US09541580B2

A current detecting device includes an exciting coil (3) wound around a magnetic core (2) enclosing a conductor through which flows a measurement current, and an oscillator circuit (4) that generates a square wave voltage which is supplied to the exciting coil (3). Furthermore, the current detecting device includes a duty detector circuit (5) that detects the measurement current based on variation in the duty ratio of the square wave voltage output from the oscillator circuit (4), a frequency detector circuit (7) that detects an overcurrent of the measurement current based on the frequency of the square wave voltage output from the oscillator circuit (4), and an oscillation amplitude detector circuit (6) that detects an overcurrent of the measurement current based on the magnitude of the square wave voltage output from the oscillator circuit (4).
US09541579B2

Method and devices are described for visually detecting anomalies in non-repetitive signals. One device may take the form of an oscilloscope capable of displaying segments of a complete waveform record that includes non-periodic triggering events. The segments may be displayed vertically and horizontally offset from one another to aid in the visual detection of anomalies within the record. Decayed or aged segments of a waveform may also be simultaneously displayed.
US09541574B2

An accelerometer sensor and method of controlling the sensor, the accelerometer sensor including at least one electrostatic pendular accelerometer having stationary first and second electrodes fastened to a housing and connected to an exciter circuit, and a third electrode carried by a pendulum connected to the housing, thereby being movable and being connected to a detector circuit. The exciter circuit has an output connected to a switch connected to the first and second electrodes, the switch having a first connection position and a second connection position for selectively connecting the first or second electrode to the exciter circuit. The detector circuit, the exciter circuit, the switch, and the detector circuit are connected to a control circuit arranged so the first and second electrodes are excited by pulse trains, thus keeping the pendulum in a setpoint position and determining an acceleration to which the pendulum is subjected.
US09541570B2

A speed measuring apparatus for a conveyor line may include a lighting unit mounted to one side of the conveyor line with a bracket, a coupling module coupled to an upper side of the lighting unit, the coupling module having coupling portions formed on both sides of an upper side thereof, respectively, a camera having a lens unit mounted between the coupling portions to face downward for taking a picture of an image of the object on the conveyor line under operation, a lens rotation device having a motor mounted to end portions of, and between, the coupling portions for selective positioning of a magnifying lens matched to the lens unit of the camera as the motor may be driven, and a controller for controlling operation of the lens rotation device and comparing images taken by the camera at different times to determine a speed of the object.
US09541561B2

Provided is a method for diagnosing Alzheimer/s disease using a decomposed biomaterial. The method includes: preparing magnetic particles on which primary capture antibodies specifically bound to beta-amyloid are adsorbed; decomposing a biomaterial including beta-amyloid; binding the beta-amyloid to the primary capture antibodies; binding secondary capture antibodies labeled with a fluorescent material to the magnetic particles bound to the beta-amyloid to form a complex; disposing the complex in a channel region of a photo field effect transistor in which a photocurrent is changed according to the amount of incident light; and measuring the photocurrent changed by light excited from the complex to quantify the concentration of the beta-amyloid existing in the biomaterial.
US09541549B2

Method for the determination of adrenomedullin immunoreactivity in biological fluids for diagnostic purposes, in particular in sepsis, cardiac and cancer diagnosis, in which the midregional partial peptide (mid-proAM; SEQ ID NO:3) of proadrenomedullin, which comprises the amino acids (45-92) of the complete preproadrenomedullin (pre-proAM; SEQ ID NO:1), is measured in particular by means of an immunoassay which operates with at least one labelled antibody which specifically recognizes a sequence of mid-proAM.
US09541544B1

A method for optimal selection of cytotoxic agents for organ or region specific therapy that includes extracorporeal filtration of the cytotoxic agent from blood drained from the organ or region being treated and return of the filtered blood to a mammal is disclosed.
US09541542B2

Disclosed is a method of detecting filarial larvae in blood. The method comprises preparing a measurement sample from a blood sample collected from an animal; flowing the prepared measurement sample through a flow cell; irradiating light on the measurement sample flowing through the flow cell; detecting light given off from the irradiated measurement sample; and detecting filarial larvae contained in the measurement sample based on characteristic parameter of the detected light.
US09541535B2

A sensor includes an electrode and a seed structure. The electrode is configured to measure current due to movement of particulate matter relative to the electrode. The seed structure is deposited on the electrode. The seed structure includes a plurality of elongated members extending outward from the surface of the electrode. The elongated members are configured to promote charge transfer to particles and/or agglomerates of the particulate matter during operation of the sensor.
US09541532B2

An ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV/Vis) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) photometer includes a nano flow cell in which a light source feeds a reference light channel and a sample light channel, a reference photodiode for evaluating the reference light channel, and a sample photodiode for evaluating the sample light channel, which extends through the nano flow cell. To create a photometer whose signal evaluation is improved, respective effective exposure times of the sample photodiode and the reference photodiode are settable separately from one another.
US09541531B2

A detector for liquid chromatography has light sources that generate light in an ultraviolet region and in a near-infrared region; a flow cell, through which sample liquid flows; an optical system to let light generated from the light sources become incident on the flow cell concurrently; a detection element that detects light in the ultraviolet region that passes through the flow cell; a detection element that detects light in the near-infrared region that passes through the flow cell; and an arithmetic operation part that performs arithmetic operation of a first signal value obtained from the detection element and of a second signal value obtained from the detection element. The arithmetic operation part combines the first signal value and the second signal value to calculate a signal value with a reduced baseline fluctuation resulting from a mobile phase during a gradient analysis.
US09541529B2

An ultrasonic probe for examining an object with ultrasound and a corresponding examination method are provided. The probe includes a plurality of emitter elements able to emit ultrasonic waves for emitting a focused ultrasonic beam into the object through an active area of a surface of the object, and a profilometer for determining the profile of the surface of the object and for controlling the emission of the ultrasonic beam depending on the determined profile. The profilometer includes an image-taking apparatus for taking at least one digital image of the active area and an image processing module able to determine the profile of the active area by analyzing the optical blurring of the or at least one image.
US09541517B2

An electrochemical sensor for sensing a gaseous analyte includes a substrate having at least two electrodes disposed thereon, and a carbon nanotube-polyaniline (CNT/PANI) film disposed on the substrate and in contact with at least two electrodes. The CNT/PANI film includes carbon nanotubes coated with a thin layer of polyaniline. The thickness of the polyaniline coating is such that electron transport can occur along and/or between the carbon nanotubes.
US09541510B2

X-ray inspection of moving cargo based on acquiring multiple image lines at one time or substantially at one time. An X-ray source with multiple-beam electron beam targets creates multiple parallel X-ray fan beams. X-ray inspection systems and methods employ such multiple-beam sources for purposes of inspecting fast moving cargo.
US09541507B2

Systems and methods are provided for detecting foreign objects in or on a subject of interest. A first set of images is captured of a sample subject known to be free of foreign objects. A plurality of colors from a defined color palette are classified according to a color content of the first set of images into at least first and second classes. A second set of images of the subject of interest are captured. It is determined that a foreign object is present in or on the subject of interest if a color from the first class is present in the second set of images.
US09541503B2

Compact systems, compact devices and methods are provided to sense changes in luminescence due to environmental influences on a luminescent material. Such systems, devices and methods may be implemented in a compact device, e.g., an integrated circuit package, which may be incorporated into or attached to a device, such as a smartphone, watch, flashlight, vehicle, etc. The systems, devices, and methods described herein are useful in sensing luminescence, as well as changes in luminescence that are indicative of environmental influences, such as the presence and concentration of a gas or chemical, ambient temperature, pressure, light, etc., in an area surrounding a luminescent material included in a compact device.
US09541501B2

A scattered-light smoke detector includes a detector unit that operates according to the scattered-light principle. The detector unit includes a light-emitting diode (LED) to irradiate particles to be detected and a spectrally sensitive photosensor to detect the light scattered by the particles. The LED and photosensor are aligned such that a principal optical axis of the LED and a principal optical axis of the photosensor define a scattered-light angle. The LED includes a first and a second LED chip for emitting first and second light beams with light in a first wavelength range and a different second wavelength range, and an LED chip carrier arranged orthogonally to the principal optical axis. The two LED chips are arranged side-by-side on the LED chip carrier. The LED is rotated such that a chip axis extending through the two LED chips is orthogonal to an angle plane defined by the two optical axes.
US09541499B2

A package inspection system includes a conveyor mechanism 6, an X-ray generator 10 applying X rays to a package W1 conveyed by the conveyor mechanism 6, an X-ray sensor 13, and an optical sensor 15. First image data showing the outline of the content of the package W1 are generated based on detection output from the X-ray sensor 13. Second image data showing the outline of the wrapping of the package W1 are generated based on detection output from an optical sensor 15. The relative position of the wrapping and the content is determined based on the first and second image data, so that failures, e.g., the content caught in a seal of the wrapping can be detected accurately. The package inspection system can accurately determine a position of a wrapping and the content of a package even if a package has a light non-transmissive wrapping.
US09541492B2

A high pressure optical flow cell system suitable for use in a real time optical particle monitoring system. The system is modular, with at least two housings joined together with removable mechanical attachment devices. Inlet and outlet passageways introduce and remove high pressure fluid into a flow cavity located between adjacent housing faces. An o-ring or other compliant member seal is provided between the faces to prevent leaks of the high pressure fluid. At least one optical window is provided with a substantially planar face flush with the flow cavity surface. An optical assembly maintains the face of the optical window flush with the flow cavity surface over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. A system and method for maintaining the face of the optical window flush with the flow cavity surface over a wide range of temperatures and pressures.
US09541488B2

An apparatus and method for sampling and measuring air born particulate matter includes an inlet for the particulate containing gas to enter. A mechanism then removes coarse particles larger than a selected size while permitting filtered particles of less than the selected size to pass through. A chamber containing a quartz crystal sensor permits the filtered particles that have passed through to deposit to create an output signal in response to the deposited particle mass.
US09541485B1

The system for testing stress corrosion cracking (SCC) includes an autoclave having at least one heating element selectively actuated to heat the interior portion of the autoclave, the autoclave being configured for receiving a liquid and/or gas and for forming a corrosive fluid. The system also includes a circulation assembly having a flow line and a test section line. A plurality of test sections is positioned in series along the test section line and configured for receiving the corrosive fluid via the test section line once the required temperature is reached to expose the specimens directly to the corrosive fluid, the fluid flowing through a section of the flow line parallel to the test section line until the required temperature is reached. The circulation assembly includes a circulating pump, a flowmeter positioned along the flow line, and a pressure assembly mounted on the autoclave.
US09541481B2

This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a sample. A first depletion agent may be added to a vessel that contains the sample to change the density of a non-target material.
US09541480B2

This invention relates to a surface coating for capture circulating rare cells, comprising a nonfouling composition to prevent the binding of non-specific cells and adsorption of serum components; a bioactive composition for binding the biological substance, such as circulating tumor cells; with or without a linker composition that binds the nonfouling and bioactive compositions. The invention also provide a surface coating for capture and purification of a biological substance, comprising a releasable composition to release the non-specific cells and other serum components; a bioactive composition for binding the biological substance, such as circulating tumor cells; with or without a linker composition that binds the releasable and bioactive compositions. The present invention also discloses a novel microfluidic chip, with specific patterned microstructures to create a flow disturbance and increase the capture rate of the biological substance.
US09541474B1

The seawater surface sampling device is a buoyant device for sampling the topmost layer of water in a body of water in order to study water properties specific to depths of only about 0.5 cm. The seawater sampling device includes a buoyant housing having an open upper end, a lower wall and at least one sidewall. The lower wall has a concave contour, and an aperture is formed through the lower wall at an apex of the concave contour. A pump is mounted on an upper surface of the lower wall, within the buoyant housing, and is in fluid communication with the aperture for extracting the water sample therethrough. A sample holder is also mounted on the upper surface of the lower wall, within the buoyant housing, for removably receiving a sample collection bottle.
US09541466B2

A leak test apparatus that tests for a leak in a workpiece includes a plate; a seal that is able to move relative to the plate and is supported by the plate; a driving portion that supports the plate and moves the plate; and a pressure chamber that is surrounded by the plate and the seal. The seal is formed in a shape that enables the pressure chamber to be communicated with an outside.
US09541460B2

A physical quantity sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a diaphragm section that is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and is flexurally deformed when receiving pressure, a sensor element that is disposed on the diaphragm section, an element-periphery structure member that is disposed on one surface side of the semiconductor substrate and forms a cavity section together with the diaphragm section, and a semiconductor circuit that is provided on the same surface side as the element-periphery structure member of the semiconductor substrate.
US09541450B2

A radiation detector is provided that includes a photodiode having a radiation absorber with a graded multilayer structure. Each layer of the absorber is formed from a semiconductor material, such as HgCdTe. A first of the layers is formed to have a first predetermined wavelength cutoff. A second of the layers is disposed over the first layer and beneath the first surface of the absorber through which radiation is received. The second layer has a graded composition structure of the semiconductor material such that the wavelength cutoff of the second layer varies from a second predetermined wavelength cutoff to the first predetermined wavelength cutoff such that the second layer has a progressively smaller bandgap than the first bandgap of the first layer. The graded multilayer radiation absorber structure enables carriers to flow toward a conductor that is used for measuring the radiation being sensed by the radiation absorber.
US09541440B2

A dosing cup having a longitudinal axis includes a base; an opening opposing the base, wherein the opening is circumscribed by a rim; and a sidewall extending from the base to the rim. The sidewall includes a first portion extending from the rim toward the base. The first portion has a projection with a dosing indicium. The projection is defined by a length extending axially along the sidewall and a width that is perpendicular to the length. The width of the projection is less than the length of the projection. The sidewall includes a second portion extending from the base toward the rim. The second portion has a recess. The projection of the first portion mates with the recess of the second portion. The first portion has a first translucency and the second portion has a second translucency, wherein the first translucency is different than the second translucency.
US09541429B2

A fluid sensing device includes an outer body, an inner body coupled to the outer body by one or more inner body support struts and extending at least partially out from the outer body, and an aft body disposed at least partially within the outer body at a location aft of the inner body, the aft body being coupled to the outer body by one or more aft body support struts. The inner body includes a hollow interior for housing one or more inner body sensors, and the aft body houses one or more aft body sensors. The fluid sensing device can measure one or more parameters of fluid flow at high angularity, such as total temperature and total pressure, locally and simultaneously, allowing additional fluid parameters, such as local entropy, to be calculated.
US09541427B2

A bead design allows the bead to be removably attached to a rail, allowing the bead to slide along the rail without coming off. The rail can be part of a bracket system to hang the rail in various desired locations. The beads can be made in various shapes and sizes, or with various textual indicators, to provide a user with a memory aid. A user can, for example, have a bead for each medicine dose they are required to take. A user can slide the bead to one side when the medicine is taken. Each bead can include an indicator, for example, 6 am, 2 pm, 10 pm that indicates a medicine to be taken 3 times a day. The beads can be used for other reminders and can be designed accordingly. A software application can be designed to mimic the bead and rail system.
US09541413B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a processing device implemented method of estimating journey attributes, comprising selecting a plurality of mobile device journey data according to on one or more criteria associated with end points of the mobile device journey data; determining virtual journey data based upon the plurality of mobile device journey data; determining one or more attributes of the virtual journey data. In some embodiments, the one or more criteria include a distal and/or temporal separation between the journey data.
US09541409B2

A method and apparatus for marker aided autonomous vehicle localization are disclosed. Marker aided autonomous vehicle localization may include an autonomous vehicle identifying transportation network information, identifying an origin, identifying a destination, generating a plurality of candidate routes from the origin to the destination based on the transportation network information, wherein each route from the plurality of routes indicates a distinct combination of road segments and lanes, generating an action cost probability distribution for each action in each candidate route, generating a route cost probability distribution based at least in part on the action cost probability distribution, identify an optimal route from the plurality of candidate routes based at least in part on the route cost probability distribution, and operate the autonomous vehicle to travel from the origin to the destination using the optimal route.
US09541408B2

The present invention describes a method for associating new data with a digital map which is available, preferably locally, in a vehicle, having the following steps: at least one new data value is received from a transmitter which is an element of a vehicle-to-vehicle communication and/or a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, the new data value is compared with the existing data values from the digital map, and the new data value is added to the digital map or the existing data values are updated with the new data value, in each case on the basis of the result of the comparison. The specified method is used for improving the digital map material. The invention also describes a device for associating new data with a reception device and with a computation device.
US09541401B1

The present application provides systems and methods for quickly determining the shortest route from one arbitrary point in the ocean X to another Y. Specifically, the present application discloses a routing method that accepts two arbitrary points on the ocean and dynamically finds the shortest route between them that avoids a known set of “obstacles”. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of these obstacles is a spherical polygon defined by its vertexes, with the adjacent pairs of vertexes connected to each other by bordering great-circle segments.
US09541393B2

Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized, in whole or in part, to facilitate or support one or more operations or techniques for reducing power consumption or error of a digital compass.
US09541391B2

Embodiments provide for a geodetic instrument comprising a scanning head, a reflecting optical element, a radiation source, a control unit and an electronic distance measurement (EDM) unit. The scanning head is rotatable about a first axis. The reflecting optical element mounted in the scanning head and rotatable about the same first axis. The radiation source is adapted to emit light to be output along a light beam path from the geodetic instrument via light reflection against the reflecting optical element. The control unit is adapted to adjust an angular displacement profile of the reflecting optical element about the first axis relative to an angular displacement profile of the scanning head such that an angular displacement of the light beam path about the first axis as a function of time presents a stair-like profile. The EDM unit is adapted to determine a distance to a target during a flat portion of the stair-like profile.
US09541388B2

A directional shockproof tilting display tag, comprising a container provided with a detector therein; the detector comprises a first placement chamber, a second placement chamber, and a baffle; the first placement chamber comprises a first side plate and a first mass block; the first side plate is externally provided with a first extension portion; the second placement chamber comprises a second side plate and a second mass block; the second side plate is externally provided with a second extension portion; the placement chambers are also provided with bar codes; part of the patterns of the bar codes are covered by the mass blocks; a rotary shaft is disposed directly above the placement chambers; the container is also provided with a shockproof structure therein. The display tag has a simple structure and strong shockproof capability. The arrangement of the bar codes ensures the detector can quickly detect an object tilting.
US09541386B2

A distance measurement device with high detection accuracy. The distance measurement device includes a photosensor including a light-receiving element, a first transistor, and a second transistor; a wiring; a signal line; and a power supply line. The wiring is electrically connected to one electrode of the light-receiving element. The signal line is electrically connected to a gate electrode of the first transistor. The power supply line is electrically connected to one of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the second transistor. One of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to a gate electrode of the second transistor. The other of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to the other electrode of the light-receiving element and the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the second transistor.
US09541384B2

A system, method, and device for measuring camber in a film is disclosed. The system generally includes: a flat surface with a longitudinal axis, at least three sensors spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, and a computing device operatively connected to each sensor. When the film is positioned in relationship to the sensors, the computing device computes the camber of the film. The flat surface may be a table with a film holder. At least one of the sensors may be a LED sensor. The computing device may have an output means, such as a monitor, a printer, or both. The computing device defines a straight line between the first and third sensor based on the position of the film, and the camber is a deviation of the film, measured by the second sensor, from the straight line.
US09541377B1

Provided is an apparatus for real-time non-contact non-destructive thickness measurement using a terahertz wave, and more particularly, an apparatus for real-time non-contact non-destructive thickness measurement using a terahertz wave, which is capable of measuring a thickness of a sample by irradiating a terahertz continuous wave, which is generated from a wavelength-fixed laser and a wavelength-swept laser and of which the frequency is changed at a high speed, to the sample and measuring the terahertz wave transmitting or reflected from the sample.
US09541371B2

The invention relates to an articulated arm CMM, which is constructed in a modular way, and a modular assembling kit for constructing such an articulated arm CMM, comprising an articulated arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is configured to support a tool. The articulated arm comprises at least two arm sections, connected to one another by pivot joints with integrated angle encoders. The arm sections are configured as modules having a PCB unit, said PCB unit comprises an elongated PCB section element and at least one PCB encoder element. The PCB encoder elements are configured to build an angle encoder and the PCB section elements comprise electronic transmission means for transmitting the encoder signals from the PCB encoder elements toward a circuit deriving the relative position between the arm sections.
US09541366B2

A spark generating tube includes a single tube and a pyrotechnical mixture. The single tube only has a single layer of plastic material, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene. The pyrotechnical mixture has formed a thin layer in contact with the single layer of the single tube. The pyrotechnical contains an oxidizer, a reducing agent, a substance with low temperature of Tammann and an agent for lubricating and adhering, wherein the agent for lubricating and adhering is either talc or graphite, and the reducing agent can be an aluminum powder in microscale. During the process for manufacturing a spark generating tube, the mixture of the oxidizers and additives is formed separately from the reducing agent. The final mixture is obtained only in the single tube formed with an extruder. In this way, only a very small amount of pyrotechnic mixture is formed at any instant.
US09541358B2

An elastomeric blow pipe dart (10) including: a generally circular body portion (12); a tapered portion (16) extending from the generally circular body portion (12); and a nose (18) having a smaller diameter than the tapered portion (16) and extending from the tapered portion (16) to a tip (20). The blow pipe dart (10) may comprise a soft rubber, and the nose (18) may define an end bore (26) so that air passes through the nose (18) when the dart (10) is launched.
US09541349B2

A sheath for carrying a knife in conjunction with a pistol holster. The sheath includes a first fastener and a second fastener. The sheath includes an internal volume defining a shape to receive the knife blade. The internal volume has a closed end and an open end. The knife sheath includes a pivot fastener to pivotally fasten the sheath to the pistol holster first fastener and an angle-adjustment fastener to fasten the sheath to the pistol holster second fastener and provide angle adjustment.
US09541346B1

A rotation-force adjusting device for a toy gun has a pressing tube, an adjusting unit, and a gun body. The pressing tube has a pressing block, a cushion hole, and an abutting portion. The pressing block is formed on and protrudes radially inward from a top portion of the inner surface of the pressing tube. The cushion hole is formed through the top portion of the pressing tube. The abutting portion is formed at the top portion of the pressing tube and is formed on the pressing tube above the cushion hole. The adjusting unit is mounted around the pressing tube and has a force ring and a control knob. The force ring is mounted around the pressing tube, and the control knob is mounted through the force ring. The gun body has an inner barrel mounted through the pressing tube.
US09541340B2

Magazine release apparatus and firearms including such magazine release apparatus are disclosed. An example magazine release apparatus for use with a firearm includes a magazine retaining arm including a longitudinal slot, a first handle to protrude from a first side of the firearm and a second handle to protrude from a second side of the firearm. The second handle includes a rocker arm having a feature to be supported on a receiver of the firearm. The first and second handles are actuatable to move the magazine release apparatus between a magazine retaining position and a magazine releasing position. In the magazine retaining position, the second handle is at least partially supported by the longitudinal slot and the feature extends toward the receiver.
US09541338B2

An expansion relief header and its method of operation are disclosed for use in an HVAC heat transfer coil. The expansion relief header includes a main body adapted to be secured to bends in fluid coils of the HVAC fluid tube system. The main body includes holes in alignment with holes formed in the bends to enable fluid to pass from the bends into the expansion relief header. The expansion relief headers include one or more relief devices, such as valves, that automatically open, preferably in response to pressure exceeding a predetermined threshold value or temperature falling below a predetermined value, to release fluid from the expansion relief header and then reseat themselves.
US09541319B2

An air-conditioning apparatus directly detects leakage of a plurality of types of refrigerant by computing refrigerant concentrations, and ensure safety. On the basis of calibration curve information, a computing device computes the concentration of heat source side refrigerant in a heat medium relay unit from detected information received from a concentration detecting device.
US09541315B2

An electronic expansion valve is provided, a stop component thereof includes a spindle which is fixed with respect to the valve seat, a spring guide rail sleeved on the spindle, and a sliding ring configured to cooperate with the spring guide rail; one end of the sliding ring extends to form a stop rod, and a top of the magnet is provided with a stop hole, the stop rod passes through the stop hole, and when the sliding ring is at an upper limit position and a lower limit position, the stop rod remains in the stop hole. The structural design of the electronic expansion valve may reduce a number of components, simplify the assembly process of a stop rod, and improve the operational reliability of the stop rod, and reduce a radial dimension of a magnet, thereby saving the material cost and realizing the minimization of the product.
US09541310B2

A sealed compressor includes a centrifugal impeller above a rotor to synchronously rotate. A refrigerant rises through a rotor air hole, flows in an upper space, and flows out from a discharge pipe. The centrifugal impeller includes an oil separation plate on the rotor, and plural vanes standing on the oil separation plate, and forms inter-vane flow passages between adjacent vanes, and a vane inner flow passage that guides refrigerant from the rotor air hole to inner entrances of the inter-vane flow passages. Outer exits of the inter-vane flow passages are disposed along an entire circumference, and refrigerant increased in pressure while passing through the inter-vane flow passages flows out from the outer exits to the upper space. The oil separation plate closes a short-circuit passage through which the refrigerant directly flows from the vane inner flow passages to the discharge pipe without passing through the inter-vane flow passages.
US09541303B2

An alternative-fuel gas orifice, a gas furnace configured to employ the same and a method of designing a gas orifice. In one embodiment, the gas orifice includes: (1) a body having an aperture extending therethrough and including: (1a) a metering neck having a cross-sectional area such that a given flow rate of a gas is established when the gas is delivered to the gas orifice at a given alternative-fuel delivery pressure and (1b) a diffuser having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the metering neck and a length such that the gas achieves a substantially laminar flow before exiting the diffuser.
US09541295B2

An oven appliance includes features for permitting movement of a door of the oven appliance relative to a cabinet of the oven appliance. The oven appliance also includes a hinge assembly that couples the door to at least one of the first and second slide assemblies such that the door is pivotable. The hinge assembly includes a bearing disposed within one of a series of detents. A related double oven range appliance is also provided.
US09541291B2

A pressure measuring glow plug includes: a housing in which a heating pin for igniting a combustion mixture of an internal combustion engine and a pressure measuring unit for recording a combustion chamber pressure of the internal combustion engine are situated. The heating pin has a glow current contact for an electric heating element. At the end of the heating pin facing away from the combustion chamber, a pressure transmitting element is fastened, which transmits the combustion chamber pressure acting on the heating pin to the pressure measuring unit. The pressure transmitting element is sleeve-shaped and forms an accommodation space for the glow current contact of the heating element.
US09541289B2

Provided is a gas cooler for cooling a produced gas on a side from which the produced gas exits, the produced gas being produced by partially oxidizing and gasifying a carbon-containing fuel in a gasification furnace inside a pressure vessel. A distance (SL) between tubes of a tube bundle of a heat exchanger provided inside the gas cooler is set such that the tubes are in contact with each other or adjacent to each other in a gas-flow direction of the produced gas. Since the tubes are in contact with each other or adjacent to each other, a particle flowing with the gas flow is only deposited as a deposited particle in a concave portion between the tubes, whereby the decrease in heat exchange efficiency caused by particle deposition can be suppressed.
US09541282B2

A boiler system is provided comprising: a furnace adapted to receive a fuel to be burned to generate hot working gases; a fuel supply structure associated with the furnace for supplying fuel to the furnace; a superheater section associated with the furnace and positioned to receive energy in the form of heat from the hot working gases; and a controller. The superheater section may comprise a platen including a tube structure with an end portion and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the tube structure end portion and generating a signal indicative of the temperature of the tube structure end portion. The controller may be coupled to the temperature sensor for receiving and monitoring the signal from the sensor.
US09541280B2

A steam generator has a heat exchange chamber with an upstream end and a downstream end. The steam generator further has a burner that injects primary reactants, including fuel and combustion air, into the chamber at the upstream end. A first branch of a once-through water line is located within the chamber downstream of the burner. A second branch of the once-through water line is connected in parallel with the first branch, and is located within the chamber downstream of the first branch. A fuel injector is arranged to inject staged fuel into the chamber at a staged location downstream of the first branch of the once-through water line.
US09541278B2

A ceiling fan structure with an LED lamp includes a ceiling fan main body. An annular lampshade is disposed around the periphery of the fan. The annular lampshade has an annular accommodation space therein. The top of the annular lampshade is formed with an opening corresponding to the accommodation space. Two LED lamp boards are longitudinally disposed in the accommodation space. The opening is provided with a lid. The LED lamp boards of the present invention have a better heat dissipation effect. When in use, the locking parts won't be seen from the bottom of the annular lampshade. The present invention has the advantages of convenient replacement and pleasing appearance.
US09541276B2

A LED lamp having a good heat-dissipating function includes a thermal radiator of solid metal including a top surface downwardly sloping from a peak point thereof to the border, a plurality of granular bumps raised from the top surface and defining a plurality of flow paths thereamong, a recess curved inwardly from a bottom surface thereof, an eave surrounding the recess and an inner slope located at the inner side of the eave and obliquely upwardly extended from the lowest edge of the eave to the recess, a vapor chamber bonded with the top surface thereof to the bottom surface of the recess, a circuit module bonded with the top surface thereof to the bottom surface of the vapor chamber, and a LED unit mounted at the bottom surface of the circuit module.
US09541273B2

A heat dissipation structure of an SMD LED includes a substrate, an SMD LED and at least one engaging member. A plurality of conductive copper foils is covered on an upper end face of the substrate. Two electrodes are provided on a lower surface of the SMD LED and are respectively connected to two copper foils on the upper end face. An engaging hole extends through one of the copper foils adjacent the SMD LED and through the substrate. The engaging member is made of high thermal conductive metal and is engaged in the engaging hole to combine the copper foil and the substrate. Accordingly, heat generated by the SMD LED can be directly transferred to an exposed lower end face of the substrate through the engaging member for more heat dissipation and less luminance decrease of the SMD LED.
US09541270B2

An integral LED light fixture for installation in an incandescent light bulb socket includes a housing with a forwardly-extending portion and peripheral outer walls defining a recess, a rearwardly-extending socket base to be screwed into an incandescent light bulb socket, electrical components having an LED driver component, a driver cover and a printed circuit board having a set of LED bulbs and an orifice for receiving the central portion of the housing, which are nested into a compact set of electrical components, and a lens for covering the printed circuit board and being attached to the housing. The integral LED flight fixture cover can also be installed in a junction box. An AC version is also provided which lacks the driver component and the driver cover.
US09541269B2

Disclosed is method of manufacturing a lighting arrangement (100) comprising a plurality of conductive wires (110) organized in a flexible grid comprising a plurality of grid nodes (115), each grid node comprising a first one of said conductive wires and a second one of said conductive wires, at least some of the grid nodes further comprising a solid state lighting element (120) conductively coupled to the first one of said conductive wires and the second one of said conductive wires, wherein each grid node comprises a mechanical support member (130, 134) including a polymer portion (130) embedding the first one of said conductive wires and the second one of said conductive wires.
US09541265B2

A mounting device for mounting on a substrate a plate or board-like lighting source may include a frame member for surrounding the plate or board-like lighting source, anchoring formations for anchoring the frame member onto the substrate while permitting movement of the frame member towards and away from the substrate, elastic means for elastically urging the frame member towards the substrate, and one or more locking members mounted on the frame member and radially displaceable with respect to the frame member between: a radially outward position, in which the plate or board-like lighting source can be inserted into the frame member and positioned between the frame member and the substrate, and a radially inward position, in which the locking member(s) abuts/abut against the plate or board-like lighting source located between the frame member and the substrate, elastically urging the plate or board-like lighting source towards the substrate.
US09541264B2

The present invention relates to a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture, which comprises a radiator, a housing and an LED module mounted at the bottom of the radiator, and further comprises a lamp holder being fixed on the top of the radiator and running through the housing, an elastic element clamped between the lamp holder and the housing, and a lamp shade encircling the LED module. The radiator includes a chassis, a body extended upwards from the chassis, and a plurality of radiating fins; one side of the radiator close to the bottom is provided with a recess.
US09541256B2

A light conversion film including a first barrier film, a light conversion layer disposed on the first barrier film, the light conversion layer including a matrix resin and red quantum dots that are dispersed into the matrix resin, and a second barrier film disposed on the light conversion layer. The light conversion film satisfies following Equation (1): 5≦(weight of quantum dot within light conversion layer/total weight of light conversion layer)×100×t≦50, where, t is a thickness of the light conversion layer.
US09541250B2

An assembly comprising a strip on the exterior of a plastic cover lens for a headlamp. Locking means are formed on the exterior of the plastic cover lens, which extend diagonally, in a transverse direction, from the surface of the plastic cover lens, and that the strip is designed as a backing strip and exhibits locking means receivers in which the locking means engage. At least one snapping means is provided on the backing strip and one complementary snapping means is provided on the plastic cover lens in order to secure the backing strip in the transverse direction (Y).
US09541249B2

A vehicle lighting unit can effectively utilize both the portions of the reflector divided by the plane passing through the optical axis even when a light emitting element with directionality like an LED is employed as well as can be provided with an enhanced aesthetic feature. The vehicle lighting unit can include a reflector having, as a front surface, a concave reflecting surface formed on the basis of a revolved parabolic surface with respect to an optical axis serving as a rotational symmetric axis; a reflecting plate disposed along the optical axis in front of the reflecting surface and having a rear edge disposed at or near the focal point of the reflecting surface so as to vertically divide a space in front of the reflecting surface into two regions; a light emitting element disposed in the upper region than the reflecting plate and in front of the focal point, directed to the focal point; and a condenser lens disposed between the light emitting element and the focal point, configured to collect light emitted from the light emitting element to a position at or near the focal point.
US09541247B2

Various components for artificial candles and other lighting devices are described that can be used to create a realistic flame effect in the devices. The devices include a flame piece or element that extends upwardly from a body of the device. A light source can be disposed with respect to the flame piece such that the flame piece is illuminated. A variety of drive mechanisms could be disposed within the body of the device that can cause movement of the flame piece with respect to the body or housing. The flame piece can be coupled to a body or housing of the device using various components to suspend at least a portion of the flame piece within the body or housing.
US09541240B2

Proposed is a lighting module 100 and an illumination device 200 comprising such a module. The lighting module comprises an array of LEDs 120 mounted on a substrate 110 and an optical structure 130 encompassing the LED array for approximating in operation the LED array as a single homogeneous light source. The optical structure comprises an optical element 140 arranged to provide a luminous intensity profile as a function of a deviation angle a which is substantially constant between −αmax and αmax, wherein αmax is a maximum deviation angle provided by the optical element and substantially zero at angles outside that range. This is especially advantageous for optimizing the trade off between creating a single homogenous light source and maintaining the entendue of the light source. An additional advantage of the optical element 140 is that, except for fresnel reflections on both surfaces, it has no backscattering like a diffuser has, which results in a very low optical loss.
US09541224B2

A method for manufacturing a long length of coiled metal tubing or the like using friction stir welding. Successive lengths of metal strip are friction stir welded using a three-pass welding technique to eliminate any edge defects in the resulting strip. The method includes one or more three-pass friction stir welding routines, each of which includes a first pass performed using a tool having a first rotational direction and a spiral bit pattern corresponding to the first rotational direction; a second pass using a tool having a second rotational direction and a spiral bit pattern corresponding to the second rotational direction; and a third pass using a tool having said second rotational direction and a spiral bit pattern corresponding to the second rotational direction.
US09541198B2

In some two-stroke engines, a stationary ring is disposed in a groove in the cylinder liner. However, it is a challenge to install such a stationary ring while maintaining a narrow gap to minimize gas flow through the gap. A ring system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed that includes an L-shaped, split ring with a reentrant angle and a nested, split ring with a convex quadrilateral cross section nested with the L-shaped ring proximate the reentrant angle. The two rings are affixed so that the two gaps of the split rings cannot align. Or, in other embodiments, the two are allowed to rotate relative to each other over a predetermined angle.
US09541195B2

A ratchet assembly may include a steer ring, a steer ring side structure, a steer cylinder bracket arm, a steer cylinder, a ratchet lock gear, a steering collar, a ratchet cylinder, a ratchet lock bar, and at least one sensor. When in a particular locked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring, the ratchet lock gear, and the steering collar. When in an unlocked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring around the ratchet lock gear.
US09541194B2

An output rod (27) is inserted in a housing (4) so as to be movable vertically. A first piston (41) inserted in a lower part of the housing (4) is fixed to the output rod (27). A second piston (42) inserted on an upper side of the first piston (41) is fitted on the output rod (27) so as to be movable vertically. A lock chamber (44) is provided between the first piston (41) and the second piston (42). A first release chamber (51) is provided below the first piston (41). A second release chamber (52) is provided above the second piston (42). During force multiplication driving of the output rod (27), a pressurized fluid in the lock chamber (44) carries out the force multiplication driving with respect to the output rod (27) downward via the second piston (42) and engaging balls (69). A retaining spring (60) which biases the second piston (42) upward is provided in the lock chamber (44) between the first piston (41) and the second piston (42).
US09541190B2

A shifting range sensing system, may include a shift lever pivotally connected to a vehicle body, a shift range sensing apparatus to sense a pivotal movement of the shift lever, an inhibitor switch mounted in a transmission, and a controller taking an emergency measure when a signal of the inhibitor switch and a signal of the shifting range sensing apparatus do not indicate the same shifting range.
US09541184B2

A mechanical system, comprising a support element having an outer surface adapted to slide in a housing receiving the mechanical system, a pin extending along a first axis and comprising two opposite ends, each adapted to be fitted in the support element for radial and/or axial retention of the pin relative to the first axis, and a roller element movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The mechanical system comprises at least one outer insert positioned at the outer surface of the support element. The mechanical system can be integrated into either an injection pump or a valve actuator.
US09541183B2

An output transfer group is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The output transfer group may have a housing, an input yoke extending from the housing and configured to receive an input torque, a first output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a first output torque, and a second output yoke extending from the housing and configured to provide a second output torque. The output transfer group may also have a gear train disposed within the housing and connecting the input yoke to the first and second output yokes. The gear train may create a torque reduction between the input yoke and the first and second output yokes, and includes a lockable differential located downstream of the torque reduction.
US09541179B2

A transmission is provided. The transmission includes an input portion drivingly engaged with a power source, a planetary gear, a continuously variable variator, and a clutching device. The planetary gear arrangement has a portion drivingly engaged with the input portion. The continuously variable variator includes a portion which is drivingly engaged with at least one of the planetary gear arrangement and the input portion. The clutching device may be selectively drivingly engaged with a portion of the continuously variable variator. The clutching device and the planetary gear arrangement facilitate a transition between at least two operating modes of the continuously variable variator.
US09541177B2

Ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators include a ratcheting assembly that is operatively coupled to a first bracket and a shape memory alloy element that is operatively coupled to the ratcheting assembly and to a second bracket. The first bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a first structure, while the second bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a second structure. The shape memory alloy element is configured to apply a motive force to the ratcheting assembly upon deformation between a first conformation and a second conformation. The ratcheting assembly is configured to utilize the motive force to selectively adjust an orientation of the first structure relative to the second structure.
US09541172B1

Provided are gearboxes including compound planet gear assemblies as well as methods of using such gearboxes. A gearbox includes at least a first ring gear and a second ring gear. Depending on the current gear selection, one of these ring gears may be engaged with a shifting mechanism or not engaged with any ring gears when in a neutral gear. The first ring gear may be constantly engaged with a first planet gear of a compound planet gear assembly, while the second ring gear may be constantly engaged with a second planet gear of the same compound planet gear assembly. The first planet gear may be also engaged with a sun gear coupled to a shaft. Another shaft is coupled to the shifting mechanism. Different gear selections of the gearbox engage different ring gears to the shifting mechanism thereby changing the rotational speed ratio of the two shafts.
US09541161B2

Provided is an interlocking chain-type forward and backward actuating device, the device being configured so that an increase in the number of parts is minimized, an increase in the size of the device is avoided, the amount of scattering of lubricating oil to the outside of the device is reduced, the wear of connection pins is reduced, the breakage of the connection pins is avoided, and the striking noise and vibration of the chains occurring during the reception of the chains are reduced. Chain guide plates are respectively provided on both sides of a pair of interlocking chains in the chain width direction. Chain locus restriction members having chain locus restriction faces in contact with rigid chain portions, which are made rigid by engaging and integrating the pair of interlocking chains with each other, are disposed so as to be adjacent to the rigid chain portions.
US09541159B2

A chain plate structure includes a link plate body and a sleeve. The link plate body has an acting surface being provided with a first approach edge, two combining portions, and a limiting block located adjacent to the first approach edge. The limiting block has an altitude higher than an altitude of the acting surface. The sleeve is mounted on the link plate body and has a through hole whose maximum diameter is greater than a maximum diameter of a raised ring peripherally formed on the corresponding one of the combining portions. Therefore, when two of the link plate bodies are combined together, a first space is formed between the acting surfaces of the two aligned link plate bodies. The limiting block serves to limit the first space, while the sleeve is allowed to move on one of the combining portions so as to provide a second space.
US09541154B2

A rotary damper for a motor vehicle includes at least one damper element for damping the relative movement of a first mass located on the wheel-suspension side and of a second mass located on the vehicle-body side, with at least one vibration absorber (8) being arranged on the rotary damper (1).
US09541153B2

Provided is a valve structure of a shock absorber which is capable of controlling respective damping forces according to a frequency in compression and rebound motions of a piston valve, thereby satisfying both the ride comfort and the control stability. The valve structure of the shock absorber, which has a cylinder filled with a working fluid and a piston rod having one end located inside the cylinder and the other end extending outward from the cylinder, includes: a main piston valve assembly installed at one end of the piston rod and configured to operate in a state that the inside of the cylinder is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and generate a damping force varying according to a moving speed; and a frequency unit configured to move together with the main piston valve assembly and generate a damping force varying according to a frequency. The frequency unit includes: a hollow housing mounted at a lower end of the piston rod such that the housing is disposed under the main piston valve assembly; and a free piston disposed to be vertically movable within the housing.
US09541137B2

A bearing device includes an outer ring spacer and an inner ring spacer, which are interposed between outer rings of a plurality of axially juxtaposed rolling bearings and inner rings of such rolling bearings, respectively. The outer ring and the outer ring spacer are disposed within a housing while the inner ring and the inner ring spacer are mounted on a main shaft. A cooling structure including a nozzle is provided in the outer ring spacer for blowing a cooling fluid to an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring spacer to thereby supply the cooling fluid to the rolling bearing. The nozzle is provided with its discharge port side inclined forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation of the main shaft.
US09541135B2

There is provided a gel lubricant including: a base oil containing an ester synthetic oil and a synthetic hydrocarbon oil in which the mass ratio (X:Y) of the ester synthetic oil (X) to the synthetic hydrocarbon oil (Y) is in the range of 35:65 to 75:25; and a gelatinizer which contains two kinds of styrene block copolymers and is included in the gel lubricant in an amount of 1.5% by mass to 10% by mass.
US09541134B2

A pinion bearing arrangement of a gearbox for a vehicle or aircraft, providing at least one roller bearing. At least one of the roller bearings is a ball bearing, having an inner ring and an outer ring, wherein both rings have raceways for balls being located between the rings. To ensure a sufficient lifetime of the roller bearings the invention includes that at least one of the rings is made from a ball bearing steel produced by a powder metallurgical process using a powder metallurgy component including 0.5 to 2.0 weight-% C, a maximum of 0.035 weight-% S, 3.0 to 5.0 weight-% Cr, 1.0 to 4.0 weight-% V, 1.0 to 12.0 weight-% W and 2.0 to 12.0 weight-% Mo, wherein at least one raceway has a radius (rI/O) and the balls have a diameter (DB) which fulfill the equation: rI/O/DB>0.53.
US09541132B2

A snap-fit box cage including a first and second ring is provided. The first ring includes a first radially outer flange, a first radially inner flange, and a first radial portion extending therebetween. At least one of the first radially inner flange or the first radially outer flange includes at least one retention projection. The second ring includes a second radially outer flange, a second radially inner flange, and a second radial portion extending therebetween. At least one of the second radially inner flange or the second radially outer flange includes at least one retention recess that is complementary to the retention projection. The first and second rings are matingly secured to one another by the at least one retention projection and the at least one retention recess resiliently engaging with each other, and the rings captively secure rollers installed in pockets formed on the rings.
US09541130B2

A rolling-element bearing includes inner and outer rings and a cage between the rings, the cage having a plurality of cage segments with lateral boundary walls defining a receiving pocket for a rolling element having a diameter Dw, the pockets being dimensioned such that in a load-free state the rolling elements are positionable in the receiving pockets with a circumferential clearance (c) on the pitch circle between adjacent boundary walls of the pocket such that the clearance satisfies the relationship: cmax≧c≧Cmin, where: cmin=0.01*Dw−0.5 mm and cmax=0.02*Dw−0.4 mm, and wherein the diameter (Dw) of the rolling-element bearing is at least 50 mm.
US09541129B2

An annular guide ring for controlling the position of at least one of rolling elements and a bearing cage in relation to an inner ring of a rolling bearing. The guide ring comprises a base portion, a first side portion extending in a radial direction from a first axial end portion of the base portion, and a second side portion extending in a radial direction from a second axial end portion of the base portion, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion are integrally formed with the base portion of a one-piece sheet material. Also described is a method for manufacturing the guide ring for the rolling bearing.
US09541128B2

A bearing assembly comprising a rolling element bearing and an acoustic emission unit. The rolling element bearing is provided with at least a bearing seal, wherein the acoustic emission unit is arranged on the bearing seal. The assembly also provides an improved method for measuring acoustic emissions in a bearing assembly.
US09541115B2

The present invention discloses a closed rivet plug. The closed rivet plug is mainly comprised of a rivet core and a rivet housing; the rivet housing is hollow and cylindrical and has one closed end; the closed end of the cylindrical rivet housing is provided with an inward recessed arc; the rivet core consists of a rivet rod and a rivet head; the rivet core closely fits the hollow space of the cylindrical rivet housing through the rivet head; the top of the rivet head of the rivet core is provided with a pit matched with the recessed arc at the closed end of the cylindrical housing; and the rivet head of the rivet core is entirely shaped as a truncated cone. The invention has advantages of avoiding falling off and completely preventing safety hazards caused by leakage from the processed holes, together with firm and reliable plugging, simple structure, low manufacturing cost, quick and convenient plugging.
US09541113B2

In one aspect, a component for an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The component includes a body, an inner wall formed in the body and defining an alignment aperture, and an alignment member. The alignment member includes a pair of tabs extending from the body, and the alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the alignment member is inserted into another alignment aperture of another component, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged configuration to facilitate aligning the component relative to the another component of the elastically averaged alignment system. The alignment aperture is configured to receive another alignment member of another component of the elastically averaged alignment system.
US09541103B2

A power source apparatus includes a controller that carries out horsepower control to determine a flow rate of a hydraulic pump in accordance with a discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump detected by a pump pressure determination sensor. In horsepower control, the controller determines the flow rate such that a maximum input setting for the hydraulic pump defined by the discharge pressure and the flow rate is greater than a maximum output of the engine when the discharge pressure is a first discharge pressure, gradually becomes smaller as the discharge pressure changes from the first discharge pressure towards a higher pressure, and becomes smaller than the maximum output of the engine when the discharge pressure is a second discharge pressure.
US09541100B2

A hydraulic control valve, a dual-cylinder extension system and an aerial work engineering machine. The control valve comprises a flow distributing and collecting valve, and control valve body is provided with a first oil opening, a second oil opening and a third oil opening. A first oil opening, a second oil opening and a third oil opening of said flow distributing and collecting valve are respectively communicated with the first oil opening, the second oil opening and the third oil opening of the valve body. The control valve has two working states, wherein, in the first working state, the oil path between the second oil opening and the third oil opening of the valve body is blocked; and in the second working state, the oil path between the second oil opening and the third oil opening of the valve body is opened.
US09541094B2

A scroll structure of a centrifugal compressor 1 having a spirally formed scroll passage 13. The scroll passage 13 includes: a flat connecting portion A at a flow passage joint 23 where a scroll start and a scroll end of the scroll passage 13 meet, this flat connecting portion having a flat cross-sectional shape with a same height as that of an outlet passage of a diffuser; and a transition part 21 where the flat cross-sectional shape of the flat connecting portion A gradually changes back to a circular cross-sectional shape along a circumferential direction.
US09541091B2

An electrical submersible pump assembly has a centrifugal primary pump having a primary pump housing. An electrical motor is operatively coupled to the primary pump. An instrument sub has a housing secured by threaded fasteners to one end of the primary pump housing. A pump stage in the instrument sub housing is driven by the electric motor along with the primary pump, the pump stage including an impeller and a diffuser. A sensor within the instrument sub monitors parameters in the instrument sub. A sensor line port extends through a wall of the instrument sub housing. A sensor line extends sealingly through the sensor line port to the sensor for conveying sensed information from the sensor to a remote instrument panel.
US09541086B2

A modular liquid ring pump has a liquid ring overload protection system including a passage from a working chamber directly to the pump discharge passage and a mechanical relief valve configured to release liquid from the working chamber during compressor overload. The liquid ring pump, when configured to have two stages, has an inter-stage by-pass system that includes an opening in an inter-stage passage and a pressure sensitive mechanical valve that allows the discharge of a first stage compressor to flow directly to the pump discharge at start up or during low pressure operation. The liquid ring pump's modular construction may be easily configured from a single stage pump to a two-stage pump and vice versa by using the same bearings, head, and drive system and only changing the body, cone, and rotor.
US09541076B1

A liquid delivery device for killing weeds. The liquid delivery device includes a main tube, a handle, and a pump housing that includes a pump chamber. A reservoir is disposed in the main tube, and a plunger is connected to the reservoir and positioned in the pump chamber. The plunger is operative to push a liquid contained in the pump chamber through a check valve and dispensing orifices when a user moves the reservoir with respect to the main tube and pump housing. The device also includes a spike extending from the pump housing and an annular stand-off surrounding the spike. The spike is adapted to disrupt the soil and damage the root structure of a target weed.
US09541071B2

Steam can be generated using insolation by a solar collection system. A thermal storage system can store enthalpy in insolation-generated steam at times and can generate steam from stored enthalpy at other times. During some operating periods, a gas-fired superheater can further heat the generated steam to provide superheated steam to generate electricity. Steam at a substantially uniform electricity generating temperature may be produced selectively and at different operating periods from insolation only, from insolation and gas firing, from transfer of enthalpy from a thermal storage system and gas firing, or from a combination of insolation, stored enthalpy transfer, and gas firing. Operating periods can be characterized by at least one of an insolation level, a time of day, or a stage in the operation process. The generated steam can be used in the production of electricity.
US09541069B2

A nacelle shell structure which is attachable to a main structure of a wind turbine is described. The nacelle shell structure is attachable to the main structure such that the nacelle shell structure is carried by the main structure at only three static points. Moreover, a nacelle shell structure is provided which is attachable to a main structure of a wind turbine. The nacelle shell structure includes interconnected shell sub-structures. Furthermore, a lock-labyrinth for positioning between a rotating part with a rotation axis and stationary part of a wind turbine is disclosed, which includes a shield structure and a support structure, the shield structure being located radially outward of the support structure and protruding the support structure in axial direction. The shield structure includes a nose protruding radially inward and being located at an axial position where the support structure forms a water-tight channel which opens towards the nose.
US09541048B2

A fuel injection valve realizing improved circumferential uniformity of swirling fuel is provided. The fuel injection valve includes a swirling chamber having an inner peripheral wall whose curvature is gradually larger from upstream to downstream, a path for swirling which, having a fuel flow-in region formed along a valve axis direction, guides fuel to the swirling chamber, and a fuel injection orifice open into the swirling chamber. In the fuel injection valve, the path for swirling is inclined toward the fuel injection orifice formed on a downstream side of the swirling chamber.
US09541042B2

An engine assembly may include a voltage source and an oxygen pump assembly. The oxygen pump assembly may include an intake conduit and an oxygen pumping mechanism. The intake conduit may be in fluid communication with an air supply and an intake manifold. The oxygen pumping mechanism may include an oxygen ion conducting cell, a first electrode in electrical communication with the voltage source and a second electrode in electrical communication with the voltage source. The first electrode may be disposed on a first side of the cell and may be exposed to an interior of the intake conduit. The second electrode may be disposed on a second side of the cell and isolated from the interior of the conduit. The oxygen pumping mechanism may remove oxygen from an air flow within the interior of the intake conduit based on a voltage applied across the cell by the voltage source.
US09541039B2

An apparatus, system and method for reducing the emission of nitrogen oxides in an internal combustion engine system. Exhaust gas directly or indirectly downstream of the internal combustion engine is at least selectively stored in an exhaust gas storage region. Upon the occurrence of at least one enablement condition, indicative of a potential period where the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) will increase, the stored exhaust gas is inserted into the internal combustion engine to assist in reducing the emission of the nitrogen oxides. The exhaust gas storage volume regularly, or the exhaust gas storage volume may be filled during strategic periods when the emissions of nitrogen oxides are low and/or there is a low need for the recirculation of exhaust gas.
US09541037B2

The invention refers to a fuel vapor storage and recovery apparatus comprising a housing (2) defining at least first and second compartments, at least one compartment being filled with an adsorbent material, at least one tank port (5) connectable to a fuel tank vent line, at least one atmospheric vent port (7), an outer housing member (8) defining a first outer compartment (3), an inner housing member defining a second inner compartment (4), the first outer compartment (3) encompassing the second inner compartment (4), wherein the inner housing member (9) is fitted into the outer housing member (8) at one end of the housing (2), such that a wall (13) of the inner housing member (9) engages an inner wall of the outer housing member (8) and wherein the inner housing member (9) and the outer housing member (8) are sealed against each other by means of a closure cap (14).
US09541033B2

A gaseous fuel and air mixing venturi device is adapted for installation in a gaseous fuel carburetor and has a venturi body defining annular inner and outer venturi passageways which each have a throat of reduced cross-sectional area and have inlet ends in communication with an air inlet of the carburetor. A fuel inlet is configured for connection to a fuel port of the carburetor, and communicates with a plurality of fuel supply ports in the body communicating radially with the inner and outer venturi passages to mix with the air flowing in the passageways.
US09541024B2

Methods and systems are provided for monitoring fuel level indicator noise in a sealed fuel tank system. In one example, the method includes comparing the outputs of a fuel level indicator and fuel tank pressure sensor in a sealed tank. If the outputs of both the fuel level indicator and the fuel tank pressure sensor outputs are noisy, then it may be determined that the fuel level indicator noise is mechanical in nature. However, if the fuel level indicator output is noisy while the fuel tank pressure sensor output is not noisy in the sealed tank, then it may be determined that the fuel tank pressure sensor noise is electrical in nature.
US09541023B2

A method for determining causes of engine stop using ignition power monitoring may include performing ignition power holding determination to determine, in a state in which a vehicle is started and an engine is driven, whether the vehicle is in a key-on state, to which power is consistently applied, in order to hold the starting of the engine of the vehicle. The method also includes performing power-off recognition time comparison by comparing, when ignition power is turned off and the engine is stopped, a time required to recognize ignition power-off in an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) with a preset ignition power-off recognition time for failure determination. The method also performs a power abnormality determination by determining whether the engine is stopped due to ignition power failure when the time required to recognize the ignition power-off in the ECU is not greater than the preset ignition power-off recognition time.
US09541022B2

An engine control module (ECM) having a plurality of driver banks is provided. Each of the driver banks is configured to drive a plurality of combustion control elements. The driver banks include two low side driver circuits and a high side driver circuit, the high side driver circuit in each of the plurality of driver banks being shared pairwise by two combustion control elements. Each one of said at least two low side driver circuits is respectively associated with the two combustion control elements. The ECM includes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) coupled to the plurality of driver banks and configured to provide firing signals to at least twelve high side driver circuits to simultaneously drive at least twelve combustion control elements respectively coupled to the at least twelve high side driver circuits.
US09541021B2

A method for learning and determining a minimum injector-specific electric actuation duration for at least one fuel injector of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. Starting with a predefined electric actuation duration which definitely does not result in an injection, the electric actuation duration is gradually increased in each engine stop and/or in each engine start in successive engine stops and/or in successive engine starts of the internal combustion engine up to an actuation duration in which an injection with a combustion occurs, and then this actuation duration may be determined as the minimum electric actuation duration. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.
US09541020B2

An engine controller is proposed which facilitates an operation at start of a vehicle without forcing mental strain to a rider to cancel start control. An engine controller includes a start determinator for determining start of a vehicle, an elapsed time after start timer for counting elapsed time Tp since start of the vehicle is determined by the start determinator, and a start controller for adjusting an output of an engine until the elapsed time Tp counted by the elapsed time after start timer reaches a predetermined control time Tr determined in advance if the start of the vehicle is determined by the start determinator.
US09541010B2

An engine assembly includes a camshaft having an exhaust cam lobe defining an exhaust lift region and an exhaust base circle region and an EGR cam lobe defining an EGR lift region and an EGR base circle region. The EGR lift region is rotationally offset from the exhaust lift region and the EGR base circle region is rotationally aligned with the exhaust lift region. An exhaust valve lift mechanism is engaged with an exhaust valve, the exhaust cam lobe and the EGR cam lobe and is operable in first and second modes. The exhaust valve remains closed when the EGR lift region engages the exhaust valve lift mechanism during the second mode and the exhaust valve is opened when the EGR lift region engages the exhaust valve lift mechanism during the first mode to provide exhaust gas flow into the combustion chamber during an intake stroke of the combustion chamber.
US09541009B2

An air intake device offers simplified construction, reduced size, lowered cost, etc., while facilitating disposing of throttle body and driving part in intake air passage, allowing throttle body to be reliably held, and eliminating possible occurrence of intake air leakage, etc., thus positively securing the performance. The air intake device includes an actuator and an intake air manifold made of resin. In actuator, there are provided a throttle body, a throttle valve, a motor for opening/closing throttle valve, and a power transmission mechanism. Throttle valve and motor are positioned and held on one side of a support member, and power transmission mechanism is on the other side. In intake air manifold, a housing chamber is provided. When a fixing part of support member is jointed to a part to be fixed of intake air manifold, throttle body and motor are accommodated in a predetermined position in housing chamber.
US09540997B2

An engine cover assembly having an integrally attached captive fastener or part-in-assembly fastener for attachment to an engine is disclosed. The engine cover assembly includes an engine cover having a fastener aperture formed in a recessed area thereof and a captive fastener assembly integrally attached to the cover. The captive fastener assembly includes an elongated fastener having a head or shoulder, a load limiting spacer disposed next to the shoulder of the elongated fastener, and a load limiter positioned next to the load limiting spacer. The load limiter has shoulders formed at both ends. The elongated fastener has a threaded end for attachment to a threaded insert positioned in the engine. Insulators are attached to the load limiting spacer and are positioned to either side of an area of the engine cover adjacent the fastener aperture, thus capturing the engine cover between the elongated fastener head and the load limiter.
US09540980B2

Nitrogen oxide storage catalysts comprising a substrate and at least two coating layers, where the second layer is substantially free of platinum, cerium and barium, and methods of manufacturing and using these nitrogen oxide storage catalysts are disclosed.
US09540978B2

A honeycomb body for exhaust gas aftertreatment includes a first end face, a second end face, a central axis that penetrates the two end faces and a length. The honeycomb body has at least one at least partially structured metallic layer which is disposed about the central axis. A structure of the at least one metallic layer has elevations and depressions which extend at least over part of the length of the honeycomb body and run obliquely to the central axis. At least one metallic connecting strip is provided between adjacent regions of the at least one metallic layer. The metallic connecting strip is shorter than the length of the honeycomb body and forms a brazed connection or welded connection to the adjacent regions. A method for producing such a honeycomb body and a motor vehicle having the honeycomb body are also provided.
US09540975B2

An oil mist separator includes at least one filter device for separating off liquid suspended particles from a carrier gas. The filter device includes a housing having at least one inlet opening for introducing the carrier gas and at least one outlet opening for discharging the filtered carrier gas. Arranged in the housing is at least one filter insert through which the carrier gas can flow along a flow direction. There is also provided at least one guide device by which the flow path can be deflected. The at least one filter device can be arranged releasably in the oil mist separator, and a seal is provided preferably between a first fixing surface of the oil mist separator and a second fixing surface, to be fixed thereto, of the filter device.
US09540961B2

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are directed to monitoring a capacity at which an engine is operating, the engine comprising a turbocharger. It can be determined whether the engine is operating above a threshold capacity. If the engine is operating above a threshold capacity, a closed-loop thermal cycle working fluid can be heated with heated air from the turbocharger. If the engine is operating at or below a threshold capacity, the working fluid can be heated with exhaust from the engine. The heated working fluid can be directed to a turbine generator, which can generate electrical power.
US09540959B2

A system and method for generating electric power using a generator coupled to a turboexpander is disclosed. The system includes one or more thermal pumps configured for heating a fluid to generate a pressurized gas. A portion of the pressurized gas is discharged to a buffer chamber for further utilization in a Rankine system. A further portion of the pressurized gas is expanded in a turboexpander for driving a generator for generating electric power. Optionally, the system includes a pump to pressurize a portion of the fluid depending on the systems operating condition. The system further includes one or more sensors for sensing temperature and pressure and outputs one or more signals representative of the sensed state. The system includes a control unit for receiving the signals and outputs one or more control signals for controlling the flow of gases and liquid in the valves and the check valve.
US09540954B2

An exemplary arrangement for securing the shaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger includes a catch ring with a central opening and a radial projection on the shaft. The catch ring having an inner contour in the region of the central opening. The radial projection on the shaft is provided with an outer contour. The inner contour on the catch ring and the outer contour on the shaft are configured such that, during mounting of the shaft and of the turbine wheel connected thereto and in at least one specified angle position of the shaft with respect to the housing, the radially outwardly protruding projection on the shaft can be passed in an axial direction through the central opening of the housing element. The radially outwardly protruding projection abuts in the axial direction against the housing element in specified angle positions of the shaft with respect to the housing.
US09540953B2

A housing-side structure of a turbomachine, in particular of a gas turbine, including an in particular segmented jacket ring (16), which carries an abradable lining for radially outer ends of rotor-side moving blades of a moving blade ring, wherein the jacket ring (16) carrying the abradable lining is connected by means of at least one constriction (18) to a stator-side housing part (19), which is radially adjacent to the jacket ring (16) on the outside and the jacket ring is thermally decoupled from said stator-side housing.
US09540950B2

An oil deflector includes a segment array extending radially from a sleeve portion defining a longitudinal axis and configured for mounting on a shaft. The segment array includes a plurality of segments arranged circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis and defines at least one oil diverting feature configured to create a pressure differential proximate the segment array or across a surface of the segment array during rotation of the oil deflector about the longitudinal axis. The segment array may define an oil diverting feature configured as a radially tapered peripheral surface, an axially inclined annular surface, at least one slot inclined relative to an annular surface of the array, and/or a combination of these configured to divert oil axially and/or radially from the oil deflector during rotation by the shaft in use.
US09540947B2

A cooling system of ring segment is provided with: a collision plate that has a plurality of small holes; a cooling space that is enclosed by the collision plate and a main body of the segment body; a first cavity that arranged is the upstream end portion of the segment body in the flow direction of the combustion gas so as to be perpendicular to the axial direction of a rotating shaft; a first cooling passage that communicates from the cooling space to the first cavity; and a second cooling passage that communicates from the first cavity to a fire combustion gas d gas space in the downstream end portion of the segment body in the flow direction of the combustion gas.
US09540945B2

An active bypass flow control system for controlling bypass compressed air based upon leakage flow of compressed air flowing past an outer balance seal between a stator and rotor of a first stage of a gas turbine in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The active bypass flow control system is an adjustable system in which one or more metering devices may be used to control the flow of bypass compressed air as the flow of compressed air past the outer balance seal changes over time as the outer balance seal between the rim cavity and the cooling cavity wears. In at least one embodiment, the metering device may include a valve formed from one or more pins movable between open and closed positions in which the one pin at least partially bisects the bypass channel to regulate flow.
US09540924B2

An optical device (32) transfers an optical signal to or from an electronics unit (30) used in relation to downhole equipment of a drilling operation. The device includes a body (38) and an optical signal direction or light path altering means (40), the body having a light path arranged to allow the optical signal from a light source (16,18) associated with the electronics unit to pass to the optical signal direction altering means, the optical signal direction altering means arranged to cause the optical signal to change direction of travel within the body of the optical device.
US09540922B2

An electromagnetic method for obtaining a dip azimuth angle from downhole electromagnetic measurements includes acquiring electromagnetic measurement data in a subterranean borehole from at least one measurement array. The electromagnetic measurement data is processed by a least squares method to obtain the dip azimuth angle. Related systems and apparatuses are also disclosed herein.
US09540918B1

The enhanced oil recovery (EOR) system includes a solar tower that heats air, which is fed to an ion transport membrane (ITM) unit. The ITM unit separates oxygen from the preheated air. The separated oxygen is injected into the oil well to burn part of the well's oil, thereby generating the heat required for thermally enhance oil recovery. Combustion of part of the well's oil reduces the viscosity of the remainder, enhancing extraction of oil from the well.
US09540917B2

System and method for producing fluids from a hydrocarbon reservoir where an injector well segment and parallel underlying producer well segment are both completed with slotted liners. The injector and producer segments are logically partitioned into corresponding sections to define a plurality of injector-producer section pairs. Injection tubing strings supply stimulating fluid (e.g., saturated steam) to associated sections of the injector segment for injection into the hydrocarbon reservoir. Surface-located control devices control the pressure of the stimulating fluid flowing through the respective injection tubing strings. Production tubing strings (with the aid of artificial lift) carry fluids produced from associated sections of the producer segment. A plurality of controllers is provided for the injector-producer section pairs to control at least one process variable (e.g., interwell subcool temperature) associated with respective injector-producer section pairs over time by adjusting control variables that dictate operation of the control devices for the injection tubing strings.
US09540915B2

The invention relates to a method for improved gravity drainage in a hydrocarbon formation, the method comprising: drilling a production well along a substantially horizontal production layer of a reservoir; drilling a perforation well above the production well, either in the production layer or in a layer separated from the production layer by a fluid barrier; perforating the formation adjacent the perforation well to provide a fluid flow path to or within the production layer; inducing gravity drainage through the fluid flow path; and producing fluids collected in the production well.
US09540914B2

A method and system for estimating water cut or water fraction. The method may include independently establishing a production index for a region in a well. An initial flow rate in the region may be computed from the production index. Further, a measured flow rate may also be monitored within the region on an ongoing rate, for example, with a Venturi device. Thus, a comparison of the initial and measured flow rates may also take place on an ongoing basis so as to provide a real time read of fluid density. This, in turn may be used to estimate water cut of anywhere between 0 and 100% for the region in a dynamic manner. As a result, production from the overall well may be optimized with greater accuracy as a determination on the amount of production allowed, if any, is made on a region by region basis with improved water cut accuracy regarding each region.
US09540902B2

A technique facilitates downhole service operations including cementing operations. A retrievable cementing bushing is designed to facilitate the service operation and includes a body on which is mounted an engagement lug. The engagement lug is mounted for movement in a radial direction and includes an outer engagement feature and an inner engagement feature. The inner engagement feature is oriented for cooperation with a slick joint. The engagement lug is biased in a radially outward direction for engagement with corresponding features of a surrounding wall.
US09540897B2

An overshot assembly for operative coupling to a wireline and a head assembly within a drilling system. The overshot assembly has at least one latch member that securely engages the inner surface of the head assembly without the use of a spearhead.
US09540893B2

A cable duct device in a swellable packer, in which the swellable packer is provided with at least one opening therethrough which is adapted to constitute a duct for a cable.
US09540881B2

A system for improving a drilling speed by using drill string vibration comprises a downhole drill string vibration-reduction and supercharging device, and an ultra-high pressure bit device used for a downhole supercharger. Also disclosed is a method for improving a drilling speed by using drill string vibration. Related embodiments are also disclosed.
US09540871B2

An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a motor and a gearbox coupled to the motor and configured to apply torque to a tilt rod of a window blind. The gearbox is configured to enable the tilt rod to pass completely through the gearbox. In certain embodiments, the gearbox includes a shaft configured to apply torque to the tilt rod. This shaft may extend from a first end of the gearbox to a second end of the gearbox and may include a through-channel to enable the tilt rod to pass completely therethrough. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.
US09540866B2

A security window applied to a single window is applied to a previously installed single window so as to block an open space of the window and prevent entry by strangers and a person inside from having a falling accident. The security window can be separated from within a room as necessary, and thus movement of an object or emergency escape is facilitated. Meanwhile, the security window cannot be separated from outside the room, and thus intrusion by persons with malicious intent can be prevented from the onset.
US09540865B2

Provided in the present invention is a vacuum glass, comprising: a plurality of plate glasses arranged to be spaced apart at fixed distances; a sealing material provided along edges of the plate glasses to seal and adhere to the plate glasses; and a plurality of pillars arranged between the plate glasses to maintain the distances between the plate glasses. The plurality of pillars are arranged at different arrangement distances in vertical and horizontal directions. Thus, the thermal insulation performance of the vacuum glass may be improved, and stress applied to the vacuum glass may be reduced by the pillars to secure the safety of a product.
US09540864B2

A method and apparatus for the, preferably automated, changing of spacers in a plant having at least one applicator head for applying spacers to panel-shaped workpieces, in particular glass panes. Spacers from at least two sources are fed to the applicator head in an offset manner with respect to one another. A first spacer from a first source is separated. The resulting end of the first spacer and a start of the second spacer, which comes from a second source, are moved into a mutually assigned position by a changing device. Then, the end of the first spacer is connected to the start of the second spacer. A resulting connection of the first spacer with the second spacer runs through the plant until the connection has passed the applicator head. Thereafter, the second spacer is separated in a region between the connection and the applicator head.
US09540862B2

An inner glass skin structure is configured by a sashless plate glass that overcomes the difference in the coefficients of linear expansion and insufficient rigidity of aluminum and glass having a superior design, in which the four sides of each of the sashless plate glass are covered by an aluminum covering material having narrow width. The inner glass skin structure is configured by a plurality of sashless plate glasses four sides of which are covered with an aluminum covering material, a door roller and a securing foot member respectively fixed on the bottom of each plate glass on the movable side and immovable side of the plate glass of the sliding door formation, and a lower rail member arranged underneath the plate glass and an upper rail member arranged directly above each plate glass. On the top and bottom of the plate glass, the inner face of an end face cover part of the covering material is bonded to an elastic intervening piece that is fixed to the end face of the plate glass; on both the lateral sides of the plate glass, a plurality of coupling strip plates are inserted in a coupling plate retaining section on the inner face of the end face cover part of the covering material in series with a predetermined spacing therebetween; and each coupling strip plate is bonded to an elastic intervening piece that is secured to the end face of the plate glass.
US09540855B2

A biaxial hinge which allows a first casing having a keyboard and a second casing having a display to open and close 360 degrees relative to each other. The biaxial hinge ensures that the keyboard, rubber feet, and other parts can sink relative to the first casing. The biaxial hinge includes a biaxial hinge portion and an actuating mechanism. The biaxial hinge portion includes a rotation controlling unit. The actuating mechanism includes a fixed cam part, a slide cam part facing the fixed cam part, and a link part.
US09540851B2

An apparatus of a slide door for a vehicle may include a rail formed at a frame of a vehicle body and a striker formed at one side of the rail, a latch arm formed at the door and a roller that is connected to the latch arm to be slid along the rail to open/close the door, and a latch of a hook shape which is connected to the latch arm to be caught over or released from the striker.
US09540848B1

A door lock (10) includes a driving device (30) having an outer spindle (36) and an outer handle (38) mounted to the outer spindle (36). A mounting member (56) is rotatably mounted in a compartment (46) of the outer handle (38). A positioning member (72) is movably received in a groove (54) of the outer handle (38). When a lock core (74) disengages from the mounting member (56), the mounting member (56) cannot move along a longitudinal axis but can pivot about a pivotal axis relative to the outer handle (38) to change a positional relationship between first and second holes (64, 66) of the mounting member (56). After the lock core (74) engages with the mounting member (56), the mounting member (56) cannot pivot about the pivotal axis relative to the outer handle (38).
US09540841B2

Handle mechanism provided for mounting in an opening extending wholly through a door, the handle mechanism comprising a first plate for closing the opening at the position of a first side of the door, a second plate for closing the opening at the position of a second side of the door and an intermediate plate placed between the first and second plates, wherein the first and the second plate are each connected via spring means to the intermediate plate so that each of the first and the second plate are movable substantially against the intermediate plate by an external force, wherein the intermediate plate is provided for movable placing in the door so as to increase an overall space for movement of each of the first and the second plate.
US09540838B2

An access panel for a horizontal opening, the access panel (11) comprises a parallel array (12) of members (14, 15, 16) and a lateral extent (W) of the array (12) corresponding to a lateral extend (D) of the opening between first (17) and second (18) end members of the array (12) defining a length (L) of the panel (12). At least two pantograph units (20, 21) extend between the first (17) and second (18) end members and each member (14-16, etc.) in the parallel array (12) is pivotably linked to each pantograph unit. The members (14, 15, 16 etc) and units (20, 21) permit the panel (11) to function as a planar structure and enable the length (L) of the panel (11) to be varied between a minimum length (L1) and a maximum length (L2) and an intermediate configuration having a length between the minimum and maximum lengths (L1, L2).
US09540830B2

This invention relates to a bracket assembly for a hardware assembly for forming an elevated concrete slab or the like, the bracket assembly comprising a body securable to a supporting structure and a load bearing support carriage which depends from the body and is movable between at least upper and lower positions relative to the body while depending therefrom. An associated hardware assembly and method of use thereof are also disclosed.
US09540829B2

The maintenance assembly, for workers to perform maintenance activities within a gas turbine engine, is capable of being arranged within a cavity, generally around a combustor, accessible from a manhole of the gas turbine engine. The maintenance assembly includes a platform, and an inflatable member cooperatively configured to the platform. The inflatable member is at a normal condition, when placed outside of the cavity, being at a deflated position and is at a working condition, when arranged within the cavity, being at inflated position so as to accommodate a shape coordinating the cavity in such a manner that the platform is advance within the cavity up to a predetermined level to enable the workers on the platform to reach at a predetermined position within the cavity to perform the maintenance activities.
US09540826B2

Floor panels which are provided with a mechanical locking system including tongue and grooves provided with protrusions and cavities which are displaceable in relation to each other. A set of floor panel provided with a locking system including a displaceable tongue in a displacement groove in a first edge of a first floor panel, cooperating for vertical locking of the edges with a tongue groove in adjacent second edges of a second floor panel, the locking system further including a locking strip with a locking element in one edge which cooperates, for horizontal locking of the edges, with a locking groove in an adjacent edge, the displaceable tongue includes a protrusion and the displacement groove a cavity, the protrusion is slideable against a wall of the cavity to obtain a displacement of the tongue in a first direction perpendicular to the edges and thereby the vertical locking of the edges.
US09540822B2

Roofing granules are prepared by coating granule cores with a coating material including composite nanoparticles and curing the coating layer to dissolve the aggregate binder and disperse the nanoparticles in the coating.
US09540807B2

A structure vibration control device includes a hydraulic damper having damping force characteristics that vary in response to a magnitude of an earthquake and having characteristics that are maintained for a long period of time regardless of an environmental temperature change. The hydraulic damper includes a preload chamber into which a high-pressure gas is charged in series with a hydraulic chamber. The preload chamber absorbs a volume change of the hydraulic chamber caused by the environmental temperature change and a piston rod and balances a bias force of a spring within the hydraulic chamber and of the preload chamber. Piston valves have high damping force characteristics against a weak earthquake and low damping force characteristics against a strong earthquake. The piston valves may include an orifice beside a check valve function, by which the high damping force characteristics lie within a range of 150 to 800 kN/(m/sec).
US09540803B2

A coating composition of: from 4 to 17 wt % of hollow microspheres having a thermal conductivity (designated lambda) below 0.1 W·m−1·K−1, from 0.05 to 1 wt % of at least one linear alcohol whose hydrocarbon chain comprises at least 8 carbon atoms, from 5 to 25 wt % of at least one bonding agent selected from water-dispersible or water-soluble polymers, comprising a glass transition temperature (Tg) less than or equal to 65° C., from 25 to 50 wt % of a non-hydraulic binder that is mineral and metallic fillers: having an average particle size in the range from 5 to 100 μm, from 0.1 to 1 wt % of at least one thickener, water, Use thereof and the applications thereof as smoothing and/or heat-insulating coating for walls and ceilings.
US09540802B2

The precompressed sealing tape for sealing a joint has an elastically re-expandable foam strip. The sealing tape also has a sheet-like wrapping, which at least partially surrounds the foam strip, and a strip-like element, which is arranged in the area of a lower transverse surface of the foam strip and which has greater flexural strength than the foam strip. A first section of the sheet-like wrapping is arranged between the lower transverse surface of the foam strip and the strip-like element.
US09540801B2

A first structural member and a second structural member meet at a joint of a truss triangular unit. A bridge plate includes a central portion that spans across the joint. The bridge plate includes a first peripheral portion extending from the central portion in a direction of the first structural member and a second peripheral portion extending from the central portion in a direction of the second structural member. Each peripheral portion includes a slot and a first opening. A stirrup plate is provided for each peripheral portion. Each stirrup plate includes an interlocking mounting flange having an extending tab member received by the slot and a second opening aligned with the first opening. A mounting device extends through the aligned first and second openings to secure the stirrup plate and bridge plate to the underlying structural member.
US09540791B2

A computer-implemented method for providing a warning including the steps: obtaining data relating to the location of a hazardous object and obtaining data relating to the location of a material handling machine. The computer to compare the location of the material handling machine to the location of the hazardous object and estimates a probability of a hazardous event occurring. If the estimate exceeds a threshold valve, a warning is issued by the computer.
US09540790B2

To provide a work machine that can suppress a steep fluctuation in engine power. The present invention includes an engine 11; a hydraulic pump 12 that is driven by the engine 11; a hydraulic actuator 17 that is driven by pressure oil discharged from the hydraulic pump 12; a motor generator 13 that drives the hydraulic pump 12; an electrical storage device 14 that transfers electric power with the motor generator 13; a load computing unit 21 that computes the load power of the engine 11; a vehicle body state management unit 22 that manages a vehicle body state including the state of the electrical storage device 14; an engine power fluctuation limitation unit 23 that computes second target power for limiting the increase rate and the decrease rate of the power of the engine 11 on the basis of the load power and the vehicle body state; a hydraulic power limitation unit 24 that limits the power of the hydraulic pump 12 on the basis of the second target power; and an assist power computation unit 25 that limits the power of the motor generator 13 on the basis of the second target power.
US09540787B2

Motor graders and circle drives associated with the same. An example work vehicle includes a frame, a circle drive coupled to the frame, moldboard coupled to the circle drive and a planetary gear apparatus including an output shaft configured to mesh with the circle drive to rotate the circle drive relative to the frame.
US09540781B2

A tool adapted to collect, lift, and move material has a lifting structure attached to a collection element and at least one handle attached to the lifting structure. The lifting structure may have two or three segments. Each segment may have rails spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other with at least one cross member disposed there-between. The segments are oriented relative to one another to reduce the amount of bending required to lift material in the collection element. Adjacent segments in the lifting structure may be pivotally attached to each other. This tool can be free standing when used as a dustpan.
US09540779B2

A road milling machine includes a rear wheel or track mounted on a pivot arm such that the wheel or track is movable between a first outer end position projecting laterally relative to the machine frame, and a second inner end position which permits milling close to an edge. A travel drive of the rear wheel or track provides a driving force to move the wheel or track between the end positions.
US09540778B2

A road finishing machine with a thermographic device releasably fixed to a portion of the machine for recording a georeferenced thermographic data record of at least one region of a pavement layer. The thermographic device includes a housing in which a detection unit for detecting a thermographic data record and a further detection unit for detecting a space-related data record for the thermographic data record are disposed.
US09540777B1

The present invention provides for synthetic turf infill materials and methods of making such materials wherein the surfaces of the materials have been modified with hydrophilic properties. The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method to modify the surface of synthetic turf infill through coating, crosslinking or other methods. The surface of the infill is modified to become substantially hydrophilic with low contact angles. The present invention also provides a process for producing surfaces with hydrophilic properties.
US09540774B2

An expansion joint bridging device which bridges an expansion joint between two construction work parts of a traversable construction work. The expansion joint is spanned by at least two crossbeams which are supported in a load-bearing manner on both construction work parts, wherein at least one of the load-bearing supports allows a displacement movement. An overload safety device comprises two supporting profiles at a distance from one another and supported on the crossbeams, and a fill profile bridging the gap between the support profiles. If a threshold value for the force that would effect the two support profiles to approach one another is exceeded, a fixing device releases the positional stabilization such that the two support profiles can be moved towards one another by displacing the fill profile upwards out of the gap.
US09540773B1

A rail rolling apparatus and method of use, the apparatus having a back end portion with one or more apertures, a middle portion, and one or more hooks which are capable of substantially receiving the base of a railroad rail. The apertures are sized to receive one or more backhoe bucket teeth. When positioned with the railroad rail and the backhoe bucket, the method of use allows the backhoe bucket to repair or fix rolled over rail and bent rail, and further allows for positioning or lining of track via various movements of the bucket or backhoe arm.
US09540764B2

A method includes coating a substrate to provide a flame resistant substrate. In an embodiment, the method includes exposing the substrate to a cationic solution to produce a cationic layer deposited on the substrate. The cationic solution comprises cationic materials. The cationic materials comprise a polymer, a colloidal particle, a nanoparticle, a nitrogen-rich molecule, or any combinations thereof. The method further includes exposing the cationic layer to an anionic solution to produce an anionic layer deposited on the cationic layer to produce a layer comprising the anionic layer and the cationic layer. The anionic solution comprises a layerable material.
US09540763B2

A method includes coating a substrate to provide a flame resistant substrate. In an embodiment, the method includes exposing the substrate to a cationic solution to produce a cationic layer deposited on the substrate. The cationic solution includes cationic materials. The cationic materials include polymers, nanoparticles, or any combinations thereof. The method further includes exposing the cationic layer to an anionic solution to produce an anionic layer deposited on the cationic layer to produce a bilayer. The bilayer is the anionic layer and the cationic layer. The anionic solution includes layerable materials.
US09540762B2

An odor eliminating cloth according to this invention is characterized in that an odor eliminating composition containing a porous inorganic substance, a metallic oxide, and an inorganic silicon compound carrying a polyamine compound is fixed to at least a part of a cloth by means of a binder resin. With this odor eliminating cloth, any types of odors of basic gases, acidic gases, neutral gases, sulphur series gases contained in the air of a room can be effectively eliminated.
US09540757B2

The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus that smoothly agitates laundry with as large space as possible for receiving laundry. The laundry treating apparatus includes: a rotatable drum that receives laundry, has open front and rear, and is formed to have a non-circular closed cross-section; a rotatable upper circular guide that is disposed with the rotational center higher than the rotational center of the drum and supports a portion having a uniform curvature at the upper portion of the drum; a rotatable lower circular guide that is disposed with the rotational center lower than the rotational center of the drum and supports a portion having a uniform curvature at the lower portion of the drum; and a driving mechanism rotating the drum by rotating the upper circular guide or the lower circular guide.
US09540746B2

A nonwoven web material including fibers formed of a polyolefin and a polyester is disclosed. The fibers may include fine fibers produced by, for example, a meltblowing process. The polyolefin may be polypropylene and the polyester may be polylactic acid. The polylactic acid may be obtained and included by recycling scrap nonwoven material containing a polylactic acid component, hydrolyzing the polylactic acid component to reduce its viscosity, blending the hydrolyzed polylactic acid with a polyolefin resin, and melt-spinning the blended material to form fibers. A related process is disclosed.
US09540742B2

A bactericidal water generating system and a method of bactericidal washing which can enhance the bactericidal capacity and washing effect of acidic electrolyzed water. An electrolyzer electrolyzes a chloride-containing aqueous electrolyte solution to generate acidic electrolyzed water, the aqueous electrolyte being pre-adjusted to pH 3 to 5 with a pH adjuster. An acidic water container is connected to the electrolyzer, and stores the acidic electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzer. A gaseous chlorine circulator collects gaseous chlorine generated from the acidic electrolyzed water in the acidic water container, and the gaseous chlorine collected is supplied to the acidic electrolyzed water in the acidic water container by bubbling. A transition metal supply unit is provided so that a transition metal-containing solution can be supplied to the inside of the acidic water container.
US09540738B2

Both the reaction of hydride-forming compositions with hydrogen to form hydrides, and the decomposition of such hydrides to release hydrogen may be promoted electrochemically. These reactions may be conducted reversibly, and if performed in a suitable cell, the cell will serve as a hydrogen storage and release device.
US09540737B2

A method is provided for an electrochemical synthesis of ammonia in alkaline media. The method electrolytically converts N2 and H2 to NH3 in an electrochemical cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte. The method includes exposing an anode to a H2-containing fluid, wherein the anode is active toward adsorption and oxidation of H2; exposing a cathode to a N2-containing fluid, wherein the cathode is active toward adsorption and reduction of N2 to form NH3; and applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode so as to facilitate adsorption of hydrogen onto the anode and adsorption of nitrogen onto the cathode; wherein the voltage is sufficient to simultaneously oxidize the H2 and reduce the N2. The electrolytic method is performed with the H2 and N2 pressures from about 10 atmospheres (atm) to about 1 atm; and at temperatures from about 25° C. to about 205° C.
US09540736B2

Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals which help to minimize higher etch rates at the grain boundaries of polycrystalline materials. Certain methods pertain to amorphization of the polycrystalline material, other pertain to plasma treatments, and yet other pertain to the use of small doses of halide transfer agents in the etch process.
US09540734B2

A conductive composition that comprises a branched metal carboxylate and one or more solvents. The solvents may be an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. In embodiments, the branched metal carboxylate is a silver carboxylate. The conductive composition may be used in forming conductive features on a substrate, including by inkjet printing, screen printing or offset printing.
US09540733B2

A film forming method in which in a state in which a target substrate is loaded on a loading table body of a loading table installed in a processing container and an interior of the processing container is evacuated, a film forming material gas is supplied into the processing container while heating the target substrate with a heater installed in the loading table body, to be thermally decomposed or reacted on a surface of the target substrate to form a predetermined film on the target substrate, includes introducing a heat transfer gas containing an H2 gas or an He gas into the processing container to transfer heat of the loading table body to a radially outer side of the loading table body, before the film forming material gas is supplied.
US09540732B2

A gas distribution apparatus for a plasma processing equipment is provided. The gas distribution apparatus includes a support plate (3) and a showerhead electrode (5) that are secured together parallelly to define a chamber for gas distribution. A first gas distribution plate (4) is arranged in the chamber horizontally. On an upper surface of the gas distribution plate (4), at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) around its axis and a plurality of radial gas-flow grooves (42) communicating with the at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) is arranged. A plurality of axial viahole (43) are formed in the at least one circumferential gas-flow groove (41) and the plurality of radial gas-flow grooves (42). The gas distribution apparatus can achieve a uniform gas distribution in the plasma processing equipment.
US09540731B2

Reconfigurable showerheads used in process chambers for substrate processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable showerhead may include a body having one or more plenums disposed therein; and one or more inserts configured to be disposed within the one or more plenums, wherein the one or more inserts divide the reconfigurable showerhead into a plurality of zones. In some embodiments, a substrate processing system may include a process chamber having a reconfigurable showerhead coupled to a gas supply for providing one or more process gases to the process chamber, the reconfigurable showerhead including a body having one or more plenums disposed therein and one or more inserts configured to be disposed within the one or more plenums, wherein the one or more inserts divide the reconfigurable showerhead into a plurality of zones.
US09540726B2

The present invention relates to a method for coating a substrate, preferably a drill, wherein at least one first HiPIMS layer is applied by means of a HiPIMS process. Preferably, at least one second layer is applied to the first HiPIMS layer by means of a coating process that does not contain a HiPIMS process.
US09540725B2

Provided is a method of controlling a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) system for processing structures on a substrate. A GCIB system comprises deflection plates for directing a GCIB towards a substrate, the GCIB system coupled to a substrate scanning device configured to move a substrate in three dimensions. The substrate is exposed to the GCIB while the substrate is being moved by the substrate scanning device. A controller is used to control a set of deflection operating parameters comprising a deflection angle φ, voltage differential of the deflection plates, frequency of the deflection plate power, beam current, substrate distance, pressure in the nozzle, gas flow rate in the process chamber, separation of beam burns, duration of the bean burn, and/or duty cycle of the beam deflector output.
US09540722B2

A hard and wear resistant coating for a body includes at least one metal based nitride layer having improved high temperature performance. The layer is (Zr1-x-zSixMez)Ny with 0
US09540710B2

An apparatus for purifying sodium metal including: a top flange, a transparent slice, a hollow flange, a vacuum distillation kettle, gaskets, and bolts. With this apparatus, solid sodium is liquefied by heating. The volatile impurities contained in the liquid sodium metal evaporate out of the vacuum pump. After heating the liquid sodium to a high temperature, circulating cooling water is added to the condenser tube by radiation-auxiliary distillation. High-purity argon is then added to remove volatile impurities, and thermal radiation is performed to accelerate the evaporation rate at the surface of the liquid sodium. Consequently, gaseous sodium rapidly condenses on the condenser tube and becomes solid sodium.
US09540704B2

A method for producing a high fatigue life quenched/tempered steel pipe comprises a quenching treatment of keeping an unquenched starting steel pipe having a composition that comprises, % by mass, C: 0.1 to 0.4%, Si: 0.5 to 1.5%, Mn: 0.3 to 2%, P: at most 0.02%, S: at most 0.01%, Cr: 0.1 to 2%, Ti: 0.01 to 0.1%, Nb: 0.01 to 0.1%, Al: at most 0.1%, B: 0.0005 to 0.01%, and N: at most 0.01%, with a balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, at 900 to 1100° C. for 10 to 60 seconds and then rapidly cooling it. The cooled pipe is subjected to a tempering treatment of keeping the pipe at 280 to 380° C. for 10 to 60 minutes.
US09540703B2

A method for improving the yield of the production of crystalline alpha-lactose is suggested, wherein (a) an aqueous lactose solution is gradually cooled down to about 10° C., (b) a first amount of precipitated alpha-lactose crystals is separated from the mother liquor, (c) an amount of a carbohydrate compound is added to the mother liquor such that the solubility product of the lactose is exceeded at the given temperature, (d) a second amount of precipitated alpha-lactose crystals is separated from the mother liquor, and (e) both amounts of alpha-lactose crystals are combined.
US09540692B2

The disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions including an oligonucleotide that down-regulates the over-expression of at least one miRNA of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283. The oligonucleotide may be complementary to the nucleotide sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283, or hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleotide sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283. Further provided are methods of diagnosing Parkinson's Disease (PD) in a subject. The methods may include detecting the level of expression of at least one miRNA of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283 in a biological sample from the subject, and comparing the level of expression in the sample to the level of expression in a reference. Further provided are methods for treating, preventing, or reducing the risk of PD. Kits are also provided.
US09540689B2

The present invention relates to a novel method for analyzing nucleic acid sequences based on real-time detection of DNA polymerase-catalyzed incorporation of each of the four nucleotide bases, supplied individually and serially in a microfluidic system, to a reaction cell containing a template system comprising a DNA fragment of unknown sequence and an oligonucleotide primer. Incorporation of a nucleotide base into the template system can be detected by any of a variety of methods including but not limited to fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection. Alternatively, microcalorimetic detection of the heat generated by the incorporation of a nucleotide into the extending template system using thermopile, thermistor and refractive index measurements can be used to detect extension reactions.
US09540688B2

This invention is to describe a method for the determination of a nucleic acid sequence, in which it involves an enzyme, an enzyme complex or plural number of enzymes with more than one enzymatic activity and a set of nucleotide analogs, to achieve high signal readout accuracy in nucleic acid sequencing by making each signal to have a long signaling time span which allows a higher signal clarity.
US09540669B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to Trichoderma reesei glucoamylase (TrGA) variants having improved properties (e.g., improved thermostability, improved specific activity, and/or resistant to oxidation-related activity loss). Also provided are compositions comprising variant glucoamylases. These compositions are useful in various starch process applications.
US09540666B2

The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides of thraustochytrid polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthases involved in the production of PUFAs, including PUFAs enriched in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or a combination thereof. The present invention is directed to vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecules, compositions comprising the nucleic acid molecules or polypeptides, and methods of making and uses thereof.
US09540662B2

Provided herein compositions and methods for producing isoprenoids, including squalene. In certain aspects and embodiments provided are genetically converted yeast and uses therefore. In some aspects and embodiments, the genetically converted yeast produce isoprenoids, preferably squalene. Also are provided methods of producing squalene using a genetically converted yeast or a non-genetically converted yeast. The invention also provides squalene produced by genetically converted yeast or non-genetically converted yeast.
US09540651B2

The invention provides novel immune regulatory oligonucleotides (IRO) as antagonist of TLRs and methods of use thereof. These IROs have unique sequences that inhibit or suppress TLR-mediated signaling in response to a TLR ligand or TLR agonist. The methods may have use in the prevention and treatment of cancer, an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious disease, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen.
US09540645B2

The present invention concerns methods and compositions for diagnosing and/or treating vascular diseases including cancer, cardiac diseases, vascular diseases of the eye, and inflammatory diseases. The methods involve measuring the levels of one or multiple miRNAs in patient samples and using the test results to diagnose and/or predict an optimal treatment regimen for the patient. Compositions described in the invention include nucleic acids that function as miRNAs or miRNA inhibitors that can be introduced to a patient to reduce or increase vascularization as needed.
US09540644B2

The present invention relates to a small interference RNA (siRNA) for specifically inhibiting the expression of ribosomal protein in cells, and more particularly, to an siRNA that specifically inhibits the expression of endogenous rpS3 protein in cells without influencing tagged overexpressed protein. The siRNAs of the present invention are excellent in terms of economy and efficiency compared to conventional commercially available products.
US09540640B2

Provided are compositions and methods for inhibiting hypoxia-induced damage. The compositions and methods involve the use of one or more agents that can inhibit one or any combination of the genes BCL2L14, BLOC1S2, C20RF42, CPT1A, FBP1, GCNT3, RHOB, SCIN, TACR1 and TNFAIP6. Polynucleotide and non-polynucleotide agents which can be used for inhibiting one or more of the genes are included. The method involves introducing one or more gene inhibiting agents to a cell, tissue, organ, or individual such that formation of hypoxia related damage is inhibited. Kits which contain the agents and printed information about using them for inhibiting hypoxia induced damage are also included.
US09540637B2

Provided herein are compositions, systems, methods, and kits for joining together the ends of one or more polynucleotides using at least one pair of blocking oligonucleotide adaptors. Blocking oligonucleotide adaptors can be used to reduce the formation of adaptor dimers or trimers (or higher-order concatemers) which can improve the yield of desirable polynucleotide-adaptor products in any recombinant nucleic acid workflow. Blocking oligonucleotide adaptors can comprise a double-stranded oligonucleotide adaptor (duplex) having an overhang cohesive portion that anneals with a blocking oligonucleotide which can be a separate single-stranded oligonucleotide. A blocking oligonucleotide, when annealed to an overhang portion, can prevent undesirable hybridization of the overhang portion to another nucleic acid, such as the overhang portion from another blocking oligonucleotide adaptor or a polynucleotide of interest.
US09540634B2

Provided are compositions and methods that permit a hybrid nucleic acid-peptide molecule to enter a cell and when specifically activated within the cell, the molecule anneals to endogenous cellular RNA and permits the isolation of the RNA.
US09540602B2

A personal care article includes a first personal care composition in a first zone and a second personal care composition in a second zone such that the first and second zones are defined by one or more barriers.
US09540591B2

The invention relates to an automatic dishwashing detergent composition that is formulated to provide effective cleaning at low temperatures.
US09540579B2

A process for gasification of solid feed material to produce a syngas includes: providing a plasma heated carbonaceous bed in a bottom section of a reactor vessel; forming a bed of deposited feed material on top of the carbonaceous bed; reacting the feed material with hot gases rising from the bottom section; forming, in a middle section of the reactor vessel, a syngas mixture containing a varying quantity of unreacted particles of the feed material; allowing the syngas mixture to rise into a top section of the reactor vessel; and at least partially quenching, by injecting a quench fluid including water, steam, or a mixture thereof, in a second, upper part of the top section, at least some of the unreacted particles sufficiently to reduce the number of unreacted particles exiting the reactor vessel that are likely to be deposited on walls of external ductwork.
US09540575B2

The present invention relates to a lubricant composition for a process for reducing the paraffin content of mineral oil compositions, by providing a mineral oil composition with a dewaxing aid, cooling to form a paraffin precipitate and at least partly removing the paraffin precipitate formed. The dewaxing aid used is a copolymer mixture comprising at least three copolymers, the copolymers differing in the composition of the repeat units.
US09540569B2

Disclosed are processes for producing bitumen-derived crude oil and heavy bitumen compositions from oil sand. The processes involve treating oil sand feedstock with a first hydrocarbon solvent comprised of propane to produce the bitumen-derived crude oil composition having an asphaltene content of not greater than 5 wt % pentane insoluble, and an oil-depleted oil sand. The oil-depleted oil sand is treated with a second hydrocarbon solvent comprised of propane and a fraction of the bitumen-derived crude oil composition to produce the heavy bitumen composition and oil sand tailings. The oil sand tailings are dried by contacting the tailings with a drying composition comprised of a majority of propane.
US09540566B2

The present invention relates to a device for high-frequency technology, or for the microwave region and millimeter wave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, characterized in that it contains a liquid-crystal medium which consists of one or more compounds, which one or more compounds, which contain 6 to 15 five-, six- or seven-membered rings, preferably 1,4-linked phenylene rings, or in that it contains a liquid-crystal medium which itself comprises a component A, which itself consists of one or more of the said compounds, which one or more compounds, which contain 6 to 15 five-, six- or seven-membered rings, preferably 1,4-linked phenylene rings. The present invention additionally relates to compounds of the formula (I), in which the parameters have the meanings given in the text, and to the corresponding, novel liquid-crystal media, to the use and preparation thereof, and to the production and use of the devices. The devices according to the invention are particularly suitable phase shifters in the microwave and millimeter wave region, for microwave and millimeter wave array antennas and very particularly for so-called tunable “reflectarrays”.
US09540560B2

A method for acidizing subterranean formations may include providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous carrier fluid, an acid, and a chelating agent comprising N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, the treatment fluid having a pH at or below that at which carboxylic or phosphonic acid groups of the N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid are protonated and the chelating agent is ineffective for complexing a metal ion; introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprising a carbonate mineral; reacting the acid with the carbonate mineral in the presence of the chelating agent, such that the acid at least partially spends as the pH of the treatment fluid rises; and complexing a metal ion with the chelating agent once the pH of the treatment fluid rises above a pKa value for one or more of the carboxylic or phosphonic acid groups of the N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid.
US09540557B2

The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.
US09540555B2

In accordance with the present invention compositions are disclosed. The compositions consist of (A) a refrigerant component consisting essentially of (1) at least one refrigerant having an OEL less than 400; and (2) a combination of refrigerants, each having an OEL greater than 400, consisting essentially of (i) HFC-32; and (ii) trans-HFO-1234ze; and optionally (B) a non-refrigerant component; wherein component (A)(2) of the refrigerant component is present in an amount sufficient to provide an overall OEL for the refrigerant component of at least 400. The refrigerant mixtures of the refrigerant component are useful as components in compositions also containing non-refrigerant components (e.g. lubricants), in processes to produce refrigeration, in methods for replacing refrigerant R-410A, and in air conditioning and heat pump apparatus.
US09540542B2

There is provided a cycloaliphatic resin, from which it is possible to formulate anticorrosive coatings, using the cycloaliphatic resin alone or as hybrid with epoxy cycloaliphatic resins or hydroxy-functionalized resins; both mixed with amino or aminosilane hardeners. The obtained coatings have superior physical properties of weatherability, gloss retention, toughness and impact resistance.
US09540541B2

An organopolysiloxane emulsion composition produced by the emulsion polymerization of an emulsion that comprises (A) an organopolysiloxane containing a silanol group or an organooxy group, (B) a nonionic surfactant represented by formula (2): R2O(EO)a(PO)bR3 (wherein R2 represents an alkyl group or R4(CO)—; R4 represents an alkyl group; R3 represents an alkyl group or R5(CO)—; R5 represents an alkyl group; EO represents an ethylene oxide group; PO represents an alkylene oxide group; and a and b independently represent 0 to 100, wherein a+b>0 and the sequence of EO and PO may be random or in the form of a block) and (C) a surfactant other than the component (B), and may additionally comprise (D) a polymerization catalyst and (E) water if required. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to produce an extremely stable organopolysiloxane emulsion composition without inhibiting polymerization during the emulsion polymerization of an organopolysiloxane having condensation reactivity. Further, it also becomes possible to reduce the amount of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane produced during the emulsion polymerization.
US09540536B2

A heat-curable polymer paste comprising: (i) 100 parts by weight of a transparent polyester resin having a hydroxyl value of 1 to 10 mgKOH/g and a glass transition point (Tg) of 40 to 120° C., (ii) 1 to 30 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent comprising methoxymethyl imino melamine represented as formula (I); (C2N3)[—N(H)(CH2OCH3)]n[—N(CH2OCH3)2]3-n (I) wherein n is 1 to 3, and (iii) 50 to 200 parts by weight of an organic solvent.
US09540533B2

A solvent borne brushable coating composition having improved sag resistance and process for using the same are provided. The composition includes a crosslinkable component having one or more polymers having two or more crosslinkable groups a crosslinking component comprising one or more crosslinking agents having crosslinking groups; and a sag control agent of polyurea in drying oil. When a layer a pot mix resulting from mixing of the crosslinkable and crosslinking components is brush applied over a substrate, it has high sag resistance, low brush drag while providing desired coating properties, such as high gloss and rapid cure even under ambient conditions. The solvent borne brushable coating compositions is well suited for use in automotive refinish applications as well as direct-to-metal industrial applications, such as construction and transportation equipment.
US09540531B2

This invention relates to radiation curable ink compositions comprising one or more mono-functional monomers, optionally one or more oligomers, one or more antioxidants capable to react with peroxy radicals to generate radicals to propagate polymerization, and one or more photoinitiators comprising at least an acylphosphine oxide, wherein the ratio of the antioxidants to acylphpsphine is 1:1 to 1:20 by weight. The ink composition provides tack-free surface cure without requiring nitrogen or other inert gas during curing.
US09540528B2

An energy curable ink composition comprising an acrylate-functional derivative of soybean oil and one or more further acrylate-functional materials is suitable for printing on a cold-set lithographic press and is cured by exposure to an actinic radiation source located on the press.
US09540526B2

A method for providing a gas barrier film with ample gas barrier properties even in a high temperature, which is maintained when the film is bent. The gas barrier film also has excellent resistance to cracking. A gas barrier film, and a method for manufacturing the same is also disclosed.
US09540523B1

A security ink is provided which includes a liquid medium having a plurality of quantum dots disposed therein. Upon excitation with a suitable light source, the ink exhibits a quantum yield greater than 30%, and a photoluminescence which has a lifetime of more than 40 nanoseconds and which varies by at least 5% across the emission spectrum of the quantum dots. Also disclosed are apparatuses for using the same for anti-counterfeit or authentication purposes, which uniquely identifying the presence of photoluminescent materials by spectrally resolving their photoluminescence lifetime.
US09540520B2

A composition containing unique particles of copper pyrithione wherein greater than 20 wt % to 90 wt % of the particles have a particle size of greater than 10 microns, as determined by laser light scattering using a particle size distribution analyzer, and wherein the particles are flat acicular needle-shaped is described herein. Also described herein is an antifouling paint containing the copper pyrithione and a method of making the composition and antifouling paint.
US09540512B2

This invention encompasses systems, methods, and apparatuses for low temperature preparation of rubber modified asphalt cement as well as resulting compositions.
US09540511B2

Provided is a polycarbonate resin composition, including: 100 parts by mass of (A) a resin mixture including a specific polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer (A-1) and a specific polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer (A-2), the component (A) having a content of the siloxane unit in the polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer (A-1) of 1.0 mass % to 15.0 mass % and having a content of a siloxane unit in the polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer (A-2) of 0.1 mass % to 2.8 mass %; and 0.01 to 0.08 part by mass of (B) at least one kind selected from an alkali metal salt of an organic sulfonic acid and an alkali earth metal salt of an organic sulfonic acid.
US09540506B2

Propylene copolymer having a melt flow rate MFR2 (230° C.) in the range of more than 1.0 to below 2.5 g/10 min, a xylene cold soluble content (XCS) in the range of 25.0 to 35.0 wt.-%, a comonomer content in the range of more than 7.5 to 12.0 wt.-%, wherein further the xylene cold soluble (XCS) fraction of the propylene copolymer has comonomer content in the range of 16.0 to 28.0 wt.-% and an intrinsic viscosity (IV) in the range of more than 1.2 to below 2.5 dl/g.
US09540503B2

A rubber composition includes an elastomer having an elongation at break (Eb) of about 50% or more according to ASTM-D 412 at 25° C., a water-insoluble keratin, and a reinforcing filler. A tire component including the composition and a method for making the composition are also disclosed.
US09540490B2

The present invention is: a curable composition comprising a component (A) and a component (B) in a mass ratio (component (A):component (B)) of 100:0.3 to 100:90, the component (A) being a silane compound polymer that is represented by a formula (a-1), wherein R1 is a group selected from an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, Z is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom, m is a positive integer, and n and o are independently 0 or a positive integer, provided that a plurality of R1 are either identical or different, and a plurality of Z are either identical or different, and the component (B) being a silane coupling agent that comprises an isocyanurate skeleton in its molecule. (R1SiO3/2)m(R1SiZO2/2)n(R1SiZ2O1/2)o  (a-1)
US09540488B1

A siloxane resin and photoelectric device employing the same are provided. The siloxane resin composition includes (a) 45-87 parts by weight of a first siloxane compound represented by Formula (I), wherein each R1 is independently C1-3 alkyl group, and n is an integer from 2 to 15; (b) 5-35 parts by weight of a second siloxane compound represented by Formula (II), wherein each R2 and R3 are independently C1-3 alkyl group; each R4 is independently C1-3 alkyl group, or epoxy group; x≧1, y≧2, and x/y is from about 0.1 to 3; and (c) 2-20 parts by weight of a third siloxane compound represented by Formula (III), wherein each R5 is independently C1-3 alkyl group, and the sum of the first siloxane compound, the second siloxane compound, and the third siloxane compound is 100 parts by weight
US09540484B2

Coating compositions can be prepared from a polyether resin, wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the polyether resin has a molecular weight greater than about 500, and wherein the smallest difunctional hydroxyl phenyl segment used to form the polyether resin does not comprise two or more non-impaired hydroxyl groups attached to two or more different five-membered or six-membered carbon atom rings in a segment having a molecular weight less than about 500. The polyether resin can be prepared by reacting a dihydroxyl compound and/or a diamine compound with a phenol stearic acid compound to produce a diphenol, and reacting the diphenol with a diglycidyl ether compound to form the polyether resin.
US09540483B2

The present invention provides a crystalline polyester resin which has sharp melt property, can achieve both fixing performance and blocking property and has excellent development durability, in which the crystalline polyester resin for toner which has a Young's modulus as measured by an ultramicro durometer at 25° C. of at least 2 GPa and a melting point of at least 60° C. and not more than 125° C.
US09540481B2

This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.
US09540480B2

The invention relates to the use of carbodiimide-containing compositions for controlling pot life in the production of polyurethane (PU)-based systems, preferably PU elastomers, PU adhesives, PU casting resins or PU foams.
US09540478B2

This invention relates to biocompatible, biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurethane/ureas comprising isocyanate, polyol and a conventional chain extender and/or a chain extender having a hydrolysable linking group and their use in tissue engineering and repair applications, particularly as stents and stent coating.
US09540457B1

Catalyst systems having both a metallocene catalyst component and a Ziegler-type catalyst component are disclosed. Such catalyst systems can contain a metallocene compound, a co-catalyst, and a supported catalyst containing a fluorided silica-coated alumina, a magnesium compound, and vanadium and/or tetravalent titanium.
US09540448B2

The present invention provides antigen binding proteins that specifically bind to Wilms' tumor protein (WT1), including humanized, chimeric and fully human antibodies against WT1, antibody fragments, chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), fusion proteins, and conjugates thereof. The antigen binding proteins and antibodies bind to HLA-A0201-restricted WT1 peptide. Such antibodies, fragments, fusion proteins and conjugates thereof are useful for the treatment of WT1 associated cancers, including for example, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, chronic myelocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid/myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). In more particular embodiments, the anti-WT1/A antibodies may comprise one or more framework region amino acid substitutions designed to improve protein stability, antibody binding and/or expression levels.
US09540446B2

The invention relates to antibodies against the human La protein and to their use in immunotargeting, in particular the immunotargeting of tumor cells. The object of the invention is to provide improved antibodies which bind universal target structures on the surface of tumor cells, and to provide novel anti-La antibodies, in particular with a high affinity for La, a universal target structure on tumor cells, which make it possible to use the antibodies as recombinant fragments for immunotargeting. The invention comprises recombinant antibodies comprising: i. a binding unit of an antibody which specifically binds to an epitope of a human nuclear antigen, preferably human La protein, and ii. a binding unit of an antibody which specifically binds to an effector cell or of a ligand which specifically binds to an effector cell. The invention furthermore comprises novel antibodies which specifically bind the human La protein.
US09540444B2

This invention provides monoclonal antibodies that recognize the Toll-like Receptor 4/MD-2 receptor complex, and monoclonal antibodies that recognize the TLR4/MD2 complex as well as TLR4 when not complexed with MD-2. The invention further provides methods of using the monoclonal antibodies as therapeutics. This invention also provides soluble chimeric proteins, methods of expressing and purifying soluble chimeric proteins, and methods of using soluble chimeric proteins as therapeutics, in screening assays and in the production of antibodies.
US09540443B2

Provided herein, in one aspect, are antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a human KIT antigen comprising the fourth and/or fifth extracellular Ig-like domains (that is, D4 and/or D5 domains), polynucleotides comprising nucleotide sequences encoding such antibodies, and expression vectors and host cells for producing such antibodies. The antibodies can inhibit KIT activity, such as ligand-induced receptor phosphorylation. Also provided herein are kits and pharmaceutical compositions comprising antibodies that specifically bind to a KIT antigen, as well as methods of treating or managing a KIT-mediated disorder or disease and methods of diagnosing a KIT-mediated disorder or disease using the antibodies described herein.
US09540433B2

Isolated human monoclonal antibodies which bind to human CD74 and related antibody-drug conjugates are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies or antibody-drug conjugates, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies and/or antibody-drug conjugates, are also disclosed.
US09540429B2

Expression vector systems are provided for increased production of a recombinant GDF-5 (rhGDF-5) protein. Also provided are transformed host cells that were engineered to produce and express high levels of rhGDF-5 protein. Methods for production and high expression of rhGDF-5 protein are disclosed herein. The methods of enhancing production and protein expression of rhGDF-5 protein as disclosed are cost-effective, time-saving and are of manufacturing quality.
US09540417B2

The present invention relates to compositions comprising a substantially pure compound represented by Structural Formula I: and methods of using such compounds to activate cytoprotective kinases. The values and preferred values of the variables in Structural Formula I are defined herein.
US09540408B2

Cobalt silylamide and cobalt carbonyl precursors are described, which are usefully employed in vapor deposition processes, such as chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition, to deposit cobalt and to form high purity cobalt-containing films at temperatures below 400° C. These precursors and processes can be utilized in the manufacture of integrated circuitry and production of devices such as microprocessors, and logic and memory chips.
US09540404B2

To provide a fluorinated ether compound, a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid, whereby it is possible to form a surface-treated layer which has high initial water/oil repellency and which is excellent in abrasion resistance and fingerprint stain removability, and a substrate having a surface-treated layer and a method for its production.A fluorinated ether compound which has a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain ((αβ)n) made of at least two units (αβ) linked to one another, and which has a hydrolysable silyl group on at least one terminal of the chain ((αβ)n) via a linking group, wherein each unit (αβ) is a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) group comprising one to three groups (α) made of at least one type of a C1-2 oxyperfluoroalkylene group and one to three groups (β) made of at least one type of a C3-6 oxyperfluoroalkylene group.
US09540399B2

The invention relates to antibacterial compounds of formula I wherein R1, U, V and A are as defined in the description, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and uses of these compounds in the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of bacterial infections.
US09540398B2

Azaindazole compounds for treating various diseases and pathologies are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention concerns the use of an azaindazole compound or analogs thereof, in the treatment of disorders characterized by the activation of Wnt pathway signaling (e.g., cancer, abnormal cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, fibrotic disorders, bone or cartilage diseases, and osteoarthritis), the modulation of cellular events mediated by Wnt pathway signaling, as well as genetic diseases and neurological conditions/disorders/diseases due to mutations or dysregulation of the Wnt pathway and/or of one or more of Wnt signaling components. Also provided are methods for treating Wnt-related disease states.
US09540395B2

This invention relates to generally inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes (e.g., HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3).
US09540387B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) its salts, isomers or prodrugs thereof useful in the treatment of viral infections, in particular respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the compounds and intermediates used in their preparation.
US09540386B2

Crystals of a dispiropyrrolidine compound or a salt thereof which inhibits the action of Mdm2 are provided. The present invention provides crystals of (3′R,4′S,5′R)-N-[(3R,6S)-6-carbamoyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]-6″-chloro-4′-(2-chloro-3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-4,4-dimethyl-2″-oxo-1″,2″-dihydrodispiro[cyclohexane-1,2′-pyrrolidine-3′,3″-indole]-5′-carboxamide or a salt thereof which inhibits Mdm2 and has anti-tumor activity. The present invention also provides a medicament comprising the same.
US09540378B2

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating atopic dermatitis comprising 2-amino-1,9-dimethylpurin-6-one or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt as an active ingredient. And also, the present invention provides a cosmetic composition for improving atopic dermatitis comprising 2-amino-1,9-dimethylpurin-6-one or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt; and a food (i.e., a functional food) for preventing or improving atopic dermatitis comprising 2-amino-1,9-dimethylpurin-6-one or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
US09540376B2

The present invention relates to tricyclic hexahydrodiazepinoquinolines, such as compounds of formula (I), carrying a substituted alkyl radical, to a method for producing them, to a pharmaceutical composition containing such compounds, to their use as modulators, especially agonists or partial agonists, of the 5-HT2C receptor, their use for preparing a medicament for the prevention or treatment of conditions and disorders which respond to the modulation of 5-HT2C receptor, to a method for preventing or treating conditions and disorders which respond to the modulation of 5-HT2C receptor, and processes for preparing such compounds and compositions.
US09540367B2

The present invention in one embodiment provides a compound of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the variables shown in Formula I are as defined in the specification.
US09540366B2

The ring-fused heterocyclic compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof according to the present invention has a T-type calcium channel regulatory effect, and is useful, for example, as a medicament for treating and/or preventing pruritus. The present invention provides a ring-fused heterocyclic compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the like which has a T-type calcium channel regulatory effect and is useful as a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for pruritus, and the like. [wherein, R1 represents optionally substituted lower alkyl and the like, R2 represents optionally substituted lower alkyl and the like, R3 represents the formula (II): (wherein, n represents 0 or 1, R3a represents a hydrogen atom and the like, R3b represents a hydrogen atom and the like, and R3c represents a hydrogen atom and the like) and the like, Q represents a hydrogen atom and the like, and W1 represents a nitrogen atom and the like, W2 represents a nitrogen atom and the like].
US09540365B2

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I, and salts, hydrates and isomers thereof. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of promoting bone formation in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, Formula II, or Formula III. The present invention also provides orthopedic and periodontal devices, as well as methods for the treatment of renal disease and cancer, using a compound of Formula I, Formula II, or Formula III.
US09540359B2

The present invention provides a compound which has an effect of inhibiting amyloid β production, especially an effect of inhibiting BACE1, and which is useful as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diseases induced by production, secretion and/or deposition of amyloid β proteins.A compound of the formula (I): wherein X is —C(R3a)(R3b)—, —C(R3a)(R3b)—C(R3c)(R3d)— or —C(R3a)═C(R3c)—, R1 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or the like, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, R3c and R3d are each independently hydrogen, halogen or the like, R4 is hydrogen or halogen, Ring B is substituted or unsubstituted carbocycle or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09540355B2

The present invention is directed to irciniastatin analogs. Uses of these analogs also described.
US09540353B2

Compounds of formula (I): where, n, R1, R4a, R4b, R5, R7 and R8 are defined herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are described herein. The disclosed compounds have activity as SHIP1 modulators, and thus may be used to treat any of a variety of diseases, disorders or conditions that would benefit from SHIP1 modulation. Compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent are also disclosed, as are methods of SHIP1 modulation by administration of such compounds to an animal in need thereof.
US09540351B2

Provided herein are pharmaceutically acceptable salts of 3,5-diaminopyrazoles, for example, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of Formula IA, that are useful for modulating regulated-in-COPD kinase activity, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided herein are methods of their use for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a RC kinase-mediated disorder, disease, or condition.
US09540346B2

The disclosure provides crystalline Sovaprevir forms. The crystalline forms of Sovaprevir comprise a Form A polymorph, a Form B polymorph, a Form C polymorph, a Form D polymorph, and a Form E polymorph. The Form A, B, C, D, and E polymorphs exhibit X-ray powder diffraction patterns having peak locations in accordance with FIGS. 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13, respectively.
US09540344B2

The present invention provides a method capable of industrially producing a target product, i.e., a compound represented by the aforementioned formula (I) or a salt thereof, which is useful for preventing and treating cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral edema, particularly for preventing and treating glaucoma, at high yield even on a large scale without imposing a negative impact on the environment. The present invention provides a method for producing a compound represented by formula (I) or a salt thereof, wherein the method comprises a step of reacting a compound represented by formula (III) or a salt thereof with a compound represented by formula (II) in the presence of at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of a nitrile solvent, an amide solvent, a sulfoxide solvent, and a urea solvent, and a base.
US09540332B2

The present invention is directed to a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4, m, and n are as defined herein, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compound, and to methods of treating diseases or conditions mediated by elevated persistent sodium current, such as an ocular disorder, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorder, and chronic pain.
US09540330B2

The invention relates to (among other things) oligomer-containing hydantoin compounds. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits one or more advantages over corresponding compounds lacking the oligomer.
US09540324B2

Compounds that selectively negatively modulate NMDA receptors containing an NR1/NR2B subunit, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of treating a disease using the compounds are disclosed.
US09540317B2

The present invention is drawn to compounds of Formula (I) below: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R and R″ are defined herein. The compounds are useful inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDAC).
US09540310B2

The present invention relates to a (meth)acrylated compound (A) prepared from: (i) a polyol constituent, (ii) a polyacid constituent and (iii) one or more (meth)acrylating compounds, wherein the polyol constituent comprises at least 30% by weight of one or more cyclic ether polyols, relative to the total weight of the polyol constituent, and wherein the compound (A) optionally further contains one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of (poly)caprolactone-containing moieties (ai), (poly)lactide- and/or (poly)glycolide-containing moieties (aii), moieties providing epoxide groups (aiii) and moieties providing alkylene oxide groups containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms (aiv). The compounds of the invention are in particular suited for the making of radiation curable coating compositions and inks less prone to migration.
US09540306B2

A highly unsaturated fatty acid or a highly unsaturated fatty acid ethyl ester that has been produced using as a feedstock oil a fat or oil that contains highly unsaturated fatty acids as constituent fatty acids and which has been reduced in the contents of environmental pollutants, wherein among the dioxins contained, polychlorinated dibenzoparadioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are contained in amounts of less than 0.05 pg-TEQ/g and coplanar PCBs (Co-PCBs) in amounts of less than 0.03 pg-TEQ/g. Also disclosed is a method for producing the highly unsaturated fatty acid or highly unsaturated fatty acid ethyl ester by the steps of removing free fatty acids and environmental pollutants by thin-film distillation from a feedstock oil, ethyl esterifying the resulting fat or oil, and refining the same by rectification and column chromatography.
US09540298B2

[Problem] To provide a process for producing an aromatic dihydroxy compound, in which a hydroquinone compound is highly selectively produced while suppressing formation of by-products derived from a solvent and maintaining a high yield based on hydrogen peroxide when a phenol compound is allowed to react with hydrogen peroxide.[Solution] A process for producing an aromatic dihydroxy compound, including allowing a phenol compound to react with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a titanosilicate, a C4-C5 alcohol containing a tertiary or quaternary carbon, and water and/or methanol, the amount of the water and/or methanol being 5 to 90 mass % based on the total mass of the reaction liquid.
US09540297B2

A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder, a mixed oxide, and at least two promoter metals comprising ruthenium and bismuth. The mixed oxide preferably also comprises cobalt and tin.
US09540285B2

A graphite film which is low in graphite dust generation can be produced by properly selecting acid dianhydride and diamine which constitute a polyimide film, which polyimide film is a raw material of the graphite film. Specifically, the graphite film which is low in graphite dust generation can be obtained if (1) the acid dianhydride is PMDA and the diamine has a molar ratio of ODA/PDA in a range of 100:0 to 80:20, or (2) the acid dianhydride has a molar ratio of PMDA/BPDA in a range of 80:20 to 50:50, and the diamine has a molar ratio of ODA/PDA in a range of 30:70 to 90:10.
US09540281B2

A process for producing insulating foam, wherein certain especially small inorganic minerals such as silica fume are directly integrated into bubble fluid to better mechanically strengthen bubbles formed and thus allow the formation of smaller bubbles to be reformed. The manner of reforming the bubbles is progressive and actualized by a glass bead chamber, a second stage consisting of two screened discs, separated from each other and located at the end of the glass bead chamber, and a third stage chamber presenting itself with a considerably enlarged screen area and having considerably finer meshes than the second stage.
US09540280B2

Non-aqueous hydraulic cement compositions comprise a non-aqueous mixture of (a) a non-hydrated powder composition comprising calcium silicate powder or calcium aluminate powder, and (b) non-aqueous water-miscible liquid. Hardened cements are formed from such hydraulic cement compositions, and methods of producing hardened cements, kits, and articles of manufacture employ such hydraulic cement compositions.
US09540270B2

Feed water is processed in an anaerobic digester. A solid-liquid separation device, for example a sludge screw thickener, treats a stream drawn from the digester in a recirculation loop. The solids portion is returned to the digester to increase the solids retention time and the TSS concentration in the digester. A liquid portion with less than 5% of the solids in the stream is removed and optionally treated further. The flow rate to the solid-liquid separation device is preferably greater than the influent flow rate. The solid-liquid separation device may receive digestate at a TSS concentration of 4% or more and return a solids portion having a TSS concentration of over 10%. The feed water is preferably one or more industrial waste streams having a COD concentration of 20,000 to 50,000 mg/L and a TSS concentration from 1-5%. The organic loading rate may be 10-12 kg/COD/m3/day.
US09540268B2

A method for treating highly concentrated resin-desorption liquid generated from wastewater deep purification, including channeling the highly concentrated desorption liquid generated from anion exchange resin treatment through a nanofiltration membrane, the liquid being separated into nanofiltration permeate that can be reused as the desorption agent and highly concentrated nanofiltration retentate; adding a coagulating agent to the highly concentrated nanofiltration retentate to generate coagulation-precipitation; subjecting the supernatant formed after the coagulation-precipitation process to Fenton oxidation or ozone oxidation; after the reaction, adding to the liquid an alkali solution for further coagulation-precipitation; then channeling the liquid so treated back to the biochemical system of biochemical effluent treatment for further biodegradation is provided. The recycled treatment of the highly concentrated desorption liquid consequently reduces the treatment cost and prevents secondary pollution by realizing innocuous treatment and reclamation of resin-desorption liquid as well as reduction of its total volume.
US09540267B2

A chemical release system. Implementations may utilize implementations of a first cartridge that include a body coupled with a cartridge head at a first end and coupled with an end plug at a second end where the cartridge head includes a through hole configured to engage with an annular flange in a main head. The body may have an internal cross section. The first cartridge may also include a flow restrictor plate disposed within the body between the first end and the second end where the flow restrictor plate is oriented substantially parallel to the cartridge head within the body, includes only one opening therethrough, and substantially conforms with the internal cross section of the body. The body may include one or more through holes in a side of the body located between the flow restrictor plate and the cartridge head.
US09540264B2

We have now discovered a novel process for the removal or extraction of metal species from a variety of solid, liquid or gas phase materials. Metal species may be removed by contacting the material suspected of containing one or more metals with a thiolated fatty acid or ester thereof for a period of time and under conditions effective far the sequestration of the metal species by the thiolated fatty acid or ester thereof. The thiolated fatty acid or ester thereof comprising sequestered metal species may then be separated and recovered from the treated material. Moreover, following the treatment of aqueous liquids or mixtures, or suspensions or dispersions of solids in aqueous liquids, the resultant thiolated fatty acid or ester thereof comprising the sequestered metal species is insoluble in water and forms a separate layer from the aqueous liquid phase, which layer may be readily removed.
US09540262B2

The plasma-generating apparatus includes a treatment vessel 509 containing to-be-treated water 510, a first electrode 504 and a second electrode 502 within the treatment vessel, a bubble-generating part which generate a bubble 506 such that a surface where conductor of the first electrode 504 is exposed to the to-be-treated water is positioned within the bubble 506, a gas-supplying apparatus 505 which supplies gas to the bubble-generating part, a pulsed power supply 501 connected to the first and the second electrodes 502 and 504, a control apparatus 520 which controls one or both of the gas-supplying apparatus and the power supply such that the voltage is applied between the first and the second electrodes 502 and 504 when at least surface where the conductor of the first electrode 504 is exposed is positioned within the bubble.
US09540248B2

Although U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,784 teaches the recovery of potassium chloride from schoenite end liquor (SEL) using dipicrylamine as extractant, and consequently simplifies the recovery of sulphate of potash (SOP) from kainite mixed salt employing the scheme disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,268, the hazards associated with this extractant have thwarted practical utilization of the invention. Many other extractants for potash recovery have been disclosed in the prior art but none has been found suitable so far for practical exploitation. It is disclosed herein that the bitartrate ion, and particularly L-bitartrate, precipitates out potassium bitartrate very efficiently from SEL with ca. 90% utilization of the extractant. In contrast, recovery of potassium bi-tartrate from sea bittern directly is relatively much lower. It is further disclosed that this precipitate can be treated with magnesium hydroxide and magnesium chloride to throw out magnesium tartrate with ca. 90% recovery while yielding a nearly saturated solution of potassium chloride which can be utilized for the reaction with schoenite to obtain SOP. It is further demonstrated that the magnesium tartrate can be treated with an appropriate amount of aqueous HCl and added into a subsequent batch of SEL to throw out potassium bitartrate once again which demonstrates the recyclability of the extractant. The overall loss of tartrate over a cycle was ca. 20% but the dissolved tartrate remaining in the K-depleted SEL and KCl solutions can be precipitated out as calcium tartrate from which tartaric acid can be recovered by known methods, curtailing thereby the loss of tartaric acid per kg of KCl to <5 g. It is also demonstrated that through a similar approach, seaweed sap containing ca. 4% KCl can be concentrated to 20-22% KCl, with excellent utilization efficiency of tartaric acid, and this solution can similarly be utilized for SOP preparation. Potassium salts bearing other anions such as sulphate, nitrate, phosphate and carbonate can also be prepared from the isolated potassium bitartrate.
US09540229B2

A packaged sensor assembly includes: a packaging structure, having at least one opening; a humidity sensor and a pressure sensor, which are housed inside the packaging structure and communicate fluidically with the outside through the opening, and a control circuit, operatively coupled to the humidity sensor and to the pressure sensor; wherein the humidity sensor and the control circuit are integrated in a first chip, and the pressure sensor is integrated in a second chip distinct from the first chip and bonded to the first chip.
US09540228B2

A MEMS device is disclosed. The MEMS device includes a first substrate. At least one structure is formed within the first substrate. The first substrate includes at least one first conductive pad thereon. The MEMS device also includes a second substrate. The second substrate includes a passivation layer. The passivation layer includes a plurality of layers. A top layer of the plurality of layers comprises an outgassing barrier layer. At least one second conductive pad and at least one electrode are coupled to the top layer. At least one first conductive pad is coupled to the at least one second conductive pad.
US09540221B2

A self-adjusting supporting head comprises a vehicle body lifting column (10) and a load-bearing detection device arranged on the vehicle body lifting column (10). The load-bearing detection device comprises a spring supporting plate (5), a spring (6), a limiting switch tip (8), a load limiting switch (9) and a floating load-bearing adjusting device. The floating load-bearing adjusting device comprises a floating load-bearing block (1), a floating load-bearing block mounting base (2) and a floating connector. The floating load-bearing block is in spherical fit with the floating load-bearing block mounting base.
US09540220B2

The embodiments of the invention are directed to a device and method for moving a load from a first height at a first location to a second height at a second location. The device includes a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, and opposed guide members extending from the bottom surface of the platform and oriented along and parallel to the length of the platform. The device further includes a support member slidably engaged with the guide members, the support member capable of extending beyond the length of the platform or retracting beneath the platform. The device further includes a lift assembly having a frame and a controller. The frame is pivotably secured to the lower surface of the support member. The frame has a pair of parallel, opposed, leg assemblies where the height of the leg assembly is adjustable, and the controller controls the height of the leg assemblies.
US09540218B2

Provided is a work plan verification device capable of improving work efficiency of movement work of a suspension load. The work plan verification device determines whether an operator indicates a movement position of the suspension load on an image (A) displayed on a monitor (30). When a determination is made that the movement position is indicated, a mark is displayed on the movement position (B). Subsequently, a determination is made that the suspension load is suspended on a boom. When the determination is made that the suspension load is suspended, a load factor (C1) which is moving determination information allowing an operator to determine whether the suspension load can be moved to the movement position (B) is calculated, and the calculated load factor is displayed on the image (A).
US09540211B2

A stepless adhesive film dispenser includes a first tube and a second tube fitted on the first tube, and two operating rings are respectively fitted on the circumferential side of the first tube and the second tube and able to rotate freely along the outer circumferential side of the first tube and the second tube. Thus, an adhesive film reel fitted on both the first tube and the second tube can be restrictedly positioned by the operating rings, which can be rotated together with the adhesive film reel. By so designing, when the stepless adhesive film dispenser is used, a user's hands that hold the first tube and the second tube can be avoided rubbing against the adhesive film reel, hence facilitating operation and use of the stepless adhesive film dispenser.
US09540203B2

The present applications relates to techniques and equipment to control the alignment of cut sheets of paper that are transported in parallel in an inserting system prior to their assembly into a document and inserted into an envelope. The alignment of the parallel sheets is adjusted by commanding incremental position changes to servo drive motors used to control the position of the parallel sheets during their transport through a hold module of the inserting system.
US09540196B2

Devices and methods for handling workpieces, in particular workpieces in the form of processing products of a metal sheet processing operation, are described. The devices include one or more retention members that are movably supported by a retention member bearing and a transverse guide device. If the transverse guide device is moved relative to the retention member along a lifting axis out of a non-operative lifting position into an operative lifting position or out of an operative lifting position into a non-operative lifting position on a fixed retention member bearing, the retention member is thereby moved from a non-operative position into an operative position or out of an operative position into a non-operative position. In the operative position, the retention member can engage behind an edge of a workpiece, but cannot do so in the non-operative position. By means of a drive motor, the retention member moved into the operative position can be moved with a lifting movement along the lifting axis together with the retention member bearing and the transverse guide device which is moved into the operative lifting position.
US09540194B2

A sheet-type medium separating apparatus applicable in a self-service financial device for reliable sheet-by-sheet separation of an entire stack of banknotes. The apparatus includes a pickup roller component; a reversal roller component; and a separation roller component, where the reversal roller component includes a reversal roller, the reversal roller is fitted onto a reversal roller shaft via a one-way bearing, the reversal roller is provided with an inner sleeve cylinder fixed with the one-way bearing and a reversal roller sleeve sleeved onto the inner sleeve cylinder and capable of moving axially and flexibly. The separating apparatus allows for automatic adjustment of the meshing clearance between the reversal roller and the separation roller on the basis of the thickness of sheet-type media to be separated, thus effectively solving the problem of the sheet-type media being jammed or torn.
US09540187B2

A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.
US09540174B2

A belt having a first cover layer with a first top surface and preferably also a second cover layer with a second top surface, wherein the first cover layer and, if present, the second cover layer are made of a foam having a thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer, in particular a TPU or PEBA. The belt is suitable e.g. as a machine tape in mail sorting machines and for power transmission.
US09540172B2

A segmented, belt-driven conveyor system for use in clean environments is described. High speed, high density, collision free throughput of work piece carriers is enabled through belt-driven conveyor segments each having co-rotating drive wheels. The drive wheels have a cylindrical profile. Predefined acceleration/deceleration profiles may be employed by a motor controller to affect optimal changes in work piece carrier speed across the respective drive segment.
US09540170B2

Provided is an electrostatic charge dissipator for removing electrostatic charge inside a storage tank or other enclosed volume. The dissipator comprises yarns of electrically conductive polymeric fibers, such as carbon fiber. The yarns have broken fiber tips or stray fibers projecting away from the yarns, thereby functioning to concentrate electric fields and facilitate charge collection. The yarns are attached to a bracket for mechanical attachment to the tank, and are electrically connected to a feedthrough for providing an electrical path to ground potential. The present dissipator can also comprise a support, such as a rope, chain, or the like, and a weight for limiting the movement of the dissipator. The present dissipator is highly corrosion resistant and does not threaten pumps or valves with damaging metal debris.
US09540162B2

A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure having a longitudinal edge generally comprises a drive, an inflation nozzle, a sealing device, and a sheet engagement device. The machine may define an engaging assembly and an opposing assembly. The drive may be rotationally coupled to the sheet engagement device such that when the drive rotates, the engagement device also rotates. The sheet engagement device may comprise one or more engagement rollers which may have a plurality of teeth thereon. A first plurality of rollers and a second plurality of rollers comprising the engagement rollers may intermesh between a drive roller and a backing roller on the longitudinal edge of the inflatable structure. Thereby, the sheets of the inflatable structure may be engaged together and the length of the longitudinal edge may contract to facilitate inflation. The resulting inflated inflatable structure may comprise an embossed longitudinal edge.
US09540155B2

The invention relates to a polymer compound for a sealing insert for a container closure, in particular for fat-containing filling materials, which has a composition such that the migration of constituents of the compound into the filling material is reduced, characterized in that the Shore A hardness of the polymer compound is between 45 and 95 and in the compressive deformation test analogous to ASTM D395-97 Method B at 70 DEG C the polymer compound exhibits a compression set of 30-90%.
US09540143B2

A poultry tray for shipping and displaying a dressed poultry. The poultry tray comprises a receptacle including a bottom wall and a peripheral wall having an upper end defining a receptacle opening. The poultry tray also comprises a flap pivotally connected to the receptacle at a rear end thereof. The flap is pivotable between an open configuration wherein the flap extends outwardly from the receptacle opening and a closed configuration wherein the flap covers a section of the receptacle opening and has a distal end detachably secured to the receptacle.
US09540140B2

A bakery tray according to one embodiment includes a base a front wall and a rear wall. A pair of opposed side walls extend upward from side edges of the base. Each side wall including a pair of stacking feet and a center projection. Each side wall includes an upper support surface between an inner rail and an outer wall. The inner rail is interrupted by a plurality of pockets arranged to receive the stacking feet and the center projection of an identical tray stacked thereon in a high stack position and in a low stack position. The outer wall includes a plurality of recesses aligned with the plurality of pockets. The tray may provide a substantially constant height support surface between the pockets. Further, stops may be provided at front and rear ends of the upper support surface.
US09540132B1

Embodiments of a reusable stackable shipping box are provided herein. The reusable stackable shipping box may be reused and cleaned without causing harm to the integrity of the box. In addition, the box is slightly tapered in shape such that the box may be stacked upon and within other boxes for ease in shipping and organization.
US09540131B2

An apparatus for forming a container generally comprises a first mold part having an injection mold portion and a blow mold portion and a second mold part having a core pin. The core pin is configured to cooperate with the injection mold portion in a first position to define an injection mold cavity for forming a preform and an integral cap. The core pin is also configured to cooperate with the blow mold portion in a second position to define a blow mold cavity for forming a receptacle from the preform. The cap may be closed at the blow mold portion to seal the receptacle. One or more threads may be formed on a neck of the container.
US09540128B2

A system for synchronizing work stations of a blister-packing machine with an advancing of a blister strip comprises three video cameras predisposed upstream of work stations having devices for operating on the advancing blister strip, respectively. Acquiring with the video cameras an image of a distinctive element present in the advancing blister strip. A processor and a computer program compare and calculate differences between the image with the distinctive element and a reference element inserted in the image. The processor and computer program intervene on the operating devices of the stations and/or on the advancement of the blister strip to make corrections so the operating devices of the work stations are in register with the advancement of the blister strip.
US09540126B2

An apparatus for forming a predetermined collation of rod shaped articles, in particular smoking articles, includes a feeder arrangement, and a pocket. The pocket is adapted to house a predetermined number of rod shaped articles in the predetermined collation in a predetermined position within the pocket. The apparatus further includes a hopper with a plurality of hopper vanes, wherein each hopper vane is at least associated to one predetermined position in the pocket. The feeder arrangement includes a first feeder being adapted to provide a first subgroup of rod shaped articles of a first type to a first subset of hopper vanes, a second feeder being adapted to provide a second subgroup of rod shaped articles of a second type to a second subset of hopper vanes, and a third feeder being adapted to provide a third subgroup of rod shaped articles of a third type to a third subset of hopper vanes.
US09540124B2

A vending machine comprising multiple subsystems typically including container receiving, container cleaning, container storage, container filling, container vending, a computer system, and a user interface A vending machine for dispensing, receiving, cleaning and/or filling containers comprising container receiving means for receiving a first container; container cleaning means for cleaning the first container; container dispensing means for dispensing the first container; and container filling means for filling the first container or a second container.
US09540104B2

One variation of a method for imaging an area of interest includes: within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and receiving a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map; identifying a ground area corresponding to the set of interest points for imaging during a mission; generating a flight path over the ground area for execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; setting an altitude for the unmanned aerial vehicle along the flight path based on the selection for the resolution of the geospatial map and an optical system arranged within the unmanned aerial vehicle; setting a geospatial accuracy requirement for the mission based on the selection for the mission type; and assembling a set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission into the geospatial map.
US09540098B2

A landing gear that comprises an axle (2) and a wheel (3, 3′). The wheel comprises a rim (4, 4′) mounted so as to rotate on the axle about a first axis of rotation (X), first blocks protruding from a lateral face (F, F′) of the rim, the first blocks being adapted to cooperate with a gearwheel (8) of a drive actuator (7) carried by the landing gear. The gearwheel is mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation (Y) perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.
US09540093B2

A bladed rotor wheel for a turbine engine, the rotor wheel including a disk including, formed in its outer periphery, at least one slot for mounting the roots of blades, and a spacer mounted between each blade root and a bottom of the slot. The spacer includes at least one member of type that is bistable in position and that can occupy a first stable position for assembly or disassembly in which the member does not exert force on the blade root, and a second stable position in which the bistable member exerts a radial force on the blade root. The spacer also includes at least one resilient damper member mounted between the bottom of the slot and the blade root.
US09540084B2

A submarine is designed for combating oil when submerged. The submarine includes a snout (14, 36) which is conduit-connected to a conduit leading into the submarine. The snout (14, 36) is part of an oil suction device and/or part of a device for bringing out an oil decomposition substance. The snout (14) may be designed in a rigid manner and be pivotable from a position between a pressure hull (6) of the submarine and an outer hull (10) forming an upper deck (12) of the submarine, into a position outside the outer hull (10). The snout (36) may also be designed in a flexible manner, wherein the snout (36) is fastened in a section adjacent to a free end, on an ROV (40).
US09540083B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a water vehicle including a deck that accommodates a group of passengers above a waterline and an observation gondola accommodating the group of passengers below the waterline. The access between the observation gondola and the deck is provided by way of an aperture in a top of the observation gondola. The observation gondola includes a transparent floor and walls allowing the group of passengers to enjoy an underwater experience without exposure to the water and while maintaining an unobstructed panoramic view of the underwater environment. The underwater observation gondola can include a substantially open top, which may include a sun screen or weather protective cover. The open top exposes the observation gondola to fresh air, while alleviating any claustrophobic sensations as might otherwise be experienced by passengers during underwater observation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09540081B2

An ice skateboard comprising a skateboard having a top surface, a bottom surface, side edges, and a front and back section, said ice skateboard having an ice blade assembly attached to the bottom surface, said ice blade assembly comprising a mounting plate having at least one integral ice blade that extends outwardly at substantially right angles from said mounting plate.
US09540079B2

A dual-directional surfboard comprising a first end, and a second end such that either of said first end or said second end acts as a tail.
US09540075B2

A vessel with a hydrodynamic duct for flow management at the bow thereof, a duct which as a pair of lateral walls (2, 3) with a hydrofoil section on either side of the bow connected with a horizontally oriented or inclined wall portion (1) with a hydrofoil section, the duct being displaceable in the vertical direction between positions (a) and (b) and contributing in the reduction of wave making and frictional resistances through differentiation of the flow within from the flow outside the duct in cooperation with a bow which has longitudinally extending rectilinear or convex side walls (102, 103). The lateral walls (2, 3) have their trailing edge at a constant distance from the side walls (102, 103) of the bow, while they might for aesthetic reasons comprise movable hydrofoil section coverings (2′, 3′) or internal sheet laminates (20′, 30′) which protrude outwardly during navigation of the vessel and retract inwardly when the vessel is stationary in a port destination.
US09540065B2

Apparatuses and methods for mounting a motor vehicle accessory on a motorcycle are described herein. In an embodiment, a mounting device for a motorized vehicle comprising a first member positionable against a first surface of a fixture of the vehicle, a second member positionable against a second surface of the vehicle fixture, the first member pivotally attachable along a first interface to the second member and configured to be fixed at a second interface with the second member so that the first and second members clamp to the vehicle fixture, and a mount positioned on one of the first or second members for receiving a motorized vehicle accessory.
US09540062B2

A motorcycle includes a vehicle-side control unit that determines whether or not identification information from an electronic key conforms to identification information on a side of a vehicle. An ignition switch unit allows at least starting operation of an engine and unlocking operation of a handlebar, in accordance with a situation where the identification information from the electronic key conforms to the identification information on the side of the vehicle. The vehicle-side control unit and the ignition switch unit are disposed on one side of a head pipe of the vehicle. The vehicle-side control unit is disposed in the vicinity of the head pipe, and below the ignition switch unit.
US09540053B2

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a molded article (11) of a rubber polymer to which another article (12) is detachably connected. The method comprises the steps of providing a coupling means (2), comprising a first (2a) and second (2b) member, both of which are provided with interlocking elements (21,22) along connectable edges, the interlocking elements (21,22) being configured to interlock in a substantially continuous way along the edges in the connected state, and unlock in the disconnected state; integrating the first member (2a) and the molded article (11), such that its interlocking elements (21) are available for connection; integrating the second member (2b) and the other article (12), such that its interlocking elements (22) are available for connection; and interlocking the interlocking elements (21,22) of the first and second member (2a,2b) to produce the detachable connection between the articles. The invention further relates to a vehicle spoiler (1), portions of which are mutually connected by the method of the invention.
US09540039B2

A vehicle steering control device includes a turning angle varying device serving as a first turn response change device for changing a gain of yaw rate of a vehicle with respect to steering operation, and a rear wheel steering device serving as a second turn response change device for changing a gain of lateral acceleration of the vehicle with respect to the steering operation. Under a state in which magnitude of curvature of a travel path is equal to or less than a first reference value, at least one of the turning angle varying and rear wheel steering devices is controlled so that a ratio of the gain of the lateral acceleration to the gain of the yaw rate increases when a width of the travel path is small compared with when the width of the travel path is large.
US09540030B2

A steering column bearing assembly is disposed between an upper column jacket and a steering control shaft, supporting the steering control shaft for rotation within the upper column jacket. The steering column bearing assembly comprises an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the inner race and the outer race, each ball bearing having a ball bearing diameter. The inner race and the outer race define an annular cavity in which the plurality of ball bearings is disposed. The annular cavity has an interior column opening defined between an outer edge surface of the inner race and an inner edge surface of the outer race. The outer edge diameter is less than a sum of the inner edge diameter and the ball bearing diameter.
US09540025B1

A child restraint system (1) having a mounting clip (2) positioned over an upper crossbar (12) and vertical bars (19) of a shopping cart seat (14) back support (13). The mounting clip is centered on the back support so that it rests directly behind a child when seated in the shopping cart. A belt (16) extends from sides of the mounting clip and wraps around the child's torso encircling the child preferably above the abdomen. This keeps the child in an upright position and prevents the child from leaning to the front or to the side, thereby reducing any risk of injury.
US09540024B2

A dynamic shopping cart is provided with collapsible walls. The shopping cart can either be used with the collapsible wall in place or in collapsed position. Disclosed is a personal shopping cart comprising: a) a platform with a front, a rear, a first side, a second side, and a top, the top of the platform defining a space for placing one or more items; b) three or more wheels for contacting the shopping cart with a ground; c) a first and a second post placed at the rear of the platform; d) a handle attached to the first post and the second post, a position of the handle defining the rear of the platform; e) a wall with four segments around the platform, with a rear wall segment, a first side wall segment, a second side wall segment, and a front wall segment, wherein the first side wall segment is pivotally attached to the first post, and the second side wall segment is pivotally attached to the second post, the first side and the second side wall segments configured to pivot towards the rear of the shopping cart, wherein the front wall segment is configured to be pivoted towards the platform so that the front wall segment rests on the platform; f) a first and a second bracket for attaching the first and the second a post to the platform, the first and the second post pivotally attached to the first and second bracket; wherein the shopping cart is collapsed by pivoting the first side wall segment, the second side wall segment, and the front wall segment, and then collapsing the shopping cart so that the first post and the second post pivot in relation to the bracket.
US09540023B2

A manually displaceable shopping cart, in particular a multilevel cart, includes a basket for receiving goods, two handle support arms each disposed at a respective side, and detached handles each attached to a respective handle support arm.
US09540013B2

A hydraulic control system for vehicle includes: an engine; an oil pump driven by the engine; a clutch device brought into engagement to enable power transmission between the engine and drive wheels by delivering a pressurized fluid thereto, and brought into disengagement to interrupt the power transmission between the engine and the drive wheels by discharging the fluid therefrom; and an accumulator storing the fluid delivered to the clutch device. The hydraulic control system is configured to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the clutch device, to stop the engine while bringing the clutch device into disengagement upon satisfaction of a predetermined stopping condition, and to restart the engine while bringing the clutch device into engagement upon satisfaction of a predetermined restarting condition. In the hydraulic control system, a hydraulic circuit increases flow rate of the fluid flowing between the accumulator and the clutch device when the engine is stopped.
US09540012B2

A vehicle control system and method is applied to a vehicle including: a continuously variable transmission for changing a speed ratio continuously that is disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft; a geared transmission that is disposed parallel to the continuously variable transmission, and that is adapted to establish a speed ratio that cannot be established by the continuously variable transmission; and a friction clutch that is brought into engagement to switch a torque transmission route from a route including the geared transmission to a route including the continuously variable transmission. The vehicle control system is configured to start a speed change operation of the continuously variable transmission before a commencement of clutch-to-clutch shifting between the friction clutches when switching the torque transmission route from the route including the geared transmission to the route including the continuously variable transmission.
US09540010B2

A control system is for a vehicle. The control system includes an electronic control unit configured to perform a coast downshift, and execute blipping control during performance of the coast downshift. The electronic control unit is configured to determine whether blipping abnormality occurs. The electronic control unit is configured to disengage an engagement element on an engagement side when the blipping abnormality occurs during the performance of the coast downshift. The electronic control unit is configured to increase a speed of the engine in the blipping control. The blipping abnormality is a state that the blipping control is not executed normally during the performance of the coast downshift. The engagement element on the engagement side is an engagement element that is changed from a disengaged state to an engaged state in the coast downshift.
US09540006B2

A required traction force determining part is configured to determine a required traction force corresponding to an output rotational speed based on a required traction force characteristic. A command torque determining part is configured to determine a command torque to be transmitted to a motor to obtain the required traction force. An opposite movement determining part is configured to determine that a vehicle is oppositely moving when a vehicle speed becomes a predetermined speed threshold or greater in a direction opposite to a moving direction corresponding to a position of a forward/rearward movement operating member. A traction force assisting part is configured to perform a traction force assisting control when it is determined that the vehicle is oppositely moving. The traction force assisting part is configured to increase the required traction force in the moving direction corresponding to the position of the forward/rearward movement operating member.
US09539998B2

A hybrid vehicle for providing improved control, response and energy management. The vehicle including a first sensor configured to determine base data corresponding to an estimated age of the vehicle, a second sensor configured to determine feedback data corresponding to a response to a driver request for acceleration, braking or steering and a third sensor configured to determine variable data corresponding to a drag, a current environment or a weight of the vehicle. The vehicle including an electronic control unit configured to calculate an estimate of a present condition of the vehicle based on the base data, the feedback data and the variable data, adjust an energy management control data based on the estimate of the present condition of the vehicle and control at least one of a battery, a transmission, a motor or a fuel converter of the vehicle based on the energy management control data.
US09539993B2

A vehicle includes a brake-by-wire system that delivers a certain amount of brake fluid pressure to wheel brakes depending upon the position of a brake pedal. A brake-by-wire fallback or backup mode of operation is also provided. When activated, this by-wire fallback mode commands a certain, known magnitude of brake pressure. The commanded amount of brake pressure can vary based on the state of a brake pedal on/off switch, and can be set regardless of brake pedal position. This provides a backup to the brake-by-wire system without necessarily requiring a mechanical push-through backup system to brake the vehicle in the event a backup mode is required.
US09539990B2

A control device for a brake system of a vehicle includes a valve control device, using which, while taking into account a provided information signal with respect to a currently exerted or to be exerted generator braking torque of a generator, at least one high-pressure switching valve of a brake circuit of the brake system is able to be controlled into an at least partially opened state such that a brake fluid volume is able to be displaced from a main brake cylinder of the brake system into a storage chamber of the brake circuit via the at least one high-pressure switching valve that has been controlled into the at least partially opened state. Furthermore, a method for operating a brake system of a vehicle is described.
US09539987B2

The present invention relates to an adapter for use in releasably attaching a windshield wiper assembly to a wiper arm having an attachment member including a track defined by a base and walls depending therefrom, a bent tab extending outwardly from the base, and fins that extend from the walls. The wiper adapter includes a body having first and second ends, a pair of opposing sidewalls extending longitudinally therebetween and having an inside and outside surface each, a nose connecting the sidewalls at the first end for receiving the bent tab of the wiper arm, a strap connecting the sidewalls for engaging the base of the wiper arm, and at least one resilient locking tab disposed adjacent to the second end and extending from at least one of the inside surfaces of the sidewalls for engaging at least one of the fins of the wiper arm.
US09539983B2

A seat belt attachment apparatus for providing an alert notification that is secured to a conventional seat belt buckle and initiates an audible alert message each time the seat belt buckle is engaged to release the seat belt comprises a mounting member fixedly mounted to the seat belt buckle and an actuator housing is slidably disposed on the mounting member. The actuator housing is positioned such that when it is depressed, it slides into the seat belt buckle's disengaging button, thereby enabling a user to indirectly disengage a locked conventional seat belt assembly by supplying manual pressure in an actuating direction to the actuator housing. This simultaneously causes a sound module integrated with said actuator housing to emit an alert notification concerning a vehicle condition, such as a reminder to not forget a child in the vehicle.
US09539971B2

A collision detection apparatus includes: an energy absorption member that possesses conductivity and absorbs impact energy by being crushed in a front-rear direction; two contact members that possess conductivity and are respectively disposed in contact with front and rear end surfaces of the energy absorption member in order to press and crush the energy absorption member in the front-rear direction; a electric resistance detector that is electrically connected to both of the two contact members in order to detect variation in an electric resistance value accompanying crushing of the energy absorption member; and a displacement calculator that calculates a displacement amount of the energy absorption member in the front-rear direction on the basis of the variation in the electric resistance value detected by the electric resistance detector.
US09539970B2

The present invention relates to an airbag sensor module which detects the amount of deformation of a car body so as to detect a collision during a car collision and which is attached to the car body in an adhesive manner, and the car body which is integrated with the airbag sensor module. One embodiment of the present application discloses the airbag sensor module mounted in an adhesive manner, comprising: a main substrate which is attached to the car body in an adhesive manner; and a collision detection sensor section which is formed on the main substrate, and which detects whether the car body collides by including a strain sensor for measuring the amount of deformation by being deformed along with the deformation of the car body caused by a collision thereof.
US09539964B2

The invention relates to an earthing element for the filler pipe of a motor vehicle, and also to a mouthpiece on a filler pipe of a motor vehicle. The earthing element is in the form of an earthing strap (7) which is composed of an electrically conductive polymer.
US09539959B2

A structure for attaching a band clip to a corrugated tube, provided with a corrugated tube having pluralities of ring-shaped ribs and of ring-shaped grooves; and a band clip for fixing the corrugated tube to an attachment target object. The band clip has projecting portions arranged to be separated from each other in an axial direction. The corrugated tube is configured such that the projecting portions are respectively fittable into ring-shaped grooves that are symmetrically arranged with a ring-shaped rib being interposed therebetween. Protruding portions that are engageable with the projecting portions are provided such that two protruding portions, one for every 180°, are provided for each ring-shaped groove. The protruding portions provided for one ring-shaped groove and for another ring-shaped groove are arranged such that respective phases thereof are shifted from each other by 90° in a circumferential direction.
US09539955B2

A securing mechanism for securing a computing device within a vehicle includes a first end and a second end. A top face and a bottom face extend from the first end to the second end, and the securing mechanism is folded such that the bottom face at the first end is proximate to the bottom face at the second end, defining a channel configured to receive a portion of a seatbelt of the vehicle. The securing mechanism also includes an attachment mechanism that is configured to attach the securing mechanism to the computing device. In various embodiments, the securing mechanism is attached to the computing device at a point below a center of gravity for the computing device.
US09539953B2

A vehicle interior component includes a base member fixed to a structural member, and a panel member attached to a vehicle compartment inner side of the base member so that its outer peripheral portion is pressed to a lining member from the vehicle compartment inner side. The panel member includes a panel protrusion protruding on a vehicle compartment outer side in the peripheral part of its outer peripheral edge, and the panel protrusion has an insertion hole into which a lock portion formed in the base member or a base fixing member fixed to the base member is inserted, and an auxiliary claw protruding on an outer peripheral edge side. The auxiliary claw engages with the base member to prevent the displacement of the panel protrusion to the vehicle compartment inner side when the outer peripheral portion of the panel member receives a load from the lining member.
US09539951B1

The invention provides a device for towing a motorcycle behind a land vehicle with a front wheel of the motorcycle off the ground. The device has a platform connectable via a support bar to a hitch receiver of the towing vehicle. The platform is pivotally connected to the support bar in order to allow the motorcycle to tilts as the towing vehicle turns. The platform has a stationary front stopper for the front side of the motorcycle wheel supported by the platform and a rear stopper which is pivotally connected to the platform and which forms a mechanism for automatically locking the front wheel of the motorcycle from behind when the rear stopper is turned during loading the wheel onto the platform.
US09539941B2

An apparatus for illuminating a vehicle cupholder is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cavity formed by a console. The cavity is configured to receive a container and has a base portion. The base portion comprises a light-transmissive portion configured to transmit electromagnetic energy. A light source is configured to emit a first emission proximate the light-transmissive portion. The apparatus further comprises a photoluminescent portion proximate the light-transmissive portion. The photoluminescent portion is configured to be excited in response to the first emission to generate a second emission configured to illuminate the cavity.
US09539940B2

A gear shifter indicator assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The gear shifter indicator assembly includes a member having a plurality of indicia thereon. A position indicator is configured to move in concert with a gear shifter lever. One or more light sources is disposed below the member and directed towards a photoluminescent structure. The photoluminescent structure is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source to illuminate the indicia.
US09539937B2

An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprise a light source disposed on a step portion. A first coating layer is molded over the step portion and the light source. A photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate a tread portion of the step portion. The light source is configured to emit a first emission to excite the photoluminescent portion to emit a second emission.
US09539934B2

A vehicle front end structure includes a bumper fascia, a headlamp assembly and a front grille. The bumper fascia has a main body and a projecting portion extending upwardly from the main body. An inboard side of the projecting portion includes a flange. The headlamp assembly includes a housing installed to the bumper fascia above the main body via a projection extending in an inboard direction from an inboard side of the housing. The projection includes an attachment part releasably fastened to the flange. The front grille is installed to the bumper fascia above the main body and inboard of the projecting portion of the bumper fascia. The front grille also attaches to the flange such that the projecting portion of the bumper fascia extends between an outboard edge of the front grille and an inboard side of the lens.
US09539930B2

A system for coupling to a vehicle and for causing actuation of a remote device via a control signal transmission includes a transmitter for causing the control signal transmission to the remote device. The system further includes a circuit configured to cause a back-up display to indicate status of the remote device in response to a status determination.
US09539924B2

A headrest removably engageable with the seat back includes a seat back mounting member adapted to encircle a seat back headrest which has side portions engageable with end portions of a cushion configured to surround at least a portion of the user's head. A support is carried on the seat back mounting member to engage the seat back to assist in supporting the headrest on the seat back.
US09539923B2

It is obtained a headrest and a vehicle seat provided therewith and a method of manufacturing a headrest, that can reduce load to a neck portion of a vehicle occupant at a time of a rear collision while ensuring NV performance. A first urethane and a second urethane are disposed at an inner side of a headrest skin of a vehicle seat, and structure a headrest pad. The first urethane is embedded in the second urethane, and is elastically deformable, and supports a mass body. An elastic coefficient of the second urethane is set to be higher than that of the first urethane.
US09539917B2

A vehicle seat: wherein a reinforcing member includes, a first section attached to a back surface of a seat back so as to face the back surface of the seat back when the seat back is in a standing state and configured to follow the seat back when the seat back is tilted from the standing state, a second section disposed so as to face a back surface of a seat cushion when the seat back is in the standing state, and a connection portion connecting the first section and the second section, and wherein the connection portion is configured to allow the first section to bend with respect to the second section in a rearward direction of the seat, and restrict the first section to bend with respect to the second section in a forward direction of the seat.
US09539909B2

Phase coils are each configured by winding a conductor wire in a concentrated winding consecutively on three circumferentially consecutive tooth portions, six inverter units of an inverter module are each disposed in close proximity to a motor so as to face each of the phase coils axially, and the motor and the inverter module are electrically connected by connecting an alternating-current output terminals of each of the plurality of inverter units to output wires of the phase coils that face the inverter units axially.
US09539905B2

The invention discloses a three-DOF hybrid damping pantograph, comprising an electric driving transmission system fixed on a base, and collector heads, transverse dampers, parallel support frames as well as longitudinal dampers. Square auxiliary holes are arranged on the base, supporting insulators are arranged on four angles below the base; four transverse dampers are symmetrically fixed on the base, and arranged on the outside of the parallel support frames and connected with the parallel support frames through hinges; four longitudinal dampers are symmetrically fixed on the top of the parallel support frames; the collector heads are connected with the parallel support frames by the longitudinal dampers and separators are arranged on the collector heads. The invention can realize bearing and damping spatially in three directions, avoid pantograph detachment, catenary scraping and other safety accidents, and improve the structural stability of the pantograph and adaptability to the catenary.
US09539897B2

In this fuel cell vehicle, a radiator, a protruding region of a casing, and a connecting bar of a fuel cell stack are arranged in a front box in the listed order from the front toward the rear in the direction in which the vehicle travels. A first end plate and a second end plate are fixed directly on a frame member via mounting members, and the frame member is fixed to a vehicle body frame. After an external load has been transmitted from the radiator and the protruding region of the casing to the first end plate and the second end plate, the external load is transmitted to the vehicle body frame via a side frame.
US09539893B2

A fuel delivery module for a vehicle having a fuel tank. The fuel delivery module comprises a flange, a reservoir, a fuel pump, a guide rod, a guide rod receiver, and an elastically deformable member. The flange couples to an opening of the fuel tank. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the flange and a fuel pump connected to the reservoir transports fuel from inside the fuel tank to outside the fuel tank through the flange. The guide rod is coupled to the flange at a first end of the guide rod and the guide rod receiver is fixedly disposed on the reservoir. The elastically deformable member is moveably coupled to the guide rod and to the reservoir such that a second end of the guide rod is selectively receivable in the guide rod receiver.
US09539890B2

A vehicle drive device including: an input member drivably coupled to an internal combustion engine; an output member drivably coupled to wheels; a single wheel drive rotary electric machine that transfers a drive force to the output member; a speed change mechanism provided in a power transfer path that connects between the wheel drive rotary electric machine and the output member; and an inverter device that controls the wheel drive rotary electric machine.
US09539889B2

A safety apparatus for a vehicle battery and a method for operating the same capable of preventing accidents such as fire and battery explosion are provided. The safety apparatus includes a fixed housing that is fixed to a vehicle body and a movable housing that is movably disposed in the fixed housing to move due to external impact. An impact sensor is disposed within the fixed housing configured to be fractured due to the movement of the movable housing and an elastic member is configured to provide a restoring force to the movable housing.
US09539882B2

An air conditioning register includes a downstream fin, primary upstream fins, a secondary upstream fin, and an operation knob slidably attached onto the downstream fin. The operation knob sandwiches a shaft of the secondary upstream fin. The air conditioning register has a link mechanism that includes arms and a coupling rod. The arms extend from pivots of the primary and secondary upstream fins in a direction orthogonal to the pivots, and have a pin at the tip of the arms. The coupling rod couples the respective pins. The distance between the pivot and the pin in the arm of the secondary upstream fin is longer than the distance between the pivot and the pin in the arm of each primary upstream fin. The coupling rod includes coupling portions, each of which couples the pins of an adjacent pair of the arms. Adjacent coupling portions are pivotally coupled.
US09539880B2

An air-conditioner for a vehicle includes: a heater core which heats air for air-conditioning by using cooling water of a cooling circuit which cools a fuel cell of a fuel cell vehicle or an engine of a hybrid car as a heat source; a heat exchanger arranged upstream of the heater core in a flow of the air for air-conditioning to heat the air for air-conditioning by using refrigerant which flows through a heat pump cycle as a heat source; and a control part which controls operation of the heat pump cycle in a manner that a target temperature of the air for air-conditioning heated by the heat exchanger is changed in accordance with a temperature of the cooling water.
US09539878B2

A window fog detecting system for detecting fog on a windshield of a vehicle, including: a glass temperature detecting system including a contact temperature sensor attached to a portion of the windshield on the driver's seat side of the center in a width direction of the windshield, or to a portion where ceramic print is applied on the upper-side periphery of the windshield; a humidity detection device which detects the humidity of air in a vicinity of the inner surface of the windshield; and a judging device which judges the presence of fog on the windshield, on the basis of the detected values of the glass temperature detecting system and the detected values of the humidity detection device.
US09539877B2

Electric vehicle thermal management systems and electric vehicles using the thermal management system, are disclosed. A passenger cabin is heated by the heat dissipated from a battery and/or a motor. A cooling circuit in the management system fluidly connects the battery, the motor and a first radiator in series. The first radiator provides a heat source to the passenger cabin by means of the heat dissipated from the battery and/or the electric motor. Under certain conditions, the electric motor is selectively separated from the cooling circuit, so that when the passenger cabin needs to be heated, the thermal management system can provide heat to the passenger cabin without affecting the heat dissipation of the battery.
US09539871B2

In a vehicle, a first left straight line, passing through a first left front connector and a first left rear connector connecting a left upper arm and a left auxiliary frame, inclines inward toward a widthwise center as the first left straight line extends rearward in a bottom view. A second left straight line, passing through a second left front connector and a second left rear connector connecting a left lower arm and a left main subframe, inclines inward toward the widthwise center as the second left straight line extends rearward in the bottom view. A central position between the first left front connector and first left rear connector in the front-rear direction is rearward relative to a central position between the second left front connector and second left rear connector in the front-rear direction.
US09539866B2

An inspection system for use in measuring several vehicle conditions in a high volume vehicle inspection line. A plurality of sensors are installed on a vehicle for measuring a plurality of vehicle conditions to assist in the rapid evaluation of critical vehicle conditions or parameters. At least one tool is positioned along a vehicle path in a monitoring station. As the vehicle passes through the monitoring station, the tool received electronic data from the plurality of sensors and displays one or more signals to alert an inspector of acceptable or unacceptable vehicle conditions. In one example, the plurality of sensors includes tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) data from the vehicle tires to rapidly assess the condition of the tire air pressure and other monitored tire conditions.
US09539865B2

A tire inflation system having a sleeve assembly. The sleeve assembly may be disposed proximate a spindle and may receive pressurized gas. A wheel end seal assembly may be disposed between the sleeve assembly and a hub to help route the pressurized gas.
US09539861B2

Sipe groups including a plurality of sipes which is opened to a main groove and is arranged at intervals in a tire circumferential direction are formed in both land parts with the main groove being interposed therebetween. The sipe groups are arranged at intervals in the tire circumferential direction, and are shifted in the tire circumferential direction on both sides of the main groove.
US09539853B2

A spoke including a metallic core covered, at least in its central portion, with a sheath of composite material comprised of an assembly of fibers embedded in a matrix, the core including an end portion adapted to be attached to the rim or the hub of a wheel, and a main body whose cross-sectional surface area is between 30% and 50% or, in a particular embodiment, between 35% and 45%, of the cross-sectional surface area of the aforementioned end portion. Furthermore, in the area of the main body, the sheath has a cross section between 150% and 500% or, in a particular embodiment, between 150% and 350%, of the cross section of the metallic core in the same area. The metal core includes two mechanical anchoring zones, positioned in the vicinity of its ends, on both sides of the main body.
US09539848B2

A writing instrument that includes a barrel extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and a tip mounted at the front of the barrel, further including a protective sleeve for the tip, the sleeve being mounted coaxially on the barrel and movable relative to the barrel between a protective position where it covers the tip and a retracted position where it exposes the tip to allow writing. The sleeve includes an inner wall which includes a helical cam engaging with a guide element formed on the barrel so that the sleeve is movable in translation combined with rotation.
US09539834B2

Provided is a medicine packaging device. The medicine packaging device includes: a reader-writer that reads information from an IC tag installed at a supply core of an ink ribbon roll detachably installed to an ink ribbon cassette as well as writes information to the IC tag; a motor control unit that controls a winding motor for rotating a winding core, based on a used length of the ink ribbon which is information read from the IC tag, so that the ink ribbon of the ink ribbon roll runs in a winding direction at a higher speed than a feeding speed of a continuous sheet for packaging; and a written information output unit that outputs information showing the used length of the ink ribbon which has been changed due to use of the ink ribbon, to the reader/writer as information written on the IC tag.
US09539833B2

Provided is a tape cartridge allowing rimless printing to be reliably performed on respective label portions. A tape cartridge installed in a tape printing apparatus includes: a label tape 101 having a plurality of label portions 105 provided along a tape length direction and a plurality of detection convex portions 109 provided along the tape length direction corresponding to the plurality of label portions 105; a cartridge case in which the label tape 101 is accommodated; and a platen roller 103 accommodated in the cartridge case and paying out the label tape 101 by rotation outside the cartridge case, wherein, in the tape length direction, detection tip-ends 109a serving as downstream-side ends of the detection convex portions 109 are positioned downstream of label tip-ends 105a serving as downstream-side ends of the label portions 105 in a paying-out direction of the label portion 105 at printing.
US09539831B2

This invention has been made to cause a printing apparatus for conveying roll paper and performing printing to simultaneously attain a stable conveyance accuracy and prevent skewed conveyance independently of LF roller driving conditions and disturbance conditions that variously change as the roll paper state changes. For this purpose, a feed motor is used as a load generator for the roll paper. A section from a conveyance operation by the LF roller to the next conveyance operation is divided into a plurality of sub-sections. A feed mechanism is controlled by switching between a feeder load generation section and a feeder load zero section for each sub-section.
US09539830B2

The invention relates to a novel device and a novel method for transporting printable substrates in a precise manner, suitable for various types, sizes and thicknesses of substrate. The invention is also suitable for printing machines that do not come into contact with the substrate, such as ink-jet printing machines.
US09539824B2

An irradiation device includes a first LED row having a plurality of LEDs aligned in one row and electrically connected in series, and a second LED row having a plurality of LEDs aligned in one row and electrically connected in series. The first LED row and the second LED row are aligned adjacent to each other in a direction that crosses an array direction of the LEDs of the first LED row. A direction of current flowing in the first LED row is opposite to a direction of current flowing in the second LED row.
US09539823B2

An ink jet recording method uses an ink jet recording apparatus including a plurality of heads arranged in parallel in a first direction, each of which ejects droplets of a different radiation-curable ink composition onto a recording medium, and first light sources provided for corresponding heads so as to be disposed at a predetermined side of the corresponding heads. The first light sources emit active radiation to irradiate the droplets on the recording medium. The method includes ejecting droplets of the ink compositions from the heads onto the recording medium, and performing a first irradiation by irradiating the droplets of each ink composition with the active radiation from the corresponding first light source at an irradiation energy within 500 ms after the droplets have landed. The irradiation energy is in the range of 5% to 10% of the energy E90 at which the ink composition is 90% cured.
US09539821B2

An image forming apparatus includes a light source, an optical deflector, an optical deflector casing, a bearing, and a sound absorption unit. The optical deflector reflects and deflects an optical beam emitted from the light source, having a rotational reflection member disposed on a rotation shaft to perform optical scanning. The optical deflector casing seals a space in which the optical deflector. The bearing rotatably supports the rotation shaft of the rotational reflection member with respect to the optical deflector casing, and includes at least portion exposed to an external space outside the sealed space of the optical deflector casing. The sound absorption unit is disposed opposite the exposed portion of the bearing with the external space therebetween.
US09539815B2

Low-profile service stations for use with printers are described herein. One example service station includes a shuttle to support a cap sled. The shuttle has a shuttle drive and a pump drive positioned such that at least one of the shuttle drive and the pump drive does not extend between a first side and a second side of the shuttle. The shuttle drive is coupled to a printer drive to move the shuttle between a first position and a second position.
US09539812B2

In one example, parts to be assembled into a fluid flow structure include: a first part having flat sealing surfaces each surrounding one of multiple first conduit openings; a second part having sealing ridges each surrounding one of multiple second conduit openings; and a single gasket having multiple holes each surrounded on both sides by a flat sealing surface. Each hole in the gasket is positioned to align with one of the first and second conduit openings so that, when the parts are assembled together, each gasket sealing surface contacts a corresponding one of the flat sealing surfaces on the first part or the sealing ridges on the second part and fluid may flow through the holes in the gasket from the conduit openings on one of the parts to the conduit openings on the other part.
US09539800B2

Substrates are aligned and then bonded to each other. A substrate bonding apparatus includes a deformer that deforms at least a first one of two substrates that are to be bonded to each other in order to correct misalignment between the two substrates, a holder that holds the deformed first substrate in the deformed state achieved by the deformer, a transporter that transports the holder from a position at which the deformed first substrate is held by the holder while the first substrate remains deformed, and a bonder that bonds the first substrate that has been transported by the transporter to the second substrate. In the above-described substrate bonding apparatus, while the first substrate is not held by the holder, the deformer may deform the holder from a first state to a second state that is more deformed than the first state, and while the first substrate is held by the holder, the deformer may reduce the amount of the deformation of the holder to less than the amount of the deformation of the second state to deform the first substrate.
US09539797B2

A spool of traverse wound double-sided PSA tape and method of making same. The PSA tape includes an adhesive body with an upper adhesive surface releasably adhered to a bottom side of a release liner having a release value. At least one reinforcing strand is disposed longitudinally through the adhesive body. The PSA tape is traverse wound onto a core in successive winding layers with each successive winding layer producing an outer winding layer with the bottom side of its adhesive body crossing at an angle over the top side of the release liner of a preceding inner winding layer. The tensile strength of the at least one reinforcing strand is greater than a Resistance Bond of the outer winding layer to the preceding inner winding layer.
US09539789B2

A three-dimensional fiber-reinforced composite includes a laminate having a plurality of fiber bundle layers that are layered in a lamination direction and include first and second outermost layers, a matrix resin; and a binding yarn. The binding yarn has first and second traverse yarn sections, and a surface-layer yarn section. The surface layer yarn section has bifurcated sections extending in opposite directions from the first and second traverse yarn sections on the surface of the second outermost layer. An additive and the matrix resin are arranged in a space enclosed by the bifurcated sections and the fiber bundles of the second outermost layer adjacent to the bifurcated sections, and also in a space between each of the first and second traverse yarn sections and fiber bundles adjacent thereto, and in a space between the first and second traverse yarn sections.
US09539786B2

A container having a bottom and a cylindrical or conical sidewall attached to the bottom, wherein the sidewall preferably comprises a rolled rim at its upper edge opposite to the bottom and is produced from a paper- or carton material, wherein at least a first shaping is provided into the sidewall in a first height, and wherein the shaping extends at least partially over the perimeter of the sidewall. A process for the production of a container with a bottom and a conical or cylindrical sidewall is also provided, wherein the bottom and the sidewall are made from a paper- or cardboard-material and a first circumferential shaping is inserted into the sidewall.
US09539782B2

High-pressure high-temperature presses are commonly employed to create superhard materials used in such fields as road milling, mining and trenching, to breakup tough materials such as asphalt, concrete and rock. Many such presses comprise a plurality of piston assemblies that may act in concert to pressurize a cell. Such a cell may comprise a body with a plurality of canisters disposed therein and at least one unique heater element adjacent each of the canisters. Heat may be generated within such a press by forming an electrical circuit with the unique heater element and anvils surrounding the cell.
US09539777B2

A tire is described that includes a casing defining a cavity and equipped to receive an object, such as an electronic circuit, for example, through use of a two-part attachment, such as a touch-close attachment, of which a first part is fixed to a wall of the casing and a second part can be joined to the first part when placed in contact with the first part to keep the object on the casing in a service position. The first part of the attachment includes connection elements that are an integral part of the wall of the casing of the tire. The connection elements allow these two parts to have freedom to move relative to each other, thereby limiting the transmission of stresses, which affect the wall of the tire, to the object. The connection elements may be loops of flexible thread formed by the extremities of turns of a coiled thread integrated into the wall of the tire during the tire's manufacture.
US09539774B2

An aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a resin film, including a casting step of casting a resin solution containing a transparent resin from a casting die onto a running support to form a cast membrane, and a releasing step of releasing the cast membrane from the support, wherein, in the casting step, a velocity at which the resin solution is discharged from longitudinally opposite ends of a discharge port of the casting die is 0.95 times to 1.5 times a velocity at which the resin solution is discharged from a longitudinally central portion of the discharge port of the casting die.
US09539766B2

A device for producing fiber preforms includes a plurality of unwind stations, a plurality of grippers and at least one first molding tool. Each gripper is movable on a path between a maximum position and a pick-up position. The pick-up position is provided at a thread transfer point and is closer to the unwind station than the maximum position. The first molding tool has a draping position in the region of the connecting lines between the maximum position and the thread transfer points, and a starting position outside the connecting lines. A thread tension control for the threads or rovings is provided.
US09539765B2

In a method for discharging a volume flow consisting of successive drops to produce a three-dimensional object of solidifiable material present in a fluid phase, the fluid phase of the material is introduced into a material storage means. A pressure (p) is applied to the fluid phase, in order to discharge the material in drops out of a cyclable outlet opening to build up the three-dimensional object in a construction chamber. A method is provided for achieving a constant, discontinuous volume flow by the pressure (p) being regulated via a closed-loop control in the event of a change in the viscosity of the fluid phase of the material, while maintaining the other process parameters, to achieve a predetermined drop size. The pressure is applied by a conveying element, the average displacement velocity of the conveying element per discharged drop being converted as a measured variable into the control variable for the closed-loop control.
US09539764B2

A component includes a support structure made with an additive manufacturing process with a first end and a second end, and an object made with an additive manufacturing process with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the object is attached to the second end of the support structure. A cross-sectional area of the first end of the object is larger than a cross-sectional area of the second end of the support structure. A method of making an object, the method includes manufacturing a support structure with an additive manufacturing process. An object is manufactured on top of and connected to the support structure with an additive manufacturing process, wherein there is a witness mark created between the support structure and the object. The witness mark is identified. The object is separated from the support structure along the witness mark.
US09539749B2

Formable inserts and related methods are disclosed herein. An example of forming a cover with a formable insert includes forming a first frame portion of the cover, attaching a formable insert to the first frame portion of the cover, and forming a second frame portion of the cover subsequent to the formation of the first frame portion to capture a perimeter edge of the formable insert in the second frame portion of the cover.
US09539746B2

An apparatus includes one or more die groups which are movable independently of one another, each including a female part having a matrix cavity and a male part destined to penetrate into the cavity such as to define a forming chamber of the product, the cavity configured to contain a batch of material. The apparatus further includes a heating station having a heater to bring the plastic material to the fluid state, and a die group cooling station downstream of the heating station. The die groups are free to be cyclically inserted in the heating station and subsequently transferred to the cooling station. A thrust group is associated to a respective die group and is configured to provide a thrust for penetrating the male part into the cavity during the stage of forming the product, the thrust group being integral with the respective die-group in displacements during the operations performed.
US09539742B2

The present disclosure includes a continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic plastic composite. The continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic plastic composite includes a continuous carbon fiber impregnated in thermoplastic resin, and the continuous carbon fiber is a continuous carbon fiber has the width of 4 times to 8 times as wide as the original fiber bundle.
US09539738B2

A wood material board hot-pressing system with a primary circuit includes a supply pipe for discharging of hot heat transfer fluid from a heat generator and a return pipe for supplying cooled heat transfer fluid to the heat generator. A secondary circuit features a pressing device for pressing wood material boards. A supply channel supplies heat transfer fluid to the pressing device and a return channel returns cooled heat transfer fluid to the primary circuit. A controlling device contains a control valve and is configured to control a flow of heat transfer fluid from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit. A secondary circulation pump with variable output is set up to circulate the heat transfer fluid in the secondary circuit. The controlling device features a heat output recording device and is configured to automatically control a level of heat output (P) supplied to the pressing device.
US09539733B2

Pocket safety cutter devices include ergonomic blade housing and handle portions adapted to be safely folded together into compact closed configurations.
US09539731B2

Systems and methods relating to a clutch system for use in controllably transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft. The clutch system has a torque transmission fluid that has a viscosity that changes based on the strength of an electromagnetic field passing through the fluid. A number of sensors are placed at different radial locations on the torque transmission disks to detect the strength of the electromagnetic field. Based on the strength of the electromagnetic field, the amount of torque being transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft can be adjusted. Also disclosed is a distributed actuation architecture that uses this clutch system. The distributed actuation architecture allows for the use of a single drive motor in conjunction with multiple instances of the clutch system to actuate a mechanical linkage, such as a robotic arm.
US09539729B2

According to one embodiment, a conveying apparatus includes a finger unit, a drive belt, a first belt and a transfer belt. The finger unit includes first and second rotation units, and a projecting tip. The drive belt includes one end fixed to the finger unit and moves the finger unit in a movement direction. The first belt is provided on a first surface of the drive belt and includes one end folded at the first rotation unit to be away from the first surface and fixed to a first support unit. The second belt is provided on a second surface of the drive belt opposed to the first surface and includes one end folded at the second rotation unit to be away from the second first surface and fixed to the first support unit.
US09539724B2

An exoskeleton for humans including a joint element that interacts directly or indirectly with a human's joint via an end-effector mount, wherein the end-effector mount is arranged to perform an arbitrary planar parallel movement in a plane, allowing superimposed translational and rotational movements of the end-effector mount relative to a body of the joint element. The exoskeleton allows for excellent adjustment of the joint axes, i.e. the exoskeleton's and the human's joint, for effecting simultaneous translational and rotational movements. Particularly, the exoskeleton is self-aligning to the movements of a human's joint independent from differences in the attachment of the exoskeleton to the body and anatomical differences of the patients.
US09539721B1

A socket holding frame has a track base, a positioning board, and at least one positioning mount. The track base has a bottom panel, a slide rail, and a connecting track. The positioning board is mounted in the connecting track and has multiple first engaging segments formed on a top surface of the positioning board. The at least one positioning mount is slidably and rotatably mounted on the track base, and each one of the at least one positioning mount has a sliding seat and an extending element. The sliding seat is slidably and rotatably mounted in the slide rail and has multiple second engaging segments. The multiple second engaging segments engage with the multiple first engaging segments of the positioning board. The extending element is formed on the sliding seat and extends out of the slide rail.
US09539719B2

A locking, reversible blade, screwdriver is provided. The screwdriver incorporates a reversible blade; one end is a flat blade for latches or any application that requires a durable flat blade screwdriver, the opposing end is a drive bit holder which could be a magnetic bit holder, C clip bit holder, ball type bit holder etc., or any combination which will accept a variety of drive bit types. The blade can be inserted into the handle with the desired end exposed, where it is secured in place with a ball lock. One hand digital intervention releases the blade. A threaded removable end cap at the opposite end of the handle exposes a selector. This selector, when rotated allows access to one of several tubes holding drive bits for the bit holder end of the blade. The end cap has a wide comfortable flat base with a perimeter recess which acts as a finger grip and the flat base allows the screwdriver to sit on its end for one handed fastener loading on a drive bit.
US09539717B2

The disclosure relates to a portable power tool comprising at least one coupling device which can be coupled to a power tool separation device comprising at least one cutting unit and at least one guide unit for guiding the cutting unit. The portable power tool comprises at least one storage device which is provided to stow the machine tool separation device at least when it is coupled to the coupling device.
US09539716B2

A hand-held power tool includes a tool housing on which an ergonomic handle is formed for a user's hand, including the user's thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and small finger. The handle includes a first region for the index finger and the thumb, a second region for the middle finger, a third region for the ring finger, and a fourth region for the small finger. The second region has an approximately oval cross section with a first main axis and a first secondary axis. The third region has an approximately oval cross section with a second main axis and a second secondary axis. The fourth region has an approximately oval cross section with a third main axis and a third secondary axis. The first main axis is longer than the second main axis, and the first secondary axis is shorter than the second and third secondary axes.
US09539714B1

A fastener driving apparatus comprises a gas spring or spring, a drive mechanism, an anvil assembly, and an anvil. The drive mechanism permits transition from engagement with the gas spring, spring or anvil assembly to disengagement from the gas spring, spring or anvil assembly. The anvil and/or anvil assembly are operatively coupled to the gas spring or spring such that after the drive mechanism disengages them, the gas spring piston or the spring moves to imparts a force on the anvil to cause the anvil to move and drive a fastener. The mass of the anvil assembly is preferably greater than 50% of the total mass of the anvil assembly and gas spring moving mass. The gas spring is configured such that the pressure increase during the movement of the gas spring piston by the drive mechanism is less than 30% of the initial pressure in the gas spring.
US09539706B2

An apparatus to aid in the making of a light filtering window shade from shade fabric comprised of a series of longitudinal vane members having their longitudinal edges respectively secured to front and rear fabric panels. The apparatus comprises an assembly table and a roller tube positioning rail. The table has first and second ends with the first end adapted to facilitate the cutting of the shade fabric to a desired length. The roller tube positioning rail is releasably securable to the assembly table and releasably receives a roller tube having one end of the shade fabric secured thereto. The positioning rail permits the roller tube, and the shade fabric secured thereto, to be set-off a predetermined distance from the first end of the assembly table. The positioning rail maintains the roller tube generally parallel to the first end of the assembly table.
US09539700B2

A post manufacture method and apparatus for reducing residual stresses present within a component. The component includes a substrate, a polycrystalline structure coupled thereto, and residual stresses present therein. The method includes obtaining a component from a component category, determining a critical temperature and a critical time period for the component category at which the component becomes structurally impaired, determining a heat treatment temperature and a heat treatment time period based upon the critical temperature and the critical time period, and heating one or more remaining components from the component category to the heat treatment temperature for the heat treatment time period. The apparatus includes a heater defining a heating chamber and a molten bath positioned within the heating chamber. The components are placed within the pre-heated molten bath and isolated from oxygen during heating to the heat treatment temperature for the heat treatment time period.
US09539687B2

A connection portion between a holder side part of a chip suction path and a main body side part of the chip suction path 12 is formed to have a non-contact structure, resulting in that not only a chip generated at a machining point but also a chip remained so as to be suspended in a machining atmosphere can be sucked and discharged.
US09539663B2

The invention relates to a device and a method for contacting a welding wire (13) in a welding torch (10), including at least two contact shells (31) having a contact area (32) for contacting the welding wire (13), and to a contact shell (31) for contacting a welding wire (13). In order to make the contact of the welding wire as constant and permanent as possible during the lifetime of a contacting device, the contact shells (31) have a holding section (48) and are arranged inside a sleeve (37) to define a rotational axis (43), the sleeve (37) being fastened to a nozzle pipe (38) having an integrated pressure mechanism (36), and the pressure mechanism (36) being adapted to exert pressure (33) on the contact shells (31). The sleeve (37) includes a holding device (42) for exerting a counter-force (34) onto the contact shells (31). The welding wire (13) is contacted in the contact area (32) of the contact shells (31) with a contact force (35).
US09539655B2

A method of manufacturing a turbine disk includes the steps of machining an initial slot using a cutting tool and machining intermediate and semi finished slot using a form tool that forms surfaces of the slot except for the bottom surface. A final finishing step utilizes a cutting tool that includes a shape that forms the bottom portion of the disk slot.
US09539653B2

A twist drill has a shaft and a flute portion, which extends between a drill tip and the shaft and has at least two flutes, which run helically around it at an angle of twist, are separated from one another by two webs and have a land extending between the flutes on the circumference of the flute portion. In order to provide a twist drill that has the features mentioned at the beginning, has better lubrication of the round bevels, less wear, improved guidance and improved concentricity, at least two round bevels that are spaced apart from one another are provided on each land and extend on the land at an angle of inclination in relation to the drill axis that is greater than the angle of twist but less than 90°.
US09539652B2

A rotary cutting tool comprises an elongate body disposed about a longitudinal axis, the elongate body including a helical flute and a polycrystalline-diamond cutting tip. The cutting tip comprises an inner portion having an inner point angle and an outer portion having an outer point angle different from the inner point angle.
US09539645B2

A cutting tool including a substrate composed of a silicon nitride-based sintered body and a coating layer. The coating layer includes first, second, third and fourth layers. The first layer is located on the surface of the substrate and is composed of TiN having an average crystalline width of 0.1 to 0.4 μm. The second layer is located on the first layer and composed of Al2O3 having an average crystalline width of 0.01 to 1.5 μm. The third layer is located on the second layer and is composed of TiN having an average crystalline width of 0.01 to 0.1 μm which is smaller than that of the first layer. The fourth layer is located on the third layer and is composed of Al2O3 having an average crystalline width of 0.01 to 1.5 μm.
US09539643B2

A method of making metal nanostructures having a nanometer size in at least one dimension includes preparing an aqueous solution comprising a cation of a first metal and an anion, and mixing commercial elemental powder particles of an elemental second metal having a greater reduction potential than the first metal with the aqueous solution in an amount that reacts and dissolves all of the second metal and precipitates the first metal as metal nanostructures. The temperature and concentration of the aqueous solution and the selection of the anions and the second metal are chosen to produce metal nanostructures of a desired shape, for example ribbons, wires, flowers, rods, spheres, hollow spheres, scrolls, tubes, sheets, hexagonal sheets, rice, cones, dendrites, or particles.
US09539631B2

A method of bending a tube arrangement including an inner tube disposed within an outer tube is performed using a bending die having a concave groove including a curved portion extending around a peripheral surface of the bending die, the curved portion of the concave groove having at least one ridge projecting therefrom. The tube arrangement is located within the concave groove and a force is applied to the tube arrangement in a direction toward the curved portion of the bending die to cause the tube arrangement to conform to the shape of the concave groove. The at least one ridge projecting from the concave groove causes the outer tube to deform such that an interior surface of the outer tube contacts an exterior surface of the inner tube, securing a position of the inner tube within the outer tube.
US09539614B2

A medical electrical lead body having an outer surface and including at least one lumen having an inner surface treated with a silane surface modifying agent to form a three-dimensional, densely cross-linked lubricious coating over at least a portion of the inner surface of the lumen. The outer surface of the lead body also may be similarly treated. The lubricious silane coating may reduce the coefficient of friction of the coated surface of the lead body by as much as 80% when compared to an uncoated surface. A reduction in the coefficient of friction may enhance the stringing efficiency of a conductor through the lead body lumen and may enhance its abrasion resistance.
US09539604B2

In a piezoelectric ejector assembly, a piezoelectric actuator is attached to an ejector mechanism, while a drive signal generator and a controller are coupled to the actuator. The drive signal generator is configured to generate a drive signal for driving the actuator to oscillate the ejector assembly. The controller is configured to control the drive signal generator to drive the actuator at a resonant frequency of the ejector assembly, and an auto-tuning circuit is provided to define the optimum drive signal frequency.
US09539595B2

A device for applying a mixed component includes first and second component reservoirs, a static mixing nozzle configured to mix first and second components into the mixed component, a component passage disposed between the component reservoirs and the first end of the static mixing nozzle, the component passage disposed to enable the first and second components to flow from the reservoirs to the static mixing nozzle, a spray tip including an air inlet disposed at least partially between the first end of the spray tip and the second end of the spray tip, the first end of the spray tip being disposed adjacent the second end of the static mixing nozzle, a component applicator configured to use air to apply the mixed component through the second end of the spray tip, and a trigger mechanism disposed on the component applicator, and configured to enable application of the mixed component.
US09539593B2

A stent holder for mounting and electrically charging a stent during coating of the stent using dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. An assembly for supporting and electrically charging a stent during the coating of the stent using dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. A chamber for creating an electrical field around a stent and for supporting, electrically charging, and exposing the stent to dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. A method for creating an electrical field around a stent and for supporting, electrically charging, and exposing the stent to dry particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents is provided.
US09539590B2

A spray head is provided that includes a housing having a water inlet, at least one water guide, and a housing bottom, in which jet outlet openings are arranged, wherein the water guide is used as a connection between the water inlet and a number of jet outlet openings and a valve element for sealing a valve opening is provided for the water guide. The valve element is movably mounted on both sides and a control device having at least one control element that acts on the valve element is provided, wherein the control element defines a translational movement of the valve element by a valve stroke.
US09539584B2

A weak magnetic force magnetic separator, including: a belt conveyor conveying separation target particles; and a suspended magnet unit provided at a distance above the belt conveyor and configured to magnetically attract, with a uniform, weak magnetic force, the separation target particles conveyed over a belt. With a length of the magnet unit in its longer direction being greater than a belt width of the belt, and with the magnet unit placed such that its longer direction is aligned with the belt width direction and its both ends overhang the belt width, and such that a distance from the surface of the belt is constant across its longer direction, magnetic flux density variations in the belt width direction over the belt surface facing the magnet unit are 10% or less within a weak magnetic force range of from over 0 to 700 gauss.
US09539577B2

Cartridges for the isolation of a biological sample and downstream biological assays on the sample are provided, as are methods for using such cartridges. In one embodiment, a nucleic acid sample is isolated from a biological sample and the nucleic acid sample is amplified, for example by the polymerase chain reaction. The cartridges provided herein can also be used for the isolation of non-nucleic acid samples, for example proteins, and to perform downstream reactions on the proteins, for example, binding assays. Instruments for carrying out the downstream biological assays and for detecting the results of the assays are also provided.
US09539572B2

The invention relates to an apparatus for separating blood, more particularly an apparatus (1) for absorbing blood (19) and separating blood components, e.g. blood plasma, as a sample liquid (2). Said apparatus (1) comprises a feeding device (13) for absorbing the blood (2), a device (15) for separating blood components as a sample liquid (2), a duct which preferably absorbs the sample liquid (2) exclusively by means of capillary forces, and a device for filling the duct (3) with sample liquid (2) in an inlet or feeding zone (18) of the duct (3). The separating device (15), in particular a membrane, is curved, especially convexly shaped, and the apex of said curved, especially convex shape projects into the filling device.
US09539545B2

The present disclosure is directed to processes using a new crystalline molecular sieve designated SSZ-96, which is synthesized using a 1-butyl-1-methyl-octahydroindolium cation as a structure directing agent.
US09539527B2

A filter for the filtration of media, having a pleated, cylindrical filter element, which is located between a perforated, cylindrical backflow preventer and a perforated, cylindrical core, the filter element being arranged in pleated folds, a plurality of folds having a first fold height which is greater than the difference between the radius of the backflow preventer and the radius of the core and which, each being inclined in relation to a radial line by an angle of inclination, are directed away from the outer surface of the core, a plurality of folds being provided having at least one second shorter fold height, and the folds of the second shorter fold height being arranged adjacent, radially at the outside, to the backflow preventer and alternatingly adjacent to the folds of the first fold height.
US09539522B1

The combination multi-effect distillation and multi-stage flash evaporation system integrates a multi-stage flash (MSF) evaporation system with a multi-effect distillation (MED) system such that the flashing temperature range of the MSF process is shifted upward on the temperature scale, while the MED distillation process operates in the lower temperature range. The multi-stage flash evaporation system includes a plurality of flash evaporation/condensation stages, such that the multi-stage flash evaporation system receives a volume of seawater or brine from an external source and produces distilled water. The multi-effect distillation system includes a plurality of condensation/evaporation effects, such that the multi-effect distillation system receives concentrated brine from the multi-stage flash desalination system and produces distilled water.
US09539519B2

The disclosure refers to a lid in the form of a building block, including a side wall, top surface with an internal wall and an external wall, the base of the lid, one or more male pins and one or more female openings, with their longitudinal axes placed in a direction that is essentially parallel to the internal section of the side wall provided with a lid fixing element to the package to be closed, in which one or more male pins have an external diameter of (4.8±0.1) millimeters, of (6.5±0.1) millimeters, or of (9.4±0.2) millimeters, and one or more female openings which have an internal diameter of (4.8±0.1) millimeters, of (6.5±0.1) millimeters or of (9.4±0.2) millimeters.
US09539515B2

The invention relates to a communication device between an audiovisual information playback system (1) and at least one electronic game machine (2), each electronic game machine comprising a viewing means (200), a means (210) for interacting with the user and a means of payment (220), characterized in that each electronic game machine (2) is connected to the playback system (2) via a network interface (21) and an associated LAN (3), and comprises specific means (20, 21, 22) for managing a means of payment, a viewing means and an interactive means, in order to enable, on the electronic game machine (2), the selection and payment of at least one selection stored on the playback system (2), with a view to playback thereof on the playback system, the specific means (22) of managing payment means and the specific means (21) of managing viewing means and the interactive means being triggered by the activation means of the electronic game machine (2).
US09539506B2

There is provided a system and method for playsets using tracked objects and corresponding virtual worlds. There is provided an object for use with a physical environment and connectable to a virtual world corresponding to the physical environment, the object including a processor and a plurality of sensors including a position sensor. The processor is configured to establish a first connection with the virtual world, wherein the virtual world contains a virtual object corresponding to the object, determine a position of the object using the position sensor, and send the position of the object using the first connection. There is also provided a physical environment having similar capabilities as the object.
US09539500B2

A method for biometric identification for use with a computing device is provided herein. The method includes capturing a temporal sequence of images of the face of a user at different locations within a three-dimensional interaction space. The method further includes extracting one or more face descriptors from the images and generating a biometric template compiling the face descriptors.
US09539493B2

A story based card game has a series of sequential rounds, the card game comprising a plurality of sets of location cards, one set of location cards for each of a plurality of locations associated with an aspect of the story, each set of location cards including one card for each round of the game, wherein each round includes at least one correct location card for that round, wherein the correct location card for each round includes text indicating that the it is the correct card for that round and including a continuation of the story, whereby the series of correct locations cards for the rounds of the game combine to form a story summary.
US09539490B2

A low-maintenance bocce court surface comprising a base layer with a horizontal backing and vertical polymer fibers attached to the backing; an infill layer of a particulate infill material distributed between the fibers of the base layer; and a surface layer distributed over the infill layer and covering the polymer fibers, wherein the surface layer comprises crushed seashells, and wherein the vertical polymer fibers of the base layer extend part-way into the surface layer; as well as a bocce court comprising the low-maintenance bocce court surface, and a method of preparing the bocce ball court surface.
US09539488B2

A design for snowsports devices such as skis and snowboards uses non-Newtonian materials. Non-Newtonian materials exhibit rate-sensitive characteristics, with stress vs. strain properties dependent on the rate of loading. The snowsports device with non-Newtonian materials has variable stiffness and damping, with both increasing according to an increased applied load-rate such that a single snowsports device exhibits soft flex characteristics under low applied load-rates, but stiffer flex characteristics under high applied load-rates. The flex of the snowsports device is self-adjusting, with no manual adjustment input required by a user. The non-Newtonian material may be incorporated into the structure of the snowsports device in a number of different ways, including in the core, in composite sheet layers, and other locations.
US09539486B2

A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.
US09539485B1

A method of practicing a golf swing and a kit for use with the method is provided, whereby the golfer applies a colorant to the sole of a golf club with a marking instrument and hits golf balls off of a resilient flexible mat, so that the colorant is transferred to the upper surface of the mat, thereby creating marks that are characteristic of the golfer's swing.
US09539480B1

A golf tee measuring device and divot repair tool is provided for measuring the length of a golf tee, repairing divots, and housing a marker, the device comprising a housing defining an open aperture, a positioning slot within which a button travels, and an interior recess. The device further comprises a lower component having two extrudable prongs for repairing divots, the lower component defining a guide track recessed into an interior surface.
US09539476B2

Golf club heads with patterned face plates described herein. Other examples, embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US09539473B2

A spherical sport ball may include a casing that includes first and second substantially hemispherical panel components. Each substantially hemispherical panel component may be a unitary structure having a central panel and a plurality of polygonal peripheral panels adjacent to the central panel. In addition, the first substantially hemispherical panel component may be joined with the second substantially hemispherical panel component at a non-linear, circumferential seam between peripheral panels of the first hemispherical panel component and peripheral panels of the second hemispherical panel component.
US09539468B2

An assisting instrument allows a person to effectively train their core muscles by movements in twisting directions or one leg raises, and allows the twisting movements to be made in a prone posture. A first body part is comprised of a rectangular parallelepiped part and an integrated semicircle pillar section. When the assisting instrument is used during workouts in the prone posture, the person's two anterior superior iliac spines and pubis part are protected by a first pad, a second pad, and a third pad, respectively, and their abdomen is fitted into a groove part. When the person raises one of their legs, the semicircle pillar section rolls to the opposite side. As a result of holding their body to prevent the rolling and prevent their body from being thrown out of the instrument, the person puts their strength in their core muscles which can thus be trained.
US09539462B2

A biceps curl machine is described. The biceps curl machine includes: a resistance element; a user support coupled to the resistance element; a first movement element coupled to the user support; and a second movement element coupled to the user support. A biceps curl machine includes: a cable resistance element adapted to allow for a resistance path that is at least partly defined by a user; a user support adapted to move along a movement path as a biceps curl is performed; and a load including a set of plates that may be selectively coupled to the cable resistance element. A lateral raise machine includes: a cable resistance element adapted to allow for a resistance path that is at least partly defined by a user; a user support adapted to move along a movement path as a lateral raise is performed; and a load including a set of plates.
US09539460B2

A weight training machine for allowing at least two of a user's muscle groups to push or pull simultaneously in a synchronized and unified fashion, having at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism; a first actuating means operatively connected to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism for allowing actuation of the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism by a first of the user's muscle groups, and a second actuating means operatively connected to the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism for allowing actuation of the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism by a second of the user's muscle groups, wherein actuation of both the first actuating means and the second actuation means simultaneously acts upon and or resists against the at least one common counter or weight resistance mechanism. One embodiment is an exercise machine and a drive or actuating mechanism with a lever and fulcrum configuration. The fulcrum has an attached handle, arm, lever or platform means, bearings for operatively cooperating with an axle and/or the lever, and attachment means for additional actuating member or members being operatively connected to the axle. The lever has a means for contact with the user and a weight means for providing a counterweight to the weight of the user, as well as attachment means for operatively connecting with the fulcrum and/or axle. The actuating member or members are attached to the fulcrum, preferably pivotally, and comprise linkages to the axle and/or lever so as to be able to transfer force from the user to the lever. Other embodiments include weight training machines having a moment arm weight, weight stack, or weight plate weight resistance mechanism for creating a weight resistance or weight load.
US09539458B1

An exercise machine which allows a user to perform a variety of exercises using dynamic resistance. The exercise machine includes a platform base, a housing tower, an upper-left exercise module, an upper-right exercise module, and a control console. The upper-left exercise module and the upper-right exercise module each comprise a primary torque motor, a primary cable, a pulley system, a structural arm, and a primary handle. The housing tower is connected onto the platform base. The upper-left exercise module and the upper-right exercise module are integrated into the housing tower and provide a means for applying a resistance force onto the extremities of the user. The primary cable tensionably engages the pulley system and connects the primary handle to the primary torque motor. The primary handle rests within and against the structural arm, attached to the housing tower. The control console allows for external device compatibility.
US09539454B1

An appliance specific laser aiming device for visual spray pattern testing of fire suppression spray nozzles has a hollow cylindrical body with a first end threadably fitted to an adapter that is fitted to the existing spray nozzle. A laser module within the cylindrical body projects a light beam through the interior and out of the lens on the second end. The second end has dial adjustment. A hollow housing with grip removably and rotatably fits to proximal the first end. Rotating the hollow housing positions a chosen nozzle depiction for setting to match specific spray nozzle characteristics wherein one device tests a plurality of nozzles, including those of various manufacturers.
US09539448B2

Disclosed is an apparatus capable of suppressing a fire of a battery pack when a fire occurs at the battery pack. The fire suppression apparatus includes a fire detection sensor for detecting the probability of fire occurrence at a battery pack, a fire-extinguishing chemical tank containing a fire-extinguishing chemical in an inner space therein, and a control unit for allowing the fire-extinguishing chemical of the fire-extinguishing chemical tank into the battery pack when fire occurrence is detected by the fire detection sensor.
US09539446B2

An odor control composition includes (a) at least one fragrance and (b) a halo active aromatic sulfonamide compound of Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, COOR′, CON(R″)2, alkoxy, CN, NO2, SO3R″, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, sulfonamide, halosulfonamide, and substituted or unsubstituted C1-C12 alkyl; R′ is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, substituted C1-C12 alkyl, or unsubstituted C1-C12 alkyl; and R″ is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C12 alkyl, where the two R″ groups in CON(R″)2 may be independently selected; X is halogen; M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal; and n is the number of water molecules per molecule of the sulfonamide compound.
US09539444B2

A hair conditioning composition containing very little water from which a hair conditioner can be easily produced by diluting with water, and a low energy production method thereof.A hair conditioning composition including (a) 10 to 90% by mass of specifically structured higher alcohols and/or derivatives thereof, (b) 5 to 35% by mass of cationic surfactant, and (c) a polyhydric alcohol and/or polyethylene glycol having a melting point of 70° C. or less, wherein the melting point of a gel which is formed from (a) and (b) in the composition is 70° C. or less, the water content is 10% by mass or less, and the molar ratio of (a) to (b) is 2.5 or more to less than 6.0. Also, a low energy method of producing a hair conditioner by melting the hair conditioning composition under heating at the temperature of the melting point of gel or more to 70° C. or less, and diluting it with water in an amount of 3 to 15 times by mass.
US09539435B2

An implantable medical device includes a low-power circuit, a high-power circuit, and a multi-cell power source. The implantable medical device delivers stimulation therapy to cardiac tissue. The cardioversion energy is delivered across through electrodes that are coupled to terminals of the high-power circuit. A protection circuit for protecting the low-voltage circuit components from high voltage pulses includes a first segment coupled to a first of the electrodes and a second segment coupled to a second of the electrodes, the components of the low-voltage circuit being coupled to the transthoracic protection circuit portion, and a reference potential corresponding to a ground potential, wherein the first and second segments of the transthoracic protection circuit portion are coupled to the reference potential in a parallel configuration.
US09539427B2

The invention provides methods related to improving heart function.
US09539419B2

The male connector of the present disclosure allows for the flow of fluids therethrough and includes a movable blunt needle having a shoulder projecting radially outwards from the movable blunt needle. The male connector also includes an outer cylinder body formed around the movable blunt needle and disposed in coaxial alignment to the movable blunt needle, a blunt needle retainer which retains the movable blunt needle so that the movable blunt needle can move in an axial direction, and a valve which opens as a result of the movable blunt needle moving in the axial direction when the posterior end presses against the valve. This occurs when the movable blunt needle is inserted into a corresponding connection site, such as a female connector, and the shoulder presses against the connection site to force the movable blunt needle in the axial direction.
US09539417B1

A vacuum assembly for clearing a user's nasal passage includes a housing that may be positioned proximate a user. A pump is coupled to the housing. A medication reservoir is coupled to the pump. The medication reservoir is operationally coupled to the pump. A port is coupled to the housing. The port is operationally coupled to an inlet of the pump. An actuator is coupled to the housing. The actuator actuates the pump. A control is coupled to the housing. The control adjusts a pressure of the pump. A meter is coupled to the housing. The meter displays a pressure of the pump. A tube is operationally coupled to the port. A canister is operationally coupled to the tube. A tip is operationally coupled to the tube. The tip is selectively inserted into the user's nasal passage so the user's nasal passage is cleared.
US09539416B2

A system for traversing an arterial occlusion in an artery includes a housing sized to fit in a palm of a user, an elongate drive tube configured to be rotated by the housing, the drive tube including an axially extending passage, a cylindrical member, configured to be rotationally coupled to the drive tube, such that a distal tip of the cylindrical member may be delivered to a location adjacent the arterial occlusion when the cylindrical member is coupled to the drive tube, and wherein grasping and activating the housing such that the drive tube is rotated, thereby causes the distal tip of the cylindrical member to be rotated, the rotation of the distal tip including at least a component of linear oscillation.
US09539413B2

A catheter handle includes a handle body having a proximal end and a distal end and a passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The handle body comprises a plurality of shell parts that can be separated to access an interior of the handle body. The handle body further includes a connector mounted at the proximal end of the handle body and a strain relief arranged at the distal end, the strain relief and the connector being removably arranged relative to the handle body.
US09539409B2

A breathable gas supply apparatus has a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas and a humidifier base unit configured to be coupled to the flow generator. A water container is configured to be removably coupled to the humidifier base unit and includes an air inlet and an air inlet passage extending into an interior of the water container from the air inlet. The air inlet passage is configured to direct the pressurized flow of breathable gas in a direction that is substantially parallel to a base of the water container. A barrier wall is provided across an outlet end of the air inlet passage and extends downward from the air inlet passage toward the water container base. In addition, a curved wall opposes both the outlet end of the air inlet passage and the barrier wall and extends downward toward the water container base. The breathable gas supply apparatus also includes a connector defining an airflow passage between an outlet of the flow generator and the air inlet of the water container.
US09539408B2

A nebulizer includes a housing having a chamber for holding an aerosol, an air outlet communicating with the chamber for permitting the aerosol to be withdrawn from the chamber, and a reservoir for holding a liquid to be aerosolized. The nebulizer also includes a liquid orifice located in the chamber, one or more liquid channels defined between the reservoir and the liquid orifice, the one or more liquid channels having a liquid volume, and a pressurized gas outlet located in the chamber adjacent to the liquid orifice. A baffle is located in the chamber and positioned relative to the pressurized gas outlet and the liquid outlet so as to divert pressurized gas from the pressurized gas outlet and over the liquid orifice. The baffle has a diverter surface area. The liquid volume is at least 80 mm3. The diverter surface area is less than 5.0 mm2.
US09539405B2

In one embodiment, a nasal cannula is shaped to fit within a user's nares, where the nasal cannula includes at least one prong allowing high flow delivery of humidified gases and creates positive airway pressure in the patient's airway. The prongs have angled ends such that, in use, gases flowing through the prongs are directed to the user's nasal passages. The nasal cannula body is partially swivelling and preferably has a ball joint connector. In another embodiment the nasal cannula may have at least one flared end prong that preferably seals within a patient's nare.
US09539404B2

A mask with cushion that has an outer film is disclosed. The film may be self-skinning or a film formed about or glued to the cushion body. In another form the cushion may be formed with at least a portion having a plurality of adjacent voids having honeycomb-like structure.
US09539402B2

A device for delivering medication is presented. The device has a conduit with an upstream end and a downstream end. The downstream end of the conduit delivers the medication. The device has a housing with an open end and an end forming a flat substrate. The housing receives a vial containing a liquid and having a stopper. The device also has a valve for releasing the liquid from the vial into the conduit. The valve can be opened and closed by a user of the device. To release the liquid a piston is utilized to exert pressure on the stopper of the vial and the liquid is dispensed through a needle into the conduit.
US09539397B2

A steroid delivery system including a mixing syringe having a first chamber and a second chamber and at least one hypodermic needle is provided. The first chamber of the mixing syringe contains a pre-measured volume of a local anesthetic and the second chamber contains a pre-measured volume of a corticosteroid. An improved mixing syringe and a method for treating pain using the steroid delivery system of the present invention is also provided herein. The improved syringe achieves mixing without the introduction or elimination of air and without puncturing or rupturing of a membrane, diaphragm or other material. The kit concept improves the speed of the procedure, sterility, accuracy of dosing, and immediate availability of disparate items to implement the procedure in a variety of medical practice settings.
US09539391B2

Described herein are syringe devices, systems and methods. In general, the syringe may include a first chamber and a cartridge movable within the first chamber. The cartridge may include a cartridge chamber and a valve in fluid communication with the cartridge chamber and the first chamber and having an open configuration and a closed configuration. The valve may allow movement of a liquid out of the cartridge chamber while in a open configuration. The cartridge may also include a second end, movable within the cartridge chamber, and a locking mechanism having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the locking mechanism preventing movement of the second end within the cartridge chamber while in the locked configuration.
US09539388B2

Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a cap device that mates with a pump housing to retain a medicine cartridge therein. In addition to retaining the medicine cartridge in the pump housing, the cap device may perform a number of preparatory functions or safety functions. In addition or in the alternative, some embodiments of the pump device may include a drive system that advances a piston rod to dispense medicine to the patient in a safe and energy efficient manner.
US09539386B2

An on-body injector and method of use including an on-body injector for use with an injection device. The on-body injector includes a bolus reservoir; a bolus injection needle in fluid communication with the bolus reservoir, the bolus injection needle having a bolus injection needle tip aligned with the injection port, the bolus injection needle being slideably biased away from the injection port to define a gap between the bolus injection needle tip and the injection port; and a button operably connected to the bolus injection needle to slide the bolus injection needle along the injection axis. The button is operable to advance the bolus injection needle tip to close the gap and advance the bolus injection needle tip into the injection port. The button is further operable to advance a plunger through the bolus reservoir to deliver a predetermined bolus volume to the patient through the injection flow path.
US09539384B2

Described is a drive mechanism for a drug infusion pump. In one embodiment, an in-line drive mechanism is provided that includes a motor operatively coupled to a lead screw, which is configured to engage a piston. The piston includes a cavity to receive the motor and the lead screw such that the lead screw and at least a portion of the motor are substantially contained within the piston cavity when the piston is in a retracted position. In one embodiment, the motor rotates a drive shaft is configured to turn a mechanism comprising a piston, a lead screw, and a housing that cooperate to extend telescopically to drive a plunger into a medicament cartridge, thereby expelling fluid.
US09539382B2

A stepped catheter comprising a distal portion of smaller diameter than a proximal portion, wherein the distal portion defines a flow aperture configured to deliver fluid passing through the catheter from the proximal portion to the flow aperture. The catheter may include a flow restrictor located within a lumen of the catheter at or near the flow aperture. A filter element may also be included and located within the lumen of the catheter at a location upstream of the flow restrictor.
US09539374B2

A donated blood collection kit includes an easy-to-open closed container. Stored within the container are items necessary or useful for collecting donated blood, such as an antiseptic scrub, an antiseptic swab, test tubes, a blood collection container, a gauze pad and a sheet of pre-printed adhesive barcode labels. Each kit is assigned a unique identification when the kit is manufactured. The identification may eventually be used as the unique donor identification for a unit of donated blood that is collected using the items in the kit. The container is pre-labeled with the unique identification, such as by a barcode or an RF-ID tag. The test tubes and, if included, the blood collection container are pre-labeled with the same unique donor identification. The adhesive barcode labels in the container are pre-printed with the same unique donor identification and may be affixed to items that are not provided in the kit but, nonetheless, should be associated with the unit of blood that may be collected using the kit. Information about lot numbers and expiration dates for the items in the kit may be encoded in the kit's unique identification and/or stored in a database in association with the kit's identification.
US09539367B2

The present invention provides a gallium-containing composition for coating/impregnating a device or device surface to prevent biofilm growth formation. The present invention also provides a method of preventing or inhibiting biofilm growth formation. The present invention also provides methods for killing established biofilms.
US09539366B2

It is intended to provide a medical material which enables a new method for cartilage tissue regeneration treatment based on an entirely new concept unlike a treatment method by transplantation of autologous cartilage tissue, a cartilage alternative or undifferentiated cells. The invention provides a bone filler for cartilage tissue regeneration comprising hydrogel having an interpenetrating network structure formed by two or more crosslinked network polymers or a semi-interpenetrating network structure formed by a crosslinked network polymer and a linear polymer. By filling the bone filler of the invention in a hole or a groove provided in subchondral bone just under damaged cartilage tissue, regeneration of the cartilage tissue or both the cartilage tissue and the subchondral bone can be promoted.
US09539357B2

A nonwoven web material including fibers formed of a polyolefin and a polyester is disclosed. The fibers may include fine fibers produced by, for example, a meltblowing process. The polyolefin may be polypropylene and the polyester may be polylactic acid. The polylactic acid may be obtained and included by recycling scrap nonwoven material containing a polylactic acid component, hydrolyzing the polylactic acid component to reduce its viscosity, blending the hydrolyzed polylactic acid with a polyolefin resin, and melt-spinning the blended material to form fibers. A related process is disclosed.
US09539353B2

An olfactory display 10 includes a display main body 12 and a fragrance source cartridge 14, and presents a fragrance to a range bounded in terms of time and space. A cartridge accommodation room (24) of the display main body 12 and a container main body (80) of the fragrance source cartridge 14 are formed with inclined surfaces 46 and 84 inclined with respect to an insertion direction of the fragrance source cartridge 14, and a force that pushes in the fragrance source cartridge 14 acts in a direction that an open air inlet 82 is pressed to an air supply port 54 side. Accordingly, adhesiveness of a coupling portion of the air supply port 54 and the open air inlet 82 increases, and therefore, capability of an airflow source 26 is used to the utmost, and a high static pressure is generated in the fragrance source cartridge 14 for a short time.
US09539352B2

A system and method for decontamination of product is described. An object to be treated, which may be a food product or a medical device, is placed in a substantially closed dielectric container with a working gas. The container is placed in an apparatus capable of producing a controlled electrical discharge so as to create reactive ion species within the package. The object to be treated may be exposed either the immediate products of the electrical discharge or the long lasting reactive ion species, or both, so as to treat the object to reduce or eliminate specific contaminants, which may be biological pathogens or the cause of product spoilage, or inorganic contaminants. The reactive ion species may result from an atmospheric non-equilibrium plasma (ANEP) formed by the apparatus and the treatment may be performed without significantly increasing the bulk temperature of the object being treated.
US09539351B2

There is described a radiation source module for use in a fluid treatment system. The radiation source module comprises: a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a fluid treatment zone disposed between. The fluid treatment zone comprises a first wall surface and a second wall surface interconnected by a floor surface. The first wall surface, the second wall surface and the floor surface are configured to receive a flow of fluid through the fluid treatment zone. The radiation source module further comprises at least one radiation source assembly secured with respect to the first wall surface and the second wall surface and a module motive coupling element connected to the housing and configured to be coupled to a module motive element to permit the radiation source module to be installed in and extracted from the fluid treatment system. A fluid treatment system comprising the radiation source module is also described.
US09539346B1

The present invention relates to a particle or pharmaceutical composition comprising one, more particles or a suspension of same or different particles comprising a degradable compound and an alpha emitting radionuclide and/or a radionuclide generating alpha emitting daughter. The particles are beneficial for use in the treatment of cancer.
US09539345B2

Disclosed herein is a method of improving tumor diagnostic efficiency of multivalent ligands by regulating the stoichiometric ratio between inner surface functionalities and ligand moieties for tumor targeting, and the multivalent ligands for tumor diagnosis.
US09539342B2

The present invention relates to new auristatin compounds and prodrugs thereof, compositions comprising them and uses thereof.
US09539338B2

Using a novel water-soluble, active ester amide-containing functionalized controlled radical polymerization initiator, stimuli responsive polymers have been grown from the surface of a protein, exemplified by chymotrypsin or any protein having surface amino acids that will covalently bind to the active ester amide-containing functionalized initiator. It is shown that changes in temperature or pH can change the conformation of the polymer surrounding the enzyme, which in turn enabled the rational tailoring of enzyme activity and stability. This method has afforded an increase in the activity and stability of the enzyme by an order of magnitude at pH's where the enzyme is usually inactive or unstable. Multimodal temperature responsive protein-block copolymer conjugates are described.
US09539336B2

A sialic acid derivative of the formula (I), where the symbols are as defined in the description, is suitable for linking with a cargo for regulating metabolic processes, immune reactions, immunizations or desensitizations of the target organism.
US09539334B2

The present invention provides a thin mucoadhesive sublingual film composition which provides improved allergen delivery and efficacy at a smaller dose while prolonging the contact time between the allergen and oral antigen presenting cells (APCs), and therefore minimizing the risk of systemic side effects. The thin film compositions of the present invention are also easier to standardize, and removes any need for measuring allergen doses at the physician's office, and which allows for a simplified dosing schedule. Methods of making the thin film compositions and methods for their use are also disclosed.
US09539326B2

An (acid-substituted polyaniline)-grafted hydrogel copolymer is provided. The (acid-substituted polyaniline)-grafted hydrogel copolymer has a general formula as below: wherein A is a proton acid group, m and n are same or different integers greater than 0, x is an integer equal to or greater than 0, and y is an integer equal to or greater than 1, provided that x and y are the same or different at each occurrence, and at least an x is not 0. The (acid-substituted polyaniline)-grafted hydrogel copolymer is formed by the polymerization and substitution reaction between chitosan, polyaniline, and proton acid. The (acid-substituted polyaniline)-grafted hydrogel copolymer behaves as a pH-responsive hydrogel with photo-thermal properties and can be applied to photo-thermal therapy.
US09539325B2

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating breast cancer. Specifically, the invention relates to administering a Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFβ) antagonist in combination with capecitabine and ixabepilone to treat breast cancer.
US09539324B2

This invention pertains to monovalent agents, including Fab fragments and monovalent monoclonal antibodies analogous to MetMab, having binding specificity to human Nerve Growth Factor (“NGF”), and methods of treating pain in an individual wherein there is no substantial increase in the inflammatory response of the individual following administration of the monovalent agents.
US09539315B2

Screening assays and methods of using same for screening to identify modulator agents or compounds that affect matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mediated activation of toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) are described herein. Pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions comprising agents or compounds that modulate MMP-2 mediated activation of TLR-2 are also encompassed. Methods for modulating MMP-2 mediated activation of TLR-2 using MMP-2 peptides in pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions, as well as vaccines, are also envisioned. Melanoma is an exemplary tumor type that expresses MMP-2 and for which such pharmaceutical and immunogenic compositions, as well as vaccines, would confer benefit to patients. Also encompassed are methods for reducing MMP-2 mediated activation of TLR-2 and downstream signaling therefrom so as to achieve more effective T cell responses to MMP-2 expressing tumors.
US09539313B2

The present invention relates to a recombinant bacterium expressing an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host organism, and uses thereof. To this end, the present invention provides a recombinant bacterium comprising a nucleic acid encoding an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host cell utilizing Type III secretion system. The recombinant bacterium is generally chosen from intracellular pathogens that reside in the phagosome and fail to induce rapid T cell activation. The translocated antigen may be a viral antigen, a bacterial antigen, or a tumor antigen. Methods of imparting immunity using the recombinant bacterium are also provided.
US09539312B2

The present invention provides a novel vaccine compound of micellar nanoparticles to be administered intranasally to treat and/or prevent the disease called atherosclerosis, which results from an abnormal metabolism of circulating lipids. The novelty of the vaccine compound of the present invention is the use of Archaebacterian lipids, lysophosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylcholine, which give nanoparticles stability and facilitates antigen presentation in its appropriate secondary peptidic conformation. A novel process for the preparation of vaccine compounds which allows obtaining homogeneous nanoparticles with high stability is also presented in this invention.
US09539310B1

Intestinal absorption is enhanced in short bowel syndrome patients presenting with colon-in-continuity by treatment with a GLP-2 receptor agonist, such as teduglutide.
US09539306B2

A method for the treatment of cancers and/or tumors by administration of a polypeptide having the sequence SEQ ID NO:4 or a polypeptide having an amino acid SEQ ID NO Y which, when aligned with SEQ ID N: 4, has (a) a percentage of identical residues over SEQ ID NO: 4 length of at least 50%, and (b) a percentage of identical residues over a amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO Y length of at least 65% or fragments thereof having at least 20 contiguous amino acids.
US09539304B2

This document provides methods and materials related to treating liver conditions. For example, the methods and materials relating to the use of cAMP inhibitors to treat liver conditions are provided.
US09539302B2

Disclosed is a family of intranasal spray dispensers for administering uniform low doses of desmopressin so as to achieve safe antidiuresis in human patients. The dispensers of the invention may be used in the treatment of nocturia, primary nocturnal enuresis, incontinence, urinary frequency, diabetes insipidus, or any disease or syndrome where desmopressin therapy is useful or where safe temporary suppression of urine production may lead to beneficial health effects or increased convenience in voiding control.
US09539301B2

A melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) peptide ligand-elastic vesicle complex. The MC1R peptide ligand is modified by coupling the MC1R ligand to a functionality or linker, such as a click functionality, for conjugation to a surface or agent. The modified MC1R peptide ligand can be coupled, e.g., via a click reaction with a complementary click functionality attached, to a moiety to form an MC1R-targeted agent. Drugs, contrast agents, polymers, particles, micelles, elastic vesicles, surfaces of larger structures, or other moieties can be targeted to the MC1R. The MC1R peptide ligand-elastic vesicle complex is prepared as a topical formulation.
US09539298B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a medicament and method for treating lissencephaly patients. The present invention provides a lissencephaly therapeutic or preventive agent comprising a compound represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1 is lower alkyl substituted with lower alkoxy, lower alkyl substituted with a heterocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, or a group represented by the formula (IIa): wherein R4 is lower alkyl, R3 is lower alkylene, and m is an integer of 1 to 6; R2 is lower alkyl optionally substituted with phenyl; and R3 is lower alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, lower alkoxy, or phenyl; condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon; or hydrogen.
US09539292B2

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treatment of microbial infections and for the enhancement of resistance to infection. The invention comprises administration of an effective amount of bacterial lysate compositions for the treatment of pathological conditions of microbial infections. The present invention can also be used to enhance the immune system to prevent infections by the administration of an effective amount of the compositions.
US09539291B2

The present invention relates to the induction of tolerance to antigens, by mucosal, preferably oral delivery of the antigen in combination with an immunomodulating compound producing micro-organism. More specifically, the invention relates to the induction of Foxp3+ and/or IL-10 and/or TGF-β producing regulatory T-cells, capable of suppressing undesired immune responses toward an antigen, by oral delivery of said antigen in combination with an immunosuppressing cytokine secreting micro-organism.
US09539284B2

A method of selecting or determining a candidate compound suitable for use as a phosphate binder is disclosed. The candidate compound includes ferric compounds, ferric compound complexes, and their derivatives, salts, analogs, and metabolites. The effectiveness of the candidate compound as a phosphate binder is evaluated by a method, comprising measuring and correlating reduction of phosphate concentration in solution and reduction of phosphate absorption in cells.
US09539280B2

Disclosed is a therapy which is for preventing or treating cartilage damage and diseases associated with cartilage damage, such as arthritides and osteoarthritis, and utilizes a more effective and more safe medicinal agent. Specifically disclosed are a cartilage production promoter, a glucosaminoglycan and/or proteoglycan production promoter, and a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with cartilage damage, each of which comprises fucoidan as an active ingredient.
US09539279B2

A system is disclosed for preparing a hypodermic injection site comprising a visibility enhancer for an injection site and a post injection hypodermic puncture wound site. The present invention offers a number of significant improvements which advance the efficacy of the art, by: preventing unintentional hypodermic injection of medicines through un-sanitized or under-sanitized skin surfaces, thereby protecting patients from becoming inoculated with pathogenic microorganisms while receiving such injections; significantly improving the visibility of, and, the accurate visual location and bandaging of post-injection needle puncture entry wounds, thereby further reducing the risk of infection of such wounds; and, by reducing bleeding from such wounds, which, in turn, reduces healthcare worker exposure to blood-borne pathogens and reduces the generation of potentially infectious, biohazardous medical waste.
US09539275B2

The present invention provides composition and method for inducing melanogenesis. The composition comprising an effective amount of saponins extracted from herbal plants.
US09539270B2

The invention relates to a method for providing analogs of human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), in particular oligosaccharides containing terminal sialic acid. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing a source of non-digestible galactooligosaccharides (GOS) containing at least two terminally bonded β-linked galactose residues; b) providing a sialic acid donor having (α2-3)-sialylated O-glycans; c) contacting said GOS with said sialic acid donor in the presence of an enzyme having trans-sialidase activity in an enzyme reaction mixture; and d) isolating from said enzyme reaction mixture a fraction comprising at least 20 percent by weight of disialylated galactooligosaccharides (di-Sia-GOS) based on the dry matter.
US09539269B2

Disclosed are methods of reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in an infant, toddler, or child using nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides. The nutritional compositions including the human milk oligosaccharides are effective in reducing inflammation and the incidence of inflammatory diseases.
US09539266B2

Topical minocycline compositions with reduced fluorescence are provided. In some instances, the compositions include an amount of a minocycline active agent associated with porous calcium particles. Also provided are methods of using the compositions, e.g., in the treatment of acne.
US09539265B2

A pharmaceutical formulation containing a glycosaminoglycan is provided. In this pharmaceutical formulation, a glycosaminoglycan layer surrounding a drug layer is used to improve the treatment efficiency of enteric diseases.
US09539256B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to compounds that inhibit an activity of EP AC proteins and methods of using the same. The inventors have developed a sensitive and robust high throughput screening (HTS) assay for the purpose of identifying EPAC specific inhibitors (Tsalkova et al. (2012) PLOS ONE 7(1):e30441).
US09539255B2

The present invention provides a solid form and compositions thereof, which are useful as an inhibitor of EGFR kinases and which exhibit desirable characteristics for the same.
US09539252B2

Provided is a superior, novel heterocyclic compound with improved solubility in oil such as sesame oil and benzyl benzoate, which has a broader treatment spectrum, causes less side effects, and is superior in tolerability and safety, and use thereof. A heterocyclic compound represented by the formula (I) wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US09539249B2

Methods of treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) with PPARγ agonists, and in particular with the compound of formula (I) known as INT131:
US09539248B2

This invention provides a safe and effective agent for ameliorating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that has both a bronchodilator effect and an anti-inflammatory effect. The agent for ameliorating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease contains mepenzolate bromide as an active ingredient. More preferably the mode of administration of the agent for ameliorating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is airway administration or inhalation administration, and furthermore the mode of administration thereof is oral administration or rectal administration. This invention is a safe and effective agent for ameliorating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that has both a bronchodilator effect and an anti-inflammatory effect of mepenzolate bromide.
US09539247B2

A nutraceutical composition is provided for the treatment of excess weight and moderate hypercholesterolemia/dysglycemia, comprising: Berberine, Monacolin K, 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ).
US09539245B2

The present invention relates to combination therapies comprising at least one activator of Tie-2 and immunotherapies that target immune checkpoints. Combination therapies of the disclosure can provide therapeutic effects not obtained with singly-administered immunotherapies. Combination therapies can be used to increase the therapeutic efficacy of an immunotherapy, to provide lower dosages of an immunotherapy being administered, to lower a toxicity of an immunotherapy, or to manage a side effect of an immunotherapy.
US09539236B2

Exemplary embodiments relate to a novel anticancer composition including a compound represented by chemical formula 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient:
US09539234B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of a melatonin agonist in the treatment of free running circadian rhythms in patients, including light perception impaired patients, e.g., blind patients, and to methods of measuring circadian rhythm.
US09539229B2

The present invention provides an intestinal tract-protecting agent, an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of a disease caused by damage in intestinal tract barrier function, which contains hydroxylated fatty acid, particularly hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acid, having a hydroxyl group at the 10-position and/or the 12-position, which is an intermediate of the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acid by lactobacillus.
US09539228B2

The invention relates to a composition comprising, related to a daily dose of the composition, as its active ingredients L-lysine ranging from ≧750 mg to −9 g, suitable as a nutritional supplement or prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment in cases of herpes infections and/or inflammations of the oral and pharyngeal zones, particularly in acute therapy.
US09539227B2

The present invention relates to the novel use (anti-inflammatory activity) of Ramalin isolated from the Antarctic lichen Ramalina terebrata, and more specifically to a pharmaceutical composition containing Ramalin as an active ingredient. Ramalin of the invention is a compound derived from natural material, has no toxicity or side effects, and inhibits the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the transcription stage to significantly inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) that is a key mediator of inflammatory responses. In addition, it inhibits the activation of the inflammatory mediator NF-κB, inhibits p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and JNK signaling pathways, and inhibits the expression of the LPS receptor TLR4, suggesting that Ramalin has an excellent anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, the composition containing Ramalin can be effectively used to fundamentally treat or prevent inflammatory diseases or immune diseases and to relieve or alleviate the symptoms of the diseases.
US09539225B2

A method for ameliorating and/or preventing cancerous anemia includes administering to a subject in need thereof an agent containing 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof. Preferably, these ALAs contain a metal-containing compound, such as sodium ferrous citrate. The above-mentioned ALAs, ALA; various esters such as ALA methylester, ALA ethylester, ALA propylester, ALA butylester, and ALA pentylester; and hydrochlorides, phosphates, and sulfates, and the like of these ALA esters are preferred examples.
US09539223B2

The invention comprises methods for treating and preventing a bacterial infection in a subject, methods for preparing a medicament for use in treating and preventing a bacterial infection in a subject, and pharmaceutical and veterinary antibacterial compositions when used therein.
US09539222B2

Disclosed is a method of preventing, treating or inhibiting bacterial infections. The method comprises administering at least one of the compounds disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of increasing acidity of bacterial phagosomes to inhibit bacterial growth, methods of increasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) generation to inhibit bacterial growth in a cell, pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof.
US09539221B2

The use of β-adrenergic inverse agonists provides a new and highly efficient way of treating a number of pulmonary airway diseases, including asthma, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. In general, such a method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a β-adrenergic inverse agonist to the subject to treat the pulmonary airway disease. Particularly preferred inverse agonists include nadolol and carvedilol.
US09539216B2

A multi-compartment capsule, comprising, a first receiving chamber comprising at least one ingredient having a first physical state, wherein said ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a nutraceutical, a vitamin, a dietary supplement and a mineral; and a second receiving chamber comprising at least one ingredient having a second physical state, wherein said ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a nutraceutical, a vitamin, a dietary supplement and a mineral; wherein said first physical state of said ingredient of said first receiving chamber being different from said second physical state of said ingredient of said second receiving chamber; and said ingredient of said first receiving chamber being different from said ingredient of said second receiving chamber.
US09539209B2

Disclosed is a vaccine which has a high therapeutic effect on mycoplasma infection and is highly safe. For the purpose of developing effective therapeutic methods for mycoplasma infection, mycoplasma-mimic particles which are effective as a vaccine for mycoplasma infection are provided, and also provided are bacterium-mimic particles including common bacteria. Bacterium-mimic particles such as mycoplasma-mimic particles can be provided by producing liposome particles in which a lipid antigen specific to a pathogenic bacterium such as mycoplasma is contained as a liposome-constituting lipid component. The administration of the mycoplasma-mimic particles enables the induction of a potent immunological activity in living bodies. The mycoplasma-mimic particles can be used as an excellent vaccine for the prevention or treatment of mycoplasma infection.
US09539208B2

The present invention provides a foamable composition for administration to the skin, body surface, body cavity or mucosal surface, e.g., the mucosa of the nose, mouth, eye, ear, respiratory system, vagina or rectum, and methods of using such a composition to treat, alleviate, or prevent a disorder of the skin, body cavity, or mucosal surface. The foamable oil in water nano emulsion composition includes: (a) a nano oil globule system, comprising substantially of sub-micron oil globules; (b) about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of at least one stabilizing agent selected from (i) a non-ionic surfactant, (ii) an ionic surfactant, or (iii) a polymeric agent; and (c) a liquefied or compressed gas propellant at a concentration of about 3% to about 25% by weight of the total composition, water and optional ingredients. Upon release from an aerosol container, the foamable composition forms and expanded foam suitable for topical administration.
US09539205B2

The invention relates to an orally administrable chewable composition in unit dosage form comprising an oil-in-water emulsion in which the aqueous phase is gelled and in which the oil phase comprises a physiologically tolerable unsaturated fatty acid ester.
US09539203B2

The invention relates to a carrier for delivering agents to the posterior region of the eye, the carrier comprising a Vitamin E derivative, especially tocopherol. The carrier may also comprise a cell death marker, such as an annexin.
US09539202B2

The present invention involves the preparation of a pharmaceutical liposomal system in an aqueous solution which contains a substance or polymer with mucomimetic and/or mucoadhesive properties. Due to the components and characteristics of the formulation described in this present patent it can be used as a precorneal tear film substitute. This invention is included in the pharmacy and medicine areas.
US09539191B2

The invention concerns the use of compounds with formula (I) R—N1-spermidine, or 1,4-butandiamin,N-(3-amino propyl)-N1-R, (I) H2N—(CH2)3—N1(R)—(CH2)4—NH2 either as such or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative, such as an active ingredient in a cosmetic composition designed to promote hair pigmentation, particularly the pigmentation of the shaft, and a composition suitable to achieve said pigmentation effect and containing said active ingredient, either as such or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative such as a salt, for topical administration.
US09539188B2

A method of making an antiperspirant active composition and the use of a heating step at elevated temperature to convert Al13 polyhydroxyoxoaluminum cations in the species detectable by 27Al NMR within an aqueous aluminum salt solution into Al30 polyhydroxyoxoaluminum cations in the species detectable by 27Al NMR without increasing a SEC Peak 3 area in the SEC chromatogram of the aluminum salt.
US09539185B2

A self-foaming cleansing composition is described, said composition comprising at least one high HLB surfactant and at least one low HLB surfactant, wherein ratio of the high HLB surfactant to the low HLB surfactant is from about 2:1 to about 4:1.
US09539171B2

An instrument, article and method are provided for minimizing pain during administration by injection of a liquid, such as, an anesthetic. The instrument has a forward end. A lightpipe mounted freely for vibration projects out of the forward end. The article, a single use tip, is composed of a tip sleeve removably mounted on the forward end of the instrument and a tip member removably mounted on the projecting lightpipe to vibrate a preselected injection site on a human or animal. The tip sleeve and tip member are covered by an elastic overmold that enables the tip member to vibrate freely with respect to the tip sleeve and light from the lightpipe to illuminate the injection site. A vibration unit mounted in the instrument is coupled to the lightpipe. The method is carried out by imparting vibrations and illumination via the lightpipe to the tip member.
US09539165B2

A device worn by a patient for maintaining pressure at appropriate points on a patient's abdomen for treating gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn. The pressure is applied by the utilization of two protrusions. The position of both of the protrusions can be adjusted laterally relative to one another to ensure that pressure is applied to the correct position on the patient's body. Alternatively, the protrusions can be inflated to a particular level, allowing the protrusions to apply pressure to the body.
US09539161B2

A casket assembly includes side panels, head and foot end panels, a bottom panel and at least a first corner element fixedly coupled to a foot end panel. The side panels are arranged opposite and parallel to each other. The head end panel is coupled between the first side panel and the second side panel. The bottom panel is coupled to the side panels and head end panel. The foot end panel is hingedly coupled to the bottom panel opposite the head end panel such that the foot end panel has open and closed positions. The first corner element defines first and second inner surfaces. The first inner surface extends along the foot end panel. The second inner surface abuts an outer surface of the side panel when the foot end panel is closed, and is spaced apart from the side panel when the foot end panel is open.
US09539155B2

A system includes a patient support apparatus that has one or more therapies. The therapies are optionally available depending on the acuity of the patient. A request for enablement of a therapy is transferred to a service provider for approval and, when approved, the therapy is enabled by the service provider. The patient support apparatus may be in communication with a server that is in communication with multiple patient support apparatuses so that the server is operable to selectively enable therapies on various patient support apparatuses.
US09539150B2

An apparatus for reducing knee pain or increasing athletic performance includes a compressive element, an elastic strap and, optionally, a hard actuator. The compressive element may be a sleeve a compressive wrap or a compressive pair of shorts configured to fit over a thigh of at least one leg. The elastic strap may be configured to fit tightly and circumferentially over and around the compressive element at a location above a knee joint at a mid-portion of the thigh. The hard actuator may be a generally concave-shaped element with a concave side. The elastic strap may be configured to fit over the hard actuator and to press the concave side of the concave hard actuator against a portion of an anterior side of the mid-portion of the thigh. With this configuration, the apparatus may reduce knee pain or increase athletic performance. Methods for reducing knee pain and increasing athletic performance are also disclosed.
US09539146B2

A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a trigger assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The trigger assembly includes a pair of pushbuttons and a linkage. The pushbuttons are secured to the device via living hinges and are selectively pivotable. The linkage is configured to engage the delivery device to thereby selectively prevent actuation of the delivery device. The pivoting of one or both the pushbuttons is configured cause the linkage to collapse so as to disengage the delivery device and thereby actuate the delivery device.
US09539145B2

Systems and techniques for providing data to a user in the form of perceived light signals caused by transcutaneous stimulation of the user's optic nerve. User output data, suitably representing data collected, generated, or processed by a data processing device, is used to generate user output data. The user output data is converted to representations corresponding to light signals, and control functions are performed to cause generation of electrical impulses which, when applied to the skin of a user, stimulate the optic nerve of the user so as to cause the user to perceive the light signals.
US09539143B2

Methods of correcting vision for presbyopia, including remodeling a stroma with a laser to create an intracorneal shape, where the corneal shape includes a central region with a thickness that is about 50 microns or less measured from an extension of a shape of a peripheral region of the corneal shape, wherein remodeling a portion of the stroma increases a curvature of a central portion of the anterior surface of the cornea with a central elevation change for near vision.
US09539142B2

A steerable laser probe may include an actuation structure, a nosecone fixed to the actuation structure by one or more links and one or more link pins, a flexible housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed in the flexible housing tube and the actuation structure. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.
US09539141B2

Compositions, devices, method of manufacture, and methods of delivery of a therapeutic substance across a surface of an eyeball via iontophoresis including a therapeutic media reservoir and a buffer system within an iontophoretic chamber. When energized, an electrode provides and electromotive force that transfers a dosage of the therapeutic substance from the iontophoretic chamber across the surface of the eyeball. The buffering system includes a buffer media and at least on buffer element, or agent that regulates pH during iontophoretic transfer of the therapeutic substance. The buffer media includes at least one of a foam, a gel (solid or liquid), a membrane, and a plurality of multi-particulates. The buffer media can be included within the iontophoretic chamber, together with the therapeutic media reservoir, in various arrangements including on or more layers and one or more concentric cylinders.
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