US09739985B2
A projection lens includes a compound aspherical lens in which a resin layer is formed on a surface of a glass lens and a lens surface of the resin layer on the air contacting surface side has an aspherical shape. If the glass transition temperature of the resin layer is taken as Tg and its unit is taken as ° C., Tg of at least one of the resin layers is 150
US09739979B2
An optical imaging lens includes, first, second, third, fourth and fifth lens elements arranged sequentially from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens element has a positive refractive power and the object-side surface of the first lens element comprises a convex portion in a vicinity of its periphery. The image-side surface of the second lens element comprises a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis. The object-side surface of the third lens element comprises a concave portion in a vicinity of its periphery. The image-side surface of the fourth lens element comprises a convex portion in a vicinity of the optical axis. The image-side surface of the fifth lens element comprises a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis and for the optical imaging lens as a whole, only the five lens elements have refractive power.
US09739976B2
An imaging lens includes, in order from the object side: a positive first lens group; a stop; a positive second lens group; and a negative third lens group. The first lens group includes, in order from the object side, at least one positive single lens, at least one cemented lens, at least one negative single lens, and a negative meniscus single lens. The second lens group includes, in order from the object side, a cemented lens and a biconvex lens. The third lens group includes, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens, at least one negative lens, and at least one positive lens. Focusing from infinity to a close distance is performed by moving the first lens group, the stop, and the second lens group while the third lens group is fixed with respect to an imaging surface.
US09739975B1
A tactical mirror system includes a convex mirror that may be rapidly deployed and adhesively affixed to a room entry door to provide a room entry team member with a view of the room interior from a concealed cover position outside the room adjacent to the doorway is disclosed. A rip-cord is affixed to allow the user to peel away a protective layer thereby exposing an adhesive coated surface thereby allowing for rapid affixation of the mirror. A pair of diametrically opposed notches and a resilient transversely disposed band that function to allow the mirror device to be removably mounted to a baton to allow a room entry team member to manually extend and position the mirror. A plurality of mirrors may be provided and configured for compact nested storage thereby providing the user with a plurality of deployable mirror devices.
US09739974B2
An interchangeable lens has a lens frame holding a movable lens group, another lens frame holding another movable lens group, one actuator that drives one lens frame, and the other actuator that drives the other lens frame. A first yoke forming a magnetic circuit of the one actuator and a second yoke forming a magnetic circuit of the other actuator are disposed away from each other in an optical axis direction, and a nonmagnetic member is interposed between the first yoke and the second yoke.
US09739971B2
Keying may be used to indicate various features of cables, cable connectors, and/or equipment. The keying mechanisms of the connectors systems disclosed herein identifies whether each plug is a pinned plug or a pinless plug. The keying mechanisms disclosed herein identify the number of optical fibers terminated at each plug. For example, one type of keying mechanism may indicate a cable plug manufactured under a 40 Gb/sec standard and another type of keying mechanism may indicate a cable plug manufactured under a 100 Gb/sec standard. The keying mechanisms may indicate a cabling/wiring pattern to be used (e.g., indicates a polarity of the cable). The cables and/or plugs may be color coded based on the keying mechanism. Accordingly, the keying may alert a user to the features of the cable that are not readily apparent upon a cursory inspection.
US09739970B2
A fiber distribution device includes a swing frame chassis pivotally mounted to a support structure. At least a first optical splitter module is mounted to the swing frame chassis. Pigtails having connectorized ends are carried by the swing frame chassis and have portions that are routed generally vertically on the swing frame chassis. An optical termination field includes fiber optic adapters carried by the swing frame chassis. The fiber optic adapters are configured to receive the connectorized ends of the pigtails.
US09739965B2
Provided is an optical fiber ribbon capable of concurrently ensuring mid-span access performance and cable production performance. The optical fiber ribbon 1 includes three or more optical fibers 2 arranged in parallel and connecting portions 3 connecting the adjacent optical fibers 2, the connecting portions 3 being formed intermittently in each of a ribbon longitudinal direction X and a ribbon width direction Y. The optical fiber ribbon 1 including the connecting portions 3 having split strength which is set in the range from 1.50 gf to 21.0 gf, contributes to exhibiting both the mid-span access performance and the cable production performance.
US09739964B2
An interposer includes a plurality of identical functional blocks arranged in the x direction, for example, and the functional blocks include a first region mounting a semiconductor chip, a second region mounting a light emitting element chip, a third region mounting a light receiving element chip, and a plurality of silicon waveguides. Then, the second and third regions are arranged between the first region and a first side along the x direction of the interposer. In addition, the plurality of silicon waveguides are arranged between the second region and the first side, and between the third region and the first side, extending from the second region toward the first side and from the third region toward the first side and are not formed between the functional blocks adjacent in the x direction.
US09739957B2
An optical device for implementing passive alignment of parts and a method therefor, more particularly an optical device and a method therefor that utilize an alignment reference part arranged on the substrate to passively align an optical element part with a lens-optical fiber connection part.For the passive alignment of parts, connection pillars of an alignment reference part are coupled to substrate holes, one or more light-emitting elements and one or more light-receiving elements are aligned in a row in a particular interval with respect to alignment holes arranged opposite each other in the alignment reference part, a lens-optical fiber connection part is aligned with respect to the alignment holes, and an optical fiber is aligned with the optical alignment point at a surface of a prism forming a portion of the lens-optical fiber connection part.
US09739956B2
Provided is a variable optical attenuator, including a pigtail, a spacer, a lens and a cap. The pigtail has a first waveguide and a second waveguide. The first waveguide transmits incident light, and the second waveguide receives the returned light. The pigtail is attached to one side of the space, and the lens is attached to another side of the space. Moreover, the cap includes a hollow portion, a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The lens is placed inside the hollow portion, and the space is connected to the first connecting portion of the cap.
US09739955B2
A push-pull type fiber optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic connector connectable to fiber optic adapter and including connector housing, latch having elastic arm extended from top of connector housing for locking connector housing to fiber optic adapter, recessed portion located at bottom side relative to latch, pressure rod extended from recessed portion, fiber ferrule mounted in cable passage inside connector housing, connector sub assembly mounted in connector housing to hold fiber ferrule and fiber optic cable having fiber core inserted through fiber ferrule, and operating handle including sliding cap movably capped on connector housing, push member having push arm forwardly extended from sliding cap, cam located at one side of push arm and inserted into recessed portion of fiber optic connector, and handle shaft extended from sliding cap to pull sliding cap backwards in forcing down wedge-shaped pressure rod for disengaging fiber optic connector from fiber optic adapter.
US09739951B2
The invention relates to a fiber-optic connection arrangement, with the connection arrangement (21) comprising a fiber-optic adapter (2), with the fiber-optic adapter (2) having a first connecting device (38) for a first connecting plug (11) and a second connecting device (6) for a second connecting plug (17), with the first and the second connecting devices (38, 6) being different, with the fiber-optic adapter (2) having at least one first adapter-side attachment means, with the first adapter-side attachment means being in the form of an external thread (8) with a first adapter-side nominal diameter, wherein the connection arrangement (21) furthermore comprises an adapter sleeve (26), with the adapter sleeve (26) having a first end section (27) with a first opening (28), and a second end section (29) with a second opening (30), with the first end section (27) having a first sleeve-side attachment means, with the first sleeve-side attachment means being in the form of a first internal thread (36), with the first internal thread (36) having a first sleeve-side nominal diameter,with the first sleeve-side nominal diameter corresponding to the first adapter-side nominal diameter, with the adapter sleeve (26) being screwed onto the adapter-side external thread (8) such that at least the second connecting device (6) is arranged in an internal volume (47) in the adapter sleeve (26). The invention also relates to an adapter sleeve (26).
US09739945B2
A passive optical network includes one or more multi-service terminals each having a housing and a plurality of ruggedized plug-receiving distribution ports accessible from outside the housing. The multi-service terminals also each include an optical power splitter or wave division multiplexer for splitting an optical signal and directing the split signal to the plug-receiving distribution ports. Some of the multi-service terminals provide a different power split ratio from others of the multi-service terminals.
US09739944B1
A pluggable transceiver is provided that may receive an electrical signal from a host device, convert the optical signal into an optical signal, and transmit the converted optical signal to one or more external cables. In one aspect, a pluggable transceiver may include a first transceiver connector for connecting to a host device, an optical module for converting an electrical signal to an optical signal and vice versa, and a second transceiver connector for transmitting the optical signal to external cables or devices.
US09739943B2
A rectangular optical waveguide, an optical phase shifter and an optical modulator each formed of a semiconductor layer are formed on an insulating film constituting an SOI wafer, and then a rear insulating film formed on a rear surface of the SOI wafer is removed. Moreover, a plurality of trenches each having a first depth from an upper surface of the insulating film are formed at a position not overlapping with the rectangular optical waveguide, the optical phase shifter and the optical modulator when seen in a plan view in the insulating film. As a result, since an electric charge can be easily released from the SOI wafer even when the SOI wafer is later mounted on the electrostatic chuck included in the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, the electric charge is less likely to be accumulated on the rear surface of the SOI wafer.
US09739941B2
Disclosed herein are apparatuses that include a first layer that includes glass and a plurality of waveguides disposed in the glass; a second layer that includes a second layer polymer and a plurality of waveguides disposed in the second layer polymer; and a third layer that includes a third layer polymer and a plurality of waveguides disposed in the third layer polymer.
US09739939B1
Apparatuses and methods for photonic communication and photonic addressing are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a photonic source layer that provides a plurality of photonic sources, each at a different wavelength, a plurality of second layers, and a third layer. Each of the plurality of second layers may be associated with a respective wavelength, and each of the plurality of second layers may include photonic filters tuned to their respective wavelength, a photonic modulator, and a photonic detector. The third layer may include a plurality of photonic circuits, with each of the plurality of photonic circuits associated with a respective second layer of the plurality of second layers. Additionally, each of the plurality of photonic circuits may include a photonic filter tuned to a respective wavelength associated with a respective second layer, a photonic detector and a photonic modulator. Modulated and unmodulated photonic signals may be provided from the second layers to the third layer and from the third layer to the second layers, where the respective wavelengths of the photonic signals acts like an address for each of the plurality of second layers.
US09739937B2
The present invention discloses an elliptical cladding polarization-maintaining large-mode-area gain fiber, structurally comprising a core of the elliptical cladding polarization-maintaining large-mode-area gain fiber, an inner cladding, an elliptical stress layer, a first outer cladding, a second outer cladding and a third outer cladding, wherein the inner cladding surrounds the core; the elliptical stress layer surrounds the inner cladding, and has an elliptical cross-sectional shape; the first outer cladding surrounds the elliptical stress layer; the second outer cladding surrounds the first outer cladding; and the third outer cladding surrounds the second outer cladding. As the birefringence of the elliptical cladding polarization-maintaining fiber is directly proportional to the ellipticity and the deposition of a stress-applying area occurs during the preform rod forming process, procedures of preform drilling and the like are eliminated, and the likelihood of preform contamination is greatly reduced. The optical loss and strength of the fiber can hence be improved, and the entire manufacturing process is simplified. Furthermore, the birefringence and the pump absorption of the fiber can also be improved.
US09739936B2
A low-loss few-mode fiber relates to the technical field of optical communications and related sensing devices, and includes, from inside to outside, a core layer (1), a fluorine-doped quartz inner cladding (2), a fluorine-doped quartz second core layer (3), a fluorine-doped quartz depressed cladding (4) and a fluorine-doped quartz outer cladding (5); germanium element is not doped within the core layer (1), the refractive index of the core layer (1) is in gradient distribution, and the distribution is a power-exponent distribution; the maximum value of difference in relative refractive index between the core layer (1) and the fluorine-doped quartz inner cladding (2) is 0.3% to 0.9%; the relative refractive index difference of the fluorine-doped quartz inner cladding (2) with respect to synthetic quartz is −0.3% to −0.5%; the difference in relative refractive index between the fluorine-doped quartz second core layer (3) and the fluorine-doped quartz inner cladding (2) is 0.05% to 0.2%; the difference in relative refractive index between the fluorine-doped quartz depressed cladding (4) and the fluorine-doped quartz inner cladding (2) is −0.1% to −0.5%; the relative refractive index difference of the fluorine-doped quartz outer cladding (5) with respect to synthetic quartz is −0.3% to −0.5%. The transmission loss of optical signals of the linear polarization modes that are supported by the few-mode fiber and the relay cost are reduced.
US09739935B2
An optical fiber includes a core, and a clad surrounding an outer circumference of the core, in which a first relative refractive index difference Δ1a is greater than 0, a second relative refractive index difference Δ1b is greater than 0, the first relative refractive index difference Δ1a is greater than the second relative refractive index difference Δ1b, the first relative refractive index difference Δ1a and the second relative refractive index difference Δ1b satisfy a relationship denoted by the following expression: 0.20≦(Δ1a−Δ1b)/Δ1a≦0.88, and a refractive index profile Δ of the core in an entire region of a section of 0≦r≦r1 as a function Δ(r) of a distance r from a center of the core in the radial direction is denoted by the following expression: Δ(r)=Δ1a−(Δ1a−Δ1b)r/r1.
US09739928B2
A directional backlight may include a light guiding apparatus including at least one transparent optical waveguide for providing large area collimated illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide is arranged in a first part and a second part with a light injection aperture between the respective parts. Such controlled illumination may provide for efficient, multi-user autostereoscopic displays as well as improved 2D display functionality including high brightness displays and high display efficiency.
US09739927B2
Provided are a light source device capable of effectively coping with a luminance change in a light guide plate caused by a variation in an interval between a light source and the light guide plate at a low cost, and a display apparatus. A light source device which includes a light guide plate for emitting light made incident on one side surface from one surface thereof, is configured so as to, for the luminance change due to a change in an interval between a light source disposed on the one side surface side of the light guide plate and the light guide plate, previously increase only an average luminance of the light source side (one side surface side) in which an influence of the luminance change is largest.
US09739910B2
A polarizing plate includes: a polyvinyl alcohol-based polarizer; and transparent protective films provided on both surfaces of the polyvinyl alcohol-based polarizer with an adhesive layer interposed between each of the transparent protective films and the polyvinyl alcohol-based polarizer. A first transparent protective film contains a (meth)acrylic resin and an ultraviolet absorber, the (meth)acrylic resin having an unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester unit and a glutarimide unit represented by the general formula (1), having an imidization ratio of 2.5 to 5.0% and an acid value of 0.10 to 0.50 mmol/g, and having an acrylic ester unit of less than 1% by weight. A second transparent protective film contains a cycloolefin-based resin. R1 and R2 each independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl group; and R3 represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group.
US09739899B1
A method of verifying the operational status of a neutron detecting device includes at least partially enclosing a neutron detecting device including a neutron detector in a container having outer walls comprising a thermal neutron absorber material, and determining an attenuated neutron count rate of the neutron detecting device. The method then includes removing the neutron detecting device from the container, exposing the neutron detecting device to neutron radiation originating from cosmic ray background, determining an operational neutron count rate of the neutron detecting device, determining a ratio between the operational neutron count rate and the attenuated neutron count rate, and verifying the operational status of the neutron detecting device if the operational neutron count rate is higher than the attenuated neutron count rate by at least a predetermined amount and the ratio is in a predetermined range.
US09739896B2
Described is a scintillator screen that includes a supporting layer having a phosphor dispersed in a polymeric binder disposed on the supporting layer and a barrier layer disposed on the polymeric binder. The barrier layer includes a non-moisture absorbing polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, cellulose diacetate, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyvinyl butyraldehyde. The barrier layer has a thickness of less than 1 micron. An antistatic layer is disposed on the barrier layer. The antistatic layer includes poly(3,4-ethylenedixythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) dispersed in a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyester and a polyurethane. The antistatic layer has a transparency of greater than 95 percent at a wavelength of from about 400 nm to 600 nm.
US09739890B2
A GPS receiver includes an RF front end for acquiring and tracking a satellite signal and a baseband processor configured to preserve power. The baseband processor includes a GPS engine configured to process the satellite signal and generate a PVT fix, a power supervisory module for receiving the PVT fix, and a user state module that determines an environmental state, wherein the power supervisory module may power down the GPS receiver for a period of time based on a result of the determined environment state. The baseband processor also includes a time-based management module that adjusts the TCXO in response to the determined environmental state. The GPS receiver includes a plurality of operation modes, each of which is associated with a plurality of tracking profiles.
US09739886B2
A method for measuring and registering 3D coordinates has a 3D scanner measure a first collection of 3D coordinates of points from a first registration position. A 2D scanner collects horizontal 2D scan sets as 3D measuring device moves from first to second registration positions. A processor determines first and second translation values and a first rotation value based on collected 2D scan sets. 3D scanner measures a second collection of 3D coordinates of points from second registration position. Processor adjusts second collection of points relative to first collection of points based at least in part on first and second translation values and first rotation value. Processor identifies a correspondence among registration targets in first and second collection of 3D coordinates, and uses this correspondence to further adjust the relative position and orientation of first and second collection of 3D coordinates.
US09739877B2
For determining the topology of a bulk material surface, a series of echo curves are detected in different primary radiation directions of the antenna. Subsequently, for each distance cell of the echo curves, the maximum of all of the echo curves is determined and the distance thereof is plotted as a function of the coordinates thereof so as to obtain an image of the topology of the bulk material surface in two or three dimensions.
US09739873B2
A system, apparatus, and method for receiving a signal. In one implementation, the system includes a receiver, a correlator, and a range sidelobe envelope generator. The receiver receives the signal. The correlator compresses the signal with a reference signal. The range sidelobe envelope generator generates a range sidelobe envelope function based on the compressed signal.
US09739867B2
A method enables automatic determination that an area covered by an Access Point (AP) of a Wi-Fi Radio Access Network (RAN) overlaps with a cell of a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) RAN. The method comprises, at an entity of the Wi-Fi RAN, obtaining a 3GPP identifier related to a user terminal that is attached to the Wi-Fi RAN and an identifier for an AP of the Wi-Fi RAN to which the terminal is attached. The method further comprises, at the entity, generating and sending a Location Service Request including the 3GPP identifier to a Location Services (LCS) Server associated with the 3GPP RAN, receiving a Location Service Response from the LCS Server that includes information identifying a cell of the 3GPP RAN in which the user terminal is located, and causing storage of an association between the identified Wi-Fi AP and the identified 3GPP cell.
US09739860B2
An imaging system includes an imager adapted to obtain an image of a desired region of interest of a subject and a coil positioned on the desired region of interest of the subject. The coil includes a plurality of markings disposed at a plurality of locations on the coil. The imaging system also includes a position indication device having a user interface adapted to receive input from a user indicating which of the plurality of markings corresponds to a desired scan plane of the subject.
US09739859B2
A method and control device operate a magnetic resonance system in order to execute a first pulse sequence that includes an excitation phase and an acquisition phase. In the excitation phase, a first gradient is applied in a gradient direction to generate a spatially dependent basic magnetic field. A selective radio-frequency excitation pulse is executed, wherein the selective radio-frequency excitation pulse excites a first material and does not excite a second material in a first partial region of an examination volume, and wherein the selective radio-frequency excitation pulse does not excite the first material and excites the second material in a second partial region of the examination volume. In the acquisition phase, non-selective refocusing pulses are executed in order to acquire raw data of the first and second partial region of the examination volume, which acquisition is spatially coded along the gradient direction.
US09739840B2
A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
US09739836B2
The disclosure describes a battery management system, a battery module, a battery system and a motor vehicle. In order to be able to reliably exchange battery modules, the battery module is provided with a data memory, and the battery management system is provided with a control apparatus, which can be connected to the data memory so as to transmit data, and with a bridging switch, wherein the control apparatus closes the bridging switch on the basis of the data in the data memory and therefore bridges the battery module.
US09739827B1
A mixed signal testing system capable of testing differently configured units under test (UUT) includes a controller, a test station and an interface system that support multiple UUTs. The test station includes independent sets of channels configured to send signals to and receive signals from each UUT being tested and signal processing subsystems that direct stimulus signals to a respective set of channels and receive signals in response thereto. The signal processing subsystems enable simultaneous and independent directing of stimulus signals through the sets of channels to each UUT and reception of signals from each UUT in response to the stimulus signals. Received signals responsive to stimulus signals provided to a fully functional UUT (with and without induced faults) are used to assess presence or absence of faults in the UUT being tested which may be determined to include one or more faults or be fault-free, i.e., fully functional.
US09739810B2
Disclosed are methods and circuits to measure independently of duty cycles a pulsed current of a pass transistor of a switched circuit. Methods and circuits of one embodiment may be applied to precisely operate DC-to-DC converters such as buck converters in the most efficient operation modes. Another embodiment can be used to measure the pulsed current independently of duty cycle over a wide range of current values.
US09739794B2
A sample injector for injecting a fluid into a fluidic path, wherein the sample injector comprises a robot arm configured for moving an injection needle, when being connected to the robot arm, between a fluid container containing the fluid and a seat in fluid communication with the fluidic path, the needle configured for aspirating the fluid from the fluid container, when the needle has been moved to the fluid container, and for injecting aspirated fluid into the fluidic path, when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and the seat configured for accommodating the needle and providing fluid communication with the fluidic path, wherein the robot arm is configured for selectively disconnecting the needle from the robot arm when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and wherein the robot arm is configured for performing a further task while the needle is disconnected from the robot arm.
US09739791B2
A method for predicting myocardial damage in a subject having or at risk of cardiac disease includes determining a level of apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI) and a level of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the subject and comparing the determined levels of ApoAI and CoQ10 to control levels.
US09739787B2
The method for diagnosing sleep apnea includes measuring concentrations of biomarkers in a patient's bodily sample. To determine whether a patient suffers from sleep apnea, or has a predisposition for developing sleep apnea, a sample from the patient is analyzed. If one or more of the following biomarker concentrations are found in the patient's sample, then the patient may be diagnosed as suffering from sleep apnea or having a predisposition for developing sleep apnea: between approximately 992.8 pg/mL and approximately 1309.6 pg/mL of adipsin; between approximately 1,640 pg/mL and approximately 2,900 pg/mL of betatrophin; between approximately 8,090.82 pg/mL and approximately 11,829.07 pg/mL of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); between approximately 11.82 pg/mL and approximately 88.26 pg/mL of interleukin-13 (IL-13); between approximately 49.45 pg/mL and approximately 103.29 pg/mL of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); and between approximately 16.55 pg/mL and approximately 29.76 pg/mL of the protein encoded by Human DNAJC27.
US09739776B2
This invention relates to novel rationale and methods for identifying human and primate taste-specific genes, including genes involved in salty taste perception, especially human salty taste perception, but also genes involved in sweet, bitter, umami, and sour taste perception, and genes involved in other taste cell or taste receptor related activities such as digestive function and digestive related diseases, taste cell turnover, immunoregulation of the oral and digestive tract, and metabolic regulation such as in diabetes and obesity, the genes identified using these methods, and assays for identifying taste modulators (enhancers or blockers) and potential therapeutics using these genes. These compounds have potential application in modulating (enhancing or blocking) taste perception, especially salty taste perception and as potential therapeutics. In addition, this invention relates to novel methods for identifying taste-specific genes that can be used as markers for different taste cell types, including sweet, bitter, umami, sour, salty, and other taste cells in mammals as well as assays that measure the activity of the sweet, bitter, umami, or sour receptor in the presence of these genes to identify modulators of sweet, bitter, umami, and sour taste and to identify therapeutics especially for treating digestive or metabolic disorders, taste loss, and oral infections. Particularly, the genes identified herein and antibodies or oligos thereto can be used as markers to identify and/or purify specific taste cells e.g., from taste cell suspensions by use of FACS or magnetic bead cell selection or other known cell purification and isolation procedures.
US09739770B2
Systems and methods are provided for detecting one or more particles such as individual unlabeled molecules or single nanoparticles. In examples described herein, optical energy is introduced into a microtoroid or other microcavity to generate an evanescent field. The microcavity has a functionalized outer surface that has been functionalized with a chemically or biologically active substance such as an antibody, antigen or protein. An indication of a particle bound to the functionalized outer surface of the microcavity is then detected based on a reactive interaction between the particle and the evanescent field while using frequency locking, balanced detection and various filtering techniques. The frequency locking, balanced detection and filtering techniques reduce the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the detection system so that single nanoparticles (e.g. 2.5 nanometers (nm) in radius) and individual molecules (e.g. 15.5 kilo-Dalton (kDa) in size) can be detected in aqueous solution in some examples.
US09739758B2
Improved gas leak detection from moving platforms is provided. Automatic horizontal spatial scale analysis can be performed in order to distinguish a leak from background levels of the measured gas. Source identification can be provided by using isotopic ratios and/or chemical tracers to distinguish gas leaks from other sources of the measured gas. Multi-point measurements combined with spatial analysis of the multi-point measurement results can provide leak source distance estimates. Qualitative source identification is provided. These methods can be practiced individually or in any combination.
US09739757B2
Described herein are condition change labels, methods of forming them, and methods of using them. Generally, condition change labels include a first layer including a blister laminated to a first side of a bottom layer thereby creating a container; an indicator substance located in the container; and an adhesive disposed on at least a portion of a second side of the bottom layer, wherein the condition change label has a stiffness less than about 0.06 mN•m.
US09739746B1
An analyte sensor and a method for making the analyte sensor are disclosed. The analyte sensor includes a crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer having a methacrylate-derived backbone and a side chain having a negatively charged group. The copolymer can include an embedded analyte sensing component, and can be adjacent to a surface of an electrode, or be adjacent to a sensing membrane that that has an embedded analyte sensing component and is adjacent to a surface of an electrode. The sensing membrane can have a crosslinked network of crosslinked proteins.
US09739741B2
The present invention is directed to tube-in-a-tube electronic materials and electronic chemical sensors comprising tube-in-a-tube configurations such as covalently functionalized double-walled carbon nanotubes.
US09739736B2
An HF olefin/isoparaffin alkylation process is carried out in an alkylation unit with a settling vessel in which the alkylate product is separated from the HF acid catalyst containing water and acid soluble oil (ASO). The density of the liquids in the settling vessel is measured at different levels by means of a nuclear density profile analyzer. The acid strength of the acid phase is determined from the density measurement and an optional temperature measurement. The proportion of water in the acid phase may also be measured separately by measurement of its electrical conductivity to determine the respective contributions of the water and the ASO to the density of the HF acid phase.
US09739727B2
An alignment system for aligning apertures in an X-ray backscatter system is provided. Additionally, a method for aligning apertures in an X-ray backscatter system is provided. Further, a computer-readable storage device including computer-executable instructions for aligning apertures in an X-ray backscatter system is provided.
US09739715B2
A method of setting a laser-light intensity value includes: emitting laser light, the laser light being excitation light, a fluorescent-dyed biological sample being irradiated with the excitation light and emitting light; detecting fluorescence emitted by the biological sample, and outputting a signal corresponding to a brightness value; prestoring relation information, the relation information including the plurality of laser-light intensity values, and information on at least one possible correlation between a phototoxicity degree and the brightness value in relation to each of the laser-light intensity values, the phototoxicity to the biological sample resulting from the laser light; generating a fluorescence image having the brightness value based on the output signal; calculating a brightness value representative of a ROI area based on the generated fluorescence image; and referring to the relation information, and determining a laser-light intensity value satisfying tolerance of the phototoxicity based on the calculated representative brightness value.
US09739710B2
A sensor having a substrate is provided in which structures are disposed on a surface of the substrate. The structures can be, e.g., nanostructures. Polarized light is directed toward the sensor, and birefringence of the structures with respect to the light is measured. Target particles that interact with the structures are detected based on changes in the measured birefringence.
US09739709B2
A chip-scale, reusable sensor can detect aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), rapidly in water without sample preparation. The device is capable of real-time, continuous monitoring for BTEX solutes, which diffuse into a film, such as a polymer, on the sensors surface. In operation, BTEX analytes concentrate in the film, causing an increase in refractive index, which modulates evanescent coupling into the chips integrated photodetector array. Integration of the photodetector array simplifies system instrumentation and permits incorporation of an on-chip photocurrent reference region in the immediate vicinity of the sensing region, reducing drift due to temperature fluctuations. In some examples, the chip responds linearly for BTEX concentrations between 1 ppm and 30 ppm, with a limit of detection of 359 ppb, 249 ppb, and 103 ppb for benzene, toluene, and xylene in water, respectively.
US09739708B2
Described herein is a spectroscopic system and method for measuring and monitoring the chemical composition and/or impurity content of a sample or sample stream using absorption light spectroscopy. Specifically, in certain embodiments, this invention relates to the use of sample pressure variation to alter the magnitude of the absorption spectrum (e.g., wavelength-dependent signal) received for the sample, thereby obviating the need for a reference or ‘zero’ sample. Rather than use a reference or ‘zero’ sample, embodiments described herein obtain a spectrum/signal from a sample-containing cell at both a first pressure and a second (different) pressure.
US09739697B2
A drop impact tester comprises a holder configured to hold a test piece and release the test piece such that the test piece drops in freefall; an impact surface disposed under the holder such that the test piece dropped from the holder hits the impact surface; and a drop angle measurement device configured to measure a drop angle which is a value correlated with an angle between a major surface of the dropped test piece and a reference plane. The tester further comprises an impact measurement device configured to move the impact surface from its first posing state to its second posing state to adjust an angle of the impact surface with respect to the reference plane based on the drop angle. The impact measurement device is configured to measure a drop impact applied to the impact surface by the dropped test piece or another test piece.
US09739690B2
A tire testing machine includes a tire and wheel assembly having a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the tire and wheel assembly as it rotates on a rotating element. A holder supports the tire and wheel assembly. A processor is configured to receive an input at least based on the output signal from the sensor, and provide an output signal indicative of a parameter of a contact patch between a tire of the tire and wheel assembly and the rotating element. Controlled element(s) are configured to vary a parameter related to the contact patch and/or friction.
US09739683B2
The present invention relates to a device for inspecting a canister for a vehicle, the device including: an inspection unit fixing a canister and inspecting airtightness of the canister using pressure of air supplied from an external supply source; a control unit controlling the pressure of the air and showing inspection process and result by the canister; and an alarm unit providing least any one of a voice and light warning in cooperation with the control unit in an inspection process when a defect of canister is detected.
US09739677B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a differential pressure transducer that comprises first and second diaphragms of different configurations, i.e., different diameters and/or thicknesses. The pressure transducer provides more versatility over prior art designs as the diaphragms can be of different configurations yet still maintain substantially similar back pressures. Therefore, the errors commonly associated with back pressures are eliminated because the back pressures from the diaphragms ultimately cancel out in the sensor's differential pressure measurement.
US09739673B2
In an embodiment, a sensor substrate includes a first end, a second end, and a body. The body contains provisions for accommodating one or more sense elements. The first end and the second end contain attachment points for attaching the sensor substrate to a shaft. In addition, the first end and the second end include curved portions. For a particular end, a spacing of the attachment points and/or a depth of the curved portion may define, in part, a flexibility of the end. This flexibility may be used to control a sensitivity of the sense elements.
US09739668B2
A testing device (30) is provided for use with a wireless power transmitter device (20) having a wireless power transmitter coil (24). The testing device (30) has a housing (50), the housing having a bottom side (53) adapted for placement on a surface (25) of the wireless power transmitter device (20), and a top side (54) opposite to the bottom side (53). A wireless power receiver coil (34) is provided in the housing. The testing device (30) also has thermo sensory means (31) and an interface (33) to provide measurement data from the thermo sensory means (31). The thermo sensory means (31) includes at least a first temperature sensor (55) adapted to measure a temperature at a first position inside the housing (50), and a second temperature sensor (56) adapted to measure a temperature at a second position external to the housing (50).
US09739665B2
A covering cap, in particular for placing on a skin analyzer, contains an end wall bounded by a circumferential edge, and a circumferential wall adjoining the circumferential edge of the end wall. At least one part of the covering cap has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the circumferential wall in a portion of the circumferential wall that lies in the region or end of the circumferential wall remote from the end wall. The end wall is of a gas-permeable configuration.
US09739656B2
In a dynamic scale and a weighing method therefor, an object to be weighed is received on a weighing unit of the dynamic scale and weight information of the object on the weighing unit is detected by the weighing unit. The weight information includes a number of items of weight information, which are supplied to a processor, and a derived weight value is determined in the processor by evaluation of a predetermined number of the items of weight information, and a quality value for the derived weight value is also determined in the processor by evaluation of the predetermined number of items of weight information. Depending on the quality value, it is established, in the processor, that the derived weight value is a valid weight value and, when it is established that the derived weight value is a valid weight value, the weighing unit is then fed with a new object.
US09739655B2
The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing a self-validating mass flow controller or mass flow meter. For example, in one embodiment, a self-validating mass flow controller is disclosed that does not require any software modification to a tool/tool controller in which the mass flow controller is being utilized. In other embodiments, a self-validating mass flow controller is disclosed that does not require any hardware or mechanical changes to an existing mass flow controller. Still, the disclosed embodiments further include a self-validating mass flow controller that is configured to determine valve leak and sensor offset simultaneously for performing real time in-situ correction of a mass flow controller's output for zero offset or zero drift in the presence of valve leak.
US09739651B1
A flow meter for measuring fluid flow in a tubular that includes an obstruction suspended in a path of the fluid flow, and where the obstruction has a conical shape. The obstruction can be conically shaped on its upstream and downstream ends, or can be conically shaped only on its upstream end. When only the upstream end is conically shaped, the downstream end can be substantially planar or shaped like a hemisphere. Optionally, the aspect ratio of the obstruction can be changed by manipulating supports that suspend the obstruction within the flow meter.
US09739649B2
A method for increasing a reliability of a transducer is provided. The transducer has a first and a second IC, wherein the two ICs each have substantially the same monolithically integrated circuit components with one sensor apiece, and a signal contact for bidirectional data transmission. A reference contact on each of the two ICs is connected to or disconnected from the signal contact by a controllable switch, and a signal generated as a function of the physical quantity sensed by the relevant sensor is applied to the signal contact. The two ICs are integrated into a common IC package, and a supply voltage contact of the first IC is connected to a first package contact, and the first package contact is connected to a first terminal of a control unit, and the supply voltage contact of the second IC is connected to a second package contact.
US09739648B2
The dial structure includes a dial base having an optical transparency, on which a carbon pattern is formed, and an uneven portion formed on a front surface of the dial base. The uneven portion has a convex and concave form representing a convex and concave form of the carbon pattern. A background print layer is formed on a back surface of the dial base excluding a portion to be an indicator portion, and has a color tone of the carbon pattern.
US09739645B2
A method of distributed fiber optic sensing is described in which an optical fiber (104) is interrogated with electromagnetic radiation; back-scattered radiation is detected; and the returns are processed to provide a measurement signal (310) for each of a plurality of longitudinal sensing portions of the optical fiber. The method comprises analyzing the measurement signals of a first subset of longitudinal sensing portions to provide a first zone (306a) having a first sensing function and analyzing the measurement signals of at least a second subset of longitudinal sensing portions to provide at least a second zone (306b) having a second, different, sensing function. The different sensing functions may include detecting different events of interest. In some embodiments the geometry of the fiber may provide different sensing zones (406a, 406b).
US09739639B2
A rotation angle detection device includes a lever, a cylindrical part, a magnet, and a magnetic sensing element. The lever includes a base and a shaft projecting in the direction of the rotation axis of the base and integrated with the base. The cylindrical part has a first end close to or in contact with the base, and a second end opposite to the first end and farther from the base than the first end. The shaft is inserted in the cylindrical part and is rotatably supported by the cylindrical part. The magnet is attached to the end of the shaft. The magnetic sensing element faces the magnet with a predetermined gap therebetween.
US09739636B2
A calibration device to calibrate precise horizontality of a light emitting element includes a retaining rack, a microprocessor, a regulating member, two driven members, and two photo sensing members. The regulating member drives the light emitting element, the two driven members are on the retaining rack, and the microprocessor controls the driven members to move linearly. The photo sensing members detect light transmitted and data as to the vertical distance between two driven members, and vertical distance between the photo sensing member and the two driven members, is stored. The microprocessor calculates the moving distance of the photo sensing members carried by the driven members based on the signals of light detected, and further calculates declination of the light emitting element. The microprocessor can adjust the orientation of light emitting element.
US09739632B2
A method of providing information relating to a path being travelled using a navigation apparatus, involves displaying a path bar including a linear representation of at least a portion of a path to be travelled using a navigation apparatus. The linear representation of the portion of the path is scrollable in the display window by a user to reveal a linear representation of another portion of the path. The method may involve automatically increasing a scale of the linear representation of the path displayed as a given location represented along the path is approached, wherein the location is a location of a safety camera or event affecting traffic flow along the path.
US09739625B2
An information processing apparatus for operating a vehicle, when the vehicle is running, and an application is instructed through voice. An in-running operation acceptance/denial list is produced, i.e., a list of words meaning an operation to be inhibited from being executed during the time when the vehicle is running. A command acceptance/denial executing portion of the onboard apparatus determines if the command corresponding to the content, which a user speaks, can be operated or not, during the time when the vehicle is running, by referring this list and a title of the command operable through voices included in the application, and when the vehicle is running, an execution of that command is instructed to an application controller portion, if being determined operable, by referring to a running condition of the vehicle, and if being determined inoperable, the execution of that command is not instructed to the application controller portion.
US09739617B2
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: determining a navigation distance based on comparing a current location and a guidance point; determining a connection mode based on comparing a mode threshold distance and the navigation distance; detecting a communication initiation information for initiating a communication session; and generating a guidance notification with a control unit based on detecting the communication initiation information during the connection mode representing the mode threshold distance meeting or exceeding the navigation distance for presenting on a device.
US09739615B2
For autonomous data evacuation, a compartment is motivated by a propulsion device. A navigation module guides the compartment to a disaster recovery target using the propulsion device in response to an evacuation signal. At least a portion of the navigation module comprises one or more of hardware and executable code, the executable code stored on one or more computer readable storage media.
US09739614B2
A fiber-optic measurement device (10) includes a SAGNAC ring interferometer (20) having a proper frequency fp, a detector (14) and a modulation chain (30) generating a phase-shift modulation φm(t) between the two counter-propagating waves (24, 25) propagating in the ring interferometer. The device aims to reduce measurement faults due to the linearity defects in the modulation chain of such a measurement device with optical fiber. For this reason, the fiber-optic measurement device reduces the amplitude of the phase-shift modulation φm(t) which is the sum of a first biasing phase-shift modulation component φb1(t) and a first counter-reaction phase-shift modulation component φcr1(t), the phase-shift modulation φm(t) falling or rising by twice the amplitude of the first biasing phase-shift modulation component φb1(t). A rate gyro including such a measurement device and an inertial stabilization or navigation unit including at least one such rate gyro are also described.
US09739613B2
An integrated MEMS structure includes a driving assembly anchored to a substrate and actuated with a driving movement. A pair of sensing masses suspended above the substrate and coupled to the driving assembly via elastic elements is fixed in the driving movement and performs a movement along a first direction of detection, in response to an external stress. A coupling assembly couples the pair of sensing masses mechanically to couple the vibration modes. The coupling assembly is formed by a rigid element, which connects the sensing masses and has a point of constraint in an intermediate position between the sensing masses, and elastic coupling elements for coupling the rigid element to the sensing masses to present a first stiffness to a movement in phase-opposition and a second stiffness, greater than the first, to a movement in phase, of the sensing masses along the direction of detection.
US09739612B2
A MEMS type inertial sensor comprising a support structure having at least a first seismic body and a second seismic body connected thereto by resilient means in order to be movable in a suspension plane, transducers for maintaining the seismic bodies in vibration and for determining movements of the seismic bodies in the suspension plane, and a control unit connected to the transducers by electrical conductor means. The transducers comprise at least one electrode secured to the first seismic body and at least one electrode secured to the second seismic body, the two electrodes being arranged to enable relative movements of the seismic bodies relative to each other in the suspension plane to be measured directly.
US09739609B1
Techniques to determine a distance associated with a surface using time-of-flight (ToF) of pulses of light occurring at a predetermined frequency. A ToF camera may include a light emitter that emits light according to one or more phase delays relative to the configured of a first storage device of multiple storage devices of the ToF camera to receive light, convert to current, and store a charge corresponding to current. For instance, a light emitter may emit pulses at a 0° phase delay (i.e., simultaneously with the opening of the first storage device), a 90° phase delay, a 180° phase delay, and a 270° phase delay. Light captured and stored as energy in the storage devices may be then be analyzed to estimate a distance to a surface of an object in an environment. After estimating a distance between the ToF camera and a surface, the ToF camera may optimize its phase delay to reduce the error associated with a subsequent distance measurement.
US09739599B2
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor environments are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing a first depth value corresponding to a coordinate of an object of an image captured by a depth sensor, the first depth value having been captured with the depth sensor positioned at a first angle relative to a reference axis; moving the depth sensor to a second angle relative to the reference axis, the second angle being different than the first angle; triggering capture of a second depth value at the coordinate with the depth sensor positioned at the second angle; and calculating a depth gradient for the coordinate based on the first and second depth values.
US09739588B1
A book alignment device engages a back side of objects that are misaligned on a plane and applies a transverse force against the back side of the objects to align the objects on the plane. The device aligns the separate, misaligned objects into a single aligned set of objects. In this manner, the objects are not only aligned, but compacted into a stronger, unitary configuration that forms a single set of objects. An alignment rod forms an elongated member having a substantially straight configuration and a pair of free ends. The alignment rod engages a back side of the objects to pull them forward into alignment. A pair of lateral bars extend from the free ends of the alignment rod. The lateral bars have a distal end that perpendicularly joins the free ends of the alignment rod, and a proximal end that enables manipulation of the alignment rod.
US09739578B1
Ammunition for a conductive energy weapon. A receptacle includes a cavity accessible through each of a first opening in a first face of the receptacle, a second opening in the first face of the receptacle, a third opening in a second face of the receptacle and a fourth opening in a third face of the receptacle. A propellant unit is included within the cavity proximate the second opening and a projectile is included within the cavity proximate the second opening. A housing is coupled to at least the second face and the third face of the receptacle and is further configured to couple to the conductive energy weapon. The propellant unit releases a propellant into the cavity, in a direction substantially opposite the projectile's direction of flight, in response to a trigger pull of the conductive energy weapon, and the cavity directs the propellant in the projectile's direction of flight.
US09739577B2
A device for launching fireworks, the device includes: a plastic plug and a locking base. The plastic plug includes: a resistance heating wire, a slot for accommodating the resistance heating wire, two metal conductors, two plate-like electrodes, and an upper clamping structure. The locking base includes: a lower clamping structure, two spring electrodes, and a circuit connecting socket. The top of the plastic plug is provided with the slot for accommodating the resistance heating wire. The resistance heating wire is fixed in the slot for accommodating the resistance heating wire and two ends of the resistance heating wire are electronically connected with one ends of the two metal conductors. The other ends of the two metal conductors are respectively electronically connected with the two plate-like electrodes and fixed at a bottom of the plastic plug. The bottom of the plastic plug is provided with the upper clamping structure.
US09739567B2
A rocket launch system includes a tubular rocket launcher carriage with electromotive cableway traction drives conveyed beneath a two axis pivot anchored to the earth, elevated into a co-axial transfer tube leading to three primary tether cables whose weight is offset by balloons. The carriage is conveyed to a docking station supported into the stratosphere by a pair of secondary cables suspended under an attachment frame for tensioning balloons. The carriage is engaged by a carriage end gripper guided by two sets of secondary cables and two sets of tertiary cables and lifted by a lower hoist guided by the secondary cables to a lift ring assembly. This lower hoist is supported by an upper hoist suspended from the tensioning balloons attachment frame. The carriage, which engages a lift ring guided by two secondary cables, is elevated further, rotated in azimuth and elevation, and rocket ejection occurs from a launch tube during freefall of the carriage, with engine ignition occurring at a safe distance. The carriages have traction drives which grip cables from which they derive power and rotate to drive the carriage from the low altitude to the high altitude. The traction drives rotate in the opposite direction as the carriage descends the cable following the launch of a rocket under gravitational force. The kinetic energy of the traction drive is converted to electrical energy which is fed back to the cables during descent of the carriage.
US09739564B2
An efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun includes a lower receiver having a trigger assembly. The efficient high-velocity compressed gas-powered gun includes an upper receiver having a gas distribution assembly and a bolt assembly configured to operate in response to actuation of the trigger assembly and configured to be operated by the gas distribution system. The bolt assembly has a first part and a second part that are separated by a small gap just prior to actuation of the trigger assembly, and become separated by a large gap, larger than the small gap, over a projectile-firing period of time immediately after the trigger assembly is actuated. The increase in the gap size is caused by movement of the second part in response to gas entering the small gap from the gas distribution assembly. The first part and the second part move together to cock the gun once they are separated by the large gap.
US09739560B1
A system for attaching an accessory to a firearm includes a muzzle device configured for attachment to the muzzle end of the firearm, the muzzle device having a first coarse-threaded engagement means and one of an annular grooved surface and a grooved surface engagement mechanism, and an adapter device. The adapter device includes an adapter having a forward portion including an accessory engagement means for receiving the accessory and a rearward portion having a second coarse-threaded engagement means formed on an inner surface of the adapter, a biasing mechanism received on the rearward portion, and a retainer ring received on the rearward portion adjacent to the biasing mechanism, the retainer ring having the other of the annular grooved surface and the grooved surface engagement mechanism. The male coarse-threaded engagement means and the female coarse-threaded engagement means cooperate to releasably secure the adapter device to the muzzle device.
US09739544B2
A surface treatment method for aluminum heat exchangers including (a) a step wherein a chemical conversion coating film is formed on the surface of an aluminum heat exchanger by subjecting the aluminum heat exchanger to chemical conversion using a chemical conversion agent; (b) a step wherein the aluminum heat exchanger, the surface of which has been provided with a chemical conversion coating film in step (a), is brought into contact with a hydrophilizing agent that contains a hydrophilic resin; and (c) a step wherein a hydrophilized coating film is formed on the surface of the aluminum heat exchanger by baking the aluminum heat exchanger, which has been subjected to a contact treatment in step (b). The chemical conversion agent used in step (a) contains zirconium and/or titanium in an amount of 5-5,000 ppm by mass in total, vanadium in an amount of 10-1,000 ppm by mass and a metal stabilizer in an amount of 5-5,000 ppm by mass. In addition, the chemical conversion agent used in step (a) has a pH of 2-6.
US09739542B2
A heat transfer plate comprises a first end area, a heat transfer area and a second end area along a longitudinal center axis of the plate which divides the plate into first and second halves delimited by first and second long sides respectively. The first end area comprises an inlet port hole, a distribution area and a transition area. The transition area adjoins the distribution area and the heat transfer area. The distribution area has a distribution pattern of projections and depressions, the transition area has a transition pattern of projections and depressions, and the heat transfer area has a heat transfer pattern of projections and depressions. An imaginary straight line extends between two end points of each transition projection with an angle relative to the longitudinal center axis. The angle varies between the transition projections and increases from the first long side to the second long side.
US09739529B2
A method and system for separating fluids in a distillation tower. The method may include feeding a stream to the distillation tower, wherein the stream includes carbon dioxide, reducing a carbon dioxide concentration of the stream received by the rectifier section by feeding a first cryogenic fluid to the controlled freeze zone section and accumulating rectifier section stream in at least one of a holding vessel and a sump of the rectifier section, and terminating reducing the carbon dioxide concentration when the carbon dioxide concentration of the stream travelling from the controlled freeze zone section to the rectifier section is less than or equal to a maximum carbon dioxide concentration. The first cryogenic fluid may comprise a substantially carbon-dioxide-free fluid.
US09739519B2
A refrigeration system includes a compressor having a first stage and a second stage; a heat rejecting heat exchanger including an inter-cooler and a gas cooler, the intercooler coupled to an outlet of the first stage and the gas cooler coupled to an outlet of the second stage; an unload valve coupled to an outlet of the intercooler and a suction port of the first stage; a flash tank coupled to an outlet of the gas cooler; a primary expansion device coupled to an outlet of the flash tank; a heat absorbing heat exchanger coupled to an outlet of the primary expansion device, an outlet of the heat absorbing heat exchanger coupled to the suction port of the first stage; and a controller for executing a startup process including controlling the unload valve to direct refrigerant from the intercooler to the suction port of the first stage.
US09739516B2
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a freezing compartment door opening or closing the freezing compartment, and an ice making device disposed on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door. The ice making device includes a case disposed on the freezing compartment door, an ice tray rotatably disposed inside the case, the ice tray making an ice therein, a knob exposed to the outside of the case, the knob being connected to a rotation shaft of the ice tray and rotated by being manipulated from the outside, and an elastic member disposed on the rotation shaft of the ice tray, the elastic member providing an elastic force into the ice tray so that the ice tray is rotated to an original position. Thus, a structure for rotating the ice tray may be simplified.
US09739509B2
A geo-energy production method for extracting thermal energy from a reservoir formation. A production well extracts brine from the reservoir formation. A plurality of working fluid injection (“WFI”) wells may be arranged proximate to the production well to at least partially circumscribe the production well. A plurality of brine production (“BP”) wells may be arranged in a vicinity of the WFI wells to at least partially circumscribe the WFI wells. A working fluid is injected into the WFI wells to help drive a flow of the brine up through the production and BP wells, together with at least a portion of the injected working fluid. Parasitic-load time-shifting and to storing of excess solar thermal energy may also be performed.
US09739508B2
An apparatus is provided having a heat generation device such as a boiler. A hypersonic energy harvester is provided having a first input and a second input. The first input and the second input are fluidly coupled to the heat generation device. A variable speed pump is fluidly coupled to supply liquid from the heat generation device to the hypersonic energy harvester. A deaerator is fluidly coupled to receive condensate from the hypersonic energy harvester.
US09739506B2
An solar energy harvester and method for controlling the solar energy harvester, in which an insolation collector is formed of one or more elements each having two opposite major sides, a first side and a second side, and being configured to collect energy from insolation incident on any of the first and second sides. A cradle enables installation of the insolation collector on a roof with the first side generally towards the sun independently of the form of the roof. One or more heliostats reflect insolation to the second side of the insolation collector. A controller controls the one or more heliostats to maintain reflected insolation incident on the collector and to decrease the reflected insolation incident on the collector when necessary to inhibit the insolation collector receiving insolation exceeding given threshold through its first and second sides.
US09739505B1
The invention is directed to a solar tracking apparatus that with permanent adjustment for latitude and pre-operation seasonal adjustment, when aimed at the Sun, will with rotation alone, track the Sun. The apparatus defines a permanently polar axis aligned shaft which rotates by the force of a weighted hydraulic timed drive continuously or intermittently at a rate simulating the apparent approximate fifteen degree per hour movement of the Sun across the sky. A two-ended carriage is fitted with a Fresnel lens or other solar concentrating or collecting element on one end and a targeted receiver is fitted to the other end. The carriage is adjustably mounted to about twenty three degrees either side of perpendicular to the polar aligned shaft thus focusing and concentrating the solar radiation on a receiving device, which stores the solar energy in the form of heat.
US09739497B2
An air conditioning system includes a cooling unit having a cooling coil and a fan, the cooling unit for cooling recirculated air from a return duct; a bypass duct providing an air pathway bypassing the cooling unit; a phase change material (PCM) module including a PCM and a PCM fan for drawing makeup air over the PCM; and a supply duct fluidly coupled to the cooling unit and the PCM module, the supply duct for supplying conditioned air to a space to be conditioned.
US09739493B2
A coaxial ventilator (20) exchanges atmosphere between parts of a building (22) that are at differing heights. The coaxial ventilator (20) includes an outer conduit (24) that extends from an upper end (42) thereof downward to a lower end (44) thereof. The outer conduit (24) surrounds an inner conduit (62) that extends substantially the entire length of the outer conduit (24). Both the outer and inner conduits (24, 62) are open at their respective upper ends (42, 66) and lower ends (44, 68). Temperatures of atmosphere both surrounding and within the outer conduit (24) and the inner conduit (62) induce an exchange of atmosphere between the coaxial ventilator (20) and surrounding atmosphere.
US09739487B2
A glow plug includes a cylindrical housing, a rod-shaped heater, a membrane portion, and a pressure sensor. The cylindrical housing extends along an axial direction. The rod-shaped heater extending along the axial direction is displaced along the axial direction and has one end portion disposed within the housing, and an other end portion which is exposed from the housing. The membrane portion connects together the heater and the housing and has a multi-layer construction which has a first layer and a second layer of which at least part is positioned nearer to the other end portion in the axial direction of the heater than the first layer. The pressure sensor measures a pressure within a combustion chamber in which the other end portion is disposed by making use of a displacement of the heater. A thickness of the second layer is larger than a thickness of the first layer.
US09739466B1
The stethoscope flashlight is a flashlight that is mounted on the tubing near the drum of the stethoscope. The stethoscope flashlight provides supplemental light during low ambient light situations (like night time visits) to provide the medical care giver to visually evaluate the patient and readily read the patient's chart without disturbing the patient. The stethoscope flashlight comprises a stethoscope, a tube mount, and a flashlight.
US09739465B1
A sconce box assembly for mounting sconces on walls of various wallboard thicknesses and shallow wall cavities with no disruption to the surrounding wall. The sconce box assembly includes an electrical box having a sidewall, a back wall, an electrical cavity, and wing bosses extending from the sidewall. First rotatable wings secured to the wing bosses are adapted for rotation between a retracted position, in which the rotatable wings are positioned inside the sidewall perimeter, and an extended position in which the rotatable wings are positioned outside the sidewall perimeter. Retracting the wings facilitates insertion of the electrical box through a hole in a wall. Extending the wings facilitates tightening the wings and clamping the electrical box to the wallboard. The invention contemplates at least one second rotatable wing that may be used optionally in place of the first rotatable wing in order to accommodate attachment to various thicknesses of wallboards.
US09739437B2
A vehicular lamp unit has a substrate, a light source having a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element disposed on the substrate, and an optical element having the light source attached thereto. The substrate is long in a first direction. The optical element radiates emitted light of the first and second light-emitting elements toward a front of the vehicular lamp unit, with a desired light distribution. A reference portion serving as a positioning reference for the optical element is provided in a part of the substrate. The first and second light-emitting elements are arranged in the first direction. The first light-emitting element illuminates an area having high light intensity of the light distribution. The second light-emitting element illuminates an area having low light intensity of the light distribution. The first light-emitting element is mounted at a position closer to the reference portion in the first direction than the second light-emitting element.
US09739431B2
Apparatus and associated methods relate to modular series-connectable LED light strings having an input connector and an output connector for electrically communicating power and a control signal, an input control signal being actively level-shifted to a level suitable to a first lighting element of the LED light string. In an illustrative embodiment, the LED light string may have a plurality of series connected lighting elements that generate a series of intermediate supply voltage levels. In some embodiments, the active level shifter may bias the input control signal between an DC voltage level applied to a positive supply pin of the first lighting element and the intermediate supply voltage level generated at the connection of a negative supply pin of the first lighting element and the positive supply pin of the second lighting element. In some embodiments, active level-shifting may advantageously restore the proper bias for a series connected light string.
US09739430B2
Certain embodiments are directed to a lighting device comprising one or more of the following: a plurality of LEDs; a plurality of optic devices corresponding to the plurality of LEDs; at least one optical separator for substantially preventing the light emitted from one LED from effecting the other LEDs; a thermoelectric device configured to harvest heat generated by the LEDs and convert the harvested heat into electrical energy; and a low temperature material for creating a temperature difference across the thermoelectric device.
US09739423B2
The present disclosure relates to improved processes for the preparation of metal hydrides. The present disclosure also relates to metal hydrides, e.g., metal hydrides prepared by the processes described herein, that exhibit enhanced hydrogen storage capacity when used as hydrogen storage systems.
US09739421B2
Hydrogen energy systems for obtaining hydrogen gas from a solid storage medium using controlled laser beams. Also disclosed are systems for charging/recharging magnesium with hydrogen to obtain magnesium hydride. Other relatively safe systems assisting storage, transport and use (as in vehicles) of such solid storage mediums are disclosed.
US09739412B2
A method of extending a life expectancy of a high-temperature piping, includes removing a heat insulation material which covers the piping having a high creep rupture risk, and lowering an outer surface temperature of piping, wherein a width of an exposed portion obtained is twice or more a distance from a peeled-off end portion of the exposed portion to a portion where a compressive stress is asymptotical to 0 after a change in stress between a tensile stress and the compressive stress occurring in the piping due to the removal of the heat insulation material is made from the tensile stress to the compressive stress, and the distance is calculated based on the following formulae, βx=5, β = 3 ( 1 - v 2 ) a 2 h 2 4 here, ν is a Poisson's ratio, a is an average radius of the piping, and h is a plate thickness of the piping.
US09739409B2
A pipe replacement system and method are shown. Configurations are shown that include a pulley that does not damage a bursting tool, as the bursting tool is pulled into a pit. Configurations are also shown that include a boom that does not need an extraction cage for the bursting tool.
US09739406B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism may include a connection section including a first opening, an inner flange, and an outer flange, wherein the connection section is configured to connect to a first pipe, a sleeve portion including a second opening and configured to connect to a second pipe, and a channel extending through the coupling mechanism between the first opening and the second opening, wherein the first opening is angled relative to the second opening, wherein the inner flange includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the inner flange includes a width larger than a width of the second end of the inner flange.
US09739400B2
A coupling including a tubular body with two ends of the body each including a portion of internal threading for joining to a tubular element, and a central portion separating the two ends each including a portion of threading and having a wall thickness greater than the wall thickness of the ends of the body. The coupling includes an extension segment that extends from one of the ends of the tubular body, after the portion of internal threading, the extension segment having same outside diameter as that of the tubular body and an inside diameter greater than or equal to that of the portion of internal threading. Moreover, the extension segment includes a housing, including an opening onto an external surface of the coupling, in which an electronically responsive identification tag is housed.
US09739399B1
A hose holder system includes a rigid holder having a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section. A flexible sling movably couples with the substantially horizontal section and includes a first flap and a second flap. A hose couples with the rigid holder through the sling, the hose coupled between the first flap and second flap, the sling supporting a portion of the hose in a position substantially parallel with the substantially horizontal section of the rigid holder. A swiveling base is coupled with the rigid holder and includes an opening therethrough through which the hose passes substantially perpendicularly. In implementations the hose holder system is configured to allow the hose to contact no rigid element of the hose holder system between the opening and a dispenser during use. The hose may enter the sling at an about 90 degree angle and exit at an about 30-35 degree angle.
US09739381B2
A sealing disk mounting assembly for a regulator includes a mounting member adapted to be operatively attached to a tubular member of a control member assembly of a regulator, a disk holder operatively attached to the mounting member, and an annular sealing disk disposed in an annular channel that is formed between the mounting member and the disk holder. The annular sealing disk is mechanically retained between the mounting member and the disk holder by compressive forces.
US09739372B2
A drift control method for a machine that includes a controller, a cutting tool, a motor having a motor shaft for driving a machine function, a control valve, and an operator control for commanding a machine function. The drift control method includes sensing a neutral position of the operator control, and when in the neutral position, further storing a first position of the motor shaft or cutting tool in the controller, detecting a change in position of the motor shaft or cutting tool with a sensor, determining a direction as a function of the change in position, and hydraulically controlling the motor shaft or cutting tool to the first position.
US09739371B1
A method and system are provided for operating a lockup clutch of a torque converter of a motor vehicle. The torque converter includes a pump rotatably driven by a drive unit, a rotatable turbine fluidly coupled to the pump and configured to drive an input shaft of a transmission, and a lockup clutch selectively engageable to non-fluidically couple the pump to the turbine to transmit torque from the drive unit to the transmission. The operation of the lockup clutch is controlled by the system in response to detecting that the motor vehicle is coasting.
US09739368B2
A method for the safe operation of a drive of a motor vehicle, the drive being controlled by at least one control unit, including acceleration monitoring in which the allowability of an operating state of the drive results as a function of a comparison of an ascertained actual acceleration with an allowable acceleration, a fault response being initiated as a function of whether a braking request is present, if the comparison shows that an inadvertent acceleration is present.
US09739361B2
A vehicle steering column assembly includes a first shaft having a first shaft cavity extending from an end of the first shaft. Also included is a second shaft operatively coupled to the first shaft, the second shaft having a second shaft cavity disposed therein. Further included is a torsion bar disposed within the first shaft cavity and the second shaft cavity. Yet further included is a stop tooth extending from the first shaft. Also included is a worm gear defining a slot with a slot wall, a first portion of the slot wall configured to engage a first side of the stop tooth to define a first radial boundary of the worm gear, a second portion of the slot wall configured to engage a second side of the stop tooth to define a second radial boundary of the worm gear.
US09739344B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a chain that reduces warping of connecting pins and prevents local wear in the bushings and connecting pins without causing an increase in the chain weight. Provided is a chain 10 including a plurality of inner links 20 formed by inner plates 30 and bushings 40, and a plurality of outer links 50 formed by outer plates 60 and connecting pins 70, wherein the plate height of each of the inner plates 30 as measured along an imaginary line L1 passing through the center of a bushing hole 31 and extending in a chain height direction is larger than a chain pitch P.
US09739331B2
An air bleed system for a suspension fork or shock absorber includes: a fluid passage between an interior of the suspension and an exterior of the suspension; and a manually operable valve having a first position substantially closing the fluid passage and a second position allowing fluid flow between the interior and the exterior.
US09739329B2
A lockable piston-cylinder unit having a cylinder that is closed at both ends and filled with pressurized fluid and in which a piston that is sealed relative to the inner wall of the cylinder is displaceably guided. The piston divides the interior of the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. A piston rod is arranged at the piston and is guided out of the cylinder 1 through one of the working chambers and through a guiding and sealing unit which closes the one end of the cylinder.
US09739325B2
The invention relates to a brake actuator for an aircraft hydraulic brake, which is intended to be added into one of the cavities of a brake ring, the actuator comprising a liner (1) designed to be housed sealingly in the cavity of the ring, a piston (3) mounted to slide sealingly in the liner along an axis of sliding (X) so as to apply a braking force on friction pads when a fluid is introduced under pressure into the cavity, and having a determined operational travel, a wear compensation device (10) which defines a position to which the piston retreats into the liner by means of a mobile stop (11) that can be moved forward by the piston as a braking force is applied, and an elastic return member (16) returning the piston towards the retracted position bearing against the mobile stop. According to the invention, the mobile stop is reduced to a friction member rubbing against the liner, such that one of the faces of the friction member serves as a stop defining the retracted position of the piston, and the other of the faces serves as a support for the elastic return member, the elastic member having, when compressed, a sufficient increase in force in order to be able to push back the mobile stop in the event that the piston is not in contact with the friction pads while its operational travel is already exhausted.
US09739324B2
The invention relates to a brake lining assembly, particularly for drum brakes, comprising a brake shoe having an outer contour, a brake lining having an inner contour, and an intermediate layer having an outer contact region and an inner contact region. The intermediate layer is arranged between the brake shoe and the brake lining, and the intermediate layer is formed, as viewed radially with respect to an axis of rotation of the brake shoe, in such a manner that the inner contact region is matched in a form-fitting manner to the outer contour of the brake shoe in a circumferential direction of the brake shoe. The outer contact region is matched in a form-fitting manner to the inner contour of the brake lining along the circumferential direction.
US09739316B2
Example torque tube assemblies for use with aircraft high lift devices are described herein. An example apparatus includes a spline coupling having a first yoke, a sliding splined shaft having a second yoke and a torque tube having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A first fitting with a third yoke is coupled to the first end of the torque tube, and a second fitting with a fourth yoke is coupled to the second end of the torque tube. The third yoke is coupled to the first yoke to form a first U-joint, and the fourth yoke is coupled to the second yoke to form a second U-joint. The spline coupling is to be coupled to a first high lift device drive shaft and the sliding splined shaft is to be coupled to a second high lift device drive shaft.
US09739312B2
A bearing mechanism includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a shaft portion and a plate portion. The rotating portion includes a sleeve including an annular portion, a cylindrical portion, an annular bottom surface, and a first communication hole. The rotating portion includes a ring member arranged to cover at least a portion of an opening of the first communication hole, and faces the plate portion via a first gap. A pumping groove array is disposed in the plate portion or the ring member. A second communication hole is disposed between the ring member and the annular bottom surface, and connected to the first communication hole. At least a portion of the opening of the second communication hole is positioned on a farther radial direction inner side than the pumping groove array.
US09739311B2
A shaft includes: two large-diameter portions; and a small-diameter portion formed between the two large-diameter portions. A bearing includes: an annular body in which to insert the shaft; two bearing surfaces being opposite the large-diameter portions; and an intervening surface located between the two bearing surfaces on an inner circumferential surface of the body, and being opposite the small-diameter portion with a clearance formed between the intervening surface and the small-diameter portion. No anti-corrosion treatment is applied to the large-diameter portions. An anti-corrosion treatment is applied to at least any one of: an exposed portion of an outer peripheral surface of the body of the bearing, which is exposed to the outside of the housing; the intervening surface of the bearing; an opposite end surface of the bearing; and the small-diameter portion of the shaft.
US09739306B2
A drawer slide member including raceways formed of folded or solid material providing additional thickness while utilizing thin material may provide for increased strength of the drawer slide.
US09739302B2
An adjustment device for tensioning a bicycle gearshift control cable. The adjustment device has opposed threaded elements and a compressible element, which is retained in position by a locking member and compressed between the threaded elements.
US09739301B2
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for dressing centering a bearing compartment in a gas turbine engine. A nut may be inserted through an outer case of a gas turbine engine. The nut may be coupled to a strut which centers a bearing compartment. The nut may be rotated to achieve a desired tension on the strut to center the bearing compartment. A retaining plate comprising a collar may be positioned over the nut. A swaging tool comprising a swaging ramp may be positioned over the nut. The swaging tool may be forced against the retaining plate using a draw-in bolt. The swaging ramp may contact the collar and form indentations in the collar to lock the nut in place.
US09739296B2
Waveguide or flow guide surfaces can improve the efficiency of fluid flow through tubes or over surfaces. When incorporated in a tube, the waveguides improve flow and function as sound absorbers making them useful in engine mufflers, firearm silencer/suppressors and jet engine exhaust attenuators. On surfaces, the waveguides can reduce fluid drag and find use on projectiles (e.g., bullets), airfoils for aircraft, and land borne vehicles. The waveguide array in either a tubular chamber or on a surface comprises a plurality of successive wave-like undulations inclined generally in the direction of flow and when employed in tubes extending inwardly to permit an unobstructed path for the fluid gas from entry to exit. The waves define annular wave cavities between their successive inwardly extending edges and the wall of the chamber with each cavity having a cavity mouth open to the unobstructed path. The waveguides are sized and spaced so that gas vortices are created within the cavities when gas flow occurs which vortices create a fluid boundary layer that assists the gas flow.
US09739293B2
A cylinder is provided in which the length of a fluid supply pipe is reduced and the cylinder is installed in a fixed manner. The cylinder includes a main body that has an internal space and an upper supply aperture and a lower supply aperture through which fluid is supplied into the internal space. A piston is disposed between the upper supply aperture and the lower supply aperture to be vertically movable along the internal space. A rod is connected to the piston to transmit power produced by vertical movement of the piston to the exterior and a pipe extends from the upper supply aperture to a lower end of the main body.
US09739292B1
A hydraulic accumulator having a closing arrangement. The accumulator has a housing, a removable end cap, a segmented locking ring, and a pilot ring. The housing has at least one opening, an interior space, and a ring recess adjacent the opening. The removable end cap is sized to close the opening when in a closed position. The segmented locking ring is removably positioned within the ring recess adjacent the end cap opposite the interior space to stop the end cap from moving in a first direction away from the interior space. The locking ring may be segmented. The pilot ring is removably connected to the end cap and positioned to hold the locking ring in the ring recess when connected to the end cap.
US09739291B2
A dual rotating axial fan includes a first axial fan element having a first motor that rotates a first impeller, a second axial fan element having a second motor that rotates a second impeller, and a clamping element coupling the first axial fan element to the second axial fan element in series so that the first axial fan element or the clamping element can move relative to the second axial fan element.
US09739288B2
A fan hub balancing structure includes a hub main body. The hub main body has a top section, a circumferential section extending from the circumference of the top section and a lip section. The lip section is connected with the lower end of the circumferential section. The lip section has at least one residual weight section on the lip section. After the residual weight section is removed from the lip section, a balancing section is formed on the lip section. The balancing structure is able to provide a balancing effect for the hub main body and facilitate the processing of the hub main body.
US09739287B2
A motor assembly is provided that includes a fan housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and a motor coupled to the fan housing and positioned within the air inlet. The motor includes a first end, a second end, and a shaft. The motor assembly further includes a fan coupled to the shaft proximate the motor second end. The motor first end includes a contoured surface having a stagnation point and a plurality of points along the contoured surface downstream of the stagnation point. Each point of the plurality of points has a coefficient of pressure less than 1, and the contoured surface is configured to direct air around the motor and to reduce airflow restriction and flow disturbance within the fan housing.
US09739282B2
A turbocharger system is disclosed, including a turbine and compressor and a rotary valve unit. The rotary valve unit comprises a fixed valve seat and a rotary valve member arranged coaxially with the valve seat. The valve member is disposed against the valve seat and is rotatable about the axis for selectively varying a degree of alignment between respective orifices in the valve seat and valve member. The valve unit includes a valve housing that defines a first flow passage and a second flow passage, and the valve member and valve seat are disposed in the second flow passage. A turbocharger system is also disclosed, including a turbine and compressor and the rotary valve unit. The rotary valve unit is coupled with the turbine such that exhaust gas that has passed through the turbine wheel is fed into the first flow passage of the rotary valve unit, and exhaust gas that has bypassed the turbine wheel is fed into the second flow passage of the rotary valve unit.
US09739280B2
An electrically driven motor includes a motor rotor having a rotor core and a plurality of permanent magnets attached onto an outer circumferential portion of the rotor core. The electrically driven motor also includes a stator having a plurality of slots. In the electrically driven motor, a plurality of projections rotor teeth are disposed at positions of the outer circumferential portion of the rotor core which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval of distance and which include a magnetic pole center of at least one permanent magnet. The plurality of rotor teeth extend all the way to a location of the teeth of the stator.
US09739279B2
This electric horizontal scroll compressor (1) comprises an oil reservoir (13) in which lubricating oil that is separated from refrigerant passing through a compressing mechanism (20) is temporarily stored, and an oil return flow channel (15, 24) by which lubricating oil stored in the oil reservoir (13) is returned further upstream than the compressing mechanism (20). A main bearing (35) is fit into a holding face (14a) of an inner housing (14) by way of a clearance fit, and lubricating oil stored in the oil reservoir (13) is supplied to the region of the fit via the oil return flow channel (15, 24).
US09739278B2
A multi-stage vacuum pump may include a sealing arrangement for sealing between the stator components of the pump. The end seals of the arrangement comprise an annular portion for sealing between end stator components and shell components and axial portions which extend from the annular portion and together with separate axial seals seal between the shell components.
US09739263B2
The invention is directed to a wind power plant having a rotor mounted rotatably about an axis directed approximately in the wind direction, and having at least two mutually concentric annular elements for connection to oppositely rotatable system components of the wind power plant, one of which comprises means for connection to the rotor of the wind power plant or to a drive shaft of a gearbox coupled thereto; at least one element having a freewheel characteristic is disposed between the two connection elements and together with them forms a freewheel, at least one connection element being provided with at least one integrated raceway for a row of rolling bodies rolling thereon.
US09739241B2
A valve for an exhaust gas line of an internal combustion engine in which a closure body is arranged in a duct and is positioned in a recess of a shaft, the closure body being pivotable about a rotation axis of the shaft. The closure body has two sides and a circumferential surface arranged between the two sides. The circumferential surface has sections with different external dimensions. A first external dimension of the circumferential surface of the closure body in a first section is smaller than the smallest internal dimension between end regions of the recess of the shaft in which the closure body sits. A second external dimension of the circumferential surface in a second section is greater than the smallest internal dimension of the recess of the shaft. The circumferential surface contacts the shaft in each of the two end regions of the recess.
US09739237B2
An exhaust gas recirculation device for an engine including a plurality of cylinders and intake branch passages is provided. The exhaust gas recirculation device includes an exhaust chamber and distribution passages for the respective cylinders. The exhaust chamber is connected to an exhaust passage of the engine, and exhaust gas from the exhaust passage is introduced into the exhaust chamber. The distribution passages connect the exhaust chamber to the intake branch passages for the respective cylinders so as to recirculate the exhaust gas back into the intake branch passages. The flow passage area of a first portion of each of the distribution passages is smaller than the flow passage area of a second portion of each of the distribution passages. The first portion is connected to the corresponding intake branch passage, and the second portion is connected to the exhaust chamber.
US09739231B2
An engine block has one or more bores configured for receiving one or more respective pistons; one or more coolant passages; and one or more lubricant passages. At least portions of the coolant passages and lubricant passages are disposed adjacent to and about the bores so as to cool the bores. The coolant passage portion extends over a first lengthwise portion of the bores and the lubricant passage portion extending over a second lengthwise portion of the bores. The first and second lengthwise portions are longitudinally spaced apart along the bores.
US09739230B2
An apparatus and method for operating a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A first energizing electrical current is supplied to an injector solenoid, causing the opening of an injector control volume and a pressure reduction in said injector control volume, for a first energizing time. The first energizing time is predetermined to avoid that the pressure in the injector control volume approximates a value which would cause an injector needle to raise up and a fuel injection to start. After the predetermined time interval, a second energizing electrical current is supplied to the injector solenoid for a predetermined second energizing time, which is a function of a rail pressure (prail) and a fuel injection quantity.
US09739227B2
A system for controlling condensation of water within an intake manifold of an engine is disclosed. The system may have a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a humidity of intake air. The system may also have a controller communicably coupled to the humidity sensor. The controller may be configured to receive the signal indicative of the humidity of the intake air. The controller may be also configured to control an operational parameter of at least one of the engine and an engine component to maintain the humidity of the intake air within the intake manifold below a predetermined threshold.
US09739222B2
A method for controlling torque intervention of a hybrid electric vehicle during a shift includes judging whether or not torque intervention control is necessary, determining a torque intervention demand according to states of a motor and an HSG, upon judging that torque intervention control is necessary, and executing torque intervention control by HSG and motor torque reduction amounts under the condition that engine torque is maximally maintained based on the determined torque intervention demand.
US09739218B2
A throttle drive actuator for an engine includes a first magnet and a second magnet positioned adjacent the first magnet. The north pole of the second magnet is positioned opposite the south pole of the first magnet to create a first magnetic field, and the south pole of the second magnet is positioned opposite the north pole of the first magnet to create a second magnetic field. A direction of the second magnetic field is directed opposite a direction of the first magnetic field. An armature is positioned between the first magnet and the second magnet, the armature including windings. The armature rotates between the first magnet and the second magnet when the windings are energized, and the armature rotates a valve of a throttle body of the engine, to open a close an air passage of the throttle body.
US09739215B2
A system and method for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system in a hybrid vehicle using an intrusive monitor include adjusting EGR flow through an EGR valve based on an average pressure difference between pressure measured from a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor and inferred pressure determined from mass air flow (MAF) into an intake of an engine when engine speed, throttle and camshaft timing position change is below a corresponding threshold. The measured pressure and inferred pressure are determined when the EGR valve is in a closed position and an open position.
US09739212B1
In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.
US09739211B2
An internal combustion engine includes an intake variable lift amount mechanism that changes a maximum lift amount and valve-open period of an intake valve, and an exhaust variable lift amount mechanism that changes a maximum lift amount and valve-open period of an exhaust valve. A control unit executes a process to increase the valve-open period of the intake valve and reduce the valve-open period of the exhaust valve, when idling with a temperature of the internal combustion engine that is equal to or higher than a reference value.
US09739210B2
An engine including a motorized throttle valve that can implement mutually neighboring disposition of a throttle body and a cylinder head and can implement a good opening and closing responsibility thereof. A swelling portion is formed on a side wall of a valve chamber in such a manner so as to bite between those of throttle bodies which neighbor with each other in order to accept a protrusion of part of a valve system in a radial direction of first and second camshafts. An electric motor is disposed at one side of the group of the throttle bodies. A speed reduction mechanism, for transmitting output power of the electric motor to a valve shaft, is disposed between those throttle bodies, which neighbor with each other at a different location in the group of the throttle bodies, in a neighboring relationship with the valve chamber.
US09739209B2
A method for operating a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injection system comprises a high pressure accumulator (rail) and a high-pressure fuel pump with a digital inlet valve and which guides fuel into the high pressure accumulator. The number of the control pulses for the digital inlet valve and thus the number of the pump delivery strokes is reduced with respect to the number of the injection steps of an injector of the injection system, in order to thereby reduce the noise and the energy consumption of the high-pressure pump.
US09739207B2
The invention concerns an aircraft propulsion control system in which a gas turbine engine has an actuable flow opening for control of flow to or from a portion of the engine. One or more sensor is arranged to sense a condition indicative of vapor trail formation by the exhaust flow from the engine. A controller is arranged to control actuation of the flow opening so as to reduce the efficiency of the engine upon sensing of said condition by the one or more sensor. In one example, the flow opening is a variable area fan nozzle.
US09739202B2
A fuel nozzle for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The fuel nozzle has a fuel nozzle tip with an outer tip housing. The tip housing has a recess formed at an inner surface of the tip housing. A shim is disposed within the recess and a surface of the shim contacts a diaphragm of the fuel nozzle tip. A thermal adjustment member is disposed within the recess against the shim. The tip housing, diaphragm and shim are formed of a base material having a coefficient of thermal expansion (α1) and the thermal adjustment member is formed of a different material having a coefficient of thermal expansion (α2) higher than the coefficient of thermal expansion (α1) of the base material.
US09739199B2
A control system for a gas turbine includes a controller. The controller includes a processor configured to access an operational parameter associated with the gas turbine. The processor is configured to calculate a bias based on the operational parameter, wherein the bias indicates an amount of change in a temperature of an oxidant entering a compressor of the turbine to reach a reference temperature. The processor is further configured to control the temperature of the oxidant based on the bias to improve power output of the gas turbine.
US09739197B2
A method for monitoring cold start of Brayton cycle power generation system comprises: measuring an ambient temperature to obtain a Brayton cycle predetermined operating line of a working fluid, parameter values and calculated values of three monitoring points of the Brayton cycle predetermined operating line, and a position of a saturation curve of the working fluid according to the ambient temperature and a LUT; starting the cold start, continuously measuring the parameter values of the three monitoring points, and meanwhile continuously recording and displaying moving trajectories of the parameter values and the calculated values of the three monitoring points; after the parameter values and the calculated values of the three monitoring points are close to the default values, operating the Brayton cycle power generation system for a predetermined time; and ending the cold start, to enter a stable operating state of the Brayton cycle power generation system.
US09739192B2
A nozzle for a prechamber assembly of an engine includes a nozzle body. The nozzle body is hollow and includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface defines an outer opening, and the inner surface defines an interior chamber and an inner opening. The nozzle body includes an orifice surface which defines an orifice passage extending between, and in communication with, the outer and inner openings. The orifice passage is in communication with the interior chamber via the inner opening. The orifice surface is continuously curved. The inner surface of the nozzle body can include a groove surface that is contiguous with the orifice surface. The groove surface defines an orifice groove in communication with the interior chamber and with the orifice passage.
US09739186B2
Engine lubrication systems and methods of manufacturing and implementing engine lubrication systems and methods. In particular embodiments, an engine system includes an internal combustion engine lubrication system that utilizes a stacked configuration of a through-bolted engine to pattern around through-bolts and utilizes substantially hollow bulkheads to define a central high-pressure lubrication reservoir that minimizes lube system pressure while maintaining pressure at the extremities of the lubrication circuit. Available space is utilized within the bulkheads to provide a lubrication drainage restriction for reducing lubrication losses at engine shut-down.
US09739183B2
A continuous variable valve duration system may include a camshaft, a cam portion having a cam is formed thereto. The camshaft is inserted to the cam portion such that a relative phase angle with respect to the camshaft is variable. The camp portion has a cam cap engaging portion, and an inner bracket transmits rotation of the camshaft to the cam portion. A slider housing has the inner bracket rotatably inserted thereto, of which relative position with respect to the camshaft is variable, and of which a control slot is formed. Cam caps rotatably mount the cam cap engaging portion to a cylinder head, and a control portion comprising an eccentric control shaft inserted into the control slot. A worm wheel is connected to the eccentric control shaft, and a worm gear engaged with the worm wheel and a control motor selectively rotates the worm gear so as to change relative position of the slider housing with respect to the camshaft and a cylinder head cover of which a motor mounting portion where the control motor is mounted thereto.
US09739174B2
A panel connection assembly connects a panel to a casing including hanger, first locating, and second locating plates. The hanger plate has elongate body, first end, and opposite second end portions, with each of the first and second end portions having a circular profile. The hanger plate has a dumbbell shape. The first locating plate has a first circular locating aperture, the first locating aperture to accommodate the first end portion, and the second locating plate has a second circular locating aperture, the second locating aperture to accommodate the second end portion. In use, the first locating plate is secured to the casing, the second locating plate is secured to the panel, the first and second end portions are respectively accommodated within the first and second locating apertures with the elongate body portions extending therefrom, to connect the panel to the casing.
US09739172B2
A bearing housing (1) of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, having a compressor-side housing flange (2), a central housing section (3) which is integrally connected to the housing flange (2) and in which a first partial section (4) of an oil chamber (5) is arranged; and a turbine-side housing section (6) which has a turbine-side housing flange (7) and in which a second partial section (8) of the oil chamber (5) is formed. The central housing section (3) and the turbine-side housing section (6) are formed in one piece. A bearing housing (9) which forms a separate component is inserted into the central housing section (3) and into the turbine-side housing section (6), with these delimiting the oil chamber (5).
US09739168B2
The present application and the resultant patent provide a wash system for a gas turbine engine. The wash system may include a water source containing a volume of water therein, and a surface filming agent source containing a volume of a surface filming agent therein. The wash system also may include a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the water source and the surface filming agent source, wherein the mixing chamber is configured to mix the water and the surface filming agent therein to produce a film-forming mixture. The wash system further may include an aerosolizing device in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and configured to form an aerosol spray of the film-forming mixture and a propellant. The wash system still further may include a number of supply lines in fluid communication with the aerosolizing device and configured to direct the aerosol spray into the gas turbine engine.
US09739162B2
An annulus filler is provided for mounting to a rotor disc of a gas turbine engine and bridging the gap between two adjacent blades attached to the rotor disc. The annulus filler is substantially entirely formed from a polymer matrix composite material. It has an outer lid which defines an airflow surface for air being drawn through the engine in an axial airflow direction, and a support structure which is connectable to the rotor disc to support the lid on the rotor disc. The support structure has two support walls extending from opposing lateral sides of the lid to an attachment strap for receiving a hook on the rotor disc, the attachment strap bridging the support walls. In use, under centrifugal loads, the opposing support walls resiliently deform to allow outward radial movement of the lid. Each support wall is thickened in a region neighboring the attachment strap.
US09739154B2
The present application relates to the compressor stator of an axial turbomachine. The stator comprises an annular row of main stator blades and auxiliary blades each of which are associated with a main blade. The auxiliary blades are located at the trailing edges of the main blades and are in the vicinity of the pressure faces of the main blades. The auxiliary blades are aligned to generate a low-pressure area at the trailing edges of the main blades. Thus, a flow bypassing a main blade by its suction face is sucked in by the low-pressure area when it approaches the trailing edge of the main blade. Stalling is thus avoided and the efficiency of the machine is improved.
US09739147B2
Methods and systems for detecting a person located around a piece of equipment. One system includes processor configured to define a first virtual zone around a piece of equipment, determine a location of a person, and define a second virtual zone around the person at the location. As the location of the person changes, the processor is further configured to determine a direction of travel of the person, and automatically modify the second virtual zone to extend a first distance in the direction of travel of the person and extend in a second distance opposite the direction, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. In response to at least a portion of the second virtual zone overlapping with at least a portion of the first virtual zone, the processor is configured to perform at least one action.
US09739142B2
An apparatus for monitoring vibration of a downhole component includes an optical fiber sensor including at least one optical fiber operably connected to an interrogation unit. The at least one optical fiber has a resonant segment that is fixedly attached to the component via attachment points on the component, the resonant segment between the attachment points being separate from the component and having a resonant frequency based at least on the length of the resonant segment.
US09739141B2
Disclosed is a data transmission system and a method for transmission of downhole measurement data to the ground. The system includes a drill string mounted with a logging while drilling measurement tool, and a throw while drilling section, which accommodates a micromemory. The throw while drilling section includes a housing which is mounted outside of the drill string as a sleeve to form a clearance space therebetween; a control circuit; and a wireless transceiver. The throw while drilling section releases, under function of a micromemory release instruction transmitted by the control circuit, the micromemory loaded with the downhole measurement data to the ground.
US09739137B2
A method for calculating a value representative of a downhole temperature in a hydrocarbon well, wherein the well includes production tubing inside an outer tubing, an annulus is provided between the production tubing and the outer tubing, and the annulus receives a hydraulic control line supplying hydraulic fluid for the control of a downhole device, the method including sensing the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the control line at the wellhead, and using a measurement of the pressure to calculate the value representative of the downhole temperature.
US09739118B2
A setting tool for actuating a well tool within a wellbore includes a sleeve telescopically engaging a mandreland a floating piston disposed between the sleeve and the mandrel. The floating piston has a first face subjected to a downhole hydrostatic pressure. The setting tool also includes a pressure chamber formed between the floating piston and the valve, a working fluid in the pressure chamber, and a fluid-tight collapse chamber formed between the valve and a sealed end of the sleeve. The valve selectively the working fluid from the pressure chamber into the collapse chamber if the working fluid reaches a predetermined primary pressure setting of the valve. The setting tool is connected to and actuated a consumer.
US09739116B2
A system involving a lower tubing mounted safety valve having one or two control lines further contains a landing nipple above for a wireline insert valve. One line that serves the lower safety valve is tied to a connection on the landing nipple for the insert valve. When the lower safety valve malfunctions the landing nipple wall is penetrated to get communication to the line coming from the lower safety valve so that such line can serve as a balance line for the insert valve. The other line from the surface to the other connection on the landing nipple serves as the operating line for the insert valve. Making one line serve a dual purpose eliminates one control line from the surface.
US09739108B2
A system including a seal delivery system, including a mandrel, a seal tool coupled to the mandrel, wherein the seal tool is configured to deliver and actuate a bridge seal assembly, and a gear system coupled to the mandrel and to the seal tool, wherein the gear system is configured to rotate the seal tool from a first position to a second position to align the piston assembly.
US09739096B2
A cutter assembly includes a substrate and at least one island. The substrate includes a surface circumscribed by a peripheral edge, a flank surface extending from the peripheral edge, and at least one pocket with an opening on the surface and spaced apart from the peripheral edge. The at least one pocket extends from the opening towards an interior of the substrate. The at least one island is in the at least one pocket, and the at least one island includes a cutting surface that is exposed by the opening of the at least one pocket.
US09739094B2
A downhole tool configured to enlarge a borehole may include at least one blade extending laterally from a central portion of the tool. The one or more blades may each include a gage portion, and cutting elements comprising substantially circular cutting faces may be affixed to each of the one or more blades. Each of the one or more cutting elements may include a cutting edge comprising an arcuate peripheral cutting face portion for contacting the borehole. Cutting faces of at least one cutting element on a gage portion of the at least one blade may exhibit a cutting face back rake angle greater than a cutting face back rake angle of cutting elements on at least one other portion of the at least one blade.
US09739085B2
A spacer for insulated glazing units having at least one polymeric main body with a wall thickness d having a first pane contact surface and a second pane contact surface running parallel thereto, one first glazing interior surface, one second glazing interior surface, one outer surface, one first hollow chamber, and one second hollow chamber. A groove for receiving a pane runs parallel to the first pane contact surface and the second pane contact surface between the first glazing interior surface and the second glazing interior surface. The first hollow chamber adjoins the first glazing interior surface and the second hollow chamber adjoins the second glazing interior surface. The lateral flanks of the groove are formed by the walls of the first hollow chamber and the second hollow chamber, and the wall thickness d′ in the region of the lateral flanks is less than the wall thickness d of the polymeric main body.
US09739077B2
A method and device for generating a signal includes a housing having a wall. A fork bolt is pivotally coupled to the housing and movable between an unlatched and a latched position. A detent lever is pivotally coupled to the housing and cooperates with the fork bolt. A flexible member is connected to the housing of the latch. Proximate to a free end of the flexible member is a protruding portion. A link has a first end rotationally coupled to the fork bolt and a second end arranged to move linearly between a first position and a second position. When the fork bolt is in an unlatch position, the second end of the link applies a rotational force to the flexible member.
US09739070B2
A bracket has: a plate having bolt holes and a utility pole mount; a clamp secured to the plate, the clamp comprising cooperating screw pile shaft receiving parts having laterally extending flanges, the flanges having fastener receiving openings for securing the clamp around a screw pile. A combination has: a bracket; a utility pole extended from a ground surface, in which the plate is bolted to the utility pole through the bolt holes in the plate; and a screw pile fastened to the clamp and penetrating the ground surface.
US09739068B2
A concrete curing blanket includes an absorbent sheet having a wicking layer, super absorbent materials, and a tissue layer, which are laminated together to form the absorbent sheet. The absorbent sheet is sized for being spread over a curing concrete slab. A vapor barrier is bonded to the tissue layer of the absorbent sheet to inhibit evaporation from the concrete curing blanket, and includes a plurality of perforations.
US09739067B2
The present invention provides is a lightweight environment-friendly polypropylene composite floor comprising, from top to bottom: 1) a scratch-resistant coating layer, 2) a super-transparent wear-resistant layer, 3) a decorative layer, 4) a first substrate layer, 5) a second substrate layer, 6) a bottom connective layer, and optionally 7) a back adhesive layer. Also provided is a preparation process of the composite floor.
US09739062B2
A laminated roofing shingle is disclosed comprising a posterior layer with tabs and an anterior layer with tabs spaced apart by openings, wherein each posterior tab is partially covered by a corresponding anterior tab, wherein at least one anterior tab has a first anterior tab breadth and at least another anterior tab has a second anterior tab breadth, and wherein at least one anterior opening has a first anterior opening breadth that is about equal to the second anterior tab breadth and wherein at least another anterior opening has a second anterior opening breadth that is about equal to the first anterior tab breadth. Also disclosed is a roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the shingle.
US09739053B2
A multi-tiered recoiling energy absorbing system has an upper impact surface that is exposed to percussive impact. At least one energy absorbing layer is positioned below or inside the upper impact surface. The energy absorbing layer includes one or more energy absorbing modules. At least some of the modules are provided with one or more energy absorbing units that extend from an upper platform. Several of the energy absorbing units are provided with a flexible wall that extends from the upper platform. A lateral reinforcement member secures the energy absorbing units to prevent them from splaying. The energy absorbing units at least partially absorb energy generated by an impacting object due to the flexible wall bending inwardly or outwardly and recoiling nondestructively after single or multiple impacts to its un-deflected configuration.
US09739039B2
A faucet for switching between multiple water sources may include a faucet body, a ceramic control valve, a filtered water source, and a water outlet tube. A water inlet chamber and a water outlet chamber are formed at a bottom portion and a top portion of the faucet body respectively. A valve channel formed at a lateral side of the faucet body is configured to provide loading for the ceramic control valve. A water outlet tube comprising an inner tube and an outer tube is formed inside of the water outlet chamber. By using the long grooving-shaped water channel penetrating the annular wall located at a cross section of the valve channel and the water outlet chamber, the faucet is able to provide plentiful multiple water sources from the outer tube of the water outlet tube.
US09739038B2
A posture computing apparatus for a work machine includes a detection apparatus that is provided to the work machine and detects angular velocity and acceleration; a first posture angle computing unit that is provided to the detection apparatus and obtains a posture angle of the work machine from the angular velocity and the acceleration detected by the detection apparatus; a low-pass filter that allows the posture angle obtained by the first posture angle computing unit to pass therethrough to output the posture angle as a first posture angle; a second posture angle computing unit that outputs, as a second posture angle, a posture angle obtained from the angular velocity and the acceleration detected by the detection apparatus; and a selecting unit that outputs the first posture angle and the second posture angle in a switching manner, based on information about a change in an angle of the work machine.
US09739029B2
A disposable formwork for making ventilated loose stone foundations, in particular for floors, slabs, storage and/or collection tanks, dispersion tanks, alveolar concrete beds, cavities and/or similar building structures is described. The disposable formwork comprises a body having a first substantially convex surface intended to receive at least one binding material casting, optionally concrete, and a second surface, facing the opposite side of the first surface, substantially concave and suitable for delimiting, at least partly, a cavity; at least one support element, in particular four, having at least one contact portion arranged to engage a bottom surface of a cavity of a building structure under construction and arranged to support the body according to a position spaced from the bottom surface of the cavity. The disposable formwork has at least one portion made of polystyrene. Preferably, the entire structure of the disposable formwork is advantageously made of polystyrene.
US09739028B2
An irregular trapezoidal structural unit configured to be arranged with other like units in courses to form a structure comprises opposing upper and lower surfaces, opposing irregular front and rear faces, and irregular opposed side faces. The side faces each include a general S-shape mating section that are translated images of each other such that each side of the unit will mate with either side face of another like unit. The front and rear faces optionally include S-shaped mating sections that are translated images of each other. Structures are formed in courses by arranging units side to side along a line to form at least a first course, wherein adjacent side faces mate and interlock. Optionally, a second course is disposed laterally adjacent the first course wherein adjacent front and rear faces mate and interlock. Additional courses can be added on top of the other courses forming wall structures.
US09739025B2
A rotary auger support stand for mounting and removably holding a articles or devices upright on the ground. The stand includes an upright rod with a helical coil or flights forming an auger base having a point at the lower distal end to be fixedly and removably screwed into the ground to support the stand in an upright position. The top end of the rod forming the stand body defines an S-shaped loop configured, sized and shaped and disposed at a selected angle to support an article thereon. The top adapter is capable of supporting a decorative element, sign, target, or other element. An S-shaped handle is formed integrally within the support shaft longitudinal member extending from the auger.
US09739021B1
A portable dispensing device for dispensing a crack sealant, comprises an outer housing, a melting kettle for holding crack sealant to be melted, a guide mechanism in the housing below the kettle for positioning a burner below the kettle, a burner assembly removably mounted in an air gap between the outer housing and the melting kettle using the guide mechanism, the removable burner assembly configured to direct a flame against a surface of the melting kettle, a control valve fluidly connected to the melting kettle to dispense melted crack sealant, and a handle assembly for manually moving the portable dispensing device.
US09739014B2
The invention relates to improvements in methods of making security features, in particular electrotype security features. The electrotype for forming an image during a paper making process comprises a mesh to which is attached at least one image forming element.
US09739011B2
In a method for producing nanofibril cellulose, cellulose based fiber material, in which internal bonds in the cellulose fiber have been weakened by chemical modification, are supplied, for separating fibrils, through several counter-rotating rotors outwards in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis of the rotors in such a way that the material is repeatedly subjected to shearing and impacting forces by the effect of the blades of the different counter-rotating rotors, whereby it is simultaneously fibrillated.
US09739006B2
A washing machine including a door to open and close an opening for laundry. The door includes a first upper door, a second upper door disposed to allow at least one portion of the first upper door to be seen therethrough, and a lower door. The lower door includes a contraction preventing part to prevent the lower door from contracting when molded.
US09739001B2
A sewing machine equipped with a needle threading device, includes: a needle bar supporting frame body on which there is mounted a needle bar that is mounted with a needle having a needle hole; a needle threading shaft that is disposed on the needle bar supporting frame body and is supported vertically movably and also turnably in a peripheral direction; a thread pressing part and a thread holding tool that are provided at a lower end of the needle threading shaft and that hold in a tensioned state a thread opposite the needle hole; and a needle threading tool that is provided at a lower end of the needle threading shaft and that has a hook which reciprocates through the needle hole to pass the thread through the needle hole, wherein the thread holding tool comprises a thread holding surface part that guides and holds the thread.
US09738998B2
Described is a method for using an embroidery machine or sewing machine to form shapes in, and extract shapes from, a sheet of material. A needle-based machine uses its needle to generate a series of perforations to cut out or assist in the separation of the shapes. Stitching facilitates operation of the machine. Preferably, perforations are made with a computer-controlled machine using instructions generated from or available in an electronic file.
US09738988B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing single crystal based on a Czochralski method, including: analyzing Ni concentration in at least one of graphite components used in a furnace in which the single crystal is manufactured; and manufacturing the single crystal using the at least one of the graphite components when the analyzed Ni concentration is 30 ppb or less. As a result, in manufacture of the single crystal based on the Czochralski method, the method that enables manufacturing high-quality single crystal in which a reduction in LT (Life Time) or an LPD (Light Point Defect) abnormality does not occur can be provided.
US09738981B2
An electrochemical system includes an electrochemical compressor through which a working fluid that includes a component that primarily acts as an electrochemically-active component flows; a sealed vessel in which the electrochemical compressor is housed; an inlet conduit for passing working fluid into the vessel; and an outlet conduit for passing fluid out of the vessel. The working fluid that leaks from the electrochemical compressor is contained within the vessel.
US09738979B2
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a composite structural body including a base material; and a film-like structural body formed on a surface of the base material by causing an aerosol to impinge on the base material, the aerosol including fine particles dispersed in a gas, a distance between an end part of the film-like structural body and an outermost part closest to the end part of a portion of the film-like structural body having a film thickness equal to an average film thickness of the film-like structural body as viewed perpendicular to the surface being 10 times or more of the average film thickness.
US09738967B2
A sputtering chamber includes at least two sputtering targets, one of the at least two targets disposed on a first side a substrate conveyor extending within the chamber, and another of the at least two targets disposed on a second side of the conveyor. The at least two targets may be independently operable, and at least one of the targets, if inactivated, may be protected by a shielding apparatus. Both of the at least two targets may be mounted to a first wall of a plurality of walls enclosing the sputtering chamber.
US09738963B2
In a method for manufacturing a ferritic stainless steel product, a ferritic stainless steel object is heated in an inert gas atmosphere including nitrogen gas in a heating furnace at a nitriding temperature higher than or equal to a transformation temperature so as to form a nitrided layer on a surface of the ferritic stainless steel object. Moreover, the nitriding temperature is set lower than 1100° C. during the heating. The heating of the ferritic stainless steel object is performed in a state where a solid carbon exists inside the heating furnace.
US09738949B2
In a method for producing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet by including a series of steps of hot rolling a raw steel material containing C: 0.002-0.10 mass %, Si: 2.0-8.0 mass % and Mn: 0.005-1.0 mass % to obtain a hot rolled sheet, subjecting the hot rolled steel sheet after or without hot band annealing to one stage cold rolling or two or more stage cold rollings including an intermediate annealing therebetween to obtain a cold rolled sheet having a final sheet thickness, subjecting the cold rolled sheet to decarburization annealing combined with primary recrystallization annealing, applying an annealing separator to the steel sheet surface, and then subjecting to a final annealing.
US09738948B2
Apparatus and methods associated with an enclosure or structure including two sections that are adapted with a snap-fit interlocking structure. Various embodiments of the enclosure or structures are formed with various case hardening or embrittlement processes to increase embrittlement or hardness of the enclosure or structure so as to create a structure or enclosure which has a desired fragmentation capacity while still maintaining sufficient material properties to permit snap-fit insertion of one section into another section and withstand substantial impacts. Embodiments also provide an interlocking structure that minimizes differences in fragmentation or fracturing capacity as contrasted with other portions of the structure or enclosure. An embodiment of the invention includes an enclosure where one section of the enclosure or structure has a first thickness and the second section has a second thickness, wherein the first and second thicknesses are different. In some embodiments, one section is thinner than another section.
US09738946B2
A method for producing a silicon steel normalizing substrate comprises steelmaking, hot rolling and normalizing steps. A normalizing furnace is used in the normalizing step, and along a moving direction of strip steel, the normalizing furnace sequentially comprises: a preheating section, a nonoxidizing heating section, a furnace throat, furnace sections for subsequent normalizing processing, and a delivery seal chamber. Furnace pressures of the normalizing furnace are distributed as follows: the furnace pressure of a downstream furnace section adjacent to the furnace throat along the moving direction of the strip steel is the highest, the furnace pressure decreases gradually from the furnace section with the highest furnace pressure to a furnace section in an inlet direction of the normalizing furnace, and the furnace pressure decreases gradually from the furnace section with the highest furnace pressure to a furnace section in an outlet direction of the normalizing furnace.
US09738943B2
The present invention describes a process for a controlled conversion of a biomass feedstock, wherein the process comprises the steps of: loading the biomass feedstock to at least one reactor; liquefaction of the biomass feedstock into a monomer and/or oligomer sugar mixture in said reactor by treatment in hot compressed liquid water (HCW) at sub- and/or super-critical condition; and removal of the monomer and/or oligomer sugar mixture, being the product molecules, to avoid continued detrimental decomposition.
US09738939B2
The present invention relates to a method for quantitatively determining living and dead cells in a biological sample. The method according to the present invention is based on the determination of the amount of DNA in the sample with the aid of a DNA amplification reaction which does not impair the membrane integrity of living cells.
US09738936B2
It has been discovered that the human GT198 gene (gene symbol PSMC3IP) at chromosome 17q21 acts as a tumor suppressor. The mutation of the GT198 gene causes the increased dominant negative splice variant activity and leads to the loss of wild type GT198 function, and in turn, induces breast and ovarian cancers. One embodiment provides compositions and methods for treating or alleviating one or more symptoms associated with cancer due to the GT198 gene mutations. Another embodiment provides methods and compositions for detecting cancer due to the mutation of the GT198 gene. Still another embodiment provides methods for identifying compounds, antibodies and natural product molecules that are useful for treating cancer due to the mutations of the GT198 gene. Preferably the disclosed compositions antagonize or interfere with the biological activity of splice variants of GT198.
US09738932B2
The present invention is directed to methods for detecting the presence of minimal or early vasculitis or other vasculopathies induced by a cox-2 inhibitor in a subject to whom a cox-2 inhibitor has been administered, selection of cox-2 inhibitory compounds, use of a cox-2 inhibitory compounds in the manufacture of anti-inflammatory medicaments, and vaccination strategies.
US09738922B2
This invention provides methods of derivatizing a double-stranded DNA comprising contacting double-stranded DNA with a CpG methyltransferase and an s-adenosylmethionine analog. This invention also provides methods of sequencing DNA to determine methylation patterns.
US09738918B2
A rapid one-pass liquid filtration system efficiently concentrates biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. Additional concentration stages may be added in “cascade” fashion, in order to concentrate particles below the size cut of each preceding stage remaining in the separated fluid in a concentrated sample suspension. This process can also be used to create a “band-pass” concentration for concentration of a particular target size particle within a narrow range.
US09738912B2
This invention provides microbial organisms, particularly yeasts such as Yarrowia lipolytica, that have one or more disrupted genes. The gene disruption(s) may yield improved production of fatty acyl-CoA derivatives.
US09738911B2
This document describes biochemical pathways for producing one or more of pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine and 1,7-heptanediol by forming one or two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl groups, in a C7 aliphatic backbone substrate produced from succinate semialdehyde or pyruvate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on the aldol condensation of succinate semialdehyde and pyruvate.
US09738906B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of promoting polyploidization of megakaryocytes and thereby producing highly polyploidized megakaryocytes, a method of efficiently producing platelets from polyploidized megakaryocytes, and the like. The present invention provides a method of producing polyploidized megakaryocytes comprising a step of forcing expression of an apoptosis suppressor gene in megakaryocytes before polyploidization and culturing the resulting cells.
US09738903B2
The invention provides plants comprising transgenic event MON 88302 that exhibit tolerance to glyphosate herbicide. The invention also provides seeds, plant parts, cells, commodity products, and methods related to the event. The invention also provides DNA molecules that are unique to the event and were created by the insertion of transgenic DNA into the genome of a Brassica napus plant.
US09738895B2
The present invention provides oligomeric compounds and uses thereof. In certain embodiments, such oligomeric compounds are useful as antisense compounds. Certain such antisense compounds are useful as RNase H antisense compounds or as RNAi compounds.
US09738891B2
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule containing a sequence of tricyclo nucleosides joined by internucleoside phosphorothioate linkage. The invention also relates to synthetic antisense oligonucleotides and to methods employing the same.
US09738889B2
A syringe device having a plunger beneath which is disposed a rupturable capsule containing a nucleic acid wash buffer and a rupturing mechanism for rupturing the capsule, wherein the capsule, syringe, plunger, and rupturing mechanism are so configured as to first apply pneumatic pressure to force a nucleic acid solution through a membrane and to thereafter rupture the capsule and force a first volume of the wash buffer through the membrane.
US09738883B2
The present invention claims a novel process for the production and purification of microbial collagenase (Microbial Collagenase EC 3.4.24.3) produced by the non-pathogenic aerobic bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus chemovar. iophagus (NCIMB Number: 1 1038, synonym LMG 3418, hereinafter called Vibrio alginolyticus), which said process provides high production levels of collagenase with a stable, reproducible, cheap fermentation process. The collagenase produced from Vibrio alginolyticus according to the process described herein also presents a specific activity superior to that of other microbial collagenases, is stable in aqueous solution, and can be frozen without significant damage. A further subject of the present invention is pharmaceutical compositions containing collagenase obtained according to the production and purification process described, for the purpose of therapeutic treatment of disorders characterized by collagen accumulation or for the treatment of blemishes/imperfections that benefit from reducing local collagen accumulations.
US09738882B2
Disclosed is a method for removing endotoxin from proteins. Also disclosed are products made by using the method. The method may be used, for example, to produce endotoxin-free lactoferrin. Bovine milk-derived lactoferrin may be produced in commercial quantities by the method, and endotoxin-free bovine lactoferrin may be used for a variety of therapeutic uses, including improving wound healing.
US09738881B2
The invention relates to a host cell comprising at least four different heterologous polynucleotides chosen from the group of polynucleotides encoding cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is capable of producing the at least four different enzymes chosen from the group of cellulases, hemicellulases and pectinases, wherein the host cell is a filamentous fungus and is capable of secretion of the at least four different enzymes. This host cell can suitably be used for the production of an enzyme composition that can be used in a process for the saccharification of cellulosic material.
US09738872B2
An isolated population of cells comprising non-GVHD inducing anti-third party cells having a central memory T-lymphocyte (Tcm) phenotype is provided. The cells being tolerance-inducing cells and capable of homing to the lymph nodes following transplantation. Methods of generating same, use of same and methods of treatment are also provided.
US09738863B2
The present invention relates to a bioreactor including at least one reactor vessel in form of a plastic bag, a tray (4) for holding said at least one bag, a rocking device for limited rocking motions of the tray (4) around a rocking axis (2). According to the invention the bioreactor comprises a device (6,7,8,9) for enabling swinging of the tray (4) around a second axis (7) parallel to and distanced from the rocking axis (2).
US09738858B2
The current invention is directed towards mixtures of compounds, comprising (A) in the range of from 93 to 97% by weight compound of general formula (I) (B) in the range of from 3 to 6.5% by weight compound of general formula (II) (C) in the range of from 0.2 to 0.5% by weight compound of general formula (III) wherein the integers are defined as follows: R1 is —(CH2)nCH3, R2 is —(CH2)n+2CH3, R3 is —(CH2)n+1CH(CH3)2, R4 is —(CH2)n−1CH(CH3)2 G1 selected from monosaccharides with 4 to 6 carbon atoms, x in the range of from 1.1 to 10, n is a number in the range of from 1 to 4.
US09738844B2
A method of manufacturing a molded solid fuel including: a pulverization for pulverizing low-grade coal; a mixing for obtaining a slurry by mixing the pulverized low-grade coal and a solvent oil; a dehydration for obtaining a dehydrated slurry by heating and dehydrating the slurry; a solid-liquid separation for obtaining a cake by separating the solvent oil from the dehydrated slurry; a drying for obtaining powdery modified coal by heating the cake and further separating the solvent oil from the cake; and a molding for pressurizing and molding the powdery modified coal by using a molding machine, without the addition/mixture of a binder. In the molding, a coolant is sprayed onto the surface of the molding machine, and the surface temperature of the molding machine is kept equal to or below 100° C.
US09738836B2
The liquid feed nozzle assemblies for a circulating fluid bed reactor comprise (i) a throttle body premixer to combine liquid feed with atomization steam to form a liquid feed/steam mixture comprising gas bubbles in liquid; (ii) a conduit connected to the premixer and to a discharge nozzle to convey a flow of the liquid/steam mixture created by the premixer to the nozzle body; (iii) a discharge nozzle connected to the flow conduit to shear the liquid feed/steam mixture to create liquid feed droplets of reduced size and (iv) a disperser at the outlet of the discharge nozzle to provide a spray jet of liquid feed having an increased surface area relative to a cylindrical jet. The nozzle assembles are particularly useful in fluid coking units using heavy oil feeds such a tar sands bitumen.
US09738832B2
A flame retardant block copolymer is prepared from renewable content. In an exemplary synthetic method, a bio-derived flame retardant block copolymer is prepared by a ring opening polymerization of a biobased cyclic ester and a phosphorus-containing polymer. In some embodiments, the biobased cyclic ester is lactide. In some embodiments, the phosphorus-containing polymer is a hydroxyl-telechelic flame retardant biopolymer prepared by a polycondensation reaction of a biobased diol (e.g., isosorbide) and a phosphorus-containing monomer (e.g., phenylphosphonic dichloride). In other embodiments, the phosphorus-containing polymer is synthesized from a dioxaphospholane monomer.
US09738823B2
Methods for mitigating precipitation during matrix acidizing of a subterranean formation. The methods generally comprise introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid comprises a chelating agent; a hydrofluoric acid source; and a stabilizing compound. The stabilizing compound has two or more quaternized amine groups. In some cases the treatment fluid further comprises alkali metal ions.
US09738820B1
Provided is an adhesive composition comprising (A) one or more polyisocyanate and (B) one or more polymeric polyol, wherein said polymeric polyol is a reaction product of (I) a polyol initiator, wherein said polyol initiator is a reaction product of (a) one or more dihydroxy tertiary amine compound, and (b) a polyhydroxy alcohol, and (II) one or more epoxide compound or one or more glycidyl ether compound or a mixture thereof; wherein said adhesive composition contains solvent in an amount of 0 to 5% by weight based on the weight of said adhesive composition. Also provided is a method of bonding substrates using such an adhesive composition.
US09738810B2
A coating material composition for providing coated films is disclosed. The coating material composition contains coated film forming resin (A), crosslinking agent (B), and resin beads (C), in which compression strength of the resin beads (C) at the time of the 10% pressurized deformation of an individual resin bead by means of a micro-compression tester lies between 0.1 MPa and 20 MPa and a recovery of the resin beads (C) following 90% pressurized deformation of an individual resin bead by means of a micro-compression tester is at least 80%.
US09738808B2
A thermal inkjet ink set includes a pre-treatment fixing fluid, an ink, and a post-treatment fluid. The pre-treatment fixing fluid includes a metal salt. The ink includes an ink vehicle and a colorant. The post-treatment fluid includes a fluid vehicle and an anionic polyurethane acrylic hybrid polymer binder dispersed in the fluid vehicle. The anionic polyurethane acrylic hybrid polymer binder is present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 25 wt %. The anionic polyurethane acrylic hybrid polymer binder includes an acrylic polymer or copolymer, and an anionic polyurethane polymer encapsulating the acrylic polymer or copolymer.
US09738796B1
A formulation for an acoustically transparent coating for use on an acoustical substrate comprising a water dispersible binder and relatively large filler particles, and characterized by a high pigment to volume concentration, high viscosity, high shear thinning, and fast drying to enable the formulation to be sprayed in droplets that retain their identity when in mutual contact.
US09738790B2
The invention relates to a process for producing a corrosion-inhibiting coating for substrates having a surface consisting of zinc, magnesium, aluminum or one of their alloys, wherein the surface to be treated is brought into contact in direct succession with two aqueous treatment solutions containing chromium(III) ions, metal ions of the substrate surface to be treated and at least one complexing agent. The first treatment solution has a pH in the range from 1.0 to 4.0, while the second treatment solution has a pH of from 3.0 to 12.0. The process of the invention produces a smaller amount of wastewater polluted with heavy metals.
US09738788B1
Novel nanoparticle-coated multilayer shell microstructures are disclosed herein. Some variations of the invention provide a material comprising a plurality of hollow microstructures characterized by an average shortest diameter from about 5 microns to about 1 millimeter, wherein each of the microstructures comprises multiple shells, including at least an inner shell and an outmost shell, with a combined thickness that is less than one-tenth of the average shortest diameter. The inner shell and the outmost shell have different composition. The outmost shell comprises nanoparticles sized between about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers, and the nanoparticles each contain an oxide and/or are surrounded by an oxide layer having a layer thickness of at least 1 nanometer. Several microstructure configurations are illustrated in the drawings.
US09738785B2
A plastic molding composition includes a powder, gelatin, a polar solvent, and an adhesion reducer. The powder contains at least one of a ceramic particle and a metal particle. The adhesion reducer reduces adhesion of the gelatin so that a molded product, which is molded from the composition with a molding die, is removed from the molding die without being broken. The adhesion reducer is a water-soluble or water-dispersible compound. The adhesion reducer has a HLB value, calculated by Griffin's method, ranging from 10 to 20.
US09738784B2
The present invention provides, among other things, extruded blends of aliphatic polycarbonates and polyolefins. In one aspect, provided blends comprise aliphatic polycarbonates such as poly(propylene carbonate) and a lesser amount of a crystalline or semicrystalline polymer. In certain embodiments, provided blends are characterized in that they exhibit unexpected improvements in their elongation properties. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of making such materials and applications of the materials in applications such as the manufacture of consumer packaging materials.
US09738775B1
A method for enhancing an interaction between graphene nanoparticles and a poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate), including modifying graphene with nitric acid to form graphene nanoparticles surface modified with one or more oxygen functionalities, melt blending the poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate) and the modified graphene nanoparticles to obtain a nanocomposite, and exposing the nanocomposite to microwave irradiation to form defects in the graphene nanoparticles. A blend composition, including graphene nanoparticles and a poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate), where the graphene nanoparticles are dispersed in the poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate), and the graphene nanoparticles are surface modified with oxygen functionalities.
US09738774B2
There is provided herein a curing agent compound for curing thermosetting resins, e.g., epoxy resins, a composition comprising a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting resin, e.g., an epoxy resin and the curing agent, an article comprising the curing agent, and a method of making the curing agent.
US09738773B2
Among other things the invention provides novel flame-retardant compounds useful for increasing the flame retardance of polymers.
US09738769B2
A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles with high free swell rate and high permeability by polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution or suspension to give an aqueous polymer gel, wherein a thermal blowing agent essentially free of inorganic acid anions is mixed into the polymer gel, and subsequent thermal drying of the polymer gel.
US09738768B2
A blowing agent for thermosetting foams is disclosed. The blowing agent is predominately the trans isomer of the hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO) HFCO-1233zd alone or in combination with a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), hydrochlorofluoroolefin (HCFO), a hydrocarbon. The blowing agent is effective as a blowing agent in the manufacture of thermosetting foams.
US09738764B2
Methods and systems and components made according to the methods and systems, are disclosed relating to improved curing methods for epoxy resin-containing composite prepreg materials, wherein the composite prepreg materials are exposed to a flow of ammonia-containing compounds to fully cure the composite prepreg materials at substantially ambient temperatures and pressures.
US09738759B1
A block copolymer includes a crystalline polyester block and an amorphous polyalkylsiloxane block, the block copolymer exhibiting baroplastic behavior. The block copolymer is used in a cold pressure fix toner. A method of making a block copolymer including a crystalline polyester block and an amorphous polyalkylsiloxane block includes heating a mixture of a diacid, a diol, and a carbinol-terminated poly(alkylsiloxane).
US09738757B2
Disclosed is a composition comprising (A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an ether compound having two or more ether groups, a trivalent phosphorus compound, and a ketone compound, (B) a boron trihalide, and (C) an episulfide compound.
US09738756B2
The invention relates to a method for synthesizing a polyamide, in which method an aqueous solution is sprayed onto the polyamide before and/or during a solid-state post-condensation process. The aqueous solution comprises at least a first compound, selected from the group comprising phosphoric acid, fully neutralized salts of phosphoric acid, partially neutralized salts of phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof, and a second compound, selected from the group comprising an acid, an anhydride, a lactone, ammonia, an amine, and mixtures thereof, with the stipulation that the second compound is not phosphoric acid and is not phosphoric acid anhydride. The spraying occurs at a temperature that lies below the boiling point of water. A polyamide that can be produced by means of the method according to the invention can be used in particular to produce films, monofilaments, fibers, threads, or textile sheet materials.
US09738752B2
A copolymer for use in 3D printing includes about 1 to about 30 mole percent of a diacid monomer unit, a diol monomer unit, and a terephthalate monomer unit, the copolymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) in a range from about 50° C. to about 95° C.
US09738747B2
A one component isocyanate prepolymer mixture for formulating a polyurethane product in a single step process, with monomeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) content in the mixture not exceeding 3%, preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than 1% of the total weight. The mixture contains monofunctional alcohol, an isocyanate component or isocyanate mixture component, propellant, catalyst, stabiliser, and one or more polyols. The monofunctional alcohol constitutes ethylene glycol ethers or propylene glycol ethers. A method for formulating a one component polyurethane foam on the basis of the mixture is disclosed.
US09738742B2
A method for producing a polymer has: a polymerization step of polymerizing at least a conjugated diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent using an organolithium compound as a polymerization initiator, and obtaining a polymer; and, following steps (1) to (4), successively performing after the polymerization step: (1) a step of mixing an acid and water of 20 to 300 parts by mass into the solution containing the polymer of 100 parts by mass, (2) a step of adjusting an amount of the water to 10 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the solution containing the polymer, (3) a step of adding a carbon oxide gas and/or a compound to be decarboxylated to the solution containing the polymer, and (4) a step of removing a solvent from the solution containing the polymer until a concentration of the polymer reaches 95 mass % or more.
US09738735B1
The present disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of polyethylene by polymerizing in a slurry ethylene and optionally one or more C3 to C10 alpha-olefins. In some embodiments, the polymerization is carried out in a cylindrical polymerization reactor equipped with an agitator for mixing the contents of the reactor and inducing a flow of the slurry, the ethylene is fed into the reactor by an ethylene injection system comprising one or more injection nozzles which project through the bottom reactor head or through the reactor wall and extend from 0.02-0.5 times the inner diameter D into the reactor, and the ethylene exits the injection nozzle with an exit velocity from 10-200 m/s.
US09738733B2
Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing α-methylstyrene functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.
US09738731B2
A growth enhancer for Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus salivarius, or a bacterium that belongs to the genus Lactobacillus and that has a homology of 16S rDNA of 90% or higher with Lactobacillus murinus or Lactobacillus salivarius includes a β-glucan having a molecular weight of from 0.2 K to 50 K. A regulatory T-cell number increasing agent, a method of enhancing growth of a lactic acid bacterium, a method of increasing the number of regulatory T-cells, a method of evaluating a regulatory T-cell number increasing effect, and a method of evaluating a growth enhancing effect on a lactic acid bacterium are also provided.
US09738718B2
The present invention relates to an ICOS binding protein or antigen binding portion thereof that is an agonist to human ICOS and does not induce complement, ADCC, or CDC when placed in contact with a T cell in vivo and methods of treating cancer, infectious disease and/or sepsis with said ICOS binding protein or antigen binding portion thereof. Further the ICOS binding proteins or antigen binding portions thereof of the present invention are capable of activating a T cell when placed in contact with said T cell; stimulating T cell proliferation when placed in contact with said T cell and/or inducing cytokine production when placed in contact with said T cell. The present invention relates to ICOS binding proteins or antigen binding portions thereof comprising one or more of: SEQ ID NO:1; SEQ ID NO:2; SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:4; SEQ ID NO:5; and/or SEQ ID NO:6.
US09738701B2
The present invention provides combinations of specific binding proteins, such as immunoglobulins, that are designed to be true combinations, essentially all components of the combination being functional and compatible with each other. The invention further provides a method for producing a composition comprising at least two different proteinaceous molecules comprising paired variable regions, the at least two proteinaceous molecules having different binding specificities, comprising paired variable regions, at least two proteinaceous molecules having different binding specificities, comprising contacting at least three different variable regions under conditions allowing for pairing of variable regions and harvesting essentially all proteinaceous molecules having binding specificities resulting from the pairing.
US09738699B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating a repertoire of recombinant fusion polypeptides from immune cells, and uses thereof.
US09738695B2
The invention provides peptides and analogs of INGAP and HIP peptides. The peptides and analogs can be used in methods for treating various diseases and conditions. Such diseases and conditions can include impaired pancreatic function, treating a metabolic disease, for example, diabetes, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, islets induction, expansion and proliferation for transplantation, promoting neuroprotection or nerve regeneration, promoting liver regeneration or inhibiting inflammation.
US09738693B2
The invention provides proteins from group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) and group A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes), including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. Data are given to show that the proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics. The proteins are also targets for antibiotics.
US09738692B2
A target protein is prepared as soluble protein using a recombinant protein expression system. An expression vector is used that includes (1) an expression-inducible promoter sequence; (2) a first coding sequence including a polynucleotide coding for a polypeptide that is represented by the formula (Z)n; and (3) a second coding sequence that includes a polynucleotide that codes for a target protein. A method of producing the target protein is also used that includes expressing protein using this expression vector.
US09738688B2
The present application relates to novel HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, which may be utilized as HIV-1 vaccine immunogens, and antigens for crystallization, electron microscopy and other biophysical, biochemical and immunological studies for the identification of broad neutralizing antibodies. The present invention encompasses the preparation and purification of immunogenic compositions, which are formulated into the vaccines of the present invention.
US09738687B2
The present description relates to synthetic peptides useful for increasing the transduction efficiency of polypeptide cargos to the cytosol of target eukaryotic cells. More specifically, the present description relates to synthetic peptides and polypeptide-based shuttle agents comprising an endosome leakage domain (ELD) operably linked to a cell penetrating domain (CPD), or an ELD operably linked to a histidine-rich domain and a CPD. Compositions, kits, methods and uses relating to same are also described.
US09738682B2
The invention relates to 2,4,6-octatrienoic acid derivative compounds having general formula (I) (CH3—CH═CH—CH═CH—CH═CH—CO—O—)n—R (I) consisting of esters wherein n=1, 2, 3 and wherein R is selected from alkyl, aryl or cycloalkyl of a polyol, phenol or phenolic acid; or consisting of a salt wherein n=1 and R=arginine, as active ingredients in a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition having a combined antioxidant activity against free radicals together with an anti-inflammatory action.
US09738671B2
The present invention provides stable, cyclic bent allene metal complexes and methods of conducting chemical processes, preferably olefin hydrogenation, comprising contacting an olefin substrate, preferably an unsaturated polymer, with a cyclic bent allene metal complex as described herein, under hydrogenation conditions.
US09738667B2
Provided is a novel phosphorus-containing compound represented by general formula (I). The compound has reactivity with a glycidyl group and is therefore capable of providing a curing epoxy resin composition that is expected to achieve flame retardation and reduction of dielectric constant. wherein m is a number of 1 to 10; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl; R5 is alkyl, alkanediyl, alkanetriyl, alkanetetrayl, or an aromatic group; X is oxygen or sulfur; Y is oxygen, sulfur, or ═NR′; and R′ is hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl.
US09738665B2
Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metallated porous MOFs are provided. Also provided are methods of metallating porous MOFs using atomic layer deposition and methods of using the metallated MOFs as catalysts and in remediation applications.
US09738656B2
Compounds represented by formulae (I) to (XXII) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:
US09738653B2
The disclosure provides compounds of formula I or II, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US09738646B2
The present invention provides crystalline forms, solvates and hydrates of 4-amino-2-butoxy-8-(3-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)benzyl)-7,8-dihydropteridin-6(5H)-one, and methods of making.
US09738642B2
The disclosure generally relates to compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds modulate the mGluR2 receptor and may be useful for the treatment of various disorders of the central nervous system.
US09738637B2
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer and neoplastic disease. Provided herein are substituted pyrrolopyridine derivative compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful for inhibition of histone demethylase. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer and/or melanoma and the like.
US09738631B2
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I and formula IA or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I and formula IA; and methods for treating or preventing neurological diseases may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of epilepsy, bipolar disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, neuropathic pain, seizures, bipolar disorder, mania, phantom limb syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, neuromyotonia, intermittent explosive disorder, borderline personality disorder, Myotonia congenita and post-traumatic stress disorder.
US09738626B2
Provided herein are antagonists of prostaglandin EP3 receptor, processes to make said antagonists, and methods comprising administering said antagonists to a mammal in need thereof.
US09738624B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and methods of using said compounds, salts and compositions in the treatment of various disorders associated with CRM1 activity.
US09738619B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid by subjecting 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to oxidation reaction in the presence of water, oxygen and an activated carbon-supported metal catalyst containing a noble metal, the process including the following steps (1) and (2) in which the steps (1) and (2) are carried out under a pressure of not less than 0.1 MPa and less than 1.0 MPa while maintaining a reaction solution at a pH of not more than 7, and an amount of the oxygen fed until a time at which the step (2) is terminated is not less than 120 mol % and not more than 140 mol % on the basis of the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural charged: step (1): conducting the oxidation reaction at a temperature of not lower than 50° C. and not higher than 110° C. until a content of the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in the reaction solution falls within the range of not less than 0 mg/kg and not more than 1,000 mg/kg; and step (2): subjecting the reaction solution obtained after completion of the step (1) to the oxidation reaction at a temperature of not lower than 140° C. and not higher than 250° C.
US09738617B2
The present disclosure generally relates to the production of fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, and precursors thereof. The compounds used to produce the fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, and precursors thereof may be derived from biomass. The fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, and precursors thereof may be produced by a combination of intermolecular and/or intramolecular aldol condensation reactions, Guerbet reactions, hydrogenation reactions, and/or oligomerization reactions.
US09738611B2
The invention relates to the use of compounds of formulae (I) and/or (II) as colorless IR absorbers wherein M is Ni, Pd, Pt, Au, Ir, Fe, Zn, W, Cu, Mo, In, Mn, Co, Mg, V, Cr or Ti, X1, X2 and X3 are each independently of the others sulfur or oxygen, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each independently of the others hydrogen, NR7R8, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C18alkyl, C1-C18 alkyl wherein the alkylene chain is interrupted with oxygen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C18alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted arylalkyl or unsubstituted or substituted heteroarylalkyl, R7 and R8, each independently of the other, being unsubstituted or substituted C1-C18alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted arylalkyl or unsubstituted or substituted heteroarylalkyl, a further IR absorber optionally being added to the compounds of formulae (I) and (II). The invention relates also to novel dithiolene compounds of formulae (I) and (II) wherein X1 is oxygen and X2 and X3 are oxygen or sulfur. The invention relates furthermore to novel dithiolene compounds of formulae (I) and (II) wherein R1 to R6 are NR7R8.
US09738604B2
Disclosed are compounds of formulae (I), (II), and (II)I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the variables, R, R1, R2, R3, R101, L, D, Q, Y, X, and Z are defined herein. These compounds are useful for treating Gram-negative bacteria infections.
US09738603B2
Disclosed are a complex of glucose derivative and proline, a crystal, a preparation method and a use. In an X-ray powder diffraction diagram of the eutectic crystal when the diffraction angle is 2θ, characteristic diffraction peaks comprise 4.339, 11.499, 12.835, 13.921, 15.294, 16.212, 16.804, 17.154, 18.335, 19.274, 19.982, 22.710, 23.218, 24.885, 27.940, 29.612 and 30.313, and the 2θ error range is ±0.1. The method comprises: mixing a compound A solution with an L-proline solution, and performing cooling and crystallization. The present invention further provides a of the crystal in medicine preparation. The eutectic crystal in the present invention features high water-solubility, low hygroscopicity and high stability, and is suitable for manufacturing a variety of preparations.
US09738595B2
Compounds of the formula (I), in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as nematicides.
US09738592B2
The present invention relates to a method for purifying raw dinitrotoluenes resulting from dinitration of toluene in the presence of a nitric acid/sulfuric acid/nitrating acid mixture, and a device or plant for performing the method, and a corresponding production plant for producing dinitrotoluene, characterized in that (a) the raw dinitrotoluenes are first subjected to a wash with at least one washing medium after separation of the nitrating acid mixture, followed by a separation of the washing medium; and that (b) subsequently the washed dinitrotoluenes resulting from method step (a) are subjected to stripping (stripping gas treatment) with at least one gas (stripping gas).
US09738585B2
The present disclosures and inventions relate to methods for the preparation of acetic acid via the oxidation of ethane, including the preparation of high purity acetic acid that comprises very low concentrations of formic acid impurity. More specifically, described herein are methods for producing acetic acid comprising: a. producing a crude acetic acid composition comprising formic acid from ethane via ethane oxidation; and then b. purifying the crude acetic acid composition by crystallization to remove formic acid to achieve a purified acetic acid composition; wherein the formic acid is present in the purified acetic acid composition in an amount less than 0.2% by weight, based on the total weight of the purified acetic acid composition.
US09738584B2
The present invention generally relates to processes for converting acrylate esters or a derivative thereof to difluoropropionic acid or a derivative thereof. This process is generally performed using fluorine gas in a hydrofluorocarbon solvent.
US09738582B2
A chemical reactor including: a plurality of heat exchange plates which between them define reaction compartments, in which reactor each heat exchange plate includes two walls between them defining at least one heat exchange space, the respective walls being fixed together by joining regions, and the reactor also comprises at least one injection device for injecting substance into the reaction compartments, said substance-injection device passing through the heat-exchange plates in respective joining regions thereof. Also, a chemical reaction process that can be carried out in this reactor.
US09738580B2
The present invention provides an epoxy compound which is 2,2′,7,7′-tetraglycidyloxy-1,1′-binaphthalene. Also, the present invention provides a method for producing [1,1′-binaphthalene]-2,2′,7,7′-tetraol, the method including a step of bringing a crude product produced by dimerization reaction of naphthalene-2,7-diol or a naphthalene-2,7-diol derivative into contact with an aromatic solvent; a step of separating [1,1′-binaphthalene]-2,2′,7,7′-tetraol dissolved in the aromatic solvent from insoluble substances; and a step of removing the solvent from a solution of [1,1′-binaphthalene]-2,2′,7,7′-tetraol. The present invention also provides a method for producing an epoxy compound, the method including reacting [1,1′-binaphthalene]-2,2′,7,7′-tetraol or [1,1′-binaphthalene]-2,2′,7,7′-tetraol monohydrate with epihalohydrin.
US09738578B2
The present invention is a method for producing a fluorohydrocarbon represented by a structural formula (3) comprising bringing a secondary or tertiary ether compound represented by a structural formula (1) into contact with an acid fluoride represented by a structural formula (2) in a hydrocarbon-based solvent in the presence of a boron trifluoride complex. (In structural formulae (1) to (3), each of R1 and R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group, and each of R4 and R5 represents a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that R1 and R2 are optionally bonded to each other to form a ring structure.)
US09738576B2
A process and system for the production of at least one xylene isomer is provided. The process includes passing a first stream to one side of a split shell fractionation column and a second stream to the other side of the column. The first stream has a higher ratio of methyl to C2+ alkyl-substituted C9 aromatic compounds than the second stream. A bottoms stream from the one side is separated and passed as feed to a transalkylation zone.
US09738570B1
A catalyst system and a process for methanol to light olefin conversion with enhanced selectivity towards propylene. The catalyst system comprises a honeycomb monolith catalyst support coated with aluminosilicate nanozeolite catalysts on the edges and inside the channels of the support structure. The aluminosilicate nanozeolite catalysts have not been pre-modified with a promoter metal. The catalyst system gives higher hydrothermal stability to the catalyst compared to randomly packed pellet catalysts and allows methanol to be converted to predominantly propylene at a low temperature, with decreased selectivity towards C2, higher olefins and paraffinic hydrocarbons.
US09738566B2
The present disclosure relates to a process for producing a product based on faecals produced by animals, characterized in that faecals from mammals are wholly or partially dissolved using an oxidizing acid, solid acid-insoluble components are separated, if necessary, and the liquid component is neutralized with a base. Moreover, the invention relates to a plant for producing a product, the plant comprising a faecal reactor for receiving animal faecals, wherein the reactor is provided with means for supplying an oxidizing acid, possibly a separator unit for separating solid, acid-insoluble components, and a neutralizing reactor for neutralizing the part of the faecals dissolved by means of the oxidizing acid, wherein the neutralizing reactor is provided with means for supplying a base. The invention provides a substantially odorless product for use as fertilizer for a crop.
US09738549B2
Method and system for treating wastewater includes treating sludge with ozone in a plug-flow type reactor to cause lysis of biosolids in the sludge. The ozonated sludge may be provided to an anaerobic or anoxic section of the wastewater treatment system to aid the denitrification processes occurring in the anaerobic or anoxic section of the wastewater treatment system or to other sections of the wastewater treatment system such as a fermenter, an aerobic digester, or an anaerobic digester.
US09738545B2
A flowback water concentrating system, and method, include a liquid evaporator assembly that concentrates flowback water, a gas-liquid separator that separates entrained liquid from a gas exiting the liquid evaporator assembly, an exhaust assembly that vents exhaust gases, and a flowback water concentrating system that separates the concentrated flowback water into a supernatant liquid and a concentrated slurry. The flowback water concentrating system includes a settling tank fluidly connected to the gas-liquid separator and a supernatant liquid concentration sensor for measuring a concentration of dissolved solids in the supernatant liquid in the settling tank.
US09738538B2
A method for preparing a NaY molecular sieve having a high silica-to-alumina ratio, wherein deionized water, a silicon source, an aluminum source, an alkali source, and ILs as a template agent are mixed to obtain an initial gel mixture; the initial gel mixture is maintained at a proper temperature and aged, then fed into a high pressure synthesis kettle for crystallization; the solid product is separated and dried, to obtain the NaY molecular sieve having a high silica-to-alumina ratio, wherein the ILs is a short-chain alkylimidazolium ionic liquid, the template agent is less volatile, and the resultant high-silicon Y molecular sieve has a high crystallinity and a silica-to-alumina ratio of 6 or more.
US09738537B2
Crystalline molecular sieves and their synthesis using quaternary N-methyl-diisoalkylammonium cations as organic structure directing agents are disclosed. The structure directing agent has the following structure (1): in which R1 is selected from hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, and a hydroxymethyl group; and R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a propyl group.
US09738529B2
Described is a method of reducing CO2 to CO using visible radiation and plasmonic photocatalysts. The method includes contacting CO2 with a catalyst, in the presence of H2, wherein the catalyst has plasmonic photocatalytic reductive activity when exposed to radiation having a wavelength between 380 nm and 780 nm. The catalyst, CO2, and H2 are exposed to non-coherent radiation having a wavelength between 380 nm and 780 nm such that the catalyst undergoes surface plasmon resonance. The surface plasmon resonance increases the rate of CO2 reduction to CO as compared to the rate of CO2 reduction to CO without surface plasmon resonance in the catalyst.
US09738521B2
The invention relates to a process and apparatus for preparing nitric acid by catalytic oxidation of NH3 by means of oxygen and subsequent reaction of the NOx formed with an absorption medium in an absorption tower, which comprises a catalyst bed for N2O decomposition arranged in the process gas downstream of the catalytic NH3 oxidation and upstream of the absorption tower in the flow direction and a catalyst bed for NOx reduction and effecting a further decrease in the amount of N2O arranged in the tailgas downstream of the absorption tower in the flow direction, wherein the amount of N2O removed in the catalyst bed for N2O removal arranged in the process gas is not more than that which results in an N2O content of >100 ppmv and a molar N2O/NOx ratio of >0.25 before entry of the tailgas into the catalyst bed for NOx reduction and the catalyst bed for NOx reduction and effecting a further decrease in the amount of N2O arranged in the tailgas contains at least one iron-loaded zeolite catalyst and NH3 is added to the tailgas before entry into the catalyst bed in such an amount that an NOx concentration of <40 ppmv results at the outlet from the catalyst bed and the operating parameters are selected in such a way that an N2O concentration of <200 ppmv results.
US09738519B2
A fuel reformer 20 producing a reformed gas by catalysis by using a fuel gas includes a combustion chamber 24, a combustion nozzle 30, an exhausting pipe 15, a gas distribution gap 25, an outer reforming portion 43, a fuel gas introduction pipe 10, and a reformed gas outlet pipe 11. The combustion nozzle 30 is located in the combustion chamber 24. A columnar protruding portion 40 is provided in the combustion chamber 24.
US09738500B2
A scissor lift includes a base, a platform, a plurality of pivotally connected scissor links, a support column, and a locking actuator. The platform has a fixed horizontal orientation and being movable between a first elevation and a second elevation. The scissor links are arranged in a crisscross pattern and operatively connecting the base and the platform. The lift actuator is pivotally attached to at least one of the scissor links to selectively raise and lower the platform along a lift path. The support column extends alongside the lift path and positioned adjacent to the platform. The locking actuator is fixed to an underside of the platform and includes a piston member extendable toward the support column to operatively connect the platform with the support column when the platform is raised at the second elevation so that the platform is supported by the support column in the fixed horizontal orientation.
US09738496B2
An improved knuckle boom crane apparatus provides a supportive base and a frame attached to the base, the frame including a cabin with an interior. A prime mover is supported upon the frame. A main boom is pivotally attached to the frame at a first boom end portion, the main boom having a second end portion. A jib boom is provided having first and second end portions, the jib boom first end portion being pivotally attached to the main boom second end portion, the jib boom second end portion being a free end portion. A main block is attached to the main boom and depending from the main boom second end portion. An auxiliary block is attached to the jib boom and depending from the jib boom second end portion. A main block parking area is provided next to the connection of main boom and jib boom that enables the main block to be parked when using the auxiliary block of the jib boom. The parking area enables the jib boom auxiliary block to lift a selected package without dismantling of the main block. The jib boom articulates relative to the main boom with a specially configured rack gear and pinion gear arrangement or interface.
US09738493B2
The present invention relates to a crane, having a jib rotatable about an upright axis, at which jib a trolley is movably arranged, from which trolley a hoist rope connected to a load hook runs off, as well as a load hook position determining device for determining the position of the load hook. The load hook position may be determined optically by means of one camera only, which camera is mounted on the trolley of the crane and views from the trolley in a predetermined and thus known viewing direction downwards onto the load hook. In doing so, the position of the load hook in the camera image is determined by an image evaluator. To simplify detection of the load hook in the camera image, the image evaluator may include rope run determining means for determining the rope run of the hoist rope running off from the trolley.
US09738483B2
A tape sticking apparatus for sticking a masking tape for protecting a peripheral portion of a substrate, such as a wafer, is disclosed. The tape sticking apparatus includes: a substrate holder configured to hold and rotate a substrate; and a tape sticking unit configured to stick a masking tape onto a peripheral portion of the substrate held on the substrate holder.
US09738481B2
A print medium finishing unit may include a load part in which print media is loaded, a stapler stapling the print media loaded in the load part while moving along one side end of the print media, and at least one arrangement member supporting one side end of the print media, wherein the arrangement member protrudes toward a moving path of the stapler to move between an arrangement position supporting one side end of the plurality of print media and an escape position escaping from a moving path of the stapler by receiving a force through the moving stapler. Therefore, a moving path of the stapler has a simple structure.
US09738476B2
The invention relates to a reel-up (2) for receiving and winding into a roll (3) a paper web (W) that arrives from a drying cylinder (17) in a paper making machine (1). The reel-up (2) comprises a rotatably mounted reel spool (4) onto which a paper web (W) can be wound to create a paper roll (3) of increasing diameter and an endless flexible belt (5) mounted for rotation along a predetermined path of travel such that the flexible belt (5) forms a loop. The flexible belt (5) is positioned adjacent to the reel spool (4) to engage the paper web (W) against the reel spool (4) during winding such that the flexible belt (5) is deflected from the predetermined path of travel. According to the invention, the endless flexible belt (5) comprises electrically conductive material such that static electricity in the flexible belt (5) is dissipated away from the flexible belt (5). The invention also relates to a paper making machine in which the inventive reel-up is used and to a method of winding a paper web.
US09738475B2
A medium conveyance device including: a conveyance guide that defines a conveyance space through which a paper sheet shaped medium should pass when conveying the medium along a conveyance direction; and an outside region that is a region, out of a guide face forming a boundary face to the conveyance space in the conveyance guide, contacted by an end portion of the medium in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and that guides the end portion of the medium to so as to be positioned inside the conveyance space.
US09738466B2
An automated unloading apparatus, system and method for use with a container having a plurality of items located on a base belt. The apparatus includes a ramp, a conveyor, and a spooling roller. The configured to pass under the base belt. The conveyor is conveyor configured to remove a first item from the plurality of items. The spooling roller is configured to wind the base belt around itself and by doing so, move the automated unloading apparatus into the interior of the container.
US09738464B1
In order to protect the side walls of a container during loading, in one design, a hopper has one or more barrier wall pairs attached to the hopper walls at the end adjacent to a container. As the hopper is moved forward the barrier walls of the barrier wall pair become closely adjacent to the walls of the container protecting them from damage and helping enable material to be pushed into the container. In a variation, an assembly of barrier wall pairs is set inside a hopper and material is deposited between the barrier walls of the barrier wall pair and then the assembly is moved forward into the container, the material being pushed along with the barrier wall pair into the container. In another variation, the barrier walls may be hinged to the hopper walls. More than one barrier wall pair can be used. Where there are two pairs, the second pair can be hinged to the first so that the second pair can be extended or rotated into a storage position. In a further variation, barrier walls on opposite sides of the hopper are of different length and/or barrier wall pairs are of unequal length.
US09738456B1
Conveyor belt cleaners are disclosed having a scraper blade for removing aggregate material from a belt surface. Embodiments are disclosed in which a cleaner includes a tensioner assembly; in some embodiments a tensioner assembly comprises a tension adjustment subassembly.
US09738450B2
A warehouse conveyor system can include an input conveyor path for conveying a parcel toward an inventory picking area. An input conveyor switch can divert the parcel from the input conveyor path to a predetermined pick zone for fulfillment. An output conveyor path can convey the parcel from the pick zone after fulfillment.
US09738442B2
A waste containment system for use with a waste management system, having a chute and a container, includes a sensor configured to determine a position of a chute top lid. The waste containment system also includes at least one pivoting mechanism operatively coupled to at least one flap of a container top lid. The pivoting mechanism is configured to move the at least one flap between an open position and a closed position. The waste containment system also includes a controller operatively coupled to the sensor and to the at least one pivoting mechanism. The controller is configured to control the pivoting mechanism based on the determined position of the chute top lid.
US09738437B2
A portable chargeable spray bottle is disclosed comprising a body comprising an upper part and a lower part; a spray nozzle assembly equipped on the upper part, and a liquid charging structure placed at the bottom part. It is further comprises an exhaust structure comprising an exhaust hole penetrating the body, whereby exhaust air flow can escape via the exhaust hole to outside the bottle.
US09738435B2
A product dispenser includes a housing adapted to receive a refill unit having a product reservoir. A multidirectional pushbar is carried by the housing and movable in a plurality of directions to actuate the pump. The multidirectional pushbar may be carried by a collar pivotally secured around a pushbar support member in the shape of a spherical zone. Pivoting movement of the multidirectional pushbar is converted into an actuating force by a transfer mechanism, which may include a vertically movable carriage. In other embodiments, the multidirectional pushbar may include ramped surfaces and may support a carriage having rolling elements. Lateral movement of the multidirectional pushbar causes the carriage to roll up the ramped surfaces and actuate a pump to dispense a product.
US09738431B2
A storage case for electronic devices such as cell phones or laptop computers that is fully insulated to protect the electronic device contained within the storage device from long term (several hours) exposure to heat or cold.
US09738421B2
A new package for storing bulky goods is disclosed. The package is formed from a bag having a width and depth at its base portion and meeting at a top edge, the top edge having no depth. Due to the top edge having no depth, the width of the material on the top portion of the package extends out further than the width of the material on the base portion. To create a package having streamlined aesthetic that looks nice on a shelf, the excess material in the top portion of the bag is folded into the interior of the bag to form a false side gusset. To allow for such folding the bag, in desirable embodiments, side edges of a first and second web forming the bag angle inward at between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees at a top portion transition point on the bag.
US09738419B2
Point of sale envelopes and methods of producing the same are disclosed herein. An example method includes moving a substrate in a direction. The substrate includes a first side opposite a second side. The method includes applying adhesive to the second side of a first portion and a second portion of a first panel of the substrate. The first portion is spaced apart from the second portion. The method includes folding the first panel about a first fold line to couple the first panel to a second panel of the substrate and forming an opening to a pocket in the first panel. The pocket is defined by the second panel and a third portion of the first panel. The third portion is positioned between the first and second portions.
US09738412B1
A matchbox-type container wherein the sleeve has a proximal end wall with an aperture defined therein, and the bottom has a slot or channel defined lengthwise therein in direct and longitudinally continuous communication with the proximal end wall aperture. The longitudinally continuous aperture and channel permit a user to pass a finger into the aperture and unimpededly lengthwise through the channel to cause the tray to be pushed and extended distally, thereby permitting the tray contents to be exposed through the open distal end of the sleeve.
US09738405B2
A method is disclosed for packaging a curable resin composition and a catalyst composition that react with each other when mixed, comprising providing a partitioned tube for receiving the resin composition and the curing agent in separate compartments; delivering a stream of a resin composition into one compartment of the tube; delivering a stream of a curing agent in the other compartment of the tube; advancing the partitioned tube and constricting and sealing the partitioned tube at spaced apart intervals and severing the sealed tube to produce a package partitioning the resin composition from the catalyst composition. Solid particulate is continuously added into the stream of at least one of the catalyst composition and the resin composition and mixing the solid particulate and stream to produce a mixed composition; and the relative amount of solid particulate in the mixed composition is controlled by continuously determining the mass of solid particulate added to the mass of the stream.
US09738395B2
Disclosed is a liquid storage system having an outer tank (e.g. an aircraft fuel tank) for containing a liquid (e.g. aircraft fuel), the outer tank enclosing a liquid storage space; an inner tank located within the outer tank and enclosing the liquid storage space; and at least one coupling element associated with the outer tank and the inner tank for maintaining the tanks in a spaced apart relationship; wherein the coupling element(s) is/are deformable such that, on application of a force to the inner tank, at least part of the inner tank moves relative to the outer tank.
US09738393B2
Methods and apparatus to increase a payload capacity of an aircraft are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a selection via a control display unit to employ a fluid delivery system during takeoff of an aircraft. The fluid delivery system includes a tank disposed on the aircraft. The example method also includes automatically controlling, via a fluid management system including a processor, a flow of the water from the tank during takeoff in response to the selection. The water is to cool an engine heat source of the aircraft.
US09738382B2
The system comprises a drone and a ground station with a console adapted to be directed towards the drone, and virtual reality glasses rendering images taken by a camera of the drone. The system further comprises means for modifying the framing of the images taken by the camera as a function of framing instructions received from the ground station. It further comprises relative heading determination means (302-324) for periodically elaborating an angular difference between the orientation of the glasses and the orientation of the console, and means (316) for elaborating framing instructions for the drone as a function said angular difference. The sudden changes of framing when the user simply turns the console and his whole body, head included, towards the drone to follow it in its displacements, are hence avoided.
US09738379B2
A lift assembly that is releasably fastened to a fuselage of a rotorcraft. The lift assembly comprises a wing comprising at least two spars. A main gearbox passes through an opening in the suction side of a central box of the wing so that its bottom is attached to a resilient suspension system arranged level with the pressure side of the central box, a top of the main gearbox projecting from the central box and being fastened to at least one spar by at least three suspension bars. A reversible fastener system having a plurality of fastener means serves to fasten the central box reversibly to a plurality of fastener points of a fuselage.
US09738365B1
This invention is related to an apparatus and a method for aquatic propulsion by use of a swimming aid comprising an anchoring article and handles that are compressed and retracted in a scissor-like fashion by a User. This inward and outward motion translates by way of a pivot point to the other end of the handle, causing another set of arms operably connected to the anchoring article by way of two sets of straps, to pivot in a manner perpendicular to the motion of the handles, thus causing two vertical fins to move laterally through the water, displacing water, and propelling the user in a forward direction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, foldable fin arms are attached to the second set of arms that is manipulated by the straps.
US09738363B1
A watercraft propulsion system configured to be coupled to the transom of a boat. A continuous track is supported by a suspension frame and operably coupled to an outboard motor.
US09738357B2
A collar assembly for a watercraft includes an elongate tubular casing with a lengthwise sealable opening. A foam core is removably positioned in the tubular casing, and includes a body portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced foam springs that extend outwardly to engage the tubular casing, to bias the foam core towards a center position in the tubular casing. In some embodiments a body portion of the foam core has a circular cross section, and the foam springs are co-formed with the body portion. In some embodiments the foam core comprises a plurality of longitudinal sections that are enclosed in a membrane having an inflation valve that extends through the tubular casing.
US09738346B2
A vehicle height adjustment device includes a changer and a controller. The changer is configured to change a relative position of a body of a vehicle relative to an axle of a wheel of the vehicle. The controller is configured to control the changer to make the relative position a target value so as to control a vehicle height of the body. The controller is configured to control the changer to maintain the relative position when there is a possibility of a malfunction in a detector configured to detect a parameter for control.
US09738342B2
Multi-wheeled vehicles, such as scooters, may include a body, a rear wheel, and a steering assembly. The steering assembly may include a steering shaft, a wheel support chassis, a first front wheel, and a second front wheel. The wheel support chassis is pivotally coupled to the steering shaft for rotation about a chassis pivot axis. The first and second front wheels are rotatingly coupled to the wheel support chassis about respective rotational axes. The second front wheel is at least substantially inline with the first front wheel and located closer to the rear wheel than the first front wheel when the steering shaft is in a forward straight orientation.
US09738339B1
A two-wheel vehicle includes a frame and a metallic side stand, rotatable within a bracket attached to the frame. The metallic side stand is rotatable between a first position that supports the two-wheel vehicle when parked and a second position substantially adjacent the frame. The two-wheel vehicle also includes an inductive sensor attached to the two-wheel vehicle and connected to detect at least one position of the metallic side stand and a circuit connected to receive an output from the inductive sensor and to provide a signal that reflects the position of the side stand.