US09494930B2
To obtain an automatic programming apparatus, capable of generating a tool path for the chamfering process with a simple operation and capable of shortening the operation period and improving machining efficiency, the automatic programming apparatus includes a chamfering tool path generating unit and machining condition data. The chamfering tool path generating unit includes: a chamfered plane defining unit that generates shape data defining a chamfered plane obtained after the chamfering process is performed with respect to a shape of the chamfering target part; a reference point sequence generating unit that generates a reference point sequence used as a reference for generating the tool path data used for performing the chamfering process; and a tool reference position generating unit that, generates a reference position of a machining tool used when the machining tool passes while performing the chamfering process.
US09494916B2
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
US09494911B2
A cabinet structure includes multiple cover members configured to spatially partition an inside from an outside of a cabinet, and a clearance communicating between the inside and the outside of the cabinet is left between two cover members, the two cover members being adjacent to each other, of the cover members, and a passage defined by the clearance and leading from the inside to the outside of the cabinet through the clearance has a shape with multiple bends.
US09494908B2
An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge-supporting body, a belt, a belt cleaning unit, a waste toner cartridge, and a collective conveying unit. The cartridge-supporting unit supports a plurality of process cartridges. Each process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum-cleaning unit for collecting waste toner on the photosensitive drum. The belt confronts the plurality of process cartridges when the cartridge-supporting body is in an internal position. The belt cleaning unit collects waste toner on the belt. The waste toner cartridge accommodates both waste toner collected from the plurality of photosensitive drums by the plurality of drum-cleaning units and waste toner collected from the belt by the belt cleaning unit. The collective conveying unit aggregates waste toner collected from the plurality of photosensitive drums by the plurality of drum-cleaning units and conveys collectively the aggregated waste toner to the waste toner cartridge.
US09494900B2
A device includes a fixing belt, a holder that holds the fixing belt, a pressing member that comes in contact with the fixing belt, a nip-forming-member arranged inside the fixing belt, that forms a nip by coming in contact with the pressing member, a supporting member that supports the nip-forming-member, a side plate to which the nip-forming-member and the supporting member are fixed, and a pressing mechanism that presses a pressing roller to the nip-forming-member via the fixing belt. The supporting member includes at least two plates. The two plates are separated from each other near a contact portion where the plates come in contact with the nip-forming-member. At least a part of each of the plates is a flat surface parallel to a direction of a load applied by the pressing mechanism. Portions of the two plates on a side distant from the contact portion are joined together.
US09494897B2
A fixing device includes a heating roller, a fixing roller, an endless fixing belt, a pressure roller, a temperature gauge, and a cooling device. The fixing belt is stretched between the heating roller and the fixing roller. The pressure roller includes a core rod and an elastic layer formed on an outer circumferential surface of the core rod, and is pressed against the fixing roller via the fixing belt to form a nip portion to thermally fix an image on a recording medium passed through the nip portion. The temperature gauge measures the surface temperature of the pressure roller. The cooling device includes plural cooling units arranged parallel to a rotation axis of the pressure roller, and cools the pressure roller while adjusting the amount of cooling for each of the cooling units in accordance with the surface temperature of the pressure roller measured by the temperature gauge.
US09494893B2
A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame and a layer thickness regulating member. The first frame and the second frame include a first welding surface formed at a periphery of the developer accommodating part correspondingly to a developer accommodating part; and a second welding surface extending continuously from the first welding surface correspondingly to a roller support part. The first welding surface extends in a direction orthogonal to an overlapping direction of the first frame and the second frame. The second welding surface extends to be inclined toward a side of the first frame in the overlapping direction as extending toward the developing roller. The layer thickness regulating member is provided to cover the second welding surface from a side of the second frame in the overlapping direction.
US09494886B2
Toner, image forming apparatus, image forming method, process cartridge, and two-component developer
To provide a toner, which contains: a colorant; a resin; and a releasing agent, wherein a spin-spin relaxation time (T2s) originated from a soft component is 0.10 msec to 0.50 msec, where the soft component is obtained with a hard component from an echo signal of the toner by a solid-echo technique of pulsed NMR, and a proportion of a proton intensity of the soft component is 50.0% or lower.
US09494883B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor that satisfies excellent transparency, abrasion resistance, and electrophotographic properties (including sensitivity and residual potential after light irradiation) all together is provided. Specifically, an electrophotographic photoreceptor and a resin composition that include therein (1) a polycarbonate resin (A) having a structural unit represented by the following formula (I) and (2) at least one selected from a polycarbonate resin (B) synthesized from a source material that includes therein a bisphenol represented by the following formula (II) and a polyester resin (B′) synthesized from a source material that includes therein a bisphenol represented by the following formula (II). In formulas (I) and (II), each of Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf represents, independently from one another, a substituted or non-substituted alkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted cycloalkyl group, or a substituted or non-substituted phenyl group. Each of p, q, r, s, t, and u represents, independently from one another, an integer of 0 to 4. Rg represents an alkyl group. X represents an alkylene group, an isopropylidene group, a sec-butylidene group, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloalkylidene group, or the like. Y represents a single bond or —O—. Each of mA and nA represents a composition ratio (mole ratio) of the structural unit in the round brackets.
US09494880B2
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member including an undercoat layer containing metal oxide particles, a binder resin, and an organic acid metal salt having at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of bismuth, zinc, cobalt, iron, nickel, and copper.
US09494876B2
An exposure apparatus exposes an upper surface of a substrate with exposure light through liquid, and includes an optical member that has an emitting surface from which the exposure light is emitted; and a substrate holding apparatus having a holding portion that releasably holds a lower surface of the substrate, and an upper surface provided around the holding portion. The upper surface of the substrate holding apparatus is configured such that the upper surface of the substrate holding apparatus and the upper surface of the substrate held by the holding portion are substantially in a plane. The upper surface of the substrate holding apparatus has a jagged edge portion. The substrate is held by the holding portion such that an edge portion of the substrate held by the holding portion is located along the jagged edge portion of the upper surface of the substrate holding apparatus.
US09494874B2
A system to, and a method to, select a metrology target for use on a substrate including performing a lithographic simulation for a plurality of points on a process window region for each proposed target, identifying a catastrophic error for any of the plurality of points for each proposed target, eliminating each target having a catastrophic error at any of the plurality of points, performing a metrology simulation to determine a parameter over the process window for each target not having a catastrophic error at any of the plurality of points, and using the one or more resulting determined simulated parameters to evaluate target quality.
US09494873B2
An asymmetry compensation method used in a lithography overlay process and including steps of: providing a first substrate, wherein a circuit layout is disposed on the first substrate, a first mask layer and a second mask layer together having an x-axis allowable deviation range and an y-axis allowable deviation range relative to the circuit layout are stacked sequentially on the circuit layout, wherein the x-axis allowable deviation range is unequal to the y-axis allowable deviation range; and calculating an x-axis final compensation parameter and an y-axis final compensation parameter base on the unequal x-axis allowable deviation range and the y-axis allowable deviation range.
US09494869B2
An exposure apparatus including a projection system configured to project a plurality of radiation beams onto a target; a movable frame that is at least rotatable around an axis; and an actuator system configured to displace the movable frame to an axis away from an axis corresponding to the geometric center of the movable frame and to cause the frame to rotate around an axis through the center of mass of the frame.
US09494868B2
Projection objectives, such as projection objectives of lithography projection exposure apparatuses, as well as related systems, components and methods, such as methods of revising and/or repairing such objectives, are disclosed.
US09494866B2
A method of forming a resist pattern, including forming a resist film by coating a resist composition including a base component (A) that exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution, a photo-base generator component (C) that generates a base upon exposure, an acid supply component (Z) and a compound (F) containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a fluorine atom and a silicon atom and containing no acid decomposable group which exhibits increased polarity by the action of acid on a substrate; subjecting the resist film to exposure baking the exposed resist film; and subjecting the resist film to alkali development, thereby forming a negative-tone resist pattern.
US09494860B2
A resist composition including a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under the action of acid, an acid generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, and a nitrogen-containing organic compound component (D), wherein the acid generator component (B) includes an acid generator (B1) containing a compound represented by general formula (b1-1) shown below, and the nitrogen-containing organic compound component (D) includes a compound (D1) represented by general formula (d1) shown below. In the formula, Y0 represents an alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, R0 represents an alkyl group, alkoxy group, halogen atom, halogenated alkyl group, hydroxyl group or oxygen atom (═O), p represents 0 or 1, and Z+ represents an organic cation.
US09494859B1
A photosensitive resin composition includes (A) a binder resin; (B) a photopolymerizable monomer; (C) a photopolymerization initiator; (D) a colorant; and (E) a solvent. The binder resin includes a first binder resin including structural units represented by Chemical Formulae 1 to 4, wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification, and the first binder resin is present in an amount of about 20 wt % to about 90 wt % based on the total amount of the binder resin. A color filter using the photosensitive resin composition is provided.
US09494856B1
A method and system for inspecting defects saves scanned raw data as an original image so as to save time for repeated scanning and achieve faster defect inspection and lower false rate by reviewing suspicious defects and other regions of interest in the original image by using the same or different image-processing algorithm with the same or different parameters.
US09494853B2
Various embodiments provide for topography aware optical proximity correction that can improve depth of focus during wafer lithography. The system can determine the topography of the wafer using real process information. The topographical variations can be based on random defects or structural details. The system can divide the wafer into regions based on the topography of the regions and determine depth of focus values for each of the regions. Optical proximity correction can then be performed on each region separately, using the separate defocus values to yield an accurate, topographically aware optical proximity correction model for the wafer. For regions with varying topography, optical proximity correction can be performed for two defocus values corresponding to the high and low extremes, such that the resulting simulated contour is satisfies a predetermined criterion associated with accuracy.
US09494844B2
A light source and lighting system for video communication are provided. A base capable of being removably attached to a video communication device is provided. A fill light attached to the base and a key light connected to the base are also provided.
US09494841B2
An electrophoretic reflective color display has a color filter on an electrophoretic display layer displaying black and white. A colored portion and a non-colored portion are provided in a pixel of the color filter layer, and the colored portion has a hue defined by specified values of chromaticity coordinates (a*, b*), measured with transmitted light using a D65 light source, in a chromaticity diagram of the L*a*b* color system.
US09494838B2
A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate including a first light blocking region where a plurality of transistors are formed and a second light blocking region where a data line is extended in a vertical direction; a first color filter and a second color filter formed on the first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate and having a common electrode formed thereon; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the first and second color filters are spaced apart from each other in an intersection region of the first and second light blocking regions and are overlapped with each other in the second light blocking region other than the intersection region to form a color filter overlapped part in the vertical direction.
US09494835B2
To prevent or inhibit, a spacer section from coming close to the array substrate inside each of pixels, a liquid crystal display includes an auxiliary wiring provided to project toward the side of the opposite substrate from a surface of the array substrate, and the spacer section provided to project toward the side of the array substrate from a surface of the opposite substrate. The auxiliary wiring is arranged within a region provided with an extension portion in a liquid shielding section, and extends in an X-axis direction in a plan view, and a length in a Y-axis direction of the spacer section is larger than a width in the X-axis direction of the spacer section. The spacer section crosses the auxiliary wiring in a crossing region where the extension portion and an extension portion cross each other in a plan view.
US09494833B2
To provide a display device with little signal delay and a display device that can operate with low power consumption, parasitic capacitance between a common wiring that applies a common potential to a plurality of pixels and signal lines that input signals for driving the pixels is avoided. Specifically, the common wiring is routed outwardly with respect to an external input terminal to which a signal is input from the, outside, to avoid intersections of the signal lines and the common wiring. Thus, parasitic capacitance between the common wiring and the signal lines is avoided, so that the display device can operate at high speed with low power consumption.
US09494830B2
The following semiconductor device provides high reliability and a narrower frame width. The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit and a pixel portion. The driver circuit has a first transistor including a first gate and a second gate electrically connected to each other with a semiconductor film sandwiched therebetween, and a second transistor electrically connected to the first transistor. The pixel portion includes a third transistor, a liquid crystal element, and a capacitor. The liquid crystal element includes a first transparent conductive film electrically connected to the third transistor, a second conductive film, and a liquid crystal layer. The capacitor includes the first conductive film, a third transparent conductive film, and a nitride insulating film. The nitride insulating film is positioned between the first transparent conductive film and the third transparent conductive film, and positioned between the semiconductor film and the second gate of the first transistor.
US09494820B2
The present invention discloses a glossy display substrate and a glossy display apparatus. Reflective area and transmissive area are formed on the glossy display substrate. The glossy display substrate comprises an underlayer as well as a first control unit, a reflection layer and a second control unit arranged above the underlayer. The first control unit and the reflection layer are arranged in the reflective area, and the second control unit is arranged in the transmissive area.
US09494813B2
An electronic packaging box includes a receiving structure, a transmissive/reflective component, and a support structure. The receiving structure is configured to receive an electronic display device having a display screen for displaying an image by the electronic display device. The transmissive/reflective component is spatially coupled to the receiving structure such that, when the electronic display device is placed into the receiving structure, the display screen of the electronic display device faces the transmissive/reflective component. The support structure is configured to support the receiving structure and the transmissive/reflective component. Further, the transmissive/reflective component is configured to form a virtual image of the image displayed by the electronic display device placed in the receiving structure when viewed by a viewer at a viewing angle.
US09494810B2
Embodiments include a method and apparatus used for automatic bias stabilization of a DP IQM based on MZM for transmitting DP-QPSK optical data and/or DP-16QAM optical data. The apparatus simultaneously dithers DC-bias voltages of in-phase child, quadrature-phase child, and parent MZMs with three different dither patterns in time-domain which are mutually orthogonal to each other in the frequency-domain for X and Y polarization IQ modulators. Tap monitor photodiodes detect an interference term between these three dither patterns for each polarization. The interference term is sampled using an ADC in the time domain. The time-synchronous detection method may solve a set of three simultaneous linear partial differential equations with three unknowns to compute controlled DC-bias voltages to set on the respective MZM with a solution set which may iteratively converge to a unique solution, thereby biasing the child MZM in dual-polarization IQM to transmission minimum and parent MZM in quadrature transmission.
US09494808B2
This invention relates to particles comprising a pigment core particle encapsulated by a polymer, a process for their preparation, electrophoretic fluids comprising such particles, and electrophoretic display devices comprising such fluids.
US09494807B2
An adjustable visual optical element is provided, which may be supported, for example, by an eyeglass. The optical element is preferably adjustable in each of the X, Y, and Z axes to allow the wearer to optimize projection of the optical element. A view axis of the display is preferably also angularly adjustable with respect to a wearer's straight ahead normal line of sight. Source electronics may be carried onboard the eyeglasses, or may be connectable to the eyeglasses via either a hardwire, optical guide, or radiofrequency link.
US09494801B2
In some aspects, a flow cytometer system is provided that includes beam shaping optics positioned to manipulate a light beam and produce a resulting light beam that irradiates the core stream at the interrogation zone of the flow cell. The beam shaping optics include an acylindrical lens positioned to receive and focus light in a direction of a first axis orthogonal to a direction of light travel, and a cylindrical lens positioned to receive the light output from the acylindrical lens and to focus the light output from the acylindrical lens in a direction of a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and to the direction of light travel. The resulting light beam output has a flat-top shaped intensity profile along the first axis, and a Gaussian-shaped intensity profile along the second axis. Related methods of shaping a light beam at an interrogation zone of a flow cell are also provided.
US09494797B2
In embodiments of the invention, an apparatus may include a display comprising a plurality of pixels and a computer system coupled with the display and operable to instruct the display to display images. The apparatus may further include an SLM array located adjacent to the display and comprising a plurality of SLMs, wherein the SLM array is operable to produce a light field by altering light emitted by the display to simulate an object that is in focus to an observer while the display and the SLM array are located within a near-eye range of the observer.
US09494795B2
An optical element, notably an optical element for creating a retractable sheet for use in a motor vehicle, has in the final state a three-dimensional shape resulting from forming of the optical element, the optical element being designed to have an extended shape comprising: a first main surface, a second main surface, and an edge surface. A method of manufacturing involves during a first step of the method, forming the optical element to give its final three-dimensional shape in terms of the first main surface, the second main surface and the edge surface. During a second step at least one of the surfaces of the optical element is cleaned. During a third step, a functional coating is applied to the first main surface and/or the second main surface.
US09494788B2
A display device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, a lyophobic layer, a first liquid, and a second liquid, where the lyophobic layer is lyophobic to the second liquid. A method of driving the display device includes: providing a first potential difference between the first electrode and the third electrode to thereby cause the first liquid to begin moving toward the second electrode; providing a second potential difference between the second electrode and the third electrode while reducing the first potential difference to thereby cause the first liquid to move toward the first electrode; and removing the second potential difference to thereby cause the first liquid to slow down in its movement toward the first electrode or to stop in its movement toward the first electrode.
US09494785B2
Image resolution enhancement techniques are implemented using a single image an unstructured broadband illumination. By placing an axicon and a convex lens pair in an optical path of a microscope, telescope, or the object system, between the system and an image capture pickup device (e.g., a camera) the maximum resolution of the system may be increased through the formation of an interference pattern at the image capture device.
US09494782B2
The invention relates to a device for microscopy, with at least one light source for providing illumination light, with a detection unit for detecting light radiated back from a sample, with a microscopy optical unit for guiding illumination light onto the sample and for guiding light radiated back from the sample in the direction of the detection unit and with, arranged in an illumination beam path, an excitation mask (40) for providing structured illumination. The device is characterized in that the excitation mask is a spatially structured filter, which is transparent to light with a first physical property and which impresses spatial structure onto light with a second physical property that is different from the first physical property. The invention moreover relates to a method for microscopy.
US09494780B2
An inverted microscope includes an imaging lens configured to form an image of light which passes through an objective lens from a specimen, and a microscope main body in which a plurality of optical devices are configured to be arranged between the objective lens and the imaging lens in a direction of an optical axis of the objective lens and which includes therein a plurality of installation units that allow the plurality of optical devices to be fixed independently of one another. Each of the plurality of installation units includes an abutting reference surface on which any one of the plurality of optical devices is configured to be abutted. A plurality of abutting reference surfaces of the plurality of the installation units are shifted from one another in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens.
US09494776B2
A zoom lens consists essentially of, in order from the object side: a positive first lens group that is fixed during magnification change; a moving lens group consisting of at least two lens groups that are moved along the optical axis direction to change an air space therebetween during magnification change; a stop; and a positive end lens group that is fixed during magnification change. The first lens group consists of, in order from the object side, a negative first lens-group front group, a positive first lens-group middle group, and a positive first lens-group rear group. During focusing, only the first lens-group middle group is moved along the optical axis direction. The first lens-group middle group includes at least one aspheric lens that satisfies predetermined condition expressions.
US09494773B2
An image pickup lens includes an aperture stop, a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second meniscus lens having a concave image-side surface, a third meniscus lens having a convex image-side surface, a fourth meniscus lens having a concave object-side surface near an optical axis, and a fifth meniscus lens having a concave image-side surface near the optical axis, wherein the image-side surface of the fourth lens has an aspherical shape in which a positive refractive power weakens toward the periphery, and wherein the following conditional expressions (1) and (7) are satisfied: 0.55
US09494771B2
Optical systems based on an objective lens comprising one or more plastic lens elements are disclosed. The inclusion of plastic lens element reduces one or more of system cost, size, weight, and/or complexity. The chromatic performance of some imaging systems in accordance with the present invention is improved by incorporation of a diffractive surface into the entry surface of the objective lens.
US09494764B2
A fiber optic distribution cable includes a jacket defining an exterior of the fiber optic distribution cable and a plurality of optical fibers extending through a cavity of the jacket. The jacket has an access location with a single opening formed in the jacket that extends to the cavity. A distribution optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers extends through and protrudes from the single opening in the jacket at the access location and is secured by a demarcation point.
US09494755B2
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a distribution cable and a tether cable. The distribution cable includes a jacket having a generally flat profile such that the periphery of the distribution cable, when viewed in cross-section, includes two major surfaces of the jacket that are generally flat and are connected by arcuate end surfaces of the jacket. The jacket defines a cavity therein. Further, the distribution cable includes strength members embedded in the jacket and positioned on opposing sides of the cavity. The distribution cable includes a plurality of optical fibers extending through the cavity. The tether cable includes an optical fiber that is fusion spliced to one of the optical fibers of the distribution cable by way of an opening in a side of the jacket of the distribution cable.
US09494753B2
A pressure apparatus including a first end cap, a second end cap, a hollow housing connected to the first and second end caps, a locking ring connected to the second end cap, a first termination connected to the first end cap, and a second termination connected to the second end cap.
US09494745B2
Communication device connection assemblies are described. The sealable connection assemblies are configured to provide water-tight connections for various data transmission elements, including cables, network devices, and computing devices. The connection assemblies may be used for various data transmission protocols, such as fiber optic connections. A compression element of the connection assembly may be configured to engage and compress a sealing element against a communication cable extending through the sealable connection assembly when a tension element is coupled to the inner body, thereby forming a seal between the sealable element and the communication cable. The connection assemblies may include a retainer body configured to form a grip or retention force with a communication cable sufficient to reduce and/or eliminate any forces on the communication cable (i.e., bending and/or straight pull forces) from being transferred to and/or otherwise effecting other components of the connection assembly, such as sealing elements thereof.
US09494742B2
A light capturing sheet includes a light transmitting sheet and a plurality of optical coupling structures disposed therein. The optical coupling structures each include a first light-transmitting layer, a second light-transmitting layer, a third light-transmitting layer interposed therebetween, and a diffraction grating. Refractive indices of the first and second light-transmitting layers are lower than a refractive index of the light transmitting sheet, and a refractive index of the third light-transmitting layer is higher than the refractive indices of the first and second light-transmitting layers. The optical coupling structures are arranged in first and second directions in a plane parallel to principal surfaces of the light transmitting sheet, and in a third direction not parallel thereto.
US09494736B2
Technologies for generating a broadband optical output include a plurality of narrowband optical sources formed in a silicon substrate to generate a narrowband optical output, a plurality of input optical waveguides to route the narrowband optical output, an optical multiplexer formed in the silicon substrate to reflect the routed narrowband optical output, and an output optical waveguide to collect the reflected narrowband optical output to generate the broadband optical output. The output optical waveguide may route the broadband optical output to an output of the photonic integrated circuit.
US09494732B2
A transversal load insensitive optical waveguide includes a primary section having a core. The waveguide may further include an outer cladding. The primary section includes a primary section surface and the outer cladding includes an exterior surface mechanically attached to the primary section surface by an interior cladding structure forming a mechanical connection. The cladding structure is such that for at least part of a distance between each two radial corresponding points on the exterior surface and the primary section surface respectively, the mechanical connection deviates from being radial, so that a radially-directed load on an exterior surface of the outer cladding is deflected by the cladding structure.
US09494730B1
A multiple waveguide edge lit structure includes a frame structure. The multiple waveguide edge lit structure also includes a circuit board including a first plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a second plurality of LEDs. The multiple waveguide edge lit structure further includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide. A light receiving edge of the first waveguide is positioned proximal to the first plurality of LEDs, and a light receiving edge of the second waveguide is positioned proximal to the second plurality of LEDs. The multiple waveguide edge lit structure also includes a pair of attachment structures configured to keep the first waveguide and the second waveguide attached to the frame structure.
US09494722B2
The present invention provides a backlight module, which includes a backplane, a backlight source arranged inside the backplane, a light guide plate arranged inside the backplane to correspond to the backlight source, a reflector plate arranged between the light guide plate and the backplane, an optic film disposed on the light guide plate, a mold frame arranged on the backplane, and a block wall arranged between the light guide plate and the mold frame and opposing the backlight module. The block wall forms a slope face close to the backlight source. A reflective layer is formed on the slope face. Being provided between the mold frame and the light guide plate, the block wall reflects light that gets incident thereon back into the light guide plate in order to eliminate leak through a gap between an optic film assembly and the light guide plate.
US09494712B2
Provided are a resin composition for an optical film including an alkyl(meth)acrylate unit, a benzyl(meth)acrylate unit, a (meth)acrylic acid unit, and a unit expressed by Chemical Formula I, an optical film, a polarizing plate, and an image display device using the resin composition.
US09494701B2
The present method provides spatial sampling of a seismic wavefield on the free surface of the earth at an effective spatial sampling denser than the physical layout of the sensors. The sensors are comprised of a sensing element for vertical particle motion at the earth's surface, and a sensing element for rotational motion around a horizontal axis at the surface of the earth. Stress and wavefield conditions known at the free surface of the earth allow the rotational sensing element to yield the transverse horizontal gradient of the vertical particle motion wavefield. This horizontal gradient and the vertical particle motion data are utilized in the technique of ordinate and slope sampling to yield an improved transverse spatial sampling of the vertical particle motion wavefield. The method has a wide range of application in seismic surveys in oil and gas exploration and production.
US09494686B2
Techniques are disclosed for laser-based target locating for measuring and displaying absolute coordinates (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates) for a target. Techniques include determining absolute coordinates of a laser-based target locator, and using range and other measurements (e.g., compass heading, tilt, and/or the like) to determine the absolute coordinates of a target. The laser-based target locator can then display the absolute coordinates to a user. Sensors providing the other measurements may be calibrated by first determining the absolute coordinates of an optical tag, which may be optically communicated to the laser-based target locator.
US09494685B2
A light guide member for an object detection apparatus for detecting an object adhered on a light translucent member based on change of quantity of reflection light received from the light translucent member includes a detection face where light exits to the light translucent member and reflection light reflected from the light translucent member enters, the detection face including a detection area where a part of the reflection light to enter the detection unit passes through, and a non-detection area where remaining part of the reflection light not to enter the detection unit passes through; a first intervening member disposed on the detection face attachable to the light translucent member via the first intervening member; and a second intervening member disposed on the detection face attachable to the light translucent member via the second intervening member. The first intervening member has flexibility greater than flexibility of the second intervening member.
US09494684B2
A position measurement device that measures three-dimensional coordinates of an object using ultrasound. The position measurement device includes a transmitter that emits an ultrasonic wave; three receivers that receive an ultrasonic wave; a time determination unit that determines an arrival time candidate for each of the receivers wherein the arrival time candidate is a time period from emission to arrival of the ultrasonic wave after being reflected from an object, and determines a plurality of the arrival time candidates for at least one of the receivers; a coordinate calculation unit that calculates a plurality of candidates of three-dimensional coordinates indicative of positions of the object based on the arrival time candidates determined by the time determination unit and relative positions of the transmitter and the receivers; and a coordinate determination unit that determines the three-dimensional coordinates of the object based on the plurality of candidates of three-dimensional coordinates.
US09494680B2
Systems and methods may provide for transmitting an outbound radar signal via an antenna structure and receiving a reflected radar signal via the antenna structure. Additionally, a three dimensional (3D) code may be interpreted based on the outbound radar signal and the reflected radar signal. In one example, interpreting the 3D code includes determining depth data for each of a plurality of cells in the 3D code.
US09494671B2
A method of error correction in automated test equipment (ATE) is presented. The method comprises calibrating the ATE using a calibration board, wherein the calibration board comprises a reference voltage. The calibrating comprises: (a) measuring the reference voltage using a reference channel and each of a plurality of channels in the ATE; (b) recording a series of differential voltage measurement values obtained from the measuring in a calibration module; and (c) calculating a respective correction factor for each of the plurality of channels utilizing the series of differential voltage measurement values. The method further comprises obtaining a measured voltage value for a DUT connected to a first channel in the ATE, wherein the first channel is one of the plurality of channels. Finally, the method comprises correcting the measured voltage value using a respective correction factor for said first channel.
US09494668B2
A system for measuring nuclear magnetic resonance spin-lattice relaxation time T1 and spin-spin relaxation time T2 of a sample includes a source of a substantially uniform magnetic field B0 for immersing at least a portion of the sample; a nuclear magnetic resonance excitation and detection system constructed and arranged to excite at least a portion of the sample with a plurality of nuclear magnetic resonance pulse sequences, each applied with a repetition time that is preselected to be sensitive to a T1 value of at least a portion of the sample, and to detect nuclear magnetic resonance emissions from the sample in response to excitations to provide a plurality of detection signals; and a signal processing system configured to communicate with the nuclear magnetic resonance excitation and detection system to receive the plurality of detection signals.
US09494661B2
A three-dimensional Hall sensor can be used for detecting a spatial magnetic field. A method for measuring a spatial magnetic field can be performed using this Hall sensor. The Hall sensor comprises an electrically conducting base body and at least three electrode pairs, wherein each electrode pair has a first terminal and a second terminal, which are arranged such on the base body, that a current can flow from the first terminal to the second terminal through the base body. At least three first terminals are arranged on a first surface of the base body and at least three second terminals are arranged on the second surface, different from the first surface of the base body, wherein the first and the second surfaces oppose each other.
US09494653B2
A battery pack monitoring apparatus detects line breakage of detection lines on a highest potential side and a lowest potential side of a battery pack. In the apparatus, a battery cell voltage detection section detects a voltage of each of battery cells through detection lines connected to both electrodes of the battery cells. A battery pack voltage detection section detects a voltage of the battery pack through the highest potential side detection line and the lowest potential side detection line of the battery pack. Diodes are connected in parallel to respective battery cells on the highest and lowest potential sides in a forward direction from a negative electrode toward a positive electrode. A control section determines that one of the lines is broken when a sum of the voltage of each of the battery cells detected and the voltage of the battery pack detected are not equal to each other.
US09494648B2
This invention is time stamping subsystem of an electronic apparatus. A time stamp generator generates a multibit time stamp value including a predetermined number of least significant bits overlapping a predetermined number of most significant bits. Each client receives the least significant bits. Each client associates captured data with a corresponding set of the least significant bits in a message. A central scheduling unit associates most significant bits of the time stamp value with the least significant bits of the message. This associating compares overlap bits of the most significant bits and least significant bits. The most significant bits are decremented until the overlap bits are equal.
US09494636B2
In one example, a method includes outputting, during a first phase, a first current level at a connector, and outputting, during a second phase, a second current level at the connector, wherein the second current level is complementary to the first current level. In this example, the method also includes determining whether or not a voltage level of the connector satisfies a threshold, and responsive to determining that the voltage level of the connector satisfies the threshold, determining that the connector is floating.
US09494628B1
An embodiment of a capacitance measurement circuit may include multiple switches, a first node coupled with a first electrode and coupled with at least a first switch of the multiple switches, and a second node coupled with a second electrode and coupled with at least a second switch of the multiple switches, where the multiple switches are configured to reduce an influence of a self-capacitance of the first electrode and a self-capacitance of the second electrode on an output signal during measurement of a mutual capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, and where the multiple switches are configured to reduce an influence of the mutual capacitance on the output signal during measurement of at least one of the self-capacitance of the first electrode and the self-capacitance of the second electrode.
US09494623B2
A mechanism for providing monitoring of electric field detectors. In accordance with instructions on a machine-readable medium, a computing system receives from a device data corresponding to a user identifier. Further, the computing device identifies from a plurality of electric field detectors one or more electric field detectors associated with the user identifier and identifies status data for each of the identified one or more electric field detectors. The status data for each electric field detector in the plurality of electric field detectors comprises data indicative of at least (i) a location of the electric field detector and (ii) an alarm state of the electric field detector. Additionally, the computing system causes a display component of the device to display a graphical user interface that presents indicia of the status data for each of the identified one or more electric field detectors.
US09494622B2
A current measurement device measures current flowing in a composite material M containing conductive fibers. The current measurement device includes a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of a surface of the composite material, upon flow of current in the composite material; a storage unit that stores conversion data that is acquired as a result of a conversion data acquisition test performed beforehand and that results from converting the temperature of the surface of the composite material to the value of the current flowing in the composite material; and a current calculator that, on the basis of the conversion data stored in the storage unit, converts the temperature of the surface of the composite material M as measured by the temperature measuring unit to a value of the current flowing in the composite material.
US09494620B2
A flexible current sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of discrete current sensing elements distributed along an elongate flexible carrier. An elongate flexible member for a current sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of carrying portions linked to one another by hinge portions, each carrying portion being configured for receiving a discrete current sensing element. A method of manufacturing a flexible current sensor arrangement comprises providing an elongate flexible carrier, and distributing a plurality of discrete sensing elements along the elongate flexible carrier.
US09494618B2
Nanospike contactors suitable for semiconductor device test, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative apparatus includes a package having a wafer side positioned to face toward a device under test and an inquiry side facing away from the wafer side. A plurality of wafer side sites are carried at the wafer side of the package. The nanospikes can be attached to nanospike sites on a wafer side of the package. Because of their small size, multiple nanospikes make contact with a single pad/solderball on the semiconductor device. In some embodiments, after detecting that the device under test passes the test, the device under the test can be packaged to create a known good die in a package.
US09494608B2
Disclosed is an antibody which binds to olanzapine, which can be used to detect olanzapine in a sample such as in a competitive immunoassay method. The antibody can be used in a lateral flow assay device for point-of-care detection of olanzapine, including multiplex detection of aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone in a single lateral flow assay device.
US09494607B2
Disclosed is an antibody which binds to aripiprazole, which can be used to detect aripiprazole in a sample such as in a competitive immunoassay method. The antibody can be used in a lateral flow assay device for point-of-care detection of aripiprazole, including multiplex detection of aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone in a single lateral flow assay device.
US09494605B2
The present invention relates in particular to methods of detecting predisposition to or diagnosis and/or prognosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and related disorders. More specifically, the invention relates to development, validation and application of new biomarkers, which can be used for detecting the presence or risk of CMT disease and related disorders. In particular, the present invention relates to metabolite, lipid, carbohydrate and proteinaceous biomarkers that can be measured in biological body fluids and easily available extracts of biopsies, which can be used to aid in the detection, prediction of drug treatment and follow up of this treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including CMT disease. The present invention also relates to methods for identification of CMT disease subtypes, assessing the responsiveness to the treatments and the efficacy of treatments in subjects having CMT or a related disorder.
US09494594B2
Provided is a method of determining a therapeutic effect of cancer chemotherapy with an anticancer drug obtained by blending three ingredients, i.e., tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium as active ingredients (hereinafter abbreviated as S-1) quickly, simply, and accurately before carrying out the cancer chemotherapy. Specifically, provided is a method of determining an administration effect in chemotherapy with S-1, the method comprising: a step (a) of measuring expression level of a decorin gene in a biological sample collected from a subject to be diagnosed; and a step (b) of determining an administration effect of S-1 based on the expression level of the gene obtained from the measurement.
US09494591B2
The present application shows the relationship between variations in the amino acid sequence of histone proteins, more specifically the H3.3 protein, and proliferation-associated disorders. Herewith provided are predictive methods, commercial packages, therapeutic methods and screening methods based on this relationship.
US09494584B2
Dipstick tests for detecting analyte are described. In a preferred embodiment, a multiple biotinylated antibody capable of binding analyte is bound to an anti-biotin antibody labelled with colloidal gold and wicked up the dipstick with test solution thought to contain analyte. Complex formed between analyte, biotinylated anti-analyte antibody, and colloidal gold labelled anti-biotin antibody is captured at a capture zone of the dipstick. Presence of colloidal gold label at the capture zone indicates the presence of analyte in the test solution. The sensitivity of analyte detection using such methods is an order of magnitude higher than for comparable methods in which biotinylated anti-analyte antibody bound to analyte is wicked up the dipstick in a first step, and a colloidal gold labelled anti-biotin antibody is wicked up the dipstick in a separate step. Kits for performing the tests of the invention are also described.
US09494580B2
Polymer particles are provided which contain fluorescent molecules with high presence ratio in a polymer layer thereof and a method for preparing thereof. Polymer particles are swelled in a non-aqueous solution excluding exclusively water preferably promotes selling of the polymer layer and transfer of the fluorescent molecules to the polymer layer could not protected by water molecules such that much more fluorescent molecule may be introduced into inside of the polymer layer. Furthermore, since the water is added to the reaction system prior to evaporation removal of the non-aqueous solvent, dry-up of the polymer particles is prevented by the water remained in the reaction system and the polymer particles including fluorescent molecules with high presence ratio of the fluorescent molecules preferably keep high dispersibility using the above described procedures.
US09494579B2
The invention described herein provides methods for the detection of soluble antigens. In particular, the methods provide for the detection of soluble proteins and chemicals. In addition, the invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid sequence in a sample. Also described is an emittor cell comprising an Fc receptor and an emittor molecule for the detection of a target particle in a sample wherein the target particle to be detected is bound by one or more antibodies. Also provided is an optoelectronic sensor device for detecting a target particle in a plurality of samples.
US09494578B2
The present invention covers the integration and utility of accelerometer features into a clinical analysis system. For example, measurement of dynamic acceleration and orientation of a blood-testing instrument with respect to Earth's gravitational field may be used to determine reliability of a test procedure and optionally to provide corrective elements thereof.
US09494577B2
An apparatus including a plurality of wells for conducting analysis of three-dimensional cell samples (e.g., tissue samples) and methods for experimenting with a three-dimensional sample. A removable insert for use with the apparatus enables plunger-driven perfusion of the three-dimensional sample.
US09494570B2
An apparatus arranged for examining particles, comprising: a cartridge having at least one microchannel, a viscoelastic fluid flowing in the microchannel, the fluid comprising a suspension of particles, thereby effecting alignment of the particles in at least one-dimensional array parallel to the fluid flow, and an optical magnifying means generating an image of the particles in the microchannel.
US09494569B2
A system for receiving and ejecting a fluid testing device test strip includes a strip connector having first and second guide rails, and divider walls each having a channel. A sled has first and second legs connected to a cross member. Each leg has a contact leg extending inwardly from a chamfered end. The first and second legs when positioned parallel to the guide rails have the contact leg captured in the divider wall channels retaining the sled in sliding contact with the guide rails for motions in loading and ejection directions. A mechanism assembly is movably connected to the fluid testing device. The cross member is coupled so operation in a first direction displaces the sled in the loading direction positioning the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite operation positions the contact legs in direct contact with and ejects the test strip.
US09494568B2
According to embodiments of the present invention, a passive counter flow free microfluidic device for sorting a sample of flagellated cells is provided. The passive counter flow free microfluidic device includes an input reservoir configured to receive the sample of flagellated cells, an output reservoir positioned downstream of the input reservoir, the output reservoir configured to collect the flagellated cells that are sorted, and a plurality of microchannel sections arranged sequentially and in fluid communication with each other between the input reservoir and the output reservoir, and designed to define a closed microchannel system between the input reservoir and the output reservoir, wherein each microchannel section comprises at least one microchannel, wherein an inlet of the microchannel of a first microchannel section of the plurality of microchannel sections is connected to the input reservoir, wherein an outlet of the microchannel of a last microchannel section of the plurality of microchannel sections is connected to the output reservoir, and wherein, for each microchannel section, the total volume of the microchannels of one microchannel section of the plurality of microchannel sections is larger than that of the respective in said downstream direction subsequent microchannel section of the plurality of microchannel sections for sorting the flagellated cells when the flagellated cells move from the input reservoir to the output reservoir.
US09494564B2
A tunnel monitoring sensor for monitoring environmental conditions in a tunnel comprises a first sensor module which outputs an obscuration signal, a second sensor module which outputs a first gas concentration signal, a common housing for the first and second sensor modules and an electronic logic unit which is preferably accommodated in the housing, which receives the obscuration signal and the gas concentration signal and which outputs a combined environmental condition signal on the basis of a link of the obscuration signal and of the gas concentration signal.
US09494563B2
A fitting element is configured for coupling tubing to a fluidic device having a receiving cavity configured for receiving the fitting element, where the tubing has an inner contact surface of a biocompatible material, the inner contact surface being configured to contact a fluid to be conducted by the tubing, and the receiving cavity having a receiving contact surface of a bio-compatible material. The fitting element includes a first sealing element of a bio-compatible material configured for sealing to the bio-compatible material of the inner contact surface of the tubing, and a second sealing element configured for sealing against a pressure ambient to a pressure of the fluid in the tubing. Upon coupling of the tubing to the fluidic device, at least a portion of the receiving contact surface, the first sealing element, and the second sealing element enclose an interspace, each surface of the interspace being a bio-compatible material.
US09494560B2
A control valve monitoring system is disclosed. The control valve monitoring system includes at least one sensor connected to one of a valve stem or valve shaft, and the at least one sensor detects a change in mechanical integrity of one of the valve stem or valve shaft. A device for providing data regarding the change in mechanical integrity of one of the valve stem or valve shaft is provided, allowing maintenance of the valve shaft or valve stem to be conducted in an efficient manner.
US09494558B2
Noise included in detection signals is distinguished with a simple configuration. Provided is a flaw-detection apparatus (1) including a flaw-detection sensor group (11) in which two flaw-detection sensors (11a and 11b) are arranged substantially in one row in a scanning direction with a distance therebetween and a processing device (15) that detects a defect in an inspection object on the basis of detection signals detected by the individual flaw-detection sensors (11a and 11b), wherein, with regard to the detection signals detected by the flaw-detection sensors (11a and 11b), when signal values detected at substantially a same positional coordinate in the scanning direction are not similar to each other, and, additionally, when signal values measured at a same time are similar to each other, the processing device (15) determines that the detection signals are not defect signals.
US09494548B2
A gas sensor (1) which can be an air-fuel ratio sensor includes a detection element (71) including a pair of electrodes, one of the paired electrodes being a sensing electrode (87) which is exposed to a gas-to-be-measured, and the other electrode being a reference electrode (95) which functions as an oxygen reference electrode. In the gas sensor (1), the reference electrode (95) is connected to a porous reference electrode lead (97) extending along the surface of a solid electrolyte body (77); the reference electrode lead (97) contains a noble metal as a main component and also contains a ceramic material; and the reference electrode lead (97) has a specific resistance lower than that of the reference electrode (95). The ceramic material has, in a sintered state, a mean primary grain size greater than that of the noble metal.
US09494539B2
A metal detector (420) has a metallic enclosure (421) with entrance and exit apertures (430, 431) whose cross-sectional areas differ from each other. Inside the enclosure is a coil system with a transmitter coil (423) and first and second receiver coils (424, 425). The apertures and the coil system enclose a detection zone (428) around a travel path on which objects under inspection move. The asymmetric detection zone has a variable cross-section along the travel path and the coils differ in size from each other. The receiver coils are connected in series, but their windings are wired with the opposite sense of rotation relative to each other. Energizing the transmitter coil generates a primary electromagnetic field that induces a first voltage and a second voltage in the corresponding receiver coils. Despite the asymmetry, the respective voltages cancel each other when no metal is present in the object investigated.
US09494537B2
This invention relates to methods for determination of thermophysical properties of porous media filled with fluid, gas, or other mineral medium, and can be used, in particular, in the oil and gas industry. When implementing the method, it is necessary to initially determine a composition of a saturated porous medium and thermal conductivity coefficients of its components. A three-dimensional image of a sample of the porous medium is obtained by X-ray scanning. A thermal conductivity coefficient of the medium is determined by solving thermal conductivity problems, based on decomposition of a computational domain followed by composition.
US09494533B2
Optical quality control system for controlling the quality of a high refractive index solid (2), comprising a container (4) configured to receive the solid therein, a structured light source (30), an optical inspection zone configured for receiving an optical device (10) or an eye of a human observer, and a high refractive index liquid (12) for insertion in the container in a volume sufficient to fully immerse the translucent solid. The structured light source is configured to project a planar light fan (20) through the high refractive index solid immersed in the high refractive index liquid generating a illuminated cross-section (18) in the solid. The optical inspection zone is arranged at a top end of the container adapted for inspection of the illuminated cross-section in a direction transverse to a plane (P) defined by the planar illuminated cross-section.
US09494529B1
A confocal chromatic device is provided for inspecting the surface of an object such as a wafer, including a plurality of optical measurement channels with collection apertures arranged for collecting the light reflected by the object through a chromatic lens at a plurality of measurement points, and a magnifying lens arranged for introducing a variable or changeable scaling factor between the spatial repartition of the collection apertures and the measurement points. A method is also provided for inspecting the surface of an object such as a wafer including tridimensional structures.
US09494516B2
A method and system for the imaging and localization of fluorescent markers such as fluorescent proteins or quantum dots within biological samples is disclosed. The use of recombinant genetics technology to insert “reporter” genes into many species is well established. In particular, green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) and their genetically-modified variants ranging from blue to yellow, are easily spliced into many genomes at the sites of genes of interest (GoIs), where the GFPs are expressed with no apparent effect on the functioning of the proteins of interest (PoIs) coded for by the GoIs. One goal of biologists is more precise localization of PoIs within cells. The invention is a method and system for enabling more rapid and precise PoI localization using charged particle beam-induced damage to GFPs. Multiple embodiments of systems for implementing the method are presented, along with an image processing method relatively immune to high statistical noise levels.
US09494509B2
A system and method for analyzing a particle in a sample stream of a flow cytometer or the like. The system has a light source, such as a laser pointer module, for generating a low powered light beam and a fluidics apparatus which is configured to transport particles in the sample stream at substantially low velocity through the light beam for interrogation. Detectors, such as photomultiplier tubes, are configured to detect optical signals generated in response to the light beam impinging the particles. Signal conditioning circuitry is connected to each of the detectors to condition each detector output into electronic signals for processing and is designed to have a limited frequency response to filter high frequency noise from the detector output signals.
US09494498B2
The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.
US09494497B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure present novel systems, devices and methods for an automated biological sample analysis using mass-spectrometry. The time from sample introduction to the reporting of data, in some embodiments, takes a relatively short amount of time (e.g., several minutes). In some embodiments, a biological sample to be analyzed is a blood sample. For many applications, only a single drop of blood may be sufficient. Through the use of a mixture of standards with unique molecular mass, a quantitative analysis of the target analyte can be performed in a single MS run (for example), eliminating the need to create and analyze standard curves. One advantage of such embodiments may be that the system, devices, and methods can eliminate the need for batch creation since the requirement to amortize the time and effort of creating and analyzing standard curves can be eliminated.
US09494492B2
An automated method for resolving fault in an engine is disclosed. The method may include providing a reasoner module for recommending a set of maintenance actions to resolve fault in the engine, inputting steady state performance data from the engine into the reasoner module, and using the reasoner module to recommend a set of maintenance actions based at least in part on the steady state performance data. A fault resolution system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. The fault resolution system may include at least one computer processor operatively configured to receive steady state performance data from the gas turbine engine, and recommend a set of maintenance actions to resolve fault in the gas turbine engine based at least in part on the steady state performance data.
US09494482B2
In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses for predicting whether a point on a computer-generated aircraft or vehicle surface is adjacent to laminar or turbulent flow is made using a transition prediction technique. A plurality of boundary-layer properties at the point are obtained from a steady-state solution of a fluid flow in a region adjacent to the point. Included in the list of boundary-layer properties are computed coefficients or weights of mode shapes that describe the boundary-layer profiles. A plurality of instability modes are obtained, each defined by one or more mode parameters. A vector of regressor weights is obtained for the known instability growth rates in a training dataset. For each instability mode in the plurality of instability modes, a covariance vector is determined, which is the covariance of a predicted local growth rate with the known instability growth rates. Each covariance vector is used with the vector of regressor weights to determine a predicted local growth rate at the point. Based on the predicted local growth rates, an n-factor envelope at the point is determined.
US09494481B2
An evaporated fuel processing apparatus includes a valve between a canister and a fuel tank, and maintains the fuel tank in hermetic state by closing the valve while a vehicle is stationary, and adsorbs evaporated fuel by the canister by opening the valve during fuel filling, wherein the evaporated fuel occurs in the fuel tank. A diagnostic apparatus includes: a pump connected to a canister-side region with respect to the valve, and configured to pressurize a system of the canister and the fuel tank; and a pressure sensor for sensing an internal pressure of the system. The diagnostic apparatus starts pressurization by the pump with the valve closed; brings the system into a pressurized state by opening the valve with a delay after the start of pressurization; and performs a leakage diagnosis based on a change in the internal pressure of the system from the pressurized state.
US09494476B2
Indicator devices, systems, and methods are provided. Indicator devices include a housing having a bore and an indicating component placed therein. The indicator devices are activated in response to an increase in temperature or pressure. Indicator systems include an indicator device coupled to a housing, such as a conduit or enclosure. Methods include utilizing an indicator device to determine if an area within a conduit or enclosure has been sealed.
US09494475B2
A system for dynamically measuring viscoelasticity of material samples using shear wave induced resonance, the system comprising: i) an apparatus comprising a vibration source; a vibration detector; a processor, and a user interface, for example to select a sample holder configuration, and ii) a rigid sample holder connectable to the vibration source, wherein the vibration source generates shear waves that induce vibrations and the resonance of a sample through the holder, the vibration sensor measuring the sample vibrations and resonance, and the processor determining the viscoelasticity of the sample from the vibrations or resonances and from the selected sample holder configuration. Multiple measurement modalities using the system to study materials viscoelasticity as function of time parameters; temperature parameters; strain parameters; repetition parameters and mapping parameters.
US09494467B2
An infrared detection element includes first and second pyroelectric elements which are arranged in a single pyroelectric substrate. First pyroelectric element includes a first surface electrode, a first back face electrode, and a first portion interposed between first surface and back face electrodes. First portion is provided as part of pyroelectric substrate. Second pyroelectric element includes a second surface electrode, a second back face electrode, and a second portion interposed between second surface and back face electrodes. Second portion is provided as part of pyroelectric substrate. Pyroelectric substrate is provided in part thereof surrounding first pyroelectric element with a slit shaped along an outer periphery of first pyroelectric element. Slit is formed out of regions in which a first surface wiring and a first back face wiring are disposed. Part of pyroelectric substrate surrounding second pyroelectric element is continuously formed over an entire circumference of second portion.
US09494462B2
A circuit includes a first photo detector and a second photo detector to receive a first and second light input signal, respectfully, to generate a first current output signal and second current output signal respectively in response to the respective light input signals. A current multiplier stage receives the second current output signal from the second photo detector to generate a multiplied current output signal that is greater than the magnitude of the second current output signal. A differential multiplier having a first current path receives a portion of the multiplied current output signal and a second current path that receives another portion of the multiplied current output signal. The first current path is in series with the first current output signal to facilitate balancing of currents between the first current output signal of the first photo detector and the second current output signal of the second photo detector.
US09494453B2
Provided is an ultrasonic sensor which includes a piezoelectric vibrator made of a lithium niobate (LN) single crystal and may be used in a high temperature region by generating a high ultrasonic wave output, and prevents cracks from being generated in the crystal. A piezoelectric vibrator 1 of the present invention has a surface (Y-axis 36° cut surface) obtained by rotating a surface orthogonal to a Y-axis of the LN crystal about an X-axis by 36°±2° as an output surface. The ultrasonic sensor further includes a retarder 3 made of titanium and a bonding layer 2 for bonding one surface of the retarder 3 to the output surface. The bonding layer 2 is made of silver and frit glass, and the frit glass has a coefficient of linear expansion ranging from 5×10−6 K−1 to 15×10−6 K−1.
US09494452B2
An ultrasonic consumption meter includes two ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a flow channel, an electronic circuit for operating the meter, and a housing for the ultrasonic transducers and the electronic circuit. The housing is locked in position relative to the flow channel by a locking mechanism, and the flow channel has two holes for allowing the housing to get into contact with a media flowing in the flow channel.
US09494448B2
A smart meter ID acquiring unit in an electronic apparatus acquires a smart meter ID from a smart meter when the electronic apparatus starts. A registered location information acquiring unit acquires registered location information from an external server if the smart meter ID acquired at this time is different from the smart meter ID acquired at a previous time. A relocation determining unit (a1) determines that the electronic apparatus has been relocated if the registered location information acquired at this time is different from the registered location information acquired at a previous time and (a2) determines that the electronic apparatus has not been relocated if the registered location information acquired at this time is equal to the registered location information acquired at the previous time.
US09494438B1
A method and system for verifying map data for a vehicle that include receiving locational coordinate data related to a roadway from a navigation system and image data pertaining to the roadway from a vehicle camera system. The method and system also include determining map data and determining a lane coordinate measurement between a center point of a traveling lane and a lane on the roadway adjacent to the traveling lane based on the map data. The method and system further include determining a lane image measurement that includes a measurement between a center portion of the vehicle and a right lane boundary of the traveling lane and the center portion of the vehicle and a left lane boundary of the traveling lane based on the image data. The method and system also include verifying the map data based on the lane coordinate measurement and the lane image measurement.
US09494435B2
A system and method for evaluating driver performance is provided. The system includes a GPS navigation module for locating a running vehicle; a running vehicle data collection module for collecting data of the vehicle; a vehicle specifications memory for storing specifications of the vehicle; a road maps memory for storing maps of an area so as to identify the location of the vehicle by cooperating with the GPS navigation module; a road evaluation parameters memory for storing road evaluation parameters of the vehicle, and outputting evaluation parameters of the vehicle by cooperating with the road maps memory; and an evaluation module for combining the data of the vehicle from the running vehicle data collection module, the road evaluation parameters of the vehicle from the road evaluation parameters memory, and the specifications of the vehicle from the vehicle specifications memory, evaluating the combination, and outputting an evaluation report.
US09494429B2
A sensor streamer drag body system. At least some of the example embodiments include a system having a sensor streamer towable behind a vessel in a body of water, the sensor streamer defining a defining a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end nearest the vessel. The system further includes a drag body coupled to the distal end of the sensor streamer, wherein the drag body remains submerged while the sensor streamer is deployed. The drag body includes an inertial navigation system. The inertial navigation system is configured to determine a position of the drag body, the drag body lacking an internal GPS.
US09494426B2
A vibratory gyroscope is provided comprising a plurality of secondary pickoff transducers which are each sensitive to the secondary response mode, wherein: at least two of the secondary pickoff transducers comprise skew transducers designed to be sensitive to the primary mode which produce an induced quadrature signal in response thereto. A method of using the gyroscope is provided comprising the steps of arranging electrical connections between the secondary pickoff transducers and a pickoff amplifier so that in use the induced quadrature signal is substantially rejected by the amplifier in the absence of a fault condition, and the amplifier outputs an induced quadrature signal when a fault condition disconnects one of the skew transducers from the amplifier, and a comparator compares the quadrature output from the pickoff amplifier with a predetermined threshold value and provides a fault indication when the predetermined threshold is exceeded.
US09494412B2
A method for determining 3D coordinates of points on a surface of the object by providing a 3D coordinate measurement device attached to a moveable apparatus that is coupled to a position sensing mechanism, all coupled to a processor, projecting a pattern of light onto the surface to determine a first set of 3D coordinates of points on the surface, determining susceptibility of the object to multipath interference by projecting and reflecting rays from the measured 3D coordinates of the points, moving the moveable apparatus under processor control to change the relative position of the device and the object, and projecting the a pattern of light onto the surface to determine a second set of 3D coordinates.
US09494410B2
A method for measuring characteristics of a sample is provided. The method includes the following steps: obtaining an interference spectrum of the sample; transforming the interference spectrum into a temporal interference signal via a Fourier transform, in which the temporal interference signal includes a plurality of coherence wave packets; separating the wave packets; transforming the wave packets into a plurality of interface interference signals via an inverse Fourier transform; and fitting a plurality of factors of the interface interference signals into a model for obtaining the refractive indexes, the extinction coefficients, and a thickness of the sample.
US09494407B2
A trip hazard measurement gauge has an outer tube with a stationary foot secured to a lower end thereof, and an inner tube slidable within the outer tube and extending through an upper end of the latter. The inner tube has a slidable foot secured to a lower end thereof and a ruler secured to an upper end thereof. The inner tube is spring biased in a downwardly direction. With the inner tube positioned at its downward limit, the stationary foot and the movable foot are equiplanar and the ruler is hidden inside the outer tube. An estimator measures a difference in elevation between two adjacent concrete slabs by placing the slidable foot on an adjoining edge of the uppermost slab and pushing down on the outer tube until the stationary foot contacts the lowermost slab. The ruler, extending upwardly from the outer tube, indicates the difference in elevation.
US09494404B1
The pipe measurement device has a pipe measurement tool body that partially encompasses a diameter of a pipe, a tubing, and such. An opening in the pipe measurement tool body is equipped with a pair of counter wheels and an opposingly positioned adjustment wheel for fitting the device to the pipe. A user tracks the device along a given length of the pipe. A counter with display screen is in operational communication with the counter wheels and records a distance traveled along the pipe and therein denotes an accurate measurement.
US09494398B2
A primer pocket swager is provided. The primer pocket swager includes a base removably coupled to a press. It further includes a swage pin removably coupled to the base, wherein the base includes a first support surface and a second support surface, wherein the first support surface contacts a first corresponding surface of the press and the second support surface contracts a second corresponding surface of the press. The first support surface is located on a different and substantially parallel plane than the second support surface.
US09494397B2
A lightweight projectile having an integrated driving band positioned around the exterior of the polymer base of the projectile for engaging the rifling of a barrel to impart spin stabilization to the projectile. The driving band protrudes from the polymer base to minimize the contact between the polymer base and the rifling to reduce friction between the barrel and the projectile as the projectile is fired. The reduced friction allows the lightweight projectile to be propelled with minimal propellant force while still retaining the ballistic advantages of a spin stabilized projectile.
US09494393B1
The present invention discloses a low foreign object damage nose weight for affixing to a either a standard or kinematic decoy flare comprising a thin walled nose cup having a closed end, an open end, an internal cavity, and at least one sidewall attached to said closed end and surrounding said internal cavity; and a metal powder disposed within the internal cavity for weighing down the forward end of the decoy flare, said nose cup capable of being affixed to a forward end of a decoy flare such that said powder is jettisoned from said nose cup upon burn out of a flare pellet subassembly of said decoy flare thereby reducing the weight of the nose cup and the possibility of foreign object damage to aircraft, ground troops, ground equipment and buildings resulting from the falling nose weight.
US09494390B2
A blast attenuating seat system for protecting a vehicle occupant from impulses generated by blasts from underneath the vehicle, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The blast attenuating seat system includes a post, a mounting body coupled to a portion of the post and a seat assembly movably coupled to the mounting body configured to move relative to the post and mounting body. The seat assembly includes a seat body having a seat support structure configured to support a plurality of seat cushions and a shock assembly coupling the seat body and mounting body and configured to compress and expand such that the seat assembly moves relative to the post and mounting body. The blast attenuating seat system thereby provides/enables improved protection for vehicle occupants that may be exposed to explosive blasts.
US09494361B2
An air-conditioning apparatus includes: an outdoor unit including a compressor, a first refrigerant flow path switching device, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger; a heat medium relay unit including an intermediate heat exchanger, an expansion device, a second refrigerant flow path switching device, and a pump; and at least one indoor unit including a use-side heat exchanger. A refrigerant pipe connects the compressor, the first refrigerant flow path switching device, the expansion device, the second refrigerant flow path switching device, and the intermediate heat exchanger, thereby making up a refrigeration cycle. A heat medium pipe connects the intermediate heat exchanger and the use-side heat exchanger, thereby making up a heat medium circulation circuit in which a heat medium different from the refrigerant circulates. The first refrigerant flow path switching device is switched to execute a defrost operation mode.
US09494350B2
A plate-type heat exchanger having a first heat exchanger portion configured to receive a refrigerant flow and a hot side coolant flow having a lower temperature than the refrigerant flow, a second heat exchanger portion configured to receive the refrigerant flow exiting from the first heat exchanger portion and a cold side coolant flow having a higher temperature than the refrigerant flow exiting from the first heat exchanger portion, and an internal heat exchanger portion sandwiched between the first heat exchanger portion and the second heat exchanger portion. The refrigerant flow through the plate type heat exchanger is in non-contact thermal communication with the hot side coolant flow and the cold side coolant flow. The cold side coolant flow transfers heat energy to the refrigerant, which in turn transfer that heat energy to the hot side coolant flow.
US09494340B1
A solar positioning system configured to position a body, such as, but not limited to, a solar module, perpendicular to incoming solar energy to maintain an optimal angle of incidence with efficacy is disclosed. The solar positioning system may include a support subsystem having a first mechanism for controlling rotational adjustments about a first axis and a second mechanism for controlling rotational adjustments about a second axis, thereby controlling pan and tilt adjustment. Positioning of the support subsystem may be controlled by a plurality of pyroelectric infrared sensors similarly oriented. A differential amplifier and a comparator may be coupled between the sensor subsystem and an integrated circuit to ignore brief flashes of light. The solar positioning system may also be used with a solar positioning control system to control the position of two or more solar modules, such as hundreds of solar modules in a solar farm.
US09494336B2
In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.
US09494333B2
In exemplary embodiments, driving controls and diagnostic methods are disclosed for communicating motors. In an exemplary embodiment, a method generally includes generating a signal for sending to a communicating motor using transmitting hardware in a driving control, detecting the generated signal before it is transmitted to the communicating motor using a transmit sense circuit in the driving control, and analyzing the detected signal to verify whether the transmitting hardware in the driving control is operational.
US09494330B2
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a kit of parts for a solar powered vent fan system for use in transporting air through a vent aperture (eg. a roof vent aperture) of a building. The kit of parts includes a motor/fan assembly, a motor/fan assembly mounting plate, a solar panel and a solar panel mounting structure. The motor/fan assembly mounting plate is configured to receive the motor/fan assembly and to substantially cover the vent aperture. The motor/fan assembly mounting plate includes a motor/fan assembly aperture to permit air to be transferred through the motor/fan assembly as a result of operation of the motor/fan assembly. The solar panel is connectable electrically to the motor/fan assembly to power the motor/fan assembly. The solar panel mounting structure is for mounting the solar panel in a suitable position to receive solar energy.
US09494327B2
A UV lamp service life indicator device includes an indicator member including a material that degrades at a rate sufficient to track a useful life of a UV lamp, where the indicator member indicates whether the UV lamp has come to an end of its service life. The indictor device can also include a reference component that indicates whether the UV lamp has come to an end of its service life.
US09494323B2
An oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chamber. A pair of doors is rotatably mounted to provide selective access to the chamber of the cabinet. The pair of doors is connected with a linkage assembly such that the doors rotate open and closed simultaneously. The linkage assembly includes a spur gear that engages another gear of the linkage assembly. The spur gear can hinder unwanted rotation of the pair of doors or compress the pair of doors against a seal.
US09494316B2
A heating device (100) for combustion of liquid fuels comprises at least one catalytic element (140) for catalytically burning a mixture of fuel and air, a fuel supply means (133) being disposed on an upstream side of said first catalytic element (140) and an air supply means (132) being disposed on an upstream side of said at least one catalytic element (140). A fuel-evaporating device (130) has a substantially axisymmetric shape and an upstream end and a downstream end. The fuel-evaporating device is heated, during operation, by the at least one catalytic element (140), and is supplied with fuel and air from the fuel supply means (133) and the air supply means (132). The heating device also comprises an outer housing (110), for containing said catalytic element (140) and said fuel-evaporating device (130). The fuel-evaporating device (130) is provided with at least one inner inlet pipe (132; 132b) in the generally upstream end thereof. The pipe (132; 132b) is arranged to inject fuel and/or air in a tangential direction into the generally upstream part of the fuel-evaporating device (130) such that a rotational flow is obtained therein. Moreover, the generally upstream end of the fuel-evaporating device (130) is arranged in the vicinity of the at least one catalytic element (140).
US09494310B2
A device with a waterproof function includes a case, an electrical module, at least one sealant and some liquid. The case includes 2 holes and 1 button, the electrical module is connected to the case, and at least one sealant is used to seal the holes of the case to form a closed space to contain the liquid. The liquid filled in the device is not only able to balance the inner and outer pressure of the device but is also used to allow a user smoothly to press the button of the waterproof device by being pressed to transmit pressure to one hole in the case and make the at least one sealant connected to the hole outwardly form the shape of a bulge.
US09494308B1
One electrical lead from an LED package is soldered to an inner electrically conductive member positioned and electrically isolated from an outer electrically conductive member by electrically insulating material while a second electrical lead and a neutral lead from the LED are soldered to the outer electrically conductive member so that heat is transferred from an LED die within the LED package to the outer electrically conductive member and then to a thermally conductive outer casing with a thermal path that minimizes thermal resistance.
US09494305B2
In accordance with certain embodiments, lighting systems include flexible light sheets having light-emitting elements with first luminous intensity distributions disposed thereover, and the light sheets are curved or folded to produce a second luminous intensity distribution different from the first luminous intensity distribution.
US09494296B2
A method manufactures a light emitting element of a fluorescent light source. The method includes forming a photosensitive material layer on a fluorescent substrate, and dividing a coherent beam into branch beams. The method includes causing the branch beams to cross each other thereby generating a first interference beam, and applying an exposure process to the photosensitive material layer with the first interference beam. The method includes producing a second interference beam, and applying the exposure process to the photosensitive material with the second interference beam. The method includes removing those areas of the photosensitive material layer which are irradiated with the first and second interference beams, thereby forming a fine pattern in the photosensitive material layer. The method includes applying an etching process to the fluorescent substrate with the fine pattern of the photosensitive material layer, thereby creating a photonic structure on the fluorescent substrate.
US09494291B2
A device for or passenger compartment lighting of a motor vehicle, which comprises a light source and a light guide, the light source extending in front of a main face of the guide, the light guide comprising at least one coupling face capable of reflecting into the light guide at least a part of the light emitted by the light source, and at least two decoupling faces at a distance from one another and arranged so as to reflect toward an output face of the light guide the light coming from the coupling face. This device furthermore comprises a reading light.
US09494286B2
A troffer door assembly has a frame assembly, a lens member and a light emitting diode (LED) assembly. The rigid brace member is affixed to the frame assembly such that the rigidity of the frame assembly is increased. Hinge members and latch members are positioned in exterior slots on the frame assembly such that the location of the hinge members and latch members can be adjusted. In this manner installed troffer light fixtures can be retrofitted by replacing the installed troffer door with the troffer door assembly as described.
US09494285B2
A flashlight having a LED directly mounted to a top surface of a heat sink without the use of a printed circuit board and two mechanical spiral engagement systems, one in the housing, the other in a head assembly, such that the LED is turned on when power from an electrical circuit is applied to the heatsink which is thermally connected to a first electrically conductive member of the LED and a second electrically conductive member of the LED which is insulated within the heatsink from the heatsink, and the light provided by the LED may be varied by rotating the head assembly relative to the housing while the heat sink, the switch assembly and the power source remain stationary.
US09494272B2
A thermal insulation jacket system comprising: a first thermal insulation jacket configured to fit on an object; a microcontroller located in the first thermal insulation jacket; a first temperature measuring means in signal communication with the microcontroller, configured to measure the temperature of the object; a second temperature measuring means in signal communication with the microcontroller, configured to measure the ambient temperature; where the microcontroller is configured to determine the energy savings achieved by the insulative properties of the first thermal insulation jacket.
US09494271B2
A pipe liner and a method of using the same are provided. The method includes inserting a pipe liner impregnated with a resinous material into a length of pipe, where the pipe liner has an outer diameter substantially equal to or greater than an inner diameter of the pipe. A bladder having an unstretched outer diameter less than the inner diameter of at least a portion of the length of pipe and capable of stretching circumferentially is inserted into the pipe liner. The bladder is expanded under fluid pressure against the pipe liner, pressing the pipe liner against an inner wall of the length of pipe. The resinous material is allowed to cure and harden, leaving a renewed pipe wall. The length of pipe may have a plurality of inner diameters, and the bladder stretches to produce a smooth interior surface of the pipe liner across the plurality of pipe diameters.
US09494270B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a system for locating and restoring service lines during pipeline restoration. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the system includes a movable chart, a plug with a marking magnet, and an attachment part. In some embodiments of the present invention, the movable cart is deployed along the inside of a pipeline. In some embodiments, the attachment part is movably coupled to the movable cart. The attachment part is configured to install a plug into the service line at a location where the service line intersects the pipeline, according to some embodiments. In other embodiments, the attachment part is configured to mark the location of the plug in the service line and remove the plug from the service line to restore a fluid connection between the service line and the pipeline.
US09494269B2
A connection assembly for sealing to an end of a tube includes a polymeric body having an opening including an open end and an internal sealing surface spaced from the open end. The opening is configured to slidably receive the end of the tube. A reinforcement member is spaced from and generally surrounds at least a portion of the opening and a sealing member is adjacent the internal sealing surface of the opening. The sealing member is configured to interact with the internal sealing surface of the opening and the end of the tube to form a seal between the connection assembly and the tube.
US09494267B2
The invention relates to a nut (1) for arrangement on a hose connector, including a connecting device (2) which is connectable in a fluid-tight manner to a hose connection part (13), and a receiving means (3) for the hose connector (7), having a first end (3a) and a second end (3b), wherein the receiving means (3) is realized for the purpose of encompassing the hose connector (7) in a form-fitting manner in the circumferential direction in such a manner that the nut (1) and the hose connector (7) are rotatable in relation to one another in the circumferential direction; wherein the nut (1) comprises anti-rotation protection (4) which is realized such that, as a result of a structural element (16) of the hose connection part (13), it is transferable from an open position, in which the nut (1) and the hose connector (7) are rotatable in relation to one another in the circumferential direction when the nut is arranged on the hose connector, into a closed position in which rotating of the nut (1) in the circumferential direction in relation to the hose connector (7) is prevented when the nut (1) is arranged on the hose connector (7). The invention additionally relates to a hose connector for a fluid hose as well as to a hose connection part for a fluid hose.
US09494260B2
Polyarylene sulfide compositions are described that exhibit high strength and flexibility. Methods for forming the polyarylene sulfide compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures and can be used to form, e.g., tubular member such as pipes and hoses and fibers.
US09494254B2
A two-stage electro-magnetic valve maintains a pressing force applied onto a switch valve body from a press member after a lifting of an open-close valve body from a valve seat by an introduction of a pressure of a valve chamber. In such manner, the switch valve body need not be put in a pressure receiving state when the switch valve body is completely closed. In other words, it is not necessary for a pressure receiving diameter of the switch valve body to be smaller than a pressure receiving diameter of the open-close valve body. Such configuration increases design freedom of the pressure receiving diameter for the open-close valve body because it separates the diameter of the valve body from a diameter restriction of the switching valve body, which allows both valve bodies to have the same diameter, which maximizes the effect of a pressure cancel mechanism.
US09494252B2
A locking device is used for locking at least a piston associated with an operating element of a valve, a choke, a blowout preventer or some other unit used in the field of oil/natural gas drilling and/or oil/natural gas production. The locking device comprises a sleeve, which is axially displaceable relative to the piston and which is threadedly engaged with a rotatably supported rod for displacement in an axial direction. The rod is drivingly connected to a motor. In order to be able to determine, by means of simple structural measures, the position of the piston for each of its positions in a sufficiently precise and reproducible manner, the locking device is provided with a position sensor, which extends from a fixed point through a longitudinal bore of the lock rod up to the hydraulic piston and by means of which a distance between the piston and the fixed point can be detected.
US09494251B2
A two-way valve with secure structure for dispensing a large bottle of carbonated beverage into a vial comprises a valve body, valve spool, handle and bottle seal ring. The valve body has an inlet with an inner thread which matches an external thread of the large bottle and has an outlet with an inner thread which matches an external thread of the vials. The secure structure is an axial annular groove recessed axially into bottoms of the inner threads of the inlet and outlet of the valve body, one side of the axial recessed annular groove is the inner thread which extends to a bottom of the groove and other side is a groove wall, The bottle secure seal ring is deposited in the annular groove. Since the depth of the axial annular groove is greater than a thickness of the bottle seal ring, the outgoing pressure gas cannot reach the bottle seal ring.
US09494249B2
A valve includes a valve cover, the valve cover having a solenoid attachment portion, an orifice bore defined in the solenoid attachment portion, and a valve cover mechanical stop, the solenoid attachment portion having a solenoid attachment sink; and a solenoid, the solenoid having a solenoid body, a valve cover attachment portion, and a plunger, the plunger having an open position and a closed position, the plunger including an interface portion, the solenoid body including a solenoid mechanical stop, the solenoid mechanical stop engagable with the valve cover mechanical stop to space the interface portion of the plunger away from the orifice bore when the plunger is in the open position.
US09494247B2
A solenoid section of a solenoid three-way valve includes a yoke attached to a valve housing and formed from a bottomed cylindrical main yoke and an auxiliary yoke closing an open end of the main yoke, a coil assembly inside the yoke, a fixed core slidably fitted into a hollow portion of a bobbin and abutted against a ceiling wall of the main yoke, a movable core facing the fixed core and passing through the auxiliary yoke, and a coil spring compressed between the cores. The fixed core is abutted against the wall by a predetermined spring load and by electromagnetic attraction force between the core and wall based on coil energization. A valve rod is slidably supported in a housing hole, having one end separably abutted against an outer end of the movable core and an opposite end abutted against a valve body.
US09494240B2
A valve assembly for a dispenser for fluids including: a housing having at least an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a further opening connected or connectable to a fluid displacement mechanism, and a valve member including two parts translatably disposed within the housing, a first part for closing and opening the inlet and a second part for opening and closing the outlet.
US09494236B2
A gasket is provided with two dissimilar materials. The two different materials are used to provide different sealing characteristics. In one embodiment, the different sealing materials join to create the same or a similar profile to the profile of the individual materials. In another embodiment, the different sealing materials have the same profile but have joining portions that are complementary to one another where the two materials are joined to one another.
US09494225B2
A driven gear includes a radially outwardly extending flange. The radially outwardly extending flange extends along an axial distance defined along a center axis of the flange. The flange merges into a generally conical portion which, in turn, extends radially inwardly to a hub. The hub extends to a remote end. A first distance defined between the remote end of the hub and an end of the flange faces the remote end. A second distance is defined between ends of the flange, with gear teeth formed at an outer periphery. A ratio of the first distance to the second distance is between 2.54 and 2.82. An oil pump, a rotating portion for an electrical generator, and a generator are also disclosed.
US09494221B2
A torque converter includes an impeller shell and a backing plate defining at least a portion of a first hydraulic chamber, a cover and a piston plate defining at least a portion of a second hydraulic chamber, and a third hydraulic chamber. The third chamber is sealed from the first and second hydraulic chambers such that a hydraulic flow between the third chamber and the other chambers is at least restricted. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a turbine, a stator, and an impeller disposed within the first hydraulic chamber, and a lockup clutch including a piston plate. The first chamber is for being pressurized to prevent cavitation in the turbine, stator, or impeller, the second or third chamber is for being pressurized to engage the lockup clutch, and the other of the second or third chamber is for being de-pressurized to reduce a back pressure on the lockup clutch piston plate.
US09494214B2
To provide a metal chain having reduced weight and size but uncompromized strength, and manufacturable/assemblable with reduced work burden and cost. A metal chain is formed by coupling together a plurality of inner links and outer links alternately and pivotably in a longitudinal direction of the chain. Each of the outer link includes a pair of front and back pins and a pair of left and right outer plates. Each of the inner links includes a pair of front and back bushings and a pair of left and right inner plates. The pair of front and back bushings and the pair of left and right inner plates of the inner link are integrally formed as one component.
US09494212B2
Transverse segment (32) for a drive belt (3) for a continuous variable transmission provided with two cut-outs (33) that are each bounded in one direction by a radially outwardly facing saddle surface (42) of the transverse segment (32), which saddle surface (42) is convexly curved according to a local radius of curvature that, at least on average, is smaller on a first axial side of the saddle surface (42) relative to a geometric midpoint (MP) thereof, as compared to an average local radius of curvature of the respectively opposite axial side of the saddle surface (42).
US09494208B2
The damping device includes: a fixed cylinder that is configured to be fixed to a first structural body and formed into a cylindrical shape so as to comprise a hollow portion; a shaft member that is configured to be fixed to a second structural body, the shaft member being housed in the hollow portion of the fixed cylinder and having an outer peripheral surface provided with a helical thread groove; a nut member that is threadedly engaged with the shaft member, and converts an axial motion of the shaft member into a rotational motion; a rotor member that is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to cover the fixed cylinder and to form a cylindrical accommodation chamber between the rotor member and an outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder, and is rotated by the nut member; and viscous fluid that is sealed in the cylindrical accommodation chamber.
US09494206B2
A vibration damping insert configured to seat within a cell of a cellular structure and to span the cell cavity. The insert comprises a first portion formed of a first material and a second portion formed of a second material having lower stiffness than the first material. The first portion is arranged to constrain deformation of the second portion to be in a predetermined direction. The invention also comprises a vibration damping body comprising a cellular structure formed of a plurality of tessellating cells and a vibration damping insert as described. The vibration damping insert is mounted in at least one of the cells in the cellular structure. The invention also comprises a method of manufacturing a vibration damping body.
US09494203B2
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for detecting a touch point of a clutch and the method includes: maintaining a touch point of the clutch; correcting a setting value for determining a lowest value by calculating drag torque using a speed and an acceleration of a input shaft to change a detection range of the touch point; setting the lowest value of the speed of the input shaft within the changed detection range of the touch point to a reference value of the input shaft after actuating the clutch; releasing the clutch when the speed of the input shaft is more than a value acquired by adding the reference value of the input shaft and the corrected setting value for determining the lowest value; and updating the touch point as a clutch position matched to the reference value.
US09494198B2
A constant velocity (CV) joint includes a conical shield to protect a J-boot from damage due to projectiles such as stones. In order to facilitate vehicle assembly, the conical shield is divided into a number of leaves which each flex radially to permit installation of bolts. When the CV joint is shipped to the vehicle assembly plant, a band is installed to hold the leaves in a stowed position. Once the bolts have been installed to attach the CV joint to a driveline component, the band is removed and the leaves flex to a deployed position in which they protect the J-boot.
US09494196B2
A bearing device, comprising a bearing including an inner ring and an outer ring centered on a central axis, an impulse ring including a target holder which is fixed to the inner ring and extends beyond the outer ring radially to the central axis, and a target which is fixed to the target holder beyond the outer ring and is adapted to cooperate with detection means for tracking the rotation of the impulse ring around the central axis, and shifting means for axially shifting the impulse ring relative to the outer ring; the shifting means are distinct from the target holder. A sensor-bearing unit and an apparatus comprising at least one such bearing device are also disclosed and claimed.
US09494192B2
A hoop including a cylinder which, so that the hoop can be mounted around a shaft, is formed by multiple parts that are assembled together using steps that can produce an assembly without deformation of an external surface of the cylinder. A ring, of which an external surface forms the internal surface of a bearing and which, so that it can be secured to the external wall of the cylinder, is formed by multiple elements that are secured to the cylinder by securing devices that can maintain a machining tolerance of the external surface of the ring.
US09494186B2
A rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system is disclosed. The system can include joint constraint hardware, such as a first component and a second component. The first component can have a rotational interface, and a constraint feature associated with the rotational interface. The second component can have a socket operable with the rotational interface to facilitate relative movement of the first component and the second component in at least one rotational degree of freedom. The second component can form an opening configured to facilitate movement of the constraint feature therein upon the relative movement of the first component and the second component. The rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system can also include a locking mechanism operable with the constraint feature. Movement of the constraint feature within the opening can be preventable by the locking mechanism to constrain the relative movement of the first component and the second component.
US09494183B2
A wearable lightweight fire fighter's personal escape system and method includes a rope, having a distal and proximal end, organized in parallel segments disposed in an inner pouch. The inner pouch is entirely contained in an outer pouch that is appointed to be removably attached to a belt or harness, worn by a fire fighter. The proximal end of the rope exits through an opening in the inner pouch and outer pouch and is attached directly to a lightweight hook, or optionally enters a belay device. The hook has a sharp point for creating a purchase point on soft surfaces, a hook opening having sufficient diameter to surround radiators, steam pipe and the like, and capture rope that surrounds substantial objects. The hook has a central opening appointed for holding a firefighting tool to aid in creating a substantial object. The fire fighter escapes by creating a purchase point and repelling at a high speed or at a controlled speed by adjusting belay friction.
US09494182B2
To provide a fastener having a high anti-loosening effect. A fastener has a thread structure including an upper portion of the crest and a bottom portion at the groove. The upper portion has a load flank surface inclined from the standard load flank surface toward the fastener seat while the bottom has an undercut on at least one of the groove side lower than the extension of the corresponding flank surface.
US09494180B2
A bolt-locking apparatus includes a plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 which are relatively non-rotatably fitted to heads of a plurality of bolts 5, and an engaging member 4 fitted to the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3 such that the engaging member 4 straddles the fitting members 2 and 3. Outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the fitting members 2 and 3 are non-circular in shape. The engaging member 4 includes a plurality of engaging holes (non-circular engaging portions) 8a and 8b which correspond to the non-circular outer peripheral surfaces 2b and 3b of the plurality of fitting members 2 and 3.
US09494172B2
A vehicle brake device is provided with a master cylinder, a master piston slidably arranged in the master cylinder, an input piston slidably arranged in the master cylinder to be separated from the master piston and defining a separation chamber, an input piston moving amount detecting section for detecting the moving amount of the input piston, a master piston moving amount calculating section for calculating the moving amount of the master piston based on the moving amount of the input piston, and a contact inferring section for inferring the contact of the input piston with the master piston based on the moving amount of the input piston and the moving amount of the master piston.
US09494171B2
A valve housing of a multiple valve device is formed by being split into two parts, that is, a first housing block and a second housing block abutting against and separated away from each other at positions of facing joining surfaces. Three or more spool sliding bores are provided on the first housing block forming a three-dimensional structure. The other spool sliding bores are provided on the second housing block forming a three-dimensional structure. A relief valve for suppressing maximum pressures in a plurality of oil passages to a predetermined set pressure or less is provided on one of the first and second housing blocks. This relief valve is arranged at a position closer to the joining surfaces than each of the spool sliding bores provided in the one of housing blocks.
US09494167B2
The hydraulic apparatus includes: at least a pumping device for pumping a fluid at a first pressure; at least a user device of the fluid at the first pressure; at least an emergency supply device connectable to the user device activating a connection; at least an activation device of the connection that can be operated at a second pressure of the fluid different from the first pressure and interposed between the user device and the emergency supply device, the activation device having an emergency configuration wherein both the pumping device and the emergency supply device are connected to the user device.
US09494164B2
A turbine-pump system adapted for use with well liquid that is displaceable within a well conduit. The turbine-pump system may include a bowl assembly; and a bowl support device fixedly attachable to the bowl assembly and selectively engageable with the well conduit for holding a portion of the bowl assembly in substantially axially, radially and rotationally fixed relationship with the well conduit.
US09494163B2
A turbocharger includes: a suction passage into which a fluid is sucked from outside of a compressor housing; an outlet passage that guides the fluid, which is sucked through the suction passage and compressed, to the outside of the compressor housing; an opening portion formed in a wall surface of the compressor housing and serving as an opening of the suction passage; a return passage which makes the outlet passage and the suction passage communicate with each other through the opening portion, thereby returning the compressed fluid from the outlet passage to the suction passage; and an air bypass valve which opens and closes the opening portion. A level of a bottom surface of the return passage located on a vertically lower side therein declines from the outlet passage toward the suction passage without ever rising.
US09494156B2
A pump that includes a pump body 10 which sucks in air from an inlet 7 and discharges the air; a hydraulic pump which pressure-feeds a lubricating oil to the pump body 10 in accordance with the driving of the pump body 10; a non-return valve 70 which is disposed in a valve accommodation portion 6 between the inlet 7 and the pump body 10 to open and close the valve accommodation portion 6; an air introduction path 19 which introduces air into a cylinder 74 of the non-return valve 70; and an air introduction valve 60 which opens the air introduction path 19 when the hydraulic pump is not operating. When the pump body 10 is stopped, the non-return valve 70 closes the inlet 7 in response to a difference in pressure between the pressure of the valve accommodation portion 6 reduced to a value equal to or less than atmospheric pressure by the operation of the pump body 10, and the pressure of the air introduced into the cylinder 74 by the opening of the air introduction valve 60 owing to the stoppage of the hydraulic pump associated with the stoppage of the pump body 10.
US09494144B2
A piston pump for a high-pressure cleaning appliance is provided, including a pump block having a plurality of pump chambers, into each of which one piston plunges, and including a pump head having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet, each pump chamber in flow connection via a suction valve with the suction inlet and via a pressure valve with the pressure outlet, and including a clamping bracket engaging around the pump head. The piston pump can have a single U-shaped clamping bracket oriented symmetrically in relation to the longitudinal pump axis, and the pump head and the pump block form between them downstream of the pressure valves a pressure chamber in which a central, piston-like insert part is arranged, the insert part being surrounded by a sealing element and having a passage, and a pressure line oriented coaxially with the longitudinal pump axis being arranged downstream of the passage.
US09494143B1
Ion optics for use in a conventional or annular or other shaped ion thruster are disclosed including a plurality of planar, spaced apart ion optic electrode pairs sized to include a diameter smaller than the diameter of thruster exhaust and retained in, on or otherwise associated with a frame across the thruster exhaust. An electrical connection may be provided for establishing electrical connectivity among a set of first upstream electrodes and an electrical connection may be provided for establishing electrical connectivity among the second downstream electrodes.
US09494138B2
A variable speed wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine comprises a generator, a power converter for converting at least a portion of electrical power generated by the generator, an energy management arrangement coupled to the power converter, the energy management arrangement comprises an energy storage unit, and a controller. The controller is adapted to detect a power imbalance event and to transfer at least a portion of excess electrical energy generated by the generator to the energy storage unit to be stored therein when the power imbalance event is detected.
US09494135B2
A wind turbine blade with a blade attachment is provided. A tip end of the wind turbine blade is connected with the blade attachment by a glue-interface. The glue-interface is arranged between the tip end of the blade and the blade attachment. The glue-interface is arranged in a circumferential manner in view to the tip end of the blade and in view to the blade attachment. The blade attachment includes a core with a surface, while the core is surrounded by this surface.The blade attachment, which comprises the core and the surface, is completely made of one foam, showing at least two different densities. That part of the surface of the core, which is arranged adjacent to the glue-interface, is made of foam with a first density, while the chosen first density prevents the infusion of water from the glue-interface into the core.
US09494120B2
A chainsaw includes: an engine unit; a fuel supplying device configured to supply fuel to the engine unit; and an engine chamber defining portion defining an engine chamber therein. The engine unit includes: a cylinder unit housing a piston therein; a crankshaft configured to be driven by the piston; and a crank case configured to support the cylinder unit and house the crankshaft therein. The cylinder unit is accommodated in the engine chamber. The engine chamber defining portion has a partitioning portion interposed between the cylinder unit and the fuel supplying device and is formed with a first engine chamber venthole and a second engine chamber venthole adjacent to the cylinder unit for achieving ventilation between the engine chamber and atmosphere.
US09494119B2
A fuel injector injecting a fuel toward a combustion chamber mounted to a gasoline engine is provided with plural injection ports through which the fuel is injected. Each injection port includes an injection-port axial line limiting a pointing direction of the injection port, and the injection-port axial lines point to different directions. The injection ports include at least one intake injection port the injection-port axial line of which points to an intake space in the combustion chamber between a top surface of a piston of the internal combustion engine and an intake valve of the internal combustion engine. The intake injection port is defined by an inner peripheral wall surface extending in the injection-port axial line of the intake injection port and having a straight shape. The injection ports further include at least one exhaust injection port the injection-port axial line of which points to an exhaust space in the combustion chamber between the top surface of the piston of the internal combustion engine and an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine. The exhaust injection port is defined by an inner peripheral wall surface separated from the injection-port axial line of the exhaust injection port toward an outlet opening and having an enlarged shape toward the outlet opening.
US09494117B2
A valve assembly for an injection valve includes a valve body having a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion; a hollow valve needle axially movable in the cavity between open and closed positions to control fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion, wherein fluid can flow from the fluid inlet portion into the hollow valve needle; and an actuator assembly that actuates the valve needle and includes an axially movable armature. The valve needle includes first orifice(s) between the armature and the fluid outlet portion and second orifice(s) located adjacent or upstream of the armature. The first and second orifices allow fluid flow between the hollow valve needle and the cavity. A first gap defined between the valve needle and the armature allows fluid flow from the hollow valve needle via the second orifice into the first gap and further into the cavity.
US09494116B2
The invention relates to a fuel injector having a nozzle body (I) and having an injector body (2). In the nozzle body (I) there is formed a high-pressure bore (3) for accommodating a nozzle needle (4) which can perform a stroke movement and via the stroke movement of which at least one injection opening (5) can be opened up or closed off, the fuel injector further including a low pressure chamber (6) coupled to the needle (4) via a coupling device (8) having a first and a second disk-shaped coupler body (9, 10), the low pressure chamber (6) accommodating a piezoelectric actuator (7).
US09494109B2
A hanger for suspending a liner within an exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine comprises a bracket, a disk and a rod. The bracket is for connecting to an exhaust duct liner of the gas turbine exhaust system. The disk is slidably engaged with the bracket. The rod is for connecting to an exhaust duct of the gas turbine engine. The rod is pivotably connected to the disk.
US09494091B2
A driving force control system for vehicle for controlling a target speed of an engine serving as a prime mover by selecting a control mode based on an index representing a driving preference of a driver. The control mode is selected from a first mode for operating the engine to achieve the target speed while optimizing a fuel economy, and a second mode for operating the engine to achieve the target speed at a speed lower than that achieved while optimizing the fuel economy. The driving force control system is configured to determine a lower limit speed of the engine based on the index provided that the second mode is selected, and to restrict a lower limit value of the target speed of the engine to the lower limit speed in case the target speed of the engine exceeds the lower limit speed under the second mode.
US09494084B2
A gas turbine engine includes a fan section with twenty (20) or less fan blades and a fan pressure ratio less than about 1.45.
US09494080B2
A fuel pumping unit has a low pressure pump, a high pressure pump, and a drive input which drives the low and high pressure pumps. The low pressure pump supplies, in use, fuel at a boosted pressure to the high pressure pump. The fuel pumping unit further has a low pressure housing containing the low pressure pump, and a high pressure housing containing the high pressure pump. The housings are joined together at a housing interface. The drive input is contained in one of the housings, whereby drive from the drive input is transferred across the interface to the pump in the other housing. The housing interface includes a gap which interposes between the high pressure pump and the low pressure pump. A layer of substantially stagnant fuel is trapped, in use, in the gap to reduce heat transfer from the high pressure pump to the low pressure pump.
US09494077B2
A gas turbine engine for propelling an aircraft, including a low pressure rotary body including low pressure turbine rotor blades, an intermediate rotary body including intermediate turbine rotor blades, a high pressure rotary body including high pressure turbine rotor blades, an air flow flowing through the engine from upstream to downstream. The at least one intermediate turbine rotor blade is followed directly downstream by a low pressure turbine rotor blade so as to straighten air flow deflected by the intermediate turbine rotor blade.
US09494075B2
A four-cycle internal combustion engine has a single or multi-stage pre-cooled compression, which allows the temperature and pressure of intake air to the combustion cylinders to be tightly controlled, so that a much higher compression ratio and pre-ignition compression pressure can be achieved without approaching the air/fuel mixture auto-ignition threshold. The minimal threshold pressure of air intake is determined to be >1.8 Bars at sea level and a minimal temperature drop of at least 50° C. at the heat exchanger air cooling radiator. Because this design can effectively regulate and set the maximum pre-ignition temperature of the fuel-air mixture, it can combust virtually any type of liquid hydrocarbon fuel without knocking. This four-cycle engine, due to its higher compression ratio, generates power equivalent to or greater than a standard four-cycle engine in a smaller and lighter engine and at a higher efficiency.
US09494068B2
This invention relates generally to uses of novel nanomaterial composition and the systems in which they are used, and more particularly to nanomaterial compositions generally comprising carbon and a metal, which composition can be exposed to pulsed emissions to react, activate, combine, or sinter the nanomaterial composition. The nanomaterial compositions can alternatively be utilized at ambient temperature or under other means to cause such reaction, activation, combination, or sintering to occur.
US09494065B2
Provided is an apparatus for processing exhaust fluid in which a fluid generated in a process chamber of an apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor, a display panel, or a solar cell is ejected to the outside. The apparatus for processing exhaust fluid includes: a vacuum pump that is connected to the process chamber, vacuumizes the inside of the process chamber, and ejects the fluid generated in the process chamber to the outside; and a plasma reactor in which plasma is formed and the fluid generated in the process chamber decomposes, wherein the plasma reactor includes: an insulating conduit that is provided between the process chamber and the vacuum pump and provides a space in which the fluid decomposes; at least one electrode unit that is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the conduit and receives a voltage to form the plasma; a buffer unit that is formed of an electrically conductive elastic substance and is disposed between the conduit and the electrode unit to attach the conduit and the electrode unit closely together; and an external pipe into which the conduit, electrode unit and buffer unit are inserted with sealing flanges provided on both end portions of the conduit and external pipe to seal a space between the conduit and the external pipe to prevent fluid process by-products from leaking out should the conduit crack or is damaged.
US09494054B2
An auxiliary steam generator system for a power plant, comprising a water-steam circuit, which has a condensate line and a feed-water line, wherein a condensate pump is connected in the condensate line and a feed-water pump is connected in the feed-water line, and wherein a pressure accumulating vessel is connected between the condensate pump and the feed-water pump, and wherein a feed-water take-off line is connected to the water-steam circuit at a branch-off point after the pressure accumulating vessel is provided. The feed-water take-off line is connected to the pressure accumulating vessel and a heating device is connected in the feed-water take-off line.
US09494045B2
An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) having a turbine (2) which is provided with a variable turbine geometry (18) and/or a wastegate; and having an actuator (11) which is connected to the variable turbine geometry (18) and/or the wastegate via a coupling rod (14; 14′; 14″). The coupling rod (14; 14′) is connected at its end regions (21, 22) at one side to the actuator (11) and at the other side to a pin (19) of an adjusting shaft arrangement (23; 26) of the variable turbine geometry (18) and/or of the wastegate. The pin (19) of the adjusting shaft arrangement (23; 26) is in the form of a bayonet pin, and that end region (22) of the coupling rod (14) which interacts with the pin (19) is in the form of a bayonet receptacle (24; 27) which is matched to the bayonet pin (19).
US09494043B1
A turbine blade includes an airfoil and a shroud coupled to a tip of the airfoil. The shroud includes a mid portion positioned directly above the tip of the airfoil. The mid portion includes a ramped radially outer surface extending from a first edge to a second edge in the direction from a pressure side toward a suction side of the airfoil, the second edge being positioned further radially inward than the first edge. In a first aspect, the shroud may include a curved pressure side portion positioned upstream of the pressure side of the airfoil, the pressure side portion being curved radially inward. In a second aspect, the shroud may include a curved suction side portion positioned downstream of the suction side of the airfoil, the suction side portion being curved radially outward.
US09494040B2
A turbine engine blade removal apparatus with a pair of opposed outwardly biased blocks are positioned proximal a blade root and corresponding rotor disc slot between opposed axial faces of the subject first rotor disc and an adjoining second rotor disc. The blocks are outwardly biased in abutting contact with first and second rotor disc axial faces, aligning an aperture of a guide bushing with an exposed axial face of the blade root, the guide bushing coupled to at least the first block. A punch is inserted in the guide bushing aperture so that a punch tip is in abutting relationship with the blade root axial face. An impact tool drives an opposite impact end of the punch, causing the punch to direct a relative driving force on the blade root, separating the blade root from the corresponding rotor disc slot.
US09494038B2
A bladed reactor for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons comprises a rotor with blades that form an axial-flow blade cascade, a fixed torus-shaped hoop that adjoins the tips of the blades, and a housing that encloses the hoop and a rotor periphery so that a passage having a ring shape of its meridian section is formed. One or more partitions are installed in the passage, an inlet port is located directly after each partition while an outlet port is located directly in front of each partition. Nozzle vanes forming a nozzle cascade are installed upstream of the blade cascade, and diffusing vanes forming a diffusing cascade are installed downstream of the blade cascade. There is a vaneless space between the exit from the diffusing cascade and the entry into the nozzle cascade. A group of nozzle vanes arranged directly after each partition may be separated off from the remaining nozzle vanes by a bulkhead so that a channel is formed which connects the corresponding inlet port with separated group of nozzle vanes to simplify the reactor starting.
US09494035B2
A fluid pressure pulse generator comprising a stator and rotor that can be used in measurement while drilling using mud pulse or pressure pulse telemetry is disclosed. The stator comprises a stator body with a circular opening therethrough and the rotor comprises a circular rotor body rotatably received in the circular opening of the stator body. One of the stator body or the rotor body comprises one or more than one fluid opening for flow of fluid therethrough and the other of the stator body or the rotor body comprises one or more than one full flow chamber. The rotor is rotatable between a full flow configuration whereby the full flow chamber and the fluid opening align so that fluid flows from the full flow chamber through the fluid opening, and a reduced flow configuration whereby the full flow chamber and the fluid opening are not aligned. The flow of fluid through the fluid opening in the reduced flow configuration is less than the flow of fluid through the fluid opening in the full flow configuration thereby generating a fluid pressure pulse.
US09494033B2
A method and apparatus for detecting a kick in a wellbore using acoustic transducers. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a kick in a wellbore includes a drill string having a plurality of sections of drill pipes and a plurality of kick detection subs disposed between the sections of drill pipes. Each of the kick detection subs includes an acoustic transducer and kick detection circuitry coupled to the acoustic transducer. The kick detection circuitry is configured to detect gas bubbles in the wellbore based on acoustic signals received by the acoustic transducer. The kick detection circuitry is also configured to determine whether a kick is present in the wellbore based on the detected gas bubbles. The kick detection circuitry is further configured to transmit information indicating whether a kick is present to the surface.
US09494024B2
A heater includes a heater housing with a fuel cell stack assembly disposed therein. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell manifold for receiving the fuel within a fuel inlet and the oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent inlet and distributing the fuel and oxidizing agent to the fuel cells. A fuel supply conduit supplies the fuel to the fuel inlet and an oxidizing agent supply conduit supplies the oxidizing agent to the oxidizing agent inlet. A sonic orifice is disposed between the fuel supply conduit and the fuel inlet or between the oxidizing agent supply conduit and the oxidizing agent inlet, thereby limiting the velocity of the fuel or the oxidizing agent through the sonic orifice.
US09494008B2
A segmented seat adapted to be placed in subterranean wellbore equipment and engaged by an obturator. The segmented seat includes an annular body that is radially divided into a plurality of separate segments, the annular body defining a central bore extending axially therethrough, a generally cylindrical outer wall, and an end wall; an annular seat formed on the end wall and extending about the central bore of the annular body, the annular seat being of a size and shape to engage the obturator; at least one recess formed into each of the segments and offset from the outer wall of the annular body so that at least a portion of the annular body is located radially between the outer wall and the recess; and a non-metallic material disposed within the recess and joining adjacent segments together.
US09494003B1
An improved downhole well control tool (“WCT”) allows for the control of in-situ fluid flow from a production well having one or more production zones. The WCT is installed in a tubing string in a zone to be controlled. An extensible flow is provided having a threaded connection on its lower end for coupling a pressure gauge or other instrumentation. The extensible flow nipple at its upper end is coupled to a lock body, thereby forming a fully-assembled extensible seal. The seal stem and the gauge may then be lowered using wireline tool into engagement with a tubular sub-assembly having a port. Advantageously, the exterior lateral channels of the extensible flow nipple seal the ports in the tubular sub-assembly. Then, for example, a pressure test may be performed.
US09494002B2
A latching assembly has a tubular housing having an inner surface that defines an inner bore and an outer surface. A latch moves between a latch position that extends out from the outer surface and an unlatched position that is retracted from the latch position. A latching actuator moves between a first axial position that moves the latch to the latch position and a second axial position that moves the latch to the unlatched position. A manual release moves axially in response to a mechanical force to selectively move the latching actuator to the second axial position.
US09493986B2
Injection of gas into a managed pressure drilling system to provide for operation of the drilling system in a downhole pressure window defined by the pore pressure of a formation being drilled and a fracture pressure of the formation. Gas injection being controlled so as to produce the desired downhole pressure without causing large oscillations in borehole pressure.
US09493982B2
The present invention provides a mechanism for controlling the spacing between louvers, e.g. in a blind. The louvers are secured to a top rail and a bottom rail. The connections are at an angle to each other so that the louvers are naturally twisted. The louvers extend through slots in a comb 16 that can be moved up and down the louvers. The function of the comb is to alter the position of the twist as it is moved up and down the louvers, thereby opening and closing the blind.
US09493978B2
An auxiliary pane is attached to a window having an existing primary window pane using a plurality of mounting members, each formed of a first flange and a second flange joined perpendicularly to one another at an apex so as to be substantially L-shaped. The first flange of each mounting member is secured to an inner frame surface of the perimeter frame of the window using a curable adhesive material. A gauge having first and second gauge surfaces at a prescribed distance is used to align the second flanges of the mounting members into a common plane by abutting the first gauge surface against the primary window pane and adjusting each mounting member to abut the second flange thereof to the second gauge surface of the gauge before the curable adhesive material has cured. Once cured, the auxiliary pane is magnetically coupled to the second flanges of the mounting members.
US09493974B2
A damper device for a furniture hinge. Damper device may comprise a movable cup seat provided on the furniture door body and a base provided on the main body of furniture. The base may be connected with one end of the hinge arm. Another end of the hinge arm may be hinged with the movable cup seat. A damping mechanism may be mounted in the cup body of the movable cup seat through a fixing seat. The shape of the fixing seat may match with the cup body. A slide slot may be provided on the fixing seat, permitting the damping mechanism to linearly slide on the slide slot. A working slope for closing hinge may be provided on the damping mechanism and/or hinge arm, so that both the damping mechanism and the hinge arm are connected at least when the hinge is closed.
US09493969B2
An outside door handle device for a vehicle may include a handle base having a hinge hole and a lever hole on opposite sides thereof, respectively, and having a shaft coupling part and a slider groove on the side of the lever hole, a door handle having, on opposite sides thereof, respectively, a handle hinge to be inserted into the hinge hole and a handle lever to be inserted into the lever hole, a slider slidably mounted along the slider groove and coupled with the handle lever when the handle lever may be inserted into the lever hole, and a balance weight having a balance shaft to be rotatably inserted into the shaft coupling part and a balance lever to which an operation force of the door handle may be selectively transmitted.
US09493962B2
An umbrella stand is used to mount umbrellas or flags to tables, vehicles, structures, and various structures. The umbrella stand includes a mounting assembly and a rod holder. The rod holder is used to attach an umbrella or flag to the umbrella stand. The mounting assembly is used to secure the umbrella or flag to a surface. The mounting assembly includes a support plate, a first mounting plate and a first mounting fastener. The support plate is used as a base. The first mounting plate and the first mounting fastener connect to the support plate and help secure the support plate to a surface. The rod holder includes a holder tube and a plurality of holder fasteners. The holder tube is connected to the support plate and houses the shaft of an umbrella or a flagpole. The plurality of holder fasteners secure the umbrella shaft or the flagpole in place.
US09493952B2
A synthetic roofing material for a roofing tile and a method of extruding a resinous polymeric precursor of an exterior polymeric sheet for one or more roofing tiles; and applying a weather durable coloring matter on a surface of the precursor, wherein the cooling matter comprises one or more pigment colors in a variegated surface coloration pattern, which simulates a distinctive coloration of a natural material. The precursor is impressed with surface topography features and a surface roughness that simulate the surface features of the natural material.
US09493950B2
A composite steel I-beam member. The member includes confined top and bottom flanges, and a composite laminated web. The confined flange comprises a wooden core and a metal jacket wrapped around an outer perimeter of the wooden core. The overall load carrying capacity of the composite I-beam is significantly increased through a list of composite actions occurring in the individual components and their connections. Most importantly, a two-way lateral interaction can be normal to the interface between the metal jacket and the wooden core and provide an amount of compressive support to the top flange surpassing the sum of amount of support provided by the metal jacket and the wooden core when being used separately.
US09493949B2
A passive ventilation panel and system, in particular for use in doors, ceilings, walls and partitions enables an exchange of supply and return air for at least one room or a room, without the need for additional ventilation equipment, such as ducts, and without the needs to install wall openings or grills for the supply and exhaust air in the space.
US09493945B2
Disclosed is a connecting system for connecting wall panels to the support frame, and more particularly to the rigid corner support posts of a support frame, of a modular building unit. The connecting system includes a modular bracket assembly and is configured so that two modular connecting brackets attach to each corner vertical support column, which modular brackets are configured to receive the vertical edge of a wall panel. The brackets themselves are configured for easy replacement and/or adjustment through minimal effort, are fully symmetrical to allow use of bracket elements at varied locations, and may be replaced or adjusted particularly without removing, altering, or otherwise disturbing the corner vertical support column of the frame of the modular building unit.
US09493936B2
An apparatus for detecting wear in a flush valve includes at least one programmed controller. The flush valve comprises at least one pressure sensor and a valve element, and operates when an internal pressure causes the valve element to open. The controller is programmed to record at least one water pressure detected within the flush valve with the at least one pressure sensor after at least one operation of the flush valve, record a water pressure detected within the flush valve after a subsequent operation of the flush valve, and determine if the flush valve is faulty based at least partially on a comparison between the at least one water pressure detected after the at least one operation of the flush valve and the water pressure detected after the subsequent operation of the flush valve.
US09493933B2
A sink drain pedestal strainer with a central longitudinal axis includes a pedestal extending upwardly away from a base. The pedestal includes a perforate sidewall to facilitate flow of water toward the inner periphery of the base, and a perforate upper wall extending radially inwardly from the sidewall.
US09493920B2
A snowthrower includes a body, a chute rotatable relative to the body among a plurality of chute positions, wherein the chute is configured to discharge snow from the snowthrower, a motor for rotating the chute, a user input device configured to set a preferred chute bearing, and an electronic control unit configured to control the motor to automatically rotate the chute to an appropriate chute position to maintain the chute at the preferred chute bearing without additional input from the user input device.
US09493918B1
An apparatus includes a frangible base having a base top, a base bottom, and sides. The bottom including a plurality of openings for joining the frangible base to a surface and for passing wiring into the frangible base. The sides having at least one opening for accessing an interior of the frangible base. A stand pipe includes a pipe top, a pipe bottom, and mounting points disposed on a side of the stand pipe. The pipe bottom is configured for joining to the base top. The mounting points are configured for joining to a signaling equipment. A tether is joinable to the frangible base and the surface, wherein the tether is operable for maintaining the apparatus within a locality of a place on the surface, where the frangible base is joined to, upon a breakage of the frangible base.
US09493908B2
Methods and treatment compositions for imparting durable antimicrobial properties to carpet are provided. The method includes applying a composition comprising a first antimicrobial compound and a fluoropolymer to the carpet substrate. The carpet substrate may be steamed thereafter. The treatment composition may comprise a fluoropolymer, an antimicrobial compound selected from a group consisting of zinc pyrithione, a silver-containing antimicrobial compound and combinations thereof, and a foamer. Carpet products treated with the treatment composition or treated in accordance with the methods are also provided.
US09493903B2
An impeller assembly including a housing and an impeller is provided. The impeller is positioned within a volute of the housing and includes a hub and a plurality of blades. The plurality of blades are spaced about the hub along a circumferential direction of the impeller. The plurality of blades include a first pair of blades and a second pair blades. The first pair blades defines a first gap along the circumferential direction at a radially outer portion, and the second pair blades defines a second gap along the circumferential direction at a radially outer portion. The first gap is unequal to the second gap in order to reduce an amount of noise generated by the impeller assembly.
US09493889B2
The disclosure relates to a method for the crystallogenesis of a material that is electrically conducting at the molten state, by drawing from a molten mass of the material in a crucible, that comprises: progressively subjecting the molten material to a decreasing temperature so that a liquid-solid interface is formed; controlling the flatness of the liquid-solid interface of the material; subjecting the molten material, before and during solidification, to an electromagnetic kneading; the method including that the electromagnetic kneading is obtained by applying an alternating magnetic field. The disclosure also relates to a device for implementing the method.
US09493887B1
Disclosed are heterogeneous crystals for use in a laser cavity and methods of forming the crystals. A crystal can be a monolithic crystal containing a vanadate-based activator region and a vanadate-based Q-switch. Disclosed methods include hydrothermal growth techniques for the growth of differing layers on a host. A YVO4 host material can be doped in one region with a suitable active lasing ion and can be formed with another region that is doped with a saturable absorber. Regions can be formed with controlled thickness. Following formation, a heterogeneous crystal can be cut, polished and coated with mirror films at each end for use in a laser cavity to provide short pulses of high power emissions using high frequency pulse modes.
US09493886B2
Copper electroplating methods provide low internal stress copper deposits. Concentrations of accelerators in the copper electroplating bath vary as a function of the plating current density and the low internal stress copper deposit is observed as a matt copper deposit.
US09493874B2
A method and apparatus to evenly distribute gas over a wafer in batch processing. Several techniques are disclosed, such as, but not limited to, angling an injector to distribute gas towards a proximate edge of the wafer, and/or reducing the amount of overlap in the center of the wafer of gas from subsequent gas injections.
US09493867B2
A method of manufacturing a formed aluminum alloy structural part or a body-in-white (BIW) part of a motor vehicle. The method includes: providing a rolled aluminum sheet product wherein the aluminum alloy is an AA7000-series aluminum alloy and has a gauge in a range of 0.5-4 mm and is subjected to a solution heat treatment and has been cooled, forming the aluminum alloy sheet to obtain a three-dimensional formed part, heating the three-dimensional formed part to at least one pre-ageing temperature between 50-250° C., and subjecting the formed and pre-aged motor vehicle component to a paint bake cycle.
US09493865B2
A thick-walled high-strength hot rolled steel sheet has a high tensile strength TS of 521 MPa or more and excellent low-temperature toughness. The steel material forming the sheet contains 0.02%-0.08% C, 0.01%-0.10% Nb, and 0.001%-0.05% Ti and is heated; C, Ti, and Nb satisfies (Ti+(Nb/2))/C<4.
US09493863B2
A wear-resistant alloy having a complex microstructure, which may include a range of about 28 to 38 wt % of zinc (Zn), a range of about 1 to 3 wt % of tin (Sn), a range of about 0.4 to 1.4 wt of iron (Fe) and a balance of aluminum (Al), is provided.
US09493846B2
In one embodiment, the disclosure provides methods and systems for identifying viral nucleic acids in a sample. In another embodiment the invention provides methods for viral genome assembly and viral discovery using small inhibitory RNAs, or “small silencing,” RNAs (siRNAS), micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and/or PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), including siRNAS, miRNAs and/or piRNAs isolated or sequenced from invertebrate organisms such as insects (Anthropoda), nematodes (Nemapoda), Mollusca, Porifera, and other invertebrates, and/or plants, fungi or algae, Cyanobacteria and the like.
US09493823B2
An article such as a biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon is described. The article comprises: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; (c) a polymer layer comprising brush molecules formed on the linking layer; and (d) optionally but preferably, a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.) coupled to the brush molecules. The polymer layer is preferably formed by the process of surface-initiated polymerization (SIP) of monomeric units thereon. Preferably, each of the monomeric units comprises a monomer (for example, a vinyl monomer) core group having at least one protein-resistant head group coupled thereto, to thereby form the brush molecule on the surface portion. Methods of using the articles are also described.
US09493810B2
The present disclosure relates to methods for detecting brain tumors and assessing the recurrence of such tumors by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and detecting the conversion of 5-ALA to protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) associated with brain-derived microparticles.
US09493803B2
The invention concerns the field of recombinant gene engineering. It concerns novel artificial introns and compositions comprising such introns as well as a method to improve expression of polypeptides from nucleic acids such as cloned genes, especially genes encoding antibodies and antibody derived fragments, and the production of various polypeptides in eukaryotic host cells using said novel artificial intron sequences.
US09493802B2
The invention provides recombinant GH61 proteins obtained from Myceliophtora thermophila, and nucleic acids that encode such proteins. The invention also provides protein fractions isolated from M. thermophila supernatant that have GH61 protein activity. These preparations can be used to increase yield of products from reactions in which a cellulose-containing substrate undergoes saccharification by one or more cellulase enzymes, such as endoglucanase, β-glucosidase, or cellobiohydrolase. Combinations of GH61 protein and cellulases can be used to break down cellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars in the production of ethanol.
US09493796B2
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to proceed ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US09493787B2
The present invention relates to powdery mildew resistance providing genes of the Cucumis family, and especially Cucumis sativus, wherein said resistance is provided by impairment of the present genes. Further, the present invention relates plants comprising the present impaired resistance conferring genes and seeds, embryos or other propagation material thereof. Especially, the present invention relates to powdery mildew resistance conferring genes, wherein the amino acid sequence encoded by said resistance conferring gene is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No. 2, SEQ ID No. 4, SEQ ID No. 6, SEQ ID No. 8, SEQ ID No. 10, SEQ ID No. 12, SEQ ID No. 14, SEQ ID No. 16, SEQ ID No. 18, SEQ ID No. 20 and SEQ ID No. 22, and amino acid sequences with more than 70% identity, preferably more than 80% identity, more preferably more than 90% identity, and most preferably more than 95% identity.
US09493778B2
Methods for enhancing single cross-over homologous recombination in gram positive bacteria are presented. These methods provide enhanced capability to genetically modify gram positive bacteria.
US09493777B1
The present invention provides a method for producing L-amino acids or salts thereof by fermentation using a bacterium of the family Enterobacteriaceae, particularly a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia, which has been modified to overexpress the yajL gene.
US09493765B2
Disclosed are methods and systems for subnanosecond rise time high voltage (HV) electric pulse delivery to biological loads. The system includes an imaging device and monitoring apparatus used for bio-photonic studies of pulse induced intracellular effects. The system further features a custom fabricated microscope slide having micro-machined electrodes. A printed circuit board to interface the pulse generator to the micro-machined glass slide having the cell solution is disclosed. An low-parasitic electronic setup to interface with avalanche transistor-switched pulse generation system is also disclosed. The pc-board and the slide are configured to match the output impedance of the pulse generator which minimizes reflection back into the pulse generator, and minimizes distortion of the pulse shape and pulse parameters. The pc-board further includes a high bandwidth voltage divider for real-time monitoring of pulses delivered to the cell solutions.
US09493754B2
A novel microorganism is provided named Aspergillus saccharolyticus. Further, beta-glucosidase enzymes encoded by said microorganism are provided, and the use thereof in the degradation of lignocellulosic material. Also, host organisms comprising the polypeptides of the invention and/or polynucleotides encoding these are provided. In addition, methods, compositions, and kit-of-parts are provided which comprise any component of the invention, and optionally any additional components.
US09493753B2
The object is to provide an α-glucosidase in which a transglycosylation activity predominates, and use thereof, and the like. A modified α-glucosidase consisting of an amino acid sequence in which one or two or more of the amino acid(s) is selected from a group of specific amino acids.
US09493752B2
The invention provides an endoglycosidase, referred to as EndoS49 and having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. EndoS49 was isolated from Streptococcus pyogenes strain NZ131 and is a homolog of EndoS. EndoS49 has specific endoglycosidase activity on native IgG and cleaves a larger variety of Fc glycans than EndoS. A mutant thereof where the glutamic acid at position 186 of SEQ ID NO: 1 was substituted was produced: said mutant lacks endoglycosidase activity but is capable of binding to IgG. Methods using EndoS49, deletions thereof and said mutant, especially for assessing glycosylation of IgG or for isolating IgG are disclosed.
US09493747B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions related to engineered fragments of the human transglutaminase-related protein family, described herein as engineered transglutaminase barrel proteins (ETBPs), that have utility as high affinity, high selectivity target-binding proteins offering advantages as antibody equivalents for therapeutic, analytical, manufacturing and research purposes. ETBPs differ from naturally occurring human transglutaminase fragments by the addition, deletion, replacement and/or substitution of the naturally occurring amino acid sequence. ETBPs can be easily expressed in prokaryotic cells and in many cases can be purified by a simple solubilization and precipitation method.
US09493737B2
The present invention relates to a process for providing purified bacteria-containing concentrates, comprising at least the steps of adding an aqueous solution to a first bacteria-containing concentrate to provide a bacteria-containing suspension, wherein the volume of the added aqueous solution is in the range of 0.3 liters to 10 liters per liter of said first bacteria-containing concentrate; and concentrating said bacteria-containing suspension to provide a second bacteria-containing concentrate. Further, the present invention relates to the purified concentrates per se.
US09493736B2
The present invention relates to a method for the lysis of cells, especially bacterial cells and the isolation of nucleic acids. The sample is treated with lysis solution that comprises at least one liquid that is not miscible with water and heated. Afterwards the mixture is cooled down and water is added so that after cooling a two phase system is generated. The nucleic acids can be found in the aqueous phase.
US09493731B2
In order to obtain steady erosion from soluble tablets and particularly constant dispersion of contained abrasive media, the employment of magnesium oxide and transverse interlaced polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in defined layers and the admixing of randomly scattered silicic acids is suggested.
US09493723B2
An embodiment disclosed herein provides a high-temperature lubricant comprising an oil-soluble lubricating base fluid or a water-soluble lubricating base fluid; and elongated carbon nanoparticles that align in flow. In some embodiments, the lubricating composition may be selected from the group consisting of graphene nanoribbons; carbon nanotubes; carbon nanohorns; and any combination thereof.
US09493722B2
The present invention relates to a cylinder lubricant having a BN, determined according to the ASTM D-2896 standard, of greater than or equal to 40 milligrams of potassium hydroxide per gram of lubricant, comprising a lubricant base oil for a marine engine and at least one overbased detergent that is based on alkali or alkaline-earth metals, and which also contains an amount of 0.01% to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the lubricant, of one or more compounds (A) chosen from esters of saturated fatty monoacids comprising at least 14 carbon atoms and of alcohols comprising at most 6 carbon atoms.
US09493713B2
Systems and methods for conditioning synthetic crude oils are provided herein. The systems and methods described herein subject the synthetic crude to one or more process solutions to provide conditioned synthetic crude exhibiting, for example, a reduced TAN.
US09493709B2
A hybrid fuel and methods of making the same are disclosed. A process for making a hybrid fuel includes the steps of combining a biofuel emulsion blend and a liquid fuel product to form a hybrid fuel. Optionally, the hybrid fuel can be combined with water in a water-in-oil process and include oxygenate additives and additive packages. A hybrid fuel includes blends of biofuel emulsions and liquid fuel products, including light gas diesel. Optionally, the hybrid fuel can include water, oxygenate additives, and other additive packages.
US09493708B2
A process for producing a caking additive for coke production, the process including a step of extracting a solvent deasphalted pitch that can be used as a caking additive for coke production from a residue containing at least one of an atmospheric residue obtained by atmospheric distillation of a crude oil and a vacuum residue obtained by atmospheric distillation and vacuum distillation of a crude oil, wherein the extraction is performed using, as a solvent, a light reformate obtained by catalytic reforming a naphtha fraction that is fractionated from a crude oil by atmospheric distillation of the crude oil.
US09493703B2
The present invention relates to liquid crystal media and to high-frequency components comprising same, especially microwave components for high-frequency devices, such as devices for shifting the phase of microwaves, in particular for microwave phased-array antennas.
US09493698B2
Novel phosphorescent tetradentate platinum (II) compounds are provided. The compounds contain an isoimidazole moiety, optionally further substituted with a twisted aryl. These compounds may be advantageously used in OLEDs.
US09493696B1
In some embodiments, a resin has a first domain having a first polymer. The resin has a second domain within the first domain having a second polymer and coupled to the first domain at a plurality of interfaces. The resin also has a thermally conductive filler material distributed along the plurality of interfaces. The thermally conductive filler material is present at a concentration between about 0.1 vol % and about 15 vol % of the resin.
US09493691B2
The present invention provides curable compositions that are substantially free of metal catalysts including both tin and non-tin metal catalysts. The curable compositions employ a catalyst composition comprising the combination of a (i) carbodiimide functional compound, and (ii) an amino-containing compound such as an amino silane functional compound and/or an organic amine compound. The combination of these materials, particularly when aged, accelerates the condensation curing of moisture curable silicones/non-silicones even in the absence of a metal-based catalyst.
US09493688B2
A resin composition including an alkoxysilyl group-containing hydrogenated block copolymer [3], and a hydrocarbon-based polymer [4] having a number average molecular weight of 300 to 5000, the resin composition including the hydrocarbon-based polymer [4] in an amount of 1 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the alkoxysilyl group-containing hydrogenated block copolymer [3], the alkoxysilyl group-containing hydrogenated block copolymer [3] being obtained by introducing an alkoxysilyl group into a hydrogenated block copolymer [2] that is obtained by hydrogenating 90% or more of unsaturated bonds of a block copolymer [1] that includes at least two polymer blocks [A] and at least one polymer block [B], and a ratio (wA:wB) of a weight fraction wA of the polymer block [A] in the block copolymer [1] to a weight fraction wB of the polymer block [B] in the block copolymer [1] being 30:70 to 65:35.
US09493684B2
The present invention provides a polarizer protective film excellent in optical properties (retardation and haze) and excellent in the adhesion property between a polarizer and a polarizer protective film (in particular, under high temperature and high humidity conditions). The polarizer protective film of the present invention includes a (meth)acrylic resin film and an easy-adhesion layer disposed on at least one side of the film. The easy-adhesion layer is formed from an aqueous (meth)acrylic resin dispersion.
US09493681B2
An attachment device for securing an item inside a container for shipping or storage. The attachment device can be used for a wide variety of items of varying size and shape, and allows them to be shipped in any existing box which is larger than the item. The attachment device consists of a sheet of material with bonding. The item being shipped is secured to the sheet of material, which is then bonded inside a box or container.
US09493675B2
The present invention provides, among other things, compositions with at least one dry-erase characteristic and methods thereof. In some embodiments, provided paint composition comprising a resin part comprising an epoxy, a polysiloxane and an organooxysilane; and a cure part comprising one or more amino-silanes; the resin part and the cure part being designed and selected such that, when combined together, they cure to form a clear surface coating that demonstrates at least one dry-erase characteristic, wherein the composition is substantially free of any opacifying agent or pigment.
US09493668B2
Reversible thermochromic and photochromic ink compositions and markers, pens or writing instruments that use them are herein disclosed.
US09493667B2
The UV curable ink jet recording ink composition contains a thioxanthone-based photopolymerization initiator and a hindered amine compound. The dissolved oxygen content in the ink composition is 20 ppm or less.
US09493666B2
The present disclosure provides an encapsulated visible light absorbing dye dispersion, and the process for producing the same. The present disclosure further provides an inkjet ink comprising an ink vehicle and an encapsulated visible light absorbing dye dispersion thereof, and the process for producing the same.
US09493664B2
An ink jet recording method including recording a secondary color image on a recording medium using a first ink and a second ink, wherein the first ink contains a first self-dispersible pigment having a functional group that contains a phosphonic acid group and is bonded to a particle surface of the pigment, the second ink contains a second self-dispersible pigment having a functional group that contains at least one acidic group of a sulfonic acid group and a carboxylic acid group and is bonded to a particle surface of the pigment. The method includes a step of overlappingly applying the first ink and the second ink in this order to the recording medium. The time difference between applications of the first ink and the second ink to the recording medium is 30 milliseconds or less.
US09493652B2
A polymeric film composition and a non-enzymatic glucose sensor including the functional polymeric film are provided. The polymeric film composition includes polyurethane and perfluorosulfonic acid polymer.
US09493645B2
The present invention provides a tube for transporting a fluid comprising a composition containing 100 parts by mass of (A) a thermoplastic elastomer and 1 to 500 parts by mass of (B) a carbon base filler, and it has a low vapor permeability and is excellent in an air permeation resistance and a flexibility.
US09493639B2
The present invention relates to rubber mixtures comprising respectively at least one rubber, one sulfur-containing alkoxysilane, one silicon-based filler, and one ω-mercaptocarboxylic ester of polyhydric alcohols.
US09493633B2
The present invention generally relates to the discovery that a blend of linear and branched amide wax additives can be used to enhance the performance of asphalt binders and asphalt emulsion residues. In particular, high temperature properties of asphalt pavement can be improved while maintaining or improving low temperature properties. The additives also improve workability and lower processing temperatures for asphalt paving (e.g. warm mix) or for roofing. These amide wax additives can reduce the tracking of tack coats, by decreasing binder penetration and forming a non-tacky surface layer.
US09493627B2
The present invention relates to moldable sand compositions, methods for making the moldable sand compositions, and methods for using the moldable sand compositions. In a particular embodiment, the moldable sand composition comprises between about 70% to about 95% sand, between about 5% to about 30% water, a polar polymeric resin, a crosslinking agent, and a humectant. In an exemplary embodiment, the composition contains no oils, waxes, glycols, or rubbers. The composition is capable of becoming hardened over time in order to maintain the achieved shape, and can be re-wetted and molded again after becoming hardened.
US09493618B2
A dispersion of polymer microparticles in organic liquid obtainable by a process comprising the steps of i) providing a mixture comprising a first polymer having functional groups capable of reacting with the carboxylic acid and/or carboxylic acid anhydride groups of a second, polypropylene polymer ii) causing the polymers to melt at a chosen temperature under conditions of high shear, preferably in an extruder, to form an intimate mixture iii) causing the carboxylic acid and/or carboxylic acid anhydride groups of the polypropylene polymer to react with at least some of the functional groups of the first polymer, under conditions of high shear, preferably in an extruder iv) diluting the resulting mixture of step iii) with an organic liquid at a temperature such that a substantially homogeneous solution is formed v) cooling the solution to a temperature whereby the polymer microparticles of the dispersion are formed.
US09493617B2
One-part thermosetting binder compositions are described that may include soy protein, a first crosslinking compound, and a second crosslinking compound different from the first crosslinking compound. Upon curing, the first and second crosslinking compounds covalently bond to each other and to the soy protein to form a thermoset binder. Also describe are fiber-containing products that include a plurality of fibers and a formaldehyde-free binder. The formaldehyde-free binder is formed from a one-part, thermosetting binder composition that includes soy protein, a first crosslinking compound, and a second crosslinking compound different from the first crosslinking compound. Upon curing, the first and second crosslinking compounds covalently bond to each other and to the soy protein to form a thermoset binder.
US09493614B2
The present invention is based on a polyimide precursor having unit structures represented by general formula (1) and unit structures represented by general formula (2), provides a polyimide precursor for which film whitening, cracking and bubbling do not occur regardless of film baking conditions, and provides a flexible TFT array, a flexible color filter, and a flexible substrate with a gas barrier layer using the polyimide precursor, and a flexible display device, etc. using same. (In general formulas (1) and (2), X1-X4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, C1 to C10 monovalent organic group or C1 to C10 monovalent alkylsilyl group. R1 is represented by general formula (3) and R2 is represented by general formula (4).) (In general formula (4), R3 and R4 each independently represents a C1 to C10 monovalent organic group.)
US09493598B2
Polymers are described that are polymerized from at least one reactive vinyl monomer having acid functionality or a salt thereof, and at least one reactive vinyl monomer having amide functionality. These polymers have a molecular weight from about 500 Da to about 15,000 Da; and may additionally comprise one or more solvent adducts. These polymers may be included in compositions that find use in oilfield applications, such as for inhibition and/or prevention of gas hydrates and/or corrosion.
US09493593B2
The present invention relates to a long-chain branched elastic terpolymer capable of satisfying excellent processability and elasticity (flexibility) at the same time, which is obtained in the presence of a Group IV transition metal catalyst, and a preparation method thereof. The elastic terpolymer is a copolymer of ethylene, an alpha-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and a diene, wherein i) its weight average molecular weight measured by GPC is 100,000 to 500,000, and ii) its LCB Index which is a ratio of 1st harmonics of storage modulus to 5th harmonics of storage modulus measured at 125° C. using a rubber process analyzer according to a LAOS (Large Angles of Oscillation and high Strains) method has a positive value.
US09493587B2
Use of homogeneous catalytic systems which include as a pre-catalyst a complex of a group 4 metal and a Salan ligand in the polymerization of alpha-olefins, is disclosed. The Salan ligand is characterized by a sequential diamino-containing skeleton unit which is non-symmetric, and the pre-catalysts can also be such that are devoid of a symmetry element. The disclosed polymerization results in alpha-olefin polymers such as polypropylene which are characterized by high levels of tacticity. Also disclosed are novel Salan ligands and novel complexes thereof with group 4 metals.
US09493585B2
The present invention is a polymeric bead composition. More particularly the present invention is directed to a new polymeric bead composition formed by suspension polymerization processes from a phosphorous acid containing monomers.
US09493578B2
Immunoglobulin compositions that simultaneously co-engage antigens, where one of the antigens is bound bivalently and the other antigen is bound monovalently. The novel immunoglobulins described preferably utilize heterodimeric Fc regions.
US09493575B2
Methods are provided to manipulate phagocytosis of cancer cells, including e.g. leukemias, solid tumors including carcinomas, etc.
US09493572B2
The present invention provides binding molecules that specifically bind to GITR, e.g., human GITR (hGITR), on T cells and dendritic cells. Binding molecules of the invention are characterized by binding to hGITR with high affinity, in the presence of a stimulating agent, e.g., CD3, are agonistic, and abrogate the suppression of Teff cells by Treg cells. Various aspects of the invention relate to binding molecules, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, as well as nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such binding molecules. Methods of using a binding molecule of the invention to detect human GITR or to modulate human GITR activity, either in vitro or in vivo, are also encompassed by the invention.
US09493566B2
The invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to integrin αvβ6. The antibodies are useful for treatment and diagnoses of various cancers as well as detecting αvβ6.
US09493559B2
The present invention provides a recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell, characterized in that the cell comprises a recombinant polynucleotide encoding DsbC and has reduced Tsp protein activity compared to a wild-type cell.
US09493558B2
The present invention provides a recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising a mutant spr gene encoding a mutant spr protein and wherein the cell comprises a non-recombinant wild-type chromosomal Tsp gene.
US09493553B2
Provided herein are anti-human alpha-synuclein antibodies, including, for example, antibodies that bind to human alpha-synuclein which has a free N-terminal methionine residue, and methods of using the same.
US09493536B2
We disclose growth hormone fusion proteins that have increased in vivo stability and activity; nucleic acid molecules encoding said proteins and methods of treatment of growth hormone related diseases that would benefit from growth hormone agonists or antagonists.
US09493533B2
The present invention relates to the identification of an epitope in human Interleukin-15 (IL-15) that is responsible for binding to the interleukin-15 receptor α-chain. Two IL-15 regions are involved in the formation of this epitope: the first region (44LLELQVISL52, peptide 1) corresponds to a sequence located in the B helix and the second (64ENLII68, peptide 2 or 64ENLIIL69, peptide 2a) to a sequence located in helix C. Muteins displaying agonist or antagonist properties are described, and may be useful as therapeutic agents.
US09493532B2
Methods and compositions are disclosed to target tumor cells with embodiments of the LIGHT proteins linked fused or conjugated to a targeting agent. These compositions bind to both human and mouse receptors with affinity sufficient to conduct preclinical and clinical trials, and with increased affinity as compared to the wild type human LIGHT protein. The targeting of embodiments of LIGHT to tumor cells reduces tumor growth and reduces metastases.
US09493530B2
The invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding FGF21 mutant polypeptides, FGF21 mutant polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising FGF21 mutant polypeptides, and methods for treating metabolic disorders using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, or pharmaceutical compositions. In some embodiments, the FGF21 mutant polypeptide comprises a substitution at position 98, 171 and/or 180.
US09493518B2
Described herein are isolated polypeptides each containing one or more receptor-binding sites of toxin A (tcdA) of Clostridium difficile (Cd), nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides and nucleic acids.
US09493515B2
The invention relates to agents and to pharmaceutical compositions for reducing the formation of amyloid and/or for promoting the disaggregation of amyloid proteins. The compositions may also be used to detect amyloid.
US09493513B2
The present invention provides polypeptides that bind to inorganic solid surfaces, structures comprising such polypeptides, and methods of making such structures.
US09493508B2
The present invention provides polypeptide inhibitors of HSP27 kinase, compositions thereof, and methods for using such polypeptides and compositions for various therapeutic uses.
US09493504B2
The present invention relates to the field of radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo imaging, in particular to a method of labelling a biological targeting molecule with a radioisotope. The method of the invention is particularly suitable for use with an automated synthesizer apparatus. Also provided are precursors in sterile form, as well as cassettes comprising such precursors useful in the method.
US09493499B2
The current invention provides methods (e.g., large-scale processes) for the production of nucleotide sugars, which are modified with a polymeric modifying group, such as poly(alkylene oxide) moieties (e.g., poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(propylene glycol)) moieties. A typical process of the invention includes anion exchange chromatography followed by an ultrafiltration procedure, such as tangential flow filtration. The process of the invention provides modified nucleotide sugars in unexpectedly high purity and high overall yields.
US09493494B2
Provided are a novel phosphinine oxide derivative and a preparation method thereof, and more specifically, the phosphinine oxide derivative includes an oxaphosphinine oxide derivative and an azaphosphinine oxide derivative.The phosphinine oxide derivative according to the present invention may have a pharmacological activity and a physiological activity, and may be used as a basic framework of a natural product and may be used for development of new drug and synthesis of various medical supplies.In addition, according to the preparation method of the phosphinine oxide derivative according to the present invention, various phosphinine oxide derivatives with a high yield may be prepared by a simple synthesis process using an intramolecular annulation between a phosphinic derivative and an alkyne derivative in the presence of a rhodium (Rh) catalyst or a ruthenium (Ru) catalyst and an oxidant.
US09493490B1
This invention provides novel compounds of the following formula and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US09493489B2
This invention provides, among other things, novel compounds useful for treating protozoal infections, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, as well as combinations of these compounds with at least one additional therapeutically effective agent.
US09493488B2
The present invention is to provide highly solid state emissive fluorophores of the formula 1 and 2 useful for the solid state lighting. The formula 1 and 2 have good solid state emission in blue and green region respectively. The zinc complexes of formula 1A and 2A have yellow and red emission respectively in solid state. The present invention also provide high solid state emissive assay of formula 1 and 2 to convert UV light into visible light by coating the color tunable materials on the 365-nm emitting solid state LED. The present invention further provides carbazole end-capped bipyridine for screening of metal salts with different counterions in solutions. The discrimination of the various metal salts can be monitored by noting the fluorescence change in solution. The zinc salts with different counterions have different emission color in solution. The present invention also develop a new two photon active fluorescent Zn2+ specific probe for detecting Zn2+ in cellular environments. Assay with formula 3 is used as a fluorescent probe for two photon imaging of Zn2+ ions in HeLa cells. The high two photon absorption cross section and fluorescence quantum yield of formula 3 made it as a useful probe for detecting Zn2+ in cellular environment by two photon excited fluorescence imaging.
US09493479B2
The present invention relates to 4-Pyridone Compounds of Formula (I); and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein A, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising at least one 4-Pyridone Compound, and methods of using the 4-Pyridone Compounds for treating or preventing HIV infection in a subject or the clinical manifestations thereof.
US09493478B2
The present invention provides a fused ring compound containing furan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a method for preparing same, a pharmaceutical composition comprising same, and a use thereof. The fused ring compound containing furan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof inhibits the activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and can therefore be used in a pharmaceutical composition for treating and preventing respiratory diseases, inflammatory diseases, proliferative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, or central nervous system diseases which occur due to the over-activation of PI3K.
US09493477B2
A method of providing a patient with controlled release of ketone-containing opioid using a prodrug capable, upon enzymatic activation and intramolecular cyclization, of releasing the ketone-containing opioid is disclosed. The disclosure also provides such prodrug compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. Such pharmaceutical compositions can optionally include an enzyme inhibitor that interacts with the enzyme(s) to mediate the enzymatically-controlled release of the ketone-containing opioid from the prodrug so as to modify enzymatic cleavage of the prodrug. Also included are methods to use such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions.
US09493476B2
Compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein ring A, ring B, W, m, D, R2, R2a, R3, R3a, and Z are as defined herein, are inhibitors of Trk kinases and are useful in the treatment of pain, cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases and certain infectious diseases.
US09493472B2
The invention relates to substituted benzoxazoles and to processes for their preparation and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular of cardiovascular disorders, preferably of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders.
US09493469B2
The present invention relates to new piperidine inhibitors of Janus kinase 3 activity, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US09493465B2
The present invention relates to 3-hydroxypyrrolidine compounds of the general formula (I) which are inhibitors of 5′-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase or 5′-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds in the treatment of diseases or conditions in which it is desirable to inhibit 5′-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase or 5′-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase including cancer, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds.
US09493452B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compound of formula: wherein A and B are individually an C or N and R1 is an alkyl and R2 is a substituted phenyl, wherein the substituted phenyl comprises 1 to 3 functional groups and R3-R6 are individually a hydrogen, an amine or a halogen disposed in a pharmaceutical carrier.
US09493429B2
The invention provides compounds having the general formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the variables RA, subscript n, ring A, X2, L, subscript m, X1, R1, R2, R3, R4, and RN have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.
US09493425B2
The present invention provides a method for preparing a compound with a benzimidazole structure with an excellent yield using a low-cost starting material, not requiring an additional separation process, or not using a dangerous reagent during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the present invention also provides an intermediate and a final product produced by the preparing method.
US09493423B2
Disclosed herein are an N-(pyrazolylmethyl)arylsulfonamide derivative useful as a calcium ion channel blocker, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the medicinal use thereof as a therapeutic agent using its calcium ion channel blocking effect.
US09493420B2
This disclosure provides a new class of compounds referred to as “reversed chloroquines” (RCQs), which are highly effective against CQR and CQS malaria parasites. RCQs are hybrid molecules, which include an antimalarial quinoline analog (such as chloroquine) moiety and a CQR reversal moiety. Exemplary RCQ chemical structures are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions including the disclosed RCQ compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions for the treatment of malaria and inhibition of CQR or CQS Plasmodium sp. (such as P. falciparum).
US09493415B2
Methods of preparing a fluorinated substrate by combining potassium fluoride, a quaternary ammonium salt, and a substrate substituted with at least one chloro, bromo, sulfonyl, or nitro group to thereby provide the fluorinated substrate are disclosed.
US09493411B2
The present invention provides for compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, and R10 have any of the values defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as agents in the treatment of diseases and conditions, including inflammatory diseases, cancer, and AIDS. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of formula (I).
US09493409B2
The present invention provides new intermediate compounds or formulae (III) and (IVa), and salts thereof, and their use in a new synthetic process for the production of 1-(2-((2,4-dimethylphenyl)thio)phenyl)piperazine (vortioxetine) an experimental drug under development for the treatment of depression and anxiety.
US09493389B2
The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant. Optionally, PET off-gas containing the water of PET formation is treated in a shared thermal oxidative destruction unit, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a combined pX-to-TPA-to-PET plant.
US09493387B2
The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant. Optionally, PET off-gas containing the water of PET formation is treated in a shared thermal oxidative destruction unit, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a combined pX-to-TPA-to-PET plant.
US09493385B2
The present invention relates to new types of processes for the improved preparation of homofarnesol, in particular of (3E,7E)-homofarnesol and homofarnesol preparations with an increased content of (3E,7E)-homofarnesol (also referred to as all E-homofarnesol).
US09493379B2
A method for the production of an agent for enhancing soil growth is described, comprising: grinding a biomass feedstock to produce ground biomass particles; subjecting the ground biomass particles to a biofractioning process including an auger reactor; selectively collecting at least one volatile component as it is released from the ground biomass particles; collecting a last remaining nonvolatile component comprising BMF char; rendering a surface of the BMF char hydrophilic; exposing the BMF char to microorganisms; and adding the BMF char to soil.
US09493378B2
Methods for embedding photocatalytic titanium dioxide in concrete surfaces to reduce pollutants via photocatalytic reactions are provided herein. One method includes applying an amount of concrete treatment compound to an upper surface of the concrete, the concrete treatment compound comprising a mixture of a liquid carrier compound with a titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst.
US09493377B2
A method of manufacturing a composite material, the method comprising: (i) providing a ceramic powder comprising ceramic agglomerates, the agglomerates having an intra-agglomerate void volume space; (ii) providing a polymer; (iii) mixing the polymer with the ceramic powder to form a mixture comprising the agglomerates at least partially impregnated with the polymer, wherein the volume of polymer in the mixture is at least 80% of the total intra-agglomerate void volume space, but less than 130% of the total intra-agglomerate void volume space; (iv) optionally shaping the mixture to form a preform; (v) and treating the mixture to provide ceramic agglomerates which are at least partially impregnated with solid polymer.
US09493373B2
An apparatus for conveying glass sheets on an air support table, which is included in a heating furnace and provided with blast apertures and exhaust apertures, and in which the blast apertures are connected to a plenum chamber present underneath the air support table. The exhaust apertures are connected to exhaust passages present inside the table. The exhaust passages have at least one of their ends provided with a gate/gates capable of being opened and closed, by means of which the flow of air from the exhaust passages' ends adjacent to the gate/gates can be completely or partially blocked.
US09493351B2
Methods for the non-hot-injection synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals are described. For example, a multi-podal cadmium selenide nanocrystal may be produced by a method including heating a degassed mixture comprising cadmium oxide, selenium, trioctylphosphine, and a carboxylic acid in a non-coordinating solvent from about room temperature to about 210° C., where the multi-podal cadmium selenide nanocrystal may be a tetrapodal cadmium selenide nanocrystal.
US09493343B2
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a beam structure and an electrode on an insulator layer, remote from the beam structure. The method further includes forming at least one sacrificial layer over the beam structure, and remote from the electrode. The method further includes forming a lid structure over the at least one sacrificial layer and the electrode. The method further includes providing simultaneously a vent hole through the lid structure to expose the sacrificial layer and to form a partial via over the electrode. The method further includes venting the sacrificial layer to form a cavity. The method further includes sealing the vent hole with material. The method further includes forming a final via in the lid structure to the electrode, through the partial via.
US09493339B2
According to an embodiment, a MEMS includes a substrate; a substrate; a membrane arranged above the substrate; a first conductor with a first plane, the first conductor being connected to the membrane; and a second conductor with a second plane facing the first plane, the second conductor being arranged with a gap between the first conductor and the second conductor, wherein relative positions of the first conductor and the second conductor change in a direction in which an area of the first plane facing the second plane changes.
US09493329B2
The invention relates to a hydraulic apparatus comprising a hydraulic pump (30) which is connectable to a hydraulic fluid tank, an electric motor (2) as a drive means for the hydraulic pump (30), which electric motor comprises a motor shaft and a motor housing cover (4), and a control valve assembly (12) connected to the pump (30) to control at least one hydraulic consumer which is connectable to the pump (30) and is to be supplied by the pump (30) with hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid tank, wherein the pump (30) is fixed on the motor housing cover (4) and the motor housing cover (4) comprises a holding adapter (10) on which the control valve assembly (12) is fixed.
US09493323B2
A fiber bundle guide 1 includes a cylindrical guide roller 11, a support member 12 which rotatably supports the guide roller 11, and a movable mechanical section 13 arranged between the guide roller 11 and the support member 12, so that the guide roller 11 swings in response to widthwise changes in the traveling path of the fiber bundle Y. According to this fiber bundle guide, it is possible to prevent excessive shifting of the fiber bundle Y toward one of both sides of the circumferential edge of the guider roller 11, preventing shrinking or bending of the fiber bundle Y due to the contact of the fiber bundle Y to the flange 112 of the guide roller 11, which makes it possible to guide the fiber bundle Y without causing twisting of the bundle.
US09493321B2
The invention relates to a method for adhering an object (12) having an adhesive tape (16) preferably having a liner (26), wherein the object having the adhesive tape contacts and is applied to the object during transport of the object having the likewise transported adhesive tape and wherein the speed of the object and the speed of the adhesive tape are synchronized during the adhesion. In order to enable adhesion of the object without influencing the adhesive tape, whereby the adhesive effect could be negatively influenced, according to the invention the object is transported by means of a handling arrangement and both the velocity and acceleration curves of the object are transferred to the transport of the adhesive tape via an axis of the handling device.
US09493316B2
A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile, such as a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a robotic positioner, and a manipulator having a conformable face configured to conform to irregularities of the carton pile, and the manipulator may be movable attached to an end of the robotic positioner.
US09493313B2
The discharge accuracy of unit sortation is improved by making real time adjustments to the discharge timing of the carrier based on the determined actual position of each article on respective carriers. The adjustments are applied at the time the discharge command is given.
US09493309B2
Conveying element for conveying bulk goods includes a disk element including an upper side, a lower side and a side surface along a circumference of the disk element. A shank includes an upper end and a lower end. A shank head is located at the upper end. The lower end is connected to the upper side of the disk element and extends through the disk element up to the lower side. A shank head receiving element is arranged on one of the lower side of the disk element or the lower end. The side surface of the disk element is inclined at least in sections relative to a longitudinal axis of the shank.
US09493307B2
A vacuum belt conveyor sequentially delivers sheet articles to a digital printer. The sheets are held in position by vacuum on the underside of the sheets through apertures in the belts and covered by the sheets. A plurality of independent plenums on the underside of the belt have chambers respectively communicating with rows of apertures extending along the belt. Vacuum is selectively applied from a manifold only to the plenum chambers that supply apertures that are covered by the sheets so that the ink from the printer will not be directed from its intended position on the sheet by vacuum from adjacent uncovered belt apertures. The sheets are fed to the conveyor in synchronism with the conveyor speed by a timed feeder so that the sheets are carried by the conveyor with a predetermined gap between the sheets and no belt apertures in the gap. A sensor counts the apertures in the belt and activates the feeder at predetermined time intervals.
US09493305B2
The invention relates to a conveyor roller for conveyor installations for the purpose of conveying containers, pallets and the like, comprising a roller body with a roller axis, the outer peripheral area of which represents a bearing surface for items to be conveyed, and a head element that is inserted with an insertion section having a cylindrical outer surface into a hollow end of the roller body, whereby the insertion section of the head element has a reinforcement element.
US09493301B2
A bin retainer panel has a planar wall having a first end having a bent edge extending along a length of the first end; and first and second side ends each having edges bent at an acute angle with respect to the planar wall. The first and second side edges each has a plurality of protrusions formed thereon. A bin retainer panel has a planar wall having a first end having a bent edge and a second, opposite end having a bent edge; and first and second side ends. The first side end has an edge bent at an acute angle with respect to the planar wall. The first side end edge has a plurality of protrusions formed thereon.
US09493300B2
An impactor is externally securable to a container of flowable material to break up bridging or clumping of the material in the container. The impactor comprises a strike plate mountable to an outlet hopper or the like and a drive which axially reciprocally moves the hammer, such that operation of the drive causes the hammer to impact the strike plate to thereby pass vibrations into the container.
US09493291B2
A packaged product assembly is provided. The packaged product assembly may include a packet received in a dispensing container. The packet may be a blister packet including units of a product received in sealed cavities. The dispensing container may include a top casing and a bottom casing. The upper casing may be pivotably connected to the lower casing such that the upper casing is moveable between a closed position in which access to the packet is substantially blocked, and an open position in which access to the packet is provided. The packet may be supported by a shoulder defined at an inner surface of sidewalls of the lower casing such that a receptacle is formed between the packet and a major wall of the lower casing. A unit of the product released from one of the sealed cavities may be received in the receptacle and dispensed via a dispensing aperture.
US09493288B2
A substantially moisture-tight unit for packaging moisture-sensitive items. The unit includes a container and cap. The container has a closed container bottom, a container top, a sidewall extending upwardly from the container bottom to the container top and a fixed surface at, or near, the container top. The unit also includes a cap. The cap has a lid and a moisture impervious layer attached to an inside portion of the lid. The lid can snap onto the container to hold the moisture impervious layer against a fixed surface forming a moisture barrier.
US09493285B2
A method for producing a tightly sealed bag packaging and to a tightly sealed bag packaging having at least one perforation and a receiving area surrounded by a plate-shaped edge region for the inert packaging of a product containing active ingredients, wherein the bag packaging comprises cover films or cover film segments bounding the receiving area and forming the edge region. The cover films or cover film segments are each provided with a channel system having at least one channel. The channel system crosses the part of the cover film or the cover film segment covering the receiving area. At one end, each channel is provided with a branching into two channel branches, Furthermore, a slit is arranged between the two channel branches, interrupting a peripheral edge of the bag packaging.
US09493282B2
A condiment container attachment device (1) for attaching a condiment container (50) to a food or a beverage container (100), the container (100) being of a type having—an upwardly facing opening (110); —at least one inwardly facing first surface (140, 240); and—a bead (130) or downwardly facing skirt (230) encircling said opening (110), said bead or skirt having an inwardly facing second surface (131, 231) and a downwardly facing edge (132, 232) said condiment container attachment device (1) comprising—first attachment means (10) adapted for engagement with said inwardly facing first surface (140, 240) of the food or beverage container (100); and—second attachment means (20) adapted for engagement with said bead (130) or downwardly facing skirt (230).
US09493277B2
A container includes a base having a base peripheral portion and a lid having a lid peripheral portion. The lid peripheral portion is mountable to the base peripheral portion to mount the lid to the base for closing the container. A frangible hinge member pivotably joins the base to the lid. The hinge member includes a base hinge panel joined to the base peripheral portion, and a lid hinge panel joined to the lid peripheral portion. The base and lid hinge panels are pivotally joined together at a pivot region. One of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel is separable along a line of weakness into a grasping portion connected to one of the base and the lid, and a flap portion connected to the pivot region.
US09493276B2
An inline dispersal valve that can be used with or without a base. One embodiment includes a rotatable member that is rotatable from a fluid stream obstructing condition to an out-of-the-way condition to prevent fluid diversion into the dispersal valve. Another embodiment includes a lever handle for quickly setting the amount of fluid being diverted into the inline dispersal valve. Another embodiment includes an indicator that can be viewed from a position above the inline dispersal valve. Another embodiment includes a cap that can be secured or removed without the aid of tools. Another embodiment includes a clip that allows one to disassemble the inline dispersal valve for servicing. Another embodiment includes a dispensing valve that can be reversed and still properly divert fluid into a dispersant chamber. Another embodiment includes an inline dispersal valve with a bleed valve positioned to allow one to bring the air volume in the dispersant chamber to the proper level.
US09493258B2
A method for producing and/or packaging cigarettes, in a system in which at least one production unit is fed packaging units from a lower packaging level, and the production unit packages the packaging units in associated packaging units from a higher level, and the packaging units from the higher packaging level each comprise one or more packaging units from the lower packaging level. A camera records images of the packs of the packaging units from the lower level which are to be fed, or have been fed, to the production unit, and a camera records images of the packs of the packaging units from the higher level which are respectively assigned to the packaging units from the lower level, and the recorded images of the packs of the respectively associated packaging units are each assigned to a common identifier, preferably to a machine-internal counting number of the production unit.
US09493242B2
An aircraft passenger seat swivel assembly for an aircraft seating unit that includes a pair of transversely spaced-apart base rails, each including fore and aft fittings for connecting the base rails to an aircraft deck. The base rails define a transversely-extending horizontal plane extending between the pair of base rails. A swivel assembly is mounted between the pair of base rails in the laterally-extending horizontal plane. The swivel assembly provides a low profile seat with a spar that forms a part of the swivel assembly and transfers loads from the seat efficiently to the aircraft deck. A slide assembly enables the seat occupant to slide the seat fore-and-aft and side-to-side independent of the rotation of the seat on the swivel.
US09493241B2
A three dimensional lattice panel structure having a multitude of mutually offset holes formed in a respective top and bottom of the panel and intersecting to form voids with interspersed support posts interconnecting the top and bottom of the panel in areas not encompassed by the mutually offset holes.
US09493240B2
A premium class passenger suite that includes a main seat positioned in the suite together with separate bed. The bed has a flexible mattress of predetermined dimensions and is movable between a stowed position to one side of the main seat and a deployed position above and separate from the main seat. A drive apparatus is provided for driving the bed between the stowed and deployed positions. The main seat is configured to be movable between a seating position when the bed is stowed, and a stowed position with a lowered seat back when the bed is deployed for use.
US09493238B2
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using an assembly that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The assembly can also include a bystander communication module for generating cues for bystander perception. While the assembly securing the payload is being lowered from the UAV, the bystander communication module can generate an avoidance cue indicating that bystanders should avoid interference with the assembly. The assembly also includes sensors that generate data used, at least in part, to determine when the descending assembly is at or near the ground, at which point the assembly releases the payload. The bystander communication module can then cease the avoidance cue and the UAV can retract the assembly.
US09493237B1
The present invention provides a remote control system of an aircraft 1 that includes a camera 2 mounted on the aircraft 1, a monitor 4 visible from an operator 3 remote from the aircraft 1, a remote controller 5 operated by the operator 3, an acceleration sensor 6 mounted on the aircraft 1 to detect upward/downward, left/right and forward/backward accelerations, sensitive pads 7 configured to be attached to each portion of the operator 3, and a controller 8 that generates a vibration or an electrical stimulus on each of the sensitive pads 7 while a magnitude of the vibration or the electrical stimulus is changed based on an output value of the acceleration sensor 6 to make the operator 3 feel a direction and a magnitude of the acceleration generated on the aircraft 1.
US09493231B2
An apparatus and method for controlling an actuator. A plurality of commands for the actuator are received from a number of primary controllers by a command lane and a monitor lane. The command lane selects a first selected number of commands from the plurality of commands using a selection rule. The monitor lane selects a second selected number of commands from the plurality of commands using the selection rule and generates a check value for the second selected number of commands. The first selected number of commands from the command lane and the check value from the monitor lane are combined to form an actuator control command message comprising the first selected number of commands and the check value. The actuator control command message is sent to an actuator controller for controlling the actuator.
US09493230B2
A drive assembly with selective disconnect includes a motor with a motor drive shaft; a harmonic drive coupled to one end of the motor drive shaft; an output shaft coupled to the harmonic drive; and a retracting mechanism that selectively retracts the motor drive shaft axially to decouple the motor drive shaft from the harmonic drive.
US09493229B2
A system for retractable equipment including movable protection flaps in which a flap drive device serves to drive the flaps in optimized movement, providing a mechanical coupling between the flaps and the retractable equipment such that a common motor member can be used for driving both the equipment and the flaps between respective retracted and deployed positions. The flap drive device includes a cam in the form of a sliding channel secured to a frame of the system and a cam follower in the form of a translating pivot mechanically coupled to both the retractable equipment and a flap drive member. The path followed by the retractable equipment is accordingly optimized.
US09493227B2
A system for loading and unloading a cargo assembly onto and from an aircraft. The system comprises an aircraft and a moveable platform. The aircraft comprises a forward fairing, an aft fairing, a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing and a plurality of mounts coupled to the spine and configured to structurally engage the cargo container onto the spine. The aft fairing is movable between a fixed position for flight and an open position for at least loading and unloading of the cargo assembly. The aircraft is configured such that an unobstructed passageway is provided in an area underneath the spine during loading or unloading of the cargo assembly. An aft access is provided when the aft fairing is moved to the open position. The moveable platform is used to maneuver the cargo assembly for loading and unloading onto and from the spine, respectively.
US09493225B2
Systems, devices, and methods for a transformable aerial vehicle are provided. In one aspect, a transformable aerial vehicle includes: a central body and at least two transformable frames assemblies respectively disposed on the central body, each of the at least two transformable frame assemblies having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the central body and a distal portion; an actuation assembly mounted on the central body and configured to pivot the at least two frame assemblies to a plurality of different vertical angles relative to the central body; and a plurality of propulsion units mounted on the at least two transformable frame assemblies and operable to move the transformable aerial vehicle.
US09493223B2
A system for efficiently transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using specially designed airships. Technologies such as geothermal, wind, solar, wave tidal or hydropower can be used to generate electricity in-situ or very near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water through various methods known in the art. Hydrogen can be delivered from the place where it is produced to the place where it is needed using an airship. The hydrogen can provide propulsion energy and serve ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation.
US09493220B2
Systems and methods are for controlling shift in a marine propulsion device. A shift sensor outputs a position signal representing a current position of a shift linkage. A control circuit is programmed to identify an impending shift change when the position signal reaches a first threshold and an actual shift change when the position signal reaches a second threshold. The control circuit is programmed to enact a shift interrupt control strategy that facilitates the actual shift change when the position signal reaches the first threshold, and to actively modify the first threshold as a change in operation of the marine propulsion device occurs.
US09493219B2
A ship alarm display device that displays a plurality of sets of alarm information to be easily understood is provided. An alarm information acquiring module acquires the alarm information from apparatuses installed in a ship. A transmission source classification list memory stores transmission source classification lists obtained by associating each apparatus with a transmission source category. An importance list memory stores importance lists obtained by associating the alarm information with a level of importance. A display target specifying module specifies the transmission category and the level of importance as a display target. An information selecting module selects the alarm information corresponding to the specified display target from the plurality of sets of alarm information stored in memory, based on the transmission source classification lists and the importance lists. An alarm information displaying module displays only the selected alarm information in a list, on a display unit.
US09493216B2
System and methods for floating dockside liquefaction of natural gas are described. A system for floating dockside liquefaction of natural gas comprises a natural gas pretreatment facility located onshore proximate a dock, wherein the natural gas pretreatment facility is configured to process pipeline quality gas into pretreated natural gas, a floating liquefaction unit moored at the dock, wherein the floating liquefaction unit further comprises a natural gas liquefaction module on a deck, and an LNG storage tank for storing produced LNG below the deck, a pipeline coupling the onshore pretreatment facility to the dock, wherein the pipeline is configured to transport pretreated natural gas onto the dock, and a high pressure gas arm fluidly coupling the pipeline to the floating liquefaction unit, wherein the gas arm is configured to transfer pretreated natural gas to the floating liquefaction unit.
US09493209B2
A bicycle pedal is detachable and engageable with a cleat that can be attached to shoes. The bicycle pedal basically includes a pedal shaft having a rotational center axis, a pedal main body and a clamp part. The pedal main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is on the opposite side of the first surface. The pedal main body is rotatably supported by the pedal shaft around the rotational center axis. The clamp part has at least three cleat clamping portions that detachably retain the cleat on at least the first surface of the pedal main body.
US09493205B2
A tricycle with foldable double wheel assembly comprises: a frame, a single-wheel assembly and a double-wheel assembly respectively disposed at front end and rear end of the frame, and a handlebar assembly matching with the single-wheel assembly to control steering, the double-wheel assembly comprising a supporting beam and two wheels disposed on the supporting beam, wherein the supporting beam comprises two branches of same structures, the two wheels being respectively disposed on the two branches, the supporting beam having a first stable state where the two branches are open, and a second stable state where the two branches are put together side by side. The supporting beam in the double-wheel assembly of the present utility model is foldable so that it is not necessary to occupy a relatively large space to carry/store the tricycle and the usage convenience of the tricycle is thus improved.
US09493204B2
An adjustable saddle for motorcycles including a padded upper portion which constitutes the seat for the rider and/or the passenger of the motorcycle, and a substantially rigid bottom portion suitable for resting and attaching the saddle to the chassis or to the frame of the motorcycle. The bottom portion of the saddle at least one aperture is made for access to a respective compartment made inside the padded upper portion and is destined to receive one or more inserts or devices suitable for varying the height of the seat and/or the level of comfort for the rider and/or the passenger of the motorcycle. The aperture is made at the seat of the rider and/or passenger and is provided with a removable cover plate. The cover plate (22) is fitted with reversible means of attachment (24) to the bottom portion (14) of the saddle (10) to selectively open and close the aperture (18) and the respective compartment (20) so as to insert, add and/or remove the means (28; 30; 34; 46) suitable for varying the height of the seat and /or the level of comfort for the rider and /or the passenger of the motorcycle.
US09493201B2
A vehicle body positioning and locking devices for use in assembling a vehicle body positioned on a movable vehicle support positioned at a vehicle build station. The locking device includes a remote vehicle locking device for selectively securing and locking a vehicle body to a support pallet. The support pallet is accurately and precisely positioned at a build station through alignment and inserting engagement of locating pads in at least one four-way and at least one two way receiver mounted to a build station foundation. A compliant body clamp design is included to provide a desired clamping force between the pallet and a vehicle body across a range of motion of the body clamp to accommodate vehicle build variances.
US09493199B2
A master link mating surface cover is disclosed. The master link mating surface cover includes a first inclined portion for covering a corresponding first inclined portion of a master link mating surface, a second inclined portion for covering a corresponding second inclined portion of a master link mating surface, and a third inclined portion for covering a corresponding third inclined portion of a master link mating surface.
US09493197B2
A tractor-trailer wind fairing panel assembly includes two side and one top fairing panels that mount to a truck tractor and aerodynamically bridge the air gap to any fifth-wheel utility trailer being pulled by the tractor. Such fairing panels are hinged on their leading edges so their distal trailing edges can swing a bit to accommodate twisting and turning of the utility trailer during use. The hinges all mount to a cab adapter collar that helps fit the whole to the contoured surfaces of the rear of a typical truck tractor cab. The distal ends of the trailing edges are fitted with inward directed wind seals. Rows of ball bearing pucks are arranged in the crowns of the inward directed wind seals to reduce friction and wear as the fairing panels swing to accommodate the twisting and turning of the utility trailer.
US09493196B2
The present embodiments provide a wake convergence device that allows for the increase in pressure of the low pressure region created behind the “square-shaped” trailing edge of a trailer. The present embodiments also reduce the effect of the trailing edge tip vortices and re-streamlines the flow shedding off the sides and top of the semi-trailer. The wake convergence device mounts to an existing trailer with aerodynamic brackets and hinges in a manner that will not impede a trailer's current practical function for loading and unloading of its payload. The wake convergence device efficiently manages the trailer's trailing edge flow because of its positioning that allows a gap between the wake convergence device and the trailer sides or top.
US09493185B2
In various embodiments, the present invention teaches the use of two or more “floating pivot points” in a trailing/leading arm suspension system. A complimentary steering system is also described herein. The present invention eliminates a number of significant shortcomings of the traditional trailing/leading arm suspension type, thereby offering substantial performance improvements.
US09493184B2
A materials handling vehicle implements a steer maneuver to hug an object. A controller on the vehicle receives sensor data from at least one sensing device and detects that a selected object is in an environment proximate the vehicle using the received sensor data. The controller performs a steer maneuver by causing the vehicle to steer such that the vehicle is substantially maintained at a desired distance from the selected object as the vehicle travels on a desired heading.
US09493175B2
A control system including a measurement module configured to receive motor measurements that represent operating parameters of plural traction motors of a common vehicle system as the vehicle system propels along a route. The control system also includes an analysis module configured to compare the motor measurements to an expected measurement. The expected measurement corresponds to a designated motor type. The analysis module is configured to determine that at least one of the traction motors is different from the designated motor type based on comparing the motor measurements to the expected measurement.
US09493173B2
A railcar includes an underframe and an energy absorber provided at the underframe. The underframe includes a first end beam, a second end beam, and a sliding center sill connecting the first end beam and the second end beam with each other. The sliding center sill includes a first beam member connected to the first end beam, a second beam member connected to the second end beam, and a coupling member coupling the first beam member to the second beam member. The first beam member slides relative to the second beam member when the coupling member breaks by application of an impact load higher than a predetermined load. The sliding center sill and the energy absorber are arranged in a region located between the first end beam and the second end beam.
US09493138B2
A metal obturating element is capable of being resistance-welded to the outer side of an edge of a hole of a metal wall of a pressurized gas reservoir of a gas generator, including on a first side, a portion dimensioned for covering the hole and having an end intended to be inserted into the hole, and a portion for connecting the portion to the peripheral edge, having a surface tilted rearwards relatively to the end and around the portion, this surface intended to be welded to the outer side of the edge of the hole. The element is formed with a deep-drawn part. The tilted surface forms around the central portion an angle greater than or equal to 50° and less than or equal to 80° relatively to the axis. The part includes in a second side located opposite to the first side another surface tilted rearwards relatively to the end and this by at least one angle greater than or equal to 10° and less than or equal to 80° relatively to the axis.
US09493137B2
A gas generator for an airbag includes a storage container and at least one chamber defined by the storage container. The at least one chamber infludes a metal wall and contains at least gaseous hydrogen. A coating layer of iron oxide is disposed on at least a surface portion of the metal wall to prevent diffusion of hydrogen atoms through the metal wall.
US09493134B2
A rollover protection device and method for use in work vehicles of the pickup and light truck types, in which a linking structure is applied to the roof of the vehicle cabin, the structure linking all the pillars of the original vehicle roof, thereby forming with the roof and the pillars an integral resistant structure for containing and regulating the deformation of the roof and the pillars upon a rollover event.
US09493131B2
A structure for the front of a vehicle body includes left and right front-side frames extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, a front bulkhead provided between the front ends of said left and right front-side frames; and a bumper laid out in front of said front bulkhead. Left and right side bulkhead members include left and right front walls and left and right rear walls located behind said left and right front walls at a distance therefrom. The bumper overlaps the front surfaces of the left and right front walls. Left and right stays extend between the left and right front walls and the left and right rear walls. The front ends of said left and right stays, the left and right front walls, and the bumper are joined together. The rear ends of the left and right stays are joined to the left and right rear walls.
US09493126B2
Electronic control apparatus for vehicle using coupling member and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed is an electronic control apparatus comprises: a PCB configured to electrically control each part of the vehicle and have at least one through-hole in a side; a connector cover includes a connector part electrically connected and coupled with the PCB and a coupling part; a housing configured of a one-piece slot type to receive the PCB inserted in a slide form and provided with at least one housing-hole penetrating through the through-hole of the inserted PCB; and a hollow rivet configured to penetratively fix the PCB to the housing through the through-hole of the PCB and the housing-hole of the housing, wherein the hollow rivet is penetratively inserted into the housing-hole through which the PCB is inserted into the housing and then one end surface of the hollow rivet is physically deformed, such that the PCB adheres to an inside of the housing.
US09493117B2
This disclosure generally relates to a vehicle blind spot detection system, method, and module for adjusting parameters of a vehicle blind spot detection algorithm based on a trailer being attached to the back of the vehicle. More specifically, based on a determination that a trailer is attached to the vehicle and the reception of trailer information corresponding to the attached trailer, an adjust to the parameters of a blind spot detection area is disclosed for ensuring the continued operation of the blind spot detection feature will take into account the attached trailer.
US09493107B2
A lighting device comprising a first group of solid state light emitters, an element containing luminescent material and a second group of solid state light emitters spaced from the element. In some embodiments, (1) at least 50% of light emitted by one of the first group does not mix with light emitted by the second group before the light emitted by the second group has entered the element, (2) at least 90% of exiting light emitted by the second group travels farther within the lighting device than 90% of exiting light emitted by the first group, (3) an average distance traveled by exiting light emitted by the second group is farther than an average distance traveled by exiting light emitted by the second group, and/or (4) light emitted by the first group directly exiting the lighting device exits the lighting device without being incident upon the element.
US09493105B2
A rail member is supported longitudinally along both sides of the deck of a truck or trailer and includes a plurality of strap hook anchoring locations at spaced positions therein. Each anchoring location is defined by a pair of hook opening extending downwardly through an upper flange of the rail member. Cargo securing straps or chains are anchored onto the respective anchoring locations using an anchor member having an upper body portion defining a tie-down opening and a pair of lower hooks which can be hooked into the pair of hook openings of a selected anchoring location. The upper body portions spans between the two hook openings so as to prevent passage of the upper body portion through the hook openings while the cargo straps or chains remain slack.
US09493104B2
In some embodiments, a trailer feeder system may include a trailer. The trailer may transport animals during use. The trailer may include a first container which contains, during use, animal feed. The first container may include a dispensing mechanism for dispensing feed in the first container to a surface adjacent the trailer. The trailer may include a transport ramp. The transport ramp may connect the first container to an opening in a cover. The transport ramp may include a plurality of openings. The trailer may include a second container which functions to contain animal feed. In some embodiments, the plurality of openings may be sized to allow feed of a predetermined size and smaller to be conveyed from the opening to the second container. In some embodiments, the trailer may include a transport mechanism which functions to elevate a bale of hay off of a surface.
US09493100B2
A chair for use with a vehicle is provided. The chair includes a base and a chair assembly slidably coupled to the base. The chair assembly includes a support frame, a seat coupled to the support frame, an upper back support coupled to the support frame, and a lower back support coupled to the support frame and independently rotatable with respect to the upper back support.
US09493098B2
A seating portion includes a support structure (10); a tipping seating portion (2), movably connected to the support structure to move between an open position and a closed position. At least one movable armrest (31, 32) is movably connected to the support structure to move between an open position and a closed position. A rotation device moves the seating portion from the open position to the closed position. The armrest (31, 32) is kinematically connected to the seating portion so that the armrest is moved from the position of use to the position of non-use by the movement of the seating portion from the position of use to that of non-use.
US09493097B2
A latch mechanism that selectively receives a striker is provided. The latch mechanism includes a housing having a channel and a locking mechanism having a claw rotatably supported by the housing and movable between a first locked state and a second locked state. The claw locks the striker at a first location along a length of the channel in the first locked state and locks the striker at a second location along a length of the channel different than the first location in the second locked state.
US09493096B2
A vehicle seat having a seat cushion obtained by covering a cushion-side frame with a trim cover, a seat back obtained by covering a back-side frame with a trim cover, and a reclining apparatus for making it possible to adjust the angle of tilt of the seat back with respect to the seat cushion. The reclining apparatus has a return spring provided on the outside of the frames, a locking mechanism for putting the frames into a locked state or an unlocked state, and an operation lever for switching the state of the locking mechanism. An outside surface of the return spring is covered by the operation lever, and the hazard presented by the return spring is reduced.
US09493093B2
A vehicle includes a chassis defining a longitudinal axis, a cab coupled to the chassis and including a cab wall extending laterally across the longitudinal axis, a rail disposed along the cab wall, and a seat bracket coupling a seat to the rail. The rail includes a plurality of discrete interface points that define a first mounting location and a second mounting location. The seat bracket and the seat are selectively repositionable along the rail into the first mounting location or the second mounting location.
US09493092B2
When a control device of an electric automobile carries out fixing control for fixing the energization or cut-off of semiconductor switches in each of at least one switching cycle, at least one cut-off control is implemented among a first cut-off control for cutting off both a power generation path and a power charging path of one power system, and a second cut-off control for cutting off all of the power generation paths or the power charging paths of all the power systems. When only the first cut-off control is implemented, the energization or the cut-off of the semiconductor switches is controlled so that the number of power systems, implementing the first cut-off control is N−1 {N being an integer of at least 2 representing the number of power supplies and semiconductor switches}.
US09493090B2
An electrified powertrain for a vehicle includes a battery system configured to switch individual battery modules between series, parallel, and bypassed connections, thereby eliminating the need for a DC-DC converter. The battery system is also configured to generate (via a set of drive switches) AC voltages for an electric motor, thereby eliminating the need for an inverter. Control methods for the electrified powertrain, which could be implemented in a controller of the vehicle, include controlling the switches of the battery system to maintain a constant desired output voltage during both discharging and recharging. The control methods also include controlling the series, parallel, and/or bypass switches of the battery system to bypass malfunctioning battery modules and/or to decrease the output voltage of the battery system below a voltage threshold that requires electrical isolation.
US09493084B2
A source device and a method for controlling a magnetic field using two source resonators in a wireless power transmission system are provided. A device configured to control a magnetic field, includes resonators configured to form the magnetic field to transmit power to another device. The device further includes a magnetic field shape determining unit configured to determine a shape of the magnetic field. The device further includes a phase changing unit configured to change a phase of at least one of the resonators to form the magnetic field in the determined shape.
US09493076B2
A rotating electric machine control system having a power control unit equipped with a voltage converter and a controller. The controller is equipped with an operation unit having a time corrector for obtaining time from first and second timers with reference to an ignition signal and correcting a relative time difference between the timers. The operation unit obtains electric angles at a preset cycle after correcting time. A communicator obtains electric currents and voltages when obtaining the electric angles for generating a communication frame, and outputs the communication frame to the operation unit via the multiplex communication line. The operation unit simultaneously performs an operation for controlling an inverter and a booster converter based on the obtained electric currents, the voltages, and the electric angles, for reducing the number of communication lines between the power control unit and the controller without compromising controllability of the voltage converter.
US09493075B2
A system for controlling regenerative braking in an electrified vehicle to prevent or minimize reduction of overall braking torque during wheel slip events includes an antilock braking system adapted to transmit an antilock braking system active signal and a regeneration powertrain interfacing with the antilock braking system. The regeneration powertrain is adapted to inhibit regenerative braking torque reduction responsive to receiving the antilock braking system active signal during a high deceleration braking event. A method for controlling regenerative braking in an electrified vehicle to prevent or minimize reduction of overall braking torque during wheel slip events is also disclosed.
US09493074B2
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a vehicle battery data analysis service. A processor can execute a vehicle battery data analysis service. The processor can generate a request to execute a load test at a vehicle and transmit the load request to a vehicle diagnostic system located at the vehicle. The processor can obtain diagnostic data generated by the vehicle diagnostic system. The diagnostic data can include test data that indicates a load of a battery of the vehicle and vehicle data that identifies the vehicle. The processor can update fleet data based upon the diagnostic data.
US09493073B2
A device for displaying information in a hybrid vehicle has a display instrument which has a plurality of regions for displaying the current operating state of at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor of the hybrid vehicle. The display instrument has a display region in which it is possible to display whether it is possible to drive the hybrid vehicle solely using the electric motor.
US09493067B2
In a straddle vehicle such as a motorcycle, a harness in an electric power supply system which is thick, has a great weight, and is not easily mounted can be reduced in length as much as possible so that a weight and cost can be reduced, and assembling work can be made easier. An air cleaner and a fuel tank are disposed at a relatively rearward position such that the air cleaner and the fuel tank are disposed behind and distant from the head pipe to provide an electric component mounting space between the air cleaner and the fuel tank, and the head pipe, and a regulator, a relay box and a fuse box are disposed in the electric component mounting space. The fuel tank is disposed at a relatively rearward position such that its rear end portion is positioned behind and below a rear end of a main frame.
US09493063B2
A control-module implemented method for controlling a powertrain system comprising an internal combustion engine, at least one electric machine, a high-voltage battery and an electro-mechanical transmission operative to transmit torque to a driveline includes monitoring a state of charge (SOC) of a high-voltage battery configured to provide stored electrical power to a first electric machine, a second electric machine and at least one auxiliary load. A trickle-charging event is enabled only when the SOC of the high-voltage battery is less than a first SOC threshold. The trickle-charging event activates the first clutch coupled to a first planetary gear set. The trickle-charging event further coordinates a torque capacity of the activated first clutch and a charging set of torque commands between the engine, the first electric machine and the second electric machine to establish a net zero output torque condition.
US09493060B2
A holding device to hold an openable roof when the openable roof is stored is provided at a front portion of a storage partition. There is provided a changing member to change a hook having an open position from its open position to its pre-lock position by being pressed down by the hook taking the open position when the openable roof is operated for storage in the storage partition. The changing member is provided adjacently to the holding device. Thereby, a rear vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which can surely change the hook from its open position to its pre-lock position can be provided.
US09493059B2
A drive system for a movable roof part of a motor vehicle roof module having at least one support bar fastened to the roof part, at least one control carriage movable linearly via a drive arrangement in a guide track running laterally along the roof part, at least one deployment mechanism which pivots, raises and lowers the support bar and the roof part, and a stationary roof region arranged behind the movable roof part. The movable roof part is pivotable from a closed position into a lifted position, is lowerable into an open position and is movable rearward under the roof region. The support bar is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot joint on a compensating element which, depending on the movement position of the roof part, is shiftable relative to a front guide arrangement of the deployment mechanism into different positions.
US09493043B2
A TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) sensor setting method is disclosed and performed by: using a setting tool to input a location code into the TPMS sensor to be set so that the TPMS sensor can feed the location code and its ID to the on-vehicle main unit for enabling the on-vehicle main unit to establish the relationship between the ID of the TPMS sensor and its location.
US09493039B2
A pneumatic tire has a unidirectional tread pattern. The land ratio of an imaginary crown region 5A is 0.75 to 0.85. The land ratio of an imaginary middle region 6A is 0.65 to 0.75. Crown axial grooves 4A and middle axial grooves 4B are inclined to the intended tire rotational direction toward the axially inside of the tire. The widths of the crown axial grooves 4A and the middle axial grooves 4B are 4.0 to 7.0 mm. The width of the crown axial grooves 4A is more than the width of a central main groove 3A and less than the width of middle main grooves 3B.
US09493031B2
A vehicle wheel has a rim and spokes supporting the rim on a hub section. A clearance is formed between two mutually adjacent spokes and is covered by a flat covering element. In this case, the covering element, which is assigned to only one such clearance, is made of a fiber-reinforced synthetic material and, on an exterior side of the wheel, is glued onto the spokes which, on their mutually facing edges, have a slight step toward the interior side of the wheel, as well as onto the hub section which, in the area of this clearance on its side facing the rim, also has such a slight step. Not all clearances between two mutually adjacent spokes of the vehicle wheel are covered in such a manner.
US09493029B2
The present invention provides, among other things, compositions with at least one dry-erase characteristic and methods thereof. In some embodiments, provided paint composition comprising a resin part comprising an epoxy, a polysiloxane and an organooxysilane; and a cure part comprising one or more amino-silanes; the resin part and the cure part being designed and selected such that, when combined together, they cure to form a surface coating that demonstrates at least one dry-erase characteristic.
US09493020B2
A dot recording apparatus forms dots on a recording medium while relatively moving a recording head that includes a plurality of nozzles and the recording medium in a main scanning direction. The dot recording apparatus performs multi-pass recording in which dot recording on a main scanning line is completed by a plurality of main scanning passes. In dot recording in each main scanning pass, the dot recording is performed with a super cell region as a unit, the super cell region including one or more unit super cells formed as a dot group of one mass by some of the plurality of nozzles. In the same main scanning pass, the number of unit super cells recorded by m nozzles at an end portion of the recording head is smaller than the number of unit super cells recorded by m nozzles at a center portion of the recording head.
US09493012B2
A droplet ejecting apparatus includes a liquid filling chamber filled with a liquid, and a plurality of pressure chambers in communication with the liquid filling chamber and filled with the liquid. Each of the pressure chambers includes a communication port in communication with the liquid filling chamber, a pressure generating element for exerting pressure on the liquid which fills the interior of each pressure chamber, and a nozzle for ejecting the liquid in each pressure chamber therefrom in the form of droplets. A recovery controller brings the pressure generating element corresponding to the communication port included in a partial region of the liquid filling chamber into operation to cause the corresponding nozzle to eject the droplets. This produces a flow of the liquid directed toward the partial region in the liquid filling chamber to efficiently diffuse precipitable ingredients accumulating in the liquid filling chamber, thereby efficiently eliminating the accumulation of the precipitable ingredients in the liquid filling chamber in communication with the pressure chambers.
US09493011B2
A filling liquid for distribution of an ink jet head of a thermal type, the filling liquid filling a nozzle flow path during distribution of the ink jet head, a hydrophilic region formed on a periphery of an ink discharge port having an opening area of from 100 to 350 μm2, the filling liquid including: an aqueous medium having at least a water-soluble organic compound and water as constituents; and a dye dissolved in the aqueous medium, a concentration of the dye in the filling liquid being 0.2 mass % or more and 1 mass % or less with respect to a total mass of the filling liquid and the concentration of the dye being equal to or less than saturation solubility with respect to the water-soluble organic compound, wherein the filling liquid has a surface tension of 25 mN/m or more and 34 mN/m or less.
US09493010B2
A liquid container includes a container portion configured to contain ink; an air chamber configured to contain the air that is introduced into the container portion; a first air introducing path configured to introduce the outside air into the air chamber; and a second air introducing path configured to introduce the air contained in the air chamber into the container portion. The first introducing port is located vertically above a liquid level in the air chamber of the ink flowing from the container portion into the air chamber, in a first attitude that the container portion and the air chamber are aligned in a direction intersecting with a vertical direction and that a first introducing port of the first air introducing path is located vertically above a delivery port of the second air introducing path.
US09493000B2
A liquid ejecting device includes: a piezoelectric element that is deformed by applying at least one drive waveform among a plurality of drive waveforms to the piezoelectric element, the plurality of drive waveforms including a first drive waveform and a second drive waveform; a cavity that is filled with a liquid and is increased or decreased in internal pressure due to deformation of the piezoelectric element; a nozzle that communicates with the cavity, and ejects the liquid as a liquid droplet; and a selection section that selects at least one drive waveform from the plurality of drive waveforms, the liquid droplet including a first liquid droplet ejected when the first drive waveform has been selected, and a second liquid droplet ejected when the second drive waveform has been selected, an ejection volume of the first liquid droplet being almost equal to an ejection volume of the second liquid droplet.
US09492986B2
A laminate including a supporting member which is light transmissive; a supported substrate supported by the supporting member; an adhesive layer provided on a surface of the supported substrate which surface faces toward the supporting member; and a release layer which is made of an inorganic material and is provided between the supporting member and the supported substrate, the release layer having a property that changes when the release layer absorbs light coming through the supporting layer, and the release layer having a flat surface which faces the adhesive layer.
US09492980B2
A tire mold and tire reduce manufacturing and facilities costs and improve appearance of a product tire. The tire mold includes a tread molding body that molds a tread surface of a tire and is formed by pieces aligned in a circumferential direction of the mold. The tread molding body includes, on a mold face thereof, groove forming protrusions that form grooves on the tread surface and land forming recesses that form land portions on the tread surface and are surrounded by the groove forming protrusions. In a development view in which the pieces are connected, an air release gap in communication with the mold face of the pieces is provided along a boundary line between the pieces. At least one boundary line cuts across a plurality of the land forming recesses. Each boundary line extends through a bend, and the bend is positioned in the groove forming protrusions.
US09492978B2
A method for fabricating a Fresnel lens or other lens having a structured surface such as refractive and/or diffractive bi-focal or other multi-focal lenses includes press-coating the structured surface with a low or very low refractive index coating material. The coating is sufficient thick to adequately cover the structured surface so that a smooth coating surface with good optical properties is obtained, for example in the case of a Fresnel structure a thickness greater than 1.5 times and less than 5 times the Fresnel structure height, and is cured in situ. A film, e.g., of PET, PC or PU or a film stack, e.g. a TAC/PVA/TAC film stack is prepared and a heat melting adhesive is applied to the side of the film or film stack to be contacted with the coated structured surface of the lens blank. The film or film stack is then laminated to the cured coating.
US09492976B2
The present invention relates to a tire repair tool and further discloses a sealant bottle for tire repair of vehicle. The sealant bottle comprises a bottle body for holding sealant and a sealant hose arranged within the bottle body. The sealant within the bottle body is led out by combination of the sealant hose and a connection tube of sealant bottle. The sealant hose is connected with a one-way valve at one end. The one-way valve includes a valve body, a sealing plug and a valve cover, while the valve cover is arranged at one end of the valve body. The one-way valve is arranged with a gravitational shell which surrounds the one-way valve. In the present invention, it is possible to make full use of the sealant inside the sealant body by virtue of the gravitational shell. Besides, the sealant bottle is easy in structure and convenient in usage.
US09492975B2
A method and apparatus for reworking a composite structure. A composite rework patch system comprises a composite rework patch and a plurality of adhesive layers. The composite rework patch includes a first side having a contour conforming to an inconsistent area on the composite structure. The composite re patch comprises a plurality of regions having different structural properties. The plurality of adhesive layers is on the first side of the composite rework patch. The plurality of adhesive layers change in thickness within at least one region of the composite rework patch to form tapered adhesive sections.
US09492974B2
A method for producing a fiber composite component, in particular for aerospace, includes the following method steps: introducing an elastic core sleeve into a prestressing mechanism; expanding the core sleeve that is introduced, for elastic prestressing of the same, by activating the prestressing mechanism; introducing a core body through an opening of the expanded core sleeve; releasing the core sleeve by deactivating the prestressing mechanism, for the snug enclosing of the core body by the core sleeve and thus for the forming of the molding core (14); and at least partly laying at least one semifinished fiber product on the molding core that is formed, for the shaping of the fiber composite component to be produced.
US09492971B2
A non-fibrous, apertured membrane comprises at least one thermoplastic polymeric material and has a discrete porous structure. The membrane is soluble in the thermoset matrix polymer of a composite material.
US09492965B2
A multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a polypropylene layer and a polyethylene resin layer and having well-balanced permeability, mechanical strength, heat shrinkage resistance, shutdown properties and meltdown properties can be obtained by (1) forming a sheet comprising a gel-like polypropylene layer containing a membrane-forming solvent or a polypropylene layer containing no membrane-forming solvent and a gel-like polyethylene resin layer containing a membrane-forming solvent, stretching the sheet at two-stage temperatures, and then removing the membrane-forming solvent, or (2) forming a gel-like polypropylene sheet containing a membrane-forming solvent or a polypropylene sheet containing no membrane-forming solvent, and a gel-like polyethylene resin sheet containing a membrane-forming solvent, stretching them at two-stage temperatures, removing the membrane-forming solvent, and then laminating the resultant microporous polypropylene membrane and the resultant microporous polyethylene membrane.
US09492959B2
The present invention relates to a method for use in injection molding with the capability to have precise and adjustable control of the molten plastic flow when molding at least two (2) non-identical (i.e. with more than 50% difference in weight or form) or identical complex-shaped and intricate plastic parts at the same time, utilizing a mold with at least two (2) parting layers via a standard conventional injection machine. This invention incorporates the principle of having two (2) valve pins in which their movements are back-to-back and can be independently opened and closed as controlled by stepper, servo or linear motors linked to a separate independent tool controller. The two (2) valve pins are positioned at the floating half of the mold for sequential, stack or multi-layer mold with multiple cavities.
US09492958B2
A case having a speaker mesh module and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The case includes a base, a speaker mesh module and a combination member. The base is formed with a filling port and an opening in which the speaker mesh module is correspondingly placed. The speaker mesh module is formed with a buckle part and a sound output part. The combination member is secured on the base through the filling port with an injection molding means and served to cover the speaker mesh module. The combination member is formed with a combining part mutually fastened with the buckle part and a penetrated hole corresponding to the sound output part. Accordingly, the speaker mesh module is able to be sealed in the opening with a means other than adhering, thereby allowing the case to be provided with a stable and excellent waterproof performance.
US09492955B2
The present invention relates to a method for molding a highly heat-resistant sound absorbing and insulating material, which uses a sound absorbing material containing 20-80 parts by weight of a fiber material having a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 25% or greater and a heat resistance temperature of 200° C. or greater and 20-80 parts by weight of a thermosetting binder resin having a heat resistance temperature of 200° C. or greater and is installed on an engine cylinder block and an automotive body panel above a muffler of a vehicle. More specifically, the method includes a releasing agent coating step of coating a releasing agent inside a hot die, a hot compression molding step of fixing a shape, and a cold compression step of stabilizing the shape.The highly heat-resistant sound absorbing and insulating material molded according to the method can reduce the noise inside a vehicle by blocking radiated noise, which is generated from an engine and an exhaust system, from being transferred to the inside of the vehicle through an automotive body panel, can maintain its shape even under a high-temperature environment of 200° C. or greater generated by the engine and the exhaust system, and can satisfy UL 94V-0 flame retardancy.
US09492954B2
A method for quickly applying and spreading adhesive between substrates without leaving air bubbles. The method includes holding two substrates apart from each other with adhesive sides facing, a second substrate being positioned above a first substrate. The second substrate is suspended in a manner so as to cause a portion to warp towards the first substrate. After a liquid filler is applied between the two substrates, rollers are lowered onto the second substrate and moved so as to disperse the liquid filler between the first and second substrates. In accordance with the rolling of the rollers, end portions of the second substrate are lowered towards the first substrate.
US09492947B2
A container for bone cement includes a first member defining a chamber, which contains a first ingredient. The chamber also includes a second member movably coupled to the first member. The second member includes a mixing device that is movably disposed within the first chamber, and the second member defines a second chamber containing a second ingredient. The container additional includes an opening device that selectively opens the second chamber and allows the second ingredient to enter from the second chamber into the first chamber. The mixing device is movable within the first chamber to promote mixing of the first ingredient and the second ingredient to prepare the bone cement. A corresponding method of preparing bone cement is also disclosed.
US09492944B2
A feedbox for use in an automated dry-cast concrete block machine, including an agitator grid having a plurality of parallel agitator elements disposed parallel to a bottom of the feedbox, a plurality of prongs extending downward toward the bottom of the feedbox from each of the parallel agitator elements, and one or more restrictor elements slideably coupled with a coupling mechanism to one or more of the plurality of prongs which can be slideably adjusted along a length of the one or more prongs.
US09492943B2
The present application relates to wood boards, particularly post-cured wood boards and more particularly to particle board with excellent swelling properties; it also relates to a process for production of such boards.
US09492939B2
A cutting apparatus for a separator of an electrical device cuts or severs a separator which includes a melt material representing a substrate and a heat-resistant material laminated on the melt material and having a higher melt temperature than the melt material. The separator cutting apparatus comprises at least two cutting members which are disposed spaced apart from one another, a first suction member, and second suction members. The cutting members cut the separator such that a cut piece generates. The first suction member moves the cut piece in a direction away from the separator while sucking the cut piece. The second suction members suck up the cutting dust produced accompanying the cutting process of the separator.
US09492933B2
A shaving cartridge with a housing, cap at a rear of the housing, one or more blades mounted to the housing in front of the cap, and a guard at a front of the housing. The guard has a top surface with a plurality of undulating rows extending parallel to the blade. The undulating rows have crests and valleys. The valleys comprise an elastomeric material and are stepped from a front of the guard to a rear of the guard.
US09492932B2
A pair of scissors includes two handles (12, 14) having two overlapping shank portions (16, 18). Two recesses (20, 22) are formed on opposite inner faces of the shank portions (16, 18) respectively. Two blades (24, 26) are made of bendable and shape-retaining metal or alloy, and have inner end portions (28, 30) sandwiched between the shank portions (16, 18) and secured within the two recesses (20, 22) respectively. A pivot screw (50) is threaded through aligned screw holes and openings (32, 34, 36, 38) formed on the two shank portions (16, 18) and the inner end portions (28, 30). Two resilient blade covers (40, 42) are provided on two outer faces of the two blades (24, 26).
US09492931B2
A utility knife includes a handle, a blade assembly secured to the handle, a blade cover mechanically coupled to the handle facilitating manipulability of the blade cover to an extended position over the blade assembly, and a slider that is repositionable along the handle to release the blade cover from the extended position, the slider being pivotally coupled to the blade assembly.
US09492925B2
A robot includes a control unit that controls a movable unit of the robot to move an endpoint of the movable unit closer to a target position, and an image acquisition unit that acquires a target image as an image containing the end point when the end point is in the target position, and a current image as an image containing the end point when the end point is in a current position. The control unit controls movement of the movable unit based on the current image and the target image and output from a force detection unit that detects a force acting on the movable unit.
US09492920B2
A master motion information obtaining unit obtains at least one or more pieces of master motion information including a position, a posture, a speed, and an angular velocity of a master arm mechanism. A physical information obtaining unit obtains physical information of an operator including an arm weight of the operator. A master motion information correcting unit generates corrected master motion information where an amount of correction of the master motion information is corrected such that heavier the arm weight of the operator included in the physical information, larger a movement of a slave arm. A slave controller controls a slave arm mechanism, according to the corrected master motion information.
US09492916B2
A folding tool with an improved locking mechanism is provided. The locking mechanism includes a biasing member interconnected to a handle of the tool and coupled to an engagement member, which may be a push button. In various embodiments, the biasing member biases the engagement member towards a locked position in which a portion of the engagement member interacts with a tang of an implement to prevent rotation of the implement.
US09492906B2
The invention relates to a method for cleaning a turbo-machine stage (100) consisting of at least one of the following steps: a cleaning nozzle (1) is introduced into an opening of a turbo-machine, in particular into an inspection opening (220); and the blade (100) of the stage is acted upon by solid particles, said particles subliming at the blade temperature, in particular into dry ice particles.
US09492904B1
Described herein is a multipurpose workstation case for transporting, and utilizing a portable electronic device, such as a laptop computer, while maintaining optimized organization of documents. The multipurpose workstation case comprises a platform to receive and secure a portable electronic device. The case further comprises two work surface panels that can be drawn out and retracted through work surface panel slots, each located on a lateral side of the base. Each work surface panel comprises an upper and a lower wing panel, in which the upper wing panel flips up from a lower wing panel, subsequently allowing each to secure a document. In some implementations, the case can comprise one or more retractable drawers. The multipurpose workstation can accommodate multiple, distinct work areas for a user to organize documents while simultaneously using an electronic device.
US09492894B2
Provided are a flux cored arc welding wire able to improve low-temperature toughness of a weld joint and a weld joint using the same, in which the flux cored arc welding wire includes 0.01 wt % to 0.1 wt % of carbon (C), 0.3 wt % to 1.4 wt % of silicon (Si), 1.0 wt % to 3.0 wt % of manganese (Mn), 4.0 wt % to 7.5 wt % of titanium (Ti)+TiO, 0.01 wt % to 3.0 wt % of nickel (Ni), 0.01 wt % to 0.2 wt % of boron (B), 0.02 wt % to 0.42 wt % of yttrium (Y) or 0.02 wt % to 0.56 wt % of a rare earth metal (REM), and iron (Fe) as well as other unavoidable impurities as a remainder.
US09492892B2
A laser material processing system comprises: a housing defining an engraving chamber, an xy laser beam steering system, a non-telescoping focus mechanism, and a camera system that facilitates production of engravings that exceed the xy dimensions of the engraving chamber. The housing includes a removable bottom panel that allows processing of workpieces that exceed dimensions of the engraving chamber. The focus mechanism includes a carriage mirror subassembly, a sliding member moveably attached to the carriage mirror subassembly, and a focusing lens subassembly attached perpendicularly to a lower portion of the sliding member. The carriage mirror subassembly and focusing lens subassembly are configured to receive and focus a laser beam to a focal point. The focusing lens subassembly is adjusted along a z-axis by disengaging the locking component and vertically sliding the sliding member and is locked into a position by engaging the locking component with the sliding member.
US09492889B2
A processing machine includes mirrors and to reflect a beam L oscillated from a laser oscillator to a predetermined surface on which a workpiece is arranged, optical axis operating mechanisms and to position an optical axis of the beam L at a desired target irradiation position by changing directions of the mirrors and, a camera sensor to capture an image of the target irradiation position and its periphery reflected in the mirror, and an error calibration mechanism to detect an error between the target irradiation position instructed to the optical axis operating mechanisms and an actual position of the optical axis of the beam L in the predetermined surface by referring to the image captured by the camera sensor. A correction amount to the optical axis operating mechanisms and is determined based on the error to irradiate the target irradiation position with the beam L during processing.
US09492886B2
A method for monitoring a laser machining operation to be performed on a workpiece by detecting at least two current measured valued by at least one sensor which monitors the laser machining operation and determining at least two current characteristic values from the at least two current measured value, wherein the at least two current characteristic values jointly represent a current fingerprint in a characteristic value space and providing a predetermined point set in a characteristic value space, and classifying the laser machining operation by\detecting the position of the current fingerprint relative to the predetermined point set in the characteristic value space.
US09492883B2
A component for a contact start plasma arc torch is provided. The component includes a hollow body defining a channel with a longitudinal axis. The channel is capable of slideably receiving an electrode body along the longitudinal axis. The component includes a contact element disposed in the hollow body and includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is adapted to facilitate electrical communication with a power supply and the second surface is adapted to physically contact a surface of the electrode body when the plasma arc torch is operated in a transferred arc mode. In addition, the second surface is characterized by the absence of physical contact with the surface of the electrode body when the torch is operated in a pilot arc mode.
US09492877B2
A drill includes: a chip discharge flute opened in a tip surface; and a cutting edge formed at an intersecting portion between an inner wall surface of the chip discharge flute on a side of a drill rotation direction and a tip flank formed on the tip surface, the cutting edge being made up of a concavely-curved cutting edge portion formed on an inner circumferential side and a convexly-curved cutting edge portion formed on an outer circumferential side, a cross section orthogonal to an axial center having a first convex curve corresponding to the convexly-curved cutting edge portion and a first concave curve corresponding to the concavely-curved cutting edge portion intersecting with each other.
US09492875B2
A bit retaining system for a rotary tool or device such as a router is disclosed. The bit retaining system may include a collet assembly and a control assembly. The collet assembly may include a spindle, a collet adapted to receive the bit, and a collet nut. The collet assembly may further include a collet gear mounted on the collet nut and/or a spindle gear mounted on the spindle. The control assembly selectively engages the collet assembly to drive the collet nut and/or secure the spindle in a fixed position, preventing its rotation. In operation, a hand tool is utilized to engage the control assembly. This configuration enables a user to capture and release the rotary tool bit using one hand.
US09492864B2
A mold apparatus for casting a cylinder block having a cast-in cylinder liner by installing the cylinder liner inside a cavity and pouring a melt into the cavity, the mold apparatus includes a first mold and a bore pin. The first mold defines a deck surface of the cylinder block. The bore pin is in the first mold so as to hold the cylinder liner inside the cavity when the mold is closed. The bore pin is configured to hold the cylinder liner interposed by a gap, and the gap is arranged so as to enable gas produced during the cast-molding to be discharged therethrough.
US09492863B2
A metal member coupling structure and a metal member coupling device that can perform high-strength and high-precision coupling are provided. A shaft-like portion of the second metal member is fitted in an annular portion of the first metal member, a restraint ring is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the annular portion of the first metal member, and the annular portion is pressed to be plastically deformed, whereby the annular portion is made to flow into a coupling groove of the shaft-like portion and the first metal member and the second metal member are coupled to each other through mechanical engagement therebetween.
US09492857B2
A hand held flaring tool includes a receiving portion for receiving an end of a tube, a stop element, a locking mechanism and a flaring mechanism. The stop element is movably disposed at the receiving portion and is movable between a stopping position, where the stop element limits insertion of the tube at the receiving portion to set the tube at an appropriate location for flaring the end of the tube, and a flaring position, where the stop element is moved to a position remote from the end of the tube. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the tube at the receiving portion when the tube is inserted into engagement with the stop element. The flaring mechanism is operable to move a flaring mandrel towards and into engagement with the end of the tube to flare the end of the tube.
US09492851B2
A selective removal of metal and its anion species that are detrimental to subsequent hydrothermal hydrocatalytic conversion from the biomass feed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner prior to carrying out catalytic hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the biomass that does not reduce the effectiveness of the hydrothermal hydrocatalytic treatment while minimizing the amount of water used in the process is provided.
US09492848B1
An optical robotic sorting apparatus for identifying and sorting a product is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the optical robotic sorting apparatus illuminates the product with a light source, images the product using at least one imaging device, analyzes the image, and activates a robotic sorter to sort the product; wherein the robotic sorter utilizes a vacuum tool to handle the product.
US09492847B2
An apparatus comprises an actuator that includes an eccentric mass that is coupled to a rotatable shaft of the actuator which defines an axis of rotation. A circuit is coupled to the actuator, the circuit is configured to produce a control signal such that, when the control signal is received by the actuator. The actuator is configured to produce a force effect having a magnitude and a frequency by rotating the mass about the axis of rotation in a first direction. The magnitude of the vibration is based on a duty cycle of the control signal and independent of the frequency. An obstacle member is coupled to the actuator and includes a compliance portion configured to increase energy in the movement of the mass in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the mass comes into contact with the obstacle member.
US09492846B2
A process for the manufacture of a multilayer silicone structure of cured silicone elastomer layers wherein the compositions of each of the curable silicone elastomers are chosen such as to provide excellent layer-to-layer adhesion of the said cured silicone elastomer layers, that is, the layers do not suffer from cohesive failure. The multilayer silicone structures may be used for example for the manufacture of electronic devices, coatings, shaped molded articles, laminates, etc.
US09492839B2
Disclosed is an applicator for an adhesive lavatory composition which comprises a quantity of an adhesive lavatory composition, and a piston part moveably engageable within a base part, wherein the piston part includes a piston plate and a grip element, and, the base part includes an upper cavity, a perforated compression plate, and a lower cavity, and, wherein the piston plate is fitted within the upper cavity of the base part and is moveable within the upper cavity of the base part. In certain embodiments the grip element may be detached from the piston plate and reused.
US09492835B2
A method of depositing a fluid onto a substrate is disclosed. The method can include the steps of providing a substrate, a fluid; a sleeve and roll system comprising a sleeve having a sleeve exit and an inner region and a rotating roll disposed within the inner region and a vascular network to supply the fluid from the interior region of the rotating roll to the exterior surface of the rotating roll in a predetermined path. The vascular network comprises a main artery, a tree comprising a first capillary, and a fluid exit on the exterior surface. The method includes the steps of transporting the fluid to the vascular network; controlling the flow of the fluid to move the fluid at a predetermined flow rate to the fluid exit; and contacting the substrate with the fluid.
US09492829B2
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multi-spindle spray nozzle assembly for a steam desuperheating or attemperator device. The nozzle assembly features a nozzle holder which accommodates two small, spring-loaded nozzles, each of which is adapted to produce a spray pattern of reduced cone angle (e.g., approximately 60°) in comparison to currently know nozzle designs. The two nozzles are positioned within the nozzle holder such that they diverge from the axis thereof as allows the spray pattern generated thereby to be effectively tilted into the flow of steam within a desuperheating device having the nozzle assembly interfaced thereto.
US09492826B2
The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a microfluidic chip comprising a first zone having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a second zone having a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein the microfluidic channels in the first and second zones are in fluid communication. The microfluidic device further comprising a thin-film heater in thermal communication with each of the microfluidic channels in the first and second zones. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to independently control the temperature of each of the thin-film heaters using pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals that are optimized for each of the thin-film heaters.
US09492814B2
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a novel catalyst composition comprising MoVGaPdNbXY, wherein X comprises La, Te, Ge, Zn, In, or W; and Y comprises Al or Si; wherein Mo, V, Ga, Pd, Nb, La, Te, Ge, Zn, In, W, Al, or Si are optionally present in combination with oxygen; wherein the catalyst does not comprise an additional element that acts as a catalyst in the conversion of a propylene to the product. Also, disclosed is a method for the conversion of a propylene to a carboxylic acid moiety by contacting the propylene with the disclosed catalyst.
US09492813B2
Disclosed is a method for regenerating a hydrogenation catalyst. More specifically, disclosed is a method for regenerating a hydrogenation catalyst poisoned during hydrogenation of a hydroformylation product for preparation of alcohol by stopping hydrogenation in a hydrogenation stationary phase reactor in which the hydrogenation catalyst is set and flowing hydrogen gas under a high temperature normal pressure. The method has an effect in that the poisoned hydrogenation catalyst can be efficiently recovered through a simple process.
US09492812B2
The surface of a component includes metallic fractions of Ag and/or Ni, touching MnO2 fractions which provide an antimicrobial effect. When using toxicologically safe Ni, these antimicrobial surfaces can be used in the food industry, for example. The surface can, for example, be applied by way of a coating on the component with the metallic fraction and the MnO2 fraction applied in two layers.
US09492811B2
Extruded honeycomb catalyst bodies and methods of manufacturing same. The catalyst body includes a first oxide selected from the group consisting of tungsten oxides, vanadium oxides, and combinations thereof, a second oxide selected from the group consisting of cerium oxides, lanthanum oxides, zirconium oxides, and combinations thereof, and a zeolite.
US09492809B2
A carbon oxides conversion process includes reacting a carbon oxide containing process gas containing hydrogen and/or steam and containing at least one of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst including shaped units formed from a reduced and passivated catalyst powder, the powder including copper in the range 10-80% by weight, zinc oxide in the range 20-90% by weight, alumina in the range 5-60% by weight and optionally one or more oxidic promoter compounds selected from compounds of Mg, Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Zr, Ta, Mo, W, Si and rare earths in the range 0.01-10% by weight, wherein said shaped units have a reduced to as-made mean horizontal crush strength ratio of ≧0.5:1 and a copper surface area above 60 m2/g Cu.
US09492798B2
A foam generation assembly is provided. The assembly includes a tube having first and second end portions and an interior region. The assembly further includes first and second coupling members coupled to the tube, and a first movable retaining member disposed within the interior region proximate to the first coupling member. The assembly further includes a spring disposed within the interior region proximate to the second coupling member. The assembly further includes a second movable retaining member disposed within the interior region adjacent and against the spring, and a plurality of pellets disposed within the interior region between the first and second movable retaining members. The spring compresses the plurality of pellets between the first and second movable retaining members.
US09492784B2
A method of producing a composite oxygen ion membrane and a composite oxygen ion membrane in which a porous fuel oxidation layer and a dense separation layer and optionally, a porous surface exchange layer are formed on a porous support from mixtures of (Ln1-xAx)wCr1-yByO3-δ and a doped zirconia. In the porous fuel oxidation layer and the optional porous surface exchange layer, A is Calcium and in the dense separation layer A is not Calcium and, preferably is Strontium. Preferred materials are (La0.8Ca0.2)0.95Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-δ for the porous fuel oxidation and optional porous surface exchange layers and (La0.8Sr0.2)0.95Cr0.5Fe0.5O3-δ for the dense separation layer. The use of such materials allows the membrane to sintered in air and without the use of pore formers to reduce membrane manufacturing costs. The use of materials, as described herein, for forming the porous layers have application for forming any type of porous structure, such as a catalyst support.
US09492771B2
Polyethyleneimine and polyalkylene biguanide ligand functionalized substrates, methods of making ligand functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.
US09492759B2
A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including structure configured to define a pair of substantially parallel grooves across the bottom surface of the chassis, and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis and configured to roll the chassis on a surface in a predetermined rolling direction. A playset includes a first track section adapted to engage the grooves on the bottom surface of the toy vehicle for slidable movement thereon, a second track section adapted to engage the plurality of wheels of the toy vehicle for rolling movement thereon, and a connecting portion to couple the track portions.
US09492758B2
The present disclosure provides a gesture capture hardware to visually receive position and/or gestures and translate visual signals to actuates of a water play feature in a water play structure.
US09492749B2
Provided is a game program capable of chronologically automatically analyzing the degree of excitement in a game played by a user in order to present where during game-play that the excitement is occurring. The invention causes a computer to function as: operation data acquisition means (300) for acquiring operation data (200); computation means (120) which, on the basis of data including time elapse in a game and the operation data (200), performs computation related to progress of the game at regular time intervals in order to generate game status data (210) describing the state of the game-space and objects within the game-space at each point in time; and heat-up point analysis means (310) which, on the basis of the game status data (210), calculates heat-up points (230) which are degrees of excitement during the game.
US09492745B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a processor to detect a gaming accessory stimulation associated with a programmable layer of a number of programmable layers. The processor identifies a substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers of the gaming accessory. The substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer is associated with the gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers, according to a user profile of a number of user profiles associated with a user account. Other predetermined associations of stimulations of the gaming accessory with other substitute accessory stimulations are recorded in other user profiles of the number of user profiles, and the substitute gaming accessory stimulation is provided to a computing device to manage a gaming software application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09492741B2
Example apparatus and methods concern establishing, maintaining, managing, or terminating communications between an access point and a client in a wireless network used by a shared, wireless gaming system. An example apparatus may include a first logic configured to control timing for the protocol and a second logic configured to control message exchange for the protocol. Controlling timing and message exchange facilitates reducing contention in the wireless gaming environment. Contention may lead to latency. A user gaming experience may depend on reducing latency. Therefore, reducing latency may produce an improved gaming experience. Controlling timing and message exchange also facilitates reducing power consumption by clients (e.g., accessories, controllers), which in turn facilitates improving battery life for clients.
US09492730B2
A snowboard boot and binding system is disclosed which facilitates the engagement and disengagement of a snowboard boot and binding. The snowboard boot may include a boot engagement member extending from a rear of the boot. The boot engagement member is moved downwardly into a corresponding binding engagement member to provide an arrangement which prevents forward movement of the boot. The boot engagement member also may include one or more serrations to engage with one or more pawls on the binding to prevent upward movement of the boot. A snap-in arrangement may be provided in a boot toe region. The boot has protrusions extending outwardly from each side of the boot to engage with catches on the binding sidewalls. As the boot is pressed downwardly into the binding, the protrusions splay the catches until reaching recesses, at which point the catches rebound to capture the protrusions against upward movement.
US09492727B2
A tee-ball apparatus having two foot pads which can be adjusted for each batter is disclosed. Once adjusted, the foot pads are not displaced by normal batter actions but can be quickly readjusted for other batters when needed. The tee-ball apparatus can be used with either leftie or rightie batters. The post may be displaced by an errant swing and returned to its normal upright position. The post may also be removable from the rest of the apparatus to allow the batter to practice swinging at pitches while still utilizing the foot pads to maintain proper stance.
US09492723B1
A lacrosse stick is provided that includes a lacrosse head providing a frame for holding a ball. A V-Shaped pocket is coupled to the lacrosse head that defines a pocket region for holding the ball. The V-Shaped pocket includes a mesh structure having an inelastic knitting pattern and consistent mesh diamond length creating a stable pocket channel and depth.
US09492722B2
A golf club head includes a club body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, and a face portion. In some embodiments, the face portion has an ideal striking location and at least one channel defined in the face. In some embodiments, the golf club head has a striking face and at least one channel defined in the striking face. In some embodiments, the golf club head has an ideal striking location and at least one non-ideal striking location.
US09492717B2
Golf balls having a solid multi-layered core and a cover are provided. The ball contains an inner core made of a foam composition, an intermediate core layer, and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, foamed polyurethane is used to form the inner core and polybutadiene rubber is used to make the intermediate and outer cores. The specific gravity (density) of the inner core is preferably less than the density of the intermediate core, which is less than the outer core. The outer surface of the inner core preferably has a non-uniform structure and includes projecting members. The ball preferably has a high Moment of Inertia (MOI). The ball includes a single or multi-layered cover surrounding the core assembly.
US09492716B2
A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer. The core defines an outer surface that includes a plurality of polygonal land portions substantially aligned on a common sphere, which has a diameter of between 22 mm and 32 mm. The intermediate layer has a radially inward-facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and has a radial thickness of between 4 mm and 9 mm. The outer surface of the core defines a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, and a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis. Each of the first and second set of annular grooves extend radially inward from the common sphere, and the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.
US09492714B2
A method and system for making a golf ball core is disclosed. The method may generally include forming a golf ball core out of a raw core material. The golf ball core may be rapidly heated to begin curing (or vulcanizing) from the outermost surface toward the center of the golf ball core. Before curing the entire golf ball core, the golf ball core may be quenched to stop the curing process. As a result, the golf ball core may include an outer cured zone and an inner uncured zone. In this state, the golf ball core may be incorporated into a finished golf ball to be sold to consumers. Following a set of instructions provided with the golf ball, the consumer may heat the golf ball and a cure indicator to customize the properties of the golf ball core, and, thus, the characteristics of the golf ball.
US09492704B2
Embodiments of an elliptical exercise machine are provided including an elliptical exercise machine having a rear mechanism that is foldable or collapsible from an operating position to a storage position. In one embodiment, the elliptical machine includes a first assembly pivotally coupled with a second assembly. The first assembly includes a first frame member, a rear rotational mechanism and first and second foot supports operably coupled with the rotational mechanism. The second assembly includes a second frame member, a first reciprocating arm and a second reciprocating arm. The second assembly may be displaced relative to the first assembly from an operating position to a storage position without having to alter the operational relationships of the components of the first assembly and without having to alter the operational relationships of the components of the second assembly.
US09492701B1
The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, a power rack apparatus for lifting dumbbells. The apparatus can have a conventional cage design or a novel cage design with dual pull up bars. The apparatus also has novel dumbbell trays configured to attach to a novel horizontal support. The horizontal support is configured to attach to the cage in a plurality of vertical positions and the horizontal support contains a plurality of slots for horizontal width adjustment of the dumbbell trays. The slots on the horizontal support are configured to receive a plurality of inclined dumbbell trays. The apparatus can be a combo power rack configured to hold barbells and dumbbells or a simplified power rack apparatus configured to just hold dumbbells.
US09492695B2
A quint configuration fire apparatus includes a chassis defining a longitudinal direction, a body assembly coupled to the chassis and having a storage area configured to receive a ground ladder and a fire hose, a pump coupled to the chassis, a water tank coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly including a plurality of extensible ladder sections, the ladder assembly coupled to the chassis with a pedestal and a torque box, a single front axle coupled to a front end of the chassis, and a single rear axle coupled to a rear end of the chassis. The ladder assembly is extensible to provide a horizontal reach of at least 100 feet and a vertical height of at least 105 feet. The torque box extends along the longitudinal direction and spans the single rear axle thereby transferring loading along the chassis.
US09492686B2
Devices and methods for the treatment of skin conditions and lesions are disclosed herein. A compact hand held device that can be safely used by those suffering from skin conditions, such as acne, warts, cold blisters, blemished skin, or fine wrinkles. The devices employ the application of ultrasound energy and heat for the treatment of skin conditions and lesions. Typically, the peak temperatures employed are about 40° C. to about 70° C. by the devices, are achieved in less than about 20 second, and maintained for less than about 40 second. Ultrasound absorption and thermal conduction transfers heat from the device to the skin and causes a biological response that accelerates acne clearing, treats blemished skin, itching, or fine wrinkles. The total heat transferred is low enough to prevent burns.
US09492683B2
Brachytherapy radioisotope carrier systems and methodology for providing real-time customized brachytherapy treatment to subjects with tumors difficult to control using conventional radiation therapy techniques. The invention generally relates to devices, methods and kits for providing customized radionuclide treatments, to help cure, slow progression or regrowth, or ameliorate the symptoms associated with tumors.
US09492681B2
The present invention relates to a cells and cell tissue treatment device and use thereof.
US09492676B2
A wearable device and method of monitoring the condition of a patient. The wearable device includes at least one sensor and at least one processor operatively connected to the at least one sensor. The wearable device also includes an operator interface device operatively connected to the at least one processor. The at least one processor causes the device to allow for customization of at least one output message to be delivered via the operator interface device.
US09492668B2
In some examples, a leadless pacing device (hereinafter, “LPD”) is configured for implantation in a ventricle of a heart of a patient, and is configured to switch between an atrio-ventricular synchronous pacing mode and an asynchronous ventricular pacing mode in response to detection of one or more sensing events, which may be, for example, undersensing events. In some examples, an LPD is configured to switch from a sensing without pacing mode to an atrio-ventricular synchronous pacing mode in response to determining, for a threshold number of cardiac cycles, a ventricular depolarization was not detected within a ventricular event detection window that begins at an atrial activation event.
US09492667B1
Systems and methods to control non-paresthesia stimulation of nerve tissue of a patient are herein disclosed. The systems and methods deliver a non-paresthesia stimulation waveform to at least one electrode proximate to target nerve fibers, and define an analysis window that is positioned to occur at an intermediate point within at least one of a first burst or an inter-burst delay. Additionally, the systems and methods, during the analysis window, measure evoked potential (EP) signals from the target nerve fibers. The systems and methods also analyze the EP signals to obtain activity data for select nerve fiber components, and adjust at least one therapy parameter to change the non-paresthesia stimulation waveform based on the activity data.
US09492666B2
A method of assembling a contact assembly for installation in a medical device, and more specifically, a header contact assembly for installation in an implantable medical device for achieving electrical contact with an in-line IPG lead for implanted electrodes, the assembly utilizing a contact structure such as a “toroidal spring in groove” device.
US09492664B2
A method of providing therapy to a patient comprising sinking first electrical current into at least a first one of a plurality of electrodes adjacent the spinal cord tissue, thereby providing therapy to a first region of the patient. The method further comprises sinking second electrical current into at least one electrode adjacent peripheral tissue remote from the spinal cord tissue, thereby providing therapy to a second region of the patient. The method further comprises sourcing at least a portion of the first electrical current and at least a portion of the second electrical current into at least a second one of the plurality of electrodes.
US09492661B2
Transnasal delivery of medication directly to a patient's brain is achieved using an iontophoresis wire cooperable with a medication administration device. A controller regulates an electric charge to the iontophoresis wire. The iontophoresis wire is insertable into each nasal cavity. This wire is preferably encased in a tube, through which the medication will be transnasally delivered. A cleaning solution may also be delivered to the nasal cavity after treatment to reduce irritation from the iontophoresis.
US09492651B2
RF/MRI compatible leads include at least one conductor that turns back on itself at least twice in a lengthwise direction, and can turn back on itself at least twice at multiple locations along its length. The at least one electrical lead can be configured so that the lead heats local tissue less than about 10 degrees Celsius (typically about 5 degrees Celsius or less) or does not heat local tissue when a patient is exposed to target RF frequencies at a peak input SAR of at least about 4 W/kg and/or a whole body average SAR of at least about 2W/kg. Related devices and methods of fabricating leads are also described.
US09492648B2
An apparatus is presented comprising a first part comprising a sealing structure, a membrane being attached to said first part and a second part being attached to said membrane, wherein said second part comprises a valve area with a first opening and a second opening, wherein said valve area is located in the area of said sealing structure, wherein said valve area is configured to allow for a fluidic communication between said first opening and said second opening and wherein said sealing structure is configured to allow for an interruption of said fluidic communication between said first opening and said second opening.
US09492647B2
A microneedle array applicator is configured to apply a microneedle array in cosmetic and medical applications. The microneedle array applicator has a holding apparatus configured to define detachable holding of a microneedle array comprising a planar substrate. The microneedle array applicator also has a drive mechanism for driving the microneedle array in a first direction perpendicular to the planar substrate and in a second direction parallel to the planar substrate. A method for applying a microneedle array includes the microneedle array applicator enabling safe breaking off of the microneedles, optionally laden with an active ingredient, in the skin.
US09492646B2
An applicator and method for dispensing a stream of a particulate and a fluid from a cannula and a mixing tip. The mixing tip includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a mixing channel extending therebetween. A fin is positioned within the housing and extends along at least a portion of the mixing channel. The fin spirals about the mixing channel from the inlet toward the outlet for mixing and distributing the particulate generally uniformly within the fluid. The stream is directed into the mixing channel of the mixing tip and spiraled along the fin within the mixing channel. The spiraling increases turbulence and mixes the stream into a mixed stream of particulate and fluid. The mixed stream is discharged from the mixing tip for being dispensed onto an anatomical site.
US09492644B2
A stoma dilation device that includes a tubular support and an inflatable dilation portion located on the tubular support. The inflatable dilation portion includes a stiffening portion and inflation lumen. The device may have a retention portion configured to have a diameter upon full, unrestrained inflation that is greater than the diameter of the dilation portion. The device is designed to be placed in a patient to dilate the stoma for the installation of a catheter feeding tube. The device may be placed and withdrawn with the use of an endoscope which need be inserted into the patient only one time. The single insertion of the endoscope significantly reduces the trauma to the patient in comparison with multiple endoscope insertion methods.
US09492637B2
An interventional catheter for treating an artery includes an elongated body sized and shaped to be transcervically introduced into a common carotid artery at an access location in the neck. The elongated body has an overall length such that the distal most section can be positioned in an intracranial artery and at least a portion of the proximal most section is positioned in the common carotid artery during use.
US09492636B2
The instant invention relates generally to catheters and to introducer catheters used to help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within the human body. In particular, the instant invention relates to large diameter catheters and introducer catheters having a torque transfer layer that includes at least two flat wires braided into a wire mesh. The flat wires have a width of at least about 0.007 inches and a depth of at least about 0.003 inches. The lumen diameter of the catheter is at least about 6 French. The torque transfer layer provides increased strength, flexibility, and kink resistance.
US09492634B2
A catheter, with one or more lumens, having a first portion and a second portion and an arcuate transition region extending between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion is nonparallel to the second portion.
US09492632B2
Packaging for a catheter includes coiled tubing for receiving the catheter and a mounting card coupled to the coiled tubing. The windings of the coiled tubing are welded together to maintain the coiled configuration. The mounting card includes an integral support flap for reducing the risk of damage during catheter insertion and removal, an integral luer retainer for securing a catheter luer, and one or more integral tabs for attaching catheter accessories to the packaging. The integral support flap creates a contact zone which discourages grasping the packaging at a location that can potentially damage an object passing through the packaging, such as a balloon and/or stent. The integral luer retainer is configured to selectively alternate between a configuration which secures the catheter luer and configuration which allows releases the luer for easy insertion and removal of the catheter.
US09492625B2
A dry powder inhaler including a housing defining a chamber for receiving a dose of powdered medicament, an inhalation port in fluid communication with the chamber, at least one airflow inlet providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the housing, and a flutter element in the chamber and associated with a dose of powdered medicament. The flutter element has a tensioned distal end proximate the at least one airflow inlet and a free proximal end opposite to the distal end and downstream of the inlet. The flutter element is configured to vibrate in response to airflow through the chamber and aerosolize the dose of powdered medicament.
US09492614B2
A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.
US09492611B2
An infusion pump assembly is disclosed. The infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.
US09492608B2
A method of infusing liquid medicaments including insulin via an insulin pump, includes identifying an insulin delivery protocol associated with ingestion of carbohydrates wherein the insulin delivery protocol is likely to lead to a postprandial drop in blood glucose to a level below a basal level, then proposing at least one alternative insulin delivery protocol to inhibit the postprandial drop in blood glucose by delivering a metered amount of insulin that is appropriate to facilitate the metabolism of the carbohydrates without the postprandial blood glucose level drop. The invention further includes querying the patient as to whether to apply the alternative insulin delivery protocol, receiving instructions from the patient in response to the query, and applying the alternative insulin delivery protocol following receiving instructions from the patient to apply the alternative insulin delivery protocol.
US09492607B2
A system is disclosed. The system includes a fill adapter device including a heat exchanger which includes a heating element and a fluid pathway, the fluid pathway fluidly connected to a filling needle input, whereby fluid enters the heat exchanger through the filling needle input and flows through the fluid pathway and whereby the fluid is heated by the heating element. The system also includes a reservoir including a plunger and a plunger rod and a filling needle configured to be removably attached to the reservoir, wherein the fill adapter is configured to be attached to a vial of fluid and wherein fluid from the vial flows through the fluid pathway and is heated and loaded into the reservoir through the filling needle.
US09492603B2
An artificial placenta oxygenating device for use with an infant is provided. The device comprises a first layer comprising a gas permeable membrane; and a second layer comprising a vascular network that permits circulation of fluid therethrough, wherein a portion of the gas permeable membrane is attached to and covers the vascular network, wherein the vascular network comprises an inlet that permits fluid flow into the vascular network and an outlet that permits fluid to flow out of the vascular network and wherein the inlet and outlet are positioned so that fluid flows through the vascular network and in contact with the gas permeable membrane to permit gas exchange to occur. Assemblies comprising a plurality of single artificial placenta devices is also provided.
US09492598B2
The invention relates to equipment for applying a determined pulsatile pressure to a medical device, comprising: a withdrawing means (2) designed to withdraw fluid from a source of fluid in continuous flow at high pressure; a conversion means (3) designed to convert said fluid into a fluid in a pulsatile flow at low pressure; at least one application means (105) for applying said fluid, as a low-pressure pulsatile flow, to said medical device; and a means (104) for removing said fluid.
US09492589B2
A tissue engineered nerve graft for repairing peripheral nerve injury consists of a nerve conduit and a extracellular matrix (ECM) that is secreted by autologous or allogeneic support cells and obtained by decellularization. A preparation method of the ECM-modified tissue engineered nerve grafts containing support cells, nerve conduit and constructing a ECM-modified tissue engineered nerve graft.
US09492588B2
A calcium phosphate/copper coating for an implant is provided which includes highly porous calcium phosphate and predominantly discontinuously distributed copper. The highly porous calcium phosphate first forms a highly porous calcium phosphate layer in which the copper has been incorporated so as to be discontinuously distributed, to form the calcium phosphate/copper coating. Further provided are a method of producing such a calcium phosphate/copper coating and an implant coated therewith.
US09492585B2
The invention relates to porous granular calcium phosphate osteoinductive materials, particularly materials useful in body tissue repair, principally bone repair and bone replacement, and also to the use of such materials and to a method of making such materials. Exemplary materials comprise discrete porous granules each containing crystals of at least one calcium phosphate, wherein (i) at least 90% of said crystals of the granules have a crystal size in the range 10-100 nm, (ii) at least 90% of the pores in the granules have a pore size in the range 10-500 nm, (iii) the average pore size of the pores having pore size in the range 10-500 nm in the granules is in the range 30-90 nm, (iv) the total volume porosity of the granules is at least 50%, and (v) the surface area of the granules is in the range 10-70 m2/g.
US09492582B2
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic solution comprising 0.00001 to 10.0 weight percent of a simple saccharide, at least 0.00001 weight percent of a preservative, and not more than about 0.2 percent by weight chloride. The simple saccharide is chosen from the group consisting of: inositol; mannitol; sorbitol; sucrose; dextrose; glycerin; propylene glycol; ribose; triose; tetrose; erythrose; threose; pentose; arabinose; ribulose; xylose; xylulose; lyxose; hexose; allose; altrose; fructose; galactose; glucose; gulose; idose; mannose; sorbose; talose; tagatose; adlose; ketose; heptose; sedoheptulose; monosaccharides; disaccharides; sugar alcohols; xylitol; and polyol.
US09492579B2
A method for fumigating psyllium husk. The method comprises filling a fumigation chamber with psyllium husk chamber is at least 35% filled with bags of psyllium husk, fumigating the psyllium husk with at least 40 g/m3 of methyl bromide for at least 24 hours, and degassing the chamber for at least 6 hours to form fumigated psyllium husk. The fumigated psyllium husk comprises less than 50 ppm inorganic bromide residue and the fumigated psyllium husk does not comprise an insect infestation or a khapra beetle infestation.
US09492577B1
Provided are a method and apparatus for decontaminating personal protective equipment while it is being worn by a person. A booth having a plurality of internally-reflective surfaces defines an interior space with dimensions suitable for receiving a standing person wearing the personal protective equipment. A plurality of UVC light sources are arranged to emit UVC light into the booth, and are operational while the person wearing the personal protective equipment is within the interior space. A door is selectively closeable to enclose the interior space and interfere with UVC light escaping the interior of the booth into an ambient environment of the booth, and a controller is operable to selectively operate the UVC light sources while the person wearing the personal protective equipment is standing within the interior space.
US09492550B2
The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to a polymer for enhancing drug performance and improving processability. Specifically, the polymer comprises hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS). On the HPMC-AS, the percentage of total succinoyl degree of substitution is less than 12% at C6-OH position and greater than 53% at C3-OH, and the percentage of total acetyl degree of substitution is greater than 32% at C6-OH position.
US09492545B2
The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions of statins and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in which the statins are dissolved in the PUFAs, the PUFA species being present substantially in the free acid form. Also provided are oral unit dosage forms of the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating blood lipid disorders using the compositions and oral unit dosage forms.
US09492540B2
The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that specifically bind to PD-1 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for detecting PD-1, as well as methods for treating various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, using anti-PD-1 antibodies. The present invention further provides methods for using a combination immunotherapy, such as the combination of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies, to treat hyperproliferative disease, such as cancer. The invention also provides methods for altering adverse events related to treatment with such antibodies individually.
US09492539B2
The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that specifically bind to PD-1 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for detecting PD-1, as well as methods for treating various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, using anti-PD-1 antibodies. The present invention further provides methods for using a combination immunotherapy, such as the combination of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies, to treat hyperproliferative disease, such as cancer. The invention also provides methods for altering adverse events related to treatment with such antibodies individually.
US09492536B2
Two-domain MHC polypeptides are useful for modulating activities of antigen-specific T-cells, including for modulating pathogenic potential and effects of antigen-specific T-cells. Exemplary MHC class II-based recombinant T-cell ligands (RTLs) of the invention include covalently linked β1 and α1 domains, and MHC class I-based molecules that comprise covalently linked α1 and α2 domains. These polypeptides may also include covalently linked antigenic determinants, toxic moieties, and/or detectable labels. The disclosed polypeptides can be used to target antigen-specific T-cells, and are useful, among other things, to detect and purify antigen-specific T-cells, to induce or activate T-cells, to modulate T-cell activity, including by regulatory switching of T-cell cytokine and adhesion molecule expression, to treat conditions mediated by antigen-specific T-cells, including treatment and/or prevention of central nervous system damage relating to stroke.
US09492527B2
The present invention provides Listeria vaccine strains that express a heterologous antigen and a metabolic enzyme, and methods of generating same.
US09492525B2
The present invention relates to RSV vaccines and methods for inducing an immune response to RSV in a subject comprising administering an RSV vaccine.
US09492520B2
This invention provides novel carbonic anhydrase (CAIX) nucleic acid and peptide sequences, as well as related methods and compositions, including anti-cancer immunogenic agent(s) (e.g. vaccines and chimeric molecules) that elicit an immune response specifically directed against cancer cells expressing a CAIX antigenic marker. The novel CAIX variant and related compositions are useful in a wide variety of treatment modalities including, but not limited to protein vaccination, DNA vaccination, and adoptive immunotherapy.
US09492519B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods of immunotherapy to treat cancer or other antigen-producing diseases or lesions. According to one embodiment of the invention, a composition is provided for eliciting an immune response to at (east one antigen in a patient having an antigen-producing disease or lesion, the composition comprising an effective amount of a cytokine mixture, preferably comprising IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IFN γ (gamma) and TNF-α (alpha). The cytokine mixture acts as an adjuvant with the antigen associated with the antigen-producing disease or lesion to enhance the immune response of the patient to the antigen. Methods are therefore also provided for eliciting an immune response to at least one antigen in a patient having an antigen-producing disease or lesion utilizing the cytokine mixture of the invention. The compositions and methods are useful in the treatment of antigen-producing diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases or persistent lesions.
US09492513B2
Methods for treating or alleviating symptoms associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) by local administration of a clostridial derivative, such as a botulinum toxin, to the hip capsule and surrounding muscle.
US09492508B2
Disclosed are two PTH analog ligands, SP-PTH-AAK and Aib-SP-PTH-AAK, that have long-acting activity at the PTH receptor, as demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. These polypeptides are thus particularly useful in the treatment of diseases, such as hypoparathyroidism, in which long-acting activity is desired. The method of making the analog polypeptides is also disclosed.
US09492504B2
The inventions provided herein relate to compositions, methods, delivery devices and kits for repairing or augmenting a tissue in a subject. The compositions described herein can be injectable such that they can be placed in a tissue to be treated with a minimally-invasive procedure (e.g., by injection). In some embodiments, the composition described herein comprises a compressed silk fibroin matrix, which can expand upon injection into the tissue and retain its original expanded volume within the tissue for a period of time. The compositions can be used as a filler to replace a tissue void, e.g., for tissue repair and/or augmentation, or as a scaffold to support tissue regeneration and/or reconstruction. In some embodiments, the compositions described herein can be used for soft tissue repair or augmentation.
US09492497B2
The present invention relates to an isolated peptide for use in the treatment of cancer consisting of 12 to 50 amino acid residues comprising—at least two beta-strands, or—at least two alpha-helices or—at least one beta-strand and at least one alpha-helix, —wherein said beta-strands and/or alpha-helices are preferably separated from each other by at least one turn, wherein the peptide has a net positive charge of +7 or more; —wherein said peptide comprises at least one peptide moiety having amino acid sequence (X1)M-X2-(X3)P-X4-(X5)Q-X6-(X7)s or the reverse sequence thereof, wherein X1 is a hydrophobic amino acid, preferably selected from the group consisting of phenylalanine (Phe), alanine (Ala), leucine (Leu) and valine (Val), X2 is a hydrophobic amino acid, preferably tryptophan (Trp), X3 is selected from the group consisting of alanine (Ala), arginine (Arg), glutamine (Gin), asparagine (Asn), proline (Pro), isoleucine (lie), leucine (Leu) and valine (Val), X4 is selected from the group consisting of isoleucine (Ile), phenylalanine (Phe), tryptophan (Trp) and tyrosine (Tyr), X5 is selected from the group consisting of arginine (Arg), lysine (Lys), tyrosine (Tyr) and phenylalanine (Phe), X6 is a hydrophobic amino acid, preferably selected from the group consisting of isoleucine (Ile), tryptophan (Trp), valine (Val) and leucine (Leu), and X7 is selected from the group consisting of arginine (Arg), lysine (Lys), isoleucine (Ile) and serine (Ser), and wherein M is 1 or 2, Q is 1 or 2, P is 2 or 3, and S is 1, 2, 3 or 4 under the proviso that if (X5)Q is Arg-Arg S is 1; and wherein said peptide is devoid of intramolecular disulfide bonds.
US09492496B2
The present application describes organic compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and their use for the treatment, prevention and/or amelioration of diseases, particularly bacterial infections.
US09492485B2
Provided are a method of producing brown adipocytes from pluripotent stem cells, a method of producing cell aggregates as an intermediate product thereof, pluripotent stem cell-derived cell aggregates and pluripotent stem cell-derived brown adipocytes produced by these methods, and cell therapy using the pluripotent stem cell-derived brown adipocytes. In the method of producing brown adipocytes from pluripotent stem cells, cell aggregates are produced from pluripotent stem cells by a method including the step (A), and brown adipocytes are prepared from the cell aggregates by a method including the step (B). The step (A) is a step of producing cell aggregates by non-adhesive culture of pluripotent stem cells in serum-free environment in the presence of a hematopoietic cytokine, and the step (B) is a step of producing brown adipocytes by adhesion culture of the cell aggregates in the presence of a hematopoietic cytokine.
US09492477B2
In one aspect, methods of promoting bone growth are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of promoting bone growth described herein comprises promoting cell differentiation or phenotype progression in a population of bone cells by providing a citrate-presenting composition to the population of bone cells. In some embodiments, the citrate-presenting composition is provided to the bone cells at a first stage of cell development selected to obtain a first cell differentiation or phenotype progression. Additionally, in some cases, a second citrate-presenting composition is further provided to the bone cells at a second stage of cell development selected to obtain a second cell differentiation or phenotype progression.
US09492473B2
Preparations of glycan therapeutics, pharmaceutical compositions and medical foods thereof, optionally comprising micronutrients, polyphenols, prebiotics, probiotics, or other agents are provided and methods of making same. Also provided are methods of using said glycan therapeutics, e.g. for the modulation of human gastrointestinal microbiota and to treat dysbioses.
US09492467B2
A composition in aqueous solution, including an insulin and at least one oligosaccharide whose average degree of polymerization is between 3 and 13 and whose polydispersity index PDI is above 1.0, the oligosaccharide having partially substituted carboxyl functional groups, the unsubstituted carboxyl functional groups being salifiable.
US09492464B2
A method for preventing or treating side effects of glucocorticoid in a subject including administrating to a subject acetylsalicylic acid a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or polymorph thereof, or a combination of at least two of the foregoing.
US09492461B2
Methods and compositions are provided for treating an intervertebral disc herniation by local administration of one or more biodegradable drug depots comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a glucocorticoid at or near the intervertebral disc herniation to reduce the size of the intervertebral disc herniation.
US09492455B1
Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical formulations thereof that can be administered to a subject infected with or suspected of being infected with an organism having an Nfa-1 protein. Also provided herein are methods of treating an infection with an organism having an Nfa-1 protein in a subject in need thereof by administering a therapeutically effective amount of apocynin to the subject in need thereof.
US09492453B2
The invention relates to a novel group of compounds of Formula (I) or salts thereof: wherein Y, Z1, Z2, R1, R4, R5 and n are as described in the specification, which may be useful in the treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition mediated through protein kinase B (PKB) such as cancer. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds, methods of treatment of diseases mediated by PKB using said compounds and methods for preparing compounds of Formula (I).
