US09581497B2
A microscope includes: a first light dividing part that divides a light flux of light from a light source into a first pump light flux and a second pump light flux; a Stokes light source that receives the second pump light flux as an input and outputs a Stokes light flux; a multiplexing part that multiplexes the first pump light flux and the Stokes light flux to generate a multiplexed light flux; a first light-collecting part that collects the multiplexed light flux in a sample; a first detector that detects CARS light generated from the sample, the CARS light having a wavelength different from the multiplexed light flux; a second light dividing part that lets at least one of the second pump light flux and the Stokes light flux branch partially as a reference light flux; a second multiplexing part that multiplexes a light flux from the sample and the reference light flux to generate interfering light; and a second detector that detects the interfering light.
US09581491B2
A flow cell for a fluorescence spectrometer includes a flow channel to receive a flow of a liquid sample, an excitation light entrance window to receive excitation light from a light source, and an emission light exit window to transmit fluorescent emission light from the liquid sample in the flow channel from the flow cell. The excitation light entrance window and/or emission light exit window includes a waveguide including: a waveguide core formed of a core material; and a cladding medium surrounding a portion of the waveguide core, wherein the cladding medium has a refractive index less than the refractive index of the core material. The waveguide defines a portion of the flow channel.
US09581490B2
In some examples of monitoring pipeline integrity using fiber optics, a first set of values that represent an attenuation of a light signal transmitted through an optical fiber positioned adjacent a pipeline to carry fluids and a second set of values that represent a dispersion of the light signal transmitted through the optical fiber are received. An attenuation profile of the light signal and a dispersion profile of the light signal through the optical fiber are generated based on the first and second sets of values, respectively. Using the profiles, a light-based profile signature describing an environment surrounding the optical fiber is generated, and compared with a baseline light-based profile signature describing an environment surrounding the optical fiber under a normal operating condition. A notification describing an operation of the pipeline is provided in response to the comparing.
US09581469B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations a retractable environmental detector system includes two portions, a base or retractor unit that can be attached to a ceiling and a retractable environmental detector operably coupled to the base or retractor through a flexible retractable connector that retracts and extends the retractable environmental detector from and to the base or retractor.
US09581462B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and displaying a POI data associated with multiple searches on a single digital map. Searches may be activated from pre-set layers within a layer panel. Searches may also be activated by adding custom layers.
US09581460B1
A navigation apparatus for an autonomous vehicle includes circuitry configured to receive at least one route between a start location and a destination, display the at least one route on a first screen that allows selection of a first set of routes from the at least one route, receive a plurality of characteristics corresponding to each of the at least one route. Each characteristic of the plurality of characteristics is associated with a measure and a longest block within which each characteristic can be performed continuously. The circuitry further configured to divide a route of the at least one route to generate a plurality of segments based on the plurality of characteristics, and display the first set of routes, the plurality of characteristics corresponding to the first set of routes, the measure and the longest block corresponding to the plurality of characteristics on a second screen.
US09581452B2
An apparatus and method are provided. A hierarchical navigation database with multiple levels including tiles is defined. Link data records representative of a road segments are stored in the hierarchical navigation database. A lower level tile containing a starting point data record of a route is identified. A link data record crossing the lower level tile border is identified. Whether the identified link data record also crosses a tile border of a higher level tile is determined. If the identified link data record crosses a tile border of a higher level tile, whether the higher level tile includes a destination point record is determined. Unless the higher level tile is determined to include the destination point record, a next link data record is determined in the route from the higher level.
US09581449B1
For a vehicle using dead reckoning or some other type of navigation which accumulates error as the vehicle moves, this invention provides a simple, single-sensor, low-cost, highly-accurate system for correcting navigation errors. The system uses a marker structure with optical density which is formed from one or more periodic patterns. The vehicle's navigation computer records the density, measured by the sensor, as the sensor moves on a line over a marker at a known location, then it processes the recorded density function to get the correct navigation parameters. If the vehicle's usual path passes over a marker, that path can be used without change for acquiring navigation corrections.
US09581443B2
A surveying system having a total station integrated into an unmanned aerial vehicle communicates with a plurality of mobile communication stations that are located on known site coordinates. By locating the mobile communication stations on known coordinates, the location of the aerial vehicle is precisely triangulated and controlled. Construction drawings are loaded into the system, thereby allowing the vehicle to locate itself at specific points designated in the drawings for the marking of on-site construction grid lines.
US09581440B2
Turbine engine casing interiors are visually inspected in a fully assembled turbine casing by mounting an optical camera on a turbine blade that captures optical images, such as of the casing abradable surface. Optical images are recorded as the blade circumferentially sweeps the turbine casing when the turbine is operated in turning gear mode or manually rotated. Blade rotational position data are collected by a rotational position sensor. A data processing system correlates the captured optical images and rotational position data about the turbine casing circumference. This method and apparatus provide an accurate and cost effective solution for accessing a turbine casing interior.
US09581427B2
A mechanical quantity measuring device (semiconductor strain sensor) has a semiconductor chip including a plurality of piezoresistive elements formed on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate, a lead wire unit electrically connected to a plurality of electrodes of the semiconductor chip, and a plate member joined to a rear surface of the semiconductor chip. Further, the plate member includes a first region facing the rear surface of the semiconductor chip and a second region provided adjacent to the first region, and a thickness of the plate member in the first region is made larger than a thickness in the second region.
US09581424B2
A roundness measuring apparatus, which has a small space required for installation and of which measurement error due to a temperature change is small, is disclosed. The roundness measuring apparatus includes: a base; a turn-table which is fixed to the base and rotates a work placed on the turn-table; a two-dimensional moving mechanism provided at the base so as to move a holder holding part in parallel to a measurement plane including a rotation axis of the turn-table and a measuring point of the work; a detector holder attached to the holder holding part; and a detector attached to the detector holder so that a probe can be displaced on the measurement plane.
US09581422B2
According to an aspect, a perforating gun assembly and a detonator assembly are provided. The detonator assembly includes at least a shell, and more than one electrically contactable component that is configured for being electrically contactably received by the perforating gun assembly without using a wired electrical connection, but rather forms the electrical connection merely by contact with at least one of the more than one electrically contactable components. According to an aspect, the detonator assembly includes a selective detonator assembly. A method of assembling the perforating gun assembly including the detonator assembly is also provided.
US09581413B2
In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein a holster that provides for infinite adjustment and positioning of a gun and gun grip in a concealed or unconcealed location on a person. Accordingly the same holster can be used by a right-handed or left-handed shooter, and by either in a strong side or cross-draw position.
US09581412B2
A keymod mount, which is arranged for detachably coupling at a firearm having one or more keymod slots, includes a securing member and a locking member movably extended from the securing member. The securing member includes a mounting body having a top utility surface, and a coupling head downwardly extended from a bottom surface of the mounting body for slidably engaging with a narrow slot portion of the keymod slot to retain said mounting body on a top surface of the keymod slot. The locking member includes a locking body and a locking head downwardly extended from a bottom surface of the locking body for inserting into an enlarged slot portion of the keymod slot after the coupling head is engaged with the narrow slot portion thereof, so as to securely lock up the securing member on the firearm.
US09581411B2
The present invention relates to a stock for a small arms weapon and a modular detachable accessory housing (DAH) for the stock. The DAH may be used to hold a tactical accessory (e.g., a magazine) or provide a closed container. The stock may define a profile which comprises a forward facing segment and a bottom facing segment. The forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may intersect to form a step. The intersection of the forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may define an oblique angle. The oblique angle may be an obtuse angle. The forward facing segment may include an accessory mounting rail. Also, the body of the stock may include a cylindrical cavity for receiving a receiver extension, a nested lever receiving cavity, as well as a bore that intersects the lever receiving cavity and the cylindrical cavity.
US09581409B2
Two exemplary approaches to the acceleration of projectiles are provided. Both approaches can utilize concepts associated with the Inductrack maglev system. Either of them provides an effective means of accelerating multi-kilogram projectiles to velocities of several kilometers per second, using launchers of order 10 meters in length, thus enabling the acceleration of projectiles to high velocities by electromagnetic forces.
US09581405B2
A slingshot with handle guard and palm plate is disclosed. The slingshot includes a handle, a pair of forward facing arms with band attachment devices, an arm brace and a retaining clip for securing the arm brace to the handle. The handle includes a plurality of grooves adapted to receive a palm plate at various locations along the length of the handle. The handle further includes a groove formed therein for engaging one end of a handle guard as well as a recess for receiving the other end of the handle guard, which is secured by the retaining clip. The handle further includes a bore formed therethrough for accessories, such as stabilizers, dampeners, storage containers and the like.
US09581399B2
A heat exchanger washing device includes a wash water storage chamber to store wash water in a case, a wash water injection chamber to jet the wash water stored in the wash water storage chamber to a heat exchanger, and a bypass path unit to guide the wash water jetted from the wash water injection chamber to a side surface of the heat exchanger after bypassing an upper surface of the heat exchanger.
US09581394B2
A heat exchange unit for a heat exchanger system includes a heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube including a heat exchange tube inlet and one or more heat exchange fins coupled along the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube extends from the heat exchange tube inlet to a refrigerant return. A heat exchange jacket is interposed between the heat exchange tube and a unit housing. The heat exchange jacket includes a jacket passage in communication with the refrigerant return. A first product passage extends from the product inlet to a product return. The heat exchange fins turbulate agricultural product in the first product passage while heat is transferred from the agricultural product to refrigerant in one or more of the heat exchange tube or the heat exchange jacket. Heat is transferred from the agricultural product to the refrigerant through the heat exchange jacket in the second product passage.
US09581393B2
A phase-change heat dissipating device includes a heat absorbing body, a heat dissipation body and two tubes. The heat absorbing body is filled with a working fluid. A light source and the heat dissipation body are disposed on a same side of the heat absorbing body. The heat dissipation body has a light transmitting space which is corresponding to the light source. The tubes connect the heat absorbing body and the heat dissipation body. When the heat dissipation body is located higher than the heat absorbing body and the working fluid absorbs the heat energy generated from the light source, the working fluid is evaporated from liquid phase to gas phase and flows into the heat dissipation body through the tubes. The working fluid locating in the heat dissipation body is condensed from gas phase into liquid phase and flows to the heat absorbing body through the tubes.
US09581382B2
A refrigerator having an operation lever for a dispenser includes first and second levers interconnected to perform respectively different functions. At least one of the first and second levers is moved relative to the other one. Accordingly, the operability and the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator may be improved.
US09581376B2
An interior of a nozzle in an ejector is formed with a swirling space in which a refrigerant swirls, and a refrigerant passage in which the refrigerant that has flowed from the swirling space is depressurized. The refrigerant passage includes a minimum passage area part most reduced in the refrigerant passage area, and a divergent part that gradually enlarges in the refrigerant passage area from the minimum passage area part toward a refrigerant ejection port. Plate members, which reduce a velocity component of the refrigerant flowing into the minimum passage area part in a swirling direction, are disposed within the refrigerant passage.
US09581374B2
A method is for preconditioning at least one latent heat storage element, which is arranged in a thermally insulated, closed container having a space for accommodating goods to be transported. The latent heat storage element has a target temperature preferably slightly in excess of 0 DEG C. In such an arrangement, it is particularly practical for the accommodation space in the container to be filled with a certain amount of a coolant, particularly ice, and for the container to be closed, and therefore the latent heat storage element located in the container is cooled to the target temperature.
US09581370B2
When a temperature of feed air blown into a space for air conditioning cannot be increased up to the target temperature in an indoor condenser of a heat pump cycle included in a gas injection cycle, the volume of the feed air flowing into the indoor condenser is decreased. Thus, the temperature of the refrigerant condensed by the indoor condenser is increased, while the amount of a compression work in a high-pressure side compression stage of the compressor is increased, which suppresses the lack of the heating capacity of the feed air blown into the space for air conditioning.
US09581359B2
A regenerative air-conditioning apparatus is provided. The regenerative air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor unit provided on a side of the outdoor unit, the indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant tube that connects the outdoor unit to the indoor unit to guide circulation of a refrigerant, a heat accumulation bath provided on at least one side of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit to store cool air or heat, a first tube that extends from the refrigerant tube to one side of the heat accumulation bath, a second tube that extends from the other side of the heat accumulation bath to the refrigerant tube, and a third tube branched from the second tube, the third tube being connected to the refrigerant tube.
US09581345B2
An apparatus comprises an air inlet configured to receive an inlet airflow. The inlet airflow comprises a process airflow and a bypass airflow. An evaporator unit receives a flow of refrigerant and is cools the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the process airflow to the flow of refrigerant. A condenser unit receives the flow of refrigerant and (1) reheats the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the process airflow, and (2) heats the bypass airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the bypass airflow. The process airflow is discharged via a process airflow outlet and the bypass airflow is discharged via a bypass airflow outlet.
US09581338B2
An extractor hood changes an air volume of a fan in response to a temperature of a cooking subject on a cooker. The hood includes an infrared sensor that detects an average temperature between the cooking subject temperature and an ambient temperature of the cooking subject, a temperature sensor that detects an ambient temperature of the cooker, a signal receiver, and an air-volume controller. The air volume controller calculates the cooking subject temperature based on the average temperature by using the ambient temperature of the cooker as the ambient temperature of the cooking subject, and then determines the air volume of a fan based on the cooking subject temperature and a cooker signal.
US09581331B2
A controller is provided for a gas valve including a movable valve element, a main diaphragm chamber having a main diaphragm therein coupled to the valve element to displace the valve element relative to a valve opening, and a servo-regulator diaphragm for regulating flow of gas that acts against the main diaphragm, to adjust the valve element and vary the flow rate. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm to adjust the valve element and gas flow rate. The controller for the stepper motor includes a microprocessor that receives an input signal indicating an operating capacity level, and determines the steps the stepper motor must move to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm to establish a flow rate corresponding to the operating capacity level. The microprocessor generates a signal to move the stepper motor the number of steps to adjust the gas valve.
US09581325B2
A ground supported single drum power boiler is described combining a refractory lined and insulated V-Cell floor; refractory lined and insulated combustion chamber; integrated fuel chutes configured to pre-dry wet solid fuel; top mounted fuel bin; internal chamber walls; configurable combustion air systems; and a back pass with after-burner ports and cross flow superheaters. The boiler can be configured in pre-assembled modules to minimize the field construction time and cost. An alternative embodiment is adaptable as a gasifier.
US09581322B2
A heat sink comprises a base, primary fins on and vertically extending from the base, and a fin-free region on the base. The primary fins each have a first arm, a second arm, which meets the first arm to form a primary fin bottom, and a stem, which extends away from the primary fin bottom. The heat sink is particularly useful in a high bay LED device, with a molecular fan coating on the heat sink.
US09581321B2
The present disclosure is directed to a light emitting diode (LED) light module. In one embodiment, the LED light module includes a plurality of light sections and a plurality of open sections formed by a plurality of heat sink fins between the plurality of light sections, wherein each one of the plurality of light sections is adjacent to two different light sections of the plurality of light sections.
US09581320B2
Provided is a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes one or more light-emitting modules; a base plate having a bottom surface to which the one or more light-emitting modules are attached; and a heat dissipation fin assembly seated on a top surface of the base plate, wherein the heat dissipation fin assembly includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins which are mounted upright on the top surface of the base plate, wherein each of the heat dissipation fins has a predetermined width in a radial direction from a center of the base plate, and is formed by a thin sheet of a graphite material.
US09581314B2
A device for increasing the optical power of a solid state light source in the green and/or yellow bands, is disclosed. The device has an integral body having an ingress surface configured to receive light from an emitting portion of the solid state light source, an egress surface substantially opposite the ingress surface, and a recess formed within the body. The recess has an input opening in the ingress surface, an output opening in the egress surface, and a recess surface within the body extending between the input opening and the output opening. The recess surface is configured to reflect visible light with Lambertian scatter characteristics.
US09581304B2
A lighting device for outdoor use comprising a lighting body and a socket body, where the lighting body comprises a lighting unit, a first electrical connection and a first locking member. The socket body comprises a second electrical connection and a second locking member, wherein the first and second electrical connections are arranged to connect to each other in a closed position in order supply the lighting unit with power. The first locking member and the second locking member are arranged for locking and unlocking the lighting body to the socket body in said closed position. The lighting body comprises a first fastening device and the socket body comprises a second fastening device, wherein the fastening devices are arranged to. The lighting body comprises a first guiding means and the socket body comprises a second guiding means, which are arranged to interact.
US09581298B2
An overpressure absorption mechanism is provided for a fluid bed processor. The mechanism includes spring assemblies mounted in the legs of the processor. The arms of the lower housing section extend into the legs and are supported on the springs. If an overpressure condition arises within the processor, the springs compress to allow movement between the housing sections to allow engagement of clamping rings which contain the over pressure condition.
US09581290B2
A security wall rack and television mount combination is described to deter or prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to the back of a television or the wall mount that supports the television and to deter or prevent theft of a television. The wall mount includes security covers that are rotatably attached to the frame that cover the location where screws will secure the frame to a wall or other surface. The mount is rotatably attached to the frame and provides for the system to be locked in place in a nested way.
US09581289B2
An attachment system for an offshore structure includes a porch configured to be affixed to the offshore structure, an adaptor configured to engage with one or more plates of the porch, and a latch to retain the adaptor into engagement with the one or more plates, in which the adaptor is configured to support an equipment device. A method of attaching equipment device to a structure includes affixing a porch of an attachment system to the structure, engaging an adaptor with one or more plates of the porch, and attaching an equipment device to the adaptor.
US09581281B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for inserting a new pipe into an old pipe by means of a self-driven impact device, which simplifies the insertion of a new pipe into an old pipe, and wherein blocking elements of an apparatus according to the invention engage with the inside wall of an old pipe in order to prevent any movement of the self-driven impact device in a direction opposite the direction of advance, as well as a method for using the device. The apparatus according to the invention has blocking elements, which are disposed on at least one base body, but preferably four base bodies, which are in turn releasably mounted on the self-driven impact device. This method is characterized in that the base bodies together with the blocking elements and the self-driven impact device are salvaged by the new pipe.
US09581279B1
A conduit repair liner includes at least two sheets of planar material that are connected to each other as pages of a book and coated with silica resin then closed against one another to form the conduit repair liner for wrapping around a carrier. The conduit repair liner includes a feature for removably affixing the conduit repair liner to the carrier during positioning within a failed conduit.
US09581271B2
A sealing gland is provided for forming a seal between a plurality of elongate members and a surface having an aperture, or a pipe, through which the elongate members extend. The sealing gland includes a main sealing portion for sealing to the surface or the pipe. Skirts extend from a base of the sealing gland, where each skirt includes a lumen extending from the base to a distant end of the skirt for receiving one of the elongate members. Each skirt provides a flexible seal for sealing around a periphery of the elongate member, and adjacent skirts are adjoined along a portion of the length of the skirts.
US09581264B1
A hose tap timer is disclosed comprising structure for shutting off the hose tap timer valves when a control member is separated from or attached to a dock for a manifold member of the hose tap timer.
US09581261B2
Valve assemblies which comprise a valve housing; an inner valve element; an outer valve element spaced apart from the inner valve element; a valve stem on which both the inner valve element and the outer valve element are located; a portion of the valve stem between the inner valve element and the outer valve element is threaded; and a protective element located within the valve housing and covering the threaded portion of the valve stem.
US09581259B2
A method of installing an Emergency Flow Restrictor Device (EFRD) on a pipeline without stopping the flow of fluid through the pipeline includes the steps of: assembling first and second face plates on a pipeline such that the first and second sealing face are in face to face, spaced relation; assembling a cutting device between the first face plate and the second face plate; assembling a valve body that has an access opening on a length of pipeline such that the valve body encloses the first and second face plates and the cutting device; installing an access valve on the access opening; operating the cutting device to sever the pipeline between the first and second sealing faces; retracting the cutting device and severed section of pipeline; and attaching a valve gate member of the EFRD to the access opening.
US09581250B2
A valve for a pressurized fluid cylinder. The valve comprises a shut off valve biased against a seat to seal the cylinder. An actuation element is movable linearly to open the valve against the biasing force. A linkage element couples the actuation element to the shut off valve and comprises a first piston towards its top and a second piston towards its bottom. The valve also comprises a gas refill inlet between the pistons such that refill gas pressure biases the linkage element away from the valve. The actuation element is a depressed position pushes against the linkage element to hold the linkage element down and the valve open so that the cylinder can be refilled. When the actuation element is in a non-depressed position, the linkage element is free to move with the refill gas pressure so that it is spaced from the valve.
US09581246B2
A seal member includes an annular fitting part and an annular dust lip. The fitting part fits on an inner circumference of a tubular member. The dust lip extends from the fitting part toward a side opposite from the tubular member such that a diameter of an inner circumference of the dust lip gradually decreases, and a distal end portion of the dust lip slides on an outer circumferential surface of a shaft member. A metal insert includes a reinforcing ring and a reinforcing extension piece. The reinforcing ring stands along the inner circumference of the tubular member. The reinforcing extension piece extends from the reinforcing ring toward a side opposite from the tubular member, and inclines such that a distal end of the reinforcing extension piece approaches the shaft member. The reinforcing ring is arranged in the fitting part, whereas the reinforcing extension piece is arranged in the dust lip.
US09581240B2
A control apparatus of an automatic transmission includes a first anomaly determination device and an energization interrupting device. The first anomaly determination device is configured to determine whether high-pressure anomaly has occurred in a first pressure regulating device. The high-pressure anomaly is to cause the first pressure regulating device to perform regulation to high pressure only. The energization interrupting device is configured to interrupt energization to a first switching device in a case where the first anomaly determination device determines that the high-pressure anomaly has occurred in the first pressure regulating device and in a state where a first switching valve is located at a first position connected to a first oil passage so as to supply hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic oil regulated by the first pressure regulating device to a second clutch.
US09581237B2
An active fluid reservoir for transmission fluid of an automatic transmission, in a first embodiment, comprehends an elongate reservoir disposed adjacent fluid lines from the automatic transmission to the transmission fluid cooler. The reservoir may be associated with either the supply or return line or include two smaller reservoirs associated with both lines. Thermally actuated valves at each end of the reservoir(s) open to allow fluid flow through the reservoir as fluid temperature increases and a diverter valve in the cooler line(s) closes to divert flow into the reservoir. In a second embodiment, the fluid reservoir comprehends a container, tank or similar storage device in fluid communication with a transmission oil cooler line. Again, the device includes three thermally actuated valves.
US09581232B2
A combustion engine component comprises an assembly of a belt pulley for driving auxiliary engine equipment and a torsional vibration damper. The assembly is adapted to be fixed on an engine crankshaft, wherein the belt pulley is of a so called decoupling type, arranged to be able to change its rotational angle relative to the crankshaft and the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper is partially positioned in a corresponding annular recess in the belt pulley, creating an annular cavity in the recess between the torsional vibration damper and the belt pulley. An annular seal ring is positioned in the annular cavity and is arranged to close off at least a part of the annular cavity from the air surrounding the assembly.
US09581227B2
A transmission for a vehicle may include a first input shaft to which power may be selectively transmitted by a first clutch, a second input shaft to which power may be selectively transmitted by a second clutch, wherein the second input shaft concentrically surrounds the first input shaft, first and second output shafts disposed in parallel with the first and second input shafts, a multiplicity of shifting gears disposed in the first and second output shafts so as to be meshed with gears of the first and second input shafts to respectively form gear steps, a plurality of synchronizing devices configured to selectively couple or decouple the shifting gears to or from the first or second output shafts, and a planetary gear train configured to selectively switch a revolution direction of one of the shifting gears.
US09581223B2
A planetary multi-speed transmission with a housing is proposed for a vehicle. A first shaft is provided as a drive and a second shaft is provided as an output, axially parallel to the drive. Three planetary gear sets and additional shafts, along with six shifting elements, are provided, through which the actuation of several gears can be realized. Machine elements are provided for the transfer of torque between the drive and the output. The first shaft is connectable, as the drive, to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set, to the sun gear of the first planetary gear set, to the planetary gear carrier of the second planetary gear set, to the planetary gear carrier of the first planetary gear set, and to the first machine element. The second shaft is connected or connectable, as a drive, to the first machine element and to the second machine element.
US09581222B2
A planetary multi-speed transmission for a vehicle with a housing is proposed. A first shaft provided as a drive (An) is axially parallel to a second shaft provided as an output (Ab). Three planetary gear sets, additional shafts, and six shifting elements are provided, through which the actuation of several gears are realized. Machine elements provide torque transfer between the drive (An) and the output (Ab). The first shaft is connectable to the planetary gear carrier of the third planetary gear set, to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set, to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set, to the ring gear of the third planetary gear set, to the ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and to the first machine element. The second shaft is connected or connectable to the first machine element and to the second machine element.
US09581211B2
One variation includes a friction material and method of manufacture thereof wherein the friction material includes a transfer layer on a ferritically nitrocarburized component, wherein the transfer layer may be fabricated from glass, rubber, carbon, aramid fiber, filler material, abrasive, or a high-temperature resin.
US09581188B2
A mechanical connection between two parts of a microelectromechanical and/or nanoelectromechanical structure forming a pivot with an axis of rotation pivot includes two first beams with an axis parallel to the pivot axis, the first beams configured to work in torsion, and two second beams with an axis orthogonal to the axis of the first beams, the second beams configured to work in bending, each one of the first and second beams being connected at their ends to the two parts of the structure.
US09581185B2
A blind fastener device for fastening at least two workpieces, including a sleeve, an expander having a tensioning section, a locking section, and an expansion section, and a nut. A portion of the expander passes through the sleeve to cooperate with the nut so that relative rotation of the expander and nut draws the expander's distal end toward the sleeve's proximal end thereby drawing a portion of the expansion section of the expander into a structural region located on the sleeve and expanding at least a portion of the sleeve's structural region, and drawing a portion of the locking section past the sleeve's distal end toward the sleeve's proximal end and deforming at least a portion of the sleeve's distal end to a locked state. The sleeve may be configured as a multi-section sleeve having a sleeve retainer to locate the sections in a predetermined relationship.
US09581180B2
A clamper includes a base, a movable element, a sliding element, a connecting bar, a clamping element and a first elastic element. The movable element is movable in a first direction relative to the base. The sliding element is movable in a second direction relative to the base. The connecting bar connects the movable element and the sliding element. The clamping element sets on the sliding element. The first elastic element includes a terminal setting on the sliding element.
US09581171B2
An axial air movement fan having a plurality of variable pitch fan blades (2), extending radially from a hub (4) rotatable about a main axis (3), each blade (2) further being pivotable about its radial axis to vary the blade pitch. The blades (2) each are mounted on an associated bearing (5) mounted on said hub, the bearing comprising a ball bearing having a first radially inner race (25) fast the blade (2) and a second radially outer race (26) rotationally fast to the hub (4). The balls (14) in the bearing are separated by separators (15), each separator being generally cylindrical and having its cylindrical axis coaxial with the orbital axis (22) of the orbit of the balls (14) and being adapted to rotate about the said orbital axis (22), the side faces of the separator each having a part spherical recess (16) adapted to receive a ball (14). Rotation of the separator (15) about the orbital axis (22) is such as to entrain lubricant in the bearing and to bias the lubricant from adjacent the outer race (26) over the balls (14) towards the inner race (25).
US09581168B2
The present invention relates to a control device for a radiator fan, in particular for a radiator fan of a motor vehicle, having an external control device which is designed to generate a controlled variable for an electric motor of the radiator fan according to a first predefined setpoint value, and having an internal control device which is designed to control the motor current of the electric motor of the radiator fan according to a predefined first motor current maximum value if the controlled variable which is generated by the external control device assumes such a value that the motor current exceeds the predefined first motor current maximum value. The present invention also relates to a radiator fan arrangement and to a method for controlling a radiator fan.
US09581166B2
Disclosed is a method in which the propulsive power of a drive nozzle (2) is controlled by means of a programmable logic control device (24) having an adjustable internal controller (25) in dependence upon the rotational frequency of a turbocharger rotor (1) detected by a speed sensor (26). Parameters necessary for control are determined empirically in a tuning run which includes tuning the controller (25) to a proportional control action with high gain Kp and inputting the nominal balancing speed as target value for the controller (25), monitoring and comparing the actual speed with the target value. If the actual speed exceeds the set target value, halving the gain Kp of the controller (25) and repeating the run until the actual speed is below the set target value. Then it includes approximating the actual speed to the target speed by generating an additional target value, additively applying the additional target value to the target value, and incrementing or decrementing the additional target value until the target speed of the turbocharger rotor (1) is reached.
US09581161B2
A scroll machine can include a shell, a first scroll member, a second scroll member and a valve assembly. The valve assembly can permit intermediate pressure in the shell to flow to an area of suction pressure in the shell. The valve assembly can include a first valve manifold that selectively couples to the shell. A second valve manifold can slidably and non-threadably locate against the first valve manifold. A retainer can couple to the first valve manifold to capture the second valve manifold against the first valve manifold. A valve can selectively connect an intermediate flow exiting the shell through the first and second valve manifolds to a suction flow entering the shell.
US09581159B2
An electric oil pump includes an electric motor and an oil pump that is driven by the motive power from an electric motor, wherein; the oil pump has an introducing channel that guides a drain oil that has leaked from an interior of the oil pump to an interior of the electric motor; and the electric motor has a discharging channel that discharges the drain oil that has been guided to the interior of the electric motor to a tank.
US09581157B2
A pump includes a housings and a rotor capable of rotating within the housing. The rotor engages an interior surface of the housing in use, with at least two radially-inward shaped surfaces on the rotor forming respective chambers with the interior surface. In use, the chambers transport fluid from an inlet in the housing to an outlet in the housing as the rotor rotates. A seal provided between the inlet and the outlet will engage each of the shaped surfaces to prevent fluid passing from the outlet to the inlet as each shaped surface travels from the outlet to the inlet. The rotor includes a surface portion extending axially and circumferentially between respective edges of the shaped surfaces. On planes normal to an axis of rotation of the rotor, the surface portion of the rotor has a greater curvature than that of the interior surface of the housing.
US09581156B2
In a gear pump, an outer inner wall surface of a suction port which is located on a downstream side in a rotor rotation direction, that is, a first inner wall surface, is located inward of a bottom land between internal teeth of an outer rotor, and the suction port has a shallow portion extended inward from the first inner wall surface on the downstream side in the rotor rotation direction, and a deep portion that is formed so as to be continuous with the shallow portion and that is deeper than the shallow portion. Communication between an inter-tooth chamber and the suction port is cut off with the inter-tooth chamber facing only the shallow portion.
US09581155B2
A rotary action, self-priming positive displacement constant flow high capacity fluid pump is described. None of the pump parts touch in the pump chamber to minimize pump wear allowing for extended pump life. Since there are no touching parts in the pump chamber, the pump can be operated dry without the pump liquid being present without damage to the pump. The pump may be operated either clockwise or counter-clockwise without loss of positive displacement or reduction in fluids input or output. Due to the design of the pump, the pump is inherently low-maintenance and is highly resistant to clogging by debris and the like. Fluid pressure relief sections are provided by carving out of the inside portions of the housing structure to which the ends of the shaft are mounted to vary or improved pump performance.
US09581153B2
A pump includes a housing defining an interior volume, a diaphragm partitioning the interior volume into a pumping chamber and an actuating chamber, a diaphragm support associated with the actuating chamber and configured to limit movement of the diaphragm, and a dispersion element coupled to the housing. The dispersion element includes a network of channels that is configured to distribute a fluid within the pump.
US09581151B2
An unloader ring 20 has a plurality of unloader fingers 21 passing through intake channels 16 of the intake valve 5 arranged in the ring-shaped intake chamber 11 such that the unloader ring 20 is guided on the wall 24, 31 of the intake chamber 11, where it is arranged displaceably by means of the circumferential surface 23 of the unloader ring 20 on the outside radially or by the circumferential surface 30 of the unloader ring 20 on the inside radially. A radial step 25 is provided on the circumferential surface 23 of the unloader ring on the outside radially or on the circumferential surface 30 of the unloader ring 20 on the inside radially, and a control chamber 26 is formed between the wall 24, 31 of the intake chamber 11 and the radial step 25, this control chamber being connected to a control line 27 for supplying a control medium into the control chamber 26. A lower stop (32) for the unloader ring (20) is provided in the intake chamber (11), this stop being designed so that the unloader finger overhang (f) of the unloader ring finger (21) is smaller than the intake stroke (h) of the intake valve (5).
US09581146B2
A system for heating a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator may include an SMA actuator, a smart susceptor, a plurality of induction coils, and a control module. The SMA actuator may have at least one layup. The SMA actuator may be selectively heated to a transition temperature. The smart susceptor may be in thermal contact with the at least one layup of the SMA actuator. The induction heating coils may be configured to receive an alternating current and generate a magnetic field based on the alternating current. The magnetic field may create an eddy current in at least one of the SMA actuator and the smart susceptor to heat the SMA actuator to the transition temperature. The control module may be configured to drive the alternating current supplied to the induction heating coils.
US09581144B2
The invention relates to an arrangement for adjusting a valve (12) which has a plunger (21) which is under the action of a restoring element (23) and has a valve closing member (18), having a housing (31) which can be attached to the valve (12) and in which is arranged at least one temperature-dependent actuating element (41) which interacts with an actuating device (34), by means of which actuating element (41) the actuating device (34) is activated so as to be movable between a rest position (57) and a working position, wherein the actuating element (41) is formed as at least one spring element from a shape-memory alloy, wherein the actuating device (34) is movable in the axial longitudinal direction of the actuating element (41) and the actuating element (41) extends substantially longitudinally with respect to the movement direction of the actuating device (34), and an air exchange is provided between an interior space (61) and an exterior space (65) of the actuating element (41) and an interior space and an exterior space of the actuating device (34).
US09581140B2
An energy storage and recovery system employs air compressed utilizing power from an operating wind turbine. This compressed air is stored within one or more chambers of a structure supporting the wind turbine above the ground. By functioning as both a physical support and as a vessel for storing compressed air, the relative contribution of the support structure to the overall cost of the energy storage and recovery system may be reduced, thereby improving economic realization for the combined turbine/support apparatus. In certain embodiments, expansion forces of the compressed air stored within the chamber, may be relied upon to augment the physical stability of a support structure, further reducing material costs of the support structure.
US09581139B2
A wind turbine having a rotor, a generator driven by the rotor, a converter, a control device having an input for a control signal for reactive power output and a controller for the converter, the controller determining a reactive power target value for the wind turbine and correcting the output reactive power in dependence on the voltage present at the wind turbine, and an additional module for the controller having separate small and large signal paths and interacting with the controller such that the small signal path has an additional storage element in comparison with the large signal path, which additional storage element stores state values of the small signal path for the past. Thus, small voltage changes can be reacted to more slowly and while taking into account past values, whereas large changes can be reacted to quickly, in particular in the event of a network short circuit.
US09581137B2
Yaw brakes for wind turbines are proposed, the wind turbines having a tower, a nacelle and a yaw system for rotating the nacelle with respect to the tower. The yaw brakes comprise a locking part, having a toothed profile at a side facing a toothed profile of an annular gear of the yaw system. The locking part of the yaw brakes is movable in a radial direction relative to the annular gear, between a brake position and a non-brake position. Brake discs and callipers may be eliminated.
US09581134B2
A manufacturing method of a wind turbine generator includes a cutting step of cutting a base blade at m cutting planes into (m+1) sections where m is an even number, the m cutting planes being at different positions in a blade length direction; and joining step of joining (m/2+1) sections of the (m+1) sections together to obtain a wind turbine blade which is shorter than the base blade, the (m/2+1) sections including a blade-root section which is closest to a blade root and a blade-tip section which is closest to a blade tip, the blade-root and blade-tip sections being non-adjacent to each other.
US09581132B2
A wind turbine blade is configured such that the lift force from the blade airfoil is always normal, or nearly normal, to the shaft torque. This condition maximizes energy conversion. This objective may be achieved by a) having the airfoil chord always aligned to the actual wind direction (subject only to small angle of attack variations), and b) slowing the turbine rotation rate so that no blade twist is needed. As a result, blade tip speed due to shaft rotation is less than the wind speed, and preferably much less. This low tip speed eliminates any hazard to birds. The lift force from the blade airfoil directly drives the torque on the shaft, so the control problem simplifies to adjusting the blade angle of attack to keep the lift constant across varying wind speeds. For most airfoils, a slightly negative angle of attack results in zero lift, so this simple approach has a ready fail-safe condition. This fail-safe condition is operable up to very high wind speeds, eliminating any need to provide for turbine overspeed control. The same teachings are equally applicable to water turbines and other types of turbines.
US09581128B2
Systems for wave energy conversion that have components that can survive the harsh marine environment and that can be attached to fixed structures, such as a pier, and having the ability to naturally adjust for tidal height and methods for their use are presented.
US09581118B2
Fuel injector-igniters with variable gap electrodes. A fuel injector-igniter comprises a housing, an actuator disposed in the housing, and a valve including a valve head operative to open and close against a valve seat in response to activation of the actuator. A valve seat electrode including at least one aperture surrounds the valve head and valve seat and at least one rocker electrode is pivotably mounted to the housing to form a variable gap between the electrode and a portion of the valve seat electrode. The rocker electrode is positioned to move relative to the valve seat electrode in response to a fuel flow through the aperture, thereby varying the gap.
US09581113B2
A nozzle for a gaseous fuel injector has a converging portion, a tip connected to the converging portion, and an anti-leakage device disposed at the tip to selectively inhibit leakage of a residual gaseous fuel from the nozzle.
US09581110B1
A maverick igniter cable saver employs a longitudinal housing having a first portion, a second portion, an outer surface, an inner surface, a forward end, and an aft end. The inner surface of the first portion is configured to snap fasten substantially around an igniter cable. The second portion has off-setting tapered tabs. Each of the tapered tabs has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal ends are interfaces configured to friction-fit in an umbilical slot groove.
US09581109B1
An aircraft engine variable area fan nozzle structure disposed abaft a thrust reverser, including a sleeve translatable over a cascade array, comprises two semi cylindrical segments that can be axially translated and radially tilted to enlarge the fan duct exhaust area in order to optimize exhaust pressure and associated noise in high thrust circumstances such as on take-off, and to constrict that area under lower thrust conditions such as cruise. The segments are moved by actuators anchored to the fixed engine framework and independently of the thrust reverser translating sleeve. Each actuator incorporates a linear variable differential transformer acting as a fan nozzle position sensor. The tilting movement is imposed by the pivoting links of each segment to carriages that ride in a non-linear trackway secured to a thrust reverser translating sleeve slider. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the thrust reverser sleeve actuator and the variable area fan nozzle actuator are coaxially mounted in a compact assembly anchored to stationary components of the nacelle.
US09581107B2
An EGR cooler includes a heat exchanging core which has a plurality of tubes, an upstream-side gas tank portion upstream of the tubes and a downstream-side gas tank portion downstream of the tubes. A water tank portion forms a first water passage around the tubes and forms a second water passage around the upstream-side gas tank portion. A double pipe portion forms a gas passage which communicates with the upstream-side gas tank portion and forms an annular water passage which communicates with the second water passage. A water inflow pipe is connected to the double pipe portion such that the cooling water flows into the annular water passage, and a water outflow pipe that is connected to the water tank portion such that the cooling water flows out from the first water passage.
US09581105B2
A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston main body for the internal combustion engine, and a crosshatched groove being formed on a surface of the piston main body. The crosshatched groove includes a crosshatch angle that corresponds to a crossing angle of lines that configure a crosshatch, the crosshatch angle that is set at a range from equal to or greater than 15 degrees to equal to or less than 35 degrees.
US09581104B2
A steel piston for an internal combustion engine may include a piston crown and a protective layer disposed on the piston crown. The protective layer may include an adhesion layer of Cr or CrN, which is present on a surface of the piston crown. The protective layer may include a functional layer, which is present on the adhesion layer. The functional layer may have at least one of (i) at least one layer (A) of CrN and (ii) at least one layer (B) of CrOn in the form of [(A)/(B)]a, and a may represent 1 to 100.
US09581099B1
An exhaust diagnostic system. The system includes a diesel engine having an exhaust system with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, a first NOx sensor located upstream of the SCR catalyst and a second NOx sensor located downstream of the SCR catalyst. In addition, an engine control unit (ECU) is in electronic communication with the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor. An SCR coordinator can be included and be configured to execute a non-intrusive SCR deNOx efficiency test, an intrusive SCR/DOC deNOx efficiency test and an intrusive DOC non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) conversion efficiency test on the exhaust system. As a result of the conversion efficiency tests, a distinction can be made as to whether the SCR catalyst or DOC is failing.
US09581084B2
A system for preventing objects from entering the intake of a jet engine including a deflector mounted to the turbine shaft and including a de-icing device to minimize collection of ice on the deflector. The deflector includes a sensor in one embodiment for measuring object strikes so that comprehensive impact data may be obtained to generate an impact report so that measures can be taken to minimize object impacts.
US09581082B2
The present disclosure relates to a power production system that is adapted to achieve high efficiency power production with complete carbon capture when using a solid or liquid hydrocarbon or carbonaceous fuel. More particularly, the solid or liquid fuel first is partially oxidized in a partial oxidation reactor. The resulting partially oxidized stream that comprises a fuel gas is quenched, filtered, cooled, and then directed to a combustor of a power production system as the combustion fuel. The partially oxidized stream is combined with a compressed recycle CO2 stream and oxygen. The combustion stream is expanded across a turbine to produce power and passed through a recuperator heat exchanger. The expanded and cooled exhaust stream is scrubbed to provide the recycle CO2 stream, which is compressed and passed through the recuperator heat exchanger and the POX heat exchanger in a manner useful to provide increased efficiency to the combined systems.
US09581081B2
A system includes a gas turbine engine that includes a turbine section having one or more turbine stages between an upstream end and a downstream end, an exhaust section disposed downstream from the downstream end of the turbine section, and a fluid supply system coupled to the exhaust section. The fluid supply system is configured to route an inert gas to the exhaust section.
US09581079B2
A two-stage turbocharger apparatus includes first and second passages having different cross-sectional areas. The first and second passages are connected to an inlet end of a high-pressure turbine and are configured to supply exhaust gas discharged from an exhaust manifold of an engine to the inlet end of the high-pressure turbine. Third and fourth passages, having different cross-sectional areas, connect an outlet end of the high-pressure turbine to an inlet end of a low-pressure turbine. An EGR valve has one end connected to one of the first and second passages. A bypass line has a first end connected to the other of the first and second passages and a second end connected to one of the third and fourth passages.
US09581076B2
A cooler apparatus includes: a coolant passageway; a water pump that circulates coolant in the coolant passageway; a thermostat that includes a heater that heats a temperature sensitive portion; and a controller. The controller is configured to drive the water pump and cause electric current to flow through the heater at a first energization amount when an operation in which the coolant is injected into the coolant passageway is started. The controller is also configured to stop electric current to flow through the heater if the water pump races when the electric current flows through the heater at the first energization amount.
US09581070B2
In an uncoupling element for uncoupling vibrations of the turbocharger of an internal combustion engine from an exhaust system with a bellows, provisions are made, especially for achieving a lower stiffness with short overall length, for the bellows to be a diaphragm bellows.
US09581068B2
The present invention is one that, in measurement of exhaust gases respectively discharged from a first engine and a second engine, reduce a PM measurement error caused by sharing a dilution tunnel, and has: a dilution tunnel for diluting exhaust gas from an engine with dilution air; a diesel exhaust gas introduction path that introduces diesel exhaust gas from a diesel engine DE into the dilution tunnel; and a gasoline exhaust gas introduction path that introduces diluted gasoline exhaust gas from a gasoline engine GE into the dilution tunnel, wherein: the dilution tunnel has a gas mixing part that mixes the diesel exhaust gas introduced by the diesel exhaust gas introduction path and the dilution air with each other; and the gasoline exhaust gas introduction path introduces the gasoline exhaust gas into an upstream side of the gas mixing part in the dilution tunnel.
US09581067B2
A mixer for a vehicle exhaust system includes an outer shell having an inlet end and an outlet end, an upstream baffle positioned adjacent the inlet end to initiate swirling of engine exhaust gases, and a downstream baffle positioned adjacent the outlet end. An impactor extends between the upstream and downstream baffles, and is spaced radially inwardly from an inner surface of the outer shell by a gap.
US09581060B2
A turbocharged engine air system is disclosed. The engine air system includes at least two devices requiring vacuum, a turbocharger having a compressor fluidly connected to an intake manifold of an engine, a first evacuator and a second evacuator. The first evacuator defines a first motive section, a first discharge section, and at least two first suction ports. The first motive section of the first evacuator is fluidly connected to the compressor, and each of the at least two first suction ports are fluidly connected to one of the at least two devices requiring vacuum. The second evacuator defines a second motive section, a second discharge section, and at least two second suction ports. The second motive section of the second evacuator is fluidly connected to at least one of the at least two devices requiring vacuum.
US09581058B2
A system for selectively deactivating engine valves of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The system employs switching rocker assemblies between the valves of the engine and rotating cam lobes. The disclosed design is able to operate using a single cam lobe per valve. The rocker assembly employs a first arm pivotally attached to a second arm at one end. The first arm engages the valve and the second arm has a roller bearing that engages the cam lobe. A latch causes the first and second arm to move in unison following the cam surface when latched. When unlatched, the second arm follows and moves according to the rotating cam surface, but the first arm does not follow and does not actuate the valve, thereby deactivating the cylinder.
US09581051B2
A power generation plant including a solar radiation receiver for heating a medium stream and a turbine assembly being arranged to receive the heated medium stream from the solar radiation receiver, said turbine assembly being coupled to an electric power generator, wherein a combustor is positioned downstream of the solar radiation receiver and upstream of the turbine assembly, an air compressor unit having a compressed air outlet is arranged to supply compressed combustion air to the combustor, and a steam generator is arranged to extract heat from an outlet flow from the turbine assembly, and to produce steam to be transmitted to a medium stream inlet of the solar radiation receiver and subsequently to combustor. The invention also related to a method.
US09581048B2
A panel attachment system includes a panel, a casing, and a plurality of hangers that enable the panel to be secured in a pre-determined position relative to the casing. Each of the hangers is formed as an elongate strip having a single corrugation, with each hanger having a center portion, a first end portion, and an opposite second end portion. The plurality of hangers are positioned in length-wise alignment, with the first end portion of each hanger being attached to the second end portion of an adjoining hanger. The attached first and second end portions are secured to the casing, and the center portion of each hanger is secured to the panel to thereby secure the panel in a pre-determined position relative to the casing.
US09581037B2
The present application provide a seal for use between components engine facing a high pressure cooling air flow and a hot gas path in a gas turbine. The seal may include a first shim, a second shim with an air exit hole, one or more middle layers positioned between the first shim and the second shim, and one or more cooling pathways extending through the middle layers for the high pressure cooling air flow to pass therethrough and exit via the air exit hole into the hot gas path.
US09581035B2
Embodiments of a method for controllably reducing of the flow area of a turbine nozzle component are provided, as are embodiments of turbine nozzle components having reduced flow areas. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of obtaining a turbine nozzle component having a plurality of turbine nozzle flow paths therethrough, positioning braze preforms in the plurality of turbine nozzle flow paths and against a surface of the turbine nozzle component, and bonding the braze preforms to the turbine nozzle component to achieve a controlled reduction in the flow area of the turbine nozzle flow paths.
US09581029B2
A turbine blade for a gas turbine engine with an airfoil portion defined by a perimeter wall surrounding at least one enclosure, the perimeter wall having a plurality of cooling holes defined therethrough and providing fluid communication between the at least one enclosure and a gaspath of the gas turbine engine. The plurality of cooling holes includes at least one set of holes selected from the group consisting of a first set, a second set, a third set, a fourth set, a fifth set and a sixth set, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth sets of holes respectively include the holes numbered A1 to A8, B1 to B10, C1 to C9, D1 to D6, E1 to E7 and F1 to F6 each located such that a central axis thereof extends through the respective point 1 and point 2 having a nominal location in accordance with the X, Y, Z Cartesian coordinate values set forth in Table 3.
US09581021B2
A system for extraction of volatiles from bodies in a vacuum. The volatile containing solid may be subsurface heated with microwave or RF energy subliming volatiles that are captured with a containment structure that directs the flow of the volatile through a cold trap for collecting and condensing the volatile. In one variation, a sample, or an entire body may be enveloped in a sealed container for extraction of volatiles that are then collected and condensed. In a further variation, a planetary surface area is covered and the perimeter sealed at the surface. The area is then heated from above to release volatiles that are then collected and condensed. To heat layers below the surface that contain high concentrations of volatiles, a hollow auger can gain access to the subsurface volatile and microwave or RF energy can be delivered down the hollow auger with a coax cable and vapor can escape through the hollow auger to a capture apparatus.
US09581020B2
A downhole tool is conveyed within a borehole extending into a subterranean formation. A void is created in a sidewall of the borehole by extending a rotating member from the downhole tool into the sidewall. A portion of the sidewall surrounding the void is mechanically compressed, and the viscosity of hydrocarbons in the subterranean formation proximate the void is reduced by injecting a fluid from the downhole tool into the formation via the void. Fluid comprising the reduced viscosity hydrocarbons and the injected fluid may then be drawn from the subterranean formation into the downhole tool.
US09581019B2
Methods of and apparatus to perform a drawdown of a formation fluid in a downhole environment are disclosed. An example method includes contacting a borehole wall with a fluid communication device of a formation testing tool and performing a first type of drawdown to draw fluid into the fluid communication device. The method also includes detecting a breach of a mudcake on the borehole wall during performance of the first type of drawdown and performing a second type of drawdown to draw fluid into the sample probe in response to detecting the breach of the mudcake. The second type of drawdown is different than the first type of drawdown. Furthermore, the example method includes confirming the breach of the mudcake on the borehole wall during performance of the second type of drawdown.
US09581017B2
A method and apparatus for measuring formation properties including coiled tubing fitted with a bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly includes apparatus to measure formation fluid properties, apparatus and methods to transmit the formation fluid properties to a surface monitoring system, apparatus and methods to isolate a section of a wellbore, and apparatus and methods to control the flow of fluid entering the coiled tubing.
US09581014B2
A method for predicting asphaltene onset pressure in a reservoir is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes performing downhole fluid analysis of formation fluid via a downhole tool at a measurement station at a first depth in a wellbore and determining an asphaltene gradient for the formation fluid at the measurement station. Asphaltene onset pressure for a second depth in the wellbore may then be predicted based on the downhole fluid analysis and the determined asphaltene gradient. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
US09581007B2
Methods for enhanced oil recovery from subterranean formations by treating a produced water prior to injection into the subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir and manipulating produced water compositions to increase the rate and/or amount of oil that is recovered from producing wells and/or a hydrocarbon reservoir. The treatment of the produced water can increase the pH of the water from about 0.75 to about 2.0.
US09581004B2
A hydraulic fracturing system and method for enhancing effective permeability of earth formations to increase hydrocarbon production, enhance operation efficiency by reducing fluid entry friction due to tortuosity and perforation, and to open perforations that are either unopened or not effective using traditional techniques, by varying a pump rate and/or a flow rate to a wellbore.
US09580995B2
Systems and methods for controlled equalization of fluid pressure are described. The system can include a flow restricting nozzle in line with an accumulator which together provide a gradual, controlled equalization of pressure between two locations. For example, in the subsea environment, the pressures can vary between a subsea processing station and a subsea flow line. The systems can be configured as ROV retrievable, or they can be integrated into the subsea processing station. In some cases, more than one accumulator and/or more than one flow restricting nozzles can be used in the system to provide for versatility and robustness.
US09580992B2
A sealing device is used in a flow control apparatus, the sealing device including a static seal and a protective seal or fluid restriction. The protective seal is formed between two members formed from resilient materials being substantially resistant to wear or failure when exposed to large pressure differentials and associated jetting action. The static seal is formed using a sealing element that includes a material that is at least partially deformable, such as an elastomer or the like. The protective seal is engaged prior to engaging or disengaging the static seal in order to prevent damage to the deformable material of the static seal.
US09580991B2
A shear valve (1) for use in a downhole tool between the annulus and tubing in a well comprises an outer housing (11) and an internal body (13) movable in a longitudinal direction within the housing when the valve is activated, and at least one obstruction device (16, 10) which can be arranged to obstruct the internal body from moving. The obstruction device is capable of being deactivated by pressure from the tubing side of the valve.
US09580988B2
A variable ram packer has an elastomeric body having a central semi-cylindrical recess and wings extending from opposite lateral sides of the recess. Inserts are positioned around the recess, each having an upper plate, a lower plate and a web joining the plates. Inserts at the junction with the wings have barrier plates between and parallel with the upper and lower plates. Upper and lower wing plates are located on upper and lower surfaces of the wings. An adhesive layer on an outer portion of each of the wing plates bonds the wing plates to the elastomer of the body. Each wing plate has an inner portion in abutment with the elastomer and free of the adhesive layer.
US09580986B2
Generally, the present disclosure is directed to metal-to-metal sealing systems and methods for use with the various pressure-retaining components, and in particular to pressure-retaining components that may be used in mudline suspension systems. In one illustrative embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a first pressure-retaining component having an outside face, the outside face including first and second metal sealing surfaces proximate an end of the first pressure-retaining component, wherein the second metal sealing surface is positioned along the outside face between the first metal sealing surface and the end of the first pressure-retaining component. The system further includes, among other things, a second pressure-retaining component having an inside face, the inside face of the second pressure-retaining component including a third metal sealing surface that is adapted to sealingly engage at least the first metal sealing surface.
US09580985B2
A method of cutting a control line mounted on an outer surface of a downhole tubular that includes providing a cutting tool having a main body, and a cutting head on a lower end of the body that rotates with respect to the body. A cutting blade is on a lower end of the cutting head, which is rotatable by a motor, where the blade is selectively pivoted radially outward from an axis of the cutting head. As the cutting head rotates, the cutting blade orbits within the tubular axially offset from the axis. When the tool is inserted into the tubular, the radial offset of the blade is controlled so it pivots radially outward into contact with the tubular when the blade approaches an azimuthal area proximate the control line. The cutting blade is retracted when its orbit moves it past the azimuthal area proximate the control line.
US09580984B2
Apparatus and methods for penetrating a downhole target within a wellbore include providing a body with a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end into a wellbore, the body having a nozzle at the first end. The nozzle is adapted to project a medium, such as molten thermite, in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, such as in a downhole direction. An initiation source is usable to consume a fuel load associated with the body to cause projection of the medium in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the wellbore, to affect an obstruction in the wellbore. A series of such apparatus can be used in succession, such that the actuation of each preceding apparatus enhances the effect of each subsequent apparatus on the obstruction.
US09580980B2
A system including a tubing hanger running tool (THRT), including one or more stab connectors, and a planetary gear system, wherein the planetary gear system is configured to couple and uncouple the THRT from a first hydrocarbon extraction component.
US09580979B2
System and apparatus (1) for moving a tubular between a substantially horizontal position and an upward angled position, e.g. substantially vertical position. The apparatus comprises a base (3), and a boom (4) pivotally attached to the base about a horizontal boom pivot axis between a substantially horizontal position and an upward angled position, e.g. substantially vertical position. A boom pivot drive (50) is mounted on said base and adapted to pivot the boom. A tubular gripper (7; 80) is attached to the boom and adapted for gripping the tubular (20, 20′, 20″). The boom pivot drive comprises a central gear wheel (53) that is rotatable mounted on the base about a central gear wheel axis (54) parallel to the horizontal boom pivot axis (6), which central gear wheel is connected directly or via a transmission to the boom. One or more drive gear members (51) are each rotatable mounted on the base and each rotatable about a corresponding drive gear member axis (52), meshing with the central gear wheel. One or more motors (55) connect to said drive gear members and allow to pivot the boom.
US09580978B2
A rod elevator including a first latching mechanism and a second latching mechanism connected to one another in a spaced apart relationship for connecting a pair of rods to one another in an axially aligned relationship. Each of the latching mechanisms has a rod receiving space axially aligned with a rod receiving space of the other latching mechanism.
US09580971B2
Embodiments provide a coated apparatus for improved corrosion resistance and associated system and system and method for artificial lift.
US09580970B2
A cutting element includes, a body having two planes, each of the two planes defining a plurality of edges, and a support extending from a first of the two planes. The support and the body are configured such that when the cutting element is resting against a planar surface such that at least one of the plurality of edges and the support are in contact with the planar surface, the second of the two planes forms an acute angle with the planar surface. Additionally, a protrusion extends laterally from at least one face of the body and an indentation is formed in at least one face of the body. The protrusion and the indentation are complementary to one another such that the protrusion of a first of the cutting elements is positionable within the indentation of a second of the cutting elements.
US09580968B2
A rotary steerable drilling tool with an electromagnetic steering system can include a drill collar, a bit shaft, an orientation control module, a mud tube, a mud tube coupler, a universal joint, a mud sealing device, and a drill bit. The bit shaft can be mechanically coupled to the drill collar through the universal joint and the orientation control module and rotate about the universal joint. The orientation and the inclination angle of the bit shaft against the drill collar can be controlled by the orientation control module with the electromagnetic steering system. The orientation control module can include an array of electromagnets, an array of permanent magnets, a rotor, and a set of bearings. The orientation control module can be coupled to the bit shaft through the rotor. The movement of the rotor can be driven by the interaction between the array of electromagnets and the array of permanent magnets.
US09580963B1
A sliding platform with an outrigger attaches to a ladder for stabilization by urging the outrigger against the underside of a structure (e.g., an eave). The device prevents the ladder from sliding or falling away from the structure. The device is adjustable from right to left to accommodate an angle of the engaged underside.
US09580959B2
A foldable ladder has a first ladder portion and a second ladder portion hingedly attached to the first ladder portion by a pair of hinge mechanisms. Each hinge mechanism adapted to lock the first and second ladder portions such that the first ladder portion and the second ladder portion form an angle therebetween. The hinge mechanism has a shifting mechanism and a ladder angle selector coupled thereto to allow manual selection of the angle between the first and second ladder portions, and a locking pin to lock the first and second ladder portions at an angular position.
US09580955B2
The present disclosure is generally directed to a method of operation for a convertible door system including a door accessible compartment having a moveable dividing wall that substantially divides the compartment into a first and a second sub-compartment. A first door assembly, configured to allow access to the first sub-compartment, is disposed between a first of two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A second door assembly, configured to allow access to the second sub-compartment, is disposed between a second of the two opposing sidewalls and the moveable dividing wall. A first and a second hinge assembly are adapted to rotationally join the first and second door assembly to respective opposing sidewalls. A third hinge assembly is adapted to rotationally join the moveable dividing wall to either the first door assembly or the second door assembly.
US09580951B2
A buffer device with a self-adjustable stop comprises a buffer head (5) in the form of a shank presenting along its length a flat and touching ribs or grooves (6), and a socket (8) into which the buffer head in the form of a shank can be driven axially, serration by serration. The device further comprises an annular ring (7) inserted axially in an axial bore in said socket and presenting a bottom edge defining a thrust ramp. The ring has an inner surface presenting a smooth strip and an adjacent serrated strip such that actuating the ring by turning it causes the buffer head to be raised and its axial position to be blocked.
US09580948B2
A connecting system of a multi-section housing having first to fourth housings including housings with different thicknesses and can be spread open from the connected state to form a flat surface, comprising first hinges which connect end faces of the first and fourth housings, second hinges which connect end faces at the same sides of the second and third housings, and pull-out mechanisms provided between the first and second housings and between the third and fourth housings, which pull out the first and fourth housings from the superposed positions, and which make them adjoin the second and third housings without changing the positions in the thickness direction, the first and fourth housings being made to rotate about the shafts built into the pull-out mechanisms with respect to the second and third housings while being rotated about the first and second hinge shafts to open to form a single flat surface.
US09580941B2
A handle module is provided for fastening an outer door handle to a motor vehicle door with a modular basic body that in a final assembly state with its outer door handle protrudes through an opening in the outer door panel and comes to lie on the inside of the outer door panel. A giver is mounted on the modular basic body in a manner allowing pivoting or turning can be brought in operational connection with a taker of the door lock via an actuation rod. A shielding device is provided that at least partially encloses the giver at least in some regions.
US09580935B2
An electric strike assembly includes a housing including a mounting device and defining an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a selectively locatable component including a locking device to cooperate with the mounting device to secure the component at a predetermined incremental position along the length of the removable cavity. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, an electric strike assembly includes a housing defining an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a keeper shim assembly, including a shim, slidably engaged with the keeper to position the shim at a predetermined position along a length of the cavity. A method of securely capturing a latch bolt mounted in a door includes mounting an electric strike assembly in an associated door jamb and positioning a shim at a predetermined position in the cavity.
US09580931B2
The disclosure describes a locking system for a door with a mortise pocket. The locking system has a mortise case within the mortise pocket. The mortise case defines an alignment hole. The locking system also has a gear box with a worm gear that defines a notched passage that receives a lock knob shaft. A worm within the gear box is coupled to a motor that rotates the worm. The worm engages the worm gear such that the worm gear rotates when the worm rotates. A control board in the gear box is adapted to receive electronic signals and transmit them to the motor to cause the motor to rotate the worm. The gear box also has a worm gear hub that defines a keyed passage and a hub tab. The worm gear hub fits within the notched passage and the keyed passage receives the lock knob shaft. The worm gear also has two notches that the hub tab contacts individually when the gear hub rotates within the notched passage.
US09580930B2
A gate configured to be shipped in a compact disassembled state and assembled in situ into a structurally rigid frame around an area is provided. In one embodiment, the gate includes first and second vertical support posts, a lower horizontal support, a cross-brace, first and second upper vertical posts, a screen, first and second elbow joints, and first and second Tee joints. The elbow joints are configured to couple the vertical support posts to the lower horizontal support. The Tee joints are configured to couple the vertical support posts, the upper vertical posts, and the cross-brace together. The screen is configured to be coupled to the vertical support posts, the upper vertical posts, and the lower horizontal support post. The cross-brace is configured to extend between the first and second vertical support posts at a distance below the upper end of the screen and rearwardly away from the screen.
US09580928B1
An adaptable tent system is described. The adaptable tent system may include a base system having a rigid surface defining a perimeter edge and a canopy including a flexible membrane with a membrane edge and a canopy fastener, the canopy fastener extending along and fixably attached to the membrane edge, the canopy fastener adapted to mate with an interconnecting member fastener. The tent system may also include an interconnecting member including an interconnecting member body, an attachment member, and the interconnecting member fastener. The attachment member may be attached to the base member, so that the interconnecting member and base member are fixably attached together. The interconnecting member fastener may be configured to mate with any one of a plurality of different canopy fasteners so that when the canopy fastener and the interconnecting member fastener are mated, the interconnecting member and the canopy are connected.
US09580927B1
A device for displaying items on a grave marker and a method for using the device are described.
US09580925B2
A frangible guy wire of an airport mast, which breaks on impact without presenting a hazard or causing critical damage to the object impacting with it. The main part of the length of the guy wire consists of a tube or tubular profile made of composite material, the proportions of the dimensions and materials of which have been selected in such a way that in the event of impact, the tube (4) or tubular profile will break by fracturing, that is, by breaking into pieces. The wall thickness of the tube or tubular profile is selected to be so thin that the desired fracturing is achieved.
US09580924B1
The invention provides for a method, system and apparatus for resisting and restraining potentially destructive movement within a building structure while introducing little or no obstruction with respect to how a building structure is designed and how it is intended to function.
US09580922B2
The invention relates to a locking device for an anchor rod which may be mounted to a wall formwork. Moreover the invention relates to an associated wall formwork as well as process for mounting the locking device to the wall formwork. Moreover the invention relates to a system having a locking device and wall formwork. A locking device having a locking means for mounting the locking device to one end of an anchor rod and a mounting device for mounting the locking device to a wall formwork is provided. The mounting device comprises a screw which is tilted such that it may be secured in a hole of a supporting element of a wall formwork. A wall formwork thus advantageously does not require a thread in order to be able to mount the locking device to a wall formwork.
US09580920B1
A blockout apparatus for preserving a through passage in a structural member formed thereabout is provided. The blockout apparatus comprises a tubular body portion having first and second ends defining mouth openings and an intermediate section extending therebetween to define a longitudinal through passage. The tubular body portion includes a gasket flange formed at least partially about each of the first and second end mouth openings to project transversely outward therefrom. A hardware mounting portion is integrated with the tubular body portion, which hardware mounting portion defines an engagement base disposed in open communication with the through passage. The engagement base is structurally augmented relative to the tubular body portion to retentively engage preselected mounting hardware for weight bearing support of an implement therefrom.
US09580919B2
A scaffold comprising at least two horizontally adjacent scaffold sections, the scaffold sections being defined substantially by lengthwise ledgers, transverse ledgers and uprights, characterized in that the scaffold comprises a guide adapted to be able to displace in substantially horizontal direction therealong a displaceable platform corresponding thereto and guided thereby; a method for erecting the scaffold, and a mobile platform.
US09580918B2
An assembly for coping and mounting trim molding is provided. A trim holding device for mounting a finish trim molding and a coping device are provided. The coping device includes a platform, having a back, into which to place a finish trim molding for coping and cutting, and a blade assembly having a cutter blade and configured to be manually actuated by a lever. The blade assembly is adjustable and is configured to rotate. The cutter blade is configured specifically to a size and a shape of the finish trim molding to be cut and coped. The mounting device includes a bracket, having a pair of mounting flanges, configured for placement along a wall. The bracket and flanges form generally an “F” shape trim holding device. The flanges are configured to securely hold a finish trim molding without the use of nails, glues, and adhesives.
US09580915B2
A method of imprinting a visual and textural pattern upon a concrete surface. The method includes configuring a decorative finishing tool to define a particular visual and textural pattern. An exposed surface of a concrete mixture is finished to dispose a quantity of cement/fines paste derived from the concrete mixture at the exposed surface thereof. The exposed surface of the concrete mixture is further finished with the decorative finishing tool to imprint the visual and textural pattern upon the exposed surface, with at least a portion of the decorative finishing tool being troweled over the exposed surface to create the visual and textural pattern in the concrete.
US09580911B1
A stair tread and method of building a stairway is provided. Each stair tread includes a metal pan having one or more walls forming a cavity. Concrete filler is disposed in the cavity to provide an upper walking surface. Reinforcement bars and foam blocks can be positioned within the cavity. Concrete treads including the pan can then be transported to a job site for attachment between a pair of stringers.
US09580909B2
A system for insulating a building comprising a first layer of rolled insulation disposed atop a longitudinally extending upper chord of a roof truss, a purlin or a girt of a wall. Discrete insulating spacer members are intermittently disposed atop the first insulation layer and along the longitudinally extending chord, purlin or girt. A three sided bridge with a plurality of tab elements overlaying and contiguous with the insulating spacer members. A second layer of rolled insulation disposed atop the bridge and panel clips secured with a fastener extending through each of the second layer of insulation, bridge, insulating spacer member, first layer of insulation and upper chord.
US09580903B2
The invention relates to a liquid column damping system, particularly for damping building vibrations, comprising a tank (B, S1, S2) filled with a liquid, said tank having, in particular, a substantially U-shaped geometry in at least one direction. At least two columns (S1, S2) of the tank arranged at a distance from each other, particularly for forming communicating liquid columns, are connected by a base region (B) of the tank, and means for adjusting the damping of the liquid column damping system and/or the natural frequency of the liquid column damping system are provided. At least one column wall region (W1) in at least one of the columns (S1, S2), preferably in all columns, can be moved in order to change the column cross-section.
US09580894B2
A urinal clog removal device is provided. The urinal clog removal device may include a urinal flange connecting member formed of a body. The urinal flange connecting member may include slots on opposing sides configured to couple to the urinal flange connecting member to a urinal flange. The urinal flange connecting member comprises an aperture extending through the urinal flange connecting member to provide access to the urinal flange. The device may also include a hose coupled on a first end to the urinal flange connecting member with a hose connector. The hose connector of the urinal flange connecting member directs water into the urinal flange. The device may also include a valve and is coupled to a flush valve of the urinal, wherein the hose is coupled between the valve and the hose connector in order to supply water through the hose and into the urinal flange during unclogging.
US09580893B2
A sanitary fixture is provided having an upstream end and a downstream end, the sanitary fixture includes a mounting housing having a thread which is matingly engagable with a thread provided on a water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. The mounting housing has a downstream housing end side with flow-through holes. At least one insertion part can be inserted into the mounting housing as far as an insertion stop. The fixture includes an aerated jet regulator which is configured such that a circumferential wall of the mounting housing includes at least one aeration duct at least in a subregion of at least a double-walled configuration. The at least one aeration duct, which is arranged towards the downstream housing end side, opens out in at least one aeration opening leading into a housing interior of the mounting housing.
US09580884B2
The present invention addresses the problem of providing an industrial vehicle in which an industrial device can be reliably prevented from turning in a near direction beyond a restricted position. The solution is an industrial vehicle provided with an industrial device configured so as to be capable of turning about a joint in a near direction or an away direction, and a control device for restricting the turning of the industrial device so that the industrial device does not turn in the near direction beyond a restricted position, wherein the control device is configured such that an offset position is set in the away direction beyond the restricted position, and the control device initiates an action that stops the industrial device from turning in the near direction when the industrial device, which is turning in the near direction, has turned to the offset position.
US09580880B2
A substantially rectangular trench shoring sheeting panel made primarily of polyethylene includes at least one pair of hand holes. In some embodiments, the sheeting panel includes a plurality of buttons protruding outwardly from one of the sheeting panel's surfaces. As compared to three-quarter inch FinnForm, the polyethylene sheeting panel typically has (i) equivalent or superior structural properties and (ii) a significantly lower useful-life cost.
US09580872B2
A multi-layer through air dried tissue including a first exterior layer comprised substantially of hardwood fibers, an interior layer comprised substantially of softwood fibers, and a second exterior layer comprised substantially of hardwood fibers. The interior layer includes a first wet end additive comprising an ionic surfactant and a second wet end additive comprising a non-ionic surfactant.
US09580870B2
The present invention provides tissue products having a high degree of stretch and low modulus at relatively high tensile strengths, such as geometric mean tensile strengths greater than about 1500 g/3″ and more preferably greater than about 2000 g/3″. The combination of a tough, yet relatively supple sheet is preferably achieved by subjecting the embryonic web to a speed differential as it is passed from one fabric in the papermaking process to another, commonly referred to as rush transfer.
US09580864B2
The method is for the preparation of kraft pulp with increased pulping yield from lignin-containing cellulosic material using polysulfide cooking liquor. In order to increase carbohydrate stabilization and hence the yield from a kraft cooking process a first impregnation stage using polysulfide cooking liquor is implemented at high alkali and polysulfide concentration and at a low temperature. Knots are added to a high-pressure conduit extending between an impregnation vessel and a digester.
US09580862B2
A device for treating a continuously conveyed thread group in order to produce tire cord has a roller pair for locally softening the thread group, wherein each roller (3, 4) is provided with a toothing formation. When the thread group is guided through between the rollers (3, 4), it is deformed by the mechanical loading of the teeth. The rollers (3, 4) can be driven in a separate manner directly or indirectly by way of actuable electric motors, as a result of which the gap spacings (A) and (B) can be set precisely identically. The axle spacing (C) of the two rollers (3, 4) can be set depending on the fabric thickness and the fabric type.
US09580859B2
A lint retention apparatus for a laundry drying appliance has a lint separator, upstream of which a lint wetter is connected. A laundry drying appliance has a laundry drum and a process air condenser, which are connected by way of a process air channel conducting process air. It also has a lint separator disposed in the process air channel for flow purposes downstream of the laundry drum and upstream of the process air condenser, wherein a lint wetter is disposed for flow purposes downstream of the laundry drum and upstream of the lint separator.
US09580858B2
A motor control device driving a motor via an inverter circuit includes a current sensing element, a PWM signal generation unit and a current detection unit. The PWM signal generation unit is configured to generate three-phase PWM signals in a manner such that the current detection unit is capable of detecting two-phase currents at two fixed time-points within a carrier period of the PWM signal. A duty of one of the three-phase PWM signals is increased/decreased to both phase lag side and phase lead side with reference to any phase. A duty of another phase PWM signal is increased/decreased to both phase lag side and phase lead side with reference to any phase away one half of the carrier period from the reference phase. A duty of the other phase PWM signal is increased/decreased to either phase lag side or phase lead side with reference to any phase.
US09580842B2
An apparatus for producing a textile product generally includes a feeding section for providing a starting material to facilitate producing a textile product derived from the starting material; a drafting section operably coupled to the feeding section for gripping, pulling, stretching and breaking at least one strand of the starting material into at least one continuous and cohesive network of an intermediate product; and a spinning section operably coupled to the drafting section for winding and twisting the at least one continuous and cohesive network of an intermediate product onto a removable receiving member to form the textile product; the feeding section, the drafting section, and the spinning section are configured to form the textile product in a continuous operation.
US09580834B2
In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of growing chalcogen-linked metallic films on a surface in a chamber. In some embodiments, the method comprises placing a metal source and a chalcogen source in the chamber, and gradually heating the chamber, where the heating leads to the chemical vapor deposition of the chalcogen source and the metal source onto the surface, and facilitates the growth of the chalcogen-linked metallic film from the chalcogen source and the metal source on the surface. In some embodiments, the chalcogen source comprises sulfur, and the metal source comprises molybdenum trioxide. In some embodiments, the growth of the chalcogen-linked metallic film occurs by formation of nucleation sites on the surface, where the nucleation sites merge to form the chalcogen-linked metallic film. In some embodiments, the formed chalcogen-linked metallic film includes MoS2.
US09580811B2
The present invention aims to provide a method for producing a dispersion of metal nanoparticles which enables to control the shape and the particle diameter over a wide range, a dispersion of metal nanoparticles having superior dispersion stability, and a method for producing the same. In addition, the present invention further aims to provide a dispersion of metal nanoparticles which has a volume resistivity of 2×10−6 to 6×10−6 Ω·cm and is suitable for use as an electrically conductive material, and a method for producing the same. Moreover, the present invention further aims to provide a method for synthesizing metal nanoparticles which can produce metal nanoparticles suitable for use as electrically conductive materials by synthesizing the metal nanoparticles from a insoluble metal salt which is free of corrosive materials.
US09580806B2
Embodiments of the invention may generally provide a method and apparatus that is used to prepare new and used substrate support assemblies for use in typical semiconductor processing environments. Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method of coating a new substrate support assembly or a used substrate support assembly that is being refurbished. The deposited coating may include a surface enhancement and/or protective material that is configured to protect one or more of the components exposed to the processing environment during a semiconductor process. The substrate support assembly may be coated with a protective material and during the coating process, the substrate support assembly is maintained at a temperature that is less than or equal to 150° C. by flowing a coolant through channels formed in a base of the substrate support assembly.
US09580788B2
Methods of depositing hardfacing material portions of earth-boring tools may involve supporting at least a portion of an earth-boring tool in a holder of a workpiece positioner, the holder being movable in at least a third plane. A location of a surface of the at least a portion of the earth-boring tool may be determined utilizing at least one sensor. The workpiece positioner, the sensor, and a torch positioner comprising a hardfacing torch movable in at least a first plane perpendicular to the third plane and a second plane parallel to the third plane may be controlled utilizing a programmable control system to cause the torch positioner to oscillate the hardfacing torch in the second plane while selectively causing the workpiece positioner to move the holder in the third plane and causing the torch to deposit hardfacing material on the surface.
US09580782B2
A high-tensile-strength hot-rolled steel sheet is provided having a composition which contains 0.02 to 0.08% C, 0.01 to 0.10% Nb, 0.001 to 0.05% Ti and Fe and unavoidable impurities as a balance, wherein the steel sheet contains C, Ti and Nb in such a manner that (Ti+(Nb/2))/C<4 is satisfied, and the steel sheet has a structure where a primary phase of the structure at a position 1 mm away from a surface in a sheet thickness direction is one selected from a group consisting of a ferrite phase, tempered martensite and a mixture structure of a ferrite phase and tempered martensite, a primary phase of the structure at a sheet thickness center position is formed of a ferrite phase, and a difference ΔV between a structural fraction (volume %) of a secondary phase at the position 1 mm away from the surface in the sheet thickness direction and a structural fraction (volume %) of a secondary phase at the sheet thickness center position is 2% or less.
US09580779B2
A method for manufacturing the high strength steel sheet having excellent formability includes hot-rolling a steel slab having a chemical composition containing, by mass %, C: 0.03% or more and 0.35% or less, Si: 0.5% or more and 3.0% or less, Mn: 3.5% or more and 10.0% or less, P: 0.1% or less, S: 0.01% or less, N: 0.008% or less and the balance comprising Fe and inevitable impurities, coiling the hot-rolled steel sheet at a temperature range of the Ar1 transformation point to the Ar1 transformation point+(the Ar3 transformation point−the Ar1 transformation point)/2, cooling the coiled steel sheet down to 200° C. or lower, heating and holding the cooled steel sheet at a temperature range of the Ac1 transformation point−200° C. to the Ac1 transformation point for 30 minutes or more, pickling the heated steel sheet, cold-rolling the pickled steel sheet under the condition that the rolling reduction is 20% or more, and heating and holding the cold-rolled steel sheet at a temperature range of the Ac1 transformation point to the Ac1 transformation point+(the Ac3 transformation point−the Ac1 transformation point)/2 for 30 seconds or more.
US09580778B2
An electric furnace steel contains, by mass %, C: 0.12 to 0.28%, Si: equal to or less than 0.15%, Mn: 0.65 to 0.95%, P: equal to or less than 0.035%, S: equal to or less than 0.035%, Cr: 1.35 to 1.90%, Al: 0.020 to 0.050%, and N: 0.0080 to 0.0230%. A scrap material is selected such that Cu, Ni, and Mo that derive from the scrap material and are thus contained as impurities in the electric furnace steel satisfy Expression 1. The electric furnace steel further contains Fe and unavoidable impurities as a remainder thereof. Accordingly, the electric furnace steel can secure carburizing quality equivalent to or higher than that of Cr—Mo steel, and can have properties equivalent to or higher than that of Cr—Mo steel, without adding Mo. ([Cu]+2×[Ni])0.76×[Mo]≧0.0040 Expression 1:
US09580776B2
The present description relates to the field of fabricating microelectronic devices having non-planar transistors. Embodiments of the present description relate to the formation of gates within non-planar NMOS transistors, wherein an NMOS work-function material, such as a composition of aluminum, titanium, and carbon, may be used in conjunction with a titanium-containing gate fill barrier to facilitate the use of a tungsten-containing conductive material in the formation of a gate electrode of the non-planar NMOS transistor gate.
US09580770B2
A process is provided for preparing a spent noble metal fixed-bed catalyst for precious metals recovery, comprising: a) adding the catalyst to a caustic solution to wash the spent catalyst and to make a wash slurry having an alkaline pH, wherein the spent catalyst has been in contact with chloroaluminate ionic liquid catalyst, and wherein the spent catalyst comprises from 5 to 35 wt % chloride; and b) filtering the wash slurry and collecting: i) a filter cake having from at least 70 wt % of the chloride in the spent catalyst removed and having the noble metals retained, and ii) a wash filtrate. Also provided is a filter cake comprising a washed consolidated cake having 40 to 75 wt % solids, a cake moisture content from 25 to less than 60 wt %, 0.1 to 1.5 wt % total noble metals, and a residual chloride content of from zero to less than 4 wt %.
US09580767B2
A high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet includes a composition having controlled amounts of carbon, silicon, manganese, phosphorous, sulfur, titanium, niobium, sol. Aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, boron, calcium, REM, and iron. A microstructure thereof has a main phase of ferrite of at least 40 area %, and a second phase of a low-temperature transformation phase consisting either or both of martensite and bainite, which comprises at least 10 area % in total and retained austenite (γ) at least comprising 3 area % . An average grain diameter of ferrite has a tilt angle of at least 15° is at most 5.0 mm, an average grain diameter of the low-temperature transformation-produced phase is at most 2.0 mm, an average grain diameter of lump-like retained γ having an aspect ratio of less than 5 is at most 1.5 mm, and an area fraction of the lump-like retained γ relative to the retained γ is at least 50%.
US09580762B2
Methods for detecting flavivirus nucleic acids. Particularly described are methods for detecting West Nile virus nucleic acids in the 3′ non-coding region.
US09580761B2
The present invention provides an internal positive control for contaminating viruses. The invention provides the use of a second virus as an exogenous internal positive control in methods for verifying the reliability of an assay to detect a first virus, in methods of ensuring the absence of the first virus in a biological sample or pharmaceutical sample and in methods of manufacturing a vaccine free from a first virus.
US09580752B2
Disclosed are methods of predicting the development of medically refractory ulcerative colitis (MR-UC) in a patient In one embodiment, disclosed is a method of prognosing ulcerative colitis in an individual by determining the presence or absence of one or more risk variants, where the presence of one or more risk variants is indicative of a severe and/or aggressive form of ulcerative colitis. In another embodiment, the severe form of ulcerative colitis is indicative of MR-UC.
US09580749B2
Dimeric and trimeric nucleic acid dyes, and associated systems and methods are provided. Such a dye may form a hairpin-like structure that enables it to stain nucleic acids via a release-on-demand mechanism, for example. Such a dye may have low background fluorescence in the absence of nucleic acids and high fluorescence in the presence of nucleic acids, upon binding therewith, for example. A dye provided herein may be useful in a variety of applications, such as in DNA quantitation in real-time PCR, for example.
US09580739B2
Method of in vitro measurement of the presence of factors that are able to neutralize asparaginase activity in a sample of blood, plasma, serum or derived medium that may contain asparaginase neutralizing factors, obtained from a patient, comprising mixing of said sample with asparaginase, incubation of said mixture, then measurement of the residual asparaginase activity in the mixture and determination or quantification of the presence of said neutralizing factors. Method for predicting the efficacy of a treatment with asparaginase.
US09580738B2
The disclosure provides a method for producing extracellular proteins from genus Tepidimonas, including: performing a fermentation culturing to a bacteria of genus Tepidimonas with a culturing medium to form a fermented liquid, wherein the composition of the culturing medium includes a carbon source which is an organic acid, selected from a group consisting of acetate, lactate and butyrate; a nitrogen source selected from a group consisting of (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, NH4Cl and urea; phosphate; carbonate; MgCl2; yeast extract; and trace elements, and wherein the gas feeding rate for the fermentation culturing is about 0-0.1 vvm; and after the fermentation culturing is completed, collecting the fermented liquid, wherein the fermented liquid contains extracellular protein secreted from the bacteria of genus Tepidimonas.
US09580737B2
A general method and strains of bacteria are described by means where the endogeneous DNAK protein or homolog of the DNAK protein is tagged with a recognizable amino acid sequence and that through this tag, DNAK may be efficiently removed, and as such, recombinant protein purification may be greatly improved both in yield and purity with simplified purification steps that remove the DNAK and reduced cost, waste accumulation and labor, and the isolated recombinant protein will significantly benefit research and therapeutics in its application.
US09580724B2
The invention provides compositions and methods relating to the production of Cucumis melo plants with elevated Brix and/or enhanced fruit color. The invention further provides plants, plant parts, and seeds comprising such elevated Brix. The invention allows introgression of the identified high Brix QTL in an desired genetic background of a sexually compatible plant species.
US09580723B2
A genetically modified fruit-producing plant, said plant having sufficiently reduced total Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) activity relative to a wild type of said plant to reduce browning in the fruit of said plant relative to said wild type, wherein the reduced total PPO activity results from a reduction in activity of at least two PPO isoenzymes in said plant relative to said wild type, or a cell, seed, seedling, part, tissue, cell, fruit or progeny of said plant.
US09580720B2
This invention relates to cells and nucleic acids and also use thereof for producing rhamnolipids, and also methods for producing rhamnolipids.
US09580715B2
Methods are provided herein for assembling at least two nucleic acids using a sequence specific nuclease agent (e.g., a gRNA-Cas complex) to create end sequences having complementarity and subsequently assembling the overlapping complementary sequences. The nuclease agent (e.g., a gRNA-Cas complex) can create double strand breaks in dsDNA in order to create overlapping end sequences or can create nicks on each strand to produce complementary overhanging end sequences. Assembly using the method described herein can assemble any nucleic acids having overlapping sequences or can use a joiner oligo to assemble sequences without complementary ends.
US09580702B2
A thermostable cellobiohydrolase including a cellobiohydrolase catalytic domain, the cellobiohydrolase catalytic domain including:(A) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1;(B) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence obtained by deletion, substitution or addition of at least one amino acid of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having at least a cellobiohydrolase activity under conditions of 75° C. and pH 5.5;(C) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having at least a cellobiohydrolase activity under conditions of 75° C. and pH 5.5;(D) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3;(E) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence obtained by deletion, substitution or addition of at least one amino acid (with a proviso that cysteine residues at positions 291 and 296 in the amino acid sequence are excluded) of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3, and having at least a cellobiohydrolase activity under conditions of 75° C. and pH 5.5; or(F) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence (with a proviso that cysteine residues are present at positions 291 and 296) having at least 85% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3, and having at least a cellobiohydrolase activity under conditions of 75° C. and pH 5.5.
US09580695B2
Cured tobacco having a lower concentration of tobacco specific nitrosamines, can be produced from a transgenic tobacco plant having a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that catalyzes production of active oxygen species. The heterologous nucleotide sequence is operably coupled to a regulatory nucleotide sequence that directs expression of the polypeptide. The regulatory nucleotide sequence can include constitutive and/or inducible promoter elements.
US09580693B2
The invention provides compositions and methods useful to prepare segmented, negative strand RNA viruses, e.g., orthomyxoviruses such as influenza A viruses, entirely from cloned cDNAs and in the absence of helper virus.
US09580689B2
Described herein is a major breakthrough in nuclear reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. Fusion of the powerful transcription activation domain (TAD) of MyoD to the Oct4 protein makes iPSCs generation faster, more efficient, purer, safer and feeder-free. Also, disclosed herein is the first report of the use of a TAD fused to a transcription factor as a method for making iPSCs. By combining transcription factors and TADs, this approach to nuclear reprogramming can have a range of applications from inducing pluriopotency to inducing transdifferentiation without transitioning through iPSCs.
US09580687B2
Disclosed is a method for culturing mesenchymal stem cells, comprising culturing mesenchymal stem cells in a medium containing calcium in a concentration of from 2.1 to 3.8 mM and magnesium in a concentration of from 1.0 to 3.0 mM under a hypoxic condition of 2 to 5% oxygen. The culturing method can increase the population of mesenchymal stem cells even with a small number of passages by improving mesenchymal stem cells in proliferative capacity and viability. In addition, the mesenchymal stem cells prepared by the culturing method are effectively used not only as a safe cell therapeutic agent due to their lacking immunogenicity, but also as a cartilage regenerating medicine owing to their excellent secretion of cytokines.
US09580686B2
The present invention relates to the use of at least one antibody which binds to the SUSD2 antigen, or to functional fragments of the antibody, in combination with at least one of the following: an antibody which binds to CD140b, an antibody which binds to CD56, and/or an antibody which binds to TNAP, or functional fragments thereof, for isolation of mesenchymal stem cells, especially those having particularly chondrocytic and osteogenic differentiation potential. The invention further relates to processes for isolating such stem cells using these antibodies.
US09580685B2
A non-immunogenic selection epitope may be generated by removing certain amino acid sequences of the protein. For example, a gene encoding a truncated human epidermal growth factor receptor polypeptide (EGFRt) that lacks the membrane distal EGF-binding domain and the cytoplasmic signaling tail, but retains an extracellular epitope recognized by an anti-EGFR antibody is provided. Cells may be genetically modified to express EGFRt and then purified without the immunoactivity that would accompany the use of full-length EGFR immunoactivity. Through flow cytometric analysis, EGFRt was successfully utilized as an in vivo tracking marker for genetically modified human T cell engraftment in mice. Furthermore, EGFRt was demonstrated to have cellular depletion potential through cetuximab mediated antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) pathways. Thus, EGFRt may be used as a non-immunogenic selection tool, tracking marker, a depletion tool or a suicide gene for genetically modified cells having therapeutic potential.
US09580683B2
Methods for de-differentiating or altering the life-span of desired “recipient” cells, e.g., human somatic cells, by the introduction of cytoplasm from a more primitive, less differentiated cell type, e.g., oocyte or blastomere are provided. These methods can be used to produce embryonic stem cells and to increase the efficiency of gene therapy by allowing for desired cells to be subjected to multiple genetic modifications without becoming senescent. Such cytoplasm may be fractionated and/or subjected to subtractive hybridization and the active materials (sufficient for de-differentiation) identified and produced by recombinant methods.
US09580682B1
The present invention relates to a method of inducing the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into endoderm and mesoderm by CXCR2 inhibition, and more particularly, to a method of promoting the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into endoderm and mesoderm by inhibiting the expression of the surface receptor CXCR2 in the stem cells by use of an shRNA technique. The method of inducing the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into endoderm or mesoderm by CXCR2 inhibition according to the present invention can increase the efficiency and utility of stem cells as a cell therapeutic agent, because it promotes the differentiation of stem cells into a specific germ layer serving as the origin of target cells, which is the first important step for inducing the differentiation of stem cells into specific cells.
US09580680B2
According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacterium pseudolongum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacterium pseudolongum of the present invention are also provided.
US09580670B2
Consumer product compositions comprising organopolysiloxane conditioning polymers. Also disclosed are processes for making such compositions and to methods of using such compositions to provide a conditioning benefit.
US09580664B2
The present invention relates to a catalytic conversion process for improving the product distribution, characterized in that a feedstock oil of good quality is contacted with a hot regenerated catalyst having a lower activity in a reactor to carry out a cracking reaction, the reaction product is separated from the spent catalyst to be regenerated, then the reaction product is fed into a separation system, and the spent catalyst to be regenerated is stripped, regenerated and recycled in the process. The isobutene content in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) produced by the process is increased by a factor of more than 30%, and the olefin content in the gasoline composition may be increased to more than 30 wt. %. The product distribution is optimized, and the yields of dry gas and coke are decreased, so as to sufficiently utilize the petroleum resources.
US09580663B2
A hydrocracking process by the steps of: (a) providing a mixture comprising hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and hydrogen; (b) obtaining a hydrocracked effluent; (c) separating the hydrocracked effluent into a first vapor portion and a first liquid portion; (d) heating the first liquid portion to form a vapourised first liquid portion; (e) feeding the vaporised first liquid portion to a fractionation section producing individual product fractions including a heavy bottom fraction; (f) withdrawing from the fractionation section the heavy bottom fraction; (g) splitting the heavy bottom fraction in a stream for stripping and a heavy bottom fraction recycle stream; (h) stripping the stream for stripping, with a stripping medium, in a counter current stripping column to form an overhead vapor and a stripped liquid; (i) feeding the overhead vapor to the fractionation section, to a recycle stream or to a position upstream the fractionation section.
US09580660B2
The application describes a process where methane or any short chained hydrocarbon could be catalytically coupled with an oxygenate (preferably derived from thermal processing of biomass) to dehydrate and produce a deoxygenated hydrocarbon. The presence of oxygen in biomass derivatives adversely affects its ability to be further processed into hydrocarbon fuels because the resulting water poisons many catalysts (including alumina containing catalysts, zeolites, etc.) found in petrochemical refineries. While commonly used hydrodeoxygenation methods require expensive hydrogen to instigate deoxygenation, the present process uses short chained hydrocarbons (such as methane or natural gas) to instigate hydrodeoxygenation.
US09580647B2
The present invention relates to low reabsorbing semiconductor nanocrystals having, simultaneously, an emission center core surrounded by at least one absorbing shell capable of absorbing blue or purple light and a protective exterior shell. The emission center core is capable of emitting at least one different wavelength range of light. The low reabsorbing semiconductor nanocrystals demonstrate an absorbance ratio greater than or equal to 10. These low reabsorbing semiconductor nanocrystals can be used in optical applications, some of which can include, for example, light-emitting diodes, solid-state-lighting, solar cells, lasers, and biomedical tags.
US09580645B2
A fluorescent paste that can form a fluorescent film and can be manufactured without a binder resin and has a high recording density and peel resistance. Fluorescent fine particles each coated with a film formed of a film compound having a reactive group and a curing agent having a plurality of crosslinking reaction groups each reacting with the reactive group to form bonds are blended with a solvent to manufacture fluorescent paste. The fluorescent paste is applied to a substrate coated with a film formed of a second film compound having a second reactive group and is cured by crosslinking reactions between the reactive group and the second reactive group, and the crosslinking reaction groups to form a fluorescent film.
US09580644B2
To improve the illumination efficiency of hand-held illumination devices, this invention proposes a new illumination device having the “rolling” function, which is capable of illuminating the target area on which a user is currently focusing and rolling the illuminated area as the user is reading forward or backward. The illumination device comprises two pluralities of lighting elements, an illuminating body and a controller. The controller can control one plurality of lighting elements to emit light to illuminate a part of the illuminating body, which can further deflect the light to a part of the surface of the target.
US09580631B2
Methods of forming an adhesive composition including the steps of (a) combining a non-deaerated mixture comprising at least one free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material with a sealable packaging, wherein the packaging contains the non-deaerated mixture; (b) sealing the non-deaerated mixture in the packaging to form a sealed packaging; and (c) exposing the non-deaerated mixture in the sealed packaging to a source of ionizing radiation for a time sufficient to initiate (co)polymerization of at least a portion of the at least one free radically (co)polymerizable ethylenically-unsaturated material to form an adhesive composition in the sealed packaging. The (co)polymerization takes place essentially non-adiabatically. At least a portion of the packaging is meltable and mixable with the adhesive composition so as to provide a flowable coatable adhesive composition when the sealed packaging containing the adhesive composition is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt at least a portion of the packaging.
US09580627B2
A flexible display device includes a protection film and a display panel, and the protection film includes a carrier film and an adhesive layer on the carrier film and including a plurality of adhesive dots separated from each other.
US09580624B2
The present invention realizes a display device or input device having excellent ultraviolet protection property for the touch panel, display element or the like, while retaining optical characteristics, even when a small amount of or no optical film is used. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet of the present invention has a total light transmittance of 85% or more, a light transmittance at a wavelength of 380 nm of 5% or less, and a haze of 3% or less. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet preferably includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing an acrylic polymer and a triazine-based ultraviolet absorber.
US09580616B2
Compound of Formula (1); wherein: Zw is an organic radical comprising w amino groups, in which w is a number and 5≦w≦3,000; A and B are independently oxy-C1-C20-alkylene carbonyl groups or oxy-C2-C20-alkenylene carbonyl groups derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids or lactones; T is hydrogen or R—CO—, where R is a C1-C50 hydrocarbyl group; Y is a C3-C4-alkylene radical linked to an amino group of Zw; Y′ is an ionic salt link between an amino group of Zw and the terminal carbonyl of (A)r-(B)p-T; r and p are independently numbers between 0 and 50 and r+p>2; s, m and v are numbers; 0.99w≦s+m≦2w; and 0.3w≦s+v≦2w are suitable as dispersants and milling aids.
US09580611B2
The aim of the invention is to create a composition for coating electric conductors which is significantly more resistant to partial discharges than prior art compositions while the produced insulating layer is highly extensible. Said aim is achieved by a composition comprising 1 to 50 percent by weight of microparticles that have a specifically adjusted electronic defect structure in the crystal lattice, resulting in greater polarizability of the valence electrons, and an organic and/or organic-inorganic matrix. The microparticles that have a specifically adjusted electronic defect structure are composed of oxides, sulfides, selenides, tellurides of the elements which are part of the series encompassing silicon, zinc, aluminum, tin, boron, germanium, gallium, lead, the transition metals, lanthanides, and actinides, particularly from the series encompassing silicon, titanium, zinc, yttrium, cerium, vanadium, hafnium, zirconium, nickel, and/or tantalum, in such a way that the basic lattice is provided with vacant lattice positions by doping 4 the basic lattice with adequate low-valent or higher-valent elements, said vacant lattice positions increasing the electronic polarizability of the microparticles by means of defect chemistry (the defect structure).
US09580606B2
The present invention relates to a method for recycling scrap rubber comprising the steps of pyrolyzing scrap rubber to obtain a char material and milling the thus obtained char material. The present invention also relates to carbon black powders and carbon black pellets obtained by the method according to the invention. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of said carbon black powder and to compositions comprising said carbon black powders.
US09580604B2
Provided is a phthalocyanine derivative of the following general formula (1) which has superior solubility in organic solvents:General formula (1): (wherein M is a hydrogen atom, a metal element, a metalloid element, a metal oxide, a metalloid oxide, a metal hydroxide, a metalloid hydroxide, a metal halide, or a metalloid halide, and R is each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl ethyl group, an aryl ether group, an alkyl sulfide group, an aryl sulfide group, or a trifluoromethyl group).
US09580597B2
The present invention relates to a polycarbonate composition including a polycarbonate and an impact reinforcing agent, and an inorganic filler to improve a mechanical property thereof, and a copolycarbonate to solve a problem of appearance defect caused by including the inorganic filler.
US09580590B2
The present invention aims to provide a novel method for producing an aqueous dispersion containing non-melt-processable polytetrafluoroethylene particles. The present invention relates to a method for producing an aqueous dispersion containing non-melt-processable polytetrafluoroethylene particles, the method including polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous medium in the presence of perfluoro hexanoic acid or its salt.
US09580556B2
Described herein are compositions including hereocyclic fused thiophene based compounds, polymers based on fused thiophene compounds, and methods for making the monomer and polymer along with uses in thin film-based and other devices.
US09580552B2
A polyamide ester resin includes: a repeat unit derived from a dicarboxylic acid; a repeat unit derived from a diamine; and a repeat unit represented by the following Formula 1, wherein the polyamide ester resin has a melting temperature (Tm) of about 280° C. or more. The polyamide ester resin can exhibit excellent properties in terms of moisture absorption resistance, heat resistance, discoloration resistance, fluidity and the like by using a cyclic ester. wherein R1 is a C3 to C12 linear, branched or cyclic alkylene group.
US09580551B2
For laser sintering, a material includes at least one powder that has been treated by heat to modify at least one of: a melting temperature of the at least one powder; and a recrystallization temperature of the at least one powder and results in the narrowing of the melting curve of the treated material relative to the untreated material. The heating can include a series of heating steps. The treatment improves the efficacies of the SLS process and product quality.
US09580545B2
Provided are: an antistatic agent which is capable of imparting excellent antistatic effect in a small amount and has sufficient persistence and wiping resistance; an antistatic agent composition; an antistatic resin composition; and a molded article.The antistatic agent comprises a polymer compound (E) having a structure in which a block polymer (C) and a polyhydric alcohol compound (D) are bound via an ester bond formed by a carboxyl group of the block polymer (C) and a hydroxyl group of the polyhydric alcohol compound (D), the block polymer (C) having a structure comprising carboxyl groups at both ends, in which structure a block constituted by a polyester (A) having carboxyl groups at both ends and a block constituted by a compound (B) having hydroxyl groups at both ends are repeatedly and alternately bound via ester bonds formed by the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, and the polyhydric alcohol compound (D) comprising three or more hydroxyl groups.
US09580538B2
A robust, two component adhesive for laminating flexible packaging material comprising a mixture of Component A and Component B. Component A comprises an isocyanate-functionalized compound. Component B comprises a mixture of a high functionality polyol containing at least four hydroxyl groups per molecule with at least two primary OH groups on the molecule and two secondary OH groups on the molecule and a trifunctional polyol containing three OH groups on the molecule. Component B can contain a difunctional polyol containing two OH groups on the molecule. The adhesive is robust and retains desirable properties when used at varying A:B mix ratios better than conventional laminating adhesives used at the same mix ratios.
US09580537B1
Methods, compounds, and compositions described herein generally relate to polyalkylamines and syntheses thereof. In some embodiments, a chemical compound has the formula: Each instance of R is independently selected from the group consisting of aryl, alkyl, and polyether. Each instance of R′ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, polyether, and alcohol. Each instance of Q and Z is independently a covalent bond or selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aralkyl.
US09580536B2
This invention relates to a process for stabilizing a phenolic resin containing a mixture of linear phenolic resins and calixarenes and a demulsifier composition comprising the stabilized phenolic resins prepared from the process. The process comprises contacting the phenolic resin with an alkylene carbonate, in the presence of a base catalyst, to at least partially alkoxylate the phenolic hydroxyl groups of the calixarenes. This process forms a stabilized phenolic resin with an increased solubility in a hydrocarbon solvent.
US09580511B2
The current disclosure provides binding polypeptides (e.g., antibodies), and effector moiety conjugates thereof (e.g., antibody-drug conjugates or ADCs), comprising a site-specifically engineered drug-glycan linkage within native or engineered glycans of the binding polypetpide. The current disclosure also provides nucleic acids encoding the antigen-binding polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such antigen-binding polypeptides. Methods of using the antigen-binding polypeptides disclosed herein to treat disease are also provided.
US09580509B2
The disclosure generally provides proteins that bind two epitopes (e.g., a first and a second epitope) and that are bivalent for binding to each of the first and second epitopes. The disclosure also provides compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins and methods of making and using such proteins.
US09580507B2
The present disclosure provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to PD-L1 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of this disclosure, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The disclosure also provides methods for detecting PD-L1, as well as methods for treating various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, using anti-PD-L1 antibodies.
US09580501B2
A monoclonal secretory IgA antibody, which binds to and neutralizes human TNFα. The secretory antibody is useful in treating a variety of inflammatory conditions in humans.
US09580492B2
The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.
US09580491B2
The invention provides non-human cells and mammals having a genome encoding chimeric antibodies and methods of producing transgenic cells and mammals. Certain aspects of the invention include chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions and kits. Certain aspects of the invention also relate to diagnostic and treatment methods using the antibodies of the invention.
US09580484B2
The present invention relates to an engineered biological system, and in particular an Escherichia coli host. The host is incorporated with a DNA construct for production of at least a first polypeptide. The first polypeptide may be an authentic basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The DNA construct has an insert including, for example, in the sequence of, an expression cassette, an intein sequence and DNA coding for the first polypeptide. The DNA construct is configured to effect the host to secrete the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the cytoplasm of the host and/or to excrete to cell medium in which the host is cultured.
US09580481B2
The present invention provides compositions relating to viral capsomeres which comprise foreign immunogenic sequences for use in pharmaceutical compositions and methods of producing such compositions, and related isolated or purified protein and nucleic acid molecules, vectors, host cells, compositions, and methods of use to augment an immune response, immunize an animal and prophylactically or therapeutically treat a disease, disorder or condition. The viral capsomere may be derived from a polyomavirus and comprise an immunogen of interest at the N-terminus and further at the C-terminus and/or at one or more exposed loops of the capsomere.
US09580466B2
Melanocortin receptor-specific linear peptides of the formula where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are as defined in the specification, compositions and formulations including peptides of the foregoing formula or salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing, ameliorating or treating melanocortin-1 receptor-mediated or responsive diseases, indications, conditions and syndromes.
US09580444B2
Provided are a polycyclic pyrazolinone derivative indicated by general formula (1) (in the formula, R1, X1, X2, X3, and Y indicate the definitions provided in the Specification) and a herbicide comprising same as effective component thereof.
US09580437B2
A compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is provided that has been shown to be useful for treating a PRC2-mediated disease or disorder: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and n are as defined herein.
US09580434B2
Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds are amide compounds which can be prepared from certain heteroaryl carboxylic acids and certain diazabicycloalkanes. The compounds exhibit selectivity for, and bind with high affinity to, neuronal nicotinic receptors of the α4β2 subtype in the central nervous system (CNS). The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent a wide variety of conditions or disorders, particularly CNS disorders. The compounds can: (i) alter the number of nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the brain of the patient, (ii) exhibit neuroprotective effects, and (iii) when employed in effective amounts, not result in appreciable adverse side effects (e.g. side effects such as significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate, significant negative effects upon the gastrointestinal tract, and significant effects upon skeletal muscle).
US09580431B2
The disclosure generally relates to compounds of formula I, including compositions and methods for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The disclosure provides novel inhibitors of HIV, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HIV infection.
US09580418B2
The present disclosure describes bicyclic aromatic carboxamide derivatives, as well as their compositions and methods of use. The compounds inhibit the activity of the Pim kinases, and are useful in the treatment of diseases related to the activity of Pim kinases including, e.g., cancer and other diseases.
US09580416B2
Disclosed herein are compounds that inhibit Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) having the structure of Formula (B): Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the Btk inhibitors are disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US09580410B2
2-((R)-2-Methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxamide Crystalline Form 1, ways to make it, compositions comprising it and made using it, and methods of treating patients having disease using it are disclosed.
US09580408B2
Crystalline Forms R5, R5a, R5b and R6 of nilotinib hydrochloride and processes for their preparation.
US09580401B2
To provide an industrial method for producing a substituted benzoic acid compound useful as an intermediate of pharmaceutical and agricultural chemicals with high purity and high yield.A compound represented by the formula (II): (wherein Q is a 5- or 6-membered saturated heterocyclic group (the heterocyclic group may be substituted by alkyl) containing one or two of at least one type of hetero atom selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom, or dialkoxymethyl, T is trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, —SOA1, —SO2A1, —PO(OA1)(OA2), —COA1, —CO2A1 or —CONA1A2, each of A1 and A2 which are independent of each other, is a hydrogen atom, alkyl or haloalkyl, X is halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkylthio, haloalkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, haloalkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, haloalkylsulfonyl, dialkylaminosulfonyl, di(haloalkyl)aminosulfonyl, nitro or cyano, Y is a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or an iodine atom, and n is an integer of from 1 to 6), carbon monoxide and a compound represented by the formula R—OH (wherein R is alkyl) are reacted, followed by hydrolysis to obtain a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein Q, T, X and n are as defined above.
US09580396B2
In its many embodiments, the present invention provides certain C5-spiro iminothiadiazine dioxide compounds, including compounds Formula (I): (structurally represented) or tautomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds, wherein R1, R2, R3, X, Y, s, ring A, RA, m, -L1-, and RL are as defined herein. The novel compounds of the invention are useful as BACE inhibitors and/or for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies related thereto. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds (alone and in combination with one or more other active agents), and methods for their preparation and use, including for the possible treatment of Alzheimer's disease, are also disclosed.
US09580391B2
The invention provides saturated acyl guanidine compounds that inhibit F1F0-ATPase, and methods of using saturated acyl guanidine compounds as therapeutic agents to treat medical disorders, such as an immune disorder, inflammatory condition, or cancer.
US09580385B2
Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability.
US09580382B2
A method for treating a p62-mediated disease (e.g., multiple myeloma) in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one p62-ZZ inhibitor compound.
US09580378B2
A batchwise process for aftertreatment of polyol esters prepared by reacting polyols of the general formula (II) H—(—O—[—CR1R2—]m—)o—OH (II) in which R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl or propyl, or a hydroxyalkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably the hydroxymethyl radical, m is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 8 and especially 1, 2, 3 or 4, o is an integer from 2 to 15, preferably 2 to 8 and especially 2, 3, 4 or 5, with excess linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and having a lower boiling point than the polyols used. The process is carried out in the presence of a Lewis acid and in the presence of an adsorbent, while removing the water formed, characterized in that the excess monocarboxylic acid is removed by distillation and water is added to the crude ester obtained at a temperature below the boiling point of water at the particular pressure and the crude ester with added water is aftertreated with avoidance of basic compounds, and the sparingly soluble conversion products and the adsorbent present in the esterification reaction are filtered off.
US09580377B2
Process for producing acetic acid is disclosed in which a lithium compound is added to the reaction medium to maintain a concentration of lithium acetate from 0.3 to 0.7 wt. %. The concentration of the rhodium catalyst is maintained from 300 to 3000 wppm in the reaction medium, the concentration of water is maintained from 0.1 to 4.1 wt. % in the reaction medium, and the concentration of methyl acetate is maintained from 0.6 to 4.1 wt. % in the reaction medium.
US09580371B2
The present invention is in the field of organic and natural product chemistry. The present invention relates to an efficient process for purification, simultaneous extraction, and separation of monohydroxycarotenoids from dihydroxycarotenoids in various natural products or in synthetic mixtures. Similarly, the process can also be applied to the simultaneous extraction, saponification, and separation of esterified mono- and dihydroxycarotenoids in natural products and their oleoresins or in their synthetic mixtures. Therefore, esterified and unesterified monohydroxycarotenoids such as (3R)-β-cryptoxanthin and (3R,6′R)-α-cryptoxanthin can be efficiently separated from their corresponding dihydroxycarotenoids such as (3R,3′R,6′R)-lutein and (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin that are found in various plants or in synthetic mixtures.
US09580366B2
A continuous mixing reactor has an outer shell having a cylindrical portion with a central section and two opposite conical end sections; a circulation tube within the shell so that an annular passage forms between the shell and the circulation tube; an impeller within and positioned adjacent to one end of the circulation tube; and heat exchange means penetrating the outer shell and extending into the end of the circulation tube opposite the impeller. The outer shell has a hydraulic head forming one end of the shell, a heat exchange medium header at the opposite end of the shell. The circulation tube nearer the heat exchange medium header terminates at or downstream from a tangential plane extending through the shell at the intersection of the central section and the conical end section of the cylindrical portion of shell. The reactor is useful in an alkylation process.
US09580361B2
The present invention relates to a preparation method of a tungsten carbide sintered body for a friction stir welding tool used in a friction stir welding tool of a high melting point material such as steel, titanium and the like or a dissimilar material such as aluminum, magnesium-steel, titanium and the like. The preparation method comprises the following steps: filling a tungsten carbide (WC) powder in a mold made of a graphite material; mounting the mold filled with tungsten carbide powder in a chamber of a discharge plasma sintering apparatus; making a vacuum inside of the chamber; molding the tungsten carbide powder while maintaining a constant pressure inside the mold and increasing the temperature according to a set heat increase pattern until the temperature reaches a final target temperature; and cooling the inside of the chamber while maintaining the pressure pressurized in the mold after the molding step.
US09580352B2
A substrate for p-Si TFT flat panel displays made of a glass having a high low-temperature-viscosity characteristic temperature and manufactured while avoiding erosion/wear of a melting tank during melting through direct electrical heating. The glass substrate comprises 52-78 mass % of SiO2, 3-25 mass % of Al2O3, 3-15 mass % of B2O3, 3-20 mass % of RO, wherein RO is total amount of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO, 0.01-0.8 mass % of R2O, wherein R2O is total amount of Li2O, Na2O, and K2O, and 0-0.3 mass % of Sb2O3, and substantially does not comprise As2O3, wherein the mass ratio CaO/RO is equal to or greater than 0.65, the mass ratio (SiO2+Al2O3)/B2O3 is in a range of 7-30, and the mass ratio (SiO2+Al2O3)/RO is equal to or greater than 5. A related method involves melting glass raw materials blended to provide the glass composition; a forming step of forming the molten glass into a flat-plate glass; and an annealing step of annealing the flat-plate glass.
US09580351B2
The invention provides a low-cost high-precision molding optical glass, with density below 4.54 g/cm3, refractive index ranging from 1.85 to 1.95, Abbe number ranging from 25 to 35 and transition temperature lower than 610° C. Expensive Ta2O5 is not added in the invention, so the production cost is saved, and resource saving is realized; the combination of B2O3 and La2O3 effectively improves the devitrification resistance and the chemical stability of glass; the combination of WO3 and TiO2 allows the staining degree of the optical glass to be excellent; and the combination of Gd2O3 and La2O3 effectively improves the devitrification resistance of the glass.
US09580347B2
A glass forming system (200) and a method are described herein for forming a glass sheet (230). In one example, the glass forming system and method can use a glass composition with a liquidus viscosity less than 1000 poises to continuously form a glass sheet.
US09580345B2
A closed loop blank mold temperature control system and method for use in the operation of an I.S. machine is disclosed for automatically adjusting machine timing to maintain desired blank mold temperature/heat extraction. The closed loop blank mold temperature control system uses measured blank mold temperatures to automatically control the supply of coolant air to the blank molds, which may be done independently to each blank mold half as well as independently to the plunger for each blank mold. The closed loop blank mold temperature control system can provide temperature setpoint commands, balance left and right parison temperatures, and maintain parison temperatures as a setpoint, all of which contribute to enhanced final glass container quality.
US09580342B2
Method for cooperative control of microcystis aeruginosa by using chub, bighead, catfish and daphnia
The present disclosure relates to methods for cooperative control of microcystis aeruginosa by using chub, bighead, catfish and daphnia, and belongs to the technical field of water treatment. The microcystis aeruginosa in a water body is controlled using a food chain relationship; the chub, the bighead, the catfish and the daphnia can directly eat the microcystis aeruginosa in a filtering manner; and meanwhile, the chub, the bighead and the catfish also can intake the daphnia, so as to indirectly consume the microcystis aeruginosa in the water body, wherein the fishes, the daphnia and the microcystis aeruginosa form the food chain relationship; in addition, the microcystis aeruginosa at the upper, middle and lower layers and a microcystis aeruginosa hypopus at the bottom layer can be controlled by fully utilizing the vertical spatial distribution difference of the three fishes in the water body.
US09580331B2
A CaF2 polycrystalline body which is a polycrystalline body constituted of CaF2 and of which an average grain size of crystalline grains is 200 μm or more, and a method for producing a CaF2 polycrystalline body, the method including a process of introducing a compact which is obtained by using a CaF2 powder raw material into a vacuum sintering furnace and sintering at a temperature of not higher than 1400° C. for six hours or more, thereby obtaining the CaF2 polycrystalline body.
US09580329B2
Mesoporous X and A zeolites and methods for production thereof are disclosed herein. Such mesoporous zeolites can be prepared by contacting an initial zeolite with an acid in conjunction with a mesopore forming agent. The initial zeolite can have a framework silicon-to-aluminum content in the range of from about 1 to about 2.5. Additionally, such mesoporous zeolites can have a total 20 to 135 Å diameter mesopore volume of at least 0.05 cc/g.
US09580325B2
A process for producing a highly oriented graphene film (HOGF), comprising: (a) preparing a graphene oxide (GO) dispersion having GO sheets dispersed in a fluid medium; (b) dispensing and depositing the dispersion onto a surface of a supporting substrate to form a layer of GO, wherein the dispensing and depositing procedure includes subjecting the dispersion to an orientation-inducing stress; (c) removing the fluid medium to form a dried layer of GO having an inter-plane spacing d002 of 0.4 nm to 1.2 nm; (d) slicing the dried layer of GO into multiple pieces of dried GO and stacking at least two pieces of dried GO to form a mass of multiple pieces of GO; and (f) heat treating the mass under an optional first compressive stress to produce the HOGF at a first heat treatment temperature higher than 100° C. to an extent that an inter-plane spacing d002 is decreased to a value less than 0.4 nm.
US09580323B2
The invention provides methods for the combustion synthesis (CS) of graphene by a novel exothermic self-sustained reaction between a refractory ceramic compound and a carbon-containing polymer under an inert gas atmosphere. The synthesis of graphene was confirmed by both transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The graphene produced has very low (<1 wt. %) oxygen content. Fluorocarbon gases released due to decomposition of the carbon-containing polymer in the combustion wave can reduce the ceramic to a gas and mesoporous carbon particles and graphene layers. The method does not require an external energy source because it occurs in a self-sustained synergetic manner after ignition. The methods are flexible in terms of tuning the synthesis conditions for desired products, and the method can be scaled to provide kilogram quantities.
US09580316B2
A method for preparing metal complex hydride nanorods, comprising the steps of: (1) preparing one-dimensional coordination polymers by mixing metal complex hydrides with organic solvents and subsequent drying; (2) preparing coordination polymer nanostructures by mechanical milling the one-dimensional coordination polymers that obtained from step (1), in which the one-dimensional coordination polymers are vaporized and then deposited onto the substrate; (3) preparing metal complex hydride nanorods by removing the organic ligands from the coordination polymer nanostructures that obtained from step (2). This method is simple and feasible, and exhibits excellent generality. Moreover, the purity of the metal complex hydrides nanostructures is high.
US09580312B2
The invention relates to a continuous method for producing acetylenes and syngas by partially oxidizing hydrocarbons with oxygen. A first feed stream (1) containing one or more hydrocarbons and a second feed stream (2) containing oxygen are —mixed in a ratio of the mass flows of the second feed stream (2) to the first feed stream (1) corresponding to an oxygen number of less than or equal to 0.31, said streams being heated separately from each other, —and fed to a combustion chamber (FR) via a burner block (BR), the partial oxidation of the hydrocarbons being carried out in said combustion chamber, —thereby obtaining a first cracked gas stream Ig. The invention is characterized in that —the first cracked gas stream Ig is precooled to a temperature ranging from 100 to 1000° C. in a prequench region (H), thereby obtaining a second cracked gas stream IIg, —50 to 90% of the solids contained in the second cracked gas stream IIg are separated therefrom in a solid-gas separating device (A), thereby obtaining a solid stream If and a third cracked gas stream IIIg, —the third cracked gas stream IIIg is cooled to 80 to 90° C. by injecting water in a total quench region (B), thereby obtaining a fourth cracked gas stream IVg and a first process water stream Iliq, —the fourth cracked gas stream IVg undergoes a fine separation of solids in one or more scrubbing devices (C, D), thereby obtaining one or more process water streams IIliq, IIIliq and a product gas stream VIg, —the process water streams Iliq, IIliq, IIIliq are merged into a combined process water stream IVliq, —the combined process water stream IVliq is partly recirculated, as stream Vliq, into the total quench region (B) and otherwise undergoes a cleaning process, as stream VIliq, by means of a partial evaporation process, thereby obtaining a cleaned process water stream VIIliq, —which is cooled by a recooling device (F), partially recycled, as stream VIIIliq, into the method, and otherwise discharged, as stream IXliq.
US09580307B2
A nanosheet comprises a single crystal mixed metal oxide M1xM2yO2 material composition that may comprise a single crystal NaxCoO2 material composition. The nanosheet may be prepared using a sequential process sequence that includes chelated mixed metal ion sol-gel mixture formation, autocombustion, isostatic pressing, electro kinetic demixing and calcination. This particular process sequence provides single crystal nanosheets having in-plane mutually perpendicular lateral sheet dimensions greater than about 10 microns by about 200 microns, and a thickness from about 5 to about 100 nanometers.
US09580302B2
A cell phone is provided having multiple sensors configured to detect and measure different parameters of interest. The cell phone includes at least one monolithic integrated multi-sensor (MIMS) device. The MIMS device comprises at least two sensors of different types formed on a common semiconductor substrate. For example, the MIMS device can comprise an indirect sensor and a direct sensor. The cell phone couples a first parameter to be measured directly to the direct sensor. Conversely, the cell phone can couple a second parameter to be measured to the indirect sensor indirectly. Other sensors can be added to the cell phone by stacking a sensor to the MIMS device or to another substrate coupled to the MIMS device. This supports integrating multiple sensors such as a microphone, an accelerometer, and a temperature sensor to reduce cost, complexity, simplify assembly, while increasing performance.
US09580301B2
A MEMS chip (100) includes a silicon substrate layer (110), a first oxidation layer (120) and a first thin film layer (130). The silicon substrate layer includes a front surface (112) for a MEMS process and a rear surface (114), both the front surface and the rear surface being polished surfaces. The first oxidation layer is mainly made of silicon dioxide and is formed on the rear surface of the silicon substrate layer. The first thin film layer is mainly made of silicon nitride and is formed on the surface of the first oxidation layer. In the above MEMS chip, by sequentially laminating a first oxidation layer and a first thin film layer on the rear surface of a silicon substrate layer, the rear surface is effectively protected to prevent the scratch damage in the course of a MEMS process. A manufacturing method for the MEMS chip is also provided.
US09580293B2
In one respect, the invention is an improved diptube design for a container for containing and dispensing a liquid chemical, the diptube generating a spring force when compressed that acts to maintain a bottom end of the diptube in contact with a bottom interior surface of the container and a notch located at a bottom edge of the bottom end of the diptube that creates a flow communication between the diptube and the interior volume of the base portion of the container. In another respect, the invention is a method of constructing a container having these limitations.
US09580292B2
A tap dispenser having a main body, said main body having a main body interior portion and an opposing main body exterior portion; a liquid flow pathway passing through the main body; a vent pathway passing through the main body, wherein air transport through the vent pathway is separated from liquid transport through said liquid flow pathway and wherein the vent pathway has a vent pathway inlet and an opposing vent pathway outlet; a vent valve operably engaged with the vent pathway outlet; and a liquid flow valve operably engaged with the liquid flow pathway.
US09580284B2
A wheel lift system capable of performing an electronically synchronized lift using two or more individual lifts. In one embodiment, the wheel lift system is pneumatically powered via an external source of compressed air, and the system is electronically controlled from a common control station/module. The common control station/module can include a moveable cart and/or a wireless handheld control module. In one embodiment, each lift of the wheel lift system is connected to a common movable cart and a user control interface is also connected, either physically or wirelessly, to the movable cart.
US09580279B2
A maintenance method for an elevator includes provision of a service platform in a lower region of the elevator, in particular a shaft pit, for later maintenance work, wherein the service platform was previously mounted for installation purposes on at least one set of car guide rails and served in the installation process as a working platform for mounting elevator components in the elevator shaft, in particular on a shaft wall.
US09580274B2
Environment information associated with a user can be exchanged between an elevator system and a building environmental system. The user can adjust environmental settings in one context (e.g., in an elevator car of the elevator system), and the settings can be carried over to another context (e.g., a room serviced by the building environmental system). Information exchange can be aided by a database that records information for user preferences.
US09580271B2
A method for allocating elevators in an elevator system, the elevator system including a group control system responsive to hall calls received from call input devices, and elevator-specific elevator controllers configured to control elevators based on commands issued by the group control system, wherein the method including generating a number of route alternatives based on calls active; calculating, by the elevator controllers, elevator-specific cost terms associated with the route alternatives; transmitting, by the elevator controllers, the cost terms to the group control system; and allocating, by the group control system, the hall calls to the elevators according to the route alternative giving the lowest allocation cost.
US09580269B2
An apparatus for holding, protecting and dispensing yarn from a skein of yarn. This device includes a hollow tube with elongated jointed sides for opening and closing. The tube is secured by way of an open/close mechanism. When closed, one ends of the hollow tube comprising; of indentured halves form an exit point for a strand(s) of yarn. One end of the hollow tube halves when closed forms a whole surface area, allowing support for the skein of yarn to rest upon when in the upright position.
US09580263B2
An apparatus for automatically aligning bills includes: a plurality of skew control units including a driving roller unit, a body, a first gear unit, and a second gear unit; a first motor unit connected with the first gear unit through a first power transmission member and providing a driving force to the driving roller unit; a second motor unit connected with the second gear unit through a second power transmission member and providing torque to the body; and ball caster units having a spherical shape and coming in contact with a second side of the bill.
US09580259B1
A removable media tray for an imaging device having a rear media restraint coupled to a media length sensing system. A rear media restraint, slideably latchable to a track in the tray, has a rack that engages with a gear train that drives an encoder gear. As the rear media restraint is adjusted for different media lengths, the rack and gear train rotate the encoder gear. The encoder gear has a plurality of encoder tracks each track having a unique binary pattern. A sensor array of a plurality of sensors corresponding to the plurality of encoder tracks has a plurality of outputs that combine to form a digital signal fed to a controller in the imaging device allowing the controller to determine a media length based in the position of the rear media restraint.
US09580256B2
This application discusses, among other things, granular spreaders. In an example, a granular spreader can include a blower configured to provide a flow of air, a metering device configured to provide a flow of granular material to the flow of air to provide a hybrid flow of air and granular material, a plurality of sections configured to release the granular material using the flow of air, wherein each section is configured to release an adjustable portion of the hybrid flow and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive control information for each section, to enable or disable each section responsive to the control information, and to adjust a speed of the blower based on the control information.
US09580234B2
The present invention relates to a produce container which includes lid and a receptacle associated with the lid. The receptacle has four wall portions and a base. Each wall portion is connected to the base by a transition portion with one or more elongate apertures. The or each elongate aperture is configured and orientated such that its length is parallel to a longitudinal length of the transition portion in which the or each aperture is located.
US09580231B2
There is provided a container having a bottom shell and a top cover configured for partial rotation with respect to each other. In its closed configuration the container maintains the items in an interior holding region, while in the open configuration the container exposes a section that opens to the interior holding region and which permits the items to be dispensed by the user.
US09580228B2
A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a thermally expandable material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.
US09580226B2
A dispensing apparatus has a storage container with two storage chambers which are closed by a closure element to a closed position and from which storage chambers components can be dispensed via component outlets in a dispensing position. A change from the closed position into the dispensing position is carried out by a rotation of the storage container with respect to the closure element. The storage container and the closure element are made in one piece in the closed position and are only connected to one another via connection webs. The connection webs are designed so that they tear off on a rotation of the storage container with respect to the closure element from the closed position into the dispensing position and thus the component outlets are opened.
US09580225B2
An improved wine bottle closure and vacuum pump apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus provides an improved bulb structure to be used for pumping and storage purposes, the bulb remaining with a closure plug even after pumping is completed and the wine is to be stored for later consumption. The bulb structure can be collapsed in two different positions including a first position that maintains overall height of the bulb structure and a second position that enables the bulb structure to be shortened in height as an optional feature. The bulb structure provides an enlarged central section that is much larger in diameter than the lower end portion. The lower end portion provides a closure plug for fitting the opening of a wine bottle.
US09580222B2
A crate system that includes a crate body that can be easily adjusted in size without hand tools. The crate body includes four width adjustable side walls, sandwiches between a lower planar support base and an upper top panel. Each side wall includes at least one lower side wall component affixed to the perimeter edge of the support base and at least one upper side wall component. The lower and upper side wall components and interconnected with pegs and holes to adjust the width of the side wall. Straps are extended around the side walls, support base and top panel to hold them together. The support base includes at least two rows of elongated slots that extend transversely and longitudinally over the support base and foam pads. A plurality of internal straps are inserted into one of the slots and automatically engage the slots when the straps are pulled upward.
US09580218B2
Provided is a cap structure for a vessel, which is coupled with the vessel to open/close the vessel. The cap includes an inner cap coupled with an upper end portion of the vessel, an outer cap fitted around an outer diameter of the inner cap, a circular part inserted into the mounting part, in which the circular part includes protrusions, which are smoothly curved, and first detachable protrusions formed at a position perpendicular to the protrusions, a deformation member to deform a shape of the circular part, and a component inserted into the inner cap and the circular part and having a first detachable groove circumferentially formed at a lower portion of an outer-diameter surface of a coupling part formed on the component. The cap opens/closes the vessel by fixedly attaching the component to the cap disassembled from the vessel or separating the component from the cap.
US09580217B2
Provided is a plug that enables reliable and easy removal of a plug body together with a cover member from a tubular container without increasing an outwardly-bulging flange portion of a grip part of the plug body and is superior in productivity. A plug 1 for closing an open end of an open-ended tubular container 4. A cover member 3 is fitted on a plug body 2 including a press-fit part 2a and a grip part 2b. An engagement portion 3d is extended from a head plate 3a of the cover member 3 into a recess 2d in the upper surface of the plug body 2 to face an inside wall 2e surrounding the recess 2d. When an external force is applied to incline the head plate 3a with respect to the upper surface of the plug body 2, the engagement portion 3d is engaged to the inside wall 2e.
US09580208B2
A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.
US09580196B2
A method for packing bitumen in a continuous process is disclosed. To pack the bitumen, a tray having one or more bitumen-receiving cavities is prepared. The cavity of the tray is coated with polymer film and bituminous film consecutively. Following that, the bitumen, in liquid form, is filled into the coated cavity. Additional layer of bituminous and polymer film are then consecutively laid over the bitumen-filled cavity, encapsulating the bitumen thereto. A system to form such bitumen package is also disclosed herein.
US09580192B2
A system for remotely indicating the level of grain being loaded into a grain trailer. Plural vertically oriented sensing strips are affixed to a trailer's hopper(s) sidewall of the trailer's hopper(s) at spaced locations. Signals from transducer elements on the strips are delivered to an electronics module on the trailer's forward wall. The electronics module includes a multiplexer for sampling the state of the strip transducers and a wireless transmitter for relaying the state data to a receiver and microprocessor in the cab of a towing vehicle. The microprocessor presents a visual display of height reached by the grain in a hopper as loading continues. Following system calibration where a pixel count of the load being displayed and a measured net weight of the load are determined using a scale, a calibration factor corresponding to the weight-per-pixel is stored for use in computing the weight and volume of subsequent loads.
US09580178B2
Aircraft, environmental control systems, and air diffusers that may be used to create a quiet, comfortable environment within an aircraft cabin are disclosed. The air diffusers include a duct, a grille, and a porous flow conditioner positioned at least partially within an outlet plenum of the duct. The porous flow conditioner is configured to create backpressure and to reduce a velocity of air flowing out of the porous flow conditioner, relative to air flow unaffected by the porous flow conditioner. The porous flow conditioner may be configured to reduce noise generated by air flow through the air diffuser assembly, relative to air flow unaffected by the porous flow conditioner. The porous flow conditioner may be configured to reduce noise generated by air flow downstream of the porous flow conditioner.
US09580177B2
Provided herein is a hybrid system for generating oxygen on-board an aircraft for passengers and/or flight crew to breath. The system includes a first chemical oxygen generator component configured to promptly supply oxygen suitable for breathing upon an emergency situation arising and during an initial descent mode. Heat produced from the exothermic decomposition reactions inherent in several types of chemical oxygen generators can be harvested and feed to a second oxygen generator. The second oxygen generator is a solid electrolyte oxygen separation system that catalytically separates oxygen from air inside specialized ceramic materials at high temperatures, about 650° C. to 750° C., using electrical voltage. The ability to feed heat from the first oxygen generator to the second oxygen generator substantially reduces the lag time until the second ceramic oxygen generator is available to take over as the oxygen supply.
US09580164B2
Apparatus and method for joining composite structures of aircrafts are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an inboard composite wing panel having a first end portion configured to be coupled to upper and lower inboard fittings composed of a metallic material and an outboard composite wing panel having a first end portion configured to be coupled to upper and lower outboard fittings composed of a metallic material. A side of body rib has a plate shaped first end portion composed of a metallic material. A fuselage frame is configured to be joined at one end of the upper inboard fitting, and the upper and lower inboard fittings and the upper and lower outboard fittings are coupled to the side of body rib at the plate shaped first end portion.
US09580159B1
An outboard-motor closed-loop cooler system apparatus providing a retrofit substitute for the midsection and the lower unit of a standard outboard motor, having a substitute closed-loop cooling system with an exterior heat exchanger, a substitute oil reservoir, a substitute exhaust system, and a substitute propulsion system, allowing an existing standard outboard-motor powerhead to be used in conditions not conducive to standard open-loop water cooling, such as shallow-water, muddy-water, obstructed-water, seawater, or corrosive-water conditions.
US09580156B2
A floating dock is provided. The floating dock has a buoyant core. The sidewalls of the buoyant core have grooves. A reinforcing truss is embedded in and extends through the grooves. The grooves may be filled with concrete.
US09580154B2
A surfboard leash apparatus is disclosed. The surf leash apparatus includes a cuff for attaching to a limb of a surfer, the cuff having an inner surface, the inner surface of the cuff having a pattern of compressible grips disposed thereon. The surf leash further includes an attachment mechanism for attaching to a surfboard, and a leash cord connected between the cuff and the attachment mechanism. The leash cord includes an elastic fiber rope core having a predetermined amount of stretch, and an extruded thermoplastic urethane cord surrounding the elastic fiber rope core. The extruded thermoplastic urethane cord has an elasticity corresponding to the predetermined amount of stretch of the elastic fiber rope.
US09580153B2
An apparatus, system and method for a retractable LNG cargo transfer bow manifold for tandem marine cargo transfers are described herein. A retractable liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo transfer system comprises a marine vessel, an LNG cargo transfer bow manifold moveably attached to a main deck of the marl He vessel, wherein the LNG cargo transfer bow manifold is slideable between a forward position proximate a bow of the marine vessel, and an aft position aft of the bow, the LNG cargo transfer bow manifold elevationally coupled to the main deck by a retractable support member, wherein the retractable support member is moveable between an extended position such that the LNG cargo transfer bow manifold is raised above the main deck, and a retracted position such that the LNG cargo transfer bow manifold rests on one of the main deck, below the main deck or a combination thereof.
US09580148B1
A boat hull or other marine structure is made by shaping a plastic foam core and covering it with a plastic outer skin glued in place by adhesive, mechanically fastened, or applied in liquid form. Minimal sawcuts to the foam core ease manufacture. Methods for anchoring fittings, masts, pipes and shade canopies are presented. No-sew sails for the boat have corners made of plastic sheet attached using both adhesive and mechanical fastening. Lateral resistance of the hull is provided by telescoping leeboards. A suite of these boats share the same modular masts and sails. Such boat hulls offer light weight, ease of transport, and unswampable buoyancy.
US09580147B2
An adjustable surf wake system enhances a wake formed by a watercraft travelling through water. The system may include a flap for deflecting water traveling past the stern of the watercraft, and/or a positioner operably connected to the flap for positioning the flap relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft between a neutral position and an outward position. Positioning a port flap in its extended position enhances a starboard surf wake, and positioning the starboard flap in its extended position enhances a port surf wake.
US09580131B1
A foldable child's tricycle and a folding method thereof are provided, wherein the foldable child's tricycle comprises a body frame and a handlebar arranged in the front of the body frame; wherein the body frame includes a head tube, an upper connecting rod assembly, a lower connecting rod assembly, a push rod assembly, and a supporting rod; the upper connecting rod assembly, the head tube, the lower connecting rod assembly, and the supporting rod form a four-bar linkage; the push rod assembly is rotatably connected to the upper connecting rod assembly, and is fixed to or separated from the lower connecting rod assembly via a locking device; when folding, firstly unlocking the locking device; then pulling the push rod assembly upwardly such that the push rod assembly is separated from the lower connecting rod assembly; finally turning over the push rod assembly forwardly, and the folding volume thereof is small.
US09580130B2
A bicycle may include a detachable head subassembly comprising a fork configured to support a front wheel, and handlebars connected to the fork via a stem at least partially disposed in a head-tube. The head-tube has a first attachment feature. The bicycle may also include a frame having a second attachment feature. The first and second attachment features cooperate to releasably attach the head subassembly to the frame.
US09580126B2
A straddle-type vehicle includes: a seat to be straddled and sat upon by a rider; an electric motor configured to generate traveling power for driving a wheel; a battery case arranged in front of the seat and accommodating a battery storing DC power to be supplied to the electric motor; and a charging connector which is arranged above the battery and through which the battery is charged from an external power supply, wherein the charging connector includes a connector connection surface to which a power supply connector of the external power supply is connected and which faces a vehicle width direction, and the charging connector is attachable to and detachable from a vehicle body integrally with the battery.
US09580125B2
A luggage case, more particularly for a powered two-wheeled vehicle, has a lid which is movably mounted relative to a body of the luggage case by at least one hinge. In the vicinity of the hinge there is provided a damping element which, when the lid is closed, comes into contact with a component that moves with the lid, thereby damping the closing movement.
US09580118B2
A car comprising a car body and a rear spoiler that projects from the outline of the car body to deflect the air flow upwards so that the air flow skims over an upper surface of said rear spoiler. The rear spoiler comprises a through aerodynamic duct, which starts in an inlet opening arranged in correspondence with an initial end of the rear spoiler and ends in an outlet opening arranged in correspondence with a final end of the rear spoiler, so that a part of the air flow hitting the rear spoiler flows above the rear spoiler, skimming over the upper surface of the rear spoiler, and the remaining part of the air flow hitting the rear spoiler flows through the rear spoiler crossing the aerodynamic duct.
US09580111B1
A vehicle body assembly includes an outer component defining a cavity. The outer component has a pair of first flanges. An inner component has a pair of second flanges each joined to one of the first flanges. A reinforcement formed of carbon fiber is disposed in the cavity between the components. The reinforcement includes a faceplate joined to the outer component with a rivet and third flanges each joined to the inner component with a rivet.
US09580109B2
A rear-side reinforcement structure for a motor vehicle body includes at least one side member extending in vehicle longitudinal direction, a shock absorber reinforcement profile and an outer rear end reinforcement profile. The shock absorber reinforcement profile is connected to the side member with a lower front profile section located in travelling direction at the front. The shock absorber reinforcement profile is connected to the rear end reinforcement profile with a rear profile section that is spaced from the side member and facing a rear end of the body. The outer rear end reinforcement profile extends from the rear profile section of the shock absorber reinforcement profile to the side member and with a lower connection section is connected to the side member.
US09580108B2
A wheel carrier of a vehicle includes a clamping seat connection to a suspension strut or the like, which connection is clamped by a bolt-type connection. A lever structure is attached by this bolt-type connection to the clamping seat connection of the wheel carrier, from which lever structure an impact section projects from the bolt-type connection such that an obstacle striking this impact section or other object striking this impact section causes, in a vehicle crash, an at least partial release of the suspension strut in or from the clamping seat connection as a result of the impact.
US09580096B2
A tote transport assembly that includes a base, a handle, a partition, and a lid. The base includes a plurality of wheels that facilitate vertical or tipped transportation of the ice cart through an environment. The base and the partition and the partition and the lid are shaped to facilitate a stacked and secure cooperation of multiple containers, totes, or buckets with the cart assembly. The partition and the lid movably cooperate with the handle to facilitate secure and sanitary cooperation of the containers with the cart assembly as well as convenient and expedient filling and emptying of the discrete containers. The stacked orientation of the multiple containers and alternate transport modalities provide a compact assembly for conveniently transporting loaded or unloaded containers throughout even tight quartered environments and in a manner that reduces the effort associated with such activities.
US09580088B2
A wear plate for use with a railway truck, the wear plate being configured for installation on a downwardly facing surface of a pedestal opening of a side frame of a railway truck. The wear plate includes a base and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base with inwardly disposed locking features designed to engage the pedestal when the wear plate is installed, the locking features in a preferred embodiment being configured as resilient projections that engage, clamp or drag lock onto opposite sides of the pedestal with the base of the wear plate protecting the downwardly facing pedestal surface. The wear plate may be constructed from malleable or ductile metals or plastics.
US09580086B2
A cover assembly for an open top railcar, the assembly having semi-rigid cover reversibly movable between a closed position atop the railcar and an open position alongside the railcar or separate from it. The cover may be connected to the railcar with hinge-latches or linkage arms which permit the cover to be held flat alongside the railcar in an open position, or removed from the railcar during loading and unloading. A load grooming device shapes the load of a loaded railcar to a selected contour. Opening and closing of covers may be continuous and automated, using curved tracks, cranes or mechanical arms to engage and open covers, and conveying devices or vehicles to handle covers during loading and unloading of railcars.
US09580083B2
A rail vehicle (10) with fuel consumers (20, 22, 30, 32, 34) and an on board fuel storage and supply system, characterized by a main fuel tank (24) adapted to be installed in a first railcar (12) of the rail vehicle (10), a buffer fuel tank (36) adapted to be installed in a second railcar (14) of the rail vehicle (10), and a fuelling device (38) for transferring fuel from the main fuel tank (24) to the buffer fuel tank (36).Preferred application to internal combustion engine rail vehicles with multiple railcars equipped with multiple diesel engines.
US09580082B2
This vehicle includes a guard rail intended to occupy a lowered position delimiting a closed space that prevents a passenger from falling and a raised position in which the guard rail opens up the space at the front of the vehicle to allow one or more passengers to board and disembark. The vehicle also includes means for locking the guard rail in the lowered position, wherein the locking means includes a locking lever having a first end provided with a bearing surface and with a blocking surface, the bearing surface and the blocking surface delimiting a first housing intended to accommodate part of the guard rail, and a second end in which a locking member designed to immobilize the second end of the locking lever is intended to engage when the guard rail is in the lowered position.
US09580081B2
According to the invention, a method for modifying operation of at least one system of a vehicle based at least in part on a gaze direction of a driver is disclosed. The method may include receiving gaze data indicative of the gaze direction of a driver of a vehicle. The method may also include modifying operation of at least one system of the vehicle based at least in part on the gaze data.
US09580077B2
A gearbox of a twin clutch includes dog portions of a movable gear and a fixed gear which may be disengaged and re-engaged with each other. A control device for a vehicle including the twin clutch includes a shift actuator control unit that, when shifting a gear to another speed, outputs a target position signal so as to shift a rotation position of a shift actuator to a gear shift position at which a gear shift operation is performed by a transmission, and a clutch control unit that outputs torque signals so as to connect a clutch that transmits power to, among movable gears and fixed gears, a movable gear or a fixed gear including a dog portion to be disengaged. The shift actuator control unit outputs the target position signal so as to return the rotation position of the shift actuator to a neutral position.
US09580068B2
A hybrid vehicle drive control system is configured to start an engine irrespective of a motor rotational speed or a driving scene. In the hybrid vehicle drive control system, upon receiving an engine startup request, the engine is started by engaging a first clutch provided between the engine and a motor using the torque of the motor. A second clutch is provided between the motor and the drive wheel. The second clutch is disengaged by a second clutch control operation to reduce the motor rotation speed as a result of the motor rotational speed control by a motor rotation speed-controlling operation. The control system may thus increase the maximum motor output enable torque to ensure the start of the engine by the surplus torque irrespective of a motor rotational speed or driving scene.
US09580067B2
Charging/discharging control system for an electricity storage device includes motor/generator, electricity storage device, AC/DC conversion unit for performing AC/DC conversion processing between the AC power of motor/generator and the DC power of electricity storage device, and control device for controlling the charge and discharge of electricity storage device via AC/DC conversion unit. During charge control, in accordance with the charge state of electricity storage device, control device restricts the magnitude of the DC power that is obtained by converting the generation power generated by the regenerative braking of motor/generator at the deceleration and is supplied to electricity storage device.
US09580062B2
A method for increasing fuel economy of a vehicle such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) having an engine and a battery each configured to supply power to propel the vehicle includes supplying power from the battery and operating the engine below peak efficiency to supply from the engine only the difference in power between a demanded power and the power which the battery can deliver when the demanded power exceeds the power which the battery can deliver.
US09580056B2
A target control value of the brake fluid pressure generated in dependence on the braking operation amount is set by using a first coefficient determined in dependence on the vehicle speed in an early phase of a braking operation performed by a vehicle operator and a second coefficient determined in dependence on the braking operation amount and the vehicle speed during a later braking action. The increase in the braking force for the buildup control can be restrained in an early phase of the braking operation so that the onset of deceleration in an early phase of the braking action for the given braking operation can be made gradual in a manner corresponding to the vehicle speed while a favorable buildup control is achieved by increasing the deceleration as the vehicle speed decreases in the course of the braking action.
US09580047B2
A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type, includes an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material having at least one longitudinal groove, in which at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed. A connecting device for an oscillating arm is connected to the flexible material of the wiper blade by at least one pin which cooperates with a recess provided along an exterior edge of the longitudinal strip in order to block any movement of the wiper blade in longitudinal direction thereof relative to the longitudinal strip at the location of the interconnection of the connecting device and the wiper blade. The pin allows a movement of the longitudinal strip in upward and downward direction at least substantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped.
US09580043B2
The patron restraint system for amusement rides includes a locking receiver with a locking assembly for engaging a restraining strap. The engagement of the restraining strap in the locking receiver can be verified by a ride operator by visual or physical inspection, or by a sensor system indicating the locked or unlocked state of the locking receiver. A latching ratchet mechanism may be provided in the receiver to restrict movement of the restraining strap until it is released by the ride operator. The sensor system includes an acoustic sensor that detects alignment of an aperture with a piezoelectric acoustic emitter and an acoustic detector.
US09580031B2
A divider configured to be secured in the seats of automobiles for forming a physical barrier between passengers is disclosed herein. The divider can be used for children, pets, or adults. A rectangular prism shaped booster may be provided below the divider for raising the height of the divider. The profile of the divider is designed to fit securely against the back of a seat and the bottom of the seat. The curved front side of the divider allows the driver to view all passengers, maintain views out the windows, and still be an effective barrier without being so large as to be in the way. A notch is provided in the curved front side of the divider for receiving a seat belt or strap for securing the divider. The divider and the booster may have removable covers with pockets for holding items, such as water bottles, tissues, and wipes.
US09580029B2
A bumper assembly includes a bumper reinforcement beam, a bumper energy absorber member coupled to a face of the bumper reinforcement beam, and a bumper cover reinforcement coupled to the bumper reinforcement beam, the bumper cover reinforcement including a base portion and an outward extending portion extending outward of the base portion in a vehicle longitudinal direction to an end, the bumper cover support portion including a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion, where the at least one of the horizontally extending portion decreases in dimension in the vehicle lateral direction and the vertically extending portion decreases in dimension in the vehicle vertical direction.
US09580025B2
To provide a thermal insulating sheet, a sheet for use in a truck bed, and a thermal insulating case having superior easiness to handle while having a high thermal insulation ability. A thermal insulating sheet 1 comprises a laminated member comprising a tarpaulin sheet 10, a plurality of synthetic resin nonwoven fabric sheets 11a, 11b, and polyester canvas 12, with the plurality of synthetic resin nonwoven fabric sheets 11a and 11b being provided between the tarpaulin sheet 10 and the polyester canvas 12. A perimeter the laminated member possesses at least a part where at least the tarpaulin sheet and the polyester canvas are fuse-bonded, and remaining parts where the laminated member is stitched together. The polyester canvas possesses one or more through holes, through which air can enter into and exit out of the laminated member, whereas the tarpaulin sheet does not possess any through holes.
US09580014B2
A method of detecting and displaying the obstacles and data related to obstacles on a digital display starts with a detection processing unit receiving a digital video input signal from a first camera and depth data from a second camera. Digital input video input signal may include images of an area surrounding the vehicle. Digital video input signal may be analyzed to determine whether an obstacle is present in the area. When an obstacle is detected, the depth data may be analyzed to obtain a distance associated with the obstacle. Digital video output may be generated that includes the digital video input signal and a display of the distance associated with the obstacle. The display of the distance may be overlaid on the display of the obstacle. Digital video output may then be transmitted to the display device to be displayed to the user. Other embodiments are also described.
US09580006B2
A vehicle headlight device includes optical systems that are respectively provided to light sources, and illuminate ahead of a vehicle by light emitted from the light sources, with light distribution patterns of which illuminating areas are offset to each other at least in vertical directions, a stoppable distance calculator that calculates a stoppable distance of the vehicle, and a light source controller that controls the light sources to be turned on and off so that an area ahead of the vehicle and away from the vehicle by the stoppable distance is illuminated by at least one of the optical systems.
US09580004B2
A rail system for use with a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, may include a plurality of side rails and stanchions securing the side rails to the vehicle. At least one hoop may be provided for connection to either the stanchions or the side rails. Each hoop may include a plurality of legs, with a clamp connected to each leg to connect each hoop to either a stanchion or side rail, as well as an elbow connected to each leg opposite the clamp, with a lateral cross bar connected between the elbows. The legs may be pivotable with respect to the elbows. The elbows may further include a rod pivotable between a stored and deployed position. In the deployed position, the rod may facilitate attachment of elevated rails. Additionally, bed dividers and storage lockers or boxes are provided for use with the rail system.
US09580003B2
Embodiments of systems and methods for starting an electronically controlled engine of a TRS by supplying power from a battery, are provided. The engine is electronically controlled by an engine control unit (ECU). The systems and methods can achieve a complete engine start even when the ECU experiences a reset during the startup of the engine.
US09580002B2
Concepts of omnidirectional vehicle transport are described. In one embodiment, an omnidirectional vehicle includes a transportation platform, a drive system, and wheels. At a surface level, the vehicle can maneuver in any direction, including longitudinal and lateral directions. The vehicle can also be positioned to engage the wheels with a track having a rack gear to engage with the wheels. A control system of the vehicle can then drive the wheels in engagement with the track to raise the vehicle to a second level. At the second level, the vehicle can maneuver to transfer items onto the vehicle for transportation of the items back to the surface level. After the items are transferred onto the vehicle, it can be positioned for engagement with the track, and the control system can drive the wheels to lower the vehicle to the surface level and offload the items.
US09580001B2
A seat assembly is provided having a side shield having a leading edge. The side shield adapted to cover at least a portion of the seat cushion of the seat assembly. The assembly further includes a seat cushion, the side shield positioned adjacent to the seat cushion, the seat cushion having an elongated trench adapted to receive the leading edge of the side shield so as to prevent the formation of a gap between the shield and the cushion portion thereby providing an aesthetically appealing appearance to the user. The seat cushion includes a side surface positioned adjacent to the side shield. The trench is further defined as a generally horizontal momentary discontinuous surface extending into the side surface of the seat cushion, the leading edge of the side shield resting within the trench. The side shield extends around the seat cushion to a front portion of the seat cushion and the trench adapted to accept the leading edge of the side shield at the front portion of the seat cushion. The trench further extends horizontally from the rear to the front of the seat cushion to accommodate the leading edge of the side shield.
US09579995B2
The invention relates to a commercial vehicle seat having a seat substructure supporting part and a seat substructure base part each attached underneath a seat part, the seat substructure supporting part being movable and/or height-adjustable relative to the seat substructure base part, where the seat substructure supporting part comprises an upper supporting part joined to the underside of the seat part and a lower supporting part joined to the base part, wherein at least one roller bearing with a roller bearing ring, which extends orbitally about a notional rotary axis running in the vertical direction of said vehicle seat, is arranged between the upper supporting part and the lower supporting part, in order to rotatably support said upper supporting part relative to said lower supporting part.
US09579983B2
An electric vehicle comprises an electric motor which generates driving power for driving a wheel; a battery case accommodating a battery storing DC power to be supplied to the electric motor, in a battery space in an interior of the battery case; and a plurality of electric components electrically connected to the battery and placed above the battery, wherein the plurality of electric components are placed in a plurality of layers, and arranged vertically to overlap with each other when viewed from above.
US09579977B2
Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.
US09579969B2
A refuse vehicle includes a chassis having an engine, a body assembly defining an internal volume and coupled to the chassis, a tailgate pivotally attached to the body assembly and movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively expose the internal volume of the body assembly, a CNG fuel system including a CNG fuel tank coupled to the tailgate and moveable therewith, the engine configured to be powered by the CNG fuel system, at least one of one a non-structural conduit, a non-structural raceway, and a non-structural channel configured to contain at least one of wiring and a hydraulic line, and an impact mitigation system coupled to the tailgate. The impact mitigation system provides a protected region within which the CNG fuel tank is disposed.
US09579967B2
A device for a hydraulic wheel drive of a motor vehicle includes a wheel flange; a stub axle; and a rotary piston wheel drive configured and designed to introduce and receive a torque at the wheel flange. An active intervention of the rotary piston wheel drive is designed to be able to be switched on and decoupled. The present invention ensures that the vehicle can drive over rough tracks in the off-road sector. In addition the device can be engaged to recover braking force.
US09579966B2
A hybrid powertrain for a motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine and an electric machine that is connected to power electronics and to an electric energy storage device. The internal combustion engine is coupled to an internal combustion engine driveshaft and the rotor of the electric machine is coupled to an electric machine driveshaft that is connected to a planetary gear set with a sun gear, a planet carrier, and a ring gear, one element of which functions as an input element and another as an output element. The rotor of the electric machine can be selectively connected either to the input element or to the output element of the planetary gear set by way of a shiftable clutch).
US09579964B2
A hybrid powertrain unit comprises an engine and a gearbox device with a primary shaft that can be connected to a shaft of the engine via a clutch. The gearbox device comprises a secondary shaft with an output pinion meshing with a first crown wheel of a differential, the casing of which is rigidly connected to a casing of the gearbox device. An electric machine of the unit is configured to function as electric motor and an electric generator, having a shaft connected by a transmission to a second crown wheel of the differential. In the transmission, which is arranged between the electric machine shaft and the second crown wheel is an engagement device that can be driven via an actuator. The electric machine shaft is connected to the engine shaft on a side opposite of the gearbox device. The transmission includes a gear-reduction jump constituted by a belt transmission.
US09579961B2
A modular hybrid vehicle uses multiple different modular battery units in a vehicle. New batteries can be added, or removed. The batteries can each be associated with a separate electric motor. Each battery individually drives a motor, allowing the characteristics of limited slip or all wheel drive. Also, the batteries can be replaced, or added to, to provide more battery power to the vehicle. There may be sensors at the battery that sense various characteristics and report those characteristics wirelessly to a central controller.
US09579960B1
An easily installed and removable wind deflecting device that also provides noise reduction and temperature control within the cockpit of a convertible automobile. The invention includes two major components: fitted vinyl or leather seat caps attached to a yoke and an auto safety glass wind diverter panel. The seat caps are jointed together by the yoke and a bottom yoke flap that extends downward to the center console of an automobile. The seat caps fit over the headrest portion of seats and removably secure the invention to the seats. The panel is held in place by snaps attached to a cooperating pair of central flaps provided on the yoke such that the snaps secure together through holes provided in the edge of the safety glass. Access openings provided in the back of the seat caps allow access to controls located on the headrest of the seats.
US09579959B2
The present invention relates generally to a tarp systems, in particular, to improvements to various aspects of a tarp tensioning system. The tarp tensioning system has a plurality of frames, the frames having two or more bow members and a biasing mechanism coupled therebetween to maintain tension on the tarp.
US09579943B2
A compressed air supply installation for operating a pneumatic installation, especially an air suspension installation of a vehicle, includes an air supply unit and an air compression unit for supplying a compressed air supply unit with compressed air, a pneumatic connection, especially a bleeding line, comprising a bleeding valve and a bleeding port for bleeding air, and a pneumatic connection, especially a compressed air supply line having an air drier and a compressed air port for supplying the pneumatic installation with compressed air The air drier has a drier container through which compressed air can flow and which contains a desiccant. The drier container has a wall forming a desiccant-free recess, and at least part of the bleeding valve system is arranged in the recess.
US09579939B2
A gooseneck coupler is shown and described. The gooseneck coupler may include a first member having at least one aperture, a second member having at least one aperture, the second member telescopingly engaged with the first member where the aperture of the first member is generally aligned with the aperture of the second member, and a base member attached with the second member, the base member having a socket shaped to accept a hitch ball. The gooseneck coupler may also include a locking member pivotally attached with the base member, and a fastening device securing the first and second members. The fasting device may include at least one nut attached with at least one elongated member, where the nut and elongated member are positioned within the second member, and a fastener inserted into the apertures of the first and second members and selectively engaged with the nut.
US09579938B2
A TPM sensor measures the pressure of a tire and determines whether the measured pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold. When the measured pressure is greater than the predetermined threshold, an adjustment to the sensitivity is determined by the sensor. The adjustment to the sensitivity is applied to the sensor to yield an adjusted sensitivity. The TPM sensor is operated to make receptions according to the adjusted sensitivity.
US09579935B2
The present disclosure describes a tire management system for a vehicle. The tire management system includes a first load sensor that determines a first load placed on a first tire of the vehicle, a first pressure sensor that determines a first fluid pressure within the first tire, a control unit communicatively coupled to the first load sensor and to the first pressure sensor. The control unit generates a first fluid pressure adjustment instruction based at least in part on the first load determined by the first load sensor and the first fluid pressure determined by the first pressure sensor. Additionally, the tire management system includes a first valve fluidly coupled to the first tire and communicatively coupled to the control unit, in which the first valve adjusts the first fluid pressure within the first tire based at least in part on the first fluid pressure adjustment instruction.
US09579929B2
The present invention provides a pneumatic tire having excellent durability. Provided is a pneumatic tire including a sidewall and a carcass, the sidewall being produced from a rubber composition for a sidewall which has a specific sulfur content, the carcass being produced from a carcass cord covered with a rubber composition for a carcass topping, and the sulfur contents of the rubber composition for a sidewall and the rubber composition for a carcass topping satisfying a specific relationship. Provided is a pneumatic tire including a clinch and a carcass, the clinch being produced from a rubber composition for a clinch which has a specific sulfur content, the carcass being produced from a carcass cord covered with a rubber composition for a carcass topping, and the sulfur contents of the rubber composition for a clinch and the rubber composition for a carcass topping satisfying a specific relationship.
US09579925B1
This device is comprised of a washer with one or two hooks on either side of the washer. The washer may also have serrated surfaces to prevent an extension pole and a handle of a paint roller frame from untightening during normal painting operation. The hook(s) allow the paint roller and extension pole to be hung on the lip of a paint bucket or other container so that the roller does not dry out during the painting operation.
US09579922B2
Disclosed is a marking for an article, item or substrate. The marking comprises a printable code, at least a part of which is covered by a chiral liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) layer, and further preferably including an intermediate layer including a distribution of flakes, to provide readable information of at least two different types on the article.
US09579918B2
Provided is an image processing method, the method including heating a thermoreversible recording medium with laser beams to erase an image which has been recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, the thermoreversible recording medium reversibly changing between a colored state and a decolored state depending on a heating temperature and a cooling time; heating the thermoreversible recording medium, on which the image has been erased, with the laser beams to record a subsequent image on the thermoreversible recording medium; and measuring at least one of a surface temperature of the thermoreversible recording medium and a recording environmental temperature after a completion of erasing the image but before a beginning of recording the subsequent image to obtain a measured temperature value and controlling a time interval between the completion of erasing the image and the beginning of recording the subsequent image depending on the measured temperature value.
US09579879B2
A method is provided for manufacturing an image on a substrate, wherein the image includes an indicia and a frame. The method includes covering at least a portion the substrate with a carrier comprising magnetically alignable flakes, aligning the magnetically alignable flakes with a magnetic field of a magnetic assembly comprising a metal plate with an opening, and solidifying the carrier. The frame is formed at an edge of the opening and the indicia is visible within the frame. The magnetic assembly includes two magnets disposed so that the North pole of one magnet and the South pole of another magnet are proximate to the metal plate at opposite sides of the opening.
US09579873B2
An area of a structure is reworked from one side of the structure using resin infusion of a dry fiber patch. Entrapped air and excess resin is removed from the patch during the infusion process by inserting a vacuum device into the patch, and forcing the area resin through the vacuum device.
US09579864B2
A solar-powered waste compactor comprises a waste container for housing waste, a compactor ram actuated by a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly for compacting the waste in the waste container, and a hydraulic power unit operably associated with the hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly for powering the compactor ram. The hydraulic power unit comprises a motor/pump assembly including a pump unit, a single-phase electric motor driving the pump unit and a flow control valve operating the motor/pump assembly at first or second flow rate depending on an operating pressure. The hydraulic power unit further comprises a battery unit, a solar panel to charge the battery unit, a DC-to-AC inverter, a single-phase AC power inlet connectable to a source of a single-phase electrical power grid, and a reversing contactor providing the electric current only from the inverter or the power inlet at any given time.
US09579863B2
A frame for a hydraulic apparatus includes at least two supporting pillars parallel to each other, a supporting assembly mounted on the at least two supporting pillars, and a link mechanism mounted on the supporting assembly and coupling the core plate to the adjustable die plate. The supporting assembly includes a fixed die plate, an adjustable die plate slidably, and a core plate. The fixed die plate includes a periphery sidewall and a surface perpendicular to the periphery sidewall, the fixed die plate defines a ring-shaped indentation in the surface and extending along a circumferential direction of the fixed die plate, the fixed die plate further defines at least two first through openings interconnected with the ring-shaped indentation and cut through the periphery sidewall.
US09579860B2
A manufacturing method of a pneumatic tire comprises a forming step of a tread rubber which includes a two-shot stage of simultaneously winding a first rubber ribbon constructed by a nonconductive rubber, and a second rubber ribbon constructed by a nonconductive rubber. In the two-shot stage, the first rubber ribbon and the second rubber ribbon which are adjacent to each other are spirally wound in such a manner as to come into contact with each other, and a ribbon winding position passes through an L-shaped route. A conductive rubber is partly provided in the first rubber ribbon in the winding process when the ribbon winding position passes through the L-shaped route. A conductive portion which spirally and continuously extends to the tread end from the ground-contacting surface and intermittently appears in the tire meridian cross section is formed by the conductive rubber.
US09579856B2
Methods and apparatus for molding and joining composite parts are disclosed herein. An example method includes positioning a base mandrel over a tool base, laying up plies of material over the base mandrel and the tool base to form a support structure base layup, curing the support structure base layup to form a support structure base, removing the support structure base from the tool base and the base mandrel, and configuring the support structure base to be a first support structure for use with a first radar assembly or a second support structure for use with a second radar assembly.
US09579852B2
In a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object in which layers formed by ejecting and curing ink including a curing resin are laminated, the method includes a layer forming process of forming the layers by using a composition for three-dimensional shaped object including powder for three-dimensional shaped object, and an ink ejecting process of ejecting an object formation ink and a sacrificial layer formation ink to the layers. In the ink ejecting process, the object formation ink and the sacrificial layer formation ink penetrate into the layers while forming a boundary between a region where the object formation ink penetrates in the layers and a region where the sacrificial layer formation ink penetrates into the layers.
US09579845B2
A method and apparatus for sealing films. In one embodiment the sealing device comprises a horn and an anvil. The film has a standard portion and an increased portion. Increased energy is applied to the film in the increased portion compared to the energy applied to the standard portion. Such a method allows for sealing of varying number of layers.
US09579843B2
An imprint apparatus performs alignment control of a mold and a substrate. A pattern formed on the mold is transferred onto a pattern forming layer on the substrate. A mold holding portion holds the mold, a substrate holding portion holds the substrate, and a control portion effects control so that the mold and the substrate are brought near to each other during the alignment control. The mold and the pattern forming layer are brought into contact with each other and then the pattern forming layer is cured. The control portion changes a driving profile for the alignment control after the alignment control is started and at least one of before and after the mold contacts the pattern forming layer. The driving profile used to move at least one of the mold holding portion and the substrate holding portion to a target position, and includes at least one of acceleration, speed, driving voltage, and driving current.
US09579838B2
The invention relates to a method for converting a polycondensed elastomeric thermoplastic polymer, including a step of extruding the polycondensed elastomeric thermoplastic polymer in the presence of water. The polycondensed elastomeric thermoplastic polymer is in particular chosen from copolymer block amides, copolyethers or copolyester block urethanes, copolyether block esters and the mixtures thereof, and is preferably a copolyether block amide.
US09579837B2
A method and apparatus for treating waste materials comprising, particulating the waste materials into discrete particles, heating and drying the particles in a non-oxidizing atmosphere in a drier at a temperature in the range of 800° to 860° C. for carbonizing the particles, crushing the carbonized particles and leaching the crushed carbonized particles in an acid solution for dissolution of heavy metals into the solution, separating the leach solution containing heavy metal from the carbonized particles, adding to the carbonized particles particulate sodium hydroxide, silica, feldspar and limestone in a ratio of 100:0.3-0.5:8-12:2-4, mixing said particles with 15 to 18% by weight water to form a wet mixture and continuously extruding the wet mixture to form an elongated continuous extrusion, severing the elongated extrusion into blocks or planks of predetermined length, drying the blocks or planks and heating the dried blocks or planks in a kiln at a temperature in the range of 1200° to 1300° C. for a time sufficient in an oxygen deficient atmosphere to sinter the blocks or planks and to form carbides, and separating and recovering CO2 gas from combustion gases in the kiln.
US09579836B2
An injection molding assembly comprising a collapsible core assembly, an injection mold press comprising an internal cavity configured to receive the collapsible core assembly, and an actuator configured to insert the collapsible core assembly into the internal cavity of the mold press and method of using the same. The collapsible core assembly may comprise a static core member, a moveable core member coaxial to the static core member and moveable relative to the static core member, and a stripper plate moveable within the collapsible core assembly relative to the static core and configured to eject the molded part. The moveable core member may comprise an external engagement feature disposed at an end of the moveable core member. The external engagement feature may define a geometry operable to matingly engage an internal feature of a molded part supported on the moveable core member upon formation of the molded part.
US09579833B2
There are provided a method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image. The method and apparatus form an arbitrary colored image on the surface of a thermally expandable sheet by using surface image data. The method and apparatus form a mirror image, of which the density of a black component is adjusted in consideration of the influence of the density of the colored image on a bulge height of a thermally expandable layer so that an originally scheduled bulge height can be achieved, on the back of the thermally expandable sheet. The method and apparatus can achieve an intended bulge height by expanding the thermally expandable layer with thermal energy that is generated in the mirror image and the colored image when the thermally expandable sheet is irradiated with light including infrared wavelengths from the back of the thermally expandable sheet.
US09579829B2
A method to manufacture optics and optical subsystems. In one aspect, a method to manufacture an optical-element in accordance with the present disclosure comprise the steps of: Printing at least a part of a mold with an additive manufacturing printer. Optically figuring the mold to the specifications of the desired optical-element. Printing a nanocomposite-ink into the mold. Selectively, curing the nanocomposite-ink. Repeating at least the steps of deposition of the nanocomposite-ink and selective curing, until the mold is sufficiently filled and cured. Optionally, releasing the optical-element from the mold.
US09579828B2
A mold with a self-contained heating device comprising a mold body, a connector and an adjustment coil. The mold body comprises comprising an induction heating or tooling circuit having a resistance R1 and an inductance L1. The tooling circuit comprises an inductor extending inside a closed cavity of the mold body. The connector connects the tooling circuit to a high-frequency current generator. The adjustment coil has a resistance R2 and an inductance L2 that does not induce current in the mold body. The adjustment coil is connected to the tooling circuit, between the tooling circuit and the connector.
US09579816B2
A presser assembly is provided in which a presser plate or presser board mounting adapter is clamped to a lower end of a presser stem. A rail having a lower channel and an upper channel is provided for clamping the presser plate or presser board mounting adapter to the stem, and more particularly, a presser foot coupled to the lower end of the stem. The present invention allows the presser plate or the presser board mounting adapter to be mounted to the stem without the use of tools or fasteners.
US09579814B2
A sheet processing apparatus and methods of utilizing the same. The sheet processing apparatus includes a punch mechanism disposed along a media path at a punch point at which a hole is to be punched through a punch location on a media sheet advancing along the media path. The punch mechanism includes a rotatable punch arm having a punch head, and a punch motor for rotating the punch arm. As the punch location on the advancing media sheet approaches the punch point, speed of the punch motor is controlled to adjust a rotational speed of the punch arm based on feedback signals associated with each of the punch motor and a media path motor used to advance the media sheet such that the punch head arrives at the punch point at substantially the same time as when the punch location on the media sheet arrives at the punch point.
US09579807B2
A foldable knife with multiple switching modes comprises a knife handle, a blade and a switch device. The knife handle has a resisting elastic plate, a positioning plate and a top cover. The resisting elastic plate has an elastic portion. The positioning plate is connected to the resisting elastic plate and has an elastic arm extended in the positioning plate. The top cover is mounted on the positioning plate and has a slide slot. The slide slot is formed on the top cover. The blade has a pressing rod and a manual pushing rod which are respectively formed on a surface of the blade towards the positioning plate. The switch device is mounted in the slide slot and has a pushing block mounted through the top cover, and the switch device is used to switch between an assisted opening mode and a manual opening mode.
US09579804B2
Described herein is a conveyance robot. In certain aspects, a conveyance robot can include a first link member configured to be rotatable about a first axis, a second link member configured to be rotatable about a second axis positioned at a predetermined distance relative to the first axis, a holding member configured to be capable of holding an article and rotating about a third axis positioned at a predetermined distance relative to the second axis, an ascending and descending drive unit for driving at least the holding member to ascend and descend. In certain aspects, an arm link mechanism can be included. The arm link mechanism can be constituted by connecting the first link member, the second link member, and the holding member in this order, and the ascending and descending drive unit is placed between the first link member and the holding member so as to form a part of the arm link mechanism.
US09579802B2
A gripping device for tubular elements includes two gripping arms arranged opposite to each other which together forming an opening having a diameter, transfer elements, at least one piston rod connected to the two gripping arms via the transfer elements, at least one cylinder in which the at least one piston rod is configured to run, a stop device connected to the at least one piston rod, and an adjustment system configured to limit an axial movement of the stop device and thereby the diameter of the opening. The stop device is configured to cooperate with the adjustment system.
US09579800B2
The invention relates to a hand-held operating device for operating an industrial robot, the device including a graphical operator interface having a touch-sensitive display for displaying at least one virtual operating element, which represents a function for operating the robot, and which can be operated by touching the operating element with a finger of an operating person or a pen, a control unit for controlling the graphical operator interface and for communicating with a robot controller, a haptic mark associated with at least one virtual operating element and designed as a guide, which haptic mark is arranged in a display frame; that surrounds the touch-sensitive display at least in some areas and/or is arranged in frame segments of the display frame and by means of which haptic mark the finger of an operating person or the pin can be guided in the direction of the at least one operating element.
US09579797B2
Methods and systems are provided for operating various robotic systems. The methods and systems involve applications of platforms that enable multiple-input teleoperation and a high degree of immersiveness for the user. The robotic systems may include multiple arms for manipulators and retrieving information from the environment and/or the robotic system. The robotic methods may include control modification modules for detecting that an operation of a robotic device based on the control commands fails to comply with one or more operational parameters; identifying the non-compliant control command; and generating a modifier for the secondary device to adjust the non-compliant control command to comply with the set of operational parameters.
US09579796B2
The disclosure provides an approach for automatically determining task-specific robot model reductions. In one embodiment, a simplification application determines a smallest order statespace model whose stabilizing controller also stabilizes a full-order robot model. The simplification application may determine such a model via an iterative procedure in which the reduced order is initialized to the number of unstable poles of the open-loop full-order system and, while the closed loop full-order system with the balanced reduced order system's stabilizing controller is unstable, fractional balanced reduction is applied to generate a balanced reduced system. If one or more unstable closed-loop poles exist in the full-order system with the stabilizing controller of the newly-generated balanced reduced system, the reduced order is incremented by one, and fractional balanced reduction repeated, until no unstable closed-loop poles remain. In another embodiment, the model reduction is made task-specific by formulating the full model with task-specific outputs.
US09579789B2
Apparatus and methods for arbitration of control signals for robotic devices. A robotic device may comprise an adaptive controller comprising a plurality of predictors configured to provide multiple predicted control signals based on one or more of the teaching input, sensory input, and/or performance. The predicted control signals may be configured to cause two or more actions that may be in conflict with one another and/or utilize a shared resource. An arbitrator may be employed to select one of the actions. The selection process may utilize a WTA, reinforcement, and/or supervisory mechanisms in order to inhibit one or more predicted signals. The arbitrator output may comprise target state information that may be provided to the predictor block. Prior to arbitration, the predicted control signals may be combined with inputs provided by an external control entity in order to reduce learning time.
US09579788B2
Methods automatically and comprehensively self-test the operation, hardware, and programs of a robotic system to reveal problems in a robotic system. The system preferably evaluates repeatability of measurement by each distance sensor, an accuracy of measurement by each distance sensor, an accuracy of movement of any positioning joints used to position the robot arm, and an accuracy of at least one routine of the system control programs. The positioning joints may include one or more rotational joints or one or more translational joints. In some embodiments, the robotic system is a robotic pulse/echo layer thickness (PELT) system. When a robotic system has passed all of the tests, then the system performance has been verified. The inclusion of these self-tests allows a robotic PELT system owner to determine whether or not the robotic portion of a system is performing correctly.
US09579785B2
A power tool that includes a housing and a transmission assembly. The housing has a pair of mating housing shells that cooperate to define a handle and a pair of first mounts. Each of the first mounts includes a pair of circumferentially spaced-apart ribs. At least one of the circumferentially-spaced apart ribs is contoured to define a notch. The transmission assembly has a transmission sleeve into which a multi-speed reduction gearset is received. The transmission sleeve has a pair of second mounts. Each of the second mounts includes a boss that is configured to be received in an associated one of the notches between a corresponding pair of the circumferentially-spaced apart ribs to thereby inhibit axial and rotational movement of the transmission sleeve relative to the housing.
US09579775B2
A detachable blocking device, in particular on a clamping tool, having a blocking element, which blocks the displacement capability of a rod in at least one detachment direction in a blocking position, and a detachment member, which displaces the blocking element into a release position when moved from a default position into a detachment position, in which release position the rod can be displaced at least in the detachment direction. A brake element, in a braking position, acts on the rod so that the rod can only be displaced after neutralization of a braking force acting against the displacement direction of the rod, which braking force does not have to be neutralized in a sliding position of the brake element. The brake element has a brake lever and/or can be brought into its sliding position by pivoting an arm of the detachment member having a detachment lever.
US09579770B2
A system for grinding solid workpieces includes a grinding wheel, a bearing for rotatable mounting of the grinding wheel about an axis of rotation, and a grinding wheel drive for rotating the grinding wheel. The system allows the production of freely-definable surfaces on the face of the rigid workpiece that comes into contact with the grinding wheel. The bearing is fastened to a pivotable and displaceable bearing carrier. The bearing plane is pivotable in any desired direction with respect to an initial plane and is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the initial plane. Actuators are coupled to the bearing carrier to pivot and displace the bearing carrier. A digital control unit controls and synchronizes the actuators such that the surface of the grinding wheel creates a freely-definable face about a positionally fixed reference point which is at a radial distance from the center point of the grinding wheel.
US09579740B2
To provide a thermal processing apparatus where a projection area perpendicular to the axis of a sealing structure and attachment structure of heat radiation heater is decreased and a chamber volume is decreased. The apparatus has a chamber for accommodating a workpiece of a thermal processing object, the chamber having a partition wall for partitioning inside from outside of the chamber, a heat radiation heater disposed penetrating the partition wall, wherein the heater has a ring seal arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the extension section, and hermetically sealing the chamber, and a heat blocking plate arranged between the heat radiation unit and the ring seal in the axial direction of the glass tube, for blocking heat radiated from the heat radiation unit to the ring seal, the heat blocking plate having an inner peripheral surface fitting along the extension section.
US09579739B2
A method of manufacturing power-module substrates, after bonding copper-circuit plates 30 at intervals on a ceramic plate 21 having an area in which ceramic substrates can be formed abreast, by dividing the ceramic plate 21 between the copper-circuit plates 30, in which: bonding-material layers 71 of active-metal brazing material having same shapes as outer shapes of the copper-circuit plates 30 are formed on the ceramic plate 21; temporal-stick material 72 including polyethylene glycol as a major ingredient is spread on the copper-circuit plates 30, the bonding-material layers 71 and the copper-circuit plates 30 are temporarily fixed on the ceramic plate 21 in a state of laminating with positioning by the temporal-stick material 72; and a laminated assembly thereof is pressurized in a laminating direction and heated, so that the ceramic plate and the copper-circuit plates are bonded.
US09579737B1
A vertical mill machine may be configured to facilitate a process of grinding a thread into a work piece. In one example, the method includes securing a fixture onto a planar surface of a vertical mill machine, the fixture being rotatable. The method further includes securing a work piece to the fixture and rotating the work piece about a Y-axis. The method yet further includes positioning a milling axle configured to move about an X-Y-Z-axis adjacent a circumferential surface of the work piece, wherein the milling axle includes a tool and wherein the tool is configured to rotate about the Y-axis. The method further includes rotating the tool about the Y-axis and contacting the tool with the circumferential surface of an exposed end of the work piece. The method yet further includes grinding a thread into the work piece with the tool.
US09579733B2
A hole saw includes a circular saw blade and a cover plate. The circular saw blade is made by rounding a lengthwise rectangular metal sheet and connecting two ends thereof to define therein an accommodating space. The circular saw blade has one edge provided with a plurality of sawteeth and an opposite edge provided with a connecting portion. The cover plate covers the connecting portion of the circular saw blade and has a base, a positioning portion and a shoulder. The positioning portion extends from the base toward the connecting portion. The shoulder is formed between the base and the positioning portion. Thereby, the hole saw has advantages about low manufacturing costs and short production cycle. Besides, since the shoulder increases contacting area between the circular saw blade and the cover plate, the structural firmness of the soldered hole saw is improved.
US09579730B2
A tunable or tuned boring tool having a dynamic vibration absorber is provided herein. The boring tool includes a boring bar having a distal portion configured to support a tool, a proximal portion configured for attachment to a support structure of a metalworking machine, and a cylindrical body extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion, having an elongated cavity therein. The boring tool further includes a tuned or tunable absorber inserted in the cavity of the boring bar. The absorber includes an absorber mass, an annular or partially annular support circumscribing each end of the absorber mass for holding the absorber mass within the cavity, and a layer of fluid restricting material surrounding at least a central portion of the absorber mass for dampening vibration of the absorber mass. A method of forming a boring tool with a dynamic vibration absorber is also provided herein.
US09579728B2
To provide a cutting tool that includes a coating layer capable of exhibiting optimum cutting performance in each of a cutting edge, rake face, and flank face. A cutting tool (1) includes a substrate (2) that is coated with a coating layer (6) composed of SiaM1-a(C1-xNx), where M represents at least one element selected from Ti, Al, Cr, W, Mo, Ta, Hf, Nb, Zr, and Y, 0.01≦a≦0.4, and 0≦x≦1, and that has a cutting edge (5) at an intersecting ridge line of a rake face (3) and a flank face (4). The Si content ratio in the coating layer (6) on the rake face (3) is higher than that on the cutting edge (5).
US09579714B1
A mold assembly for use in forming a component having an internal passage defined therein is provided. The component is formed from a component material. The mold assembly includes a mold that defines a mold cavity therein. The mold assembly also includes a lattice structure selectively positioned at least partially within the mold cavity. The lattice structure is formed from a first material that is at least partially absorbable by the component material in a molten state. A channel is defined through the lattice structure, and a core is positioned in the channel such that at least a portion of the core extends within the mold cavity and defines the internal passage when the component is formed in the mold assembly.
US09579712B2
A riveting apparatus for creating a plurality of rivet joints along the surface of a workpiece includes a tool device controllable by tool control data in order to create countersunk holes on the workpiece and to set countersunk rivets in the created countersunk holes. The riveting apparatus also includes a programmable control device to generate the tool control data for the tool device and an optical sensing device for optically sensing the workpiece surface and for supplying sensing data. The control device evaluates the sensing data in order to obtain geometric data that represent at least one geometric parameter of a countersunk hole that has already been created, and to correct as required the tool control data for a countersunk hole that is subsequently to be created based on the result of an evaluation of the obtained geometric data.
US09579670B2
A dispensing container that dispenses a liquid contained therein in foam includes: a container body storing therein a liquid; and a base cap mounted to a mouth of the container body. The container body is flexible so that a squeeze operation may be performed on the container body. The base cap is provided, on a top wall, with a nozzle forming a tubular passage communicating with a front end orifice. The nozzle is provided with a foaming mechanism for the liquid at an upstream end portion and with a through-hole in a predetermined position on a circumferential wall of the nozzle that is downstream of the foaming mechanism. The through-hole is provided with a check valve, and the front end orifice communicates with an inside of the container body through the through-hole.
US09579666B2
This invention relates to a cyclone for dense medium separation that includes an inverted conical shaped cyclone body which provides an interior space having an inner wall surface a vortex finder including a lower end that extends longitudinally into an upper region of the interior space of the cyclone body an overflow outlet associated with an upper end of the vortex finder a feed inlet that is in fluid communication with the upper region of the interior space of the cyclone body an outlet associated with a lower region of the interior space and the inner wall surface of the interior space curves inwardly and downwardly from the upper region curves inwardly and downwardly from the upper region of the interior space to the lower region of the interior space.
US09579654B2
A valve for regulating fluid flow includes a housing base defining a lower cavity and comprising a pinch structure within the lower cavity, a gas inlet providing external access to the lower cavity, a base fluid inlet, and a base fluid outlet. A housing cover defines an upper cavity and comprises a cover fluid inlet and a cover fluid outlet. The cover fluid inlet is in fluidic communication with the base fluid outlet between the upper cavity and the lower cavity, and the cover fluid outlet provides external access from the upper cavity. A diaphragm is disposed between the housing base and the housing cover. A pinch plate is disposed in the lower cavity and comprises a pinch point disposed opposite the pinch structure. A pinch tube is in fluidic communication between the base fluid inlet and the base fluid outlet in the lower cavity.
US09579653B2
The present invention relates to a liquid channel device capable of easily opening the liquid channel from the closed mode, including a base plate in which a liquid channel, through which a liquid containing at least one of a sample and a reagent, flows, and a metering chamber for holding the liquid, are formed to at least one side thereof, the metering chamber has a liquid transport section for transporting the liquid inside the chamber downstream, and this liquid transport section is operated by means of external pressing on a cover plate in the area opposite the metering chamber.
US09579643B2
A process for preparing a catalyst by selecting an active catalyst and contacting the active catalyst with one or more fluids containing an organic solvent or mixture of organic solvents. In one embodiment, each organic solvent has a dielectric constant within a range of about 5 to about 55 when measured at a temperature of 20° C. to 25° C. The catalyst thus prepared may be used in a process for preparing maleic anhydride.
US09579637B2
The present invention relates to a SAPO-34 molecular sieve having both micropores and mesopores and synthesis method thereof. The mesopore diameter in the molecular sieve is in a range of 2-10 nm and the mesopore volume thereof is 0.03-0.3 cm3/g. Triethylamine is used as a template agent and the pore size modifiers are added to the synthesis gel at the same time in the synthesis process, thereby the prepared molecular sieve crystals have mesopore distribution besides micropores. The SAPO-34 molecular sieve synthesized in the present invention can be used as catalysts for conversion of oxygen-containing compounds to lower olefins.
US09579636B1
Novel materials having high surface area rendering them suitable for a variety of applications including, but not limited to: catalysts for methane reforming; ammonia synthesis; alcohol synthesis from syngas; hydrodesulfurization; electrocatalysis for hydrogen evolution reaction; and as corrosion-resistant supports for platinum in PEM fuel cells. In general the method comprises the formation of a high-surface area refractory metal-based material using a novel synthesis pathway that avoids the production of intermediate oxide. The method may include the in situ formation of a sacrificial support that can be removed using non-aggressive means, such as, for example, chemical etching with a mild acid or by altering reaction conditions.
US09579628B2
An adsorption vessel comprising a packed bed region of adsorbent particles contiguously arranged, comprising a perforated adsorbent particles, a gas separation process using the perforated adsorbent particles, and methods for making the perforated adsorbent particles. The perforated adsorbent particles each comprise an adsorbent material where the perforated adsorbent particles each have at least 10 channels extending through the particle. The equivalent diameter of the channels may range from 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm, and the void fraction of the channels may range from 0.05 to 0.5.
US09579626B1
A product for reducing an odor profile of an object includes a base layer and a combination of materials coupled to the base layer. The combination of materials includes a first odor-controlling material and a second odor-controlling material. The combination of materials is configured to adsorb a percentage of odors that engage the base layer.
US09579619B2
A method is described that includes contacting an olefin with a catalyst in a polymerization reactor, polymerizing at least a portion of the olefin to form an alpha olefin reaction product, detecting a condition within the polymerization reactor, determining an average temperature of at least one olefin product particle based on the condition, determining an operating particle temperature threshold using a foul curve, comparing the average temperature of the polymer particle to the operating particle temperature threshold, changing one or more operating parameters in response to the comparing, and maintaining the average temperature of the olefin polymer particle at or below the operating particle temperature threshold in response to changing the one or more operating parameters. The alpha olefin reaction product includes a plurality of olefin polymer particles, and the polymerization reactor includes a reaction mixture that includes the olefin, the catalyst, a diluent, and the alpha olefin reaction product.
US09579615B2
A blender for home or commercial use that is rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing with a front housing door that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen food or beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, the cup and cupholder will be lifted together for blending in a balanced, linear motion by an elevator assembly. Dual lead screws or a dual belt drive are preferably used in the elevator assembly to achieve this balanced, linear motion. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly continues to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen food or beverage. To facilitate cleaning, the spindle assembly is preferably removable from the blender through use of a quick release coupling mechanism.
US09579614B2
In a method and to a device for treating a compound, such as a chemical and/or organic and/or microorganism compound, which is carried by a liquid, the liquid is driven axially through an axial inlet (21) into a central inlet portion of a radial cavitation chamber (18) having a peripheral outlet (30), such that the liquid is diverted into the central inlet portion and flows into the radial chamber in various radial directions towards the peripheral outlet; and the liquid flow conditions between the inlet and the peripheral outlet of the radial chamber are capable of generating cavitation bubbles or pockets (31) and subsequently causing the collapse or implosion of the bubbles or pockets in order to treat the compound at least partially.
US09579606B2
Parallel membrane elements are arranged in parallel within a pressure vessel. A sealing body is disposed within the pressure vessel and is compressed against an inner surface of the pressure vessel to provide a leak-right seal in between a feed gas side of the sealing body and a non-permeate side of the sealing body. The sealing body may be slid within the pressure vessel without damaging the sealing body and in all cases without requiring mechanical assistance.
US09579585B2
A family of toy cars includes a plurality of external body components, which may be removably assembled into a street car, track car or dirt car by children or adult user. The toy car system includes a chassis with fastener receiving holes and each of the body components include a pair of spaced apart attachment holes, such that the corresponding holes of the body components line with each other and with the fastener receiving holes of the chassis when the body components are positioned in an overlapped configuration. The front and rear pair of wheels are attached to the chassis by corresponding wheel fasteners, wherein all the fasteners in the toy car system have the same size and shape and are easily detachable.
US09579584B2
A torque distribution system for a model racing car includes a front pair of wheels, a front axle, a front differential coupled to the front axle, a rear pair of wheels, a rear axle, a rear differential coupled to the rear axle, a center differential a front driveline coupling the center differential and the front differential, a rear driveline coupling the center differential and the rear differential, and a motor coupled to the center differential. The motor and center differential are mounted in the car at an angular orientation with respect to the centerline. The front and rear drivelines are angularly oriented at different angular orientations. The differing angular orientations of the front and rear drivelines are characterized by corresponding differing amounts of friction, resistance or efficiency of the front and rear drivelines to transmission of torque.
US09579575B2
A game engine is configured to accept human intelligence tasks as in-game content and present the in-game content to the game player. Human intelligence tasks, such as visual discrimination, are thus enabled in a video game context. The game engine may receive a definition of human intelligence tasks from one or more remote sources present the human intelligence tasks to multiple video game participants as in-game content. The game engine defines and enables game play rules for the in-game content. The game play rules set parameters for the multiple video game participants to perform the human intelligence tasks to achieve desired results. The game engine may award each of the multiple video game participants an improved game score upon successful performance of the human intelligence tasks in accordance with the game play rules. The game engine may measure success by consistency in responses between different participants or trials.
US09579573B2
Systems and methods for creating a playable video game, or playable video game levels, from a three-dimensional model comprising a plurality of various-colored blocks disposed on a grid. A set of software modules processes a digital image of the static model to translate its component elements into video game elements in a level file, which may then be played using a game driver.
US09579571B2
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing a marketplace of user-invokable instructions used by a game application in an expression of a game. The user-invokable instructions may include automation of tasks related to a game that would otherwise require manual intervention by users, intelligence that encode automatic reactions to game events such as surrounding conditions or attacks from others, and/or instructions for automatically performing one or more in-game tasks. A marketplace interface may facilitate offers to provide user-invokable instructions. Each offer may include consideration to obtain a corresponding set of user-invokable instructions. The consideration may include real world currency, one or more virtual items, an exchange for a task to be performed, an exchange for an alliance or other in-game cooperation, an exchange for another set of user-invokable instructions, and/or other consideration.
US09579560B2
A user-customizable audio-visual puzzle includes a platform having a base layer, a middle layer, and a top layer coupled together. The middle layer includes a first cavity therein. The top layer includes at least one cutout therethrough. The puzzle further includes at least one puzzle piece having a peripheral configuration shaped to correspond to the at least one cutout in the top layer. A drawer is configured to be removably positionable within the first cavity of the middle layer. The drawer includes at least one second cavity configured to be positioned generally beneath the at least one cutout when the drawer is positioned within the first cavity. The puzzle also includes a recording system configured to record a message associated with the at least one cutout.
US09579559B2
A racing game and a method for playing the game. The method includes providing the racing game, generating the at least two random numbers, wherein an at least one player uses the at least two random number generators to generate the at least two random numbers, and advancing the at least one game piece representing the at least one player that corresponds to the at least two random numbers generated. One of the random number generators is used to determine lane choice for at least one player, along which the at least one game piece is advanced during game play.
US09579543B1
A system and method for enhancing fitness in an office environment includes receiving fitness goal data corresponding to a targeted fitness goal of at least one user. The user initiates a document processing request to commence processing on a networked document processing device. The user provides data identifying at least one electronic document desired for processing. Data relative to the user's location and the document processing devices is used, along with historical fitness information relative to the user and a user's fitness goal, to generate suggested document processing devices which are distanced so as to afford progress toward those goals.
US09579542B2
An exercise network system is disclosed that comprises an electronic data communication link and a plurality of electronic video game workout systems. One or more of the plurality of electronic video game workout systems is configured for communication with at least one other video game workout system another over the electronic data communication link to transmit and receive data used for game play at each of the plurality of electronic video game workout systems. One or more of the electronic video game workout systems is further configured for execution of a full-body workout using a plurality of independently operable appendicular members configured for engagement with respective limbs of a user. Each of the plurality of appendicular members is movable in a degree of freedom independent of other ones of the plurality of appendicular members. Resistance on each of the plurality of appendicular members the is adjustable along and/or about its degree of freedom during game play based on locally generated data and data communicated over the electronic data communication link from other electronic video game workout systems.
US09579541B2
A solution is provided to enhance motion detection and recognition of moving objects associated with various sports by intelligently embedding motion sensors into sport instruments such as tennis rackets, badminton rackets, baseball bats and golf clubs, that are swung in a three-dimensional (3D) space. The motion sensors embedded inside the sport instruments are securely locked and are detachable for replacement. A motion sensor inserted and locked inside a sport instrument is configured to detect motions associated with movements associated with the sport instrument. The motion parameters associated with the detected motion are collected through the embedded motion sensor and analyzed by a motion detection and recognition system. Based on the analysis of the motion parameters, various types of sports performance reports and performance improvement recommendations are generated for users of the sport instruments.
US09579540B1
A resistance breathing device includes a face mask having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The face mask is adapted to overlay a user's mouth and nose and to form an air-tight seal with the user's face. The device also includes an outer layer overlaying the face mask and having a pair of straps for affixing said face mask about the user's face. The device also includes at least one air admittance valve assembly disposed within a corresponding one of the apertures of the face mask. The air admittance valve assembly is adjustable to provide a selected degree of air flow therethrough. The device also includes at least one air exhaust valve assembly disposed within a corresponding one of the apertures of the face mask. The air exhaust valve assembly prevents air from passing into the face mask and allows air to pass out of the face mask.
US09579534B2
Methods and apparatus to power an exercise machine are disclosed herein. An example method includes measuring a power supply current produced by a user of the exercise machine. A rotations per minute of the exercise machine is measured. A power supply reference current is determined, the power supply reference current based on a user selected wattage and the rotations per minute. A differential power supply current is calculated based on the power supply reference current and a measured current of a power supply of the exercise machine. A power supply duty cycle is calculated based on a previous power supply duty cycle, a time constant, the differential power supply current, and a previous differential power supply current, the power supply duty cycle to control power supplied to a console of the exercise machine. The power supply duty cycle is output to a power output controller.
US09579515B2
A method for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac is disclosed and involves monitoring, with an external defibrillator, multiple parameters of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance; determining from at least one of the parameters, an indication of trans-thoracic impedance of the person receiving emergency cardiac care; determining, from at least one of the parameters corresponding to an electrocardiogram of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance, an initial indication of likely shock effectiveness; determining, as a function of at least the indication of trans-thoracic impedance and the initial indication of likely shock effectiveness, an indication of whether a shock provided to the person receiving emergency medical assistance will be effective; and affecting control of the defibrillator by a caregiver as a result of determining the indication of whether a shock will be effective.
US09579508B2
We disclose methods and medical device systems for selectively recruiting a nerve fiber type within a cranial nerve, a peripheral nerve or a spinal root. Such a method may comprise applying a first pressure, a heating, and/or a cooling to a second location of the nerve, the pressure, heating, or cooling sufficient to substantially block at least one of activation or conduction in at least one fiber population through the second location of the nerve for a blocking time period; and applying an electrical signal to a first location during the blocking time period.
US09579502B2
Implantable medical systems include implantable medical leads that have magnetic orientation-independent magnetically actuated switches that are placed in the conduction path to the electrode of the lead. Thus, regardless of the orientation of a substantial magnetic field like that from an MRI machine to the lead and switch within the lead, the switch opens when in the presence of that substantial magnetic field. The switch may be placed in close proximity to the electrode such that the opening of the switch disconnects the electrode from the majority of the conduction path which thereby produces a high impedance for RF current and reduces the amount of heating that may occur at the electrode when in the presence of substantial levels of RF electromagnetic energy as may occur within an MRI machine.
US09579496B2
An implantable multi-lumen access port including indicators for ascertaining characteristics of the port is disclosed. In one embodiment, the access port comprises a housing that defines a first reservoir and a second reservoir. A first septum and second septum are respectively coupled with the housing to provide selective access to the first and second reservoirs. Each septum includes a plurality of protrusions defined about a periphery thereof that are palpable after implantation of the port in a patient to determine a relative position of the first septum with respect to the second septum. A radiographically observable indicator is also included on a base of the housing, so as to provide information relating to a characteristic of the dual-lumen port, such as suitability for power injection of fluids. The indicator in one embodiment includes a substantially rigid radiopaque component.
US09579494B2
An ultrasound catheter with a lumen for fluid delivery and fluid evacuation, and an ultrasound source is used for the treatment of intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhages. After the catheter is inserted into a blood clot, a lytic drug can be delivered to the blood clot via the lumen while applying ultrasonic energy to the treatment site. As the blood clot is dissolved, the liquefied blood clot can be removed by evacuation through the lumen.
US09579490B2
A system and method for providing vent channel geometries to compensate for compression forces experienced by a septum within an intravascular device.
US09579487B2
A single piece, single cavity, reusable waterproof catheter cover having an elongated body closed at the bottom end with a catheter entry opening to the cavity (C) surrounded by a flange (A) at the opposite top end. When the wrapped or unwrapped catheter and the catheter's entry port into the body are encased in the catheter housing (B), the flange lies flat against the skin and a waterproof adhesive film patch having a hole (D) in the center is used to affix the flange to the skin all the way around, providing a secure water-tight seal. The cover is made out of a pliable yet sturdy, durable, easily sanitized, medical grade material that allows the cover to be reused frequently and indefinitely.
US09579475B2
In an embodiment, a tracheal tube system has a first tube, which is flexible. The tube has an opening that is located on the sidewalls. A balloon is attached to the flexible tube. When inflated, the balloon forms a second tube surrounding the first tube with an air space between the first wall of the balloon and the sidewalls of the first tube. The balloon extends covering the opening on the sidewall. Air flowing into the first tube exits, via the third opening into the airspace between the first tube and the balloon, out of the airspace. In another embodiment, the balloon has a tube with multiplicity of holes in the walls is wrapped around the outer wall of the balloon. Negative pressure in the third tube creates suction holding the outer wall of the balloon to walls of the trachea.
US09579473B2
A device, which is closable by a cap, for inhaling powdery substances, particularly of a medicinal kind, contained in capsules is displaced by a slider into an emptying position for the purpose of aspirating completely the content thereof. The air inlet for the mouthpiece channel is adjacent to and below the closed mouthpiece cap.
US09579467B2
A safety needle device comprising a needle hub, an attachment mechanism arranged at the distal end for attaching the safety needle device to a medicament container, and a coaxially arranged needle attachment member. The safety needle device also comprises an injection needle comprising a proximal pointed injection end and a distal pointed non-injection end arranged to penetrate a septum of a medicament container, the injection needle being attached inside the needle hub and extending through the needle attachment member. A rotator arranged to rotate on the hub, the rotator arranged with an annular wall provided with a central passage, such that the needle attachment member of the needle hub extends through a central passage of the rotator. A needle shield surrounds the rotator and slidably arranged with respect to the hub and the rotator.
US09579462B2
Needleless injection device components, systems, and methods that involve features including an elongate shaft that has a working shaft comprising a working shaft proximal end, a working shaft distal end, and a working lumen extending between the working shaft proximal end and the working shaft distal end, an injection shaft including an injection shaft proximal end, an injection shaft distal end, and a needless injection orifice disposed through the sidewall at the injection shaft distal end, the injection shaft moveably disposed within the working lumen, and a tissue tensioner secured to the injection shaft at the injection shaft distal end and moveable relative to the working lumen, the tissue tensioner having an expandable surface capable of exhibiting an expanded state and a non-expanded state, the tissue tensioner in the expanded state being capable of tensioning luminal tissue for injection by the needless injection orifice.
US09579459B2
The invention relates to an auto-injector (A) for administering a dose of a liquid medicament, comprising of a substantially tubular front-end device adapted to contain a syringe with an injection needle and a barrel containing the dose of the medicament and comprising a needle shroud adapted to rest on the skin of a patient receiving an injection and a reusable back-end device comprising of a housing, a plunger connected to or adapted to engage a stopper providing a fluid tight seal for a distal end of the barrel, a motor for displacing the plunger connected to the stopper, wherein the front-end device is attachable to the back-end device, wherein the needle shroud is slidably arranged with respect to the injection needle and wherein an interlock switch is capable of detecting an axial position (PA, PR) of the needle shroud.
US09579457B2
We disclose methods and medical device systems for automated delivery of therapies for pain and determination of need for and safety of treatment. In one embodiment, such a medical device system may comprise a sensor configured to sense at least one body signal from a patient; and a medical device configured to receive a first sensed body signal from the sensor; determine a patient pain index based at least in part on said first sensed body signal; determine whether said patient pain index is above at least a first pain index threshold; determine a safety index based at least in part on a second sensed body signal; select a pain treatment regimen based on at least one of said safety index and or a determination that said pain index is above said first pain index threshold; and deliver said pain treatment regimen.
US09579456B2
A system and method for reducing the number of hypoglycemic alarms presented to a user is presented. The system and methods include use of model based state estimation and variable-delayed threshold values to balance the risk of not presenting an alarm caused by an actual hypoglycemic state with the presentation of alarms caused by artifacts in the signals produced by a continuous glucose monitor.
US09579453B1
An auto-injection device for delivery of a fluid medicament is provided. The device includes an ampoule having a fluid medicament contained between first and second stoppers; a first sleeve movable along the longitudinal direction relative to the ampoule; a second sleeve at least partially surrounding the ampoule and movable along the longitudinal direction relative to the ampoule; and a needle. The first sleeve is movable along the longitudinal direction relative to the second sleeve and the ampoule between a first position and a second position. The needle is unexposed in the first position but exposed along the longitudinal direction in the second position. The second sleeve is also movable along the longitudinal direction relative to the ampoule between a first position and a second position. The needle is fluidly isolated from the medicament in the first position and is in fluid communication with the medicament in the second position.
US09579440B2
Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysate solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy. For example, the dialysis systems include disposable cartridge and patient tubing sets that are easily installed on the dialysis system and automatically align the tubing set, sensors, venous drip chamber, and other features with the corresponding components on the dialysis system. Methods of use are also provided, including automated priming sequences, blood return sequences, and dynamic balancing methods for controlling a rate of fluid transfer during different types of dialysis, including hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and hemodiafiltration.
US09579439B2
A method and a device for determining a recirculation during a dialysis on the basis of the response of the dialysis system to an alteration of a system-related operating value are described. Recirculation may be determined by establishing, at the side of the dialysis liquid, a reference parameter that represents the concentration of uremic toxins from the extracorporeal circulation, and calculating a target parameter for a system-related target operational value from the reference parameter, presetting the system-related target operational value and establishing an actual parameter related to the system-related target operational value, determining an actual comparative value from the actual parameter and the reference parameter related to the system-related target operational value and comparing the actual comparative value with a system-specific target comparative value related to the system-related target operational value, and converting the comparison result into a recirculation degree.
US09579437B2
The present invention, in one embodiment, is a blood pump for intraventricular placement inside a heart of a mammalian subject including a rigid elongate member having a length between proximal and distal ends and a bore extending along the length, an anchor element connected towards the proximal end of the rigid elongate member and mounted to the subject's heart, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a rotor and at least one electric drive coil for magnetically driving the rotor, the pump connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the rigid elongate member remote from the anchor element and wiring extending through the bore to the pump, wherein the proximal end of the rigid elongate member extends past the anchor element to a position outside of the subject's heart. Additional embodiments of a blood pump, and various methods of intraventricular placement inside a heart of a mammalian subject are also considered.
US09579436B2
Techniques for mounting a sensor are disclosed. In some implementations, a molded interconnect device carries a sensor for transducing a position of a rotor of the implantable blood pump. The molded interconnect device includes one or more integrated electronic circuit traces configured to electrically connect the Hall sensor with a printed circuit board of the implantable blood pump, and the molded interconnect device is configured to be mounted to the printed circuit board.
US09579397B1
A method of analysis and presentation of court document information includes: at least one of one or more servers providing, to a user, a user interface, the user interface permitting assignment, for each court ruling associated with a court document stored in a searchable database, of one or more of pre-defined categories relating to the ruling, the one or more pre-defined categories including at least one of: (a) a type of procedural vehicle that led to the ruling; (b) a description of the procedural vehicle that led to the ruling; and (c) the court's ruling; and at least one of the one or more servers arranging the categorized court rulings in the searchable database, such that the court documents can be searched on the basis of at least one or more of the assigned pre-defined categories.
US09579394B2
The subject-matter of the present invention are nanocomplexes of polyanions and cationic peptides which are, e.g., suitable for the transport of drugs into cells and their controlled release in the organism, as well as a complex material in which the nanocomplexes are bonded to a biologically active unit for the selective recognition of tissues, cells or organelles.
US09579392B2
Provided herein are polymeric α-hydroxy aldehyde or α-hydroxy ketone reagents which can be conjugated to amine-containing compounds to form stable conjugates in a single-step reaction. In selected embodiments, the polymeric reagent itself incorporates an internal proton-abstracting (basic) functional group, to promote more efficient reaction. The substituent is appropriately situated, via a linker if necessary, to position the group for proton abstraction, preferably providing a 4- or 5-bond spacing between the abstracting atom and the hydrogen atom on the α-carbon. Also provided are methods of using the reagents and stable, solubilized conjugates of the reagents with biologically active compounds. In preferred embodiments, the polymeric component of the reagent or conjugate is a polyethylene glycol.
US09579390B2
The present disclosure provides conjugate structures and compound structures used to produce these conjugates. The disclosure also encompasses methods of production of such conjugates, as well as methods of using the same.
US09579389B2
Disclosed in certain embodiments is a solid oral dosage form comprising a heat-labile gelling agent; a thermal stabilizer; and a drug susceptible to abuse.
US09579371B2
An inactivated mycobacteria for oral use in the prevention of tuberculosis, which are administered using a multi-dose regimen and with a reduced time interval between doses, such as to induce a tolerance-building to infection by the tubercle bacillus. The inactivated bacteria can be used with the aforementioned regimen to control the progression of the infection from a latent state to active tuberculosis.
US09579370B2
Certain embodiments are directed to compositions comprising EHEC-specific antigens. In certain aspects EHEC O157:H7-specific antigen(s) are used as components of immunogenic compositions and vaccines.
US09579368B2
A neuroinhibitory substance for use in a method for treating or preventing headache comprising injecting a neuroinhibitory substance such as botulinium toxin in close proximity to the sphenopalatine ganglion or otic ganglion wherein an injection device comprising said neuroinhibitory substance is brought into close proximity to the sphenopalatine ganglion or otic ganglion by inserting said injection device into the patient transnasally or infrazygomatically and the neuroinhibitory substance injected in close proximity to the SPG or OG.
US09579367B2
The present disclosure provides a C-terminal tethered amino acid for modulating the thrombolytic, fibrinolytic and/or anticoagulant properties of a coagulation protein. The present disclosure also provides a coagulation protein having a catalytic site modified, either at the histidine or serine residue, with the C-terminal tethered amino acid as well as therapeutic applications of those modified coagulation proteins.
US09579363B2
The disclosure pertains to methods of reducing decompensation through acute intervention including in subjects afflicted with acute decompensated heart failure. Particularly, the disclosure provides methods for treating acute cardiac decompensation by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of relaxin.
US09579355B1
The present invention is a composition and method of treatment for actinic purpura, skin disorders, and skin conditions in general through topical systematic and periodic application of a formulation that generally may include ingredients to improve circulation such as but not limited to arnica oil CLR and phytotonine; ingredients to thicken the skin such as but not limited to retistar, glycolic acid, vitamin K1, and phyto-age; and ingredients to repair the skin's barrier, such as but not limited to timecode, SKINMIMICS, ABS pomegranate sterols, and pentatavitin.
US09579352B2
The present invention discloses a process for the therapeutic management of diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome in humans comprising the oral administration of Bacillus coagulans SBC37-01, MTCC 5856 (containing not less than 2 billion spores) along with standard treatment of care in a specific manner.
US09579349B2
Intravenous ferumoxytol is used to effectively label mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vivo and is used for in vivo tracking of stem cell transplants with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The method eliminates risk of contamination and biologic alteration of MSCs associated with ex-vivo-labeling procedures.
US09579346B2
The present invention provides a method of treating a macrophage related disease comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an oxidative agent or an immunosuppressive agent. The present invention also provides a method of modulating macrophage accumulation or activation comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an oxidative agent or an immunosuppressive agent. The oxidative agent can be chlorite or a chlorite containing compound.
US09579344B2
Methods of treating a subject who has an tissue damage or who is at risk for tissue necrosis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating a subject who has an inflammatory disorder. The methods can include administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising inorganic nitrite or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for a time and in an amount sufficient to reduce the tissue damage. The subject can be diagnosed as having a medical condition that results tissue damage, for example, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, cardiovascular disease, defective wound healing, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia, or a bacterial infection, e.g., Group A staphylococcal infection. The methods can include the step of monitoring the course of treatment.
US09579343B2
The present invention provides a tablet core which comprises at least about 95% by weight of an aliphatic amine polymer. The invention also provides a method of producing a tablet core comprising at least about 95% by weight of an aliphatic amine polymer resin The method comprises the step of compressing the aliphatic amine polymer to form the tablet core. The tablet core can further include one or more excipients. In this embodiment, the method of producing the tablet core comprises the steps of: (1) hydrating the aliphatic amine polymer to the desired moisture level; (2) blending the aliphatic amine polymer with the excipients in amounts such that the polymer comprises at least about 95% by weight of the resulting blend; and (3) compressing the blend to form the tablet core. The present invention further relates to a coated tablet comprising an aliphatic amine polymer core wherein the coating is a water based coating.
US09579338B2
What is described is a method for preparing a liposome that efficiently encapsulates a negatively charged therapeutic polymer, e.g., siRNA. The process involves preparing a lipid mixture comprising a cationic lipid in a water miscible organic solvent, such as ethanol, at a concentration of 2.3 mg/ml, and adding this solution to the polymer dissolved in water to a final concentration of 35% ethanol in water. The final charge ratio of drug:lipid is 1:2.5. The resulting nanoparticles have a mean size of 50 to 150 nm.
US09579335B2
The invention described herein pertains to the treatment of cystic diseases. More particularly, the invention described herein relates to methods for treating cystic disease using one or more lysophosphatidic acid antagonists, TMEM16a inhibitors, and/or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulators.
US09579334B2
Provided are methods of treating or preventing viral infections caused by or associated with a Dengue virus using iminosugars.
US09579326B2
This invention relates to agents that are inhibitors or activators of variant forms of endogenous proteins and novel methods of identifying such variants. Of particular interest are inhibitors and activators of endogenous protein variants, encoded by genes which have mutated, which variants often arise or are at least first identified as having arisen following exposure to a chemical agent which is known to be an inhibitor or activator of the corresponding unmutated endogenous protein.
US09579314B2
Compounds of formula I, defined herein, act both as muscarinic receptor antagonists and beta2 adrenergic receptor agonists and are useful for treating broncho-obstructive and inflammatory diseases.
US09579313B2
Provided herein are compounds useful for the treatment of HBV infection in man.
US09579297B2
Since treatment effects of conventional external preparations were not satisfactory, it is aimed to provide a novel external preparation that is excellent in drug permeability to nail, capable of fully exhibiting effects of an antifungal drug, and effective for treatments of diseases such as nail mycosis and nail candidiasis, particularly, treatments for nail tinea. The external preparation of this invention is a pharmaceutical composition for nail characterized by containing an antifungal drug, alkylpyrrolidone or a derivative thereof, and a crosslinking hydrogel.
US09579291B2
The present invention relates to carriers for the controlled release of active agents, comprising a core, comprising surface reacted natural or synthetic calcium carbonate, and at least one active agent, wherein said at least one active agent is associated with said natural or synthetic surface-reacted calcium carbonate, and wherein said surface-reacted natural or synthetic calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural or synthetic calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids, wherein the carbon dioxide is formed in situ by the acid treatment and/or is supplied from an external source, and a coating encapsulating the core. It furthermore relates to the preparation of loaded carriers, as well as their use in different applications.
US09579278B2
The present invention relates to a skin care composition comprising an extract of Bursera simaruba seeds and a cosmetically acceptable topical carrier. Such composition is useful for improving skin barrier function and moisturization as well as improving signs of skin aging.
US09579272B2
A rheology modifier which includes a mixture of short and long chain fatty acid esters is suitable for use in liquid surfactant-based compositions. A surfactant-based composition includes a surfactant, the rheology modifier, and water. The rheology modifier includes a mixture of alkyl glycoside fatty acid esters including a long chain fatty acid ester of an alkyl glycoside and a short chain fatty acid ester of an alkyl glycoside. The long chain fatty acid ester includes at least one fatty acid residue: R1(O)O—, wherein R1 is a C12 or higher hydrocarbon. The short chain fatty acid ester includes least one fatty acid residue: R2(O)O—, wherein R2 is a C6-C10 hydrocarbon.
US09579263B2
A medication dispenser is described. A plurality of drawers capable of storing medications is arranged in an array. For personal use, each drawer has an illuminatable number thereon representing a date in a month. For institutional use, each drawer has an associated adjacent illuminatable patient identification section. Illuminatable numbers in a row above the drawers correspond to hours in a day wherein a current time is displayed by illuminating one of the numbers. Rechargeable batteries maintain a memory capable of storing information about when each of a plurality of medications is to be taken. When the current time matches a time when one of the medications is to be taken, a number on the drawer corresponding to a current date or the particular patient identification section is illuminated. A sensor senses when a particular drawer is opened and saves in memory the current time and drawer identification.
US09579262B2
A bottle for dispensing oral care fluid is provided. The bottle can include a body portion comprising a mouth, side surfaces, and a bottom surface arranged to hold a volume of oral care fluid; and a cap arranged to be secured to the mouth, wherein the cap comprises a integral cup sized to hold a portion of the volume of oral care fluid, wherein the integral cup includes an open end that mates with the mouth and a closed end including a flip-top member arranged at a distal end of the cap.
US09579259B2
A medicament dispensing system for orally dispensing medicament to a patient, wherein the system comprises in combination a syringe to extract medicament, an adapter to be inserted tightly into the medicament container and serve as an airtight inner cap thereof, as well as to serve as a guide for the syringe; and a housing or hood for containing and storing in a sterile manner said syringe and adapter.
US09579256B2
Devices, systems and methods for automatically positioning a syringe in a target orientation suitable for withdrawing medication from a container, and for filling the syringe with the medication. The device comprises a syringe conveyor, which is configured to receive the syringe in an initial orientation, and to bring the syringe to a target orientation by being translated and rotated while holding the syringe in a steady orientation relative to the syringe conveyor. The device further comprises a supporting module, configured to support the syringe conveyor while allowing a translation and a rotation thereof. The device comprises a syringe holder configured to hold the syringe, and a gripper coupled to the syringe holder. The gripper is configured to engage the plunger and to enable the automatic displacement.
US09579255B2
In a preferred embodiment, an Automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator system to transport medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes in a compounding chamber regulated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure. In a preferred implementation, the manipulator system is configured to grasp and convey syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes from a storage system in an adjacent chamber regulated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. Various embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate the manipulator system to bring a fill port of an IV bag, vial, or syringe into register with a filling port at a fluid transfer station in the chamber. A preferred implementation includes a sanitization system that can substantially sanitize a bung on a fill port of a vial or IV bag in preparation for transport to the fluid transfer station.
US09579252B2
A pharmaceutical product supply is disclosed in the form of a container, a pharmaceutical product receiver, pharmaceutical product, an adhesive, and at least one release liner. The pharmaceutical product receiver includes a plurality of receptacles for pharmaceutical product. The container is initially disposed in a first configuration where all of the pharmaceutical product receiver receptacles may be accessible. The container is thereafter disposable in a second configuration where no covering for any of the pharmaceutical product receiver receptacles is accessible through any openable access incorporated by the container. One or more release liners may be moved to expose adhesive for disposing and retaining the container in its second configuration. The noted second configuration of the container facilitates disposal of the pharmaceutical product supply (e.g., now being in a form that should reduce the potential for gaining access to any remaining pharmaceutical product still enclosed within the pharmaceutical product receiver).
US09579247B2
A method for treatment of a headache disorder in a human subject is provided. The method includes a) selecting a treatment area in the nasal cavity of the human subject; b) providing a stimulation member arranged for vibration stimulation of the selected treatment area; c) introducing the stimulation member into a nasal cavity of the human subject; d) expanding the stimulation member to exert a pressure on tissue of the selected treatment area; and e) bringing the stimulation member to vibrate in the nasal cavity to impart vibrations to the selected treatment area.
US09579244B2
A method according to an embodiments includes administering at least two Cyclic Variations in Altitude Condition (CVAC) sessions to a mammal disposed in a pressure vessel unit. The at least two CVAC sessions each have a duration of at least twenty minutes. The at least two CVAC sessions each include a start point of ambient pressure at a delivery site, an end point of ambient pressure at the delivery site, and a plurality of atmospheric pressure targets executed between the start point and the end point. The administering is configured to treat at least one of loss of sensation and chronic pain.
US09579243B2
A patient transfer device and an associated method of transferring a patient using the device are described. The device, which can be used anytime a patient needs to be moved or transferred out of bed especially in those circumstances wherein the patient is in any way incapacitated and is unable to move or assist in the transfer, transfers the patient laterally from a longitudinal side of the bed onto the device. The transfer can be accomplished with minimal medical staff interaction and as such significantly and substantially reducing the risk or injury and harm not only for the patient but also the staff.
US09579238B2
A catamenial device. The device comprises a topsheet having a body facing surface, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises three zones differing in stiffness, at least one of the zones comprising laterally-oriented portions where material from the core has been removed, the portions defining slots.
US09579237B2
The present invention provides for an advanced postoperative compression binder including at least two overlapping stretchable bands. The bands are connected by stitches located within an overlapping portion of the bands. The stitches are spaced from first and seconds ends of the bands to allow individual compression-adjustments of the binder to allow compression to be adapted to the type of surgery or trauma performed and to a level of comfort desired by the patient. The invention provides for wound inspection and care without the need to open the total compression binder, which will maintain a degree of support during wound inspection and care, decrease pain and increase comfort for the patient.
US09579236B2
A method of representing visual images by alternative senses is provided herein. The method includes the following stages: obtaining an image of an environment having a background and physical objects distinguishable from the background; slicing the image into a plurality of slices; identifying, for each slice at a time, and slice by slice in a specified order, if at least a portion of the physical objects being contained within the slice; applying, in the specified order, a conversion function to each identified portion of the physical objects for generating a sound or tactile object-dependent signal; associating a sound or tactile location-dependent signal unique for each slice; superpositioning, in the specified order, each object-dependent signal with a respective location-dependent signal for creating a combined object-location signal; and outputting the combined object-location signal to a user via an interface in a form usable for a blind or visually impaired person.
US09579227B2
An orally administrable implement for expanding in a stomach of an animal, including a mammal, to fill a space in the stomach, is provided for weight control. The implement includes: a fluid-permeable expandable container having a first dimension and a second dimension; and a plurality of clusters comprising a swellable material contained within the container and capable of swelling when contacted with a fluid; whereby when the implement is ingested, the fluid in the stomach enters the container causing the clusters therein to swell and the container to expand from the first dimension to the second dimension.
US09579223B2
Protective sleeve for a medical device having a moveable joint including a tubular assembly comprising a flexible material that satisfies International Organization for Standardization ISO13997 (1999) for a cut resistance of at least ISO level 5. The tubular assembly has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a length extending therebetween. The tubular assembly includes a base member made of the flexible material having an internal surface and an external surface and a reinforcing member made of the flexible material coupled to the base member along the internal surface and the external surface of the base member. The reinforcing member forms a channel at the first end portion. The tubular assembly has an internal cross dimension sized to receive a medical device having a moveable joint therein. The protective sleeve further includes an adjustment member received in the channel to radially adjust the first end portion.
US09579218B2
Prosthetic devices and, more particularly, modular myoelectric prosthesis components and related methods, are described. In one embodiment, a hand for a prosthetic limb may comprise a rotor-motor; a transmission, comprising a differential roller screw; a linkage coupled to the transmission; and at least one finger coupled to the linkage. In one embodiment, a component part of a wrist of a prosthetic limb may comprise an exterior-rotor motor, a planetary gear transmission, a clutch, and a cycloid transmission. In one embodiment, an elbow for a prosthetic limb may comprise an exterior-rotor motor, and a transmission comprising a planetary gear transmission, a non-backdrivable clutch, and a screw.
US09579217B2
Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.
US09579208B2
A method for implanting a prosthesis system for replacement of a head portion of a proximal radius includes determining a distance between a proximal radius and a humerus. The method also includes selecting one of a first head component or a second head component based on the determination. The first and second head components have unique heights. The method further includes connecting the selected first or second head component to an articulation component and connecting a stem component to the selected first or second head component.
US09579194B2
A method and device for reducing paravalvular leakage upon implantation of a replacement heart valve is provided. The valve assembly includes a tissue or bioprosthetic heart valve attached to an anchoring structure. The anchoring structure includes an inlet rim that is substantially C-shaped in cross section to form a concave landing zone. The anchoring structure self-seats when implanted in the sinus of a patient with the proximal and distal ends of the C-shaped inlet rim pushed against the aorta to effectively prevent paravalvular leakage.
US09579187B1
A radially compliant pressure indicating stent graft is radially compliant from a free stent graft diameter to an expanded stent graft diameter. A radially compliant slant is attached to a graft having stored circumferential length between attachment points. A slant may be expanded and affixed to the graft or the graft may be constricted radially and the stent attached to the constricted graft. The radially compliant stent graft may expand radially to a free graft diameter and the graft may be non-elastic and/or no compliant. As the stent graft approaches the free graft diameter, the force to expand further may increase rapidly.
US09579186B2
An endoscopic stent for implantation in a patient after sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch comprising a stent portion, the stent portion comprising a proximal end portion, the proximal end portion defined by a length of about 50 mm to about 200 mm, an enlarged middle portion, a middle portion having an enlarged diameter relative to the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and defined by a length of about 20 mm to about 80 mm, and a distal end portion and a polymeric sleeve portion engaged to and extending distally from the distal end portion of the stent.
US09579185B2
Implantable medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example implantable medical device may include a stent having a first configuration and a second expanded configuration. The stent may define a plurality of nodes. The stent may have a cover member disposed adjacent the nodes. The cover member may be configured to cover at least some of the nodes when the stent is in the expanded configuration.
US09579175B2
An oral-hygiene implement having a housing, a first carrier on which at least one first oral-treatment element is mounted, a second carrier on which at least one second oral-treatment element is mounted, wherein at least the first carrier element is mounted for driven oscillatory movement with a peak amplitude value relative to the housing and wherein the first and second oral-treatment elements are arranged such that the first oral-treatment element contacts the second oral-treatment element at least once during each oscillation period of the first carrier at a contact amplitude value smaller than the peak amplitude value and moves the second oral-treatment element out of its initial position until the peak amplitude value is reached.
US09579164B2
A minimally-invasive surgical system includes a slave surgical instrument having a slave surgical instrument tip and a master grip. The slave surgical instrument tip has an alignment in a common frame of reference and the master grip, which is coupled to the slave surgical instrument, has an alignment in the common frame of reference. An alignment error, in the common frame of reference, is a difference in alignment between the alignment of the slave surgical instrument tip and the alignment of the master grip. A ratcheting system (i) coupled to the master grip to receive the alignment of the master grip and (ii) coupled to the slave surgical instrument, to control motion of the slave by continuously reducing the alignment error, as the master grip moves, without autonomous motion of the slave surgical instrument tip and without autonomous motion of the master grip.
US09579157B2
A cleaning device includes a flushing chamber having opposite proximal and distal ends, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends. An inlet port of the cleaning device is in fluid communication with the flushing chamber and configured for fluid connection to a source of fluid. The flushing chamber is selectively openable along its length to an open position, in which the distal end portion of the medical instrument is insertable into the flushing chamber, and selectively closable along its length to a closed position, in which the distal end portion of the medical instrument is enclosed and fluidly sealed within the flushing chamber.
US09579149B2
Catheters including elements configured to deliver energy to nerves at or near a treatment location within a body lumen. A treatment assembly is transformable between a low-profile delivery configuration wherein a pair of electrodes are in a staggered arrangement relative to each other along the longitudinal axis, and an expanded deployed configuration wherein the pair of electrodes is aligned along an electrode axis that is orthogonal relative to the longitudinal axis.
US09579146B2
An end effector assembly is provided. The end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members including respective seal plates adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first and second jaw members operable in a first bipolar mode of operation for treating tissue and a second bipolar mode of operation for separating tissue. A dissector translatable through one of the first and second jaw members is in electrical communication with one of the seal plates of the first and second jaw members and activatable in the second bipolar mode of operation for separating tissue when the first and second jaw members are in one of the open and clamping position and tissue is adjacent thereto.
US09579143B2
A surgical tool system including a laparoscopic surgical tool for heating, ablating, sealing, and/or dissecting tissue, a control system for monitoring impedance of the tissue during treatment thereof, and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback from the control system in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the tool user of changes in tissue properties, i.e., when the impedance of the tissue indicates that the treatment procedure is complete. In addition, the tactile feedback provided may supply information relating to the operating status of the control system to the user.
US09579142B1
An electrosurgical device wherein a probe is provided having one or more active tissue-contacting electrodes and one or more active non-tissue-contacting electrodes. The tissue-contacting and non-tissue-contacting electrodes can simultaneously operate in different modalities from one another or can operate in the same modality. The probe tip can include a non-conductive feature which provides a useful tool for providing physical tissue manipulations in conjunction with an electrosurgical procedure.
US09579140B2
A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. An adjuster may be used in conjunction with the extenders to change a separation distance between the bone fastener assemblies.
US09579126B2
The present invention includes a rod link reducer of a spinal fixation system that includes a first and a second spinal rod manipulator; a first spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the first spinal rod manipulator and a second spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the second spinal rod manipulator; a first and a second translatable transverse shaft connected to the first and second joints, respectively; and a universal reducer connected to both the first and second translatable transverse shafts, wherein the universal reducer, the shafts and the linkers provide movement and temporary fixation of a spine that has been manipulated into a final position during spinal surgery.
US09579117B2
A surgical instrument including housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom, an outer sleeve disposed about the shaft and selectively translatable relative to the shaft, a first drive shaft disposed within the shaft and translatable relative to the shaft independently of the outer sleeve, a second drive shaft disposed within the first drive shaft and coupled to the outer sleeve to translate in conjunction with the outer sleeve, and a rotatable nose wheel. The rotatable nose wheel is mounted about a distal end of the housing and is rotatably coupled to each of the outer sleeve, the shaft, the first drive shaft, and the second drive shaft such that rotation of the rotatable nose wheel effects corresponding rotation of the outer sleeve, the shaft, the first drive shaft, and the second drive shaft in conjunction with one another and relative to the housing.
US09579116B1
Axial lengthening thrombus capture systems and methods can remove materials of interest, including blood clots, from a body region. These can involve the circulatory system for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cerebrovascular embolism, and other vascular occlusions.
US09579114B2
Invasive side-firing electrohydraulic lithotripsy probes that creates a substantially annular shockwave to break up concretions are disclosed. Generally, the side-firing electrohydraulic lithotripsy probe includes a lithotripter tip including a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is positioned at a distal end of the lithotripter tip and the second electrode is positioned in the lithotripter tip such that an end of the second electrode is coaxially aligned with an end of the first electrode. An electric arc between the first and second electrodes causes a shockwave to radiate radially from the lithotripter tip.
US09579105B2
A sagittal saw includes a blade and an actuator configured to drive the blade. The blade includes a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and second end. The blade first end extends transverse to the longitudinal axis, and its movement defines a blade path. The blade path comprises a closed plane curve consisting of two loops meeting at a node ie, a figure-eight, whereby the blade path crosses over itself. The actuator includes a gear assembly configured to cyclically drive the blade so that the blade path includes multiple impulsive thrusts along the longitudinal axis in each blade path cycle. In addition, the blade cuts the work piece in both a first direction and a second direction in each blade cycle, the second direction opposed to the first direction.
US09579103B2
Some embodiments are directed to methods and systems for percutaneously treating dissections in a patient's vasculature, such as, without limitation, the aorta. The method can include deploying a catheter containing a collapsed anchoring element, frame, and cover through a first vessel to an entry point of the dissection. The anchoring element can be secured to the second branch vessel. The frame can be expanded in the first branch vessel. The cover can be unfolded over at least a portion of the entry point. The cover then reduces blood flow into the entry point.
US09579094B2
In a first aspect of the subject invention, an iris expander is provided which includes a non-metallic, unitary, multi-segmented body which is expandable from a first state to a second state. The second state defines a larger footprint than the first state with the body being defined by a plurality of segments connected by living hinges. In a further aspect, an iris expander is provided which includes a multi-segmented body that is expandable from a first state to a larger-footprint second state. At least one aperture is formed in the body with a channel extending therefrom embedded in the body such that no portion thereof is exposed externally of the body. The channel is formed to accommodate a portion of an instrument for causing adjustment of the body with avoidance of direct contact of the instrument with the tissue of the iris.
US09579087B2
A flexible biopsy needle assembly includes a flexible coring stylet that is slidably disposed within a flexible outer cannula. The stylet includes an elongated body, a tip, a sampling notch adjacent to the tip, and at least one ferrule along the length of the body. The cannula includes an elongated tubular body defining a lumen sized for sliding passage of the stylet, a cutting edge at the opening of the lumen, and an array of slits along the length of its body. The slits are sized to allow the diameter of the ferrule(s) to extend partially therein. The slits and ferrule(s) interact to limit or control the flexibility of the cannula at the location of the slits.
US09579086B2
The present invention is intended to reduce the consumption of a battery while appropriately performing operation in the case where an AC power source is disconnected and power supply is switched to the battery. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including: an AC adapter connection detecting section (13) that detects whether the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is electrically connected with the AC power source; and a display section (10), wherein, when the AC adapter connection detecting section (13) detects that the AC power source is disconnected, power supply is switched to power supply from the battery (11), and an operation screen for controlling an amount of the power supply in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is displayed on the display section (10).
US09579083B2
A Doppler gate is automatically positioned in spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging. Samples acquired for multiple PW Doppler gates are used for B-mode and/or F-mode detection over time without interleaving transmissions for the PW Doppler. The B-mode and/or F-mode information are used to track gate placement. Alternatively or additionally, characteristics spectra from different gate locations are used to select a gate location. Either tracking may be used to change the locations sampled and/or beam characteristics, such as centering the locations and beam focus on the selected gate location.
US09579072B1
Nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system includes a plurality of detector units coupled to a gantry. The detector units configured to face toward a center of the bore and including a series of first detector units and a second detector unit. The system also includes at least one processor that, when executing programmed instructions, performs the following operations. The at least one processor rotates the first detector units such that the first detector units face in a common first direction that is generally toward the bore. A working gap exists between the detector FOVs of the respective first detector units. The at least one processor rotates the second detector unit such that the second detector unit faces in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The detector FOV of the second detector unit covers the working gap.
US09579071B2
Disclosed herein is an X-ray imaging apparatus including: an X-ray generator including a first X-ray source configured to irradiate a first X-ray onto an object, and at least one second X-ray source spaced apart from the first X-ray source and configured to irradiate at least one second X-ray onto the object; an X-ray detector configured to detect the first X-ray which has propagated through the object and the at least one second X-ray which has propagated through the object; and an image processor configured to produce a first X-ray image of the object based on the detected first X-ray, to produce at least one second X-ray image of the object based on the detected at least one second X-ray, and to produce a stereoscopic image of the object based on the first X-ray image and the at least one second X-ray image.
US09579067B2
Embodiments of a system and method for detecting a leading stroke risk indicator using low-cost, non-contact visual computing methods are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a video camera is arranged to capture a video of a face of a subject to be evaluated for having a stroke risk indicator. A memory is provided for storing data. A processor is coupled to the memory and is arranged to analyze processed image data associated with the video of the face of the subject captured by the video camera. The processor is further arranged to determine whether the processed image data exhibits a leading indicator for carotid artery stenosis.
US09579061B2
This holder set is provided with: an optical bioinstrumentation holder which has at least two probe mounting units into which are inserted light-transmitting probes which irradiate light from the tip, or light-receiving probes which receive light from the tip, and which is mounted on the subject's head; and a electroencephalograph holder which has at least one electrode mounting unit into which an EEG electrode is inserted which detects the potential difference with a reference electrode. This optical bioinstrumentation holder is provided with a linear trunk unit extending in a first direction, and at least two linear branches extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and the electroencephalograph holder is provided with a linear trunk unit extending in a first direction, and at least one linear branch extending in the direction opposite to said second direction.
US09579060B1
Hat, helmet, and other headgear apparatus includes dry electrophysiological electrodes and, optionally, other physiological and/or environmental sensors to measure signals such as ECG from the head of a subject. Methods of use of such apparatus to provide fitness, health, or other measured or derived, estimated, or predicted metrics are also disclosed.
US09579049B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels in a biological sample based on spectral data. This includes utilizing at least one light source configured to strike a target area of a sample, utilizing at least one light filter positioned to receive light transmitted through the target area from the at least one light source, utilizing at least one light detector positioned to receive light from the at least one light source and filtered by the at least one light filter, and to generate an output signal, having a time dependent current, which is indicative of the power of light detected, receiving the output signal from the at least one light detector with a processor and based on the received output signal, calculating the attenuance attributable to blood in a sample with a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 20-to-1; and determining a blood glucose level.
US09579048B2
An activity monitoring apparatus is provided. The activity monitoring apparatus includes a retention feature configured to removably secure the monitoring apparatus to a participant performing a physical activity. The activity monitoring apparatus further includes a clasping mechanism configured to receive a mobile electronic device and removably secure the mobile electronic device to the monitoring apparatus. The activity monitoring apparatus further includes a physiological data collector and electronic circuitry. The physiological data collector is configured to collect physiological data associated with the participant performing the physical activity. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive the physiological data associated with the participant from the physiological data collector, process the physiological data, and wirelessly transmit the processed physiological data to the mobile electronic device for display on the mobile electronic device.
US09579046B2
A method and apparatus for determining a three-dimensional orientation of a human head. The method includes first interposing a left and a right anthropological baselines on a patient's face, each anthropological baseline connecting an orbitale point and an auricular point on a corresponding side of the patient's face. A headgear unit having a pair of temple elements and a from housing rotatably attached to the temple elements, where the front housing includes at least two cameras and a 3D compass all movable within the front housing, is then positioned on a patient's head. Each of the two cameras is adjusted such that its view field picks up one of the two anthropological baselines on the patient's face. These view fields of the two cameras are then used to construct a Human Skull Base Plane as a plane formed by the left and right anthropological baselines when these anthropological baselines are parallel and aligned. The 3D compass is then positioned into a measuring plane coinciding with the Human Skull Base Plane, and is used to quantitatively measure a three-dimensional orientation of the patient's head at the time when the 3D compass is positioned within the measuring plane coinciding with the constructed Human Skull Base Plane.
US09579044B2
Method and system for decomposing superimposed ground reaction forces into individual force profiles
A method for decomposing a GRF into individual force profiles, comprising: receiving a global GRF measured while a subject performs at least one movement on the force platform, the movement comprising at least two motion configurations; identifying individual time regions contained in the time measurement of the global GRF and assigning a respective one of the at least two motion configurations to each time region using a logical order of motion configurations and an identification of a reference motion configuration; for each time region, determining an individual GRF for each one of the at least two support contacts using the identification of the motion configuration for the time region and the global GRF, thereby determining a contribution of each one of the at least two support contacts to the global GRF; and outputting the individual GRFs.
US09579043B2
Systems and methods are disclosed in which changes in the position and/or orientation of an anatomical structure or of a surgical tool can be measured quantitatively during surgery. In some embodiments, a surgical electronic module can be configured to attach to a surgical device, to continually detect changes in a position and/or orientation of the surgical device during surgery, and to communicate the changes to a user. In this way, where the surgical device is attached to a portion of a patient's anatomy and/or is used to manipulate the patient's anatomy, the surgical electronic module can detect changes in the position and/or orientation of said anatomy. In embodiments where more than one module is used during surgery, the modules can continually detect changes in their positions and/or orientations relative to one another, which correspond to changes in relative positions and/or orientations of the surgical devices to which the modules are attached.
US09579037B2
A nerve monitoring system facilitates monitoring an integrity of a nerve.
US09579025B1
Systems and methods for collecting biosignals can include a master node and a plurality of biosensor slave nodes wirelessly connected to the master node. The biosensor can be implanted in the body, or external to the body. One of the biosensors can function as the master node, or a networked cell phone or local area network (LAN) router can function as the master node. The biosensor slave nodes can collect biosignals such as blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose), EEG brain activity and similar biomarkers as biodata. The slave nodes can transmit the biodata to the master node, along with implicit timing information. In response, the master nodes can communicate implicit timing adjustment information back to the slave node(s), but only when said slave node's implicit timing information is outside of a predefined synchronization accuracy α, which can be determined according to the timing frequency requirements of the biodata being monitored.
US09579022B2
A wearable electronic device includes a signal capturing assembly and a wearable assembly. The signal capturing assembly is configured for detecting and processing vital signs from a user and defines at least one port. The signal capturing assembly includes a base, a first cover, a second cover, a third cover, a first electrode, and a core module. The first, second, third covers cover the base to form a receiving chamber to accommodate the core module. The first electrode is extended through the base and electronically connected to the core module The wearable assembly is detachably connected to the signal capturing assembly through the at least one port.
US09579014B2
The otoscope comprises a head portion (11) including a through-hole (24) extending continuously from a proximal end to a distal end along a viewing path and a speculum receptacle (14) tapering towards the distal end and surrounding the through-hole (24), wherein a speculum (50) is attachable to the speculum receptacle (14). Lens means (26) including at least one lens (36) is configured to be movable from a viewing position, in which the lens (36) is arranged in the viewing path, to a clearance position, in which the lens (36) is arranged outside the viewing path. In the viewing position of the lens means (26) the lens (36) is arranged inside the through-hole (24) far enough for the distance between the lens (36) and the distal end (52) of an attached speculum (50) to be smaller than the focal length (F) of the lens (36).
US09579011B2
An endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion, an image pickup portion that acquires a plurality of images by time-sequentially picking up optical images of a subject by means of an objective optical system provided in a distal end portion of the insertion portion, and a channel that opens at the distal end portion of the insertion portion; a laser probe that is inserted through the channel; an image analysis portion that detects an area showing the laser probe with respect to each image; and a control portion that permits laser output only in a case where it is determined that the laser probe protrudes from the opening of the channel based on detection results with respect to the area showing the laser probe for a plurality of images that are time-sequentially consecutive.
US09579010B2
A dishwasher appliance includes a rack assembly. A bracket of the rack assembly has a post and a support projection that defines a plurality of slots. The post of the bracket extends through a tub of the dishwasher appliance, and a sleeve engages the post such that the sleeve hinders the post from retracting through the tub. A slide rail is mounted on the support projection of the bracket.
US09579008B2
The present invention relates generally to an environmentally sensitive mobile cleaning system; and more specifically relates to a holding tank that includes at least one internal bladder for high or ultra-high pressure mobile cleaning apparatus. The holding tank with internal bladder works in combination with a mobile pressure cleaning apparatus for cleaning surfaces while minimizing water usage and containing contaminants before they enter a storm water drain system.
US09579004B2
A central vacuum having a housing, a suction chamber in the housing, a suction motor, a suction chamber inlet, and a utility port. The utility port has a suction opening that leads into the suction chamber, and a utility port door pivotal between a closed position to cover the suction opening, and an open position to uncover the suction opening. Also, provided is a utility port having a suction opening, a door to selectively cover the suction opening, a latch to selectively lock the door closed, a floating plate movably mounted on the door, and a seal between the floating plate and the suction opening. Also, provided is a method for operating a utility port door on a vacuum cleaner suction chamber, the method including pushing the utility port door a first time to close the door, and pushing the utility port door a second time to open the door.
US09578999B2
A decorative bar, configured to be mounted on a surface (wall or floor) of a room or building, comprises (a) an elongate rod formed of natural stone and having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape from a first end to an opposite, second end and a longitudinal groove extending along one side, and (b) an elongate metal armature or brace having a portion thereof inserted in and substantially filling the longitudinal groove in the stone rod. The metal brace has a flange or bracket at each end configured to be attached to the surface (wall or floor) of a building to affix and retain the stone rod in a mounted relationship to this surface with its longitudinal groove on a side which is not readily visible to a casual observer.
US09578995B2
A hanger for a shower curtain comprises two opposing direction hooks and a captive roller for riding along the top of a curtain rod. A base part of the hanger has a hub with both a hook and a cradle at the lower end of a shank. The hook faces in one planar direction and a cradle faces in the opposite direction. The base comprises a spindle lying in said plane; the roller is rotatably captured on said spindle. The cap portion of a closure mounts on the free end of the spindle to keep the roller in place. The closure comprises a hook portion at the end of the shank; the hook portion mates with the cradle of the base. Preferably, the closure is rotatable about the spindle end, so that when the closure hook is disengaged from the cradle there is an opening which enables the hanger to be mounted and dismounted from a curtain rod.
US09578991B2
An open hole food grater is provided. A hole is etched into the blade such that a cutting angle is formed with the plane of the cutting surface and the point at which the same meets the hole. This design of the open hole food grater not only increases the efficiency of food grating by allowing the use of the same in two cutting directions, it also eliminates all protrusions from the plane of the cutting surface. This substantially reduces any chance of a user being cut by coming into contact with the plan of the food cutting surface of the grater.
US09578976B2
A shelf system includes a support member that accommodates an associated object for display and dispensing. The support member includes a front end and a rear end. A mounting portion is disposed adjacent the support member rear end. The mounting portion includes a first member which connects to an associated upright and a second member which is operatively connected to the support member. A pin is connected to one of the first and second members and a sleeve is connected to the other of the first and second members, wherein the sleeve selectively accommodates the pin. A fastener is provided for selectively securing the pin in the sleeve.
US09578975B2
The disclosure generally relates to an adjustable bed, in particular incorporating a friction mattress mount. In various embodiments, an adjustable bed foundation can include friction-enhancing materials mounted on a deck support surface. The friction-enhancing materials maintain the mattress in a desired position and alignment with respect to the adjustable bed foundation, in particular when adjustable bed foundation is adjusted between various articulated positions (e.g., flat, inclined, and/or declined).
US09578974B2
A slatted base having a frame and a measuring device for detecting the deformation of a lying surface under the load of a person lying thereon, wherein the deformation is carried out by detecting the vertical deflection of slats, which are held on both sides in a slatted base with their free ends in a mounting body, on which the displaceable end of a vertically oriented lifting drive engages, which is supported with respect to a bottom-side base frame, wherein the mutual horizontal distances between the slats is adjustable and fixable.
US09578969B1
The invention provides an adjustable footrest ring for a chair with a central post. The invention includes an inner sleeve, a quick-release handle, a support frame and a ring. The inner sleeve is used for being put around the central post and has an outer threaded surface, a through slot and a pair of passing holes below the outer threaded surface. The quick-release handle is formed with a through hole at an end thereof. The through hole corresponds to the passing holes for being passed through by a bolt. The inner sleeve is shrunken when the bolt is tightened and the quick-release handle is closed. The support frame has an outer sleeve and support rods radially extending therefrom. An inner threaded surface is formed inside the outer sleeve so as to screw the outer sleeve onto the inner sleeve. The ring is connected to outer ends of the support rods.
US09578968B2
A chair includes: a leg body; a backrest supporting body supported by the leg body; a backrest rear supporting member supported by the backrest supporting body; and a backrest that is supported by the backrest rear supporting member and supports the back of a user. The backrest has: a flexible upholstering material configured to receive the back of the user and is displaceable depending on the back; and a pair of vertical frame sections that are mounted on the upholstering material, have lower ends connected to the back rest rear section support section, and are separated in a width direction in which twisting deformation is allowed depending on a force applied from the upholstering material.
US09578966B2
Portable structures convert into furniture articles, such as chairs, backrests, and tables, when substantially filled with sand and revert to collapsed portable structures for easy transport after a substantial amount of sand has been removed. The portable structures include a cover, made from a flexible and deformable material, and a frame that includes one or more flexible frame members disposed on or incorporated within the cover. The flexible frame members have spring-like characteristics such that a portable structure, without substantial sand therein, can be collapsed for storage and/or transport, and when ready for use, automatically converted to an “uncollapsed pop-up” state adapted to receive sand filling to form the furniture article.
US09578964B2
A base, elongated member, and illumination source are combined to form the core of an organizational unit. The base has a first support structure and second support structure which serve as legs. These support a tabletop, as well as a shelf which is used to hold footwear or other items. The shelf is perforated in order to allow for drainage and prevent moisture accumulation, enhancing drying of items placed on the shelf. The elongated member is a height-adjustable pole connected on top of the tabletop, with the illumination source being placed at the top of the elongated member. A locking mechanism is provided for the elongated member, the elongated member itself being divided into a sleeve connected to the tabletop and a post that slides into and out of the sleeve. One or more hooks and an accessory receptacle may be attached to the elongated member.
US09578963B2
A furniture apparatus includes a rectangular shaped housing having an open side, a washing vessel, including a faucet, located within the housing, a plurality of drawers located under the washing vessel and within the housing, an electrical socket located above the washing vessel and within the housing, double doors hingedly coupled to the housing and configured to move between an open position, wherein the open side is unobstructed by the double doors, and a closed position, wherein the double doors completely occlude the open side, at least one storage shelf located within an interior of each of the double doors, and at least one storage container located within an interior of at least one of the double doors.
US09578962B2
A stowage bin is provided. The stowage bin includes a bucket, a support assembly, and at least one translating pivot mechanism rotatably coupling the support assembly to the bucket, the at least one translating pivot mechanism including a first component integrally formed with the bucket and comprising a first pin and a first slot, and a second component integrally formed with the support assembly and including a second pin and a second slot, wherein the first and second components engage one another such that the first pin is received in the second slot and the second pin is received in the first slot. The first pin is static with respect to the bucket, and the second pin is static with respect to the support assembly.
US09578949B2
A cosmetic applicator includes a container for containing a product to be dispensed and a tip threadably retained on the container. The tip includes an application surface including a thermal member and an opening in the application surface in fluid communication with the container through which the product is dispensed. A cosmetic applicator includes a container containing a product to be dispensed, a dispensing tip disposed on the container having a tip application surface, and a cap selectively engageable with at least one of the container and the dispensing tip to selectively cover the tip application surface. The tip application surface is configured to contact a user's skin to apply the product to be dispensed and an opening in the application surface through which the product to be dispensed is dispensed from the reservoir. The cap includes a cap application surface configured to contact a user's skin to apply the product to be dispensed. At least one of the dispensing tip or the cap includes a thermal member.
US09578947B2
A nail lamp includes an inner casing including an inner shell and an inner chamber enclosed by the inner shell, wherein the inner chamber has an opening; a light emitting module disposed on an inner surface of the inner shell and facing the inner chamber; a control module disposed on the inner shell and electrically connected with the light emitting module; an outer housing hooding the inner casing, revealing the opening; and a touchscreen module or an ordinary screen module disposed on the outer housing and electrically connected with the control module with the touchscreen or screen thereof exposed to the exterior. An option menu is programmed in the operating interface of the touchscreen module beforehand. The user directly uses her/his finger to select an option from the option menu. The touchscreen or ordinary screen can further display the information the related parties intend to present.
US09578944B2
Disclosed are methods and compositions for altering the color of hair, comprising treating the hair with a pre-alkalizing composition and then treating the hair with a color-altering composition comprising at least one lift-enhancing agent, at least one oxidative dye precursor, at least one oxidizing agent chosen from peroxides, persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, peracids, bromates, their salts and mixtures thereof, and optionally, at least one direct dye.
