US09875032B2
The present invention provides a data storage device including a flash memory, a controller and a delay circuit. The controller receives a read command from a host, reads a first data sector from the flash memory according to the read command, and produces a setting signal according to the maintenance time of the flash memory when the flash memory needs to be maintained. The delay circuit receives the setting signal from the controller, divides the first data sector into a plurality of first sub-data sectors according to the setting signal, and transmits at least one of the first sub-data sectors to the host at a predetermined time interval for extending the busy time of the controller.
US09875022B2
A portable terminal device using a touch pen and a handwriting input method thereof are provided. The handwriting input method of the portable terminal device using a touch pen includes displaying an execution screen of an application on a touch screen in response to the application being executed, overlapping a handwriting input layer, which is configured for a handwriting input, with the execution screen, inputting a handwriting image on an area of the handwriting input layer using the touch pen, determining a data type for recognizing the input handwriting image in consideration of an attribute of the area corresponding to a position in which the handwriting image has been input on the execution screen, and recognizing the input handwriting image as the determined data type, and applying a recognized result of the determined data type to the application.
US09875021B2
A method is provided for generating ink data including stroke objects. The method includes generally four steps. The first step receives device-dependent user-input data including either one of pen event data of Type 1, which includes indicator position data and indicator pressure data, or pen event data of Type 2, which includes indicator position data but does not include indicator pressure data. The second step determines whether the pen event data is Type 1 or Type 2. The third step derives one or both of radius data for defining a width of the stroke object and transparency data for defining a transparency of the stroke object, based on the pen event data of Type 1 or Type 2. The fourth step outputs the stroke object including said one or both of radius data and transparency data as device-independent common attribute value(s) of each of multiple points of the stroke object.
US09875020B2
A touch screen device is configured to provide outputs responsive to inputs provided by a user interacting with the touch screen. The outputs are processed by processing circuitry to determine touch locations of consecutive taps. If the latter tap is within a threshold area of the former tap the action performed in response to the former tap is repeated. In the latter tap is not within a threshold area of the subsequent tap, the action performed in response to the former tap is different to the action performed in response to the subsequent tap.
US09875013B2
In some embodiments, a device displays content on a touch screen display and detects input by finger gestures. In response to the finger gestures, the device selects content, visually distinguishes the selected content, and/or updates the selected content based on detected input. In some embodiments, the device displays a command display area that includes one or more command icons; detects activation of a command icon in the command display area; and, in response to detecting activation of the command icon in the command display area, performs a corresponding action with respect to the selected content. Exemplary actions include cutting, copying, and pasting content.
US09875003B2
A method for providing a user interface in which a set of objects stored in the form of data is displayed as a sequential list. The method involves each of the objects being allocated a position in a graphical presentation displayed in addition to the sequential list, the position being taken as a basis for displaying the objects in the graphical presentation. A first user action selects a position in the graphical presentation, and the selected position is taken as a basis for selecting a subset from the displayed set of objects in the sequential list. The positions in the graphical presentation are allocated a metric, wherein it is possible to ascertain a measure of distance between two positions, and an object is included in the subset on the basis of the measure of distance between the position associated with the respective object and the selected position.
US09875002B2
A method includes displaying a left panel and a central panel, where the left panel is contiguous to the central panel and oriented on a left side of the central panel. A first selection on the left panel is detected. Content is displayed on the central panel responsive to the first selection. A second selection from the content on the central panel is detected. The central panel is displayed together with a right panel responsive to the second selection. The right panel is contiguous with the central panel and oriented on a right side of the central panel. The left panel is removed in response to the second selection. A third selection on the right panel is detected. The left panel displays choices. The central panel includes different content associated with one of the choices. The right panel includes functions for operation on selected content.
US09874997B2
An example method involves monitoring, by a computing device, a communications feed for an indication of media and detecting, in the communications feed, the indication of the media. The method may further involve identifying at least one media item corresponding to the indication of the media and causing a playback queue of a media playback system to include one or more of the identified at least one media item.
US09874985B2
A touch window includes a substrate including an active area and an unactive area. A sensing electrode is disposed on the active area and includes a sensing electrode pattern of meshed lines, wherein linearity of the sensing electrode pattern is in a range of ±40 μm to ±100 μm.
US09874980B2
An apparatus of one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of electrodes and a controller having a processor and a memory. The memory includes logic operable to configure the electrodes to form a first cluster pattern having a plurality of first clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each first cluster, and determine a plurality of first values associated with a capacitance of a first cluster. The logic is further operable to configure the electrodes to form a second cluster pattern having a plurality of second clusters of two or more electrodes, apply voltage to each second cluster, and determine a plurality of second values associated with a capacitance of a second cluster. At least one second cluster is interleaved with an adjacent second cluster. The logic is further operable to determine a position of an object based at least on the second values.
US09874978B2
The disclosure relates to a touch sensitive system comprising a touch sensitive panel defining a touch surface, a plurality of emitters configured to emit light into the panel for propagation in the panel, a plurality of detectors configured to detect the light propagating in the panel, a plurality of distributed control devices each configured to control operation of a segment of emitters and detectors, a main control unit configured to control the distributed control devices. The touch sensitive system is configured to be set in a partial detect mode in which mode a first of the distributed control devices is configured to be active and to control a first emitter to emit light in a partial region of the panel coincident with a partial area of the touch surface. The touch sensitive system is further configured to detect a predetermined gesture on the partial area of the touch surface, generate a gesture signal indicating the predetermined gesture, and activate a feature of the touch sensitive system in accordance with the predetermined gesture. The disclosure also relates to a method in connection with the touch sensitive system.
US09874975B2
Reconstruction of an original touch image from a differential touch image is disclosed. Reconstruction can include aligning columns of the differential touch image relative to each other and aligning the image to a baseline DC value. The column and baseline alignment can be based on the differential image data indicative of no touch or hover, because such data can more clearly show the amount of alignment needed to reconstruct the original image. The reconstruction can be performed using the differential image data alone. The reconstruction can also be performed using the differential image data and common mode data indicative of the missing image column average.
US09874966B2
Devices are described herein that include spaced electrodes. In one example, a spaced distance between the electrodes may cause a capacitance between the electrodes to exceed a capacitance threshold. In another example, an impedance component (e.g., a resistor or a capacitor) may be coupled between the electrodes. In accordance with this example, the impedance component may provide an impedance that is less than an impedance threshold while causing an absolute difference between voltages that are induced by the respective electrodes to exceed a voltage threshold.
US09874964B2
A controller device to interface with a computer gaming system includes a body having a handle and an object disposed at one end of the handle. A touch surface is disposed on one side of the handle. The touch surface has an indicator that is identified by a surface characteristic on the touch surface. The touch surface provides an area for receiving directionality control in response to interfacing by a finger of a user. In addition to the touch surface, a plurality of buttons are disposed on the body. A circuitry is disposed in the body of the controller. The circuitry is configured to receive data indicative of a directionality control and transmit the data to a game console for impacting an action by a program executing on the computer gaming system.
US09874958B2
For a touch panel module, a first sensing unit is disposed on a viewing area of a substrate and includes a first electrode, a second sensing unit corresponds in position to a non-viewing area of the substrate and includes a first sub-electrode, an attaching portion corresponds in position to the non-viewing area and includes a first contact, and a first conducting wire, two ends of which are respectively connected to the first electrode and the first contact to form an electrical connection therebetween, and a connecting portion corresponds in position to the non-viewing area and includes a first conducting sub-wire for forming electrical connection between the first electrode and the first sub-electrode.
US09874955B2
In the use of a touch panel which vibrates in synchronization with a touch operation, discomfort caused by a panel vibration sound is reduced while an operational feeling of a touch operation on the touch panel being maintained. A vibration control device that is used for a touch panel which vibrates in synchronization with a touch operation, includes a sound data acquirer that acquires sound data of a surrounding sound of the touch panel; a predominant frequency acquirer that extracts a predominant frequency of the surrounding sound from the acquired sound data; a consonant sound determiner that determines a consonant sound frequency based on the extracted predominant frequency, the consonant sound frequency being a frequency of a sound which is in consonant with a sound having the extracted predominant frequency; and a vibrational frequency setter that sets a vibrational frequency of the touch panel to the determined consonant sound frequency.
US09874942B2
Presented is a control system for augmenting a portable touch screen device having integral processing capability. The control system includes an enclosure configured for encasing the portable touch screen device, an internal docking connector configured for communicatively mating with the portable touch screen device, and hard buttons. At least one of the hard buttons is functionally configured for use with an application program running on the portable touch screen device. The control system includes further includes a processor configured for converting button actuations into a digital format, and a first facility for communicating the digital format to the portable touch screen device via the internal docking connector. The application program is configured such that, during operation, the application program communicates the status of the one hard button to at least one external device.
US09874932B2
One embodiment provides a method to display video such as computer-rendered animation or other video. The method includes assembling a sequence of video frames featuring a moving object, each video frame including a plurality of subframes sequenced for display according to a schedule. The method also includes determining a vector-valued differential velocity of the moving object relative to a head of an observer of the video. At a time scheduled for display of a first subframe of a given frame, first-subframe image content transformed by a first transform is displayed. At a time scheduled for display of the second subframe of the given frame, second-subframe image content transformed by a second transform is displayed. The first and second transforms are computed based on the vector-valued differential velocity to mitigate artifacts.
US09874928B2
A system includes a control system and a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). The control system is configured to communicate data with one or more field devices via the RTU. The RTU is configured to transmit received data from the one or more field devices and the control system. The RTU is also configured to activate a power saving mode that selectively provides power to transmit the received data. The RTU is further configured to, while the power saving mode is activated, prevent power from being provided to transmit the received data, and store the received data in a memory of the RTU when the power is not provided to transmit the received data. The RTU is configured to, while the power saving mode is activated, provide power to transmit the received data after storing the received data in the memory of the RTU.
US09874925B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A processor may include a dedicated cache memory. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero and the state variables associated with the processor may be saved to the dedicated cache memory.
US09874924B1
Systems and methods are directed to migrating virtual machine instances between equipment racks of, for example, a data center such that one or more of the equipment racks can be emptied of all active virtual machine instances. Power then can be reduced or completely shut off the racks emptied of their active virtual machine instances. Cooling for such racks also can be reduced. Energy and costs to operate and cool the racks thus are saved. Such techniques are particular beneficial during periods of reduced network activity (e.g., at night and on weekends). Also, all virtual machine instances running in a particular room of a data center can be migrated to server computers running elsewhere to thereby permit utilities (e.g., power, cooling) to the room to be reduced or shut down completely.
US09874923B1
A device comprising a battery, a memory, a data acquisition circuit and a processor. The sensors may sample a current state of a dynamic process. The data acquisition circuit may have a first clock rate based on a sampling rate of the dynamic process. The data acquisition circuit may read sensor information from the sensors. The processor may have a second clock rate. The processor may process the sensor information and generate a monitoring signal based on at least one of the sensor information, a model of the dynamic process and a desired state of the dynamic process. The processor may schedule procedures for the device and determine computation times for the procedures based on context information. The second clock rate is faster than the first clock rate. The procedures are scheduled based on the sampling rate, the computation times for the procedures and opportunities to enter a standby mode to conserve power.
US09874918B2
The present disclosure includes methods for operating a memory system, and memory systems. One such method includes updating transaction log information in a transaction log using write look ahead information; and updating a logical address (LA) table using the transaction log. For example, the write look ahead information can include information about a location where data would have next been written a memory system and/or includes information about the location where data had most recently been written a memory system.
US09874917B2
Adaptive power capping in a chip that includes a plurality of cores in a processing system is provided. An active power demand for the chip is dynamically determined based on observed events of the cores. An average temperature of the chip is computed using one or more on-chip thermal sensors in the cores to estimate leakage power of the chip. A power capping threshold that incorporates the estimate of leakage power is determined based on the average temperature of the chip. Power capping is performed by throttling the cores based on determining that the active power demand for the chip exceeds the power capping threshold.
US09874911B2
The present principle generally relate to resetting of an electronic device, and particularly, to resetting of an electronic device to factory default of settings if a reset button is pressed for more than a certain amount of time such as, e.g., ten seconds. The amount of time the reset button is pressed is monitored by a bootloader program after a reboot of the processor. The present principles allow the use of the same reset button for two different functions: a normal power off-on reset and a reset to the factory default. The present principles also allow the electronic device to be reset to the factory default even if the main software of the electronic device is locked up (i.e., non-functioning).
US09874909B2
A laptop includes a housing, a touch sensor, a fingerprint sensor and a contact panel. The housing has a through hole. The touch sensor is received in the housing and the touch sensor includes a touch area exposed through the through hole. The fingerprint sensor is received in the housing and the fingerprint sensor includes a fingerprint collecting area exposed through the through hole. The contact panel is arranged at the through hole and covers the touch area and the fingerprint collecting area.
US09874906B1
A supporting device includes a hinge module and two buffering modules respectively installed on two opposite sides of the hinge module. Each buffering module includes an internal linking member fixed on the hinge module, an external linking member slidably disposed on the internal linking member, and an elastic member connected to the internal linking member and the external linking member. The hinge module is bendable between an unfolded position and an outwardly folded position. When the hinge module is at the unfolded position, the supporting device is a flat construction, and the elastic members are configured to block the external linking members to move away from the pivots. When the hinge module is at the outwardly folded position, the supporting device is a curved construction and the internal linking members are arranged at the inner side of the curved construction.
US09874902B2
A mobile computing device docking station is provided. The device includes an open enclosure comprising a curved inner surface. A first wall forms a first portion of the open enclosure. A second wall forms a second portion of the open enclosure, the second wall is opposite the first wall, and the first wall extends higher in a direction of an opening of the open enclosure than the second wall. A protrusion extends from the curved inner surface between the first wall and the second wall. Further provided is a combination mobile computing device and docking station and a method of projecting sound emitted by a mobile computing device.
US09874901B2
A wearable device may include: a strap including a substantially polygonal opening and a buckle formed at one end thereof; a buckle part configured to fasten opposite ends of the strap to each other by binding the opposite ends of the strap; and a body configured to be coupled to the opening by being fitted into the opening or decoupled from the opening. The body may include a front surface and a rear surface, and a display having a substantially polygonal shape when viewed from the top on the front surface, and a biometric sensor disposed on the rear surface.
US09874898B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a memory system that generates a multiplied timing signal from a reference timing signal. During operation, the system receives a reference timing signal. Next, the system produces a multiplied timing signal from the reference timing signal by generating a burst comprising multiple timing events for each timing event in the reference timing signal, wherein consecutive timing events in each burst of timing events are separated by a bit time. Then, as the reference clock frequency changes, the interval between bursts of timing events changes while the bit time remains substantially constant.
US09874896B2
A voltage-current converter includes a first input stage and a second input stage with a first transistor and a second transistor driven by the first input stage and by the second input stage, respectively. First and second current generators are coupled to current lines of the first transistor and of the second transistor. At least one resistor couples the current lines of the first transistor and of the second transistor, where the ends of the aforesaid resistor are coupled to feedback terminals of the input stages so that an input voltage applied between voltage input terminals of the input stages is converted into a current on respective current output terminals of the converter. The converter includes switching circuits for coupling the first and second current generators alternately to the current line of the first transistor and to the current line of the second transistor.
US09874895B2
A reference current generating circuit has a variable current supply to output a reference current, delay circuitry to generate a reference clock by delaying a clock by a reference delay amount and a delay clock by delaying the clock depending on a current value of the reference current, a phase comparator to compare a phase of the reference clock with a phase of the delay clock to output a comparison result, and control circuitry to control the current value of the reference current based on the compared result.
US09874892B2
An internal voltage generation device includes a voltage generation block configured to compare a reference voltage and a divided voltage, and generate an output voltage; and an internal voltage driving block including a pull-up driving unit which selectively pull-up drives an internal voltage according to the output voltage, and configured to output the output voltage to the pull-up driving unit through different paths according to a test signal.
US09874888B2
In one example, a circuit includes a voltage source, a pass module, a differential amplifier module, and a control module. The pass module is configured to electronically couple, using a channel having a resistance, the voltage source and a load and to modify the resistance of the channel based on a control signal. The differential amplifier module is configured to generate a differential signal based on a comparison of a voltage reference and a representation of a voltage at the load. The control signal is based on the differential signal. The control module is configured to generate the representation of the voltage at the load according to a transfer function. The transfer function includes a zero positioned substantially at a crossover frequency of the transfer function.
US09874883B2
Diaphragm interface apparatus to improve a cycle life of a diaphragm are described. An example fluid regulator includes a fluid flow passageway between an inlet and an outlet, where a sensing chamber defines a portion of the fluid flow passageway. A diaphragm senses a pressure in the sensing chamber and a diaphragm interface adjacent the sensing chamber has a curved surface to contact a portion of the diaphragm that moves in response to pressure changes in the sensing chamber. The curved surface affects an amount of stress imparted to the portion of the diaphragm during operation of the fluid regulator.
US09874873B2
A mobile robot includes a microprocessor connected to a memory and a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit. The microprocessor drives the mobile robot to a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household, and commands an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, to perform mechanical work in the household. A plurality of routines include a first routine which monitors a wireless local network and detects a presence of a network entity on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence and on the action state.
US09874872B2
A method for controlling a drone including performing operations on a processor configured to control location of the drone are described. The operations on the processor include receiving heart rate messages from a remote device carried by a user, where each heart rate message includes heart rate information of the user, and receiving location messages from the remote device carried by the user, where each location message includes location information of the user. The method includes predicting a future location of the user based on the heart rate messages and the location messages, generating a target location to which the drone is to be moved based on the future location of the user, and commanding the drone to move to the target location. Related devices are disclosed.
US09874867B2
A clustered automation platform includes a plurality of distributed autonomous junction boxes connected to a master autonomous junction box, wherein each of the distributed autonomous junction boxes is configured to connect to one or more process measurement and control devices. The clustered automation platform also includes a fault-tolerant local area Ethernet network configured to interconnect the master autonomous junction box with a fault-tolerant input/output system server and a fault-tolerant control server. The clustered automation platform also includes a plurality of virtual local area networks partitioned from the fault-tolerant local area Ethernet network, a plurality of virtual control modules virtualized from the fault-tolerant control server, and a plurality of virtual operation areas virtualized from the fault-tolerant input/output system server. The clustered automation platform also includes real-time DDS middleware configured to interconnect hardware components with virtual components of the clustered automation platform.
US09874865B2
Provided are a control method and a control device that can make the range of periodic activity (amplitude of reciprocal movement) of an object of control, such as an industrial robot, the same as a case in which the reduction device has no backlash or the same as the amplitude of a position instruction signal. A control device (3) that carries out position control for an arm (5), which carries out periodic movement, while compensating for backlash in the arm (5) is provided with a control unit (15) that adds to a position instruction signal, which gives instructions for the position of the arm (5), a backlash quantity signal after the backlash quantity signal has been shifted so as to be delayed by a delay time, generates a final position instruction signal, and carries out position control of the arm (5) on the basis of the final position instruction signal that has been generated, said backlash quantity signal compensating for backlash.
US09874863B2
Trigger event detection employs a finite state machine (FSM) and interpolation of time-sampled data. A trigger event detector includes an interpolator configured to interpolate time-sampled data and to provide an interpolated sequence of data. The trigger event detector further includes an FSM that has a plurality of predefined states including a trigger event state. The FSM is configured to transition among the predefined states according to an ordered sequence of symbols corresponding to the interpolated sequence of data. A transition of the FSM into the trigger event state represents detection of a trigger event. The trigger event detection provides one or both of a real-time trigger and a post-acquisition trigger.
US09874860B2
A user interface of frequency converter over a wireless connection is disclosed. The frequency converter can be connected to a mobile communications device over a short range wireless connection. The mobile communications device can be connected to a wide area network to a service center maintaining information associated with frequency converters. Operational information of the frequency converter can be relayed to the service center over the wide area network as a view of the frequency converter user interface. The frequency converter can be controlled by control commands from the mobile communications device, the control commands being determined based on selections received from the service center, in response to the view conveyed to the service center.
US09874847B2
A cleaning unit includes a cleaning member that removes a developer from a surface of an image holding member; an accommodating portion that accommodates the removed developer; and a transport member that transports the developer removed by the cleaning member to the accommodating portion, wherein the transport member includes a transport unit that extends in a direction intersecting with a developer transport direction, has a surface formed to be inclined in a direction approaching the cleaning member towards an upstream side, and transports the developer while contacting with the developer.
US09874846B2
A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected to the drum flange, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and (ii) a second position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the photosensitive drum as measured in the direction of the axis L1.
US09874841B2
A fixing device includes a fixing member that is heated, a pressure member, a fixed housing, a movable housing, a moving mechanism, a separating member, a regulating portion, and a link member. The link member is interposed between the movable housing and the separating member. In a pressurized state, the separating member turns about a support shaft in a direction where the separating member approaches to the fixing member by its own weight of the separating member. When a fixing pressure is switched from the pressurized state to a reduced pressure state, moving the movable housing in the direction where the movable housing separates from the fixed housing by the moving mechanism causes the separating member to turn about the support shaft via the link member in the direction where the separating member separates from the fixing member and causes the regulating portion to regulate turning of the separating member.
US09874839B2
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation pad disposed inside the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator presses against the nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A heat generator is disposed inside the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. A reflector is interposed between the heat generator and the nip formation pad. The reflector includes a reflection face to reflect radiant heat radiated from the heat generator. The reflection face includes a reflection portion disposed opposite the heat generator at various angles. A support is provided separately from the nip formation pad and supports the reflector.
US09874837B2
An image forming apparatus includes multiple image carriers for carrying toner images of different colors; an intermediate transfer body for carrying the toner images transferred from the multiple image carriers; a second transfer part for transferring the toner images carried by the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium at a second transfer position; and a charge-applying part for applying a charge having a same polarity as a charging polarity of toner used to form the toner images to at least one of a leading end and a trailing end of the recording medium in a transport direction, at a position on an upstream side of the second transfer part in the transport direction of the recording medium.
US09874834B2
An image forming apparatus includes a toner container and a shutter mechanism. The toner container is attached to or detached from an apparatus main body along an attachment/detachment direction. The toner container has a passing port. The shutter mechanism has a container mount, a shutter plate and an opening/closing hook. The container mount is attached to the toner container. The shutter plate is supported on the container mount so as to be slidable along the attachment/detachment direction. The opening/closing hook is supported on the apparatus main body on one side in a direction crossing the attachment/detachment direction. The opening/closing hook disengages the shutter plate with the container mount.
US09874821B2
The present disclosure is related to a method for detecting and ranking hotspots in a lithographic mask used for printing a pattern on a substrate. According to example embodiments, the ranking is based on defect detection on a modulated focus wafer or a modulated dose wafer, where the actual de-focus or dose value at defect locations is taken into account, in addition to a de-focus or dose setting applied to a lithographic tool when a mask pattern is printed on the wafer. Additionally or alternatively, lithographic parameters other than the de-focus or dose can be used as a basis for the ranking method.
US09874818B2
The invention relates to a photolithographic illumination device including: a light beam source; a condenser (5); an optical homogenizing system (4), including at least one microlens array (L3, L4), arranged upstream from the condenser (5) such that the image focal plane of the optical homogenizing system is positioned in the object focal plane of the condenser; a shutter (3), arranged in the object focal plane of the optical homogenizing system, and in which the optical homogenizing system includes two microlens arrays (L3, L4), the spacing as well as the arrangement and orientation of the microlenses of which are designed such that, in two directions (X, Y) orthogonal to the optical axis, the optical homogenizing system has merged image focal planes and merged object focal planes. The invention likewise relates to a photolithographic device including such an illuminator.
US09874817B2
An optical element assembly includes a base, and an element unit. The element unit includes (i) an optical element having an element central axis and an element perimeter; and (ii) an element connector assembly that couples the optical element to the base, the element connector assembly including a flexure assembly having an element flexure and a base flexure. A distal end of the element flexure is coupled to the optical element near the element perimeter, a distal end of the base flexure is coupled to the base, and a proximal end of the element flexure is coupled to a proximal end of the base flexure near the element central axis.
US09874809B2
A pellicle for a reflective mask including a pellicle body, a light shielding pattern, a grating pattern, and a pellicle frame. The pellicle body includes a central region and a peripheral region, wherein the peripheral region surrounds the central region. The light shielding pattern is formed on the peripheral region of the pellicle body; the grating pattern is formed on the light shielding pattern, and the pellicle frame is located under the peripheral region of the pellicle body, and the pellicle frame is configured to support the pellicle body.
US09874802B2
An image display apparatus includes: a transparent board that transmits visible light; a screen that is provided on one surface of the transparent board; a projector that projects an image toward the screen from the other surface side of the transparent board; and a support unit that supports the transparent board from the other surface side. The projector is disposed outside of the space that is enclosed by the transparent board and the support unit.
US09874796B2
The present invention provides a BOA liquid crystal panel. Both the color resist layer and the black matrix are located on the second substrate, the borders of the two adjacent color resist blocks in the color resist layer overlap to act the effect of light shielding and on this basis, a layer of black matrix is covered to achieve the double layer shielding, which effectively prevents the light leakage due to the exposure of the gap between the data line and the light shielding line when the BOA liquid crystal panel is applied for curve display and meanwhile, shortens the width of the light shielding line. The aperture ratio of the BOA liquid crystal panel is raised to reduce the cost of the backlight.
US09874791B2
Disclosed is a display device, an array substrate and a method for manufacturing the same. The array substrate comprises a first transparent electrode layer, an insulating layer and a second transparent electrode layer disposed sequentially in a transmission direction of light, the second transparent electrode layer including a plurality of strip electrodes spaced apart from each other. At least one of edges of two adjacent strip electrodes facing to each other and a portion of the first transparent electrode layer corresponding to a space formed between the two adjacent strip electrodes is formed with a protruding part protruding in the transmission direction so that a fringe electrical field formed by the edge of each of the strip electrodes and the first transparent electrode layer is shifted towards an edge side of the strip electrode. The present invention may limit an action rang of each of the fringing electrical fields of the each strip electrode and the first transparent electrode effectively. Even if a slight shift is occurred during an assembling operation of a color filter substrate and the array substrate, the adjacent sub-pixel unit will not be affected, so as to reduce the phenomenon of color mixing of the two adjacent sub-pixel units effectively.
US09874790B2
The invention provides a pixel electrode and a liquid crystal display panel. The pixel electrode does not contain a “cross-shaped” keel structure and specifically includes: a peripheral border (40), and multiple first, second, third and fourth pixel electrode branches (41, 42, 43, 44) being strip-shaped. The multiple first, second, third and fourth strip-shaped pixel electrode branches (41, 42, 43, 44) all are disposed in the interior of the peripheral border (40) and connected to the peripheral border (40) and further form an asymmetric structures, so that most of liquid crystal molecules located in the middle of the pixel electrode would be orientated along directions of spacings among the pixel electrode branches, the problem of low penetration rate of the liquid crystal display panel in the prior art caused by the “cross-shaped” keel structure of the pixel electrode can be solved and the transmittance can be increased.
US09874784B2
A liquid crystal panel comprises a first substrate which is transparent and is provided with a transparent electrode and a wiring part having light-shielding properties, a second substrate which is transparent and is provided with a light-shielding layer having a first opening and is disposed opposite to the first substrate so that the transparent electrode faces the first opening, a liquid crystal part disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a sealing part configured to seal the liquid crystal part between the first substrate and the second substrate. The light-shielding layer has a second opening. The sealing part has light-shielding properties and is configured to close the second opening.
US09874783B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display substrate and a preparation method thereof, which belongs to the technical field of liquid crystal display and may solve the problem that vias in the existing liquid crystal display substrate will result in non-uniform thickness of an alignment layer and thus influence the display effect. The liquid crystal display substrate provided by the present invention comprises a plurality of display structures, and an alignment layer located above all the display structures, wherein at least some of the display structures are provided therein with vias, and at least some of the vias are surrounded by baffle walls that are located under the alignment layer.
US09874772B2
A flexible display and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the flexible display includes a display panel configured to display images, a window substrate disposed on a first surface of the display panel, and a lower passivation film attached to a second surface of the display panel opposing the first surface. The flexible display can also include a lower adhesive layer interposed between the display panel and the lower passivation film. The lower adhesive layer can include a plurality of isolated-pattern portions and a peripheral portion surrounding the isolated-pattern portions.
US09874765B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and processes for constructing a contact lens. In one embodiment, a contact lens assembly is provided, comprising: a curved polymer polarizer with an aperture; a lenslet disposed inside the aperture, wherein the lenslet enables imaging near objects; and a filter attached to the lenslet. In further embodiments, a method for fabricating a flexible contact lens is provided, comprising: fabricating an element having an extrusion; providing a front concave mold, wherein the front mold has an intrusion to accommodate the extrusion of the optical element; affixing the extrusion of the optical element to the intrusion of the front mold; attaching a back convex mold to the front concave mold, thereby forming a mold cavity; and filling the mold cavity with a pre-polymerized liquid, whereby upon polymerization, the pre-polymerized liquid forms the flexible contact lens and the optical element is partially encapsulated within the lens.
US09874756B2
A wearable electronic device is provided. The wearable electronic device includes a display module configured to output an image, a wearing unit connected with the display module, and a detachment/attachment unit configured to allow the wearing unit to be detached from/attached to a user's eyeglass frame. The wearing unit is wearable on a user's body. The wearable electronic device may be variously implemented according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
US09874753B2
A display apparatus includes: an eyeglass-type frame worn by a head of a viewer; and an image display apparatus attached to the frame, wherein the image display apparatus includes an image formation device, and an optical device on which light that exits from the image formation device is incident, through which the light is guided, and out of which the light exits, the frame is formed of a front portion, two temple portions extending from both ends of the front portion, a nose pad, and an attachment member, the attachment member is attached to a central section of the front portion, the optical device is attached to the attachment member, and the nose pad is so attached to the attachment member that the nose pad is movable upward and downward.
US09874738B2
An endoscope includes an image transmission device in a shaft for transmitting an image from the distal end to the proximal end of the endoscope and an image erecting device for erecting an image registered by means of the endoscope. The image erecting device has a first surface for angle-dependent reflection and a second surface for angle-dependent reflection. The image erecting device is arranged and embodied in such a way that light for image erecting is successively reflected at the first reflective surface, passed through the first reflective surface and through the second, reflective surface and reflected at the second reflective surface.
US09874736B2
An apparatus for inclined single plane Illumination microscopy of a sample includes a laser for launching excitation light beams at a plurality of wavelengths, a laser beam expander, an injection arm optically coupled to the laser beam expander, a conventional back-to-back microscope system, a universal dichroic mirror optically coupled to the injection arm to direct the excitation light beams into the conventional back-to-back microscope onto a sample plane in an imaging plane, and to receive fluorescence light from the sample, a universal optical adaptor optically coupled to the universal dichroic mirror, a re-imaging component optically coupled to the universal optical adaptor; and a camera output connector optically coupled to the re-imaging component, where the laser beam expander, injection arm, universal optical adapter, re-imaging component, and camera are combined in a modular unit which is arranged and configured to be coupled to the conventional back-to-back microscope.
US09874734B2
A zoom optical system includes a negative first lens group having a first deflection optical element, a positive second lens group, a positive third lens group, a positive fourth lens group, and a second deflection optical element, in that order from the object side. The first lens group is provided at a fixed position relative to an imaging plane. Zooming is performed by moving at least the second and third lens groups so that distances between adjacent lens groups of the first through fourth lens groups change. The third lens group is a focusing lens group which moves along the optical axis during focusing. The following condition (1) is satisfied: 0.2
US09874731B2
A zoom lens is constituted by, in order from the object side to the image side: a positive first lens group which his fixed when changing magnification; at least two moving lens groups that move when changing magnification; and a positive final lens group which is fixed when changing magnification. The first lens group is constituted by, in order from the object side to the image side: a negative 1a lens group which is fixed during focusing operations, a positive 1b lens group which moves during focusing operations, and a positive 1c lens group which is fixed during focusing operations. The 1a lens group includes at least one negative lens that satisfies predetermined conditional formulae.
US09874723B2
The present invention discloses a photographic optical system which includes a first lens (focal length f1), a second lens (focal length f2), a third lens (focal length f3), a fourth lens (focal length f4), a fifth lens (focal length f5), a sixth lens (focal length f6) and a seventh lens (focal length f7). The photographic optical system disclosed in the present invention by optimizing rationally face shape, distributing refractive power, selecting optical material, is designed as a big relative stop photographic optical system, and can provide the imaging performance in low illumination environment.
US09874712B2
A module for installing and storing an optical fiber includes a supply spool containing fiber for routing between the module and a service module at a customer premises. An adapter inside the module connects the fiber on the spool with an outside connector associated with a device at the premises. A wall of the module has a payout opening, and an edge of the module base is set back from the outside surface of the wall at the payout opening. A ramp area formed on the base inclines downward from the spool toward the payout opening. A lower edge of the ramp area substantially coincides with the setback edge and is substantially flush with a supporting surface beneath the base. Fiber drawn from the module can be adhered to the supporting surface at the payout opening and thus ameliorate any adverse visual impact of the fiber near the module.
US09874707B2
A photoelectric conversion connector comprising a support, a photoelectric conversion element that is provided on said support and that can be connected to an optical fiber through an optical signal, a first resin member that is formed at the upper part of the photoelectric conversion element, and a second resin member that is formed at the upper part of the first resin member. An optical signal transmitted between the photoelectric conversion element and the optical fiber goes through both the first resin member and the second resin member.
US09874706B2
An optical transmission module includes an optical element including a light-emitting section configured to output light of an optical signal, a hollow cylindrical body joined perpendicularly to a light output surface of the optical element, a wiring board, on a first principal surface of which the optical element is mounted and through a hole of which the hollow cylindrical body is inserted, and an optical fiber configured to transmit the optical signal, a distal end portion of which is inserted into the hollow cylindrical body.
US09874702B2
Example implementations relate to an optical connector assembly apparatus. For example, an optical connector assembly apparatus can include a lead-in nose disposed at a proximal end of the apparatus for insertion into a sleeve housing, where the sleeve housing has a shutter flap to cover an opening in the sleeve. Also, the optical connector assembly apparatus can include a plurality of beams transverse to the lead-in nose to provide a force to hold the shutter flap in an open position, and a tab disposed at a distal end of the apparatus to receive an end cap of an optical blind-mate connector adapter.
US09874698B2
A tunable PLC optical filter having sequentially connected thermally tunable Mach-Zehnder (MZ) interferometers is described. The cascade of MZ interferometers, each having a free spectral ranges matching ITU frequency grid spacing, are tuned so as to have a common passband centered on the frequency of the signal being selected, while having at least one of the stopbands centered on any other ITU frequency. Any other optical channel that may be present at any other ITU frequency is suppressed as a result. Another MZ interferometer in series with the cascade of interferometers including an asymmetric or variable coupler, is tuned to have low transmission at the center frequency of the selected optical channel.
US09874697B1
A bidirectional optical transmission apparatus includes a first optical waveguide device, a second optical waveguide device, and a polarization-maintaining optical fiber that connects the first optical waveguide device and the second optical waveguide device. A direction of a slow axis of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber with respect to a first substrate at a connecting portion between the first optical waveguide device and the polarization-maintaining optical fiber and a direction of the slow axis of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber with respect to the second substrate at a connecting portion between the second optical waveguide device and the polarization-maintaining optical fiber are substantially orthogonal to each other.
US09874696B2
An integrated polarization splitter and rotator (PSR) employs the TE0 and TE1 modes of propagating light, rather than the TE0 and TM0 modes used in conventional prior art PSR. The integrated PSR exhibits appreciably flatter wavelength response because it does not require a directional coupler to de-multiplex incoming polarizations. The PSR allows tuning of the TM0 loss to reduce polarization dependent loss (PDL). This integrated polarization splitter and rotator is applicable to all integrated platforms including Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) and III-V semiconductor compound systems. The PSR may be very compact (12×2 μm2), and provides low loss (<0.3 dB across the C-band) and ultra-broadband operation. The PSR also affords better control of polarization dependent losses.
US09874693B2
A semiconductor structure can include an active device FET region having a FET and a photonics region having a photonic device including a waveguide. A semiconductor structure can include an active device FET region having a FET and a trench isolation region having a photonic device that includes a waveguide. A method can include forming a FET at an active device FET region of a semiconductor structure. A method can include forming a photonic device at a trench isolation region of a semiconductor structure.
US09874692B2
In a substrate-type optical waveguide element, in a case where effective refractive indexes of a TE polarized wave and a TM polarized wave in a first core are defined as NTE@WG1 and NTM@WG1, respectively, and effective refractive indexes of a TE polarized wave and a TM polarized wave in a second core are defined as NTE@WG2 and NTM@WG2, respectively, a magnitude relation of the effective refractive indexes NTM@WG1 and NTM@WG2 at a start position of a parallel-core section is opposite to that at an end position of the parallel-core section, and a relative refractive index difference defined by Formula (a) is 0.25 or higher.
US09874688B2
Disclosed herein are designs, structures and techniques for advanced packaging of multi-function photonic integrated circuits that allow such high-performance multi-function photonic integrated circuits to be co-packaged with a high-performance multi-function ASIC thereby significantly reducing strenuous interconnect challenges and lowering costs, power and size of the overall devices.
US09874685B2
A coated optical fiber, including a coating layer with a high elastic modulus even when a glass optical fiber is coated with resin by using an ultraviolet semiconductor light emitting element as a light source for curing resin and using a Wet-on-Wet method, is provided. A manufacturing method of the coated optical fiber includes: applying a first ultraviolet curable resin to a glass optical fiber; applying a second ultraviolet curable resin to the periphery of the first ultraviolet curable resin before curing the first ultraviolet curable resin; and irradiating the first and second ultraviolet curable resins with light in a wavelength range of 350 to 405 nm emitted from an ultraviolet semiconductor light emitting element, wherein the second ultraviolet curable resin contains a photopolymerization initiator that absorbs the light from the ultraviolet semiconductor light emitting element to generate radicals, and the photopolymerization initiator has photobleaching properties.
US09874684B2
An optical fiber comprises a glass fiber, and a coating resin layer having a primary resin layer and a secondary resin layer, wherein the primary resin layer consists of a cured resin composition containing an oligomer, a monomer and a photopolymerization initiator, the oligomer is a reaction product of a specific polyol compound, a polyisocyanate compound, and a hydroxyl group-containing acrylate compound, the photopolymerization initiator includes 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenyl phosphine and 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone at a mass ratio of 5:1 to 1:1, and a content of 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenyl phosphine in the resin composition is 1.5 to 2.5% by mass.
US09874682B2
A display apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure comprises a display panel, a light source device illuminating the display panel from a back side of the display panel, an optical sheet arranged between the display panel and the light source device, and a support for supporting the optical sheet. In the display apparatus, a part of a peripheral portion of the optical sheet is sandwiched and held between the display panel and the support. In the display apparatus, a remaining part of the peripheral portion of the optical sheet is not sandwiched and held between the display panel and the support.
US09874676B2
A light guide plate in accordance with various embodiments comprises: a body having a light incident part at a first side surface of the body; an upper optical pattern at a top side of the body; and a lower optical pattern at a bottom side of the body, wherein the lower optical pattern is an embossed pattern protruding from the bottom side of the body and having a trapezoid shape, wherein a first end of the trapezoid shape has a first width and a second end of the trapezoid shape has a second width, wherein the first end is closer to the light incident part than the second end, and wherein the first width is narrower than the second width.
US09874672B2
An illumination device includes a light source, a transmission part and a lighting appliance. The light source is configured to emit a laser light. The transmission part is configured to transmit the laser light emitted from the light source through an optical fiber. The lighting appliance is configured to convert a wavelength of the laser light transmitted through the transmission part and emit an illumination light. The transmission part includes a guide part having a rail-shape and extending along a transmission direction of the laser light. The lighting appliance is further configured to be mounted in an arbitrary position of the guide part.
US09874669B2
The present invention provides a reflection film, comprising a right circularly-polarized light reflection layer and a left circularly-polarized light reflection layer as circularly-polarized light reflection layers, each of the circularly-polarized light reflection layers consisting of a layer obtained by fixing a cholesteric liquid-crystalline phase, having a reflection wavelength at which a diffuse reflectance for non-polarized light becomes 50% or more in a wavelength region in which each of the circularly-polarized light reflection layers exhibits selective reflection, the reflection wavelength being in an infrared wavelength region, and the reflection film exhibiting a direct transmittance of non-polarized visible light of 50% or more and a haze value of 5% or less; and an optical member including the reflection film, which can be used as a handwriting input sheet. The optical member can be used by being stuck to the surface of a display.
US09874668B2
A quantum rod film for a backlight unit of a liquid crystal display is disclosed herein. The quantum rod film includes a first barrier layer, a sub-wavelength microstructure on the first barrier layer, and a plurality of quantum rods, wherein the sub-wavelength microstructure includes gratings aligned in a parallel direction, an alignment microstructure disposed in grooves between the gratings in a direction perpendicular to the gratings, and a reflective layer on upper surfaces of the gratings. A plurality of quantum rods are arranged in the alignment microstructure of the sub-wavelength microstructure, and major axes of the quantum rods are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the gratings.
US09874660B2
A hardcoat composition and a polarizer and a display device applying the same are provided. The hardcoat composition includes an acrylic copolymer, a multi-functional unsaturated photomonomer or oligomer, a photoinitiator, and a thermal curing agent. The acrylic copolymer with hydroxyl group has a weight-average molecular weight equal to or larger than 15,000 and has a glass transition temperature higher than 25° C.
US09874659B2
An antireflection article includes a substrate; and an antireflection layer containing a binder resin and inorganic particles, wherein the inorganic particles are particles having an average primary particle diameter of 150 nm to 250 nm and a CV value of 4% or less, 99.9% or more of the inorganic particles are perfectly spherical particles, the antireflection layer includes a moth eye structure composed of an unevenness shape formed by the inorganic particles on a surface of the antireflection layer, and an area occupancy ratio of the inorganic particles on the surface of the antireflection layer is 25% to 64%.
US09874657B2
A compensation film including a polymer having a first structural unit represented by Chemical Formula 1, and having a photoelastic coefficient of less than or equal to about 40×10−13 cm2/dyn wherein in Chemical Formula 1, Ar1, X, L1, and R1 are the same as described in the detailed description.
US09874652B2
Modeling an elastic stiffness tensor in a transverse isotropic subsurface medium acquires well log data for at least one well passing through the transverse isotropic subsurface medium. The transverse isotropic subsurface medium is divided into an effective anisotropic layer and an isotropic layer. The effective anisotropic layer elastic parameters are modeled, and the isotropic layer elastic parameters are modeled using the effective anisotropic layer elastic parameters and the acquired well log data. The modeled effective anisotropic layer elastic parameters and the modeled isotropic layer elastic parameters are used to upscale the effective anisotropic layer and the isotropic layer into the transverse isotropic subsurface medium comprising a single layer and to determine the five members of the elastic stiffness tensor for the transverse isotropic subsurface medium.
US09874645B2
Provided is a POS system including: a storage part for storing a product code for identifying a product and a radiation dose or a radioactivity threshold defined for each product code, the product code and the radiation dose or the radioactivity threshold being associated with each other; a scanner part including a product reading part for reading a product code attached to a product, and a radioactivity measurement part for measuring a radiation dose emitted from the product or radioactivity defined based on the radiation dose; a comparison part for comparing a radiation does or a radioactivity threshold corresponding to the product code read by the product code reading part and a value measured by the radioactivity measurement part with each other; and an alert output part for outputting an alert when the measured value exceeds the threshold.
US09874639B2
The present invention tracks or locates small moving objects, or generates a 3-D frame of data by using 3-D focal plane arrays with low laser energy and few mechanically moving parts. The invention may be used to determine the direction of a laser designating a target, for target tracking, used as a 3-D movie/video camera or used to provide data for autonomous navigation.
US09874634B1
A radar apparatus derives (i) first target information of a first target existing in the transmission range of the transmission wave, the first target being a rear end portion of a vehicle and (ii) second target information of a second target existing in the transmission range of the transmission wave, the second target being a portion of the vehicle other than the rear end portion of the vehicle. The radar apparatus calculates a distance difference between the first target and the second target, and predicts, in a case where the first target information of the first target derived in a previous target information derivation process is not derived in a latest target information derivation process, a position of the first target, using the distance difference and the second target information of the second target derived in the latest target information derivation process.
US09874633B1
A deceleration hysteresis measuring apparatus for a soft recovery system is configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave to a pressure tube of the soft recovery system and receive the electromagnetic wave reflected from a projectile moving in the pressure tube so as to measure a distance of the projectile based on signals of the transmitted and received waves.
US09874628B2
A system is provided including a first elongated object proximate a first surface on a first side of a structure and a second elongated object proximate a second surface on a second side of the structure, the second surface and the second side opposite the structure relative to the first surface and the first side, the first object aligned with the second object at a first point on the first surface. The system also includes a first plurality of corner cubes affixed to the first object at first known distances from each other and from the first point, wherein the first object abuts the first surface at the first point. The system also includes a second plurality of corner cubes affixed to the second object at second known distances from each other and from the first point, wherein the second object abuts second surface at second point opposite first point.
US09874625B2
An electromagnetic radiation source locating system including an electromagnetic radiation sensor including an antenna configured to detect a radiant energy transmission. A position detector is in communication with the controller and is configured to detect the position of the antenna relative to a reference coordinate system, while an orientation sensor is in communication with the controller and is configured to detect the orientation of the antenna and provide an orientation signal to the controller. A range sensor is configured to detect the distance to an aligned object in the path of a directional vector and provide a distance signal indicative thereof to the controller. An aerial vehicle may be in communication with the controller and configured to drop a marker for guiding navigators to the source of the radiant energy transmission.
US09874617B2
A power supply unit (130) powers at least one gradient coil (128) of a magnetic resonance (MR) examination system (110) with a main magnet (114) having, in at least one state of operation, a substantially static magnetic field strength, and with an MR measurement signal bandwidth. The power supply unit (130) includes a switched-mode power converter (134) for powering the at least one gradient coil (128), and including at least one switching member provided to switch between a conducting state configuration and an essentially non-conducting state configuration at a first fundamental switching frequency (fSW). A pulse control unit (132) is designed to provide switching pulses at the first fundamental switching frequency (fSW) for controlling the switching of the at least one switching member. Upon triggering by a trigger signal (142), the pulse control unit (132) is provided to change the first fundamental switching frequency (fSW) to at least a second fundamental switching frequency (fSW).
US09874614B2
There is provided a semiconductor apparatus comprising: a switching element including a main element and a sense element; a main diode whose cathode is connected to a first main electrode of the main element and whose anode is connected to a second main electrode of the main element; a sense diode whose cathode is connected to a first main electrode of the sense element and whose anode is connected to a second main electrode of the sense element; and a deterioration detection circuit configured to apply a voltage to a sense node, and detects a deterioration of the switching element or the main diode based on a forward current flowing in the sense diode, being detected while the voltage is applied, the voltage being applied during an OFF period of switching element, wherein the sense diode is disposed for detecting current flowing through the main diode.
US09874607B1
The present invention discloses a method of testing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The method includes receiving a series of analog signals from a tester site, converting the series of analog signals to a series of digital code words using an ADC, evaluating the ADC based on the series of digital code words using an ADC test setup and generating an output signal identifying whether the ADC has passed the testing.
US09874597B2
Light-emitting devices, such as LEDs, are tested using a photometric unit. The photometric unit, which may be an integrating sphere, can measure flux, color, or other properties of the devices. The photometric unit may have a single port or both an inlet and outlet. Light loss through the port, inlet, or outlet can be reduced or calibrated for. These testing systems can provide increased reliability, improved throughput, and/or improved measurement accuracy.
US09874596B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor apparatus including a testing step of testing a PN diode for the presence or absence of stacking faults in a relatively short time and an energization test apparatus. The present invention sets the temperature of a bipolar semiconductor element at 150° C. or higher and 230° C. or lower, causes a forward current having a current density of 120 [A/cm2] or more and 400 [A/cm2] or less to continuously flow through the bipolar semiconductor element, calculates, in a case where a forward resistance of the bipolar semiconductor element through which the forward current flows reaches a saturation state, the degree of change in the forward resistance, and determines whether the calculated degree of change is smaller than a threshold value.
US09874594B2
A circuit board inspecting apparatus is disclosed for inspecting a circuit board having wiring patterns separated from each other and forming a plurality of wiring pattern pairs. The apparatus includes a low-voltage inspection part to apply a first low-potential difference below a threshold voltage between wiring patterns in a first of the plurality of wiring pattern pairs, and to detect a first current flowing therebetween. A resistance measurement part is provided to measure a first resistance value between the wiring patterns of the first wiring pattern pair upon detection of the first current and a high-voltage inspection part is configured to selectively apply, based on the first resistance value, a high-potential difference above said threshold voltage, between the wiring patterns in a second of said plurality of wiring pattern pairs.
US09874588B2
A method for determining an average value of a periodic or quasi-periodic voltage signal that can be transmitted on a communication bus with a transmission period greater than the period of the signal. The method includes acquiring measurements of the signal with a measurement period corresponding to the transmission period of the average value on the bus, obtaining the average value from the acquired measurements, applying, for each measurement, a variable delay, defining a time of measurement within the measurement period, relative to a reference time, and obtaining the average value from the result of the measurement made at each time of measurement and from the results of the measurements made previously.
US09874585B2
Resilient electrical interposers that may be utilized to form a plurality of electrical connections between a first device and a second device, as well as systems that may utilize the resilient electrical interposers and methods of use and/or fabrication thereof. The resilient electrical interposers may include a resilient dielectric body with a plurality of electrical conduits contained therein. The plurality of electrical conduits may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical connections between a first surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body and a second, opposed, surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body. The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide for improved vertical compliance, improved contact force control, and/or improved dimensional stability of the resilient electrical interposers.
US09874579B1
An inertial measurement unit includes a spherical gimbal system and a heat exchanger system that cool components of the spherical gimbal system without affecting the operations of the spherical gimbal system. The heat exchanger system can be configured to flow chilled air to the components of the spherical gimbal system by using the spherical gimbals as transport pathways for the chilled air and the returned heated air.
US09874578B2
An apparatus for taking a sample from at least one fluid system and for passing the sample to an analytical evaluation system connects the piston rod of the sample-taking piston with a controllable drive. A flushing gas feed opens into a feed line downstream from a three-way valve, via a shut-off valve. The three-way valve, the controllable drive, and the shut-off valve are coupled with one another so that for taking a sample, the three-way valve releases the path of the sampling line to the sample-taking cylinder, the shut-off valve is open, and the controllable drive withdraws the sample-taking piston from the sample-taking cylinder, and, for applying the sample to the evaluation system, the shut-off valve is closed, the three-way valve is switched to release the path from the sample-taking piston to the feed line, and the controllable drive pushes the sample-taking piston completely back into the sample-taking cylinder.
US09874573B2
Provided herein are methods and devices for the detection of conditions or disorders by detecting altered levels of stress response pathway biomarkers. Also provided are methods and reagents for identifying panels of biomarkers associated with a condition or disorder.
US09874562B2
Methods and compositions for detection of drug resistant pathogens and treatment against infections thereof are provided. Methods for detection of oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses by competitive binding assays utilizing non-oseltamivir influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitors and oseltamivir carboxylate are provided. Influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitors coupled to sensors and useful for employment in the methods of the invention are disclosed. Novel phosphonate compounds active as neuraminidase inhibitors against wild-type and oseltamivir-resistant influenza strains of H1N1, H5N1 and H3N2 viruses are disclosed. An enantioselective synthetic route to preparation of these phosphonate compounds via sialic acid is provided.
US09874559B2
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to devices and methods for pumping and controlling the flow of a fluid. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to capacitive pumping and flow control devices and methods. In one embodiment, the invention provides a pump system having an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a chamber between and in communication with each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve, the chamber having at least one elastic surface, wherein the chamber will dilate in response to a fluid exerting a pressure on the elastic surface, contain a quantity of the fluid when so dilated, and discharge the quantity of the fluid through the opened outlet valve.
US09874551B2
A method for determining mineralogy of a formation includes determining a model of arenites in the formation by performing a first type of linear regression on a plurality of elemental dry weights of the formation based upon a sum of elemental dry weights of calcium and magnesium being at least a given value, or performing a second type of linear regression on the elemental dry weights based upon the sum of the elemental dry weights of elemental calcium and magnesium being less than the given value. A model of arkoses in the formation is determined by performing a third type of linear regression on the elemental dry weights. A partitioning function is then determined. The mineralogy of the formation is then determined by applying the partitioning function to the model of arenites and the model of arkoses, and adding the model of arenites and the model of arkoses together.
US09874537B2
The concentration measurement method includes: introducing a predetermined amount of the biological sample into the capillary; measuring a temperature of the biological sample by applying a first voltage to the electrode unit when the temperature of the biological sample is measured, the first voltage allowing the temperature measurement to be less affected by increase and reduction in an amount of the analyte contained in the biological sample; measuring the concentration of the analyte contained in the biological sample by applying a second voltage to the electrode unit; measuring an environmental temperature in a surrounding of the biological sample; and correcting the concentration of the measured analyte based on the measured temperature of the biological sample and the measured environmental temperature.
US09874530B2
Provided is an evaluation method that provides detailed information on the crosslink densities in sulfur-containing polymer composite materials. The present invention relates to a method of measuring crosslink densities in a sulfur-containing polymer composite material, the method including: a measurement step of irradiating the sulfur-containing polymer composite material with high intensity X-rays and measuring an X-ray absorption spectrum of the composite material while varying the energy of the X-rays; a visualization step of determining the three-dimensional structure of sulfur atoms in the sulfur-containing polymer composite material by the reverse Monte Carlo method from the X-ray absorption spectrum; and a calculation step of calculating, from the three-dimensional structure of sulfur atoms, a crosslink density for each number of sulfur atoms bonded.
US09874517B2
A processing apparatus includes: a light emission unit configured to emit light to a surface of a particle dispersed liquid applied to a base material, the particle dispersed liquid having particles dispersed in a solvent; a reflected light amount monitoring unit configured to detect an amount of the light reflected, and monitor a temporal variation of the detected value; and a condition adjustment unit configured to adjust a condition for a particle securing process, the particle securing process being performed to remove the solvent and secure the particles onto the base material, wherein, when the temporal variation falls within a predetermined range after the value has reached an extreme value, securing of the particles is determined to have been completed.
US09874509B2
Embodiments of a particle sensor are provided. In one example, a particle sensor for an exhaust system comprises at least two inlet openings for an exhaust-gas flow of the exhaust system, wherein the inlet openings are of different sizes, and at least two sensor elements, wherein in each case one sensor element is arranged downstream of one inlet opening. In this way, the relative proportion of different-sized particles within the exhaust-gas flow may be determined.
US09874507B2
The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for measuring submerged surfaces. Embodiments include a measurement apparatus including a main frame, a source positioned outside a pipe and connected to the main frame, and a detector positioned outside the pipe at a location diametrically opposite the source and connected to the main frame. The source may transmit a first amount of radiation. The detector may receive a second amount of radiation, determine a composition of the pipe based on the first and second amounts of radiation, and send at least one measurement signal. A control canister positioned on the main frame or on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) attached to the apparatus may receive the at least one measurement signal from the detector and convey the at least one measurement signal to software located topside.
US09874506B2
System, methods, and apparatuses for determining properties of a production fluid downhole are presented. In one instance, a system includes a sample-filled sensing device for vibrating a first suspended tube containing a sample of production fluid and producing a first response signal. The system also includes a reference-fluid sensing device with a second suspended tube containing a viscosity-tunable fluid therein. The system vibrates the second suspended tube to create a second response signal. The viscosity of the viscosity-tunable fluid is varied until it is deemed to match that of the sample production fluid. Other systems and methods are presented.
US09874502B2
The invention relates to a method for trapping particles contained in a fluid including at least the steps of generating a coherent light beam, diffusing the coherent light beam using a passive diffusive element to yield a diffused beam having a field of optical speckles, and causing the diffused beam to interact with a plurality of particles contained in a fluid.
US09874499B1
An improved method for staining biopsy samples taken from patients for epidermal nerve fiber density testing is described. The method employed in the present invention minimizes tissue damage incurred during biopsy sample processing for immunostaining and involves minimal handling of the sample. Moreover, the unique steps of covering wells that do not receive samples as well as novel labeling pattern of the patient samples significantly reduces the chances of making errors in mixing patient samples while processing a large batch of patient specimens.
US09874490B2
Methods and systems are provided for determining a fluid leakage of a vehicle component. In one example, a method may include measuring a strain of an underbody cover in order to determine the fluid leakage.
US09874489B1
Water leaks and other anomalies in irrigation systems may be detected by analysis of energy consumption data captured from a utility power meter, and particularly energy data from smart meters that service water pumps. Furthermore, water usage can be measured indirectly from the energy required to move it given an understanding of its operating condition that ties water flow and electrical power. Unlike existing solutions that use water meters or other sensors, embodiments of the present method described herein detect water leaks and other anomalies from the electrical load for the water pump(s) and track the operating condition of the pump.
US09874486B2
Systems and methods for packaging a MEMS device are provided. Embodiments herein avoid the use of a metal housing enclosing the MEMS device or die pad of the MEMS device. Instead, a metal port is mounted directly to the MEMS device using a ceramic carrier. In preferred embodiments, the ceramic carrier is soldered, brazed, welded or eutectic bonded to the metal port.
US09874481B2
Methods and systems accurately determine an analyte concentration in a fluid sample. In an example embodiment, a receiving port receives a test sensor. The test sensor includes a fluid-receiving area for receiving a fluid sample. The fluid-receiving area contains a reagent that produces a measurable reaction with an analyte in the fluid sample. The test sensor has a test-sensor temperature and the reagent has a reagent temperature. A measurement system measures the reaction between the reagent and the analyte. A temperature-measuring system measures the test sensor temperature when the test sensor is received into the receiving port. A concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample is determined according to the measurement of the reaction and the measurement of the test sensor temperature. A diagnostic system determines an accuracy of the temperature-measuring system. The calculation of the analyte concentration may be adjusted according to the accuracy of temperature-measuring system.
US09874475B2
An analysis system (e.g., LIBS) includes a laser source generating a laser beam, a movable optic configured to move said laser beam to multiple locations on a sample, and a spectrometer responsive to photons emitted by the sample at those locations and having an output. A controller is responsive to a trigger signal and is configured in a moving spot cycle to adjust the moveable optic, activate the laser source sequentially generating photons at multiple locations on the sample, and process the spectrometer output at each location.
US09874469B2
The invention relates to a device including: at least one fluid-using apparatus; at least one movable tank capable of and intended for providing at least the fluid and connected, via pipes, to the fluid using apparatus, the movable tank containing, at the outset, a given initial amount of the gas; and a means for assessing amounts of the fluid that are used by the fluid using apparatus from the movable tank, the assessment means being rigidly connected to the fluid-using apparatus.
US09874456B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for providing a destination preview while using a navigation device. As a user approaches a destination, a mode of navigation assistance may change from route guidance to destination preview. The destination preview may include an overhead perspective of an area surrounding a destination. The destination preview may be animated so as to allow the user to maintain perspective of the current location, planned route, and other objects while previewing the destination. The animated perspective path, including height, zoom level, angle, and speed of a vantage point, may be calculated so as to provide improved visibility for a user.
US09874449B2
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided. An example method comprises identifying an object in a source graph; defining a closure graph around the object in the source graph; building a closure set around the object based on the closure graph; identifying the anchor nodes of the closure set on the target graph; and deflating the closure set on the target graph to identify a target object in the target graph that corresponds to the object in the source graph. The object is identified by a directed way and an offset there along. An anchor node is a junction that is tagged with a junction identifier configured to uniquely identify the junction in both the source graph and a target graph.
US09874447B2
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for determining turn lane data from probe data. Probe data for an intersection including locations and headings is identified. The probe data for the intersection is divided into a first trace and a second trace based on locations. The difference in the headings, heading change data, is calculated. From the heading change data, at least two local extrema points are identified. A characteristic of the turning lane is determined based on the at least two local extrema points.
US09874444B2
A method in a computer system for estimating an area of an object comprises the step of placing a scaling object adjacent a first side of the object. A first digital image of the object first side and the scaling device is taken. The scaling device is then placed adjacent the second side of the object, and a second digital image of the object second side and the scaling device is taken. The first image is converted into a first pixel grid and the second image is converted into a second pixel grid. An input device is used to mark respectively on the first and second pixels grids the endpoints of the scaling device along with endpoints of the first and second sides. Numerical values for a height and a width of the scaling device are entered using the input device.
US09874443B2
The method employs a computer interconnected with a GPS transceiver and a distance measurement means and operatively interconnected with a digital camera, all provided on a moving vehicle, to acquire a plurality of geographic location related images. A first geographic position is obtained from the GPS transceiver and a plurality of distance measurements are then received before a second geographic position is taken. A photo request is generated after a pre-determined distance is traveled, as determined by the distance measurement means, and transmitted to the digital camera. The camera takes a photo based on the request; and the photos, photo requests, first and second positions and distance measurements are stored for post-processing. Post-processing determines a path traveled by the vehicle using the positions and distance measurements to determine an accurate geographic location and orientation for each photo. The method is suitable for building a database of geographically related images.
US09874439B2
Multidirectional roughness measurement insert for determining a measured variable that is characteristic of the roughness of a surface, having a carrier body on which a stylus holder is arranged for holding a stylus, an analog sensor, which converts the movements of the carrier body into measurement signals that are characteristic of the roughness of a surface of workpiece, a stylus to be coupled to the carrier body, comprising a rod-shaped shaft and a scanning head mounted on the shaft, wherein the scanning head is at least one section of a test body, which is essentially rotationally symmetrical to at least one section of the rod-shaped shaft, or wherein the scanning head is at least one section of an essentially rotationally symmetrical test body, which is arranged on a distal end of at least one section of the rod-shaped shaft.
US09874438B2
An angle square adapter including: a base, where base is attachable to a straight ruler; a series of holes over a top surface of the base; an alignment line between the holes; a laser assembly mountable on the base, where the laser assembly includes a circular measurement portion, a nose portion and a laser mounted on the nose portion; and a measurement scale along one edge of the base, where measurement scale assists in angle alignment. The series of holes preferably includes three holes aligned in a straight line. An angle scale is provided on the perimeter of the circular measurement portion. The angle square adapter may also include a plurality of magnets along one side of the base and a lanyard attached to the base.
US09874437B2
The invention relates to a method for the 3-dimensional measurement of a sample with a measuring system having a 3-dimensional measuring space and comprising a laser scanning microscope, characterised by—providing the measuring system with a 3-dimensional virtual reality device,—creating the 3-dimensional virtual space of the measuring space using the 3-dimensional virtual reality device,—allowing for selecting an operation in the virtual space,—providing real-time unidirectional or bidirectional connection between the measuring space and the virtual space such that an operation selected in the virtual space is performed in the measuring space and data measured in the measuring space is displayed in the virtual space. The invention further relates to a measuring system for the 3-dimensional measurement of a sample, the measuring system having a 3-dimensional measuring space and comprising a laser scanning microscope, characterised by further comprising a 3-dimensional virtual reality device for displaying a 3-dimensional virtual space of the measuring space, and a real-time unidirectional or bidirectional connection is provided between the laser scanning microscope and the 3-dimensional virtual reality device.
US09874436B2
An inspection apparatus initially involves an illuminator for directing an illuminating light beam towards a hole having two extremities and an internal surface extending between the two extremities. The inspection apparatus also involves a lens assembly for imaging the internal surface of the hole into the flat image. The lens assembly has a cylindrical field of view as well as a cylindrical depth of view. The cylindrical depth of field extends at least between the two extremities of the hole. The inspection apparatus further involves an image capturing device for capturing the flat image, and an image processing unit for performing inspection of the flat image to thereby inspect the internal surface of the hole. More specifically, the internal surface of the hole between the two extremities thereof is substantially in-focus along the flat image.
US09874435B2
Measuring systems and methods using the same may be provided. For example, the measuring system including a first reference member located at one of a first target member and a second target member, the first and second target members being configured to make a relative movement with respect to each other and the first reference member having a first length, a second reference member located at the other of the first target member and the second target member and having a second length, and a measuring unit located at a distance from the first reference member and the second reference member, the measuring unit configured to measure a relative location of one of the first reference member and the second reference member with respect to the other may be provided.
US09874430B2
A probe (100) comprises a frame (2), a movable armset (3) and a processing circuit (30; 30′) for processing signals. The processing circuit is able to individually detect the state of contacts (13) defined by the cooperation between mechanical elements of the armset and mechanical elements of the frame, that is the closing or opening of the contacts, and provide a signal indicative of a rest position of the probe when it detects no more than one open contact. A method for processing signals uses said circuit in order to provide a signal indicative of a rest position of the probe. The circuit and the method for processing signals are advantageously implemented for processing the output signals of a touch probe adapted to check dimensions or position of a workpiece in coordinate measuring machines and machine tools.
US09874412B2
This application relates to graphite heat exchangers having a graphite block with graphite tubes disposed within the graphite block. The graphite tubes can include a coating that is cured in order to plasticize the coating and make the graphite tubes more corrosion resistant. The graphite block and the graphite tubes can be impregnated with a phenolic resin for improving the rigidity and structural integrity of the graphite block and the graphite tubes. The coating surrounding the graphite tubes can be a Teflon based coating, such as Tefzel, which can improve the durability of the graphite heat exchanger. The graphite tubes can be prepared by first coating the graphite tubes with the coating material and then curing or baking the graphite tubes in order to plasticize or otherwise cure the coating material.
US09874409B2
Heat transfer plates each include, in a portion thereof forming a heat-exchanging passage, a corrugated portion including a plurality of top parts and a plurality of bottom parts provided alternately from a side thereof having a first inlet toward a side thereof having a first outlet. The heat transfer plate also includes a corrugated portion connected to the corrugated portion, the corrugated portion being provided on a side of a second inlet that faces the heat-exchanging passage. The top parts of the corrugated portion and the top parts of the corrugated portion each have a planar shape. The top parts of the corrugated portion has a larger width than the top parts of the corrugated portion in a direction perpendicular to ridges of the corrugated portions.
US09874408B2
Heat exchanger (100) has one or several substantially flat and rigid elongated tubing elements (10), whereby the tubing elements (10) tilted while being helically wound, forming a substantially overall cylindrical structure having a central longitudinal axis (X). Tubing elements (10) are tilted spirally curved around the central longitudinal axis (X). Several elements are interleaved in a structure. The tubing elements (10) have a plurality of fins (60) on at least one of the outer surfaces (42, 52) of first (40) and/or second (50) side wall. Fins (60) are at least partially covered by a covering wall (70, 80). The tubing elements (10) are at least partially tilted or at least partially tilted and sloped and at least partially helically wound and/or twisted so as to form at least a part of a helical structure, an overall cylindrical structure and/or a cylindrical shape.
US09874405B2
A heat exchanger with mutually adjacent first flow channels and second flow channels. The first flow channels and the second flow channels are received in a first manifold at a first end region of the flow channel end regions and in a second manifold at a second end region of the flow channel end regions. The first manifold has a first base and the second manifold has a second base, the first base and second base having a plurality of openings in which the end regions of the flow channels are received. The first manifold has a first longitudinal channel and a second longitudinal channel. The second manifold has a second cover which together with the second base of the second manifold forms transverse channels, and one first flow channel and one second flow channel are fluidically connected to each other via a respective transverse channel.
US09874392B2
A refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, has a body and a door leaf which is hinged to the body and delimits a storage compartment. At least one door-opening aid is mounted on the body and includes a pusher element that can move between a rest position and an active position. A drive mechanism for the door-opening aid is housed in a machine compartment in the body.
US09874383B2
An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an oil separator for separating an oil of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to collect the separated oil into the compressor, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant separated from the oil separator, and a supercooling part in which a main refrigerant that is the refrigerant condensed by the condenser is heat-exchanged with a branch refrigerant branched from the main refrigerant. At least a portion of the oil collected into the compressor passes through the supercooling part.
US09874381B2
A vapor compression refrigeration cycle system includes a compressor and an electronic expansion valve connected between first and second refrigerant ports of a compressor. An expansion valve controller is configured to control a flow of refrigerant through the expansion valve in response to a superheat temperature of the refrigerant. The controller is configured to execute a first control algorithm until a local maximum of the superheat temperature occurs, and then to execute a second control algorithm.
US09874375B2
A water heater has a tank defining an interior volume, a heating element disposed within the interior volume, and a temperature sensor disposed with respect to the heating element so that the temperature sensor detects temperature of an area ambient to the heating element in the interior volume. The heating element is actuated at a predetermined actuation rate and for a cumulative actuation period so that the predetermined actuation rate maintains the heating element below a predetermined maximum temperature in air and so that the actuation period contributes a predetermined amount of energy to the ambient area when the heating element is immersed in water.
US09874374B1
Appliance drain pan with removeably attachable side comprises: a bottom member, a first side member, a second side member, a third side member, and a removeably attachable side member. Removeably attachable side member is impervious to liquids or fluids or is liquid-tight when attached to appliance drain pan with removeably attachable side. Removeably attachable side member comprises: a bottom tongue member, a right tongue member, or a left tongue member, along with, a bottom groove member, a left groove member, or a right groove member.
US09874368B2
A refrigerant channel switching unit is disposed between a heat source unit and a utilization unit to switch flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant channel switching unit includes a first refrigerant pipe connected to a suction gas communicating pipe, a second refrigerant pipe connected to a high-low pressure gas communicating pipe, third and fourth refrigerant pipes, and first and second electric valves mounted to the first and second refrigerant pipes, respectively. The third refrigerant pipe is connected to the first and second refrigerant pipes and a gas pipe. The fourth refrigerant pipe is connected at ends to a liquid communicating pipe and a liquid pipe. A minute channel is formed in the first or second electric valve. The minute channel enables the refrigerant to flow through the minute channel even when an opening degree of the valve is set to be the lowest degree.
US09874357B2
A cooking appliance includes a cavity to provide a cooking chamber, a burner disposed within the cooking chamber to generate flame for supplying heat to the cooking chamber, a burner cover on which the burner is installed, the burner cover having an opening through which air within the burner cover passes, a fan to allow the air within cooking chamber to flow, the fan to discharge the air within the burner cover through the opening of the burner cover, and a stabilizer including a barrier to abut the flame of the burner from reaching the fan when the air passes through the opening of the burner cover by operation of the fan.
US09874353B2
The present disclosure relates to a modified oven design with detachable parts for cooking an edible item. The modified oven as disclosed comprise of a main body; a door; a support, wherein the oven can stand in a vertical position; a ceramic frame, wherein the ceramic frame comprise of a heating element; a ceramic rod; a mesh, wherein the mesh holds an edible item; a drip bar; a sliding rod base with a sliding rod, wherein the sliding rod has a projection whereby it slides into the sliding rod base; a gas fired heater and a control system to cook the edible item. The oven can be used either oven can be used in an electronic mode by using the ceramic frame with heating elements or with a gas mode by using the gas fired heater.
US09874349B2
A combustion system comprises a discharge nozzle with concentric air and fuel orifices. A fuel conduit is coupled to each fuel orifice while an air conduit is coupled to each air orifice. The fuel and air only mixing with one another upon discharge. A supplemental air source supplies supplement air for combustion. An air deflector disk supports the discharge nozzle and a cylindrical blast tube surrounds the air deflector sleeve and the air deflector disk while an outlet end of the cylindrical blast tube supports a flame retention head. The deflector disk permits some combustion air to flow into the combustion chamber while redirecting a remaining portion of the supplement air. The flame retention head permits some of the supplement air to discharge into a burner box while redirecting the remaining supplement air radially inward through openings in the air deflector sleeve to assist with combustion of the fuel mixture.
US09874346B2
A supercritical steam generator includes a downdraft furnace enclosure, a hopper tunnel, and a convection pass enclosure, with the hopper tunnel joining the downdraft furnace enclosure and convection pass enclosure together. Flue gas passes down through the downdraft furnace enclosure through the hopper tunnel and up through the convection pass enclosure. This structure permits the outlet steam terminals, which provide access to the resultant supercritical steam and/or reheat steam, to be located at a base of the steam generator rather than at the top of the steam generator as with conventional boilers. This reduces the length of the steam leads from the steam generator to a steam turbine that produces electricity using the supercritical steam.
US09874339B2
The present invention relates construction element comprising: a sandwich structure comprising an electrically insulating layer and an electrically conducting front layer and an electrically conducting rear layer which are spaced apart by the electrically insulating layer. A circuit board is carrying an electronic component and is positioned between the electronic component and the electrically conducting rear layer. The electronic component comprising a first and a second electrical terminal, wherein the first electrical terminal is in electrical connection with the electrically conducting front layer, and the second electrical terminal is in electrical connection with the electrically conducting rear layer.
US09874335B2
Provided is a printed circuit board including: a support substrate including a first area in which a light emitting device is mounted, and a second area extending from the first area; a bending part which is configured such that a part between the first area and the second area is bent; a through hole passing through the bending part; a connection wiring connected to the light emitting device and disposed on the bending part; and a wiring connected to the connection wiring.
US09874334B2
A modularized smart home-care lighting device includes a lighting device including a base and a swappable assembly. The base is provided therein with a plurality of LEDs and an insertion slot. The insertion slot allows for installation and connection of a swappable assembly that has a camera for panoramic surveillance and monitoring. The camera has a circumference in which a detection module that detects an environment outside the lighting device and an ancillary module corresponding to the detection module to provide reminder and alarm. The swappable assembly is readily inserted into the base to establish secured connection therewith. Through electrical connection with the main control panel in the swappable assembly, the lighting device is allowed for expansion for diverse functions, which in combination with automatic connection with household electrical appliances, allows family members to be well taken care of to achieve the purpose of smart home care.
US09874332B1
A three-way bulb including light emitting diodes is used to achieve a variety of light output colors and/or intensities. In some embodiments, the inputs to a three-way bulb are configured to perform other functions, such as power a motor. In some embodiments, a bulb including light emitting diodes includes a replicable cover and/or a replicable LED. This cover may be configured to project images or support a shade made of a heat sensitive material.
US09874328B2
A headlamp includes heat sink structure for positioning a light emitting diode at an angle offset from the longitudinal axis of the headlamp and a reflector lens subassembly including a reflector portion and a light transmissive portion. The reflector portion includes a reflective surface for directing light from the light emitting diode towards the light transmissive portion. The reflector lens subassembly includes an upper rim with alignment features for engaging the perimeter of the heat sink structure to define a sealed three-dimensional space within the headlamp and to facilitate positioning of the light emitting diode with respect to the reflector lens subassembly.
US09874318B2
An LED assembly, comprising: a light-transmissive substrate comprising a surface, a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region; a heat dissipation element, wherein a portion of the heat dissipation element is corresponding to the central region of the light-transmissive substrate; a first wavelength conversion layer arranged on the surface of the light-transmissive substrate and corresponding to the peripheral region of the light-transmissive substrate; a plurality of LED elements arranged on the first wavelength conversion layer; a second wavelength conversion layer arranged on the surface of the light-transmissive substrate and covering the plurality of LED elements and the first wavelength conversion layer; a plurality of conductive structures surrounding the plurality of LED elements and electrically connected thereto, wherein the plurality of conductive structures is formed on the surface and separated from each other; and a plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to the plurality of conductive structures respectively.
US09874307B1
Portable stand system consists of two rigid plaques with perforated slots designed to interlock the two plaques into various configurations. The way to assemble the two plaques is by inserting them using the perforations indistinctively in order to achieve different x-shaped configurations according to the needs of the used. The system allows objects to be rearranged from their original position and/or angle.
US09874303B2
A vacuum insulated structure including a tube having an outer wall, a jacket surrounding the tube to enclose an annular insulating space, the jacket having an end that terminates at the outer wall of the tube, a seal formed between the end of the jacket and the tube to preserve a vacuum within the insulating space, and a fitting affixed to one of the tube and the jacket for coupling the vacuum insulated structure to an external device. A method of making a vacuum insulated structure including forming a tube and a jacket, positioning the jacket over the tube to form an annular insulating space, with an end of the jacket being positioned adjacent to an outer wall of the tube to form a vent, causing air to escape through the vent, sealing the vent, and affixing a fitting to one of the tube and the jacket.
US09874290B2
A valve device is equipped with a body, a valve element drive mechanism, and a housing. The body has a tubular insertion section, in which a movable member of the valve element drive mechanism is inserted. A first flange is formed at an end of the insertion section that faces the housing. Furthermore, a ring is fitted externally on an outer side wall of the first flange. By projections, which are provided on an inner side wall of the ring, being embedded in an outer side wall of the insertion section, the ring is made integral with the first flange. The housing is of a bottomed tubular shape that covers the valve element drive mechanism, and an edge of an open end of the housing is crimped to the first flange through the ring.
US09874287B2
A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body. When the base is in the open orientation, the service valve allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. When the base is in the closed orientation, the service valve blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. The service valve further includes a tab extending from the base. The tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.
US09874281B2
A gas cylinder actuator with overtravel safety device, comprising a tubular jacket for gas containment, which is closed hermetically at one end by a bottom provided with a gas filling valve and at the opposite end by a head portion, which is provided with a hole for the passage of a stem with a piston, the jacket, the bottom and the piston forming the gas expansion and compression chamber.The head portion comprises an annular body, which is fixed internally to the jacket, and is provided with a central hole for the passage of the stem with the interposition of dynamic sealing elements, static sealing elements being interposed between the annular body and the jacket and an element for controlling the descending motion of a slider of a press with which the actuator is associated being provided and protruding from the annular body or from the jacket, the control element being preset to selectively move or break or deform in order to break or deform or render ineffective in general the static and dynamic sealing elements.
US09874275B2
A two-speed automatic planetary transmission, including a sun gear, dual planet gears, a planet carrier, a ring gear, a band-type brake ring, and a locking ring. The locking ring is disposed between the outer surface of the ring gear and the inner surface of the annular lug boss, and the inner surface of the locking ring is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the ring gear. Part of the outer surface of the locking ring contacts with the inner surface of the annular lug boss, and another part thereof is sheathed with the band-type brake ring. One end of the band-type brake ring is a fixed end, and is fixedly connected to a transmission shell; and another one is an unfixed end which is connected to a gear shifting actuator.
US09874274B2
A geared architecture includes a carrier that has spaced apart walls with circumferentially spaced mounts that interconnect the walls. The mounts provide circumferentially spaced apart apertures between the mounts at an outer circumference of the carrier. A sun gear and intermediate gears are arranged about and intermesh with the sun gear. The intermediate gears are supported by the carrier. The intermediate gears extend through the apertures to intermesh with a ring gear. A baffle is supported relative to the carrier and includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on the at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears. The lubrication passage includes a primary passage that extends laterally between the walls and first and second passages and is in communication with the primary passage and respectively terminates near the sun gear and intermediate gears.
US09874271B2
A transmission arrangement including a torque converter, a first shaft fixed to rotate with a turbine of the torque converter about an axis, a second shaft fixed to rotate with a casing of the torque converter about said axis, a gear mounted on the first shaft and being fixed to rotate with the first shaft and a clutch selectively engageable to cause the first shaft to be fixed to rotate with the second shaft and being selectively disengageable to allow the first shaft to rotate relative to the second shaft, the clutch being rotatable about said axis.
US09874254B2
An electromagnetic brake includes a hub disposed about a shaft and configured for rotation with the shaft about a rotational axis. An electromagnet assembly is fixed against rotation about the axis and includes a housing defining axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles and a brake plate extending radially therebetween. A conductor is disposed between the poles on one side of the brake plate. An armature is disposed on the other side of the brake plate and coupled to a body driven by the shaft. The electromagnet assembly, armature and hub form an electromagnetic circuit when the conductor is energized urging the armature towards the brake plate. A portion of the magnetic flux in the circuit travels radially inwardly across a first radial air gap from the inner pole to the hub and then radially outwardly across a second radial air gap from the hub to the brake plate.
US09874251B2
A strut for a rocker one-way clutch comprising: a body having: a center point; an outer circumferential edge having a first radius with respect to the center point; and, an inner circumferential edge having a second radius with respect to the center point; and, a retention segment having: a neck portion directly connected to the body and extending from the body in a first direction; and, a spring retention portion extending from the neck portion. Also discloses is a rocker one-way clutch comprising: an axis of rotation; an outer race including at least one pocket; an inner race; a strut as above, wherein the body is at least partially locatable in the pocket.
US09874247B2
A fluid bearing for use in turbomachinery including at least one bearing pad configured to be arranged about a rotating member of the turbomachinery. Each bearing pad includes an internal cooling opening defined in the bearing pad and an internal channel network defined in the bearing pad with at least one channel node in fluid communication with the internal cooling opening and at least two passageways in fluid communication with and extending from the channel node through the bearing pad. At least one of the passageways extends to an exterior surface of the bearing pad to define at least one cooling discharge opening.
US09874235B2
A transportation and storage system for at least two wind turbine blades include a first wind turbine blade and a second wind turbine blade is described. The wind turbine blades each have a root end and a tip end. The system includes a packaging system adapted to place the first wind turbine blade so that the tip end of the first wind turbine blade points in a first direction, with the tip end of the second wind turbine blade pointing in a second direction, which is substantially opposite to the first direction. The tip end of the second wind turbine blade extends beyond the root end of the first wind turbine blade, and the tip end of the first wind turbine blade extends beyond the root end of the second wind turbine blade, when the first and the second wind turbine blades are arranged in the packaging system.
US09874232B2
A fluid pressure control apparatus includes a pilot control valve configured to control a pilot pressure guided from a pilot pump to the control valve and a load retaining mechanism installed in the main passage. The load retaining mechanism includes an operated check valve configured to permit a flow of the working fluid from the load-side pressure chamber to the control valve in accordance with a back pressure and a switch valve configured to switch an action of the operated check valve. The switch valve has a discharge position configured to discharge the working fluid in a back pressure chamber when the pilot pressure has been guided from the pilot control valve. When the switch valve is set to the discharge position, the working fluid in the back pressure chamber is discharged to a tank via a drain port of the pilot control valve.
US09874231B2
A hydraulic charging and driving system (4), aircraft employing the same, and corresponding methods, for extending and retracting a hydraulic actuator (2), comprising: a motor assembly (22); and an accumulator assembly (20), the motor assembly (22) and the accumulator assembly (20) being hydraulically coupled to each other; wherein the motor assembly (22) is arranged to recharge the accumulator assembly (20) with hydraulic fluid at a relatively slow rate that is slower than the rate at which the accumulator assembly (20) is arranged to discharge when actuating the hydraulic actuator (2). The system may further comprise a selector valve (24). The accumulator assembly (20) may comprise an accumulator chamber (30), and a compression means (32) provided within the accumulator chamber (30). The motor assembly (22) may comprise a motor (42) arranged to vary a volume of a hydraulic charging chamber (38) of the motor assembly (22).
US09874227B2
An air blower includes a casing having an air inlet portion and an air outlet portion, a fan, and a fan guard. The fan includes a boss portion and a plurality of blades. The fan guard includes a guide portion having a tubular outer shape, which protrudes toward the fan. A center in a distal end shape, which is defined by a contour line of a distal end portion of the guide portion, matches with a rotation axis of the boss portion. A center in a root shape, which is defined by a contour line of a root portion of the guide portion, is shifted with respect to the rotation axis of the boss portion.
US09874225B2
A vacuum device has a motor-driven blower wheel with suction side and with pressure side with pressure channel and blow-out opening. An intake pipe at the suction side has an intake opening and a discharge opening at opposed ends. The intake pipe conveys a suction airflow entraining first and second collected materials. Through the discharge opening the first collected material is discharged from the intake pipe. A blower inlet opening is formed in a wall of the intake pipe. Blower inlet opening, blower wheel, and pressure channel are configured such that second collected material passes through blower inlet opening and blower wheel into the pressure channel for discharge through blow-out opening. The blower inlet opening, in longitudinal direction of the intake pipe, is positioned between discharge opening and intake opening at a first spacing to the intake opening and at a second spacing to the discharge opening.
US09874210B2
A vane fluid pump for a vehicle component has a cam defining a continuous inner wall surrounding a cavity, and an inner rotor supported within the cam. The inner rotor has a cylindrical outer wall defining a series of slots equally spaced about the outer wall. A series of vanes is provided with each vane positioned within a respective slot of the inner rotor and extending outwardly to contact the continuous inner wall of the cam. Each vane provides a fluid barrier between adjacent pumping chambers formed between the cam and the inner rotor. A first vane of the series of vanes defines a passageway thereacross to fluidly connect adjacent pumping chambers. The passageway is configured to disrupt harmonics during operation to reduce pressure ripples and associated tonal noise. At least another vane is configured without any fluid passageways.
US09874204B2
A swash plate compressor 100 includes a swash plate 111 that rotates with a drive shaft 110, a pair of shoes 137a and 137b placed to sandwich a portion of the swash plate 111 close to a periphery of the swash plate 111, and a piston 136 connected to the swash plate 111 via the pair of shoes 137a and 137b. The piston 136 reciprocates in a cylinder bore 101a as the swash plate 111 rotates due to the rotation of the drive shaft 110. In the swash plate compressor 100, a zinc phosphate film is formed on each portion of the piston 136 at which the corresponding shoe 137a, 137b is in sliding contact. This reduces occurrence of galling or seizing at the sliding contact portions between the piston 136 and the shoes 137a and 137b.
US09874201B2
A pressure generating device has a housing and a lamellar arrangement with a number of lamellae separated by gaps. The lamellae are manufactured from solar glass. The pressure generating device has a means for converting the solar energy incident through the lamellar arrangement into thermal energy, such that, by this means the air situated in the interior of the pressure generating device can be heated. The pressure generating device has at least one air inlet opening through which air can enter the interior of the pressure generating device and at least one second air outlet opening through which the heated air can emerge from the interior of the pressure generating device.
US09874198B2
Method of operating a wind turbine having a tower, a rotor with a plurality of blades arranged on the tower, one or more pitch systems for pitching the blades, a system for determining an instantaneous representative wind speed, and a system for determining a distance between a blade and the tower. The method comprises determining the instantaneous representative wind speed, and determining the distance between the tower and one of the blades when said blade is in the shadow of the tower. The method further comprises determining a tower distance pitch adjustment depending on the determined distance between the tower and the blade in the shadow of the tower and on the determined instantaneous representative wind speed. The method still further comprises the one or more pitch systems applying the determined tower distance pitch adjustment to at least the next blade to be in the shadow of the tower.
US09874194B2
A method is described for operating an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, including a primary voltage generator and a bypass, in particular, a boost converter for maintaining a spark generated with the aid of the primary voltage generator, the method includes an ascertainment of a modified energy requirement for an ignition spark, which is to be maintained with the aid of the bypass and a modification of the working mode of the bypass in response thereto.
US09874191B2
Methods and systems are provided for reliable starting an engine during cold start. In one example, a method may include in response to an engine start request, warming up an intake manifold by compressing intake air via an electric supercharger, and adjusting an intake manifold pressure before starting a first combustion of the engine.
US09874180B2
A powering apparatus has a diesel engine, a low pressure hydraulic tube containing lower pressure hydraulic fluid, a high pressure hydraulic tube containing higher pressure hydraulic fluid, a first hydraulic pump driven by the diesel engine to send hydraulic fluid from the low pressure hydraulic tube to the high pressure hydraulic tube to adjust the pressure difference within a certain range, an exhaust gas recirculating apparatus including a first hydraulic motor driven by the pressure difference and a compressor driven by the first hydraulic motor to compress a portion of exhaust gas and to supply the exhaust gas to an intake air tube, and an exhaust heat collecting apparatus including a turbine rotated by a refrigerant heated by the exhaust gas and a second hydraulic pump driven by the turbine to send hydraulic fluid from the low pressure hydraulic tube to the high pressure hydraulic tube.
US09874177B2
A device for mixing a gaseous fuel into an oxygen-containing gas flow of a gas-powered internal combustion engine includes a housing component having an inlet that connects to a gaseous fuel supply conduit and a slit that opens into an intake pipe. The slit has a longitudinal extension that is oriented approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the intake pipe. A valve body is movable relative to the housing component. An annular gap between the valve body and an outlet opening of the housing component has a cross-sectional area that varies in accordance with changes in the position of the valve body relative to the housing component. The annular gap determines the flow-through cross-section of a passageway between the inlet and the outlet. Furthermore, a gaseous fuel flow exiting from the slit is directed approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the intake pipe.
US09874169B2
A control device of a compression-ignition engine is provided. The device includes an engine having a cylinder, a fuel injection valve for injecting a fuel, an exhaust valve mechanism for switching an operation mode of an exhaust valve between a normal mode and an open-twice mode, a throttle valve disposed on an intake passage, and a controller for operating the engine by compression-ignition combustion of mixture gas inside the cylinder at least within a low engine load range. The controller suspends the fuel injection by the fuel injection valve when a predetermined fuel cut condition is met while the engine decelerates, and the controller fully closes the throttle valve and controls the exhaust valve mechanism to operate in the open-twice mode during the fuel cut. When a predetermined fuel resuming condition is met, the controller restarts the fuel injection, opens the throttle valve, and causes the compression-ignition combustion.
US09874167B2
A torque request module determines a torque request for an engine based on a driver input. A cylinder control module determines a target fraction of a total number of cylinders of the engine to be activated based on the torque request. An air fuel imbalance (AFIM) module selectively commands that the cylinder control module set the target fraction based on a predetermined fraction of the total number of cylinders of the engine to be activated. The cylinder control module further: sets the target fraction based on the predetermined fraction in response to the command; and activates and deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders of the engine based on the target fraction. The AFIM module further, while the target firing fraction is set based on the predetermined fraction, selectively diagnoses the presence of an AFIM fault based on samples of a signal from an oxygen sensor.
US09874166B2
Methods and systems are provided for controlling vibrations during transitions between engine operating modes in a four-cylinder engine. One method includes timing a transition in engine operation between two-cylinder, three-cylinder, and four-cylinder modes with a sequence of firing events such that successive firing events are separated by at least 120 crank angle degree intervals. Vibrations resulting from transitions may be countered by adjusting active mounts, the active mounts being adjusted in synchronization with a valvetrain switching solenoid.
US09874162B2
A system for controlling an engine includes a driving information detector detecting driving information. At least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve open and close the combustion chamber. A variable valve lift (VVL) system adjusts opening timing of the intake valve and the exhaust valve. A compressor rotates by a rotational force of a turbine and compresses intake air, and a vane adjusts the amount of exhaust gas supplied to the turbine. A controller controls opening of the vane using a high pressure EGR valve, when the exhaust valve is open during a suction stroke by the VVL system, the vehicle accelerates or decelerates, and an air/fuel ratio is beyond reference ratio range.
US09874152B2
An output control device includes a vehicle speed detection unit configured to detect a vehicle speed, an accelerator pedal opening detection unit configured to detect an accelerator pedal opening, a basic correction amount calculation unit and a first basic throttle opening calculation unit. The basic correction amount calculation unit calculates a basic correction amount, which increases with an increase in the vehicle speed. The first basic throttle opening calculation unit calculates a basic throttle opening based on the basic correction amount and the values of two virtual throttle openings.
US09874150B2
A method of assembling an epicyclic gear train comprises the steps of providing a unitary carrier having a central axis that includes spaced apart walls and circumferentially spaced connecting structure defining spaced apart apertures provided at an outer circumference of the carrier. Gear pockets are provided between the walls and extend to the apertures. A central opening is in at least one of the walls. A plurality of intermediate gears are inserted through the central opening and move the intermediate gears radially outwardly into the gear pockets to extend into the apertures. A sun gear is inserted through the central opening. The plurality of intermediate gears is moved radially inwardly to engage the sun gear.
US09874145B2
A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine may include a pump for moving a lubricant through a conduit from a lubricant tank to an engine component. Further, a scheduling valve positioned in the conduit between the lubricant tank and the engine component may vary a flow of the lubricant to the engine component based on a condition.
US09874142B2
In one aspect, a gasification system for use with low rank fuel is provided The system includes a pyrolysis unit positioned to receive a feed of low rank fuel, the pyrolysis unit being configured to pyrolyze the low rank fuel to produce pyrolysis gas and fixed carbon. The system also includes a gasifier configured to produce a syngas stream using the received fixed carbon, a cooler configured to receive and cool the syngas stream, and a first conduit coupled between the cooler and the pyrolysis unit. The first conduit is configured to recycle at least a portion of the syngas stream to the pyrolysis unit such that the recycled syngas stream is mixed with the pyrolysis gas to produce a hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream containing gasification by-products. The system also includes a by-product recovery system coupled to the pyrolysis unit for removing the gasification by-products from the hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream.
US09874132B2
There are disclosed an information-display-equipped electric-heating-type heater, and a method of using the above information. An information-display-equipped electric-heating-type heater includes a tubular honeycomb structure made of a conductive material and having porous partition walls to define and form a plurality of cells which become through channels for a fluid and extend from one end face to the other end face, and a circumferential wall positioned in an outermost circumference; and a pair of electrodes disposed on the circumferential wall of the honeycomb structure, and information concerning a heater performance of the electric-heating-type heater is displayed in the honeycomb structure.
US09874131B2
A pump module includes: a pump that is installed at the inside of a storage tank in order to discharge a liquid that is stored at the inside of the tank to the outside of the tank; a flange that is coupled to one side of the tank in order to couple the pump to the tank; a heater that is located on the flange so as to enclose a lower portion of the pump; a cover that covers an upper portion of the pump in order to couple the heater to the flange; and a filter that is coupled to the flange so as to enclose the pump, the cover, and the heater and that filters the liquid that is supplied to the pump.
US09874125B2
An apparatus and method for attenuating sound from an engine exhaust. The relative lengths of the expansion chambers and other components within the apparatus provide a quadruple tuning effect which attenuates sound over a wide frequency range. Attenuation at higher frequencies is also increased and extended by the use of acoustically lined internal baffle tubes inside the apparatus housing.
US09874124B2
Various systems and methods are provided for a lubricant filter. In one example, a method for a lubricant filter comprises indicating a condition of the filter based on a difference between a measured pressure differential and an expected pressure differential during select conditions in which all lubricant pumped by a pump upstream of the filter flows into the filter.
US09874120B2
A continuously variable valve lift apparatus may include a camshaft, a cam portion on which two rotation portions are formed, on which a cam is formed between the two rotation portions and into which the camshaft is inserted, two slider housings into which each rotation portion is rotatably inserted therein, of which a position is moved for changing a relative position of the cam portion with respect to the camshaft and onto which a guide slot is formed, a control portion configured to selectively move the position of each of the two slider housings, a guide shaft parallel to the camshaft and inserted into the guide slot for guiding movement of the slider housing, an output portion rotatable around a pivot shaft and onto which a valve shoe is formed, and a valve device configured to be driven by the valve shoe.
US09874116B2
A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine includes: a driving rotation member, a driven rotation member, a speed reduction mechanism, a circumferential clearance of the each of the rolling member being formed within an angle range of 0.01° to 0.4° in a circumferential direction from a reference line extending from a rotation axis of the driving rotation member in a radial direction, in a space constituted by the eccentric rotation member, the internal teeth constituting section, and the one of the holding holes.
US09874115B2
A camshaft phaser, including: a stator; a rotor including a first channel and a second channel and connectable to a camshaft a first wedge plate and a second wedge plate; and a displacement assembly including a first pin in the first channel and a second pin in the second channel. For an advance mode: fluid displaces the first pin to displace the first wedge plate to enable rotation of the rotor, with respect to the stator, in a first direction; and the second wedge plate blocks rotation of the rotor, with respect to the stator, in a second direction. For a retard mode: fluid displaces the second pin to displace the second wedge plate to enable rotation of the rotor, with respect to the stator, in a second direction; and the first wedge plate blocks rotation of the rotor, with respect to the stator, in the first direction.
US09874107B2
A wind turbine diagnostic device for diagnosing mechanical damage to generator components of at least one wind turbine, comprising at least one speed sensor for determining a variation over time of the rotational speed of a generator of a wind turbine, the speed sensor having at least one speed signal output for outputting the determined variation over time of the rotational speed, a frequency analysis module and a frequency spectrum signal output for outputting a frequency spectrum, the frequency analysis module determining a frequency spectrum from the determined variation over time of the rotational speed, and a comparator element for comparing a frequency spectrum with a prescribed standard frequency spectrum and for diagnosing mechanical damage to generator components on the basis of the comparison. This increases the possibility of predicting mechanical damage to generator components caused by vibrations.
US09874103B2
A method of making a metal reinforcing member that is to be mounted on a leading edge or a trailing edge of a composite blade of a turbine engine, the method including: shaping two metal sheets, positioning them on either side of a core including at least one recess that is to form a mold for a spacer for positioning the reinforcing member, assembling them together under a vacuum, conforming them against the core by hot isostatic compression, and cutting them to separate the reinforcing member and release the core.
US09874101B2
A gas turbine engine component includes an airfoil and a platform. The airfoil has a pressure side and an opposite suction side. The platform is connected to the airfoil and has a first curved edge to the suction side of the airfoil and a second curved edge to the pressure side of the airfoil. The first and second curved edges extend along a surface of the platform having a neutral elevation with respect to a reference axisymmetrical platform surface for the gas turbine engine.
US09874099B2
A turbocharger for a powered machine including a turbine is disclosed. The turbocharger may include a turbine wheel including a disk section, the disk section including a disk body, the disk body including a length extending between a longitudinal axis and a blade platform. The disk section may further include a shoulder section positioned radially outward the longitudinal axis, a neck section positioned radially outward the shoulder section and a throat section positioned radially outward the neck section, an upstream axial plane coextensive with an upstream side of the blade platform, a downstream axial plane coextensive with a downstream side of the blade platform. Further, the turbine burst shield section may have a geometry that peaks in depth in the burst plane which prevents ejection of secondary mass in the event of a turbine burst.
US09874094B2
Systems and methods for identifying formation layer boundaries on well log measurements using a second derivative of the last iteratively smoothed well log measurements and a fluctuation index to determine the extent of smoothing.
US09874093B2
A clearing or unjamming process utilizes bidirectional agitation and non-deterministic behavior to clear debris that is jamming a downhole rotary tool. In accordance to at least one embodiment the clearing or unjamming process uses irregular oscillation of the jamming debris which may be produced by varying pause times in a bidirectional movement of the rotor. In some embodiments the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the rotor is maintained constant during the unjamming process.
US09874091B2
A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a tubing string having a number of tubing pipe disposed within an annulus formed by a casing string disposed within a wellbore, where the tubing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the tubing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the tubing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first electromagnetic directional traveling wave received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.
US09874090B2
A control system for generating and utilizing at least one or more addressed datagrams that communicate information to and from devices along piping assemblies comprising; one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and one or more controllers, wherein the transmitters transmit information via one or more addressed datagrams encoded within a working medium to one or more receivers among the piping assemblies, is described. Transmitters convert datagrams into signals that are transmitted within the working medium and the receivers receive signals from the transmitters and also convert signals from the working medium which is converted back into datagrams. The controllers receive and decode the datagrams so that the controllers selectively communicate and perform logical operations on piping assembly devices according to directions received from the addressed datagrams. The entire control system can function as a network of controllers, receivers, transmitters, and/or transponders as required by one or more users.
US09874088B2
A flowmeter for use in a wellbore that has vane assemblies that deploy from a rotating segment. The vane assemblies project a variable distance away from the rotating segment, so that the flowmeter adjust to varying flow conditions. The variable distance of the vane assemblies also allows use of the flowmeter in different sized wellbores. An example flowmeter includes vane assemblies of varying length that are selectively deployed depending on operating conditions. Other vane assemblies have vane elements with a pitch that varies in response to wellbore and fluid flow operating parameters.
US09874084B2
A multifunctional end cap assembly for use in terminating the toe end of subsurface coiled tubing strings that include multiple sensors. The assembly includes provisions for turnarounds for DTS or DAS systems as well as provisions for connecting formation pressures with a pressure transducer within the coiled tubing string.
US09874078B2
A submersible electrical motor that drives a pump has an electrical connector receptacle base. A plug opening extends from the base into an interior of the motor and has a side wall extending around a plug opening axis. An electrical connector plug at an end of a motor lead has a nose portion that stabs into the plug opening and is surrounded by the side wall. An inward facing shoulder formed in the side wall faces inward into the motor. An outward facing shoulder on the nose portion faces outward from the motor interior and registers with the inward facing shoulder when the nose portion is fully received within the plug opening. A retainer inserts into engagement with the inward and outward facing shoulders to prevent outward movement of the plug in the plug opening. The retainer may be a pin or a ring.
US09874077B2
Systems and methods for cooling electrical components of an electrical submersible pump in a subterranean well are disclosed. Cooling fluid is delivered from a location proximate ground surface through a conduit to a submerged electrical pump motor in a subterranean well to cool the submerged electrical pump motor.
US09874070B2
An apparatus for supporting tubing in casing includes a setting tool and a liner top packer, which can be used for tieback. A setting slip is disposed uphole of a packing assembly on the packer and is movable from a retracted to an extended state engaging the casing. The setting tool has a temporary connection to the packer and has a pack-off that seals the tool in the packer but allows for movement. After running downhole, the temporary connection of the setting tool to the packer is disconnected, and the setting slip is set in the casing by moving the setting tool in an uphole direction. To set the packing assembly, the packer is moved in the uphole direction by engaging the setting tool with the pack-off and compressing the packing element (e.g., packing element and opposing cones and slips) against the set setting slip. Eventually, the setting tool is disconnected from the packer by disengaging the pack-off.
US09874068B2
Apparatus and method usable for open-water rigless and riserless plug and abandonment (P and A) work
In one system, there is an emergency pipe stroker tool, wherein the emergency pipe stroker tool is configured to act as a first mechanical barrier for a well. Further, there is an emergency quick disconnect tool in communication with the emergency pipe stroker tool, wherein the emergency quick disconnect tool comprises a connector assembly and a fluid conduit in communication with the well, and further wherein the connector assembly is configured to simultaneously detach from the well and to seal the well. Further still, there is a cement retainer in communication with the emergency quick disconnect tool and the emergency pipe stroker tool, wherein the cement retainer is configured to act as a second mechanical barrier for the well, wherein, the emergency pipe stroker tool, the emergency quick disconnect tool, and the cement retainer act in coordination to seal a well while establishing the multiple mechanical barriers.
US09874057B2
A window blind device includes a headrail, a bottomrail, a window shade, first and second control wheels, first and second cord spools, first and second cords, and a coil spring. The coil spring has a looped end portion sleeved on a first wheel hub of the first control wheel, and a spring body wound on the first wheel hub and extending from the looped end portion to terminate at a leading spring end which is connected to a second wheel hub of the second control wheel.
US09874056B1
A gate apparatus that includes a gate, an elongate member or gate base for the ends of the gate, and a stairway post adapter such that a wooden stairway post can serve as a base for a gate without harming the wood of the stairway post. The stairway post adapter includes a vertical or longitudinally running channel for receiving the gate base, a horizontally or laterally extending channel for receiving a strap, and a recess or receptor or face for confronting a section of a stairway post. The gate base includes an upper and lower eyelet. Each of the ends of the gate includes upper and lower pins for engaging the upper and lower eyelets of the gate bases. On the hinge side of the gate, the pins are relatively long and remain in the eyelets as the gate is lifted and swung. On the latch side of the gate, the pins are relatively short such that that latch side of the gate can be lifted and disengaged from the eyelets and then swung open. The gate is extendable and retractable in length, and is reversible.
US09874054B2
A threshold having a threshold cap. The threshold cap has an aperture through its top wall. The threshold also includes a pin capture positioned below the threshold cap and corresponding in location to the aperture. The pin capture is positioned to receive a pin passing through the aperture.
US09874043B2
During shipment or other handling events, it is necessary to protect a liquid level controller from damage by manually engaging a lever locking mechanism to secure a lever assembly of the liquid level controller. The lever locking mechanism must be manually disengaged prior to calibrating or putting the liquid level controller into operation. To better facilitate an operator in monitoring the state of the lever locking mechanism, a sensor is coupled to the lever locking mechanism to detect whether the lever locking mechanism is in a locked or unlocked position. This information is then provided to the operator via a user interface. Compared to current visual inspections, the use of the sensor is more robust and reliable, and provides a simple non-contact method for determining the state of the lever locking mechanism.
US09874042B2
A method of gaining authorized entry into a secure location is provided. The method includes providing an electronic lock having a dial, the lock operably coupled to a microprocessor having memory for storing a user input code and a valid code. The user rotates the dial to activate power to the lock and a first random character is generated. The user again rotates the dial until a first user input character displays in the display. The first user input character is stored in memory and a second random character is generated. After the user has entered all characters of the access code, the microprocessor compares the user input characters with the valid access code stored in memory if the user inputted code comprises an authorized code an indicia is generated on the display to visually indicate to a user that the lock is capable of moving to the opened position.
US09874034B2
The cable grab safety device releasably attaches a workman's safety lanyard to a steel cable. A primary frame constructed of an elongated U-shaped bracket having a pair of spaced apart parallel side plates fits around the cable. A secondary frame also comprised of a pair of side plates fits within the U-shaped bracket after the cable is inserted. The secondary frame carries a brake in the form of a pulley mounted in an elongated slot movable toward or away from the cable. A lever attached to a worker's lanyard moves the pulley only in the inward direction to engage the cable in the event of a fall. A bent pin connected between the primary and secondary frames allows for limited pivotal and axial movement between them allowing the cable to be inserted into the U-shaped bracket. A separate locking pin secures the frame members together.
US09874033B2
An inventive boom arm for a concrete-distributing boom. The boom arm has an elongate box-profile support formed from two flanges and two webs connecting the flanges laterally. The boom arm has first and second articulation points spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the boom arm. A first flange opening is disposed at the first articulation point and a second flange opening is disposed at the second articulation point. A sealing-partition seals a cavity region of the box-profile support at least in a region of the first and second flange openings. The sealing partition can be provided in the form of a plate that continuously spans the cavity region between the first and second articulation points and is connected laterally to the webs. The first articulation point is located at the end of the boom arm and is arranged within the cavity region and is covered by the partition plate.
US09874028B2
The invention relates to a panel, in particular a floor panel, interconnectable with similar panels for forming a covering. The invention also relates to a covering consisting of mutually connected floor panels according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method of assembling multiple floor panels for forming a covering.
US09874027B2
Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a vertical locking system on short edges comprising a displaceable tongue that is displaced in one direction into a tongue groove during vertical displacement of two panels. The displaceable tongue may be provided in a sidewardly open displacement groove at an edge of a building panel, the displaceable tongue including a main body extending along the edge of the panel and a tongue locking surface located at an upper and outer part of the tongue.
US09874025B2
Provided herein is a sheet fixing frame, which is installed on a periphery of an installation subject and secures an end of a cover sheet for finishing an installation subject area, the sheet fixing frame including a fixing frame which has a fixing plate contacting the installation subject area, a fixing hook which is bent in one end of the fixing plate and to which an end of the cover sheet is coupled, and a supporting plate which is bent in a direction parallel to the fixing hook in another end of the fixing plate so as to provide a receiving space between the fixing hook and supports the cover sheet, wherein the fixing frame is placed on the periphery of the installation subject area; a fastening member which penetrates the fixing plate between the fixing hook and the supporting plate and is fastened to the installation subject area; and a supporting member which has a coupling to which the supporting plate of the fixing frame is inserted at its one end, and a supporter which supports the cover sheet at its another end.
US09874024B2
An anchor post for mounting a baluster having a hollow interior onto a supporting surface. The anchor post has a stalk adapted to extend into one end of a baluster and a body adapted to be fastened to a supporting surface. The body has a centrally located downwardly pointed spike for centering the body on a supporting surface.
US09874021B2
A flashing system and assembly for slate or tile roofs having a flashing and a flashing cap. The flashing is shaped to replace a plurality of removed slates or tiles. The flashing cap has an adjustable position such that the position of a mounting rail support system passing through the flashing can be adjusted with respect to the flashing while still maintaining a watertight seal with the flashing cap and optional sealing cap.
US09874020B2
An ice melting and clearing rod includes an ice melting chemical compound including calcium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, amide, and/or glycol, forming a substantially cylindrical member. The substantially cylindrical member includes: an outer surface including: multiple grooves that run along a length of the cylindrical member, the grooves being evenly spaced about a circumference of the cylindrical member; and a textured surface along at least a portion of the outer surface, the textured surface providing resistance in one direction along the length of the cylindrical member; and a set of through-holes adapted for use as placement features, wherein each through-hole in the set of through-holes is perpendicular to the length of the cylindrical member, where: the rod is adapted for use on a sloped roof, the outer surface is formed by the ice melting compound, and a shape of the substantially cylindrical member is retained without any external container.
US09874015B2
Matrix basalt reinforcing member constructed and arrange to provide lateral support for the longitudinal bar steel or FRP tendons that provide tensile strength to cementitious material or plastics to reduce bending moment by reducing the onset of shear. The reinforcement members are formed from basalt fibers treated with a thermoplastic thermoset polymer and formed into structures to provide structural resistance to bending-moment forces, compression forces, and torsional forces acting on the structure.
US09874014B2
The panel, a new build process using a steel channel frame outer band. It is joined with wood framing studs, screwed into the outer band for durability and stability. The panel's vertical studs provide strength during the manufacturing process. All panels are combined with one Universal Receptacle, a metal utility box supporting electrical, water lines securing the panel base structure to concrete. The box is also used to mate panel-to-panel. The panels are joined internally with expanded polystyrene foam for soundproofing and thermal insulation protection. The panel's outer covering is oriented strand board, secured to the front and back of the finished product. In the lower right side front oriented strand board, a pre-cut beveled slot is used to provide for electrical wiring, water lines and also secures the panel to the foundation. All panel components are constructed identically in depth, height, and can be configured into any floor plan.
US09873992B1
A drilling machine for boring holes in a surface includes a main frame to which a drill gang assembly is rotatably and telescopingly mounted. The drill gang assembly includes a drill support frame supporting a plurality of drills in parallel spaced alignment. The drill gang assembly is mounted on a mast which may be rotated relative to the main frame about a vertical axis up to at least one hundred and eighty degrees. The drill gang assembly is also pivotally mounted relative to the mast to permit pivoting of the drill support frame and attached drills about a horizontal axis.
US09873982B2
A method of increasing the drainage performance of a pulp slurry during the manufacture of paper products by adding (a) at least one microfibrillated cellulose and (b) at least one associative polymer or at least one branched or crosslinked copolymer to the pulp slurry. This addition occurs before the dewatering step where the pulp slurry is formed into a fibrous mat.
US09873973B2
Disclosed herein is a washing machine having an elastic member for providing resilient power to the door in a direction in which the door is opened and a damping member arranged to damp pivoting of the door or an inner door. The washing machine has a structure to smoothly open/shut the door and inner door combined together, and if supplementary washing is required, to smoothly open/shut only the inner door.
US09873968B2
A method of adjusting an unbalance load in a laundry treating appliance includes rotating the drum above a satellization speed for the laundry load, determining, during the rotation, a torque of the motor, an acceleration of the drum, a speed of the drum, and/or an angular position of the drum, estimating with a parameter estimator, during the rotation, an angular position of the unbalance load relative to the drum, based on the torque, acceleration, speed, and/or angular position of the drum, determining values of the angular position of the unbalance load relative to the drum and the angular position of the drum, adding the values of the angular position of the unbalance load relative to the drum and the angular position of the drum to establish a reference value, and comparing the reference value to a threshold.
US09873962B2
In a method of forming a synthetic resin structure integral with two-dimensional steel fabric, a warp and woof are made from a steel metal, and these wires are woven in a planar configuration to provide a two-dimensional steel fabric which is then pressed into a flat structure. Two flat structures are set at a metallic mold die, into which a synthetic resin is injected so as to form a synthetic resin body integral with the flat structures. This makes it possible to secure a sufficient space between the flat structures, and spread the synthetic resin fully into the flat structures so as to reinforce a surface of the synthetic resin body with durability and high rigidity. Through the toughness, strength and price of the steel metal, it is possible to provide a marketability with products manufactured by using the present method.
US09873950B1
A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a new or second bottom in a new or existing storage tank that is spaced above or electrically isolated from the first or old bottom. The tank's sidewall may be separated or slit open, new bottom forming plates slid in place to form the new or second bottom, and the sidewall's upper and lower portions held apart by say spacers, blocks, channels or special fill to electrically insulate or isolate the upper bottom from the lower bottom and protect the new, upper bottom from corrosion. As noted, the present invention may also be used with an existing single or new or existing double or more bottom tanks and with existing or new cathodic protection and other tank construction technology such as lightning and/or static or electrical grounding.
US09873948B2
To enhance piezoelectric property. One aspect of the present invention is ferroelectric ceramics including a Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 film, wherein: the x satisfies the following formula 1, the Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 film has a plurality of columnar single crystals, the x axis, the y axis and the z axis of each of the plurality of columnar single crystals are oriented in the same direction, respectively, 0
US09873947B2
The present invention related to a silicon based coating suitable for being applied onto metallic surfaces of a household appliance. The coating of the present invention protects the metallic surfaces of the household appliance against the yellowing or changes in color, through temperatures, among other factors, and eases the cleaning of the same.
US09873940B2
A coating system for forming an atomic layer deposition (ALD) or a molecular layer deposition (MLD) barrier coating on interior fluid wetted surfaces of a fluid handling component for a vacuum chamber of a semiconductor substrate processing apparatus. The coating system includes the fluid handling component, wherein the interior fluid wetted surfaces define a process region of the coating system, a gas supply system in fluid communication with the process region of the component wherein the gas supply system supplies process gases to the process region of the component through the inlet port thereof such that an ALD or MLD barrier coating can be formed on the fluid wetted surfaces of the fluid handling component, and an exhaust system in fluid communication with the process region of the component wherein the exhaust system exhausts the process gases from the process region of the component through the outlet port thereof.
US09873938B2
A biaxially textured crystalline layer formed on a substrate using ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) is provided. The biaxially textured crystalline layer includes an oriented CaF2 crystalline layer having crystalline grains oriented in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions, where the out-of-plane orientation is a (111) out-of-plane orientation. The oriented CaF2 crystalline layer is disposed for growth of a subsequent epitaxial layer and the CaF2 crystalline layer is an IBAD CaF2 layer. The biaxially textured CaF2 layer can be used in a photovoltaic cell, an electronic or optoelectronic device, an integrated circuit, an optical sensor, or a magnetic device.
US09873928B2
A cast iron having high strength, hardness, and thermal conductivity for a cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine is provided. The cast iron includes 3.2 wt. % to 3.8 wt. % carbon, 2.2 wt. % to 3.2 wt. % silicon, 0.5 wt. % to 1.3 wt. % copper, and at least 75.0 wt. % iron, based on the total weight of the cast iron. The cast iron further includes 0.01 wt. % to 0.5 wt. % manganese, 0.01 wt. % to 0.2 wt. % chromium, up to 0.3 wt. % phosphorous, up to 0.05 wt. % sulfur, up to 0.2 wt. % tin, and up to 0.1 wt. % magnesium, based on the total weight of the cast iron. Preferably, the cast iron is free of molybdenum, nickel, and vanadium. The cast iron is also heat treated and solidifies to achieve fully spheroidal graphite.
US09873908B2
The detection of the presence of rare somatic mutations from a biological sample is often challenging due to the simultaneous presence of a vast excess of wild-type DNA. The present invention describes methods that would allow the enrichment of mutant DNA by depleting amplifiable wild-type DNA.
US09873886B2
The present invention relates to Brassica juncea ROD1 nucleic acid sequences and proteins and the use thereof to create plants with increased levels of C18:1 and reduced levels of saturated fatty acids in the seeds.
US09873880B2
Provided are Thraustochytrid and Thraustochytrium and relevant methods and reagents, including engineered regulatory sequences and genes from and/or operative in Thraustochytrid or Thraustochytrium, selectable markers useful for engineering microorganisms such as Thraustochytrids, means for mutagenizing microorganisms, strains produced by mutagenesis, and methods and compositions related to production of particular compounds in microorganisms.
US09873875B2
The invention is directed to compositions and methods for selectively reducing the expression of a gene product from a desired target gene in a cell, as well as for treating diseases caused by the expression of the gene. More particularly, the invention is directed to compositions that contain double stranded RNA (“dsRNA”), and methods for preparing them, that are capable of reducing the expression of target genes in eukaryotic cells. The dsRNA has a first oligonucleotide sequence that is between 25 and about 30 nucleotides in length and a second oligonucleotide sequence that anneals to the first sequence under biological conditions. In addition, a region of one of the sequences of the dsRNA having a sequence length of at least 19 nucleotides is sufficiently complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the RNA produced from the target gene to trigger the destruction of the target RNA by the RNAi machinery.
US09873874B2
The invention discloses a high-yield method for preparing a ribonucleic acid (RNA)-diethyltriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) conjugate. The conjugate is prepared by conjugating a RNA or locked nucleic acid (LNA) having an amino group to p-isothiocyanate benzyl-DTPA (SCN-Bn-DTPA) or DTPA anhydride with heating under microwave.
US09873873B2
The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Alpha-L-Iduronidase (IDUA), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Alpha-L-Iduronidase (IDUA). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of IDUA.
US09873867B2
This invention provides compositions of active highly phosphorylated lysosomal sulfatase enzymes, their pharmaceutical compositions, methods of producing and purifying such lysosomal sulfatase enzymes and compositions and their use in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, or treatment of diseases and conditions, including particularly lysosomal storage diseases that are caused by, or associated with, a deficiency in the lysosomal sulfatase enzyme.
US09873866B2
The invention provides a mutant hydrolase protein with enhanced kinetics and functional expression, as well as polynucleotides encoding the mutant proteins and methods of using the polynucleotides and mutant proteins.
US09873863B2
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds.
US09873862B2
Various embodiments of the present invention include compositions, materials and methods for maintaining and propagating mammalian mesenchymal stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cells and applications of the same.
US09873860B2
Lysing may include agitating a specimen in a chamber along with a medium that includes a particulate lysing material that has an affinity for a biological material. Lysing material may include beads or other material which may be coated that facilitates binding. The medium may include a fluid with a high salt or low pH level. The biological material may be eluted by lowering a concentration of salt or increasing a pH level. Lysing materials with two or more different affinities may be employed. Heating may be used. Lysing may be performed in a flow through apparatus.
US09873855B2
Cleaning compositions and methods of using such compositions. The compositions comprise oxidizing agent(s); weak acid(s), and surfactant(s) (e.g., a combination of short-chain non-ionic surfactant(s) and long-chain non-ionic surfactant(s) or a combination of short-chain anionic surfactant(s) and long-chain anionic surfactant(s)). The compositions can be used to clean objects such as reusable water containers, home seltzer-maker bottles, hydration bladders, coffee mugs, etc.
US09873851B2
Provided are both a grease composition for an electric power steering device and an electric power steering device. The grease composition can keep a sufficiently low coefficient of friction in a sliding area between a steel and a resin over a long period, is less susceptible to being removed from the sliding area, does not cause break down of an oil film, and thus can minimize the occurrence of stick-slips. A grease composition for an electric power steering device, containing a synthetic hydrocarbon oil which exhibits a density of 0.75 to 0.95 g/cm3 at 15° C., a saturated aliphatic amide compound, boron nitride, a glycerin fatty acid partial ester, and a metal soap-based thickener; and an electric power steering device using the grease composition.
US09873841B2
A method for gasifying biomass using a gasifier, the gasifier including a furnace body and a fuel pretreatment system. The method includes 1) crushing and sieving a biomass fuel to yield particle size-qualified fuel particles, 2) exciting working gas to yield plasma, and spraying the plasma into the gasifier, 3) spraying the particle size-qualified fuel particles into the gasifier via nozzles, synchronously spraying an oxidizer via an oxygen/vapor inlet into the gasifier, and 4) monitoring the temperature and components of the syngas, regulating an oxygen flow rate, a vapor flow rate, and microwave power to maintain the process parameters within a preset range and to control a temperature of the syngas to be between 900 and 1200° C., collecting the syngas from the syngas outlet at the top of the furnace body, and discharging liquid slag from the slag outlet.
US09873840B2
Provided herein are systems, methods and equipment that include Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle technology to retrofit existing plants, that include, e.g., subsystems for separating char fines from syngas after it emerges from an internally-circulating fluidized bed carbonizer and injecting the char into the carbonizer draft tube as a fuel source. Efficiency and power generation are thus increased to the extent that inclusion of carbon capture systems are now possible for existing coal plants in order to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
US09873839B2
Processes for upgrading resid hydrocarbon feeds are disclosed. The upgrading processes may include: hydrocracking a resid in a first reaction stage to form a first stage effluent; hydrocracking a deasphalted oil fraction in a second reaction stage to form a second stage effluent; fractionating the first stage effluent and the second stage effluent to recover at least one distillate hydrocarbon fraction and a resid hydrocarbon fraction; feeding the resid hydrocarbon fraction to a solvent deasphalting unit to provide an asphaltene fraction and the deasphalted oil fraction.
US09873836B2
The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for increasing the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons produced while converting biomass to hydrocarbons. The invention includes methods of using catalysts to increase the yield of benzene, toluene, and mixed xylenes in the hydrocarbon product.
US09873834B2
The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy which comprises a) one or more compounds of formula I b) one or more compounds of formula II and c) one or more compounds selected from the compounds of formulae III-1 to III-4 in which the parameters have the meanings indicated herein, to the use thereof in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect, to displays of this type which contain a liquid-crystalline medium of this type, and to the use of the compounds of the formula I for the stabilisation of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of formula II and one or more compounds selected from the compounds of formulae III-1 to III-4.
US09873833B2
Etching compositions and method of using the etching compositions comprising potassium hydroxide; one or more than one additional alkaline compounds selected from the group consisting of TEAH, TMAF and NH4OH; and water; or etching compositions comprising one or more than one inorganic alkali basic hydroxides selected from the group consisting of potassium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, or lithium hydroxide; optionally one or more than one additional alkaline compounds; water; and optionally one or more corrosion inhibitors; wherein the composition preferentially etches silicon present on a substrate as compared to silicon dioxide present on said substrate.
US09873832B2
Provided is a phosphor sheet that, despite its simplified structure, is capable of preventing deterioration in phosphors. In one of embodiments, the phosphor sheet includes moisture vapor barrier films 12 and 13 and a phosphor layer 11 that is sandwiched between the moisture vapor barrier films 12 and 13 and that includes a sulfide-based phosphor. Each of the moisture vapor barrier films 12 and 13 has an edge portion that is sealed by a cover member 14. The above structure prevents moisture vapor from entering the phosphor layer 11 from the edge portions of the moisture vapor barrier films 12 and 13, and accordingly, prevents deterioration in the phosphor(s) included in the phosphor layer 11.
US09873821B2
An adhesive film including a compound including a urethane functional group, the adhesive film having a ratio (B/A) of 180° peel strength (B) after leaving the adhesive film at 70° C. for 2 minutes to 180° peel strength (A) at 25° C. of about 5 or more, is disclosed. A display apparatus including the adhesive film is also disclosed.
US09873811B2
The present invention relates to a highly conductive material formed by hybridization of a metal nanomaterial and a carbon nanomaterial having a higher-order structure due to multiple hydrogen bonding, and to a manufacturing method therefor. The technical essence of the present invention is a highly conductive material formed by hybridization of a metal nanomaterial and a carbon nanomaterial having a higher-order structure due to multiple hydrogen bonding the invention involving: forming a carbon nanomaterial having a higher-order structure due to multiple hydrogen bonding between conductive carbon nanomaterials by introducing a functional group capable of multiple hydrogen bonding to the carbon nanomaterials; forming a composite material by mixing the carbon nanomaterial having a higher-order structure and a metal nanomaterial.
US09873808B2
Provided is an ultraviolet-curable ink jet ink composition with excellent curability and storage stability, the composition containing a monomer A represented by Formula (I): CH2═CR1—COOR2—O—CH═CH—R3 (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 represents a C2-C20 divalent organic residue, and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C11 monovalent organic residue); a (meth)acrylated amine compound; a hindered amine compound other than the (meth)acrylated amine compound; and a photopolymerization initiator.
US09873807B2
Disclosed herein are particulate core-shell materials, comprising a core comprising a polyurethane; and a shell comprising a polyacrylate, wherein the shell coats the core. Also disclosed are methods of making particulate core-shell materials, and aqueous dispersions and inkjet ink compositions comprising the same.
US09873806B2
Provided are an ink composition for an aqueous ink ball point pen, which contains modified polyvinyl alcohol and at least one selected from boric acid and salts thereof, and an aqueous ink ball point pen charged with the ink composition, wherein the boric acid and the salts thereof are preferably at least one selected from boric acid, alkali metal salts of boric acid and ammonium salts of boric acid.
US09873803B2
Pigment based particles in powder form intended to be used as colorants in a digital print formed by applying dry colorants on a surface, bonding a part of the colorants with a binder and removing the non-bonded colorants from the surface. A panel with a surface including a digitally formed print of macro colorants including a particle body and color pigments attached to the surface of the particle body is also described. The colorants are arranged in patterns with pigments on an upper and lower surface of the particle body.
US09873794B2
Provided is an addition-curable liquid silicone rubber composition which is suppressed in thickening over time even in cases where a silicone raw rubber is added into a liquid silicone rubber composition, thereby having excellent storage stability, and which provides a silicone rubber that has a low hardness after being cured. An addition-curable liquid silicone rubber composition which contains: (A) an alkenyl group-containing organopolysiloxane having an average polymerization degree of 1,500 or less, which is in a liquid state at room temperature; (B) an organopolysiloxane having an average polymerization degree of 2,000 or more, which is in the form of a raw rubber at room temperature; (C) an organohydrogen polysiloxane; (D) a fumed silica having a BET specific surface area of 130 m2/g or more; (E) an organosilane and/or organopolysiloxane having a silanol group; and (F) an addition reaction catalyst. This addition-curable liquid silicone rubber composition provides a low-hardness silicone rubber which has a hardness (durometer A) of 5-40 after being cured.
US09873789B2
Provided in the present invention are a halogen-free epoxy resin composition, prepreg and laminate using the same, the halogen-free epoxy resin composition comprising: (A) a halogen-free epoxy resin; (B) a crosslinking agent; and (C) a phosphorous-containing phenolic resin, the phosphorous-containing phenolic resin being formed by a synthesis of phenol and formaldehyde with dicyclopentadiene phenol, and being substituted by 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphapheanthrene-10-oxide or a derivative thereof. The prepreg and laminate prepared from the halogen-free epoxy resin composition have a high heat resistance, a low dielectric constant, a low dielectric loss factor and a low water absorption rate, and achieve halogen-free flame retardance.
US09873771B2
A film-like epoxy resin composition includes an epoxy resin (A); a curing agent (B); a cure accelerator (C);an inorganic filler (D); and an organic solvent (E). The film-like epoxy resin composition satisfies all the following requirements (1) to (4): (1) at least one of the epoxy resin (A) and the curing agent (B) contains a component being a liquid at 25° C. in an amount of 30% by mass or more based on the total mass of the epoxy resin (A) and the curing agent (B); (2) the content of a volatile portion that volatilizes by being heated at 180° C. for 10 minutes is 0.2% to 1.5% by mass based on the total amount of the epoxy resin composition; (3) the minimum melt viscosity in temperature rising from 40° C. to 200° C. is 800 Pa·s or less; and (4) the film thickness is 50 to 500 μm.
US09873770B2
Solid-state shear pulverization of semi-crystalline polymers and copolymers thereof and related methods for enhanced crystallization kinetics and physical/mechanical properties.
US09873763B2
The present disclosure, in one aspect, relates to a polyamide solution including an aromatic polyamide and a solvent, wherein the aromatic polyamide includes at least two types of constitutional units, and a change rate of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a cast film produced by casting the polyamide solution on a glass plate and CTE of the same cast film after being subjected to a heat treatment at temperature of 200° C. to 450° C. (=CTE after heat treatment/CTE before heat treatment) is 1.3 or less.
US09873760B2
A water-dispersible polyurethane polymer useful in coating applications preferably includes a backbone having urethane linkages and at least one cycloaliphatic group having a closed aliphatic ring structure. Ethylenically unsaturated groups are preferably provided on the polyurethane polymer.
US09873752B2
The present invention describes a process for preparation of catalyst component comprising contacting magnesium based precursor along with an internal donor based on phenylene dioates with an acyl halides in a solvent to obtain a solid precatalyst component; and contacting the solid precatalyst component with transition metal compound to obtain the catalyst component. The present invention also relates to a process for preparation of a catalyst system from said catalyst component and preparation of a polyolefins having free flowing characteristics with bulk densities (BD) of at least about 0.3 g/cc from the catalyst system.
US09873750B2
The present invention describes a catalyst support, which is used as an inorganic carrier for a Ziegler-Nata catalyst (ZN), using a modified spray cooling method. Such a catalyst support is prepared from alcoholic solutions of (a) an inorganic compound, in which the inorganic compound is a magnesium compound and (b) an inorganic compound and one or more additives. The solutions are prepared at a temperature below 100° C., carried through a nozzle placed inside a reactor, and sprayed into droplets forming a solid precipitate, which is generally spherical, when in contact with an inert hydrocarbon solvent at low temperature. The obtained catalyst support is reacted with a titanium compound, preferably titanium tetrachloride, in order to produce an active catalyst for olefin polymerization.
US09873747B2
Provided is a fusion protein comprising a polypeptide component that blocks binding of CD47 to SIRP alpha and a polypeptide that binds to and triggers a TRAIL receptor or Fas. Also provided is a method of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering the fusion protein of the invention to a patient in need of such treatment.
US09873742B2
Biomarkers predictive of responsiveness to integrin beta7 antagonists, including anti-beta7 integrin subunit antibodies, and methods of using such biomarkers are provided. In addition, methods of treating gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are provided. Also provided are methods of using such predictive biomarkers for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
US09873740B2
The present invention describes combination treatment comprising a PD-1 axis binding antagonist and an agent that decreases or inhibits TIGIT expression and/or activity and methods for use thereof, including methods of treating conditions where enhanced immunogenicity is desired such as increasing tumor immunogenicity for the treatment of cancer or chronic infection.
US09873733B2
This disclosure generally relates to antibodies or fragments thereof which interact with the bacterial protein MprF. The disclosure further discloses antibodies, which bind to specific extracellular motifs of MprF. The disclosure further relates to therapeutics comprising MprF-specific antibodies and methods of treatment using MprF-specific antibodies or fragments thereof.
US09873719B2
An antimicrobial peptide has an amino terminal and/or carboxyl terminal linked with at least one artificial bulky amino acid to increase the salt resistance and protease resistance of the antimicrobial peptide. The antimicrobial peptide of the invention has a high salt resistance, a high protease resistance, and a low hemolytic activity, simultaneously.
US09873714B2
The present invention relates to processes for preparing a glucopyranosyl-substituted benzyl-benzene derivative of general formula III, wherein R1 is defined according to claim 1.
US09873711B2
The present invention describes dual-modality probes. In particular, the present invention discloses hydroxyapatite specific multimeric bisphosphonate dual-modality MRI and optical probes.
US09873710B2
The invention relates to compounds of use as targeted cytotoxic agents and methods of use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to prodrugs that are substantially resistant to human AKR1C3 enzyme metabolism, methods of cell ablation using said compounds and methods of treatment of cancer and other hyperproliferative disorders using said compounds.
US09873708B2
The invention relates to novel methods for preparing indolinobenzodiazepine dimer compounds and their synthetic precursors.
US09873697B2
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.
US09873683B2
The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following general formula (II), wherein, in the formula, R1a to R6a represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and the like, Xa represents C or N, Ya represents N or C(═O), provided that when Xa is C, Ya represents N, and when Xa is N, Ya represents C(═O), the double line consisting of the solid line and the broken line represents a single bond or double bond, Aa represents benzene ring, pyridine ring, and the like, Da represents tetrazole ring, imidazole ring, and the like, Ea represents —(CR9aR10a)p-Ta-, and Ga represents benzene ring, pyridine ring, and the like, which has a P2X4 receptor antagonistic activity.
US09873679B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a polymorph, or a solvate thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are GPR40 G protein-coupled receptor modulators which may be used as medicaments.
US09873677B2
Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions, which comprise a 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Further provided herein are certain pharmaceutically acceptable salts of a 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid and methods for making the same. Further provided herein are methods of treating or preventing a disease associated with a nonsense mutation or a premature stop codon, comprising administering such pharmaceutical compositions or pharmaceutically acceptable salts to a patient having a disease associated with a nonsense mutation or a premature stop codon.
US09873670B2
The subject technology relates to arylquinoline compounds and their use for treating cancer or cancer metastasis. The compounds of the subject technology promote cells to secrete a pro-apoptotic tumor suppressor, i.e., prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4), which in turn promote apoptosis in cancer cells or metastatic cells.
US09873665B2
Since biomass is always accompanied by caustic inorganic materials, we have found that the formation of the anion salt of α-hydroxysulfonic acid represent the largest “loss” of the α-hydroxysulfonic acid in the potential reversible acid pretreatment process. By titrating the α-hydroxysulfonic acid salt with strong mineral acid and then reverting the alfa-hydroxysulfonic acid as its primary components, the acid components can be recovered substantially quantitatively.
US09873659B2
Solutions of trialkali metal salts of MGDA with an excess of L-enantiomer, their manufacture and use
Aqueous solution containing in the range of from 60.5 to 75% by weight of a mixture of trialkalimetal salts of the L-and D-enantiomers of methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA), said mixture containing predominantly the respective L-isomer with an enantiomeric excess (ee) in the range of from 3 to 97%, wherein said trialkali metal salts have the general formula (I) [CH3—CH(COO)—N(CH2—COO)2]K3−xNax (I) wherein x is in the range of from zero to 2.9.
US09873658B2
The present invention relates to a process for hydrogenating 4,4′-methylenedianiline and/or polymeric MDA with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising ruthenium on a zirconium oxide support material, and also to the use of a catalyst comprising ruthenium on a zirconium oxide support material for hydrogenating 4,4′-methylenedianiline and/or polymeric MDA.
US09873654B2
A mixture of polyfluoroalkene carboxylic acids or salts thereof represented by the general formulas: CnF2n+1CH═CF(CF2CF2)mCF2COOM and Cn−1F2n−1CF═CHCF2(CF2CF2)mCF2COOM wherein M is a hydrogen atom, an ammonium salt, an organic amine salt or an alkali metal, n is an integer of 1 to 6 and m is an integer of 0 to 2. The mixture of polyfluoroalkene carboxylic acids or salts thereof is produced by subjecting a polyfluoroalkane carboxylic acids represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)(CF2CF2)mCF2COOH to a dehydrofluorination reaction in the presence of a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound catalyst, and has a lower critical micelle concentration and less surface tension at that time, therefore, the mixture of polyfluoroalkene carboxylic acids or salts thereof can be effectively used as a surfactant in the polymerization of fluorine-containing monomers.
US09873641B2
A process and device for the flow of catalyst in a reactor is presented. The device includes a series of grids within a reactor vessel, where each grid includes small openings for the passage of gas and some catalyst particles, and larger openings for the more continuous passage of catalyst. The grids span horizontally across the vessel, and are spaced vertically apart to provide for the flow of catalyst down through the reactor.
US09873639B1
The invention is directed to compositions comprising at least one agricultural biomass, at least one nitrogen source, at least one organic acid and at least one active agent wherein the agricultural biomass is impregnated with about 5% wt to about 45% wt of the active agent. Methods of their preparation and methods of use are also described. The composition effectively reduces the leaching of, and facilitates the metering of, loaded active agents for plant protection.
US09873637B2
The invention relates to an anti-filming surface adjuvant for hydraulic binders comprising at least one fat and at least one anti-caking agent, to its preparation method as well as to a method for preparing a hydraulic binder composition suitable for making screeds or self-compacting concretes (SCC) including the step consisting of adding to the hydraulic binder the adjuvant according to the invention at a dosage comprised between 50 and 1,500 g/m3 of screed or of concrete.
US09873634B2
This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 60%, more preferably no greater than about 55%, and most preferably no greater than about 50%).
US09873623B2
A self-contained water polishing system includes at least a first containment basin that has an inlet for inflow of water from a collection source and contains calcium carbonate for treatment of water flowing through the system; at least a first polishing basin in communication with the containment basin and that contains at least a first pollutant collection substrate for treatment of water flowing through the system; and a vacuum pumping system in fluid communication with the containment and polishing basins that draws water through the polishing system.
US09873620B2
A modular illumination assembly (10) includes at least two units, one of the at least two units presenting a first adaptor (42) and another of the at least two units presenting a second adaptor (56) to be assembled with one another and disassembled from one another along a common interface (46). One of the at least two units is a modular base unit (20) having an illumination device for illuminating an environment and a power supply electrically connected to the illumination device to supply power to the illumination device. Another of the at least two units is an accessory unit without a power supply that requires power to operate. The modular base unit (20) and the accessory unit are removably connectable mechanically and electrically with one another at the common interface (46) by the first adaptor (42) and the second adaptor (56) to provide power between the modular base unit (20) and the accessory unit.
US09873618B2
In a desalination system, a water-repellent particle layer is provided at a lower portion of a water tank and composed of water-repellent particles. A devolatilizing layer is provided below the layer. Liquid is provided in the tank and is heated for evaporation, and obtained vapor passes through the particle layer and is liquefied at the devolatilizing layer, so that freshwater is obtained from the liquid. The particle layer includes a first and a second particle layers composed of discriminable first and second particles. A particle measuring unit measures an amount of the second water-repellent particles. A decision unit decides whether or not the measured amount of the second water-repellent particles is equal to or more than a predetermined value. A controller alerts when the decision unit decides that the amount of the second particles is equal to or more than the predetermined value.
US09873612B2
The present invention relates to methods of preparing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) by reacting biomass, a biomass component (e.g., lignin, ligno-cellulose, cellulose, hemiceullose or combination thereof) or a carbohydrate from any source with a polyoxometalate catalyst such as H5PV2Mo10O40, or solvates thereof, in the presence of a concentrated acid, under conditions sufficient to yield carbon monoxide (CO); followed by electrochemical release of hydrogen (H2). The carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) may be combined in any desired proportion to yield synthesis gas (Syngas). The present invention further relates to methods for preparing H2, CO and formic acid/formaldehyde from biomass, a biomass component and/or from carbohydrates.
US09873607B1
A five-gallon water supply system for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes. The system may have at least one water reservoir interface, at least one expandable plumbing assembly, and at least one platform. The at least one water reservoir interface may have a first water reservoir interface, second, third, fourth, and last water reservoir interface. The expandable plumbing assembly may be hydraulically coupled to the first water reservoir interface and the last water reservoir interface. The expandable plumbing assembly may be configured to plumb potable water from to a single water outlet. The platform may include a first water bottle stand, which may be removably coupled together with a last water bottle stand. The platform further may include a second, third, and fourth water bottle stand that are removably coupled with the first water bottle stand and the last water bottle stand.
US09873600B2
An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. Logistics electronics are mounted proximate a first end of the drum and power electronics are mounted proximate a second end of the drum. In general, the logistics electronics include lower power electronics that enable data processing as well as data and commands to be communicated to the apparatus from an external location. By contrast, the power electronics may include higher power electronics needed to receive power and drive the motor.
US09873599B2
A puller is provided with a number of advantages. Pullers are described that have a high power to weight ratio, and a high power to volume ratio. Examples of pullers and pulling systems include configurations that provide high cable friction in a small device volume. Examples of pullers and pulling systems also include constant force pulling which is desirable in particular for small diameter pipe replacement. Using pullers and pulling systems as described, minimally invasive pipe replacement operations are possible. Reversible pullers are also provided that decrease the amount of time needed to burst or split multiple segments of pipe.
US09873597B2
The present invention relates generally to hoists such as cranes which instead of steel wire ropes use high-strength fiber ropes. The invention relates in particular to an arrangement for detecting the discard state of a high-strength fiber rope when used on such hoists, with a means for detecting at least one rope parameter and an evaluation unit for evaluating the rope parameter, and providing a discard signal depending upon the evaluation of the rope parameters. According to the invention, the detection means comprises torsional stiffness detection means to determine the torsional stiffness of the rope, whereby the evaluation unit provides the discard signal depending on the determined torsional stiffness of the rope.
US09873594B2
A counterweightless elevator includes a hoistway, a car vertically movable in the hoistway, one or more suspension ropes, a rotatable drive member engaging said suspension rope(s), each of the suspension rope(s) having a first rope section on the first side of the drive member and a second rope section on the second side of the drive member, and each rope section being connected to the car, said first rope section suspending the car, and a tightening device arranged to tighten the second rope section. Each of said rope(s) is belt-like and includes a load bearing member or a plurality of load bearing members, which load bearing member(s) is/are made of composite material including reinforcing fibers embedded in a polymer matrix, which reinforcing fibers are carbon fibers.
US09873581B2
An image forming apparatus, including a main chassis having a discharge tray and a switchback tray in an upper position with respect to the discharge tray; an image forming unit; a discharge roller to discharge a recording sheet conveyed through the image forming unit onto the discharge tray; a duplex conveyer to invert the sheet and convey the inverted sheet to return to the image forming unit; and a switchback roller being rotatable in a normal direction to convey the sheet toward the switchback tray and a reverse direction to convey the sheet to the duplex conveyer; is provided. The main chassis includes a pair of walls, each of which extends in a vertical direction and in a conveying direction of the sheet and is arranged in adjacent to the switchback tray such that the switchback tray is interposed between the pair of walls.
US09873564B2
Zero tension system conveyor. A conveyor belt is driven by at least a portion of the conveyor belt being in continuous contact with a block chain within at least a portion of an overall conveyor belt system. Such a conveyor belt system may be implemented in a spiral configuration such that a relatively small portion of the overall width of the conveyor belt is in contact with the block chain above and/or below the conveyor belt. The static force/weight of the conveyor belt in conjunction with the continuous contact between at least a portion of the conveyor belt and the block chain effectuates the driving of the conveyor belt through the overall conveyor belt system. The block chain is composed of a number of links, at least some of which include a respective hook/protrusion on one side thereof, for being directly engaged by drum bars implemented within a drum assembly.
US09873553B2
In a bag with a jacket wall composed of at least two layers closed in each case by means of a longitudinal adhesive seam to form a tube and having two front ends, and with folded bottoms closing the bag at the front ends, and with a filling opening for introducing a filling material, wherein the jacket wall has at least one paper layer and the at least one paper layer at least largely determines the load-bearing capability with filled weight and the mechanical stability of the bag, the usefulness of the bag is improved by the fact that the jacket wall has, on its outside, a layer of a plastic film with a thickness of 60 pm or less, which surrounds the at least one paper layer and protects it from moisture and, in an area of overlapping ends, has adhesion points (K) between which air removal paths (Z) are formed.
US09873550B2
A dispenser container ballast for removably providing an additional mass to a light weight dispenser container. The container ballast includes a weighted mass that may be inserted between a sidewall of a dispenser container and a flap secured to the sidewall. The ballast permits single handed dispensing of carried by the dispenser, such as a tissue.
US09873538B2
A polygonal bottle, and mouth, shoulder, drum, and bottom sections are formed in a bottle axial direction, the drum section including main wall sections connected via connecting sections in a circumferential direction about a bottle axis, in a lateral cross sectional view perpendicular thereto, a polygonal shape is formed, in which a panel section recessed inward in a radial direction, extending in the bottle axial direction and arriving at an upper portion of the mouth section side of the main wall section formed at the main wall sections of the drum section. A reinforcement protrusion protruding outward in the radial direction is formed at shoulder section connecting portions, a top surface directed outward in the radial direction is continued to an outer circumferential surface of the drum section with no step difference, and an upper surface directed upward is formed in a curved surface shape protruding upward.
US09873537B2
A container including one or more labeling devices that can be detached from the container. Preferably the container can hold a plurality of different articles and includes a plurality of labeling devices for identifying the different articles. After the articles are removed from the container, the articles may be identified by the labeling devices by detaching the labeling devices and attaching or placing the labeling device on or near its corresponding article. Preferred labeling devices include one or more labeling areas that provide information regarding an article.
US09873527B2
There is provided a system and a method to map a thermal profile of a composite structure during curing in at least one of manufacture or repair of the composite structure. The system has a thermochromatic witness assembly having a first series of probes with a thermochromatic material applied either to a composite lay-up, or applied to a removable material adjacent the composite lay-up. The system further has a process assembly with a heat source to cure the thermochromatic witness assembly to form the composite structure. The system further has a light source to activate the thermochromatic material of the first series of probes to prompt an onset of color changes in the thermochromatic material to determine one or more maximum temperatures of the composite structure, to map the thermal profile of the composite structure during curing in at least one of manufacture or repair of the composite structure.
US09873523B2
Monitoring the propulsion system of an aircraft includes selecting elements representative of operation of the propulsion system, modeling the propulsion system by a model including the selected elements, a set of exogenic parameters of the propulsion system and interdependence relations between the elements, operation of a given element being modelled by at least one endogenic parameter dependent on at least one of the exogenic parameters and/or on at least one parameter of another element, and analyzing elements, the analysis of the given element including the expression of the at least one endogenic parameter of the given element as a function only of exogenic parameters of the propulsion system and being made by layers of different levels, a layer of a given level being capable of taking account of at least one parameter that is the result of a layer of a different analysis level of another element.
US09873522B2
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a screen configured for use in association with a cooler of an aircraft, the screen comprising: a first portion arranged as a grid and located in a line-of-sight of the cooler with respect to a fluid inlet, and a second portion located out of the line-of-sight of the cooler with respect to the fluid inlet, wherein the second portion is grid-free.
US09873519B2
A tanker aircraft capacity extension system shaped to fit within an aircraft cargo area may include a first portable fuel container having a first outlet port adapted to connect to an integral fuel system of the aircraft, and a first inlet port; and a second portable fuel container having a second outlet port adapted to connect to the first inlet port and a second inlet port adapted to connect to a third fuel container; when the second outlet port is connected to the first inlet port and the first outlet port is connected to the integral fuel system of the aircraft, fuel flows from the second fuel container, through the outlet port to the first inlet port into the interior of the first container, and out from the first outlet port of the first container.
US09873517B2
A de-icing system for a hemispherical protective housing mounted on an aircraft structure is described. The system can include a series of piezo-electric devices mounted at the boundary of the housing. The piezo-electric devices generate ultrasonic frequencies and resonance of the protective housing is induced. One of the piezo-electric devices senses the frequency generated in the protective housing and acts as part of a feedback loop to maintain structural resonance of the protective housing. The structural resonance of the protective housing prevents the build-up of ice. Additionally, higher power resonances can be generated to remove ice already built up on the protective housing. The system also enables detection of ice build-up on the protective housing by monitoring any change in the frequency required to maintain structural resonance of the protective housing.
US09873516B2
A low profile pass-through electrical connector is designed for aerospace applications. The connector allows voltage and current to pass-thru a conductive wing surface, while maintaining a low profile height for aerodynamic performance considerations. Examples of applications of the electrical connector include power for thin film heaters and communication antennae applications.
US09873513B2
Embodiments of a cabin outflow valve having one or more laterally-tapered sealing surfaces are provided, as are cabin pressure controls system including cabin outflow valves. In one embodiment, the cabin outflow valve includes a frame and a first door, which is pivotally coupled to the frame and which is rotated by an actuator between open and closed positions. The first door includes, in turn, a torque input point at which the actuator applies a closing force when rotating the first door into a closed position. A laterally-tapered sealing surface extends along a lateral axis of the cabin outflow valve and has a profile height decreasing with increasing proximity to the torque input point. The laterally-tapered sealing surface helps to ensure the formation of a complete lateral seal when in the first door is rotated into the closed position to significantly reduce or eliminate leakage through the cabin outflow valve.
US09873512B2
An aircraft with a fuselage that comprises a framework structure having at least one hollow frame that is integrally formed in one piece and comprises fiber reinforced polymers, the at least one hollow frame defining an integrated ventilation air duct that is adapted for guiding ventilation air into the aircraft.
US09873511B2
An aircraft is provided including an environmental control system (ECS) having a first ECS pack and a second ECS pack. A duct couples the first ECS pack to the second ECS pack. The duct includes a first bypass conduit configured to form a bypass around a first primary heat exchanger of the first ECS pack. A second bypass conduit configured to form a bypass around a second primary heat exchanger of the second ECS pack. The duct includes a crossover conduit extending between the first bypass conduit and the second bypass conduit. The duct includes a plurality of valves for selectively controlling a flow between the first bypass conduit and the second bypass conduit.
US09873510B2
A contoured stowable seat is provided. The contoured stowable seat may comprise a housing, a seat pan, a contoured backrest, and a deployment lever. The contoured stowable seat may be configured to be in a stowed position and a deployed position. In response to the seat pan being in the deployed position, the deployment lever may contact the contoured backrest, causing the contoured backrest to deploy and form into a contoured shape. The contoured stowable seat may also further comprise a tension cord and a headrest. The contoured backrest may also further comprise a cushion located on the outer surface of the contoured backrest.
US09873507B2
In some embodiments, a rotorcraft may include a yoke, a blade, a spindle associated with the yoke, and an elastomeric bearing assembly. The center length of the spindle may define a center axis that passes through a center of the elastomeric bearing assembly. The elastomeric bearing assembly may contain a housing coupled to the blade and disposed around the center axis that is configured to rotate in relation to the center axis. The elastomeric bearing assembly may contain an elastomeric shear bearing that has an interior portion coupled to the spindle and an exterior portion coupled to the housing. The elastomeric bearing assembly may contain an elastomeric centrifugal force bearing pressed against the housing. The shear bearing may be configured to counteract a torsional force, and the centrifugal force bearing may be configured to counteract a compression force.
US09873506B2
The present disclosure describes composite actuator piston rods and methods for making such rods. Composite actuator piston rods of the present disclosure may include a flared end and an embedded nut positioned within the flared end. A rod end assembly may be secured to the embedded nut. The rod end assembly may include a rod attachment end with a threaded surface configured to engage the embedded nut and a edge configured to compress a portion of the flared end. The rod end assembly may also include an external nut proximate to the wedge and configured to exert a force against the wedge.
US09873495B2
A system for automated rendezvous, docking, and capture of autonomous underwater vehicles at the conclusion of a mission comprising of comprised of a docking rod having lighted, pulsating (in both frequency and light intensity) series of LED light strips thereon, with the LEDs at a known spacing, and the autonomous underwater vehicle specially designed to detect and capture the docking rod and then be lifted structurally by a spherical end strop about which the vehicle can be pivoted and hoisted up (e.g., onto a ship). The method of recovery allows for very routine and reliable automated recovery of an unmanned underwater asset.
US09873491B2
Wakeboat hull control systems and methods are provided to permit the accurate reproduction of a wake behind a wakeboat. The onboard wake control system receives data from a draft measuring system. Incorporation of the data from the draft measuring system permits accurate reproduction of a wake behind the wakeboat after a change in an onboard variable such as the number, weight or position of passengers, the weight or position of cargo and the position of trim tabs or amount/location of ballast.
US09873489B2
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a marker-buoy deployment system having a launching module that becomes armed by inserting a marker buoy, then laterally launches a loaded marker buoy in response to a user command. In an illustrative embodiment, launching module may be spring operated. In some embodiments, the release device may be foot operated. In an exemplary embodiment, a safety device may prevent an accidental launch, for example, from a trailered boat. In some embodiments, a visual indicator may indicate whether the safety is on, or the buoy has been loaded or launched. In some embodiments, a deployed-buoy location system may record the location coordinates of one or more deployed marker buoys. In an exemplary embodiment, marker buoys may be loaded automatically from a magazine each time a marker buoy is deployed. In some embodiments, marker-buoys may advantageously be deployed by a boater whose hands are otherwise occupied.
US09873484B2
A saddle-type vehicle can be configured to perform idle-stop during deceleration corresponding to a driver's demand. In some embodiments, the vehicle comprises a bar handle mounted on its opposite tip ends with a grasping grip grasped by the driver and a throttle grip for accelerator operation; two operation controls for performing braking operation, at least one of which being a first brake and a second brake mounted on tip ends of the bar handle; and an engine controller for automatically stopping an engine and making the engine an idle-stop state. In some cases, the saddle-type vehicle further comprises a judgment controller for judging whether a simultaneous operation of the first and second brakes has been achieved; and the engine controller performs the idle-stop during deceleration of the vehicle when the judgment controller judges that the simultaneous operation of the first and second brakes has been performed.
US09873482B2
An electric front derailleur for a bicycle. The derailleur includes a chain guide, a linkage assembly movably connected to the chain guide, and an electrical actuation unit operatively coupled to the linkage assembly to move the chain guide with respect to the electrical actuation unit. The electrical actuation unit includes a mounting portion configured to be attached to a bicycle frame. The mounting portion is secured to the electrical actuation unit. The mounting portion permits the position of the electric front derailleur to be adjusted with respect to the bicycle frame.
US09873476B2
Foldable electrical vehicles and related charging infrastructure are described. The foldable electrical vehicle generally includes three structural members (front and rear wheel-bearing structural members and a seat-bearing structural member) that are pivotally interconnected along their lengths such that they may be pivoted between a closed position wherein the three structural members are disposed roughly parallel to each other in a compact folded configuration, and an open riding configuration wherein an angular relation is formed between the structural members. The rear wheel-bearing structural member may comprise one or more foldable wheels pivotably interconnected thereto.
US09873472B2
The present disclosure is directed to a bicycle parking structure comprising a plurality of bicycle hangers supported by a crossbar assembly. Each bicycle hanger is configured to support a bicycle in a substantially vertical position. The bicycle hangers are spaced apart from one another along the length of the crossbar assembly. Each of the bicycle hangers may be secured to the crossbar assembly so that the bicycle hanger is fixed at a desired position or unsecured from the crossbar assembly so that the position of the bicycle hanger along the length of the crossbar assembly may be adjusted. In this manner, the distance between adjacent bicycles need not be fixed and the bicycle parking structure can be adapted for a particular space. The bicycle parking structure is designed to provide for a space-efficient, high-volume parking of bicycles.
US09873450B2
A system for detecting offset error in a power steering system comprises a programmable high pass filter module configured to filter a final voltage command and generate a filtered final voltage command that includes the sinusoidal component, a gain and phase compensation module configured to perform a gain compensation and a phase compensation on the filtered final voltage command to generate a compensated final voltage command; and an error detection module configured to determine an offset of the compensated final voltage command in a stator reference frame.
US09873448B2
In an embodiment of the invention, an end of travel stop is provided for a steering gear assembly having a housing, a rack, and a tie rod. The end of travel stop includes an annular body comprising a plurality of segments defining a first crenellated side of the annular body and a second crenellated side of the annular body. The stop is circumscribed over the rack and is oriented between the housing and the tie rod, and is configured to absorb an impact force transferred through the tie rod and to prevent overtravel of the rack.
US09873446B2
Various implementations include a light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle that includes a high intensity light source, a light diffusing layer, and an outer lens. For example, in certain implementations, the light diffusing layer is disposed between a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an outer lens, and the light diffusing layer causes the light from the LEDs to appear as a continuous stream of light across a length of the lens and provides sufficiently bright lighting to warn or communicate with the driver in various ambient lighting conditions. In certain implementations, the outer lens is colored to blend in with the rest of the steering wheel when the LEDs are not activated.
US09873441B1
A deployable gage restraint measurement system includes a measurement axle assembly, a cross member, first and second support frames, first and second load cylinders, first and second swing arms, and an anti-rotation arm. The first and the second support frames are each pivotally coupled to the cross member. The first load cylinder is pivotally coupled to the first support frame and the second load cylinder is pivotally coupled to the second support frame. The first swing arm is pivotally coupled to (i) the first load cylinder about a first axis of the first swing arm, (ii) the first support frame about a second axis of the first swing arm, and (iii) the measurement axle assembly about a third axis of the first swing arm. The anti-rotational arm is pivotally coupled to (i) the first support frame and (ii) the measurement axle assembly.
US09873438B1
Provided is a method and device for providing feedback for constant acceleration in a vehicle, which includes sampling velocity data at sample rate during an increase in a velocity rate over time to produce a plurality of sampled velocity data. An acceleration parameter is generated based on a difference of the sampled velocity data over a respective time interval. A determination is made as to whether the acceleration parameter indicates a constant acceleration. When the acceleration parameter does indicate a constant acceleration, a near real-time feedback signal is produced and announced to advise of the constant acceleration.
US09873410B2
A powered landing gear includes a housing member and a telescoping leg member connected with the housing member, an internal gear assembly located within the housing member is configured to extend and retract the leg member. A shaft extends into the housing member and is connected with the internal gear assembly, where the internal gear assembly includes a ring gear arranged to rotate about an axis that is transverse to the telescopic orientation of the leg member with the internal gear assembly configured to operate in a high speed setting and a low speed setting, and with the internal gear assembly automatically shifting from the high speed setting to the low speed setting. A drive system is attached to the housing member and includes a drive motor and a drive gear, with the drive motor configured to operatively drive the shaft via the drive gear.
US09873409B2
Device for battery replacement in a vehicle with a storage space for a battery, which device includes a battery transporting device which is installed at least partly above ground and which is associated with a width direction and a horizontal depth direction which is perpendicular to the width direction, wherein the device is arranged to sense a position of the storage space. The transporting device includes a first pushing device and a second pushing device, which first pushing device displaces the second pushing device and which second pushing device supports the battery, the first pushing device is displaceable in the depth direction, and the second pushing device, in relation to the first pushing device, is both displaceable in the width direction and pivotable in relation to the supporting plane of the first pushing device. Also disclosed is a method for battery replacement using such a device.
US09873392B2
A terminal connection assembly that provides battery power (also referred to as B+ power) to one more bus bar(s) in a power distribution device that is part of a vehicle electrical system, such as a power distribution box (PDB). The terminal connection assembly may include a post, a cylinder, annular contacts, and a retention feature and the terminal connection assembly is designed to improve the ease with which the power distribution device is assembled and/or serviced.
US09873391B2
A wire harness includes a conductive path. The conductive path includes a conductor and a sheath that covers the conductor. The sheath includes a first sheath part arranged correspondingly to a route restriction section where route restriction is required and a second sheath part arranged correspondingly to a different section other than the route restriction section. The first sheath part is formed thicker than the second sheath part, and the first sheath part has rigidity.
US09873389B2
Provided is a vehicle cushion component that can suppress generation of unusual sound due to contact between a boss included in an interior panel of a vehicle and an opposing member, and facilitate the mounting operation to the boss. A vehicle cushion component is disposed as an elastic component assembled to a distal end of a projecting portion of an interior panel (interior component).
US09873383B1
A vehicle cargo assembly that is located between a seat and a floor of the vehicle, including a support member that supports the seat and is fixed to the floor; a receptacle body that is movably coupled to the support member between a stowed and deployed position; a pair of bracket plates that are fixed to opposing ends of the support member; and a pair of cover plates that rotatably couple the receptacle body to the pair of brackets plates, wherein the receptacle body is movable between the stowed position in which the receptacle body defines a storage compartment, and a deployed position in which the receptacle body, the pair of cover plates, and the pair of bracket plates define the storage compartment.
US09873377B2
An apparatus for diagnosing a brake light malfunction includes a primary abnormality signal output unit to output a primary brake light abnormality signal using primary state information of a vehicle, a secondary brake light abnormality signal output unit to output a secondary abnormality signal using secondary state information of the vehicle. An abnormality signal verifier outputs a third brake light abnormality signal when receiving the primary and secondary abnormality signals, and outputs a fourth brake light abnormality signal using the third abnormality signal and an abnormality signal of an engine control system of the vehicle. A final abnormality determiner changes into a malfunction state mode from a normal state mode when receiving the fourth abnormality signal, and determines whether the brake light is in a final abnormal state, depending on whether an operation time of the malfunction state mode exceeds a predetermined longest malfunction-sensing time.
US09873375B2
A vehicle approach alert device includes: a memory memorizing a warning sound source data for emitting a warning sound from an external sound emitting unit and a canceling sound source data for emitting a canceling sound from an internal sound emitting unit. The canceling sound cancels the warning sound transmitted from the external sound emitting unit to inside of the vehicle. The vehicle approach alert device further includes: a control part configured to read the warning sound source data from the memory to cause the external sound emitting unit to emit the warning sound based on the warning sound source data, and to read the canceling sound source data from the memory to cause the internal sound emitting unit to emit the canceling sound based on the canceling sound source data to be synchronized with the warning sound.
US09873373B2
A method for regulating a brightness of a luminous unit includes regulating the luminous unit by a pulse width modulator which provides an electric current having a predefined current value Y at a start time t0; modulating the electric current to a predefined brightness value at the start time t0 with a frequency of switching pulses that is chosen depending on a predefined brightness value; and progressively reducing the current value of respective switching pulses of the pulse-width-modulated electric current to a current value Y′ proceeding from a start time t0 until a target time t1. The current value Y′ is chosen in such a way that the luminous unit is luminous with the predefined brightness value upon a permanent supply with an electric current corresponding to the current value Y′. The respective switching pulses of the electric current are lengthened in their duration until a continuous electric current arises.
US09873366B2
A transport system has a dedicated trailer for transporting a small transport reel (i.e., <18-ft in diameter) of continuous rod to the field. The trailer has a pedestal that can pivot the reel. A hub motor on the pedestal can turn the reel, and a transfer unit and rod bender on the trailer can curve or straighten the rod when being fed into or out of the reel. A power and hydraulic system operates the various hydraulic components on the trailer. In other aspects, the transport system includes stands that can hold the small transport reels on a trailer within a defined transport envelope. When empty, these stands can be stacked on top of one another on the trailer for return to a facility.
US09873365B2
A transport machine is provided with a traveling device, a vehicle body, a vessel, a support device and a load detection device. At least a portion of the vehicle body is arranged above the traveling device. The vessel is provided on the vehicle body. The support device includes a slide mechanism that moves the vessel in a lateral direction with respect to the vehicle body, the lateral direction intersecting with a traveling direction of the traveling device when the transport machine travels straight. The load detection device detects a state of a load on the vessel. The slide mechanism is controlled based on a result of detection by the load detection device.
US09873364B2
To improve steering operability in a driver's seat, and to improve posture maintaining capability at the time of turning in the driver's seat and a seat other than the driver's seat. In a vehicle seat including a seat, a seat backrest, and a headrest, the seat backrest has a seat backrest frame formed in a frame shape and a net disposed to stretch in the seat backrest frame. The net has a first string portion arranged radially.
US09873361B2
The disclosure herein provides compact portable head supporting devices that secure a user's head in a position sufficient to enhance the user's comfort in a seated position. A head supporting device comprises: an elongate anchor member for positioning between a back of a user and a seat; a first head support member movably coupled to a distal end of the anchor member; a second head support member movably coupled to the distal end of the anchor member; and a flexible band coupled to and extending between distal ends of the first and second head support members.
US09873357B1
A recliner mechanism having the first plate, a second plate, at least one pawl, and a memory plate. The memory plate may be disposed between the first plate and the second plate and may be movable in an axial direction. The pawl may be held in a retracted position when the memory plate is actuated into engagement with the second plate.
US09873356B2
There is provided a seat back interlocking ottoman device for a vehicle seat configured such that an angle of a seat back relative to a seat cushion can be adjusted and an ottoman is provided to the seat cushion. The ottoman device includes an interlocking mechanism configured to retract the ottoman to a retracted position below the front side of the seat cushion when the seat back is located at a regular usage position and to move the ottoman from the retracted position to an extended position at the front side of the seat cushion to thus support a leg part of a passenger when the seat back is tilted rearwards from the regular usage position. A part of the interlocking mechanism is configured to be operable by an arbitrary operation such that the ottoman can be moved between the retracted position and the extended position.
US09873348B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a travelable information display unit that displays before a discharge, regarding motor-driven movable bodies of a discharge source and a discharge destination driven by using electric power of batteries, information about places to which the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source can move using electric power of the battery left after the discharge by assuming, when information about a discharge amount discharged from the battery of the motor-driven movable body of the discharge source toward the motor-driven movable body of the discharge destination that receives power supply is input, a case in which the discharge amount is discharged from the battery.
US09873347B2
A method and apparatus for automatically charging an electrically powered vehicle are provided. The apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing proximity or presence of the vehicle, and one or more chargers for automatically coupling with corresponding receptacles of the vehicle and charging an onboard electrical storage device (e.g., a battery). The vehicle may be driven to or parked in a position that automatically couples the apparatus and vehicle as needed, or the apparatus may include locomotion means (e.g., wheels, tracks, rails) for moving along one or more axes of movement. The degree of coupling may depend on the type of charger to be engaged—such as direct contact for conductive and inductive chargers, or close proximity for a near-field charger. The apparatus may also include manual controls for moving/operating the apparatus, a processor for controlling operation of any element(s) of the apparatus, and/or other components.
US09873339B2
A second power storage device is electrically connected to a positive electrode line and a negative electrode line, and electric power for generating a driving force is directly supplied to an inverter section. A converter section supplies electric power received from the inverter section to a first power storage device. Because a backflow prevention circuit is provided, the electric power is not supplied in the direction of the second power storage device at this point. A diode of the backflow prevention circuit is connected between a system main relay and the connection node of a positive electrode line on the positive electrode line branching off from the positive electrode line and connected to the second power storage device. The diode controls the flow of a current from the positive electrode line side toward the second power storage device.
US09873338B2
An electric vehicle disclosed in the specification includes a main battery, a main electric power supply wire connected with the main battery, an electric power control unit including a smoothing capacitor that smooths a voltage of the main electric power supply wire, a switch that switches the main electric power supply wire between conduction and non-conduction, a sub battery having a lower voltage than the main battery, a sub electric power supply wire connected with the sub battery, a first DC-DC converter that can perform a boost operation from the sub electric power supply wire to the main electric power supply wire on the electric power control unit side relative to the switch, and a second DC-DC converter that can perform a buck operation from the main electric power supply wire on the main battery side to the sub electric power supply wire.
US09873329B2
An exemplary power splitting assembly for an electrified vehicle includes a connector providing at least a portion of a first path and at least a portion of a second path. The first path is to transmit power between a traction battery and a first component. The second path is to transmit power between the traction battery and a second component.
US09873326B2
A tracked vehicle such as a snowmobile is provided with a power takeoff by substitution of a gear wheel for an existing idle wheel around which the track of the vehicle is wound. The gear wheel has a circumference which is equal to the distance between two preselected drive lugs on the track.
US09873291B2
A non directional pneumatic tire is provided for an agricultural irrigation system. The tire includes first and second side walls and a radially outer wall defining an internal inflation chamber. A non directional tread pattern is defined on the tire and includes a plurality of longitudinal protrusions positioned substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the tire. The longitudinal protrusions are arranged in first and second rows extending from the first and second side walls toward and across the equatorial plane of the tire. The longitudinal protrusions of the first and second rows circumferentially alternate with each other and there is a circumferential spacing between adjacent longitudinal protrusions at the equatorial plane so that no portion of one longitudinal protrusion circumferentially coincides with or overlaps another.
US09873289B2
A pneumatic tire including: a cylindrical annular structure; a rubber layer, which will become a tread portion, provided along a circumferential direction of the annular structure on an outer side of the annular structure; a carcass portion provided on at least both sides in a width direction of the cylindrical structure including the annular structure and the rubber layer; and an extending portion that extends from both sides in the width direction of the annular structure farther outward in the width direction than a ground contact edge on the outer side in the width direction of the tread portion, and that is provided in plurality on both sides in the width direction along the circumferential direction of the annular structure.
US09873287B2
A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub shell, a sprocket support body, and a clutch. The sprocket support body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle to rotate about a rotational axis. The sprocket support body is rotatable relative to the hub axle and the hub shell about the rotational axis. The clutch has a first coupling state where a pedaling rotational force is transmitted from the sprocket support body to the hub shell in a first rotational direction during pedaling, a first release state where the hub shell is rotatable relative to the sprocket support body in the first rotational direction during coasting, and a second coupling state where a coasting rotational force is transmitted from the hub shell to the sprocket support body in the first rotational direction during coasting.
US09873277B2
A method of scribing a graphic on a material is provided, in which laser output is applied to the material. The laser output is moved relative to the material at a high speed greater than 10 m per second, and at a high power greater than 500 W, to scribe a graphic on a surface of the material. Also provided is a system for scribing a graphic on a material. The method and system of the invention are especially useful in the scribing of building materials.
US09873276B2
A method includes providing an elastomeric stamp including a stamping surface with a first pattern element having a fill factor of 20 to 99 percent and including a continuous region and at least one discontinuous region, the discontinuous region including at least one of: (1) one or more elongated concavities, and (2) one or more interior voids. A second pattern element of the stamping surface has a fill factor of 0.25 to 10 percent, and includes traces with a width from 0.1 micrometers to 50 micrometers. The stamping surface is inked with an ink composition including a functionalizing molecule with a functional group selected to bind to a surface of the ink-receptive material. The inked stamping surface is contacted with an ink-receptive material selected from a sheet or a web for a contact time sufficient to bind the functional group with the surface of the ink-receptive material to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of the functionalizing material.
US09873275B2
An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to, each time an unpaired first pattern element formed on a recording medium is conveyed over a particular distance in a conveyance direction in response to a conveyor rotating by a first amount, control an image former to form a second pattern element to be paired with the unpaired first pattern element thereby forming a first test pattern, and each time an unpaired third pattern element formed on the recording medium is conveyed over a specific distance in the conveyance direction in response to the conveyor rotating by a second amount, control the image former to form a fourth pattern element to be paired with the unpaired third pattern element thereby forming a second test pattern. At least one of the first and second amounts is a non-integer multiple of a rotation amount of the conveyor that makes a single rotation.
US09873268B2
A printer includes: a head; a platen roller; a support member supporting the head; a moving mechanism configured to move the support member between a nipping position and a separated position; a positioning member; and a displaceable member. The positioning member has a prescribed portion that contacts a printing medium nipped between the head and the platen roller. The positioning member positions the printing medium in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the printing medium. The prescribed portion and the head provide an imaginary straight line extending therebetween when the head is at a position that nips the printing medium in cooperation with the platen roller. The displaceable member supported by the support member moves along a prescribed path in conjunction with a movement of the support member between the nipping position and the separated position. The prescribed path intersects the imaginary straight line.
US09873258B2
A liquid-consuming apparatus includes: a tank including a liquid storage chamber configured to store a liquid, an inlet through which the liquid is poured into the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid flow channel configured to let the liquid flow therethrough from the liquid storage chamber; a cap configured to be attachable to the tank to cover the inlet; a cover configured to be movable relative to the tank between a closed position where a surface, of the tank, in which the inlet is formed is covered and an open position where the surface of the tank is exposed; and a holder configured to hold the cap removed from the tank. The cover is prevented from moving to the closed position by the cap held by the holder to be positioned in a movement area of the cover moving from the open position to the closed position.
US09873253B2
A modular print engine unit for independently operable use in a media-wide array printer includes multiple printhead modules, each printhead module including multiple printing dies, and each printing die including multiple nozzles. The modular print engine unit further includes a printing fluid supply system to feed, in use, printing fluid to the multiple printhead modules; a print alignment module operable, in use, to align the multiple printhead modules; an error detection module operable, in use, to detect an operating status of the multiple nozzles; and a service sub-system operable, in use, to service the multiple nozzles.
US09873252B2
A printing device including an inkjet head including a nozzle plate, where the printing device is configured to eject an ink from the inkjet head and the ink includes a colorant, at least one organic solvent, and water, wherein a dynamic surface tension A of the ink at 25° C. with a surface lifetime of 15 msec as measured by a maximum bubble pressure method is 34.0 mN/m or less, and the dynamic surface tension A and a static surface tension B of the ink at 25° C. satisfy a formula below, 10.0%≦[(A−B)/(A+B)]×100≦19.0%, and wherein a receding contact angle of the ink relative to the nozzle plate is 35° or greater.
US09873244B1
A clamp includes a fixed jaw assembly which has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw assembly which has a movable jaw. The movable jaw assembly is movable with respect to said fixed jaw assembly so that the movable jaw moves with respect to the fixed jaw. A handle is rotatably connected to the fixed jaw assembly, the handle includes a cam which moves the movable jaw assembly. When the handle is placed in a first rotational position the jaws are open and the movable jaw is disposed a first distance from the fixed jaw. When the handle is placed in a second rotational position the jaws are closed and the movable jaw is disposed a second distance from the fixed jaw, the second distance being less than the first distance. An adjustment is provided for changing both the first and second distances.
US09873241B2
A method for fabricating a flexible display device is provided. The method comprises: attaching a first flexible substrate of the flexible display device onto a conductive adhesive layer, wherein the conductive adhesive layer is disposed on a conductive rigid substrate; fabricating other parts of the flexible display device on the first flexible substrate; aging the conductive adhesive layer; peeling off the flexible substrate from the conductive rigid substrate so as to obtain the flexible display device.
US09873238B2
Disclosed is an inner liner for a pneumatic tire, the inner liner including no less than 8 resin-layers, the resin-layer having a layer A constituted with a resin composition containing a gas barrier resin, and a layer B constituted with a resin composition containing an elastomer, at least one of the resin compositions included in the layer A and the layer B that are adjacent with each other containing a metal salt, the content of the metal salt being no less than 1 ppm and no greater than 10,000 ppm in terms of metal element equivalent, and an interlayer adhesive force between the layer A and the layer B being no less than 500 g/15 mm. The layer A and the layer B are preferably alternately laminated.
US09873234B2
A tire curing mold has a vent plug installed to an exhaust hole open to a molding surface. The vent plug has a tubular housing having an exhaust passage, a stem inserted to the housing, and an urging member which urges the steal toward the cavity so as to open the exhaust passage. The stem has a head portion which closes the exhaust passage by contacting with an inner surface of an opening portion in the housing. A top surface of the opening portion in the housing and a top surface of the head portion are formed by a flat surface. The top surface of the opening portion in the housing and the top surface of the head portion in a state in which the exhaust passage is closed are both arranged closer to an opposite side to the cavity than the molding surface.
US09873233B2
The present invention describes methods for creating Viewing Sets of Ophthalmic Lens with translation filters, including embodiments where the translation filters are included in an encapsulated Rigid Insert. The present invention also includes methods for forming a Media Insert capable of powering and controlling activation of an active translation filter, and more specifically, where the Media Insert may be incorporated in an Ophthalmic Lens Viewing Set.
US09873230B1
A mobile vehicle is used to place, compact and inspect composite plies at selected locations on a tool. The vehicle includes an on-board supply of composite plies, a transfer platen for transferring plies to the tool, a compactor for compacting plies on the tool, and an inspection device for inspecting plies on the tool, each operated and manipulated by an on-board manipulator such as a robot.
US09873221B2
A 3-dimensional (3D) printer is disclosed. The 3D printer includes an extruder to extrude a filament into a cavity, a carriage to support the extruder, a moving unit to move the carriage, and a processor to control the extruder and the moving unit. The extruder includes a filament feeder to downwardly feed the filament, a heating unit to heat the filament fed by the filament feeder, a nozzle to output the heated filament into the cavity, a cooling unit to cool the filament feeder, to decrease heat transferred from the heating unit to the filament feeder, a first temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the heating unit, and a second temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the cooling unit. The processor controls the heating unit and the cooling unit, based on the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, to enhance output speed of the filament.
US09873217B2
An apparatus for manufacturing the ends of electric cables, which comprises a section for injection molding on at least one end, a first section comprising means for applying electrical connection elements to one end of the cable and, optionally, a second section for applying further electrical connection elements to the remaining end of the cable, and means for testing the cable prior to its output from the apparatus, in which retaining means for both ends of the cables in all the manufacturing sections and means for moving said ends from the retaining means of one section to the retaining means of the next section are also present. The molding section comprises a plurality of molds, with an injector for each mold, mounted on platform with which they can be rotated along a circumference.
US09873214B2
The extrusion device of a solid film comprises a cell provided with an input opening of a material designed to form the solid film, and an output opening of the solid film from the cell. The device comprises a first heat exchanger for applying a first temperature to the output opening and a second heat exchanger for applying a second temperature in a first zone of the cell distinct from the output opening and a control circuit imposing first and second sets of first and second temperatures. The first set enables a volume of the material in solid phase to be formed. The second set enables a temperature gradient to be generated in the volume so as to generate a pressure forcing extrusion of the solid film via the output opening.
US09873211B2
A system that enables a cutter head to pivot for improved alignment with a cutting face or die is disclosed. The system includes a cutter hub and a driveshaft hub mated with a plurality of round, spherical, or ovoid surfaces to enable the cutter hub to pivot with respect to the driveshaft hub. The system can include a plurality of alignment pins with spherical surfaces to transfer torque from the driveshaft hub to the cutter hub. The system can also include a cutter head, which can include a plurality of cutting blades. The system can be used in cutting machinery, such as a pelletizer, where alignment of the cutting head and the cutting die (or other cutting surface) is desirable.
US09873205B2
A grooming appliance generally includes a handle and a grooming head attached to the handle. The grooming head generates heat during operation of the appliance. The grooming appliance further includes a cooling system disposed at least in part within the handle. The cooling system has a thermoelectric cooling device for removing heat from the grooming head during operation of the appliance.
US09873204B2
A cutter unit (1) for a rotary shaver is formed by an outer cutting element or cap (2) which interacts with a rotating inner cutting element or cutter (4) to trap and cut hairs. The cap has an annular shaving track (8) of domed cross-section having slots (30) through which the hairs may protrude. The cutter has a convex upper face (22) to engage the shaving track and a concave forward face (26).
US09873202B2
A knife having a tool in the handle has a blade at one end and a tang at an opposite end. A first handle has a receiving slot disposed and centered lengthwise on the interior surface. A second handle has a receiving slot disposed and centered lengthwise on its interior surface. The tool has two legs that are parallel, and have a thumb stud on one leg.First and second handles are attached to opposing sides of the tang. The tool is inserted into the knife by the legs entering the first and second receiving slots while straddling the tang.
US09873199B2
Robotic arms or manipulators can be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information can be obtained about constraints relative to relevant elements of a process of transferring the item from place to place. Examples of such elements may include a grasping location from which an item is to be grasped, a receiving location in which a grasped item is to be placed, or a space between the grasping location and the receiving location. The information about the constraints can be used to select from multiple possible grasping options, such as by eliminating options that conflict with the constraints or preferring options that outperform others given the constraints.
US09873198B2
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a cooperatively-controlled robot includes a robotic actuator assembly comprising a tool holder and a force sensor. The cooperatively-controlled robot further includes a control system adapted to communicate with the robotic actuator assembly and the force sensor, and an actuator in communication with the control system and mechanically coupled to a tool. The force sensor is configured to detect a vibrational force applied on the tool and send a signal to the control system based on the vibrational force. The control system is configured to receive the signal and determine a force to apply to the tool to damp the vibrational force. The control system then signals to the actuator to apply the determined force, and the actuator applies the determined force to actively damp a vibration of the tool.
US09873196B2
Apparatus and methods for navigation of a robotic device configured to operate in an environment comprising objects and/or persons. Location of objects and/or persons may change prior and/or during operation of the robot. In one embodiment, a bistatic sensor comprises a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver may be spatially displaced from the transmitter. The transmitter may project a pattern on a surface in the direction of robot movement. In one variant, the pattern comprises an encoded portion and an information portion. The information portion may be used to communicate information related to robot movement to one or more persons. The encoded portion may be used to determine presence of one or more object in the path of the robot. The receiver may sample a reflected pattern and compare it with the transmitted pattern. Based on a similarity measure breaching a threshold, indication of object present may be produced.
US09873194B2
A wrench extension tool for application to a dual open end wrench to increase leverage applied to the wrench and providing multiple position attachments to the end of the open end wrench opposite the end applied to an object removed or applied upon a threaded bolt, stud or shaft, having a variety of attachment positions to the wrench as selected for optimizing application to the open end wrench by a user.
US09873193B2
A handheld work apparatus has a combustion engine which drives a tool of the work apparatus via a centrifugal clutch. The centrifugal clutch couples in an engagement rotational speed range (nK) which extends between a lower engagement rotational speed (nu) and an upper engagement rotational speed (no). The engine has a fuel supply device, an ignition device, a control device and a device for detecting the rotational speed (n) of the engine. A method for operating the handheld work apparatus makes provision for the rotational speed profile of the combustion engine to be monitored in the engagement rotational speed range (nK) and for the power (P) output for driving the tool to be increased from an operating power (P1) to an increased power (P2, P3) when the rotational speed profile corresponds with a predetermined rotational speed profile over a predetermined period of time (Δt).
US09873192B2
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a rotary hammer comprising an electric motor having its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of the hammer spindle and the tool holder. A single switching arrangement activates and deactivates the hammer mechanism and the rotary drive mechanism for the tool holder. The switching arrangement has a cam portion acting on a coupling part to activate and deactivate the hammer drive mechanism, and acting on a slider part to engage and disengage a coupling sleeve with a drive sleeve to thereby activate and deactivate the rotary drive mechanism of the hammer spindle. The switching arrangement comprises a gear train disposed between the switching element and the cam portion.
US09873181B2
A tool, system, and process for finishing a cylindrical member is provided. The finishing tool includes an opening. The opening is sized to receive a cylindrical member. The interior wall of the tool opening is configured to reduce a roughness of the cylindrical member. The opening has a second cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the member. A retainer can secure the member. In response to the opening interior wall slidably contacting a finishable area of the member as the finishing tool is moved relatively closer to the member at a relative force, the roughness of the finishable area of the member is reduced to a second roughness.
US09873176B2
A rotary indexing machine that includes a machining device, that has at least two machining stations and at least one pre-turn station, which are arranged at least substantially on a shared circumference in respectively a circle segment, and a motor unit, that is provided to drive the pre-turn station. The motor unit is arranged at least largely within the circle segment of the pre-turn station.
US09873173B2
A cutting fluid tank includes a variable flow restricting device configured to restrict a flow of cutting fluid containing chips into an interior of a tank body configured to store the cutting fluid containing the chips flowed from a work portion of a machine tool. The variable flow restricting device includes variable partitioning members which constitute at least part of a partitioning that partitions a flow channel of the cutting fluid containing the chips. The variable partitioning member is pivotably and the flow channel varies in association with the pivotal motion of the variable partitioning member.
US09873170B2
A method of manufacturing a light emitting element includes providing a wafer having a substrate and a semiconductor layered body provided on an upper surface of the substrate, irradiating the substrate with laser light from a side of a lower surface opposite to the upper surface of the substrate to form modified regions in the substrate, and dividing the wafer into light emitting elements at the modified regions as a starting point. The semiconductor layered body includes a first p-type semiconductor layer made of a nitride semiconductor and provided on the upper surface of the substrate, an n-type semiconductor layer made of a nitride semiconductor and provided on the first p-type semiconductor layer, an active layer made of a nitride semiconductor and provided on the n-type semiconductor layer, and a second p-type semiconductor layer made of a nitride semiconductor and provided on the active layer.
US09873160B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for the gear manufacturing machining of a workpiece by a diagonal-generating method, in which the workpiece is subjected to gear tooth machining by the rolling off of a tool, wherein an axial feed of the tool takes place during the machining with a diagonal ratio given by the ratio between the axial feed of the tool and the axial feed of the workpiece. According to the present disclosure, the diagonal ratio is changed within the course of the machining of a workpiece.
US09873156B2
A pilot pin assembly is slidably receivable within a tool bit of a drill press. The pilot pin assembly includes a first pin defining an interior cavity, and a second pin at least partially received within the interior cavity of the first pin. A spring is positioned within the interior cavity for biasing the second pin toward an extended position relative to the first pin.
US09873151B2
Disclosed are embodiments of a vessel configured to contain a secondary magnetic induction field therein for melting materials, and methods of use thereof. The vessel can be used in an injection molding apparatus having an induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel. The vessel can have a tubular body configured to substantially surround and receive a plunger tip. Longitudinal slots or gaps extend through the thickness of the body to allow and/or direct eddy currents into the vessel during application of an RF induction field from the coil. The body also includes temperature regulating lines configured to flow a liquid within. The temperature regulating lines can be provided to run longitudinally within the wall(s) of the body between its inner bore and outer surface(s). A flange may be provided at one end of the body to secure the body within an injection molding apparatus.
US09873149B2
A technique is provided capable of favorably preventing generation of a shrinkage cavity in solidification of molten metal poured into a casting mold, and increasing accuracy of an assembling position of a core to a mold, in casting a caliper. A caliper casting device for casting a caliper for a disc brake including a cylinder into which a piston is fitted, and a rotor housing surface that defines a space for housing a disc rotor, includes: a mold; and a core placed in the mold, the mold having a rotor housing surface forming portion that forms a part of the rotor housing surface after casting, and the core being positioned and held in the rotor housing surface forming portion during casting, and forming a part of the rotor housing surface together with the rotor housing surface forming portion after casting.
US09873143B2
A produce bin washer for washing produce bins of an open-box type may include a housing and a conveyor for advancing a plurality of empty produce bins along a path of travel through the housing. The produce bin washer may include at least one scrubbing brush within the housing adjacent the conveyor and along the path of travel. The produce bin washer may also include a positioner within the housing for sequentially lifting and rotating each empty produce bin from the conveyor onto the at least one scrubbing brush to scrub the interior, and returning the empty produce bin to the conveyor. A sprayer may be within the housing for spraying a cleaning solution onto the empty produce bins, and a collector may also be within the housing for collecting sprayed cleaning solution.
US09873132B2
An apparatus includes a spray module with at least one column of spray nozzles. Each spray nozzle is configured to deliver a processing substance on a semiconductor substrate during a process for semiconductor manufacturing as the semiconductor substrate moves past the spray module. The at least one column of spray nozzles is arranged with respect to a direction of travel of the semiconductor substrate so the semiconductor substrate passes the spray nozzles. A location module identifies a location of the semiconductor substrate with respect to the spray module. A spray pattern module determines a spray pattern of where a processing substance is to be delivered to the semiconductor substrate and a nozzle control module actuates each spray nozzle independently based on the spray pattern and a location of the semiconductor identified by the location module.
US09873131B2
A method of atomizing a fluid using a pair of counter-rotating rollers including a first roller having grooves, the grooves enclosed by a pair of fins extending away from the first surface and a second roller having channels, the first and second rollers aligned with each other such that the grooves of the first roller mate with the channels of the second roller forming enclosures and nips. The method includes drawing the fluid from a fluid source through the nips, the nips having an upstream side and a downstream side, stretching the fluid between the diverging surfaces of the pair of counter-rotating rollers on the downstream side of the nips to form fluid filaments, and forming fluid droplets from the stretched fluid filaments on the downstream side of the nips between the diverging surfaces of the pair of counter-rotating rollers.
US09873123B2
A jaw crusher, a crushing plant, and a method for using a crusher. A toggle plate is coupled between a pitman and a rear end of the jaw crusher with bearings at the ends of the toggle plate. A bearing holder for the bearing is present at least at one end of the toggle plate. The bearing is transferred continuously in the bearing holder to a desired location between an upper limit and a lower limit, inclusive of the upper and lower limits, with a transfer member of the bearing holder, and thus the operating angle of the toggle plate in relation to a frame of the crusher and the stroke of the crusher are changed.
US09873120B2
A module for processing fluids includes one or more collapsible fluid chambers supported on a substrate, a compression element supported on the substrate and configured to be movable with respect to the one or more chambers, and an actuating element coupled to the compression element and configured to effect movement of the compression element relative to the one or more fluid chambers to collapse each fluid chamber by compressing the fluid chamber between the compression element and the substrate as the compression element moves over the fluid chamber. A method for motivating a fluid out of a fluid chamber comprises the steps of providing a module that includes one or more collapsible fluid chambers supported on a substrate, a compression element supported on the substrate and configured to be movable with respect to the one or more chambers, and an actuating element coupled to the compression element and configured to effect movement of the compression element relative to the one or more fluid chambers and moving the actuator element to move the compression element across at least a portion of t substrate and compress the fluid chamber, thereby motivating the fluid out of the fluid chamber.
US09873118B2
A biological fluid analysis cartridge is provided. In certain embodiments, the cartridge includes a base plate extending between a sample handling portion and an analysis chamber portion. A handling upper panel is attached to the base plate within the sample handling portion. A collection port is at least partially formed with the handling upper panel. An initial channel and a secondary channel are formed between the handling upper panel and the base plate. The collection port and initial and secondary channels are in fluid communication with one another. A chamber upper panel is attached to the base plate within the analysis chamber portion. At least one analysis chamber is formed between the chamber upper panel and the base plate. The secondary channel and the analysis chamber are in fluid communication with one another.
US09873109B2
To provide a catalyst, which is formed from a perovskite oxide, for thermochemical fuel production, and a method of producing fuel using thermochemical fuel production that is capable of allowing a fuel to be produced in a thermochemical manner. Provided is a catalyst for thermochemical fuel production, which is used for producing the fuel from thermal energy by using a two-step thermochemical cycle of a first temperature and a second temperature that is equal to or lower than the first temperature, wherein the catalyst is formed from a perovskite oxide having a compositional formula of AXO3±δ (provided that, 0≦δ≦1). Here, A represents one or more of a rare-earth element (excluding Ce), an alkaline earth metal element, and an alkali metal element, X represents one or more of a transition metal element and a metalloid element, and O represents oxygen.
US09873108B2
Various metal oxide mesocrystals can be synthesized in a simple manner by a method for producing a metal oxide mesocrystal, the method comprising the step of annealing an aqueous precursor solution comprising one or more metal oxide precursors, an ammonium salt, a surfactant, and water at 300 to 600° C. Composite mesocrystals consisting of a plurality of metal oxides or an alloy oxide can also be provided.
US09873105B2
A method for enhancing sorption performance of a sorbent material includes the step of increasing a surface area of the sorbent material for adsorption of a fluid at an interface between the fluid and the sorbent material by arranging one or more apertures to be disposed on the sorbent material, wherein each of the one or more apertures is further arranged to define an interior space for absorption of the fluid.
US09873104B2
To provide a method for producing a water-absorbing resin by which problems caused by addition of a particulate additive or water-absorbing resin fine powder can be prevented and a water-absorbing resin having high physical properties can be stably and efficiently obtained.A method for producing a polyacrylic acid (salt)-based water-absorbing resin, the method including: an aqueous monomer solution preparation step for preparing an aqueous solution containing a monomer having an acrylic acid (salt) as a main component; a polymerization step for polymerizing the monomer to obtain a hydrogel-forming crosslinked polymer; and a drying step for drying the hydrogel-forming crosslinked polymer to obtain a dry polymer, wherein the method further includes an adding step for adding a particulate additive to the aqueous monomer solution and/or the hydrogel-forming crosslinked polymer, and in the adding step, an oxygen concentration in an ambient atmosphere of the particulate additive is set to 5% by volume or less.
US09873096B2
The present subject matter relates to a feed nozzle assembly 100 for atomizing a heavy hydrocarbon feed by mixing the hydrocarbon feed with a diluent and an atomizing media. The feed nozzle assembly 100 includes at least one primary mixing chambers 101 for receiving the liquid hydrocarbon feed and the diluent to create a primary mixture. The primary mixture is than forwarded to a secondary mixing chamber 102. The secondary mixing chamber extends to a tertiary mixing chamber 103. A steam inlet 110 is provided to inject streams of steam to the secondary mixing chamber 102 and to the tertiary mixing chamber 103 through a first opening and a second opening, respectively, located within the steam inlet 110.
US09873091B2
The invention relates to a membrane having a pore-free separating layer including a polymer mixture for separating simple alcohols and water from their mixtures with other organic fluids by means of pervaporation or vapor permeation. In accordance with the invention, the polymer mixture is composed of at least two polymer components which are taken from the group of polymer components which includes of the following polymer components: Polyvinyl alcohol, other polymers such as poly N—N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (poly DMAEMA), a copolymer of DMAEMA and N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) or of DMAEMA and N-vinyl caprolactam (NVCL), a terpolymer of DMAE, NVP and NVCL or of vinyl acetate ethylene vinyl chloride or from vinyl chloride ethylene acrylic ester or from vinyl acetate vinyl chloride acrylic ester. The invention further relates to the use and to a method for manufacturing a membrane in accordance with the invention.
US09873085B2
A catalytic converter with excellent OSC performance and Nox purification performance. The catalytic converter includes a substrate with a cell structure and a catalyst layer formed on a cell wall surface of the substrate. The catalyst layer has a catalyst layer arranged on the upstream side and a catalyst layer arranged on the downstream side in an exhaust gas flow direction on the substrate. The catalyst layer on the upstream side includes a support containing an Al2O3—CeO2—ZrO2 ternary composite oxide (ACZ material) and an Al2O3—ZrO2 binary composite oxide (AZ material), and at least Rh that is a noble metal catalyst carried on the support, and the catalyst layer on the downstream side includes a support and Pd or Pt that is a noble metal catalyst carried on the support. In the support in the catalyst layer on the upstream side, the mass proportion of ACZ material/(ACZ material+AZ material) is in the range of 0.33 to 0.5, and greater than or equal to 75% mass Rh is carried on the Al2O3—ZrO2 binary composite oxide of the support.
US09873081B2
An absorbent solution is provided for removing acid compounds contained in a gaseous effluent and a method of removing acid compounds contained in a gaseous effluent contacts the gaseous effluent with the absorbent solution. The absorbent solution includes at least one of the following two nitrogen compounds belonging to the family of tertiary diamines: 1-dimethylamino-3-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)-2-propanol 1,1′-oxybis[3-(dimethylamino)-2-propanol] and water.
US09873073B2
An air filter element for an air filter may include a first end plate and a second end plate spaced apart from each other in an axial direction and configured to bound the filter element in the axial direction. The first filter body may be arranged axially between the first and second end plates. A second filter body may be arranged axially between the first and second end plates. An intermediate plate may be arranged axially between the first and second filter bodies and have an intermediate plate area enclosed by an intermediate outer contour and a first end plate area enclosed by a first outer contour.
US09873065B2
A device is disclosed having a central axis and opposed spaced apart parallel plates with slots and lacing holes therein for receiving linear elements such as string or lines.
US09873063B2
A throw toy includes a generally disc-shaped elastomeric base having a central hub and a skirt encircling and extending outwardly from the central hub. A plurality of projecting fingers extend away from a first surface of the base for stabilizing the throw toy in flight. The base may be biased to a semi-spherical shape when stationary, and may be folded into a ball prior to being thrown, but flattens in flight.
US09873061B2
A block toy kit is composed of a plurality of magnetic construction units magnetically connectable to each other, wherein at least one of the units comprises a hollow block main body having at least one flat surface portion with at least one magnet holds corresponding to the plural flat surface portion, arranged on inner sides of the respective flat surface portions and having magnet holding portions extending in parallel with said corresponding flat surface portions Permanent magnets are accommodated within the magnet holding portions of said magnet holders for rotation about an imaginary “X-axis” extending at parallel relative to the flat surface portion corresponding to the magnet holding portion.
US09873060B2
A toy according to an embodiment includes a human sensor, a processor configured to change the operation mode to a suppression mode in which an operation for amusing a target is suppressed when the human sensor detects an object.
US09873058B2
A vehicle includes a platform, a passenger seat supported above the platform, a pair of drive tires positioned on the platform and a pair of independent drive motors respectively connected to the pair of drive tires. The vehicle may further include a ride controller for controlling the pair of independent drive motors and the pair of drive tires. Additionally, the vehicle may include a laser gun mounted thereon and incorporated into a system including a target that is targetable by the laser gun.
US09873055B2
Methods, systems, devices, and media for controlling a network game in accordance with an input of at least one game spectator are provided. A network interface receives controller input information from at least one game player and game spectator input information based on the input of the game spectator. The network game is progressed in accordance with the controller input information received by the network interface from the game player, and an aspect of the network game is controlled in accordance with the game spectator input information received by the network interface. The game player executes a game client that establishes a connection with the game system for transmitting the controller input information to the network interface. The game spectator does not execute the game client.
US09873051B2
A computer implemented method of providing a game, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory of a device, retrieving from at least one memory information associated with a plurality of first objects and one or more characteristics of said first objects and causing said objects with said one or more characteristics to be displayed on a first area of a display in an arrangement, executing an algorithm which identifies a match condition between said first objects in which at least one of said objects comprises an action characteristic, determines at least one upgrade path in the arrangement in dependence on the action characteristic and determines if at least one first object comprising an action characteristic is positioned on the at least one upgrade path and, if so, determines a level characteristic value of said at least one first object positioned on the determined upgrade path.
US09873045B2
In some embodiments, a system comprises game state information, a first user device, a second user device, and a processing server. The first and second user devices may include a first and second user interface modules configured to receive first and second user selections, respectively, associated with gameplay of a multiplayer game. The processing server may include a communication module, a simulation module, and rendering module. The communication module may be configured to receive the first and second user selections. The simulation module may be configured to generate simulation results based on the game state information, game rules, and the first and second user selections. The rendering module may be configured to render a first video based on the simulation results and render a second video based on the simulation results, the first and second video to be displayed by the first and second user devices, respectively.
US09873044B2
To enhance motivation of a player to invite another player to a social game, thus activating the social game and a platform that provides the social game, a server device includes incentive giving means that gives an incentive to a player who operates a first terminal device when a player of a second terminal device that receives, from the first terminal device, invitation information including solicitation information to at least suggest participating in the game and specific information to at least specify a landing screen associated with a home screen of the game operates the second terminal device to access the landing screen on a basis of the specific information.
US09873037B2
An information display module for a motor-racing vehicle comprising: a housing attachable to the motor-racing vehicle; a display configured to display race-related information to spectators of said race, said information display module configured to use received information to determine the race-related information to be displayed, said race-related information comprising a relative position of said vehicle to one or more other vehicles in said race.
US09873036B2
A modular polyhedral object having at least four external faces which each have in the assembled state a different form and/or color design, is formed from several individual building blocks that each forms a part of the form or color design of each external face. The building blocks are joined together loosely or with releasable connecting means, wherein the building blocks of each module have at least four differently designed side faces. A form-congruent assembly of the object is created by arranging the individual building blocks so as to produce matching external faces on each side of the object, as well as to produce matching respective opposing side faces of the building blocks inside the object with vertically and horizontally matching coded pairs. A modular polyhedral cube-shaped object with at least five differently designed side faces is also described.
US09873031B2
A combat training system for competition and impact fitness training provides a feedback mechanism that supports virtual sparring. The system is designed for athletic training and game-play, for one or multiple users. Sensors attached to a target structure may capture data about strikes on the target including proximity to a target, force of impact, direction, and reaction time. A target structure may be an instrumented punching bag, mannequin, or other structure that may move when struck. Data collected by the sensors may be sent to an analytic system that updates a display presenting a cumulative score, and/or for each strike, the data collected and the points awarded. An athlete may configure the target system for a particular session such as which targets in the system are active, a point value associated with each target, and/or the force of a strike required to count as a valid strike.
US09873028B2
Golf club heads include a golf club head body, a ball striking face, and a shaft engaging member configured to engage a golf club shaft with the golf club head body. Additionally, the shaft engaging member may be configured to engage the golf club head body and the shaft below a center of gravity of the golf club head, and/or the shaft engaging member may have rotational locking structure that can be locked in a plurality of positions. Further, the golf club head may include a face member and a rear member, where the rear member is configured to transfer energy and/or momentum to the face member, particularly on off-center hits.
US09873019B2
In a golf ball having a surface divided by triangular concave sectors, an area of a surface of a sphere is divided into a plurality of areas forming spherical polyhedron and a plurality of dimples are formed for each of the plurality of areas. A triangular concave sector is formed by continuously forming a plurality of triangular concave on each arc along great circles dividing the surface of the sphere into the plurality of areas. A planar shape of each of the plurality of triangular concave is a triangle and the bases of the triangular concaves are arranged on the arc along the great circles. Peaks of adjacent triangular concaves are located at opposite sides with respect to the arc along the great circles.
US09873017B2
At least one elastic link may be simultaneously coupled to two different portions of a limb of a user in order to provide resistance to the limb when the limb attempts to change the distance between the two different portions of the limb.
US09873015B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for exercising a body part from any angle with variable resistance while taking up minimal floor space. The apparatus improves the ability of athletes, including football players and wrestlers, to better prepare for contact from any angle while engaged in their sport. The apparatus includes a ring having a guide track therein. A first end of a resistive band may be received by and wrapped around the guide track while encompassing a source of resistance at another end. The source of resistance may be other gym equipment including a pulley. Alternatively, the guide track may be on an inner surface of a stationary outer ring configured to receive a bearing disposed on an outer surface of a rotatable inner ring. The inner ring may include an inflatable bladder disposed along its inside to provide a perfect fit.
US09873013B2
An exercise system and method for performing various exercises, including a seated abdominal exercise. The exercise system includes an elongated, rigid bar having a first end and a second end, wherein a first and second ring fastener are disposed on each end and a third ring fastener is disposed therebetween. Various exercise attachments are removably securable to each ring fastener, such as elongated straps, a pull bar, resistance bands, and the like. The exercise system allows a user to manipulate the exercise attachment in a particular direction while applying opposing force to the elongated bar using his or her feet pressed thereagainst in order to build muscle, stretch, perform isometric exercises, physical therapy, and the like.
US09873012B2
There is provided an exercise machine. The machine includes an upright mounting assembly having a top and a bottom spaced-apart from the top. The machine includes a seat operatively connected to the mounting assembly. The machine includes a first pair of space-apart pulley assemblies rotatably mounted adjacent to the top of the mounting assembly. The machine includes a second pair of spaced-apart pulley assemblies rotatably mounted adjacent to the bottom of the mounting assembly. The machine includes a plurality of exercise resistance cables connected at proximal end portions to the mounting assembly and extending around and outward from the pulley assemblies.
US09873009B2
A trampoline enclosure formed from a material such as netting has a door opening for entry into and exit from the trampoline enclosure and a fold down door panel with at least one resilient member acting to bias the door panel to return the door panel to a closed position from a folded down open position.
US09873007B2
An automatic fire extinguishing system is provided. The fire extinguishing system includes a housing having a detection assembly and a dispensing assembly. The detection assembly includes one or more sensors, such as infrared sensors configured to detect a fire. The fire extinguishing system emits an audible alarm through a speaker system upon detection of a fire. Further, the dispensing assembly is configured to eject a plurality of fire extinguishing balls towards a fire via compressed air. The dispensing assembly includes a reservoir configured to support the plurality of fire extinguishing balls, an air tank filled with compressed air, a valve electrically connected to a microprocessor, and a barrel. The air tank is in fluid communication with the barrel via the valve, whereby compressed air is released from the air tank to propel a fire extinguishing ball through the barrel to be ejected towards a fire.
US09872987B2
An approach to treating congestive heart failure includes monitoring pulmonary congestion. Monitoring pulmonary congestion includes sensing a physiologic parameter using a sensor implanted within the patient. The method further comprises delivering a congestive heart failure therapy using a stimulator implanted within the patient. Delivering the congestive heart failure therapy includes delivering electrical stimulation to the patient using the sensed parameter to control the congestive heart failure therapy.
US09872976B2
A percutaneous cable is attached to a mechanical cardiac pump and is passed through the skin. Sutures can be used to stabilize the cable against movement to prevent disturbing tissue surrounding cable and thereby reduce the incidence of infection. A funnel-shaped tubular device can be used where the cable exits the skin to allow the cable to flex below or near the skin surface as may be desired to accommodate physical activity of a patient. An anchor can be attached to the cable and implanted below the skin surface to stabilize the cable against movement. The anchor can include any one or a combination of a flat mesh material, a bundle of ultrafine filaments, and a barbed filament.
US09872975B2
A microneedle injection and infusion apparatus, and a method of using same. The apparatus (100) can include a housing (102), a microneedle array holder (106) for holding a microneedle array (107), and a shuttle (125) that holds a cartridge (e.g., that contains an active agent). The microneedle array holder can be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shuttle can be movable between a first position in which the cartridge is not in fluid communication with a fluid path and a second position in which the cartridge is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The apparatus can further include an actuator (104) movable between a first position and a second position. The method can include moving the actuator to its second position to allow the shuttle to move toward its second position, wherein movement of the shuttle toward its second position allows the microneedle array holder to move to its extended position.
US09872973B2
A dilation catheter for dilation of an anatomical passageway includes a luer member, an elongate shaft, and an inflatable dilator. The luer member comprises at least one fluid port. The luer member is rotatably disposed about the elongate shaft such that the luer member is configured to rotate relative to the elongate shaft about the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft comprises a first lumen. The at least one fluid port is in fluid communication with the first lumen such that fluid may be passed through the at least one fluid port into the first lumen. The inflatable dilator is positioned along a length of the elongate shaft. The inflatable dilator is in fluid communication with the first lumen such that the inflatable dilator is inflatable by fluid passed through the at least one fluid port and into the first lumen.
US09872962B2
Provided are mixing syringes having two chambers defined by a pair of pistons located one above the other inside the syringe. Mixing of components separately stored in each of the two chambers occurs when a reversible valve occluding a bore in the distal piston near the discharge end is unseated by removing the retention sleeve and pressing the knob, and the proximal piston nearer the top of the syringe is moved axially toward the distal piston. Further movement of the proximal piston causes it to abut the distal piston resulting in the two pistons acting as one to dispel the now mixed components through the discharge end. Methods are provided for using the syringes for storage and mixing components; discharging the components from the syringe such as by administering the components to a patient in need thereof through a needle when the components are a medicament product.
US09872958B2
Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for administering a drug over a time period. One embodiment of a system includes an administration unit, a housing that houses the administration unit, and a controller unit adapted to receive an alarm triggering signal. Also included in some embodiments is an alarming unit that is adapted to generate an alarm signal on reception of the alarm triggering signal. Some embodiments include a patient state monitor that includes a motion-sensitive sensor unit that is reactive on patient motion. The patient state monitor may be adapted to process a sensor signal generated by the motion-sensitive sensor unit. The patient state monitor may also be adapted to transmit the alarm triggering signal to the controller unit if a patient motion level is below a predefined motion level, as determined by a length of time without patient motion.
US09872954B2
A belt clip assembly is disclosed. The belt clip assembly includes a device retainer having a first retainer defined to retain a clip pin. The belt clip assembly further includes a clip coupled to the device retainer via the clip pin and the clip includes a detent and the clip is further defined to retain a tab pin. A tab is coupled to the clip via the tab pin, the tab being rotatable about the tab pin. Wherein the device retainer is initially rotatable about the clip pin independent of rotation of the tab about the tab pin. Additionally, the rotation of the device retainer about the clip pin results in a finite displacement of the device retainer.
US09872950B2
A renal therapy system includes: a filter; an arterial blood flowpath in fluid communication with the filter; a venous blood flowpath in fluid communication with the filter; a renal therapy fluid flowpath in fluid communication with the filter; first and second renal therapy fluid pumps; a plurality of valve actuators; and a dialysis fluid cassette including a plurality of valve portions configured to operate with the plurality of valve actuators so that (i) the first renal therapy fluid pump pumps renal therapy fluid through the renal therapy fluid flowpath for a number of first pump actuations, and (ii) the second renal therapy fluid pump pumps renal therapy fluid through the renal therapy fluid flowpath for a number of second pump actuations.
US09872944B1
A surgical collection assembly for filtering material from liquid obtained during surgery. A jar having an inlet and an outlet each adapted for connection to a suction line. A set of orientation features to position an upper portion of a collection basket within the jar such that an upper portion of the collection basket does not impede a flow of material entering the jar through the inlet. A bottom surface with a pattern of recessed paths in the bottom surface, the pattern of recessed paths connected to the outlet. A plunger assembly that may be reversibly attached to the jar so that a distal end of a plunger may be used to compress collected material within the collection basket to help remove fluid from the collected material. For certain uses, the surgical collection assembly may have a simple jar lid without an integrated plunger.
US09872937B2
The present invention provides novel compositions comprising multipotent cells or microvascular tissue, wherein the cells or tissue has been sterilized and/or treated to inactivated viruses, and related methods of using these compositions to treat or prevent tissue injury or disease in an allogeneic subject.
US09872929B2
Apparatus for fractionation and infusion of radiopharmaceuticals, including a fractionation unit for fractionation into a number of calibrated doses of an amount of radioactive liquid contained in a multidose vial, and a unit for transferring the doses from the fractionation unit to a device for administration thereof to a patient, and further including a controlled-atmosphere ventilated chamber containing the unit for transfer of the doses and the connections to a line for connection to the administering device.
US09872927B2
The invention relates to a water-based biocompatible non-cytotoxic preparation for the selective staining of internal limiting membrane (ILM) and/or epiretinal membranes (ERM) in the human or animal eye, and to a kit containing said water-based preparation according to the invention.
US09872920B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming PEGylated complexes of defined stoichiometry and structure. In preferred embodiments, the PEGylated complex is formed using dock-and-lock technology, by attaching a target agent to a DDD sequence and attaching a PEG moiety to an AD sequence and allowing the DDD sequence to bind to the AD sequence in a 2:1 stoichiometry, to form PEGylated complexes with two target agents and one PEG moiety. In alternative embodiments, the target agent may be attached to the AD sequence and the PEG to the DDD sequence to form PEGylated complexes with two PEG moieties and one target agent. In more preferred embodiments, the target agent may comprise any peptide or protein of physiologic or therapeutic activity. The PEGylated complexes exhibit a significantly slower rate of clearance when injected into a subject and are of use for treatment of a wide variety of diseases.
US09872913B2
The present disclosure generally relates to methods of making nanoparticles having about 0.2 to about 35 weight percent of a therapeutic agent; and about 10 to about 99 weight percent of biocompatible polymer such as a diblock poly(lactic) acid-poly(ethylene)glycol.
US09872911B2
α-Aminoamidine polymers and methods of preparing a-aminoamidine polymers by reacting by reacting one or more amines with one or more isocyanides and one or more aldehydes are described. Methods of preparing a-aminoamidine polymers from commercially available starting materials are also provided, wherein the starting materials are racemic or stereochemically pure. a-Aminoamidine polymers or salt forms thereof are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems and for other purposes as well such as, for example, coatings, additives, excipients, plastics, and materials, etc. Given the amino moiety of these α-aminoamidine polymers, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Complexes, micelles, liposomes or particles containing the inventive α-aminoamidine polymers and polynucleotides can be prepared. The inventive α-aminoamidine polymers may also be used in preparing microparticles for drug delivery. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings.
US09872909B2
Methods and compositions of the invention relate to the enhancement of specific immunotherapies in cancer treatment. In particular, aspects of the invention relate to novel approaches to boost immune function using a complex carbohydrate pharmaceutical compound alone or in combination with other targeted immunotherapy to increase the efficacy of immunotherapy of cancer.
US09872906B2
This disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising ceftolozane, pharmaceutical compositions comprising ceftolozane and tazobactam, methods of preparing those compositions, and related methods and uses of these compositions.
US09872905B2
The instant invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that CXCR6 plays a critical role in antigen-specific effector function of NK cells. Accordingly, the invention provides, among other things, methods for modulation of antigen-specific NK cell effector function, methods for identifying modulators of antigen-specific NK cell effector function.
US09872898B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating or preventing Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) infection in a subject.
US09872886B2
Compounds comprising R-G-Cysteic Acid (i.e., R-G-NH—CH(CH2—SO3H)COOH or Arg-Gly-NH—CH(CH2—SO3H)COOH) and derivatives thereof, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, stereoisomers, multimers, cyclic forms, linear forms, drug-conjugates, pro-drugs and their derivatives. Also disclosed are methods for making and using such compounds including methods for inhibiting cellular adhesion to RGD binding sites or delivering other diagnostic or therapeutic agents to RGD binding sites in human or animal subjects.
US09872883B2
The present invention relates to particulate forms of anamorelin monohydrochloride or a composition comprising anamorelin monohydrochloride having controlled chloride content, preferably isolated in an amorphous and/or fine particulate state, processes for making the particulate forms, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the particulate forms.
US09872882B2
The invention relates to a use of an aurantiamide dipepetide derivative in the treatment or prevention of angiogenesis-related diseases. Accordingly, aurantiamide dipeptide derivatives can be used as angiogenesis inhibitor, whereby preventing or treating invasive and metastatic cancer and ocular neovascularization (particularly macular degeneration such as pathological neovascularization of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)).
US09872881B2
Bone- and metal-targeted polymeric nanoparticles are provided. Exemplary nanoparticles have three main components: 1) a targeting element that can selectively bind to bone, minerals, or metal ions; 2) a layer of stealth to allow the polymer to evade immune response; and 3) a biodegradable polymeric material, forming an inner core which can carry therapeutics or other diagnostics. Preferred nanoparticles contain a blend of target-element polymer conjugate and polymer that optimizes the ligand density on the surface of the nanoparticle to provide improved targeting of the nanoparticle. The ratio of target-element polymer conjugate to polymer can also be optimized to improve the half-life of the nanoparticles in the blood of the subject. The nanoparticles also exhibit prolonged, sustained release of therapeutic agents loaded into the particles.
US09872873B2
The present invention relates to a process of preparing a stable pharmaceutical composition of compounds which are susceptible to hydrolysis comprising a. Addition of required quantity of pharmaceutically acceptable lyophilization excipients optionally in Water for Injection in a formulation vessel; b. Addition of organic solvent to form a appropriate proportion of aqueous and organic solvent; c. Maintaining the temperature of the formulation vessel from the range −5±1° C. to −5±3° C.; d. Addition of required quantity of compound susceptible to hydrolysis to form a solution and lyophilizing the solution.
US09872870B2
Embodiments provide systems, methods, and compositions for nanoparticle-based drug delivery to target cells or tissues. A drug delivery system may include a nanoparticle with a targeting component and a therapeutic component. The nanoparticle may have a predetermined number or valence of targeting molecules for multivalent interaction with a target cell or tissue. Binding of the targeting molecules to the target cell may result in receptor-mediated uptake of the nanoparticle by the target cell. The therapeutic component may be subsequently released within an endocytic vesicle of the target cell. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems as described herein may provide improved efficacy and/or reduced toxicity.
US09872868B2
The present invention provides methods, compounds, compositions and kits including mitochondrially-targeted electrophilic (MTE) compounds that are useful for treating cancer.
US09872860B2
This invention relates to the use of benzimidazole derivatives for the modulation, notably the inhibition of the activity or function of the phosphoinositide 3′ OH kinase family (hereinafter PI3 kinases), suitably, PI3Kα, PI3Kδ, PI3Kβ, and/or PI3Kγ. Suitably, the present invention relates to the use of benzimidazoles in the treatment of one or more disease states selected from: autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, allergy, asthma, pancreatitis, multiorgan failure, kidney diseases, platelet aggregation, cancer, sperm motility, transplantation rejection, graft rejection and lung injuries. More suitably, the present invention relates to PI3Kβ selective benzimidazoles compounds for treating cancer.
US09872857B2
The invention encompasses methods of treating a patient with cancer, such as glioblastoma. The methods may include the administration of one or more pharmaceutical compositions that are capable of inhibiting TROY to treat the patient with cancer.
US09872856B2
Disclosed in certain embodiments is a method of treating or preventing an opioid-induced adverse pharmacodynamic response comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of buprenorphine.
US09872849B2
In a screening program, the Antarctic sponge Dendrilla membranosa was found to produce diterpenoid secondary metabolites with activity against the leishmaniasis-causing parasite Leishmania donovani. The present invention concerns compositions useful for control of Leishmania spp. parasites in vitro and in vivo and treatment of leishmaniasis; methods for treatment of leishmaniasis; and methods for controlling Leishmania spp. parasites in vitro and in vivo.
US09872847B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating a movement disorder comprising the phenyl carbamate compound as an active ingredient, and a use of the phenyl carbamate compound for preventing and/or treating movement disorder.
US09872842B2
Dermatological disorders having an inflammatory or proliferative component are treated with pharmaceutical compositions containing on the order of 0.3% by weight of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthanoic acid (adapalene) or salt thereof, formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable media therefor, advantageously topically applicable gels, creams or lotions.
US09872831B2
The present invention describes oxidized avidin, suitable for inhalation, for conditioning the lung affected by inoperable/diffuse diseases, enabling the targeted delivery of biotinylated therapeutic agents to it.
US09872828B2
An emulsion includes a liquid continuous phase and a dispersed phase including a cross-linked aminosiloxane polymer. The cross-linked aminosiloxane polymer includes a first siloxane backbone, a second siloxane backbone, and at least one intramolecular structure cross-linking a silicon atom of the first siloxane backbone and a silicon atom of the second siloxane backbone. The intramolecular structure has the chemical structure: (Formula (I)) wherein X is chosen from the following groups; (Formula (II); (Formula (III)); or (Formula (IV)) wherein each R is independently a C-1-C-10 hydrocarbon group, each R1 is independently a C-1-C-10 hydrocarbon group, each R2 is independently a hydrogen atom, OH, a C-1-C-12 hydrocarbon group, a phenyl group, R′(OR″)m wherein m is 1 to 3, or R′OH, wherein each of R′ and R″ is independently an alkyl group, and wherein a is 0 or 1. This disclosure also provides a method of forming the emulsion.
US09872825B2
An object of the present invention to discover a short peptide having an anti-aging effect and to provide a novel anti-aging agent comprising the peptide as an active ingredient. The inventors have discovered that a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence ELKLIFLHRLKRLRKRLKRK (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a partial sequence thereof and having one or more effects selected from the group consisting of promoting fibroblast growth, promoting hyaluronic acid production and contracting a collagen gel, or a derivative or salt of the peptide is useful as an active ingredient of an anti-aging agent.
US09872809B1
A reusable metal casket is configured to receive a tray supporting the deceased. The casket includes a base, having a head end, a first side, a second side, and a foot end, and a lid. The lid is rotatably coupled to the first side or the second side. The foot end is rotatable relative to a bottom of the casket to enable insertion and removal of the tray. The head end and the foot end include curved corners. Accordingly, the interfaces between the head end and the foot end and the first side and the second side are formed separately from the curved corners.
US09872792B2
A universal wrist brace is arranged for both right and left handed use. The wrist brace has a main body panel defining symmetrical first and second sides. Each of the first and second sides has a wing located at a distal end flaring outwardly from longitudinal side portions of the main body panel in a transverse direction of the main body panel and parallel to an upper edge portion. The main body panel defines an opening located between the first and second sides, proximate and adjacent to the upper edge portion. A main securing device is anchored to the first side of the main body panel and detachably attaches to the second side of the main body panel.
US09872783B2
A radially expansible annular stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a plurality of stenting turns around a lumen centred on a longitudinal axis. Adjacent turns of the stent are joined by connector struts. The stent annulus has a wall thickness related to the material from which it is formed. The radial thickness of the connector struts is smaller than that of the stent annulus. A method of making such a stent is also disclosed. The method includes cutting the connector struts from a tubular workpiece with a laser beam. The laser beam is aimed so as to be offset from a longitudinal axis of the workpiece to provide the reduced radial thickness of the connector struts.
US09872772B2
A prosthetic joint (100) comprises a first component (110) having a first interface portion (111). The prosthetic joint (100) further comprises a second component (120) having a second interface portion (121) with a textured surface (122) to interface with the first interface portion (111) and form a skeletal joint. The textured surface (122) can include a plurality of concave features (123). Each or the concave features (123) can be configured to compress a lubricant (140) to facilitate hydrodynamic lubrication between the first and second interface portions (111, 121) to minimize wear between the first interface portion (111) and the second interface portion (121) of the prosthetic joint (100).
US09872771B2
The invention reduces wear in total joint articulations by modifications of the shape of either component of the kinematic pair, so as to result in an annular surface contact between the two components. Fluid trapped between the two components within the inner contour of the annular contact area is pressurized under load due to elastic deformation of the components and exuded out through inter-articular gap over the surface of contact, aiding in lubrication and reducing the wear. Reduced to practice for a total hip joint with UHMWPE-metal pair, the wear rate tested in a hip joint simulator up to five million cycles was reduced by factor seven to fifteen compared to conventionally shaped components.
US09872770B2
A device and method for repairing a mitral valve leaflet 2, 3. The device 10 includes a body 16 having an annular wall 18 and at least one aperture 22 through the annular wall 18. A deployment assembly 24 mounted on the body includes at least one grasping wire 28 arranged for sliding movement in the aperture 22. Movement of the deployment assembly 24 to a deployed position relative to the body causes a free end of the grasping wire 28 to project out from the annular wall 18 through the aperture 22, and movement of the deployment assembly to a retracted position relative to the body causes the free end of the grasping wire 28 to not project out from the annular wall 18. In the deployed position, the grasping wire 28 may grasp and gather tissue of the leaflet 2,3.
US09872766B2
A heart valve prosthesis and delivery systems are provided for replacing a cardiac valve. The heart valve prosthesis includes a self-expanding frame includes a portion having a crimp that provides additional flexibility to the self-expanding frame in the collapsed configuration.
US09872763B2
Accommodating intraocular lenses containing a flowable media and their methods of accommodation.
US09872762B2
An accommodating intraocular lens includes an optic portion a haptic portion and a backstop. The optic portion of the lens includes an actuator that deflects a lens element to alter the optical power of the lens responsive to forces applied to the haptic portion of the lens by contraction of the ciliary muscles. Forces applied to the haptic portion may result in fluid displacements from or to the haptic portion from the actuator. The backstop provides support to the haptic so that bulk translation of the haptic is prevented in response to the forces applied by the capsular sac.
US09872760B2
An improved device provides a cost-effective, time-effective way to stably and reliably affix soft tissues (e.g., tendon or ligament) to the surface of anatomical structures with comparable or greater strength and stiffness (e.g., bone). The device does not require specialized procedures or tools. A single device applies both incremental tensioning and compression to the soft tissue being affixed. The device allows the user, typically a physician or veterinarian, to reliably manipulate, control, and maintain tissue tension. The device is versatile, and can accommodate attachment of soft tissues of different sizes and mechanical properties to bone or to other soft tissues. These features provide flexibility to human and veterinary health practitioners in a variety of specialized areas including orthopedics, joint stabilization, soft tissue repair, spinal surgery, and plastic surgery.
US09872757B2
Artificial salivary gland devices and assemblies are provided. The present disclosure provides artificial salivary pump/gland devices and assemblies, and related methods of use. One embodiment utilizes the interstitial/marrow fluid reservoir within the underlying mandibular or maxillary bone as a source for replacement saliva. The salivary pump/assembly, which is implantable in the mandibular or maxillary bone as a dental implant and driven by incidental tooth contact and masticatory forces, harvests interstitial/marrow fluid and treats it via semi-permeable membrane technology and soluble particles as a continuously available saliva replacement. Masticatory forces and tooth contact power the pump to both harvest interstitial/marrow fluid and drive flow through a bed of ion-exchange resins and/or soluble particles to adjust fluid chemistry providing a continuously available saliva-like solution. Exemplary devices and assemblies can also be utilized to introduce beneficial bacteria into the oral cavity and/or be utilized as a delivery system for drugs/therapeutic agents.
US09872754B2
A package for an orthopedic device is disclosed. The package includes inner and outer packaging and preferably allows for accessibility of the orthopedic device without direct handling by hand. Methods of utilizing such packaging are also disclosed.
US09872748B2
In an endodontic procedure, after the working of a root canal by instruments to remove material and shape the walls of the canal, irrigant is supplied via a microcannula. A vacuum is applied via a tube which is inserted partway down the root canal. The irrigant is supplied in a manner sufficient to ensure delivery to a side vent of the microcannula. The vacuum at the end of tube draws the irrigant and debris up from the apex of the root canal into the tube. The side vent may have a plurality of more round holes, a diagonal slit, or a U shaped slit, or any other shape. The vent opening should not extend more than approximately 0.75 mm from the closed spherical tip of the microcannula, it must be burr free and the opening must be smaller than the internal diameter of the microcannula.
US09872742B1
The orthodontic hand instrument includes a handle portion having a first end and an opposing second end, as well as a first shaft extending outward from the first end and a second shaft extending outward from the second end, each shaft having a working end. The working end of each shaft includes a stoop having a gingival head and an occlusal head, and a vertical slot extending between the gingival head and the occlusal head. Both the gingival head and the occlusal head of the stoop of each working end have a rectangular shape. The handle portion may have a knurled surface or other suitable griping surface for preventing the hand instrument from slipping out of the orthodontist's hand. Further, each shaft can include a tapered portion adjacent to the corresponding working end.
US09872728B2
A catheter includes an inflation balloon and at least one electrode. The inflation balloon is inflatable within a vessel. The at least one electrode extends around at least a portion of a periphery of the inflation balloon. The at least one electrode is expandable as the inflation balloon is inflated, and contracts as the inflation balloon is deflated. The at least one electrode is held in place along a length of the inflation balloon with a tether member, which is secured at opposing distal and proximal ends of the inflation balloon.
US09872725B2
Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue with a mode selection assembly. The mode selection assembly allows for a user to safely activate or disable a cutting functionality and a sealing functionality through use of electrosurgical energy. In some embodiments, the mode selection assembly allows for a more automated application of the electrosurgical energy and the cutting functionality when applied to a surgical site. The mode selection assembly may also include a knob configured to switch between the aforementioned settings. Various control mechanisms are also disclosed to lock and unlock the cutting element, such as a motorized locking mechanism, a solenoid locking mechanism, a mechanical mechanism and use of a nitinol wire. The inclusion of the mode selection assembly allows for a user to more safely utilize the surgical instrument by intentionally disabling functionality that may otherwise be inadvertently activated.
US09872724B2
An electrosurgical device for cutting and sealing tissue includes an upper jaw located at a distal end of the electrosurgical device that opposes a lower jaw. The lower jaw is pivotally connected to the upper jaw by a pivot connection. The pivot connection includes a passage that contains a portion of the upper jaw. The upper jaw is axially displaceable through the passage to pivot the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw between a relatively open condition and a relatively closed condition. The upper jaw and lower jaw are operable in the relatively closed condition to deliver RF energy to tissue.
US09872719B2
The electrosurgical systems and methods according to the present disclosure use a multi-stage power converter for generating electrosurgical energy. The electrosurgical systems include an electrosurgical generator having a power converter coupled to an electrical energy source and configured to generate electrosurgical energy. The power converter includes a boost converter configured to convert a first direct current from the electrical energy source to a second direct current, and a phase-shifted pulse width modulation (PS-PWM) resonant inverter configured to invert the second direct current to an alternating current. The electrosurgical generator also includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense a voltage and a current of the generated electrosurgical energy and a controller coupled to the power converter and the plurality of sensors. The controller includes a signal processor configured to determine tissue impedance based on the sensed voltage and current, and an output controller configured to select one of a plurality of output characteristics based on the determined tissue impedance, and to generate control signals to control the boost converter and the PS-PWM resonant inverter, according to the selected output characteristic.
US09872717B2
In some implementations, a method of ablating body tissue includes (a) locating an inflatable balloon portion of a cryotherapy balloon catheter at a treatment site internal to a patient's body, and inflating the inflatable balloon portion; (b) employing electrodes that are disposed on an expandable surface of the inflatable balloon portion to electrically characterize body tissue at the treatment site; (c) ablating the body tissue by supplying a cryotherapy agent to the inflatable balloon portion to cool the body tissue to a therapeutic temperature; (d) employing the electrodes to determine whether the ablating caused desired electrical changes in the body tissue; and (e) repeating (c) and (d) when it is determined that the ablating did not cause the desired electrical changes.
US09872711B2
A spinal implant for use with a surgical treatment comprises a plate including a surface that defines a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity is oriented to implant a multi-axial fastener with a sacrum. The second cavity is oriented to implant a fastener with an ala of a sacrum. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.
US09872709B2
A spinal construct comprises a connector defining a longitudinal axis and extending between a first end and a second end. The connector defines a cavity and includes a member that is selectively disposable in the cavity at one of a plurality of positions between the ends. A first longitudinal element is dynamically movable within the cavity and engageable with the member to limit movement in a first axial direction. The first longitudinal element is connectable with vertebral tissue. A second longitudinal element is disposable within the cavity and connectable with vertebral tissue. Systems and methods are disclosed.
US09872706B1
An external fixation system for the correction of long bone deformities includes an elongate beam element having an engagement feature along a longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element, a connector element secured to the elongate beam and structurally configured to support a first bone anchor extending from the external fixation system, and a movable carriage engaged with the engagement feature along the longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element and selectively movable along the engagement feature of the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is selectively lockable into a position along the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is structurally configured to support a second bone anchor extending from the external fixation system.
US09872701B2
A retractable device includes a sheath member having an interior space; a retractable member disposed in the interior space of the sheath member and moveable longitudinally between an exposed position and a guarded position relative to the sheath member; a biasing member disposed longitudinally within the retractable member; and a latch member that locks the retractable member relative to the sheath member in the guarded position. In such circumstances, the latch member includes a release button extending through both the retractable and the sheath members. The retractable member is movable from the exposed position to the guarded position in response to the release button being pushed by a user.
US09872699B2
A surgical instrument having a transmission assembly, a transducer, and a handle assembly is configured for coupling the transmission assembly to the handle assembly using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable to restrict the rotational movement of an actuator coupling member and the transducer relative to the handle assembly. The locking mechanism may also be operable to lock a trigger of the handle assembly in a first position. An inner tubular actuating member of the transmission assembly may be threadably attachable to the actuator coupling member or the actuator coupling member may include a latching mechanism to couple to a flared portion of the inner tubular actuating member. A waveguide of the transmission assembly may also be threadably attachable to the transducer. In one alternative, the trigger may be configured to operate the locking mechanism, either in the first position or when pivoted distally to a third position.
US09872698B2
A tool assembly includes an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member. The ultrasonic blade includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion extends from the proximal portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal portion is configured to oscillate along the longitudinal axis to ultrasonically treat tissue. The distal portion includes a top portion, a bottom portion, a notch, and planar side segments. The notch is disposed on the bottom portion. One of the top portion, the bottom portion, or the notch is configured to dissect tissue. The top portion is configured to seal tissue. The jaw member is configured to move relative to the ultrasonic blade and is configured to contact the top portion.
US09872693B2
A venous valve incising cutter includes a cutting teeth head, a guide, a wire and a coupling rod that couples the guide and a cutting teeth head, all aligned in a rotation axis thereof. More than four pieces of cutting blades are formed on the outer surrounding surface of the cutting teeth head. Each cutting blade has a roughly triangular pyramid shape such that the three ridge lines are composed of the outer surrounding surface of the cutting teeth head and the two planes formed in the reverse side of the outer surrounding surface and the apex is a knife-point of the cutting blade.
US09872689B1
Knee arthroplasty preparation devices include a tibial cutting block adapted for attachment to a tibia, a femoral cutting block adapted for attachment to a femur and a block positioning guide engaging the tibial cutting block and the femoral cutting block. Knee arthroplasty preparation methods are also disclosed.
US09872686B2
A surgical fastening apparatus includes a fastener retaining frame having a first annular portion having a plurality of retainers circumferentially disposed thereon and a second annular portion having a plurality of circumferentially arranged perforations. The fastener retaining frame is detachably secured to a supporting structure. After the plurality of surgical fasteners has been mated with the plurality of retainers, an annular blade severs the perforations.
US09872685B2
The present disclosure is directed a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method may include providing a first intravascular device having a distal portion and at least one aperture and positioning the distal portion of the first intravascular device in the vascular wall. The method may further include providing a reentry device having a body and a distal tip, the distal tip having a natural state and a compressed state and inserting the distal tip, in the compressed state, in the distal portion of the first intravascular device. The method may further include advancing the distal tip, in the natural state, through the at least one aperture of the first intravascular device.
US09872679B2
A wound closure device includes a flexible filament having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends. A plurality of barbs project outwardly from the flexible filament. Each barb has a base connected with the flexible filament, a blunt tip spaced from the base, a leading edge extending between the base and the blunt tip and facing toward the first end of the flexible filament, and a trailing edge extending between the base and the tip and facing toward the second end of the flexible filament. The trailing edge of the barb and the longitudinal axis of the flexible filament define an angle of at least 68° that opens toward the second end of the flexible filament.
US09872672B2
A disposable unit for a biopsy device includes a hollow needle configured to define a longitudinal path. A sample-receiving device having a cavity is configured to move in the hollow needle along the longitudinal path between an extended position and a retracted position. A transport device is configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between the extended position and the retracted position. The transport device includes a bendable elongate element having a proximal portion and a distal end, the distal end being connected to the sample-receiving device. The bendable elongate element has a tooth surface that is engaged by a rotatable gear. A coiling device is configured to coil the proximal portion of the bendable elongate element as the sample-receiving device is moved linearly along the longitudinal path from the extended position to the retracted position by operation of the rotatable gear.
US09872671B2
A needle for fine-needle aspiration includes an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a central longitudinal axis and having a channel extending therethrough, a distal portion of the body being movable between a first configuration in which the distal portion extends parallel to the central longitudinal axis and the channel is unobstructed and a second configuration in which the distal portion is axially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis to seal at least a portion of the channel and an actuation mechanism controlling movement of the distal portion between the first and second configurations.
US09872663B2
Method, system, apparatus, and computer program products for removing marker artifacts from a tomosynthesis dataset. In the method, a first plurality of projection images are acquired by tomosynthesis x-ray imaging, the first plurality of projection images containing at least one imaged representation of at least one alignment marker. In one aspect, the imaged representation of the at least one alignment marker on the first plurality of projection images is minimized to generate a second plurality of projection images. In another aspect, a plurality of tomographic images are reconstructed from the second plurality of projection images.
US09872659B2
A real-time fluoroscopic imaging system includes a collimator and a detector which are rotationally movable independent of the support assembly, e.g., c-arm, to which they are mounted. Rotational movement of the collimator and the detector are coordinated such that the orientation of the detector with respect to the collimator does not change. The collimator may include a geared flange member to facilitate rotation, and may be a single molded piece formed of a plastic such as tungsten polymer material. The system may also include a plurality of interchangeable collimators characterized by different shapes. A display is provided to present an image to an operator, and image orientation logic displays a target anatomy in a selected orientation regardless of orientation of the target anatomy relative to the detector, and regardless of rotation of the detector.
US09872658B2
According to one embodiment, a medical imaging diagnosis apparatus includes a top-plate, a bed, a first gantry, a second gantry and a moving assembly. The top-plate places a subject thereon. The bed supports the top-plate. The first gantry includes an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector which revolve around the top-plate. The second gantry includes a gamma ray detector which detects gamma rays emitted from the subject. The moving assembly moves, based on a first position indicative of a center position of an effective view field in the first gantry and a second position indicative of a center position of an effective view field in the second gantry, the top-plate relative to the second position.
US09872656B2
An imaging capsule with a fail-safe radiation mechanism includes a first rotatable disk with a radiation source mounted thereon and having a collimator structure allowing emission of radiation from radiation source from a few locations on the first disk. A second rotatable disk surrounds the first disk, is rotatable relative to first disk, and includes areas that block radiation and areas that are transparent to emission of radiation. In a rest position, second disk is situated relative to first disk such that areas that block radiation are blocking the emission of radiation from the locations on the circumference of the disk that allow the emission of radiation. A motor is activated to rotate one of the disks and allow emission of radiation. A connector is configured to automatically return first disk and second disk to the rest position when the motor is deactivated.
US09872653B2
The local conduction velocity of a cardiac activation wavefront can be computed by collecting a plurality of electrophysiology (“EP”) data points using a multi-electrode catheter, with each EP data point including both position data and local activation time (“LAT”) data. For any EP data point, a neighborhood of EP data points, including the selected EP data point and at least two additional EP data points, can be defined. Planes of position and LATs can then be defined using the positions and LATs, respectively, of the EP data points within the neighborhood. A conduction velocity can be computed from an intersection of the planes of positions and LATs. The resultant plurality of conduction velocities can be output as a graphical representation (e.g., an electrophysiology map), for example by displaying vector icons arranged in a uniform grid over a three-dimensional cardiac model.
US09872650B2
A communication system, method, and computer program product supported by electro-dermal monitoring physiological signals at the surface of the skin. The system includes a garment comprising an electro-dermal interface. The interface includes two or more electrodes in an array of electrodes. The electrodes are associated with three or more polarities. Two or more measurement circuits associated with respective measurement functions are in communication with the electrodes, including a first measurement circuit associated with a first measurement function and a second measurement circuit associated with a second measurement function. Switching circuitry comprising two or more pole switches, with each switch in communication with a respective electrode. A controller is in communication with the switching circuitry to change a measurement function. Changing the measurement function includes changing a polarity associated with at least one of the electrodes.
US09872649B2
A method and system for monitoring a user's intoxication including receiving a set of signals, derived from a set of samples collected from the user at a set of time points; providing a sobriety task to the user proximal to a time point of the set of time points; generating a performance dataset characterizing performance of the sobriety task by the user; receiving a supplementary dataset characterizing a demographic profile of the user and/or a physiological state of the user; determining a set of values of an intoxication metric, derived from the set of signals; generating a predicted temporal profile of the intoxication metric for the user based upon the set of values, the set of time points, and the supplementary dataset; generating an analysis of the user's sobriety based upon the performance dataset and the predicted temporal profile; and providing a notification to the user based upon the analysis.
US09872647B2
Systems and methods are described herein for determining that a patient has indications mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early stage Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microperimetry is used to assess the functional integrity of the patient's retina. Optical Coherence Tomography is used to assess the structural integrity of the patient's retina. Reductions in the size and function of the patient's retina indicate that the patient may have MCI or early stage AD.
US09872639B2
A system and method for remotely monitoring an individual, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. More particularly, one or more physiological functions and/or physical activities of the individual may be monitored. In order to monitor the individual, a range to, and/or a range rate (i.e., velocity) of, one or more points on one or more surfaces of the individual (e.g., skin, clothing, lips, etc.) may be determined over time. Based on the determinations of the range and/or range rate of the points on the surfaces of the individual, the one or more physiological functions and/or physical activities of the individual may be monitored. This may enable the physiological functions and/or physical activities to be monitored remotely from the individual without access or proximity to the individual.
US09872636B2
A sensor-based quantification and analysis system includes an input device including a plurality of sensors that generate an input based on a force. The input device also includes a transmission device that transmits force information based on the input. The system also includes an output device that receives the force information. A processing unit selects, for each of the plurality of sensors, one of a plurality of levels of a likelihood of tissue damage based on the force and a predetermined time period. Further, the output device includes a display that presents or logs the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage for each of the plurality of sensors.
US09872633B2
Sensors are disclosed that detect whether a cannula is properly inserted to its full depth in a subject's skin. The sensors may be used with a blood glucose monitor, or with a continuous insulin infusion pump, infusion set, or other system involving intermittent or continuous testing and/or drug delivery.
US09872629B2
A differential voltage measuring system is described. The differential voltage measuring system has a signal measuring circuit for measuring bioelectric signals, and an interference-signal measuring circuit coupled to the potential of the differential voltage measuring system and electrically connected to a fixed reference potential. In this case, the interference-signal measuring circuit is designed for measuring a current flowing from the potential of the differential voltage measuring system to the fixed reference potential. A differential voltage measuring system with an additional path is also described. Furthermore, a differential voltage measuring system with an averaging potential measuring method is described.
US09872626B2
A printed circuit board assembly includes a printed circuit board and a ferrite. The printed circuit board has a substantially planar top surface and a substantially planar bottom surface. The ferrite has an annular cross section that defines a channel. The ferrite is positioned on the printed circuit board such that a portion of the plurality of traces passes through the channel.
US09872617B2
A fundus camera with an OCT measurement module, in which, after the focusing objective, a mirror switches the light to be detected either to the OCT measurement module or an image detector. This design also renders it possible to carry out a method for improved focusing in order to improve the recording quality of the individual modalities. Furthermore, the multimodal measuring instrument distinguishes itself by an operating concept according to the invention. Such combination instruments are advantageous in that, as a result of the reduction from two instruments to one, less space is required than in the case of two separate instruments. Furthermore, reseating of the patient is avoided if recordings or measurements of different modalities should be made for one and the same patient, as a result of which the procedures in the medical practices and clinics can be influenced positively.
