US09690953B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for generating efficient reads for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). A read command can be separated by a host processor of the system into two phases: a) transmitting a command to a storage processor of the system, where the command is associated with one or more logical addresses, and b) generating data transfer information. The host processor can generate the data transfer information while the storage processor is processing the command from the host processor. Once the data transfer information has been generated and data has been read from the NVM, the data can be transferred.
US09690942B2
A serial input/output (SIO) device with a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus gateway controller. The gateway controller retrieves operation code (opcode) from a signal from the SPI bus and an address number from the signal; the gateway controller further compares the retrieved opcode with a restrict opcode, the retrieved address number with a restrict address number. When either the retrieved opcode matches the restrict opcode, or the retrieved address number matches the restrict address number, the gateway controller blocks the signal.
US09690933B1
According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a detection engine and a classification engine. The detection engine is responsible for analyzing an object to determine if the object is malicious. The classification engine is configured to (i) receive results of the analysis of the object conducted by the detection engine and (ii) analyze, based at least in part on the results from the detection engine, whether the object is malicious in accordance with a predictive model. Responsive to the detection engine and the classification engine differing in determinations as to whether the object is malicious, information associated with at least a portion of the results of the analysis of the object by at least one of the detection engine and the classification engine is uploaded for determining whether an update of the predictive model is to occur. An update of the predictive model is subsequently received by the classification engine.
US09690925B1
A server computer system identifies a request from an application hosted on a mobile device to consume a protected resource hosted by a cloud. The request is transmitted via a resource authorization protocol. The server computer system identifies a token state of an application on the mobile device. The token state is stored in a policy data store that is separate from expiration data that is stored on an access token on the mobile device. The server computer system determines whether the token state violates a security policy that is associated with a user that is assigned to the mobile device and prevents consumption of the protected resource in response to a determination that the token state violates the security policy. The server computer system allows consumption of the protected resource in response to a determination that the token state does not violate the security policy.
US09690918B2
A computing system is described in which biometric softkeys control access to and launch computer applications in response to one or a combination of biometric signatures. After having been registered, biometric signatures are received and mapped to applications of the user environment. A particular biometric signature is then used to automatically launch the corresponding application.
US09690916B2
A multi-function identification system is described in the present invention. The system includes an appliance and a number of keys. Under a registration process, the system allows multiple appliances to be controlled by a single key or an appliance can be controlled by different keys. The system can also allow users to set specified actions to be conducted after identification processes are completed. That satisfies requirements of a multi-function identification. Meanwhile, the key is a plug-and play and on-the-go product. It is desired that the key is a host used for other purpose.
US09690914B2
Program code is modified to execute correctly only when code and data memory accesses/fetches are synchronised, i.e. data and code accesses/fetches are routed to identical physical addresses in computer memory. This indirectly defeats the MMU attack, in which code and data memory accesses/fetches to the same logical address are routed to different physical addresses. The program code is modified such that one or more sections of the code (“repair targets”) are deliberately broken so that the program code will not execute correctly, the repair targets being replaced at run time with correct code before the repair targets are executed.
US09690910B2
Shareable links can be created to share content items and information pertaining to activity on those shareable links can be monitored and stored in an online content management service. Based on this activity information, actions can be executed. These actions can include sending notifications regarding link activity, disabling shareable links, and/or updating activity thresholds related to the shareable links. Using the activity information, popular shared content items can be identified and recommendations for sharing unshared content items can be provided to the user. Additionally, advertisements can be tailored to the relative popularity of the shared content items.
US09690909B2
A controller for a programmable medical pump comprises a memory including a plurality of preloaded infusion therapies, each preloaded infusion therapy including a plurality of program parameters. The controller also includes a device receiving a selection of one of the preloaded infusion therapies, profile data corresponding to a specific patient, and values for the program parameters. The controller further includes a processor configured to determine which of the plurality of program parameters to associate with the selected preloaded infusion therapy, determine limits for the associated program parameters based upon the selected preloaded infusion therapy and the profile data, determine if the received values of program parameters exceed the determined limits, and responsive to determining that the values of the program parameters are within the determined limits, cause the selected preloaded infusion therapy to be administered via the medical pump using the received values for the program parameters.
US09690904B1
In accordance with one embodiment, a method for a health scanning system is disclosed. The method includes receiving at least one electrical physiological data signal (PDS); suppressing a Direct Current (DC) signal component of the PDS to emphasize the Alternating Current (AC) signal component of the PDS; isolating the signal noise in the AC signal component of the PDS; and extracting a noise signature from the signal noise in the PDS. The noise signature, after calibration, can be used to uniquely identify a known user from other users.
US09690879B2
Provided is a method of automatically setting, in a recipe, a process parameter (PP) according to the number of substrates to be processed. The method includes (a) displaying a process parameter of a process recipe on a display unit; (b) displaying a parameter name in a process parameter file on the display unit; (c) generating a first recipe by substituting the process parameter with the parameter name; (d) downloading the first recipe and one of a plurality of condition tables corresponding to the selected number of substrates when the number of substrates to be processed in a processing chamber is selected; and (e) generating a second recipe by substituting the process parameter of the downloaded one of the condition tables for the parameter name in the downloaded first recipe.
US09690872B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client system of a first user of an online social network, a first structured query comprising a natural-language string generated by a grammar model and references to one or more objects associated with the online social network, generating one or more query modifications for the first structured query, each query modification comprising references to one or more modifying objects associated with the online social network, and sending, to the client system of the first user, one or more of the query modifications as suggested modifications to the first structured query for display to the first user, each query modification being selectable by the first user to modify the natural-language string of the first structured query to further comprise references to the one or more of the modifying objects referenced in the selected query modification.
US09690869B2
A system for predictively caching digital content in which the system is configured to: (1) receive, from a user of a client device, a request to access at least one particular digital file stored on a remote server; (2) select at least one other digital file to cache locally on the client device based on at least one file-accessing tendency of the user; (3) download the at least one other digital file from the remote server to the client device; and (4) save the downloaded digital file to memory associated with the client device for later access by the user. A file-accessing tendency of the user may include the manner in which the user typically scrolls or otherwise cycles through images or other files. The system may determine the user's file-accessing tendencies based on, for example, the user's location, native language, past content-accessing practices, and/or specified user preferences.
US09690868B2
A tag management system can include features to assist in developing a cross-vendor profile for individual visitors to content pages of a content site. The visitors to the content site can obtain universal identifiers usable by the content site to identify the visitors. The universal identifiers can be included in the content pages by the visitor end user systems so that browser tags that may not have native access to the universal identifier can access the universal identifiers. The universal identifiers may then be provided to tag vendor systems with associated visitor data, thereby enabling the tag vendor systems to provide processed or raw data that can be compared by individual universal identifiers. Using this processed data, the content site can prepare the cross-vendor profile of individual visitors and realize insights that may be unavailable using conventional systems and methods.
US09690864B2
A method for managing user schedule and a device using the same are provided. The information stored in an external device is received and added to an existing user schedule. Accordingly, it is possible to integrally manage the user schedules scattered at different locations, and provide improved convenience of using user schedules.
US09690858B1
In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving, from a client computer, a first request comprising a partial search term for an item, wherein the partial search term comprises one or more characters; selecting a first plurality of predicted completions of the partial search term based, at least in part, on the partial search term, wherein each predicted completion in the first plurality of predicted completions is associated with a category of a set of categories; determining an order of each category in the set of categories; ordering the first plurality of predicted completions based, at least in part, on a position, in the order, of each category that is associated with each predicted completion in the first plurality of predicted completions; sending the first plurality of predicted completions to the client computer.
US09690855B2
Provided is a method applied to a system including a plurality of sensors, a proxy, and a server. The method includes: measuring objects by the plurality of sensors to obtain first measurement values; computing a correlation among the first measurement values by the server based on the first measurement values; computing an actual measurement value of a second measurement value by the proxy based on the first measurement values and a given function; verifying the plurality of sensors by setting one or more sensors as verification target sensors in turn by the server at predetermined timing; computing a predicted value of the second measurement value by the server based on the correlation and the first measurement values obtained from the other sensors; and outputting the predicted value of the second measurement value instead of the actual measurement value thereof at least during the verification of the verification target sensors.
US09690845B2
In the present invention, scope search can be effectively performed in a database having encrypted registration information. A plurality of values, first identification information to identify the plurality of values, and a key are accepted as input. A value group is generated from the plurality of values. The value group is treated as a word group, and a secure index is generated from the word group, the first identification information, and the key. On the basis of a value to be retrieved and a key, trapdoor information for the value to be retrieved is generated. With respect to the generated secure index, a secure index assessment process is performed using the trapdoor information. When the value to be retrieved is assessed to be contained in the secure index as a result of the assessment process, second identification information to identify the secure index is output.
US09690843B2
The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for storing data classification structure. Based on an initial classification structure tree, a reorganized classification structure tree that stores data classifications structure differently from that of the initial classification structure is generated. As the reorganized classification structure tree is flexible, when maintaining data and searching data by using the search engine, the present techniques may quickly find the desired data, thereby reducing the heavy burden of the search engine under the conventional techniques to conduct data search and high pressure of conducting data maintenance and data search. Further, the present techniques may not only reduce the burden of the search engine, but also relieve the pressure for maintaining data and searching data.
US09690837B1
A method is provided for preserving redundant copies of metadata in a data storage system employing de-duplication. The method includes (a) creating metadata describing a file of a file system stored on the data storage system, (b) buffering the metadata within a metadata buffer of system memory of the data storage system, (c) sending contents of the metadata buffer from system memory to transmission circuitry of the data storage system, (d) directing the transmission circuitry to store the contents of the metadata buffer to a first location of persistent storage of the data storage system, and (e) directing the transmission circuitry to store a modified version of the contents of the metadata buffer to a second location of persistent storage of the data storage system, the first location being different from the second location. A computerized apparatus and a computer program product are also provided for performing a similar method.
US09690835B2
A system and method can support subnet management in a network environment. A network switch in the network environment can provide a transactional interface, wherein the transactional interface allows a user to interact with the network environment using a transaction. The transactional interface allows a user to group one or more operations in the transaction, and ensures that no conflicting operations are included in the transaction.
US09690830B2
A content unification system is described herein that aligns related content from various sources into one unified stream. The system leverages tagging (e.g., hashtags or other added metadata associated with content) to filter and connect related content across sites, formats, and sources. One component of the system is a user-friendly and customizable “dash board” view of the various topics, called a “tagboard”. Tagboards can be quickly and easily created by users and can be embedded on any website. Users can interact with various content sources such as blogs, forums, or services without leaving the tagboard they are viewing. The content unification system provides users the tools to make the web efficient, increase user interaction, and increase the signal to noise ratio. The system also allows site owners and publishers to monetize their traffic better by directing advertisements to their content in real time.
US09690827B2
Historic inverse probability estimators are created for a graph based on all-distance sketches associated with each node of the graph. The historic inverse probability estimators include adjusted weights for each node. Graph operations such as closeness centrality are estimated using the historic inverse probability estimators. The historic inverse probability estimators can also be applied to element streams and can be used to estimate a number of unique elements in received in the element stream.
US09690824B2
Methods and Systems for searching a database of Objects. Each Object is associated with a plurality of Attributes, each Attribute is associated with a Kind, and each Kind is associated with a plurality of Attributes. Search criteria comprising an Attribute is received. A Nonceattribute is created using the search criteria. A search utilizing the Nonceattribute is inputted. All Objects having the Nonceattribute are identified. All Attributes associated with the Objects are identified. All Kinds associated with the Attributes are identified. A ranking criterion is applied to identified Kinds and Attributes. The highest-ranked portion of the Kinds and the highest-ranked portion of the Attributes that can readably be shown in a search result display are displayed.
US09690822B2
In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method executable by a server system to validate metadata of an application is provided. The method includes: receiving a custom metametadata object having a definition that specifies a format of metadata of an object, and having validation rules that specify a use of the custom metametadata object; generating a metadata record using the custom metametadata object; building an application using the metadata record; and validating the metadata record based on the validation rules of the metametadata object.
US09690803B1
A technique for storing support files in a data storage apparatus provides auxiliary files in a container file system. The container file system stores a container file that provides a file-based realization of a data object, such as an entire file system, LUN, or vVOL, for example, and stores one or more auxiliary files in the container file system alongside the container file. Thus, an auxiliary file that supports an application program's operations on a data object resides in the same fault domain with the container file that realizes the data object.
US09690796B2
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a file management program for causing a computer to execute a file management process including: transmitting a file search request based on a search condition from a currently operating information processing apparatus to a plurality of other information processing apparatuses, receiving file information searched by the respective other information processing apparatuses, and displaying the file information in the search result; selecting another information processing apparatus to be a transfer source out of a plurality of other information processing apparatuses that store a same file as a file which is selected from the search result, based on the transfer time of the selected file to the currently operating information processing apparatus; and requesting transfer of the selected file to the selected other information processing apparatus to be the transfer source, receiving the transferred selected file and displaying the selected file.
US09690793B2
Described herein are systems, methods, and software to manage file system metadata in a data storage device. In one example, a data storage device includes a first storage zone, a shingled magnetic recording (SMR) zone, and a storage control system. The storage control system is configured to maintain file system metadata in a metadata location of the first storage zone for user data in the SMR zone. The storage control system is further configured to, responsive to a usage condition being satisfied for the file system metadata in the metadata location, identify metadata locations in the SMR zone to redirect and store the file system metadata. The storage control system is also configured to maintain an indirection data structure in the metadata location of the first zone that correlates the metadata locations in the SMR zone to the file system metadata.
US09690792B2
Various embodiments provide access control to unprotected data storage system endpoints. In one embodiment, an authenticated query request is received. The request includes a query associated with an unprotected data storage system endpoint configured to execute queries anonymously. The query is written in a Resource Description Framework (RDF) query language and requests one or more datasets stored in a relational data storage system. A user parameter within the query is identified. The user parameter uniquely identifies a user requesting the query. The query is automatically rewritten to include a set of access control list properties for one or more subject variables in the query. Each of the set of access control list properties configures the query to return data from the one or more datasets for which the user is authorized to access.
US09690790B2
In a method and apparatus for retrieving data from a snapshot data storage system, for each epoch, a snapshot including (i) all changed data, and (ii) an index is created. The index includes an entry for each page that has changed during the epoch. For rapidly retrieving the data as of any given time, the method creates a hash table that includes an entry for each data page that has changed since the baseline was created. The hash table entry indicates the epoch in which the data most recently changed and an offset corresponding to the location of the changed data in the corresponding snapshot. The hash table is created by inserting an entry for each page in the most recent index, and then examining the remaining indices for all other snapshots from the most recent to the oldest snapshot and adding any non-duplicate entries into the table.
US09690783B2
To reduce a processing load of a server in a system for displaying an image in which a text indicated by converted text data is superimposed on an image prepared in advance. Text-including image data including text data and image data for displaying a text-including image in which a text indicated by the text data is superimposed on an image indicated by the image data is obtained. Converted text data resulting from conversion of the text data included in the text-including image data is obtained. The text data included in the image data is replaced by the converted text data. A text-including image in which a text indicated by the replaced text data is superimposed on the image indicated by the image data is displayed in a client, based on the text-including image data including the replaced text data and the image data.
US09690780B2
In a method for document analysis, receiving a request to translate a document, identifying usage information corresponding to the document, wherein the usage information includes information corresponding to a current viewing session of the document and historical usage information corresponding to one or more previous viewing sessions of the document, and determining one or more sections of the document to translate based on the identified usage information corresponding to the document.
US09690773B1
Methods and apparatus related to determining an association between a message trail and a task entry of a user and associating an n-gram with the task entry, wherein the n-gram is based on one or more messages of the message trail. A similarity score between the n-gram and one or more aspects of the associated task entry may be determined. The similarity score may be utilized, for example, to determine when to associate the n-gram with the task entry and/or how to utilize the associated n-gram with the task entry.
US09690771B2
Aspects described herein provide quality assurance checks for improving the construction of natural language understanding grammars. An annotation module may obtain a set of annotations for a set of text samples based, at least in part, on an ontology and a grammar. A quality assurance module may automatically perform one or more quality assurance checks on the set of annotations, the ontology, the grammar, or combinations thereof. The quality assurance module may generate a list of flagged annotations during performance of a quality assurance check. The list of flagged annotations may be presented at an annotation review interface displayed at a display device. One of the flagged annotations may be selected and presented at an annotation interface displayed at the display device. Responsive to presentation of the flagged annotation, the ontology, the grammar, the flagged annotation selected, or combinations thereof may be updated based on user input received.
US09690769B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus that detects an input focus proximate an edit area of a web page navigated to by a user of a computing device via a web browser. The edit area is configured to receive input in a particular format. The method also includes the step of displaying, on a display of the computing device, information associated with the user and maintained by a service provider, the displayed information having a format matching the particular format of input for the edit area of the web page. In one embodiment, the web page is associated with the service provider. In another embodiment, the web page is not associated with the service provider.
US09690761B1
A content handler application that may be provided on a mobile device to provide extensions to a web based application. The content handler may provide the web application access features such as the camera, GPS, A/V input and output, file system and secure uploads. The content handler may be a certified application for use on the mobile device and calls applications to access the features of the mobile device. The web applications may be updated without concern for the content handler. Because the user experience and business logic are contained in the web application they are unaffected by the certification and multi-platform issues as this is limited to only the content handler.
US09690756B2
A method and a device for rapidly editing sending content based on a receiver. A sending-content-learning module is used to learn sending content to generate a content fragment for a receiver, and perform word frequency statistics on the content fragment; a corresponding list is generated from receiver information, the content fragment, and the word frequency statistics, and is stored; for the receiver and the word frequency statistics, the content fragment is displayed for a sender to edit the sending content, so as to send the sending content to a corresponding receiver. When a user edits a short message or an email, a content fragment commonly used for a corresponding receiver is displayed in a display box, and a sender can rapidly complete editing by selecting a required content fragment, thereby facilitating fast and convenient input and improving the user experience.
US09690754B2
A document creation interface, including an input section and a document preview section, is provided and displayed to user in order to assist in document preparation and creation. The input section of the interface can contain a structure chart template having input blocks into which a user may provide input. The input blocks may be configured to include an expandable quick guide to assist user in entering relevant information into a given input block. A document is then generated from the input received and based on the organization of the structure chart template. The document can then be dynamically displayed in the document preview section of the interface.
US09690751B2
In order to enhance the speed of a processing necessary for setting the factor of a filter and further maintain the accuracy of the filter, a digital processing apparatus includes: a Fourier transform unit that Fourier transforms a time domain digital signal, thereby generating N frequency domain signals; a filter unit that uses N first factors to process the frequency domain signals in the frequency domain; an inverse Fourier transform unit that transforms the frequency domain signals as processed by the filer unit to a time domain digital signal; a low accuracy factor calculation unit that uses m second factors to calculate N first A factors; a high accuracy factor calculation unit that includes a factor division unit for calculating respective ratios of N third factors to the N first A factors and that also includes a factor variable unit for calculating N first B factors varying stepwise from one to the respective ratios; a multiplication unit that multiplies the first A factors by the first B factors, thereby calculating the N first factors; and a control unit that controls the low accuracy factor calculation unit and high accuracy factor calculation unit by causing only the low accuracy factor calculation unit to operate with the first B factors being set to one and thereafter causing the high accuracy factor calculation unit to calculate the first B factors based on the third factors.
US09690745B2
One or more chassis management controllers may be configured to receive a user indication of a user desire to physically remove a modular information handling resource from a chassis, determine whether the modular information handling resource is shared or nonshared with respect to modular information handling systems present in the chassis, determine whether the modular information handling systems associated with the modular information handling resource are powered on, receive at least one response to one query to the user regarding at least one user preference regarding removal of the modular information handling resource, and determine if the information handling resource may be safely removed based at least on: the determinations of whether the information handling system resource is shared or nonshared and whether the modular information handling systems present in the chassis and associated with the modular information handling resource are powered on, and the at least one response.
US09690742B2
A method for serial data transfer in a bus system having at least two bus subscribers that exchange messages via the bus, the transmitted messages having a logical structure according to CAN standard ISO 11898-1, the logical structure encompassing a start-of-frame bit, arbitration field, control field, data field, CRC field, acknowledge field, and end-of-frame sequence, the control field encompassing a data length code having an information item regarding the data field length. When a first marker (EDL) is present, the control field of the messages, divergently from the CAN standard ISO 11898-1, encompasses more than six bits; when the first marker (EDL) is present, the control field of the message is expanded to include at least one further bit (ESI); and the further bit (ESI) or one of the further bits causes an information item regarding the “error passive” state of the bus subscriber to be integrated into transmitted messages.
US09690728B1
A burst buffer appliance is adapted for coupling between a computer system and a file system. The burst buffer appliance comprises a flash memory or other high-speed memory having a substantially lower access time than the file system, and is configured to include a plurality of virtual machines for processing respective different types of input-output operations that involve utilization of the high-speed memory, with each of the virtual machines providing a different performance level for its associated type of input-output operations. The performance levels provided by the plurality of virtual machines may comprise respective different quality of service (QoS) levels for the respective different types of input-output operations, specified in terms of parameters such as latency and throughput rate. A highest QoS level may be provided by a particular virtual machine for operations involving writing checkpoints from the computer system to the high-speed memory.
US09690721B2
One or more methods and systems of sharing an external memory between functional modules of an integrated circuit chip are presented. The invention provides a system and method of reducing the amount of off-chip memory utilized by one or more integrated circuit chips. In one embodiment, a method for sharing an off-chip memory among one or more on-chip functional modules comprises arbitrating the communication of data between one or more on-chip functional modules and the off-chip memory. In one embodiment, the arbitration is facilitated by using an internal data bus that is controlled by a bus arbiter control unit. In one embodiment, a system for sharing an off-chip memory between functional modules of an integrated circuit comprises a security processing module, a media access controller module, a data interface, and a data bus.
US09690718B2
A method of protecting software for embedded applications against unauthorized access. Software to be protected is loaded into a protected memory area. Access to the protected memory area is controlled by sentinel logic circuitry. The sentinel logic circuitry allows access to the protected memory area from only either within the protected memory area or from outside of the protected memory area but through a dedicated memory location within the protected memory area. The dedicated memory location then points to protected address locations within the protected memory area.
US09690709B2
According to one technique, a virtual machine identifies a first instruction to create a variable handle instance, the first instruction including declaration information that identifies a type of receiver and a variable held by the receiver to which the variable handle instance is configured to provide access. If access to the variable is permissible, the virtual machine creates the variable handle instance comprising constrained functions configured to execute constrained operations on a memory location of the variable. The virtual machine identifies a second instruction that specifies a call to a particular constrained, wherein the second instruction specifies the receiver or is implicitly bound to the receiver. The virtual machine identifies a particular memory location where the instance of the variable is stored and performs the particular constrained function with respect to the particular memory location.
US09690698B2
A memory system and a method of operating the same are provided. The method includes storing a first map table including a mapping relation between first physical addresses specifying pages of memory blocks having multi-level cells and first logical addresses, storing first logical address groups of the first logical addresses as meta information, determining a second logical address group of a request address, detecting whether the second logical address group is in the first logical address groups of the meta information, and searching for the request address in the first map table based on the detecting result.
US09690689B2
A development system comprises a user interface component and a customization component configured to receive developer customization inputs and to customize a portion of a computing system based on the developer customization inputs. The portion comprises types modeled in the computing system. The development system also comprises a test generation component configured to identify a test value by accessing a test knowledge set based on the types, control the user interface component to generate a user interface display that displays an indication of the test value, and generate a test for the portion of the computing system.
US09690683B2
In one aspect, a method is implemented on a host platform on which a hypervisor (aka Virtual Machine Manager) and a plurality of virtual machines (VMs) are running, the plurality of VMs collectively hosting a plurality of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and/or Network Function Virtualization (NFV) appliances that are communicatively coupled via a virtual network. A software-based entity running on the host platform is configured to monitor the plurality of virtual network appliances to detect failures of the virtual network appliances. In response to detection of a virtual network appliance failure, messages containing configuration information are implemented to reconfigure packet flows to bypass the virtual network appliance that has failed.
US09690677B2
A first transmission device transmits a signal to a third transmission device by using an active line and a spare line. The first transmission device includes a CRC generator and an SN adder. The CRC generator calculates the CRC value of the signal. The SN adder stores, in a FCS byte filed in the signal, the FCS calculated value obtained by adding the SN representing consecutiveness of the signal to the CRC value. Furthermore, the first transmission device outputs the signal in which the FCS calculated value is stored to the second transmission device by using the active line and the spare line.
US09690671B2
Scalable architectures, systems, and services are provided herein for creating manifest-based snapshots in distributed computing environments. In some embodiments, responsive to receiving a request to create a snapshot of a data object, a master node identifies multiple slave nodes on which a data object is stored in the cloud-computing platform and creates a snapshot manifest representing the snapshot of the data object. The snapshot manifest comprises a file including a listing of multiple file names in the snapshot manifest and reference information for locating the multiple files in the distributed database system. The snapshot can be created without disrupting I/O operations, e.g., in an online mode by various region servers as directed by the master node. Additionally, a log roll approach to creating the snapshot is also disclosed in which log files are marked. The replaying of log entries can reduce the probability of causal consistency in the snapshot.
US09690666B1
Various systems and methods for performing incremental backups in transactional file systems. For example, one method involves performing the first stage of a multi-stage write operation, where the write operation writes a data block. The method then involves performing a backup operation. However, the backup operation does not backup the modified block, since not all stages of the multi-stage write operation have been performed. The method involves updating metadata to indicate that though the data block was modified and a backup operation was performed, the data block was not included in the backup operation. After all stages of the multi-stage write operation have completed, e.g., a transaction is committed, a subsequent backup operation is performed. The data block is backed up during the subsequent backup operation.
US09690661B2
For single-level cell flash memories and multi-level cell flash memories, different operations can be performed according to their stability when an abnormal status is terminated. Specifically, for the multi-level cell flash memories, when the abnormal status is terminated, a now physical block is used to proceed with write operation, and the previous physical block(s) would not be written any more. On the contrary, for the single-level cell flash memories, when the abnormal status is terminated, the controller needs to perform corresponding operations on the last physical page of the previous physical block(s).
US09690658B2
A distributed storage system includes a plurality of storage devices and an information processing devices including a storage unit that is accessed more preferentially than the plurality of storage devices, and a processor. The processor deletes the data that can be restored from the storage unit when data that belongs to data stored in a first storage device and which can be restored is stored in the storage unit. The processor writes data that belongs to the data stored in the first storage device and which will not be restored to the storage unit. The processor switches the first storage device to the power-off state after writing the data. The processor reads the data that has been stored in the storage unit and which will not be restored when a request to read the data that will not be restored is given.
US09690656B2
A method of encoding data on single level or variable multi-level cell storage includes receiving a block of encoded data from an approximation-aware application and at least an importance attribute associated with the block of encoded data; and assigning the block of encoded data to a memory address or a particular region of a memory having at least three precision levels, based at least according to the importance attribute. The importance attribute indicates a relative sensitivity of bits of the block to errors in an output quality from decoding the encoded data. An approximation-aware application can be an image encoding application having a modified entropy encoding step that enables identification and splitting of bits into groupings according to sensitivity to errors.
US09690648B2
The present application describes techniques for providing dynamic at-risk system reports at the site of the at-risk system. The ARS may send information about system health (e.g., values for system health parameters) to a support entity, and may receive a risk assessment from the support entity. The ARS may, alternatively or in addition, receive support information from the support entity. Risk assessments and recommendations may be surfaced on a user interface of the ARS. New risk profiles, risk assessments, and support recommendations may be developed and loaded onto the support entity to provide dynamically updatable support solutions.
US09690645B2
Determining suspected root causes of anomalous network behavior includes identifying anomalous components in a network exhibiting anomalous behavior from a plurality of network components, assigning a likelihood score to network components based on a scoring policy that considers recent change events affecting the anomalous components, and identifying a subset of the network components that are suspected to be root causes based on the likelihood score.
US09690638B2
A flexible transactional data structure can be used to store message header in a transactional middleware machine environment. The flexible transactional data structure can have dynamic numbers of fields and is accessible via specified IDs. The message header can include a first data structure that stores address information for accessing a client using a first message queue, and a second data structure that stores address information for accessing a client using a second message queue. The first type of server operates to use only the first data structure to obtain the address information for accessing the client using the first message queue. The second type of server operates to obtain a key from the first data structure first, and then use the key to obtain from the second data structure the address information for accessing the client using the second message queue.
US09690633B2
A synchronization method of multiple threads is executed by a computer. The synchronization method includes determining a type of a synchronization process of a first thread performing the synchronization process for synchronization with a second thread; starting time measurement when the type of the synchronization process of the first thread is a first type; performing the synchronization process of the first thread and a synchronization process of the second thread based on a synchronization process history of the second thread when the measured time exceeds a permitted response period of the first thread; and updating the permitted response period and performing the synchronization processes of the first thread and the second thread based on the synchronization process history of the second thread, when another processing request is received.
US09690628B2
A method of operating a server computer serving a group of scanners; wherein the scanners are registered in a database with a respective indication of reservation status. The method includes receiving, at the server computer, a request for a scanning operation from a user's electronic device; wherein the request includes a user identifier and a scanner identifier; granting a reservation of the selected scanner upon reception of the request for a scanning operation, wherein the reservation lapses unless the request is confirmed within a predefined time period; and receiving, from the selected scanner, a predefined user generated event. Upon reception of the predefined user generated event within the predefined time period: maintaining the reservation until a scanning operation is terminated or cancelled, and transmitting any electronic reproduction resulting from the selected scanning operation performed at the selected scanner to the user identified by the user identifier.
US09690625B2
A system and method for managing the dynamic sharing of processor resources between threads in a multi-threaded processor are disclosed. Out-of-order allocation and deallocation may be employed to efficiently use the various resources of the processor. Each element of an allocate vector may indicate whether a corresponding resource is available for allocation. A search of the allocate vector may be performed to identify resources available for allocation. Upon allocation of a resource, a thread identifier associated with the thread to which the resource is allocated may be associated with the allocate vector entry corresponding to the allocated resource. Multiple instances of a particular resource type may be allocated or deallocated in a single processor execution cycle. Each element of a deallocate vector may indicate whether a corresponding resource is ready for deallocation. Examples of resources that may be dynamically shared between threads are reorder buffers, load buffers and store buffers.
US09690616B2
Methods and devices for determining load on a computing device involve scheduling at least one idle thread for execution during a first sleep time of a predefined reference interval and, determining a natural load at a lapse of the first sleep time. If the natural load equals or exceeds a fixed load requirement for the predefined reference interval, a second sleep time is scheduled for the remainder of the predefined reference interval. If, instead, the natural load is less than the fixed load requirement and a fixed load time for the fixed load requirement equals the remainder of the predefined reference interval, an artificial load is generated for the remainder of the predefined reference interval.
US09690614B1
Methods, systems, and computer readable mediums for orchestrating the automated installation of an application in a virtual environment are disclosed. According to one example, a method includes deploying a virtual machine hosting an application in a virtual environment and facilitating, via a mediation application programming interface (API), communication between the application and an orchestration layer manager managing the virtual environment. The method further includes receiving, by the orchestration layer manager, installation requirement information from the application via the mediation API and establishing, in the virtual environment, one or more supporting virtual machines respectively configured to host at least one supporting application specified by the installation requirement information.
US09690609B2
A method comprises pairing a virtual machine instance with a virtual agent that is registered with registry in an execution environment. In this regard, upon instantiating the virtual machine and the corresponding virtual agent, the virtual agent monitors for transaction(s), e.g., a specific invoked method, on that execution environment. The virtual agent is also configured for generating an event in response to detecting the transaction. The virtual agent provides a unique signature associated with the event, which identifies the origin of the virtual machine instance. Still further, the virtual agent is configured for forwarding the event to the registry for collating with other events so as to produce composite end-to-end logs of processes in a manner that enables provenance.
US09690607B2
Described herein is a system and method for generic product wiring in a cloud environment. In accordance with an embodiment, a virtual assembly builder can be used to virtualize installed components in a reference environment, and then deploy those components into another destination environment. A user can capture the configuration and binaries of software components into software appliance artifacts, which can be grouped and their relationships defined as software assembly artifacts. In accordance with an embodiment, a generic product introspector plugin allows users to specify at introspection, during creation of a virtual assembly, one or more metadata properties to be exposed for editing and configuration by scripts, during a subsequent rehydration of the virtual assembly. The properties exposed for editing and configuration by scripts can be used during instantiation of an instance of the assembly to define one or more inputs and outputs for the instance.
US09690606B1
According to one embodiment of the invention, a computerized method is described for improved efficiency in malware detection. The method comprises detecting a system call initiated by a virtual machine and determining a class assigned to the detected system call. In response to determining that the system call is associated with a first class of system calls, providing information associated with the system call to virtualized device hardware. In contrast, in response to determining that the system call is associated with a second class of system calls, which is different from the first class of system calls, the virtual machine resumes virtual processing of an object without providing information to the virtualized device hardware.
US09690595B2
A booting method for computer system with multiple central processing units is provided. The method includes: initializing at least two CPUs of the multiple CPUs at start of a booting process; accessing, by each of the at least two initialized CPUs, a task description chart (TDC) stored in the computer system, wherein the TDC includes information of at least two tasks of the booting process; and selecting, by each of the at least two initialized CPUs, a task from at least two tasks according to selection information of the at least two tasks in the TDC; obtaining, by each of the at least two initialized CPUs, the selected task according to address information of the selected task in the TDC; and executing, by the initialized CPUs, the selected tasks at least partially in parallel.
US09690594B2
A system for configuring a controller without a file transfer. Programmable controllers may typically use configuration data structures that are transferred to the controller via a file transfer mechanism. The present controller does not necessarily need a tool with file transfer capability, but only a capability to read and write network variables. Configuration data structures may incorporate replacement specifications, and replacement constants representing replacement data to be selected. Changes of value in public variables may be identified as being replacement variables by virtue of their presence in the replacement specifications. When such changes of values are detected, instructions in the replacement specifications may detail how to modify the configuration file content associated with those public variables.
US09690592B2
A display control device for controlling a display unit in a vehicle, including a dedicated middleware that executes a dedicated application program on a vehicle side, a general purpose middleware that executes a general purpose application program from an external of the vehicle, and an interface that exchanges necessary information between the dedicate middleware and the general purpose middleware, includes: an activation device that activates the dedicated middleware first, and activates the general purpose middleware after the dedicated middleware; and a dedicated display control device that displays, before an activation of the general-purpose middleware is completed, a dedicated menu screen for activating the dedicated application program on the display unit via the dedicated middleware when the dedicated application program on the dedicated middleware is available.
US09690590B2
Executing instructions in a processor includes: selecting or more instructions to be issued together in the same clock cycle of the processor from among a plurality of instructions, the selected one or more instructions occurring consecutively according to a program order; and executing instructions that have been issued, through multiple execution stages of a pipeline of the processor. The executing includes: determining a delay assigned to a first instruction, and sending a result of a first operation performed by the first instruction in a first execution stage to a second execution stage, where the number of execution stages between the first execution stage and the second execution stage is based on the determined delay.
US09690587B2
Embodiments relate to variable branch prediction. An aspect includes determining a branch selection of an execution unit of a processor and determining whether a present prediction state of the state machine correctly predicted the branch selection by the execution unit. The aspect includes determining whether a predetermined condition is met for performing an alternative state transition and, based on determining that the predetermined condition is met, changing the present prediction state of the branch prediction state machine from the one state to another state according to an alternative state transition process based on the branch selection of the execution unit and the determination whether the present prediction state of the state machine correctly predicted the branch selection by the execution unit.
US09690581B2
A computer processor and corresponding method of operation employs execution logic that includes at least one functional unit and operand storage that stores data that is produced and consumed by the at least one functional unit. The at least one functional unit is configured to execute a deferred operation whose execution produces result data. The execution logic further includes a retire station that is configured to store and retire the result data of the deferred operation in order to store such result data in the operand storage, wherein the retire of such result data occurs at a machine cycle following issue of the deferred operation as controlled by statically-assigned parameter data included in the encoding of the deferred operation.
US09690574B2
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for configuring a controlled device in a control system are provided. A self-describing device Module associated with a controlled device provides capabilities of a controlled device both at runtime and before installation. The controlled device Module includes a capabilities component that provides a description of the controlled device's capabilities both as a capabilities object that can be queried at runtime and in a self-describing capabilities file implemented in a format prior to operational configuration of the Module or controlled device. The Module is configured to generate its runtime capabilities object and self-describing capabilities file.
US09690562B2
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for detecting computing processes requiring reinitialization after a software package update. A physical or virtual client machine can host a set of installed software packages, including operating system, application, and/or other software. An restart tool can track the set of executing processes on the client, and identify both corresponding executable files which spawned those processes, and any installed package updates which correspond to those executable files. The restart tool can compare the timestamp or other indicator of the version of the executable file which spawned currently running processes, and the timestamp or other indicator of any newer executable files which may have been installed after the application or other process was initiated. A user can be alerted to terminate and restart any processes running off of out-of-date executable files, or in embodiments those reinitializations can be set to be performed automatically.
US09690559B2
Downloadable pluggable services and methods of distributing the same are described. The downloadable pluggable services may correspond to communication services that can be downloaded to upgrade a communication system. The downloadable pluggable services may include a number of component parts that can be distributed among various servers in the communication system being upgraded along with instructions that enable the component parts to instruct each server in the communication system to operate in a coordinated fashion so as to provide the downloaded service.
US09690554B2
A type system includes a dual representation for basic data types. One representation is the basic data type representation common to such basic built-in data types, known as an unboxed value type or simply as a value type. Each of the basic data types also has a boxed representation that can be stored in the object hierarchy of the type system. This dual representation can also be extended to user-defined types, so that user-defined types may exist both as an unboxed value type and as an object within the object hierarchy of the type system. This dual representation allows the compiler and/or runtime environment to select the most effective and efficient representation for the data type depending on the particular need at the moment.
US09690553B1
Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for identifying dependency relationships in a software product. Aspects include obtaining change history data for the software product and extracting a plurality of change elements from the change history data, each change element including an identifier of a code segment that was changed and a timestamp of the change. Aspects also include creating a dependency graph based on the plurality of change elements, wherein the dependency graph includes nodes that correspond to the code segments and edges that connect nodes that were both updated in a same logical grouping, calculating a weight for each of the edges based on probability that the nodes connected by the edge will be updated together, and outputting the dependency graph.
US09690548B2
As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, includes receiving a request to instantiate an instance of a thread-local manager for a particular thread, instantiating the instance of the thread-local manager, and providing global visibility to the instance of the thread-local manager. The method further includes manipulating thread-local variables corresponding to the particular thread and removing all the thread-local variables when the particular thread completes a task. A computer system and computer program product corresponding to the above method are also disclosed herein.
US09690543B2
A data processing system uses alignment circuitry to align input operands in accordance with a programmable significance parameter to form aligned input operands. The aligned input operands are supplied to arithmetic circuitry, such as an integer adder or an integer multiplier, where a result value is formed. The result value is stored in an output operand storage element, such as a result register. The programmable significance parameter is independent of the result value.
US09690533B2
An exemplary display system includes: a first display device; a second display device; and a display control unit that controls one of the first display device and the second display device to display a map image corresponding to a given position, and controls the other of the first display device and the second display device to display a partial image which is a part of a panoramic image corresponding to the position.
US09690516B2
Embodiments described herein include a PSL engine that includes various memory elements that permit the engine to grant locks on particular portions of data in a stripe in a RAID storage system. The PSL engine can assign (or lock) different blocks of the stripe for different operations. The PSL engine can grant locks to multiple operations for the same stripe if the operations access mutually exclusive blocks of the stripe. Each time a new operation is requested, the PSL engine determines whether the operation would affect a stripe data block that is currently assigned to another operation. If the new operation corresponds to a block of data in the stripe that includes data locked by another operation, the PSL engine assigns the new operation to a wait list. In one embodiment, the PSL engine maintains a wait list for each of the stripes in the RAID system.
US09690514B2
An apparatus includes: processing circuitry configured to extract first information from a first target data which includes a plurality of data blocks, the first information corresponding to third information which is included in a last data block of the plurality of data blocks, the first target data being to be written to a first segment of a storage medium; extract second information from a second target data which is to be written to a second segment of the storage medium after writing the first target data to the first segment, the second information corresponding to fourth information which is included in the second target data; generate first write data by adding the first information and the second information to the first target data; and write the first write data to the first segment of the storage medium.
US09690513B2
A plurality of data slices are generated from a block of data to be stored in the dispersed storage system. A plurality of dispersed storage units are determined for storing the plurality of data slices, based on an operating system associated with the plurality of dispersed storage units.
US09690508B1
A method for anonymizing a data set dump includes detecting an error in an original data set and generating a copy of the original data set. Like the original data set, the copy contains an index and a plurality of members. The method reads the index to locate members within the copy that are reachable by the index. The method then converts the copy to a scrubbed copy by overwriting customer data within the members, while retaining the index, structure of the members, and quantity of data within the data set. In certain embodiments, the method further locates lost members within the copy that are not referenced by the index, and overwrites customer data within the lost members. The scrubbed copy may then be transmitted to a technician for examination since all potentially sensitive/confidential data has been removed. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
US09690499B1
A computer-implemented method for cloud-based data protection storage may include (1) identifying a request to maintain a data protection image for a volume of data, (2) identifying a third-party storage service to use for storing the data protection image, (3) receiving a stream of data to apply to the data protection image, (4) buffering a portion of the stream of data, (5) writing the buffered portion of the stream to the third-party storage service as a single storage object, and (6) associating the single storage object with the buffered portion of the stream in a data map. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09690498B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for testing and/or validating that an untrusted device is operating according to an expected state or configuration. The methods and systems may be designed such that the volatile memory of the untrusted device is brought to a known state for validation, for example upon ingress to or egress from a protected mode of operation. The device may execute a first operating system when operating outside of the protected mode. Upon determining to transition to protected mode, an operational image of a second operating system may be loaded into the device. The device may write a pattern to unused memory for validation. The device may receive a first challenge request from a trusted monitor (TM). In order to be successfully validated, the device may answer the challenge correctly within a given response window based on the current state of its volatile memory.
US09690489B2
A method for improving access performance of a non-volatile storage device when programming data of a size smaller than a fixed minimum program number (FMPN) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: predetermining a size of a blank data section for combining with a first data section and a second data section, the total size of the first data section, the second data section and the blank data section equals the FMPN; reading out data located at the second data section; updating a new data to the first data section; combining the new data with the data at the second data section; and incorporating the combined data with the blank data of the blank data section to become a final data, and programming the final data.
US09690487B2
Upon receipt of an I/O request instructing storage of data in a storage device 106 from a host apparatus, a storage apparatus 100 selects a de-duplication process method to be applied to the received data, based on at least any of influence on processing performance of the storage apparatus 100 to be performed by execution of a first de-duplication process method (inline method) in which the de-duplication process is performed on the data immediately after the receipt of the I/O request, influence on the processing performance of the storage apparatus 100 to be performed by execution of a second de-duplication process method (post-process method) in which the de-duplication process is performed on the data at later timing, and the size of a temporary storage device 106b to be required for the processing of the data by the second de-duplication process method.
US09690483B2
In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes producing one or more clean frames by clearing a batch of one or more frames for use in backing virtual memory pages. The producing the one or more clean frames may be performed asynchronously from a unit of work being performed by a processor. The one or more clean frames may be added to a clean frame queue, where the clean frame queue includes a plurality of clean frames that have been cleared. A first request may be received, from the processor, for a frame for use in backing a virtual memory page of the unit of work. A clean frame, of the one or more clean frames, may be removed from the clean frame queue, responsive to the first request. The clean frame may be delivered to the processor, responsive to the first request.
US09690475B2
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a an operating tool detection unit that detects an indication direction of an operation tool in contact with a display panel and an operation identification unit that identifies a direction of an operation input by the operating tool, based on the detected indication direction of the operating tool. Thereby, the direction of the operation is detected based on the indication direction of the operating tool, so that an operation independent of an orientation of the display panel with respect to an operator becomes possible.
US09690467B2
A graphical user interface that is embodied in a computer-readable medium for execution on a computer, and configured for processing of an image that is displayed on a screen. The graphical user interface includes an original version of a control element, and a blurred version of the control element. The blurred version of the control element is superimposed over the image on the screen, and the original version of the control element is superimposed over the blurred version of the control element on the screen.
US09690466B2
Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist. Each of the items can be removed from, added to, or moved around in the playlist without concerning that an item may further include many items therein.
US09690464B2
A terminal device to accurately define a selection range by an intuitive operation when an object is selected on a touch panel display. The terminal device includes a touch panel display for displaying an object and sensing proximity or contact of a finger, a coordinate sensing unit for detecting a coordinate value of an approaching position or a contacting position of the finger to the touch panel display, and an object selecting unit. The object selecting unit sets a selection range defined by the coordinate values of the plurality of fingers and selects the object included in the selection range when the coordinate values of the plurality of fingers detected by the coordinate sensing unit have been concurrently maintained for a predetermined time.
US09690461B2
Systems and method for presenting and enabling editing of project management data for agile software development are provided. In some implementations, a method includes, in a software development application: identifying a first plurality of assets associated with a software product being developed in the software development application in a first content display window; responsive to detecting a user selection of a first link corresponding to a first asset in the first plurality of assets: displaying, in the first content display window, a second plurality of assets associated with the first asset; and responsive to detecting a selection of a second link corresponding to a second asset in the second plurality of assets: displaying in a second content display window separate and distinct from the first content display window, attributes of the second asset configured to be editable by a user.
US09690458B2
An image viewing method includes: determining at least a first partial image corresponding to a portion of a first image directly selected from a plurality of images, and driving a display apparatus according to the first partial image; in accordance with a user interaction input, determining a second partial image corresponding to a portion of a second image directly selected from the images; and driving the display apparatus according to at least the second partial image. In one implementation, the first image and the second image are spatially correlated, and a field of view (FOV) of each of the first image and the second image is larger than an FOV of the display apparatus.
US09690452B2
The present invention is a system and method operable with generally available browser technology that may facilitate improved access and navigation of the Internet and world-wide web by a user who is a novice user or is a user with disabilities. A browser plug-in component may cause the display of buttons, indicators and/or textual information to a user to aid a user in accessing and navigating the webpages. The buttons, indicators and/or textual information may be provided as an overlay on existing webpages. The overlay and webpage display may be tailored to specific users at a point in time and over time so that the overlay elements may reflect user preferences and/or a level of access/navigation activities that is appropriate to the user.
US09690448B2
An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. Upon selection of a particular object for editing, functionality available for editing the object is presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above the software application workspace to allow the user ready and efficient access to functionality needed for editing the selected object. The display of relevant functionality controls is persisted until the user dismisses the display, selects another top-level functionality control or selects another object for editing.
US09690447B2
A user interface includes elements whose appearance dynamically changes in dependence upon functions associated with the elements. In the case of an icon that is the destination for a drag-and-drop operation, the image displayed for the icon changes in accordance with the object being dragged to it, to represent the task that will be performed as a result of the drag-and-drop operation. The appearance of other elements involved in drag-and-drop operations can also be varied, to reflect the task at hand. As a result, the user is provided with more intuitive feedback regarding the functions that will be performed by the computer as a result of a drag-and-drop operation.
US09690445B2
Methods, apparatus and computer program products for controlling a computing device comprising a touch-screen user interface. A status of one or more applications having access to the touch-screen user interface of the computing device is monitored. In response to the monitoring indicating that a predetermined application is displaying a screen on the touch-screen user interface, at least one overlay portion is configured over a part of the displayed screen. Hence, an augmented user interface experience is provided which allows display of information to a user via an overlay displayed on top of information associated with a predetermined application already being presented to the user. No interaction by the user with the touch-screen user interface is required in order to navigate away from or back to the predetermined application.
US09690426B1
A heuristic touch interface system includes a touch interface device having a touch input surface and being configured to provide touch input data indicative of a location of a touch input from a user on the touch input surface. An accelerometer determines acceleration forces relative to the touch input surface and provides acceleration data. A heuristic controller accesses the acceleration data to determine if an acceleration force exceeds a predetermined threshold. In response to an acceleration force exceeding the predetermined threshold, the heuristic controller accesses the touch input data, generates acceleration-corrected touch input data, and transmits a signal indicative of the acceleration corrected touch data to an avionics system.
US09690425B2
System and methods are provided for tracking baseline signals for touch detection. The system includes: a comparison network configured to determine whether an input baseline signal is within a tracking range; a filter network configured to generate an output baseline signal for touch detection based at least in part on the input baseline signal according to one or more filter parameters; and a signal processing component configured to update the one or more filter parameters based at least in part on the determination of whether the input baseline signal is within the tracking range.
US09690423B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a touch sensible organic light emitting device. The organic light emitting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; an organic light emitting element connected to the thin film transistor and receiving a data voltage; a plurality of encapsulation thin films disposed on the organic light emitting element, and encapsulating the thin film transistor and the organic light emitting element; a planarization layer disposed on the encapsulation thin film; and a touch sensor disposed on the planarization layer.
US09690421B2
A touch system using a processor to configure a touch detection architecture and including a sensor unit, a connection unit, a touch scan unit, a touch detection unit, and a processor unit. The sensor unit has a plurality of sensors. The connection unit determines a sensors-joined configuration of the plurality of sensors according to at least one connection control signal. The touch scan unit coupling at least one touch signal to the connection unit according to at least one scan configuration signal. The touch detection unit outputting the touch signal and deriving touch information from a parameter of the touch signal according to at least one operation mode configuration signal. The processor unit outputting the at least one connection control signal, the scan configuration signal, and the operation mode configuration signal according to a content of a control table, and receiving the touch information.
US09690403B2
An electronic meeting is attended by participants with touch-sensitive display devices. An electronic meeting server allows a group of selected participants to edit a shared document during the meeting. Another group of participants may cast votes during the meeting using objects at least partially created during the meeting. Each participant has an active stylus for interfacing with a touch-sensitive display device during the meeting. The active stylus has a stylus identification signal associated with each participant. The stylus identification signal allows for selection and management of the editing and voting groups and allows multiple participants to share a touch-sensitive display device.
US09690395B2
A digitizer system includes a designated sensing area comprising a plurality of sensing lines for sensing an electromagnetic signal emitted by a stylus, circuitry for detecting output from the plurality of sensing lines and for determining an interacting position of the stylus in the designated sensing area based on the output detected and a peripheral area contiguous to the designated sensing area. The peripheral area includes a plurality of conductive elements for connecting the sensing lines to the circuitry and at least one auxiliary sensing line extending over the peripheral area in the vicinity of the conductive elements and connected to the circuitry. The auxiliary sensing line senses the electromagnetic signal when it is emitted over the peripheral area and the circuitry detects output from the at least one auxiliary sensing line.
US09690394B2
An input device for computing devices that include touch screens. The input device includes a body, a nib or tip movably coupled to the body, and an actuator operably connected to the body and the nib. The actuator moves the nib from a first position to a second position, and in the first position the input device provides a first input to the computing device and in the second position the input device provides a second input to the computing device.
US09690389B2
A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for controlling a keyboard to provide automatic compensation for force variation in sensitivity over time for a force sensing keyboard. In certain embodiments, an information handling system includes a keyboard control system software which can automatically compensate for this variation in sensitivity over time.
US09690384B1
A user can use a finger, or other such object, to provide input to a computing device. The finger can be positioned and/or oriented at a distance from the device, and the device can determine an input that the user is attempting to provide based on a position, motion, or gesture associated with the finger. One or more cameras can capture image information, which can be analyzed to attempt to determine the location and/or orientation of the finger. If the finger is at least partially outside a field of view of the camera(s), the device can use another sensor (e.g., EMF) to determine one or more potential locations of the fingertip. The image information then can be used to determine which of the potential locations actually corresponds to the fingertip by analyzing that portion of the finger or hand represented in the image information.
US09690383B1
An electronic device, while tactile output generators are in a low-power state, receives an indication that a user interaction has started. The device, if the indication meets tactile output generator preparation criteria, sets the tactile output generators to a low-latency state at a first time. Thereafter, the device, if the user interaction has reached a respective portion of the user interaction that is associated with a tactile output before a predefined amount of time since the first time has elapsed and the tactile output generators are still in the low-latency state, generates the tactile output using the tactile output generators with a reduced latency. If a tactile output has not been generated for at least the predefined amount of time since the first time, the device transitions the tactile output generators from the low-latency state to the low-power state.
US09690377B2
Methods and a mobile terminal for providing visual and haptic feedback are provided. At least one first touch made to an object displayed on a touch screen is detected. The object is transformed and displayed in response to movement of the first touch. At least one second touch made to the displayed object is detected. Visual feedback is displayed on the touch screen in response to the second touch, and haptic feedback corresponding to a predetermined haptic pattern is output using a vibration motor.
US09690374B2
A system and method of operating an audio visual system generating a virtual immersive experience may include an electronic user device in communication with a tracking device that may track a user's physical movement in a real world space and translate the tracked physical movement into corresponding movement in the virtual world generated by the user device. The system may detect when a user and the user device are approaching a boundary of a tracking area and automatically initiate a transition out of the virtual world and into the real world. A smooth, or graceful, transition between the virtual world and the real world as the user encounters this boundary may avoid disorientation which may occur as a user continues to move in the real world, while motion appears to have stopped upon reaching the tracking boundary.
US09690372B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a display device, a display method and a display apparatus that may control a user to play electronic products at a suitable distance and avoid myopia of the user. The display device comprises: a distance sensor, a display screen, a controller, and a fuzzy processing device, wherein the distance sensor is configured to determine the distance between a user of the display device and the display screen, and wherein the controller is configured to control the fuzzy processing device when the distance between the user of the display device and the display screen is not greater than a predetermined value such that the fuzzy processing device carries out a fuzzy process on the image picture displayed on the display screen and the processed image picture is demonstrated to the user of the display device.
US09690359B2
An integrated circuit is provided with a low-power island including embedded memory power domains that may selectively couple to either an active-mode power supply voltage supplied on a first power rail or to a sleep-mode power supply voltage supplied on a second power rail.
US09690356B2
A method for controlling the clock frequency of a processor while suppressing performance degradation is disclosed. The processor receives power from a battery to operate at a high clock frequency HFM(f) or a low clock frequency LFM(f). An allowable current Im is set for the discharge current of the battery. The time during which the processor operates at the HFM(f) and the time during which the processor operates at the LFM(f) are controlled by PWM. As the feedback current Ifb increases, the time during which the processor operates at the LFM(f) become longer than the time during which the processor operates at the HFM(f).
US09690352B2
A portable electronic device includes a power management unit, a sense module, a receiver module and an application processor. The sense module powered by a first operating voltage from the power management unit provides a first control signal in response to a sense event when the portable electronic device is in a sleep mode. The receiver module is powered by a second operating voltage from the power management unit in response to the first control signal. When the receiver module is powered by the second operating voltage, the receiver module obtains and recognizes an input event and provides a second control signal when the input event is recognized. The application processor is powered by a third operating voltage from the power management unit in response to the second control signal.
US09690344B2
An embodiment is a circuit including a main power supply coupled to a first node, a charge reservoir coupled between a second node and ground, an isolation circuit coupled between the first node and the second node, and a plurality of secondary power supplies coupled to the second node, the plurality of secondary power supplies configured to receive power from the main power supply. The circuit further includes a detector circuit coupled to the first node, the detector circuit configured to detect the presence and absence of a first supply voltage at the first node, and a timing circuit coupled between the detector circuit and the plurality of secondary power supplies, the timing circuit configured to enable and disable the plurality of secondary power supplies in predetermined sequences based on the detection of the first supply voltage by the detector circuit.
US09690343B2
A power distribution system includes a chassis with a plurality of ports that include a first port configured to communicate with powering devices and a second port configured to communicate with powered devices. A power distribution engine in the chassis is coupled to each of the plurality of ports. The power distribution engine determines that power available to the power distribution engine is insufficient to power a first powered device that is coupled to the first port, requests power from a first powering device that is coupled to the second port, and provides power that is received through the second port from the first powering device to the first powered device through the first port. In an embodiment, the first powered device and the second powered device are switch IHSs, the first port is configured as a trunk port, and the second port is configured as an access port.
US09690334B2
Systems, storage medium, and methods associated with adaptive visual output on a mobile device are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a storage medium may have instructions to enable the mobile device to determine a change in a distance between the mobile device and a user of the mobile device. The instruction may also enable the mobile device to operate an end-user application that may adaptively present a visual output based at least in part on a result of the change in the distance. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.
US09690333B2
A portable electronic apparatus assembly includes a tabular electronic device and a supporting device. The supporting device includes a base, a connecting member pivotally connected to the base, and a supporting member pivotally connected to the connecting member. The connecting member can rotate about a first rotation axis relative to the base. The supporting member can rotate about a second rotation axis relative to the connecting member. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are nonparallel. The supporting device can support the tabular electronic device by accommodating the tabular electronic device in an accommodating slot of the supporting member. Thereby, unfolding and folding of the supporting member relative to the base is more flexible. The whole thickness of the supporting device after folded can avoid being restrained by the thickness of the tabular electronic device.
US09690321B2
A display device includes a display panel having a first belt zone extending along a first side and a second belt zone extending along the first side and located at one side of the first belt zone opposite to the first side. The first belt zone has a first central part and a first inflexion part along an extending direction of the first side. The first central part and the first inflexion part are convex toward opposite directions. The second belt zone is bent in a manner different from the curvature distribution of the first belt zone.
US09690317B2
A semiconductor device includes: an internal voltage generation block suitable for generating an internal voltage based on first and second external voltages whose power-up sections are different from each other; and a control block suitable for fixing the internal voltage to a predetermined voltage level during a control section including a first power-up section of the first external voltage and a second power-up section of the second external voltage.
US09690312B2
The disclosure facilitates generation of energy-related revenue for an energy customer of an electricity supplier. The disclosure herein can be implemented to generate suggested operating schedules for energy assets that include a controllable energy asset, using an objective function. The objective function is determined based on a dynamic simulation model of the energy profile of the energy assets. The dynamic simulation model is adaptive to physical changes in the energy assets based at least in part on a physical model of the thermodynamic property of the at least one energy asset and at least in part on data representative of an operation characteristic of the controllable energy asset, a thermodynamic property of the energy assets, and/or a projected environmental condition. Energy-related revenue available to the energy customer is based at least in part on a wholesale electricity market or on a regulation market.
US09690305B2
A self-contained thermal mixing valve includes a cap defining a bore, a relief spring and abutment plate within the bore, and a temperature responsive actuator arranged to generate an actuation force against said abutment plate when exposed to a predetermined increase in temperature. A slide is secured to the actuator and moves with the actuator in response to temperature changes. The slide defines a mixing chamber surrounding the temperature sensitive part of the actuator and includes a fluid flow slot axially aligned with the temperature sensitive part of the actuator. The slide is configured to move along a bore which includes axially offset fluid flow inlets, causing the fluid flow slot to vary fluid flow from the fluid flow inlets into the mixing chamber to produce a mixed outflow within a predetermined temperature range. The relief spring provides mechanical relief to the actuator in over-temperature situations.
US09690295B1
A propulsion and steering control system for a marine vessel has a joystick device operable to provide control commands, the joystick device having a handle extending on an axis. The control system also has a control unit that receives control commands from the joystick device and correspondingly controls at least one marine drive. The joystick device and the control unit operate in a Heading mode such that the control unit controls the marine drive to automatically maintain the selected heading of the marine vessel. Rotation of the handle about the axis adjusts the selected heading by a predefined increment.
US09690290B2
Arrangements relating to the transfer of data from an autonomous vehicle to a remote operation computing system while the autonomous vehicle is operating in a remote operational mode are described. A driving environment of the autonomous vehicle can be sensed using a sensor system to acquire driving environment data. The sensor system includes a plurality of different types of sensors. A driving environment complexity can be determined. The availability of a communication channel between the autonomous vehicle and the remote operation computing system can be determined. A subset of the plurality of different types of sensors can be selected based on the determined driving environment complexity and/or the determined communication channel availability and/or its quality. Driving environment data acquired by the selected subset of the plurality of different types of sensors can be sent to the remote operation computing system.
US09690277B2
The invention relates to a positioner (10) for an actuator (12) comprising a processing unit (22) and an output unit (20) which can be connected to an actuating drive (15) of an actuator (12), as well as a measurement unit (24). The invention is characterized in that said positioner (10) comprises a current source (26) which can be connected to a voltage source (30) of a control system (14) via a single two-wire current loop (28). The invention furthermore relates to a method for operating a positioner (10) including the transmission of measuring values recorded in the positioner (10) to a higher-level controller (14). The method is characterized in that the actuating signals are transmitted in a digital form whereas the measuring data is transmitted to a higher-level controller in an analog form, with both digital and analog signals being transmitted on the same two-wire line.
US09690274B1
The automatic support device generation method includes: receiving a virtual part; determining a retention direction for the virtual part; determining a retention rotation for the virtual part; and constructing a support device based on the part, the retention rotation, and the retention direction.
US09690273B2
A device and method for controlling lighting based on an illuminance model. The method for controlling lighting based on an illuminance model includes modeling actual illuminance measured by one or more illuminance measurement devices; generating a lighting profile based on the illuminance model; and controlling one or more lighting devices for each lighting scene according to the generated lighting profile.
US09690266B2
An arrangement configured to control an environmental parameter in a building space includes a building automation system. The building automation system includes a plurality of field devices configured to control the environmental parameter within the building space. The arrangement further includes a motion detector configured to determine a number of humans within the building space and a measure of movement for the number of humans. The building automation system is configured to control the field devices based at least in part on the determined number of humans and the measure of movement for the number of humans.
US09690262B2
A display device and a method for regulating a viewing angle of a display device are provided and can realize the automatic regulation of angle. The display device comprises: a display main body (1); a base (2); at least three voice receiving devices (3) configured to receive voice information from outside of the display device and arranged on the display main body (1) and/or on the base (2), and projections, on a horizontal plane, of the voice receiving devices (3) being not located in a same straight line; a control device configured for recording a time point when it receives the voice information inputted by each of the voice receiving devices (3), calculating time difference between time points when any two of the voice receiving devices (3) receive the voice information, determining a location where the voice information is emitted according to the time difference and sending out a rotating instruction; and a rotation device (4) configured for rotating the display main body (1) according to the rotating instruction.
US09690258B2
A wearable electronic device holder having a retention member for retaining an electronic device, such as a smartwatch or an MP3 player, and a wrist strap attached to the retention member is disclosed. The retention member includes a protective frame comprising one or more covers or openings for receiving and allowing interaction with one or more buttons, knobs, and/or ports of the electronic device. At least one of the covers is configured to enable the dual-action functionality of a knob of the electronic device. The protective frame may also include an opening adapted to receive sound-permeable, waterproof inserts for an audio port of the electronic device. The protective frame further includes fastening holes for attachment to the wrist strap. The protective frame may be a two-piece frame that partially encloses the electronic device.
US09690254B2
An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer having a shaft to rotate in a normal direction for image formation and a reverse direction, a charging device, a latent image forming device, a developing device including a developer bearer having a shaft, a driving source, a drive transmission device to transmit a driving force from the driving source to the shaft of the latent image bearer and the shaft of the developer bearer. The developer bearer rotates in a predetermined direction during image formation and transports developer including toner to a developing range facing the latent image bearer, thereby developing the latent image on the latent image bearer. The drive transmission device is configured to inhibit transmission of the driving force to the shaft of the developer bearer when the latent image bearer rotates in the reverse direction.
US09690253B2
A ratchet mechanism of the present disclosure includes a first ratchet gear, a second ratchet gear and a compression coil spring. The compression coil spring applies a force acting toward the first ratchet gear to the second ratchet gear. In the second ratchet gear, a cylindrical boss is formed. The center of gravity of the compression coil spring is arranged on the side of one end portion with respect to the center of the compression coil spring in a longitudinal direction. The compression coil spring is inserted into a boss from the side of the one end portion, and thus the center of gravity of the compression coil spring is arranged on the side of the first ratchet gear with respect to the tip end of the boss.
US09690247B1
Printers include (among other components) a sheet path transporting printable media and a printing engine positioned within the sheet path. The printing engine prints markings on the printable media. A first roller is positioned within the sheet path, and the first roller has a harder outer surface. A second roller is positioned parallel to the first roller within the sheet path. The second roller has a softer outer surface relative to the harder outer surface. The first roller and the second roller form a decurling nip decurling sheets that have exited the printing engine. The harder outer surface comprises stainless steel having a metal plasma coating.
US09690239B2
An image forming apparatus includes the following. A conveying unit conveys a continuous sheet at least longer than a length of the apparatus itself. A first rotating member can be pressed to and separated from a second rotating member. The first rotating member can be rotated separated from the second rotating member. The continuous sheet can be stopped and held when the first rotating member is separated from the second rotating member. The image forming apparatus further includes a control unit. When the continuous sheet is stopped and held and the rotation of the first rotating member is started separated from the second rotating member, the control unit moves at least one of the first rotating member and the continuous sheet so that the continuous sheet is not in contact with the first rotating member, and then the control unit starts rotation of the first rotating member.
US09690226B2
A controller sets an AC voltage Vac, applies the voltage to a charging roller, and measures a DC component of a charging current flowing from the charging roller to a photosensitive drum. When it is determined that an absolute value of a measured value of the DC component in the charging current is lower than a prediction value, the controller sets an AC voltage Vac that differs from the AC voltage Vac set in step S4, and applies the voltage to the charging roller. Thereby, a charging current capable of performing sufficient charging can be flown to the photosensitive drum, and the photosensitive drum can thereby be charged to a desired surface potential.
US09690222B2
There is provided with toner including one or more kinds of brilliant pigments, and one or more kinds of coloring matters. There are also provided with a toner cartridge including the toner, a developing unit including a storing portion that stores the toner, and an image forming apparatus including a storing portion that stores the toner.
US09690221B2
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each containing a binder resin. The toner particles each contain as the binder resin, a crystalline polyester resin and a non-crystalline polyester resin. An FT-IR spectrum of the electrostatic latent image developing toner obtained through FT-IR analysis based on an ATR method has an absorbency peak of at least 0.0100 and no greater than 0.0250 in a wave number range of 701 cm−1±1 cm−1.
US09690220B2
A polyester resin for toner includes a repeating unit that is derived from a diol represented by the following formula (1), and a repeating unit that is derived from a dicarboxylic acid not having a double carbon-carbon bond: wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen or a methyl group, L1 represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of an ether group, a chain alkylene group, a cyclic alkylene group, and combinations thereof, L2 and L3 each independently represent a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a carbonyl group, an ester group, an ether group, a sulfonyl group, a chain alkylene group, a cyclic alkylene group, an arylene group, and combinations thereof, L1 and L2, or L1 and L3 may form a ring, and A1 and A2 each independently represent a rosin ester group derived from a hydrogenated rosin.
US09690216B2
A display manufacturing method comprises steps of: moving a first substrate and a second substrate by a conveying apparatus; and implementing a first exposure and a second exposure of the first substrate and a first exposure and a second exposure of the second substrate by at least one light emitting element when the conveying apparatus drives the first and second substrates to pass through the light source module. When the first exposures of the first and second substrates are implemented, the moving directions of the first and second substrates are opposite, or when the second exposures of the first and second substrates are implemented, the moving directions of the first and second substrates are opposite. A photo alignment process is also disclosed.
US09690213B2
A linear stacked stage suitable for REBL may include a first upper fast stage configured to translate a first plurality of wafers in a first direction along a first axis, the first upper fast stage configured to secure a first plurality of wafers; a second upper fast stage configured to translate a second plurality of wafers in a second direction along the first axis, the second upper fast stage configured to secure the second plurality of wafers, the second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the translation of the first upper fast stage and the translation of the second upper fast stage are configured to substantially eliminate inertial reaction forces generated by motion of the first upper fast stage and the second upper fast stage; and a carrier stage configured to translate the first and second upper fast stages along a second axis.
US09690205B2
While a wafer stage moves linearly in a Y-axis direction, surface position information of a wafer surface at a plurality of detection points set at a predetermined interval in an X-axis direction is detected by a multipoint AF system, and by a plurality of alignment systems arranged in a line along the X-axis direction, marks at different positions on the wafer are each detected, and a part of a chipped shot of the wafer is exposed by a periphery edge exposure system. This allows throughput to be improved when compared with the case when detection operation of the marks, detection operation of the surface position information (focus information), and periphery edge exposure operation are performed independently.
US09690196B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass positive-tone, aqueous developable, self-imageable polymer compositions useful for forming films that can be patterned to create structures for microelectronic devices, microelectronic packaging, microelectromechanical systems, optoelectronic devices and displays.
US09690192B2
A composition for a base of a directed self-assembling film includes a compound including an oxo acid group, and a solvent. The compound is preferably represented by formula (1). A represents an organic group having 10 or more carbon atoms and having a valency of n. B represents an oxo acid group. n is an integer of 1 to 200. In a case where n is 2 or greater, a plurality of Bs are identical or different. AB)n (1)
US09690172B2
An omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing includes a top plate including one or more electronic circuit boards thereon; a track plate secured to the top plate by a plurality of first fasteners, wherein the track plate is rotationally movable with respect to the top plate via a respective curve-shaped opening that accommodates movement of a respective first fastener within the respective curve-shaped opening; a plurality of camera assemblies secured to the track plate by a plurality of magnetic devices, each of the camera assemblies including a camera and a bracket, movably installed on the track, wherein each of the camera is rotatable on a respective bracket in a plane perpendicular to the track plate, and wherein each of the bracket are rotatable in a plane including the track plate; and a transparent cover for covering the plurality of camera assemblies installed on the track plate.
US09690171B2
A two-piece extendable L-plate provides clearance between a camera and a quick-release receiver securing the camera to a support permitting a camera having cables connected to the side of the camera's body to be secured in either a landscape or a portrait orientation.
US09690169B2
Photographic lighting devices and systems having multiple electrical energy storage/discharge (EESD) elements and/or multiple light sources in a single photographic lighting device to perform one or more photographic lighting effects. In one exemplary aspect, independent control of one or more light sources connected to a first EESD bank and another one or more light sources connected to a second EESD bank, such as via control circuitry, may be utilized in producing various lighting effects.
US09690165B2
According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a generator of at least three coherent laser beams at least one beam of which is in the infrared domain and at least one beam of which is in the visible domain, comprising: an elementary source for emitting a first continuous-wave laser beam, at a first given infrared wavelength; a nonlinear crystal frequency doubler, allowing, from a first beam sampled from the first laser beam at the first wavelength, a second laser beam to be generated at a second wavelength; and a nonlinear crystal sum frequency generator, allowing, from a second beam sampled from the first laser beam at the first wavelength and from the second laser beam at the second wavelength, a third laser beam to be generated at a third wavelength.
US09690160B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal lens image forming device and an image forming method. The image forming device includes: at least one liquid crystal lens; a drive circuit, which is connected to the liquid crystal lens to set, at a first moment, the liquid crystal lens in a non-lens state and to set, at a second moment, the liquid crystal lens in a lens state; at least one image pick-up unit generating a first image signal and a second image signal; and an image processing unit, which processes the first image signal and the second image signal to form a target image signal. The liquid crystal lens image forming device and image forming method do not involve the use of a polarization device, allows a single liquid crystal lens to clearly form an image, and reduces the thickness of the entire image forming device.
US09690157B2
A display surface where a plurality of source lines are arrayed thereon and each receives a video signal; and an inspection wiring portion that transmits an inspection signal to the source lines. The inspection wiring portion includes a first conductive layer connected to a part of the source lines, a second conductive layer connected to another part of the source lines, and an insulating portion that insulates the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and the second conductive layer is laminated on the first conductive layer.
US09690153B2
An electro-optical device includes a first light shielding film; a transistor element formed on the first light shielding film to overlap the first light shielding film; a second light shielding film formed on the transistor element to overlap the transistor element and electrically connected to an input terminal of the transistor element; a transparent conductive film extended toward an upper layer side of the second light shielding film in an opening region, through which light penetrates, of the display region; a dielectric film formed on the transparent conductive film in the opening region; and a transparent pixel electrode formed on the dielectric film in the opening region, constituting a storage capacitor together with the transparent conductive film and the dielectric film, and having a transparent pixel electrode which is electrically connected to the transistor element.
US09690147B2
A first interlayer insulating film is arranged on a gate line and a source line. A first common electrode includes a first sub-common electrode extending in a first direction so as to face the gate line and a first main common electrode extending in a second direction so as to face the source line on the first interlayer insulating film. The first common electrode has a slit extending in the second direction. A second interlayer insulating film covers the first common electrode. A main pixel electrode extends in the second direction on the second interlayer insulating film so as to face the slit. A second common electrode includes a second sub-common electrode extending on the second interlayer insulating film so as to face the first sub-common electrode and a second main common electrode facing the first main common electrode.
US09690145B2
A display device is provided. The display device includes a pixel-displaying region, including: at least two pixels including a plurality of sub-pixels; and a light-shielding layer including a matrix portion and an enlarged portion, wherein the enlarged portion is disposed at an intersection of two of the adjacent sub-pixels and is adjacent to the matrix portion; wherein the matrix portion defines the sub-pixels, and a total area of the sub-pixels is defined as a first area and a ratio of an area of the enlarged portion to the first area is about 1.5% to 6%.
US09690144B2
A liquid crystal panel and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The liquid crystal panel includes: an array substrate provided with thin film transistors; a color filter substrate provided with primary photo-spacers and secondary photo-spacers. The primary photo-spacers correspond to the thin film transistors. Stage differences between the secondary photo-spacers and the primary photo-spacers decrease from the center of the panel to the boundaries thereof. Liquid crystal is filled within space between two substrates, which are then sealed. By applying a design that utilizes stage differences between the primary and secondary photo-spacers being different, optical performance decrease caused by non-uniform box thickness in different regions is prevented.
US09690143B2
A system for displaying images including a display panel is provided. The display panel has a display area and a peripheral area. The display panel includes a metal layer disposed on a first substrate. A second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. A seal is disposed at the peripheral area and between the first and the second substrates and at the peripheral area. A patterned planarization layer is disposed on the first substrate, including an opening and two sidewalls, wherein the opening is located between the two sidewalls and corresponding to the peripheral area. A passivation layer is disposed between the seal and the first substrate, and wherein a portion of the seal is disposed between the two sidewalls of the patterned planarization layer.
US09690140B2
A liquid crystal lens panel device is provided. The liquid crystal lens panel device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a first alignment layer, a lens liquid crystal layer, a common electrode, and a second alignment layer. The bottom electrode is disposed on the first substrate. The top electrode is disposed on the bottom electrode. The first alignment layer is disposed on the top electrode and has a first alignment direction. The lens liquid crystal layer is disposed on the first alignment layer and includes liquid crystal molecules. The common electrode is disposed on the lens liquid crystal layer. The second alignment layer is disposed on the common electrode and has a second alignment direction. The first alignment direction is the same as the second alignment direction. The second substrate is disposed on the second alignment layer.
US09690133B2
A display substrate includes a base substrate, a color filter layer and a retarder layer. The base substrate includes a first sub pixel area, a second sub pixel area and a third sub pixel area. The color filer layer is disposed on a front surface of the base substrate, and includes at least one of a magenta color filter, a cyan color filter and a yellow color filter in the first sub pixel area and the second sub pixel area and a white color filter in the third sub pixel area. The retarder layer is disposed on a rear surface of the base substrate opposite to the front surface of the base substrate. The retarder layer is configured to polarize light in the first sub pixel area and the second sub pixel area to form a first polarized light. The retarder layer is further configured to polarize the light in the third sub pixel area to form a second polarized light, the second polarized light being different from the first polarized light. Thus, a driving speed of a display apparatus may be decreased.
US09690132B2
A liquid crystal display device is provided. The liquid crystal display device comprises a backlight module and a display panel. The display panel includes an array substrate disposed on the light entering face side, a color filter substrate disposed on the light exiting face side and a liquid crystal layer between the two substrates. On the array substrate, there is provided a first polarizing plate. The color filter substrate includes a base substrate, a second polarizing plate disposed on the light exiting face side of the base substrate and a color filter layer disposed on the light exiting face side of the second polarizing plate. The backlight module is a collimated backlight module.
US09690128B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes: a liquid crystal display panel; a first chassis; a second chassis; a circuit unit; a flexible substrate; a shield unit; and a pem-nut. The shield unit is disposed to surround at least a part of the flexible substrate and circuit unit and be bonded to at least a part of the flexible substrate. The pem-nut is exposed through a hole penetrating the shield unit and the circuit unit, and a bolt-insertion part is disposed. A top side of the pem-nut is positioned to be higher than a top side of the circuit unit. In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the reliability of the liquid crystal display apparatus is improved.
US09690119B2
The present disclosure relates to cantilevered and divergent view wearable optical systems that redirect an optical path, and provide for optimal ergonomics coupled with vision enhancement and vision magnification. Methods of use, devices, and kits are also contemplated.
US09690116B2
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a Variable Optic Insert into an Ophthalmic Lens. An energy source is capable of powering the Variable Optic Insert included within the Ophthalmic Lens. In some embodiments, an Ophthalmic Lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various Ophthalmic Lens entities may include electroactive Liquid Crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics. The Ophthalmic device may include a wear-controlled adjustment device.
US09690113B2
An optical apparatus includes an image pickup optical system, a base member, a holder holding an optical element, and a moving member including a magnetic member and configured to move in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis. The moving member moves in a predetermined straight line between the optical axis and a center of the magnetic member in a surface perpendicular to a center of the optical element. The base member includes a first restricting portion restricting moving amounts of the moving member in one direction of the predetermined straight line, and a second restricting portion restricting moving amounts of the moving member in other direction of the predetermined straight line. The first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are arranged so that the magnetic member is sandwiched between the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion.
US09690111B2
A collapsible stereoscope made of a stiff but bendable material. The stereoscope includes a front viewing panel with apertures for lenses, a rear picture holding panel, and bracing side walls, all integrally hinged to a bottom panel. Each bracing side wall varies in height so that it is tall enough in some regions to provide structural support, but short enough in other regions to reduce or prevent the casting of shadows on the stereogram. The length of each bracing side wall is longer than length of the bottom panel, so that when each bracing side wall is secured to the front panel, the bracing side walls bend in toward each other at a preformed folding crease which improves structural stability of the stereoscope, holds stereograms against the picture holding panel, and reduces shadowing on the stereogram. The collapsible stereoscope can be used as a greeting card.
US09690106B2
A ray of light 2 enters vertically to an incident surface 5a of a rod integrator 5, while another ray of light 4 enters obliquely to the incident surface 5a of the rod integrator 5. As a result, the outermost spread angle of the ray of light 4 after entering the rod integrator 5 coincides the outermost spread angle of the ray of light 2 after entering the rod integrator 5.
US09690097B2
A short-distance optical amplification module and a near-eye display optical module using the same in the present invention relates to an optical amplification module applicable for short distance and an optical module using the same for near-eye display. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical amplification module for large-multiple amplification within a short distance (less than 5 cm) and a near-eye display optical module using the same to achieve super large field of view within a short distance (less than 3 cm). The short-distance optical amplification module in the present invention comprises a first 45 degree phase delay sheet (2), a partial-transmission and partial-reflection curved lens (4), a second 45 degree phase delay sheet (5) and a reflective polarizing sheet (6) which are sequentially arranged. The near-eye display optical module in the present invention comprises a display screen (1) disposed on the side of the first 45 degree phase delay sheet (2) away from the partial-transmission and partial-reflection curved lens (4).
US09690090B2
A visual target acquisition scope system including an adjustable connection between a zero magnification scope viewed by a first eye of a user and a power scope viewed by a second eye of the user. The system includes first and second movable sections connected and controlled by an adjustment locking mechanism. Using the system, while the user looks at an object through the zero magnification power scope with the first eye and looks at the object through the high power scope with the second eye, the target visible to the first eye is simultaneously visible to the second eye, so as to provide immediate acquisition and viewing of the object through the high power scope with the second eye.
US09690088B2
The present invention is for saving the time of searching a visual field to be observed and observing a synthetic image. A magnifying observation apparatus includes a controller configured to set an imaging condition, to generate a first image to be displayed in a first display mode by performing a first image processing on the image acquired on the imaging condition, to generate a second image to be displayed in a second display mode by performing a second image processing on the image, to detect an image changing operation including at least one of changing of the imaging condition and changing of a visual field, and to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode in response to detect the image changing operation.
US09690086B2
A widefield microscope illumination system and method with a microscope objective and an illumination light source that sends widefield illumination light along illumination beam paths. Illumination light penetrates into the microscope objective through illumination light entry sites located within a predetermined annular or annular-segment-shaped illumination light entry area having a large offset to an optical objective axis of the objective. A spatially resolving light detector detects light sent from an illuminated sample through the microscope objective along a detected light beam path. An automatic illumination light beam path manipulation device is controlled by a control system, which is arranged in front of the microscope objective in relation to the direction of the illumination light beam path, and by means of which illumination light beam path manipulation device the illumination axes are automatically movable at time intervals to a plurality of different illumination light entry sites.
US09690075B2
A six-piece lens for capturing image and a six-piece optical module for capturing image are provided. In order from an object side to an image side, the lens along the optical axis comprises a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; a fourth lens with refractive power; a fifth lens with refractive power; and a sixth lens with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; and at least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the six lens elements are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras.
US09690073B2
The invention discloses a three-piece optical lens for capturing image and a three-piece optical module for capturing image, which include, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens with positive refractive power having an object-side surface which can be convex; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; two surfaces of each of the three lenses can be both aspheric. The third lens can have positive refractive power, wherein an image-side surface thereof can be concave, and both surfaces thereof are aspheric; at least one surface of the third lens has an inflection point. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in a compact camera.
US09690072B2
An image forming lens is formed by sequentially arranging, from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having positive power, an aperture stop, a second lens group having positive power, and a third lens group having positive power. The image forming lens satisfies following conditional expressions: 0.95
US09690065B2
A high density fiber enclosure system includes a chassis, cassette trays, an optional unification clip, cassettes, and an optional trunk cable management system. The chassis, cassette trays, and cassettes are configured such that individual cassettes may be installed, removed, and otherwise positioned for easy access by a user. The unification clip allows two adjacent cassette trays to be connected to one other such that cassette trays move as one unit. The trunk cable management system is designed to organize trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs as well as relieve strain on the trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs.
US09690055B2
Systems and methods for bonding a bare fiber section within a longitudinal bore of a ferrule are disclosed. The methods include inserting the bare fiber section into the ferrule bore along with a photoactivated adhesive. A diverging beam of activating light is directed into an endface of the bare fiber section at the ferrule front end. The activating light passes through the bare fiber section to expose the surrounding photoactivated adhesive, thereby bonding the bare fiber section within the longitudinal bore. The ferrule and fiber can then be incorporated into an optical fiber connector.
US09690053B2
Structures and techniques are described relating to the alignment of multicore fibers within a multifiber connector. These structures and techniques include: multicore fibers having a number of different shapes, including, for example, circular, elliptical, D-shaped, double D-shaped, and polygonal; multifiber ferrules, having a plurality of fiber guide holes therein of various shapes; alignment fixtures for aligning multicore fibers within multifiber ferrules; and various multicore fiber alignment techniques.
US09690048B2
A holding system for laser cleaving an optical fiber. The holding system includes a support structure located at least partially within a laser cleaving device. The support structure has an exterior surface with a first aperture formed there through. It also has a holding member including a first surface accessible through the first aperture and a second surface opposite the first surface. The holding member defines a second aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface for receiving a corresponding mounted optical fiber. The system also includes a pivot mechanism pivotally coupling the holding member to the support structure. The holding member is pivotable relative to the support structure and a cutting plane of the laser cleaving device to provide a plurality of cleaving angles between the cutting plane and the optical fiber.
US09690047B2
A hot melt connector stripping cutter tool comprises a first handle, a second handle, a reference block and a cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism comprises at least one group of upper and lower blade seats and a stripping cutter unit. The reference block is provided with an optical fiber guiding passage for an optical fiber to pass through and at least two blade guiding grooves both communicated with the optical fiber guiding passage. At least two groups of stripping cutter units used for scattering optical fiber stress points are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower blade seats. Each group of stripping cutter units is movable within one blade guiding groove. Along with the closing of the handles, each stripping cutter unit moves up and down along the blade guiding groove in the cutting direction, so as to cut an outer skin or part thickness of the optical fiber in the optical fiber guiding passage, and peel off a surface skin and a bare fiber coating layer of the optical fiber. A plurality of incisions can be cut out on the surface skin of the optical fiber in the optical fiber guiding passage by the plurality of stripping cutter units, the optical fiber stress positions are scattered, and the optical fiber is not easy to be pulled apart while being peeled.
US09690046B2
The optical circuit board includes a wiring board including a plurality of laminated insulating layers, and a wiring conductor disposed between the insulating layers; an optical waveguide including a lower clad layer, an upper clad layer and a core sandwiched between the lower clad layer and the upper clad layer, disposed on an upper surface of the wiring board, and extending in one direction; a reflection surface including an inner surface of a groove formed in a part of the core of the optical waveguide, and being perpendicular to an extending direction in a plane view and having a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface in a cross sectional view; and a metal layer disposed on an upper surface of the insulating layer on the upper side than the wiring conductor of the wiring board, and set as a bottom surface of the groove.
US09690043B2
An optical waveguide includes a waveguide core including a first region, a second region having a step at which a thickness varies, and a third region having a thickness smaller than that of the first region. The second region has thick film regions continuing with the first region and positioned at both sides in a widthwise direction. The thick film regions have a thickness that is equal to that of the first region and have a gradually reducing width from the first region side to the third region side. The second region further has a thin film region sandwiched by the thick film regions and continuing with the third region. The thin film region has a thickness equal to that of the third region.
US09690033B2
Disclosed herein are waveguides comprising at least one scattering surface, a periodicity ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 2 μm, and an RMS roughness ranging from about 20 nm to about 60 nm. Single-layer waveguides having a thickness ranging from about 1 μm to about 100 μm are disclosed herein as well as multi-layer waveguides comprising at least one high index layer and optionally at least one low index layer. Lighting and display devices and OLEDs comprising such waveguides are further disclosed herein as well as methods for making the waveguides.
US09690019B2
There is provided an image display apparatus including a pixel array which includes a first pixel of a red luminous color, a second pixel of a green luminous color, a third pixel of a blue luminous color, and a fourth pixel of a luminous color of pigment of hemoglobin.
US09690018B2
A method for making a grating includes the following steps. A first photoresist film is formed on a substrate. A second photoresist film is applied on the first photoresist film. A number of first cavities are formed in the second photoresist film, wherein part of the first photoresist film is exposed to form a first exposed part. A number of second cavities are formed, wherein part of the surface of the substrate is exposed to form an exposed surface. A mask layer is deposited on the second photoresist film and the exposed surface of the substrate. A patterned mask layer is formed, and part of the substrate is exposed to form a second exposed part. The second exposed part of the substrate is etched through the patterned mask layer. The patterned mask layer is removed.
US09690003B2
Method for separating signals recorded by a seismic receiver and generated with at least two vibratory seismic sources driven with no listening time. The method includes receiving seismic data that includes data d recorded by the seismic receiver and data related to the first and second vibratory seismic sources; computing a source separation matrix based on the data related to the first and second vibratory seismic sources; calculating first and second earth impulse responses HA and HB corresponding to the two vibratory seismic sources, respectively, based on the data d recorded by the seismic receiver, the data related to the two vibratory seismic sources and the source separation matrix; and separating the signals recorded by the seismic receiver based on the first and second earth impulse responses HA and HB such that signals the two vibratory seismic sources are disentangled.
US09690001B2
A 4D seismic technique, where a base seismic trace is measured at a first time in a region of the subsoil, and then a monitor seismic trace corresponding to the base seismic trace is measured at a second time. To interpret the 4D measurements, assumptions are made about the variation of elastic parameters in permeable layers at predefined positions in one direction between the first and the second time. Elastic parameters include the density (ρ) and the speed of propagation of the pressure waves (VP) in the permeable layers. Numerical evaluation is performed for a capability of each assumption about the variation of elastic parameters to give an account of a change between the measured base seismic trace and the measured monitor seismic trace, and the variation of the elastic parameters is estimated in accordance with an assumption of optimum capability.
US09690000B2
An apparatus for evaluating the possibility of casing failure in a borehole measures azimuthal changes in a property responsive to azimuthal changes in axial stress. The measurements may be of acoustic velocity, magnetic permeability, and Barkhausen noise.
US09689997B2
An imaging system includes plural modular imaging detectors and a readout electronics unit. Each modular imaging detector includes pixels configured to collect imaging data, a substrate on which the pixels are disposed, and a mechanical interconnection feature. The mechanical interconnection feature is configured to cooperate with a corresponding mechanical interconnection feature of at least one other of the modular imaging detectors to directly join the modular imaging detector to the at least one other of the modular imaging detectors. The readout electronics unit is configured to be operably coupled to the modular imaging detectors and to receive signals corresponding to the imaging data from the modular imaging detectors.
US09689992B2
A device for measurement of the radiological activity in the bottom of an aqueous medium, comprising a sealed case for a radiological detector, means forming a truncated cone containing a material that allows radiation to be measured by said radiological detector to pass through it, comprising a short base and a long base, the long base forming an input face for the radiation to be measured, this cone being assembled to said case in a sealed manner, the short base being placed on the side of the detector input face, and the long base being designed to be placed facing the bottom of this aqueous medium.
US09689991B2
A radiation probe system and method incorporating adaptive gamma radiation background subtraction for enhanced radiation detection capability is disclosed. The system and method are generally applicable to radiation “frisking” applications in which the contamination area may have high gamma radiation background levels that normally would result in loss of contamination radiation detection accuracy. Readings from a background radiation detector (BRD) are subtracted from a contamination radiation detector (CRD) to determine a count rate solely associated with contamination. A background subtraction factor (BSF) is used to scale the BRD subtraction and is automatically adjusted based on environmental conditions. A smoothing algorithm is used to increase/decrease the BRD and/or CRD acquisition times to account for signal variations in BRD/CRD measurement readings. The system and method provide for lower limit of detection (LLD) radiation levels that are below that of conventional radiation detectors.
US09689986B2
A method is given for finding a reference correction value of an index mark of an angular encoder. The angular encoder includes a first read head, a second read head, and a patterned element having incremental marks and an index mark. In a first instance and in a second instance, the patterned element is rotated relative to the read heads to obtain incremental readings from the first read head and the second read head and an index mark from the first read head. Based on these readings, a processor determines, in the first instance, a first reference position and, in the second instance, a second reference position. The processor determines the reference correction value based at least in part on the first reference position and the second reference position.
US09689977B2
The invention encompasses a system and method for monitoring a power line. In certain embodiments, a system emits a series of signals that allow for analytic analysis of a power line. For example, by taking multiple signal readings, it is possible to detect an average height reading of a power line and observe long-term trends in the time delay from signal emission to reception of an echo-signal. This allows for accurate measurement of various physical parameters of a power line, for example, the height of the power line above the ground.
US09689974B2
An ultrasound image forming method comprises a first step of receiving a first signal reflected from the object, a second step of obtaining an aberration correction value based on the first signal thus received, a third step of receiving a second signal reflected from the object when a second ultrasound corrected based on the aberration correction value is transmitted to the object, and a fourth step of forming an image from the aberration correction value and the second signal. The center frequency of the second ultrasound is between 0.5 MHz and 20 MHz, the center frequency of the first ultrasound is between 3/16 and 9/20 of the center frequency of the second ultrasound. By this method, an accurate aberration correction value can be obtained and an ultrasound imaging with high resolution can be achieved even if aberrations are large and difficult to correct.
US09689972B2
A laser scanner collects gray-scale values and associated 3D coordinates of a scanned object in a spherical coordinate system, and displays reformatted gray-scale values that are reformatted from the spherical coordinate system into a planar view rectangular region. The reformatted gray-scale values have at least one straight line of the object appearing as a curved line on a display. The scanner enables selection of an angular range of measurement, measures gray-scale values and associated 3D coordinates in the spherical coordinate system over the angular range of measurement, displays the reformatted gray-scale values, the reformatted gray-scale values being the gray-scale values reformatted from the spherical coordinate system into a rectangular shaped region, the rectangular shape of the region extending and covering the angular range, and saves the reformatted gray-scale values and associated 3D coordinates on a storage medium, the associated 3D coordinates being 3D coordinates associated with the gray-scale values.
US09689961B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of communication between wireless networks having different coordinate domains. For example, a first wireless communication device may include a radio to communicate over a first wireless network having a first coordinate domain, the radio to receive a message from a second wireless device of a second wireless network having a second coordinate domain, the message including coordinate information of the second coordinate domain; and a controller to determine, based on the coordinate information, a usage of the second coordinate domain by the first wireless communication device, and to publish the usage to the second wireless communication device.
US09689953B2
A method of diagnosing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes forming a gradient magnetic field in a scanning space where a target object is positioned by generating a plurality of modified gradient pulses based on a reference gradient pulse and applying one of the plurality of modified gradient pulses to one of an x-axis coil, a y-axis coil, and a z-axis coil included in a gradient coil, applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse from an RF coil to the target object in the scanning space where the gradient magnetic field corresponding to each of the plurality of modified gradient pulses is formed, receiving a plurality of RF signals that are generated from the target object and correspond to the plurality of modified gradient pulses, and compensating an output of the gradient coil based on the plurality of received RF signals.
US09689940B2
A local coil system for a magnetic resonance system including at least one local coil for capturing magnetic resonance (MR) signals and at least one energy receiving antenna for inductively receiving energy for the local coil system from a temporally varying magnetic field is provided. The at least one energy receiving antenna is or may be tuned to an energy transfer frequency that is lower than a Larmor frequency of the MR signals to be captured and higher than approximately 20 kHz.
US09689929B2
A segment of a two wire combined power and data network for automation has a trunk, a spur mounted thereon and a fault protection device. The fault protection device includes a controller adapted to monitor the spur current, and isolation means to fully or partially isolate the spur from the trunk upon receiving of an activation signal from controller. The controller comprises a failure status determination algorithm comprising an intermittent fault count over time step and a fault duration step. The intermittent fault count step is satisfied if a pre-determined number of separate faults are detected over a first time period. The fault duration step is satisfied if a fault is detected which persists for longer than a second time period. The controller issues the activation signal upon determination of a failure status on the spur which satisfies the intermittent fault count and/or the fault duration step of the algorithm.
US09689917B2
Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for measuring on-die voltage levels of an integrated circuit through a digital sampling circuit. In particular, the system and/or method utilize a delay line based analog-to-digital sampling circuit that produces a voltage reading over time, such as at every high frequency clock cycle. In one embodiment, the digital sampling circuit may include a clock jitter monitor circuit configured with a constant supply voltage. This clock jitter monitor is configured to measure the clock jitter that is experienced by the digital voltage monitor circuit and, when compared to measured voltage captured by the circuit, may be used to calibrate or otherwise correct the readings provided by the digital voltage monitor circuit.
US09689909B2
A sensor detects partial discharges (PDs) in an electrical power system and generates a corresponding analog electrical signal. A data acquisition component receives the signal from the sensor and converts it to digitized zero span data for a series of uniformly spaced frequencies in a frequency spectrum of interest. A digital signal processing component receives the digitized zero span data, analyzes such data, and generates a corresponding phase resolved spectrum signal in three dimensional format including dimensions of amplitude, phase and frequency for each of the uniformly spaced frequencies. A display component receives the analyzed data stream from the processing component and actuates one or more displays from which characteristics of the PD can be identified, such as different types of PDs from different sources, and information on the location of a PD relative to the sensor.
US09689896B2
A separating device includes a base, a feed mechanism operable to convey first and second electronic component to a discharge end thereof, and a separating mechanism disposed on the base and including a first carrier connected slidably to the base and configured to carry the first electronic component, a second carrier connected slidably to the base and configured to carry the second electronic component, and a drive unit for driving reciprocation of the first and second carriers between a pick-up position, where the first carrier abuts against the second carrier, and a separating position, where the first and second carriers are separated from each other.
US09689895B2
An electrical system may include a first electrical connector configured to be coupled to an electrical panel, a second electrical connector configured to be coupled to a testing device that is configured to test components coupled to the electrical panel, and a retaining harness assembly that removably connects to the first and second electrical connectors to maintain a secure mating relationship between the first and second electrical connectors.
US09689894B2
A wafer inspection interface 40 includes a probe card 43 including probes 43b provided on a surface facing a wafer W; a pogo frame 42 that supports a surface of the probe card 43 opposite to the surface on which the probes 43b are provided; a table-shaped chuck member 45 facing the probe card 43 with the wafer W therebetween; a cylindrical bellows 46, configured to seal a space between the chuck member 45 and the pogo frame 42, having one end fastened to the pogo frame 42 and a lower flange 46b at the other end to be contacted with the chuck member 45; a length adjusting device that adjusts a length of the bellows 46; a guide member 47 that guides a movement of the bellows 46; and a decompression path 51 that decompresses the space between the chuck member 45 and the pogo frame 42.
US09689892B2
A scanning probe microscope includes sample moving means 111 and 133 including a cylindrical piezoelectric scanner and configured to move a sample 110 arranged on an upper end surface of the piezoelectric scanner by bending the piezoelectric scanner 111 by an applied voltage, scanning control means configured to control a relative position of the probe 114 and the sample 110 by controlling the applied voltage, sample thickness acquisition means 138 configured to acquire a thickness value of the sample 110, and correlative information determination means 139 configured to determine correlative information showing a corresponding relationship between the applied voltage to the piezoelectric scanner 111 and a displacement amount of a surface of the sample 110 in a horizontal direction using the thickness value, wherein the scanning control means 132 performs controlling of the relative position using the correlative information. With this, it becomes possible to perform accurate sample scanning considering effects on the movement amount of the sample 110 in the XY direction due to the thickness.
US09689890B2
A controller for cantilever-based instruments, including atomic force microscopes, molecular force probe instruments, high-resolution profilometers and chemical or biological sensing probes. The controller samples the output of the photo-detector commonly used to detect cantilever deflection in these instruments with a very fast analog/digital converter (ADC). The resulting digitized representation of the output signal is then processed with field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors without making use of analog electronics. Analog signal processing is inherently noisy while digital calculations are inherently “perfect” in that they do not add any random noise to the measured signal. Processing by field programmable gate arrays and digital signal processors maximizes the flexibility of the controller because it can be varied through programming means, without modification of the controller hardware.
US09689889B1
Various embodiments of the invention allow to reduce unwanted high-Q oscillations in capacitive MEMS sensors. In certain embodiments, stabilization of high-Q MEMS sensors is accomplished through a dedicated ultra-low power circuit that provides a bias voltage to one or more sensor electrodes during an OFF-phase. The bias voltage forces a balance condition that eliminates perturbations and enables smooth transitions that, ultimately, result in shorter sensor settling times.
US09689885B2
A sensor unit includes a sensor and a mount board on which the sensor is mounted. The mount board includes a mount terminal connected to a terminal provided in the sensor and a wiring extending from the mount terminal. The wiring is not provided in a region where the sensor and the mount board overlap each other when viewed in plan.
US09689876B2
The present invention relates to method for predicting a subject's relative response to cancer immunotherapy treatment. The methods involve providing a sample comprising a tumor cell or a peripheral blood cell from the subject; measuring the expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-23 (“MMP-23”) by the tumor cell or the peripheral blood cell; comprising the measured expression level of MMP-23 with a control or standard value; and determining the subject's predicted response to cancer immunotherapy, where, based on said comparing, a higher MMP-23 expression level compared to the control or standard value predicts the subject will have a poor response to cancer immunotherapy. The present invention also relates to methods for increasing production of tumor infiltrating leucocytes (“TILs”) in a subject, methods of identifying a subject as a candidate for adoptive T-cell therapy using T-cells that primarily express KCa3.1 channels, and methods of treating a subject having melanoma by administering an MMP-23 inhibitor.
US09689874B2
Disclosed herein are panels related to the diagnosis or recognition of colon and colorectal cancer in a subject. The disclosed panels and related methods are used to predict or assess colon tumor status in a patient. They can be used to determine nature of tumor, recurrence, or patient response to treatments. Some embodiments of the methods include generating a report for clinical management.
US09689869B2
A portable fluorescence analysis system comprises a fluorescence strip, a fluorescence excitation device and a mobile Internet device. The fluorescence strip comprises a fluorescence probe configured for detecting an analyte within a specimen. The fluorescence excitation device comprises a sleeve and an excitation light source module. The fluorescence strip is arranged at the one open end of the sleeve. The excitation light source module is arranged at the same opening side of the sleeve and configured for providing an excitation light to excite the fluorescence probe to generate fluorescence. The mobile Internet device comprises an image capturing module and configured for capturing a fluorescence image of the fluorescence strip via the other opening of the sleeve and analyzing fluorescence intensity of the fluorescence image to determine the content of the analyte. The above-mentioned system can be applied to the point of care testing.
US09689867B2
Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed for assays to determine the binding affinity of DNA-binding proteins or RNA-binding proteins for their corresponding recognition site(s). In particular, assays are disclosed for measuring binding affinities when either the binding protein, or the recognition sequence of the recognition site, or cofactor proteins, contain one or more mutations. The disclosed assays can thus be utilized to measure the effect on transcription factor binding caused by mutations within the recognition site, or mutations within the binding domain of the protein, and to provide binding affinity information that can be correlated with altered gene regulation and expression. The disclosed assays can be personalized to a specific person or organism, with the measured binding affinities based upon an individual's specific binding proteins and recognition sites. Furthermore, embodiments are capable of measuring binding affinities between multiple binding proteins and multiple recognition sites through an entirely in vitro process.
US09689865B2
The present invention provides a personal hygiene item. In simple terms, one of the main features of the present invention is to provide a low-cost personal hygiene item capable of providing a multi-component detection function. The personal hygiene item of the present invention mainly comprises a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer is made of hydrophobic material, and the second material layer is disposed thereon. Also, the second material layer comprises a discolored portion. In actual practice, a fluid under test contacts with the corresponding discolored portions via the hydrophobic layer of second material layer for a color changing reaction. Meanwhile, since the hydrophilic performance of the discolored portion is better than the hydrophilic performance of the hydrophilic layer, the back permeation of the fluid under test can herein be prevented.
US09689860B1
A concrete test cylinder mold formed of expandable polystyrene and which is used to form geometrically uniform concrete test cylinders that accurately reflect the structural properties of the concrete mix used to form the test cylinders despite fluctuations in temperature to which the test cylinder may be exposed during formation within the mold. The mold is constructed and configured such that compression testing of the concrete test cylinder may be conducted while the cylinder is still in the mold. A specially designed heat shield may be used in unison with the concrete test mold to form, at least in part, a system by which heat further may be retained within the system during formation of the concrete test cylinder.
US09689856B2
Compositions and methods are provided for assessing the presence or absence, and optionally quantitating, the surface loading of a noble metal such as platinum on the surface of a substrate. The invention utilizes the decomposition rate of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or other redox active molecule following exposure to the substrate surface to effectively establish a qualitative or quantitative correlation between the redox agent survival fraction and the presence or absence of noble metal (e.g., platinum), and further, for the quantitation of noble metal loading on the substrate surface. The invention finds applicability in assessing the surface loading of noble metals on the internal surfaces of boiling water nuclear reactor plants (BWR) that have undergone prior noble metal application.
US09689853B2
A hazard detector includes a chassis configured to house components of the hazard detector. The chassis includes a front defining a central aperture. The front has a domed contour such that an outer edge of an inner portion extends beyond an outer periphery of the front. The inner surface tapers from the outer edge toward the inner portion. The detector includes a mesh formed to the contour of the front so the mesh is flat against the front. The mesh defines an aperture corresponding to the central aperture. The detector includes a grille secured to the chassis that defines an aperture corresponding to the central aperture and defines openings positioned along the grille. An inner surface of the grille includes a contour corresponding to the contour of the front so the mesh is flat against the inner surface. The mesh is positioned between the grille and the chassis.
US09689849B2
A colorimetric time indicator configured to indicate time specificity is provided. The colorimetric time indicator includes a colorimetric layer configured to be operatively coupled to a disposable medical device. The colorimetric time indicator is configured to indicate the time specificity via one or more visual indicators upon exposure to one or more external stimuli.
US09689840B2
Conjugates of 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanes with a variety of conjugating members are used in the formation of dinuclear metal complexes which bind to phosphate esters. By virtue of their conjugated forms, the complexes are incorporated into chromatographic media, affinity binding reagents, and dyes, which make the complexes useful in a wide range of assays, separations, and purifications. In addition, dinuclear metal complexes of 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropanes that are not so conjugated are used in the detection of phosphate esters of biological species by either MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry or by dye displacement.
US09689836B2
A carbon nanotube sensor device includes one or more carbon nanotubes and a functionalization layer. An outer surface of the one or more carbon nanotubes is coated with the functionalization layer and the functionalization layer includes a chemical compound that binds to one or more specific analytes. Binding of the one or more specific analytes to the functionalization layer alters an electrical property of the carbon nanotube sensor device and contributes to their detection. The functionalization layer includes a first layer stacked onto an outer surface of the carbon nanotubes, a second layer stacked onto the first layer and a third layer stacked onto the second layer. The first layer enables stacking of a polymer onto the carbon nanotubes. The second layer includes the polymer and the third layer includes the chemical compound that binds to the one or more a specific analytes.
US09689828B2
Systems, devices, and/or methods for use in passive wireless transmission of one or more parameters such as, e.g., pH, temperature, etc. are described. The systems, devices, and/or methods may use a passive sensor located proximate a material and an interrogator that may be used to interrogate the passive sensor and to receive a signal from the passive sensor representative of the one or more parameters.
US09689821B2
The application relates to a conductivity measurement cell for measuring the concentration of a preselected biomarker or analyte in a body fluid, such as urine. In order to reduce the effect of sample dilution on measured concentration, the measured concentration can be normalized by a dilution factor, which can be determined from electrical conductivity. A test strip and measurement apparatus is disclosed for performing such normalized concentration measurement.
US09689819B2
The present invention has to do with a method and system for a high precision electronic psychrometer operable at low temperatures and high humidity environments. The electronic psychrometer includes thermistors for measuring wet and dry bulb temperatures and a wicked cage surrounding one of the thermistors. The wicking action of the wicked cage is controlled by an evaporation controller in conjunction with the wick's physical parameters. The electronic psychrometer determines relative humidity and provides a readout display and/or a control signal.
US09689816B2
The invention includes various electronic devices for avoiding or minimizing XRF analyzer user fatigue. In one embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger sensor for activating an XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a finger tap switch for activating the XRF analysis. In another embodiment, the XRF analyzer can include a microphone for activating the XRF analysis by receipt of a verbal command. Additional benefits of some embodiments include improving XRF analysis safety and avoiding XRF analyzer theft.
US09689814B2
A chemical detection system includes a frame, an emitter coupled to the frame, and a detector coupled to the frame proximate the emitter. The system also includes a shielding system coupled to the frame and positioned at least partially between the emitter and the detector, wherein the frame positions a sensing surface of the detector in a direction substantially parallel to a plane extending along a front portion of the frame. A method of analyzing composition of a suspect object includes directing neutrons at the object, detecting gamma rays emitted from the object, and communicating spectrometer information regarding the gamma rays. The method also includes presenting a GUI to a user with a dynamic status of an ongoing neutron spectroscopy process. The dynamic status includes a present confidence for a plurality of compounds being present in the suspect object responsive to changes in the spectrometer information during the ongoing process.
US09689812B2
A method for generating a two-dimensional image of an object using a CT scanner is provided. The method includes selecting an imaging surface for the object, the imaging surface including a plurality of pixels, selecting a viewing direction that is non-parallel to the imaging surface, rotating an x-ray source of the CT scanner around the object through a plurality of views, wherein the x-ray source projects x-rays towards a detector array opposite the x-ray source. For each pixel of the plurality of pixels, the method includes acquiring using the detector array, from the plurality of views, data values for x-rays that pass through the pixel and are within a pre-determined angle from parallel to the viewing direction, and combining the data values acquired for the pixel to calculate a final value for the pixel. The method further includes generating the two-dimensional image of the object based on the calculated final values for each pixel.
US09689809B2
A container inspection device is used to inspect containers, such as bottles or similar containers in a container filling plant. The container inspection device comprises a guide arrangement that guides characteristic information of one or more regions of a container along a first guide path to a first sensor, and along a separate, second guide path to a second sensor. The guide arrangement comprises at least two essentially identical guide structures, through which the guide paths travel. A guide element is included that is designed to guide the characteristic information to both the first guide path and the second guide path.
US09689796B2
A method of characterizing a wet paint layer of a painted body by paint layer parameters based on fitting to a physical model is provided. The method is carried out by a sensor system in a non-contact manner, the sensor system including an emitter system for emitting THz radiation, a detector system for detecting THz radiation, and a processing unit operationally coupled to the emitter system and the detector system. The method includes: Emitting, by the emitter system, a THz radiation signal towards the painted body such that the THz radiation interacts with the wet paint layer, the wet paint layer having not yet finished a drying process during which the wet paint layer becomes a dry paint layer; and Detecting, by the detector system, a response signal being the detected THz radiation signal having interacted with the wet paint layer.
US09689794B2
To provide to a method for measuring and examining lithium ions in an aqueous solution of a specimen such as biomaterials or environment samples, by using a lithium reagent composition as a coloration reaction reagent and by visual observing or a simple a colorimeter. The lithium ions measuring method is characterized by contacting the specimen including serum and plasma test sample with an aqueous solution of a lithium reagent composition comprising a tetraphenyl porphyrin compound, a pH regulator and a pH buffer, by irradiating or expose the resulting solution with white light, and by detecting change in color tone by a visual observation or by detecting the sensitivity by a colorimeter.
US09689784B2
A device (100) of characterization of the elastic properties of a friction material, comprising: —a support yoke (1) having a body (2) with a monoblock structure surrounding an inner chamber (3); —said inner chamber (3) being defined superiorly by a first monoblock body portion (2) or upper crossbar (4); —said inner chamber (3) being defined inferiorly by a second monoblock body portion (2) or lower crossbar (5); —said upper (4) and lower (5) crossbars being mutually connected by two side columns (6, 7) formed by a third and a fourth monoblock body portions (2); —said monoblock body comprising at least one access opening (8) to the inner chamber (3); —said upper crossbar comprising a threaded through hole (9) defining a device axis (X-X) arranged substantially orthogonal to said upper crossbar (4) and said lower crossbar (5) fully passing through the inner chamber (3); —said support yoke <(1) houses, substantially completely in said inner chamber (3), a measuring column (10); said measuring column (10) comprising transmission components of a static and dynamic actions, said components being arranged not necessarily in the order indicated herein below and being mutually arranged stacked substantially along said device axis (X-X) and suitable to be packed together between said upper (4) and lower (5) crossbars so as to transmit a static or dynamic action from one and the other: a preloading screw (11) suitable to engage in said threaded through hole (9) with at least one threaded length (22) thereof to enter said inner chamber (3) according to a predetermined displacement with respect to said upper crossbar (4) along substantially said device axis (X-X) to exert, once the measuring column (10) has been packed, a predetermined static preloading action; an actuator (12) capable of exerting, substantially along said device axis (X-X) an oscillatory thrust action having a predetermined period that is also variable in time in a controlled manner; —at least one load cell—(13) suitable to detect the preloading action and the oscillatory thrust action exerted by said actuator; at least one specimen support portion (14) to support a specimen of material to be tested (15) suitable to receive the preloading action by the preloading screw (11) and/or the oscillatory action of the actuator (12) and to transmit it to the specimen of material to be tested (15); at least one acceleration sensor or accelerometer (16) connected to said at least one support portion (14) to detect at least the acceleration of the support portion (14) generated by said oscillatory thrust action of the actuator (12); wherein—said measuring column (10) comprises a centering shaft (18). coupled to the end (17) of said preloading screw (11) projecting into said inner chamber (3); said centering shaft having a geometry substantially with a symmetry plane parallel to the device axis (X-X); said centering shaft (18) comprises at least one pair of geometric coupling portions (19) mutually arranged in opposite positions and for the direct or indirect geometric coupling to the monoblock body (2) of the support yoke (1), so as to be coupled to said centering screw to receive therefrom the axial preloading thrust but to avoid transmitting torsion actions to the remaining part of the measuring column (10), so as to transmit to said actuator (12) substantially a direct preloading action substantially along said device axis (X-X); —said measuring column (10) further comprises at least a ball joint (42) suitable to compensate for possible thrust misalignments between said preloading screw (11) and said actuator (12), and/or between said actuator (12) and said specimen support portion (14).
US09689782B2
An automated small particle distribution system is provided for transferring small particles from source tubes to destination tubes. The system includes a loading deck that is structured and operable to store and provide a plurality of source tube trays and a plurality of destination tube trays. Each source tube tray includes a plurality of source tubes stored therein, and each destination tube tray includes a plurality of destination tubes stored therein. The system additionally includes a work deck is structured and operable to receive selected source tube trays and selected destination tube trays from the loading deck, aspirate various specified amounts of small objects stored in selected source tubes, and deposit the aspirated small objects into selected destination tubes without cross-contamination of small objects.
US09689778B2
A method of estimating a current soot output from an engine includes sensing a mass flow rate of a flow of exhaust gas from the engine, and defining a soot output base rate of the engine when the engine is operating at a reference state. A soot ratio for a current operating state of the engine is calculated. The mass flow rate, the soot output base rate, and the soot ratio are multiplied together to define an estimated value of the current soot output from the engine. The soot ratio is based on current engine operating parameters, including an air/fuel ratio of the engine, an exhaust gas recirculation ratio of the engine, a fuel injection pressure of the engine, and a fuel injection timing of the engine.
US09689774B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a torque command generation device for generating a motor-generated-torque command that makes it possible to maximize excitation force while ensuring necessary acceleration, and the like, within a limited motor torque range. A torque command generation device is provided with: a maximum torque calculation unit for calculating, according to a motor speed, a maximum torque value for a motor-generated-torque-command signal value; a DC component limiter for calculating a DC signal value; a surplus amplitude calculation unit for calculating a surplus amplitude by subtracting the maximum torque value from the sum of the DC component value; a sine-wave transmitter for generating a sine wave having an amplitude obtained by subtracting the surplus amplitude from a base amplitude; and a summing unit for calculating the motor-generated-torque-command signal value.
US09689769B2
A pressure transmitter connectable to a process line provides an output responsive to a pressure in the process line. The transmitter includes a housing having a base with a process end coupled to an interior cavity formed in the housing, a sensor for sensing the pressure and an isolating assembly mounted at the process end of the housing and isolating fluid in the process line from the interior cavity. The isolating assembly includes an isolation diaphragm configured to be fluidically coupled to the process pressure in the process line, and an isolator plug positioned in the process of the housing adapter. The isolator plug having a lower plug portion providing a first end surface adjacent the isolation diaphragm, an upper plug portion providing a second end surface distally spaced from the first end surface and adjacent a sensor cavity in which the sensor is positioned, a connection mechanism connecting the lower and upper plug portions, and a capillary filled with isolation fluid and extending from the first end surface through the lower and upper plug portions to the second end surface thereby coupling the pressure through the isolation diaphragm and the capillary to the sensor cavity and the sensor. The upper plug portion is formed from a first material and the lower plug portion is formed from a second material having higher corrosion resistance than the first material.
US09689767B2
A semiconductor pressure sensor for measuring an external pressure exerted on the sensor, comprises a membrane, and a bridge comprising a first and a second resistor pair, arranged on a first resp. second side portion of the membrane. The first resistor pair comprises a first and a second resistor (R1, R2) comprising elongated piezo-resistive strips connected in series, and located closely together, such that R1 and R2 have substantially the same temperature. The sensor has a reduced sensitivity to: a temperature gradient over the membrane, and optionally also a non-uniform stress gradient caused by packaging and a inhomogeneous disturbing electric field perpendicular to the sensor. The piezo-resistive strips of the first and second resistor may be oriented in orthogonal directions of maximum piezo-resistive coefficients. A second bridge may be added outside the membrane, for compensating for package pressure.
US09689765B2
A liquid metering pump includes an intake nozzle (2) provided with an intake valve (3) communicating with a working chamber (4) in which a piston (5) can be moved in an alternating translation movement, suction being produced, with the intake valve open, when the piston moves away from the nozzle, and delivery being produced, with the intake valve closed and liquid emerging through an outlet valve, when the piston moves towards the nozzle. The pump includes, between the intake valve (3) and the working chamber (4), a device (D) for detecting the variation in pressure, the device (D) including a duct (10), which is connected at one end to the working chamber (4) and is provided at its other end with the intake valve (3), and an element (11) which is sensitive to the pressure in the duct, the element (11) being mounted in the wall of the duct.
US09689764B1
A sensing device for detecting the amount of torque transmitted through a shaft. The device has a first and second section interconnected by a flexure arrangement to which permanent magnets are attached. Deflections of the flexures produce a repeatable and proportional change of magnetic flux which flows in a stationary annular ring that is concentrically mounted with respect to the shaft and separated from it by an air gap. The annular ring is instrumented with an array of magnetic field sensors that measure the changing magnetic flux.
US09689761B2
A torque sensor includes a first magnet fixed to a first shaft, a tubular magnetic yoke assembly in which a magnetic yoke core is molded with a resin member, and a first magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic flux from the first magnet induced by the magnetic yoke core. The torque sensor also includes a collar made of a ferromagnetic body that is fixed to an inner circumference of the magnetic yoke assembly and to which a second shaft is press-fitted and fixed, and a second magnet for an index sensor that is disposed on an outer circumference of the magnetic yoke assembly. At least a part of the collar is disposed between the magnetic yoke core and the second magnet with respect to an axial direction of the magnetic yoke assembly.
US09689757B2
A strain transmitter for detecting strain of a structure includes a strain body, which has a strain axis with fastening devices for fastening the strain body on a structure, and a measurement element, which is arranged centrally between the fastening devices on the strain axis. The measurement element includes a metal sheet. The entire surface of a statically measuring, piezo-resistant silicon chip, which is connected to a full bridge and emits a voltage in the strained state proportional to the level of strain, is applied to the metal sheet. The measurement element includes a printed circuit board, and electric contacts are guided from the silicon chip along the printed circuit board.
US09689746B2
Provided is a measuring method capable of accurately measuring the surface temperature of a surface to be measured, uninfluenced by the emissivity distribution of the surface to be measured. A surface to be measured having an emissivity distribution, a radiometer that measures a radiance distribution of the surface to be measured, and an auxiliary heat source installed in a specular reflection position from the radiometer with respect to the surface to be measured are prepared, radiances of two places having different emissivities of the surface to be measured are measured at two different auxiliary-heat-source temperatures, a reflectance ratio of the two places having the different emissivities is calculated on the basis of two measured radiances of the two places having the different emissivities, and temperature of the surface to be measured is obtained using reflectance ratio and measured radiances of the two places having different emissivities.
US09689744B2
An imaging spectrometer, covering the visible through infrared wavelengths, which disperses the light by a plane diffraction grating behind a wedged optical element. This design uses an achromatic doublet lens with a reflective coating on its convex back surface to produce the spectra on a flat detector. Spatial keystone distortion and spectral smile are controlled to less than one tenth of a pixel over the full wavelength range, facilitating the use of simple retrieval algorithms.
US09689741B2
An electronic device comprising: an ultraviolet (UV) light sensor; and a processor configured to: generate a plurality of initial UV light measurements by using the UV light sensor, wherein each of the plurality of initial UV light measurements is associated with a respective orientation of the electronic device; and select a reference UV light measurement from the plurality.
US09689740B2
A diagnostic unit is used to align and focus individual laser sources in a spectral beam combining (SBC) laser. The diagnostic unit modifies a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to dedicate one or more microlenses to a particular wavelength of the SBC laser using wavelength-specific filters in combination with corresponding microlenses. The diagnostic unit allows all of the laser sources to be evaluated at the same time because each wavelength has a dedicated portion of the sensor, typically a charge-coupled display. When an individual beam is centered in its dedicated portion of the sensor and has an acceptable spot size or intensity, the source for that particular beam is correctly aligned and focused. Off-center or incorrect spot-sized beams indicate incorrect alignment and focus for the laser source for that wavelength. When correctly calibrated, the sensor output can also be used to measure and correct power output levels of the individual laser sources.
US09689732B1
An analysis tool for monitoring and displaying the real time and historical hydraulic conditions in a sewer system as measured by monitors distributed throughout the sewer system and associated weather data. Data about the hydraulic conditions of the sewer system are displayed in a graphical display that incorporates a visual representation of the sewer system infrastructure.
US09689730B2
A required-circulated-refrigerant flow-rate calculating portion provided in a chilled-water flow-rate estimation calculation portion calculates an evaporator exchanged heat quantity exchanged between a refrigerant and chilled water at an evaporator based on a planned chilled-water-flow-rate value and a measured value of the temperature of the chilled water flowing in the evaporator, and calculates an evaporator-refrigerant flow rate based on that evaporator exchanged heat quantity. Then, a circulated-chilled-water flow-rate back-calculating portion back-calculates an evaporator-refrigerant flow rate based on the calculated evaporator-refrigerant flow rate and a ratio between a set value of differential pressure between a condenser and the evaporator and a measured value of that differential pressure, back-calculates an evaporator exchanged heat quantity exchanged between the refrigerant and the chilled water at the evaporator from the back-calculated evaporator-refrigerant flow rate, and back-calculates the flow rate of the chilled water.
US09689728B2
The invention concerns an ultrasonic transducer, comprising a coupling element which has a first recess, the first recess being provided for the arrangement of a piezoelectric element which feeds an ultrasound signal into the coupling element, and there being disposed between the piezoelectric element and the coupling element an intermediate layer which comprises a metal disc, the metal disc comprising retaining elements (a) each with a first segment lying on the same plane as the metal disc and projecting radially from the perimeter of the metal disc and (b) each having a second segment which adjoins the first segment, projects from the plane of the metal plate and is connected to the first segment.
US09689726B2
A flow meter ultrasonically measures fluid velocity in a pipe. Ultrasonic signals received by ultrasonic transducers are digitized. The difference between two ultrasonic propagation times is determined by computing a discrete cross-correlation of the digitized received signals. Computation time is reduced by computing only a few cross-correlation values near a peak cross-correlation value.
US09689725B2
The invention relates to a magnetic-inductive flowmeter having a measuring tube (1), a magnetic field generator (2) and a measuring electrode (3). Thereby, the measuring tube (1) has a measuring section (4) that is flat on one side having a planar measuring tube portion, called portion (5) in the following, and the magnetic field generator (2) has a pole shoe (7). A flowmeter that allows a high measuring accuracy, even under high pressure loads is achieved in that a support rib (9) is implemented on the planar measuring tube portion (5).
US09689718B2
An element is provided in particular as a closure element or fastening element for inserting into a bore in a component, such as into a bore in an engine, a valve block, a hydraulic unit or a container. At least one electric element which is arranged in or on the element is provided, wherein each electric element transmits and/or receives electric signals. In the fitted state, the electric element is advantageously positioned such that the electric element is adjacent to the chamber formed in the bore and is therefore in contact, for measuring purposes or the like, with the medium contained in the bore. In addition to the actual sealing and/or fastening function, the element can therefore be used to undertake one or more measurements, etc.
US09689715B2
A light source array used in illumination portions for optical encoders comprising an illumination portion, a scale grating extending along a measuring direction and receiving light from the illumination portion, and a detector configuration. The light source array comprises individual sources arranged in a grid pattern and coinciding with two transverse sets of parallel grid pattern lines that have two different grid line pitches between their parallel lines. Different instances of the light source array may be mounted with different rotational orientations about an axis normal to the grid pattern, for use in different illumination portions adapted for use with respective scale gratings having different grating pitches along the measuring axis direction. By using the different respective rotational orientations, the individual sources are aligned along respective illumination source lines that are spaced apart by different respective illumination source line pitches along the measuring axis direction.
US09689706B2
A feature for a motor vehicle that takes precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network in the vicinity ahead of the vehicle. The feature uses a data representation of the road network extending from the current vehicle position out to an extent. The data representation of the road network is used to identify conditions, if any, that warrant taking a precautionary action. The type of conditions about which actions are to be taken may be identified in a data file. A precautionary action is taken as the vehicle approaches the location of the condition. The precautionary action may be a message provided to the vehicle driver to alert the driver about the condition. Alternatively, the action may be a modification of the vehicle operation, such as slowing down or stopping the vehicle, speeding up the vehicle, changing direction, and so on.
US09689703B2
In one aspect, a map is provided for display by one or more computing devices. The map includes a first set of geographic locations. The one or more computing devices receive a zoom request for viewing the map. The one or more computing devices then determine whether a zoom level cutoff has been traversed. If so the one or more computing devices may select a second set of geographic locations, from a hierarchy of geographic locations, to be displayed to the user.
US09689698B2
A method of temporarily associating a first mobile device 22 with a second mobile device 200, by processing positional data relating to the position and movement of a plurality of mobile devices with respect to time in a geographical region. The positional data is process to determine if a first mobile device 22, such as one carried by a user, is moving concurrently with a second mobile device 200, such as one associated with a vehicle 14, along substantially the same travel path. When such a determination is made, a temporary association is created between the first mobile device 22 and the second mobile device 200, e.g. at a server 10 to allow for data to be exchanged between the two devices.
US09689694B2
Computationally implemented methods and systems that are designed for receiving a request for transport of a first end user; selecting, in response to the received request, a transportation vehicle unit that is currently en route to or is currently transporting a second end user for transporting the first end user, the selection of the transportation vehicle unit being based, at least in part, on ascertaining that the transportation vehicle unit is able to accommodate transport of the first end user while transporting the second end user; and transmitting one or more directives that direct the selected transportation vehicle unit to transport the first end user. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.
US09689692B2
A charging facility information providing system includes: an electrically driven vehicle, a charging facility, and a management center, wherein, in the case of charging the storage battery, the electrically driven vehicle and the charging facility perform charge communication, the electrically driven vehicle sends travel plan information, to the charging facility by the charge communication during the charge of the storage battery, the charging facility transfers the travel plan information sent from the electrically driven vehicle to the management center through an information network, then based on the travel plan information received from the charging facility, the management center creates a charging plan which is matched with the running route of the electrically driven vehicle, acquires charging facility information of a charging facility at a scheduled charging place included in the charging plan, and sends the charging plan and the charging facility information to the charging facility through the information network and the charging facility transfers the acquired charging plan and the charging facility information to the electrically driven vehicle by the charge communication.
US09689688B2
A mobile terminal obtains image data related to a product posted on a flier by imaging and sends the image data related to the product to a shopping management server. Upon reception of the image data related to the product from the mobile terminal, the shopping management server determines the product by analyzing the image data related to the product, obtains at least one of inventory information and sales information of the product, and sends at least one of the inventory information and the sales information of the product to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal combines computer-graphics image data indicating at least one of the inventory information and the sales information of the product sent from the shopping management server with an image of the flier in real space and presents the combined image, thereby solving the problem.
US09689687B2
Navigation data is generated by receiving (502) a new experience data set (321) relating to a new experience capture. At least one stored experience data set (320) relating to at least one previous experience capture is also received (504). An experience data set includes a set of nodes, with each node comprising a series of visual image frames taken over a series of time frames. A candidate set of said nodes is obtained (506) from the stored experience data set that potentially matches a said node in the new experience data set, and then a check (508) if performed to see if a node in the candidate set matches the node in the new experience data set. If the result of the checking is positive then data relating to the matched nodes is added (510) to a place data set useable for navigation, the place data set indicating that said nodes in different said experience data sets relate to a same place.
US09689685B2
Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses to allow for delay zone information to be gathered by one or more mobile stations used in route navigation, provided to one or more computing devices and processed in some manner to establish navigation information that may be of use by mobile stations involved in route navigation. For example, in certain instances navigation information may be indicative of an expected delay with regard to at least one known delay zone that may affect a user of the mobile station attempting to adhere to a route.
US09689671B2
Systems, methods and computer storage mediums accurately measure wall thickness in a region of interest included in complex curved structures. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to generating a wall thickness loss distribution map of a region of interest that provides an accurate representation of wall thickness for the region of interest included in a complex curved structure. The wall thickness loss distribution map is generated from a two-dimensional model of the wall thickness loss distribution of the region of interest. The two-dimensional model is converted from a three-dimensional representation of the wall thickness loss distribution of the region of interest. The three-dimensional representation of the wall thickness is generated by ultrasonic waves generated by a transducer system that propagated through the region of interest.
US09689669B2
System and method for sensor alignment. In one example, a reimaging optical system includes reimaging foreoptics positioned to receive and reimage incident electromagnetic radiation to produce an intermediate image plane and output an optical beam of the received incident electromagnetic radiation, an imaging optical apparatus positioned to receive the optical beam and focus the electromagnetic radiation of the optical beam onto a first focal plane, a first imaging sensor positioned at the first focal plane and configured to produce a first image responsive to receiving the electromagnetic radiation of the optical beam, an alignment object selectively positioned at the intermediate image plane and configured to superimpose an alignment tool upon the first image, and a controller coupled to the first imaging sensor and configured to perform an alignment process for the first imaging sensor based on at least a position of the alignment tool in the first image.
US09689658B2
A spinning unit and method for detecting changes of position of a shaftless spinning rotor (1) of an open-end spinning machine in a cavity of an active magnetic bearing, in which the position of the spinning rotor (1) is detected by a system of sensors (A, B) and on basis of the detected changes in the position of the spinning rotor (1) is adjusted controlling of the active magnetic bearing in order to eliminate undesirable changes in the position of the spinning rotor (1) in the cavity of the active magnetic bearing. Continuously is detected radial shifting of the spinning rotor (1) and simultaneously is continuously detected inclination of the spinning rotor (1), whereupon according to the detected changes in the position of the spinning rotor (1) is determined shifting and/or inclination of the spinning rotor (1) which is used for subsequent adjustment of the controlling of position of the spinning rotor (1) in the active magnetic bearing, wherein both radial shifting and inclination of the spinning rotor are each detected by at least two pairs of sensors of the distance of monitored surface of the spinning rotor, the pairs of sensors for detecting radial shifting of the spinning rotor detect changes of distances of the cylindrical wall of the spinning rotor from the sensors. The sensors (A, B) of the position of the spinning rotor (1) are grouped into pairs, whereby two pairs of sensors (A1, A2) for detecting of radial shifting of the spinning rotor (1) are arranged on the opposite sides of the spinning rotor (1) against the cylindrical wall (10) of the spinning rotor (1) and at the same time another two pairs of sensors (B1, B2) for detecting of inclination of the spinning rotor (1) are arranged on the opposite sides of the spinning rotor (1) against the wall (11) of the spinning rotor (1), which is perpendicular to the rotation axis (OA) of the spinning rotor (1).
US09689651B1
A removable one piece folding primer feeding tray preferably includes a feed tray and a valve switch. The feed tray includes a tray portion, a cover portion and a feed channel. A tray edge of the tray portion is preferably pivotally connected to the cover portion. The cover portion includes two opposing cover side walls, which are spaced apart to receive an outside perimeter of the two opposing tray side walls. The feed channel extends from an opposing edge of the tray portion. The valve switch is slidably engaged with the feed tray. The valve switch controls the flow of primers and locks the cover portion to the tray portion. A feed adapter is retained in a hand held or bench mounted primer actuator and receives the primers from the removable folding primer tray and the lifts primers for pressing into a cartridge.
US09689649B1
A high efficiency, blow-by reducing obturator for a 105 mm tube-launched projectile is a generally annular ring having a central longitudinal axis and an outer circumferential surface. The outer surface has a first portion parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. The second portion extends forward and radially inward at an angle of about six degrees with the central longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, one or more grooves are formed in the inner circumferential surface of the ring.
US09689643B2
A method of sighting a target includes receiving an initial condition of an optical device. The initial condition includes a size of a ranging element and a range associated with the size of the ranging element. The method further includes receiving a ballistic information and receiving an image from an imaging sensor. At least a portion of the image is displayed on a display. The ranging element is overlaid on the displayed portion of the image. A first zoom input is received to set a first zoom value that corresponds to a first distance from the optical device. The method also includes determining a first projectile position based on the first distance and the ballistic information.
US09689642B2
The invention relates to a gas powered gun for discharge of projectiles, comprising an open-close valve arranged in a rear end of a pressure chamber, and arranged, in its open state, to allow passage of gas from the pressure chamber into a barrel, to thereby discharge a projectile. The open-close valve comprises a valve seat and a valve head provided in one end of an elongated extension member. A hammer is arranged to cooperate with a hammer cooperating member provided at a second end of the elongated extension member. The hammer is arranged between the valve head and the hammer cooperating member, so that, when the hammer is moved in the firing direction into contact with the hammer cooperating member, the hammer cooperating member pulls the valve head out of contact with the valve seat, thereby bringing the open-close valve to its open state.
US09689638B1
An anti-dry fire system for a crossbow including a catch moveable between a closed position that retains the draw string in a drawn configuration and an open position that releases the draw string to a released configuration position. A sear is moveable between a de-cocked position and a cocked position coupled with the catch at an interface to retain the catch in the closed position such that after firing the crossbow the sear is retained in the de-cocked position by the catch. A dry fire lockout is moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to the de-cocked position. The dry fire lockout includes a portion located behind the draw string that engages with the arrow to move the dry fire lockout to the disengaged position. This configuration precludes the use of the most common arrow nocks (flat, half-moon, etc.), reducing the risk that a non-approved arrow will be used in the crossbow.
US09689631B2
Condensation can be an important process in both emerging and traditional power generation and water desalination technologies. Superhydrophobic nanostructures can promise enhanced condensation heat transfer by reducing the characteristic size of departing droplets via a surface-tension-driven mechanism. A superhydrophobic surface can include a heterogeneous surface.
US09689624B2
A battery module with one or more battery cells and a heat exchange member placed in thermal communication with the battery cell, and a method of making a heat pipe system from the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member includes a container with a heat transfer fluid disposed therein. In one form, the heat transfer fluid is capable of going through a phase change as a way to absorb at least a portion of heat present in or generated by battery cell. A pressure control device cooperates with the container and heat transfer fluid such that upon attainment of a predetermined thermal event within the battery cell, the pressure control device permits liberation of at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid to an ambient environment, thereby relieving pressure on the container and removing some of the excess heat caused by the thermal event.
US09689618B2
A heat exchanger (1) is provided with header pipes (2, 3), a plurality of flat tubes (4) disposed between the header pipes, and corrugated fins (6) disposed between the flat tubes (4). The end of the corrugated fin at the surface on the side, on which condensed water gathers, of the heat exchanger protrudes from an end of the flat tube (4), and a linear water-conducting member (10) is inserted between a gap (G) formed between the protruding portions of the corrugated fins. The interval between the water-conducting member and the protruding end of the corrugated fin located thereon is a distance at which the surface tension of water can act therebetween. A V-shaped cut (6a or 6b) is formed at the edge of the protruding end of the corrugated fin.
US09689614B2
A method for combustion in an industrial furnace having fuel and a first oxidizer to heat a material includes arranging at least one lance in a sidewall of the furnace; supplying a second oxidizer with an oxygen content of at least 85 percent by weight in the form of a jet traveling at at least sonic velocity to the interior of the furnace through the at least one lance; running the jet of the second oxidizer in the horizontal plane above the material between and essentially in parallel with two consecutive rows of the roof burners; balancing an amount of the second oxidizer supplied per time unit so that the oxygen content supplied via the second oxidizer constitutes at least 50 percent by weight of the total supplied oxygen per time unit in the furnace.
US09689603B2
A refrigerator includes a body including a storage chamber; a door that is coupled to the body so as to open/close the storage chamber; a display that is disposed in at least one region of the door and is configured to be converted between a transparent mode and a display mode; and a controller that controls the display to display at least one among a text, an image, and color when the display is in the display mode.
US09689601B2
A bag sealer and an ice vending machine using the same are provided. The ice vending machine includes an ice making module, an ice storage bin, a bag sealer, and an ice guiding mechanism. The ice storage bin is located below the ice making module and used for storing the ice manufactured from the ice making module. The ice guiding mechanism is disposed between the ice storage bin and the bag sealer. The ice guiding mechanism is used for guiding the ice from the ice storage bin into the bag sealer. Because a cutting tool of the bag sealer is using the first electrothermal element to cut the roll of the plastic bags, the bag sealer can be installed in the ice vending machine.
US09689591B2
The invention provides the sectional regenerative third-type absorption heat pump which belongs to low-temperature waste heat utilization and refrigeration technique filed. It mainly comprises four generators, four absorbers, a condenser, an evaporator, a throttle, four solution pumps and four solution heat exchangers. The refrigerant vapor of the first generator is provided for condenser. The refrigerant liquid of condenser is provided for evaporator. The refrigerant vapor of evaporator is provided for the first absorber. The second generator and the second absorber, the third generator and the third absorber respectively form the driving heat sectional regenerative process. The third generator and the third absorber form the waste heat regenerative process. The first absorber, the second absorber and the third absorber supply heat to the condenser. The fourth absorber releases the low temperature heat. The sectional regenerative third-type absorption heat pump is thereby formed.
US09689588B2
A refrigerating cycle apparatus includes an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a feeding channel, a main circuit that circulates a refrigerant including fluid whose saturated vapor pressure at ordinary temperature is a negative pressure as a main component, a heat absorption circuit including a heat absorption heat exchanger, a heat release circuit including a heat release heat exchanger, an internal heat exchanger that allows indirect heat exchange between the fluid flowing through the heat absorption circuit and the fluid flowing through the heat release circuit, at least one of a heat absorption bypass channel and a heat release bypass channel, and at least one of a flow rate adjustment mechanism for heat absorption that adjusts a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the heat absorption bypass channel and a flow rate adjustment mechanism for heat release that adjusts a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the heat release bypass channel.
US09689586B2
A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.
US09689585B2
A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct.
US09689581B2
Some embodiments of the invention include a ventilation apparatus including a housing assembly with at least one fluid inlet, and at least one fluid outlet, and an exhaust fan assembly coupled to the housing assembly within an inner region. The exhaust fan assembly can include a scroll positioned within and coupled to the main housing, and a blower wheel positioned within the scroll and mechanically coupled to the motor. The ventilation assembly can include a configurable mounting panel including a main panel and at least one tab, and at least one configurable flange coupled to the main panel and extending outwardly from the main panel. The configurable mounting panel can include at least one bending region with at least one aperture. The ventilation apparatus can also include a muffler including an aperture, an electrical box enclosure including a lid, and a duct connector assembly each coupled with the housing assembly.
US09689577B2
An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat exchanger, at least one fan, a compressor, and a box-shaped casing that houses the foregoing elements and has an air inlet and an air outlet. The compressor is provided at a position outside an air passage in which air taken in from the air inlet flows through the heat exchanger and the fan toward the air outlet. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchanger segments. The heat exchanger segments are arranged zigzag.
US09689555B2
A lighting device (1) comprising a housing (3) with a light emission window (5) and, opposite thereto, a reflector (7). A planar light transmissive carrier (9) arranged in between the light emission window and the reflector and comprising, at least on a side (11) facing towards the reflector, a grid (13) of a plurality of light sources (15,17). The plurality of light sources comprise a first group (19) of first light sources (15) and a second group (21) of second light sources (19). Each first light source has a respective first emission orientation (23) in a respective first direction (25) away from the reflector and each second light source has a respective second emission orientation (31) to issue light towards the reflector, which light, after reflection, is redirected into a respective first direction (25a). The lighting device is able to provide accent lighting and/or diffuse lighting issued by light sources arranged on one planar carrier.
US09689552B2
A lighting apparatus including an LED light emitter having an axis. The apparatus comprising a first lens over the emitter a second lens spaced over the first lens. The first lens is configured to direct LED-emitted light primarily toward a preferential radial side with respect to the emitter axis. The first lens may be an asymmetric primary lens. The first lens may have a centerline which is offset from the emitter axis toward the preferential radial side. Alternatively or in addition, the first lens may have an outer surface configured to direct LED-emitted light primarily toward the preferential radial side. The second lens may be asymmetric and be configured to further direct the light primarily toward the preferential radial side. The secondary lens may include inner and outer surfaces each shaped to direct received light primarily toward the preferential side.
US09689551B2
A display device (A) for the display of image information, which consists of at least one or a plurality of picture elements and may be modified by means of a frame rate (R), having at least one light source (L) for the generation of a picture element of the image information, characterized in that there are provided picture element modification means (VM) having movement elements (BR, BV, LI, L), which are movably arranged with at least the frame rate (R) in the display device (A) and which are adapted to selectively deflect and/or cover the light emitted by the at least one light source (L) for the viewer (LA, RA) of the display device (A) in order to generate per light source (L) of the display device (A) at least twice the number of picture elements as extension picture elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) for the display of the image information, wherein the light emitted by the at least one light source (L) is modified with at least twice the frame rate (R) as light source frequency (fL).
US09689549B2
A vehicle headlight device 100 includes a light source 11, a Dove prism 40, and a rotation mechanism 50. The light source 11 emits light. The Dove prism 40 changes a propagation direction of light received at an incidence surface 401 to bring the light to a reflecting surface 402, and changes a propagation direction of light reflected at the reflecting surface 402 to output the light from an exit surface 403. The rotation mechanism 50 rotatably supports the Dove prism 40 about a line which passes through the incidence surface 401 and the exit surface 403 as an axis of rotation R, and rotates the Dove prism 40 in a direction opposite to a bank direction of a vehicle body in accordance with a bank angle k of the vehicle body.
US09689548B2
The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, where the light device includes a light source having a plurality of semiconductor diodes, and a scanning device onto which light from the light source is incident and which generates a temporally varying deflection of the incident light from the light source during operation of the lighting device and thereby generates a predetermined light distribution at a distance from the lighting device. The scanning device has at least two separately controllable scanners, onto each of which a separate light beam generated from the light source is incident, the deflection of which beam is temporally varied by the respective scanner.
US09689542B2
A system and method that helps evacuees exit a residential structure in the event of an emergency such as a fire, earthquake, security breach or the like, by providing emergency illumination around the periphery of an exit door and/or an alternative safe exit portal together with floor/ground level illumination along the path to the portal, and by providing an audible tone or voice recording to guide occupants to the exit portal. Various forms of linear illuminators parallel to and near the floor of an interior room or hallway provide the floor-level identification and illumination of the exit route to be used in the event of emergency, with some linear illuminators having directional aspects along hallways to lead evacuees toward an exit, and other illuminators outlining the perimeter of portals that are safe to exit through, the illuminators normally being hardly noticeable but having controllers and energizers to light up the planned exit route when emergency conditions are detected.
US09689537B2
A light-emitting device includes: a substrate; a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in an annular line on a main surface of the substrate; a sealing member which is annularly formed along the line of the plurality of light-emitting elements and seals the plurality of light-emitting elements; and a power supply part disposed on the main surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of light-emitting elements. The power supply part is located in an inner region interior to the sealing member formed in an annular shape.
US09689530B2
The invention relates to a method of dosing lubricating grease with a lubricant dispenser (1), comprising a lubricant cartridge (3) filled with lubricating grease (2) and holding a plunger (4) for expelling the lubricating grease (2), a spindle (6) driven by a direct-current drive motor (5) for moving the plunger (4), a power supply (7), a controller (8) for operating the motor (5) with a microcontroller (9), and a device (10) for interrupting the motor current flowing through the motor (5). The motor (5) is started up by the controller (8) in adjustable time intervals and a dose of dispensed agent is expressed from the cartridge (3) through a plunger motion with a predetermined plunger stroke. The motor current and the motor voltage are measured during motor operation, and the motor runtime, and the plunger stroke is calculated with the current and voltage measured values and at least one motor characteristic. The motor current is interrupted when the motor operating time reaches the calculated motor runtime.
US09689528B2
A multiuse bracket and support device for securing supports to a structure includes a band, which is flexible, that has a first end, a second end, opposing side edges, a front and a back. Each of a plurality of first couplers is coupled to the band. A first fastener is coupled to the back proximate to the first end, and a second fastener is coupled to the front proximate to the second end. The second fastener is complimentary to the first fastener. Each of a plurality of brackets comprises a second coupler coupled to a support. The second coupler is complimentary to the first coupler.
US09689526B2
A housing includes a housing body, and at least two support assemblies mounted on a side of the housing body and spaced from each other. Each support assembly includes a first rotating member rotatably mounted on the same side of the housing body, and a second rotating member rotatably mounted on the first rotating member. A rotating shaft of the second rotating member is not parallel to the rotating shaft of the first rotating member. An angle between the housing body and the second rotating member can be changed via rotating the second rotating member.
US09689515B2
A quick connector device includes: a connector body that has two fluid hose connectors located at two ends and an injector port connector located at a middle bottom section thereof; a locking member that is inserted into and rotatably connected to the injector port connector of the connector body and detachably coupled to the injector port; and an o-ring that is coupled to the injector port connector of the connector body and provides a sealing to the injector port. The connector body includes a support rib and a receiving space that securely maintain the locked state and allow the technician to easily assemble/disassemble the device. The quick connector device allows the technician to determine whether the device is in the locked or unlocked state based on the angular position of the locking member.
US09689513B2
The present invention provides a tubular article (10), such as may be used as an oil and gas pipeline, having a longitudinal axis X comprising inner and outer separate strips (12, 14) of spirally wound overlapping material each having a longitudinal axis L and first and second edges (16, 18, 16′, 18′), in which each strip (12, 14) comprises two or more longitudinally extending ridges (20, 22, 20′, 22′), each of which extends along said longitudinally extending axis L in parallel to each other and in which said ridges (20, 22, 20′, 22′) each comprise asymmetric ridges having a leading edge (24, 24′) forming a contact portion (28, 28′) and wherein said leading edges (24, 24′) are each in contact with each other and further comprising a non-contact trailing edge portion (26, 26′) which are spaced from each other by an amount G.
US09689507B2
A vacuum valve includes a valve opening and a valve plate that opens and closes the valve opening. A part of an edge of the valve opening is a wedge edge portion having a wedge shape projected outward. The wedge edge portion is provided in a region where the valve plate starts to open the valve opening when the valve plate is moved to open the valve opening.
US09689506B2
A hollow poppet valve (10) is provided with an additional flange shape cavity (S1a), in addition to an ordinary valve head cavity (S1) formed in the valve head (14) of the valve (10) in communication with a valve stem cavity (S2) formed in a valve stem (12). A coolant (19) is loaded in the cavities to facilitate dissipation of heat out of the valve. This flange shape cavity (S1a) extends radially outwardly round a bottom portion of the valve head cavity (S1), extending close to a valve seat, thereby significantly facilitating heat transfer between the coolant (19) and the valve seat of the valve, yet, since the flange shape cavity (S1a) does not influences the thickness of other regions of the valve, it does not degrade durability of the valve.
US09689487B2
A roll mount using a magnetorheological fluid may include a bracket which has a mounting portion having a pipe shape, an insulator made of an elastic material and fitted into the mounting portion, the insulator having therein two liquid chambers that are in communication with each other through flow paths and having a core coupled to a center thereof, and a coil which is wound around an outside of the insulator, in which a magnetorheological fluid is encapsulated in the liquid chambers, the magnetorheological fluid flows while the insulator is elastically deformed by a load applied to the core, and a flow rate of the magnetorheological fluid is adjusted depending on an amount of electric current applied to the coil.
US09689477B2
A variable transmission includes an input shaft, a planetary gear set drivingly engaged with a variator comprising, a variator carrier assembly, a first ring assembly, and a second ring assembly; and the output shaft, arranged with various combinations of brakes and clutches to produce transmissions with continuously variable or infinitely variable torque output ratios.
US09689473B2
A transmission includes a single planetary gearset, a first torque machine, an output member and a two-speed gearset that is coupled to the drive member. The single planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a carrier gearset and a ring gear, wherein the carrier gearset is rotatably couplable to the input member and rotatably couplable to the output member, the sun gear is rotatably coupled to a rotor of the first torque machine, and the ring gear is rotatably couplable to the input member and rotatably couplable to the output member. The output member is rotatably couplable to the two-speed gearset, which is configured to operate in one of a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio.
US09689467B2
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.
US09689465B2
A dual rotary cam may include a first rotating unit, a second rotating unit, a first rod, a second rod and a transmission device. The transmission device has an active gear, two connecting gears, and two passive gears. The active gear is driven by a motor to drive the connecting gears. A decelerating gear that is co-axially disposed with the connecting gear is used to connect the passive gears. The passive gears co-axially connect with the connecting portions of the first rod and second rod. The gear motion between the active gear, connecting gears, passive gears and decelerating gear can be arranged to adjust the gaps therebetween to achieve a goal of seamless transmission of the rotary cam.
US09689463B2
A roller (20) for a pendulum mass (4, 5, 6) of a centrifugal force pendulum (1), including a rolling section (42), a first maintaining section (26) and a second maintaining section (27). The maintaining sections have a larger diameter than the rolling section, and the roller (20) has a width (44) which is smaller or the same size as the first depth (9) of the centrifugal force pendulum. Due to roller (20), a centrifugal force pendulum can be constructed for particularly flat couplings. In particular, the total weight of the friction clutch is reduced and the mounting is simplified.
US09689460B2
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system configured for securing at least one component, the system comprising: a bolt head associated with a structural pin, a retention fitting, a diaper pin held in place by the retention fitting against turning, and a damper at least partially positioned between the bolt head and the diaper pin.
US09689459B2
The technology disclosed provides a joint for connecting carrier units together so as to dissipate and absorb axial forces experienced by the carrier units. The joint may be comprised of a joint housing and an elastomeric insert. The housing may be comprised of a body portion and a head portion and the head portion may include an annular flange in which the elastomeric insert is configured to be secured. The elastomeric joint is capable of absorbing and dissipating horizontal, rotational, and vertical forces experienced by the carrier units in non-linear travel along a track.
US09689458B2
A vibration damper for a sensor unit comprises an elastic damping element including a central plate, a plurality of damping fingers joined at a first end to the central plate, and a plurality of fastening surfaces. At least two fastening surfaces of the plurality of fastening surfaces are disposed at a distance from each other in a first spatial direction. The damping element is flexurally elastically soft along the first spatial direction and is formed with a higher stiffness in a main extension plane defined perpendicular to the first spatial direction. A layer of adhesive is applied to each of the at least two fastening surfaces which are configured to be subjected to shear stress as a result of vibrations in the main extension plane.
US09689457B2
A torque rod (1) has two elastic bushes (2, 3) to be mounted respectively to a vibration-generating side and a vibration-receiving side, and a connecting rod (4) connecting the two elastic bushes (2, 3). The actively controlled vibration cancellation means (5) is an actuator including: the shaft (5a) having two opposite ends mounted to the connecting rod (4) and extending in an axial direction of the connecting rod (4), the mass member (5b) shaped in a tube to surround the shaft (5a); a coil (5e) and a winding core (5f) fixed to the shaft (5a) in the tube-shaped mass member (5b); a permanent magnet (5d) mounted to an inner peripheral surface of the tube-shaped mass member (5b) or the shaft (5a), and a connecting member (5c) for connecting at least one end of the tube-shaped mass members (5b) to the shaft (5a).
US09689453B2
An active vibration absorber is attachable to a structure incorporating a positioning system which serves to vibrate the structure during its operation. The active vibration absorber comprises a mounting portion for attachment to the structure, an inertial mass that is resiliently coupled to the mounting portion and a force actuator which is operative to controllably move the inertial mass relative to the mounting portion. The force actuator is configured to move the inertial mass relative to the mounting body according to a motion profile during a motion cycle of the positioning system in order to attenuate vibrations in the structure. The motion profile is determined from a motion command which is operative to drive the positioning system during the motion cycle.
US09689448B2
A brake pad for a brake system, the brake pad comprising: a first brake pad surface having a coefficient of friction, the brake pad being for contact, in use, with a first radial portion of a component having a rotation axis, wherein: at a first point on the first brake pad surface the coefficient of friction has a first value; at a second point on the first brake pad surface the coefficient of friction has a second value greater than the first value; and at a third point on the first brake pad surface the coefficient of friction has a third value greater than the second value, wherein, in use, the first, second and third points are configured to be contactable with corresponding points on the first radial portion of the component at locations of increasing radial distance from the rotation axis so that the second point is further from the rotation axis than the first point, and the third point is further from the rotation axis than the second point.
US09689445B2
A fixed caliper brake includes a caliper housing that includes two opposing blocks. Each of the opposing blocks includes an axial recess, an axial surface for supporting a brake pad, and elements for mounting and axially and slidably guiding the brake pad. The elements include a pad spring that is attached to each related lug of the brake pad, and a steel lamellar element having a spring and being received in the related recess.
US09689440B2
A power transfer device includes a hydraulic clutch capable of coupling and decoupling a secondary shaft of a CVT and axles to and from each other. A secondary pulley of the CVT includes a movable sheave movably supported by the secondary shaft, and a secondary piston that rotates together with the secondary shaft and that constitutes a second hydraulic actuator together with the movable sheave. The secondary piston of the second hydraulic actuator is used to define an engagement oil chamber of the hydraulic clutch.
US09689433B2
A geared motor series includes several motors with different dimensions, which respectively have a motor shaft with a receiving bore on the free end thereof. The nominal outer diameters of the motor shafts of the individual motor dimensions are different from each other. At least one plug-in pinion having a pinion journal is provided with a nominal outer diameter corresponding to the nominal diameter of one of the receiving bores, such that the push-in pinion is fixable to the corresponding motor shaft using a press assembly. The nominal diameter of a receiving bore of a motor shaft of a motor of a first motor dimension corresponds to the nominal diameter of a receiving bore of a motor shaft of a motor of at least one other motor dimension, such that the at least one push-in pinion is fixable to motor shafts of motors having different dimensions using a press assembly.
US09689431B2
A seal arrangement (1) of an anti-friction bearing, which seal arrangement (1) is inserted between a first bearing part (2) and a second bearing part (4). The seal arrangement includes a seal (6) which is positioned on the rotationally fixed first bearing part by a support element (15) which is enclosed at least on one side by an elastic seal material (16), and which seal (6) includes at least one sealing lip (25, 26). A thrower ring (7), forming a collection chamber (13), of the seal arrangement is assigned to the second rotatable bearing part. To this end, a cylindrical portion (9) of the thrower ring is snapped in an end-side circumferential groove (11) by a flange (5) of the second rotatable bearing part. A radial leg (12) of the thrower ring extends such that it maintains a sealing gap (14) to the seat. Moreover, the seal of the seal arrangement includes elastic sealing lips which are supported on the second bearing part such that they are offset with respect to the thrower ring.
US09689426B2
A modular bearing segment is disclosed. The modular bearing segment having a first end and a second end and can include a retainer defining at least one bearing track having an open load bearing portion; a plurality of bearings positioned within the at least one bearing track; a bearing plate in load bearing communication with less than all of the plurality of bearings and positioned opposite the retainer; and a lid positioned on the bearing plate, fixed to the retainer and defining a rocker element retaining hole positioned above the bearing plate.
US09689424B1
A tiered bearing assembly including first and second pluralities of tapered rolling elements and a common center ring arranged between the first and second pluralities of tapered rolling elements with a Z-shaped profile in cross-section is provided. A taper direction of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements is opposite to a taper direction of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements.
US09689421B2
A security fastener for installation on a wheel having a recess hole extending from a recess entrance of a first diameter comprising an end portion concentric with a longitudinal axis of the fastener, the end portion configured to mate with a corresponding element of the recess hole, an intermediate skirt portion having a side wall region with a diameter within about 6 millimeters of the diameter of the recess entrance, a drive portion having a tapered outer surface and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves in the tapered outer surface arranged in a lock pattern to which a driving torque may be applied, the tapered outer surface sloping downward and outward away from the longitudinal axis of the fastener from a top surface to the skirt portion at a taper angle of at least 11 degrees.
US09689415B2
A hollow screw and related process of making is provided, wherein the hollow screw is formed from a generally circular corrosion resistant stainless steel disk cut from flat roll stock. The hollow screw includes a head and an elongated and hollow shaft having a wall thickness between about 0.2 to about 0.7 millimeters extending therefrom and defining a shank portion and a threaded portion having a plurality of threads thereon with a rotational drive mechanism configured to facilitate tightening via the threads. The process involves annealing to soften the stamped hollow screw, followed by thread rolling, and then age hardening the hollow screw. As such, the resultant hollow screw is relatively lightweight, about 50% the mass of a solid core screw made from the same material, with a sufficient thread strength to meet most aerospace applications and contributes to important aircraft fuel economy.
US09689414B2
A fastening device for installing a fitting or a holding clamp in a hole in a thin wall. The fastening device includes a head area with fitting parts attached thereto for clamping or enclosing a portion of the fitting or holding clamp between the head and the thin wall. The fastening device also includes a body area that proceeds from the head area and penetrates the hole in an installed condition. Proceeding from the end of the body area are two spring legs which are directed rearward toward the thin wall, and which are supported by sloping foot-like ends on two diametrically opposite, parallel edges of the hole. The fastening device forms guide strips which protrude laterally from the body area, and which are guided into suitable notches (between the opposite edges of the hole in the thin wall.
US09689410B2
A railing system for mounting to railings of a fence includes a first strip and a second strip. The first and second strips each have a generally planar surface. The first and second strips can be mounted to respective fence railings. The first and second strips each have a plurality of openings extending for receiving a plurality of anchors. Each anchor has a flared portion to prevent passage of the flared portion through the respective opening and anchor the anchor against one of the first and second strips. A plurality of elongated barriers each of a fixed length extends from the first strip to the second strip when mounted to respective fence railings. Each barrier is connectable to a pair of anchors, and when connected to respective anchors, extends linearly from the first strip to the second strip.
US09689401B2
An impeller designed to be mounted on a rotary shaft includes: a basic rim provided with blades protruding on one surface of the basic rim, and a hub capable of being coupled to the basic rim and to the rotary shaft. In certain embodiments, the impeller includes an annular plate and the hub, where the annular plate and the basic rim are configured to interact together so as to hold the basic rim axially and to maintain a freedom of radial deformation of the basic rim relative to the hub and to the annular plate.
US09689400B2
A fluidic actuator comprising: a fluid nozzle for delivering fluid and a tube having an open end and a closed end, the open end spaced from the fluid nozzle. Also a pair of electrodes mounted in the tube and spaced apart to create a spark gap therebetween. A voltage source is arranged to supply a voltage across the pair of electrodes wherein the voltage causes plasma formation in the spark gap thereby shortening the effective length of the tube.
US09689396B2
Methods and systems for monitoring a variable-speed pump system to detect a blockage condition. A value indicative of pump performance is sensed and a pump load coefficient is calculated. The value of the pump load coefficient does not change substantially due to changes in pump speed and is indicative of a blockage of a drain in a liquid holding tank. A blockage of the drain is detected based at least in part on the calculated pump load coefficient and the operation of the pump is adjusted based on the detected blockage.
US09689393B2
A coolant pump includes an outlet volute comprising a pivot axis, an impeller pump, a housing, and an outlet valve arrangement. The housing comprises an outlet volute housing defining the outlet volute and comprises a volute housing wall comprising a recess, and a first outlet channel comprising a valve opening. The outlet valve arrangement is disposed in the first outlet channel and comprises a valve body which opens or closes the valve opening. The valve body comprises a circle segment body comprising a proximal surface and a maximum outside radius. The circle segment body is rotated around the pivot axis. The proximal surface is distant from the pivot axis by an offset distance which is at least ¼ of the maximum outside radius. The recess houses the circle segment body in the closed valve position. A lateral distance of the pivot axis to the volute housing wall is approximately equal to the offset distance.
US09689383B2
A system and method is provided for controlling a reciprocating electric submersible pump with an AC linear motor. The system includes a programmable logic controller for controlling an inverter to provide pulse-width modulated AC power to the linear motor. Under operating conditions, a constant voltage is applied to the linear motor whose operating frequency can be controlled by the pulse-width modulation.
US09689375B2
Inertia control system for a wind turbine comprising a rotor (5), generator (12) driven by the rotor (5) that interacts with a power converter (13) to generate electricity, a wind turbine controller (15) that comprises a blade pitch controller (19) and a generated power controller (18), a controller for the power converter (14) that interacts with the wind turbine controller (15), characterized because it comprises an inertia emulation block (17) that generates an extra power signal (32) negatively proportional to the frequency change rate (23) that is added to the power reference of the wind turbine generated power controller (15) and adapts the rotational speed reference of the wind turbine controller (15) according to the grid frequency (21) to prevent distortion in the active power output after adding or subtracting power in proportion to the frequency change rate (23).
US09689374B2
An adjustable lift regulating device (30, 32, 40, 50, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 76) on an inboard portion of a wind turbine blade (28). The lift regulating device is activated to reduce lift on the inboard portion of the blade by causing flow separation (41) on the suction side (22) of the blade. To compensate for the lost lift, the blade pitch is increased to a running pitch that facilitates stalling on the outer portion of the blade in gusts. This provides passive reduction of fatigue and extreme loads from gusts while allowing full power production under non-gust conditions.
US09689368B2
A system for the generation of energy from the flow of water in a body of water is provided, the system comprising a support assembly extending across at least a portion of the body of water; a generator assembly mounted in the support assembly, the generator assembly comprising a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly, each rotor assembly comprising a vertical hub rotatable about a vertical axis and a plurality of vertical blades extending radially from the hub, the first and second rotor assemblies being arranged such that the volume swept by the blades of the first rotor assembly overlaps the volume swept by the blades of the second rotor assembly. The system may be used to generate energy, for example electricity. In addition, the system may be used to control the level of water on the upstream side of the installation, for example in the cases of flooding.
US09689364B2
A valve assembly for a fuel pump is disclosed. In certain aspect, the valve assembly includes a housing defining a valve chamber, a valve inlet in fluid communication with the valve chamber, a valve outlet in fluid communication with the valve chamber, a valve seat; a valve body movably disposed within the valve chamber, a retainer sealingly engaging the housing and defining a cavity between the base portion of the valve body and the retainer, wherein the retainer comprises one or more control orifices formed therein and configured to provide fluid communication to the cavity to regulate a position of the valve body based on at least a pressure difference between the valve chamber and the cavity, and a spring member disposed between the retainer and the valve body, wherein the spring member is configured to bias the valve body.
US09689362B2
A fuel injection valve equipped with an in-cylinder pressure sensor is provided, in which the fuel injection valve is fitted into an injection valve mounting hole provided in an engine, the in-cylinder pressure sensor is attached to a valve housing part of the fuel injection valve, the in-cylinder pressure sensor having a front end facing the combustion chamber and detecting a pressure of the combustion chamber, and a signal transmission device is connected to the in-cylinder pressure sensor, the signal transmission device transmitting an output signal thereof to an outside. The signal transmission device is disposed on the valve housing part and covered together with a part of the valve housing part by an insulating layer. In such arrangement, the signal transmission device is protected by the insulating layer, and a contact between the signal transmission device and an inner face of the injection valve mounting hole is prevented.
US09689359B2
A piezo injector with an actuator chamber, in which a piezo actuator is arranged, includes an upper section (the injector body) and a lower section (the nozzle body). The piezo injector also has a control piston bore formed in the nozzle body, wherein a control sleeve, in which a control piston is received, is arranged in the control piston bore. The control sleeve seals against an intermediate plate with a first front face facing the piezo actuator. The control piston has a first side facing the piezo actuator, wherein the first front face of the control piston and the section of the control sleeve facing the piezo actuator form a first control chamber.
US09689355B2
A vehicle body frame structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle includes: a frame body having at least a part made of fiber reinforced resin and forming at least part of a vehicle body frame supporting a rider seat and a power unit which generates drive force for driving a drive wheel. The structure increases freedom in partially setting thickness of the frame body. The frame body is formed by joining together a press-molded outer body made of fiber reinforced resin and an injection-molded inner body made of resin with the inner body brought into contact with an inner surface of the outer body.
US09689352B2
An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for marine internal combustion engines and other variants is provided. An internal combustion engine is coupled to an electric power generator. An exhaust aftertreatment system connected to the engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation system with an exhaust gas recirculation system having one or more cooling features to reduce an external temperature of the EGR system.
US09689350B2
A system for an engine is provided, the system comprising a vacuum pump at least partially deposed within an engine crankcase, and a fuel vapor canister coupled to an exhaust conduit of the vacuum pump via a one-way valve. By coupling the vacuum pump exhaust to the fuel vapor canister, unmetered fuel vapor flow to the engine intake may be reduced, thus decreasing engine stall events. Further, crankcase pressure may more accurately represent airflow through the crankcase via a crankcase ventilation system, thereby improving the accuracy of crankcase ventilation diagnostics.
US09689344B1
Multiple free-piston stirling-cycle machine modules are connected together in double-acting configurations that may be used as engines or heat pumps and scaled to any power level by varying the number of modules. Reciprocating piston assemblies oriented in balanced pairs reduce vibration forces. There are no buffer spaces. Linear motors or generators are packaged inside piston cavities entirely within the module working spaces. The external heat-accepting and heat-rejecting surfaces in one embodiment are directed along inward-facing and outward facing cylinders, and in another embodiment along parallel planes, simplifying thermal connections to the external heat source and sink.
US09689343B2
A piston for an internal combustion engine may include an at least partially extending circumferential cooling duct for circulating a coolant. The coolant duct may be closed by a cooling duct cover apart from an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening and the outlet opening may be arranged in the cooling duct cover. A guide element may be disposed in a region of the inlet opening configured to catch an incident coolant jet. The guide element may guide the coolant jet into the cooling duct and deflect the coolant jet in precisely a circumferential direction along the cooling duct.
US09689337B2
A control apparatus for an engine, the control apparatus includes an ECU. The ECU is configured to: (i) estimate a characteristic value indicating divergence from a reference value of an intake air volume, (ii) store the characteristic value as a learned value, (iii) calculate the characteristic values for an opening degrees for which learning has not been completed, (iv) learn the characteristics of the throttle valve and reflect the characteristics in control of the intake air volume, (v) update the learned value at which an engine rotation speed is equal to or greater than an idling rotation speed during an initial engine operation after initialization of the learned values, (vi) update the learned value at which an engine rotation speed is lower than an idling rotation speed, by storing a value equal to the learned value for the smallest opening degree for which learning has already been completed.
US09689336B2
An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine. The engine system may also have a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of an amount of power generated by the engine and a speed sensor configured to generate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the engine. The engine system may also have a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and the speed signal. The controller may also be configured to generate an operating histogram based on the sensor signal and the speed signal. Further the controller may be configured to receive modal points for the engine, the modal points having associated emissions limits. The controller may also be configured to generate a calibration parameter set for the operating histogram based on the weights. In addition, the controller may be configured to apply the calibration parameter set to the engine.
US09689333B2
A method for operating a dual-fuel engine. Embodiments include receiving sensor input information, including information representative of a temperature of the engine. A first fuel, optionally diesel fuel, and a second fuel that is different than the first fuel, optionally natural gas, are supplied to the engine during a start mode when the engine temperature is below a normal operating temperature range. The first and second fuels can be supplied to the engine during a run mode when the engine temperature is within the normal operating temperature range.
US09689329B2
The invention relates to a method for detecting the failure of injectors in an internal combustion engine, comprising the following steps: measuring a crank angle signal; transforming the crank angle signal into the frequency range by means of a discrete Fourier transformation; switching off each injector once and in a sequential manner; detecting and storing an angle of the harmonic of the 0.5th order of the Fourier-transformed crank angle signal for each switched-off injector once and in a sequential manner; continuous detection and storage of an angle and an amount of the harmonic of the 0.5th order of the Fourier-transformed crank angle signal; continuous comparison of the continuously detected amount with a predetermined threshold value, and determining a failure of the injector when the amount exceeds the predetermined threshold value; comparing the continuously detected angle with the angles stored for each switched-off injector when a failure of the injector is detected, and identifying the failed injector with an injector, for which a matching, stored angle is found.
US09689310B2
An aircraft engine guard, for protecting an aircraft engine against ingestion of large objects, includes a generally cone-shaped body, a base section of the rear end of the guard body and a dome section at the distal forward end of the guard body, at least three, vertical, peripherally extending walls located between the base and the dome section, with successive ones of the peripheral walls having different peripheral dimensions, peripherally cylindrical, with the dimension increasing from the base toward the dome section. A plurality of air intake openings are defined in and between the peripheral walls with at least one dimensional size which is small enough to prevent having birds from being able to pass through the guard into the aircraft engine.
US09689308B2
A throttle valve assembly includes a valve housing having a main channel and an auxiliary channel. A main throttle valve is pivotally mounted in the main channel, and an auxiliary throttle valve pivotally is mounted in the auxiliary channel. A common rotating actuator controls the opening angle of both the main throttle valve and the auxiliary throttle valve through an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a crank mechanism connected between an auxiliary pivoting shaft and a gear train driven by the rotating actuator.
US09689307B2
An internal combustion engine, including a combustion chamber with a first aperture; a compression chamber with a second aperture; and a crossover valve comprising an internal chamber, first and second valve seats, a valve head, and first and second valve faces on the valve head, wherein the first aperture allows fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the internal chamber, the second aperture allows fluid communication between the compression chamber and the internal chamber, the first valve face couples to the first valve seat to occlude the first aperture, and the second valve face couples to the second valve seat to occlude the second aperture.
US09689305B2
A method for operating an internal-combustion engine includes increasing a torque demand, controlling a throttle valve, opening an air injection valve and continuously measuring first and second gas pressures with an electronic control unit. The method also includes closing the throttle valve, measuring a first gas mass flow, retarding an ignition angle, and closing the air injection valve. In the method the throttle valve is opened with the control unit when the first gas pressure p1 equals the second gas pressure p2. The method also includes continuously controlling the fuel system with the electronic control unit to have a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio of the internal combustion engine being constantly combusting in the internal combustion engine.
US09689303B2
It has been difficult to manufacturing a cylinder head having an EGR gas cooling structure which has high cooling performance and can be easily configured. A cylinder head having an EGR gas cooling structure is configured in such a manner that a gas passage which guides to the air intake port side a part of the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port is disposed within the cylinder head water jacket to cool the exhaust gas flowing through the gas passage. The gas passage comprises a cooling section which makes contact with the coolant within the cylinder head water jacket, and also comprises a hollow pipe which has high-strength sections located at side portions of the cooling section and having higher strength than the cooling section. The high-strength sections of the gas passage are molded within and surrounded by the cylinder head.
US09689289B2
An engine-exhaust-system apparatus includes: a main body that reduces noise generated by exhaust gas; and an exhaust outlet tube that includes an insertion section inserted into the main body, exhaust gas in the main body being discharged outside via the exhaust outlet tube, wherein the insertion section has an open end with a brim portion that spreads beyond a tube diameter of the insertion section.
US09689288B2
An engine assembly includes an oil pan including an oil pan body defining a cavity. The oil pan body includes a dividing wall separating the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment. The engine assembly further includes a drip tray coupled to the oil pan body. The drip tray is disposed over the second compartment and can direct oil to the first compartment where the oil is warmed up initially in order to minimize the time it takes to heat the oil when the internal combustion engine is warming up. The engine assembly further includes an oil scraper coupled to the oil pan body. The oil scraper is disposed over the drip tray and can scrape oil from a crankshaft.
US09689286B2
A camshaft phaser includes an input member connectable to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine; an output member connectable to the camshaft of the internal combustion engine and defining an advance chamber and a retard chamber with the input member; a valve spool coaxially disposed within the output member such that the valve spool is rotatable relative to the output member and the input member, the valve spool defining a supply chamber and a vent chamber with the output member; and an actuator which rotates the valve spool in order to change the position of the output member relative to the input member by supplying pressurized oil from the supply chamber to one of the advance chamber and the retard chamber and venting oil to the vent chamber from the other of the supply chamber and the advance chamber.
US09689271B2
A turbine engine rotor wheel including a disk including at least one slot formed in its outer periphery for mounting roots of blades, a presser being mounted between each blade root and a bottom of the slot. The presser is bistable in position and is capable of occupying a first stable position for assembly and disassembly in which it does not exert a force on the blade root, and a second stable position in which it exerts a radial force on the blade root to hold the blade stationary and to stabilize the blade in a final position.
US09689265B2
A hollow ceramic matrix composite (CMC) turbine bucket with an internal reinforcement lattice structure has improved vibration properties and stiffness. The lattice structure is formed of thin-walled plies made of CMC. The wall structures are arranged and located according to high stress areas within the hollow bucket. After the melt infiltration process, the mandrels melt away, leaving the wall structure to become the internal lattice reinforcement structure of the bucket.
US09689263B2
A liquid droplet catching device installed in a compressor impeller, the device includes an aperture disposed on a surface of the impeller and configured to receive the liquid droplet, and a channel disposed beneath and in fluid communication with the aperture, wherein in the channel is configured to direct the liquid droplet away from the aperture and out of the compressor impeller.
US09689255B2
A logging tool, toolstring (10), or element (19) comprises a stabilizer including a pair of moveable, rigid, main stabilizer arms (23, 24) that each is pivotably secured adjacent to one another at one end to the logging tool or toolstring. As a result the arms (23, 24) are moveable between a relatively retracted position on the one hand and a relatively advanced position on the other in which the main stabilizer arms diverge from one another and protrude from the logging tool so as to present a pair of main arm free ends (29, 31) that are spaced from an outer surface of the tool and are engageable with a borehole surface. The logging tool (10) or element (19) includes a mechanism for effecting coordinated, powered, linked movement of the main stabilizer arms (23, 24) between the retracted and advanced positions.
US09689251B2
A method to dislodge debris from a pump system in which the pump system includes a down-hole pump coupled by a rod string to an above-ground pump actuator, which is coupled to a controller configured to operate the pump system, and where the actuator has an adjustable stroke length. The method also includes determining that the pump system should begin operating in a pump clean mode, implementing the pump clean mode configured in the controller, and cycling the pump actuator at a preset command speed using a preset starting stroke length, preset acceleration rate and a preset deceleration rate. The method also includes continuing to cycle the pump actuator while incrementally decreasing the stroke length by a preset stroke length increment resulting in increased pump cycling frequencies. Further, the method calls for determining that the pump clean mode is complete, and returning the pump system to a normal operation mode.
US09689242B2
A gas-lift plunger includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a bore extending axially from the upper end to the lower end, and a port therein that is in communication with bore, and an obstructing member positioned in the bore. The obstructing member includes a valve stem and is movable between a closed position, in which the obstructing member substantially prevents fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end, and an open position, in which fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end is permitted. The plunger includes an end nut connected to the lower end of the body, and a clutch assembly including arcuate members that are positioned at least partially around and configured to engage the valve stem to impede movement thereof. The clutch assembly is positioned at least partially within the end nut.
US09689239B2
A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun.
US09689224B2
A cable-operated jar comprising a releasable coupling is arranged for connection to a piece of downhole equipment, in which a mandrel is connected to a cable comprising a hammer section. The hammer section is arranged to strike, on the release of a mandrel coupling, against a shoulder section in a housing, and the mandrel is pre-tensioned in a releasable position with a spring arrangement. The spring arrangement includes an adjusting mechanism operated by the cable alternately being tensioned and relaxed.
US09689222B2
Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly including external fluid pathways extending generally axially long the outer surface of the core barrel assembly. The one or more external fluid pathways can allow for increased fluid flow around a latch mechanism. The increased fluid flow around the latch mechanism can allow the core barrel assembly to travel faster within the drill string, can allow drilling fluid to pass by the latch mechanism when engaged. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including external fluid pathways, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.
US09689213B2
A drill string stabilizer has an elongated cavity formed in an exterior surface of the body. An elongated blade is generally disposed to extend from the cavity. The blade is extended or retracted by rotating a stud threaded on opposite ends with left and right handed threads. Rotation of the stud causes axial movement of slide blocks threadingly engaged to the stud. A follower and track between the body and the slide blocks causes the slide blocks to slidingly engage the body. The blade track is inclined relative to the body track so that the blade radially retracts or extends relative to the body as blocks are moved along their respective tracks by rotation of the stud. The position of each stabilizer blade is independent of the other blades.
US09689206B2
A ladder safety device and kit includes gutter grabber devices that attach to a gutter. The gutter grabber devices are mounted on the gutter lip and fit the ladder's rail to neutralize side to side movement as the ladder rail potentially can slide across the gutter's edge as the user climbs it and mounts the roof. The safety device also includes a ratchet and lashing strap device to hold the ladder firmly to the gutter when any force, such as accidental kickback, pushes the ladder away from the gutter. Working in tandem, the gutter grabber devices and the safety strap with a ratchet and hooks virtually eliminate significant side to side as well as front to back movement of the ladder, preventing the ladder from slipping, while having a convenient and compact design allowing it to be carried around easily by the user.
US09689200B2
A roller blind including a sheet element secured at one end to a roller tube mounted for rotation, and secured at its opposite end to a fixed element located adjacent to the roller tube such that the sheet element defines a return portion located between the two ends; and a roller blind bottom bar located within the return portion, wherein the roller blind bottom bar includes a tubular body and an end cap carried by each end of the tubular body, the end caps including a proximal portion located adjacent to the tubular body, a distal portion spaced from the tubular body, and an outwardly flared portion located between the proximal and distal portions such that the end cap flares outwards from the proximal portion to the distal portion.
US09689191B1
A power tailgate control device and method can prevent a collision with an obstacle during the opening or closing of a tailgate by determining whether an obstacle is present or not and whether the collision with the obstacle would occur or not by using a rear lamp and a rear camera. The power tailgate control device includes: a command input unit receiving a tailgate open or close command from an operator; a rear camera mounted on a tailgate; and a controller controlling the opening or closing of the tailgate by determining whether a collision with an obstacle would occur or not, on the basis of R values of pixels in a difference image between a first image captured in a state in which a rear lamp is turned on and a second image captured in a state in which the rear lamp is turned off.
US09689188B2
A spindle drive for an adjustment element of a motor vehicle is provided. The spindle drive has a drive unit and a spindle-spindle nut transmission arranged downstream of the drive unit in terms of drive for generating linear drive movements. The drive unit has a tubular drive unit housing and therein a drive motor. In some cases an intermediate transmission is arranged downstream of the drive motor in terms of drive. The drive unit and the spindle-spindle nut transmission are arranged one behind the other on the geometrical spindle axis, and a spindle drive housing is provided with a tubular inner housing and a tubular outer housing. The inner housing runs in a telescope-like manner in the outer housing. In some cases the outer housing of the spindle drive housing accommodates the drive unit with the drive unit housing and is connected to the drive unit.
US09689180B2
A locking device for car wheels is disclosed to prevent unauthorized removal of the wheels. The device includes a locking unit that allows covering of special bolt heads by covering wings. The locking module can be further covered with a covering plate. The system provides multiple layers of protection to the wheels and considerably lengthens the time required to remove the wheel without proper keys.
US09689174B2
A wind turbine with a tower, a nacelle and a yaw bearing, wherein the yaw bearing is arranged and prepared for rotating the nacelle relative to the tower around a yaw axis is provided. The yaw bearing has a first yaw bearing component which is fixed to the tower, a second yaw bearing component which is fixed to the nacelle, and at least one sliding component which is located between the first yaw bearing component and the second yaw bearing component. The wind turbine is prepared and arranged for housing at least one lifting device for lifting the nacelle relative to the tower such that the sliding component can be removed. Furthermore, a method of lifting the nacelle relative to the tower is provided. Thus, the sliding component may be removed and the removed sliding component may be replaced by a re-placement sliding component.
US09689173B2
A construction component provided with a vibration damper includes a quadrangular frame in a front elevational view including four structural members, and the vibration damper includes: a vibration damping tool provided inside the frame; and four braces radially extending from the vibration damping tool and connected to the frame. The vibration energy deforming the frame is transmitted via the braces to the vibration damping tool to plastically deform the vibration damping tool, thereby absorbing the vibration energy in the vibration damping tool to damp vibration. The construction component further includes a bridging member configured to bridge a gap between two facing members of the four structural members. A part of the bridging member configured to overlap with the vibration damping tool in the front elevational view is defined as an interference avoidance portion in which interference between the part and the vibration damping tool is avoided.
US09689168B1
A modular system for setting flooring transitions with adequate pressure during setup and curing of adhesive. The floor-transition-setting system includes a plurality of members such as a connector-body, a plurality of extension-bodies, a plurality of leg-members, and a plurality of pressure-feet. The connector-tubular-body being in functional and adjustable combination with each of the plurality of female-push-button-couplers. Each of the plurality of extension-bodies has a male-push-button-adjuster-coupler and an extension-tubular-body. The system may include one or more assemblies and may be configured without the use of tools.
US09689163B2
A tapered truss is provided. In one embodiment, the truss has a pair of base members configured to be attached to a top surface of a vertical support member. The truss may further have an upper pair of truss members and a lower pair of truss members. Each upper truss member each forms an acute angle with a respective base member and each lower truss member forms an obtuse angle from the respective base member such that the lower truss member is not parallel to the upper truss member. The truss may additionally include a ceiling joist member connected to each of the lower truss members. In one embodiment, the ceiling joist member is substantially parallel to the pair of base members.
US09689161B2
A freestanding extensible wall for partitioning an area of a room, said wall having a base, a top, oppositely directed surfaces extending between said base and said top, said base, top and surfaces defining a core, said core comprising a cellular structure having multiple voids extending from said base to said top upon movement of said oppositely directed surfaces away from each other, said base having a width of at least 10 centimeters and placed on a floor, and said core having a height of at least 1 meter, whereby opposite ends of said core may be moved apart to expand said cellular structure and extend the length of said core and to form at least a substantially straight freestanding wall configuration, while maintaining its vertical extent.
US09689160B2
A dismountable module for manufacturing at least one portion of a repeatably dismountable wall of a construction is described, the module comprising: a first body adapted to define an outer surface of said wall, at least one structural member adapted to withstand the loads generated by the wall; the structural member comprises a main body elongated along a first axis, arranged vertically in use, and a thickening protruding from said main body transversally to said first axis; the thickening defines a first face and a second face opposite to the first face and adapted to cooperate, either directly or indirectly, with a further module, superimposable on said module according to said first axis, so as to transfer a load from the further module to said structural member.
US09689159B2
The panel includes a water resistant barrier layer secured atop its outward facing surface. The water resistant barrier layer includes a skid resistant surface. The panels are made of lignocellulosic material. The water resistant and skid resistant surface may include indicia for aligning strips of tape or for aligning fasteners. A method for manufacturing the water resistant building panels is also disclosed and includes the steps of feeding paper onto a forming belt, depositing lignocellulosic material and the binding agent onto the forming belt so as to form a lignocellulosic mat, applying heat and pressure so as to impart the skid resistant surface on the paper, and cutting panels to predetermined sizes.
US09689157B1
A fire and water resistant expansion joint system has a cover plate; a spline attached to the cover plate along a first edge of the spline; and two portions of foam, each portion being located on an opposing face of the spline. The foam has a fire-retardant material infused therein. The spline depends from the cover plate and is positioned in a gap between substantially coplanar substrates such that the cover plate overlies the gap. Each portion of the foam is compressed between a respective face of the spline and a face of one of the coplanar substrates.
US09689147B2
A faucet mounting system includes an upper fixture including an outer wall defining a chamber, and at least one groove formed within an inner surface of the outer wall. A lower mounting shank extends below the upper fixture and includes a skirt, a post extending downwardly from the skirt, and at least one spring clip. The at least one spring clip is recessed within an outer surface of the skirt in a compressed position, and extending outside of the outer surface of the skirt in an extended position.
US09689145B1
A hydraulic excavator is provided with a tilt cylinder disposition data creating unit and a bucket information computing unit. The tilt cylinder disposition data creating unit creates tilt cylinder disposition data which indicates that a disposition of a tilt cylinder is either a first disposition in which a bucket is rotated in the clockwise direction due to extension or a second disposition in which the bucket is rotated in the clockwise direction due to contraction, when viewing the bucket from a vehicle body side. The bucket information computing unit obtains a tilt angle of the bucket based on the stroke length on the basis of the tilt cylinder disposition data.
US09689143B1
A poly pipe installation device constructed from a frame supporting a trenching tool for making a trench with side berms, a pipe roll supporting axles for a poly pipe roll so that the roll can be unwound to place the poly pipe into the trench. The poly pipe roll unrolls the pipe past a guide and under a wheel to position the pipe in the trench where it then partially buried with dirt drug off of the berms with angled drag chains. The poly pipe roll being unrolled is one of up to four rolls that are supported off of a horizontal turntable rotates each roll into the unrolling position and that also supports and stores multiple pipe rolls so that long runs of pipe can be laid quickly.
US09689142B2
A vehicle blade assembly apparatus including a push beam; a blade having a working side and a connection side; an anchoring bracket disposed on the connection side of the blade and having a plurality of mounting bores arranged along an arc around a retention hole; and a pitch link connected to the push beam and to the anchoring bracket using a retention pin configured to be removably placed through co-linear mounting bores on the pitch link and the anchoring bracket.
US09689138B2
A loader coupler includes left and right spaced-apart inner rib mounts including inner mount pins connected to a body, and left and right inner locking regions aligned with the left and right inner rib mounts. The coupler includes left and right spaced-apart outer rib mounts including outer mount pins connected to the body, and left and right outer locking regions aligned with the left and right outer rib mounts. The coupler includes a lock system including: (i) left and right first lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right inner locking regions, respectively; and, (ii) left and right second lock plungers that move between locked and unlocked positions relative to the left and right outer locking regions, respectively. The left and right outer mount pins and/or the left and right inner mount pins are removable from the body.
US09689133B2
A support structure (10) suitable for use as a support structure to an offshore platform (12), the support structure (10) comprising a main support strut (30) having a lower end and anchorable, in use, to the seabed (16) and an upper portion arranged, in use, to extend above sea level to a height substantially equal to, or greater than, that of the platform (12), the support strut (30) comprising a guide rail (62) extending upwardly from a level above the sea level (18) to the top of the support strut (30) for cooperating with a raising framework (90) slideably mountable to the guide rail (62), and further comprising drive means (98) cooperating between the raising framework (90) and the guide rail (62) for elevating the raising framework (90) relative to the support rail (62), the support structure (10) being characterized by: the support strut (30) and raising framework (90) each comprising tracks (70, 100) arranged to substantially align end-to-end when the raising framework (90) is elevated to the top of the support strut (30), the tracks (70, 100), when so aligned, forming a substantially continuous track for laterally transferring a payload (42) from the raising framework (90) to the top of the strut (30).
US09689132B2
A drainage ditch, including: a ditch body. The ditch body includes, from the top down: a separate layer, a first filter layer, a second filter layer, and a third filter layer. The separate layer is straw or stover; the first filter layer is crush stones having particle sizes of between 5 and 15 mm; the second filter layer is crush stones having particle sizes of between 20 mm and 40 mm; the third filter layer is stones having particle sizes of between 30 mm and 70 mm. The separate layer is covered by a plough layer.
US09689130B1
A bulkhead system and a method of implementing such a bulkhead system in relation to a dam are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a method includes providing a plurality of bulkhead sections assembled together as a bulkhead assembly, and coupling first side, second side, and bottom assemblies respectively to a first end, second end, and bottom surface respectively of the bulkhead assembly. Further, the method includes causing a first of the bulkhead sections to receive a respective amount of ballast within an internal cavity therewithin, receiving water pressure at an upstream surface of the bulkhead assembly such that the bulkhead system is forced against the dam and substantially sealed in relation thereto, and operating to counteract the water pressure and thereby prevent or limit the flow of water past the dam, where the operating is performed at least in part by the side assemblies and bottom assembly.
US09689128B2
The present disclosure provides an artificial dam of a distributed coal mine underground reservoir and its constructing method. The artificial dam comprises a support layer (10), an anti-seepage layer (20), and a concrete structure layer (30) that are successively formed in an auxiliary roadway (1) from inside to outside, the concrete structure layer (30) being embedded into a security coal pillar (2) and/or surrounding rock (3) around the auxiliary roadway (1). Because the concrete structure layer (30) is embedded into the security coal pillar (2) and/or the surrounding rock (3) around the auxiliary roadway (1), the artificial dam is combined to the security coal pillar (2) to together form a dam for an underground reservoir. Due to multi-layer design, anti-seepage performance and structural strength of the dam can meet the water storage requirements of the underground reservoir.
US09689125B1
A pet waste collection apparatus includes a mobile housing assembly defining an interior, a pick-up roller disposed within the interior, wherein the pick-up roller is configured to collect solid waste, a plurality of fragmentation rollers disposed within the interior upstream from the pick-up roller, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers is configured to progressively break up the solid waste, and a hopper disposed within the interior, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers transfer the solid waste into the hopper.
US09689121B2
A piston-type variable-speed control device. The piston-type variable-speed control device comprises a plurality of piston-type speed bump structure apparatuses installed on a road surface, a vehicle speed detection device, a speed controller and an electrical power supply. Each of the piston-type speed bump structure apparatuses comprises a ridge platform. A height by which the ridge platform is raised, a time to raise the ridge platform, and a duration for which the ridge platform is raised are controllable to cause a jolting motion to one or more front wheels, one or more rear wheels, or a single wheel of a speeding vehicle. When the speed of a passing vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed limit, the piston-type speed bump structure apparatuses stay at moderately raised position to cause an obvious yet safe jolting motion to the passing vehicle.
US09689114B2
Resin compositions, products made therewith, and methods for making such resin compositions and products. The resin composition can include a polyamide-epihalohydrin resin, a cationic styrene maleimide resin, and a urea-formaldehyde resin. The polyamide-epihalohydrin resin can include a reaction product of a polyamidoamine and an epihalohydrin. The cationic styrene maleimide resin can include a reaction product of a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer and an amine compound. The product can include a fiber web and an at least partially cured resin composition. The resin composition, prior to curing, can include a polyamide-epihalohydrin resin, a cationic styrene maleimide resin, and a urea-formaldehyde resin. The polyamide-epihalohydrin resin can include a reaction product of a polyamidoamine and an epihalohydrin. The cationic styrene maleimide resin can include a reaction product of a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer and an amine compound.
US09689110B2
A collapsible structure that includes an openable end panel, three foldable side panels, an openable side panel, a partial side panel, and a removable end panel. At least a portion of the foldable side panels, openable side panel, and partial side panel may be connected by seams which may permit the panels to fold into a hamper state, an ironing board state, a laundry bin, state, and collapsible state. The collapsible state permits the user to efficiently store the collapsible structure when not in use.
US09689101B2
A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber in which laundry is received for treatment, and a controller programmed to execute an automatic cycle of operation that includes spraying a pre-wash mixture comprising water and a color care agent onto the laundry to cover the laundry with the color care agent to protect the laundry from dyes released from the laundry during the wash phase.
US09689097B2
Tough, durable nonwoven composite fabric panel product and two precursors thereof.
US09689095B2
A mobile cam device (1) for commanding needles of a needle bed of a knitting machine, the device comprising a body (2) of the device provided with at least a first housing seating (4a) having a longitudinal development and configured to movably house at least a first actuator (5a) in the body. The device further comprises at least a first command cam (8a) movably mounted and associated to the body and destined to interact with at least a needle of a needle bed of a knitting machine, and at least a first actuator (5a), movably housed at least partially in the first housing seating (4a) in the body and destined to move in a controlled way the first command cam (8a). The first actuator comprises a first piston (15a) and a second piston (16a) distinct from one another and translatably housed in the first seating, the first and second piston being arranged in series along the longitudinal extension of the first seating and being translatable independently with respect to one another. The body (2) of the device is one and one alone, and is made in a single piece.
US09689087B1
A method of making a photonic crystal includes step 1 providing a seed, followed by etching a surface of the seed to form thereon submicron voids; step 2 providing a graphite disk, followed by coating a side of the graphite disk with a graphite adhesive whereby the void-formed surface of the seed is attached to the graphite disk to form a seed holder; step 3 placing the seed holder above a growth chamber, followed by placing a raw material below the growth chamber; step 4 forming a thermal field in the growth chamber with a heating device to sublime the raw material; and step 5 controlling temperature, thermal field, atmosphere and pressure in the growth chamber to allow the gaseous raw material to be conveyed and deposited on the seed, thereby forming a photonic crystal.
US09689083B2
The embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for determining whether a particular test bath is able to successfully fill a feature on a substrate. In various cases, the substrate is a semiconductor substrate and the feature is a through-silicon-via. Generally, two experiments are used: a first experiment simulates the conditions present in a field region of the substrate during the fill process, and the second experiment simulates the conditions present in a feature on the substrate during the fill process. The output from these experiments may be used with various techniques to predict whether the particular bath will result in an adequately filled feature.
US09689079B2
The present invention provides a permanent and cost-effective composite electrode for electrolytically producing alkaline water, comprising an electrode core made of steel, a filler densely packed around the electrode core, said filler capable of creating a mildly aqueous and alkaline environment to motivate formation of a layer of magnetite over a surface of the electrode core, and a housing enclosing the filler, said housing having a pore size selected such that very low permeation of gas and liquid takes place. The invention also provides an apparatus comprising the composite electrode, and the use of the alkaline water produced by the apparatus of the invention. According to the invention, no additional undesired side products, such as toxic chlorine gas and other pollutants, are produced and discharged to the environment.
US09689077B2
The present invention relates to a process for production of alkali metal chlorate, and to a method of activating a cathode comprising electrolyzing an electrolyte comprising alkali metal chloride in an electrolytic cell in which at least one anode and at least one cathode are arranged wherein a) said electrolyte comprises chromium in any form in an amount ranging from about 0.01-10−6 to about 500-10−6 mol/dm3 b) said electrolyte comprises molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, manganese and/or mixtures thereof in any form in a total amount ranging from about 0.1-10−6 mol/dm3 to about 0.5-10−3 mol/dm3.
US09689075B2
Embodiments of a cathodic protection device include an anchor bar operably connected to a metallic structure placed in a marine or aquatic environment, a plurality of articulated bars and a joining mechanism. The plurality of articulated bars are connected to one another in a chain-like manner. The joining mechanism is configured to connect the anchor bar to the plurality of articulated bars.
US09689071B2
A graphene-coated steel sheet and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The graphene-coated steel sheet includes a steel sheet and a graphene layer formed on the steel sheet. Therefore, the graphene-coated steel sheet can be useful in preventing corrosion of iron, such as oxidation of iron, and has remarkably excellent thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, as well as excellent heat resistance resulting from thermal stability of graphene. Also, the method can be useful in manufacturing a high-quality graphene-coated steel sheet having a monocrystalline form and showing substantially no defects or impurities.
US09689055B2
The invention related to the recycling field of waste printed circuit boards (WPCB), and especially involved a complete non-cyanogens wet process for green recycling of WPCB, which belonged to the field of recycle economy. In the invention, the process included that WPCB were broken by the jaw crusher, and then mixed copper powders and nonmetallic powders were separated by the method of air classification, the mixed copper powders were smelted and casted to get copper anode plates, the copper was purified by electrolytion, the valuable metals (such as copper, gold, silver, platinum and palladium, lead and tin) were recycled from the copper anode slime, and the waste water was recycled. The recovery ratio of all-metal was above 98%. The purity of the cathode copper was up to 4N level. The ratio of de-coppering was above 96%. The recovery ratio of gold was above 98.
US09689050B2
A rolled steel sheet or blank is provided, the composition of which comprises the elements listed below in percent by weight: C≦0.1%; 0.5%≦Mn≦7%; 0.5%≦Si≦3.5%; 0.5%
US09689048B2
A Ruhrstahl-Heraeus (RH) apparatus for performing a vacuum degassing process of molten metal includes a sensor hole formed at a lower vessel of a vacuum vessel; a continuous temperature measuring device mounted on the sensor hole and including a light-to-temperature converter measuring temperature based on received light, a light guide rod receiving light from a measurement target, an optical fiber transferring the light received by the light guide rod to the light-to-temperature converter, a connector connecting the optical fiber to the light guide rod while maintaining straightness of the optical fiber, a primary protection tube enclosing an outer peripheral surface of the light guide rod, a flexible heat resistant tube protecting the optical fiber, and a joint connected to the flexible heat resistant tube and provided with a cooling gas injection tube; and a cooling gas supply unit supplying cooling gas to the cooling gas injection tube.
US09689043B2
The present invention relates to a method for predicting the probability of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) recurrence or metastasis, a method for providing information on a personalized medicine of MIBC, and a pharmaceutical composition for treating MIBC, containing S100A9 and EGFR inhibitors and cisplatin as active ingredients. According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately predict a prognosis after chemotherapy of an MIBC patient, to provide information on cisplatin sensitivity in the provision of a personalized medicine for chemotherapy of an MIBC patient, and to increase the cisplatin sensitivity of an MIBC patient by concomitantly administering S100A9 and EGFR inhibitors together with a conventional cisplatin.
US09689040B2
Described herein are novel malignancy associated gene signature biomarkers, and assays and methods thereof, to classify prognosis or malignant potential of a cancer and identify cancer-initiating cells. The malignancy associated gene signature biomarkers, assays and methods described herein provide, in part, new methodologies to screen for novel drugs for treating cancers and tumors, such as, for example, triple-negative breast tumors. Using the assays and methods described herein proteasome inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and glycolysis inhibitors, were identified as being highly effective in altering gene expression signatures specifically in malignant or cancer-initiating cells.
US09689030B2
The present invention relates to methods and kits for nucleic acid detection in an assay system.
US09689028B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for determining the copy number of a first target nucleic acid as compared to the copy number of a second target nucleic acid in a single well with a single detection label. For example, disclosed herein are methods and compositions for determining the copy number of a first target nucleic acid as compared to the copy number of a second target nucleic acid by a monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR (MMQPCR) in a single well with a single detection label.
US09689017B2
Surfactin is produced from Bacillus subtilis ssp. containing sfp gene (lipopeptide biosurfactants produced by fermentation). Production of surfactin at present is mainly by liquid fermentation, but the production costs are high due to difficulty in purification resulted from addition of the defoaming agent during the production process. Therefore, present invention conducts physical or chemical mutation on Bacillus subtilis subsp. isolated from Thailand seawater shrimp ponds and screens for the mutant strain of Bacillus subtilis subsp. based on sfp gene expression and then produces surfactin from the mutant strain by semi-solid state fermentation.
US09689015B2
Methods for demannosylating phosphorylated N-glycans on a glycoprotein are described that use a mannosidase capable of hydrolyzing a terminal alpha-1,2 mannose linkage when the underlying mannose is phosphorylated.
US09689011B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of a solid bio-product wherein at least 80% of the original indigestible oligosaccharide (raffinose, stachyose and verbascose) content has been degraded into digestible mono- and disaccharides, comprising the following steps: 1) providing a mixture of milled or flaked or otherwise disintegrated biomass, comprising oligosaccharides and optionally polysaccharides and further comprising proteinaceous plant parts, water and one or more enzyme preparations containing α-galactosidase(s); 2) reacting the mixture resulting from step (1) under continuous mixing and under conditions where the water content in the initial mixture does not exceed 65% by weight, for 0.15-36 hours at a temperature of about 20-65° C.; 3) incubating the reacted mixture from step (2) at a temperature and in a time period which inactivate said α-galactosidase(s), as well as solid bio-products obtainable by such method. The invention further relates to uses of the bio-product and a food, a feed, a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product or a nutritional supplement containing the solid bio-product.
US09689009B2
The present invention provides methods for the production of cysteine or derivates thereof by culturing a microorganism having reduced activity of endogenous phosphoserine phosphatase and the activity of PhnC, PhnD, and PhnE is reduced, and enhanced activity of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and/or phosphoserine aminotransferase. The O-phosphoserine produced by such an organism can then be reacted with a sulfide in the presence of a sulfydrylase or a microorganism expressing a sulfhydrylase to produce cysteine or a derivative thereof. Microorganisms having these reduced and enhanced properties noted above are also provided herein.
US09689008B2
A fermentation method for producing coenzyme Q10 is provided, including stepwisly culturing of microbial strains capable of producing coenzyme Q10, wherein key promoting factors are added in each stage of culture, and in the stage of culture in a fermentor, dissolved oxygen feedback-fed batch culture technique is adopted to realize the feedback regulation of the production of coenzyme Q10, so as to improve the yield of coenzyme Q10.
US09689007B2
A method is described for producing lactate or lactic acid from a plant extract, such as oil palm frond extract, via fermentation. In particular, the method includes providing a fermentation medium that includes at least 25 wt. % of a plant extract containing fermentable carbohydrates, fermenting the fermentation medium by means of a lactic acid producing microorganism in the presence of a caustic magnesium salt to provide a fermentation broth containing at the most 9.5 wt. % magnesium lactate at the end of fermentation, the magnesium lactate being in soluble form during and at the end of fermentation; and recovering lactate or lactic acid from the magnesium lactate containing fermentation broth.
US09688996B2
Provided are methods, vectors and gene constructs for enhancing expression of a recombinant nucleic acid sequence in transgenic plants and plant tissues. According to the present invention, nucleic acid sequences are obtained and/or derived from the 3′ untranslated regions of genes encoding ubiquitin proteins and engineered to flank respective portions of a selected coding region of a vector. The vector construct may be introduced into plants and/or plant tissues through conventional or gene targeting procedures, resulting in enhanced expression of the selected coding region. In some embodiments, the selected coding region is a chimeric gene or gene fragment expressing one or more proteins known to impart a level of insecticidal activity to a transgenic plant and/or plant tissue.
US09688995B2
This invention provides a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae that does not produce cholesterols, including glycoalkaloids. This invention concerns a protein having activity of an enzyme that reduces position 24 of the steroid skeleton of a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae, a novel plant in which a gene encoding such protein is suppressed, and a method for producing and testing such plant.
US09688994B2
A method of introducing a nucleic acid sequence into a cell is provided where the cell has impaired or inhibited or disrupted DnaG primase activity or impaired or inhibited or disrupted DnaB helicase activity, or larger or increased gaps or distance between Okazaki fragments or lowered or reduced frequency of Okazaki fragment initiation, or the cell has increased single stranded DNA (ssDNA) on the lagging strand of the replication fork including transforming the cell through recombination with a nucleic acid oligomer.
US09688991B2
A composition is provided comprising an oligonucleotide aptamer conjugated to an antigen, wherein the aptamer is directed against a cell-surface target of an antigen-presenting cell. Also provided are methods of delivering an antigen to a dendritic cell and of eliciting an immune response in a subject.
US09688985B2
Described herein are compositions and methods for the inhibition of miR-21 activity. The compositions have certain nucleoside modification patterns that yield potent inhibitors of miR-21 activity. The compositions may be used to inhibit miR-21, and also to treat diseases associated with abnormal expression of miR-21, such as fibrosis and cancer.
US09688982B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for improving immune function. More particularly, the present invention relates to multifunctional molecules that are capable of being delivered to cells of interest for the treatment of diseases and for the improvement in immune function.
US09688978B2
The present invention provides aspartyl-tRNA synthetase and Fc region conjugate polypeptides (DRS-Fc conjugates), such as DRS-Fc fusion proteins, compositions comprising the same, and methods of using such conjugates and compositions for treating or diagnosing a variety of conditions. The DRS-Fc conjugates of the invention have improved controlled release properties, stability, half-life, and other pharmacokinetic and biological properties relative to corresponding, unmodified DRS polypeptides.
US09688977B2
Various aspects and embodiments herein relate to recombinant proteins with at least one protease recognition sequence that can be inactivated by a cognate protease and methods of preparing such proteins. In some embodiments, recombinant phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi) proteins are provided. In other embodiments, recombinant phosphotransacetylase (Pta) proteins are provided. In yet other embodiments, recombinant transketolase A (TktA) proteins are provided.
US09688966B2
Enzyme compositions including at least a) a cocktail of cellulases from Trichoderma reesei, and b) an enzymatic cocktail from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus including a cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) or c) a recombinant cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, preferably also including a Family 61 glycoside hydrolase. Also, methods for degrading a lignocellulosic biomass, for producing a fermentation product, for producing gluconic acid, xylonic acid and/or xylobionic acid, for enhancing the production of gluconic acid, xylonic acid and/or xylobionic acid or for increasing the yield of sugars from a lignocellulosic biomass.
US09688960B2
Methods to preserve and/or protect beta cell function by contacting a population or preparation of pancreatic cells, beta cells and/or islets with an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1). Methods of treating a subject for diabetes by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a NOX-1 inhibitor to the subject.
US09688958B2
A series of multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves is set up inside a growth volume of a bioreactor. The acoustic standing waves are used to hold a cell culture in place as a nutrient fluid stream flows through the cell culture. The nutrient fluid stream dislodges some cells from the cell culture, which can then be recovered for cell therapy applications. The cell culture continues to expand and reproduce, permitting continuous recovery of cells from the bioreactor.
US09688956B2
A method for preserving proliferation and differentiation potential of undifferentiated cells, has steps of providing a culture carrier having a surface coated with a biological material selected from the group consisting of hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfate, carboxymethyl cellulose, carrageenan, alginate, and chitosan; and inoculating and culturing the undifferentiated cells on the surface in the culture carrier with an appropriate medium, such that the proliferation and differentiation potential of undifferentiated cells are preserved. The method can be used for expanding stem cells in vitro without loss of their replicative ability and differentiation capacity. Therefore, the method according to the present invention is amenable to application in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and therapy using umbilical cord blood and other cell sources such as peripheral blood, stem cells, tissue progenitor cells, and tissue cells.
US09688955B2
A material comprising positively and negatively charged nanoparticles, wherein one of said nanoparticles contained a magnetically responsive element, are combined with a support molecule, which is a long natural or synthetic molecule or polymer to make a magnetic nanoparticle assembly. When the magnetic nanoparticle assembly is combined with cells, it will magnetize those cells. The magnetized cells can then be washed to remove the magnetic nanoparticle assembly and the magnetized cells manipulated in a magnetic field.
US09688950B2
A bioreactor for culturing cells in a liquid environment is provided that is designed to reduce the chance of contamination, contain the contamination should it occur, and readily clean and sterilize all or part of the bioreactor in response to contamination, or on a schedule. A processor-controlled method of promoting sterility in a bioreactor is also provided.
US09688948B2
The present invention provides a coated detergent particle having perpendicular dimensions x, y and z, wherein x is from 0.5 to 2 mm, y is from 2 to 8 mm, and z is from 2 to 8 mm, wherein the particle comprises: (i) from 20 to 39 wt % of a surfactant selected from: anionic and non-ionic surfactants; (ii) from 10 to 40 wt % of an inorganic salt coating selected from: sodium carbonate and/or sodium sulphate of which at least 5 wt % of the inorganic salt is sodium carbonate; and, (iii) from 10 to 40 wt % of calcite having a median particle size average diameter (D50) in the range from 10 to 70 microns, and wherein the inorganic salts are present on the detergent particle as a coating and the surfactant is present in a core with the calcite dispersed through the core.
US09688937B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a stable boron solution with lubricating characteristics which is intended to be used preferably as an addition in the form of a concentrate/additive to a liquid, e.g. to a liquid fuel or a lubricant. The invention is achieved by the method steps of using a boron substance of pharmaceutical quality (1, 11), using a liquid as solvent, applying a mixing ratio between the boron substance and the solvent (3, 13) of preferably 1 g of boron per 15-25 liters of liquid, agitating the mixture for an initial predetermined period of time (4, 14), adding further liquid to dilute the solution (6, 15), the quantity of liquid being chosen such that a final user mixture reaches a concentration of between 20 and 30 ppm of boron (8), and further agitating the mixture (7, 16) for a second predetermined period of time so that the boron substance is completely dissolved in the boron solution, resulting in a boron solution which is stable over time.
US09688926B2
A level sensor, method of treating cooperating surfaces of a level sensor, and method of installing a level sensor, wherein the level sensor may include an elongated tube having an outer surface, and a float carrier having an inner surface, and wherein the outer surface and the inner surface form cooperating surfaces, and wherein at least one of the surfaces comprises a Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonate (SAMP). The method of treating cooperating surfaces includes applying a coat of a Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonate (SAMP) composition to at least one of said cleaned and dried surfaces of said tube and float carrier to form treated components. The method of installing may include installing said level sensor into a section of a crude oil service operation.
US09688919B2
The present invention relates to process for producing hydrocarbons, wherein starting material comprising tall oil material and polar co-feed, which polar co-feed comprises fatty acids, is diluted with a non-polar diluent to obtain feedstock, and said feedstock is catalytically hydroprocessed to obtain hydrocarbons, suitable as fuels, fuel blending components and fuel additives.
US09688916B2
Systems and methods for extracting recoverable materials from source materials are provided. Source materials are introduced into a furnace. A condition is created within the furnace in which a gaseous pressure within the furnace is less than an atmospheric pressure outside of the furnace by removing at least a portion of air from within the furnace. Hydrocarbons contained within the source material are separated from the source material without using a significant amount of water by heating the source material to a temperature sufficient to cause the hydrocarbons to liquefy or vaporize. The liquefied hydrocarbons or vaporized hydrocarbons are then captured.
US09688915B2
A liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of nematic phase, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large positive dielectric anisotropy, large specific resistance, high stability to UV light and heat or a large elastic constant, or having a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics, and an AM device having a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a low threshold voltage, a large contrast ratio and a long service life, etc. are described. The composition has a nematic phase and contains an additive that can suppress formation of an impurity, and a specific compound having large dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and may contain a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or small viscosity as a second component. The AM device is an LCD device including the composition.
US09688908B2
The invention relates to a temperature-stable hydrogel comprising electrolytic water and a copolymer cross-linked to multivalent metal ions. The invention is characterized in that the copolymer contains at least structural units which are derived at up to 0.005-20% by weight from an ethylenically unsaturated phosphonic acid and alkali metal salts thereof and/or ammonia salts, up to 5-40% by weight from an ethylenically unsaturated sulfuric acid and alkali metal salts thereof and/or ammonia salts and up to 5-94.995% by weight from an amide of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid selected from the group of acrylamide, methacrylamide and/or C1-C4 alkyl derivatives, wherein the percentages are based on the total mass of the monomers used during copolymerization, and that the multivalent metal ions for cross-linking of the copolymers belong to the groups IIIA, IVB, VB, VIIIB and/or VIIIB of the periodic system of elements.
US09688901B2
The disclosed invention is a unique drilling fluid composition and method for reducing lost mud circulation in wellbores due to seepage loss into fluid permeable subterranean formations. The drilling fluid composition comprises a variety of shapes and sizes of distinctive unadulterated elastomeric rubber particles derived from the tire retreading (recapping) process. These elastomeric rubber particles are incorporated into an aqueous, hydrocarbon, or synthetic drilling fluid in sufficient amounts as to plug holes, fractures, and fissures, form a mud cake, and thus stem the loss of drilling fluids from the lost circulation zone.
US09688900B2
Carbon dioxide generation in a subterranean formation can be problematic for a number of reasons. Accordingly, it can be desirable to sequester at least a portion of the carbon dioxide that may be present in a subterranean formation, thereby decreasing a quantity of free carbon dioxide. Methods for sequestering carbon dioxide can comprise: providing a CO2-sequestering polymer, the CO2-sequestering polymer sequestering carbon dioxide more readily than it does nitrogen; introducing the CO2-sequestering polymer into a subterranean formation that contains carbon dioxide; and interacting the CO2-sequestering polymer with the carbon dioxide in the subterranean formation, so as to decrease a quantity of free carbon dioxide that is present in the subterranean formation.
US09688899B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing or preventing the loss of drilling fluids and other well servicing fluids into a subterranean formation during drilling or construction of boreholes in said formation. Specifically, this invention comprises a curable composition capable of free radical polymerization for creating lost circulation material in-situ. The curable composition comprises an organic compound capable of free radical (co)polymerization represented by the formula (I): wherein x is an integer from 1 to 8; Fp comprises one or more moiety comprising a free radical polymerizable group; L is an organic moiety comprising a (substituted) aromatic or (substituted) aliphatic group comprising one or more O, N, S, or combinations thereof; and Q comprises a substituted or unsubstituted mono- or polyvalent organic radical comprising one or one or more moiety selected from alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylene, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, poly(oxyalkylene), poly(carboalkoxyalkylene), a substituted heterocyclic radical, or an unsubstituted heterocyclic radical.
US09688897B2
A CNT composite material includes a CNT group and carbon fibers dispersed in a matrix, the CNT composite material includes 0.01 wt % or more and 30 wt % or less of CNT aggregate. The CNT group includes a three dimensional network structure with a size of 10 μm or more and has a maximum distribution range of a differential pore volume of 0.01 μm or more and 10 μm or less in a range of 4 nm or more and 1000 μm or less of a pore diameter. The carbon fibers have a maximum distribution range of a differential pore volume of 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less in a range of 4 nm or more and 1000 μm or less of a pore diameter. A total specific surface area of the CNT aggregate and the carbon fibers is 10 m2/g or more and 500 m2/g or less.
US09688866B2
A method of manufacturing a hydrophobic antifouling coating material, including: (a) mixing a sol-gel precursor, water, an aqueous colloidal silica suspension, and a catalyst to perform a sol-gel reaction to form a solution having particles therein, wherein the sol-gel reaction is performed without addition of any organic solvent; (b) chemically modifying the particles with a hydrophobic agent to form surface-modified particles; and (c) adding a surfactant to the solution containing the surface-modified particles to form a hydrophobic antifouling coating material. The hydrophobic antifouling coating material can be dispersed in an aqueous solution, and has properties such as low VOC (Volatile organic compound) value, high solid content, and high stability.
US09688864B2
A pumpable shelf-stable suspension of fibers in an organic phase comprising 1.0-60 wt % of fibers and 0.01-10 wt % of a disubstituted urea is proposed as well as a method using the disubstituted urea to suspend fibers in an organic phase.
US09688862B2
[Problem] Polyphenylenesulfide (PPS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), stainless steel (SUS) and the like correspond to hard-to-bond materials, and thus it has been difficult to improve the adhesion to these materials in adhesives and sealants.[Solution] Provided is a curable resin composition containing: component (A), being a thermosetting resin composition; and component (B), being an adhesion-imparting agent consisting of a compound represented by the following general formula 1, or, containing the compound represented by the following general formula 1 and a compound represented by the following general formula 2: wherein in the general formula 1, n represents 0 to 2, R each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon numbers or a derivative of the alkyl group, R′ represents methyl group, ethyl group or propyl group, and in the general formula 2, m represents 1 to 3, and R1 represents hydrogen atom or methyl group.
US09688850B2
The disclosure provides a cross-linkable polymer composition, a core layer for an information carrying card comprising such cross-linked composition, resulting information carrying card, and methods of making the same. A crosslinkable polymer composition comprises a curable base polymer resin in a liquid or paste form, and a particulate thermoplastic filler. The base polymer resin is selected from the group consisting of urethane acrylate, silicone acrylate, epoxy acrylate, urethane, acrylate, silicone and epoxy. The particulate thermoplastic filler may be polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a copolymer of vinyl chloride and at least another monomer, or a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a compound or blend thereof.
US09688832B2
A method for preparing macroporous polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles includes the steps of: (a) dissolving a polymethyl methacrylate polymer and Pluronic polymer into an organic solvent; (b) introducing the mixed solution of step (a) to an aqueous solution containing a surfactant to carry out emulsion polymerization; (c) heating the resultant product of step (b) to allow evaporation of the organic solvent; and (d) washing and drying the porous polymethyl methacrylate particles remaining after the evaporation.
US09688824B2
The invention relates to a method for making a lignin component from lignin material by an acid treatment, the method comprising: forming a lignin component of lignin material by treating the lignin material in at least one acid treatment stage; and optimizing process conditions by means of a combination of process parameters comprising retention time, temperature and pH level at the acid treatment stage so that the retention time is over 6 hours during at least one acid treatment stage. Further, the invention relates to corresponding lignin components, a use of the lignin component and a product.
US09688821B2
A method of producing a glycerin derivative-modified silicone or a composition comprising the same, including a process that treats the glycerin derivative-modified silicone or the composition comprising the same with one or more type of acidic inorganic salt, which is solid at 25° C. and water soluble, and which is such that a pH at 25° C. of an aqueous solution prepared by dissolving 50 g of the acidic inorganic salt in 1 L of ion exchanged water is 4 or lower; and an external use preparation, cosmetic composition, or raw materials thereof that contain the low odor glycerin derivative-modified silicone obtained by the production method.
US09688816B2
This disclosure relates to polyetherimide compositions whose residual phenolic monomers exhibit little or no estradiol binding activity. Also disclosed are methods for making the disclosed polyetherimides and articles of manufacture comprising the disclosed polyetherimides.
US09688805B2
The present invention relates to elastomeric resins, fibers made from said resins, fabrics made with said fibers, and applications and uses for the resins, fibers and fabrics. The elastomer resins of the invention provide high strength fibers and well balanced fabrics with good physical properties and chemical resistance, making them attractive for use in various applications that use elastic fibers and fabrics.
US09688795B2
The invention provides compositions, each comprising an ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer, which has a reduced level of a low density, low molecular weight oligomeric fraction, as indicated by an HCC value, as described herein, and reduced levels of inorganic content or lower Tm. The invention also provides processes for forming such interpolymers.
US09688794B2
The present invention relates to tackifier compounds and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a tackifier compound including independently substituted or unsubstituted fused rings A and B each independently chosen from (C5-C10)cycloalkyl and (C2-C10)heterocyclyl. Fused ring A is substituted with (R1)1-8 and fused ring B is substituted with —(OC(O)R′C(O)R2)1-8. At each occurrence R′ is independently chosen from (C2-C10)alkanylene, (C2-C10)alkenylene, (C2-C10)alkynylene, C5-C20(arylene), and (C1-C20)heteroarylene, wherein R′ is unsubstituted or substituted. At each occurrence R1 is independently selected from —OH, —OR3, and —OC(O)R′C(O)R2. At each occurrence R2 is independently chosen from —OH, —OR3, —NH2, —NHR3, and —NR32. At each occurrence R3 is independently chosen from (C1-C10)alkanyl, (C2-C10)alkenyl, (C2-C10)alkynyl, C5-C20(aryl), and (C1-C20)heteroaryl, wherein R3 is unsubstituted or substituted.
US09688788B2
Polymer particle embolics and methods of making same are described. The particle embolics can be used as embolization agents.
US09688786B2
The invention pertains to a hyperbranched (per)fluoroelastomer [fluoroelastomer (B)] comprising recurring units derived from a bis-olefin [bis-olefin (OF)] having general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, equal or different from each other, are H or C1-C5 alkyl; Z is a linear or branched C1-C18 alkylene or cycloalkylene radical, optionally containing oxygen atoms, preferably at least partially fluorinated, or a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene radical, said fluoroelastomer (B) having a slope in G′ curve such that the ratio: G′100/G′0.01 is of less than 10, when determined at 260° C. according to ASTM D4440 standard, wherein G′100 is the storage modulus at a shear rate of 100 rad/sec and G′0.01 is the storage modulus at a shear rate of 0.01 rad/sec, to compositions comprising the same, and to a process for their manufacture.
US09688778B2
A process for producing thermally inhibited starch is described resulting in a visco-stable starch product with improved whiteness. The process comprises pretreating a dry starch with an alkaline solution in a water-miscible solvent, adjusting the water content of the starch to below 12 wt. %, heating the starch at a temperature between 140 and 190° C., preferably between 140 and 180° C., and cooling and optionally further processing the starch. The thermally inhibited starch has the advantages of not being chemically modified. The process is more flexible and faster than conventional inhibition processes.
US09688767B2
The present invention relates to a method for predicting the survival time of a patient suffering from myocardial infarction or the recurrence of a myocardial infarction. The method comprises the steps of i) determining the expression level of BAFF in a sample from the patient, ii) comparing the expression level with a predetermined reference value and iii) providing a good prognosis of the survival time or a low risk of the recurrence of a myocardial infarction when the expression level is lower than the predetermined reference value and a poor prognosis of the survival time or a high risk of the recurrence of a myocardial infarction when the expression level is higher than the predetermined reference value.
US09688764B2
The present invention provides antibodies that bind to prolactin receptor (PRLR) and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the antibodies of the invention bind human PRLR with high affinity. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies that bind PRLR and block prolactin-mediated cell signaling. In other embodiments, the invention includes antibodies that bind PRLR but do not block prolactin-mediated cell signaling. The antibodies of the invention may be fully human antibodies. The invention includes anti-PRLR antibodies conjugated to a cytotoxic agent, radionuclide, or other moiety detrimental to cell growth or proliferation. The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment of various cancers as well as other PRLR-related disorders. The present invention also includes antibody drug conjugates comprising an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds a class I cytokine receptor, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is conjugated to a cytotoxic agent.
US09688755B2
Disclosed are processes for producing a variant polypeptide (e.g. antibodies) having modified binding characteristics for human Fc gamma receptor IIA (CD32A) leading to increased inhibition of proinflammatory mediators while retaining binding to a target antigen via its Fv portion, which processes comprise altering the polypeptides by substitution of at least two amino acid residues at EU position 325, 326 or 328 of a human IgG CH2 region for a sequence selected from SAAF, SKAF, NAAF and NKAF. Also disclosed are molecules, particularly polypeptides, more particularly immunoglobulins (e.g. antibodies) that include a variant CDR3 region, wherein the variant CDR3 region includes at least one amino acid modified relative to a wild-type CDR3 region. The polypeptides that can be generated according to the methods of the invention are highly variable, and they can include antibodies and fusion proteins that contain an Fc region or a biologically active portion thereof.
US09688751B2
The present invention relates to discovery of the ectopic expression of EDEM2 in a production cell to improve the yield of a useful multi-subunit protein. Thus, the present invention provides for production cell lines, such as the canonical mammalian biopharmaceutical production cell—the CHO cell, containing recombinant polynucleotides encoding EDEM2. Also disclosed is a production cell containing both an EDEM2-encoding polynucleotide as well an XBP1-encoding polynucleotide. Improved titers of antibodies produced by these cell lines are disclosed, as well as the improved cell densities attained by these cells in culture.
US09688745B2
The present invention provides improved binding compounds capable of specifically binding Gram-positive bacteria. Binding compounds are provided that are fully human, enabling therapeutic applications in human individuals.
US09688742B2
The present invention relates to the general field of therapy of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and/or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Thus, the invention relates to a molecule selected from the trappin-2 protein or an active fraction thereof, a member of the WAP family proteins or an active fraction thereof or a member of the Serpin family proteins or an active fraction thereof for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The invention also relates to a recombinant food-grade bacterium comprising a gene selected from a gene coding for the trappin-2 protein or an active fraction thereof, a gene coding for a member of the WAP family proteins or an active fraction thereof, or a gene coding for a member of the Serpin family proteins or an active fraction thereof.
US09688738B2
The present invention describes methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cancer in mammals, more particularly in human subjects. More specifically, the invention concerns anti-tumor vaccines based upon plasmid DNA and/or genetic vectors carrying a codon-usage optimized sequence and coding for a mutant form of the ErbB-3 receptor. Furthermore, the invention refers to monoclonal antibodies directed against the ErbB-3 receptor, obtained using these methods and capable to block its activity in cancer cells.
US09688737B2
Novel acylated insulin analoges exhibiting resistance towards proteases can, effectively, be administered pulmonary or orally. The insulin analoges contain B25H and A14E or A14H.
US09688727B2
The present invention provides recombinant adenoviral compositions and methods for their use in treating disorders associated with epithelial tissues.
US09688719B2
Novel peptide inhibitors of GSK-3, compositions containing same and uses thereof are disclosed. The novel peptide inhibitors are substrate-competitive inhibitors and have an amino acid sequence designed so as to bind to a defined binding site subunit in GSK-3.
US09688717B2
The present invention provides novel Raman tags for exploring membrane interactions in cells. The tags comprise a phenyl diyne probe where in the dyine is capped with the phenyl group. Methods for using the tags are also provided.
US09688713B2
Provided is a compound of the general formula (I): The compound of formula (I) is suitable for treating pulmonary fibrosis, such as Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in a mammal. Also provided is a method for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, such as Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in a human subject having a galectin-3 level indicative of pulmonary fibrosis or exacerbation of symptoms as well as a method for making said compound.
US09688708B2
The present invention describes Photolabile Compounds methods for use of the compounds. The Photolabile Compounds have a photoreleasable ligand, which can be biologically active, and which is photoreleased from the compound upon exposure to light. In one embodiment, the light is visible light, which is not detrimental to the viability of biological samples, such as cells and tissues, in which the released organic molecule is bioactive and can have a therapeutic effect.
US09688698B2
The present invention provides, in part, compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; processes for the preparation of; intermediates used in the preparation of; and compositions containing such compounds or salts, and their uses for treating D1-mediated (or D1-associated) disorders including, e.g., schizophrenia (e.g., its cognitive and negative symptoms), schizotypal personality disorder, cognitive impairment (e.g., cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, AD, PD, or pharmacotherapy therapy), ADHD, Parkinson's disease, anxiety, and depression.
US09688695B2
The present invention provides thiazole compounds of Formula I wherein W, Y, R0, R2, R4, R5, R6, R7, X1, X2, X3 and X4 are as defined herein, or a stereoisomer, tautomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug ester or solvate form thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are inhibitors of platelet aggregation and thus can be used as medicaments for treating or preventing thromboembolic disorders.
US09688694B2
Macrocyclic benzodiazepine dimers having a structure represented by formula I where A and B are independently according to formulae Ia or Ib and the other variables in formulae I, Ia, and Ib are as defined in the application. Such dimers are useful as anti-cancer agents, especially when used as the drug component in an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).
US09688688B2
Described herein are certain crystalline forms of 4-((4-((4-fluoro-2-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)oxy)-6-methoxyquinazolin-7-yl)oxy)-1-(2-oxa-7-azaspiro[3.5]nonan-7-yl)butan-1-one, as well as pharmaceutical compositions employing the crystalline forms. Also provided are particles (e.g., nanoparticles) comprising such crystalline forms or pharmaceutical compositions. In certain examples, the particles are mucus penetrating particles (MPPs). Also described are methods of treating and/or preventing diseases using the crystalline forms or pharmaceutical compositions described herein.
US09688685B2
Disclosed is a method for preparing Volasertib (I), comprising the following steps: an intermediate 2-amino-7-ethyl-7,8-dihydro-5-methyl-8-isopropyl-(7R)-6(5H)-pteridinone (II) is nucleophilically substituted with an intermediate N-[trans-4-[4-(cylopropylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]cyclohexyl]-4-halo-3-methoxylbenzamide (III), so as to prepare Volasertib (I). The preparation method has a simple process, mild conditions and few side effects, which meets the requirements for industrial enlargement. In addition, also disclosed are an intermediate 2-amino-7-ethyl-7,8-dihydro-5-methyl-8-isopropyl-(7R)-6(5H)-pteridinone (II) and an intermediate N-[trans-4-[4-(cylopropylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]cyclohexyl]-4-halo-3-methoxylbenza-mide (III) of Volasertib and the preparation methods thereof.
US09688678B2
The present invention relates to novel substituted oxindole derivatives of the formula I wherein A is a ring selected from phenyl and 6-membered hetaryl containing 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms as ring members, where ring A carries one substituent R6 and optionally one substituent R7; B is a ring selected from phenyl and a monocyclic or bicyclic heteroaromatic ring containing 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S as ring members, where ring B may carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents R8; X1, X2, X3 and X4, independently of each other, are selected from —CH2—, —O—, —S(O)c—, —NH—, —C(O)—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —S(O)cCH2—, —CH2S(O)c—, CH2NH—, —NHCH2—, —CH2C(O)— and C(O)CH2—; X5 is NH, CH2 or O; and wherein c, R1, R2, (R3)a, (R4)b, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are as defined in the claims. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel substituted oxindole derivatives of the formula I, and to their use for the treatment of vasopressin-related disorders.
US09688665B2
The present invention relates to methods of treating cancer by administering the EZH2 inhibitor compounds and pharmaceutical compositions to subjects in need thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of such compounds for research or other non-therapeutic purposes.
US09688659B2
The invention provides novel chemical compounds useful for treating various hematologic malignancies, or a related disease or disorder thereof, and pharmaceutical composition and methods of preparation and use thereof.
US09688652B2
Disclosed are methods for treating catmint oil. The process allows the separation of sulfur-containing compounds from the catmint oil. The treated catmint oil can be used for the production of hydrogenated catmint oil, which is enriched in the insect repellent, dihydronepetalactone.
US09688638B2
Provided are compounds, including those of Formula I; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof. The compounds described herein relate to and/or have application(s) in (among others) the fields of drug discovery, pharmacotherapy, physiology, organic chemistry and polymer chemistry.
US09688637B2
3-amidobenzamides and uses thereof for increasing cellular levels of A3G and other A3 family members
Disclosed are novel benzamide compounds and the uses thereof for treating diseases and disorders in a patient in need thereof by increasing cellular levels of A3G and/or other members of the A3 family of proteins in the patient. The disclosed compounds include 3-benzamide compounds that may be administered treat an HIV-1 infection or cancer in a patient.
US09688634B2
Objects of the present invention are to provide a compound which is highly active against pests, to provide a pest control agent comprising the compound, and to provide a method for controlling a pest by applying the compound. The present invention provides a 4-(arylethynyl)pyridine or a salt thereof, a pest control agent which comprises the 4-(arylethynyl)pyridine or salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a method for controlling a pest by applying the 4-(arylethynyl)pyridine or salt thereof in an effective amount.
US09688628B1
This invention provides that (2S)-1-[(2S)-2-methyl-3-sulfanylpropanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (captopril) possess potent in vitro urease inhibitory potential with 95.00% inhibition and IC50=16.6±1.52 μM, when compared to the standard inhibitor i.e. acetohydroxamic acid (IC50=41.5±1.50 μM).
US09688625B2
The present invention refers to an amorphous form of a thiocolchicine derivative, IDN 5404, to a process for producing it and to pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The amorphous form is characterized by the XRPD pattern, DSC profile and/or TG/DTA profile.
US09688623B2
Provided herein are new processes for the preparation of aminosulfone intermediates for the synthesis of 2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, which is useful for preventing or treating diseases or conditions related to an abnormally high level or activity of TNF-α. Further provided herein are processes for the commercial production of (S)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methanesulfonylethylamine.
US09688620B2
The invention is directed to a method of treating fibromyalgia syndrome in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a carbamoyl compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09688619B2
The present invention relates to a process for obtaining organic isocyanate from a phosgenation product comprising the isocyanate, comprising the following steps: a) workup to the phosgenation product, the workup comprising at least one distillation step in which a first portion of the organic isocyanate is removed as distillate and a distillation residue comprising a second portion of the organic isocyanate is obtained, b) workup of the distillation residue obtained in a), the workup comprising at least one distillation step which is conducted at a temperature of up to 110° C. at a pressure of not more than 1 mbar, wherein at least 50% by weight of the second portion of the organic isocyanate is removed from the distillation residue.
US09688618B2
Compounds of formula I are provided: R1 is an alkoxy or O(CH2)pX, p is an integer from 2 to 3 and X is OH, NH2, or CO2H, m is an integer from 0 to 5, n is an integer from 0 to 5, each R2 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxymethyl, heterocyclyl, hetereocyclylmethyl, amino, amido, hydroxamido, any of which may be optionally substituted with one or more of acyl, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, or halogen, each R3 is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, carboxy, hydroxymethyl, amido, and at least one of R2 and R3 is not hydrogen.
US09688616B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1-R5 and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US09688614B2
An alternative acetylation process for the synthesis of 5-acetamido-N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalamide (“Compound A”), an intermediate in the industrial preparation of non-ionic X-ray contrast agents, is described. The process can be performed on an industrial scale to produce Compound A with improved purity and improved yields compared to the established processes.
US09688610B1
Provided is a new method for preparing (E)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-methyl-N-((6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulen-2-yl)methyl)prop-2-en-1-amine as a drug intermediate.
US09688609B2
A telescoping process for the preparation of 2-methoxymethyl-p-phenylenediamine, a cosmetically acceptable salt thereof, or mixture thereof. The process according to the present invention is a particularly cost effective process in that it avoids sophisticated chemical steps which requires special equipment or expensive catalysts and in that it comprises a recycling step of one of the starting materials, namely 2-hydroxymethylaniline.
US09688595B2
A scalable and sustainable process for production of renewable chemicals and biofuel from seaweed in its own juices or in seawater without desalination of the seaweeds is provided herein. The process as disclosed in the preset invention is an eco-friendly process for production of renewable chemicals and biofuel with an easy method of disposing of the waste streams. Further, the process as disclosed in the present invention is cost effective, suitable since transporting and storing the raw material obtained in the form of slurry of the seaweeds because of its lesser bulk is easy, easier handling due to its free flowing nature and its direct use for further processing to obtain renewable chemicals and/or biofuel.
US09688593B2
Techniques for synthesizing methanol are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the processes include obtaining a syngas mixture from an integrated carbon dioxide hydrogenation process and a methane steam reforming process, and contacting the syngas mixture with a methanol catalyst to obtain a product stream comprising methanol.
US09688583B2
A composite material that increases in temperature upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation includes single crystal silicon carbide whiskers and fibrils in a matrix material. Also disclosed are heat-generating objects that include the composite material, and a method of generating heat.
US09688581B2
Molten grains include titanium suboxides of the formulation TinO2n-1, in which the phases are principally Ti5O9 or Ti6O11 or a mixture of these two phases, the phases Ti5O9 and/or Ti6O11 representing, in total, more than 60% of the weight of the grains, the grains further including less than 30% by weight of Ti4O7.
US09688577B2
The invention relates to the use of caramelized sugar as a liquefier for mineral binding agent compositions.
US09688568B2
A process for preparing glass-ceramic body including the steps of providing a basic glass body and subjecting the basic glass body to a thermal treatment whereby a crystalline phase embedded in a glass matrix is formed. The basic glass body is made of a composition comprising 65 to 72 wt-% SiO2, at least 10.1 wt-% Li2O and at least 10.1 wt-% Al2O3 based on the total weight of the composition, the proportion of Li2O to Al2O3 being from 1:1 to 1.5:1. The thermal treatment involves a nucleation step followed by several crystallization steps at different temperatures, whereby at least two different crystalline phases are formed.
US09688561B2
The invention relates to a method of making a mineral melt comprising providing a circulating combustion chamber (1) which comprises an upper zone (2), a lower zone (3) and a base zone (4), injecting particulate fuel, particulate mineral material and primary combustion gas which has optionally an oxygen level of at least 25% by volume into the upper zone of the circulating combustion chamber so that the fuel undergoes pyrolysis in the upper zone to produce char, thereby melting the particulate mineral materials to form a mineral melt and generating exhaust gases, injecting secondary combustion gas which has optionally an Oxygen level of at least 25% by volume into the lower zone of the circulating combustion chamber so that the char combusts, thereby completing combustion of the fuel, and separating the mineral melt from the hot exhaust gases so that the hot exhaust gases pass though an outlet in the circulating combustion chamber and the mineral melt collects in the base zone. The melt is optionally fiberized. The invention also relates to apparatus suitable for use in the method.
US09688557B2
A process of growing a culture of cyanobacteria or algae using chitin or chitosan as a source of nitrogen for photosynthetic growth is described. This process can be used to remove pollutants from nitrogen-deficient natural waters or wastewaters including buchu mercaptan production wastewater. Biomass that results from photosynthetic growth on chitin can be used, either as whole cells or the isolated components of the cells, for a large variety of commercial purposes.
US09688552B2
A device for inoculating fluid conducted through pipes includes a reservoir configured to hold an inoculant. The reservoir includes an outlet through which the inoculant is feedable to at least one of the pipes and an inlet configured to route compressed air into an interior of the reservoir. A capillary can be used to conduct the inoculant during inoculation. A flushing device can be provided to flush the pipes. A shared device for generating and/or storing compressed air can supply compressed air for inoculating the fluid and/or flushing the pipes.
US09688550B2
An apparatus for treating contaminated water includes an electrolytic cell and a flow directing device. The electrolytic cell includes an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, an anode, a cathode, and a membrane. The anode is in the anode chamber and the cathode is in the cathode chamber. The membrane is positioned in the electrolytic cell to maintain a pH difference between the anode chamber and cathode chamber when a voltage is applied between the anode and cathode. The contaminated water for treatment is provided with hydrogen ions at the anode and with hydroxyl ions at the cathode when the voltage is applied. The flow directing device is connected to direct the water from the anode chamber to the cathode chamber.
US09688546B2
A water filter assembly having one or more electrical connections with a removable filter cartridge is provided. The electrical connections can be used to provide power to, and/or communication with, one or more electrical components incorporated into the filter cartridge. Wire form contacts are used to provide the electrical connections. The wire form contacts can be incorporated into a variety of different water filter assembly configurations having a removable filter cartridge.
US09688537B2
In one aspect, methods of making semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes are described herein. In some implementations, a method of making semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes comprises providing a plurality of semiconducting nanotube seeds including (n,m) nanotube seeds and non-(n,m) nanotube seeds. The method further comprises illuminating the plurality of nanotube seeds with a first laser beam having a first wavelength and a second laser beam having a second wavelength, the second wavelength differing from the first wavelength. The first wavelength corresponds to an absorption maximum for a (n,m) carbon nanotube and the second wavelength corresponds to a photoluminescence emission frequency for the (n,m) carbon nanotube.
US09688521B2
An industrial truck has a lift mast, which has a height-adjustable load support and an overhead guard that is disposed on a side of the lift mast facing away from the load support. The guard protects the operator against falling loads and objects. The lift mast on the side thereof facing away from the load support has an adapter for the overhead guard that has two adapter limbs disposed in parallel to each other and connected to the lift mast. The overhead guard has two projecting connection limbs each of which lies flat on one of the adapter limbs and is connected thereto.
US09688520B1
A winch assembly is disclosed. The winch assembly may have a support with parallel plates spaced apart from each other. The winch assembly may also have a drum with a hollow spool between the parallel plates, and a shaft passing axially through and being connected to the hollow spool. The winch assembly may further have a motor directly connected to an end of the shaft, and a fail-safe-brake directly connected to an end of the shaft.
US09688501B2
A device and a method for separating sheet material is provided. The separation of sheet material is not effected statically, but a suitable pick-up position and/or a suitable pick-up mechanism is selected for each sheet material piece, for example in dependence on the quality of a surface of the sheet material piece to be picked up, in order to pick up the sheet material piece from the sheet material stack and remove it from the same.
US09688497B2
An image-forming apparatus forms an image on a roll sheet. A printer receives the roll sheet, forms the image thereon and ejects the image-formed roll sheet to a reel. A sheet position sensor, which is positioned near the printer, measures a position of the roll sheet along a width direction thereof. A control portion receives positional measurement data about the position of the roll sheet along the width direction thereof from the sheet position sensor and controls at least one of start time of image-forming operation in the printer and an image-writing position of the printer by settling at least one of the start time of image-forming operation and the image-writing position based on the positional measurement data.
US09688489B1
An example apparatus includes an enclosed rectangular container, including an openable first end and an openable second end. The apparatus further includes at least one first supporting base positioned proximate to the first end of the container that has an adjustable height in order to align a floor of the container with a trailer. The apparatus also includes at least one second supporting base positioned proximate to the second end of the container that has an adjustable height in order to align the floor of the container with a loading dock. The apparatus additionally includes a robotic manipulator connected to the floor of the container that is configured to move one or more objects between the trailer and the loading dock by moving the one or more objects through the container when the first end and the second end of the container are opened.
US09688488B2
A metering feeder is provided with the following: an annular transport space formed by an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, and a bottom plate; a central rotating blade provided on a rotating shaft in the center of the bottom plate; an outer rotating ring connected to the tip of the central rotating blade; a plurality of outer rotating blades provided on the outer rotating ring so as to point inwards; and a rotating disc in which a powder/granular-material discharge groove is formed, the top surface of said rotating disc lying in the same plane as the top surface of the bottom plate. The outer rotating blades scrape the powder/granular material in the annular-transport space into the powder/granular-material discharge groove, which transports said powder/granular material outside the outer cylinder. This metering feeder is further provided with a vertically-movable scraper for supplying large amounts of the powder/granular material and a fixed small scraper for supplying small amounts thereof. Said scrapers block the flow of the powder/granular material in the powder/granular-material discharge groove in the rotating disc and guide same to a discharge opening. This configuration makes it possible to increase the precision with which the powder/granular material is supplied.
US09688486B2
The invention relates to a device (1) for conveying an operating material, comprising a filling chamber (3) with an inlet (4) for filling the filling chamber (3) with the operating material, a conveying section (6) for conveying the operating material to an outlet (5), a transition element (7) between the filling chamber (3) and the conveying section (6) which can be switched between an open position and a closed position. The operating material which is introduced via the inlet (4) in the filling chamber (3), in the open position of the transition element (7), can be transferred in the conveying section (6) by means of a gaseous transport medium, and the operating material can be discharged from the outlet (5) from the conveying section (6) by means of a gaseous transport medium.
US09688483B2
An installation for transporting containers having necks, the installation comprising an intermediate rotary platform provided in its periphery with slots each having a jaw mounted in the vicinity thereof in order to pivot between a closed position and an open position. Each jaw is provided with blocking means for blocking it in each of its positions, and includes a first contact surface projecting into the slot when the jaw is in the open position in such a manner that when the neck is inserted into the slot it pushes against the first contact surface and brings the jaw into the closed position, and a second contact surface facing the slot when the jaw is in the closed position in such a manner that when the neck is discharged from the slot it pushes against the second contact surface and brings the jaw into the open position.
US09688478B2
A conveyor unit which can be displaced for conveying vehicle bodies and which includes a bogie assembly and a coupling device which is connected to the bogie assembly and which is configured such that it interacts with the base areas of the vehicle body which are upwardly orientated to the roof. Also a conveyor system having at least one conveyor unit of such type and a plant for machining vehicle bodies. Vehicle bodies are conveyed by a conveyor system between and/or in machining stations, said plant also including such a conveyor system.
US09688475B2
A method for conveying bulk goods and a device for carrying out the method. The conveying device includes a conveying channel and at least two conveying elements arranged loosely in the conveying channel. The conveying elements are mechanically driven in the conveying direction in a first section of the conveying channel, before bulk goods are fed into the conveying channel in a second section of the conveying channel. The bulk goods are conveyed by movement of the conveying elements along the conveying direction in a third section of the conveying channel, wherein in the third section of the conveying channel the first conveying element is pressed by the second conveying element and/or the bulk goods through the conveying channel in the conveying direction.
US09688473B2
The present invention provides an improved conveyor system that provides for a magnetically driven conveyor system in which a sidewall of the conveyor may have minimal or no perforations therein for connecting rollers or other conveying structures in the conveyor bed to an external driving mechanism. The conveyor system may also provide gapless or nearly gapless roller bed that prevents or reduces the accumulation of debris and contaminants in and between the hardware of the conveyor bed. The system of the present invention may provide a more efficient and sanitary conveyor system for produce washing or other food processing application that requires less maintenance.
US09688469B2
A cargo container is modified to carry a fracing proppant such as sand from a quarry or source to the frac site. Openings are cut in the top and bottom of a cargo container and hydraulically operated sliding doors are placed there under. A hopper module with the walls being inclined to approximately the angle of repose for the proppant is installed inside the cargo container. The hopper module is sealed inside the cargo container so that a proppant enters through the top opening at the quarry and flows out through the bottom opening at the fracing site.
US09688467B2
A gyrator feeder that gyrates a dispensing member to uniformly and circumnavigating dispense material by generating a true circular orbital vibratory motion in the dispensing member by either rotating an offset weight along a vertical central axis of the dispensing member or by positioning vibratory motors diametrical opposite from each other on a gyrator housing and synchronizing the vibratory motors with each other to thereby dispense material.
US09688461B2
A spray system for formulating an ambient curable clear coat product includes a first container containing a mixture of a polymer with primary hydroxyl functionality and an amino crosslinker with alkoxymethyl functionality and a propellant and a second container containing a catalyst formulated to initiate a polymerization reaction of the polymer and crosslinker when added to the first container. The system also includes a charging device configured to transfer the catalyst from the second container to the first container.
US09688459B2
A disposable flexible container for a fluent product comprises a product volume for the fluent product at least partially defined by a nonstructural panel having one or more flat spaces and one or more structural support volumes. The disposable flexible container also includes one or more surface elements generally projecting outwardly in relation to the one or more flat spaces on the nonstructural panel. Preferably, the one or more structural support volumes comprise a structural support frame configured to prevent the container from collapsing and, more preferably, they are arranged to generate and maintain tension in the nonstructural panel when they are expanded.
US09688451B2
A composite closure including a panel and an outer portion defining a recess into which the panel is received. The composite closure may be coupled with a container. The panel deflects downward toward the container when the composite closure is sealed with the container and the interior of the container is under vacuum.
US09688450B2
Exemplary embodiments of a gift card box and associated methods are provided, generally including a base section including a first insert configured and dimensioned to receive a gift card. The exemplary gift card box generally includes a lid section including a second insert configured and dimensioned to cooperatively mate with the first insert. The first insert and the second insert substantially fix the gift card inside the gift card box when cooperatively mated. An exemplary method of assembling a gift card box is provided, generally including providing a base section, providing a lid section, and substantially fixing the gift card inside the gift card box by cooperatively mating the first insert and the second insert. The base section generally includes a window configured and dimensioned to permit visualization of indicia on the gift card.
US09688448B2
The invention is directed to a cap (10) for receptacles (20) such as e.g. glass jars, comprising a cap base body (11) with a fixing means (13) for enabling the cap (10) to be removably attached on the receptacles (20), a backing layer (2) made from a deformable material, and a sealable, preferably heat-sealable membrane (3) not being glued to the backing layer (2), wherein both the backing layer (2) and the membrane (3) are retained inside the cap (10) via a retention portion (18) extending from an inner side wall (14) of the cap (10). The invention is further directed to a receptacle (20) having said cap (10) for closing it, and is also directed to a method for providing the cap (10) with a sealing element (1) and for providing said cap (10) onto the receptacle (20).
US09688442B2
The present disclosure relates to a reclosable flexible film package with a flexible film having a folded edge, at least two opposing free edges, and at least a front panel and a back panel. The front and back panels define an interior space. The flexible film package also may have a score in the flexible film of the front panel forming a flap that defines an opening when the flap is moved upward, toward the folded edge and a label extending uninterrupted from edge to edge of the at least two opposing free edges, the label being attached on the film by pressure sensitive adhesive, and extending beyond the score on the front panel to reseal the package opening defined by the flap.
US09688439B2
The present teachings relate to a mailpiece and method for assembling a mailpiece using a document processing system such as a wrapper system. The assembled mailpiece has outgoing and reply envelope functionality. In the outgoing format, the mailpiece may optionally contain advertisements, inserted documents, or coupons.
