US09632705B2
Systems and methods for implementing adaptive memory layers in a storage system are disclosed. A storage system may include a non-volatile memory with memory cells configurable to each of a plurality of bit-per-cell capacities and divided into dynamically re-sizable memory layers defined by memory cells of a particular capacity. A memory layer adjustment module associated with a controller of the storage system is configured to, upon detection of a maintenance trigger, compare the amount of valid data and overprovisioning in each layer to a target amount and to redistribute valid data and physical capacity among the memory layers according to a predetermined table or algorithm in order to optimize performance of each memory layer.
US09632703B2
A processing device receives a request to delete a snapshot of a virtual machine. The processing device identifies a volume chain of a virtual disk in a shared storage that includes a destination storage volume and a source storage volume. The snapshot is associated with the destination storage volume. The processing device instructs a host machine to merge data of the source storage volume with data of the destination storage volume. The processing device receives an indication from the host machine that the data of the source storage volume has been merged into the data of the destination storage volume. The processing device instructs a storage server to remove the source storage volume from the shared storage.
US09632699B2
The invention relates generally to a user-configurable calculator. Embodiments of the invention provide, among other things, a flexible graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to configure a virtual keypad area and/or a display area. Accordingly, a user can select calculator's keys (and corresponding functions) and/or a display type that is best suited for the problem he or she wishes to solve. A user may also create a new function and associate the new function with a virtual key. Embodiments of the invention also permit a user to define and manage multiple calculation sessions. In one embodiment, data can be shared between sessions.
US09632696B2
A display device for displaying presentation data including multiple pages, which receives the presentation data and a page number of a page displayed from a presenter device. An image of a page having the received page number from among the multiple pages is displayed in a follow mode, and an image of any given page from among the multiple pages is displayed in a write mode. A handwritten image is detected in the write mode, associated with a page number of a page displayed, and temporarily stored when a follow mode set instruction is accepted in the write mode. If a return instruction is accepted in the follow mode, the handwritten image specified by the temporary storage data is displayed superimposed on an image of the page having a page number specified by the stored temporary storage data among the multiple pages of the presentation data.
US09632695B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is performed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. The method includes: displaying a window on the touch-sensitive display; detecting a single-finger gesture on the touch-sensitive display; in response to the detected single-finger gesture on the touch-sensitive display, displaying a magnifying screen that includes an expanded view of a first portion of the window that comprises at least a part of the texts and an insertion marker; detecting movement of a single finger on the touch-sensitive display while the magnifying screen is displayed; and in response to detecting the movement of the single finger on the touch-sensitive display, replacing the display of the expanded view of the first portion of the window with an expanded view of the second portion of the window in the magnifying screen.
US09632694B2
A method and apparatus for performing an action while a portable computing device is in a locked state is disclosed. An unlock image is displayed in a first region of a touch-sensitive display. Responsive to detecting contact with the touch-sensitive display at the first region, an action image is displayed in a second region of the touch-sensitive display. While the unlock image remains stationary at the first region, movement of the contact with the touch-sensitive display is detected and a direction of movement of the contact is determined. Responsive to determining the direction of movement of the contact is towards the action image, the action image is visually modified to distinguish it from the unlock image. Responsive to the contact with the touch-sensitive display reaching the second region, an action associated with the action image is performed.
US09632693B2
Examples disclosed herein relate to translation of touch input into local input based on a translation profile for an application. Examples include translating touch input into local input based on a translation profile for an application in focus, if the translation profile is accessible. Examples further include providing the touch input to an operating system if no translation profile for the application in focus is accessible and the operating system is able to utilize touch input.
US09632690B2
A method for operating a user interface and an electronic device using the method are provided. The electronic device has a touch screen that displays the user interface, and the user interface includes at least one operable object. The method includes: detecting a first touch through a sensor located on a side of the touch screen to obtain a first touch signal corresponding to the first touch; if the first touch signal continuously exists, detecting a second touch through the touch screen to obtain a second touch signal corresponding to the second touch; determining a target region on the user interface according to the first touch signal and the second touch signal; moving the at least one operable object in the target region to a specific region on the user interface at a specific speed.
US09632689B2
In particular embodiments, a computing device provides for presentation to a user a user interface, the user interface including a plurality of related interactive elements. The computing device may receive touch gesture input from the user selecting one of the plurality of related interactive elements. The touch gesture input may have a duration of at least a pre-determined amount of time. The computing device, in response to the touch gesture input, may rearrange the plurality of related interactive elements, rearranging including stacking the plurality of related interactive elements for presentation to the user.
US09632677B2
A system and method for 3-D environment manipulation is disclosed. A vector extrapolator is configured to extrapolate an input into a 3-D space to establish a 3-D vector extrapolation. A perspective locator is configured to relocate a viewing perspective based on the 3-D vector extrapolation.
US09632669B2
User input including a social network notification symbol followed by a social network tag is detected in association with a social network user interface. The social network tag includes a text keyword that identifies a social network topic within the social network. A subset of social network users within the social network that follow the social network topic identified by the text keyword of the social network tag is determined. A referential third-party social network user notification subset within the social network is defined as the determined subset of social network users within the social network that follow the social network topic. A referential third-party social network notification is published to the defined referential third-party social network user notification subset within the social network. The referential third-party social network notification includes the detected user input that includes the social network notification symbol followed by the social network tag.
US09632644B2
A multi-channel contact sensing apparatus includes a ground contact part, a loop unit including a transmitting sub-loop unit and a receiving sub-loop unit, a controller that controls by applying a transmission signal to the transmitting sub-loop unit, and receiving a reception signal from the receiving sub-loop unit, and a switch unit that prevents each of at least one loop of the transmitting sub-loop unit and at least one loop of the receiving sub-loop unit from being connected to the ground contact part during a first period. The multi-channel contact sensing apparatus simultaneously measures a finger touch input and a pen input.
US09632633B2
The present invention discloses a touch panel, a liquid crystal display device and a scanning method thereof. The touch panel includes an array substrate including a common electrode layer, wherein the common electrode layer includes an electromagnetic-capacitive composite structure configured to identify touch signals; wherein, the electromagnetic-capacitive composite structure includes a capacitive touch structure and an electromagnetic touch structure. The electromagnetic touch structure and the capacitive touch structure are integrated on the array substrate, so that the thickness and the cost and complexity of the manufacturing of the touch panel and the liquid crystal display device are effectively reduced.
US09632629B2
A capacitive sense array configured to improve noise immunity in detecting a presence of a conductive object is described. In one embodiment, a capacitive sense array includes at least a first set of sense elements disposed in straight parallel lines along a first axis of the capacitive sense array. A second set of sense elements is disposed in crooked paths about a second axis of the capacitive sense array. The first and second sets form a capacitive sense array that includes crooked sense paths in at least one of the axes of the sense array.
US09632628B2
A device includes a plurality of adjacent electrodes for a touch sensitive device. The electrodes run generally in a first direction. Adjacent electrodes are interdigitated to provide one or more interpolation sections of the electrodes. Touch sensitive devices may utilize such interdigitated electrodes as drive electrodes, along with transverse sense electrodes formed over a display.
US09632624B2
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for extending the functionality of a mobile device by including a cover for the mobile device with a substantial portion of the exterior overlaid with a touch-sensitive surface. Logic stored on the cover senses a user's touch on the touch-sensitive surface and transmits the touch input to the coupled mobile device. Logic stored on the coupled mobile device may receive and interpret the touch input as a function or command of an operating system, or a function or command of a program within the operating system of the mobile device.
US09632604B2
Examples disclose a device including a communication component to couple the device to a first portable computing device and a second portable computing device through a communication channel and a controller to utilize the first portable computing device as a first input component of the device and utilize the second portable computing device as a second input component of the device through the communication channel.
US09632601B2
Disclosed is a touch pen which comprises a pen head, an encasing member, and a shaft. The pen head comprises a conductive elastic casing, a ball member, a fixing device, and an elastic device. The conductive elastic casing comprises a first sealing end and a first receiving portion, wherein the ball member is deposited in the first receiving portion. The fixing device comprises a second sealing end and a second receiving portion. The second receiving portion is connected to the first receiving portion. The elastic device is deposited in the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion and contacts the ball member and presses against the second sealing end. The encasing member encases the conductive elastic casing and is connected with the fixing device. The shaft is connected with the encasing member. The friction can be dispersed by the ball member of the present invention.
US09632585B2
Even when a user is gazing at one point intentionally but the eyeball of the user is actually moving slightly, the slight movement is not reproduced as it is as the position of a cursor but a determination is made that the user is gazing at one point intentionally, that is, the eyeball is stopping. Thus, when a determination is made that the eyeball is stopping, the cursor is displayed still even when the gazing point is moving slightly depending on the slight movement. Furthermore, when a determination is made that the cursor is stopped, selection of an object such as other icon displayed at a position where the cursor is displayed is identified.
US09632583B2
In electrosensory vibration technology, a potential difference is formed between a touched surface of a device and a body member of a user, creating an attractive force between the two. To meet industry safety standards, the capability of a corresponding voltage source to drive electrical current may be kept low, and the maximum slew rate with such a voltage source would be accordingly limited. However, such a limit on the slew rate may result in softer haptic effects or lower repetition rates of haptic effects, and the ability of such a device to express a wide range of haptic effects may be reduced compared to a device capable of driving the external load with the maximum current allowed by applicable standards. As a technical means to solve this technical problem, it may be helpful to use a powerful voltage source with a controller to control the outgoing current.
US09632573B2
In a medical manipulator configured to have a manipulation unit including a first input unit and a second input unit that are exchangeable, a signal generation unit configured to process an input with respect to the manipulation unit based on a predetermined process condition and to generate a manipulation signal, an operating unit configured to be operated by the manipulation signal, and a detection unit configured to recognize a type of a used input unit, the process condition corresponded to the first input unit and the process condition corresponded to the second input unit differ, and the signal generation unit generates the manipulation signal based on the process condition corresponded to the input unit recognized by the detection unit.
US09632570B2
A data processing device may receive, from an application running on the data processing device, an indication that one or more sensors may be associated with a user input for the application. Based on sensing information collected from the one or more sensors, a characteristic of the user input may be determined by the data processing device. The data processing device may refrain from entering a sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input matches a specific characteristic condition specified by the application. The data processing device may allow entering the sleep mode if the characteristic of the user input does not match the specific characteristic condition for a specific timeout period specified by the application. The data processing device may receive the indication, information on the specific characteristic condition and/or information on the specific timeout period via invoking, by the application, one or more application programming interfaces (APIs).
US09632567B2
A Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) method, comprising of a scheduling execution of DVFS to adjust frequency or voltage of a target device at a first scheduled time; monitoring operating frequency of the target device; and selectively deferring execution of DVFS at a later scheduled time based on the operating frequency of the target device; wherein execution of DVFS at a next scheduled time is deferred when the operating frequency of the target device is below a given minimum frequency.
US09632549B2
An electronic apparatus includes: a flowpath through which a liquid flows; a heat-generating body that is cooled by the liquid; a liquid temperature measuring device that measures a temperature of the liquid; a temperature measuring device that measures a temperature of the heat-generating body; a heat generation amount measuring device that measures a heat generation amount of the heat-generating body; a storage apparatus that stores information representing a relationship between a temperature of the liquid, a temperature of the heat-generating body, a heat generation amount of the heat-generating body, and a flow rate of the liquid; and a processing apparatus that calculates the flow rate of liquid from the temperature of the liquid measured by the liquid temperature measuring device, the temperature of the heat-generating body measured by the temperature measuring device, and the heat generation amount of the heat-generating body based on information inside the storage apparatus.
US09632546B2
A mounting apparatus includes a bottom plate, a supporting frame supported by the bottom plate for receiving a HDD, a receiving frame attached to the bottom plate, a latching member slidably coupled to the supporting frame, and a first elastic member coupled with the latching member. The supporting frame includes a base plate detachably engaging with the bottom plate, two opposite side plates each defining at least one through hole, two pivoting plates pivotably coupled to the side plates, and an extending plate defining an opening. The latching member includes an inserting block to extend through the opening of the extending plate under a resilient force of the first elastic member. Each pivoting plate includes at least one inserting post for extending through the through hole of the corresponding side plate and engaging in the HDD.
US09632545B2
An assembly can include a processor; memory accessibly by the processor; a drive tray chassis; a drive tray positioned in the drive tray chassis where the drive tray includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a member coupled to the first side wall and the second side wall that defines a dimension of a first drive bay that extends from the first side wall to the second side wall, and an intermediate member that defines a dimension of a second drive bay that extends from the intermediate member to the second side wall wherein the dimension of the second drive bay is less than the dimension of the first drive bay; and a drive accessible by the processor and positioned in one of the first drive bay and the second drive bay. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09632544B2
An apparatus is described. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a tray configured to carry at least one integrated circuit card; a handle connected to the tray in a slidable manner and having a shortened closed position and an extended open position with respect to the tray. Further, the apparatus comprises an ejector configured to eject the handle to its extended open position. In the extended open position, the handle extends away from the tray.
US09632542B2
In one aspect, touch screens are described herein. In some implementations, a touch screen comprises an electrically conductive layer and one or more electrodes electrically connected to the electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a graphene layer. In some implementations, the electrically conductive layer comprises an electrically conductive coating disposed on an electrically insulating substrate.
US09632537B2
A ceramic material having an electronic component embedded therein, and more particularly to a sapphire surface having an electrically energized component embedded within. In some embodiments, the sapphire surface may take the form of a portion of a housing for an electronic device. Since sapphire may be substantially transparent, it may form a cover glass for a display within or forming part of the electronic device, as one example. The cover glass may be bonded, affixed, or otherwise attached to a remainder of the housing, thereby forming an enclosure for the electronic device.
US09632534B1
A cover for a wrist-worn electronic device is provided. The cover includes a housing, a first and a second wrist strap aperture and a display window. The housing is comprised of an elastic material and defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the electronic device and includes a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. The first and second wrist strap apertures are disposed at the respective first and second ends of the housing and are each configured to receive a wrist strap of the electronic device. The display window is disposed on a side of the housing between the first and second ends and is configured to allow visibility of a display of the electronic device when the cover is placed on the electronic device.
US09632530B2
A deck supports depressable keys. The keys can be resiliently biased to a raised state. A display panel can be pivotally coupled to the deck for movement between a deployed position and a closed position. A retraction mechanism comprises a retraction frame and a retraction drive. The retraction frame is translatable between a releasing position along the depressable keys to actuate the depressable keys to the raised state and a retracting position moving to move the depressable keys to the retracted state. The retraction drive translates the retraction frame towards the retracting position in response to pivoting of the display panel towards the closed position.
US09632515B2
The present invention relates to pressure stabilizing mechanism and to a hydraulic pump including the pressure stabilizing mechanism. The pressure stabilizing mechanism comprises a frame, a piston and a first and second seals. The frame defines a piston chamber, a lower-pressure circuit and a higher-pressure inlet. The piston chamber has a first section of smaller circumference and a second section of larger circumference. The first section of the piston chamber connects the lower-pressure circuit and the higher-pressure inlet. The lower-pressure circuit further connects with the second section of the piston chamber. The lower-pressure circuit receives a fluid at a lower pressure and the higher-pressure inlet receives the fluid at a higher pressure. The piston is slidably movable in the piston chamber between an open position and a closed position. The piston slidably moves between the closed and open position upon relative variation between the lower-pressure fluid and larger surface in the second chamber with respect to the higher-pressure fluid and smaller surface in the first chamber of the piston chamber.
US09632511B2
A pressure type flow control system with flow monitoring includes an inlet, a control valve including a pressure flow control unit connected downstream of the inlet, a thermal flow sensor connected downstream of the control valve, an orifice installed on a fluid passage communicatively connected downstream of the thermal flow sensor, a temperature sensor provided near the fluid passage between the control valve and orifice, a pressure sensor provided for the fluid passage between the control valve and orifice, an outlet communicatively connected to the orifice, and a control unit including a pressure type flow rate arithmetic and control unit receiving a pressure signal from the pressure sensor and a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, and a flow sensor control unit to which a flow rate signal from the thermal flow sensor is input.
US09632505B2
An obstacle detector for a mobile robot while the robot is in motion is disclosed. The detector preferably includes at least one light source configured to project pulsed light in the path of the robot; a visual sensor for capturing a plurality of images of light reflected from the path of the robot; a processing unit configured to extract the reflections from the images; and an obstacle detection unit configured to detect an obstacle in the path of the robot based on the extracted reflections. In the preferred embodiment, the reflections of the projected light are extracted by subtracting pairs of images in which each pair includes a first image captured with the at least one light source on and a second image captured with the at least one light source off, and then combining images of two or more extracted reflections to suppress the background.
US09632503B2
Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon; a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon; a transceiver; first and second flight termination devices; at least two separate power sources for the first and second flight termination devices; a sensor; a processor; a pump; a valve; and a tether that when broken separates the unmanned balloon and the payload, are disclosed herein.
US09632499B2
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating semiconductors utilizing a semiconductor fabrication system includes performing a semiconductor fabrication process on a first lot of unprocessed semiconductor substrates with a semiconductor fabrication equipment unit to form a first lot of processed substrates and communicating processing data regarding the first lot of processed substrates from the semiconductor fabrication equipment unit to a just-in-time (JIT) module of the semiconductor fabrication system. The method further includes determining a processing priority of the first lot of processed substrates and a processing priority of a second lot of unprocessed substrates at the JIT module and scheduling removal of the first lot of processed substrates from the semiconductor fabrication equipment unit and delivery of the second lot of unprocessed substrates to the semiconductor fabrication equipment unit by the JIT module based on the processing data and the priority of one or both of the first lot of processed substrates and the second lot of unprocessed substrates.
US09632496B2
An engineering apparatus for designing an FA system includes: a system-configuration-data generating unit that generates system configuration data that expresses a display apparatus and a control apparatus of an FA system that is an engineering target and a topology thereof; a component storing unit that stores a control component, a screen component, and label information as a set by associating the control component, the screen component, and the label information with each other by using a label name; a component allocating unit that performs allocation of the control component to the control apparatus; a component reflecting unit that renders the control component a usable state for generating; an apparatus-connection-information generating unit that automatically generates apparatus connection information; a label-device-information editing unit that edits actual device information that corresponds to label information; and a component resolving unit that renders the apparatus connection information and the actual device information.
US09632493B2
The invention relates to a method of driving a workstation (1) comprising operational units (2, 3) linked to a drive automaton (7) executing a drive program, the drive program comprising for each operational unit at least one sub-part defining a plurality of strings of actions as a function of synchronization states, the drive method comprising a phase of configuration and a phase of execution of the drive program, the configuration phase comprising the steps of selecting the units to be implemented, of parametrizing the corresponding sub-parts by selecting the string of actions to be carried out and the associated synchronization states, the execution phase comprising the step of executing the drive program thus configured. The subject matter of the invention is also a workstation allowing the implementation of this method.
US09632478B2
Image forming apparatus having a supporting frame supporting an exposure unit having a grounded wire
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive member and an exposure unit. The exposure unit has a supporting frame made of resin, a holding case attached to the supporting frame, a plurality of emitting elements and a lens array held by the holding case, and a grounded metal wire. The holding case is made of resin and elongated in a longitudinal direction. The photoconductive member is configured to be exposed to light emitted by the plurality of light emitting elements and converged by the lens array. The supporting flame holds the metal wire such that the metal wire extends in the longitudinal direction and faces the holding case.
US09632476B2
A chassis structure includes: a chassis that houses a component used for an image forming apparatus inside and that includes an opening; a cover member that covers the opening of the chassis; and a seal member that is provided between the cover member and the chassis and that, when the cover member is attached to the chassis, is compressed and deformed so as to seal a gap between the cover member and the chassis. An attached section of the cover member to which the seal member is attached is provided with a hole.
US09632471B2
A sheet conveyance apparatus is equipped with a first rotator, a second rotator conveying a sheet together with the first rotator, a cam member changing a position of the second rotator with respect to the first rotator, a drive unit rotating the cam member, and a load portion applying load on a rotation of the cam member. The load portion includes a contact member having a cam surface formed on a side surface in an axial direction of the cam member, an abutment member capable of abutting against the cam surface, and a biasing member biasing one of the contact member and the abutment member toward the other, a biasing force of the biasing member converted into a force, applying load to the rotating cam member, by the cam surface opposing to a rotating direction in which the cam member is driven by the drive unit.
US09632467B2
A fixing device includes a fixing roller; a heating unit, a pressing unit, a force imparting mechanism, a first pressure releasing mechanism including a first cam portion actable on the force imparting mechanism and a first gear portion for driving the first cam portion; and a second pressure releasing mechanism including a second cam portion actable on the force imparting mechanism and a second gear portion for driving the second cam portion. The first gear portion and the second gear portion engage with each other, and a driving force is transmitted from one gear portion of the first and second gear portions to the other gear portion.
US09632464B2
In an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when an image forming operation is started from a standby state, electric power is supplied to a heater by switching to a first fixing control to turn on and off the heater to heat a heating roller with a fixed duty ratio based on the detected temperature of the heating roller, and thereafter, when detecting a state that the falling detected temperature reaches a lower limit value at which the detected temperature turns to rising, electric power is supplied to the heater by switching to a second fixing control which changes a duty ratio in accordance with a temperature difference between the detected temperature and a target control temperature.
US09632463B2
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes, a fixing roller including a heat generation source, supplying heat to a printing object, and fixing toner on the printing object, an opposing roller opposed to the fixing roller to hold the printing object between the opposing roller and the fixing roller, a heat exchange roller containing a heat storage material capable of changing in between a liquid and a solid phase, a sensor capable of sensing a temperature of the fixing roller; and a driving unit causing the heat exchange roller to abut against the fixing roller and separating the heat exchange roller from the fixing roller, in accordance with the temperature of the fixing roller sensed by the sensor.
US09632462B2
An electricity removing unit 50 includes a rotating roller part 51, a brush part 52, a driving part, and a restraint member. The brush part 52 includes a plurality of conductive fiber bristles 52a having base end portions connected to a peripheral surface of the rotating roller part 51. The driving part rotationally drives the rotating roller part 51. The restraint member abuts the brush part 52 from a rotation downstream side, thereby inclining the plurality of conductive fiber bristles 52a to an upstream side from a downstream side of a rotational direction toward a radial outside and thus reforming them. In this way, the restraint member restrains a distance between a front end of each conductive fiber bristle 52a and the peripheral surface of the rotating roller part 51 to a setting distance set in advance.
US09632457B2
In an image forming apparatus that includes a collection container for collected toner, the collection container is not easily pushed back by a reaction force against a closing force of a shutter provided in a feeding portion for the collected toner. A spiral rib guides a contact rib to move the sealing shutter in a direction of opening a transfer opening against an urging force of a twisted coil spring in the process of connecting a collected toner box to a feeding pipe. A low reaction force area guides the contact rib after the spiral rib in the process of connecting the collected toner box to the feeding pipe. An inclination angle of the low reaction force area relative to the direction of connecting the collected toner box is less than an inclination angle of the spiral rib relative to the direction of connection of the collected toner box.
US09632456B2
A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another.
US09632453B2
A differential transformer magnetic permeability sensor includes a substrate, a drive coil, a first differential coil, a second differential coil, a first interconnection pattern, and a second interconnection pattern. The first differential coil is disposed at a side of a first surface of the substrate, and an induced voltage is generated therein when the drive coil is driven. The second differential coil is disposed at a side of a second surface of the substrate, and an induced voltage is generated therein when the drive coil is driven. The first interconnection pattern is located on the first surface and allows the first differential coil to serve as a reference coil, and the second differential coil as a sensing coil. The second interconnection pattern is located on the second surface and allows the second differential coil to serve as a reference coil, and the first differential coil as a sensing coil.
US09632449B2
An adjustment includes a first current adjustment for adjusting a first current Idrv by supplying a superimposed current of the first current Idrv and a second current Ib to an LD 101a, and a second current adjustment for adjusting the second current Ib by supplying the second current Ib to the LD 101a without supplying the first current Idrv thereto. Upon reception of an image forming instruction, a control unit performs adjustment in order of the second current adjustment for the first time, the first current adjustment for the first time, the second current adjustment for the second time, and the first current adjustment for the second time. An execution period of the second current adjustment for the first time is longer than an execution period of the second current adjustment for the second time.
US09632448B2
An image forming apparatus includes a conversion unit configured to convert image data based on a conversion condition which corresponds to a type of halftone processing; an image processing unit configured to execute the halftone processing on the image data converted by the conversion unit, wherein the halftone processing includes first halftoning and second halftoning which is different from the first halftoning; and an image forming unit including a photoreceptor and an exposure unit configured to expose, based on the image data on which the halftone processing is executed by the image processing unit, the photoreceptor with light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor.
US09632445B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet. A casing constituting an outer shell of the image forming apparatus is formed in a table shape including a top plate and a leg portion supporting the top plate, the top plate including a flat working surface. The image forming unit is located inside the top plate. The top plate includes a recording sheet outlet from which the recording sheet having an image formed thereon is discharged.
US09632442B2
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes toner particles that each include a toner core containing a binder resin and a shell layer disposed over a surface of the toner core. The binder resin includes a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous polyester resin. The crystalline polyester resin has a melting point of at least 80° C. and no greater than 120° C. When the electrostatic latent image developing toner is measured using a differential scanning calorimeter, a glass transition point is observed in a first run but is not observed in a second run. The shell layer contains a resin including a thermosetting component and a thermoplastic component.
US09632440B2
An emulsion aggregation toner composition includes toner particles including: an unsaturated polymeric resin, such as amorphous resins, crystalline resins, and combinations thereof; an optional colorant; an optional wax; an optional coagulant; and a photoinitiator. By optimizing the particle size of the emulsion, the aggregant concentration utilized in the emulsion aggregation process, and the solids content of the emulsion, toners may be produced capable of generating images with non-contact fusing that have high gloss.
US09632438B2
A method of forming a pattern includes: preparing a target substrate including a photoresist layer on a base substrate; aligning a phase shift mask to the target substrate, the phase shift mask including a mask substrate comparted into a first region including a first sub region and second sub regions at sides of the first sub region, and second regions at sides of the first region, the phase shift mask including a phase shift layer on the mask substrate corresponding to the first region; fully exposing the photoresist layer at the first sub region and the second regions by utilizing the phase shift mask; and removing the photoresist layer at the first sub region and the second regions to form first and second photoresist patterns corresponding to the second sub regions. Transmittance of the phase shift layer is selected to fully expose the photoresist layer in the first sub region.
US09632435B2
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a substrate table configured to support a substrate on a substrate supporting area and a heater and/or temperature sensor on a surface adjacent the substrate supporting area.
US09632424B2
An illumination system for a lithographic or inspection apparatus. A plurality of optical waveguides transmit radiation from the illumination source to an output. A switching system enables selective control of one or more subsets of the optical waveguides. An inspection method uses an illumination system and inspection and lithographic apparatuses comprise an illumination system. In one example, the optical waveguides and switching system are replaced by a plurality of parallel optical bandpass filter elements. The optical bandpass filter elements each only transmit a predetermined wavelength or a band of wavelengths of radiation. At least two of the parallel optical bandpass filter elements each being operable to transmit a different wavelength or band of wavelengths.
US09632420B2
The present invention concerns a method for producing a volume object by lithography, comprising a projection of the projection image onto a plane to be illuminated of the layer of material, which involves: moving the mask in a movement having a component along an oblique axis forming an angle with the plane to be illuminated, and transforming a movement of the mask having a component along the oblique axis forming the angle with the plane to be illuminated into a displacement of the projection image on the plane to be illuminated along the first direction of the displacement contained in the plane to be illuminated by means of a mirror that reflects the projection image coming from the mask towards the plane to be illuminated.
US09632413B2
The invention relates to an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprising (a) a plurality of channels, each channel guiding a partial beam and at least one channel comprising at least one defect, and (b) at least one optical element arranged within the at least one channel having the at least one defect, the optical element being adapted to at least partially compensate the at least one defect of the partial beam of the channel.
US09632404B2
The present disclosure includes a projection system for enhancing color saturation and contrast for a projected image. The projection surface includes a coat containing active materials and the projection system includes a first light source emitting light onto the surface and defining a first image on the surface and a second light source emitting light onto the surface and activating the active materials within the transparent coat to emit visible light of one or more wavelengths. The first light source defines the first image and the visible light emitted from the active materials enhances one or more characteristics of the first image. In another embodiment, the second light source may be activated when the first light source fails to define a backup or static image that may be different or the same as the image produced by the first light source.
US09632403B2
A light source optical system guides blue light from a light source to a fluorescent body. The fluorescent body converts the blue light into fluorescent light and emits the fluorescent light and non-converted light. Further, the light source optical system includes an optical element having a first region for guiding the blue light to the fluorescent body and a second region for guiding the fluorescent light and the non-converted light to lens cells. The blue light is incident on the first region, and the fluorescent light and the non-converted light are incident on the first region and the second region of the optical element. An area of the first region and an area of each lens cell of the lens cells as viewed along directions of optical axes of the lens cells have a predetermined relationship.
US09632398B2
A discharge lamp driving device includes a discharge lamp driving section configured to supply a driving current to a discharge lamp, the driving current being an alternating current for driving the discharge lamp, and a control section configured to control the discharge lamp driving section. The control section controls the discharge lamp driving section such that the driving current having a driving frequency different from a natural frequency of the discharge lamp and a frequency of 1/2n (n is a natural number) times the natural frequency is supplied to the discharge lamp.
US09632395B2
A method of controlling an accessory device which is connected with a body unit of an interchangeable lens system camera is described. The method includes: receiving identification information of a first device from the first device through a first communication path that passes through a digital signal processing unit of the accessory device; generating combination information by adding identification information of the accessory device to the identification information of the first device; transmitting the combination information to a second device through the first communication path; and when receiving a switching signal from the second device, switching the first communication path to a second communication path that does not pass through the digital signal processing unit of the accessory device.
US09632393B2
An image processing apparatus, including circuitry configured to cause an aperture diaphragm to move from a first diaphragm position to a second diaphragm position within a first exposure period. The circuitry is further configured to cause the aperture diaphragm to then move from the second diaphragm position to the first diaphragm position within the first exposure period or a second exposure period. The first and second exposure periods are used to capture different images.
US09632388B2
Disclosed are an electronic ink, an electronic paper and a method for preparing an electronic ink, wherein said electronic ink comprises display particles, an electrophoresis base liquid and a microcapsule prepolymer, wherein said display particles are an inorganic mixture of white pigments with a particle diameter of about 20-50 nm; said inorganic mixture of white pigments is formed by mixing at least one or more of zinc oxide, zinc sulfide and lithopone with boron oxide, lithium oxide and zirconium oxide. Said electronic ink is capable of improving image definition of display devices.
US09632381B2
A display panel includes a first substrate on which an electrode line and a switching element are disposed, a second substrate positioned opposite the first substrate, a seal provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, a pad electrode that vertically overlaps the seal and is electrically connected to the electrode line, and a side electrode which is connected to one end of the pad electrode and includes a portion positioned on an exterior facing side of the seal.
US09632380B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT array substrate (first substrate), a counter substrate (second substrate), a liquid crystal layer, and a common electrode (first electrode), an insulating film, and pixel electrodes 21 (second electrode) that are provided on the TFT array substrate. Each of the pixel electrodes 21 has a plurality of linear electrodes 26 and a first connection portion 27. Each of the linear electrodes 26 has a main line portion 29 and a first bent portion 30. An additional capacitance portion 32 is provided integrally with the first connection portion 27 in a region along an arrangement direction of a plurality of first bent portions 30.
US09632377B2
The present invention provides an array substrate and method of repairing broken lines therefor, by forming a via on the organic layer corresponding to each intersection of the gate scan lines and the source-drain data lines, and deposing the second passivation layer in the via to form an aperture, with the vias, a U shape long line can be directly laser welded between the apertures at two ends of a broken line position to recover a connection of the broken gate scan line or the source-drain data line as the gate scan line or the source-drain data line on the substrate of the present invention is broken. The method of repairing saves the process of removing the organic layer with laser and effectively reduces the machine laser loss as removing the organic layer to raise the repair efficiency and the repair success rate. Thus, the display quality of the liquid crystal panel product is promoted.
US09632374B2
An overvoltage protection portion (14) includes a transistor (P1) that achieves continuity with an input voltage (VIN) used as an output voltage (VOUT) to an internal circuit when the input voltage (VIN) applied to an external terminal (T1) is not in an overvoltage state. The overvoltage protection portion (14) also includes: a transistor (P2) operating as a short circuit that short-circuits the source and the gate of the transistor (P1) and that interrupts the input voltage (VIN) when the input voltage (VIN) is in the overvoltage state; a resistor (R2); and a Zener diode (ZD1). The overvoltage protection portion (14) also includes: a transistor (NTr1) operating as a bypass circuit that supplies a constant output voltage (VOUT) from the external terminal (T1) to the internal circuit when the input voltage (VIN) is brought into the overvoltage state; a resistor (R3); and a Zener diode (ZD2).
US09632365B2
A display device includes: a first panel including a common voltage wire on a first substrate, and a light blocking layer which is on the common voltage wire and exposes a portion of the common voltage wire, a second panel facing the first panel and including a common electrode on a second substrate; and a sealant between the first and second panels and electrically connecting the common electrode of the second panel and the common voltage wire of the first panel to each other. The sealant includes a first sealing portion having a first color and a second sealing portion having a second color different from the first color of the first sealing portion. The second sealing portion overlaps the exposed portion of the common voltage wire of the first panel and electrically connects the common electrode of the second panel to the common voltage wire.
US09632354B2
A backlight module includes a light-guiding assembly and a light source assembly. The light-guiding assembly includes a back cover, a reflector, a light-guiding plate (LGP), a number of optical correcting elements, and a frame. The light source assembly includes a main body and a light source. The back cover defines a light input area. The main body includes two reflection sides. The two reflection sides curve over the light source. The main body defines a main body opening between the two reflection sides. The light source assembly further includes a lens received in the main body opening. The light emitted from the light source and reflected by the two reflection sides are transmitted to outside of the main body through the lens.
US09632351B2
Provided are a liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, a liquid crystal display panel including white pixels and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal display panel includes: a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of color filters positioned on the first substrate and representing different colors from each other, in which at least two of the plurality of color filters overlap with each other on the first substrate to form an overlapping portion, and the overlapping portion forms a first spacer; a transparent filter positioned on the first substrate and positioned in a transmitting area of a white pixel; and a second spacer including the same material as the transparent filter.
US09632346B2
A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal light-regulation structure comprises a liquid crystal light-regulation layer, a first anti-infrared light-permeable conductive layer, a second anti-infrared light-permeable conductive layer, a first light-permeable substrate, and a second light-permeable substrate. The first and second anti-infrared light-permeable conductive layers are respectively disposed on two sides of the liquid crystal light-regulation layer. The first and second light-permeable substrates are respectively disposed on sides of the first and second anti-infrared light-permeable conductive layers, which are far away from the liquid crystal light-regulation layer. The first and second anti-infrared light-permeable conductive layers not only retard infrared light from entering the building and lower the indoor temperature but also function as electric-conduction structures electrically energized to vary the light transmittance of the liquid crystal light-regulation layer, whereby fewer layers are used in the present invention, and whereby is reduced the overall thickness of the present invention.
US09632338B2
In a liquid crystal device according to the invention, a pre-tilt angle of a liquid crystal layer is greater on an opposing electrode side than on a pixel electrode side. A high potential and a low potential relative to an opposing electrode potential are alternately applied to pixel electrodes through switching elements; and the opposing electrode potential is higher than a standard potential, the standard potential being a potential in which the average potential between the high potential and the low potential has been shifted by an amount equivalent to the average value of the amount of change in the potential of the pixel electrodes caused by parasitic capacitance in the switching elements when the high potential is applied to the pixel electrodes and the amount of change in the potential of the pixel electrodes caused by parasitic capacitance when the low potential is applied to the pixel electrodes.
US09632336B2
Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other methods, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The methods may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed.
US09632331B2
An eyewear article having a flexing portion including first and second longitudinally disposed ribs is disclosed. In another exemplary embodiment, the flexing portion has a maximum height (H), in a direction parallel to a mid-sagittal plane bisecting the eyewear into imaginary left and right halves, that is greater than 10 mm. The eyewear article of the present invention provides a balance of fit and comfort suitable for a range of user head sizes.
US09632329B2
A method of manufacturing a metal frame for spectacles with a front frame, a pair of lens-carrying eyepieces of metal wire and a central bridge for support on the nose, is described, the bridge being obtained in a single piece, by bending a wire of metal material, and having a pair of corresponding lengths of wire which are capable of being attached to corresponding lens-carrying eyepieces, a recess being provided by milling on each of the lengths, each recess having at least a partial interference fit with a respective surface portion of the metal wire of the corresponding lens-carrying eyepieces, each of the lengths being welded to the corresponding portion of lens-carrying eyepieces at the location of the respective recess to attach each lens-carrying eyepiece to the central bridge.
US09632326B2
The invention provides a collimator comprising a prismatic layer stack. The prismatic layer stack comprises a first prismatic layer comprising ID arranged first prisms, with first prism tops having first prism top angels, and first grooves, having first groove angles; and a second prismatic layer comprising ID arranged second prisms, with second prism tops having second prism top angels, and second grooves, having second groove angles. The first prismatic layer and the second prismatic layer are in a crossed configuration. Further, the first and second prism tops of the first and the second prismatic layers point in the same direction. The first and second prism top angels and the first and second groove angles are selected from the range of 120-160°.
US09632325B2
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal slit grating and a stereoscopic display device, the liquid crystal slit grating includes a first grating substrate and a second grating substrate facing each other, and a plurality of photo spacers supporting between the first grating substrate and the second grating substrate; the stereoscopic display device includes a display panel and said liquid crystal slit grating which is parallel to each other. The liquid crystal slit grating of the present invention provides conditions for accurately controlling effects of the photo spacers on light transmittance or accurately controlling crosstalk caused by the photo spacers. The stereoscopic display device of the present invention provides conditions for improving 3D effect of stereoscopic display device during three dimensionally displaying.
US09632324B2
An autostereoscopic display panel includes a display panel and a barrier panel adjacent to each other. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel units. Each of the pixel units includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged along a first direction, such that each of the pixel units has a pixel width along the first direction. The barrier panel includes a plurality of barrier units. Each of the barrier units includes at least three barrier electrodes parallel to each other. Each of the barrier electrodes has an electrode width along the first direction, and the electrode width is smaller than the pixel width. An alignment method and an autostereoscopic display method using the autostereoscopic display panel are also disclosed.
US09632322B2
A display device is provided with: a display module that is provided with a first display region and a second display region; an optical member that faces the second display region, and that has a transmissive mirror portion; and a positioning member. The display module and the optical member respectively have end faces in contact with the positioning member, and end faces as free ends.
US09632317B2
An image projection device, including: at least one waveguide formed in a substrate; and at least one extraction device including a plurality of extraction cells coupled to different areas of the guide, each cell being capable of being electrically activated to extract light from the guide and project this light along a predetermined projection direction, wherein different extraction cells have projection directions with different orientations.
US09632316B2
A display system comprises an optical waveguide, an actuator and a light engine. The light engine generates multiple input beams which form a virtual image. An incoupling grating of the optical waveguide couples each beam into an intermediate grating of the waveguide, in which that beam is guided onto multiple splitting regions. The intermediate grating splits that beam at the splitting regions to provide multiple substantially parallel versions of that beam. Those multiple versions are coupled into an exit grating of the waveguide, in which the multiple versions are guided onto multiple exit regions. The exit grating diffracts the multiple versions of that beam outwardly. The multiple input beams thus cause multiple exit beams to exit the waveguide which form a version of the virtual image. The actuator is coupled to the waveguide and is arranged to generate acoustic waves, which are incident on, and propagate through, the optical waveguide.
US09632308B2
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is comprised of a micromirror device attached to a semiconductor device. A first spacer layer is formed and patterned to form hinge via openings. A hinge metal is deposited above the first spacer layer to form the hinge and the hinge vias. A capping layer is formed above the hinge metal and hinge vias. A second spacer layer is formed above the capping layer and patterned to form a mirror via. The capping layer protects the hinge metal from the developer solution used in the patterning step. The capping layer is removed from within the mirror via opening. Another metal layer is deposited above the second spacer layer to form the mirror and the mirror via.
US09632292B2
An imaging lens is provided with: a first lens with negative power; a second lens with negative power; a third lens with positive power; and a fourth lens with positive power. The cemented fourth lens is formed from an object side lens with negative power and an image side lens with positive power. The thickness of a resin adhesive layer that bonds the object side lens and the image side lens is 20 μm or greater on the optical axis, and when Sg1H is the amount of sag in the image side lens surface of the object side lens and Sg2H is the amount of sag in the object side lens surface of the image side lens. The bonding operation is easy without damage occurring to the cemented surfaces, with a design that takes into account thickness of the resin adhesive layer; therefore various forms of aberration can be corrected.
US09632290B2
A wide-angle lens system includes a first lens group, an aperture stop, and a second lens group having positive optical power. The first lens group includes, at least, a first lens element that has a meniscus shape convex on the object side, and has negative optical power, a second lens element that has a meniscus shape convex on the object side, and has negative optical power, a third lens element that is concave on the image side and has negative optical power, and a posterior lens element. The second lens element is an aspherical lens, and the second lens element satisfies a conditional expression: 0.3<(R21−R22)/(R21+R22)<0.8 where R21 is a radius of paraxial curvature on the object side of the second lens element, and R22 is a radius of paraxial curvature on the image side of the second lens element.
US09632281B2
A free space coupling system comprising a waveguide horizontally positioned on an integrated circuit, and a silicon housing coupled to the waveguide, wherein the silicon housing comprises a reflective surface, a first port, wherein the first port is configured to receive light from an optic source positioned substantially parallel to the waveguide at a coupling point, and a second port, wherein the second port is oriented at about ninety degrees with respect to the first port, and wherein the second port is aligned with a grating port on the waveguide.
US09632277B2
A small, high-performance image pickup lens unit having an IR cut filter that can be incorporated reliably therein while avoiding an increase in processing complexity. A sealing portion 14 is disposed between a lens 11 and an IR cut filter 12 in order to seal an internal space IS sandwiched between the lens 11 and the IR cut filter 12, and therefore a holder 40 can be molded integrally with the lens 11 and the IR cut filter 12 incorporated therein while preventing liquid resin MP from flowing in between the lens 11 and the IR cut filter 12. By molding the holder 40 integrally with the lens 11 and the IR cut filter 12 incorporated therein in this manner, an image pickup lens unit 100 can be reduced in size, and reductions in the number of components and the number of assembly man-hours can be achieved.
US09632262B2
An optical module is formed of a first optical block and a second optical block each equipped with a lens the optical axis of which needs to be aligned, the blocks being positioned and secured to each other, and has stepwise positioning means. A positioning means includes spring pieces each having an abutting slope, and edges. Four spring pieces are formed in the second optical block such that their abutting slopes are disposed at four corners of the second optical block. Positioning is implemented when the abutting slopes meet the edges of the first optical block. Another positioning means includes a depressed part and a guide slope formed in one of the two optical blocks and a raised part formed in the other optical block. The raised part is fitted into the depressed part.
US09632252B2
A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.
US09632247B2
The THz-wave device comprises: a 2D-PC slab; lattice points periodically arranged in the 2D-PC slab, the lattice points for diffracting the THz waves in PBG frequencies of photonic band structure of the 2D-PC slab in order to prohibit existence in a plane of the 2D-PC; a 2D-PC waveguide disposed in the 2D-PC slab and formed with a line defect of the lattice points; and an RTD device disposed on the 2D-PC waveguide.
US09632244B2
The present invention generally relates to the field of fiber optics, and more particularly, to apparatuses, systems, and methods directed towards improving effective modal bandwidth within a fiber optic communication environment. In an embodiment, a multimode optical fiber in accordance with the present invention comprises a core and cladding material system where the refractive indices of the core and cladding are selected to modify the shape of the profile dispersion parameter, y, as a function of wavelength in such a way that the alpha parameter (α-parameter), which defines the refractive index profile, produces negative relative group delays over a broad range of wavelengths. The new shape of the profile dispersion parameter departs from traditional fibers where the profile dispersion parameter monotonically decreases around the selected wavelength that maximizes the effective modal bandwidth (EMB).
US09632243B2
Embodiments of optical fiber may include cladding features that include a material (e.g., fluorine-doped silica glass) that may produce a very low relative refractive index difference with respect to cladding material in which the cladding features are disposed. This relative refractive index difference may be characterized by (n1-n2)/n1, where n1 is the index of refraction of the cladding material in which the cladding features are included, and n2 is the index of refraction of the cladding features. In certain embodiments, the relative refractive index difference may be less than about 4.5×10−3. In various embodiments, the configuration of the cladding features including, for example, the size and spacing of the cladding features, can be selected to provide for confinement of the fundamental mode yet leakage for the second mode and higher modes, which may provide mode filtering, single mode propagation, and/or low bend loss.
US09632234B2
A light guide plate includes an upper surface, a lower surface facing the upper surface, a first side surface connecting the lower surface to the upper surface, the first side surface including an inclined surface defining an acute angle with respect to the upper surface, and a second side surface connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, the second side surface being a rounded surface and facing the first side surface.
US09632230B2
A light guide assembly for an instrument display includes a light housing, a light source and a light guide. The light guide directs light from the light source through an opening in the light housing, and includes at least a first branch and a second branch. A diffuser is disposed above an opening in the light housing. The diffuser includes a bottom surface facing an interior of the light housing and a top surface facing opposite the bottom surface. A dimming feature is disposed on a portion of the top surface of the diffuser, such that the dimming feature reduces a brightness of the portion of the top surface thereby maintaining at least approximately a constant brightness across the diffuser.
US09632229B2
A liquid crystal display device having high transmittance and a high color reproduction region, which includes a backlight unit including a light conversion member; and a liquid crystal cell and in which the light conversion member includes a light conversion layer containing a fluorescent material and an optical film arranged on both surfaces of the light conversion layer, the optical film includes an optical thin film forming an air interface, and a layer directly adjacent to the optical thin film, the liquid crystal display device satisfies n(535)
US09632221B2
The present disclosure provides an optical resin composition and use thereof. The optical resin composition of the present disclosure comprises unsaturated phenol formaldehyde epoxy acrylate oligomer: 40%-50%, episulfide oligomer: 20%-30%, methacrylate resin: 20%-50%, and multifunctional active acrylate monomer: 2%-5%, which achieves an optimal match with the refractive index of the liquid crystal lens layer, so as to improve the visual effect of the naked-eye 3D/2D switchable birefringent grating under 2D conditions.
US09632219B2
A spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) includes a replicated optic, a substrate, and an adhesive. The replicated optic, which includes a cube-corner retroreflector, has a base area smaller than the retroreflector area. The substrate has a partially spherical outer surface and a cavity sized to accept the replicated optic. An adhesive attaches the optic to the substrate.
US09632196B2
A method for estimating a position of a first acoustic linear antenna relative to a second acoustic linear antenna belonging to a network of towed acoustic linear antennas on which are arranged a plurality of nodes. The method includes: setting a first plurality of nodes arranged on the first antenna to act as sender nodes and a second plurality of nodes arranged on the second antenna to act as receiver nodes; forming a first group of sender nodes each sending a same first acoustic signature; for each receiver node: obtaining a propagation duration and establishing a geometrical figure representative of potential positions of a sender node, based on the propagation duration and the first acoustic signature; determining a set of common points between the geometrical figures; estimating the position of the first antenna relative to the second antenna based on the set of common points.
US09632195B2
A foil having a leading edge, trailing edge, chord and span is attached between a first head float position and bottom submerged position below the head float on the array. The foil being flexible along its span and has a first interior conduit rearward of the leading edge and a second interior conduit forward of the trailing edge. The conduits are centered on the chord and separated by a distance. A first cable having a first length is strung inside the first conduit and a second cable having a second length is strung inside the second conduit, and an adjustment mechanism is used to vary the length of the first cable relative to the length of the second cable and vice versa.
US09632193B2
Computer-implemented method for determining optimal sampling grid during seismic data reconstruction includes: a) constructing an optimization model, via a computing processor, given by minu∥Su∥1s.t. ∥Ru−b∥2≦σ wherein S is a discrete transform matrix, b is seismic data on an observed grid, u is seismic data on a reconstruction grid, and matrix R is a sampling operator; b) defining mutual coherence as μ ≤ C S m ( log n ) 6 , wherein C is a constant, S is a cardinality of Su, m is proportional to number of seismic traces on the observed grid, and n is proportional to number of seismic traces on the reconstruction grid; c) deriving a mutual coherence proxy, wherein the mutual coherence proxy is a proxy for mutual coherence when S is over-complete and wherein the mutual coherence proxy is exactly the mutual coherence when S is a Fourier transform; and d) determining a sample grid r*=arg minr μ(r).
US09632188B2
A method and a system for fissile content measurement that utilizes a detector configured to detect fast neutrons. An external radiation source may be used to induce fission in a sample to allow the measurement of a fissile material of the sample with a low spontaneous fission probability. Analyzing the sample may be based on the energy spectrum of emitted neutrons. That is, the energy information regarding the energy of the fast neutrons is obtained, and the fast neutrons as having a high likelihood of originating in a nuclear fission process as opposed to originating in an (alpha,n) reaction by utilizing the obtained energy information are classified to analyze the sample. Alternatively, a position of interaction in the detector of neutron emitted by the sample is measured, and this position is retraced back through intervening material(s) between the detector and the sample to determine the spacial geometry of the sample.
US09632187B2
Systems and methods for a positron emission tomography (PET) kit are described. A PET detector kit may include a gantry, a plurality of PET detector modules, and an event processing device. A PET detector module may include a housing, a crystal, a light detector, and a communication component. The housing may include at least one connective element configured to removably and adjustably couple the PET detector module to the gantry. The crystal may be located within the housing. The light detector may be configured to detect light emitted by the crystal. The communication component may be configured to communicate data from the at least one light detector to an event processing device. The event processing device may receive data from the plurality of PET detector modules and may cause the one or more processors to determine coincidence events based on the received data.
US09632183B2
A technology is provided for reducing pulsed radio frequency interference. The GPS signal may be received at a GPS device. The GPS device may include a GPS receiver. The GPS signal may include a plurality of sign and magnitude bits. Pulsed RFI may be detected in the GPS signal based on samples of the magnitude bits in the GPS signal. The pulsed RFI received at the GPS receiver may be reduced by communicating a blank signal when the samples of the magnitude bits indicate the pulsed RFI.
US09632175B2
A target object detection device is provided. The device includes a signal processor, a display unit, and a controller. The signal processor receives a reception signal generated based on an echo of an ultrasonic wave from a target object and generates echo data corresponding to a distance from a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave to the target object every time the ultrasonic wave is transmitted. The display unit has a display screen with a first side and a second side that is turnable in an axial direction perpendicular to the display screen, and displays an image on the display screen based on the echo data. The controller sets a range with respect to time at which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted, and outputs the echo data corresponding to the ultrasonic wave within the time range according to turning of the display screen.
US09632172B2
A detection device for detecting an OUD (Object Under Detection) includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, a first transceiver, a second transceiver, a first circulator, and a second circulator. The first transceiver transmits a first electromagnetic signal through the second circulator and the second antenna element to the OUD, and then receives a first reflective signal through the first antenna element and the first circulator from the OUD. The second transceiver transmits a second electromagnetic signal through the first circulator and the first antenna element to the OUD, and then receives a second reflective signal through the second antenna element and the second circulator from the OUD.
US09632166B2
A dual-mode active and passive gimbaled optical system including a mechanism for coupling an optical signal from an off-gimbal active-mode source into the on-gimbal passive-mode optical path. One example of the system includes a passive off-gimbal detector assembly configured to image emissive electromagnetic radiation from a viewed scene, and a receiver-path optical assembly, including on-gimbal objective optics, that directs the electromagnetic radiation to the off-gimbal detector assembly. The system further includes an off-gimbal active source that generates an optical signal, a gimbal bearing assembly that supports rotation of the gimbal and includes a centrally-located output ferrule mated to an optical fiber that transports the optical signal from the active source to the output ferrule, and an on-gimbal optical coupling element that receives the optical signal from the output ferrule and couples the optical signal into the receiver optical path to direct the optical signal toward the on-gimbal objective optics.
US09632164B2
Precision AC and DC voltage, current, phase, power and energy measurements and calibrations with current ranges from 1 uA to 20 kA and voltage ranges from 1V to 1000 kV are now performed with accuracies of better than one part per million. Continued demand for improved accuracy has led the inventors to address remnant magetization within the current comparators that form the basis of the measuring process within many of the measurement instruments providing the precision AC and DC measurements and calibrations. Accordingly, the inventors present current comparator and measurement system architectures together with control protocols to provide for correction of this remnant magnetization.
US09632149B2
A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic layer comprising magnetic material and a grain refining agent. The magnetic layer having a grain-refined magnetic layer surface. A layer adjacent the magnetic layer has a layer surface that conforms to the grain-refined magnetic layer surface.
US09632145B2
Logging and transmission equipment comprising at least one autonomous measurement sensor, supplied by an electric cell, comprising an emitter able to transmit at various instants at least one value measured by the sensor, and a receiver for gathering the values transmitted by the emitter; the sensor comprises a means of measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the cell; a link is provided for supplying the emitter with the temperature values measured, which emitter is provided so as to transmit, in addition the values of at least one physical quantity, these temperature values measured, at determined intervals, and the receiver is provided so as to store the temperature values measured, estimates the lifetime of the cell by taking account of these measured values, and determine a date for replacing this cell.
US09632143B2
Method for evaluating the state of charge of a battery including at least one phase of estimating the state of charge of the battery by an estimation algorithm and at least one phase of resetting the estimation algorithm implemented during the estimation phase, which includes (i) detecting a real value of a state of charge of the battery at an instant, by (a) charging or discharging the battery, between first and second levels of state of charge; (b) measuring the voltage across the terminals of the battery during this charging or discharging; (c) evaluating the time derivative of the voltage; (d) detecting at least one particular point of this derivative corresponding to a known and predefined real value of state of charge, and (ii) resetting the estimation algorithm knowing the real value of state of charge at the given instant.
US09632141B2
Implementations of the present disclosure involve an apparatus and/or method for conducting simultaneous transition testing of different clock domains of a microprocessor design at different frequencies through a controlled order of clock pulses in each domain. In general, a microelectronic design utilizes test control circuitry associated with each clock domain of the design to conduct simultaneous transition testing of the clock domains. The testing control circuitry associated with each clock domain of the microelectronic design further allows for the testing device to delay testing within a particular clock domain. By delaying the testing within a particular clock domain, the testing of the various clock domains can be synchronized. Through these testing procedures, the amount of time required to perform the ATPG testing of a microelectronic design may be greatly reduced.
US09632139B2
An input/output (IO) pad circuitry for integrated circuits (ICs) that is equipped with safety monitoring and control circuits to ensure that signals provided to/from the IO pad behave correctly. The IO pad circuitry allows monitoring of the IO pad signals, the detection of an undesired behavior, e.g., a wrong signal level or a wrong waveform. Furthermore, depending on a selected safety mode, a correction of the IO pad signals by overriding the monitored signal is further achieved. When in full safe mode, signals are provided as required, while in a partial safe mode only certain signals are provided depending on the status. A grouped safe mode allows providing a safe status to a group of IO pads using a single control. A monitoring circuitry between a plurality of input signals to an IC pad is also provided.
US09632099B2
The present invention, relates to the use of TFF3 in the diagnosis and detection of Barrett's Oesophagus using non-invasive, non-endoscopic methods.
US09632081B2
A detection method for a specific biological substance uses, as a color former, fluorescent substance-encapsulated nanoparticles which have biological substance-recognizing molecules. The biological substance-recognizing molecules specifically recognize a specific biological substance. The biological substance-recognizing molecules are bonded to the surface of the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles encapsulating no fluorescent substance are used as a blocking agent for preventing the fluorescent substance-encapsulated nanoparticles from being non-specifically adsorbed on a biological substance other than the specific biological substance.
US09632067B2
The invention relates to a leak detector comprising a first sensor for detecting a gas component (helium) in a gas taken in. Because the sensor is susceptible to saturation or contamination, a second sensor is provided. The sensor is a thermal conductivity sensor. The thermal conductivity sensor has a lower detection sensitivity, yet, at a high concentration of the gas component, it does not risk being contaminated. The two sensors together allow for a large detection range, from extremely sensitive measurements to instances with high concentrations of the gas components as those which can occur with gross leaks.
US09632062B2
An ultrasonic pipe measurement apparatus includes: a plurality of ultrasonic transceivers discretely disposed on a pipe wall of a pipe; and a control unit configured to control the plurality of ultrasonic transceivers and detect a generation point of damage caused in the pipe based on an ultrasonic signal exchanged between the ultrasonic transceivers.
US09632057B2
A gas sensor operable at ambient conditions, the sensor includes functionalized feather-like tellurium (Te) nanostructures on single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNTs) networks.
US09632056B2
A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.
US09632042B2
A crystallization device for in situ x-ray diffraction of biological samples includes a flat plate made of single crystal quartz, silicon or sapphire and having an array of wells or lanes defined on the plate. The crystallization device may be in the form of a cover slide used with a crystallization plate in a vapor diffusion setup. Also disclosed is a method for preparing biological samples for crystallization and x-ray diffraction, including: obtaining a crystallization device made of single crystal quartz, silicon or sapphire; loading a solution containing biological molecules onto the crystal support device; maintaining the solution in a crystal growth environment to grow crystals of the biological molecules; removing the crystal support device carrying the crystals from the crystal growth environment; exposing the crystals carried on the crystal support device to an X-ray beam; and recording X-ray diffracted by the biological crystals.
US09632039B2
Metrology targets are formed on a substrate (W) by a lithographic process. A target (T) comprising one or more grating structures is illuminated with spatially coherent radiation under different conditions. Radiation (650) diffracted by from said target area interferes with reference radiation (652) interferes with to form an interference pattern at an image detector (623). One or more images of said interference pattern are captured. From the captured image(s) and from knowledge of the reference radiation a complex field of the collected scattered radiation at the detector. A synthetic radiometric image (814) of radiation diffracted by each grating is calculated from the complex field. From the synthetic radiometric images (814, 814′) of opposite portions of a diffractions spectrum of the grating, a measure of asymmetry in the grating is obtained. Using suitable targets, overlay and other performance parameters of the lithographic process can be calculated from the measured asymmetry.
US09632038B2
Systems and methods for unwrapping phase signals obtained from interferometry measurements of patterned wafer surfaces are disclosed. A phase unwrapping method in accordance with the present disclosure may calculate a front surface phase map and a back surface phase map of a wafer, subtract the back surface phase map from the front surface phase map to obtain a phase difference map, unwrap the phase difference map to obtain a wafer thickness variation map, unwrap the back surface phase map to obtain a back surface map representing the back surface of the wafer; and add the wafer thickness variation map to the back surface phase map to calculate a front surface map representing the front surface of the wafer.
US09632036B2
An image inspection apparatus includes: an imaging section for capturing an image of a workpiece from a certain direction; an illumination section for illuminating the workpiece from different directions at least three times; an illumination controlling section for sequentially turning on the illumination sections one by one; an imaging generating section for driving the imaging section to generate a plurality of images; a normal vector calculating section for calculating a normal vector with respect to the surface of the workpiece at each of pixels by use of a pixel value of each of pixels having a corresponding relation among the plurality of images; and a contour image generating section for performing differential processing in an X-direction and a Y-direction on the calculated normal vector at each of the pixels, to generate a contour image that shows a contour of inclination of the surface of the workpiece.
US09632032B2
A method for manufacturing a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectography, includes creating a supporting structure including microstructured pattern including a top and sidewalls; depositing a multilayer on the supporting structure with the multilayer including two metal layers and an intermediate layer arranged between the two metal layers, with the intermediate layer being carried out in a material that can be selectively etched with respect to the metal layers; etching a portion of the multilayer deposited on the top of the microstructured pattern in such a way as to expose ends each layer of the multilayer; selective etching of the ends of the intermediate layers in such a way as to form cavities between the ends of two successive metal layers.
US09632014B2
A method for detecting degradation of resin film detects whether a resin coated rope having a circumferential portion coated with resin film has the resin film degraded. The method for detecting degradation of resin film includes: winding a wire on a circumferential portion of the resin coated rope; applying tension to the wire to compress the resin film in a radial direction of the resin coated rope; and comparing a first relationship with a second relationship to determine how the resin film is degraded, the first relationship indicating a relationship between the tension of the wire and how much amount the resin film has compressed, as obtained in the applying, the second relationship indicating a relationship between the tension of the wire and how much amount the resin film has compressed, as predetermined as a reference.
US09632012B2
A drive module and a system for performing NVH testing on the drive module are provided. The system includes two pins extending from a platform and at least one qualified surface. A differential housing includes two surfaces, each having an opening formed therein. The differential housing further includes a clamping surface. The drive module is mounted to the platform by inserting the pins into the openings to align the drive module in a plane. A clamping pressure clamps the differential housing to the qualified surface to align the drive module in a second direction that is perpendicular to the plane such that the drive module pinion and axles are aligned with the energy sources of the system.
US09632008B2
A method for detecting a failure of a charge air cooler placed in an air supply circuit of an engine, the circuit including an air filter and a compressor. The method is performed continuously and repeatedly. The method includes: determining temperature Tair of the air between the filter and the compressor, the temperature of the air Tapc between the compressor and the cooler, and the temperature of the air Tsras between the cooler and the engine; calculating the Tapc-Tsras/Tapc-Tair ratio, which is a parameter indicative of effectiveness of the cooler; comparing the parameter against a predetermined threshold effectiveness value; and making a diagnosis as to whether the cooler is operating correctly or incorrectly, on the basis of the comparison.
US09632007B2
The invention relates to a method for damping vibrations while checking a drivetrain which has at least one shaft and to a device for carrying out the method. The shaft is connected to at least one drive or load machine for adjustment of a drive or load torque, a target value of the drive or load torque being specified for the machine. A shaft torque which is dependent on the relative rotation between two points on the shaft is measured, and the measured shaft torque as such is applied to the target value of the drive or load torque.
US09632001B2
A testing device includes a test gas container, which is provided with a test leak for producing a test gas flow at a predefined leakage rate. The test leak includes at least one capillary tube, which connects the interior of the test gas container to the outer surroundings of the test gas container in a gas-conducting manner. The test gas container is at least partially made of a flexible material.
US09631997B2
An apparatus for measuring a pressure includes a semiconductor die and a circuit board. The semiconductor die includes a micro-mechanical element generating a measurement signal indicating information on an external pressure applied to the micro-mechanical element. The semiconductor die further includes an output interface providing the measurement signal. The circuit board includes at least one electrically-conductive line and an opening. The semiconductor die is attached to the circuit board, so that the micro-mechanical element faces the whole of the circuit board and the at least on electrically-conductive line is connected to the output interface.
US09631995B2
A ceramic product includes a first ceramic part and a second ceramic part, wherein the first ceramic part is connected with the second ceramic part via a joint, wherein the joint comprises an active hard solder, or braze, characterized in that the joint has an inhomogeneous distribution of the components of the active hard solder, or braze, wherein at least at an interface between the active hard solder, or braze, and the ceramic, the at least one active component of the active hard solder, or braze, is enriched. For manufacture of the product, the active hard solder, or braze, material is provided in such a manner, that at least one surface section of at least one of the ceramic parts is first coated with at least one active component of the active hard solder, or braze, and that on the coated section, an alloy is provided, which, by melting of the alloy during the heating, alloys with the coating and forms a metal joint between the two ceramic parts.
US09631994B2
An assembly, comprising: a first ceramic body and a second ceramic body connected by means of a joint of an active hard solder, or braze, wherein the active hard solder, or braze, averaged over a continuous main volume, which includes at least 50% of the volume of the joint, has an average composition CM with a liquidus temperature Tl(CM). An edge region of the joint, which contacts at least one of the ceramic bodies, has an average composition CE with a liquidus temperature Tl(CE), which lies not less than 20 K, preferably not less than 50 K, and especially preferably not less than 100 K above the liquidus temperature Tl(CM) of the average composition CM of the main volume.
US09631991B2
A device includes: a sensor module; a housing that houses the sensor module; a connector provided to the housing; a terminal provided to the connector; and an elastic electrically conductive member provided in a space between the sensor module and the connector and interposed between the terminal and a pad. The sensor module includes: a ceramic module body including a diaphragm and a cylindrical portion integral with a periphery of the diaphragm; a detector provided on a flat surface of the diaphragm; and the pad and an electronic component provided on a flat surface of the cylindrical portion radially outwardly adjacent to the flat surface of the diaphragm. The pad is electrically connected to the electrically conductive member.
US09631989B1
The method of making a flexible elastic conductive material for strain sensor and resistance applications using rubbing-in technology is shown. The thin rubber or any conductive material (substrates) is fixed at strained condition on the solid plate, by rubbing-in technology. Nanopowder of nanomaterials (organic semiconductors, carbon nanotubes, copper doped tin oxide, manganese doped tin oxide) at room temperature are embedded into the rubber conductive material to make built-in structure of conductive flexible elastic substrates that can be used for strain sensors, gages and resistance applications. The resultant product showed good sensitivity, stability and reliability during and after the rubbing-in operation.
US09631985B2
A total air temperature probe includes a probe body extending from a probe base to an opposed probe tip along a longitudinal axis defining a leading edge and opposed trailing edge, an interior flow passage aligned with longitudinal axis defined in probe body with an inlet defined on probe tip for fluid communication with interior flow passage, and an outlet for exhausting fluid out from interior flow passage. A sloped surface on probe tip extends from leading edge to trailing edge. A temperature sensor is mounted within interior flow passage for measuring temperature of flow through interior flow passage to determine total air temperature. Sloped surface is flush with leading edge and set in from trailing edge with respect to longitudinal axis to define a lip proximate the trailing edge. The sloped surface and lip are configured to create a high pressure region proximate inlet of interior flow passage.
US09631984B2
Methods for determining the insertion angle of a core temperature probe having a plurality of temperature measuring points in food to be cooked for controlling a cooking process, in which, starting at a time after insertion of the core temperature probe into the food to be cooked, the insertion angle of the core temperature probe into the food to be cooked is determined based on a measured increase in temperature of at least two temperature measuring points over time. The invention further relates to a control unit for a cooking appliance for carrying out such a method, and to a cooking appliance comprising such a control unit and at least one core temperature probe.
US09631982B2
A semiconductor device that may include at least one temperature sensing circuit is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various operating parameters to improve the operation of the semiconductor device over a wide temperature range. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worst case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at other operating temperatures. The temperature sensing circuit may provide a plurality of temperature ranges for setting the operational parameters. Each temperature range can include a temperature range upper limit value and a temperature range lower limit value and adjacent temperature ranges may overlap. The temperature ranges may be set in accordance with a count value that can incrementally change in response to the at least one temperature sensing circuit.
US09631980B2
A temperature sensing system can include first and second temperature sensing circuits and a digitizing encoder. The first and second temperature sensing circuits can include respective devices with semiconductor junction areas. Temperature information can be determined from one or more characteristic signals measured from the temperature sensing circuits. A feedback circuit can be configured to provide one or more offset signals to the digitizing encoder. The one or more offset signals can correspond to components or characteristics of the first and second temperature sensing circuits. In an example, at least one of the first and second temperature sensing circuits can include an adjustable load circuit for use with the other of the first and second temperature sensing circuits.
US09631966B2
A fill level monitoring system comprising at least one electrode for monitoring the fill level of a medium flowing in a pipe or tube, wherein the electrode has an integrated temperature sensor, wherein the fill level monitoring system further comprises an evaluation unit, which is embodied for monitoring the degree of filling of the pipe or tube and transmits a warning signal when the degree of filling subceeds a limit value, preferably a degree of filling of less than 80% of the tube diameter; and a flow measuring device having this fill level monitoring system.
US09631957B2
A movement system includes a drive having a drive shaft, a mechanism that converts an alteration to a rotational angle of the drive shaft into an alteration to an object position, and a rotational angle sensor for detecting the alteration to the rotational angle. The movement system includes a reference sensor for emitting a reference signal when the object enters a predetermined reference volume, and a controller communicating with the rotational angle sensor and the reference sensor. The controller is configured for determining a total rotational angle from alterations to the rotational angle detected according to the reference signal and for activating the drive for rotating the drive shaft by a reference rotational angle determined as a function of a predetermined reference positional value and the total rotational angle. The movement system also includes a calibration sensor for emitting a calibration signal when the object enters a predetermined calibration volume.
US09631942B2
For a device that runs a mapping application, a method for providing maneuver indicators along a route of a map. The maneuver indicators are arrows that identify the direction and orientation of a maneuver. A maneuver arrow may be selected and displayed differently from unselected maneuver arrows. Maneuver arrows may be selected automatically based on a user's current location. The mapping application transitions between maneuver arrows and provides an animation for the transition. Complex maneuvers may be indicated by multiple arrows, providing a more detailed guidance for a user of the mapping application.
US09631933B1
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering a passenger to a destination autonomously. The vehicle includes one or more computing devices that receive a request for a vehicle from a client computing device. The request identifies a first location. The one or more computing devices also determine whether the first location is within a threshold outside of a service area of the vehicle. When the location is within the threshold distance outside of the service area of the vehicle, the one or more computing devices identify a second location within the service area of the vehicle where the vehicle is able to stop for a passenger and based on the first location. The one or more computing devices then provide a map and a marker identifying the position of the second location on the map for display on the client computing device.
US09631923B2
A system for measuring strain includes an optical fiber having a central portion secured between two fixed points. A first light source outputs light at a first frequency and a second light source outputs light at a second different frequency. The two light sources are both coupled to a first end of the optical fiber. A back scatter detector is also coupled to the first end to receive a return light signal from the optical fiber and outputs a signal based thereon. A forward scatter detector is coupled to a second end of the optical fiber to receive a forward light signal from the optical fiber and outputs a signal based thereon. A processor receives the signals from the back scatter detector and the forward scatter detector and generates an output signal proportional to the strain between the two fixed points based on the received signals.
US09631922B2
A method for measuring a distance includes modulating the light beam at a first frequency, receiving a second beam by the optical detector to produce a first electrical signal having the first frequency and a first phase; modulating the light beam at a second frequency different than the first frequency; receiving the second beam by the optical detector to produce a second electrical signal having the second frequency and a second. After these steps, the retroreflector is moved while modulating the light beam continuously at the second frequency; and a first distance to the retroreflector is determined based at least in part on a the first and second frequencies and phases.
US09631916B2
An apparatus including a first component having an exterior surface formed of a ceramic material and including a primary surface region and a plurality of secondary surface regions protruding from the primary surface region, and a second component positioned in contact with at least one of the secondary surface regions and spaced from the primary surface region to define a determinant load path between the first and second components. A method of forming the apparatus is also provided.
US09631912B2
A vernier caliper is a measuring instrument provided with a main scale and a slider that is slidably provided along a longitudinal direction of the main scale. The slider is provided with an operating part for a user to put his/her finger thereon so as to operate the same. The operating part is provided with a haptic notification means that notifies, through a haptic sense of the finger, that a predetermined measuring pressure has been reached by generating a resistance with respect to the finger by moving in association with the operation of the finger and by causing the resistance to change at a predetermined movement position.
US09631907B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a polymeric ammunition cartridge having wicking texturing.
US09631901B2
The invention features a support system which can be attached to a ballistic shield. The system features at least one telescoping or retractable leg which is mounted to the shield to create a standalone shield. The shield is positioned between plates which receive pins that hold the shield in position in the system. The system features a resting platform which provides an area for resting a gun or rifle, for example. A bullet proof screen extends from the bottom area of the shield towards the base of the system and provides additional security to the user when the shield is in the system.
US09631897B1
The present invention is a detachable rail assembly for mounting components to a firearm. The invention includes a rail body having forward and rear ends and a bottom surface having opposed angled dovetail surfaces. The rail body further includes forward and rear pockets having movable forward and rear clamping blocks secured therein for clamping the rail assembly to the firearm.
US09631892B1
The device discloses a thrusting knife of improved design which provides for an angled handle to allow more natural thrusting movements in hand to hand combat situations. The knife is comprised of a pistol grip-like handle which is more natural for a user to hold and provide a striking action with more natural wrist position when in use. The invention is more readily adaptable by individuals already trained in fist fighting tactical pistol drawing and placement or other self defense or combat arts. An index finger opening at the interface of the pistol grip and blade provide for improved control. An alternate embodiment is configured for use with a gloved hand.
US09631886B2
A trigger assembly has a sear with a stop surface engageable with a reciprocating component for holding the reciprocating component in a cocked configuration. A trigger is movable into and out of engagement with the sear to hold and release the reciprocating component. A drop pendulum has a trigger cam engageable with the trigger. A spring acts between the trigger and the drop pendulum to bias the trigger cam into engagement with the trigger. The drop pendulum also has a head cam follower engageable with the reciprocating component. Motion of the reciprocating component acting through the head cam follower and the trigger cam forces the trigger to return to a configuration of engagement between the trigger and the sear. Use of the drop pendulum improves the stability of trigger mechanisms and effectively inhibits accidental discharge of firearms when subjected to inertial forces which occur when the firearm is dropped.
US09631883B2
A reversible-loading magazine device is disclosed for supplying stored cartridges to a repeating firearm upon inserted engagement therewith in opposite directions. The magazine device comprises a first and second outer casing adapted for joint engagement, each outer casing being formed having a respective compartment to hold stored cartridges therein and a restricted slotted opening at an outer distal end of each casing to permit a forced passage of the cartridges to and from the respective compartments. Inner proximal ends of each casing are fully open and further adapted to engage together about their interface so that the casings are joined together with the respective compartments therein. A spring-loaded follower assembly disposed longitudinally within the joined outer casings and fitted for movement between the respective compartments serves to urge the stored cartridges outbound through each respective compartment in opposite directions so that upon emptying one compartment, the magazine device may be removed and reloaded in the reverse direction to feed the stored cartridges to the firearm from the remaining compartment.
US09631875B2
A heat exchanger (10) cooling a fluid and a method for manufacturing, the heat exchanger (10) having an outer pipe section (12) in which a plurality of inner pipe sections (36) with channels for the fluid to be cooled are disposed. At least one cooling fluid channel (56) is disposed in the outer pipe section (12). The at least one cooling fluid channel (56) and the at least one channel for the fluid to be cooled are in heat contact and fluidically separated from each other. A plurality of inner pipe sections (36) open on both ends (38, 46) form of a pipe bundle (34) having ends fixed tightly in a corresponding lead-through opening (40) of an upstream end body (42) and fixed tightly with the other end (46) in a corresponding lead-through opening (48) of a downstream end body (50).
US09631871B2
A radiator module having a coolant inlet duct and a coolant outlet duct and two radiators. The first radiator has a first core connected between a first inlet tank and a first outlet tank and the second radiator has a second core connected between a second inlet tank and a second outlet tank. The coolant inlet duct is connected to a coolant inlet of the first inlet tank and the coolant outlet duct is connected to a coolant outlet of the first outlet tank. According to the invention a coolant outlet of the first inlet tank is connected to a coolant inlet of the second inlet tank, a coolant inlet of the first outlet tank is connected to a coolant outlet of the second outlet tank and a flow restrictor is provided in one of the first tanks in front of the first core, such that the coolant flow between the core and said one of the first tanks is restricted.
US09631866B1
A heat engine that utilizes a controllable heat source that includes a body comprising a dopant that has an affinity for a fuel species, preferably a hydrogen isotope. The production of heat by the heat source can be modulated by the application of electric and/or magnetic fields to the body. The hear engine includes safety features that prevent excessive heat generation.
US09631858B2
A shelf (5) for a cooling device having supporting walls (4 and 104) of different sizes and forms and joined with each other from at least one edge so that either the first support wall (4) or the second support wall (104) are almost vertically upward to the supporting wall which enables goods disposed thereon to be carried by supporting them from below while the other supporting wall supports the goods from the sides.
US09631853B2
The present invention relates to a method of controlling an icemaker for a refrigerator, and more particularly to a method of controlling an icemaker for a refrigerator which can automatically determine a water shortage situation during water supplying, ice making, and ice separating processes of the icemaker, can prevent production of imperfect ice pieces, and can solve an ice separating defect, thereby smoothly performing an operation of the icemaker.
US09631848B2
A desiccant air conditioning system for treating an air stream entering a building space, including a conditioner configured to expose the air stream to a liquid desiccant such that the liquid desiccant dehumidifies the air stream in the warm weather operation mode and humidifies the air stream in the cold weather operation mode. The conditioner includes multiple plate structures arranged in a vertical orientation and spaced apart to permit the air stream to flow between the plate structures. Each plate structure includes a passage through which a heat transfer fluid can flow. Each plate structure also has at least one surface across which the liquid desiccant can flow. The system includes a regenerator connected to the conditioner for causing the liquid desiccant to desorb water in the warm weather operation mode and to absorb water in the cold weather operation mode from a return air stream.
US09631843B2
A magnetic device is provided for a magneto caloric heat pump regenerator. Magnets are arranged within two magnetic flux circuits in a manner than that provides at least four fields of increased magnetic flux density. The regenerator can be used to move working units of magneto caloric material through the fields of increase magnetic flux to provide for heating and cooling as part of heat pump cycle. The orientation of the magnets provides concentrated fields of magnetic flux to induce the magneto caloric effect while optimizing the size of the magnets required to create the fields.
US09631830B2
A motor control device which controls a motor for driving a blower unit, comprises a torque command generating section which obtains a motor speed of the motor and generates a torque command which causes an air flow of air supplied from the blower unit to coincide with a target air flow; wherein the torque command generating section is configured to calculate the torque command as a product of a polynomial of variables derived by dividing the target air flow by the motor speed, and a square of the motor speed.
US09631825B2
An air filter assembly is configured to deliver filtered air to a room. The assembly may include a main housing having at least first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface differs from the second surface, one or more first air filters proximate to the first surface, wherein the one or more first air filters is configured to discharge a first portion of filtered air through the first surface in a direct direction, and one or more second air filters proximate to the second surface. The one or more second air filters is configured to discharge a second portion of filtered air through the second surface in a second direction that differs from the first direction.
US09631815B2
A system includes a turbine combustor that includes a head end portion having a head end chamber, a combustion portion having a combustion chamber disposed downstream from the head end chamber, a cap disposed between the head end chamber and the combustion chamber, and a flow distributor configured to distribute at least one of an exhaust flow, an oxidant flow, an oxidant-exhaust mixture, or any combination thereof circumferentially around the head end chamber.
US09631814B1
An engine assembly includes a compressor section configured to supply compressed air and a combustion section coupled to the compressor section. The compressor section includes a diffuser with diffuser vanes to condition the compressed air, and the diffuser vanes have a vane count of a first value. The combustion section includes a combustion chamber to receive the compressed air and fuel injection assemblies configured to introduce fuel into the combustion chamber. The fuel injection assemblies have a fuel injection assembly count of a second value, and the first value is a whole number multiple of the second value.
US09631809B2
A system for drying pulverized high moisture fuel for use in a selective catalytic reduction system equipped combustion system is provided. The combustion system includes a mill for pulverizing fuel, an air heater, two fuel gas streams at different temperatures, a booster air heater and a fuel duct for feeding dried pulverized fuel to a combustion furnace.
US09631808B2
A gaseous fuel-air-flue gas burner is described herein. One device includes a housing having a combustion chamber containing a combustion area in which a combination of fuel, air, and flue gas mix to form a flame, a flame arrester having an outer surface for the flame to form, a supply chamber configured to receive the fuel, air, and flue gas mixture at an inlet and provide the combustion area with the fuel, air, and flue gas mixture at an outlet to produce a flame and a quantity of return flue gas, and a return cavity configured to move return flue gas away from the combustion area and into the inlet of the supply chamber.
US09631807B2
A generator of ultrapure steam and a corresponding steam generating method uses a heated, fritted refractory glass plate as a water-to-steam interface dividing a first chamber, with water on one side of the plate and steam on the other. Water is continuously injected into interstices of the plate, held fixed in the chamber, where the water evaporates and migrates upwardly to where a steam cloud is formed that exits the chamber and into a second chamber that is a saturation housing where an air stream removes steam from the exit, preventing steam condensation, and delivering a steam jet out of the housing through a port.
US09631805B2
An inflatable display with dynamic lighting effect has an inflatable body, an air pump inflating the inflatable body, and a lighting assembly mounted inside the inflatable body for providing dynamic lighting variations. The lighting assembly has a light housing, a power supply, a lighting module, and a refracting module mounted in the light housing. The lighting module and the refracting module rotate relative to each other. As light beams emitted from the lighting module pass through the refracting module, the light beams are mixed and refracted. With relative rotation of the lighting module and the refracting module, the light beams can project outwards to further penetrate through the inflatable body at different angles covering a large area to form the dynamic lighting variations and to exhibit the dynamic lighting effect.
US09631803B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus includes an exterior member which covers a heat-dissipating member. Therefore, the LED lighting apparatus may be dustproof and waterproof. The shape of the heat-dissipating member may be modified to increase the surface area thereof and thus effectively dissipate heat.
US09631797B2
A light emitting device has a plurality of light emitting elements, a heat spreading member on which the plurality of light emitting elements are mounted, and having a bottom face, an insulating member having a recess that includes side walls and a bottom wall, a top face of the bottom wall being in contact with the bottom face of the heat spreading member, and a circuit board having a circuit that is provided on the heat spreading member and supplies power to the plurality of light emitting elements.
US09631795B2
Presented is a design of modular LED lighting fixture whereby the steps of light directing and light redirecting are independent, but cooperative, so to promote a compact fixture design with low effective projected area (EPA), good thermal properties, and a selectable degree of glare control. A lighting system employing a plurality of said fixtures is highly customizable yet has the potential to be pre-aimed and pre-assembled prior to shipping, which reduces the potential for installation error while preserving the customized nature of the fixtures.
US09631772B1
A ready-to-stop elevation carrier platform includes an inner frame, an outer frame, and a support correction mechanism. The inner frame includes two cam plates and two primary support springs. The outer frame is arranged outside the inner frame and is vertically movable in a linear way. The outer frame and the support correction mechanism are rotatably coupled to each other and the support correction mechanism is arranged, in a rotatable manner, between the two cam plates of the inner frame. The support correction mechanism includes a four bar linkage that is rotatably coupled to the two cam plates of the inner frame. The support correction mechanism includes two secondary support springs. The outer frame is movable in unison with the support correction mechanism for ascending and descending. Due to the spring forces of the primary and secondary support springs, a display device mounted to the outer frame can be supported.
US09631761B1
A drain line cap (1) used after a toilet is removed from the sewer drain to prevent gas and odor from escaping from the sewer drain and into a bathroom.
US09631759B2
A tube is surrounded by a ring attached to a sleeve. One end of the tube is attached to a pipe of the pipeline, one end of the sleeve is attached to another pipe of the pipe line. The tube and the ring and sleeve are movable axially relatively to one another when the pipe line expands or contracts linearly. A seal between the ring and the tube ensures fluid tightness of the joint.
US09631757B2
Provided is a pipe joint for connecting tubular conduits, in particular for connecting lengths of pipe to form a fluid transport system. The pipe joint includes a conduit formed with at least one connection end. The or each connection end includes a wall defining a receiving recess for receiving an end of a pipe length; a groove formed to a depth in an internal surface of the wall of the receiving recess; and a channel communicating between the groove and an external surface of the connection end. The pipe joint further includes a connector formed from a length of material which is seatable within the groove via the channel and which is wider than the depth of the groove so that when seated within the groove the connector extends into the receiving recess.
US09631753B2
A hydraulic hose fitting comprises a hydraulic hose engaging portion and a hydraulic port engaging portion. The hydraulic hose engaging portion includes a body having an axial bore extending therethrough and a stem press-fit into the axial bore. The hydraulic port engaging portion is coupled to the hydraulic hose engaging portion. The hydraulic port engaging portion may be a swivel nut.
US09631751B2
A flexible tube for an exhaust pipe of an automobile is disclosed, of which the bellows member has protrusion portions, a center portion and both end portions such that the protrusion portions have a uniform outer diameter, and the center portion has a maximum depression inner diameter which is larger than a minimum depression inner diameter of the both end portions, and the outer cover member is formed of an outer net with a network structure, wherein a depression inner diameter in the center of a bellows is larger than a depression inner diameter at the both ends such that a gap from an interlocking member increases so as to prevent the interference between the bellows and the interlocking member.
US09631737B2
In a solenoid valve having a magnetic drive including a housing which is at least partly formed from an injection molding compound, the magnetic drive includes a magnet coil having a winding, a magnet yoke, and a movably mounted magnet armature which is arranged outside the magnet coil. The housing has a first section which encloses the magnet coil having the winding and the magnet yoke, and the housing has a second section which encloses at least most of the movably mounted magnet armature. Further proposed are a battery having a plurality of solenoid valves, a method of manufacturing a solenoid valve, and a mold.
US09631736B2
A solenoid valve includes a housing, a bobbin and an armature. The bobbin is received at least partially within the housing and has a body about which a coil is provided. A fluid flow path including an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat is defined by at least one of the housing or the bobbin, and the armature is moveable relative to the valve seat to control flow through the fluid flow path.
US09631722B2
A transmission includes sensors positioned adjacent respective pairs of magnetized bands on a shaft of the transmission for detecting magnetic flux emanating from the bands in response to torque on the shaft. The transmission further includes an electronics interface assembly configured to respectively provide drive signals to the sensors and to receive from the sensors, in response to the drive signals, output signals indicative of the torque on the shaft as detected by the sensors.
US09631720B2
A method is provided for reducing the reaction time of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a hydraulic control unit with a pressure regulator, from an engine stop of an automatic start-stop mechanism. The oil volume that is still present in the hydraulic control unit (HCU) of the transmission prior to the stopping of the internal combustion engine is used for the supply of oil for the actuation of the shifting elements of the transmission upon an engine start.
US09631718B1
A shift lever for a vehicle includes a knob, a rod coupled to the knob, a first mounting member, and a second mounting member. At least one first connecting terminal is fixed to the first mounting member and at least one second connecting terminal is fixed to the second mounting member. The at least one second connecting terminal comes into contact with the at least one first connecting terminal for transmission of electric signals.
US09631713B2
A driving force transfer device for an end-effector, the driving force transfer device comprising at least one double shaft member which separately receives driving forces generated from first and second driving means through first and second power transfer means and transfers the driving forces to an end-effector such that the end-effector has two rotational degrees of freedom.
US09631712B2
An electric linear actuator has a housing with an electric motor, a speed reduction mechanism and a ball screw mechanism. The ball screw mechanism converts the rotational motion of the electric motor to an axial linear motion of a drive shaft. The ball screw mechanism has a nut and a screw shaft. The screw shaft is inserted into the nut, via a large number of balls. The screw shaft is axially movably supported on the housing but is non-rotatable with respect to the housing. An output gear, forming part of the speed reduction mechanism, is secured on the nut. The bearings are arranged at either side of the output gear. The bearings are mounted on the housing, via a ring-shaped washer, formed from an elastic member.
US09631710B1
A multiple purpose tool assembly for performing various manipulations of a pipe includes a tubular housing that may be gripped by a user. The tubular housing is selectively positionable proximate a pipe. A motor is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. A worm gear is operationally coupled to the motor so the motor selectively rotates the worm gear. An actuator is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. The actuator is operationally coupled to the motor so the actuator selectively actuates the motor. A head is removably coupled to the tubular housing. The head is operationally coupled to the worm gear so the head is selectively actuated. The head selectively engages the pipe so the head may selectively manipulate the pipe.
US09631707B2
The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.
US09631705B2
A multi-stages automatic transmission for vehicle may include first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each including first, second and third rotation elements, friction members including first, second, third and fourth clutches and first and second brakes, in which an input shaft may be connected to the first rotation element of the second planetary gear set and the third rotation element of the fourth planetary gear set, and an output shaft may be connected to the second rotation element of the fourth planetary gear set.
US09631694B2
An air spring height sensor (100) is provided which comprises a receiver (101) for receiving a height signal and an evaluation unit (200). The receiver is adapted for being mounted to an air spring so as to sense a height signal with respect to said air spring. The evaluation unit comprises an input terminal (201), a multiplexer (240), a first signal branch (210) starting from the input terminal and terminating at a first multiplexer input (241), and a second signal branch (220) starting from the input terminal and terminating at a second multiplexer input (242). The first signal branch includes a first amplitude limiter (211) being adapted to cut off the amplitude above a predetermined first threshold value. The multiplexer is adapted to select a measurement signal from one of the inputs of the multiplexer.
US09631691B2
An embodiment vibration dampening device includes a stack of permanent magnets having a plurality of cross-sectional areas, wherein the permanent magnets are electrically coupled in series with each other. The device further includes an insulating sheath disposed around the stack of permanent magnets, and a visco-elastic polymer disposed within the sheath and around the stack of permanent magnets.
US09631688B2
An electromagnetic clutch includes a rotation transmission member supported by an input shaft portion via a bearing. The rotation transmission member includes a movement regulating portion having abutment portions that abut against the bearing. The clutch further includes first and second spring members that bias an armature toward a braking member, and a connecting member overlaid on the movement regulating portion. The connecting member has first holes at portions facing the abutment portions, and second holes at portions facing regions between the abutment portions. One-end portions of the first and second spring members are attached to the armature. First fixing members inserted into the first holes fix the other-end portions of the first spring members to the connecting member. Second fixing members inserted into the second holes fix the other-end portions of the second spring members to the connecting member and fix the connecting member to the movement regulating portion.
US09631687B2
Disclosed is an electronic parking brake apparatus. The electronic parking brake apparatus includes: a power generating unit which generates power based on an external signal; a braking force transmission unit which is coupled to the power generating unit in a threaded connection manner, rectilinearly moves by the power, and transmits braking force generated by the rectilinear movement; a braking force supplementing unit which is disposed to be adjacent to the power generating unit while surrounding the braking force transmission unit in order to prevent the braking force from being decreased; and a brake body part which is connected with the braking force transmission unit and parks a vehicle by using the braking force.
US09631683B2
An operation mechanism for a dual-clutch assembly is provided. The dual-clutch assembly comprises a first clutch having a first clutch bearing, and a second clutch having a second clutch bearing. The operation mechanism comprises: a supporting member; a first operation member adapted to be rotatably coupled to the supporting member and to actuate the first clutch bearing; and a second operation member adapted to be rotatably coupled to the supporting member and to actuate the second clutch bearing. The second operation member is always spaced a predetermined distance from the first operation member in an operation direction.
US09631682B2
A synchronization device for a manual transmission of a vehicle, including a synchronizer ring configured to synchronize rotation of a transmission gear and clutch hub. The synchronizer ring includes: a ring body having an annular shape; an axial protruding portion protruding from the ring body toward the clutch hub in an axial direction to set a size of an axial clearance between the ring body and the clutch hub; and a radial protruding portion protruding from the ring body toward the clutch hub in a radial direction intersecting the axial direction to set a size of a radial clearance to be formed between the ring body and the clutch hub. The ring body, the axial protruding portion, and the radial protruding portion are formed integrally by metal stamping.
US09631681B2
A gear mechanism for motor vehicles includes a double clutch gear mechanism with two part gear mechanisms and a double clutch which transmits torque from the engine optionally to one of the two part gear mechanisms, with a central disk connected to a drive disk, two outer pressure application plates which are also connected to the drive disk and are moveable in the axial direction relative to the central disk, and friction disks arranged between the central disk and the pressure application plates, wherein the friction disks consist of two support carrier disks arranged parallel to each other and moveably in relation to each other, between which leaf-like spring segments are provided. To eliminate vibration problems which can occur on start-up from standstill, on load-change processes and during the gear change, the leaf-like spring segments have different spring characteristic curves with which a multistage spring characteristic is achieved.
US09631680B2
A dual clutch transmission for motor vehicles, has two transmission sections, a dry dual clutch (1), which transmits the torque from the engine selectively to one of the two transmission sections, and a cooling system having a fan impeller system for active air cooling of the dual clutch (1). To optimize the individual functional parts of the cooling system and to reduce the clutch masses, it is proposed that the central disk (3) and/or at least one contact pressure plate (4, 5) is/are designed as a fan impeller of the fan impeller system (21). The central disk (3) and/or at least one of the contact pressure plates (4, 5) has/have passages which extend radially or have a radial component.
US09631679B2
In a multiple plate clutch having a main spring which is provided between a clutch center fixed in an axial direction and a pressure plate displaceable in the axial direction and presses plural clutch plates in a clutch engagement direction, and a lifter plate for lifting the pressure plate in a clutch release direction, a sub spring for urging the pressure plate in the clutch engagement direction through the lifter plate is provided between the clutch center and the lifter plate, and the lifter plate is lifted by a predetermined amount or more to cut off the urging force of the sub spring to the pressure plate.
US09631674B2
A method and apparatus according to which the optimal radius of a thrust bearing in a well tool is determined. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving inputs representing a plurality of geometric characteristics and material properties of the well tool, the well tool including a housing, a shaft extending within the housing, and the thrust bearing, which includes convex and concave surfaces that define an interface having a radius; determining, based on the inputs, an expected value of the bending moment of the well tool in the vicinity of the thrust bearing; determining, based on the expected value of the bending moment, one or more expected values of the radial reaction force at the interface, which values depend upon the radius of the interface; and selecting, based on the one or more expected values of the radial reaction force, an optimal radius of the interface.
US09631669B2
The oil-impregnated sintered bearing made of iron-copper sintered alloy consisting of 10-59% of Cu, 0.5-3% of Sn, and balance of Fe and impurities, includes pores in the iron-copper sintered alloy matrix of not less than 800 per mm2, has pores exposed at 20-50% by area ratio at the inner circumferential surface with diameters greater than 100 μm, not more than 0.5%, respectable to the total pores number. The pores number with diameters greater than 80 μm and not greater than 100 μm, not more than 0.1%, respectable to the total pores number with diameters greater than 60 μm and not greater than 80 μm is 0.5-1.5%, respectable to the total pores number, with diameters greater than 40 μm and not greater than 60 μm is 0.8-3% respectable to the total pores number, and the remainder pores are with diameters less than 40 μm.
US09631663B2
A threaded security knob formed of a threaded member having a generally concentric body defining a central longitudinal axis, the body formed with a threaded portion along the central axis adjacent to a first end thereof, and a key receiver formed in a second end of the body opposite of the threaded portion, wherein the key receiver is formed having one of a plurality of different key receiver configurations; a slip ring having a generally tubular interior side wall sized to fit over and extend along the body of the threaded member in an inseverable and a relatively concentrically rotational relationship therewith; an interlocking rotational slip mechanism coupled between the threaded member and the slip ring; and a key formed with one of a plurality of different key configurations each corresponding to a different one of the plurality of different key receiver configurations of the key receiver.
US09631662B2
A spring clip fastener includes a body member, a base member, first and second carrier members on opposite edges of the base member, first and second positioning members carried by the first and second carrier members, and first and second locking members carried by the first and second carrier members. The body member is configured to receive an associated joining fastener along a first body member axis to selectively couple a first panel with the spring clip apparatus. The first and second carrier members are insertable into an opening in a second panel. The first and second locking members are directed towards the base member and include distal ends extending outwardly of the base member to selectively fasten the second panel between the distal ends and the base member.
US09631661B2
An expansion anchor includes a screw and an anchor body configured to receive a shank of the screw, the anchor body including: a flange configured to be directed towards the screw head; a nut-forming portion configured to cooperate with the screw thread; and a deformable expansion portion between the flange and the nut-forming portion. The nut-forming portion is configured to advance in the direction of the flange, by deforming the expansion portion to a deployed state, by screwing the screw in the nut-forming portion. When the anchor is mounted inside a hole in a wall, with the flange bearing against a first face of the wall, the expansion portion in the deployed state forms a continuous contact surface facing a second face of the wall and has a load-bearing section, transversely with respect to the screw axis, which is generally decreasing from the contact surface towards the nut-forming portion.
US09631660B2
A self-drilling bolt and nut assembly includes a nut which has a window to permit visual inspection of the fastener thread upon engagement with the nut. The nut also includes a protective cap or receives a protective cap so that upon threadably engaging the fastener with the nut, the drill tip of the fastener is automatically received in the cap. The nut also has at one end a plurality of projections to enhance the locking engagement. The self-drilling bolt may have an integral washer and employ a clamping plate engageable against the washer.
US09631656B2
A pipe holding device includes a fixed clamp member, a movable clamp member, an upper ring and a lower ring. The fixed clamp member and the movable clamp member each have inner peripheral surfaces as metal surfaces coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter pipe. Furthermore, inner peripheral surfaces of cylindrical bodies correspond to a first resin surface and a second resin surface coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter pipe, respectively. The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, the inner peripheral surfaces of the fixed clamp member and the movable clamp member, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body are adjacent to one another in an axial direction of a large diameter pipe.
US09631649B2
The invention relates to a device (20) for adjusting a rate of flow of air flowing along an air duct, comprising: a tubular body (22) extending along an axis (24); at least one flap (28) able to pivot about an axis transverse to the axis (24) of the body (22); a ring (34) mounted to pivot on an end portion (22b) of the body (22) about the axis (24) of this body; each flap (28) being provided with a male drive means and the ring (34) being provided with a female drive means, or vice versa, the male drive means and the female drive means being arranged in such a way that, in response to the ring (34) being pivoted about the body (22), the male drive means engages with the female drive means to alter the position of each flap (28) and hence the cross section available for the passage of air.
US09631647B2
A hydraulic system includes an actuator operating as a consumer of hydraulic energy and as a generator of hydraulic energy in different operating states, and includes a hydraulic accumulator (1). In an operating state of the actuator (49), the accumulator can be charged by the actuator for storing energy. In a different operating state, the accumulator can be discharged for delivering energy to the actuator (49). The hydraulic accumulator is an adjustable hydropneumatic piston accumulator having a plurality of pressure chambers (19, 21, 23, 25) adjoining effective surfaces (11, 13, 15, 17) of different sizes on the fluid side of the accumulator piston (5). An adjusting arrangement (51) connects a selected pressure chamber (19, 21, 23, 25) or a plurality of selected pressure chambers (19, 21, 23, 25) of the piston accumulator (1) to the actuator (49) as a function of the pressure level that prevails on the gas side of the piston accumulator (1) and on the actuator (49).
US09631644B2
The invention is to provide a modular combined electro-hydraulic multi-way valve system using compact two-way cartridge valves. Two sets of seat valve main stages including two compact two-way cartridge valves separately are used to control two reversible controlled cavities, a cartridge pressure compensation control assembly is used to control load compensation, and valve body forms the main part of electro-hydraulic multi-way valve; The main body has the function of self-supply-oil pilot control by two side flange control plates; The main part of electro-hydraulic multi-way valve, side flange control plates, pilot stages and auxiliaries combine sandwich self-supply-oil high-voltage electro-hydraulic multi-way valve reversing league with four main ports P, T, A, B and multiple control ports Pc, Tc, Ls and auxiliary ports; The system can satisfy the requirements of higher efficiency, energy saving, low emission and diversity raised by equipment manufacturers through more kinds and more reasonable modular combined configurable solutions.
US09631643B2
Device with hydraulic system actuates first and second hydraulic consumers. The hydraulic consumers (10, 12) can be supplied with fluid at a predefinable pressure at least via a flow divider (26) for dividing a fluid flow from a pressure supply (P) into predefinable part flows leading to the respective hydraulic consumer (10, 12). A fluid flow from the hydraulic consumer (10) with higher pressure loading via the flow divider (26) to the hydraulic consumer (12) with lower pressure loading can be suppressed by one shut-off device (38) arranged between the flow divider (26) and at least one hydraulic consumer (12). The shut-off device (38) is arranged in a fluidic connection (F2) from the flow divider (26) to the hydraulic consumer (12) with lower pressure loading.
US09631642B2
Disclosed is a method for storing energy using an electrically charged gas. The method includes the steps of compressing the electrically charged gas in a compression chamber using external force to generate compressed charged gas; storing the compressed charged gas received from the compression chamber in a containment chamber; transferring a portion of compressed charged gas into the energy recovery unit at high pressure; and expanding the compressed electrically charged gas to regenerate energy in the energy recovery unit.
US09631640B2
Fluid discharge vibration damping strips for acoustic protection of aircraft turbomachine fan casing
An acoustic protection device for a fan casing of an aircraft turbomachine, including an acoustic protection panel forming a ferrule sector centered on a center axis, and one or more vibration damping strips pressed on a first side to an external surface of the panel and on a second side to an internal surface of the casing, each damping strip including two opposite edges each including an upstream end and a downstream end spaced from each other along a direction of the center axis. At least one of both opposite edges of at least one of the damping strips is shaped such that liquid present on this edge can flow by gravity towards either or both of its upstream and downstream ends.
US09631639B1
Systems and techniques for cancelling fan noise by providing an anti-noise waveform are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and techniques include receiving, at a fan, a pulse width modulated signal from a power supply. A fan blade of the fan is rotated at a spin speed that is measured by a first sensor. A second sensor detects a position of the fan blade. Based on the spin speed and the position, an anti-noise waveform is generated that is configured to cause destructive interference with a fan noise of the fan. An audio signal is output that corresponds to the anti-noise waveform to cause destructive interference with noise caused by the spinning blades of the fan.
US09631635B2
An axial flow compressor blade unit including a platform section and an airfoil section, which are used as arranged on a circumference about an axis of the compressor. The platform section includes an inner diametric surface segment inwardly of the circumference, an outer diametric surface segment outwardly of the circumference, two annular side surface segments extending in a circumferential direction, two axially side surface segments extending in the axial direction, and a coupling portion formed in each of the annular side surface segments so as to extend in the circumferential direction and being of a shape projecting or recessed in the axial direction. The airfoil section is formed to erect from the platform section so as to extend in a radial direction. The platform section and the airfoil section are formed integrally with each other while having a powdered metal sintered structure.
US09631620B2
A screw compressor with a volume ratio adjustment mechanism. The volume adjustment mechanism is a penetration in the housing of a screw compressor. The penetration includes one or more apertures. The apertures provide a flow path between the compressor outlet and an interlobe region of the screw compressor rotors. A member resides in the penetration and is movable from a first position in which the apertures are blocked and the flow path is closed and a second position in which the apertures are not blocked and the flow path is open. By unblocking the apertures and opening the flow path, the volume ratio can be adjusted.
US09631615B2
A micropump including a tube unit including an elastic tube disposed in an arc shape, a plurality of fingers disposed radially from the arc shape of the tube, and a guide frame, which holds the tube and the plurality of fingers. The micropump also includes a control unit including a cam that presses the plurality of fingers, a drive section that applies torque to the cam, a control circuit that carries out a drive control of the drive section, and a machine casing that holds the cam, drive section, and control circuit. The tube unit is mountable in and removable from the control unit in a direction approximately parallel to the plane of rotation of the cam, and is mounted inside a space provided in the machine casing.
US09631609B2
A device that produces linear motion by sequentially and in a continuous sequence accelerating inertial thrust masses at well-defined times towards the axis of counter-rotating disks. The inertial thrust masses are contained in cavities placed equidistantly about the periphery of counter rotating capture disks mounted on a common axle. They are radially accelerated by a bi-directional impulse ramps that can be moved to any position around the periphery of the counter rotating capture plates and into and out of the paths of the gyrating thrust masses to any desired depth within the mechanical range of the impulse ramps which simultaneously engage and radially accelerate the inertial thrust masses of each counter-rotating capture plate. The counter-rotating capture plates are each separately driven by a gear assembly powered by an external engine or motor that powers the rotation of the disks. Each radial acceleration of the inertial thrust masses produces an impulse of force that pushes against the mass accelerator with a force equal to the force used to radially accelerate each thrust mass. Each impulse is a vector force and imparts motion along the chosen vector to any object to which the device is attached.
US09631607B2
A ring generator of a wind power installation is provided comprising a stator having a peripherally extending stator ring for receiving stator windings and a rotor mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation relative to the stator, wherein the stator ring has cooling passages for cooling the stator by an air flow. A ring generator of a wind power installation is also provided having a stator, a peripherally extending stator ring for receiving stator windings, a rotor mounted rotatably relative to the stator and a stator bell connected to the stator ring for providing a pressure chamber with an increased or reduced pressure for providing an air flow through and/or along the stator and/or rotor for cooling the ring generator, wherein the stator bell has at least one fan opening provided with a fan.
US09631605B2
A pitch system (20) for rotating a blade (4) of a wind turbine relative to a hub (6) generally comprises a bearing (22) having an inner bearing ring (30) configured to be mounted to the hub and an outer bearing ring (32) configured to be mounted to the blade. A first coupling member (24) positioned between the hub and inner bearing ring extends radially inward. A second coupling member (26) positioned between the blade and outer bearing ring extends radially inward and over the inner bearing ring. A drive system (28) includes a first drive member (34) coupled to the first coupling member and a first driven member (36) coupled to the second coupling member. The first drive member is configured to move the first driven member to rotate the outer bearing ring relative to the inner bearing ring and thereby pitch the blade.
US09631603B2
A wing with slipstream turbine comprising: a wing or airfoil and at least one turbine, wherein wing or airfoil has at least one partial cylindrical void in a surface and at least one turbine is partially encapsulated within partial cylindrical void. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise at least one slipstream outrigger to help focus the flow of the slipstream more directly on a turbine. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise at least one lateral outrigger to create a low-pressure area which functions to add additional energy transfer to turbine. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise two leading outriggers to help focus the flow of the slipstream more directly on a turbine. Optionally, wing or airfoil may further comprise a leading subcomponent, a left subcomponent, and a right subcomponent to create a super low-pressure area which functions add additional energy transfer to turbine.
US09631602B2
The present invention relates to a wind turbine component, having a connecting portion for connecting the wind turbine component to another turbine component and at least part of the connecting portion is formed of a first type of metal, characterized in that: the connecting portion is further provided with an additional part formed of a second type of metal which is connected to the metallic part of the connecting portion; and the second type of metal is more active than the first type of metal, whereby the additional part forms a sacrificial anode. The present invention further relates to a wind turbine having the above component.
US09631592B2
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for injecting and igniting a fuel using corona discharge for combustion. In one aspect, a method to ignite a fuel in an engine includes injecting ionized fuel particles into a combustion chamber of an engine, and generating one or more corona discharges at a particular location within the combustion chamber to ignite the ionized fuel particles, in which the generating includes applying an electric field at electrodes configured at a port of the combustion chamber, the electric field applied at a frequency that does not produce an ion current or spark on or between the electrodes.
US09631589B2
It has been discovered that the function of a fuel filter monitor can be accomplished without the use of SAP. The present invention provides a fuel filter monitor comprising an ePTFE membrane, a support structure adjacent to said ePTFE membrane wherein the membrane is disposed upstream of the support and said monitor prevents penetration of water to the downstream of said fuel wet monitor, where the water can be in the form of discrete water drops in the fuel, or a bulk water stream which displaces the upstream fuel.
US09631586B2
A method for suctioning liquid fuel from a liquid trap in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, includes generating a negative pressure in a gas compartment or headspace of the fuel tank, applying the negative pressure to the liquid trap through a suction line, wherein the liquid trap has a collection container collecting liquid fuel during venting of the fuel tank, and at least partially suctioning the liquid fuel located in the collection container through the suction line into the gas compartment or headspace.
US09631585B2
An automated method for diagnosing an EGHR having a coolant path, an exhaust path, a heat exchanger, and a valve. The coolant path passes through the heat exchanger and the valve selectively directs the exhaust path through the heat exchanger. The method includes monitoring an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the coolant path, determining an instantaneous coolant power from the monitored inlet temperature and outlet temperature, and integrating the instantaneous coolant power to determine a total energy recovered by the coolant path. The method monitors an instantaneous exhaust power, determines an instantaneous available EGHR power from the instantaneous exhaust power, and integrates the instantaneous available EGHR power to determine a nominal EGHR energy. A differential is calculated between the nominal EGHR energy and the total energy recovered by the coolant path. If the calculated differential is greater than an allowable tolerance, an EGHR error signal is sent.
US09631579B1
Seal assemblies for a pre-chamber assembly include a pre-chamber body having an outer chamber surface; a pre-chamber tip; a seal covering area carried by the pre-chamber tip; at least one hard seal between the seal covering area of the pre-chamber tip and the pre-chamber body; at least one elastomeric seal between the seal covering area of the pre-chamber tip and the pre-chamber body; a fuel inlet passage in the pre-chamber body; a fuel discharge passage disposed in fluid communication with the fuel inlet passage; and a drill passage in the pre-chamber body adjacent to the seal covering area and aligned with the fuel discharge passage, the drill passage and the fuel discharge passage disposed at an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the outer chamber surface of the pre-chamber body.
US09631566B1
The disclosure describes systems and methods of detecting a misfire in a cylinder of an engine. Such systems and methods may include determining a standard deviation for a crank angle location in a chamber of the engine, determining a standard deviation of the peak pressure in a chamber of the engine. If the standard deviation for a crank angle location is greater than a threshold value for the standard deviation for a crank angle, or if the standard deviation for the peak pressure is greater than a threshold value for the standard deviation of the peak pressure, an engine cylinder cut out check may be performed to identify one or more misfiring cylinders.
US09631560B2
A method of noise control from a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes selectively forming a plurality of local circumferential zones with different fuel-air ratios within the combustor.
US09631553B2
A coal gasification process is provided based on the grading conversion of carbon hydrogen components of coal, wherein the coal gasification process comprises a carbonization process, a carbon monoxide-producing process and a shift reaction process. By blending the coke-oven gas, carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced in the above processes in different ratios, coal gasification syngases with various carbon hydrogen ratios can be obtained. Further, the coal gasification process does not need pure oxygen to take part in the reactions, and has several advantages, such as high gasification efficiency, low equipment investment costs, less limitation on the types of coal and flexible adjustment of the gasification products.
US09631539B2
An apparatus for generating superheated vapor using waste heat recovery. A housing has an inlet tank and an outlet tank at both ends. Exhaust gas is introduced through the inlet tank, and is discharged through the outlet tank. A plurality of wave fin structures are disposed inside the housing so as to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined distances in a top-bottom direction, and include a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys which are connected in a transverse direction so as to form wave-like structures in a direction in which the exhaust gas flows. A plurality of working fluid tubes alternate with the plurality of wave fin structures. An inlet pipe through which working fluid is introduced and an outlet pipe through which the working fluid is discharged are disposed on a side surface of the housing.
US09631538B2
A system includes a filtering module that filters a first signal that indicates an amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in exhaust gas upstream from a catalyst, and that filters a second signal that indicates amounts of NOx and ammonia (NH3) in exhaust gas downstream from the catalyst. A slip determination module determines whether NH3 is present in exhaust gas downstream from the catalyst based on a frequency response of the first and second signals.
US09631529B2
A mat for supporting a monolith, the mat comprising one or more first portions comprising fibers at least partially coated with an erosion resistant inorganic (e.g. silica) gel composition or a precursor thereof.
US09631527B2
A first connection pipe, which penetrates a partition wall, and extends to a second expansion chamber side from inside a first expansion chamber, and a second connection pipe, which extends to an exhaust outlet side from the partition wall inside the second expansion chamber are provided; first outer periphery connection holes, which allow exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe to flow out to the second expansion chamber, are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the first connection pipe; second outer periphery connection holes which allow the exhaust gas having flowed out to the second expansion chamber through the first outer periphery connection holes to flow into the second connection pipe, are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the second connection pipe; the first connection pipe and the second connection pipe are arranged such that they are partially parallel to each other; and the first outer periphery connection holes are arranged closer to the exhaust outlet side than the second outer periphery connection holes.
US09631526B2
An electro-hydraulic variable valve lift system includes a medium pressure chamber, a high pressure circuit, a valve, a pump and an actuator. The chamber is formed in a cylinder head assembly and is in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid source. The high pressure circuit is positioned in the cylinder head assembly and is in selective fluid communication with the chamber. The valve is in fluid communication with the chamber and the high pressure circuit, and the pump is configured to pump hydraulic fluid in the high pressure circuit. The actuator is in fluid communication with the pump, control valve and high pressure circuit, and is in engagement with an intake valve. The chamber and the actuator are each positioned in the cylinder head assembly at a location above the valve such that during an engine shutdown event, hydraulic fluid is retained in the chamber and the valve.
US09631524B2
In a hydraulically-operated multi-vane equipped valve timing control apparatus of an internal combustion engine, at least one of a plurality of vanes is equipped with a fluid-communication control mechanism FCCM, whereas the other vanes are configured as non-FCCM equipped vanes. At least one of the non-FCCM equipped vanes is configured such that a summed pressure-receiving surface area of the non-FCCM equipped at least one vane, facing a phase-retard chamber, and a summed pressure-receiving surface area of the non-FCCM equipped at least one vane, facing a phase-advance chamber, are set to differ from each other, thereby permitting a vane rotor to be biased in a specified rotation direction by the unbalanced pressure-receiving surface area configuration as well as establishment of fluid-communication between the two adjacent chambers through the fluid-communication control mechanism, when starting the engine from its stopped state where there is no hydraulic-pressure supply from an oil pump.
US09631522B2
A valve bridge assembly is disclosed for an internal combustion engine. The assembly may have a valve bridge with a center portion, opposing lateral extensions, a bore passing through first and second ends of the center portion, and an internal annular shelf. The assembly may also have a cylindrical housing with a main portion, a tip portion protruding from the second end of the center portion, and a positioning flange resting on the internal annular shelf. The assembly may further have a plunger with a first end having a larger opening and a second end having a smaller opening. The first end may be disposed within the main portion of the cylindrical housing, and the second end may protrude from the first end of the center portion. The assembly may also have a valve assembly disposed within the larger opening of the plunger, and a spring disposed inside the cylindrical housing.
US09631517B2
A gas turbine engine component comprises a frame and a fairing. The frame comprises a monolithic ring-strut-ring structure. The fairing comprises a multi-segment ring-strut-ring structure that is assembled around the frame. A method of assembling the frame and fairing comprises positioning a plurality of shroud segments within a frame and joining the plurality of shroud segments to each other so that the fairing is trapped within the frame. In one embodiment, the fairing comprises a plurality of outer diameter shroud segments, a plurality of inner diameter shroud segments, a plurality of strut segments, and stiffening features connected to the plurality of strut segments to strengthen the fairing.
US09631516B2
The invention relates to a drive (1) of a tail rotor (12) of a helicopter (10) by a permanently excited transversal flux machine in duplex arrangement in such a way that between two stators (4), which each have a toroidal winding system (8), there is arranged a disc-shaped impeller (5), which has permanent magnets (15) and on the outer circumference of which propeller blades (14) of the tail rotor (12) are arranged.
US09631512B2
A system and method for washing a gas turbine engine. The method for washing the gas turbine engine includes coupling a pressurized air supply assembly to an air supply and to a secondary air system, cranking a compressor rotor assembly of the gas turbine engine, supplying pressurized offline buffer air from the air supply to the pressurized air supply assembly, and spraying a cleaner into the compressor.
US09631507B2
A sealing band arrangement for a gas turbine including first and second adjoining rotor disks separated by a gap wherein the first rotor disk includes an aperture. The sealing band arrangement includes at least one seal strip segment located within the gap, wherein the seal strip segment includes a raised portion having a first mating surface. The sealing arrangement further includes a locking pin having a planar section for receiving the first raised surface. The locking pin also includes a pin section having a second mating surface that abuts against the first mating surface to thereby lock the locking pin and the seal strip segment together. Further, the pin section is located within the aperture to stop circumferential movement of the seal strip segment relative to first and second disks.
US09631492B2
A heterogeneous composition for use as rock dust is disclosed. The heterogeneous composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a heterogeneous composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert. The fine, treated, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.
US09631478B2
Methods for acquiring and interpreting operating parameter data during an operation to inject a work fluid into a wellbore.
US09631470B2
A method, system, and apparatus are described for locating, installing, inventorying, actuating, and/or accessing down-hole equipment in a wellbore. This comprises tagging a casing by inserting permanent components of material compositions within sections along the length of a casing. Inserted components and/or portions of an original section function as unique readable active and/or passive markers. The piping system comprises at least one pipe having a plurality of markers placed in radial sections strategically arranged with independently identical or different material compositions or embedded in a length of the wellbore casing. The sections function as markers forming a readable pattern readable by the reader(s). The reader is one of or a combination of any of the group consisting of: a plug, a probe, a sensor, and/or a computer for reading markers. The reader travels in either a forward or backward direction.
US09631461B2
A well screen assembly includes a tubular base pipe. The base pipe has a sidewall aperture that communicates fluid between an interior central bore of the base pipe and an exterior of the base pipe. A filtration screen is around the base pipe. The filtration screen defines a lateral fluid passage along a axial length of the well screen assembly. A flow control device is coupled to the base pipe and the filtration screen. The flow control devices includes a ring sealing the lateral fluid passage from the central bore. An elongate restrictor passage is in the ring, oriented longitudinally. The elongate restrictor passage is configured to communicate fluid between the lateral fluid passage and the central bore. The restrictor passage includes an internal, square edged orifice defined by a fixed, annular protrusion. The annular protrusion extends inwardly from an interior surface of the restrictor passage.
US09631457B2
Disclosed are systems and methods of orienting wellbore tubulars using gravity. Some disclosed orientation indicating devices include a housing defining a first flow channel and being arrangeable within a wellbore tubular, an orientor movably arranged within the housing and defining a second flow channel in fluid communication with the first flow channel, and an eccentric weight arranged within the orientor and having a center of mass radially offset from a rotational axis of the orientor, the eccentric weight being configured to maintain the orientor pointing in one direction as the housing and the wellbore tubular are rotated, wherein, as the housing rotates, the first and second flow channels become progressively aligned or misaligned.
US09631453B2
Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a downhole tool useable for isolating sections of a wellbore that includes a mandrel and a slip comprising a one-piece configuration disposed around the mandrel. The mandrel further includes a body comprising an external surface, and an inner bore formed therein; a distal end; and a proximate end; wherein the mandrel is made of composite material, wherein a set of shear threads are disposed along a surface of the inner bore at the proximate end.
US09631451B2
An outer casing string, including a surface casing head, and associated installation method. In some embodiments, the surface casing head includes an outer tubular member insertable through a diverter of an installed conductor system, an inner tubular member at least partially disposed within and moveable relative to the outer tubular member, and a sleeve ring rotatably coupled to the inner tubular. The outer tubular member has an annular recess. The sleeve ring includes a snap ring that is displaceable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, at least a portion of the snap ring is received within the annular recess, and the outer tubular member is axially immovable relative to the inner tubular member. In the retracted position, no portion of the snap ring is received within the annular recess, and the outer tubular member is axially moveable relative to the inner tubular member.
US09631448B1
A technique facilitates control over flow of hydraulic actuating fluid used to perform a plurality of actuating functions in a subsea well application. A control module is employed for controlling a plurality of hydraulically controlled components and is located along a subsea test tree at a position relatively close to the hydraulically controlled components. The control module, in turn, is controlled electronically via an electric line which provides electric control signals corresponding to desired control instructions regarding the hydraulically controlled components. By moving the control module closer to the hydraulically controlled components response time is greatly reduced.
US09631443B2
An apparatus for delivering drill pipe has a support frame, a catwalk platform, and a slide platform that are pivotally connected together. A drill pipe rack, a chain drive, and a kicker direct the drill pipe to and from the catwalk platform. A hydraulically actuated piston lifts the catwalk platform and slide platform into alignment to create a single inclined delivery platform extending from the ground to the rig floor. A powered means lifts or lowers the drill pipe along the delivery platform.
US09631439B2
A device which can be used on a water pipe has a first metallic, tubular section and a second metallic, tubular section. The first and second metallic, tubular sections are separated from one another by an electrically non-conductive section. The device also has a first metallic wire that extends through the tubular wall of the first metallic, tubular section in at least five locations and further extends across the first interior three times. The first metallic wire is electrically coupled to the second metallic, tubular section.
US09631436B2
An apparatus including a support; a first upper frame and a second upper frame each attached to the support; and removable actuators extending vertically from a base and located below the support and between the first and second upper frames, wherein the actuators are vertically extendable and retractable; wherein the actuators are adapted to engage the support and raise or lower the support upon the extension or retraction of each actuator; wherein the actuators are adapted to extend to a first height at which a first middle frame may be arranged below the first upper frame and a second middle frame may be arranged below the second upper frame; and wherein the actuators are adapted to retract to a second height at which the first middle frame may be attached to the first upper frame and the second middle frame may be attached to the second upper frame.
US09631427B2
Door curtains with position sensor switches are disclosed. An example door for selectively blocking and unblocking a passageway includes a frame to be adjacent the passageway. The example door includes a curtain moveable selectively to a closed position and a first open position, where the curtain blocks the passageway in the closed position, and the curtain unblocks the passageway in the first open position. The example door also includes a bracket to be attached to the frame. The bracket is movable selectively to a normal position and a displaced position relative to the frame. The example door further includes a switch to be attached to the bracket and in sensing relationship with the curtain. The curtain supports at least some weight of the bracket when the bracket is in the displaced position. The curtain supports no weight of the bracket when the bracket is in the normal position.
US09631425B2
A roller shade is disclosed having a counterbalancing assembly with an optimally pretensioned spring that lowers the torque load on the motor of the roller shade throughout the rolling up or rolling down cycles. The roller shade comprises a roller tube, a gudgeon pin having a first stop, a gudgeon body having a through bore and rotatably connected about the gudgeon pin and operably connected to the roller tube, a limit nut operably connected to the gudgeon body and adapted to axially travel along the gudgeon pin within the through bore, a spring, a first spring carrier connected to the first end of the spring and operably connected to the gudgeon pin, and a second spring carrier connected to the second end of the spring and operably connected to the roller tube. The spring is pretensioned and the limit nut abuts the first stop thereby locking the pretension. Rotation of the roller tube to roll down the shade further tensions the spring, and rotation of the roller tube to roll up the shade releases the tension in the spring.
US09631418B2
The door system of the present invention includes a mounting frame assembly and a tilt-up door pivotally and slidably mounted within the mounting frame assembly. The door system is installed in a door rough opening as an integral unit, simplifying installation. At least one hydraulic cylinder is utilized to actuate the door between its open and closed positions. A stabilizer including a door component secured to the tilt-up door and a door component secured to the frame assembly are used to stabilize the door when it is in its open position.
US09631407B2
An access door for insertion into an opening in a construction surface is provided. The access door has a frame for engagement with edges of the opening in the construction surface. The frame has a channel formed therein for receiving a thermally insulative material to provide a thermal break between the frame and the construction surface. A door is operatively coupled to the frame and movable between an open position allowing access through the opening in the construction surface and a closed position preventing access through the opening in the construction surface.
US09631404B2
A vehicle door lock apparatus includes a housing, a fork in the housing, a pawl selectively preventing pivoting movement of the fork, a first lever having one end coupleable to a door handle and a second lever pivotably supported at a second end of the first lever and shiftable from a first position to a second position by application of inertial force. When the first lever pivots and the second lever is in the first position the second lever comes into contact with the pawl and releases the fork and when the second lever is in the second position it moves with the first lever independently of the pawl. A third lever selectively places the second lever in the second position and a retention device prevents the second lever from moving the pawl when first lever moves and the third lever is holding the second lever in the second position.
US09631397B2
A railing system providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance and unobstructed view and having a plurality of railing posts defining planar side walls and fastening bases, clamp fastening openings formed from side wall to side wall through the posts, clamp units secured on opposite sides of the posts, by fastenings passing through the clamp fastening openings, and, glass panels supported by the clamp units between the posts.
US09631396B2
A kit including a custom wheeled storage container packaging a free-standing fencing unit comprising a pair of interchangeable top and bottom rails connectors, a pair of end posts to interconnect with the top and bottom rails, a plurality of pickets with clips to attach to the top and bottom rails and a pair of free-standing fence stands.
US09631391B2
Provided are a buckling restrained brace including a core material that has a plate shape and extends along an axis, a restraining member that extends along the axis and covers the core material from an outer peripheral side in a state where both end portions of the core material in an axis direction protrude outside, a filler that is filled between the restraining member and the core material, and a pair of first reinforcing members that each have a plate shape and are installed in both end portions of the core material in the axis direction so as to interpose the core material therebetween from both sides of the core material in a plate width direction, and a load-bearing structure installed with the buckling restrained brace.
US09631388B2
Disclosed herein is a floating pool water controller for dispensing germicide and antimicrobial material into a swimming pool based upon real time pool conditions. The controller includes the ability to adjust to these ever changing conditions in real time, and, to do so remotely. The controller includes a housing adapted for floating on the pool water. Additionally, a dispenser is provided for dispensing Cu ion into the pool and includes a dispenser assembly connected to the housing. The controller is provided with a controller for adjusting the amount of Cu ion dispensed into the pool water. And, the controller includes a probe extending from the housing into the pool water for sensing pool conditions. Thus, upon sensing the pool conditions in real time, the controller can be adjusted to dispense the proper amount of Cu ion into the pool water.
US09631386B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved pool. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method of making an improved pool. The pool can comprise an integrated sidewall joined to a floor portion. The integrated sidewall can be constructed from one piece of material, and can have fewer seams than traditional pools, thereby reducing the likelihood that that pool will rupture and leak. In some embodiments, since the pool has fewer seams than traditional pools, fewer manufacturing steps are required to make the pool. This can increase manufacturing speed and decrease cost.
US09631383B1
A shingle patch for repairing damaged asphalt shingles includes a base member, a notched portion on one end thereof, a roofing nail formed on its opposite end portion, or a flap portion which can be lifted so that a standard roofing nail can be nailed into the underlying damaged shingle, and colored granules embedded into the top surface of the base member. A sealant covers at least a portion of the notched portion and the bottom surface of the base member. The notched portion is structured for sliding under the shingle located immediately above the damaged shingle and the remainder of the shingle patch overlays the damaged shingle. An emulsion/adhesive injector system for repairing damaged shingles, an integral nail/disk structure which eliminates the need of having any exposed nails associated with a shingled roof, and special tools for lifting the bottom edge of a shingle are also disclosed.
US09631382B2
A product and method for sealing cracks in pavements, roofs, or the like utilizes a can containing a tar sealant. The tar sealant is a solid at room temperature and assumes a fluid state pourable from the can when the tar sealant is heated in the can to a temperature above the melting temperature of the tar sealant. A spout and handle that can withstand the heat are fitted to the can for pouring the melted tar sealant in a fluid state from the can into a crack to be sealed.
US09631376B2
The invention relates to a transition for use between vinyl tile and carpet tile when they are installed on a floor and includes a vertical post having a tail extending from a tile-facing side, an upper cap having a lip overhanging the tail, and a carpet-facing side devoid of a tail and a lip.
US09631371B2
A ramp system has a plurality of modular components adapted to be interconnected in a desired configuration. The modular components include an entry ramp module (10, 80), an exit ramp module (80) and a landing module (100, 180) therebetween. Each modular component has a flow assembly (12), handrail assemblies (14, 16) and leg assemblies (18). Each of the handrail assemblies have posts (22, 24) which are adapted to support a handrail (26). The posts are collapsible by folding inwardly towards a deck (28) of the floor assembly through operation of a folding means (30) interconnecting the floor assembly and each post of the handrail assembly. The posts of the handrail assemblies are reversibly collapsible from an erect position, where the ramp system can be used and the handrail assemblies can support users of the ramp system, to a compact position where the ramp system can be stored, packaged and transported until required for assembly on site.
US09631369B2
A clip connecting the outer end of a gutter guard to the outer end of a gutter. The clip has an outwardly extending lower panel, a front panel extending upwardly from an inner end of the lower panel, the front panel merging with an intermediate panel that extends outwardly over the lower panel. The lower and intermediate panels are constructed to engage the outer gutter end to connect the clip thereto. The intermediate panel is folded inwardly at its outer end and merges with an upper panel extending inwardly over the intermediate panel. The intermediate and upper panels are constructed to receive and retain therebetween the gutter guard outer end.
US09631357B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a structural frame member which includes a brace member that is used to absorb energy when the structural frame is subjected to loadings such as seismic, wind and gravity loads. The brace member is coupled to a restraining member that increases the buckling capacity of the brace member so that the brace member has approximately the same load axial capacity in compression as in tension. Embodiments of the invention also relate to the design, construction and assembly of the connection of the brace member that couples the brace member to a gusset plate which is coupled to the beam and column in the structural frame.
US09631354B1
A urinal coupling device includes at least one support member and a pair of ears. The support member has a pair of opposite lateral portions and a main portion of an arcuate configuration extending between and rigidly interconnecting the opposite lateral portions. Each of the ears at an inner end portion thereof is attached to one of the opposite lateral portions of the support member such that the ears extend in opposite directions with respect to one another from the support member. Each ear has a slot open at its outer end and closed at its inner end that is configured to receive a urinal mounting bolt. The main portion of the support member has an inner surface configured to interface with an end portion of a tube and an adjacent annular flange of a urinal flange device.
US09631353B1
A brace for a wall-mounted toilet, particularly useful for wall-mounted porcelain toilets in hospitals and other health care facilities. The brace includes a weight receiving structure supported by cantilevered struts that attach the brace to the wall, preferably using the same bolts that attach the toilet to the wall. The weight receiving structure may be a seat portion that overlies the rim of the toilet bowl, so that the weight of the user is transmitted from the toilet seat to the seat structure and then to the walls through the struts. Alternately, the weight receiving structure may include an under-bowl support that extends underneath the toilet bowl so that the user's weight is transmitted from the bowl to the wall through the struts. Thus, the cantilevered brace increases the weight-bearing capacity of the wall-mounted toilet. A plastic shroud may be included for enclosing the brace and toilet bowl.
US09631342B2
A wheel loader includes an engine, an engine compartment, an injection device, a top plate and a first guide member. The injection device is disposed in the engine compartment. The top plate has a ventilation part. The ventilation part is disposed in a position horizontally away from the injection device. The first guide member has a guide body. The guide body is disposed along the top plate to direct air existing over the injection device to the ventilation part.
US09631341B2
A method of orientating a materials handling vehicle to a desired angle includes providing a first and second stabilizers on the right and left sides, respectively, of a chassis and being selectively engageable with the ground, providing a controller to control operation of the first and second stabilizers in response to an input, positioning the vehicle on ground with the first and second stabilizers being disengaged from the ground such that the chassis is at an initial roll angle, providing a desired roll angle, providing an input to the controller requiring deployment of the stabilizers to simultaneously deploy the first and second stabilizers, and upon detection of a change in roll angle away from the desired roll angle caused by engagement of one of the stabilizers with the ground, the controller automatically stops deployment of one stabilizers and continues deployment of the other stabilizer.
US09631338B2
The present invention concerns a method of installing a reinforcement strip in a compacted fill retained by facing element together with the reinforcement strip extending between an anchorage zone and the wall. The anchorage zone is located away from the facing element and separated from the facing element. The method comprises: a) installing the reinforcement strip in the fill by feeding the strip from a first location in the anchorage zone to the wall and looping the strip through a wall connection point back to a second location in the anchorage zone; b) tensioning the strip by pulling the strip to a predetermined tension at the first location and at the second location; and c) anchoring the strip to the fill at the first location and at the second location while keeping the strip under tension.
US09631335B2
A pile head for a screw pile having a top end and a longitudinal axis is provided. The pile head comprises a mounting portion engaging the pile and an extendable portion movably mounted to the mounting portion. The extendable portion is movable relative to the mounting portion, along the longitudinal axis. A first fastening means is used to removably fasten the mounting portion of the pile head to the top end of the pile and preventing unwanted movement of the pile head relative to the pile, along the longitudinal axis. A screw pile, a removable helical member and a body extension for a screw pile are also provided.
US09631334B2
A mobile marine barrier (1) comprising a base (2) and a hood (8) located at a distal end thereof is described. The hood (6) comprises a funnel (15) and a distal surface (18) located therein which allows the hood (6) to morph its shape, size and strength so as to give adaptable coastal protection against naturally occurring events. This is achieved by incorporating a telescopic funnel such that the length of the hood (6) and thus the area of its open end can be altered so as to vary the quantity of water directed towards the distal surface (18). The hood (16) may also comprise a mobile face (17) that forms part of variable volume chamber (26) located within the hood (8) which can be filled and emptied with fluids.
US09631329B2
A slipform paving machine includes a laser source for generating a laser reference plane. At least two laser receivers are mounted on the machine and intersect the laser reference plane. Inputs from the laser receivers are utilized to control distortion of the frame of the slipform paver machine.
US09631323B2
Fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products comprising fibrous structure, and more particularly to fibrous structures comprising pulp fibers, wherein the fibrous structures exhibit unique elongation (stretch) and total foreshortening properties, and methods for making such fibrous structures.
US09631318B2
A printable recording media having a weight that is below 75 gsm and that contains a blend of hardwood and softwood fibers, wherein the total fiber content is at least 80 wt % of the total weight of the recording media; and a polymeric-modified pigment carbon black in an amount representing from about 0.02 wt % to about 1 wt % of the total weight of the recording media. Also disclosed herein are methods for making the printable recording media and a printing method using the printable recording media.
US09631309B2
An embroidery sewing machine having a function of fixing an interliner and a material by basting, and capable of performing embroidery sewing based on embroidery sewing data includes: a basting area accepting unit configured to perform an assisting operation for a user so as to allow the user to specify an area for basting according to a size of a material, and to accept the specification of the area for basting; a basting data generating unit configured to generate basting data according to the area accepted by the basting area accepting unit; and a basting executing unit configured to perform basting based on the basting data generated by the basting data generating unit.
US09631302B1
A knitting machine includes a base unit, a plurality of transmission mechanisms, a plurality of spool stands, a collecting mechanism, a driving device and a microcomputer control unit. Each of the transmission mechanisms includes a plurality of driving gears and a plurality of blades. Each of the spool stands is provided with a spool. The collecting mechanism includes a plurality of hubs each provided with a convergent holding device. When the transmission mechanisms are driven, the spool of each of the spool stands is disposed at an operation state. The collecting mechanism collects and guides the lines of the spool of each of the spool stands to perform a knitting work so as to form rope belts. Thus, the rope belts present a thick-and-thin alternating mode, a multi-layer mode or a three-dimensional mode.
US09631300B2
A device for pneumatically conveying and guiding a multifilament thread has a closed conveying channel which has a thread inlet opening at one end and a thread outlet opening at the opposite end. An injector zone having at least one compressed air channel which opens into the conveying channel is formed between the thread inlet opening and the thread outlet opening, wherein the compressed air channel can be connected to a compressed air source. In order to avoid blowing air from flowing back from the injector zone at the thread inlet opening, a return flow channel is formed in a channel section of the conveying channel between the thread inlet opening and the opening of the compressed air channel, which return flow channel connects the conveying channel to ambient atmosphere.
US09631299B2
A textile machine, especially a spinning machine or winding machine, has numerous identical workstations arranged beside one another along a longitudinal side, with numerous maintenance devices movable along the workstations for servicing the workstations, and with a control and communication system. The maintenance devices are connected to a bus topology component through a maintenance device bus line, in which case at least some of the bus topology components are connected to the control and communication system with a common bus line. The bus topology components are arranged in a middle area of the textile machine, in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the textile machine.
US09631292B2
A composition comprising a source of metal ions and at least one polyaminoamide, said polyaminoamide comprising amide and amine functional groups in the polymeric backbone and aromatic moieties attached to or located within said polymeric backbone.
US09631290B2
Uranic and transuranic metals and metal oxides are first dissolved in ozone compositions. The resulting solution in ozone can be further dissolved in ionic liquids to form a second solution. The metals in the second solution are then electrochemically deposited from the second solutions as room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), tri-methyl-n-butyl ammonium n-bis(trifluoromethansulfonylimide) [Me3NnBu][TFSI] providing an alternative non-aqueous system for the extraction and reclamation of actinides from reprocessed fuel materials. Deposition of U metal is achieved using TFSI complexes of U(III) and U(IV) containing the anion common to the RTIL. TFSI complexes of uranium were produced to ensure solubility of the species in the ionic liquid. The methods provide a first measure of the thermodynamic properties of U metal deposition using Uranium complexes with different oxidation states from RTIL solution at room temperature.
US09631287B2
The invention relates to methods and facility systems (100) for providing storable and transportable carbon-based energy carriers (108) by application of carbon dioxide (101) as a carbon supplier and by application of electric energy (E1, E2). The facility system (100) comprises a plant (300, 301; 400) for providing a first portion of energy in the form of direct current energy (E1) from renewable energy sources. In addition, a power supplies facility (501) is provided for tying the facility system (100) to a mixed network (500), wherein the power supplies facility (501) produces a second portion of energy in the form of direct current energy (E2) from an alternating current voltage of the mixed network (500). A device (102, 105) is adapted to provide hydrogen (103), wherein a part of the energy requirement of this device (102, 105) is covered by said first portion of energy and another part is covered by said second portion of energy. A carbon dioxide supply serves for introducing carbon dioxide (101) and a reaction area (106) is provided for producing a hydrocarbon, preferably methanol (108).
US09631286B2
The present invention relates to a reversible electrochemical cell, such as an electrolysis cell for water splitting or for conversion of carbon dioxide and water into fuel. The present invention relates also to an electrochemical cell that when operated in reverse performs as a fuel cell. The electrochemical cell comprises gas5 diffusion electrodes and a porous layer made of materials and having a structure adapted to allow for a temperature range of operation between 100-374° C. and in a pressure range between 3-200 bars.
US09631260B2
A shear plane ratio is reduced by a dislocation density in which a value obtained by dividing the half-value width p of the intensity of diffraction of {311} plane in the surface of a Cu—Fe—P alloy sheet, by its peak height H, is 0.015 or more. In addition, a Cu—Fe—P alloy sheet with relatively small Fe content is provided with a texture in which a ratio (I (200) /I (220)) of intensity of diffraction of (1 (200)) from the (200) plane in the sheet surface to intensity of diffraction of (I (220)) from the (220) plane, is 0.3 or less. In addition, a Cu—Fe—P alloy sheet with relatively small Fe content is provided with a texture in which the orientation distribution density of Brass orientation measured by the crystal orientation analysis method using an EBSP by an FE-SEM, is 25% or more; and an average grain size in the sheet is 6.0 μm or less.
US09631253B2
The present invention refers to an effective method for minimizing the problems of iron ore pellet degradation by weathering during their stockpiling, i.e., by providing an appropriate method for improving the state of the art with regard to iron ore pellet resistance related just to the hydration process of the slag phase. Thus, in order to minimize hydration in the slag phase, stabilizers are introduced into the mixture used to produce iron ore pellets prior to being heat-treated.
US09631246B2
The present invention relates to methods of processing lignocellulosic material to obtain hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose and other high-value products. Also provided are hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose, and other high-value products.
US09631244B2
A method of providing a droplet comprising one or more reagents, the method comprising, depositing a first aqueous droplet comprising the one or more reagents on a surface; drying the droplet to yield a dried composition on the surface comprising the one or more reagents; covering the dried composition with oil; and causing a second aqueous droplet in the oil to contact the dried composition and thereby resuspend one or more reagents.
US09631241B2
Described herein are non-invasive methods, kits and means for diagnosing and/or prognosing of colon cancer a body fluid sample from a subject. Further described herein are sets of polynucleotides or sets of primer pairs for detecting sets of miRNAs for diagnosing and/or prognosing of colon cancer in a body fluid sample from a subject. In addition, described herein are sets of miRNAs for diagnosing and/or prognosing of colon cancer in a body fluid sample from a subject.
US09631237B2
The present invention relates to a method for monitoring, diagnosis and/or prognosis of hypoxia related disorders using NFAT5. The invention further comprises a diagnostic kit for determining the presence and/or level of NFAT5.
US09631236B2
The present invention is based in part on the discovery of a panel of miRs whose levels are increased or decreased in the circulation of chronic systolic HF patients. Accordingly, an extensive panel of miRs was screened in the sera of stable chronic systolic HF patients and the results were compared to an age, gender and ethnically matched control group.
US09631232B2
This disclosure concerns the isolation of nucleic acids (e.g., genomic DNA) from plant seed material that has been defatted. In some embodiments, such nucleic acids are of sufficient quality and abundance that they may be used in an amplification-based genetic analysis technique; for example and without limitation, to make selections in a plant breeding program.
US09631214B2
The invention relates to a method for linking at least two target nucleic acid molecules from a single biological compartment, comprising the steps of isolating a fraction from a sample, wherein the fraction comprises the compartment comprising at least two nucleic acid molecules, diluting the fraction and aliquoting the dilution in multiple separate reaction vessels such that each reaction vessel comprises preferably one compartment, or encapsulating the compartment in emulsion droplets such that each droplet comprises preferably one compartment; linking the at least two target nucleic acid molecules, preferably by overlap extension PCR. The method may be employed in the analysis of mutations present in a single cell and in the production of antibodies which are present in a single hybridoma.
US09631200B2
The invention relates to a pathogen-inducible synthetic promoter which is suitable for regulating the transcription of a nucleic acid, and includes a minimal promoter, characterized in that the minimal promoter includes a sequence motif a) dbrmwa or b) twcccmt which is disposed downstream from a TATA region and in front of a transcription starting point which is located on the minimal promoter and at which transcription of the nucleic acid to be regulated starts.
US09631193B2
The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the ALAS1 gene, and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to alter (e.g., inhibit) expression of ALAS1.
US09631187B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for correction and/or mutation of genes associated with Parkinson's Disease as well as clones and animals derived therefrom.
US09631175B2
A method of generating neural and glial cells is provided. The method comprising growing human stem cells under conditions which induce differentiation of said human stem cells into the neural and glial cells, said conditions comprising the presence of retinoic acid and an agent capable of down-regulating Bone Morphogenic Protein activity.
US09631171B2
Methods and systems for fabricating a micro-structured biomaterial include printing a three-dimensional structure using polymerizing radiation modulated by a digital micromirror array to project microstructure patterns into a pre-polymer material to form one or more porous scaffold sheets. The microstructure patterns have a unit-cell geometry that exhibits a negative Poisson ratio that is tunable in magnitude.
US09631167B2
Disclosed herein are dynamic multi-organ plates comprising two or more wells, wherein the wells are configured for cell or tissue culture growth; at least one transwell tube in fluid communication with the two or more wells; and a pump in fluid communication with the at least one transwell tube.
US09631164B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides with lipase activity, selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4; (b) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under low stringency conditions, medium stringency conditions, medium-high stringency conditions, high stringency conditions, or very high stringency conditions with (i) SEQ ID NO: 3 or the full-length complement of (i); (c) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide having at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3; (d) a polypeptide which is a variant of SEQ ID NO: 4 comprising a substitution, deletion, and/or insertion at one or more (e.g. several) positions; and (e) a polypeptide which is a fragment of any of the polypeptides of (a), (b), (c) or (d). The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the polypeptides.
US09631155B2
A biomass processing system produces charcoal briquettes in a closed loop system. The system includes a first and second torrefaction/drying augers drying green raw sawdust and providing the dried material to a carbonizing auger. Charcoal released from the carbonizing auger is formed into charcoal briquettes. Process gas created during the charcoal production is used to provide heat required by the process.
US09631150B2
Embodiments herein relate to a process flow scheme for the processing of gas oils and especially reactive gas oils produced by thermal cracking of residua using a split flow concept. The split flow concepts disclosed allow optimization of the hydrocracking reactor seventies and thereby take advantage of the different reactivities of thermally cracked gas oils versus those of virgin gas oils. This results in a lower cost facility for producing base oils as well as diesel, kerosene and gasoline fuels while achieving high conversions and high catalyst lives.
US09631144B2
A liquid flame retardant composition which comprises one or more flame retarding agents, which are the epoxides obtainable by reacting tetrabromobisphenol A with epichlorohydrin and their end-capped derivatives represented by Formula (1) is provided. The liquid composition is especially useful in the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams.
US09631127B2
Pressure-sensitive adhesive material for encasing an electronic arrangement to prevent permeate, which material comprises at least 70 percent by weight of a mixture of at least one fluorine-containing thermoplastic elastomer and at least one fluorine-containing liquid elastomer, wherein the mass ratio of the fluorine-containing liquid elastomer to the fluorine-containing thermoplastic elastomer is between 5:95 to 55:45.
US09631126B2
The disclosure provides pressure-sensitive adhesives and adhesive sealants prepared from alkoxysilane modified, crosslinked isobutylene copolymers, and tape articles prepared therefrom. The adhesive is particularly useful in bonding optical displays.
US09631123B2
The adhesive sheet wound into a roll includes: a long release film; an adhesive layer provided in a label form on the release film; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive film having a label part covering the adhesive layer and provided so as to be in contact with the release film around the adhesive layer and a peripheral part surrounding an outside of the label part, wherein a through hole penetrating the pressure-sensitive adhesive film is provided outside a portion corresponding to a part of the adhesive layer intended to be attached to an adherend and inside the label part, and wherein outer circumference of the adhesive layer× 1/43≦maximum width of the through hole×number of the through holes per label part of the pressure-sensitive adhesive film≦outer circumference of the adhesive layer is satisfied.
US09631118B2
Disclosed is an anti-bacterial and anti-fingerprint coating composition for forming a multi-functional coating layer having both anti-bacterial functions and anti-fingerprint functions on surfaces of touchscreens provided in portable terminals such as cellular phones, of panels or the like, provided in display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or plasma display panels (PDPs), by a dry deposition method.
US09631115B2
The present invention provides a coating composition, a process for producing the same, one or more coating layers derived therefrom, and articles comprising one or more such coating layers. The coating composition according to the present invention comprises: (a) from 10 to 90 percent by weight of an aqueous, high-solid, solvent-free alkyd dispersion comprising: (i) from 40 to 70 percent by weight of one or more alkyds based on the total weight of the dispersion, wherein each said one or more alkyds has an acid value of less than 20 and a molecular weight (Mn) in the range of greater than 1000 Dalton; (ii) from less than 10 percent by weight of one or more surfactants, based on the total weight of the dispersion; and (iii) from 30 to 55 percent by weight of water, based on the total weight of the dispersion; wherein said aqueous, high-solid, solvent-free alkyd dispersion has an average particle size diameter in the range of from 0.05 to 5 μm; (b) from 10 to 90 one or more second dispersions, one or more second emulsions, or combinations thereof; wherein said coating composition has a solid content of in the range of from 25 to 65 percent by weight of solid content, based on the total weight of the coating composition, and the coating composition has a pH in the range of from 7 to 11, and wherein the coating composition has a volume average particle size in the range of from 0.03 to 5 μm, and wherein the coating composition has a viscosity in the range of from 100 to 10,000 cP.
US09631112B2
Described are nonaqueous coating material compositions comprising (A) at least one polyhydroxyl group-containing compound, (B) at least one polyisocyanate group-containing compound having free or blocked isocyanate groups, (D) at least one amine-blocked phosphoric acid or phosphonic acid compound as a catalyst and (S) at least one monomeric aromatic optionally substituted carboxylic acid whose carboxyl group is in conjugation with a π-electron system, wherein the component (B) comprises at least one structural unit —NR—(X—SiR″x(OR′)3−x) (II), and/or at least one structural unit —N(X—SiR″x(OR′)3−x)n(X′—SiR″y(OR′)3−y)m (III). Also described are multistage coating methods, and use of the coating material compositions.
US09631110B2
Polymeric compositions suitable for use as insulation materials in electrical applications. Such polymeric compositions comprise an ethylene/α-olefin-based elastomer and a filler, where the filler consists essentially of an amorphous silica. Such polymeric compositions can optionally further comprise an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer. Also disclosed are coated conductors comprising such polymeric compositions as insulation materials.
US09631105B2
A metal electrode assembly for fuel cell applications includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and an ion-conducting membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The cathode catalyst layer or the anode layer each independently including a catalyst composition and a first polymer wherein at least one of the cathode catalyst layer or the anode layer include a first polymer and polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures. A method for making a fuel cell catalyst layer is also provided.
US09631088B2
A composite pavement structure comprises a wearing course layer and a base course layer disposed below the wearing course layer. The wearing course layer comprises aggregate, e.g. glass and rock, and an elastomeric composition. The elastomeric composition comprises the reaction product of an isocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive component. The isocyanate component comprises a polymeric isocyanate, and optionally, an isocyanate-prepolymer. The isocyanate-reactive component comprises a hydrophobic polyol and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups and a molecular weight of from about 62 to about 220. The chain extender is present in the isocyanate-reactive component in an amount of from about 1 to about 20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the isocyanate-reactive component. The base course layer comprises aggregate which is the same or different than the aggregate of the wearing course layer. Methods of forming the composite pavement structure are also disclosed.
US09631075B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition for tire which has less performance change with respect to a temperature change at a high temperature region and has less performance change with respect to a road surface change from a wet road surface to a dry road surface, and a tire which has a tire member composed of the rubber composition for tire. The rubber composition for tire of the present invention is a rubber composition for tire in which a complex modulus G*50° C. and a complex modulus G*100° C. satisfy the following formula (1): G*100° C./G*50° C.>0.85, an elongation at break EB23° C. and a loss tangent tanδ50° C. is not less than 0.12. The present invention also refers to a tire which has a tire member composed of the rubber composition for tire.
US09631073B2
In an embodiment, a natural rubber-based ABS—target polymer blend includes natural rubber-based ABS powder combined with a set of target polymers (e.g., polycarbonate (PC)). A natural rubber-based ABS powder production process includes producing grafted natural rubber; and mixing the grafted natural rubber with a set of grafted polybutadiene rubbers. The set of grafted polybutadiene rubbers includes at least one grafted polybutadiene rubber having a particle size that is significantly different than the grafted natural rubber particle size. In an embodiment, the grafted natural rubber exhibits a large particle size; a first grafted polybutadiene rubber exhibits a small particle size; and a second grafted polybutadiene rubber exhibits a medium particle size between the large and small particle sizes. Natural rubber-based ABS—target polymer blends in accordance with the present disclosure can exhibit generally equivalent or increased impact and/or tensile strength compared to other non-natural or synthetic rubber-based ABS blends.
US09631070B2
Fillers are proposed, with the exception of layered silicates, which have a surface coating, which comprises a water-soluble polyamide or multiple water-soluble polyamides, wherein at least one of these water-soluble polyamides is produced by polycondensation from monomer components, which comprise at least one dicarboxylic acid and at least one selected ether diamine, preferably having linear oxypropyl amino end groups. Fillers coated in this manner are suitable for use in the production of filled and/or reinforced thermoplastic plastics molding materials. Thermoplastic plastics molding materials which contain fillers having such a surface coating have good mechanical properties and few emissions (low outgassing).
US09631065B2
Methods of forming microelectronic packaging structures and associated structures formed thereby are described. Those methods and structures may include forming a wafer level underfill (WLUF) material comprising a resin material, and adding at least one of a UV absorber, a sterically hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS), an organic surface protectant (OSP), and a fluxing agent to form the WLUF material. The WLUF is then applied to a top surface of a wafer comprising a plurality of die.
US09631063B2
Composition and method for making a flexible packaging film having highly loaded with at least one inorganic filler. A blown HDPE film comprising at least 50% by weight inorganic filler is oriented in the machine direction to increase yield and tensile strength, and reduce gauge variation to improve print qualities.
US09631045B2
Disclosed are polycarbodiimides having onium salt groups, as well as methods for their production.
US09631041B2
Disclosed herein are compounds comprising a polymer conjugated with a pH-sensitive prodrug of beta-lapachone, wherein the compound is capable of forming a micelle, and wherein the pH-sensitive prodrug comprises a pH-sensitive linker selected from the group consisting of: an aryl imine and an aliphatic imine. Also provided are micelles comprised of such polymer-prodrug conjugates. Further provided are methods for treating cancer with the micelles.
US09631038B2
A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.
US09631034B2
Disclosed is a metallocene catalyst composition for polyolefin polymerization. The metallocene catalyst composition is in a non-supported, heterogeneous form where an ansa-metallocene is bound to a cocatalyst without a support. Also, a method for preparing the catalyst composition, and a method for preparing polyolefin using the catalyst are disclosed. Capable of readily controlling microstructures of olefin polymers in addition to having high catalytic activity, the non-supported heterogeneous catalyst composition can be applied to the preparation of polyolefin polymers at high yield without altering preexisting processes.
US09631018B2
The present invention relates to a novel regulatory T cell protein. This protein, designated PD-L3 OR VISTA resembles members of the PD-L1 family, identified a novel and structurally-distinct, Ig-superfamily inhibitory ligand, whose extracellular domain bears homology to the B7 family ligand PD-L1. This molecule is designated as PD-L3 OR VISTA or V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppressor of T cell Activation (VISTA). Expression of VISTA is primarily within the hematopoietic compartment and is highly regulated on myeloid APCs and T cells. Therapeutic intervention of the VISTA inhibitory pathway represents a novel approach to modulate T cell-mediated immunity for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers, e.g., ovarian, bladder cancer and melanomas. Also, VISTA proteins, especially multimeric VISTA proteins and antibodies may be used to suppress T cell immunity in autoimmune disease, allergy, infection and inflammatory conditions, e.g. multiple sclerosis and arthritic conditions such as RA.
US09631017B2
The present invention provides Fab libraries and methods for using the Fab libraries to obtain antibodies against a target. The Fab library of the invention contains at least 109 different Fabs, and in some embodiments, at least 1010 different Fabs. The Fab libraries of the invention are used to isolate polyclonal or monoclonal Fabs that bind with high specificity to targets.
US09631014B2
Disclosed is a method of diagnosing graft-versus-host disease, comprising measuring the level of CCL8 protein in a sample obtained from a subject as an indicator for the diagnosis or course of graft-versus-host disease. Also a diagnostic reagent for graft-versus-host disease comprising an anti-CCL8 antibody is disclosed. The method of the present invention enables diagnosis of the onset of graft-versus-host disease and monitoring of the progress, in particular, differential diagnosis between graft-versus-host disease and an infectious disease. The present invention also provides a method for treating graft-versus-host disease utilizing the anti-CCL8 antibody.
US09631012B2
The present invention provides an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, that binds to TM4SF5, and uses thereof. The antibody of this invention inhibits the growth, metastasis and invasion of cancer cells expressing TM4SF5 by binding to a tumor-specific antigen, TM4SF5, with high affinity, and therefore can be used to diagnose, prevent or treat various cancers expressing TM4SF5.
US09631011B2
The present invention relates to a Gremlin-1 antibody that inhibits Gremlin-1 in a manner independent of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), thus providing the effect of treating cancer. The antibody of the present invention inhibits cell migration, cell invasion and cell proliferation which are dependent on Gremlin-1, and therefore, can be effectively used in treating cancer or immune disease.
US09631010B2
An aflatoxin nanobody immunoabsorbent and immunoaffinity column and preparation method and use thereof. The immunoabsorbent comprises a solid phase carrier and aflatoxin B1 nanobody 2014AFB-G15 coupled with the solid phase carrier. The 50% inhibiting concentration IC50 of aflatoxin B1 nanobody 2014AFB-G15 to aflatoxin B1 is 0.66 ng/mL, and the cross-reactivity of aflatoxin B1 nanobody 2014AFB-G15 to aflatoxins B2, G1, G2, and M1 are respectively 22.6%, 10.95%, 32.1% and 26%. The amino acid sequence of aflatoxin B1 nanobody 2014AFB-G15 is as depicted by SEQ ID NO: 7, and the coding gene sequence thereof is as depicted by SEQ ID NO: 8. The aflatoxin nanobody immunoaffinity column can be used for purification and concentration of sample extract prior to computer testing, and the immunoaffinity column can be reused repeatedly.
US09631008B2
The current invention reports a method for purifying an immunoglobulin, wherein the method comprises applying an aqueous, buffered solution comprising an immunoglobulin in monomeric, in aggregated, and in fragmented form to an anion exchange chromatography material under conditions whereby the immunoglobulin in monomeric form does not bind to the anion exchange material, and recovering the immunoglobulin in monomeric form in the flow-through from the anion exchange chromatography material, whereby the buffered aqueous solution has a pH value of from 8.0 to 8.5. In one embodiment the anion exchange chromatography material is a membrane anion exchange chromatography material.
US09631006B2
The present invention provides methods for inhibiting interleukin-3 receptor-expressing cells, and, in particular, inhibiting the growth of such cells by using a diphtheria toxin-human interleukin-3 conjugate (DT-IL3) that is toxic to cells expressing the interleukin-3 receptor. In preferred embodiments, the DT-IL3 conjugate is a fusion protein comprising amino acids 1-388 of diphtheria toxin fused via a peptide linker to full-length, human interleukin-3. In certain embodiments, the methods of the present invention relate to the administration of a DT-IL3 conjugate to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and/or cancer stem cells in humans, which cells express one or more subunits of the interleukin-3 receptor. Exemplary cells include myeloid leukemia cancer stem cells. In other embodiments, the methods of the present invention relate to ex vivo purging of bone marrow or peripheral blood to remove cells that express one or more subunits of the interleukin-3 receptor such that the purged bone marrow or peripheral blood is suitable, e.g., for autologous stem cell transplantation to restore hematopoietic function.
US09631002B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for the production of vitamin K dependent proteins.
US09631001B2
The invention relates to a new group of snake venom basic protease inhibitors having vasopressin-2 receptor antagonist activity that can be used in therapy, diagnosis, medical imaging, drug screening and research.
US09631000B2
Isolated polynucleotides are provided. Each of the isolated polynucleotides comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NOs:130-258 and 536-791, wherein the polypeptide is capable of regulating cotton fiber development. Also provided are methods of using such polynucleotides for improving fiber quality and/or yield of a fiber producing plant, as well as methods of using such polynucleotides for producing plants having increased biomass/vigor/yield.
US09630996B2
The present invention relates to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) matrix (M) protein mutants. One mutant M protein includes a glycine changed to a glutamic acid at position (21), a leucine changed to a phenylalanine at position (111) and a methionine changed to an arginine at position (51). Another M protein mutant includes a glycine changed to a glutamic acid at position (22) and a methionine changed to an arginine at positions (48) and (51). Yet another VSV M protein mutant includes a glycine changed to a glutamic acid at position (22), a leucine changed to a phenylalanine at position (110) and a methionine changed to an arginine at positions (48) and (51). The present invention is directed also to recombinant VSVs (rVSV) having these M mutants and to vaccines based on the rVSV having the M mutants of the present invention. These new rVSVs having the mutant M were significantly attenuated and lost virulence, including neurovirulence, and are capable of inducing an immune responses against an antigen of interest. In addition, a rVSV serotype Indiana having the first described M mutant is capable of efficient replication at 31° C., and of poor replication or incapable of replication at about 37° C. or higher.
US09630995B2
Native Tat, when administered to patients with HIV infection, or who are otherwise immunocompromised, is capable of restoring immune functions so as to recognize recall antigens, and to inhibit replication and key signs of HIV disease and other persistent infections and/or their progression.
US09630991B2
There is described a material comprising tapes, ribbons, fibrils or fibers characterized in that each of the ribbons, fibrils or fibers have an antiparallel arrangement of peptides in a β-sheet tape-like substructure.
US09630986B2
Neuroactive 19-alkoxy-17-substituted steroids, prodrugs thereof, and methods of treatment using same
The present disclosure is generally directed to neuroactive 19-alkoxy-17-substituted steroids as referenced herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for use as, for example, an anesthetic, and/or in the treatment of disorders relating to GABA function and activity. The present disclosure is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.
US09630984B2
The present description discloses a novel biologically active ingredient of manuka honey. Specially, the present description discloses a compound represented by the following formula. In this formula, each of R1, R2 and R3 independently represents a hydrogen atom or optionally substituted C1-4 alkyl group, m represents an integer from 1 to 3, each of R4-m, R5-m and R6-m independently represents a hydrogen atom or optionally substituted C1-4 alkyl group, and each of R7, R8, R9 and R10 independently represents a hydrogen atom or optionally substituted C1-4 alkyl group.
US09630979B2
Provided herein are compounds which mediate the activity of monoacyglycerol lipase (MAGL). Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound provided herein, and methods for treating, preventing and/or managing a MAGL mediated condition using a compound or pharmaceutical composition as provided herein.
US09630977B2
The present invention relates to novel cephalosporin derivatives represented by X, Y, L, R1, and R2 are as same as defined in the description of the invention. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical antibiotic compositions comprising a novel celphalosporin derivative represented by Chemical Formula 1, a prodrug thereof, a hydrate thereof, a solvate thereof, an isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an effective ingredient. According to the present invention, novel cephalosporin derivatives, a prodrug thereof, a hydrate thereof, a solvate thereof, an isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an effective ingredient for the broad spectrum of antibiotic resistant, low toxicity, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria, which can be useful with strong antimicrobial activity.
US09630969B2
An N-alkyl tryptanthrin derivative, a preparation method for same, and an application thereof are provided. The structure of the derivative is as represented by formula I. The N-alkyl tryptanthrin derivative can serve as a highly active IDO inhibitor, for use in preparing a medicament for prevention and/or treatment of a disease having a pathological characteristic of an IDO-mediated tryptophan metabolic pathway.
US09630963B2
Compounds that are Fibroblast Growth Factor Inhibitors (FGFR) and are therefore useful for the treatment of diseases treatable by inhibition of FGFR are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and processes for preparing such compounds.
US09630959B2
The disclosure relates to Compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, where R1, R4, R8, R9, and m are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, and methods for treating or preventing a condition such as pain, pain associated with osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis, UI, an ulcer, IBD, and IBS, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a Compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.
US09630957B2
Provided are a compound of formula I which can be used as a drug against small RNA virus infections, and optical isomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or hydrates thereof. Also provided are the preparation method of the compound, the method for using the compound for treating bacterial infections and the use of the compound in the preparation of a drug for preventing and/or treating viral diseases caused by small RNA viruses.
US09630956B2
The present invention relates to pyrazine and pyridine compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.The compounds of this invention have formula I: wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US09630951B2
Compounds of formula I and a method for their preparation are described: where R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and signify hydrogens, halogens, alkyl, nitro, amino, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylamino or dialkylamino group; R4 signifies -alkyl-aryl or -alkyl-heteroaryl; X signifies CH2, oxygen atom or sulphur atom; n is 2 or 3; including the individual (R)- and (S)-enantiomers or mixtures of enantiomers thereof; and including pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof. The compounds have potentially valuable pharmaceutical properties for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension and chronic heart failure.
US09630941B2
Suppository, hot melt and ophthalmic formulations containing amino esters of the formulae (I), (II) and (III), where R1, R2 and R3 are residues of amino acids such as, but not limited to, valine, sarcosine, leucine, glutamine, tryptophan, tyrosine, alanine and 4(4-aminophenyl)butyric acid or combination thereof, and salts thereof.
US09630938B2
The present invention provides an efficient method of synthesizing and purifying dianhydrohexitols such as dianhydrogalactitol. In general, as applied to dianhydrogalactitol, the method comprises: (1) reacting dulcitol with a concentrated solution of hydrobromic acid at a temperature of about 80° C. to produce dibromogalactitol; (2) reacting the dibromogalactitol with potassium carbonate in t-butanol to produce dianhydrogalactitol; and (3) purifying the dianhydrogalactitol using a slurry of ethyl ether to produce purified dianhydrogalactitol. Another method produces dianhydrogalactitol from dulcitol; this method comprises: (1) reacting dulcitol with a reactant to convert the 1,6-hydroxy groups of dulcitol to an effective leaving group to generate an intermediate; and (2) reacting the intermediate with an inorganic weak base to produce dianhydrogalactitol through an intramolecular SN2 reaction. Other methods for the synthesis of dianhydrogalactitol from dulcitol are described.
US09630934B2
Fumarate compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fumarate compounds, and methods of using fumarate compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for treating neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, irritable bowel disorder, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are disclosed.
US09630927B2
A method is provided. The method includes: assigning a buffer to a first wafer lot comprising a plurality of wafers according to a first trigger event associated with an equipment; and assigning a transporter to a second wafer lot comprising a plurality of wafers according to a second trigger event associated with the equipment.
US09630922B2
The present invention is directed to inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) such as HDAC6, and their use in the treatment of diseases such as cell proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer), neurological (e.g., neurodegenerative disease or neurodevelopmental disease), inflammatory or autoimmune disease, infection, metabolic disease, hematologic disease, or cardiovascular disease.
US09630912B2
A structural formula of a shikonin naphthazarin parent nucleus hydroxyl methylation carbonyl oxime derivative is shown in Formula (I) or (II); a structural formula of an alkannin naphthazarin parent nucleus hydroxyl methylation carbonyl oxime derivative is shown in Formula (III) or (IV); and a structural formula of a racemic shikonin naphthazarin parent nucleus hydroxyl methylation carbonyl oxime derivative is shown in Formula (V) or (VI), wherein R1 is alkane, olefin, arene, or substituting arene comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R2 is alkane, olefin, arene, or substituting arene comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms or is H. The shikonin, alkannin, and racemic oxime derivatives of the present invention have novel structures, and in-vitro experiments show that the present invention has good growth inhibitory activity against tumor cells and can be used in tumor treatment.
US09630905B2
Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I): A-X—Y—Z—R1 (I), or a salt thereof, wherein A, X, Y, Z and R1 have any of the values defined in the specification, and methods of use thereof. For example, certain embodiments of the invention provide a method for inhibiting atherosclerosis or atherosclerotic development in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09630901B2
Bio-based glacial acrylic acid, produced from hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof and having impurities of hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof, is polymerized to poly(acrylic acid) or superabsorbent polymer using the same processes as petroleum-derived glacial acrylic acid.
US09630900B2
The invention relates to a process for dehydrating aqueous 3-hydroxypropionic acid to acrylic acid in the liquid phase, wherein aqueous acrylic acid is removed continuously from the liquid phase and the liquid phase comprises an inert organic solvent 1.
US09630899B1
The present disclosure relates to an improved, environmentally friendly, process for producing compounds such as hydroquinone (benzene-1,4-diol) and its derivatives. The process can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure using a recyclable copper catalyst and recyclable intermediate materials. The process generally entails reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with hydrogen peroxide in the present of a pure elemental copper catalyst or a copper (I) salt catalyst to form oxidation product such as benzoquinone, and reducing the compound to hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative.
US09630896B2
The present disclosure provides phenolic compounds useful in the treatment of neurological conditions such as convulsions and tremors, having the structure of Formula (I): wherein R2, R4, & R5, are as defined in the detailed description; pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one of the compounds; and methods for treating neurological conditions.
US09630895B2
A carbon adsorbent adapted for adsorptive storage and subsequent desorptive release of a decomposition-susceptible gas is described. Such carbon adsorbent comprises porosity in which mesopore volume is less than 0.25 cm3/gm of carbon adsorbent, in which the porosity comprises at least 80% by volume micropores, and at least 65% by volume of the micropores have pore diameter in a range of from 0.3 to 0.72 nm. The carbon adsorbent has a nitrogen adsorption BET surface area greater than 800 m2/g of carbon adsorbent, measured at 77° K, and a bulk density that is greater than 0.55 g/cc of carbon adsorbent. The carbon adsorbent can be utilized in gas storage and dispensing packages of varying type, to provide a safe and reliable source of decomposition-susceptible gas, e.g., acetylene for applications such as gas welding/cutting applications, atomic absorption spectroscopy applications, chemical synthesis and microelectronic products manufacturing.
US09630893B2
In the operation of an oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) process, it is desirable to remove oxygen in the product stream for a number of reasons, including to reduce oxidation of the product. This may be achieved by having several pre-reactors upstream of the main reactor having a catalyst system containing labile oxygen. The feed passes through one or more reactors saturated with labile oxygen. When the labile oxygen is consumed through a valve system, the pre-reactor accepts product from the main reactor and complexes reactive oxygen in the product stream until the catalyst system is saturated with labile oxygen. Then the reactor becomes a pre-reactor and another pre-reactor becomes a scavenger.
US09630883B2
A composite material consisting of aluminium oxide as a ceramic matrix and zirconium oxide dispersed therein. A method for the production thereof, components containing the composite and methods of using the same are also provided.
US09630881B2
Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles. Optional further improvement of the heat resistance and environmental resistance of said particles via post-polymerization heat treatment; processes for the manufacture of said particles; and use of said particles in the construction, drilling, completion and/or fracture stimulation of oil and natural gas wells are described.
US09630880B2
A concrete product is produced by providing red dune sand having a particle size of 45 microns or less and mixing the red dune sand with hydraulic cement in a ratio of about 30% of the cement being replaced by the red dune sand. The cement and red dune sand are then mixed with fine and course aggregate, water and a superplasticizer and cast after pouring into a mold cavity. Then within 24 hours of casting, the cast article is steam cured for 12 hours under atmospheric pressure, demolded and placed in an auto clave at 100% humidity. The temperature in the auto clave is raised to 180° C. within one to two hours and maintained at that temperature for 4 to 5 hours. The temperature also increases the pressure to about 10 bars. The pressure is released to reach atmospheric pressure within 20-30 minutes and the temperature reduced gradually, so that the article can be removed.
US09630879B2
The invention relates to a method and a system for producing cement clinker from raw cement mixture, wherein one part of the raw cement mixture is preheated in a calciner preheater, and the other part of the raw cement mixture is preheated in an oven preheater, the preheated raw cement mixture is pre-calcined in a calciner which is operated according to the oxyfuel method, the pre-calcined raw cement mixture is fired in an oven, the fired raw cement mixture is cooled in a cooler, the calciner preheater is operated using exhaust gases of the calciner, the oven preheater is operated using exhaust gases of the oven, an entrained flow reactor is used as the calciner, a part of the calciner exhaust gas being recirculated to the calciner after being used in the calciner preheater, and the oven exhaust gas undergoes a post-combustion CO2 separation.
US09630871B2
The present invention discloses a vacuum glass middle support placing system that includes a glass plate placing station, a middle support placing station, a vacuum sealing station, a pallet and a conveyor. The pallet is directly conveyed by the conveyor to transfer it among the stations and the glass plate is placed on the pallet at the glass plate placing station. The pallet includes a supporting face that is matched with a surface of the glass plate and a glass plate positioning structure. A magnetic attraction surface array made of permanent magnets and corresponding to the middle supports to be placed on the glass plate is arranged on the supporting face.
US09630863B2
A system and method for applying an advanced oxidation process to a UV fluid reactor. An L-shaped electrode is connected to a UV reactor hatch and inserted into the reactor upstream from a UV radiation source.
US09630862B2
A desalination system (1) for producing a distillate from a feed liquid includes: a steam raising device (2) having a liquid section (5) and a steam section (6) which are separated by a membrane system (7); a membrane distillation device (3) having a first steam section (11) and a liquid section (12) which are separated by a wall (14) and having a second steam section (13) which is separated from the liquid section (12) by a membrane system (15); and a heat exchange device (4) having a first liquid section (21) and a second liquid section (22), which are separated by a wall (23).
US09630857B2
System and method for a closed water circulation, comprising: a waterproof, outwardly delimited reservoir for collecting water, whereby a material is included and/or is placed in the reservoir, which is to be treated with water; a collection container, which is basically positioned on or near the bottom of the reservoir, whereby the collection container has at least one opening, through which the water can flow; a water extraction device to extract the water collected in the collection container from the reservoir; a conditioning device, designed to condition for reuse in the system the water extracted from the reservoir, and a recirculation device, designed to drive back into the reservoir the conditioned water.
US09630854B2
The present invention is a silicon carbide powder which is suitable for producing a high-strength silicon carbide sintered body, wherein: the molar ratio between carbon and silicon in a mixture containing a silicon source, a carbon source, and a catalyst is 2.5 or more; and the average particle diameter is 10 μm or more and 25 μm or less.
US09630850B2
A method for making carbon nanotube film includes providing a first patterned carbon nanotube array and a second patterned carbon nanotube array having a predetermined pattern including a rectangle, a first triangle, and a second triangle. A carbon nanotube film is pulled out from a vertex angle of the first triangle of the first patterned carbon nanotube array, until carbon nanotubes of the base side of the second triangle of the first patterned carbon nanotube array are pulled. A carbon nanotube film preform is pulled out from a vertex angle of the first triangle of the second patterned carbon nanotube array and connecting the carbon nanotube film preform to the base side of the second triangle of the first patterned carbon nanotube array. The carbon nanotube film is continuing pulled out.
US09630849B2
A method for transferring a carbon nanotube array is disclosed. The carbon nanotube array has an ability to have a carbon nanotube structure drawn therefrom. The carbon nanotube array is transferred from a growing substrate to a substitute substrate, meanwhile the carbon nanotube array is still configured for drawing the carbon nanotube structure from the substitute substrate. A coating layer is formed on a top end of a carbon nanotube in the carbon nanotube array. The top end is away from the growing substrate. The substitute substrate is placed on the carbon nanotube array and contacted with the coating layer. Thereby the substitute substrate is combined with the carbon nanotube array by the coating layer. The substitute substrate is separated from the growing substrate. Thereby the carbon nanotube array is separated from the growing substrate. A method for making a carbon nanotube structure is also disclosed.
US09630848B2
The method of the present disclosure is directed towards the formation of a three-dimensional carbon structure and includes the steps of adding a radical initiator to an amount of carbon starting material, forming a mixture, placing the mixture in a mold, maintaining the mixture and the mold at an elevated temperature for a period of time to form a thermally cross-linked molded mixture and removing the thermally cross-linked molded mixture from the mold. The disclosure also includes a three-dimensional carbon structure, with that structure including a thermally cross-linked carbon base material in a predetermined formation.
US09630844B2
A hydrometallurgical process is provided for the recovery of tellurium as elemental tellurium powder from copper refinery anode slime containing high amount of lead. The process involves the removal of copper and lead from anode slime followed by the recovery of tellurium as elemental powders. An economical and environment friendly process is provided for producing tellurium from a high lead bearing anode slime as it involves only hydrometallurgical techniques and thereby avoids emission of any polluting gases and has an efficiency of 85 to 90%. The developed process of recovering tellurium as elemental powders from copper refinery anode slime is beneficial in the production of pure tellurium instead of tellurium compounds. It helps raise the profit margin of a non-ferrous metal industry dealing with extraction of copper from ores and treatment of anode slime for the recovery of other metal values.
US09630843B2
The present invention relates to a reactor and to a process for synthesis of hydrogen sulphide from elemental sulphur and hydrogen at elevated pressure and elevated temperature. The invention further relates to the use of the reactor for preparation of hydrogen sulphide in high yield and with a low H2Sx content.
US09630837B1
A structure and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The method includes the following operations. A device substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other is received. A carrier substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to each other is received. An intermediate layer is formed between the third surface of the carrier substrate and the second surface of the device substrate. The second surface of the device substrate is attached to the third surface of the carrier substrate. The device substrate is thinned from the first surface. A device is formed over the first surface of the device substrate. The carrier substrate and the device substrate are patterned from the fourth surface to form a cavity in the carrier substrate, the intermediate layer and the device substrate.
US09630834B2
An assembly of metallic MEMS structures directly fabricated on planarized CMOS substrates, containing the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), by direct deposition and subsequent microfabrication steps on the ASIC interconnect layers, with integrated capping for packaging, is provided. The MEMS structures comprise at least one MEMS device element, with or without moveable parts anchored on the CMOS ASIC wafer with electrical contact provided via the metallic interconnects of the ASIC. The MEMS structures can also be made of metallic alloys, conductive oxides and amorphous semiconductors. The integrated capping, which provides a sealed cavity, is accomplished through bonding pads defined in the post-processing of the CMOS substrate.
US09630832B2
A semiconductor device includes a device substrate and a conductive capping substrate. The device substrate includes at least one micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) device. The conductive capping substrate is bonded to the device substrate and includes a cap portion covering the MEMS device, and a conductor portion in electrical contact with the device substrate.
US09630818B2
A collapsible hoisting device for use in the construction of large metal containers and to a removable accessory applicable thereto. It facilitates construction procedures by reducing project times and costs. The collapsible device includes a column (2) along which respective upper bodies (6) and lower bodies (7) that have been inserted into said column (2) move. The bodies (6, 7) are linked by an extendable means (8). The upper bodies (6) and lower bodies (7) have a corresponding mechanism to lock or attach (9) to the column (2), The column (2) is mounted so that it pivots with respect to a base (1) and the upper body (6) has a housing (609) suitable for the insertion of a removable, fingernail-shaped accessory (12).
US09630817B2
A frictional rope brake that is adjustable to control the rate of descent for it given cargo weight and disengage from the cargo once the cargo has contacted its drop zone is provided. The frictional rope brake includes a braided cage, an inlet collar, an outlet tunnel, and an adjustable tensioner for adjusting frictional forces applied to the rope by the braided cage.
US09630814B2
A system and assembly for providing anti-sway and motion compensation while handling ISO containers in high sea states up to and above sea state four between a lighter or other floating body and a crane ship. The contemplated invention enables the transfer of cargo containers between a container ship and a lighter or other floating body at sea in sea states up to and higher than sea state four by synchronizing the motion of the container and the lighter or floating body.
US09630812B1
A load transfer accessory for a loading apparatus such as a crane. The load transfer accessory is a holding mechanism that reduces unwanted movement in cylindrical cargos. The holding mechanism includes an attachment frame, a receiving member and an indexing clutch. The receiving member includes a curved surface for receiving the cylindrical cargo. The indexing clutch can be adjustably locked by wire rope tension to clock the receiving member in a desired angular orientation for loading operations.
US09630808B2
A missing footstep detection device for a passenger conveyor is installed in a passenger conveyor including a rail formed so as to have a linear portion and a curved portion, installed in a building, footsteps endlessly coupled at a regular interval, guided by the rail, and a roller mounted to each of the footsteps to roll in contact with the rail. The detection device includes a detection member having a first end side and a second end side, that is pivotally supported about a shaft passing through an intermediate portion between the first end side and the second end side and parallel to a direction of a center shaft of rolling of the roller, and is disposed above the linear portion of the rail so that the first end side can make contact with an outer peripheral surface of the roller rolling on an upper surface of the linear portion of the rail, a biasing means to bias the first end side to rotate toward the linear rail beneath the first end side, and a switch provided to transmit a signal in accordance with the rotation of the detection member due to the biasing.
US09630803B2
A dispenser is used for dispensing flexible material from a coil. The dispenser includes a frame, a coil carriage mounted to the frame and a brake/payout assembly mounted to the frame. The frame defines an axis of rotation about which the coil carriage rotates. The coil is securable within the coil carriage for rotation with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly is operably mounted to the frame and is moveable toward and away from the coil carriage. The brake/payout assembly is biased toward the coil carriage for engagement with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly engages the coil carriage to slow rotation of the carriage and includes a nip region through which the flexible material traverses during payout.
US09630802B2
A wire reel is detachably provided in a housing chamber of a binding machine body which binds a reinforcing bar. The wire reel includes a cylindrical hub portion which winds a wire, and a pair of parallel flanges overhanging outward from both external peripheral ends of the hub portions. A side wall inside the hub portion is formed of light-transmitting portions which allow the light from a transmissive photosensor provided in the binding machine body to be transmitted therethrough.
US09630793B2
A sheet conveying device includes: a conveyor configured to convey a sheet; a cover configured to cover the conveyor; a guide spaced apart from the cover; and a movable member mounted on a first member which is one of the cover and the guide. The movable member is pivotable between a first position and a second position and located at the second position when the sheet is being conveyed. The movable member has a free end which is moved toward a second member while the movable member is being pivoted from the second position to the first position about a pivot center. The second member is another of the cover and the guide. The free end is contactable with the second member by an approach of the cover toward the guide when the movable member is located at the first position.
US09630791B2
An image-forming apparatus contains an external feeding tray on which a sheet is put, and a feeding roller and a sheet feeder that feed the sheet from the external feeding tray. A controller of the image-forming apparatus sets a first conveying speed and a second conveying speed that is slower than the first conveying speed, controls the sheet feeder to convey a second sheet, which has a longer length along a conveying direction thereof than the length of the external feeding tray, at the second conveying speed when the controller determines that a rear end of the second sheet projects from the external feeding tray, and hangs down from the external feeding tray based on the sheet information and controls a first sheet, which has a shorter length along a conveying direction thereof than the length of the external feeding tray, at the first conveying speed.
US09630787B2
A system and method provides for a pneumatic tube carrier routing and tracking system having a system control module that captures and presents tracking information associated with sending and receiving carriers. The pneumatic tube carrier tracking system comprises sending and receiving stations connected by pneumatic tubing, and which are configured to securely send carriers, with receiving users optionally being restricted from unauthorized access of carriers. The receiving station further comprises a plurality of receiving bins, each comprising a door for preventing access to the receiving bin by unauthorized users. The sending and receiving stations have identifying tag readers configured to scan identifier tags to read carrier delivery, carrier receipt and receiving user information. Destination and intended recipient information are entered at the sending station when sending a carrier and are transmitted to a system control module, which routably delivers and secures the carriers in response the destination and intended recipient information.
US09630783B2
An aligning and feeding device which accommodates a component including a pair of rectangular end surfaces oppositely facing each other and having a longitudinal direction extending between the end surfaces of the component in a cavity formed in an accommodating member. The component is accommodated in the cavity by aligning a direction of the component such that the longitudinal direction of the component extends parallel to a main surface of the accommodating member.
US09630779B2
An improved conveyor belt is disclosed for conveying granular material through a curvilinear structure at operating incline angles of at least 30 degrees. The belt has a first surface, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, and a plurality of cleat members extending from the first surface of the belt. The cleat members are arranged to cooperate together to form a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart cleat walls during movement of the conveyor belt through the curvilinear structure. In this way, the cleat wall supports at least a portion of the granular material during movement of the conveyor belt through the curvilinear structure. The longitudinal space between subsequent cleat walls is between 4.5 inches and 5.5 inches.
US09630775B2
An apparatus includes a frame configured to hold sample holders in an array, a longitudinal axis of the sample holder extending outward of an array plane; a drive section connected to the frame; at least one transfer arm rotatably connected to the drive section so that each transfer arm rotates about a rotation axis oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and includes a sample holder gripper; and at least one push member movably connected to the drive section and being distinct from the sample holder gripper and configured for linear movement along the longitudinal axis, the at least one push member being configured so that engagement with at least a bottom or top surface of the sample holder effects longitudinal translation of the sample holder for one or more of capture and release of the sample holder by the respective transfer arm in the longitudinal direction.
US09630768B2
The invention relates to a dispensing head for a system for dispensing a product, said head comprising a body which has a well for mounting said head on a tube for the pressurized supply of the product and a recess which is in communication with said well, said recess being provided with an abutment, around which a nozzle is mounted so as to form, at the interface thereof, a path for dispensing the product between said recess and a passage for discharging said product, said head comprising a sheath which is attached around the periphery of the abutment in order to define at least one part of the dispensing path, said sheath being capable of ensuring microbiocidal action on the product contained in said dispensing path.
US09630765B1
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for combining a container with wipes and a deodorant dispenser. The hand held combination deodorant/antiperspirant and moist wipes container can have dual compartments, and can be vertically stacked and joined together by a coupler. The upper compartment can house the deodorant/antiperspirant product, and include an advance mechanism which raises or lowers the contents to dispense. The lower compartment can house wipes. Both compartments can have an opening through which the contents can be accessed and a cover to protect the product. The upper and lower compartments can be configured to release from each other. Alternatively, the compartments can be made inseparable from one another. The invention can be sized in order to attach and detach existing prior art deodorant dispensers from the wiper dispenser housing. Other types of toiletries and healthcare products can be used with the invention.
US09630749B2
The present invention relates to a side gusset bag (1) for packaging a product, with a front bag wall (2), with a rear bag wall (3), with a lower bag end (5) forming a bottom (4), with an upper bag end (6) distant from the lower bag end (5) in vertical direction (V), which upper bag end comprises a bag opening (8) closable by a closure (7), with at least one side gusset (9) extending from the bottom (4) in vertical direction (V), the side gusset connecting the front bag wall (2) with the rear bag wall (3) and forming a side gusset opening (11) at its upper end (10) which faces the upper bag end (6), and with an air-permeable covering tape (12), which covers the entire side gusset opening (11) of the at least one side gusset (9). In order to reduce the risk of oxygen and moisture penetrating into the bag, the invention proposes that at least one first section (13) of the side gusset opening (11) is sealed in an air-tight manner.
US09630744B2
Polygonal sliding packaging having an inner hollow body (3) which slides telescopically within an outer hollow body (2) to form a variable length container which uses a twist-and-push or pull movement for closing and opening. The two hollow bodies are latched using assigned latchways (13-2 to 13-3), which are at least a first row of notches (6, 7) with at least one latch notch (5) disposed on one hollow body (3) and at least a second row of notches (9 through 12) with at least one latch notch (8) disposed on the other hollow body (2). Latchways are disengaged by twisting the two hollow bodies counter to one another about their longitudinal axes so that the latch notches of one latchway (13-3) reside within at least one slideway (14-2, 15-2), which is disposed on one hollow body (2) in a circumferential direction at a distance from the at least one latchway (13-2).
US09630742B2
A corrugated paperboard pallet is produced from two flat blanks which comprise a pallet top and a pallet bottom. The two blanks are each folded to produce only two parallel vertically extending double thickness ribs, three horizontal panels, two vertical side walls and two horizontal flaps. The ribs of the pallet top and pallet bottom lock each other from opening in the center of the pallet by intersecting perpendicularly with notches in the ribs. The horizontal flaps lock the ribs from opening at the edges of the pallet by intersecting perpendicularly with notches, and the vertical sidewalls include vertical flaps that open inward defining fork passages whereby the vertical flaps lock said horizontal flaps from opening.
US09630738B2
A carton for packaging one or more articles includes a plurality of walls including a top wall, a base wall, a first side wall and a second side wall forming a tubular structure. One of the plurality of walls includes a handle structure defined in it. The handle structure includes a grip member struck from one of the plurality of walls and a handle strap. The grip member is mounted on the handle strap. A first aperture is struck from the one of the plurality of walls. The aperture is disposed adjacent to a first end of the grip member so as to define a first end edge of the grip member. The first aperture defines a portion of an opening in the one of the plurality of walls. In the opening, a portion of the handle strap may be received.
US09630737B2
A method of making a one piece, leak proof container for holding and transporting hot melt asphalt. The container is made from a sheet of heavy duty cardboard which is coated on one side, folded and glued to create a leak proof container. The sheet has a series of pre-scored fold lines to allow the sheet to be folded into a container with a leak proof bottom. A series of reinforcing sheets are added to the bottom of the container to provide reinforcement, and to create the leak proof base.
US09630732B2
An apparatus for manufacturing filters and inserting the filters into single dose capsules for preparing beverages comprises a punching and forming device for punching material portions from a sheet material and forming the material portions to assume the form of a beaker-shaped filters, an insertion device arranged in a distance of the punching and forming device along a work flow direction for inserting the formed filters into the capsules, a first transport device (175, 176) for accepting a plurality of formed filters from the punching and forming device and transporting the accepted filters to the insertion device, a second transport device (177) for accepting a plurality of formed filters from the punching and forming device and transporting the accepted filters to the insertion device. The first transport device (175, 176) and the second transport device (177) are movable with respect to each other.
US09630729B2
A system for packaging containers within a flexible container carrier includes a generally continuous string of container carriers arranged with divisible weakened connections between adjacent individual container carriers that is fed through an applicating machine for applying the container carriers to individual containers. A cut-off device is arranged downstream of the applicating machine to selectively accelerate or decelerate the containers to separate the generally continuous string into individual container carriers.
US09630714B1
This disclosure relates to providing flight control for an unmanned aerial vehicle based on tilted optical elements. The UAV may include a housing, a motor, a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a first optical element having a first field of view, a second optical element having a second field of view, and one or more processors. The first optical element and the second optical element may be carried by the housing such that the vertical fields of view above the midline plane of the housing are greater than the vertical fields of view below the midline plane of the housing when the UAV is tilted during flight, and such that portions of the fields of view overlap. Flight control for the UAV may be provided based on parallax disparity of an object within the overlapping fields of view.
US09630713B1
Methods, devices, and systems of various embodiments are disclosed for operating a UAV. Various embodiments include a UAV having a pivotal platform, a tilt assembly, and a processor. The pivotal platform may be configured to selectively tilt relative to a frame of the UAV. The tilt assembly may be configured to change a tilt angle of the pivotal platform. The processor may be coupled to the tilt assembly and configured with processor-executable instructions to determine whether to implement a first change of the tilt angle of the pivotal platform in order to causes a first adjustment of a lift/drag profile of the UAV. The processor may also be configured to activate the tilt assembly to implement the determined first change in the tilt angle of the pivotal platform in response to determining that the first change should be implemented.
US09630704B2
A blade for a fan of a turbomachine, for example of unducted fan type, a corresponding fan, and a corresponding turbomachine. The blade includes a mechanism arranged, at a single location, to locally, as the fan rotates, disturb a distribution of flow around the blade so as to form two independent main vortices downstream.
US09630702B2
An aircraft includes a fuselage, an aircraft propulsion system including an open rotor, and a pylon mounting the propulsion system to the fuselage. The fuselage includes an acoustic panel configured to attenuate noise generated by the open rotor.
US09630697B2
[Problem] To perform an assembling operation easily while attaining improvement in engine efficiency.[Solution] An outboard motor 10 according to the invention includes an upstream side duct 42 which is fixed to an engine upper cover 27, and a downstream side duct 43 which is fixed to an engine 14 side. The upstream side duct 42 includes an exhaust port 52 which is opened at its side face. The downstream side duct 43 includes a downstream side lower duct 59 and a downstream side upper duct 60. In the downstream side lower duct 59, a suction port 61 is provided at a position opposed to the exhaust port 52 and separately at a predetermined distance from the exhaust port 52. In the downstream side upper duct 60, an exhaust port formed toward a throttle body 36 of the engine 14 is provided above the downstream side lower duct 59. The upstream side duct 42 and the downstream side duct 43 are formed so as not to interfere with each other when the engine upper cover 27 is moved vertically.
US09630696B2
According to one embodiment, a shift actuator includes a main body section and a shaft section. The main body section has an electric motor which has a vertically extending rotating shaft, and a gear mechanism which rotates the shaft section in accordance with the rotating shaft. The shaft section has a threaded shaft extending parallel to the rotating shaft and made to rotate by the gear mechanism in accordance with the rotating shaft and a movable nut which is screwed onto the threaded shaft and moves upward or downward with rotation of the threaded shaft. The movable nut is connected with a shift member which changes the gears of a propeller shaft.
US09630690B2
A motorized watercraft is a vehicle that is used to transport a user across the water. The motorized watercraft includes a floating board, a control unit, at least one electrically accessible system, a power source, and at least one conduit stringer. The floating board allows a user to float above the water. The at least one electrically accessible system may include a propulsion system, lights, or other features. The control unit is mounted to the deck of the floating board and is used to regulate the speed of the propulsion system and may be used to control lights which are mounted into the floating board. The power source is used to provide the energy needed for running the propulsion system and the lights. The conduit stringer runs through the floating board, strengthening the floating board and providing a channel through which wiring may run.
US09630688B2
A lateral flex sports board includes an elongated load supporting board having a top major surface, the top major surface configured to support a user, wherein the elongated load supporting board includes a portion that flexes transversely to the top major surface.
US09630682B1
A rope storage system includes a boat that has at least one cleat coupled to the boat. A retracting unit is removably coupled to the at least one cleat. A rope is releasably contained within the retracting unit. The rope is selectively urged outwardly from the retracting unit and the rope may secure the boat to a restraint. The rope is biased into the retracting unit such that the rope is stored within the retracting unit. Thus, the retracting unit reduces a tripping hazard with respect to the rope. A cleat lock is movably coupled to the retracting unit. The cleat lock releasably engages the at least one cleat such that the retracting unit is removably retained on the at least one cleat.
US09630679B2
In a spring leg of a front fork, the capacity of a rebound air spring chamber is expanded and a stable rebound reaction force is ensured, and the spring leg of the front fork is provided with a sub-tank including an air chamber communicating with a rebound air spring chamber.
US09630675B2
An excessive torque restricting mechanism restricts a magnitude of a torque which is to be transmitted from a steering shaft to a connecting mechanism including a tie rod, a magnitude of a torque which is to be transmitted from a left shock absorbing mechanism to the connecting mechanism, and a magnitude of a torque which is to be transmitted from a right shock absorbing mechanism to the connecting mechanism.
US09630666B1
A portable lookout platform is provided with legs which can be moved between raised and lowered positions via a cable and winch system. Pulleys and rollers provide for controlled movement of the legs. A platform is mounted on top of the legs to support a person. The ladder provides access for a person to the platform when the legs are raised. The legs, platform and ladder are mounted on a trailer for transportation.
US09630659B2
A framework structure for a vehicle includes a first frame member that configures part of a framework of the vehicle, a second frame member that is joined to the first frame member to thereby configure the framework having a closed cross-sectional structure, a first reinforcement member made of fiber-reinforced resin that has an engagement portion and is joined to an inner side of the first frame member, and a second reinforcement member made of fiber-reinforced resin that has an engaging portion, and is joined to an inner side of the second frame member. The engaging portion is engaged with the engagement portion, and the second reinforcement member configures, with the first reinforcement member, a reinforcement member having a closed cross-sectional structure.
US09630655B1
A grille carrier for at least partially supporting a vehicle grille during installation is provided. The grille carrier includes a base, first and second walls extending from the base, and a top having an upper surface. The top is supported by a U-shaped support forming part of a stem attached to and extending from the base. The upper surface of the top includes a pair of projections for at least partially supporting the grille during installation. The projections are positioned at different distances away from a centerline each include a base and a head. The base is formed of four walls which are perpendicular to one another in one embodiment, and the head covers the base and forms a lip around its periphery. The lip prevents the partially supported grille from coming off during installation.
US09630653B2
A vehicle body structure includes a sill structure, a roof rail structure, a pillar structure, and a reinforcement member. The roof rail structure has a box section defining a roof rail cavity. The pillar structure has a box section defining a pillar cavity in communication with the roof rail cavity. The reinforcement member extends through the pillar cavity and the roof rail cavity, the reinforcement member having a first end rigidly attached to the sill structure, and a second end terminating in the roof rail cavity.
US09630652B2
A side structure for a vehicle is provided and includes a sill and a header spaced apart from the sill. A pillar outer body extends between the sill and the header and defines an inner channel open toward an interior of the vehicle. An inner cover is attached to the pillar outer body and extends between the sill and the header. The inner cover has a lower cover portion disposed proximate to the sill and formed of a first material having a first ductility and an upper cover portion disposed proximate to the header and formed of a second material having a second ductility less than the first ductility.
US09630651B1
A b-pillar assembly for a vehicle is provided. The b-pillar assembly includes a vehicle body, a steel T-bracket, a carbon fiber b-pillar inner, a b-pillar outer, and a carbon fiber b-pillar reinforcement. The vehicle body includes a roof rail. The steel T-bracket includes a first portion for securing to the roof rail and a second portion extending perpendicularly therefrom and including a hinge member. The carbon fiber b-pillar inner includes a first upper end secured to the first portion of the steel T-bracket and a first lower end secured to a rocker. The b-pillar outer includes a second upper end secured to the roof rail and a second lower end secured to the rocker. The carbon fiber b-pillar reinforcement is disposed between the b-pillar inner and the b-pillar outer. The hinge member is oriented to deform to absorb a portion of a load applied to the roof rail.
US09630641B2
A carrier with a stair climbing aid includes a carrier including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a front surface and a rear surface between the top surface and the bottom surface, at least one guide bar attached to the rear surface, the guide bar having a first end disposed proximate a corner between the bottom surface and the rear surface and a second end at least as high as stair risers of stairs expected to be climbed, at least one elongated member movably attached to the guide bar, and an arrangement for urging a top end of the elongated, member toward the second end of the guide bar.
US09630640B1
An interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly may include a primary cart assembly including a primary support platform configured to support a primary working device and wheels operatively connected to the primary support platform that movably support the primary support platform spaced from a floor and a secondary cart assembly including a secondary support platform configured to support a secondary working device and wheel connected to the secondary platform that moveably support the secondary support platform spaced from the floor. The assembly may further include a lock and release mechanism including a primary lock and release component connected to the primary cart assembly and a secondary lock and release component connected to the secondary cart assembly wherein the secondary lock and release component aligns with the primary lock and release component for locking therewith with the secondary cart assembly positioned on the primary support platform of the primary cart assembly.
US09630636B2
A method and a system for diagnosing one or more rail vehicles, each of which has at least one measuring device for measuring measurement values of at least one measurement variable. The method includes the following steps: measuring measurement values by way of at least one measuring device of at least one rail vehicle; transmitting the measurement values from the rail vehicle to a control center situated along the track; evaluating the measurement values in the control center by means of a predefined algorithm, and providing a result of the evaluation as an output.
US09630631B2
A computer-implemented method and system for in-vehicle dynamic virtual reality includes determining a spatial environment around a vehicle and one or more maneuver paths for the vehicle in the spatial environment. The method includes updating a virtual view based on the spatial environment and the maneuver paths. Updating the virtual view includes augmenting one or more components of a virtual world model to indicate the spatial environment and the maneuver paths. The virtual view is rendered to an output device. The method includes generating a vehicle maneuver request for the vehicle. The vehicle maneuver request includes at least a desired vehicle maneuver and the vehicle maneuver request is based at least in part on the spatial environment. The method includes controlling one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle based on the vehicle maneuver request.
US09630625B2
An apparatus and method for identifying surrounding vehicles is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor that measures position coordinates of a first surrounding vehicle and a yaw rate and a speed of a subject vehicle and a V2V communication unit that receives a coordinate history and a speed from the plurality of surrounding vehicles. Additionally, a controller generates a traveling trajectory and a speed pattern as first identification information by applying accumulated behaviors of the subject vehicle to the position coordinates of the first surrounding vehicle and calculate each traveling trajectory and speed pattern as n-th identification information based on the coordinate history and the speed received via the V2V communication unit. The controller then compares the first identification information with the n-th identification information to recognize the surrounding vehicle corresponding to identification information most similar to the first identification information as the first surrounding vehicle.
US09630624B2
An adaptive cruise control that adjusts the speed of the controlled vehicle based on one or more vehicles ahead of the controlled vehicle. The adaptive cruise control illustratively includes a forward vehicles sensor that monitors not only the lead vehicle directly ahead of the controlled vehicle, but also one or more forward vehicles. The data from the forward vehicles sensor can be used to adjust the controlled vehicle speed.
US09630618B2
A method and a device for transitioning a vehicle driving without activated lateral guidance assistance into a driving state having reduced risk of collision consequences in the event of an emergency of the driver, wherein the speed of the vehicle is greater than a threshold speed. The method includes detecting a hands-off situation of the driver in a hands-off phase and outputting a hands-off warning, performing a warning escalation in an escalation phase if there is no response to the hands-off warning, and reducing the vehicle speed to a speed less than the threshold speed in an intervention phase if there is no response in the escalation phase. During the hands-off phase, the escalation phase, and the intervention phase, a returning torque is applied to the steering apparatus of the vehicle if it is detected that the vehicle is leaving the current lane.
US09630610B2
A driving force control system for a vehicle having a mechanism for changing an engine speed continuously. The driving force control system basically controls said mechanism in a manner such that the engine speed is adjusted to optimize fuel economy. The driving force control system is configured to determine an index representing a demand to enhance agility of behavior of the vehicle based on an actual behavior of the vehicle or an amount of operation carried out by a driver to cause said behavior. An upper limit value of the engine speed of the case in which a drive demand is increased is determined on the basis of the index, and the upper limit value is set to the higher value with an increase in the index representing the demand to enhance agility of behavior of the vehicle.
US09630605B2
An electric brake device includes: a motor cylinder device that generates a hydraulic pressure in accordance with a brake operation of a driver with an electric motor; a rotational angle sensor that detects a rotor rotational angle θ of the electric motor; and a motor control section that controls an output torque of the electric motor corresponding to the rotor rotational angle θ and controls the electric motor by advancing a detection value of the rotational angle sensor. The current phase setup section sets a current phase to an advanced side as an electrical advance control. The current phase setup section inhibits the advancing the detection value when the electric motor performs reversed rotation, or sets the current phase to a retarded side.
US09630598B2
A method for operating a hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle, comprising a pressure generating device used to build up additional brake pressure in a master brake cylinder or in addition to a master brake cylinder and in opposition to further pedal actuation wherein the additional pressure is a function of the pedal actuation travel distance. A method that reduces the limitations of a braking system's physical parameters on the build-up of additional braking pressure.
US09630590B2
The present invention relates to a method, device and system for controlling a powered vehicle. The device comprises a communications unit operable to receive a vehicle control signal from a remote computer, and a control unit operable to activate and deactivate the fuel pump such that movement of the vehicle is controlled in response to the vehicle control signal received by the communications unit so that the vehicle may be gradually stopped by incrementally cutting fuel to the vehicles pump in a safe manner. Additionally, the present invention provides a remote control disable function by cutting power to vehicle ignition. The present invention further provides a vehicle tracking functionality.
US09630578B1
A front end structure for a vehicle comprising a bumper, a crush can attaching the bumper to a frame rail, a sub-frame supporting an engine, and an impact spreading rail attached to a front transverse rail of the sub-frame. The impact spreading rail extends perpendicularly outboard relative to the frame rail and upward to a location vertically aligned with the bumper. The impact spreading rail is impacted after the bumper in a collision to spread collision deformation outside the frame rail.
US09630574B2
An exterior component for a vehicle includes: a first member having a design surface disposed on a vehicle surface; and a second member forming a housing space sealed between the first and second members in a liquid tight manner by being joined to the first member on a rear side of the design surface, wherein a joint portion between the first member and the second member is configured of an annular recessed portion provided on one side of the first and second members, an annular protrusion portion provided on the other side of the first and second members, and elastic adhesive with which an inside of the annular recessed portion is filled thereby fixing the annular protrusion portion inserted into the inside of the annular recessed portion over the entire peripheries of the annular protrusion and annular recessed portions.
US09630573B2
Embodiments of the present invention may include a clip mounting seat having a clip attachment surface, a peripheral wall and an opening. The peripheral wall extends from the clip attachment surface. The opening opens a part of an outer peripheral edge of the clip attachment surface. The clip attachment surface has an attachment hole, a guide groove and a tongue. The guide groove guides an insertion of a neck portion of the clip from the opening into the attachment hole. The tongue protrudes from an edge of the guide groove towards the attachment hole. The tongue is deflected to permit the neck portion to enter from the opening into the attachment hole. When the neck portion moves from the attachment hole toward the opening, the tongue is deflected by the neck portion in a closing direction.
US09630564B1
A compartment housing defines a compartment opening. A pivoting structure is disposed within the compartment housing for pivoting movement about a pivot axis that extends through the compartment housing. The pivoting structure has first, second and third walls that extend away from the pivot axis. Distal edges thereof are spaced apart from one another relative to a circumferential direction about the pivot axis. The pivoting structure pivots between a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation: the first and second walls are exposed thru the compartment opening; the third wall is concealed within the compartment housing; and a storage space between the second and third walls is concealed within the compartment housing. In the second orientation: the second and third walls, and the storage space are exposed thru the compartment opening; and the first wall is concealed within the compartment housing.
US09630562B2
A vehicle storage drawer includes a frame and a housing slidably attached to the frame with a central aperture defining a receptacle. At least one container is selectively engaged with the receptacle. The at least one container is selectively removable from the receptacle when the housing is in an outward position. The container is selectively secured within the receptacle when the housing is in an inward position.
US09630561B2
There is provided an electrochromic (EC) mirror that ensures the insulating properties between electrodes. A transparent electrode film (22), an EC layer (30) that emits a color light upon application of a voltage, and a reflecting electrode film (26) are sequentially laminated on a +X surface of a transparent substrate (21). A protruding portion (22e) of the transparent electrode film (22) is formed on a +Z side of the EC layer (30), and a protruding portion (26e) of the reflecting electrode film (26) is formed on a −Z side of the EC layer (30) when being viewed from a +X-direction. A whole overlapping region (24), where the transparent electrode film (22) and the reflecting electrode film (26) overlap each other, is included within the EC layer (30) when being viewed from the +X-direction.
US09630554B1
A vehicle emergency warning device has a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion; at least one clip member; and a plurality of lights. The top portion of the housing has a hollow interior; a power source attached within the interior; an on/off switch; and an electronic control circuit. The on/off switch is located on a side portion thereof and connected to the power source. The electronic control circuit is located within the interior, is electronically connected to the on/off switch, and is adapted to control a sequence of power to a plurality of lights. The at least one clip member is attached to the top portion and is adapted to removably attach the housing to a vehicle. When in use the housing member is attached to the vehicle and the plurality of lights turned on to warn others that there is an emergency situation within the vehicle.
US09630549B2
A multipoint tie-down formed of EPDM for reducing movement of a load. The tie-down comprises a central hub having a plurality of elongate arms that are molded from EPDM as a single unit with the central hub. The plurality of elongate arms are elastomeric and extend from the central hub to form one of a cross-pattern, a Y-pattern and an X-pattern together with the central hub.
US09630545B1
A cargo space includes a rear lift gate moveable between opened and closed positions to allow movement of palletized containers into and out of the cargo space. The cargo space has a substantially horizontal floor with first and second sets of laterally spaced, parallel, longitudinal tracks. The tracks extend from the front to the lift gate at the rear of the cargo space. At least one set of tracks is positioned transverse to the longitudinal tracks. The tracks slidably support cargo container pallets. A system of actuators, guides and locks enable programmed movement of the pallets along the tracks into and out of the cargo space as well as within the cargo space.
US09630535B2
An arm rest for a vehicle seat includes an injection molded plastic console part and an arm support mounted at the console part so as to be swivelable about a swivel axis between a use position and a rest position. The console part includes a mounting sleeve on opposing sides of the console part. One mounting stud of the arm support is mounted in each sleeve. A metal bearing ring injected in each mounting sleeve encloses the mounting stud annularly, wherein a radially outwardly extending bearing surface is arranged at each of the mounting sleeves is borne by a tab integrally molded to the bearing ring.
US09630527B2
A vehicle seat includes a seat frame, a bushing having a shape of a hollow cylinder and a pipe. The pipe is fitted to the bushing and attached to the seat frame. The pipe includes a body portion having a fitting diameter different from a fitting diameter of the bushing and a fitting portion formed at an end in an axial direction of the body portion and fitted to an inner periphery or an outer periphery of the bushing. The fitting portion is formed in a diameter-reduced or diameter-increased hollow cylindrical shape that is fitted to the inner periphery or the outer periphery of the bushing.
US09630526B2
A driver's seat mounting assembly for a vehicle includes a driver's seat having a base with a base hole, and a floor assembly including a floor sheet supported by a floor support frame. The floor support and the floor sheet define a receiving channel. The assembly further includes a riser platform attached to a top surface of the floor sheet, the riser platform having a platform body configured to receive the driver's seat. The platform body defines a body hole that is configured to be aligned with the receiving channel and the base hole. A sleeve is disposed in the receiving channel of the floor support frame. A fastener is received in the base hole, in the body hole, in the receiving channel, and in the sleeve to anchor the driver's seat to the floor support frame.
US09630524B1
An electric vehicle system featuring a novel idling capability is presented. The vehicle performs without electricity from an external power source resulting in decreased entropy generation. It also asserts a zero carbon footprint while excluding typical emissions produced by conventional all-electric vehicles. This novel invention has a capacity between idle speed (1000 rpm) and high speed (6000 rpm) using a constant electric current.
US09630523B2
A motor speed determining circuit determining a rotation speed of a motor is provided and a processing of generating motor driving waveform is switched in accordance with the rotation speed of the motor. A resolver signal outputted from a resolver 2 is converted to a digital value by an R/D converter 3, and inputted to a computing circuit of resolver value correction 5 via an R/D conversion interface 4. A current value of a motor M is converted to a digital value by an A/D convertor 8. The computing circuit of resolver value correction 5 computes a resolver correction value of the inputted digital signal and calculates positional data from a corrected resolver value. The computing circuit of motor control computes a current instruction value from a motor current value subjected to digital conversion by the A/D converter 8 and a motor current instruction value etc., and a motor waveform output circuit 7 generates a motor driving waveform from the current instruction value and outputs the same to a power module PM.
US09630508B2
A vehicle and a method for controlling regenerative braking may utilize the maximum available regenerative braking torque for some time during a braking event. As the vehicle speed and/or powertrain torque decreases, the regenerative braking torque is controlled to deviate from the maximum. The point at which the regenerative braking torque deviates from the maximum is chosen based on the level of vehicle deceleration. The regenerative braking torque is then smoothly blended out until it reaches zero. The regenerative braking torque is brought to zero when the vehicle speed is very low, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies associated with operating a motor at a very low speed.
US09630492B2
A four-wheel drive vehicle are provided which enable enhancement of responsiveness to switching from a two-wheel drive state to a four-wheel drive state. A four-wheel drive vehicle includes a driving force transmission and cut-off apparatus that enables cut-off of transmission of a driving force from an engine to a propeller shaft, a driving shaft that rotates under a tuning force of the propeller shaft, a pair of hydraulic clutches and each disposed between the driving shaft and a corresponding one of rear wheels, and a control apparatus that controls a hydraulic unit that supplies hydraulic oil to the hydraulic clutches. In shifting the two-wheel drive state to the four-wheel drive state, the control apparatus controls the hydraulic unit such that a higher priority is given to supply of the hydraulic oil to first hydraulic clutch than to supply of the hydraulic oil to second hydraulic clutch.
US09630488B2
A vehicle has a body, a flat component arranged under the body, and at least one axle carrier arrangement for two front or two rear wheel suspensions. The axle carrier arrangement includes a left-hand suspension arm bracket for connecting at least one suspension arm of the left-hand wheel suspension, a right-hand suspension arm bracket for connecting at least one suspension arm of the right-hand wheel suspension, and a center suspension arm bracket for connecting at least one suspension arm of the lefthand wheel suspension and at least one suspension arm of the right-hand wheel suspension. The three suspension arm brackets are each mounted on the body and the flat component, wherein the three suspension arm brackets are three separate components that are not directly connected, and wherein at least one of the suspension arm brackets has a bearing for an electric machine that drives the vehicle.
US09630481B2
Embodiments of a window visor which can be attached to a vehicle to at least partially cover a window of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the window visor can contain a series of grooves on its outer surface which can direct droplets of water so that they do not collect on the window.
US09630480B2
A wind deflector for a vehicle is disclosed. The wind deflector includes at least one housing element, at least one deflector element which is at least partially received in the housing element, at least one actuator via which the deflector element is able to move in a linearly oscillating manner relative to the housing element in at least one spatial direction, and at least one sealing element via which the deflector element is sealed at least in one partial region against the housing element. The sealing element is formed as a flexible membrane which is arranged on the one hand on the housing element and on the other hand on the deflector element to be able to move with this.
US09630479B2
A threaded rod can be pivotably coupled to the tonneau cover via a proximal end. A housing can have first and second housing portions slidably coupled to the threaded rod and moveable along the threaded rod relative to each other between locked and unlocked positions. The second housing portion can include a channel positioned to receive a downwardly disposed distal edge of an inboard flange. Locking pawls within the housing can move to engage threads of the rod to prevent movement of the channel relative to the elongate member when in the locked position. The locking pawls can move to release the threads of the rod to allow movement of the channel relative to the rod when in the unlocked position. A biasing member can apply a biasing force biasing the housing toward the proximal end of the elongate member and biasing the housing toward the locked position.
US09630472B2
A system for the transport of goods includes a ceiling, a floor, opposed side walls, and a front wall, defining a container with an open interior. At least one fan is at most coplanar with the front wall and extends away from the front wall exterior the container. The at least one fan is oriented to direct a flow of air out of the container through the front wall. A plurality of vents are spaced along each of the opposed side walls. Operation of the at least one fan draws air into the container through the plurality of vents. A method of transporting green pallets includes providing an enclosed container. Stacks of green pallets are provided within the enclosed container. At least one fan is operated to draw a flow of air out of the interior of the enclosed container to dry the stacks of green pallets.
US09630470B2
A method of producing a stabilizer (10) of a motor vehicle, such that the stabilizer includes a torsion bar (11) and longitudinal links (12, 13). The longitudinal links (12, 13) are in each case connected to the torsion bar (11) by welding, and the longitudinal links (12, 13) and the torsion bar (11) are heat-treated before welding. Each longitudinal link (12, 13) is welded at one end to the torsion bar (11) on both sides, in each case, by a respective multilayer weld seam (14), and each weld seam (14) is made with unequal widths such that the width of the weld seam (14) adjacent to the torsion bar (11) is shorter than its width adjacent to the respective longitudinal link (12, 13).
US09630461B2
A tire assembly includes a reservoir, a tire, and a pressure module. The pressure module includes a first valve, a second valve, and a control unit. The first valve selectively directs air from the reservoir to the interior cavity. The second valve directs air from the interior cavity of the tire to the atmosphere. The control unit is configured to selectively send a first control signal to the first valve such that the first valve cycles from a first position, at which air is prevented from flowing from the reservoir to the interior cavity, to a second position, at which air is allowed to flow from the reservoir to the interior cavity of the tire. The control unit is configured to selectively send another first control signal to the first valve such that the first valve cycles from the second position to the first position.
US09630459B2
An apparatus for monitoring a tire pressure of a vehicle includes a cornering force estimator configured to estimate a cornering force of a tire using inertial information and steering information of the vehicle, a pneumatic trail calculator configured to calculate a pneumatic trail using the cornering force and the steering information, and a tire pressure checker configured to determine whether the tire pressure is insufficient based on the pneumatic trail calculated by the pneumatic trail calculator.
US09630456B2
The invention relates to improving the endurance of the beads of a radial tire for a heavy vehicle of construction plant type, by reducing the cracking that starts at the surface of contact between a first polymer filling material that is radially furthest towards the inside and in contact with the bead wire and a second polymer filling material that is radially on the outside of the first polymer filling material. According to the invention, a transition element, made of a polymer transition material, is in contact, via its radially inner face, with the first polymer filling material and is in contact, via its radially outer face, with the second polymer filling material, and the elastic modulus at 10% elongation of the polymer transition material is somewhere between the respective elastic moduluses at 10% elongation of the first and second polymer filling materials.
US09630455B2
A pneumatic tire for rough terrain comprises a tread portion provided with a plurality of blocks, the blocks comprising a plurality of center blocks arranged in a center region of the tread portion, a plurality of shoulder blocks arranged along each tread edge of the tread portion and a plurality of middle blocks arranged between the center region and the shoulder blocks, each of the center blocks, middle blocks and shoulder blocks comprising a top face and a sidewall face extending radially inward from the peripheral edge of the top face, wherein at least one of the middle blocks and shoulder blocks is a U-shaped block having a lateral slot which extends from an axially outer sidewall face of the block to an axially inner end thereof being terminated within the block.
US09630447B2
In a frictional propulsion device comprising a main wheel including a plurality of driven rollers rotatably supported by an annular core member about a tangential direction and a pair of drive disk each carrying a plurality of drive rollers about a rotational center line at an angle with respect to both a tangential line of the drive disk and the rotational center line of the drive disk such that the drive rollers at least partly engage the driven rollers, a diameter of a drive side contact circle is smaller than a diameter of a driven side contact circle, and the drive disks are vertically offset relative to the main wheel so that only those drive rollers adjoining the main wheel are in contact with the driven rollers. Thereby, the power efficiency of the device can be improved while minimizing the manufacturing cost and the weight of the device.
US09630440B2
A stamp structure includes a stamp frame having a plate part. The plate part includes a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes are configured to facilitate the adsorption of an object to the plate part during a transfer of the object from a donor substrate to a target substrate.
US09630435B1
A stamp has a retaining seat, a moving seat, a spring, a handle, and a bottom cover. The moving seat is moveably mounted in the retaining seat. The spring is mounted on the moving seat and abuts the retaining seat. The handle is mounted on the moving seat and extends around the retaining seat. The bottom cover is mounted on a bottom of the retaining seat. The moving seat has a printing assembly and an ink-filling member. The printing assembly has a printing face and multiple ink-filling holes. The ink-filling member is mounted on the printing assembly and has multiple ink-filling tubes. Each one of the ink-filling tubes has a caliber smaller than a caliber of each one of the ink-filling holes. The printing assembly may perform the test print. The combining time of the stamp and operating time of the test print are also decreased.
US09630434B2
An image forming apparatus includes a transmission-type photosensor including a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part, disposed on opposite sides of a media conveyance path; a sensor retainer to retain the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part; a suspended needle indicator including one end portion freely rotatably disposed on the sensor retainer at a position higher than the photosensor, and an indicator disposed on another end thereof; and an angle viewer with scale marks that mark an angle of an optical axis of the photosensor from a vertical direction. The photosensor is disposed with the optical axis thereof is angled within a predetermined adjusted angle relative to the media conveyance path.
US09630433B2
A technique is described for determining pixel dropout in a printhead that has a plurality of print elements arrayed along an axis. In the technique, a dataset of integrated intensity values, in the printing direction on a substrate, of a captured image is generated and used to determine if pixel dropout has or may have occurred.
US09630432B2
The invention relates to a printer and a corresponding print medium, wherein the printer reads, by means of a sensor, a code provided on the print medium.In order to make possible a simplified operation at the same time as an optimal printing result it is provided that data read by means of the sensor are transmitted to a merchandise management system by means of an interface.
US09630426B2
A label for use with a slide is provided that has a face stock that carries adhesive and an image that is uncovered. The adhesive, the face stock and the image may be capable of withstanding a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit applied thereto for 24 hours, and may be capable of withstanding a temperature of −40 degrees Fahrenheit applied thereto for 10 days such that the adhesive still functions and the image is still readable. A method of using a label for the processing of a specimen is also provided.
US09630425B2
A 3D relief effect is created on a ceramic tile with an inkjet printer and an inkjet print head by printing a relief pattern with an effect ink having a low surface tension on the ceramic tile. The inkjet printer and inkjet print head apply an aqueous glaze slurry having a high surface tension on top of the effect ink. An image is printed on the glaze and the tile is fired. A difference in surface tensions causes the aqueous glaze to move away from the printed effect ink, resulting in a relief pattern in the image at locations of the printed relief pattern.
US09630424B2
A single-pass imaging system utilizes a two-dimensional (2D) light field generator (e.g., one or more VCSEL devices) to generate a modulated two-dimensional modulated light field in accordance with image data for a single row of pixels, and an anamorphic optical system that concentrates the two-dimensional modulated light field in a process direction such that a one-dimensional scan line image extending in a cross-process direction is generated on an imaging surface. The VCSEL array is configured using a scan line image data group made up of pixel image data portions, with associated groups of light emitting elements aligned in the process direction being configured by each pixel image data portion. Gray scaling is achieved either by turning on some of the light emitting elements of the associated group, or by turning the light emitting elements of the associated group partially on, e.g. using a common drive current.
US09630421B2
An image forming apparatus includes a carriage configured to scan with an ejection head for ejecting ink droplets that harden when exposed to active energy line onto a recording medium to form an image and an emitter unit for emitting the active energy line mounted thereon, and an image forming controller configured to control ejection of the ink droplets from the ejection head and scan of the carriage. The image forming controller forms an ink droplet film of an uppermost layer of an image made of multiple layers of ink droplet films with finer image quality than that of an ink droplet film of each lower layer other than the uppermost layer, and forms the ink droplet film of the each lower layer other than the uppermost layer with coarser image quality and in a shorter length of time than a length of time taken to form the uppermost layer.
US09630398B2
An assembly of at least one object and a machine for printing the object, the object having an outer surface substantially of revolution around an axis, and a handle. The machine includes four ink jet printheads, at least one object holder and a support on which the object holder is fastened. An actuator moves the support relative to the printheads in at least four print configurations, and the object holder drives rotation of the object around the axis in each printing configuration. A commander commands the object holder to rotate the object relative to the corresponding printhead around the axis from an initial printing position, in which the handle is located near the printhead on one side of the median plane of the printhead, to a final printing position, in which the handle is situated near the printhead on the other side of the median plane.
US09630387B2
The present invention relates to a method for the continuous inline production of coated polymeric substrates or laminates and also to an apparatus for implementing this method.
US09630379B2
Laminated composite (10) comprising at least one electronic substrate (11) and an arrangement of layers (20, 30) made up of at least a first layer (20) of a first metal and/or a first metal alloy and of a second layer (30) of a second metal and/or a second metal alloy adjacent to this first layer (20), wherein the melting temperatures of the first and second layers are different, and wherein, after a thermal treatment of the arrangement of layers (20, 30), a region with at least one intermetallic phase (40) is formed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the first layer (20) or the second layer (30) is formed by a reaction solder which consists of a mixture of a basic solder with an AgX, CuX or NiX alloy, wherein the component X of the AgX, CuX or NiX alloy is selected from the group consisting of B, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Se, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, Ba, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Bi, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy, Sm, Er, Tb, Eu, Ho, Tm, Yb and Lu and wherein the melting temperature of the AgX, CuX or NiX alloy is greater than the melting temperature of the basic solder. The invention also relates to a method for forming a laminated composite (10) and to a circuit arrangement containing a laminated composite (10) according to the invention.
US09630377B2
Adhesive devices used as wound dressings, ingredient delivery devices and IV hold-downs include a handling layer comprised of a layer of conductive material and at least one layer of non-conductive material, adhered to the non-adhesive coated side of an adhesive coated polymeric film layer, by an electrostatic charge, rather than by an adhesive.
US09630366B2
A self-sealing shell useful as a component of a soft fluid-filled prosthetic implant is provided. The shell is at least partly constructed of a wall made of a colloid of an elastomeric polymer matrix and particles of a water-swellable material distributed therein.
US09630357B2
A device for transporting a hollow body provided with a neck which includes a vertically oriented internal wall, the device including at least elements for gripping the hollow body by engaging with the internal wall of the neck, which are mounted on the lower free end of a rod and movably connected thereto, the rod being mounted to be vertically movable between a high position and a low position, wherein the gripping elements are mounted to be radially movable between a retracted position in which the gripping elements are vertically inserted from top to bottom into the neck, without contacting the internal wall, and a deployed position in which the gripping elements engage the internal wall of the neck, and the change in position of the gripping elements from the retracted to the deployed position and/or from the deployed to the retracted position is actuated by a magnetic field.
US09630343B2
A tile or masonry saw assembly may include a saw and a frame. The saw includes a motor operable to turn a blade of a blade assembly to cut a workpiece. The blade assembly is internally wetted during operation by nozzles disposed on opposing sides of the blade to provide water onto the blade within a blade guard configured to shield a portion of the blade. The frame is operably coupled to the saw to support the workpiece. The frame supports a water collecting system for collecting the water. The water collecting system includes a water tank that is removable from the frame.
US09630341B2
A system and a method for molding a part from fiber cement, or fibrocement, slurry are provided. The molding is preferably made by pressure injection of the slurry. The slurry includes cementitious material, additives, fibers and water. The fibers can include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacrylic, cellulose, and/or asbestos fibers. First and second molding sections define, at least partially, a chamber. The second molding section has at least one evacuating channel. The system includes a slurry inlet communicating with the chamber, for inserting the slurry. A bladder covers the first molding section, the bladder being inflatable for compressing the slurry between the bladder and the second molding section. A filter covers the second molding section and allows water contained in the slurry to pass through while retaining the cementitious material and fibers within the chamber. A pressurized fluid inlet port communicates with at least one conduit for inflating the bladder.
US09630333B2
A portable razor is disclosed, comprising a razor blade, a water container, a shaving lubricant, and a cover to prevent the razor from making a mess when carried in a pocket or purse. Such a razor may be used while on-the-go while still keeping the advantages of a real shave with soap and water.
US09630332B2
A shaving razor having a handle and a shaving head with an exposed reciprocating blade. A power source is disposed within the handle with an actuator that causes at least one blade of a multi-blade razor head to reciprocate within a zone of motion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09630330B2
A safety razor, cartridge and process for manufacturing the cartridge that includes providing an assembly that includes a platform having a top face, the platform including a cap portion and two lateral side portions. The assembly also includes at least one cutting member extending between the lateral side portions of the platform, and a cover having a bottom face facing the top face of the platform.
US09630325B2
A carrying device comprises: a base; an adsorption part disposed on the base; a plurality of adsorption holes formed in the adsorption part; and an insert having an end inserted in the adsorption part such that one or more of the adsorption holes are switchable between an open state and a closed state.
US09630323B2
An operation support system performing treatment on a target tissue while observing using an image capturing unit, using a treatment unit installed at a distal end side of a manipulator, a distal end seen from a fixing end of the manipulator, includes: the manipulator having joints corresponding to degrees of freedom and including at least two redundant joints having a redundant relationship among the joints; an operating unit configured to provide operating information corresponding to the degrees of freedom; a positional relationship calculation unit calculating a switching positional relationship between the target tissue or the treatment unit and the image capturing unit; and a control unit controlling an operation of the joint according to the operating information. The control unit controls the manipulator using one redundant joint as a driving joint and the other redundant joints as a fixing joint based on the switching positional relationship.
US09630320B1
Methods and systems for detecting and reconstructing environments to facilitate robotic interaction with such environments are described. An example method may involve determining a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment representative of a physical environment of the robotic manipulator including a plurality of 3D virtual objects corresponding to respective physical objects in the physical environment. The method may then involve determining two-dimensional (2D) images of the virtual environment including 2D depth maps. The method may then involve determining portions of the 2D images that correspond to a given one or more physical objects. The method may then involve determining, based on the portions and the 2D depth maps, 3D models corresponding to the portions. The method may then involve, based on the 3D models, selecting a physical object from the given one or more physical objects. The method may then involve providing an instruction to the robotic manipulator to move that object.
US09630288B2
A grinding machine of one embodiment includes an abrasive wheel; a rectangular base including a top wall having a central through hole and an upper shoulder; a mounting member secured to the central through hole; an electric motor including a drive shaft passing through the mounting member to secure to the abrasive wheel; first and third workpiece holding units each including a board secured to the base; an adjustment knob on the board; and an L-shaped seat secured to the board and having a transverse channel, a front curved slot, a rear projection pivotably secured to the board, and a pin secured to the board and disposed in the slot; a second workpiece holding unit secured to the shoulder and including a vertical tunnel; and a fourth workpiece holding unit secured to the shoulder and including a vertical tunnel, an adjustment knob, and a fastening member.
US09630287B2
A hand power tool includes a drive unit, an electronic unit, and a cooling device configured to cool at least one of the drive unit and the electronic unit. The hand power tool also includes at least one of an open-loop control unit and a closed-loop control unit configured to control the cooling device.
US09630281B2
The invention relates to a flux shield to prevent flux introduction into the tubes of a heat exchanger core while a flux application process, with the flux shield comprising a first part and a second part, with the flux shield being placeable on a heat exchanger core, where the second part is insertable into the first part along an insertion-direction, with the first part forming a guidance element for the second part and with the two parts being translational movable relative to each other along the insertion-direction. The invention relates furthermore to a method for the production of a heat exchanger.
US09630280B2
A method for producing a single-sided mold and a double-sided coining mold are provided. The method comprises the following steps: S1. forming a mold cavity on the single-sided mold according to shape of a product; S2. engraving a surface of the mold cavity by a first engraving and milling cutter to form engraved holes, and then inserting a second engraving and milling cutter into the engraved holes for further engraving to form holes to be coined; S3. repeating the step S2 until a predefined number of the holes to be coined are formed on the surface of the mold cavity; S4. placing a coining die with hardened tips on the surface of the mold cavity, and embedding each of the hardened tips into one of the holes to be coined respectively, and then the mold cavity being molded by a coining process.
US09630277B2
A component in a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil extending radially outwardly from a platform associated with the airfoil. The airfoil includes opposed pressure and suction sidewalls, which converge at a first location defined at a leading edge of the airfoil and at a second location defined at a trailing edge of the airfoil opposed from the leading edge. The component includes a built-up surface adjacent to the leading edge at an intersection between the pressure sidewall and the platform, and at least one cooling passage at least partially within the built-up surface at the intersection between the pressure sidewall and the platform. The at least one cooling passage is in fluid communication with a main cooling channel within the airfoil and has an outlet at the platform for providing cooling fluid directly from the main cooling channel to the platform.
US09630268B2
Erosion electrodes and associated devices, systems, and methods for providing improved performance during a process driven by FEED and facilitated by fluid flushing of a worksite is disclosed. Use of erosion electrodes having varying cross-sectional geometries result in customizable channels, within which the FEED process may proceed, improving efficiency and efficacy of the process as the erosion electrode is advanced longitudinally into a workpiece.
US09630267B2
The thread generating tool for producing a thread in a workpiece has the following features: a) the tool is rotatable about a tool axis (A), b) the tool has a number n≧1 of groove generating regions for generating in each case one groove in the workpiece and a number m≧1 of thread generating regions for generating the thread in the workpiece, c) each of the m thread generating regions is arranged behind one of the n groove generating regions as viewed in an axial projection parallel to the tool axis (A), and has a smaller extent than said groove generating region as viewed in cross section in the axial projection.
US09630263B2
A rotary cutting tool or end mill is provided, the tool comprising a plurality of pairs of diametrically-opposed, symmetrical, helical flutes formed in a cutting portion of the tool body, wherein the pitch between at least one pair of adjacent helical flutes is less than or greater than the pitch of at least one other pair of adjacent helical flutes in at least one radial plane along the axial length of the flutes, a plurality of peripheral cutting edges, wherein at least one of the peripheral cutting edges has a radial rake angle different from radial rake angle of a peripheral cutting edge of a different helical flute.
US09630258B2
In one aspect, tool holders employing axial sleeves and dampening elements are described herein. Tool holders described herein define a central longitudinal axis and comprise a tool holder body having a connector portion and a holder portion. The connector portion is structured to engage a rotary machine and the holder portion is disposed opposite the connector portion and has an inner diameter surface comprising a plurality of axial grooves. Tool holders described herein further comprise a tool receiver structured to receive at least a portion of a cutting tool, the tool receiver having an outer diameter surface comprising a plurality of axial grooves. The tool receiver is mounted in the holder portion so as to align the axial grooves of the inner and outer diameter surfaces and define axial sleeves filled with dampening elements.
US09630251B2
A titanium base alloy powder is formed by subsurface reduction of a chloride vapor with a molten alkali metal or molten alkaline earth metal to form reaction products comprising pre-alloy particles and a salt of the alkali metal or the alkaline earth metal. A majority of the pre-alloy particles have a composition of at least 50% by weight of titanium, about 5.38% to 6.95% by weight of aluminum, and about 3% to 5% by weight of vanadium. The pre-alloy particles are recovered from the reaction products to produce a titanium base alloy powder containing less than about 200 ppm alkali or alkaline earth metal.
US09630243B2
A continuously operating casting and rolling system with a strip tension control includes a casting unit having a melt-containing feed vessel with a horizontal casting channel and a discharge region in the form of a casting nozzle, and a primary cooling zone with two guide rolls and a circulating cooled casting strip and at least one downstream rolling unit having at least two drivable rollers. In order to minimize the tension on the cast strip, the casting unit and the subsequent rolling unit are mechanically decoupled, wherein for the decoupling at least one driver unit having at least two drivable rollers for driving the strip is arranged between the casting belt and the rolling unit.
US09630226B2
A method of making steel fibers, preferably for use as a concrete additive, and for the supply thereof in making steel fiber concrete, characterized in that to form the steel fibers (2) first a sheet-metal strip (1) is notched either on one face or both faces so as to form steel-fiber wires (4) that are initially connected together by webs (5), and that further, for subsequently converting the webs (5) into thin easily mutually separable separation webs forming separation surfaces that are fracture-rough and low in burring upon separation, the steel-fiber strip is subjected to a flexing process in which each web (5) is subjected to multiple bending deformations about its longitudinal axis in such a way that incipient cracks are produced at the webs (5) due to fatigue fracture and thus the separation webs are produced.
US09630224B2
Methods and articles disclosed herein relate to liquid repellant surfaces having selective wetting and transport properties. An article having a repellant surface includes a substrate comprising surface features with re-entrant curvature and an immobilized layer of lubricating liquid wetting over the surface features. The surface features with re-entrant curvature can be designed to provide high repellency even after failure or removal of the immobilized layer of lubricating liquid under certain operating conditions.
US09630223B1
A system for capturing dust during the movement of sand between a container and a fracing blender includes a conveyor system having a lateral portion for transporting sand discharged from the container, a lifting portion for lifting sand received from the lateral portion, and a spout for discharging sand received from the lifting portion into a bin of the fracing blender. An enclosure encloses a substantial length of the lateral portion of the conveyor, with portions of the enclosure disposed above and along opposing sides of a belt of the lateral portion of the conveyor system. A manifold is supported on the ground and is coupled in fluid communication with a flexible conduit, which has an inlet disposed in an area proximate a discharge end of the spout. An air system is coupled in fluid communication with the manifold and the flexible conduit for drawing air through the inlet of flexible hose to capture dust around the discharge end of the spout. A collapsible cover is disposed over the discharge end of the spout and the bin of the blender.
US09630220B2
An air-wiping device for removing particulates, including water, adhering to an elongated member by compressed air is provided. In particular, this invention relates to an air-wiping device that loads said elongated member by opening with a sliding motion in one plane, instead of swinging open in two planes that is commonly to the conventional air-wiping devices embodied in a clamshell configuration, which not only substantially shortens the loading time but also greatly reduces the floor space needed to accommodate said device.
US09630205B2
An electrostatic application apparatus 100 comprises a tubular electrode 1 forming a first flow path F1 whose inner surface is formed of an electrically conductive wall; a counter electrode 20 placed to block an extension of an axis line of the first flow path F1; a power source 30 applying a voltage between the tubular electrode 1 and the counter electrode 20, and a liquid supply unit 40 supplying a liquid to the first flow path F1. If an axial length of the first flow path F1 is L1 and an inside diameter of the first flow path F1 is D1, then L1/D1 is 35 or more, the inside diameter D1 of the first flow path is 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and the length L1 of the first flow path is 20 to 100 mm.
US09630202B1
A reciprocating plunger-type valve mechanism or assembly, which can be utilized in conjunction with adhesive dispensing applicators to control the dispensing of adhesive compositions which are to be used in connection with the bonding, securing, or fixation of pavement markers to road pavement surfaces, is disclosed. The mechanism or assembly comprises dual shutoff locations in connection with the supply of the incoming adhesive material so as to effectively reduce the prevailing pressure upon the shutoff blade controlling the adhesive material dispensing/discharge port whereby soft pressure starts and controlled deposition quantities are enabled while the generation of residual adhesive material or splatter is avoided.
US09630200B2
A substrate treatment apparatus includes: a substrate holding unit which horizontally holds a substrate; a substrate rotating unit which rotates the substrate held by the substrate holding unit about a vertical axis; a treatment liquid supplying unit which supplies a treatment liquid to an upper surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit; an opposing member to be located in opposed spaced relation to the upper surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit in contact with a film of the treatment liquid formed on the upper surface of the substrate so as to receive a lift force from the liquid film; a support member which supports the opposing member; and an opposing member holding mechanism which causes the support member to hold the opposing member in a vertically relatively movable manner.
US09630196B2
A handheld sprayer includes a housing, a turbine, a spray tip, and a hopper. An air flow passage extends through the housing. The turbine is configured to generate an airflow within the air flow passage. The spray tip is positioned to receive airflow from the air flow passage. The hopper is connected to the housing and configured to discharge a fluid into the air flow passage. In one embodiment a valve is positioned within the air flow passage and configured to control the airflow from the turbine to the spray tip. In another embodiment, a voltage limiting circuit is configured to control voltage to an electric motor of the turbine to control speed of the turbine. In another embodiment, an air inlet control device is configured to control the air intake of the turbine.
US09630194B1
A product applicator system for distributing a liquid product accurately using low volume applications which minimize the quantity of product used and ensures more accurate results. The product applicator system generally includes a housing which includes a removable inlet port mount and outlet port mount. The positioning of the inlet and outlet port mounts on the housing is interchangeable. Supply hoses provide a product to the inlet port mount where the product is traversed through internal conduits to exit the housing via oscillating and overlapping spray heads. An internal motor provides oscillating motion to the spray heads. A rotator assembly which includes a rotator motor may be utilized to orient the housing in horizontal, vertical, or various diagonal orientations. The housing is adapted to either connect to a vehicle, be positioned on a stationary or movable platform, or be connected to a boom using boom connectors.
US09630186B2
A method of cleaning at least one collecting electrode of an electrostatic precipitator includes applying, in a first mode of operation, a first average current between at least one discharge electrode and at least one collecting electrode, and switching from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation in which a second average current is applied between the at least one discharge electrode and the at least one collecting electrode, the second average current being a factor of at least 3 higher than the first average current, to achieve a forced cleaning of the at least one collecting electrode.
US09630183B2
An electrowetting device and a method of electrowetting may be provided. An electrode may be provided. The electrode has a graphene layer having a first side and a second side that opposes the first side. The electrode also has a dielectric layer disposed on the first side of the graphene layer. A liquid droplet is disposed on the dielectric layer. A voltage is applied through the droplet and the electrode. A contact angle between the dielectric layer and an edge of the liquid droplet contacting the dielectric layer changes in response to the applied voltage.
US09630182B2
A microfluidic chip includes one or more reaction chambers to hold fluids for chemical or biochemical reactions, such as PCR. A non-contact heat source heats the reaction chamber and the fluid, such that the heat source does not contact the reaction chamber or the fluid. The heat source can heat the reaction chamber and the fluid separately, where the reaction chamber and the fluid separately absorb heat radiation from the heat source. A temperature sensor acquires a temperature of the reaction chamber and/or the fluid. Control circuitry controls the heat source according to a cycling profile for the reaction in the fluid to cycle the heat source between heating and not heating the reaction chamber and the fluid based on the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor. Cooling can be provided passively or actively.
US09630177B2
The present disclosure provides microfluidic devices, systems and methods for sample preparation and/or analysis. A microfluidic device can include a first channel having a sequence of (n) chambers each having a first volume (v). The first channel can include one or more valves at opposing ends of the first channel that fluidically isolate the first channel. The microfluidic device can further include a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel. The second channel can include at least one second chamber having a total second volume that is at least equal to the total volume of the first channel (n*v). The second channel can include one or more valves at opposing ends of the second channel that fluidically isolate the second channel from the first channel.
US09630176B2
Digital microfluidics system manipulates samples in liquid droplets within a gap of at least one disposable cartridge. It is also provides additional space for collecting and/or storing waste fluids in this digital microfluidics system. It includes at least one waste hollow which is fluidly connected with a gap of a disposable cartridge that includes a bottom layer with a first hydrophobic surface and a top layer with a second hydrophobic surface. The waste hollow is located next to at least one individual waste electrode that is positioned next to at least one individual electrode of an electrode array. Each individual waste electrode is operatively connected to a central control unit and covers in each case a waste electrode area.
US09630172B2
Provided are a titanium dioxide-coated upconverting nanoparticle (UCNP) and a photocatalyst complex containing a gold nanorod (GNR) combined with the titanium dioxide-coated UCNP.
US09630170B2
A process for preparing a catalyst, including the reactive milling of a first reagent, which is a chromium oxide compound, with a second reagent, which is a compound of the formula MzM′1-zOxFy, M and M′ each being an element having an oxidation state greater than or equal to 0, z being from 0 to 1, x being from 0 to 3, y being from 0 to 6, and 2x+y being greater than 0 and less than or equal to 6.
US09630161B2
Methods and assemblies for the construction of liquid-phase alloy nanoparticles are presented. Particle formation is directed by molecular self-assembly and assisted by sonication. In some embodiments, eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) nanoparticles are formed. In these embodiments, the bulk liquid alloy is ultrasonically dispersed, fast thiolate self-assembly at the EGaIn interface protects the material against oxidation. The assembly shell has been designed to include intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which induce surface strain, assisting in cleavage of the alloy particles to the nanoscale. X-ray diffraction and TEM analyses reveal that the nanoscale particles are in an amorphous or liquid phase, with no observed faceting.
US09630157B2
Provided is a liquid stirring apparatus of the type using a non-contact drive mechanism (4) where the stirrer is driven through a magnetic drive effect without a mechanical connection member intruding through a wall of a container (2) for receiving a liquid to be stirred. The stirrer is received in use within the container (2). The non-connect driving mechanism (4) is arranged externally of the container (2). A holder is provided for positioning the stirrer within the container (2) where the holder is not integrally formed with the container (2), but is a separate component therefrom. The holder is not affixed to the container (2), but locates within the container (2) such that it positions the stirrer adjacent a wall of the container (2) near to the external location of the non-contact drive mechanism (4). The holder is manually removable from the container (2) and the stirrer is manually removable from the holder for cleaning.
