pivotal axis and also enable a free rotation of 360 degrees of the light rotating arm with respect to the body while maintaining the illumination effect.
US09487980B2
A hinge with a main body and first and second connector parts for mounting the hinge to a respective one of a jamb or panel, the main body being formed of first and second aligned hinge components arranged to rotate relative to each other about a pivot axis, wherein the hinge further includes an adjustment mechanism carried by one of the components to adjust the relative position of the connector parts.
US09487979B2
A system of converting a traditional door latch assembly of a door into a magnetic door latch.
US09487977B2
A sliding door for a motor vehicle includes a sliding door arrester to prevent the sliding door from inadvertently closing during a deceleration event. The sliding door arrestor includes a base fixed relative to a guide rail and a locking element pivotally attached to the base. The locking element includes a mass and a lock. The locking element rotates relative to the base during a deceleration event of the vehicle to engage the lock with a biasing member to prevent movement of a sliding element that is displaceable along the guide rail.
US09487976B2
A door locking device includes a supporting frame, a latch rotationally carried about a first axis by the supporting frame, a receiver for a locking tooth of the latch and first elastic element for rotating the latch between a first steady position in which, in use, with the door being closed, the tooth of the latch engages the receiver, and a second steady position, in which the tooth does not engage the receiver. The supporting frame is shaped to be fixed, in use, to one side of an access opening of the electric household appliance, integral with a casing of the latter; and the receiver has at least one seat carried, in use, by an edge of the door facing, in use, the side of the access opening provided with the supporting frame; moreover, the first axis is transversally movable with respect to itself, relatively to the supporting frame.
US09487970B2
A security device for placement about a merchandise item includes a housing, cable and a clip. The housing includes a lock device, a spool for receiving the cable and a ratchet assembly to maintain the cable tightened about the merchandise item. The clip is connected to the cable and is engagable with the housing. The lock device locks the clip to the housing when the clip is attached to the housing and allows the spool to release cable from the housing when the clip is not locked to the housing. When the clip is locked to the housing, the lock device allows ratcheting of cable onto the spool but not unwinding of cable from the spool. The clip contains alarm logic fully contained within the clip configured to generate an alarm if the cable is severed. In some configurations, the alarm logic can transmit/receive wireless messages with a network.
US09487969B2
A combination lock having a plurality of dials and clutches arranged to control a lock shackle is disclosed. Each of the dials is mounted on a different clutch to form a dial-clutch pair. The clutch has a protrusion and the dial has an open slot dimensioned to receive a protrusion and a plurality of faulty notches. The protrusion is so located that when the lock is in the lock mode, the protrusion in each of the dial-clutch pairs is disengaged from the open slot, allowing the dial to rotate relative to the clutch. Since the clutches do not turn along with the dials and the faulty notches look similar to the open slot, it would be difficult for an intruder to pick the lock by peeking the protrusion of the clutches while rotating the dials.
US09487961B2
The invention relates to a connecting device for formwork boards having a formwork lining and elements supporting the formwork lining for producing concrete structures, wherein the connecting device comprises two claws and a clamping means, particularly a wedge or a clamping screw, in order to move the two claws towards one another for connection of two formwork boards, in such a manner that the supporting elements of two formwork boards are held in the desired position. The connecting device is characterized by a pivotable claw, which is formed such that the pivotable claw can be pivoted between a starting position and a final position, particularly about a shaft of the connecting device. This permits particularly simple assembly of the formwork boards to form a formwork and/or disassembly of a formwork.
US09487953B2
A vacuum insulated panel includes a fiberglass insulation blanket and a barrier layer. The barrier layer is sealed around the fiberglass insulation blanket. Gas inside the barrier layer is evacuated such that the fiberglass insulation blanket is compressed.
US09487945B2
The invention concerns a transition body arranged between a lower section and an upper section of a tower for a wind energy plant. The lower tower section is constructed from several corner posts configured as hollow profiles and the upper tower section is configured in the form of a tubular tower which is essentially round in cross section, with a bottom and a connection flange disposed above the bottom for connecting the upper tower section. The bottom and the flange connect the upper tower section and are joined together by at least one metal casing sheet. The connection of the bottom to the at least one metal casing sheet is a welded construction. A number of connection areas is provided on the underside of its bottom, corresponding to the number of corner posts of the lower tower section.
US09487944B2
A jack-up conical structure having a generally cone shape. The wide base and narrow upper section enhance stability of the structure during floatation, transport, elevation, anchoring, and drilling. The wide base along with a buoyant portion provide a large water line area which enhances stability of the structure during floatation and transit and while sections of the structure elevate and lower. The wide base also has shear resistance portion that prevents lateral sliding, especially in ice infested waters. A central shaft is disposed in a vertical orientation to the structure and facilitates movement throughout. A conical upper portion moves along the central shaft relative to the conical base. A drilling portion moves on racks of grooves inside the central shaft and performs drilling operations. Numerous chambers, cranes, and helipad support drilling and habitation on the structure.
US09487915B2
Methods of treating wood and wood products include irradiating untreated wood having a first molecular weight with ionizing radiation to cause an increase in the molecular weight of a cellulosic component of the wood to a second, relatively higher molecular weight.
US09487913B2
A method for the artificial aging of fabrics by applying an enzyme compound without using an aqueous bath.
US09487901B2
A washing machine in which a touch panel is placed at a door so that an exterior of the washing machine can be improved, the washing machine including: a body in which an opening is formed; and a door disposed to open and close the opening, wherein the door includes: a first door member that constitutes a front side of the door; and a second door member that is combined with the first door member and constitutes a rear side of the door, and wherein the first door member and the second door member are combined with each other so that the first door member is capable of being rotated relative to the second door member.
US09487900B2
A washing machine according to the present invention comprises: a vibration limiter disposed on an outer cistern, wherein the vibration limiter is capable of decreasing vibration by absorbing kinetic energy of a suspension when the outer cistern is excessively vibrating. Thus, the present invention prevents collision between a cabinet and the outer cistern which can be generated when the outer cistern is excessively vibrating, thereby achieving the effect of preventing damage to the surrounding parts. Furthermore, since collision between the outer cistern and the cabinet is prevented, it is possible to minimize space between the outer cistern and the cabinet, which allows the enlargement of outer cistern capacity.
US09487894B2
A nonwoven fabric comprising heat-expanding particles, having bulk and high strength, and a method for producing the nonwoven fabric. The method includes a step of supplying a first sheet-forming material comprising fiber and water onto a belt, spraying a high-pressure water jet onto the first sheet layer to form grooves, forming a second sheet-forming material comprising fibers, heat-expanding particles and water into a second sheet layer, layering the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer to form a third sheet layer, drying the third sheet layer, and spraying high-pressure steam onto the third sheet layer to expand the heat-expanding particles. The nonwoven fabric is provided with a first layer having a plurality of grooves extending in the longitudinal direction and aligned in the transverse direction, on the first surface, and is provided with a second layer comprising expanded heat-expanding particles and fibers, on the second surface.
US09487893B2
Dimensionally stable nonwoven fibrous webs include a multiplicity of continuous fibers formed from one or more thermoplastic polyesters and polypropylene in an amount greater than 0% and no more than 10% by weight of the web. The webs have at least one dimension which decreases by no greater than 10% in the plane of the web when heated to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the fibers. When the thermoplastic polyester is selected to include aliphatic and aromatic polyesters, a spunbond process may be used to produce substantially continuous fibers that exhibit molecular orientation. When the thermoplastic polyester is selected from aliphatic polyesters, a meltblown process may be used to produce discontinuous fibers that do not exhibit molecular orientation. The webs may be used as articles for filtration, sound absorption, thermal insulation, surface cleaning, cellular growth support, drug delivery, personal hygiene, medical apparel, or wound dressing.
US09487890B1
Valve for controlling fabric permeability, controllable permeability fabric, and articles using same
Shape memory actuators are utilized to controllably modify the permeability of fabric and fabric based articles. The SMA actuator operates by changing the geometric permeability or by modifying the weave permeability of the fabric based article, or one or more portions thereof. The invention further provides for applications of the controllable permeability fabric, which include by way of example, various parachute, sail, and filter embodiments.
US09487888B2
A cord for reinforcing rubber articles according to the present invention is formed by a thread with ply-twisted cellulose fiber twisted with a thread of ply-twisted nylon fiber. The ply twist number of the nylon fiber is less than the ply twist number of the cellulose fiber. A pneumatic tire according to the present invention uses the cord for reinforcing rubber articles according to the present invention in a ply cord of the carcass.
US09487883B2
Trimanganese tetraoxide has high reactivity with a lithium compound, is excellent in handling efficiency, and is suitable as a manganese material of a lithium manganese oxide, and its production process. Trimanganese tetraoxide particles including trimanganese tetraoxide primary particles having an average primary particle size of at most 2 μm agglomerated, the pore volume of pores being at least 0.4 mL/g. The most frequent pores are preferably pores having a diameter of at most 5 μm. The trimanganese tetraoxide particles can be obtained by producing trimanganese tetraoxide particles, which includes directly crystallizing trimanganese tetraoxide from a manganese salt aqueous solution, wherein the manganese salt aqueous solution and an alkali aqueous solution are mixed so that the oxidation-reduction potential is at least 0 mV and OH−/Mn2+ (mol/mol) is at most 0.55, to obtain a slurry, and the solid content concentration of the slurry is adjusted to be at most 2 wt %.
US09487874B2
A water electrolysis system includes a high-pressure hydrogen production unit for electrolyzing water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen (the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen being higher than that of the oxygen), and a gas-liquid separation unit for removing water contained in the high-pressure hydrogen. The gas-liquid separation unit is placed on a hydrogen pipe for discharging the high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen production unit. In addition, the water electrolysis system includes a high-pressure hydrogen supply pipe for transferring dewatered high-pressure hydrogen from the gas-liquid separation unit, a cooling unit, which is placed on the high-pressure hydrogen supply pipe and is capable of variably controlling the temperature of the high-pressure hydrogen to adjust the humidity of the high-pressure hydrogen, and a control unit.
US09487860B2
Vapor deposition methods of cobalt-containing films by using cobalt carbonyl nitrosyl are disclosed.
US09487856B2
A composite structure, comprising a cemented carbide substrate (e.g., tungsten carbide substrate cemented with cobalt, such as WC—Co), a thin interlayer disposed over the substrate, and a contiguous diamond film disposed over the interlayer, as well as processes of preparing such a composite structure and uses thereof, are provided. The composite structure is characterized by at least one of a substrate binder concentration of at least 2 percents by weight, interlayer thickness less than 20 microns, a homogenous interlayer made substantially of crystalline chromium nitride, a low to null binder concentration in the interlayer, and a high co-adhesion of the diamond film to the interlayer and the interlayer to the substrate.
US09487847B2
Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) and methods of manufacturing such PDCs in which an at least partially leached polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table is infiltrated with a low viscosity cobalt-based alloy infiltrant. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a PCD table in the presence of a metal-solvent catalyst in a first high-pressure/high-temperature (“HPHT”) process. The method includes at least partially leaching the PCD table to remove at least a portion of the metal-solvent catalyst therefrom to form an at least partially leached PCD table. The method includes subjecting the at least partially leached PCD table and a substrate to a second HPHT process effective to at least partially infiltrate the at least partially leached PCD table with an alloy infiltrant comprising at least one of a cobalt-based or nickel based alloy infiltrant having a composition at or near a eutectic composition of the alloy infiltrant.
US09487844B2
The invention relates to a method for the removal of coatings from scrap materials (3), wherein the scrap (3) is brought into contact with a liquid and, while the coating removal process is performed, moves within a conveying trough (2) of a vibrating conveyor (1) in a direction (6) from the inlet end (7) towards the outlet end (8) of said conveying trough (2). The invention is of special importance for the dezincing of steel scrap. The method operates on a continuous basis with the removal of coatings being efficiently accomplished.
US09487837B2
A method for diagnosing hepatitis virus infection or a hepatitis disease condition in a subject based on hepatitis virus-associated biomarkers present on exosomes in a bodily fluid sample from the subject is disclosed. Also disclosed are a method for monitoring the course of a hepatitis virus infection or a hepatitis disease condition in a subject and a method for monitoring effectiveness of treatment to a subject with an anti-hepatitis virus agent based on hepatitis virus-associated biomarkers present on exosomes in bodily fluid samples from the subject, as well as a kit for diagnosing hepatitis virus infection and/or a hepatitis disease condition in a subject based on hepatitis virus-associated biomarkers on exosomes in bodily fluid samples from the subject.
US09487831B2
Annexin A3 (ANAX3) is utilized as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the utilization of a monoclonal antibody against ANXA3 or antisense polynucleotide against ANXA3 mRNA for the suppression or treatment of HCC, alone or in combination with other HCC treatment. Monoclonal antibody against ANXA3 can be administered for the suppression of tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance.
US09487828B2
The technology described herein is directed to methods of determining oligonucleotide sequences, e.g. by enriching target sequences prior to sequencing the sequences.
US09487819B2
An isolated nucleic acid reporter construct, the protein for which it encodes and methods for its use for the in vivo or in vitro measurement of the concentration of a specific biologically important molecule in a subcellular compartment or locale are provided. Certain constructs described are useful in measuring the local concentration of ATP at synapses.
US09487811B2
The present invention relates to analytical testing devices and methods for fabricating electrochemical creatinine biosensors, and in particular using point of care electrochemical biosensors for testing for creatinine in samples. For example, the present invention may be directed to a biosensor having an electrode, a first printed layer formed on the electrode and having a first matrix that includes creatinine amidohydrolase (CNH), creatine amidinohydrolase (CRH), and sarcosine oxidase (SOX), and second printed layer formed over the first printed layer and having a second matrix that includes CRH, SOX, and catalase.
US09487808B2
Aspects herein relate to composition, and related methods, for isolating and assembling DNA molecules without intermediate cloning steps.
US09487797B2
The present invention discloses rice genomic promoter sequences. The promoters are particularly suited for use in rice and other cereal crops. Methods of modifying, producing, and using the promoters are also disclosed. The invention further discloses compositions, transformed host cells, transgenic plants, and seeds containing the rice genomic promoter sequences, and methods for preparing and using the same.
US09487796B2
Methods of increasing abiotic stress tolerance and/or biomass in plants and plants generated thereby
Isolated polynucleotides having a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162-204, 206-211, 214-287 and/or encoding polypeptides having an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13-56, 58-63, 66-121, 141-156 or 157 are provided. Also provided are methods of utilizing same for increasing the tolerance of a plant to abiotic stresses and/or increasing the biomass, vigor and/or yield of a plant.
US09487786B2
A method and compound for suppressing an immune response in a mammalian subject, for the treatment or prevention of an autoimmune condition or transplantation rejection are disclosed. The compound is an antisense oligonucleotide analog compound having a targeting sequence complementary to a preprocessed CTLA-4 mRNA region identified by SEQ ID NO: 22 in SEQ ID NO: 1, spanning the splice junction between intron 1 and exon 2 of the preprocessed mRNA of the subject. The compound is effective, when administered to a subject, to form within host cells, a heteroduplex structure (i) composed of the preprocessed CTLA-4 mRNA and the oligonucleotide compound, (ii) characterized by a Tm of dissociation of at least 45° C., and (iii) resulting in an increased ratio of processed mRNA encoding ligand-independent CTLA-4 to processed mRNA encoding full-length CTLA-4.
US09487783B2
Described herein are compounds comprising modified oligonucleotides that are complementary to miR-103 and/or miR-107 and methods of treating diseases and disorders using the compounds.
US09487782B2
The present invention relates to a method for treating a Leber congenital amaurosis in a patient harboring the mutation c.2991+1655 A>G in the CEP290 gene, comprising the step of administering to said patient at least one antisense oligonucleotide complementary to nucleic acid sequence that is necessary for preventing splicing of the cryptic exon inserted into the mutant c.2291+1655 A>G CEP290 mRNA.
US09487780B2
Provided are compounds comprising oligonucleotides complementary to a fibronectin transcript. Certain such compounds are useful for hybridizing to a fibronectin transcript, including but not limited to a fibronectin transcript in a cell. Such hybridization results in modulation of splicing of the fibronectin transcript. Such compounds are used to treat one or more symptoms associated with fibrosis. Such compounds are used to treat one or more symptoms associated with renal fibrosis.
US09487775B2
Disclosed is a method for obtaining a bifunctional complex comprising a display molecule part and a coding part, wherein a nascent bifuntional complex comprising a chemical reaction site and a priming site for enzymatic addition of a tag is reacted at the chemical reaction site with one or more reactants, and provided with respective tag(s) identifying the reactant(s) at the priming site is using one or more enzymes.
US09487772B2
Methods of inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase delta isoform (PI3Kδ) activity, and methods of treating diseases, such as disorders of immunity and inflammation, in which PI3Kδ plays a role in leukocyte function are disclosed. Preferably, the methods employ active agents that selectively inhibit PI3Kδ, while not significantly inhibiting activity of other PI3K isoforms. Compounds are provided that inhibit PI3Kδ activity, including compounds that selectively inhibit PI3Kδ activity. Methods of using PI3Kδ inhibitory compounds to inhibit cancer cell growth or proliferation are also provided. Accordingly, the invention provides methods of using PI3Kδ inhibitory compounds to inhibit PI3Kδ-mediated processes in vitro and in vivo.
US09487771B2
The invention relates to new method of peptide hydrolysis, in particular of the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria, wherein the active form of LytM or derivative thereof is contacted with a peptide substrate, preferably with the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria, in an aqueous environment of conductivity lower than 10 mS/cm. The invention also relates to composition comprising active form of LytM or derivative thereof and new uses of active form of LytM or derivative thereof.
US09487770B2
The present invention provides Hahella chejuensis-derived recombinant cellulase and a use thereof. The recombinant cellulase according to the present invention has a high stability at a high temperature and an optimized activity at a neutral pH, and therefore has a high availability in a process. Also, since the cellulase according to the present invention has an exoglucanase activity as well as an endoglucanase activity, a monosaccharide can be produced during decomposition of cellulose and an additional treatment required in a fermentation process is not needed, and therefore a cost may be reduced. Such an enzyme activity is advantageous to a fermentation or thermal treatment condition for producing a biofuel, and therefore industrial profits may be achieved.
US09487768B2
The present invention relates in part to nucleic acids encoding proteins, therapeutics comprising nucleic acids encoding proteins, methods for inducing cells to express proteins using nucleic acids, methods, kits and devices for transfecting, gene editing, and reprogramming cells, and cells, organisms, and therapeutics produced using these methods, kits, and devices. Methods and products for altering the DNA sequence of a cell are described, as are methods and products for inducing cells to express proteins using synthetic RNA molecules. Therapeutics comprising nucleic acids encoding gene-editing proteins are also described.
US09487767B2
The present invention relates to methods for constructing a recombinant fungal host cell comprising one or more copies of a polynucleotide construct integrated in its genome, said method comprising transforming a fungal host cell with an integrative polynucleotide construct comprising a first polynucleotide encoding a selectable marker, wherein the first polynucleotide, a 5′ untranslated region thereof and/or a riboswitch operably linked therewith comprises a spliceosomal intron which has 5 nucleotides or less between its branch site and its acceptor site; and a second polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of interest; as well as suitable polynucleotide constructs, resulting fungal host cells and methods of manufacture.
US09487765B2
Disclosed is a transglutaminase having excellent stability. Also disclosed is a process for producing the transglutaminase. Specifically disclosed is a stabilized transglutaminase, which has such a structure in which a pro-sequence peptide of transglutaminase is bound to a mature transglutaminase. Also specifically disclosed is a process for producing stabilized transglutaminase, which includes the steps of culturing a microorganism capable of producing transglutaminase under the conditions where transglutaminase can be produced; and separating and collecting matured transglutaminase having a pro-sequence peptide bound thereto from a culture medium.
US09487762B1
A method and system are provided for the production of triterpene including methylated triterpenes. The method and system include isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding triterpene methyltransferases such as triterpene methyltransferases 1, 2, 3. Advantageously, the method and system includes transgenic plant cells via an expression vector for triterpene methyltransferase and optionally various triterpene synthase and prenyltransferase all with tags directing these enzymes to the chloroplast of the transgenic plant cells for using the chloroplast methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway in the triterpene biogenesis.
US09487759B2
There is provided a method of producing a stabilized catalase enzyme. In the method, a substrate is thoroughly mixed with phosphate borate and catalase, rinsed with water and the solids dried. The dried solid may be mixed with polyvinyl alcohol and dried for further stabilization. The stabilized powder may be mixed with various skin solutions (lotions, ointments and the like). The catalase enzyme can catalyze the reaction of peroxide to oxygen.
US09487754B2
Provided herein are compositions and methods for forming fibrochondrocytes or fibrochondrocyte-like cells from progenitor cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells. One aspect provides a fibrochondrocyte culture medium including CTGF and TGFβ3, optionally encapsulated by microspheres having different release profiles. Another aspect provides a method for forming fibrochondrocytes or fibrochondrocyte-like cells from progenitor cells by culturing with CTGF and TGFβ3.
US09487753B2
This invention provides an isolated disc stem cell population, compositions, and methods of obtaining and growing the same. Moreover, this invention provides an isolated discosphere, compositions, and methods of obtaining and growing the same. An artificial disc containing the cells of the present invention is provided together with methods of making the same. This invention also provides a method of treating a subject having a herniated disc utilizing the cells and methods of the invention.
US09487752B2
Methods and composition for differentiation of pluripotent stem cells are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods including priming stem cells for neural differentiation in a culture medium essentially free of growth factors such as FGF and TGFβ. As an advantage, the neural cells may be provided with improved consistency and purity.
US09487750B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for establishing and maintaining growth of cells and embryonic tissue on a synthetic polymer matrix. For example, the present invention provides synthetic growth matrices for stem cells, gametes, mature differentiated cells, and embryonic tissue (e.g., blastomeres, embryos, and embryoid bodies). In certain embodiments, the cells are capable of going through multiple passages while remaining in an undifferentiated state as a result of the synthetic polymer matrix.
US09487748B2
A dual compartment bioreactor system includes a heterotrophic bioreactor, an autotrophic bioreactor, and a membrane between the autotrophic bioreactor and the heterotrophic bioreactor. The autotrophic bioreactor includes a transparent outer wall. Each population benefits from the products of the metabolism of the other. Methods for wastewater treatment and algal production utilize the system.
US09487742B2
The invention relates to drain cleaning compositions including relatively high concentrations of a hypochlorite oxidizing agent and a hydroxide (e.g., 4 to 12% and 2.5 to 10%, respectively. The composition further includes a surfactant (e.g., a surfactant blend, water, and exhibits a very high pH (e.g., at least 13). The composition is monophasic, even at high oxidizing and hydroxide concentrations. The surfactant may include a blend of an uncharged surfactant (e.g., an amphoteric surfactant or nonionic surfactant) and a charged surfactant (e.g., anionic, cationic, or a surfactant that becomes so under the high pH conditions of the composition). The ratio of charged to uncharged surfactant may be at least 1:10, e.g., from 1:10 to about 1:50.
US09487739B2
The present invention relates generally to cleaning compositions and, more specifically, to cleaning compositions containing a polyetheramine that is suitable for removal of stains from soiled materials.
US09487725B2
Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.
US09487722B2
The invention relates to the use of engineered fuel feedstocks to control the emission of sulfur-based, chlorine-based, nitrogen-based, or mercury-based pollutants, such as SO2, SO3, H2SO4, NO, NO2, HCl, and Hg that are generated during the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal. Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feedstocks, feedstocks produced by the described processes, methods of making the fuel feedstocks, methods of producing energy from the fuel feedstocks, and methods of generating electricity from the fuel feedstocks.
US09487721B2
A manufacturing process is disclosed for preparing torrefied biomass having a reduced inorganic content which comprises passing crude torrefied biomass through one or more selective separation devices capable of separating inorganic particulate matter from the torrefied biomass.
US09487719B2
The present invention relates to methods of fueling an internal combustion engine, and composition, that provide improved nitrogen-free detergency in the engine, particularly in the area of injector deposit control. The present invention also provides methods of providing both improved detergency and improved corrosion inhibition, while avoiding compatibility problems with fuels and/or while limiting the amount of nitrogen delivered to the fuel from the deposit control additive.
US09487718B2
Low sulphur marine fuel compositions are provided. Embodiments comprise 10 to 50 wt % of a residual hydrocarbon component, with the remaining 50 to 90 wt % selected from a non-hydroprocessed hydrocarbon component, a hydroprocessed hydrocarbon component, and a combination thereof. Embodiments of the marine fuel composition can have a sulphur content of about 0.1 wt % or less.
US09487704B2
There is provided a positive liquid crystal composition that has a dielectric anisotropy useful as a liquid crystal display material. The liquid crystal composition has a liquid crystal phase in a wide temperature range, a low viscosity, a good solubility at low temperatures, a high resistivity, and a high voltage holding ratio, and is stable to heat and light. Use of this liquid crystal composition can provide a liquid crystal display element that has high displaying quality and is less likely to undergo displaying failures such as burn-in and dropping marks. A liquid crystal display element that employs the liquid crystal composition is useful for an active-matrix-driving liquid crystal display element and can be used for a liquid crystal display element that employs the TN mode, the IPS mode, the FFS mode, or the like.
US09487703B2
A liquid crystal composition and an AM-type liquid crystal display device including the same are described. The liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase, contains a specific compound having a large positive dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and a specific compound having a small viscosity as a second component, and may also contain at least one of a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a third component, a specific compound having a large positive dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and a specific compound having a negative dielectric anisotropy as a fifth component.
US09487676B2
A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a particulate polymer of a monomer mixture comprising (a) an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer; (b) at least one of (b-1) an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer with the alkyl group having a carbon number of 15 to 24 and the alkyl group being a linear alkyl group and (b-2) an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer with the alkyl group having a carbon number of 15 to 24 and the alkyl group being a branched alkyl group; and (c) a monoolefmically unsaturated monomer having a ketone group with the alkyl group having a carbon number of 8 to 14. Pressure sensitive adhesive tapes incorporating such adhesive compositions are also described.
US09487672B2
A polymer useful in coating compositions is described. The polymer is preferably an unsaturated polyurethane polymer, which preferably has an iodine value of at least 10. The polymer may be combined with one or more liquid carriers to form a liquid coating composition useful in coating a variety of substrates, including planar metal substrates.
US09487671B2
A waterborne base coat having a special-effect color and which contains aqueous microgel as binder, 0.5 to 2 wt.-% of poly(meth)acrylic acid thickener and 2 to 7 wt.-% of non-ionically emulsified EVA copolymer wax with a drop point of the wax portion of 80 to 110° C., the wt.-% in each case calculated as solids and relative to the solids content of the waterborne base coat.
US09487670B2
Titanium dioxide may be more efficiently used in a coating composition containing a composite pigment particle-forming polymer if during composite formation, the polymer is initially present in a low concentration and the titanium dioxide particles and newly-formed composite particles are dispersed in a waterborne emulsion polymer that does not form such a composite. A pigment grind dispersion of titanium dioxide pigment-polymer composite particles may be made by mixing titanium dioxide particles with the waterborne emulsion polymer. The composite-forming polymer is then added to the waterborne emulsion polymer, or is added independently and concurrently with the titanium dioxide particles. The resulting titanium dioxide pigment-polymer composite particles provide improved coating composition opacity compared to a coating composition that does not contain such composite particles. The coating compositions can contain reduced titanium dioxide amounts and less than a saturation level of the composite-forming polymer.
US09487666B2
An inkjet recording ink, including: water; a water-soluble organic solvent; a colorant; a compound containing a group expressed by the following Structural Formula (1), and a defoamer, C6F13—CH2CH2— Structural Formula (1).
US09487664B2
A preserving agent for temporarily storing used paint application tools, in particular paint brushes and paint rollers, is used by immersing at least the paint containing portion of the paint application tool therein. The preserving agent is a water based gel. An electrolyte is used for breaking up the gel afterwards. A device for temporarily storing used paint application tools, and a composite kit, including the device, the water based gel, and the electrolyte are included.
US09487660B2
A wire-like spray material (4) based on an iron for electric arc wire spraying and also a functional layer (2) which can be produced therewith on a substrate (1). The functional layer (2) has good corrosion resistance towards diesel fuel having a high sulphur content.
US09487658B2
Provided are: a copper phthalocyanine pigment which contains at least one kind of copper phthalocyanine microparticles whose crystal type is any of two kinds of β- and γ-type crystals and that exhibits, in a region of 380 nm to 780 nm, an absorption spectrum shape extremely similar to that of α-form copper phthalocyanine microparticles; and a process for the production of the copper phthalocyanine microparticles. Also provided are: a copper phthalocyanine pigment which contains at least one kind of coper phthalocyanine microparticles whose crystal type is any of two kinds of β- and γ-type crystals and that exhibits a wavelength (λ-max) of shorter than 478 nm in the transmission spectrum in a region of 380 nm to 780 nm, said wavelength (λ-max) being a wavelength at which the maximum transmittance appears; and a process for the production of the copper phthalocyanine microparticles.
US09487653B2
Provided herein is a process for making a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, by polymerizing a first and second polymer solution (each having 75 to 99 wt % propylene-derived units, 1 to 25 wt % ethylene-derived units, and 0.05 to 6 wt % diene-derived units); combining the first and second polymer solution to produce a polymer blend solution; removing solvent from the polymer blend solution to produce a polymer blend; mixing the polymer blend with a coagent and a vinyl-terminated silane compound; subjecting the polymer blend to electron beam irradiation to grafting the vinyl-terminated silane compound to either or both of the first polymer and the second polymer to form a grafted polymer blend; and moisture curing the grafted polymer blend to form a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, wherein the grafted cross-linked polymer blend is substantially free of peroxide.
US09487647B2
The present invention relates to a polymer mixture with a low viscosity, allowing processes for the processing of plastics materials to be accelerated while the final properties of the end products remain the same or are improved. The polymer mixture is mixed with the plastics materials in the manner of an additive. The invention further relates to the production of suitable polymer mixtures of this type and to the use thereof.
US09487643B2
A tire rubber compound having at least one cross-linkable, unsaturated-chain polymer base, and a curing system of at least sulphur, stearic acid, zinc oxide, and a chelating agent for complexing the zinc ion.
US09487638B2
Disclosed is an inorganic film comprising an inorganic laminar compound and a resin, characterized in that when an image observed with a transmission electron microscope of a cross section of the inorganic film including the thickness direction of the film is subjected to image processing to classify into 256 levels of shade on the gray scale, and subsequently, at each of arbitrary five or more points of the image-processed observed image, a straight line is drawn parallel with the thickness direction of the inorganic film from one surface of the inorganic film to the other surface, and then linear analysis is performed along each of the straight lines, the average value of standard deviations of degrees relative to the degree of each shade determined from the results of the linear analysis is 15 or less.
US09487625B2
A poly(butylene terephthalate-co-adipate) copolymer is disclosed, where the copolymer has a melt temperature from 105 to 125° C., and wherein the copolymer includes a polyester component residue derived from a terephthalic-containing polyester homopolymer, a terephthalic-containing polyester copolymer, and combinations thereof, and further includes a polyester residue component; a quencher residue; and from 0.05 to 5 weight % based on total weight of poly(butylene terephthalate-co-adipate) copolymer of a residue of an isocyanurate, polyisocyanate, and combinations thereof. Compositions and articles including the copolymer are also described.
US09487601B2
Methods for making olefin polymerization catalysts and methods for making polymers using the catalysts are provided. The method for making the catalyst can include combining one or more supports with one or more magnesium-containing compounds under reaction conditions to form a first reacted product. One or more chlorinating compounds selected from the group consisting of aluminum alkyl chlorides and chloro substituted silanes can be combined with the first reacted product under reaction conditions to form a second reacted product. One or more titanium-containing compounds selected from the group consisting of titanium alkoxides and titanium halides can be combined with the second reacted product under reaction conditions to form a catalyst.
US09487598B2
The present invention concerns a method for preparing a polymer comprising a step (EI) for dispersed phase polymerization in the presence of a reactive stabiliser, wherein the following are brought into contact in an aqueous phase:—at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; —at least one source of free radicals; and—a reactive stabiliser comprising a polymer chain including monomer units (N-vinyl lactam) and a thiocarbonylthio-S group (C═S)—.
US09487590B2
The invention relates generally to activatable antibodies that include a masking moiety (MM), a cleavable moiety (CM), and an antibody (AB) that specifically binds to interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), and to methods of making and using these anti-IL-6R activatable antibodies in a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactic indications.
US09487568B2
A method of treating an individual (i) having abnormal bone; or (ii) afflicted with a disease or disorder related to normal or abnormal FGF receptors or a skeletal disorder; or (iii) having dysplasic bone. The method includes administering to the individual a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF-9) variant comprising at least one amino acid substitution in the beta 8-beta 9 loop, wherein said FGF-9 variant incorporates one of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17.
US09487566B2
The present invention relates to protein purification. More particularly, a method for directly recovering an objective protein from a protein composition and purifying a protein with a desired quality in a rapid and efficient manner is provided. Further, a rapid purification method capable of efficiently removing impurities included in the protein composition is provided. Therefore, compared to the conventional purification methods, quality and yield of the protein can be remarkably improved.
US09487564B2
The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Fusobacterium spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.
US09487563B2
The invention features modified alphavirus or flavivirus virus-like particles (VLPs). The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits featuring the modified VLPs. The invention also features methods for enhancing production of modified VLPs for use in the prevention or treatment of alphavirus and flavivirus-mediated diseases. The invention also provides methods for delivering agents to a cell using the modified VLPs.
US09487555B2
This invention describes an ICE inhibitor prodrug (I) having good bioavailability. Compound I is useful for treating IL-1 mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory peritonitis, septic shock, pancreatitis, traumatic brain injury, organ transplant rejection, osteoarthritis, asthma, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, Huntington's disease, atherosclerosis, atopic dermatitis, leukemias and related disorders, myelodysplastic syndrome, uveitis or multiple myeloma.
US09487551B2
The present invention relates to methods of modifying nematode behavior using certain isolated modulator compounds. Also disclosed are methods of promoting or inhibiting reproduction in a nematode population, methods of promoting or inhibiting nematode aggregation at a mammal, and methods of treating or preventing parasite infection of a mammal.
US09487550B2
The present invention pertains to a method of isolating RNA from a sample comprising RNA, and DNA, comprising: a) adding an acidic denaturing composition comprising a chaotropic agent and phenol to the sample; b) adding a water-insoluble organic solvent and separating the resulting phases thereby forming a multi-phase mixture comprising an aqueous phase, optionally an interphase and an organic phase, wherein the RNA is concentrated in said aqueous phase and DNA and proteins are concentrated in said organic phase and/or in said interphase; and c) isolating said RNA from said aqueous phase, wherein at least one cationic detergent is added before separating the phases. It was found that the addition of at least one cationic detergent considerably reduces the amount of DNA in the aqueous, RNA containing phase. Therefore, the present invention allows to easily isolate pure RNA which comprises considerably less DNA contaminations.
US09487530B2
This invention is in the area of improved compounds, compositions and methods of transiently protecting healthy cells, and in particular hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) as well as renal cells, from damage associated with DNA damaging chemotherapeutic agents. In one aspect, improved protection of healthy cells is disclosed using disclosed compounds that act as highly selective and short, transiently-acting cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitors when administered to subjects undergoing DNA damaging chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of proliferative disorders.
US09487527B2
Optionally substituted (5- or 7- amino)-3,4-dihydro-(optionally 4-oxo, 4-thioxo or 4-imino)- 1H-pyrrolo [3,4-d]pyrimidin-2(6H)-ones, Compounds of Formula I, processes for their production, their use as pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09487521B2
This invention relates to processes and intermediates for making {1-{1-[3-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)isonicotinoyl]piperidin-4-yl}-3-[4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]azetidin-3-yl}acetonitrile, useful in the treatment of diseases related to the activity of Janus kinases (JAK) including inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and other diseases.
US09487509B2
The present invention relates to wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification. The compound of the present invention has a superior RBP4-lowering action, and is useful as a medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of disease and condition mediated by increased RBP4.
US09487504B2
The present invention provides novel imidazole analogs of Formula I which are potent inhibitors of spleen tyrosine kinase, and are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases mediated by said enzyme, such as asthma, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.
US09487503B2
The present invention discloses compounds of 4,4′-diaminostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid which are useful as optical brighteners to bleach fibers, cellulose and in particular paper and cardboard.
US09487500B2
Novel compounds and their synthesis are described. Methods for using these compounds in the prevention or treatment of cancer, a bacterial infection or a viral infection in a subject are also described.
US09487490B2
The present invention relates to compounds according to Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof. Such compounds can be used in the treatment of RORgammaT-mediated diseases or conditions.
US09487489B2
The invention relates inter alia to halogen-substituted compounds of the general formula (I) in which the radicals A1-A4, T, n, W, Q, R1 and Z1-Z3 have the meanings given in the description. Also described are processes for preparing the compounds of the formula (I) and possible intermediates for the preparation of these compounds. The compounds according to the invention are particularly suitable for controlling insects, arachnids and nematodes in agriculture and ectoparasites in veterinary medicine.
US09487477B2
The present invention relates to a new crystalline phase of (3S,3S′) 4,4′-disulfanediylbis(3-aminobutane 1-sulfonic acid) (ABSD) with L-lysine and its use, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, and to processes for preparation thereof. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one crystalline phase of (3S,3S′) 4,4′-disulfanediylbis(3-aminobutane 1-sulfonic acid) (ABSD) with L-lysine and to the therapeutic or prophylactic use of such crystalline phase and compositions comprising the same.
US09487469B2
A method for separating the components of a mixture containing methyl methacrylate, water, and methanol in which the mixture is dehydrated in a first stage membrane unit, producing a dehydrated mixture. Methanol in the dehydrated mixture is removed in a second stage membrane unit, producing a retentate stream containing methyl methacrylate and substantially no said methanol.
US09487462B2
Compounds of general formula (I), salts or solvates thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing same: wherein Z is N or CH or the Z(R1) part is replaced with a covalent bond, m and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; HET is heteroaryl; X is CF3, halogen, CO-heterocyclyl, COOR3 or CONHR3; R1 is H, (CH2)o-aryl, (CH2)p-heteroaryl, (CH2)q-biphenyl; C(O)—R5; S(O)2—R6; R2 is H, aryl, heteroaryl, Y—(CH2)r-aryl, Y—(CH2)s-heteroaryl, where some of the above substituents may be substituted; Y is O or S; with the exclusion of the compound where HET is 1,3-thiazol, X is COOH, R1 is 4-fluorophenyl and R2 is benzyloxy. The invention also relates to the use of a compound of general formula (I), salts or solvates thereof for the use in the prevention or treatment of diseases where the activation of MMPs is involved in the pathomechanism. In this aspect the use of the above excluded compound is also inventive.
US09487460B2
Disclosed are a method of preparing allyl alcohol and allyl alcohol prepared thereby. The method of preparing allyl alcohol includes adding glycerol with formic acid in an amount of 0.8˜2 equivalents relative to 1 equivalent of glycerol, and increasing a reaction temperature to 220˜260° C. from room temperature at a heating rate of 2.0˜7.0° C./min so that glycerol and formic acid are reacted.
US09487456B2
A process for the tetramerisation of ethylene under solution phase conditions is carried out in the presence of an activated catalyst at a temperature above 80° C. and up to a temperature of about 130° C. The activated catalyst is provided by combining a source of chromium, a ligating compound, which ligating compound includes at least one fluorine substituted hydrocarbyl group, organoheteryl group, or heterohydrocarbyl group, and optionally a catalyst activator or combination of catalyst activators.
US09487450B1
A method and apparatus for strengthening cementitious concrete by placing a nanoparticle carrier liquid in contact with a first surface of a concrete section and inducing a current across the concrete section at sufficient magnitude and for sufficient time that nanoparticles in the nanoparticle carrier liquid migrate through a significant depth of the concrete section.
US09487448B2
A honeycomb structure including a pillar-shaped honeycomb structure body having partition walls defining a plurality of cells which become through channels for a fluid and extend from a first end face to a second end face, the partition walls include a porous body having refractory aggregates and a bonding material which bonds the refractory aggregates to each other, the bonding material includes metal Si and an oxide material, porosity of the porous body constituting the partition walls is 25% or more and 70% or less, a ratio of a mass of the bonding material to a mass of the whole porous body is 30 mass % or more and 50 mass % or less, and a ratio of a mass of the oxide material to the mass of the bonding material is 30 mass % or more and 80 mass % or less.
US09487446B2
Provided are a diamond polycrystalline body having a longer life than conventional diamond polycrystalline bodies when it is slid, a method for manufacturing the same, and a tool. In a diamond polycrystalline body, at least one element whose sulfide or chloride has a melting point of less than or equal to 1000° C. is added thereto, and crystal grains have an average grain size of less than or equal to 500 nm. Thereby, wear of diamond can be suppressed, and the diamond polycrystalline body can have a longer life when it is slid.
US09487439B2
Heavy-metal-free glass enamels are applied to glass and fired. After firing, the coated glass can subsequently be ion exchanged to give a chemically strengthened, decorated glass article.
US09487437B2
Certain example embodiments relate to substrates or assemblies having laser-fused frits, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a pattern is formed or written on a stock glass sheet by laser fusing frit material to the glass sheet. An optional thin film coating is disposed on and supported by the stock glass sheet. The stock glass sheet with the pattern and the optional thin film coating is cut prior to heat treatment (e.g., heat strengthening and/or thermal tempering). A YAG or other type of laser source may be used to directly or indirectly heat the frit material, which may be wet applied to the substrate. In certain instances, the laser firing of the frit raises the temperature of the glass substrate to no more than 100 degrees C. and, preferably, the temperature is kept even lower.
US09487424B2
A method for treatment of raw brines from desalination plants (6) having a total salt content greater than 60 g/l, wherein, inter alia, a magnesium ion-containing solution having a magnesium ion content greater than 1 g/l at a temperature between 75° C. and 100° C. is passed through a first vertical column (42) containing a bed packing of zeolite A (84) with a flow direction from top to bottom and the raw brine that is to be treated is passed at a temperature of 30° C. to 45° C. through this packed first column (42) in the direction of flow from top to bottom until the calcium ion concentration of the eluate leaving the first column (42) indicates a breakthrough of calcium ions through the bed of zeolite A (44).
US09487418B2
A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 20 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and an anionic group; (iii) 15 to 45 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; wherein the molar ratio of (i):(ii) is 0.1 to 1.5. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.
US09487411B2
The method of manufacturing magnetic particles, wherein the magnetic particles are magnetic particles for magnetic recording, and includes subjecting starting material magnetic particles to glass component-adhering treatment to be adhered with a glass component, and subjecting the magnetic particles after the glass component-adhering treatment to coercive force-reducing treatment with heating, to provide magnetic particles having lower coercive force than the starting material magnetic particles.
US09487401B2
The present invention relates to a process plant for the oxidation of SO2 to SO3 in a process gas, said process plant comprising a heat exchanger configured for heating the process gas by heat exchange with an oxidized process gas and/or a further oxidized process gas by providing thermal contact between said process gas and said oxidized process gas and/or said further oxidized process gas, a first zone of material catalytically active in oxidation of SO2 to SO3, and a boiler configured for containing steam being heated by the oxidized process gas and/or the further oxidized process after said oxidized process gas has been cooled in the heat exchanger characterized in the cooled oxidized process gas in the boiler being non-condensing with the benefit of providing the possibility for a smaller heat exchanger which may be made with only moderate corrosion resistant materials, compared to a process plant according to the prior art, as well as a related process.
US09487385B2
Animal head control devices, e.g., halters for horses, are disclosed. In one aspect, the disclosure features an animal head control device comprising: a body dimensioned to receive an animal's head, an adjustable member connected to the body and dimensioned to wrap around at least a portion of the animal's head behind its ears; and a releasable closure configured to secure a first end of the adjustable member to a portion of the body. In some implementations, the halters disclosed herein include a releasable closure that can be easily replaced when damaged or worn, thus extending the useful life of the halter.
US09487373B2
A process for the production of books (22) with digital printing on a continuous paper strip (23), in which the strip defines book sections in sequence, with signature groups (33), each formed with basic sheets (34); the process employs a manufacturing system (21) which includes a transversal cutting equipment (41) for separating signature groups (33) as signatures sheets, and transversal and longitudinal folding equipment (46) for the formation of respective signatures (48); for a book with at least a sheet section devoid of text and/or figures in a last signature group, the method provides: a) identify a reduced signature group (59) including a number of sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures; b) cut the paper strip (23) to separate the reduced signature group as reduced signature group; c) actuate the transversal folding equipment (46) limited to the sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures and skipping the actuation of the transversal folding equipment (46) for a single sheet section; and d) actuate the longitudinal folding equipment (47) for folding longitudinally the reduced signature group.
US09487372B2
An impeller type banknote separation device includes a conveying impeller configured to separate banknotes, an impeller phase detecting sensor and a banknote conveying mechanism, and further includes at least one U-shaped sensor fixed on the conveying impeller and configured to detect whether a banknote enters the conveying impeller. The U-shaped sensor includes a signal transmitting end and a signal receiving end located at a same side of the conveying impeller, the signal transmitting end and the signal receiving end are spaced from each other with a certain interval and form an open end of the U-shaped sensor. The technical solution of detecting whether the banknote is inserted into the impeller by the U-shaped sensor to control the rotation of the conveying impeller has a higher accuracy compared with the conventional technology.
US09487360B2
The present invention relates to a device for extracting cakes resulting from pressurized filtration from a sealed tank (1) in which rotary filters (2) are provided, the tank being provided with a hopper (1b) for recovering solid particles and having an extension, in the lower portion thereof, in the form of a hatch (10) defined between at least two temporary blocking members (11, 12), characterized in that each temporary blocking member includes a rotary shaft (100) transversally arranged in the hatch and bearing at least one set (101, 102, 103) of two diametrically opposite radial fins having a global surface substantially corresponding to the cross-section of the hatch (10) and optionally at least one set of two radial forks (104, 105), as well as peripheral sealing means(102) mounted on the inner wall of the hatch opposite the end edge of said fins. The invention also relates to an associated extraction method.
US09487358B2
A conveyor chain includes a plurality of side link assemblies and flight arm assemblies coupled together to form an elongated chain. The flight arm assemblies include a pair of opposing flight arms positioned on either side of the chain with the flight arms each including an elongated body formed with and extending from an integral base and a vertical sprocket opening formed in the integral base. The vertical sprocket opening is configured for engaging a tooth of a drive sprocket to drive the flight arm. The side link assemblies include a pair of opposing side straps positioned on either side of the chain each including a base and a pair of side strap bosses extending outwardly from the base. An articulating connector is positioned between a flight arm assembly and a side link assembly to couple the assemblies together and includes a solid piece and side surfaces having profiled surfaces therein and configured for receiving at least one of a portion of a side strap of a side link assembly or a portion of a base of a flight arm assembly for providing articulation of the assemblies.
US09487346B2
A bicycle bag protects a bicycle while the bicycle is secured to a rack, such as a vehicle bicycle rack. The bicycle bag includes resealable openings configured to allow the bicycle (and bag) to be securely attached to a wide variety of different rack types. Additionally, because there is risk of obscuring the tail lights of a vehicle for rear-mount racks when a bicycle bag is on the bike and the bike on the rack, the bicycle bag includes pockets designed to support a tail-light system that can be connected to the vehicle to provide additional lighting and safety.
US09487339B2
The invention concerns a liquid dispenser head which is designed to be mounted on a bottle containing a liquid and comprises a filtering device (26) forming an interface between the inside and the outside of the bottle. The filtering device comprises tubular filters (30) which are extended longitudinally so they can be plunged into the bottle, particularly tubular filters whose wall consists of a membrane that is selectively permeable to a liquid to be expelled from the bottle and made of hydrophilic material for this purpose. So that the expelled liquid can be replaced by air, the membrane forming the wall of said filter tube is made of hydrophobic material so as to be selectively air-permeable. The hydrophobic membrane also filters bacteria in the air.
US09487338B2
A package includes a container having an open end and a closed end and a slider slidably mounted within the container. A releasable locking feature is provided at a side of the package, which comprises locking edges associated with a sidewall of each of the slider and container respectively, and a release area for releasing a locking abutment between the locking edges. The sidewall of the container having the locking edge associated therewith is defined by a panel having a first transverse cutline defining a top flap between the cutline and the open end of the container, with the top flap being connected to a first facing panel of the container along a foldline. An inner surface of the top flap 16 is adhered to an exterior surface of a first glue flap 10, the first glue flap being connected to an opposite facing panel of the container along a foldline. The first glue flap provides the locking edge of the container.
US09487332B2
Methods of stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction include elongating the films in the machine direction without significantly reducing the films' machine-direction tear resistance. In one or more implementations, methods of stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films while substantially maintaining the films' machine-direction tear resistance. The methods can involve uniformly cold stretching the films by stretching the films to a draw of about one hundred and eighty percent, or less, of the films' original length.
US09487325B2
An archive box, in which the walls (16, 18, 22, 24) of the archive box are formed of micro-perforated plastics.
US09487319B2
A packaging container includes a top wall and a bottom wall that are substantially horizontal when the packaging container is straight, and side walls. The top wall and the bottom wall have a trapezoid shape and a rectangle shape, respectively, a section of a transverse direction of a main body of the packaging container formed in four ridgelines which connect four corner points of the top wall and four corner points of the bottom wall has a trapezoid shape, and the horizontal top wall overhangs one panel of the side walls.
US09487318B1
The present invention relates to pry tools for removing the dispensing insert from a bottle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lightweight, portable, multi-use hand tool capable of removing the vial-top dispensing inserts in common use for essential oils, perfumes, medicinal liquids, and other liquids. The pry tool can also be used to insert a dispensing insert (such as a rollerball, dropper, or aperture-reducer) into bottles of varying sizes.
US09487311B2
Apparatus and methods to provide a surface having a tunable emissivity are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an impedance layer comprising a layer of dielectric material to be attached to an electrically reflective ground plane, and a plurality of resonators arranged within the impedance layer, wherein an emissivity of the apparatus is based on a characteristic of the resonators.
US09487309B2
Eccentricity control for a geosynchronous satellite includes: setting initial conditions, duration, and schedule for the eccentricity control; defining a plurality of parameters including control loci for centroid, semi-major axis, semi-minor axis, uncontrolled eccentricity radius, right ascension of ascending node, and inclination, wherein the plurality of parameters are defined such that when the eccentricity control is applied, a mean geodetic longitude of the geosynchronous satellite is maintained within a predefined distance from a station longitude.
US09487300B2
An air-conditioning system for an aircraft includes a compressed air branch for conveying externally supplied and pressurized air, preferably bleed air. Furthermore, a cooling circuit for conveying preferably liquid refrigerant is provided and extends through a ram air duct. The system also includes a first heat exchanger for the heat transfer between the compressed air branch and the cooling circuit, a compressed air turbine arranged in the compressed air branch and a cooling circuit compressor arranged in the cooling circuit and mechanically coupled to the compressed air turbine. The system can have a modular design and be positioned at optimal locations in the aircraft due to the separation of the compressed air branch and the cooling circuit. In this way, the length of hot compressed air ducts can be shortened.
US09487299B2
A reconfigurable vent system in fluid communication with an air chiller to deliver chill air to one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in parallel is reconfigurable to operate in either of an air-through or an air-over orientation. The reconfigurable vent system comprises a vent in fluid communication with the air chiller via a duct and configured to provide the chill air to the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments. The vent directs the chill air substantially toward the interior of the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in the air-through orientation at a first angle, and the vent directs the chill air substantially around the one or more galley food and beverage storage compartments in the air-over orientation at a second angle different from the first angle.
US09487296B2
A passenger service unit (PSU) for a transport vessel has a unitary chassis with a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. Each one of the apertures is independently sized to receive at least one of a plurality of different modules. Each one of the modules includes one or more PSU fixtures having components different from other ones of the plurality of modules. A representative vessel is a passenger aircraft. Representative modules include vent and passenger reading light module, speaker module, passenger oxygen supply module and display module.
US09487291B2
A method and apparatus for moving a blade of a rotorcraft. The method comprises operating the rotorcraft and applying a torque to an elongate member connected to a tip portion of the blade during operation of the rotorcraft using a tip actuation mechanism that is external to the blade and associated with the elongate member such that the tip portion of the blade rotates about an axis through the blade.
US09487288B2
Systems and methods for secondary suctioning for an aerodynamic body are presented. A primary surface is configured along a leading edge of an aerodynamic body, and at least one secondary suction device comprising an elongated shape is configured at least a first distance from the primary surface. A non-suction surface is configured between the primary surface and the at least one secondary suction device.
US09487285B2
Provided is an aircraft fuselage structure having an outer skin, a support structure arrangement comprising a multiplicity of frame elements and a floor structure arrangement having a multiplicity of floor support struts. The aircraft fuselage structure provides a connection between the floor structure arrangement and the support structure arrangement which is as simple and quick to produce as possible, while not significantly increasing the weight or weakening the structure. Either the floor structure arrangement or the support structure arrangement can have at a connection there between a male connector element or a female connector element. The male connector element can have a peg which extends in the engagement direction and which has a circumferential outer surface which is provided with a multiplicity of circumferential projections. The female connector element can have a cavity, the inner surface of which is provided with a multiplicity of circumferential tabs.
US09487281B2
A submersible ROV is provided with four independently controllable swivel thruster assemblies that allow the submersible ROV to simulate the movement of a person equipped with scuba gear. The submersible ROV receives control signals from a controller located on the surface of the water or on land. The submersible ROV senses and transmits audio and visual images and transmits those signals to a base receiver located on the surface of the water or on land. Signals are transmitted to and from the submersible ROV via a tether. The tether may be connected either directly to the controller/base receiver or may be connected to an intermediate floating ROV with a power supply and wireless communication relay station. A person can vicariously experience scuba diving via the submersible ROV while remaining dry and safe on land or on a surface vehicle.
US09487274B2
Floating dock suitable for docking sailboats comprising a floating deck area and two floating arms extending therefrom, the arms having interior edges adjacent an open area therebetween which, in use, is open to the water below, characterized in that the dock further comprises: a support bracket attachable to the interior edges of the arms and adapted to resist a force urging said arms apart; and an arrangement of rollers upstanding from the dock and adapted to support the underside of a boat guided thereon.
US09487272B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for deploying one or more anchor piles on the seafloor using submersible line tensioning systems and techniques to achieve tensioning of mooring lines at the seafloor rather than at the conventional vessel deck level. Among other things, the disclosed systems and methods may be advantageously employed for tensioning mooring lines for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) when additional mooring legs must be added to the original complement of MODU legs, as well as and for tensioning mooring lines for vessels having turret mooring systems, each of which have limited space for surface tensioning equipment.
US09487271B2
The modular boat lift cover for a watercraft comprises a gable assembly and an adjustable support structure. All of the straight components are packaged into the main box frame channels for simplicity in packaging as well as quality control, ensuring no components are missing during packaging and shipping. The box frame channels have sufficient bulk to store the gable components during transport. The modular boat lift cover system has a robust, lightweight design that is compatible and adjustable for width, height and length as the boat owner modifies his existing boat or purchases a new boat, and that will protect the watercraft from the elements and will withstand even the severest of storms, undamaged as well as having the ability to be cantilevered. The modular boat lift cover is easy for the user to assemble and adjust on square lake style boat lifts, and the typically non-square tidal lifts.
US09487269B1
A vehicle includes a keel having a support mount disposed proximate a bow end of the keel and a power plant disposed proximate an aft end of the keel, a support rotatably mounted to the keel at the support mount and supporting a cabin or equipment, a canard mounted to the keel, and an airfoil mounted to the support. The canard is adjustable to thereby adjust an amount of lift provided to the bow end of the keel, and the airfoil is adjustable to thereby adjust an amount of lift provided to the support.
US09487260B1
A motorcycle slide plate system includes a second portion and a second portion covering a frame of a motorcycle and a linkage of a suspension system of the motorcycle. The second portion is arranged between the first portion and the linkage of the suspension system of the motorcycle. When the motorcycle traverses an obstacle, the first portion is displaced by the obstacle in a direction toward the linkage, and the second portion receives a force applied by the linkage, in the direction toward the displaced first portion. When displaced, the first portion and the second portion elastically deform between an unimpacted position to an impacted position to slideably displace the linkage of the suspension system of the motorcycle across obstacles.
US09487257B1
A bicycle seat support and inflation storage system. A bicycle seat is mounted to a first end of a bicycle seat post. A first end of a post adapter is threaded to a second end of the seat post. A first end of an inflation adapter is threaded to the second end of the post adapter. A pressurized gas cartridge is disposed inside a chamber of the seat post. The system is partially disposed inside a bicycle seat tube during storage. The seat post is removed from the bicycle seat tube and the post adapter is detached from the seat post to release the cartridge. The inflation adapter is detached from the post adapter and attached to a tire tube valve stem. The cartridge is attached to the inflation adapter first end and a rupture seal is broken to release the pressurized gas for inflating the tire tube.
US09487253B2
A step climbing attachment suitable for attachment to a wheeled chair is described. The step climbing attachment includes a chassis for mounting one or more ground engaging units, a first and a second ground engaging unit mounted to the chassis, at least one of the first and second ground engaging units adapted to move relative to the other of the first or second ground engaging units and the chassis, the relative movement being between a ground engaging position and a step-engaging support position so that in use at least one of the first and/or second ground engaging units engages a step.
US09487252B2
A vehicular undercover constituting a lower surface of a vehicle and molded from a synthetic resin sheet includes a cover main body having a plate shape including one surface that is a flat surface and another surface that is opposite to the one surface, a reinforcing rib projecting from the other surface of the cover main body, and at least two auxiliary ribs projecting form the other surface of the cover main body and sandwiching the reinforcing rib therebetween. The cover main body includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is between the at least two auxiliary ribs and has a first thickness, and the second portion is on an opposite side to the first portion with respect to each of the at least two auxiliary ribs and has a second thickness. The first thickness is smaller than the second thickness.
US09487237B1
A system is provided that minimizes wheel intrusion into the occupant compartment during a small overlap collision. The system uses a front suspension subframe that is rigidly mounted to the front rails during normal vehicle operation, but which is designed to rotate during a small overlap collision, thereby allowing the attached front wheel assembly to swivel out and away from the vehicle. As a result, the wheel assembly directly involved in the collision is not driven into the passenger cabin.
US09487232B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle turning control system capable of maintaining stability of a vehicle, even in a case where a mode of output characteristics of a power plant for the vehicle is switched by a driver's operation. In a running mode in which output characteristics of an engine is higher, the vehicle turning control system increases a control gain of a feedforward control unit for performing yaw moment control of the vehicle by feedforward control, and decreases a control gain of a feedback control unit for performing yaw moment control of the vehicle by feedback control. A control gain of vehicle behavior stabilization control performed by the vehicle behavior stabilization control unit is controlled commonly regardless of the running mode.
US09487223B1
An automatic train operation system is presented for use with a train to automatically operate the train. The automatic train operation system is housed on a tender car and connected to a second rail vehicle. The automatic train operation system is connected to the second rail vehicle through end connections. Additionally, the automatic train operation system communicates with the second rail vehicle through the end connections. The end connections are operable to transmit an operation signal between the automatic train operation system and the second rail vehicle. The second rail vehicle completes the operation signal base on an executable command contained within the operation signal and sent from the automatic train operation system.
US09487218B2
A vehicle control system is provided that is able to identify a particular driver from other potential drivers, monitor various vehicle functions, and determine if the identified driver repeatedly performs the same behavior upon activation of the car. When the control system determines that the identified driver repeats the same behavior each time the car is activated, the controller learns that behavior and associates it with the identified driver so that the learned behavior can be automatically performed, without driver interaction, when the driver is identified and the car is activated.
US09487217B2
A collision mitigation apparatus is provided, which is installed in a vehicle and mitigates damage to the vehicle in occurrence of a collision. The apparatus includes an activation control section which detects an object positioned around the vehicle, and activates a collision mitigation part for mitigating damage to the vehicle in occurrence of a collision if a positional relationship between the vehicle and the object meets a predetermined activation condition, a type determining section which determines type of the object, the type being any one of a vehicle, a pedestrian and a roadside object, and an activation condition changing section which consolidates the activation condition compared to a case where the type of the object is not a roadside object, if the type of the object is a roadside object.
US09487212B1
A method and system for controlling a position of a vehicle relative to other vehicles on a road is provided. The method includes controlling a position of a host vehicle travelling in a lane of a road using an automated driving system and monitoring positions of one or more side vehicles located on either side of the host vehicle and traveling in adjacent lanes. The method further includes detecting a condition in which the host vehicle is or will be positioned in a blind spot of a side vehicle disposed on in an adjacent lane and adjusting the position of the host vehicle in response to the condition using the automated driving system such that the amount of time the host vehicle is or will be positioned in the blind spot of the side vehicle is reduced.
US09487208B2
A travel support device includes a mode planner that plans a travel mode that is to be one of an EV mode and an HV mode that uses at least an internal combustion engine as a drive source, for each of a plurality of sections, and an execution determiner that determines to execute a travel mode planning with the mode planner on condition that the total amount of consumption energy required for traveling the travel route is larger than an energy equivalent value that is obtained by adding a first allowance value to a remaining charge of the battery. In executing a planning based on the determination by the execution determiner, the mode planner executes the travel mode planning while assuming that energy from which energy corresponding to a second allowance value, which is smaller than the first allowance value is excluded is energy required for travelling the travel route.
US09487207B2
A system and method of compensating for torque converter slip in a motor vehicle include measuring rotational speeds of an engine crankshaft and mainshaft, as well as measuring operating temperatures of a fluid associated with the motor vehicle. Engine output torque is adjusted as required by controlling some combination of ignition timing, intake air flow, fuel injection, and accessory load. A system and method for deactivating a torque compensation system retrieves a number of times the torque compensation system has been activated over a set period. If the number exceeds a predetermined number of activations, the torque compensation system is deactivated.
US09487205B2
In a controller of a hybrid system including an engine, a motor/generator, an automatic clutch to which engine torque is input, a gear group configured to transmit input torque to a driving wheel side, and a differential device provided with plural rotary elements to which a torque input side of the gear group, a rotating shaft of the motor/generator, and an output side of the automatic clutch are individually connected respectively, wherein at the time a vehicle is started by causing the motor/generator to be in charge of a reaction force of the engine torque and transmitting the engine torque to the driving wheels via the differential device and the gear group, the automatic clutch is slip controlled in a semi-engaged state.
US09487203B2
The present disclosure is directed to ensuring a brake to be smoothly locked and released by preventing an air pressure of a spring chamber or a pressure chamber of an air operated brake actuator from being excessively compressed, and also solving a buckling phenomenon of a compression spring.
US09487199B2
A hydraulic brake mechanism is described including a housing. A master cylinder assembly is disposed within the housing, and the master cylinder assembly includes a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber includes a first chamber portion having a first diameter and a second chamber portion having a second diameter, with the first diameter greater than the second diameter. The fluid chamber includes a transition region between the first and second chamber portions. The mechanism includes a piston assembly having a piston disposed within the fluid chamber. A first seal is configured to sealingly engage between the first chamber portion and the piston, and a second seal is configured to sealingly engage between the second chamber portion and the piston. The mechanism includes an outlet port extending from the fluid chamber from or adjacent the transition region.
US09487191B2
The brake control device applied to a hydraulic pressure braking force generating device having a driving hydraulic pressure generating device and a pilot hydraulic pressure generating device. The brake control device includes a judging portion which judges whether or not an operating amount of a brake operating member is equal to or less than a predetermined value and a pilot hydraulic pressure control portion which controls the pilot hydraulic pressure generating device to generate a preparatory hydraulic pressure in the pilot hydraulic pressure chamber which is larger than an atmospheric pressure set to a value so that a hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder is kept substantially to an atmospheric pressure level when the judging portion judges that the operating amount of the brake operating member is equal to or less than the predetermined value to suppress occurrence of brake dragging during non-braking operation with keeping the braking force responsiveness.
US09487187B2
The invention relates to a wiper blade assembly for the windows of a motor vehicle, comprising a longitudinal support (10) intended to receive a pressure application vertebra (20) and a wiper blade (30) and a wiper accessory (40) carrying a device (42a, 42b) for distributing and projecting a washer liquid wherein the accessory is intended to be assembled with the longitudinal support (10).According to the invention, the longitudinal support (10) comprises means for fixing said accessory (40) on said support.
US09487178B2
A head-protecting airbag device includes an airbag that is inflatable in such a manner as to separate an inboard side wall and an outboard side wall while unfolding downward from a housing. The airbag includes a front inflatable shielding region that covers an inboard side of a window and includes a sub inflatable region that is inflatable later than the main inflatable region. The sub inflatable region includes a supportive inflatable region that is supported by a vehicle body member which is disposed below a beltline. The airbag is stored in the housing such that a front lower corner of the sub inflatable region is folded inward on a crease extending obliquely rearward and downward from the front edge to the lower edge of the airbag before the airbag is subjected to a vertical size reducing folding that brings the lower edge as unfolded flatly close to the upper edge.
US09487174B2
Personal restraint systems having releasable safety nets are disclosed herein. A personal restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes a safety net configured to extend across a portion of an opening in a vehicle adjacent to an operator seating portion. The restraint system can further include a latch device configured to releasably couple the safety net to an anchor point adjacent to the opening. In some embodiments, a pull cord is operably coupled to the latch device and slidably coupled to the safety net. The pull cord is configured to be pulled by an operator to release the latch device from the anchor point and allow the safety net to fall free of the opening.
US09487165B2
The present invention relates to a programmable dynamic voltage control apparatus, and more particularly, to a programmable dynamic voltage control apparatus which is capable of dynamically controlling voltage conversion of an output unit using data set in programmable memories, when various pieces of information sensed by a variety of sensors mounted in a vehicle are converted into electrical signals and then transmitted.
US09487156B2
A holding frame is to be arranged behind a vehicle window, and is to receive and hold a sensor device. The holding frame has guideways to receive and guide holding elements of the sensor device, and devices to produce a force on the sensor device substantially in a direction along the guideways. The combination of the holding frame and the sensor device forms a sensor arrangement.
US09487150B2
A display device holder apparatus for a sun visor may include a slide bracket slidably coupled to the sun visor in order to enable a state in which it may be received in the sun visor and a state in which it may be drawn forwardly from the sun visor, and a plurality of holders provided in the slide bracket, so as to be elastically rotatable with respect to the slide bracket and fixing a display device so that the display device may be held in the slide bracket.
US09487149B2
A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, an occupants' section provided in the vehicle body and having a driver's seat and a passenger's seat and a storage space that is provided under seats and opened upwards, the storage space having a first storage space section disposed under the driver's seat and a second storage space section disposed under the passenger's seat. The seats are supported to be pivotable about an axis extending along the width direction of the vehicle body and access to the first storage space section and the second storage space section is made possible by upwardly pivoting these seats. The driver's seat is slidable along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The first storage space section has a front-rear length shorter than the front-rear length of the second storage space section.
US09487148B2
A personnel platform for installation on a cargo truck comprises a mounting bracket securely fastened to a framing structure of the cargo truck beneath a personnel door, a platform deck mounted to a sliding mechanism securely fastened to the mounting bracket, wherein the platform deck is operable to be slidably configured in a stowed position beneath the cargo truck and a deployed position extending substantially horizontally beyond the cargo truck, and a latching mechanism operable to lock the platform deck in one of the stowed position and the deployed position. The platform further includes a guardrail accessory that may be stowed under the platform deck as well as a multi-step stair accessory that may be stowed under the platform deck.
US09487145B2
A locking mechanism associated with a handrail is provided. A pair of slots is provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing. Each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end. A bracket is affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing. A locking member is pivotally coupled to the bracket. The first arm of the locking member is configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position. On exerting a force in an upward direction on a second arm of the locking member the first arm is selectively released from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from an upright position to a collapsed position.
US09487141B2
A vehicular vision system includes a plurality of cameras mounted at a vehicle, with each camera including a respective image sensor and having a respective field of view exterior of the vehicle. The system includes a control and a video output for transmitting a stream of video captured by an image sensor of a camera of the plurality of cameras, and a serial data interface permitting a microcontroller of the control to communicate with at least one electronic device of the vehicle. A switch is openable by the microcontroller to deactivate the video output and closable by the microcontroller to activate the video output. The microcontroller complies with messages received via a serial data bus. The control sends instructions to a camera of the plurality of cameras via the serial data bus and the control receives messages from an electronic device of the vehicle via the serial data bus.
US09487140B2
A doorlock status display system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a door module and a lock status display module. The door module includes a controller, a doorlock and a doorlock status sensor for each door of the motor vehicle. The lock status display module includes a lock status controller, a first indicator for door unlocked status, a second indicator for all doors locked status and a third indicator for all doors locked and closed status.
US09487132B2
An emergency light system for an emergency vehicle. The light system can have a low profile configuration for improved aesthetics and aerodynamics. Further the light system can be configured to allow for customization of the individual emergency lights and/or easy access to the individual emergency lights.
US09487131B2
A mounting system for an interior light bar is provided having a pair of brackets pivotally mounted at opposite ends of a housing of a light bar so that the brackets and housing rotate with respect to each other. The brackets each have a front platform with adhesive material for attaching the brackets against a glass surface within a vehicle. With the brackets stationary against a glass surface, the light bar housing is pivoted to horizontally level the light bar despite any curvature or slope of the glass surface. Each of brackets has a pawl member having protrusions which when rotated engage different sets detents along a curved ratchet surface along the back of the housing to releasably lock the housing and brackets with respect to each other along one of multiple pivot positions.
US09487115B2
A headrest is to be mounted to the top of a seat back with a headrest pillar and a headrest guide height-adjustably supporting the headrest pillar and being attached to the seat back such that the head of the headrest guide is exposed from the top of the seat back. The headrest includes a recess on a bottom of the headrest, the recess facing the head of the headrest guide. The surface of the recess is set to be separate from the head of the headrest guide.
US09487114B2
A headrest system comprises a headrest, a guide bracket to which the headrest is mounted and an actuator coupled to the headrest and the guide bracket. The actuator is configured to displace the headrest relative to the guide bracket. The actuator comprises a spindle transmission and a power drive coupled to the spindle transmission. The spindle transmission comprises a spindle and a spindle nut engaged with the spindle. The power drive is arranged in a cavity defined within an outer shell of the headrest.
US09487113B2
A vehicle seat comprises a seat part, a backrest part and a least one fitting which connects the backrest part with the seat part pivotally about a pivot axis and in a locked condition is formed to hold the backrest part in position to the seat part, and in an unlocked condition is formed to permit pivoting of the backrest part relative to the seat part. For actuating the at least one fitting, a first actuating element and a second actuating element different from the first actuating element are provided. Via a coupling element, the second actuating element is coupled with a fitting lever, wherein by shifting the second actuating element the fitting lever is movable for actuating the at least one fitting. The coupling element and the fitting lever are coupled with each other via a first connecting means and a second connecting means.
US09487110B2
Embodiments of a car seat include an outer protective shell, an inner seat, a suspension system connecting and permitting relative movement between the inner seat and the outer protective shell for shock isolation, and a harness adapted to hold an occupant to the inner seat and not attached to the outer protective shell. In an accident, regardless of the direction in which the seat is facing and regardless of whether the result is a sudden acceleration and/or deceleration, the inner seat will move inside the frame, and the suspension system will absorb some, much, or all of the energy. Energy not absorbed by the suspension system may be absorbed by the inner seat itself and/or an anchor system used to connect the car seat to a vehicle. The frame of the seat will remain structurally intact in almost all circumstances thereby protecting the occupant of the car seat.
US09487094B2
In an electric vehicle having a primary battery powered source of energy with a primary electric motor driven and connected to one or more ground engagement wheels of the electric vehicle, has a device called a pulley used for collecting energy form the inner rim edge of the rear wheel of the electric vehicle. This pulley mechanism device collects this energy then transfers that energy to alternators one and two on its mounted framework in the trunk compartment by way of v type belts. The two alternators with its sitting pilot voltages, then transfer it by required electrically conductive cables sending energy to the battery bank source thus completing the on board charging system cycle.
US09487092B2
To provide a driving device for an in-wheel motor vehicle that can be reduced in size, weight and cost, the driving device for the in-wheel motor vehicle includes a plurality of in-wheel motor assemblies, which are disposed in at least two of a plurality of drive wheels, and a plurality of motor drivers for controlling those in-wheel motor assemblies. Each of the motor drivers includes a smoothing circuit, a control unit, an inverter unit and a cooler for cooling the inverter unit. The plurality of the motor drivers are put together at one location and disposed within the common casing.
US09487091B2
A method of adjusting the power absorbed by at least one vehicle powered by at least one electrical energy storage unit and one electrical network on the ground providing the vehicle with at least one inrush current necessary for starting up the vehicle, includes adjusting the inrush current, before and at least during the starting-up of the vehicle, to a constant mean value and keeping variations of the inrush current around the mean value to a minimum by controlling at least one variable supply of compensating energy from the energy storage unit of the vehicle. A computer for implementing the method is also provided.
US09487085B2
A transaxle is adaptable to a vehicle equipped with a longitudinal engine including an engine output shaft to be oriented in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The transaxle comprises a transmission output shaft to be oriented in a lateral direction of the vehicle so as to be drivingly connected to a drive wheel of the vehicle, a hydrostatic transmission and a mechanical transmission for transmitting power from the engine output shaft to the transmission output shaft, and first and second power take-off shafts for taking off power from the mechanical transmission. The engine is joined to the transaxle so that the engine, the hydrostatic transmission and the mechanical transmission are assembled together. The first and second power take-off shafts are distributed rightward and leftward from the engine.
US09487081B2
An aircraft fuel tank system is disclosed in which a vent tank is provided with an ullage vent for use in combination with an eternal flamer barrier means during a refuelling process.
US09487068B2
A liftgate for a vehicle and a method of making the liftgate are disclosed. The liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel. The die-cast inner panel includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section has a header member and a pair of supports extending from opposite ends of the header member to partially define a window aperture. The lower section includes a pair of side portions and a base portion that define a generally “U” shaped aperture. Each side portion is coupled to a respective one of the supports and the “U” shaped aperture opens into the window aperture.
US09487065B2
A sliding window assembly includes a window frame supporting a main glass with an opening, and a carriage coupled in the window frame and supporting a slider glass sized to fit into the opening in the main glass. The carriage is displaceable in the window frame between an open position, a ready position, and a closed position. The slider glass is disposed in the opening when the carriage is in the closed position. A lever assembly connects the carriage and the window frame. The carriage is linearly displaceable in a first direction between the open position and the ready position, and the carriage is linearly displaceable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between the ready position and the closed position.
US09487059B2
An air conditioner ECU can set an external air introducing mode and an internal/external air dual mode. Here, the internal/external air dual mode is set by the air conditioner ECU in cases in which the air conditioner ECU judges that there is a warm-up state that is after a start of a heating operation and in which a blow-out temperature of air conditioned wind is in the process of rising, and in cases in which humidity detected by a humidity sensor exceeds a reference humidity that is set in advance.
US09487056B1
A motor vehicle tire traction device having a traction-blade plate that can be selectively mounted indefinitely to a motor vehicle tire with the plate providing sleeves for a plurality of traction blades where one or more of the blades can be quickly inserted into a traction blade sleeve providing traction to said tire wherethen the traction blade(s) can be stored until needed again.
US09487053B2
A vehicle tire has a pattern visible in the side wall located in a groove thereof extending across the entire circumference of the tire and oriented in a circumferential direction (U). The groove is formed of first groove segments and second groove segments, which in the circumferential direction are arranged in alternating sequence one behind the other. Radially outwardly, the groove segments are each defined by a radially outward defining flank and radially inwardly, are defined by a radially inward defining flank defining the groove radially inward. The first groove segments are arranged radially outside the second groove segments and the transition between a first groove segment and the adjacent second groove segment is configured as a radial offset of the groove by the amount of displacement (a).
US09487048B2
The present invention relates to a film for a tire inner liner including: a base film layer including polyamide-based resin and a copolymer including a polyamide-based segment and a polyether-based segment; and an adhesive layer including a resorcinol-formalin-latex (RFL)-based adhesive, wherein there is little difference between properties in an MD (machine direction) and a TD (transverse direction), and a method for preparing a film for a tire inner liner, including melting the polyamide-based resin and the copolymer at 230 to 300° C., extruding the molten substance under specific die gap conditions to form a base film, and forming an adhesive layer including a resorcinol-formalin-latex (RFL)-based adhesive on the base film.
US09487047B2
This invention relates to an oil-extended natural rubber capable of improving a tensile strength and a wear resistance of a rubber composition, and more particularly to an oil-extended natural rubber formed by adding an emulsified extension oil to a natural rubber latex and further coagulating and drying them. An amount of the extension oil added is preferable to be within a range of 5-80% by mass based on a rubber component in the natural rubber latex and the oil-extended natural rubber is preferable to have a weight average molecular weight as converted to polystyrene of a rubber component of not less than 1,500,000.
US09487044B2
A method and device for producing a board-shaped product having a surface comprising a decoration, having at least one printing roller unit for printing a decoration onto a main body formed from a carrier board, wherein at least one digital print head for printing at least one decoration element onto one or more sub-regions of the main body such that the decoration printed by means of the at least one printing roller unit remains visible, at least in part, or surrounds the decoration element if the at least one decoration element is printed onto the main body by means of the at least one digital print head before the decoration.
US09487037B2
A printing apparatus includes: a transport unit that has a transport roller which transports a medium; a detection unit that has an image acquiring section which acquires an image of the medium and that detects a transport amount of the medium based on the image acquired by the image acquiring section; and a control unit that controls the transport unit based on a detection amount which is the transport amount detected by the detection unit. The control unit calculates a correction amount with which the transport amount of the medium is corrected, based on the detection amount. When the detection amount is an abnormal value, the transport unit is controlled based on the correction amount obtained before the detection amount becomes the abnormal value.
US09487024B2
The disclosure discloses a printer including a controller to control a feeder and a printing head. A regular print mode includes a first cut-feeding process. In the first cut-feeding process, a print-receiving tape is further fed such that the print-receiving tape is positioned by stopping a feeding when a boundary position faces a cutter. A continuous print mode includes a continuous print feeding process. In the continuous print feeding process, the print-receiving tape is further fed such that the print-receiving tape is stopped with the boundary position facing the printing head. The controller is configured to execute a determination process and a second cut-feeding process. In the determination process, it is determined whether a predetermined environmental change condition is satisfied. In the second cut-feeding process, the print-receiving tape stopped is resumed such that the print-receiving tape is positioned by stopping when the boundary position faces the cutter.
US09487021B2
A stenographic device includes a display, a memory, keys of a stenographic keyboard, each key having a resting position where the key is un-actuated, a depressed position where the key is actuated to register a key stroke, and a range of depression positions therebetween, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, memory, and the keys. The processor causes the display to graphically show a respective depression indicator of a current one of the depression positions for each of the keys, stores in the memory a respective key-press registration point for each of the keys, the registration point being a depression position located within the range of depression positions and indicating when the respective key is in the actuated state, and causes the display to graphically show a respective registration indicator corresponding to the stored registration point for each of the keys.
US09487020B2
A stenographic machine including a housing, a stenographic processing unit in the housing, and a stenographic keyboard at the housing and operatively connected to the stenographic processing unit to record stenographic dictation by a user. The stenographic keyboard has a plurality of adjustable key assemblies pivotally connected thereto. Each key assembly has a key cap having a first removable securing portion and a stenographic keyboard key lever having a second removable securing portion cooperating with the first removable securing portion to removably hold the key cap thereat over a variety of different positions, a lever connection end having a pivoting connection attached to the stenographic keyboard to move between a steady-state raised position and a depressed lowered position, and an extension portion extending away from the second removable securing portion and to the lever connection end.
US09487014B2
A printing material holding container is configured to be mounted in a printing device that includes a printing material supply tube fixed in the device, and a groove formed on an inner bottom surface of the device. The printing material holding container includes a case, a printing material holding portion provided inside the case, a printing material supply port configured to be connected with the printing material supply tube, a printing material filling port provided on the case, communicating with the printing material holding portion, and a convex part provided on the bottom of the case, configured to be inserted in the groove when the printing material holding container is mounted in the device.
US09487012B2
An ink tank unit includes: an ink tank that is able to contain ink; an ink filling unit that is provided in a case of the ink tank and has an opening which enables the ink tank to be filled with the ink; and a second case that covers at least a part of a peripheral section of the ink filling unit, of a fifth wall of the case on which the ink filling unit is provided. A recessed section and a side wall which enables the ink to be guided to the recessed section are provided on at least one section of the peripheral section of the fifth wall and a section of the second case, which faces the peripheral section.
US09487002B2
Provided are high-resolution electrohydrodynamic inkjet (e-jet) printing systems and related methods for printing functional materials on a substrate surface. In an embodiment, a nozzle with an ejection orifice that dispenses a printing fluid faces a surface that is to be printed. The nozzle is electrically connected to a voltage source that applies an electric charge to the fluid in the nozzle to controllably deposit the printing fluid on the surface. In an aspect, a nozzle that dispenses printing fluid has a small ejection orifice, such as an orifice with an area less than 700 μm2 and is capable of printing nanofeatures or microfeatures. In an embodiment the nozzle is an integrated-electrode nozzle system that is directly connected to an electrode and a counter-electrode. The systems and methods provide printing resolutions that can encompass the sub-micron range.
US09486999B2
An image forming apparatus includes a liquid discharge head, a temperature detector, a memory, and a controller. The temperature detector detects a temperature of the liquid discharge head. The memory stores the temperature of the liquid discharge head detected with the temperature detector. The controller controls a bubble purge operation to purge bubbles in the liquid discharge head. When a current temperature of the liquid discharge head acquired by the temperature detector is higher than a stored temperature stored in the memory and a deviation of the acquired current temperature and the stored temperature is equal to or more than a predefined threshold value, the controller executes control to execute the bubble purge operation, and when the current temperature acquired by the temperature detector is lower than the stored temperature, the controller executes control to update the stored temperature stored and retained in the memory with the acquired current temperature.
US09486997B2
A printing apparatus includes a first piezoelectric element; a first cavity; a first nozzle; a second piezoelectric element; a second cavity; a second nozzle; a drive signal generating unit that generates a drive signal; a residual vibration detecting unit that detects the first residual vibration signal and the second residual vibration signal; a discharge state determining unit that determines the state of discharge from the first nozzle from the first residual vibration signal and determines the state of discharge from the second nozzle from the second residual vibration signal; and a setting unit that sets the frequency of detection of the first residual vibration signal to be higher than the frequency of detection of the second residual vibration signal.
US09486993B2
Rotational bodies of a printing press with at least a first, a second and a third ink-conducting rotational body, which interact with each other in pairs, can be set in a thrown-on position. The second of the at least three rotational bodies can be set both against the first of the three rotational bodies and against the third of the three rotational bodies in order to form a two-sided thrown-on position. Tracking, coupled in a defined way, of the rotational axis of the second rotational body takes place at the same time as a radial positional change of the rotational axis of the first rotational body, by the superimposition of two movements along two non-congruent movement paths which run in a plane which is perpendicular with respect to the rotational axis. A device for setting rotational bodies of a printing press is also provided.
US09486986B2
Disclosed is a multilayered-stretched resin film characterized in that on the back surface of a printable front layer (A) comprising a thermoplastic resin, an inorganic finepowder, and/or an organic filler is laminated a back layer (B) comprising a surface-treated inorganic finepowder and a thermoplastic resin comprising a hydrophilic thermoplastic resin, and in that the peel strength of back layer (B) is from 10 to 200 g/cm.The multilayered-stretched resin film affords good suitability for printing and embossing, that can be directly adhered to a wall or the like using a water-soluble adhesive without necessitating a backing of natural paper required by conventional wallpapers, and that can be readily peeled off the wall in a manner permitting recycling.
US09486984B2
Provided is a steel sheet including an iron-based material, a first coating layer disposed on the iron-based material, and a second coating layer disposed on the first coating layer, wherein the first coating layer includes a zinc alloy and the second coating layer consists essentially of chromium and carbon.
US09486982B2
The present application is directed to a method of manufacturing an adhesive article. The method comprises providing a first extrudable feedstock comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive and providing a second extrudable feedstock comprising a polyolefin polymer having a density of no greater than 0.91 g/cc. The first extrudable feedstock and the second extrudable feedstock are coextruded in contact with each other to form a coextruded film. The method also comprises cooling the coextruded film.
US09486979B2
A nonwoven fabric having a surface concavo-convex structure, and a molded member and a wiping cloth that use the nonwoven fabric are provided. The nonwoven fabric having a surface concavo-convex structure is formed by pressing a planar element having a plurality of apertures against at least one surface of a nonwoven fabric that has been formed by passing hot air through a web including heat adhesive fibers so as to heat-bond interlacing points between the fibers. The pressing process is performed in a state where the nonwoven fabric retains heat in a degree that does not further promote the heat bonding. The nonwoven fabric having a surface concavo-convex structure is soft and exhibits high strength and sufficient resistance against stress.
US09486978B2
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for laser kerfed veneers. A laser may be used to produce kerf lines in thin veneers. The settings of the laser may be adjusted to adjust the width and depth of the kerf lines. The width and depth of the kerf lines may be selected in order to provide sufficient strength to the veneer while decreasing telegraphing.
US09486976B1
An industrial mat that has a core construction that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, with the core construction being formed of a support structure that includes one or more elongated components or a plurality of elongated members of wood, engineered wood, a thermosetting plastic material or a metal. The mat includes an encapsulation of a durable skin that includes crumb rubber particles embedded in a polyurethane matrix that surrounds and encapsulates the entire core construction. The skin has a thickness sufficient to provide environmental resistance to the core construction to which it is applied while also providing abrasion resistance to the mat.
US09486975B2
A panel assembly and method of making the same, whereby the panel assembly includes an adhesive located onto one or more edges of a layered honeycomb structure and a mesh material adhered in between the layered honeycomb structure by the adhesive.
US09486974B2
A knitted spacer fabric has a tightly knitted bottom layer, a more loosely knitted upper layer and linking fibers extending across the space between the lower and upper faces. Settable material, e.g. cement, is introduced into the space between the upper and lower faces and can be caused to set by the addition of a liquid, e.g. water. Until set, the fabric is flexible and can be shaped but after the material in space has set, the fabric is rigid and can be used as a structural element in a wide range of situations. The bottom layer has an extension that extends beyond the upper face and is connected to the upper face by elastic connecting fibers that draw the extension towards the other face, thereby at least partly closing the space at the edge of the cloth and preventing the settable material from spilling out. In addition, the packing of the settable material and maximum space between the faces are such that only a predetermined amount of liquid can be accommodated within the space and that amount is matched to the water required to set the cement.
US09486973B2
A sheet folding apparatus includes a sheet transport system, adjustable folding members arranged to bend and fold a sheet fed by the transport system, and a control system arranged to adjust the folding members to set positions in accordance with information on sheet properties. The control system stores a table that specifies different set positions of the folding members for different bending properties of the sheets and is adapted to read information on the bending properties of the sheets to be folded and to adjust the folding members to set positions as specified by the bending properties.
US09486972B2
A machine for automated construction of a bulk bin includes an erecting and construction station, a collapsed body blank supply station and a bottom blank supply station. A body bank pick mechanism picks a collapsed body blank from the collapsed body blank supply station and moves the collapsed body blank into the erecting and constructing station. A body blank opening assembly at the erecting and constructing station opens the collapsed body blank and forms an opened body blank. A bottom blank pick mechanism picks a bottom blank from the bottom blank supply station. A conveying device moves the bottom blank to the erecting and constructing station and beneath the opened body blank. A bottom blank fixing system applies the bottom blank to the opened body blank with flaps of the bottom blank secured to side walls of the opened body blank to produce an open bulk bin structure.
US09486964B2
A replenishing device in an additive manufacturing system is disclosed having a sweeper that extends to a base of a reservoir that holds a liquid resin and horizontally across at least a portion of a cure inhibiting layer located on the base of the reservoir that functions as an imaging plate, with the sweeper positioned across at least a portion of a side of the cure inhibiting layer to at least one of retard a flow of the liquid resin across a portion of a top surface of the cure inhibiting layer by providing a physical barrier to the liquid resin, remove debris from the cure inhibiting layer, and agitate the liquid resin. Other devices are also disclosed.
US09486952B2
The invention relates to an apparatus as well as to a method for expanding preforms into containers within a blow mold by means of a pressurized pneumatic medium, wherein a compressor piston unit for compressing the pneumatic medium is in flow communication with the blow mold, in order to introduce a volume flow of the pneumatic medium into an inner region of the blow mold, and wherein an actuator unit that can be activated by a hydraulic medium interacts with at least one element of the compressor piston unit, in order to drive the compressor piston unit during an expansion process of the container for compressing the pneumatic medium, and in order to be driven itself, during a relaxation process that temporally follows the expansion process, due to the returning volume flow of the pneumatic medium into the compressor piston unit.
US09486948B2
The invention relates to a method for producing interior lining parts in a foaming tool, to an interior lining part produced accordingly, and to a foaming tool which can be used for production. The interior lining part has at least one molded skin, at least one foam layer and at least one carrier, the foam layer being located between the molded skin and the carrier. In order to produce an interior lining part according to the invention, the molded skin is introduced into a mold of a foaming tool. The foaming tool contains at least one separating edge. During back-foaming, the carrier is pressed against the molded skin at the position of the separating edge and connected to said molded skin such that a molded skin end can be severed manually, that is without the aid of tools, from the molded skin or is severed by the pressing step.
US09486947B2
The invention includes a tablet made from a coagulant that will improve the settling of suspended solids in an aqueous media such as wastewater, recycled water, potable water, storm water, swimming pool water, spa water, boiler water, cooling tower water and industrial process water. The agent is a tablet containing at least one salt from the aluminum sulfate family in a mixture of organic and inorganic binders. The mixed material is especially adapted to lend itself to high speed molding operations. Such agent, when in molded form, provides controlled dissolution in an aqueous media, exhibits strength and non-chipping characteristics which is a benefit in shipping and handling and is free from dusting, flaking or other deteriorative factors. In its tablet form, this agent can be used in combination with a holding apparatus having slotted opening zones.
US09486945B2
The present invention concerns a method and a device for curing a thermosetting polymer. The method comprises the steps of irradiating the thermosetting polymer with microwaves at a first power level so as to heat up the thermosetting polymer by dielectric heating, and when the thermosetting polymer reaches a first predetermined temperature, irradiating the thermosetting polymer with microwaves at a second power level, substantially higher than the first power level, to further heat up the thermosetting polymer by dielectric heating. The device comprises an enclosure for receiving the thermosetting polymer, a microwave emitter for emitting microwave radiation into the enclosure, and a control unit for controlling a microwave emission power of the microwave emitter according to the abovementioned method.
US09486931B2
The present invention concerns the field of graphic apparatuses and in particular its object is an apparatus and a relative method for the so-called “weeding” of plastic or paper films having or more self-adhesive, double sided adhesive or electrostatic layers coupled with a support liner treated with a non-stick agent. The apparatus comprises a seizing head (21) with an air blower (28).
US09486927B1
Provided herein is a robotic gripper comprising two gripping components, where each component may comprise a rotatable axle oriented along a longitudinal axis, and where the respective axles may be oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. Each component may further comprise a pair of opposing gripping fingers with each gripping finger of the pair being coupled to a respective end of the axle. Each axle may be independently operable to rotate the respective pair of gripping fingers about the longitudinal axis of the respective axle, and each pair of gripping fingers may be independently operable to move the gripping fingers of the respective pair toward and away from each other. A control system for the robotic gripper may thus actuate one or both pairs of gripping fingers to grasp one or more objects.
US09486921B1
Methods and systems for distributing remote assistance to facilitate robotic object manipulation are provided herein. Regions of a model of objects in an environment of a robotic manipulator may be determined, where each region corresponds to a different subset of objects with which the robotic manipulator is configured to perform a respective task. Certain tasks may be identified, and a priority queue of requests for remote assistance associated with the identified tasks may be determined based on expected times at which the robotic manipulator will perform the identified tasks. At least one remote assistor device may then be requested, according to the priority queue, to provide remote assistance with the identified tasks. The robotic manipulator may then be caused to perform the identified tasks based on responses to the requesting, received from the at least one remote assistor device, that indicate how to perform the identified tasks.
US09486919B1
Example joints for a robotic device are provided. An example robotic joint may include an upper portion, a lower portion, and a connecting link positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion may be coupled to the connecting link via a first revolute joint, and the lower portion may be coupled to the connecting link via a second revolute joint. The robotic joint may also include an actuator having a first end coupled to the upper portion and a second end coupled to the connecting link, where the actuator is configured to apply a torque to the connecting link. The robotic joint may also include a coupling element configured to transfer the torque applied to the connecting link into a rotational motion of the lower portion about the second revolute joint.
US09486909B2
A clamping device for a hand-held power tool includes at least one clamping unit configured to clamp a processing tool in an axial direction and at least one operating unit configured to actuate the at least one clamping unit. The at least one operating unit has at least one jaw coupling element configured to couple the at least one operating unit to the at least one clamping unit in a rotationally fixed manner. The at least one jaw coupling element is supported so as to be movable at least substantially parallel to the axial direction.
US09486903B2
A screw prestressing device having a piston and a draw pin structured and arranged to be disconnectably coupled to an element and movable, via the piston, to apply a defined prestressing force in the element.
US09486902B1
Described herein is a tool for removing a wear ring, the tool comprising: a base; a leg base; a spreader disc comprising: a top, bottom, and sloped edge; a plurality of legs comprising: a first end coupled to the leg base, and a saw tooth shaped end; a plurality of spreader bolts, passing though the base and threaded into the spreader disc; and a puller bolt, passing through the base and spreader disc; and threaded into the leg base.
US09486899B2
Methods for the positioning of equipment are disclosed. One method of the present disclosure can include substantially aligning an equipment support structure with an equipment fixture point of a casing structure; adjusting the equipment support structure to have a selected height and a selected angle; sliding the equipment support structure across a platform having the selected height and the selected angle to reach the equipment fixture point; and coupling a piece of equipment to one of the equipment support structure and the equipment fixture point.
US09486888B2
A low-cost controller having a function for effectively displaying information of present motor output regarding the maximum output and the continuous rating output of the motor. The controller includes first and second storing parts which store first and second data, representing a relationship between a rotation frequency and a maximum output of the motor, and a relationship between the rotation frequency and a continuous rating output of the motor, respectively; first and second ratio calculating parts which calculate first and second ratios, corresponding to a ratio of one of the maximum output and the continuous rating output to the other at a present rotation frequency, and a ratio of a present actual output of the motor to the one of the maximum output and the continuous rating output at the present rotation frequency, respectively; and a displaying part which displays the first and second ratios on the same screen.
US09486886B2
A device for pivoting a rotor of a turbomachine from a first—preferably horizontal—position into a second—preferably vertical—position is provided. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor discs held together by at least one tension rod, the device includes two sidewall elements arranged parallel to one another, a bridge element connecting the sidewall elements to one another, and a divisible turning ring for form-fittingly holding an axial section of the rotor to be positioned perpendicularly. The rotor further includes two pins rotatably seated in the sidewall elements and arranged flush to the turning ring in order to pivot the turning ring about a pivot axis parallel to the horizontal plane. The bridge element includes a disk, wherein the disk is movable perpendicularly to the horizontal plane in order to be bolted in a flange-like manner onto a rotor retained by the device.
US09486884B2
An assembly for limiting excess flow includes a seat that provides a sealing surface and a diaphragm that is coupled to the seat. The diaphragm includes a seal portion and at least one leg extending between the seal portion and the seat. The seal portion is spaced apart from the sealing surface during normal flow conditions and is in engagement with the sealing surface when a predetermined flow condition is exceeded.
US09486883B2
A fluidic artificial muscle actuator consisting of an inner elastic bladder surrounded by a braided filament sleeve and sealed off on either end with end fittings. Pressurization of the actuator produces force and/or motion through radial movement of the bladder and sleeve which forces the sleeve to move axially. Both contractile and extensile motions are possible depending on the geometry of the braided sleeve. The fluidic artificial muscle actuator is manufactured using a swaging process which plastically deforms swage tubes around the end fittings, braided sleeve, and pressure bladder, creating a strong mechanical clamping action that may be augmented with adhesive bonding of the components. The swaging system includes the swaging die and associated components which are used to plastically deform the swage tube during assembly of the actuator.
US09486876B2
A device for rotating, positioning, and introducing electrode caps for welding electrodes into a magazine. A rotating electrode cap channel is connected to a spiral conveyor. The electrode caps stand on a cap end-face provided with a bore on the spiral conveyor end, and they are rotated by 90°. The other end of the rotating electrode cap channel is arranged relative to the upper end of the guiding shaft such that vibrations of the spiral conveyor are not transmitted to the rest of the system. The openings of the rotating electrode cap channel and the guiding shaft are arranged relative to one another such that the electrode caps can be reliably transferred, and the guiding shaft is connected to the magazine filling unit at the lower end of the guiding shaft. The magazine connection has locking lever sensors, which detect the correct fit of the magazine.
US09486865B2
A power tool includes a housing assembly, a motor, a pipe holder, and a knife pivotally coupled to the pipe holder at a pivot point for movement relative to the pipe holder. The knife is operable to pivot through an angle toward the pipe holder during a cutting motion and is operable to pivot through the angle away from the pipe holder during a return motion. The power tool also includes a drive mechanism having a first gear coupled to the motor and a second gear coupled to the knife. The power tool further includes a release mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism. The release mechanism is operable to selectively disconnect the second gear from the knife so that movement of the motor is not transmitted to the knife and the knife is movable through the angle away from the pipe holder.
US09486857B2
The invention relates to a ready-to-use ceramic blanking die (1), which is produced by sintering a blank, as an indexable insert, comprising an upper face and a lower face (2, 3) which each have a support surface (4) for installation in a tool holder of a cutting tool, lateral surfaces (5) that connect the upper and lower faces (2, 3), and cutting edges (6) for machining workpieces. In order to least partly avoid a finishing machining step after sintering at, utilize the advantages of the finish-pressed/final-sintered contact surfaces between the blanking die and the tool and assure optimal contact of the blanking die to prevent vibrations and the attendant micro-chipping/wear, a peripheral face (7) is arranged adjacent to the cutting edges (6) and the face (7) circumscribes the support surface (4), wherein the lateral surfaces (5), the cutting edges (6) and the faces (7) consist of the sinter skin created during sintering and have not been damaged by a material-removing machining process, and only the support surface (4) underwent a material-removing machine process and does not consist of the sinter skin created during sintering.
US09486850B2
A roller leveler for leveling strips of metal has a frame, a bank of upper and lower work rolls journalled in the frame via a housing positioned toward an exit portion of the leveler. A bank of upper and lower back-up rolls is in contact with the upper and lower work rolls to support the work rolls. The bank of upper and lower back-up rolls mounted to the frame via back-up housings. A second bank of upper and lower work rolls is positioned near an entry portion of the leveler. The first bank of upper and lower rolls has rolls of different diameter than the second bank of upper and lower work rolls. A roll or rolls can be mounted in an eccentric fashion that is achieved by permanent or adjustable positioning of offset of the work roll with respect to adjacent rolls or by providing a work roll that is larger in diameter than its adjacent rolls.
US09486844B2
A method for treatment of saline-alkali land is provided, comprising at least one self-circulating process, the self-circulating process comprising: step 1, converting saline-alkali water deposited in the saline-alkali land into acidic water by an electrolysis system, whereby the salt content of the acidic water is lower than that of the saline-alkali water; and step 2, leaching the saline-alkali land with leaching water comprising the acidic water. A device for treatment of saline-alkali land according to the above-described method is also provided, comprising: an electrolysis system for converting saline-alkali water deposited in the saline-alkali land into acidic water, whereby the salt content of the acidic water is lower than that of the saline-alkali water; and a leaching system for leaching the saline-alkali land with leaching water comprising the acidic water.
US09486841B2
The present invention relates to an autonomous mobile foam-producing unit for cleaning, specifically said unit allows the cleaning and sanitization of agricultural and livestock areas. The invention also enables to generate a large quantity of foam quickly and ejected with high pressure, preventing in turn a water hammer or Zhukowski pulse. The present invention is also autonomous, including power systems based on gasoline or diesel engines with the ability to be adapted to batteries and solar cells.
US09486840B2
High-speed, triangulation-based, 3-D method and system for inspecting manufactured parts and sorting the inspection parts are provided. A plurality of angularly-spaced, triangulation-based, sensor heads are located at an imaging station to simultaneously deliver focused lines of radiation onto a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part during motion of the part relative to the focused lines to obtain corresponding arrays of reflected lines of radiation. The sensor heads simultaneously sense their corresponding arrays of reflected lines to obtain corresponding sets of 2-D profile signals. Each set of profile signals represent a 3-D view of one of the exterior side surfaces and the sets of 2-D profile signals represent a 360° panoramic composite 3-D view of the outer peripheral surface of the part.
US09486830B1
A material dispense tip includes an elongated hole in an elongated neck that extends from an input end of the neck to an output end of the neck. The hole at the output end of the neck has a first diameter. The output end of the neck is positioned against a die surface. A punch is inserted into the hole at the input end of the neck. An external force is applied to the neck to cause the output end of the neck to be deformed under compression by the die surface, to reduce the diameter of the hole at the output end of the neck from the first diameter to a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.
US09486827B2
The invention relates to a jet-receiving nozzle for a powder-delivery injector with an arresting region on the injector side and a connecting region remote from the injector, the arresting region having a configuration preventing incorrect connection. The invention also relates to a powder-delivery injector for delivering a powder-air mixture, the powder-delivery injector having an accepting channel for accepting a jet-receiving nozzle.
US09486824B2
One embodiment includes a dispenser device and container for mixing a chemical concentrate and a diluent to produce a diluted mixture. The dispenser device may include a housing, a slide, and an eductor. The container holds the chemical concentrate. The dispenser device communicates with the chemical concentrate and with the diluent.
US09486818B2
A dispenser (300) includes an arched flange (303) that works as a baffle to prevent dispensed media from exiting a nozzle erratically. The dispenser (300) can be configured with a connector (402), connector extension (403), and nozzle (401) for use with vessels (802). Alternatively, a dispenser cap (1100) can include a coupling mechanism (1200) configured to attach to prior art dispensers. Dispensed media is directed along the dispensing surface (301) in a ventral direction (302) relative to the dispenser (300), thereby eliminating the possibility of the media being dispensed into the user's face or eyes, regardless of clogs present or user hand position.
US09486812B2
Fluidic structures for facilitating particle separation in curved or spiral devices are provided. The contemplated systems relate to various fluidic structures, implementations and selected fabrication techniques to realize construction of fluidic separation structures that are of a stacked and/or parallel configuration. These contemplated systems provide for efficient input of fluid to be processed, improved throughput, and, in some variations, adjustable and efficient treatment of output fluid.
US09486808B2
A process of obtaining plastic compound based on fibrous plant material, plastic compound based on obtained fibrous plant material and equipment for extrusion of plastic compound based on fibrous plant material. The objective is to fundamentally give to the final product a greater mechanical resistance against natural degrading agents, such as weather and infestations, and to this end, proposes changes in its procedural and manufacturing stages, in order to provide, essentially, the increase in the density of the final product, making it more compressed and maintaining its organoleptic properties unchanged.
US09486795B2
A catalyst for catalytically cracking hydrocarbon oils contains a substrate comprising alumina and a molecular sieve, characterized in that the pore distribution of said catalyst is 5-70% of the <2 nm pores, 5-70% of the 2-4 nm pores, 0-10% of the 4-6 nm pores, 20-80% of the 6-20 nm pores, and 0-40% of the 20-100 nm pores, based on the pore volume of pores having a size of no more than 100 nm. The catalyst of this invention has a large BET pore volume, a high capacity for cracking heavy oils, and a high capacity for resisting coking.
US09486793B2
The present invention describes a double-layer three-way catalyst on an inert catalyst support comprising a first layer in direct contact with the inert catalyst support, comprising active alumina, a cerium/zirconium mixed oxide and palladium and a second layer applied to the first layer and in direct contact with the exhaust gas to be purified, comprising active alumina and rhodium, characterized in that the second layer is free of cerium and cerium containing materials, the use of such catalyst for cleaning the exhaust gases of a motor vehicle equipped with a gasoline engine and an exhaust gas treatment system comprising such catalyst up stream of a gasoline particulate filter (GPF).
US09486792B2
Described are compositions and catalytic articles comprising both a copper-promoted 8-ring small pore molecular sieve and an iron-promoted 8-ring small pore molecular sieve. The catalytic articles are useful in methods and systems to catalyze the reduction of nitrogen oxides in the presence of a reductant.
US09486790B2
This invention relates to a modification method for titanium-silicalite zeolite (TS-1). The feature of the invention is pretreating the TS-1, after that the TS-1 is modified by the mixture of quaternary ammonium salts and inorganic base. The quaternary ammonium salts mentioned above include tetrapropylammonium fluoride, tetrapropylammonium chloride, tetrapropylammonium iodide and their mixture. The inorganic base includes LiOH, NaOH and KOH and their mixtures. TS-1 after the modification is aftertreated at last. The invention is universal capable to modify the TS-1 synthesized by any method, especially the TS-1 made with a low cost method. The modification can enhance the catalytic performance on both gas and liquid phase epoxidation of propylene.
US09486771B2
A method and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide containing product in which cathode and anode sides of an electrically driven oxygen separation device are contacted with carbon dioxide and a reducing agent, respectively. The carbon dioxide is reduced to carbon monoxide through ionization of oxygen and the reducing agent lowers the partial pressure of oxygen at the anode side to partially drive oxygen ion transport within the device through the consumption of the oxygen and to supply heat. The lowering of oxygen partial pressure reduces voltage and therefore, electrical power required to be applied to the device and the heat is supplied to heat the device to an operational temperature and to the reduction of the carbon dioxide occurring at the cathode side. The device can be used as part of an integrated apparatus in which the carbon dioxide is supplied from a waste stream of a process plant.
US09486760B2
A fluid mixing device includes a double pipe, a feed hopper, and a mixing chamber having a concave disc and a plurality of guide plateguide plates, wherein the double pipe has an inner pipe body, an outer pipe body, and a plurality of stoppers for forming a plurality of channel openings between the inner pipe body and the outer pipe body. The fluid flows through the double pipe and the feed hopper, and then lashes the concave disc in the mixing chamber to achieve a fast and uniform mixing effect.
US09486747B2
Nitrogen doped TiO2 (N—TiO2) is used to fabricate Poly(vinyledene fluoride) (PVDF)/N—TiO2 mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) through a phase inversion method to improve filtration efficiencies and antifouling properties. The membranes performances were evaluated based on the water permeability, humic acid (HA) rejection and antifouling properties. Resulting membranes showed brown color and improved hydrophilicity, especially under light irradiation. When compared to original PVDF and PVDF/P25 membrane, mixed matrix membranes containing N—TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) showed clear photocatalytic activities under visible light irradiation. Also, membrane performance assessments indicated that PVDF/N—TiO2 membranes possessed enhanced water flux, similar HA rejection (e.g., above 96%) and improved fouling resistance with PVDF membranes as a control. The results demonstrate the potential of the suggested methodology for development of membranes with improved water permeability and superior antifouling properties based on photo-degradation processes and photo-induced hydrophilicity enhancement driven by solar light as a renewable energy source.
US09486745B2
Provided is a semipermeable membrane having at least a separating functional layer, wherein azo compounds are retained in the separating functional layer, and the separating functional layer has a yellow index of 10 to 40. Also provided is a method of producing the semipermeable membrane. The present invention provides a semipermeable membrane having not only high water permeability but also high rejection performance even for substances that are nondissociative in the neutral range, such as boric acid, and showing high durability and a manufacturing method therefor.
US09486744B2
Provided is a separation membrane manufacturing method capable of easily manufacturing a dense separation membrane. The separation membrane manufacturing method comprises a membrane forming step of forming a separation membrane precursor containing a separation membrane precursor solution on the surface of cells formed in a porous monolith substrate; and a drying step of performing ventilation drying by passing hot air through the cells having the separation membrane precursor in the monolith substrate to dry the separation membrane precursor. During the ventilation drying in the drying step, the temperature of the monolith substrate having the separation membrane precursor is raised to 90° C. within 15 minutes from the start of the passing of the hot air at such a rate of temperature rise that an average rate of temperature rise is 7° C./min or more from the start of the passing of the hot air until the temperature reaches 90° C.
US09486742B1
The present disclosure is directed to biomimetic membranes and methods of manufacturing such membranes that include structural features that mimic the structures of cellular membrane channels and produce membrane designs capable of high selectivity and high permeability or adsorptivity. The membrane structure, material and chemistry can be selected to perform liquid separations, gas separation and capture, ion transport and adsorption for a variety of applications.
US09486741B2
Polyacrylamide gels that offer high resolution in protein separations and are more stable relative to hydrolysis than conventional polyacrylamide gels that rely on Tris or Tris-Bis as buffering agents are made by incorporating triethanolamine in place of most or all of the Tris or Tris-Bis.
US09486734B2
The helium gas separator material includes a base portion and a gas separation portion joined to the base portion. The base portion is composed of a porous α-alumina material which has communication holes with an average diameter of 50 nm to 1,000 nm; the gas separation portion has a porous γ-alumina portion containing a Ni element and a silica membrane portion which is disposed on the inner wall of the communication holes in the porous portion; and the average diameter of pores surrounded and formed by the silica membrane portion is 0.27 nm to 0.60 nm.
US09486732B2
Adsorbent compositions useful in adsorption and separation processes are made using silicone-derived binding agents. The adsorbent compositions are made from crystallite aluminosilicate particles bound with silicone-derived binding agents, and optionally small amounts of a clay binder, to form agglomerated crystallite particles and are calcined to volatilize the organic components associated with the silicone-derived binding agents. The agglomerated crystallite particles have superior pore structures and superior crush strengths at low binder concentrations and exhibit enhanced N2 adsorption rates and capacities when used in air separation processes.
US09486731B2
A process and equipment for removing carbon dioxide from a process gas (G), with a solid adsorbent and temperature swing adsorption, where the carbon dioxide is removed from process gas in either a first bed (B1) or a second bed (B2) of adsorbent, while the other bed is regenerated with heat furnished by the incoming hot process gas; the beds are contained in vessels (V1, V2) with heat exchange tubes or plates (T1, T2), so that the removal of CO2 takes place by contacting the process gas with the bed in the shell side, and regeneration of a bed takes place by passing the hot process gas inside the tubes.
US09486726B2
The present application discloses a method and apparatus for settling particles from waters that come out of plants that produce waste waters with hazardous components, utilizing vacuum power generated by vacuum generator down the waist water draining line. The method comprising a device with separation and sedimentation chamber, that allows phase separation through a unique cyclone-generating design, which leads to a filtering-chamber equipped with a dual pore-size filter that allows significant segregation of particles by particle size and mass, and thus allows highly efficient separation of hazardous particles from the waste water, which could exit the apparatus of present invention with significantly low content of hazardous particles.
US09486712B2
A motion sensing remote control device including a motion sensing module, a calculation unit, a motion setting unit, a transmit unit and a receiving unit is disclosed. The present invention controls a remote control car to perform various motions by sensing the user's gestures. The motion sensing module senses and converts the gestures into a voltage signal for the calculation unit to perform calculation. The motion setting unit generates a corresponding command based on the calculation result of the calculation unit, and transmits the command to the remote control car through the transmit unit and the receiving unit such that the remote control car executes the received command to perform the corresponding motion specified by the user.
US09486705B2
An exercise support device including an input which inputs player motion information from a reference position, and an instructing component which displays a motion evaluation mark on a screen, a motion instruction mark in a scrolling manner on the screen, a plurality of display patterns of a series of motion instruction marks in a distinguishable manner on the screen such that the display patterns include at least first and second display patterns, with the second display pattern having the motion instruction marks of the first display pattern and additional motion instruction marks, and instructs the player on a motion timing represented by the motion instruction mark so that the motion evaluation and instructions marks coincide. The exercise support device further includes an evaluating component which evaluates a player's motion based on a level of coincidence of the motion instruction and evaluation marks that correspond to the player's motion.
US09486703B2
A mobile communication device includes a processing module that executes a gaming application based on gaming data and that generates display data in response thereto, wherein the gaming data includes first data and second data. A sensor generates the first data in response to the actions of a user. At least one transceiver receives the second data from a remote communication device and that sends the display data to a display device in a gaming mode of operation.
US09486697B2
A system, apparatus, and method for preserving game state data for an asynchronous persistent group bonus game may have a plurality of gaming machines associated with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game and at least one network server having at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory. The processor may be configured to determine whether a bonus game session is triggered on any of the plurality of gaming machines; and if the bonus game session is triggered, display live game monitor activities, and periodically save the persistent bonus game state and other data on the at least one non-volatile memory.
US09486689B2
A golf practice mat assembly and a method for constructing a golf practice range is provided. The golf practice mat assembly comprising; a stance section with a first end, a second end, positioned opposite the first end, a front lengthwise side extending between the first end and the second end and a second lengthwise side extending between the first end and the second end; a strike section including a first side and an opposite side; a connection between the stance section and the strike section, the connection configured to securely and detachably connect the strike section to the stance section and the connection further configured to be angularly selectable and to connect the strike section at one of a plurality of possible angular orientations relative to the stance section.
US09486664B2
An exercise device includes a pair of hollow tubular members. Each hollow tubular member includes an outer tube, and a pair of end plates that seal respective ends of the outer tube, such that an enclosed space is defined within the outer tube. Removable plugs allow flowable material to be admitted into the enclosed spaces. A bar connects to the pair of hollow tubular members and holds the hollow tubular members in a spaced-apart state. When the enclosed spaces are partially filled with flowable material, a “slosh effect” occurs that exercises certain muscles or muscle groups.
US09486658B2
A soft edged trampoline includes a flexible mat supported from a base frame by a plurality of resiliently flexible rods. Each rod has an enlarged upper end. A plurality of fittings coupled to the mat about the periphery of the mat each include a socket cavity which receives the enlarged upper end of a flexible rod, so that the upper ends of the flexible rods are pivotally connected to the periphery of the mat.
US09486649B2
The present disclosure relates to a method and to an irradiation system for irradiating a moving target volume with an ion beam, in particular for tumor therapy, wherein ion radiography measurements of the target volume are performed and the irradiation for deposition purposes and for radiography purposes is performed with the same ion beam but consecutively in time by alternating the energy of the ion beam between a higher radiography energy and a lower deposition energy using, for example, a passive energy modulator proximal with respect to the patient.
US09486644B2
Methods for performing dose determination and cost function gradients in a radiation therapy are disclosed, which include: discretizing a volume-of-interest (VOI) into a set of voxels; identifying a set of beamlets which deposit dose contributions of radiation to the VOI, and each beamlet has a weight factor; transforming the dose contributions into a first domain, and transforming the weight factors into a second domain orthogonal to the first domain; calculate the local derivatives of a cost function of dose and cost function gradients with respect to the weights of the beamlets.
US09486635B2
A medical device for use with a patient is described. The medical device includes a component for administering a treatment to the patient or receiving data of the patient. The component is configured to operate according to an internal setting. The medical device also includes a user interface through which a user can modify the internal setting, as well as a settings signature generator for generating a settings signature that represents a present state of the internal setting. A gateway is also provided for communicating a version of the settings signature out of the medical device.
US09486631B2
Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to an implantable device. Various device embodiments comprise at least one port to connect to at least one lead with at least electrode, stimulation circuitry connected to the at least one port and adapted to provide at least one neural stimulation therapy to at least one neural stimulation target using the at least one electrode, sensing circuitry connected to the at least one port and adapted to provide a sensed signal, and a controller connected to the stimulation circuitry to provide the at least one neural stimulation therapy and to the sensing circuitry to receive the sensed signal. In response to a triggering event, the controller is adapted to switch between at least two modes. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US09486629B2
A brain stimulating system is provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a first electrode configured to supply a minute electric current to stimulate a brain, and a second electrode configured to detect at least one brain signal received from a brain, wherein the second electrode includes a blocking filter configured to block the minute electric current.
US09486624B2
A method and system for the diagnosis of anomalies in a lead attached to an implantable medical device, such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), including an insulation breach resulting in a short circuit of the high-voltage shock pulse. Determination that the defibrillation pathway is shorted may be made by initial analysis of a Reference EGM and Diagnostic EGM and subsequent analysis of Differential Diagnostic EGMs. Upon determining if a specific defibrillation pathway is shorted, the nonessential defibrillation electrode of that pathway may be excluded from the defibrillation circuit, delivering defibrillation current only between functioning defibrillation electrodes. Alternatively, the ICD system can confirm the presence of a lead anomaly with one or more alternative diagnostic approaches. Patient and remote-monitoring alerts may be initiated.
US09486622B2
A temporary neurostimulation lead may be secured relative to patient using a fixation device. The fixation device may include an attachment portion that is configured to be releasably fixated to the patient and a lead fixation portion that is configured to secure the temporary neurostimulation lead. The fixation device can be adhesively fixated to the patient via the attachment portion and the temporary neurostimulation lead can be fixated to the lead fixation portion of the fixation device.
US09486607B2
A treatment device is provided including a catheter having a lumen that is opened to a distal end of the catheter; a wire passing through the lumen so that the wire is inserted into or retracted from the lumen; and a piece disposed at a distal end of the wire and having the maximum width when the piece is protruded from the distal end of the catheter is set larger than the diameter of the lumen, wherein the piece body is formed of a deformable material having a broad curved surface shape that distributes concentration of pressure acting on tissues, and when the wire is pulled in toward the catheter, the piece being extended in the axial direction by the lumen and reduced in its outer diameter so as to be pulled into the lumen.
US09486605B2
A tubular body for a medical device for insertion within a body passageway of a patient. The tubular body includes a tubular inner liner. A braided member is disposed along an outer surface of the liner. The braided member includes intersecting filaments and cells defined by the filaments. A securement mechanism, such as radiopaque solder, is disposed along a circumferential region of the braided member. The securement mechanism is attached to portions of the filaments and spans the cells that correspond to the circumferential region to inhibit relative movement of filament ends. An outer surface of the securement mechanism is sized to extend radially outward to a position up to an outer surface of the braided member to not add to the overall wall thickness of the tubular body. An outer jacket is positioned longitudinally around the braided member and connected to the inner liner.
US09486603B2
A catheter has an entrance opening defined by the first end of a catheter body and non-circular inner surface in cross section. The entrance opening intersects a longitudinal axis extending longitudinally through the center of a lumen adapted to drain urine from a bladder. The non-circular inner surface can have dimples, channels, or grooves, all of which decrease frictional fluid forces against the inner surface as the urine drains. The catheter is free of any eyelets formed in the side wall of the catheter body. The catheter further includes a plurality of distinct longitudinally extending convex outer surfaces and may have an enlarged head.
US09486601B2
A ports cap for a mask assembly includes two closure portions adapted to seal respective ports of the mask assembly, a bridge piece that joins the two closure portions, and two gripping tabs extending outwardly from respective closure portions. Each gripping tab includes one or more ribs on at least one side thereof.
US09486586B2
The present invention is directed to a drug delivery device with a drive mechanism including a piston rod with a bearing for driving a bung in a cartridge in a distal direction. A movable element is disposed displacably in an axial direction within the drive mechanism. The moveable element is movable between a first position in which a distal end of said movable element protrudes from said bearing and a second position in which a distal end of said movable element lies flush with the distal end of said bearing. The invention is further directed to a method for detecting the contact between the bearing and the movable bung.
US09486585B2
A drive ram for use with a medical fluid injector may include a central, longitudinal reference axis. First and second gripper members may be pivotally interconnected with a plunger engaging end of the drive ram. Each of the first and second gripper members may be pivotable about a common pivot axis that intersects the reference axis. Each of the gripper members may further include a first end that is remote from the common pivot axis. In some embodiments, the first and second gripper members may be pivotable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first ends of the gripper members may be spaced apart by a first distance, while in the second position, they may be spaced apart by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.
US09486582B2
The present invention relates to an injection device including a container, intended for receiving a product and provided with an injection needle and a housing receiving the container. The container is movable relative to the housing between an initial position, an insertion position, and a final position. A collapsible chamber is defined within the housing outside of the container. The chamber is collapsible with the container in the insertion position. The chamber is at least partially defined by a proximal wall and a seal element, wherein, with the container in the initial position, the proximal wall is spaced proximally from the seal element, wherein, with the container in the insertion position, the proximal wall is caused to engage the seal element, and, wherein, with the proximal wall engaging the seal element, the container is caused to move from the insertion position to the final position.
US09486576B2
Provided is a medical pump monitoring system in which operating states of multiple medical pumps used in hospitals can be intensively monitored through a monitor. The medical pump management system includes a plurality of medical pumps, a transmitting unit that is provided in each of the medical pumps and transmits pump identification information of each of the medical pumps, a receiving unit that is installed in each of the beds and receives the pump identification information transmitted from the transmitting unit, an input/output control unit that causes the bed which has received the pump identification information to be associated with the medical pump, and a display unit that displays the operating state of the medical pump.
US09486574B2
Disclosed is a portable therapeutic fluid dispensing device. The fluid dispensing device includes a reusable part (100) comprising a reusable part housing including at least a controller and a first portion (186) of a driving mechanism, and a disposable part (200) comprising a disposable part housing including at least a reservoir (220) to retain therapeutic fluid, an outlet port to which the therapeutic fluid is dispensed, a fluid conduit providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the outlet port, and a second portion (112) of the driving mechanism. At least a portion of the disposable part housing defines at least a portion of the reservoir. Also, the second portion of the driving mechanism is mechanically couplable to the first portion of the driving mechanism upon connection of the disposable part to the reusable part.
US09486573B2
A fluid delivery system includes a pressurizing mechanism. The pressurizing mechanism includes: a substantially cylindrical body having a movable member positioned therein that divides the body into a first chamber and a second chamber; a plunger rod connected to a first side of the movable member and extending through a substantially closed first end of the body; and an elongated member connected to a second side of the movable member and extending through a substantially closed second end of the body. The plunger rod configured to operatively engage a fluid container. Fluid is dispensed from the fluid container by forming a vacuum within at least the first chamber by moving the movable member toward the second end of the body, allowing atmospheric pressure to enter the second chamber, and actuating the pressurizing mechanism to cause the moving member to move towards the first end of the body.
US09486568B2
The described system and method for blood treatment are configured to detect at least two hemodynamic parameters, for example the blood pressure and the relative blood volume, during the blood treatment. At least two fuzzy modules receive measuring values of the hemodynamic parameters as input variables, wherein the output signals transmitted by the fuzzy modules are weighted by at least one weighting module. A setting means effectuates setting of at least one variable, for example an ultrafiltration rate, a dialysis fluid conductivity or a dialysis fluid temperature, in response to the output signal transmitted by the weighting module. In this way, e.g. threatening intradialytic hypotensive episodes can be detected and avoided. The system can be designed as a dialyzer for hemodialysis, hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration.
US09486565B2
A connecting element for connecting a blood pump or a cannula to a heart, the connecting element including a sealing element, which is designed to at least temporarily close an opening formed in the cardiac wall and to be opened via insertion of a preferably cylindrical object in the direction of an axis of the opening.
US09486563B2
An instrument for removing by suction saliva, water or other materials generated or used in connection with procedures carried out in the region of the mouth. The instrument includes a substantially tubular, elastic frame arranged for suction, a finger part for attaching the instrument to a finger, and a tip part located, in an axial direction, farther out than the finger part and including a suction inlet. The tip part is arranged to be rotatable around the axial direction of the frame.
US09486560B2
Biodegradable polymer-coated surgical meshes formed into pouches are described for use with cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMs) and other implantable medical devices. Such meshes are formed into a receptacle, e.g., a pouch or other covering, capable of encasing, surrounding and/or holding the cardiac rhythm management device or other implantable medical device for the purpose of securing it in position, inhibiting or reducing bacterial growth, providing pain relief and/or inhibiting scarring or fibrosis on or around the CRM or other implantable medical device. Preferred embodiments include surgical mesh pouches coated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffening agent by coating the filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contact points of those filaments or fibers and/or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least 1.1 times its original stiffness. The pouches of the invention can also provide relief from various post-operative complications associated with their implantation, insertion or surgical use, and, optionally, include one or more drugs in the polymer matrix of the coating to provide prophylactic effects and/or alleviate side effects or complications associated with the surgery or implantation of the CRM or other implantable medical device.
US09486557B2
A bone repair composition and methods thereof include elongated bone fibers made from cortical bone in which a plurality of approximately uniform bone fibers is made into various implant shapes conducive for various applications. The bone fiber compositions may be in the form of a cavity, ball, pellet, wrap, strip, cylinder, cone, putty, gel, or injectable slurry.
US09486556B2
Embodiments of the present invention provides bone graft compositions, and methods for their use and manufacture. A bone graft composition may include a first amount of non-demineralized cancellous bone. The composition may further include a second amount of demineralized cancellous bone. The composition may also include a third amount of demineralized cortical bone. The non-demineralized cancellous bone, the demineralized cancellous bone, and the demineralized cortical bone may be obtained from the same cadaveric donor.
US09486553B2
A method of manufacturing a wound dressing or the like comprises the steps of a) providing a layer of substrate material; b) extruding a curable hydrophobic gel precursor composition onto that substrate material via one or more mobile applicators; and c) causing or allowing the hydrophobic gel precursor composition to cure to form a hydrophobic gel. Wound dressings or the like that can be manufactured by such a method comprise a layer of substrate material, the wound facing surface of which carries bands of hydrophobic gel that are intermingled in a lattice-like arrangement.
US09486552B1
An air treatment appliance is provided which includes an appliance housing and a removable cartridge received therein. The removable cartridge contains a liquid compound to be aerosolized and has a cartridge outlet through which the aerosolized compound is discharged during operation. A pump is provided to supply air to the removable cartridge to generate the aerosolized compound from the liquid compound contained in the removable cartridge, and a controller is provided for controlling the pump to supply the air to the removable cartridge to generate and discharge the aerosolized compound from the appliance. In some instances, the appliance housing includes a base, a cover, and an inner sub-housing coupled to the base to collectively define a passageway with an air outlet positioned to discharge a flow of air across a path of the aerosolized compound discharged from the cartridge outlet during operation.
US09486547B2
The present disclosure describes a radioconjugate of an anti-CD38 antibody and a radionuclide, e.g., Bi213.
US09486544B2
The present invention relates to manganese(II). The invention also relates to manganese(II) chelates attached to other molecules and their use as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
US09486537B2
Novel modulators, including antibodies and derivatives thereof, and methods of using such modulators to treat proliferative disorders are provided.
US09486531B2
The invention provides a controlled release biodegradable polymer formulation adapted for administering bioactive agents such as therapeutic proteins to a patient through implantation of a bolus that forms a depot within the patient's body tissues. The formulation includes a dehydrated inclusion complex of the bioactive agent within a hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel can comprise a polymerized polyalkyleneglycolyl diacrylate, and, optionally, polyalkyleneglycolyl monoacrylates, including methacrylates. Alternatively, the hydrogel can comprise hyaluronic acid, chitosan, agarose, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylpyrrolide, or polyvinylalcohol nanoparticles. The bioactive agent can be a macromolecular material, such as a protein. A method of forming the inventive formulation is also provided, as well as a method for using the formulation in the treatment of a malcondition in a patient in need thereof.
US09486528B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation for oral administration for preventing or treating allergic rhinitis or asthma, which comprises: (a) a first particle part comprising levocetirizine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an organic acid; and (b) a second particle part comprising montelukast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The pharmaceutical formulation according to the present invention comprises an organic acid as a stabilizing agent, which can effectively inhibit the production of levocetirizine and montelukast related substances, and thus, show good stability.
US09486525B2
The present invention provides a composition for use in treating or preventing neoplasia, comprising an effective actein. The present invention also provides a composition for use in treating or preventing neoplasia, comprising an effective anti-neoplastic amount of an ethyl acetate extract of black cohosh. The present invention further provides a combination of anti-neoplastic agents, comprising an effective anti-neoplastic amount of an ethyl acetate extract of black cohosh and an effective anti-neoplastic amount of at least one additional chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent. Methods for treating and preventing neoplasia are also provided.
US09486508B2
The present disclosure provides oxygen-carrying nanoparticles, methods of making the nanoparticles, and methods of using the nanoparticles to carry oxygen in blood.
US09486493B2
Inflammation caused by disease states such as rheumatism, gout, neurodegeneration and tumours result in the increased effectiveness of the opioid peptide biphalin or its analogues, due likely to the increased permeability of the “blood-brain barrier”, due to which it becomes possible to use the opioid peptide to produce a new analgesic for use during inflammation caused by rheumatism, gout, neurodegeneration, post-surgical or post-accidental trauma or tumours.
US09486489B2
The invention relates to a method for producing dry extracts of plants and to pharmaceutical preparations containing the same, more particularly phytopharmaceuticals, which contain at least one ethanolic/aqueous extract of a plant (drug), the plants being selected from the group consisting of: Rumicis herba; Verbena officinalis; Sambucus nigra; Primula veris; and Gentiana lutea and mixtures thereof. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical for treating inflammatory and/or infectious diseases of the nose and throat area and/or the nasal sinuses, as well as the use thereof.
US09486477B2
An apparatus to generate nitric oxide is disclosed in one embodiment in accordance with the invention as including a heat source and a vessel containing the heat source. A tablet may be placed within the vessel such that it is in thermal communication with the heat source to receive heat therefrom. The tablet may contain reactants that are substantially non-deliquescent and form nitric oxide in response to heat from the heat source.
US09486474B2
The present invention relates to a disorder of the lower urinary tract, and in particular, reducing the symptoms (including treatment) of interstitial cystitis in vivo. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to treatment formulations and methods for reducing interstitial cystitis in patients.
US09486471B2
Described are methods and compositions for treating cancer that include a dopamine receptor (DR) antagonist such as thioridazine and a chemotherapeutic agent. Optionally, the chemotherapeutic agent is a DNA synthesis inhibitor such as cytarabine or a microtubule inhibitor such as paclitaxel or docetaxel. The methods and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia.
US09486460B2
A liquid pharmaceutical suspension for oral administration containing a bismuth-containing pharmaceutical agent, a suspension system, and water. The suspension system can contain from about 0.001% to about 0.2% gellan gum and from about 0.001% to about 0.75% magnesium aluminum silicate.
US09486447B2
Embodiments of the technology described herein relate, at least in part, to methods of modulating the activity of a neuron by contacting the neuron with a photo-sensitive TrpA1 agonist and then illuminating the neuron with electromagnetic radiation. Also described herein are photo-sensitive TrpA1 agonists.
US09486446B2
The present invention provides an orally-disintegrating solid preparation comprising fine granules showing controlled release of a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the outermost layer of the fine granules is coated with a coating layer comprising hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose and breakage of the fine granules during tableting is suppressed.
US09486445B2
Treatment of proliferative diseases with a combination of a b-Raf inhibitor and MDM2 inhibitor.
US09486440B2
The present invention provides a method of using indole-ketone or indolidone such as SU4312, SU5416, SU11248 (Sunitinib), or indirubin-3-oxime to treat a neurodegenerative disease or disorder such as Parkinson's disease which is associated with excessive neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS) activity.
US09486438B2
Combined therapies and oral dosage forms based on genistein for the support of osteoporotic health.
US09486437B2
Methods of preventing early awakenings, and improving sleep efficiency in hours 7 and 8 of a period of sleep, by administration of low doses of doxepin (e.g., 1-6 mg).
US09486434B2
Provided is a composition that contains a mixture of broccoli seed and mustard seed. Before mixing the broccoli seed with the mustard seed, the broccoli seed is subjected to baking and a pressurized heat treatment. The broccoli seed is baked at a temperature of at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 60 minutes, and is subjected to a pressurized heat treatment of at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit at a pressure of at least 10 pounds/square inch for at least 5 minutes. Also provided is a method for therapy and/or prophylaxis of bladder cancer in an individual. The method entails administering orally to the individual a composition that contains an isothiocyanate (ITC) or a derivative thereof such that the administration inhibits the growth and/or recurrence of bladder cancer. Nutraceutical compositions are also provided.
US09486424B2
The present invention is directed to a third generation form of creatine, specifically a creatine hydrochloride salt, that drives significant improvements in muscle development and recovery due to its enhanced bio-availability, while causing fewer negative side effects compared to previous forms of creatine.
US09486423B2
The present invention provides redox-activated chelators and methods for using the same to treat cancer. In one particular embodiment, the redox-activated chelator is of the formula: wherein each of m and n is an integer from 0 to 4; each of Ar1 and Ar2 is independently aryl or heteroaryl; each of R1, R2, R5 and R6 is independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, electron withdrawing group or an anion stabilizing group; each of R3 and R4 is independently alkyl, halide, or other electron withdrawing group or an anion stabilizing group.
US09486417B2
A transdermal therapeutic system for administering lipophilic, poorly water-soluble and/or sparingly skin-permeable pharmaceutical active substances. The active substance is present in a multi-component enhancer system consisting of 4 components and each component of the multi-component enhancer system is selected from a different one of the substance groups: a) terpenes, b) cyclic glucitol ethers, c) medium-chain triglycerides of capric and caprylic acid and/or of linoleic acid; and d) longer-chain alcohols having a chain length of 8 or more carbon atoms.
US09486404B2
Provided are methods of treating cardiac infarction by using an injectable material to influence cardiac structure and remodeling after infarction. Also provided are kits that comprise an injectable material to influence cardiac structure.
US09486403B2
The present invention provides a gel combination comprising: polycarbophil in an amount comprised from 1 to 5% by weight; polyvinylpirrolidone in an amount comprised from 4 to 8% by weight; glycerine in an amount comprised from 1 to 10% by weight; and propyleneglycolin an amount comprised from 20 to 40% by weight; wherein: the weight ratio between polyvinylpirrolidone:polycarbophil is comprised between 1:1 and 4:1, the weight ratio between glycerine:polycarbophil is comprised from 0.5:1 to 2:1, and the weight ratio propyleneglycol:polycarbophil is comprised from 8:1 to 20:1. The invention also provides transparent compositions comprising such gel combinations as well as processes for their preparation and the use thereof as a medicament. Due to the specific excipients, % by weight, and weight ratios forming the combination, the resulting compositions show a high bioadhesivity and bioavailability of the active ingredient, without toxic adverse effects.
US09486400B2
A method of improving the appearance of aging skin that includes applying an effective amount of artichoke leaf extract and carob fruit extract in combination to a target area of skin that exhibits a sign of aging skin. The composition is applied for a period of time sufficient to improve the appearance of the aging skin.
US09486397B2
The present invention relates to dermocosmetic compositions containing, as active ingredients, a synergistic combination of colloidal silver and deoxyribonucleic acid, characterized in that the colloidal silver is more particularly an aqueous solution of electro colloidal silver.
US09486393B2
Example embodiments of the present invention include compositions, materials, and methods that provide a single component tooth root sealer. The single component tooth root sealer can be designed to moisture cure at temperatures found within the human mouth. Examples of the single component tooth root sealer can include silicone compositions, such as condensation silicones of the alkoxy, acetoxy, and oxime type. Further examples of the single component tooth root sealer can include UV/visible light-initiators, antimicrobial agents, and radio-opaque compounds.
US09486382B1
An exercise device having a rigid base includes at least one frame fixed with and extending upwardly therefrom. An outer barrel is rotationally fixed with the upper end of each frame at a tilt mechanism. Both an outer barrel and an inner barrel are open from a top side to a bottom side thereof for accommodating the person therein. At least one inflatable cushion is fixed with an inner side of the inner barrel. An adjustable leg support mechanism projects downwardly from the inner barrel and is adapted to support the person's feet and legs. An electric control console controls motorized tilt and spin mechanisms to tilt the outer barrel with respect to vertical and spin the inner barrel with respect to the outer barrel. Preferably the control console further includes at least a processor, a computer-readable storage medium, a display, an input interface, and a network interface.
US09486381B2
A method for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a human subject is provided. A first vibration stimulation member is introduced into a posterior part of a first nasal cavity of the human subject. By means of the first vibration stimulation member, vibrations are imparted to the posterior part of the first nasal cavity at frequency in a range of from 60 to 70 Hz. A second vibration simulation member is arranged between the trapezius muscle and the sternocleidomastoid muscle on a first side of the neck of the human subject; and by means of said second vibration stimulation member, vibrations are imparted to the first side of the neck at a frequency in a range of from 30 to 50 Hz.
US09486380B2
The present disclosure is a lightweight, absorbent body bag. The body bag is portable and disposable. The body bag has a backing substrate, an absorbent body, a cover with a recloseable flap that can be opened and closed to permit a body to be placed within and removed from the body bag, and gripping devices along the edges to permit easy transportation. A thermal seal may be applied continuously along a perimeter of the body bag to create a water-resistant body compartment. The present disclosure also includes a method for using the body bag and a body bag kit.
US09486368B2
A disposable, wearable article can be used for collecting a sample and performing urinalysis. The article incorporates a test port feature to simplify this function. The test port has a resealable cover that can be used to selectively expose an aperture through the backsheet of the disposable article. The test port is used to position test devices, such as urine test strips to urine collected in the disposable article.
US09486362B2
The present invention aims to provide a ring-shaped device superior in the wearing comfort and intraocular stability while being worn on the eye.Provided is a ring-shaped device to be worn on the scleral surface, which is characterized in that it has an opening to expose the cornea and an intermediate portion between an inner edge portion and an outer edge portion has a maximum thickness.
US09486360B2
An ophthalmic surgical system for insertion into an eye of a patient includes a body and a cutting element having a sleeve piece secured to and extending distally from the body, the sleeve piece including a port at an end and an inner piece disposed within the sleeve piece, the inner piece being moveable axially with respect to the sleeve piece. The system further includes a first electromagnetic coil disposed within the body and configured to generate a first magnetic field, a second electromagnetic coil disposed within the body and configured to generate a second magnetic field, a rod piece connected to the inner piece, a first magnetic ring, and a second magnetic ring, the first and second magnetic rings being fixedly secured to the rod piece such that magnetic rings are axially moveable between the first and second electromagnetic coils to open and close the port.
US09486359B2
A control arrangement for an ophthalmic surgical system for phacoemulsification of an eye lens includes an optical system for generating an image of an object region. At least part of the eye lens to be emulsified and part of a needle of a phacoemulsification handpiece can be arranged in the image. An image evaluation unit evaluates the generated image in such a way that an evaluation variable is generated which is dependent on a property of a particle produced by phacoemulsification of the eye lens or is dependent on a relation of the particle to its surroundings. A control unit generates a control variable in dependence upon the evaluation variable and, with the control variable, the control unit controls an absolute value of ultrasound energy which is supplied to the phacoemulsification handpiece by an energy source for phacoemulsification of the eye lens.
US09486350B2
A delivery system for a stent-graft is disclosed having a tip capture device and a tip release handle mechanism configured to actuate the tip capture device. The tip release handle mechanism includes a rotatable grip component and a tip release actuation component. The grip component may be rotatable in a first direction to transition a proximal stent of the stent-graft from the delivery state to a partially deployed state and rotatable in an opposite, second direction to transition the proximal stent from the partially deployed state to a fully deployed state. The grip component is operably coupled to the tip release actuation component. The delivery system further includes a shaft component operably coupled to the tip release actuation component and the tip capture device.
US09486348B2
A delivery device and method for deploying a stent-graft within a body lumen of a patient are provided. According to one embodiment, the delivery device includes a tubular member lock that couples an outer tubular member of the device with an inner tubular member, such that as the outer tubular member is retracted to deploy the stent-graft, the distal-most end of the delivery device is also retracted. In one embodiment, the delivery device also includes a stent lock disposed on an intermediate tubular member that is configured to releasably couple the stent-graft and the intermediate tubular member. The inner tubular member and the outer tubular member are configured to be coupled to one another such that movement of the outer tubular member results in movement of the inner tubular member with respect to the intermediate tubular member so as to deploy the stent-graft.
US09486347B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for treating lesions within a blood vessel include a two-layer angioplasty balloon designed for the simultaneous deployment of multiple balloon-expanded stents. The high-compliance (elastic) outer balloon secures stent position. The low-compliance (inelastic) inner balloon drives angioplasty and stent expansion. Stent deployment starts with the injection of a small quantity of fluid into the outer balloon, which bulges slightly at both ends and into the spaces between the stents and, once the stent has expanded a little, between the struts of the stents. The injection port to the outer balloon is then closed, and fluid is injected only into the inner balloon, which expands, opening the stents.
US09486341B2
Apparatus (10) is provided that includes an extra-vascular ring (12) and an endo vascular stent-graft (14). The ring (12) comprises a structural member (30), which is configured to assume an elongate hollow shape (32), which has first and second longitudinal ends (40, 42), and is suitable for placement at least partially around an aorta (20) so as to provide a generally cylindrical landing zone. The endovascular stent-graft (14) is suitable for endovascular placement inside the aorta (20) such that a portion of the stent-graft (14) is positioned against an internal wall of the aorta (20) at the landing zone provided by the structural member (30). If the structural member (30) is unrolled to a planar shape (82), one side (90) of the planar shape (82) is defined by the first longitudinal end (40), and at least the first longitudinal end (40) has a profile that defines a series of curved portions and has no singularities or discontinuities, which profile extends along at least 50% of the first longitudinal end (40).
US09486333B2
A prosthetic sock for a patient to wear over a residual limb is provided. The prosthetic sock includes an inner layer configured to fit over at least a portion of the residual limb of the patient. A foam layer is disposed on an outer surface of the inner layer. The foam layer compensates for changes in shape or volume of the residual limb within the prosthetic sock by changing shape in a manner effective to maintain a secure fit between the residual limb and a prosthetic socket of a prosthetic limb.
US09486328B2
An expandable intervertebral cage device includes a first base plate and a second base plate, a proximal block with internal threading that mechanically couples the first base plate and the second base plate, and a distal block comprising an internal passage. The device has exactly two arm assemblies, one on each side. Each arm assembly includes a first arm mechanically coupled to the first base plate and the distal block, and a second arm is mechanically coupled to the second base plate and the distal block. A screw is arranged partially within the internal threading of the proximal block and passes through the internal passage of the distal block, such that rotation of the screw relative to the proximal block causes a change in distance between the proximal block and the distal block, and a corresponding change in the spacing and lordosis of the device.
US09486327B2
Stand-alone interbody fusion devices for engagement between adjacent vertebrae. The stand-alone interbody fusion devices may include frames and one or more endplates coupled to the frame. The frame may be configured and designed to provide the apertures which are designed to retain bone fasteners, such as screws or anchors, and secure the implant to the adjacent vertebrae.
US09486325B2
An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.
US09486324B2
A method and apparatus for stabilizing first and second adjacent bone portions. The method includes the steps of: providing a spacer; providing a stabilizer, with the spacer and stabilizer configured to be movable guidingly, one relative to the other, between a pre-assembly relationship and an operative relationship; and placing the spacer and stabilizer into an operative relationship with the first and second adjacent bone portions. As an incident of the spacer and stabilizer being changed from their pre-assembly relationship into the operative relationship with each other and the first and second bone portions, the spacer, stabilizer and first bone portion cooperate to cause the first bone portion and spacer to be urged towards each other. The method may be carried out by moving the stabilizer and spacer, and all auxiliary parts and handling and assembling instruments, substantially in a single plane along one line or parallel lines.
US09486321B1
Implant has an implant body; and connected to the body, a fin type stem adapted for transverse insertion into a bodily substrate. The stem has a laterally disposed feature for providing stopping of the stem along a path it takes in its insertion into the substrate. For example, the laterally disposed feature can embrace a wedge. Tools and kits are provided for or with the implant.
US09486317B2
Methods of arthroscopic resurfacing of a joint utilizing a biological component strengthened with fibrin glue. The biological component is selected from the group consisting of PRP, bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and autologous conditioned plasma (ACP). The biological component/fibrin glue composition may be inserted (by injection or by employing a biologic resurfacing mold, for example) into a transosseous tunnel in the vicinity of the defect to be repaired. Upon insertion at the defect site, the biological component/fibrin glue composition is designed to coagulate and solidify within few minutes, to advance the healing of the damaged tissue and tissue growth. The biological component/fibrin glue composition may optionally comprise components such as growth factors, antiseptic chemicals and/or antibiotics and/or electrolytes, or hormones or site-specific hybrid proteins, among others.
US09486311B2
An accommodating intraocular lens comprises a first lens component, a second lens component, and an adhesive between portions of the two lens components. The cured adhesive bonds the lens components to form a fluid chamber. The lens components are bonded to one another along a seam which extends circumferentially along at least a portion of the lens components. The lens components may comprise the same polymer material. The cured adhesive also comprises the polymer or a prepolymer of the polymer to provide increased strength. The polymer is hydratable such that the lens components and the cured adhesive therebetween can swell together to inhibit stresses between the lens components and the cured adhesive.
US09486307B2
A radially expandable sheath is provided having a substantially closed distal end with at least two sidewalls extending proximally therefrom and defining a central lumen. Each sidewall can have a substantially concave outer surface adapted to seat a graft member, and each side wall is at least partially separated by a longitudinally oriented slot that extends from a proximal end along a substantial length of each sidewall. The slot preferably terminates at a position just proximal to the distal end. The device can also include a sheath expander that is adapted to be disposed in the central lumen of the radially expandable sheath and that is configured to flex the sidewalls to radially expand the sheath so as to fix a graft member within a bone tunnel.
US09486305B2
A filter with translating hooks is described. The filter can include strut members having first and second struts connected by a connecting portion. A translating hook is disposed adjacent the connecting portion of the strut members, the hook including a first elongate member attached at one end to the first strut and a second elongate member attached at one end to a second strut, the opposite ends of the elongate members connected together to define a tip. The translating hooks are configured to bend toward a central axis of the filter when the filter is in a collapsed configuration for delivery to a blood vessel and recovery from a blood vessel, and away from the central axis of the filter when the filter is in an expanded configuration within a blood vessel such that the hooks engage a vessel wall.
US09486302B2
The present invention generally relates to the field of prostheses for surgical applications, to methods of their manufacturing and to methods of treating a patient by implanting them into a patient. More particularly, the present invention relates to prostheses having a multi-layered sheet structure and their use in hernia repair, the repair of anatomical defects of the abdominal wall, diaphragm, and chest wall, correction of defects in the genitourinary system, and repair of traumatically damaged organs such as the spleen, liver or kidney.
US09486298B2
Provided is a cartridge assembly comprising a cartridge for containing a dental substance. The cartridge comprises a dispensing opening for the dental substance. Further the cartridge assembly comprises a piston having a receptacle for establishing a screw connection with a spindle for moving the piston for dispensing the dental substance. This assembly helps minimize costs in the manufacturing and use of dental cartridges and/or dental dispensing devices.
US09486296B2
A surgical assembly includes a tensioner having a first end and a second end. A tension member extends from the first end of the tensioner. A mounting member is connected to the second end of the tensioner. An arm extends from the first end of the tensioner and includes a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore configured for disposal of the tension member. Each link defines a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed in a configuration such that tensioning of the tension member interlocks the first mating surface with the second mating surface of an adjacent link in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation.
US09486293B2
A surgical drape kit for performing a surgical procedure includes a surgical drape having a fenestration site; a plurality of containers attached to the surgical drape; and a plurality of components used to perform a surgical procedure. The containers are attached to the surgical drape around a perimeter of the fenestration site. Each container includes at least one component. Disposition of the components inside the containers is determined by sequential steps of the surgical procedure.
US09486288B2
An apparatus, system, and method for setting, maintaining, and adjusting a cable tension in a telerobotic surgical system are provided. A cable tensioning apparatus includes, in one example, an arm, a pulley rotatably coupled to the arm, and a base operably coupled to the arm, the base including a translation mechanism for changing the position of the pulley to control a tension of a cable movable along the pulley. A termination block includes, in one example, a block including two cable pathways with each cable pathway having a retaining means for a ball fitting, and a support for moving a cable along the two cable pathways, the cable including a ball fitting in each of the cable pathways.
US09486285B2
Treating skin can include delivering a beam of radiation to a target region of the skin to cause a zone of thermal injury including a lateral pattern of varying depths of thermal injury distributed along the target region. The lateral pattern includes at least one first sub-zone of a first depth of thermal injury laterally adjacent to at least one second sub-zone of a second depth of thermal injury. The first depth is greater than the second depth. The at least one first sub-zone of the first depth and the at least one second sub-zone of the second depth extend from a surface of the target region of the skin to form a substantially continuous surface thermal injury. The at least one first sub-zone of the first depth and the at least one second sub-zone of the second depth are substantially heated to at least a critical temperature.
US09486274B2
A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.
