US09881101B2

A computer loads a web page, the web page including a first file and a second file. The computer then determines a likelihood of change value for the first and second file. The computer then loads one of the first or second file having a higher likelihood of change value and subsequently loads the other of the first or second file having a lower likelihood of change value.
US09881097B2

Systems and methods for a requester to contact a target person. A linking path is made to connect a requester with a target person through references. After references along the path recommend the requester one by one, the requester is allowed to contact the target person. To protect privacy, names of references are not released. References may use strength level to quantify their recommendation.
US09881095B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating native application search results. In one aspect, a method includes accessing application package files for native applications, and for each native application: determining, from the application package file, an application name of the native application, accessing, at the data processing apparatus, application pages of the native application, and for each of the application pages, generating application page data describing content of the application page, an application page name of the application page, the content described by the application page data including text that a user device displays on the application page when the user device displays the application page, and indexing the application page data and application icon for the native application in an index that is searchable by a search engine.
US09881094B2

Systems and methods for automated local story generation and curation are described. In one example embodiment, a server computer receives content from client devices, and processes the content to identify content characteristics. Stories are then generated based on the characteristics of the received content, and the stories are communicated to client devices. In certain embodiments, selection at a client device of an individual piece of content within a story may further be used by the system to provide the client device with a sub-story that includes pieces of content sharing content characteristics with the characteristics of the selected image or video.
US09881088B1

Natural language solution generating devices and methods are provided herein. Exemplary devices may execute logic via one or more processors, which are programmed to receive a complex query in natural language format, the complex query including a real-world problem that requires interrogation of a plurality of information sources in order to ascertain a response to the problem, evaluate the complex query to determine query segments, which are each included with at least one domain, wherein a domain corresponds to an information source, query the information sources to obtain responses for the query segments, and generate a natural language solution using the responses.
US09881073B2

A method for reconfiguration of a database, the method includes extracting a plurality of entity candidates based on a plurality of attribute names and first information about a relation degree between the attribute name and the entity, first identifying a plurality of entity candidate groups in which each is comprised of extracted the plurality of entity candidates and has a correspondence relation with all the attribute names and the number of the entity candidates is minimum, second identifying the entity candidate group, in which a total of relation degrees between the entities in the entity candidate group is maximum, based on second information about the relation degree between the entities, and assigning each of the plurality of attribute names to either one of the plurality of entity candidates so as to have the correspondence relation of the attribute name and the entity candidate based on the first information.
US09881061B2

Embedded content suitability scoring is provided. A plurality of containers of a document is identified. Each container includes a portion of content of the document. A source for a container of the plurality of containers of the document is identified by matching the content of the container to the content of the source. A suitability score for the container is determined based, at least in part, on the content of the container and the content of the source. A suitability category for the container is determined based, at least in part, on the suitability score. The document is presented along with markup of the container that is based, at least in part, on the suitability category.
US09881055B1

Approaches for S-expression tabular structure based language conversion. An SQL expression is converted into an S-expression tabular structure. A function table including a plurality of functions associated with S-expression tabular structure tabulated against at least one of a function name, a derived column and a derived table and an argument table including plurality of arguments associated with the S-expression tabular structure tabulated against at least one of an argument type, a function identifier linking the arguments to the function table, a computed from function, a reference to entity or a literal value, is generated based on the S-expression tabular structure. One or more functions associated with the S-expression tabular structure is converted to a pre-determined SQL based language, based on a language map of the pre-determined language and the function table and the argument table.
US09881038B2

A computer detects that a threshold value associated with a storage capacity of a first storage account has been exceeded. The computer determines one or more other storage accounts to migrate a determined amount of data contained in the first storage account, wherein the determined one or more storage accounts are linked to the first storage account. The computer migrates the determined amount of data from the first storage account to the determined one or more other storage accounts.
US09881037B2

A system for determining a canonical title includes an interface and a processor. The interface is to receive a new title. The processor is to generate a set of n-grams based on the new title; look up n-grams in canonical database to assign one or more labels; and map the new title to a canonical title based on the one or more labels.
US09881032B2

A system includes reception of a logical schema associated with data stored in a data store, generation of an input schema based on the logical schema, reception of an expression having a type of the input schema and comprising a first expression element defining an object, compilation of the first expression element based on the input schema to generate an output schema, and merger of the output schema and the input schema to generate a second input schema.
US09881027B2

Example embodiments of the present disclosure include a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a computer-implemented method for providing an image appended search string. In example embodiments, a selection of an image is received. The image is a search result from a plurality of search results obtained based on a matching process performed on a current search string. A keyword corresponding to the selected image is determined. The keyword corresponding to the selected image is appended to the current search string. The plurality of search results is refined based on the appending of the keyword. The refined search results are then caused to be presented.
US09881024B1

A method for assisting a health care practitioner in color evaluation includes maintaining, in a database, a plurality of images each corresponding to a particular result or condition; capturing, by a healthcare practitioner using a camera of a mobile electronic device, a subject image of a patient or an object associated with the patient; automatically comparing, utilizing one or more electronic processors, the captured subject image to images maintained in the database, such comparison including comparing one or more colors in the subject image to one or more colors in the images maintained in the database; automatically determining, based on the automatic comparison, that the captured subject image is positively matched to one or more of the plurality of images maintained in the database; and displaying an indication of the particular result or condition corresponding to each of the positively matched plurality of images.
US09881018B2

A computing environment includes a home site and a cache site with nonhomogeneous thin-provisioned storage configurations. A file management system updates files stored at the cache site. Each updated file has an updated file size and a pre-update file size. When a resynchronization is needed between the cache site and the home site, for example due to an extended communication failure, the storage requirement changes for the updated files are calculated and a notification is sent to the home site. The notification identifies the updated files and the storage requirement changes. The home site sends a reply to the cache site. The reply identifies which files are approved for immediate processing. The cache site transfers resynchronization data for the approved files to the home site, and delays transferring resynchronization data for the unapproved files until subsequent replies from the home site indicate that the previously unapproved files are now approved.
US09881004B2

A system and method are provided for inferring person gender and translating people's names into a second language. The present invention translates an individual's name into a required second language to reduce waiting time in registration areas. It also is able to infer gender once the registration clerk enters the individual's first name in a native language. It also prevents duplication of a person's record generated because of the confusion that happens around how a native name is translated into a second language by standardizing such translation. The embodiments of the present invention utilize machine learning and statistical approaches to infer gender and translate an individual's name into a second language.
US09880991B2

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for displaying tabular data. A computing device identifies a plurality of data elements organized in a first plurality of rows and a first plurality of columns, wherein the first plurality of rows and the first plurality of columns are at least partially displayed. The computing device receives a data selection spanning an entire row or an entire column included in the first plurality of rows or the first plurality of columns. The computing device, in response to receiving the data selection spanning an entire row or an entire column included in the first plurality of rows or the first plurality of columns, determines a statistical relationship included in the data selection. The computing device, in response to determining the statistical relationship, displays at least a portion of the data selection.
US09880983B2

Systems and methods provide for the collection of content, such as webpage content, and for detection of changes in content. Files composing a document at a different time periods may be accessed and sets of hash values corresponding to files composing the document at the different periods may be calculated. A determination is made as to whether a file in the identified files at the different time periods is an HTML file, and if so an additional hash value corresponding to the HTML file is calculated. Aggregated hash values may be calculated based on hash values in the sets of hash values. A report may be generated reporting hash values for the document as it exists at the different time periods, including the hash values for the files composing the document, the additional hash values for respective HTML files, and the aggregated hash values. Changes in hash values may be indicated.
US09880981B2

In an embodiment of the invention, a method for error handling during document processing is provided. The method includes receiving a well-defined document as input to a computer program executing in memory of a computer, parsing the well-defined document and validating the well-defined document as conforming with a defined plan for the well-defined document, and responsive to detecting an error during parsing and validating, permitting use of the well-defined document to proceed notwithstanding the detected error if enough of the well-defined document conforms to the defined plan to satisfy programmatic input needs of the computer program, but otherwise terminating use of the well-defined document in the computer program.
US09880977B2

Implementing an electronic calendar can include accessing a first electronic calendar owned by a first party, accessing a second electronic calendar owned by a second party, and presenting a view that combines at least one existing entry from within each of the first and second electronic calendars. Source information for each of the first and second electronic calendars may be electronically maintained. The combined view may be updated electronically to reflect a change to at least one of the existing entries from within at least one of the first and second electronic calendars. Electronic calendars may be accessed and overlaid without importing events, thus enabling simple updating. Event information may be imported and source or other attributes may be associated with imported information to enable updating and other sorting functions.
US09880966B1

Application-specific tailoring and reuse of a platform for a target integrated circuit may include determining, using a processor, a plurality of unused interfaces of the platform and determining, using the processor, connectivity of a circuit block to be coupled to the platform within the target integrated circuit. The method may include coupling, using the processor, the circuit block to the platform using an interface that is compatible with the circuit block and selected from the plurality of unused interfaces of the platform.
US09880962B2

Methods and systems are disclosed relating to in-vehicle entertainment, information presentation, and/or processing. Aspects of multimedia in-vehicle entertainment systems that may incorporate removable and/or portable tablet-type computing devices are described. In certain configurations, a hinged tablet computer carrier includes guide rails into which a portable tablet computer may slide while in an open position, and which can hinge into a closed or locked position that holds the tablet computer in place, positions it for viewing, and effects mechanical and electrical coupling of the tablet computer with other components of the in-vehicle entertainment system. Exemplary placement could include headrest, seatback, overhead, or in-dash mounting. Hinging or sliding could be vertical or horizontal. Various other mechanical, electronic, and electro-mechanical aspects of the methods and systems are described.
US09880955B2

An interface unit is provided for the arrangement between a bus system, to which a processor unit and a data memory are connectable, and a data transporting unit, in particular a network processor, are described. The interface unit carries out a direct memory access to the data memory as a function of an identifier (chid) previously agreed upon between an application and the data transporting unit.
US09880949B1

A PCIe bus adapted for cross clock compensation of asynchronous clocks includes one or more PHY data ports provided in a PHY layer having a transmit clock (TCLK) for timing data transmitted to a peripheral device and a receive clock (RCLK) for timing data received from the peripheral device, one or more media access control (MAC) ports provided in a MAC layer having an interface clock (PCLK) for timing data transmitted to the PHY layer and data received from the PHY layer, wherein the PCLK and one or both of the TCLK and the RCLK are asynchronous, and one or more backpressure ports at an interface between the PHY layer and the MAC layer for controlling reading and writing of one of the PHY layer and the MAC layer. In some aspects, the PCLK frequency is set to be always greater than a maximum frequency of the RCLK and the TCLK.
US09880937B2

The present invention provides a dynamic set associative cache apparatus for a processor. When read access occurs, the apparatus first determines a valid/invalid bit of each cache block in a cache set to be accessed, and sets, according to the valid/invalid bit of each cache block, an enable/disable bit of a cache way in which the cache block is located; then, reads valid cache blocks, compares a tag section in a memory address with a tag block in each cache block that is read, and if there is a hit, reads data from a data block in a hit cache block according to an offset section of the memory address.
US09880935B2

A processor writes input data to a cache line of a shared cache, wherein the input data is ready to be operated on by an accelerator. It then notifies an accelerator that the input data is ready to be processed. The processor then determines that output data of the accelerator is ready to be consumed, the output data being located at the cache line or an additional cache line of the shared cache, wherein the cache line or the additional cache line comprises a set first flag that indicates the cache line or the additional cache line was modified by the accelerator and that prevents the output data from being removed from the cache line or the additional cache line until the output data is read by the processor. The processor reads and processes the output data from the cache line or the additional cache.
US09880929B2

A device including a network interface, a memory, and at least one processor is provided. The memory may include a random access memory (RAM) and nonvolatile memory. The processor may be coupled to the memory and coupled to the network interface and configured to designate an uninitialized section of RAM, generate a network device identifier for the device using data from the uninitialized section of RAM, store the network device identifier in a nonvolatile memory, and assign the network device identifier to the device. The at least one processor may be further configured to generate the network device identifier using the data from the uninitialized section of RAM as a seed for a pseudorandom number generator.
US09880920B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing a user with feedback regarding power consumption in a battery-operated electronic device. In one aspect, a method performed by data processing apparatus includes identifying, using the data processing apparatus, usage of a hardware component of a battery-operated electronic device that includes the data processing apparatus, attributing the usage of the hardware component to the hardware component or to a software application that uses the hardware component, recording, using the data processing apparatus, a power consumption resulting from the usage, and presenting power consumption feedback to a user using the data processing apparatus. The power consumption feedback identifies the hardware component or the software application of the electronic device and the power consumption resulting from the usage.
US09880903B2

A method for intelligently rebuilding a RAID includes subjecting a storage drive in an existing RAID to a stress workload test by placing the storage drive in a RAID 1 configuration with a spare storage drive. In the event the storage drive fails the stress workload test but can still be read, the method uses the RAID 1 configuration to copy recoverable data from the failing storage drive to the spare storage drive. The method uses other storage drives in the existing RAID to reconstruct, on the spare storage drive, data that is not recoverable from the failing storage drive. Either before or after all non-recoverable data has been reconstructed on the spare storage drive, the method logically replaces, in the existing RAID, the failing storage drive with the spare storage drive. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
US09880898B2

Transmission control checking circuitry adds control check data to a transaction response which is received at a transaction master and compared with expected data at the transaction master. The expected data having control check data may be a unique transaction identifier. The transaction master generated the unique transaction identifier when it generated the transaction request and will check that the transaction responses include that unique transaction identifier. In this way, errors in the control of transmission of transactions (e.g., misrouting) may be detected.
US09880883B2

To provide a virtual resource control system capable of appropriately defining the amounts of allocated virtual resources to individual service systems under an environment in which service systems are added or deleted. A resource excessive/lacking amount calculation means 54 simulates a resource consumption situation of each node in the service system by use of a hybrid model, and calculates the amount of excessive/lacking resource indicating the lacking amount or the excessive amount of the amount of allocated virtual resource corresponding to one entire service system corresponding to a service management device. The resource excessive/lacking amount calculation means 54 notifies the amount of excessive/lacking resource to a hub device 60, and receives a notification of the new amount of allocated virtual resource corresponding to the entire service system. A notification by the resource excessive/lacking amount calculation means 54 and a response from the hub device 60 are made asynchronously.
US09880881B1

Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for process-performing resources and process specifications particularized to loads are provided. A provisional electronic composite for a load may be created. A type of process-performing resource may be identified. Performance data may be accessed to identify a process-performance duration that corresponds to a process type, the type of process-performing resource, process-performance locations, and process-performance times. A process-assignment duration may be defined, and an availability of a process-performing resource may be detected. A performance time may be determined based on the availability of the process-performing resource. Instruction to perform the process at the performance time may transmitted to at least one resource-controlling device. The provisional electronic composite for the load may be modified based on the performance time and the instruction to form an updated electronic composite.
US09880877B2

A method dynamically adjusts the resources available to a processing unit of a distributed computer process executing on a multi-node computer system. The resources for the processing unit are adjusted based on the data other processing units handle or the execution path of code in an upstream or downstream processing unit in the distributed process or application.
US09880873B2

An electronic official document (EOD) processing method, wherein a work action set consisting of N work actions is defined, comprising: (1) selecting M work actions from the work action set, setting a corresponding working user for each selected work action, and sequencing all selected work actions into a workflow by order of execution; (2) inputting a to-be-processed EOD as a first EOD into the first work action in the workflow; (3) starting an integer i from 1 and increasing the integer i by 1 each time until the integer i reaches M, and executing the following every time the integer i is increased: the working user corresponding to the i-th work action performs an operation specified in the i-th work action on the No. i EOD, and stores the processing result as a No. i+1 EOD; and (4) outputting the No. M+1 electronic document as the processing result.
US09880856B2

The present disclosure describes apparatuses and techniques for patching boot code of read-only memory (ROM). In some aspects, execution of boot code from a ROM is initiated to start a boot process of a device. Execution of the boot code from the ROM is then interrupted to enable execution of other boot code, such as corrected boot code or additional boot code, from another memory. Once the other boot code is executed, execution of the boot code from the ROM is resumed to continue booting the computing device. By so doing, the corrected boot code or additional boot code can be executed during the boot process effective to patch the boot code stored in the ROM.
US09880855B2

A start-up control device includes a processor that executes a procedure. The procedure includes: acquiring data relating to communication processing when communication connection of plural data processing devices is initiated; and based on the acquired data relating to communication processing, controlling start-up of the plural data processing devices such that a data processing device that transmitted a response to a request for the connection is started-up earlier than a data processing device that transmitted the request.
US09880849B2

Various aspects provide for detecting ordering violations in a memory system. A system includes a prediction component and an execution component. The prediction component predicts whether a load instruction in the system is associated with an instruction pipeline hazard. The execution component allocates the load instruction to a queue buffer in the system in response to a prediction that the load instruction is not associated with the instruction pipeline hazard.
US09880832B2

Automated systems and methods for assessing the urgency of installing a patch for a component of a software application are described. The systems and methods involve identifying a set of defective programming constructs of the component that are altered by the patch, collecting execution traces of programming constructs of the software application and programming constructs of the component in a context of application use, and evaluating the execution traces to determine whether one or more defective programming constructs of the component are invoked in the context of application use.
US09880827B2

An independent product upgrade function is associated with each of multiple software products installed in a set of multiple computing devices. Responsive to a triggering event, each upgrade function determines whether the corresponding product can be updated based on rules for the corresponding product. Upgrade may be dependent on other products, but the upgrade function need not know the conditions for upgrading other products. If a product can be updated, update is performed and all other products are notified. Each of the other product upgrade functions then determines whether its corresponding product can be upgraded as a result of the recent upgrade to the first product, and if so, another set of notifications is sent. This cycle continues until all dependent products have been updated. Upgrade functions preferably operate in a peer-to-peer relationship, and upgrade can be initiated in any node.
US09880819B2

A method and an apparatus that instructs a compiler server to build or otherwise obtain a compiled code corresponding to a compilation request received from an application are described. The compiler server may be configured to compile source codes for a plurality of independent applications, each running in a separate process, using a plurality of independent compilers, each running in a separate compiler process. A search may be performed in a cache for a compiled code that satisfies a compilation request received from an application. A reply message including the compiled code can be provided for the application, wherein the compiled code is compiled in direct response to the request, or is obtained from the cache if the search identities in the cache the compiled code that satisfies the compilation request.
US09880816B2

A framework for developing applications is described herein. In accordance with one aspect, an application is developed using an integrated development environment (IDE) with a preview function. The preview function may be selected to preview the application. In response to the selection of the preview function, the IDE causes a companion application on an end-user device to be launched onto an application simulator on the end-user device. The companion application is a container application that includes plugins of local resources. The application may be run in the companion application, where the application may access local resources provided by the companion application.
US09880812B2

Generating a pool of random numbers for use by computer applications. Vibration sensors are placed throughout a machine and collects information theoretic entropy data from the measurement of the vibration sensors. The data is then filtered and added to an entropy pool. Applications needing a random number may acquire a number from the pool. A method, computer program product and system to generate the pool are provided.
US09880810B1

A single block shifter design performing arithmetic and logical shift operations on input operands of multiple types is disclosed. The shifter design may be configurable and automatically generated to support multiple partition types including at least one of 80-bit, 40-bit, and 20-bit partition type. The shifter may also be configured and automatically generated to perform rotate operations on input operands. The shifter may include two stages where the first stage includes multiple multiplexers performing shift or rotate operations by one or more shift or rotate amounts without saturation, and the second stage includes multiple multiplexers performing operations with saturation. The shifter includes an inversion block to process signed and unsigned input data. A method of automatically generating the shifter design with an electronic design tool is also disclosed.
US09880808B2

A display method and apparatus for controlling a voice recognition system are provided. When a user's voice for controlling the display apparatus is input, the method of controlling the display apparatus transmits the voice's user to the interactive server, while determining whether the user's voice is a pre-stored command in the display apparatus, and in response to the user's voice not being a pre-stored command in the display apparatus and the control information which corresponds to the user's voice and first guide information guiding the pre-stored command capable of the same function as the user's voice are transmitted from the interactive server, the method performs the function of the display apparatus, according to the control information transmitted from the interactive server, and displays the first guide information.
US09880803B2

A method of audio buffering continuity which includes downloading by a client device a digital audio stream from a digital source; buffering by the client device the downloaded digital audio stream; playing the digital audio stream from the buffered digital audio stream; when the digital audio stream is interrupted such that there is a gap when the client device is incapable of downloading the digital audio stream, inserting by the client device an audio pattern into the gap wherein the audio pattern has one or more elements of the downloaded digital audio stream; and playing by the client device the audio pattern a plurality of times to form a loop while the digital audio stream is interrupted. Also disclosed is an apparatus and a computer program product.
US09880800B1

In some implementations a computing device may comprise at least a first display device and a second display device. The computing device may receive a selection to display protected content. The computing device may determine a display mode associated with the first display device and the second display device. The computing device may determine an orientation (e.g., landscape or portrait) and modify (e.g., by rotating) the content based on the orientation to create modified content. The computing device may determine a routing of the modified content and route the modified content to at least one of the first display device or the second display device.
US09880795B2

A recording system, includes a recording apparatus configured to perform recording using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements; and an information processing apparatus configured to send a print job to the recording apparatus to shift a range of use of the recording elements in an array direction of the recording elements. The information processing apparatus includes a head shading correction unit configured to execute, based on information indicating that the range of use of the recording elements is one of plural ranges of use, head shading correction corresponding to the one range on image data; and a sending unit configured to send the image data subjected to the head shading correction to the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus includes a recording control unit configured to control the recording head to perform recording at the one range by using the image data subjected to the head shading correction.
US09880794B2

In an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus in which a print job including drawing data and a print setting is stored, and a method of controlling the same, when an image of a logical page unit generated based on the drawing data included in the print job is received from the printing apparatus, the received image of the logical page unit is stored. When the print setting included in the print job is changed, the stored image of the logical page unit of the print job is used to generate an image of a physical page unit based on the changed print setting, and that generated image of the physical page unit is preview-displayed.
US09880793B2

An image information converting apparatus according to one embodiment includes a converting unit, a splitting unit and an adding unit. The converting unit converts first image information described in a first language into second image information described in a second language, the second language being different from the first language. The splitting unit splits the first image information into a plurality of split image files so as to each have a data size satisfying a restriction in image processing performed by the second image forming apparatus. The adding unit adds first additional information to each of the split image files. The first additional information indicates whether or not to add an image formation unit mark. The image formation unit mark indicates boundaries between batches of image formation units corresponding to images to be formed on a plurality of pages.
US09880791B2

An image formation apparatus includes a hypervisor, a control firmware running on a host OS and responsible for controlling the image formation apparatus, and a cooperation module operating on the same level as the hypervisor. A resource includes an image memory managed by the control firmware and adapted for image processing. The cooperation module is configured to: cooperate with the control firmware to obtain an available memory space of the image memory; associate a content of a job to be processed with a program running on one or more guest OSs required for that job; and before starting the job, read a required guest OS into the available memory space of the image memory and cause the associated program to be executed.
US09880789B2

According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus is connected with a server. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming section and an input section configured to receive, from a user, a job start operation for a requested print job. The image forming apparatus also includes a communication interface that receives a print job from the server, and transmits a request for transmission of a print job. A storage section stores image data corresponding to each received print job. A processor determines whether the image data corresponding to the requested print job is already stored in the storage section when the job start operation was received. In a case that the image data corresponding to the requested print job is already stored in the storage section when the job start operation was received, image data corresponding to the requested print job is printed.
US09880787B2

A patching system and a patching circuit provide a type of patching entry which can replace several sequential memory positions with hardcoded and dynamically configured assembly instructions, thus injecting a small piece of code. The operation of the injected code can be for any purpose, but as an example may be used to seamlessly redirect the execution flow of a processing unit.
US09880780B2

A Solid State Drive (SSD) (505) may include circuitry to receive data from streams (305, 320, 335, 350). Each stream (305, 320, 335, 350) may have a Time-To-Live (TTL) (310, 325, 340, 355). Selection logic (525) may select a stream (305, 320, 335, 350) to write to a block (103). Writing logic (530) may then write data from the selected stream (905) to the block (103). The SSD (505) may change which stream (305, 320, 335, 350) is written to the block (103) over time. As a result, the data stored in the block (103) should expire sooner overall, making garbage collection of the block (103) more efficient.
US09880779B1

A system and method for performing copy offload operations. When a copy offload operation from a first volume (pointing to a first medium) to a second volume (pointing to a second medium) is requested, the copy offload operation is performed without accessing the data being copied. A third medium is created, and the first medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the third medium. The first volume is re-pointed to the third medium. Also, a fourth medium is created, the second volume is re-pointed to the fourth medium, and the second medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the targeted range of the fourth medium. All other ranges of the fourth medium have the second medium as their underlying medium.
US09880777B1

A technique for performing synchronous replication on both block and file-based objects employs a replication appliance embedded alongside a unified data path IO stack within a storage processor of a data storage system. Various arrangements are described for achieving failover, migration, failback, and load balancing, both involving other embedded replication appliances and involving external replication appliances.
US09880764B1

Systems, methods, and computer readable media are disclosed. A map including the number of dirty cache pages stored in the flash disk cache for each VLUN of the plurality of VLUNs on the storage system is maintained, by the storage system. A flash disk cache error requiring the storage system to take the flash disk cache offline is detected. In response to detecting the flash disk cache error a first one or more VLUNs of the plurality of VLUNs with at least one dirty cache page stored in the flash disk cache are identified by the storage system based on the map. The first one or more VLUNs are taken offline by the storage system. The flash disk cache is taken offline by the storage system. A second one or more VLUNs comprising VLUNs of the plurality of VLUNs without dirty cache pages stored in the flash disk cache are maintained online by the storage system.
US09880758B1

Described are data replication techniques. Writes of cycle N directed to a first storage device of a first data storage system are received. Writes of cycle N−1 directed to the first storage device are transmitted to a second data storage system. Writes of cycle N−2 directed to the first storage device are applied to a second storage device of the second data storage system. An acknowledgement regarding cycle N−1 is sent to the first data storage system responsive to determining that the writes of cycle N−1 directed to the first storage device have been received by the second data storage system and that the writes of cycle N−2 have been applied to the second storage device. At least some writes of cycle N directed to the first storage device are transmitted to the second data storage system prior to the first data storage system receiving the acknowledgement regarding cycle N−1.
US09880754B2

A dual inline memory module includes a local memory and a non-volatile memory. The local memory stores data during normal operation of the dual inline memory module. The non-volatile memory includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion stores the data located in the local memory in response to a power failure of an information handling system in communication with the dual inline memory module. The second portion stores configuration information for the dual inline memory module. The configuration information is utilized to set up the dual inline memory module in a new information handling system.
US09880752B2

A device includes a memory device and a controller. The controller is coupled to the memory device. The controller is configured to, in response to receiving a request to perform a memory access at the memory device, determine that the memory device has a characteristic indicative of a temperature crossing. The controller is also configured to, in response to determining that the memory device has the characteristic indicative of the temperature crossing, determine that the memory device satisfies an availability criterion. The controller is further configured to, in response to determining that the memory device satisfies the availability criterion, increase a temperature of the memory device by performing memory operations on the memory device until detecting a condition related to the temperature.
US09880749B2

According to one embodiment, there is provided a storage controlling device including a receiving unit and a controlling unit. The receiving unit receives a read command or a write command for a storage device, from an internal or external command issuing device. The controlling unit holds the write command received by the receiving unit until at least a first interval time has elapsed after outputting a write command received most recently before the write command is received, and then outputs the write command which is held after the first interval time has elapsed. The controlling unit outputs the read command received by the receiving unit, prior to outputting the write command that is held, when the read command is received during a time when the write command is held.
US09880740B2

A computer system provides for rapid power-on operations on virtual machines (VMs) with a virtual memory space including a reservation from machine memory and a small or no swap size. When the computer system powers on a VM, the computer system creates a physical memory space for the VM with a size larger than the minimum memory reservation for the VM and a swap space with a size less than the difference between the size of the virtual memory space and the minimum memory reservation. Subsequently, the computer system iteratively decreases the size of the physical memory space for the VM and increases the size of the swap space for the VM until the size of the physical memory space equals the minimum size of the memory reservation, which may be the amount of the virtual space that is guaranteed to be backed by machine memory.
US09880739B2

A method for storage volumes in a cascade of storage volumes including starting a first data map relating a first storage volume to a second storage volume while a second data map relating the first storage volume and a third storage volume is active. Starting the first data map uses a zone map that relates the first storage volume to a zone within the cascade of storage volumes.
US09880738B2

A storage controller configures a plurality of storage tiers. A sub-unit of a storage unit is maintained in a selected storage tier of the plurality of storage tiers, for at least a predetermined duration of time subsequent to an input/output (I/O) request for the sub-unit.
US09880734B2

A handwritten information inputting device includes an inputting region into which handwritten information is inputted with a pointer such as an electronic pen or a finger. The device also includes a function disposition region in which a plurality of operational elements (e.g., graphic icons) are disposed, each assigned a process related to the inputted handwritten information such as enlarging or rotating the inputted handwritten information. In response to a continuous operation for a defined period of time of any of the operational elements, operational element disposition information regarding the operational elements disposed in the function disposition region is displayed on an external display apparatus, to which the handwritten information inputting device is connected. Also, the operated (selected) operational element is displayed visually distinguishable from the rest of the operational elements. Thus, an operator can confirm his operation of the operational elements without taking his eyes off the external display apparatus.
US09880733B2

A multi-touch remote control method comprises following steps: a remote control device receiving a touch gesture input; computing a number of the touch points of the touch gesture input; generating and transferring a mouse event data to a receiving device as a mouse input if the number of the touch points is 1; and generating and transferring a single touch event data to the receiving device as a single touch input if the number of the touch points is greater than 1 and all the touch points of the touch gesture input are close to each other.
US09880724B2

Methods, systems, and non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium for generating a graphical user interface to view status events for devices operating within an electrical distribution system over various time interval granularities and ranges are disclosed. The graphical user interface provides users with the ability to select various overall ranges of time and time intervals within these ranges. By generating a simple graphical user interface in this manner, operating personnel can more easily view an aggregation of data for the electrical power system, predict trends, and isolate and rectify recurring problems.
US09880721B2

An information processing device includes an operation receiver capable of receiving a gesture operation for an object on a screen; and a controller configured to receive an output from the operation receiver and an output from a user motion detector configured to detect whether the gesture operation received by the operation receiver is a two-hand operation or a one-hand operation. The controller sets a size change associated with the resizing to a first degree when the gesture operation for the object is the two-hand operation, and sets a size change associated with the resizing to a second degree which is relatively greater than the first degree when the gesture operation for the object is the one-hand operation on a basis of a user operation detected by the user motion detector, and reflects resizing of the object on the screen on a basis of the set degree.
US09880720B2

A personal display system with which a user may adjust the configuration of displayed media is provided. The personal display system may include an electronic device operative to provide media to a personal display device operative to display the received media. Using one or more optical and digital components, the personal display device may adjust displayed media to overlay features of a theater, thus giving the user of the personal display device the impression of being in the theater. In some embodiments, the personal display device may receive a user selection of a seat in the theater from which to watch the media, and may adjust the media display accordingly. In some embodiments, the personal display device may detect the user's movements using one or more sensors and may adjust the displayed image based on the user's movements. For example, the device may detect a user's head movement and cause the portion of media displayed to reflect the head movement.
US09880716B2

A method includes displaying via a processor a user interface on a display screen of a computing device, detecting a selection of a portion of the first user interface, generating a clip configured to include the selected portion of the user interface as content. The method further includes displaying the generated clip on the display screen to enable a user of the mobile device to review the content, and maintaining the display of the generated clip on the display screen even after the user interface is no longer displayed on the display screen.
US09880710B1

A user interacts with a graphical user interface on a client device. The device displays a data visualization that includes configuration parameters. The device also displays one or more read-only static controls, each static control corresponding to a respective parameter. Each static control indicates the value assigned to the corresponding parameter. A first user action activates a first static control. The first static control corresponds to a first parameter with a first value. The device displays an editable indirect control in the graphical user interface, which displays the first value. The editable indirect control is larger than the first static control, and is superimposed over the corresponding static control. The user changes the first value to a second value, and the device updates the displayed data visualization based on the second value for the first parameter. The editable indirect control is subsequently removed from display in the graphical user interface.
US09880709B2

Systems and methods for displaying, responsive to user-designation of a desired set of media object previews for view, the previews of the media objects of an electronic content work within a single view on a display of a computer system. The view presents those previews of the media objects of the electronic content work appropriate for one or more target rendering environments, according to user-specified display criteria. The previews may be images of the media objects captured when the subject media objects were rendered in a simulated target rendering environment. In some cases, these may be images of the media objects captured with the media objects were in desired states during rendering thereof in the simulated target rendering environment. The view may present the previews according to user-defined size criteria.
US09880706B2

An information processing method and an electronic device, related to the field of communication, are provided in the application. The method includes: displaying M data entries of a page on a display interface by a display unit, where the page includes N data entries, M≦N; obtaining a continuous track generated by a slide operation by an operating body; determining L data entries from J data entries passed by the continuous track based on a predetermined rule, 1≦J≦N, L≦J; and setting the L data entries into selected states. By the solutions in the application, an operation of selecting multiple data entries is implemented without clicking check boxes one by one by a user, the operation is significantly simplified, and efficiency of a multiple selection is improved.
US09880703B2

Techniques are disclosed for purchasing, accessing, consuming, and/or providing electronic content using an electronic bookshelf (eBookshelf) system. The eBookshelf system can be used by accessing a touchscreen-based user interface and/or local hardware controls and/or a remote control. A user's personal library of eBooks and/or any other electronic content can be displayed and/or aurally presented. In addition, the vast content of commercial retailers can also be displayed for browsing and purchase/rental. If the user identifies a content selection on the eBookshelf system that he/she wishes to consume, it can be readily transferred from the system to a personal content consuming device. Multiple eBookshelf systems can be attached to one another to extend the length and/or height of the eBookshelf. Accessing the eBookshelf system by a user ID allows multiple users to enjoy a personally customized version of the system.
US09880702B2

In one example, a content navigation interface apparatus includes display logic for displaying selections for accessing a first entry of a content structure and a second entry of the content structure, wherein the second entry is a sub-entry of the first entry. The apparatus further including selection logic for determining the second entry for display based on a user characteristic (e.g., history, user profile, etc.). The first entry may be associated with a first level of a hierarchical content structure, and the second entry associated with a second level of the hierarchical content structure. In one example, the first entry is associated with a broad content category and the second entry associated with content, such as a media object.
US09880699B2

A computer-implemented method is disclosed that includes receiving on a mobile device a search query associated with a geographic location, providing one or more search results in response to the search query, the search results each being associated with a geographic location, and presenting on a graphical display of the computing device icons corresponding to each search result and also corresponding to a key on the computing device.
US09880693B2

Enabling creation of a user-specific storyboard style based on a storyboard edited by a user. Metadata defined by analyzing the editing decisions made by the user and the media content associated with the storyboard represents the user-specific style. The user-specific style may be applied to other media content to produce a fully edited storyboard that matches the style of the example storyboard from which the user-specific style was created. The produced storyboard is combined with the other media content to produce audio/video data for consumption by the user.
US09880690B2

A mobile terminal having an input device that performs inputting in a tactile manner is disclosed. A touch screen of a first region and touch buttons of a second region are implemented by a single touch sheet without having touch sensing units. Thus, manufacturing, assembling and handling can be facilitated.
US09880681B2

A touch sensor is disclosed to include a first mesh touch electrode formed in a first direction and transmitting a first touch signal, a first supplementary mesh touch electrode formed on the same layer as the first mesh touch electrode, an insulating layer covering the first mesh touch electrode and the first supplementary mesh touch electrode and having a contact cutout, a second mesh touch electrode formed in a second direction crossing the first direction and transmitting a second touch signal, and a second supplementary mesh touch electrode formed on the same layer as the second mesh touch electrode. In this touch sensor, the first mesh touch electrode is connected to the second supplementary mesh touch electrode through the contact cutout and the second mesh touch electrode is connected to the first supplementary mesh touch electrode through the contact cutout.
US09880680B2

Provided are (i) a touch panel substrate improved in uniformity of in-plane light transmittance and (ii) an electronic device employing the touch panel substrate. A plurality of first sensor electrodes (11) are formed by dividing first conductor lines (13). At least one of a pair of ends of the first conductor lines (13), which pair of ends face each other via a dividing line along which the first conductor lines (13) are divided, has a wide width part (40) which is wider than the other part of the first conductor lines (13), when viewed from above.
US09880674B2

In certain embodiments, a touch sensor includes first, second, and third electrode tracks. The first electrode track includes a first electrode, which has a first segment, a second segment connected to the first segment, and a third segment connected to the first segment. The second electrode track includes a second electrode, which includes a fourth segment, a fifth segment connected to the fourth segment, and a sixth segment connected to the fourth segment. A portion of the second segment extends between portions of the fifth and sixth segments from a perspective orthogonal to the surface of the touch sensor, and a portion of the fifth segment extends between portions of the second and third segments from the orthogonal perspective. The third electrode track includes a third electrode, a portion of which extends between portions of the first and second electrodes from the orthogonal perspective.
US09880672B2

A display apparatus includes a display unit that displays a 3D image thereon, the 3D image being created by combining two pieces of image data in which adjacent right-side and left-side parts of respective fields of view overlap with each other; a touch panel that is provided on the display screen of the display unit and that detects a touch position of an external object or a nearby position of an object near a surface of the touch panel; and a sensitivity setting unit that sets, in accordance with the level to which the 3D image appears to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the display screen, the detection sensitivity of the touch panel.
US09880669B2

A touch panel and a display device are provided. The touch panel includes a touch substrate; two first photodetectors disposed at both ends of a side of the touch substrate, wherein the touch substrate is divided into a first touch area and a second touch area, the second touch area is in a location corresponds to the detection blind zone of the two first photodetectors, and the two first photodetectors are configured to determine the position of a touch point in the first touch area; and a second photodetector disposed at peripheral of the touch substrate which can emit and receive infrared light and are configured to determine a position of a touch point in the second touch area.
US09880650B1

The invention provides a touch driver circuit, by only using a select signal (Select) to control the operation of transport gates (TG1, TG2) to realize output of a valid pulse touch driver signal (TXH) and a constant low voltage signal (TXL). The circuit structure is simplified, and removes a plurality of elements and two control signals so as to reduce the layout space occupied by the touch driver circuit as well as reduced the border width of the touch display to realize narrow border design for touch display panel.
US09880644B2

A computer input system is provided for using a smart terminal as an input device to a computer. The method for the computer includes receiving from the smart terminal, input to the smart terminal from an electronic pen, wherein the input is received by the computer through a predetermined communication mode established between the computer and the smart terminal, identifying a foreground application of the computer, interpreting the input in association with the foreground application, converting the interpreted input to an input signal associated with the foreground application, and controlling the foreground application with the input signal, to execute an operation corresponding to the input signal, where the input signal is a keyboard or mouse input signal.
US09880638B2

A method and apparatus of identifying and selecting characters from among a plurality of characters. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer processor electronically enables identification of each of a plurality of characters arranged in a one-dimensional array. Each character is identified by an integer value that corresponds to the number of positions the character is offset from a reference position of the one-dimensional array. The computer processor electronically enables selection of any of the characters by receiving input resulting from activation of selection keys that specify the integer value of a character desired for selection. In one further embodiment, each selection key has an assigned integer value, and the integer value that identifies the selected character is calculated by summing the assigned integer values of each selection key activated for each instance that each selection key is activated within a selectable-length time period.
US09880637B2

A human interface apparatus comprising the steps of: receiving text input from a user; switching to input mode for pointing location information; receiving input for pointing location information from the user; and switching the human interface apparatus to a text input mode, wherein the text input area and the pointing location information input area have at least a part of the area in common.
US09880630B2

To enable a user to easily select a selection element, a user interface device includes image capturing means for capturing an image of a user viewing a display screen, recognition means for recognizing the position of a reference part of the user's body appearing in the captured image, which differs from a selection position that is a position for the user to select a selection element displayed on the display screen, display position determination means for determining a display position of the selection element based on the position of the reference part appearing in the image, and display means for displaying the selection element in the determined display position.
US09880629B2

Devices and related methods are disclosed herein that generally involve detecting and interpreting gestures made by a user to generate user input information for use by a digital data processing system. In one embodiment, a device includes first and second sensors that observe a workspace in which user gestures are performed. The device can be set to a keyboard input mode, a number pad input mode, or a mouse input mode based on the positioning of the user's hands. Subsequent gestures made by the user can be interpreted as keyboard inputs, mouse inputs, etc., using observed characteristics of the user's hands and various motion properties of the user's hands. These observed characteristics can also be used to implement a security protocol, for example by identifying authorized users by the anatomical properties of their hands or the behavioral properties exhibited by the user while gesturing.
US09880623B2

A haptic device includes a display configured to display an image, a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to a user when the user interacts with the display, and a processor configured to receive information related to the image displayed on the display. The processor is also configured to create a friction based haptic effect map associated with the image displayed on the display, and generate a signal to the haptic output device to output the haptic effect when the user interacts with the display when the image is displayed on the display, the haptic effect being configured to simulate a feel of the image in three dimensions.
US09880622B2

A tactile sensation providing apparatus for providing a tactile sensation based on an operator's input to an object, without wasting an existing application resource constituting a user interface, and a control method for the tactile sensation providing apparatus are provided.A tactile sensation providing apparatus 1 includes a touch sensor 40, a tactile sensation providing unit 50 configured to vibrate a touch face of the touch sensor 40, a display unit 30, and a control unit 10 configured to set a tactile sensation to be provided by the tactile sensation providing unit 50 for an object displayed on the display unit 30 based on information about the tactile sensation supplied from application software and, when detecting an input to the object, to control the tactile sensation providing unit 50 such that the tactile sensation set for the object is provided to a pressing object pressing the touch face.
US09880619B2

A system, which is optionally a virtual reality (VR) system, including: (a) a finger-wearable device that has a force sensing actuator configured to sense a pinching of thumb to finger and trigger an emission of a signal, multiple light sources configured to emit multiple optical signals, a motion detector, and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter configured to transmit an RF signal; (b) a screen; (c) an RF receiver configured to receive the RF signal; (d) at least one optical sensor configured to receive the multiple optical signals and use the optical signals to detect a spatial position of the finger-wearable device; and (d) a controller configured to use the received RF signal, the multiple optical signals and the spatial position to project visual content onto the screen.
US09880617B2

Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling a display of an electronic device. One or more reference points are detected at a touch panel of the electronic device. Screen display positions for a Head Mounted Display (HMD) mode are determined based on positions of the one or more reference points. Screens in the HMD mode are displayed at the screen display positions.
US09880613B2

A device includes a display panel configured to display an interface. The device includes a motion sensor configured to detect a motion of the device and to output a detection signal in response to the detection of the motion. The device includes circuitry configured to control, based on the detection signal, the display panel such that at least one of a display position and a display size of an element displayed in the interface changes, wherein when the motion includes a physical shock on the device, the detection signal includes an indication of a hitting position corresponding to a position on the device where the physical shock is detected by the motion sensor, and the circuitry controls the display panel such that the at least one of the display position and the display size of the element changes based on the hitting position.
US09880608B2

An application processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), intellectual properties (IPs), a hardware power management unit (PMU) configured to determine whether the application processor is in system idle based on a first idle signal output from the CPU and output control signals as a result of the determination, and a clock signal supply control circuit configured to change an output signal supplied to the CPU and the IPs from clock signals to an oscillation clock signal, based on the control signals. The oscillation clock signal has a frequency lower than that of the clock signals.
US09880592B2

An information handling system (IHS) includes a modularly-constructed chassis for receiving varying sizes of snap-in compute components for assembly of the IHS. The modularly-constructed chassis includes a base panel having a chassis surface that includes more than one engagement feature formed within the chassis surface and a selected at least one of a first tray that is sized to receive a first compute component of a first size and a second tray that is sized to receive a second compute component of a second size. The first and second trays have a bottom surface with more than one complementary engagement feature formed within the bottom surface to snap-in corresponding engagement features of the base panel. The IHS includes one or more connecting cabling interconnecting the at least two compute components.
US09880589B2

An instrument eject system includes a device configured to store an instrument at a storage location within the device. A cover is rotationally coupled to a base via hinge. An ejection element is configured to impose an ejecting force on the instrument when the instrument is stored within the device. A retaining element is configured to retain the instrument within the device in a lock position of the retaining element and to release the instrument in a release position of the retaining element.
US09880582B2

A counting element is dimensioned for sliding engagement along an outside surface of an elongated rod of an educational apparatus. The counting element includes an element body extending between first and second end surfaces. The element body includes an outer wall a plurality of inner walls disposed radially inward of the outer wall. The inner walls are operatively connected to the outer wall adjacent the first end surface and extend to a free end disposed toward the second end surface. The inner walls define a passage dimensioned to receive the elongated rod. The free ends of the inner wall portions are radially deflectable and function as biasing elements operative to generate frictional resistance to sliding movement of the counting element along the outside surface of the elongated rod. An educational apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of elongated rods and a plurality of counting elements. Methods are also included.
US09880580B2

Systems and methods for coordinating selective activation of at least one power storage device over a predetermined geographic area to supply a microgrid of electrical power, and automatic, selective disconnect any of the at least one power storage device from providing power supply to a microgrid or a wider area grid.
US09880572B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit, supplied with a power source voltage generated by a power supplier and having a level determined in accordance with an analog signal, includes: an output unit outputting, as the analog signal, an output voltage signal indicating the power source voltage; an input unit including an input interface identical in specifications to an output interface of the output unit, and receiving an input signal indicating a voltage and input from an outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit; and a voltage control circuit generating the output voltage signal, based on the input signal and operating voltage information indicating a voltage required for an operation of the semiconductor integrated circuit.
US09880569B2

A predicted outflow rate (Qo) at which gas is discharged from a process chamber 2 via a vacuum pump 3 is computed, and an input flow rate (Qi) is calculated in order to reach a preset target pressure (Psp). The input flow rate (Qi) is calculated, on the basis of the expression Qi=Qo+(ΔP/Δt)V, from a known volume (V) of the process chamber 2 and a pressure change rate (ΔP/Δt) obtained from the current pressure (P1) within the process chamber 2 to reach the target pressure (Psp). A current predicted outflow rate (Qo) is estimated on the basis of the expression Qo(n)=P2*f1(P2), from the current pressure (P2) within the vacuum pump 3 and a known characteristic pumping rate (Sp=f1(P2)) of the vacuum pump 3 under preset pressure.
US09880565B1

The present invention describes a two-stage valve comprising a first stage constituted by a main valve body provided with at least one fluid inlet duct and with at least one fluid outlet duct, between which is interposed at least one shutter element configured to put selectively in fluid communication such ducts. The valve comprises a second stage constituted by a pilot valve body provided with at least one fluid inlet duct and with at least one fluid outlet duct, between which is interposed at least one shutter element configured to put selectively in communication such ducts. The opening of the shutter element of the pilot valve generates a fluid flow passing through the fluid inlet duct of the pilot valve and the fluid outlet duct of the pilot valve, the pressure of such a fluid flow generating the opening of the shutter element of the main valve. The shutter element of the pilot valve is actuated by an actuator device comprising at least one wire made of a shape-memory alloy, capable of applying a force onto the shutter element of the pilot valve as a consequence of a temperature variation determined by the Joule effect by the flow of an electric current through such a wire.
US09880548B2

Necessary component data indicative of the type and number of electronic components used in component mounting operation is obtained on the basis of production plan data, and mounting data in advance for each of production lots in advance. New allocation processing for allocating an electronic component necessary for production execution of a new production lot to be newly produced on an electronic component mounting line for the new production lot on the basis of the necessary unit data is executed, and component reservation processing for registering the allocation result in question as the inventory data is conducted by a unit reservation unit.
US09880546B2

A register of an industrial equipment production system acquires setting information adjusted in an industrial equipment and registers the setting information in a server. A receiver receives a production instruction for the industrial equipment. An identifier identifies, in a case where the production instruction is received, the setting information on the industrial equipment to be produced in accordance with the production instruction based on the setting information registered in the server.
US09880545B2

A system and method for a self-contained self-calibrating modular manufacturing device having modular tools and parts configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function. The modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing provides a base by which additional modules are mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote control system capable of controlling the robotic arm. Such modules work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained self-calibrating modular manufacturing device, a processor disposed in the housing is configured to control the functional tools (e.g., each end-effector) independent of the overall manufacturing control system as well as use local sensors to determine aspects of an underlying manufactured items for calibration purposes.
US09880541B2

Method and system are provided for providing instructions to a mainframe system. The method at a client system includes constructing a job control language (JCL) job embedded with an interpreted language program to provide instructions to a mainframe operating system. The method at a mainframe system includes: receiving a job control language (JCL) job embedded with an interpreted language program to provide instructions to a mainframe operating system; copying the interpreted language program to a transient executable area; and executing the interpreted language program.
US09880537B2

An irrigation modeling framework in precision agriculture utilizes a combination of weather data, crop data, and other agricultural inputs to create customized agronomic models for diagnosing and predicting a moisture state in a field, and a corresponding need for, and timing of, irrigation activities. Specific combinations of various agricultural inputs can be applied, together with weather information to identify or adjust water-related characteristics of crops and soils, to model optimal irrigation activities and provide advisories, recommendations, and scheduling guidance for targeted application of artificial precipitation to address specific moisture conditions in a soil system of a field.
US09880528B2

Apparatus are provided for medical devices and related operating systems and methods. An exemplary medical device includes a motor, one or more data storage elements to maintain control information, and a control module coupled to the motor and the one or more data storage elements. The control module is configured to obtain updated control information via a peer-to-peer communication session over a network, store the updated control information in the one or more data storage elements, and thereafter operate the motor based at least in part on the updated control information.
US09880526B2

A motor controller coupled to a motor for a pump is described. The motor controller is configured to determine a first mode of operation for the motor, based on at least one of a predefined schedule stored by the motor controller and an input signal received by the motor controller from at least one ancillary device. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit a first control signal to the motor to operate the motor in the first mode, and to transmit a second control signal to change an operation of the at least one ancillary device, wherein the at least one ancillary device includes one or more of a heater, a chlorine generator, and an ozone generator.
US09880523B2

According to an embodiment, a time reference device is provided. In the embodiment, the time reference device, includes a corrodible element, wherein a corrosion of the corrodible element advances with advancing time, and a sensor configured for providing a sensor signal, the sensor signal depending on a physical property of the corrodible element; wherein the physical property of the corrodible element changes with a corrosion of the corrodible element and the physical property of the corrodible element is at least one of an electrical property, a magnetic property, and an optical property. A barrier may be provided for defining a permeability for a corrosive substance to the corrodible element.
US09880517B2

A process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum; a rotatable roller having a rotation shaft in a position deviated from an axis of the developing roller, for transmitting a driving force to the developing roller; a coupling member disposed at an end portion of the shaft of the developing roller; a driving force receiving portion, provided on the coupling member and movable in a direction crossing the shaft of the rotatable roller, for receiving a driving force to be transmitted to the developing roller; an urging member for urging the drive receiving portion in the direction crossing the shaft of the rotatable roller; a supporting portion for rotatably supporting the drive receiving portion so as to be movable together with the drive receiving portion toward the rotatable roller in the direction crossing the shaft of the rotatable roller; and an abutting portion for receiving the supporting portion urged by the urging member, wherein the abutting portion is positioned outside an outer periphery of the photosensitive drum on a plane perpendicular to the shaft of the rotatable roller.
US09880500B2

A fixing device includes a cylindrical film; a plate heater including an electrode portion, wherein a lubricant is applied in a region where the heater contacts the film; a supporting member; and a sealing member contacting a surface of the heater where the electrode portion of the heater is provided, the sealing member being provided at a position closer to a center of the heater than the electrode portion is. The sealing member includes an engaging portion engaging with an end portion of the supporting member with respect to a widthwise direction of the heater and a cantilever contact portion contacting the surface of the heater where the electrode portion is provided.
US09880494B2

A toner container includes an elongated container main body, a toner discharge port, a first rotation member configured to convey the toner toward the toner discharge port, a support plate provided in the container main body and disposed in such a way as to face the wall surface, and an opening and closing member provided between the wall surface and the support plate and supported by the support plate in such a way as to be able to move between a closing position and an opening position. The support plate includes a first opening portion formed at a position corresponding to the toner discharge port and larger than the toner discharge port in size, and a film member attached to the support plate in such a way as to cover the first opening portion and including a second opening portion formed at a position corresponding to the toner discharge port.
US09880492B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device which forms an image on a recording medium and an image scanning device which transmits scanned image data to the image forming device. The image forming device includes a receiver, a first image forming unit, a second image forming unit, and a controller. The receiver receives at least one of external image data transmitted from an external device and the scanned image data as input image data. The first image forming unit forms a developer image based on the input image data on the recording medium. The second image forming unit forms a mark image on the recording medium. The controller determines whether to make the second image forming unit form the mark image or not depending on a type of a transmission source of the input image data.
US09880489B2

A light scanning device includes a light source, a deflector, a reflection mirror, and a light width regulating portion. The light source includes a plurality of light-emitting elements located at intervals one another. The deflector deflects to scan by reflecting a plurality of light beams. The plurality of light beams are emitted from the respective light-emitting elements. The reflection mirror is located in an optical path between the light source and the deflector and guides the plurality of light beams emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements to the deflector. The light width regulating portion regulates widths of the plurality of light beams reflected by the reflection mirror in a main-scanning direction. The light width regulating portion is located adjacent to a reflecting surface of the reflection mirror and includes a pair of regulating wall portions located opposed one another in the main-scanning direction.
US09880484B2

An image forming apparatus includes a cleaning device located, in a direction in which an intermediate transfer belt rotates, downstream of a second transfer position and upstream of a first transfer position, at which a first transfer device transfers a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt, the cleaning device cleaning the intermediate transfer belt; and a charging member located upstream of the first transfer position and downstream of the cleaning device in the direction in which the intermediate transfer belt rotates, the charging member having a shape of a roller having a diameter smaller than a diameter of a driving roller that drives the intermediate transfer belt to rotate the intermediate transfer belt, the charging member charging the intermediate transfer belt by holding the intermediate transfer belt between the charging member and the driving roller and touching an outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt.
US09880482B2

The ultraviolet-curable liquid developer contains a hydrophobic cationically polymerizable liquid monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, a toner particle insoluble in the liquid monomer, and a toner particle dispersing agent, wherein the toner particle contains a binder resin that has an acid value of at least 5 mg KOH/g; the toner particle dispersing agent is a polymer that contains at least both a monomer unit represented by general formula (1) and a monomer unit represented by general formula (2); and the toner particle dispersing agent has a monomer unit represented by general formula (1) at a position other than the terminal position.
US09880481B2

A liquid developer set of the present invention includes a first liquid developer including an insulating liquid and first toner particles and a second liquid developer including an insulating liquid and second toner particles, the first toner particles include carbon black and a first resin, the second toner particles include a coloring agent other than carbon black and a second resin, without including carbon black, the first resin and the second resin each include a hydrocarbon long chain which is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 8 to 30, and a mass ratio of the hydrocarbon long chain to the first toner particles is higher than a mass ratio of the hydrocarbon long chain to the second toner particles.
US09880477B2

The invention provides an image forming apparatus and an electrophotographic photoreceptor, comprising: a conductive support; and at least a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer on the conductive support, wherein said charge generation layer contains a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine synthesized using a halogen solvent, said charge transport layer contains a polyester resin having a specific structural unit, and said charge transport layer is formed using a non-halogen solvent.
US09880471B2

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a developing solution processing device and processing method that solve problems that accompany the occurrence of scum, improve product defect rate, increase the utilization ratio of manufacturing devices, and contribute considerably to reduced manufacturing costs and other factors through highly efficient recovery of noble metals. The present invention provides a developing solution processing device provided with: a centrifuge for separating a clarified liquid and a residue by centrifugally separating out developing solution after development processing; and a defoaming device for defoaming and discharging the clarified liquid.
US09880462B2

A pellicle includes a pellicle frame, a pellicle membrane, and an attaching element, a first surface of the attaching element having exposed pores.
US09880454B2

A light source device is disclosed. An embodiment of the light source device includes: an excitation light source configured to emit irradiation light of a color component to be used as excitation light and projection light; a fluorescent member disposed in an excitation light path and configured to generate fluorescence of a color component different from the color component of the irradiation light when being irradiated with the irradiation light; a light path merger unit configured to merge a fluorescence light path through which the fluorescence generated with irradiation of the irradiation light is delivered, and a projection light path through which the projection light is delivered; and a light path switch disk configured to switch the irradiation light between the excitation light path and the projection light path.
US09880450B2

A document camera includes a base, a first arm assembled to the base, a second arm assembled to the first arm, and a camera head assembled to the second arm. The first arm is pivotable between a parallel extending position and a raised position. The second arm is pivotable between a juxtaposed position and a raised position and between the raised position and a parallel extending position. The camera head is pivotable between a juxtaposed position and a position where the camera head is raised from the second arm. When the document camera is to be folded, the first arm is set to the parallel extending position, the second arm and the camera head are to the respective juxtaposed positions. When the document camera has been folded, upper surfaces of the first and second arms and the camera head are substantially coplanar.
US09880448B2

A system for parallax correction includes a first lens having a first pin extending radially therefrom and a second lens positioned parallel to the first lens. A moving platform has a first slot for accepting the first pin therein. The first slot is angled relative to the lenses to correct for parallax between the first and second lenses. The system can include an actuator for extending and retracting the moving platform towards and away from an object to focus on the object.
US09880446B2

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for producing short synchronous radiation pulses at different wavelengths, particularly to an optically parametric oscillator, comprising at least one pump radiation source (2), preferably a pump laser, for outputting radiation at a pump wavelength, and a resonator (3) having a wavelength-dependent effective resonator length, wherein the resonator (3) has a non-linear wavelength converter (4) for producing radiation at a first and a second wavelength; a dispersive element (5) having a strong wavelength-dependent delay characteristic; and a coupling-out element (6) for at least partially coupling-out the radiation from the resonator (3). In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing short radiation pulses by means of an apparatus (1), particularly an optically parametric oscillator.
US09880445B1

Systems and methods implementing a stack on a substrate, where the stack includes a plurality of films structured as layers to convert radiation incident to the stack to radiation of a nonlinear optical signal different from the incident radiation or to a harmonic of the incident radiation, can be used in a variety of applications. The stack can be structured having parameters selected with respect to conversion efficiency and bandwidth the converted radiation. Additional systems and methods can be used in a variety of applications.
US09880443B2

A substantially planar waveguide for dynamically controlling the out-of-plane angle at which a light beam exits the waveguide. Generally, liquid crystal materials may be disposed within a waveguide in a cladding proximate or adjacent to a core layer of the waveguide. In one example, the waveguide may contain one or more taper regions such that the light beam exits the waveguide and propagates out-of-the-plane of the waveguide into an out-coupling medium at a propagation angle. In one example, the waveguide may contain one or more electrodes onto which one or more voltages may be applied. The magnitude of the propagation angle may be electronically controlled by altered by controlling or altering the magnitude of the one or more applied voltages.
US09880432B2

A display substrate includes a base substrate including a display area in which signal lines and pixels are arranged and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, pads disposed in the peripheral area and receiving an electrical signal, fan-out lines connecting the pads and the signal lines, and static electricity breakup circuits comprising a breakup line that crosses the fan-out lines, and static electricity prevention circuits respectively connected to the fan-out lines. Parts of the static electricity prevention circuits are connected to adjacent fan-out lines and are commonly connected to the one of the breakup lines through a common contact part.
US09880430B2

In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a first gate line and a second gate line extending in a first direction, respectively. A first source line and a second source line extend in a second direction orthogonally crossing the first direction. A pixel electrode includes a first main pixel electrode in the shape of a belt located on an edge of the first source line and extending in the second direction, and a second main pixel electrode in the shape of a belt located on an edge of the second source line and extending in the second direction. A second substrate includes a main common electrode located between the first main pixel electrode and the second main pixel electrode and extending in the second direction.
US09880429B2

The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device that is capable of achieving good display characteristics even if the pixel size is reduced. A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer that is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer contains a liquid crystal material that has negative dielectric anisotropy. The first substrate has a first hook-like electrode and a second hook-like electrode, which are independent from each other. When the first substrate is seen in a plan view, the inner profile line of the first hook-like electrode and the inner profile line of the second hook-like electrode face each other.
US09880426B2

A display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, a mask and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The display panel includes a first display substrate and a second display substrate arranged to be opposed to each other, and main spacers and assistant spacers arranged between the first display substrate and the second display substrate. The main spacers and the assistant spacers are both arranged on the first display substrate. The main spacers have a height equal to a distance from the first display substrate to the second display substrate to support the first display substrate and the second display substrate. The assistant spacers have a height smaller than that of the main spacers. An end surface of a suspending end of at least one of the assistant spacers is planar and/or an end surface of a suspending end of at least one of the assistant spacers is convex.
US09880421B2

A curved liquid crystal display is provided. The curved liquid crystal display includes: a first curved substrate; a second curved substrate; a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric anisotropy, the liquid crystal layer being interposed between the first and second curved substrates; a first curved liquid crystal alignment layer interposed between the liquid crystal layer and the first curved substrate; and a second curved liquid crystal alignment layer interposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second curved substrate. The first curved liquid crystal alignment layer includes protrusions protruded toward the second curved liquid crystal alignment layer. The second curved liquid crystal alignment layer includes protrusions protruded toward the first curved liquid crystal alignment layer. An average number of the protrusions on the second curved liquid crystal alignment layer is greater than an average number of protrusions on the first curved liquid crystal alignment layer.
US09880409B2

The invention discloses a flat-panel product inspection device, comprising: a horizontal conveying mechanism for driving a flat-panel product in a horizontal state to move in a first horizontal direction; a guiding clamp for clamping the flat-panel product when the flat-panel product is moved to a first position; and a turnover mechanism connected with the guiding clamp and used to drive the guiding clamp to turn around a first rotating axis after the flat-panel product is clamped by the guiding clamp, so that the flat-panel product is turned from the horizontal state to a vertical state, the first rotating axis being parallel to the first horizontal direction.
US09880404B2

An optical waveguide device includes a substrate; a lower cladding disposed on the substrate; a rib waveguide including a slab disposed on the lower cladding and a single rib disposed on the slab contiguous to the slab; and an upper cladding disposed on the rib waveguide. The rib waveguide includes a first doped region having a first electric conductivity exhibiting a P-type electric conductivity across the rib and the slab and a second doped region being contiguous to the first doped region and having a second electric conductivity exhibiting an N-type electric conductivity across the rib and the slab.
US09880399B2

Translating contact lenses which are truncated for correcting presbyopia and whose design is optimized to maximize translation ability while maintaining comfort when the lens is worn on eye. Truncation of the lenses results in a non-round geometry while still retaining under-lid residency in select portions of the lens itself. Maximum thickness and back surface radius of curvature along with ramp shape can be optimized individually or in combination to maximize translation of the lens relative to the eye, when the lens is positioned on eye.
US09880394B2

A display apparatus including a display unit in which pixels configured from a group of a plurality of types of sub-pixels displaying different primary colors are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix shape in the row direction and the column direction; and an optical separation unit separating an image displayed on the display unit into images for a plurality of observation points, in which, when one of the primary colors displayed by the sub-pixels is expressed as a first primary color, the distance between the boundaries of respectively adjacent sub-pixel columns formed of sub-pixels displaying the first primary color is shorter than the distance between boundaries of respectively adjacent sub-pixel columns formed of the same type of sub-pixels displaying different primary colors to the first primary color.
US09880379B2

An endoscope laser light filter assembly includes a filter support having opposing first and second sides, one or more circumferential flanges, and a laser light filter. The one or more circumferential flanges are positioned on the first side of the filter support and are displaced from the filter support along a central axis. The laser light filter is supported on the second side of the filter support.
US09880372B2

A compact low-cost imaging lens with an F-value of 2.5 or less which achieves both low-profileness and a wide field of view and corrects various aberrations properly. It includes elements arranged from an object side to an image side as follows: a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface; a third lens with positive refractive power having convex object-side and image-side surfaces and having at least one aspheric surface; a fourth lens with positive refractive power as a double-sided aspheric lens having a convex image-side surface; and a fifth lens with negative refractive power as a double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image-side surface. The imaging lens satisfies a conditional expression 20<νd1−νd2<50, where νd1 denotes Abbe number of the first lens at d-ray, and νd2 denotes Abbe number of the second lens at d-ray.
US09880368B2

Embodiments of the invention include a method for making a partially bonded optical fiber ribbon. The method includes providing a linear array of optical fibers, and applying with an ink jet printing machine a bonding matrix material to at least a portion of at least two adjacent optical fibers. The applied bonding matrix material has a viscosity of approximately 2.0 to approximately 10.0 centipoise (cP) measured at 25 degrees Celsius (° C.). The applied bonding matrix material also has a conductivity of approximately 600 to approximately 1200 millimhos (mmhos). The applied bonding matrix material also has an adhesion of approximately 0.01 to approximately 0.20 Newtons (N). Also, the bonding matrix material is applied to at least a portion of at least two adjacent optical fibers in such a way that the linear array of optical fibers forms a partially bonded optical fiber ribbon.
US09880365B2

Interconnect systems for coupling a first system operating in a first type of environment (e.g., a cryogenic environment) to a second system operating in a second type of environment (e.g., a non-cryogenic environment) are provided. An interconnect system includes a first connector coupled to optical fibers that are coupled to the first system operating in the first type of environment. The interconnect system further includes a second connector coupled to optical fibers that are coupled to the second system operating in the second type of environment. The interconnect system may include an optical window configured to couple optical signals between the optical fibers, and the optical window is configured to maintain a vacuum seal between the first type of environment and the second type of environment such that the first type of environment is substantially thermally isolated from the second type of environment.
US09880357B2

The invention relates to a module that can be inserted into a housing of an industrial plug-in connector (5), into which module (1) at least one optical fiber connector (2) can be inserted and at least one adapter (3) can be inserted into the module (1), which adapter is connected to the optical fiber connector (2), wherein the adapter (3) contains an optical imaging element (11). In the plugged-in condition, the optical elements (11, 11′), for example the ball lenses proposed above, of two modules (1) are aligned with each other in such a way that the light signal exiting from the optical element (11) of the module of the first industrial plug-in connector (5) is coupled into the optical element (11′) of the module (1′) of the second industrial plug-in connector (5′).
US09880348B2

Provided is a display apparatus in which a deflection of an optical sheet as well as a slit due to vibration and impact are suppressed while a flaw in a member being in contact with the optical sheet is suppressed, uniform surface luminance and preferable image quality are attained, and thus the occurrence of a defect is suppressed.A display module in a TV receiver includes a display panel, an optical sheet group, a light guide plate, a chassis, a panel holding member and a bezel. At the middle part of the lower side portion of the optical sheet group, a latch hole is formed. At a portion of the bottom part of the chassis, which is opposed to the latch hole, is provided with a projecting part formed to have a cylindrical main body and a latch projection continuously formed from the main body with a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the main body. The optical sheet group is supported at its lower side portion by a side part on the lower side of the chassis in the state where the latch projection is inserted into the latch hole to position the optical sheet group.
US09880339B2

A display device includes a first display panel, a second display panel disposed to be spaced apart from the first display panel, a first light guide plate which is under the first display panel and provides light thereto, a second light guide plate which is under the second display panel and provides light thereto, a light source unit which is commonly disposed under the first and second light guide plates and generates and provides the light to the first and second light guide plates, and a reflective member which is disposed on the light source unit and is commonly disposed on the first and second light guide plates, the reflective member defining a first curved surface which reflects the light to the first light guide plate and a second curved surface which reflects the light to the second light guide plate.
US09880338B2

An illumination device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a light guide plate configured to emit light from inside through one surface of the light guide plate, a light source disposed to face a peripheral surface of the light guide plate, and a reflection sheet which is provided at a region face to the other surface of the light guide plate, which is opposite to the one surface, to reflect the light emitted by the light source toward the light guide plate. For distances between the light source and a peripheral edge part of the reflection sheet, a distance between a middle part of the light source in a peripheral edge direction of the light guide plate and a portion in the peripheral edge part of the reflection sheet corresponding to the middle part is the longest.
US09880336B2

A light-emitting device includes a photoluminescent layer, a light-transmissive layer located on the photoluminescent layer, and a multilayer mirror layered together with the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer. At least one of the photoluminescent layer and the light-transmissive layer has a submicron structure. The submicron structure has at least projections or recesses arranged perpendicular to the thickness direction of the photoluminescent layer. The photoluminescent layer emits light including first light having a wavelength λa in air. The distance Dint between adjacent projections or recesses and the refractive index nwav-a of the photoluminescent layer for the first light satisfy λa/nwav-a
US09880329B2

An x-ray fluorescence analysis device, including an x-ray source for irradiating a sample with x-ray radiation, an x-ray detector for measuring x-ray fluorescence radiation emitted by the sample, and a camera for producing an optical control image of the irradiated measurement point of a sample by means of an optical mirror arranged at an angle in the beam path of the x-ray source, which optical mirror includes a carrier having a mirror layer provided on the carrier. In order to create an x-ray florescence device by means of which realistic control recordings of the sample to be analyzed, in particular of the sampled surface point, the optical mirror has a passage window for the x-ray radiation, which is formed by an opening in the carrier and a foil forming the mirror layer and covering the opening on an outer surface of the carrier.
US09880328B2

A light-transmitting structure comprising a substrate having a plurality of regions where at least two of the plurality of regions have different refractive indices, an optical path length of light transmitted from a first light source through the plurality of regions is substantially constant, and where light transmitted from a second light source into the substrate is scattered by at least one of the plurality of regions.
US09880325B2

A method for displaying a near-eye light field display (NELD) image is disclosed. The method comprises determining a pre-filtered image to be displayed, wherein the pre-filtered image corresponds to a target image. It further comprises displaying the pre-filtered image on a display. Subsequently, it comprises producing a near-eye light field after the pre-filtered image travels through a microlens array adjacent to the display, wherein the near-eye light field is operable to simulate a light field corresponding to the target image. Finally, it comprises altering the near-eye light field using at least one converging lens, wherein the altering allows a user to focus on the target image at an increased depth of field at an increased distance from an eye of the user and wherein the altering increases spatial resolution of said target image.
US09880322B2

Presently described are optical films comprising a polymerized (e.g. microstructured) surface that comprises the reaction product of a polymerizable resin composition and polymerizable resin compositions that comprise nanoparticles; at least one first monomer comprising at least two (meth)acrylate groups; and at least one second (meth)acrylate monomer having following the structure (I); wherein at least one R1 comprises an aromatic substituent, t is an integer from 1 to 4, and R2 is hydrogen or methyl.
US09880306B2

Methods and systems for improving azimuth distribution in a seismic acquisition system are described. A survey acquisition system includes a plurality of streamers towed by a plurality of streamer vessels, including a first streamer vessel and a second streamer vessel and a plurality of sources towed by a plurality of source vessels. The plurality of streamer vessels and plurality of source vessels are configured relative to one another such that the plurality of source vessels are positioned at one or more predetermined inline distances behind a portion of the first streamer vessel and are also positioned at one or more predetermined inline distances in front of a portion of the second streamer vessel. The plurality of streamer vessels and plurality of source vessels are also spaced apart from one another in a cross-line direction.
US09880300B2

A neutron detector system for discriminating fissile material from non-fissile material wherein a digital data acquisition unit collects data at high rate, and in real-time processes large volumes of data directly to count neutrons from the unknown source and detecting excess grouped neutrons to identify fission in the unknown source. The system includes a Poisson neutron generator for in-beam interrogation of a possible fissile neutron source and a DC power supply that exhibits electrical ripple on the order of less than one part per million. Certain voltage multiplier circuits, such as Cockroft-Walton voltage multipliers, are used to enhance the effective of series resistor-inductor circuits components to reduce the ripple associated with traditional AC rectified, high voltage DC power supplies.
US09880282B1

Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for determining a location of a mobile device from different sources of location data is provided. The system may be configured to store current location data of a mobile device, the current location data associated with a first source of location data. The system may also be configured to obtain location data from a second source of location data, determine whether a first accuracy indicator of the current location data overlaps with a second accuracy indicator of the obtained location data from the second source, and update the current location data of the mobile device with the obtained location data from the second source if the first accuracy indicator of the current location data does not overlap with the second accuracy indicator of the obtained location data.
US09880276B2

A radar device is provided with: a transmitter that transmits a high-frequency radar transmission signal from a transmission antenna; a controller that controls execution or stopping of transmission of the radar transmission signal; a receiver that amplifies a thermal noise signal inputted from reception antenna by using an initial gain value and quantize the amplified thermal noise signal, while the transmission of the radar transmission signal is stopped; and a gain controller that adjusts the prescribed gain value to a gain value suitable for dithering of the thermal noise signal, based on the quantized thermal noise signal.
US09880275B2

Disclosed herein is a vehicle radar. The radar may include Tx antennas for a middle range, Tx antennas for a short range, Rx antenna columns for a middle range each configured to have a long shape vertically and be horizontally disposed, Rx antenna columns for a short range each configured to have a long shape vertically and be disposed between some of the Rx antenna columns for a middle range, and a control unit configured to process signals of radio waves that are reflected from a specific object after the radio waves are radiated by the Tx antennas for the middle range and that are received by the Rx antenna columns for the middle range or signals of radio waves that are reflected from a specific object after the radio waves are radiated by the Tx antennas for the short range and that are received by the Rx antenna columns for the short range.
US09880271B2

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system scans a plurality of planar slices in a volumetric region which are parallel to each other. Following detection of the image data of the slices the slice data is combined by projecting the data in the elevation dimension to produce a “thick slice” image. Combining may be by means of an averaging or maximum intensity detection or weighting process or by raycasting in the elevation dimension in a volumetric rendering process. Thick slice images are displayed at a high frame rate of display by combining a newly acquired slice with slices previously acquired from different elevational planes which were used in a previous combination. A new thick slice image may be produced each time at least one of the slice images is updated by a newly acquired slice. Frame rate is further improved by multiline acquisition of the slices.
US09880264B2

A projection optical system includes a light source to emit light and an optical element including an incidence plane on which the light from the light source is incident and an emission plane having a plurality of flat planes to emit the light, wherein the plurality of flat planes includes a first inclination plane inclining in a direction of the light-emitting surface.
US09880256B2

Systems and methods can support coprocessing radio signals and video to identify and locate a radio transmitter. Positions and orientations for cameras and RF sensors may be maintained. An RF signature associated with the radio transmitter may be received from the RF sensors to determine an RF persona. A first physical location for the radio transmitter may be estimated according to a physical radio propagation model operating on RF signals. A video stream from one or more of the cameras may be received. An individual may be identified in the video stream using computer vision techniques. A second physical location for the radio transmitter may be estimated from the video stream. Relationships may be established between the first physical location and the second physical location and between the RF persona and the identified individual. The relationships may be presented to an operator interface.
US09880245B2

In a method and a magnetic resonance system for acquisition of spectroscopy data in a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject, spectroscopy data in the volume segment are acquired in multiple measurement steps, and spatially resolved MR data of the examination subject also are acquired in multiple measurement steps. Each of the measurement steps to acquire the spectroscopy data or to acquire the MR data respectively includes an excitation step and a readout step associated with that excitation step. At least one of the measurement steps to acquire the MR data occurs between one of the measurement steps to acquire the spectroscopy data and another of the measurement steps to acquire the spectroscopy data.
US09880236B2

In a PET (Positron Emission Tomography)-MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus of an embodiment, a magnet that is a seamless structure generates a static magnetic field in a bore having a cylindrical shape. First detectors and second detectors are each formed in a ring shape and detect gamma rays emitted from positron emitting radionuclides injected into a subject. The first detectors and the second detectors are disposed with a space therebetween in an axial direction of the bore so as to interpose the magnetic field center of the static magnetic field therebetween.
US09880230B1

A computer-implemented system and method for inferring operational specifications of a photovoltaic power generation system using net load is provided. Photovoltaic plant configuration specifications can be accurately inferred with net load data and measured solar resource data. A time series of net load data is evaluated to identify, if possible, a time period with preferably minimum and consistent power consumption. Power generation data is simulated for a range of hypothetical photovoltaic system configurations based on a normalized solar power simulation model. Net load data is estimated based on a base load and, if applicable, any binary loads and any variable loads. The set of key parameters corresponding to the net load estimate that minimizes total squared error represents the inferred specifications of the photovoltaic plant configuration.
US09880221B2

A semiconductor device includes a digital circuit having a scan test mode. The digital circuit includes a first flip-flop forming a part of a scan chain when in the scan test mode, and a first selector provided on an input side of the first flip-flop. The first selector is capable of selecting a first signal when not in the scan test mode, and selecting a second signal that is different from the first signal when in the scan test mode.
US09880214B2

An apparatus and method for detection and adaption to an end-of-line resistor in a notification appliance circuit (NAC) of a control panel or power booster of, for example, an alarm system, and for ground fault localization in the alarm system are provided. The apparatus can include the NAC where the NAC includes first and second analog input terminals, where the NAC includes first and second external output terminals, and where the NAC includes an end-of-line resistor. Current can be driven through the NAC via the first and second analog input terminals, and voltage can be measured at each of the first and second external output terminals. The measured voltage can be indicative of one of a value of the end-of-line resistor or that a state of the NAC is one of open, shorted, ground faulted, or normal.
US09880210B2

A scanner system and method operable for high-resolution spatial scanning of an electromagnetic field radiated by an electronic device under test (DUT) are provided. The electromagnetic field level radiated by the DUT is measured with a probe array comprising a plurality of spatially separated switched probes, an analyzer, and a computer. An actuator changes the relative position of the probe array to the DUT by a distance less than or equal to the separation distance between the probes, and the electromagnetic field level is measured and stored again.
US09880205B2

According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a system for monitoring circuit branches coupled to an input line of a load center, the system comprising a plurality of first current sensors, each configured to be coupled to a circuit branch, at least one second current sensor configured to be coupled to the input line, a controller, a plurality of first sensor circuits, each configured, in a first mode of operation, to sample a signal from an associated current sensor, and in a second mode of operation, to be powered off, and at least one second sensor circuit configured to sample a signal from the at least one second current sensor and provide an input line current measurement signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to operate each first sensor circuit in one of the first and second modes of operation based on the input line current measurement signal.
US09880204B1

Embodiments of the invention are directed to using a DC multimeter configured for checking device amperage. A DC voltmeter is electrically-connected in series with the DC multimeter. A linear circuit is electrically connected in series between the DC multimeter and the DC voltmeter. A device under test is electrically-connected between positive and negative terminals of the DC voltmeter.
US09880197B2

A method of testing an integrated circuit of a device is described. Air is allowed through a fluid line to modify a size of a volume defined between the first and second components of an actuator to move a contactor support structure relative to the apparatus and urge terminals on the contactor support structure against contacts on the device. Air is automatically released from the fluid line through a pressure relief valve when a pressure of the air in the fluid line reaches a predetermined value. The holder is moved relative to the apparatus frame to disengage the terminals from the contacts while maintaining the first and second components of the actuator in a substantially stationary relationship with one another. A connecting arrangement is provided including first and second connecting pieces with complementary interengaging formations that restricts movement of the contactor substrate relative to the distribution board substrate in a tangential direction.
US09880186B2

Exemplary embodiments are provided of telematics devices and exemplary corresponding methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a telematics device generally includes a controller and a wireless communication module for transmitting data to a remote station. The controller is configured to periodically obtain the speed of a vehicle, determine when the speed of the vehicle has exceeded a first speed threshold, store the monitored speed as a max speed value, and compare each successive monitoring interval speed to a previous monitoring interval speed. When the successive monitoring interval speed is greater than the max speed value, the max speed value is updated. A speeding event occurs when each successive monitoring interval speed is above the first speed threshold for a speed duration, and/or when any successive monitoring interval speed exceeds a second speed threshold.
US09880181B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparation of purified autoimmune antigen positive serum. The method comprises steps of: using autoimmune antigen to immunize healthy animals, obtaining antiserum after blood sampling, and purifying the antiserum for obtaining positive serum, the step of purifying the antiserum for obtaining positive serum are as follows: affining and purifying the antiserum for obtaining IgG antibody; coupling the IgG antibody and human IgG Fc or human IgM Fc or human IgA Fc at a ratio of 1:1˜2; separating and purifying the coupled solution for obtaining IgG-IgG Fc conjugates concentrated solution or IgG-IgM Fc conjugates concentrated solution or IgG-IgA Fc conjugates concentrated solution; and diluting the IgG-IgG Fc conjugates concentrated solution or the IgG-IgM Fc conjugates concentrated solution or the IgG-IgA Fc conjugates concentrated solution to a concentration of 0.5˜1 μg/ml for obtaining the positive serum.
US09880179B2

Provided herein are several methods for selecting agents that bind to transmembrane receptors in a conformationally-selective way. In some embodiments, the method may comprise producing: a transmembrane receptor in an active conformation; and said transmembrane receptor in an inactive conformation and using cell sorting to select, from a population of cells comprising a library of cell surface-tethered extracellular capture agents, cells that are specifically bound to either the transmembrane receptor in its active conformation or the transmembrane receptor in its inactive conformation, but not both. In other embodiments, the method may comprise: contacting a GPCR with a population of cells that comprise a library of surface-tethered extracellular proteins; labeling the cell population with a conformationally-specific binding agent, e.g., a G-protein or mimetic thereof; and using cell sorting to select from the cell population cells that bind to the agent.
US09880177B2

A method of bioassay for the quantification of biomarkers useful in the diagnosis of fibrosis disease and prognosis of its development, including biomarkers indicative of the risk of developing fibrosis after a chronic injury is provided. In particular, according to the present invention, biomarkers relating to degradation fragments of Collagen type I, III, IV, V, and VI, elastin, C-reactive protein, and proteoglycans including Biglycan, Decorin, Versican, and Perlecan are found to be useful.
US09880173B2

Disclosed are hydroxyl radial generating devices, comprising: a substrate layer; and a pyrite layer configured to produce hydroxyl radicals. Another aspect relates to a method for producing a hydroxyl radical generating device, comprising: providing a polymeric substrate layer; placing a layer of pyrite on a surface of the polymeric substrate layer to form a multi-layer structure; and applying heat to the multi-layer structure such that at least the surface of the polymeric substrate layer contracts; wherein the layer of pyrite contracts to a lesser extent than the surface of the polymeric substrate layer providing a textured surface comprising the pyrite layer. Also disclosed is a method of analysis, comprising: placing a solution comprising a biological substance on a sample site of a hydroxyl generating device comprising a surface of pyrite; incubating the solution; and analyzing a sample including proteolytic fragments of the biological substance.
US09880172B2

A system for making molecules, and proteins in particular, suitable for detection by a surface-selective nonlinear optical technique. A first use of the invention is for determining a protein's structure in real space and real time. A second use of the invention is to detect a protein or its activity (conformational change). A third use of the invention is for drug screening. A further aspect of the present invention is measuring probe tilt angle orientation in an oriented protein.
US09880170B1

A method for treating cancer and gold(III) complexes with diaminocyclohexane ligand as anticancer agents. Also described are a pharmaceutical composition incorporating the gold(III) complexes and a method of synthesizing the gold(III) complexes.
US09880169B2

Nucleic acids and proteins having a mutant MEK sequence, and methods concerning identification of patients having resistance to treatment with anti-cancer agents, specifically inhibitors of RAF or MEK are provided. Methods of treatment and for optimizing treatment for patients having a mutation in a MEK1 sequence are also provided.
US09880166B2

Methods and systems for measuring the concentration of LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. They include contacting an aqueous sample with a detection reagent to form a prepared sample. A physical property of the prepared sample may be measured to obtain at least one sample measurement characteristic of the prepared sample. Curve fitting may then be used to forecast a concentration of the LAL-reactive substance the aqueous sample will have at a specified time in the future based on the sample measurement and a correlation developed between at least one standard measurement of a physical quality of a solution with a known concentration of a LAL-reactive substance therein. The quality of the sample measurement may be validated using historical data and/or the standard measurement.
US09880152B2

Described herein are compositions, methods and/or kits for determining the likelihood of a pregnant subject delivering at term, or developing a disorder associated with pregnancy. These compositions, methods and/or kits feature the measurement of the chemotactic activity of peripheral leukocytes, the measurement of ccl2 mRNA expression or the measurement of Fp or Otr protein expression.
US09880151B2

The present invention provides a method of determining or identifying or isolating a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) or analog or derivative thereof having cell-type selectivity and/or at least capable of passing through a Blood Brain Barrier of an animal subject. This invention also provides CPPs and analogs and derivatives thereof, such as those set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-27 of the Sequence Listing, and compositions comprising one or more of the CPPs, including conjugates in which a CPP or analog or derivative thereof is linked to a cargo molecule. The invention also provides methods for transporting cargo molecules across cell membranes to specific locations within cells, and for treating, preventing and/or diagnosing diseases that are treatable by a cargo molecule to which a CPP or analog or derivative of the invention is attached. The invention also provides tailored peptide libraries for use in identifying or isolating CPPs.
US09880149B2

A glass pipette such as an electrode for electrophysiological recording is coated with quantum dots. This greatly aids the ability to observe the glass pipette, particular in tissue as the quantum dots provide an excellent performance under two-photon illumination used to visualize objects at depths of hundreds of microns.
US09880146B2

Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a property of construction material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge operable to determine a property of construction material is disclosed. The gauge may include an electromagnetic sensor operable to measure a response of construction material to an electromagnetic field. Further, the electromagnetic sensor may be operable to produce a signal representing the measured response by the construction material to the electromagnetic field. An acoustic detector may be operable to detect a response of the construction material to the acoustical energy. Further, the acoustic detector may be operable to produce a signal representing the detected response by the construction material to the acoustical energy. A material property calculation function may be configured to calculate a property value associated with the construction material based upon the signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor and the acoustic detector.
US09880141B2

The present disclosure provides uses and methods for using compositions comprising a tetrabrachion protein from Staphylothermus marinus or a fragment thereof for detecting and/or recovering a chemical element from a solution or a suspension. The fragment of the tetrabrachion protein includes the right handed coiled coil (RHCC).
US09880131B2

A system for detecting an interface between polymer-rich phase and solvent-rich phase comprising a liquid-liquid separator configured to receive a polymer solution as an inlet stream produced in a solvent-based polymerization reactor through an inlet feed, wherein the tank is configured to permit the stream to separate into a polymer rich phase and a solvent rich phase; a first sonic transponder for sending a first sonic signal from either a top or bottom of the liquid-liquid separator and for receiving a first reflected portion of the sonic signal, the reflected portion of the sonic signal created by the passage of the sonic signal through a liquid-liquid interface between the solvent rich phase and the polymer rich phase is provided.
US09880128B2

The present disclosure relates to an electrode strip, a sensor strip, a system thereof and a manufacturing method thereof. The sensor strip includes a first reactive film, a second reactive film and a vent hole. The first reactive film includes a substrate, a first electrode layer and a first insulation layer. The first end of the first insulation layer is concaved to a first depth to form a first reactive area. The second reactive film includes a second electrode layer and a second insulation layer. The first end of the second insulation layer is concaved to a second depth to form a second reactive area. The vent hole penetrates the second insulation layer, the second electrode layer and the first insulation layer so as to connect the first reactive area and the second reactive area.
US09880127B2

A method for checking fault detection of a control device of an internal combustion engine for malfunction of a connected broadband lambda probe, including checking with a fault simulator between the lambda probe and the control device; to simulate faults of the broadband lambda probe, the fault simulator modifies electrical signals between the broadband lambda probe and the control device. A Nernst voltage of the lambda probe and a pump current of the control device are delivered to the fault simulator; the fault simulator delivers a pump current to the lambda probe and a Nernst voltage to the control device; to simulate faults of the lambda probe, the fault simulator modifies the Nernst voltage to the control device as to the Nernst voltage outputted from the lambda probe. Also described is a related fault simulator. The method and fault simulator monitor the fault detection of control devices for lambda probes.
US09880126B2

Disclosed are a biosensor, a method of producing the same, and a method of detecting a biomaterial through the biosensor. The biosensor includes a substrate, an insulating layer, source and drain electrodes formed on the insulating layer, a middle-discontinuous channel provided between the source and drain electrodes, and a detection area on which a detection target material is to be fixed, covering the middle-discontinuous channel.
US09880117B2

A measuring instrument for detection of electrical properties in a liquid includes a main body configured to hold a tester, a first pole extending from the main body, and a second pole extending from the main body that is spaced apart from the first pole. The first pole carries a positive probe for attachment to the tester, and the second pole carries a negative probe for attachment to the tester. When the probes are placed in the liquid, electrical properties in the liquid are detected by the tester.
US09880116B2

The current disclosure describes an automated high-throughput seed sorting system for separating seed via oil and/or moisture content using novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems and methods. The disclosed systems and methods for measuring the oil and/or moisture content of a single seed in a low-field time domain NMR instrument are superior in sample throughput and signal-to-noise ratio to conventional NMR systems and methods (free induction decay or spin echo) for single seed oil/moisture measurement.
US09880114B2

A fluid pressure loading device applied to an industrial computed tomography scanning test system includes a body, a sample accommodating chamber and at least one fluid medium chamber being provided in the body. Each of the at least one fluid medium chamber is provided therein with a piston, the corresponding fluid medium chamber is separated into two chambers by the piston, one of the two chambers is in communication with an external hydraulic medium via oil lines provided in the body, the other of the two chambers is in communication with the sample accommodating chamber, and one end, facing towards the sample accommodating chamber, of the piston is extendable into the sample accommodating chamber. With the loading device, real-time loading of a test sample can be realized, thus improving a simulation accuracy of the system, and multi-directional loading of the sample can be realized.
US09880112B2

A method for determining an actual shear angle between an interior wall and a facesheet of a cellular panel using an imaging system is disclosed. The imaging system may include a radiation source and a detector diametrically opposed to the radiation source. The method may include positioning the cellular panel at a tilt angle relative to a line extending between the radiation source and the detector, transmitting radiation from the radiation source to the detector through the cellular panel at the tilt angle to obtain an image, measuring a projected shear angle in the obtained image, and determining the actual shear angle between the interior wall and the facesheet using the tilt angle and the projected shear angle.
US09880108B2

A bore imaging system comprises a photo detector having a readout set of pixels, and a bore surface imaging arrangement that transmits image light from the bore surface to the photo detector. The bore surface imaging arrangement comprises an image geometry transforming fiber bundle comprising a plurality of optical fibers having input ends that are arranged in a first shape to receive light that arises from an image zone and passes through a lens arrangement, and output ends that are arranged in a second shape to transmit the image light to the readout set of pixels, wherein the outputs ends or the readout set of pixels are configured such that at least 25% of the readout set of pixels receive the transmitted image light. High image data rates and good image resolution may thereby be provided in a borescope without using custom photo detectors.
US09880102B2

The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.
US09880100B2

An electronic field enhancement element includes: a metal layer; a dielectric layer provided on the metal layer; and a plurality of fine metal structures provided on the dielectric layer. A refractive index n of the dielectric layer satisfies n′=n+iκ and is in a range of 1≦n<1.46, wherein a complex refractive index of the dielectric layer is n′, an imaginary unit is i, and an extinction coefficient is κ.
US09880098B2

A system and method of quantifying a difference between gonioapparent colored surfaces includes determining a lightness (L*), a sparkle area (Sa), and a sparkle intensity (Si) of the first and second surfaces at a first aspecular angle and at a second aspecular angle. A sparkle metric (SpkM) to quantify the difference between the first and second surfaces is calculated utilizing the lightness (L*), the sparkle area (Sa), and the sparkle intensity (Si) of the first and second surfaces at the first and second aspecular angles.
US09880085B2

A flow cytometer system includes a flow cytometer, an autosampler and a system integration structure to accommodate interconnection and interface of the flow cytometer and autosampler for operation together and providing for convenient interface with equipment for handling process liquids.
US09880084B2

Methods and apparatus for separation of particles based on deformability, and for measurement of particle deformability are provided.
US09880082B2

A detection device configured to detect each color of a plurality of components of a biological-sample is provided. The detection device executes the detection process with respect to the container which stores the sample containing the first and the second components. The detection device includes an image pickup device for picking up an image of the container, a background section serving as background of the image pickup section, and a detection section for detecting color of the first component of the sample. The container is disposed between the image pickup section and the background section. The detection section is configured to identify a first region of the first component having the label attached to the container as background, and a second region of the first component having the background section as background so as to detect color information on the first component from at least one region of the first and the second regions.
US09880081B1

The expandable jacket consists of the rubber membrane surrounding the cylindrical specimen, circular segmental metal plates surrounding the rubber membrane, and elastomeric rubber bands or rings around the segmental plates to permit uniform radial expansion and maintain uniform diameter of the specimen during the test and thereby providing accurate values of deviator stress, volume change characteristics and shear strength of soil specimen. To determine the three-dimensional coefficient of consolidation and coefficient of consolidation in horizontal direction, the flexible ring consists of all above structural components of expandable jacket except that a filter fabric or paper is wrapped around the cylindrical specimen, and then rubber membrane is mounted surrounding the filter paper or paper. The calibration device for calibration of the expandable jacket and flexible ring shall provide the magnitude of correction to be made in deviator stress and lateral resistance provided by the rubber bands or rings during the test.
US09880077B2

Provided are a multi sampling port monitoring apparatus for measuring a pollution level in a predetermined space and a monitoring method using the same. More particularly, provided are a multi sampling port monitoring apparatus capable of effectively monitoring a pollution level in a wide space by including a plurality of sampling ports so that air is sucked at several points in a space to be measured, measuring an average pollution level of the air sucked from the plurality of sampling ports, and allowing pollution levels of the air sucked from the sampling ports to be individually measured in the case in which the average pollution level is out of a predetermined range, and a monitoring method using the same.
US09880074B2

A tire and a drum are relatively moved so that a pressing load is increased, and stopped when the pressing load becomes a predetermined value lower than a target value. A value of the pressing load and a relative distance between the tire and the drum are measured at timings when a circumferential position of the tire is the same. A dynamic longitudinal spring constant of the tire is calculated by using change amounts of the pressing load and the relative distance. An adjustment amount serving as a distance by which the tire and the drum are relatively moved so that a value of the pressing load when relative movement is stopped becomes the target value is calculated by using the dynamic longitudinal spring constant and a difference between the arrival value and the target value. The tire and the drum are relatively moved by the adjustment amount.
US09880070B2

Inspection systems for a gas turbine engine (20) are provided. The inspection systems may comprise an inspection port (106), a bore-scope plug (100), a seal seat (108) and a seal (110A/110B). The bore-scope plug (100) may comprise a shaft (102A/102B) having a uniform or stepped profile. The seal (110A/110B) may be a multi-part seal (110A) or a piston seal (110B). Moreover, the bore-scope plug (100) may be configured to support, carry, and/or stabilize one or more internal structures such as, for example, a mid-turbine frame vane 82. In various embodiments, the inspection systems described herein may provide for increased inspection efficiency during development, qualification, maintenance, and event inspections.
US09880069B1

An optical fiber test apparatus includes an optical power meter operable to detect light at a predetermined wavelength, and a laser source operable to generate a visible laser beam. The optical fiber test apparatus further includes an optical fiber extending between a first end and a second end, and a diplexer which includes a first optical connector and is coupled to the optical power meter, the laser source, and the first end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber test apparatus further includes a second optical connector coupled to the second end of the optical fiber and including a test port. The diplexer is operable to transmit light at the predetermined wavelength from the second optical connector to the optical power meter and transmit the visible laser beam from the laser source to the second optical connector.
US09880067B2

A mechanically driven agitator for use in bioprocessing, including a seal housing providing an integral seal around the agitator shaft is provided. Additionally, a fluid mixing assembly comprising a container and the agitator, as well as a support assembly for supporting the fluid mixing assembly, the support assembly further comprising a mounting assembly for lockably engaging the seal housing, are also provided.
US09880059B2

A thermocouple probe assembly for monitoring the temperature of an exhaust gas flow at an output of a gas turbine engine. The probe assembly includes a plenum pipe positioned within an opening extending through an outer casing wall and a plenum plate of the engine, where an air gap is provided between the casing wall and the plate. The plenum pipe is rigidly secured to the plenum plate and resiliently mounted to the casing wall so that the plenum pipe is operable to slide relative to the wall. The probe assembly further includes a diffuser liner boss rigidly secured to an outer liner of an exhaust gas diffuser in the gas turbine engine, where the liner boss includes a central bore, and where the shaft of the thermocouple probe extends through the central bore in the liner boss so that the sensor is positioned within the exhaust gas diffuser.
US09880053B2

An image pickup apparatus includes an encoder which is arranged on an optical path of light incident from an object and which has a plurality of regions with first light transmittance and a plurality of regions with second light transmittance lower than the first light transmittance, a dispersive element which is arranged on an optical path of at least one part of light after passage through the encoder and which spatially shifts the at least one part of the light in accordance with wavelength, and at least one image pickup device which is arranged to receive light after passage through the dispersive element and light without passage through the dispersive element and which acquires a first image, in which light components for respective wavelengths spatially shifted by the dispersive element are superimposed, and a second image based on the light without passage through the dispersive element.
US09880051B2

A sealing system (20) for an optical sensor of a turbine engine that diverts and exhaust seal leakage away from the seal (22, 24) to prevent ingestion of humid air through the seal (22, 24) is disclosed. The sealing system (20) may include inner and outer optical housings (26, 28) with first and second seals (22, 24) positioned there between separating inner and outer optical housings (26, 28) radially. The sealing system (20) may include one or more leakage manifolds (30) positioned between the first and second seals (22, 24) and containing one or more manifold rings (32). The manifold ring (32) may be positioned between and in contact with the first and second seals (22, 24) enabling the first and second seals (22, 24) to form a double seal. The manifold ring (32) may also be configured to capture leakage air that has seeped past the first seal (22) and exhaust that leakage air through one or more exhaust vents (34) in the outer optical housing (28) before leaking through the sealing system (20).
US09880048B2

An apparatus and method for correcting the wavenumber sensitivity of a distributed fiber optic sensor are disclosed. The distributed fiber optic sensor is deployed in a region of interest to measure a characteristic of an incident acoustic wavefield. A composite response of the distributed sensor is determined based on backscatter optical signals generated by the sensor, where the composite response is indicative of a characteristic of an incident acoustic wavefield. The composite response includes at least a first response having a first wavenumber sensitivity and a second response having a second wavenumber sensitivity. The second wavenumber sensitivity is selected so that wavenumber notches of the first and second responses do not overlap.
US09880040B2

Provided is a welding structure which enables external visual checks and has improved stability of bonding properties at a laser weld between a cover and a housing of this flow sensor. This flow sensor is provided with a housing, a cover, a circuit chamber sealed between these and housing electronic components or wiring, and a subpassage through which the fluid flows that is to be sensed, and is characterized in that at least the part near the gate section of the cover that transmits the laser is thinner than the other parts that transmit the laser.
US09880033B2

An air mass sensor pipe (116) for a combustion engine includes an inlet opening (124) for air, an outlet opening (126) for air and an air mass sensor (118) arranged inside the pipe (116) between the inlet and outlet openings (124; 126). A first feed-through section (128) for the air is arranged upstream of the air mass sensor (118), the air mass sensor (118) is arranged in a second feed-through section (130) for the air, and that the first and second feed-through sections (128; 130) are displaced at an angle in relation to each other. Also a combustion engine which comprises such an air mass sensor pipe (116) is disclosed.
US09880030B2

System and method for extending programmable device functionality while preserving functionality of the device driver and driver IP. User input may be received specifying functionality of custom IP for a programmable measurement device with standard driver IP. The custom IP may be generated accordingly, and may be deployable to the programmable measurement device. During operation the custom IP may communicate directly with the standard driver IP and may provide custom functionality of the programmable measurement device while preserving functionality of the standard driver IP on the programmable measurement device and the standard device driver.
US09880025B2

A sensor for sensing an angular orientation of a magnet producing a magnetic field includes a sensing unit having N≧2 magnetic field sensing devices MFSD; a scanning circuit for repeatedly sequentially probing at least two of the MFSDs and concatenating signals outputted by the respective MFSDs for obtaining a magnetic signal; a magnet-signal output for outputting the magnetic signal; and a reference output for outputting a reference signal independent of the magnetic field. The sensor includes a first signal processing unit SPU1 and a second signal processing unit which are identically constructed, each having an input and an output; a phase detection unit PDU having a first input PDU1 and a second input PDU2, for deriving phase differences between inputted signals, and for outputting a signal related to the angular orientation.
US09880023B2

The present invention discloses a direct read metering device, comprising a digital counting wheel connected with a rotary shaft, a micro-controller—a ring magnet coaxially installed on the digital counting wheel, and a tunneling magnetoresistive angular displacement sensor installed radially displaced from the central axis of the annular magnet; the tunneling magneto-resistive angular displacement sensor and the ring magnet are separated by a certain distance in the direction parallel to the central axis of the ring magnet; the micro-controller is connected to the tunneling magnetoresistive angular displacement sensor and used to convert the output of the tunneling magnetoresistive angular displacement sensor into a readable number. The device uses the tunneling magneto-resistive angular displacement sensor to sense the angle of a rotary magnetic field generated by the rotation of the ring magnet which is installed on the digital counting wheel in order to permit the code of the digital counting wheel to be determined when the meter is read, thus realizing a direct read metering function. This direct read metering function is applied to provide a direct read water meter.
US09880021B2

Systems and methods for attitude fault detection in an inertial measurement unit (IMU) are disclosed. In one embodiment, an avionics system comprises: an IMU configured to produce a calculated pitch solution, a calculated roll solution, or both; a monitor coupled to the IMU and configured to produce an estimated pitch solution, an estimated roll solution, or both; a comparator, wherein the comparator determines the difference between the calculated pitch solution and the estimated pitch solution, the difference between the calculated roll solution and the estimated roll solution, or both; and a display device communicatively coupled to the comparator; wherein the display device receives a warning message from the comparator when the difference between the calculated pitch solution and the estimated pitch solution is greater than a pitch threshold, or when the difference between the calculated roll solution and the estimated roll solution is greater than a roll threshold, or both.
US09880020B1

In some embodiments, techniques for trip routing include determining a set of refueling stations, each of which is less than a threshold distance of deviation from a route; determining a fuel price and a deviation cost for each of the set of refueling stations, wherein the deviation cost is based on a unit distance of deviation from the route for each respective refueling station; calculating an imputed cost for each of the set of refueling stations, wherein the imputed cost is based on a combination of the fuel price and the corresponding deviation cost at each respective refueling station; selecting a first refueling station from among the set of refueling stations, wherein the first refueling station has a minimum imputed cost; updating the route to include the first refueling station; and presenting information relating to the updated route.
US09880018B2

Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for recommending booths-to-visit to a user. The method includes: accessing a map database of an exhibition; accessing a history database that stores a plurality of records indicative of booths visited by a previous visitor in the exhibition; accessing a user record that includes data indicative of the booths which the user has visited; determining similarity level between each record in the history database and the user record, selecting one of the records according to the determined similarity level so as for the selected record to function as a reference record, usable to determine the booths not yet visited by the user; obtaining the user's current location in the exhibition, and determining a target booth, from the booths not yet visited by the user, by referring to the current location and the map database; and sending to the user a message indicative of the target booth.
US09880015B2

The present invention relates to a power transfer system and a power transfer method for efficiently transferring power between vehicles that travel in a group. The power transfer system according to the present invention is a power transfer system in a vehicle that can travel on power, the system including: an information obtaining unit that obtains possible driving distance information indicating a possible driving distance of each of vehicles that travel to a same destination; and a power transfer controller that controls, based on the possible driving distance information obtained by the information obtaining unit, transfer of power between a power-surplus vehicle with extra power and a power-shortage vehicle lacking in power so that the vehicles can reach a same charging station, the power-surplus vehicle and the power-shortage vehicle being included in the vehicles.
US09880010B2

A method of and arrangement for mapping first range sensor data from a first range sensor to image data from a camera are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: receiving time and position data from a position determination device on board a mobile system, as well as the first range sensor data from the first range sensor on board the mobile system and the image data from the camera on board the mobile system; identifying a first points cloud within the first range sensor data, relating to at least one object; producing a mask relating to the object based on the first points cloud; mapping the mask on object image data relating to the same object as present in the image data from the at least one camera; and performing a predetermined image processing technique on at least a portion of the object image data.
US09880004B2

A not crossable element (NCE) is marked using a shape on a map. A map data does not prevent a route from crossing the NCE. A closed area is selected on the map, which includes a polygon bound on one side by a portion of the shape. A set of mapping points (MP) that are included in the closed area is selected. A route is formed by connecting one MP to another MP. A subset of MPs is identified as a set of candidate MPs (CMP). Each CMP lies within a search distance of a not-mapping point (NMP). The CMPs are sorted according to CMP-NMP distances. A subset of CMPs is selected whose paths to the NMP do not intersect with any shape corresponding to any NCE in the closed area. The NMP is linked in the route with a selected CMP from the subset of CMPs.
US09880001B2

This invention relates to a navigation system for integrating a number of positioning receivers to obtain a final position. The navigation system comprises an operation and control module and a unifying module. The operation and control module is being configured to receive a location data from each of the positioning receivers and transmits the location data to the unifying module. The unifying module will then determine the final position based on a statistical model. In particular, the statistical model uses normal distribution to determine the final position. This final position is then displayed on the display of the navigation system.
US09879997B1

A resonator assembly includes a semiconductor substrate; a resonator gyroscope, the resonator gyroscope including a first resonator formed in a layer of a first material; and an oscillator on the semiconductor substrate, the oscillator including a second resonator formed of a second material. The second resonator is disposed in a cavity, the cavity comprising a first recess in the layer of a first material with the edges of the first recess being attached to the substrate, or the cavity comprising a second recess in the substrate and the edges of the second recess being attached to the layer of a first material.
US09879991B2

The present disclosure provides a device and a method for detecting a level degree of an OHCV. The device may include a laser beam transmission unit, at least one baffle, a laser beam reception unit, and a controller. The laser beam transmission unit, the baffle and the laser beam reception unit may be sequentially arranged at an identical horizontal level inside the OHCV. The at least one baffle may be provided with a via-hole. The laser beam transmission unit may be configured to generate a laser beam through the via-hole and toward the laser beam reception unit. The laser beam reception unit may be configured to receive the laser beam and transmit information about the received laser beam to the controller. The controller may be configured to monitor the real-time information about the laser beam. According to the present disclosure, it is able to conveniently detect the level degree of the OHCV, effectively reduce the workload of an inspector and enable the inspector to inspect the OHCV without entering an interior of the OHCV, thereby to prevent the normal operation and the cleanliness of the OHCV from being adversely affected.
US09879988B2

Disclosed is a method of measuring a parameter of a lithographic process, and associated computer program and apparatuses. The method comprises providing a plurality of target structures on a substrate, each target structure comprising a first structure and a second structure on different layers of the substrate. Each target structure is measured with measurement radiation to obtain a measurement of target asymmetry in the target structure, the target asymmetry comprising an overlay contribution due to misalignment of the first and second structures, and a structural contribution due to structural asymmetry in at least the first structure. A structural asymmetry characteristic relating to the structural asymmetry in at least the first structure of each target structure is obtained, the structural asymmetry characteristic being independent of at least one selected characteristic of the measurement radiation. The measurement of target asymmetry and the structural asymmetry characteristic is then used to determine the overlay contribution of the target asymmetry of each target structure.
US09879985B2

A method of generating surface geometry information of an object within an imaged region using an imaging system comprising a camera and a source of structured light, the source of structured light comprising a source of a plurality of rays of light. The method comprising obtaining first image data comprising a plurality of pixels, the first image data comprising image data representing the object and first structured light incident on the object, the first structured light comprising a periodic pattern comprising a plurality of pattern elements and having a first spatial frequency projected from said source of structured light and obtaining second image data comprising a plurality of pixels, the second image data comprising image data representing the object and providing information associating each of the plurality of image pixels of the second image data with a ray of said source of structured light. The first image data is processed based upon the second image data to determine a relationship between each of the plurality of image pixels of the first image data and a pattern element of said pattern of the first structured light projected from said source of structured light and the surface geometry information of the object is generated based upon the determined relationship and position data indicating relative spatial positions of said camera and said source of structured light.
US09879984B2

An optical scanning probe and an apparatus to generate three-dimensional (3D) data using the same are provided. The apparatus to generate 3D data includes an optical scanning probe that scans light generated from a light emitter over an object to be measured, a distance calculation processor that calculates a distance between the optical scanning probe and the object to be measured, based on the light scanned over the object to be measured and light reflected from the object to be measured; and a depth image generation processor that generates 3D data based on a scanning direction of the optical scanning probe and the distance between the optical scanning probe and the object to be measured.
US09879980B2

The subject matter described herein relates to light based positioning. In one embodiment, a method comprises: responsive to receiving a light signal from at least one light source available to the device, decoding a beacon from the received light signal, the beacon associated with the at least one light source; measuring signal strength of the received light signal; and determining a position of the device at least in part based on the decoded beacon, the measured signal strength, and number of the at least one light source. In addition, the frequency channelization and random channel hopping may be utilized to further improve the performance.
US09879979B2

A displacement measurement system of heterodyne grating interferometer, comprises a reading head, a measurement grating and an electronic signal processing component. Laser light emitted from the laser tube is collimated, passes through the first polarization spectroscope, and then emits two light beams with an orthogonal polarization direction and an orthogonal propagation direction; the two light beams pass through two acousto-optic modulators and respectively generate two first-order diffraction light beams with different frequencies, which are later divided into reference light and measurement light; two parallel reference light beams form a beat frequency electric signal with positive and negative first-order diffraction measurement light respectively after passing through a measurement signal photo-electric conversion unit; the beat frequency signals are transmitted to the electronic signal processing component for signal processing, thus the output of linear displacement in two directions is realized.
US09879967B2

A method for compensating measurement errors caused by the deformation of a component defining a slide axis in a measurement machine, comprising the steps of calculating the curvature of the component as a function of the difference between the current temperature Tc and a reference temperature Tr at which the geometric compensation map of the machine has been obtained, calculating correction values for the compensation parameters stored in the compensation map as a function of the curvature, and updating the compensation map with these correction values.
US09879954B2

A non-centerfire mechanical firing device designed to operate with a non-centerfire cartridge, wherein a conventional centerfire or rimfire cartridge is not able to be fired from the non-centerfire firing device.
US09879953B2

Firework accommodating apparatus comprising a shaped body with an upwardly open recess and a first open bore at the bottom in the shaped body, which is situated centrally, wherein a second bore having a smaller diameter is preferably located next to the first bore, wherein in the first bore, preferably a continuous bore or hollow bore, preferably a rod, a so-called guide rod can be fastened and having at least two lateral cylindrical hollow bores in the shaped body or instead of the hollow bores, downwardly inclined wings.
US09879950B2

The present invention relates to an inflator mounted on protective equipment, comprising: a main body (100) having a cylindrical structure that is open at the top and bottom thereof, wherein the main body (100) has a key-ball insertion hole (110) and a gas supply hole (120) that are formed on portions of a lateral side thereof, and a bomb (600) for storing compressed air is coupled to the lower side of the main body (100); an eccentric lever (200) that is rotatably coupled to the upper opening of the main body (100) through a rotation shaft (230) and includes a lever (210) that adjusts a downward pressure by rotating an eccentric drum part (220) having the shape of a circular plate; a perforation part (300) that provides a restoring force downward according to the pressure state of the eccentric lever (200) and perforates the bomb (600) to allow the gas in the bomb (600) to be supplied to a user's protective equipment through the gas supply hole (120); and a key-ball (400) that confines the movement of the perforation part (300) while being inserted into the key-ball insertion hole (110) and separates from the key-ball insertion hole (110) according to the state of the outside to operate the perforation part (300).
US09879941B2

An apparatus and method for providing power to an accessory on a firearm, the method including the steps of: detecting an accessory when attached to said firearm through actuation of a magnetic switch magnetically coupled to a magnet in the accessory via a pin located in the firearm and providing a power path with said accessory; and providing power to said accessory from a secondary source of power should power be required.
US09879939B2

In at least one embodiment, a crossbow comprises a stock defining a shooting axis and a bow portion comprising a bowstring and a cable. The stock comprises an aperture formed therein and the cable extends through the aperture. A surface of the aperture biases the cable in a direction lateral to the shooting axis. At least a portion of the surface is oriented non-parallel to the shooting axis.
US09879930B2

The present application is directed to a firearm including an action spring and a buffer assembly including a buffer body defining a counterweight bore having a first length and a counterweight received within the counterweight bore. The buffer body has a first end defining a face and a second end. The counterweight has a second length less than the first length. A buffer bumper is supported on the second end of the buffer body and a buffer pad is positioned within the counterweight bore between the counterweight and the first end of the buffer body. A bolt carrier is positioned to engage the face of the buffer body. An action spring is positioned about the buffer body and extends between the receiver extension of the firearm and the buffer body.
US09879927B2

Disclosed is a system for preventing or mitigating elevated temperatures within a landfill. The system comprises at least one water tight heat exchange unit with a lower edge and an upper edge, wherein the placement of the heat exchange unit is at least one of (1) within the waste mass proximate the area of elevated temperature, or (2) within the area of elevated temperature, the at least one heat exchange unit fabricated to resist differential settlement forces within the landfill as well as the elevated temperatures. The system further includes piping configured to discharge a cooling fluid within the heat exchange unit and a heat exchanger for ejecting heat from the cooling fluid and at least one temperature probe configured to measure the temperature of the waste mass. The system utilizes a pump adapted to circulate the cooling fluid within the piping system and to the heat exchange unit.
US09879926B2

Energy efficient control of a cooling system cooling an electronic system is provided. The control includes automatically determining at least one adjusted control setting for at least one adjustable cooling component of a cooling system cooling the electronic system. The automatically determining is based, at least in part, on power being consumed by the cooling system and temperature of a heat sink to which heat extracted by the cooling system is rejected. The automatically determining operates to reduce power consumption of the cooling system and/or the electronic system while ensuring that at least one targeted temperature associated with the cooling system or the electronic system is within a desired range. The automatically determining may be based, at least in part, on one or more experimentally obtained models relating the targeted temperature and power consumption of the one or more adjustable cooling components of the cooling system.
US09879925B2

To effectively dissipate heat discharged from various electronic or mechanical components, a high-performance ultra-thin heat dissipation sheet with high thermal conductivity and thermal emissivity by using a graphene/graphite nanoplate/carbon nanotube/nano-metal complex that forms a high-content 3D-structured complex that is stably dispersed, and a method of manufacturing the same, is provided. The method includes preparing a first heat dissipation film by sintering a composition for dissipating heat including a graphene/graphite nanoplate/carbon nanotube/nano-metal complex dispersion solution and a binder, and forming a second heat dissipation film on one surface or two opposite surfaces of the first heat dissipation film by using a graphene adhesive including the graphene/graphite nanoplate/carbon nanotube/nano-metal complex dispersion solution and an adhesive. A heat dissipation sheet according to the present invention may be utilized as a material with heat dissipation properties constituting a heat sink alone or with other materials with heat dissipation properties.
US09879921B2

A heat exchanger includes fins that are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which air flows and a heat transfer pipe that extends through the fins and that is bonded and fixed to the fins when the heat transfer pipe is radially expanded by a pipe-expanding method. Tall projections and short projections are provided on an inner surface of the heat transfer pipe. The tall projections are arranged in a circumferential direction and extend in an axial direction of the heat transfer pipe. The short projections are arranged between the tall projections and extend in the axial direction. Opposing side surfaces of the tall and short projections after the expansion of the heat transfer pipe are so inclined that when extensions are drawn from the side surfaces, the extensions cross each other in an inner region of the heat transfer pipe.
US09879916B2

Gas purging element (10) for metallurgical applications, comprising the following features in its mounted state: a ceramic refractory body (10, 30) with a lower end and an upper end, the upper end features an upper front surface, the lower end features a lower front surface (12), a depression (20) extends from the lower front surface (12) into the lower end of the ceramic refractory body (10), the depression (20) comprises a first part (16, 16′, 16″) of a detachable, form-fit connection to a gas connection element (50), a fluidic connection for a treating gas through at least one gas permeable section (30) of the ceramic refractory body (10) is provided between the depression (20) and the upper front surface.
US09879913B2

A method and plant for thermally treating braking elements after a forming step, including a convective heating step at 150-300° C. and a infrared irradiation heating step, immediately in succession one relative to the other. A tunnel convection furnace is crossed by at least a first conveyor belt which translates along a first direction and on an upper face of which the braking elements are placed, is arranged laterally adjacent, with respect to the first direction, to an infrared heating tunnel furnace crossed by a second conveyor belt which translates along a second direction, parallel and opposite to the first one, and on an upper face of which the braking elements are placed. The first conveyor belt is larger than the second conveyor belt, and the braking elements appear in multiple side-by-side rows in a transverse and oblique direction with respect to the first and second directions. Robots placed at the opposite ends of the furnaces transfer the braking elements from the first conveyor belt to the second one or vice versa to a first end of the furnaces and place them on the first conveyor belt or second one to a second end of the furnaces being opposite to the first one, so as to change at will the sequence in which the infrared and convective heating steps are performed.
US09879909B2

A method to monitor a secondary drying phase of a freeze-drying process comprises initial steps in which is provided to perform pressure rise tests at different time and to calculate a respective value of experimental desorption rate of product (steps 1 to 3). Subsequently, the method provides to estimate initial conditions and kinetic constants of a kinetic model of the process (step 4) and to calculate at time t=t2 a respective residual moisture content and a respective desorption rate (step 5). The method can be performed in a freeze-dryer apparatus which includes a drying chamber that contains a product to be dried and can be isolated to perform pressure rise tests.
US09879907B2

A method and device for continuously drying and crystallizing water-flushed granulate. The method comprises the steps of: feeding water-flushed granulate into a pre-dryer, pre-drying granulate in the pre-dryer, conveying pre-dried granulate into a dryer/crystallizer, and discharging crystallized granulate from the dryer/crystallizer. An air conditioning means produces temperature-controlled and humidity-conditioned air that is delivered to the dryer/crystallizer, wherein the exhaust air of the dryer/crystallizer is delivered to the pre-dryer, and wherein the exhaust air of the pre-dryer is returned to the air conditioning means forming a closed air circuit is formed by the dryer/crystallizer, pre-dryer, and air conditioning means. The device comprises a pre-dryer, a dryer/crystallizer, an air conditioning means, and optionally a control unit.
US09879905B2

This invention is about a natural gas isobaric liquefaction apparatus, which is based on the Rankine cycle system of similar thermal energy power circulation apparatus at cryogenic side, a cryogenic liquid pump is used to input power and the refrigerating media makes up cold to the natural gas liquefying apparatus, so as to realize the isobaric liquefaction of natural gas. The natural gas liquefying apparatus of this invention can save energy by over 30% as compared with the traditional advanced apparatus with the identical refrigerating capacity, therefore it constitutes a breakthrough to the traditional natural gas liquefaction technology, with substantial economic, social and environmental protection benefits.
US09879901B2

A refrigerator may include a main door pivotably mounted to the cabinet to allow access to a storage compartment, the main door having an opening for an auxiliary storage compartment; a sub door pivotably mounted to the main door; a support shelf having at least one rotating shaft pivotably mounted at a lower vicinity of the opening; a case mounted in a recess formed in the main door, the case having an opening through which a slider slides, and a rotating gear provided with a pinion and coupled to the at least one rotating shaft. The slider includes a rack engaged with the pinion such that a movement of the sub door to close the auxiliary compartment rotates the support shelf to a vertical position, and a movement of the sub door to open the auxiliary compartment rotates the support shelf to a horizontal position.
US09879888B2

An auxiliary heat exchanger may reduce a temperature of a refrigerant allowed to pass through the auxiliary heat exchanger. The operation of the auxiliary heat exchanger may be controlled. In some implementations, the auxiliary heat exchangers may include fluid retention members, thermoelectric coolers, and/or other types of heat exchangers.
US09879887B2

An ejector has a swirling space, a pressure reducing space, a suction passage, a pressure increasing space, a nozzle passage, a diffuser passage, a passage forming member that forms the nozzle passage and the diffuser passage, and a vibration suppressing portion that suppresses a vibration of the passage forming member. The vibration suppressing portion has (i) a first elastic member that applies a load to the passage forming member in a direction in which an area of a cross section perpendicular to the direction of the central axis of the nozzle passage and the diffuser passage decreases and (ii) a second elastic member that applies a load to the passage forming member in a direction opposite from the direction in which the first elastic member applies the load to the passage forming member.
US09879886B2

A turbo refrigerator (1) includes: a turbo compressor (5) to which a gas-phase component (X3) of a refrigerant from an economizer (3) is supplied, wherein the turbo compressor (5) includes a first flow path (R10) through which a compressed refrigerant gas (X1) flows, and a connecting pipe (5b) connected to the first flow path (R10) and a second flow path (R3) through which the gas-phase component (X3) of the refrigerant flows, and the diameter of the connecting pipe (5b) reduces toward the first flow path (R10) from the second flow path (R3).
US09879884B2

A sun positioning sensor and method of accurately tracking the sun are disclosed. The sensor includes a position sensing diode and a disk having a body defining an aperture for accepting solar light. An extension tube having a body that defines a duct spaces the position sensing diode from the disk such that the solar light enters the aperture in the disk, travels through the duct in the extension tube and strikes the position sensing diode. The extension tube has a known length that is fixed. Voltage signals indicative of the location and intensity of the sun are generated by the position sensing diode. If it is determined that the intensity values are unreliable, then historical position values are used from a table. If the intensity values are deemed reliable, then actual position values are used from the position sensing diode.
US09879875B2

A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may help a contractor pro-actively identify possible issues with its customer's building control systems and may output an alert related to an operation of the customer's building control systems. Within the system, the contractor may able to open a case associated with the customer's building control systems and link related alerts to the case.
US09879874B2

An air-conditioning system control apparatus capable of, even for a room in which a humidity sensor is not installed, accurately estimating an indoor humidity and preventing an indoor temperature and humidity from deviating from comfortable ranges. The air-conditioning system control apparatus includes a thermal characteristic parameter setting unit configured to determine a thermal characteristic parameter of a building thermal model based on a heat equation, a humidity characteristic parameter setting unit configured to determine a humidity characteristic parameter of a building humidity model based on a moisture balance equation in an air-conditioned space, and a control data generation unit configured to generate control data of an air-conditioning apparatus so that a temperature and a humidity of the air-conditioned space are each within a preset range.
US09879867B2

The present invention achieves energy saving and a decrease in facility cost for a hot water supply device by dividing a water receiving tank. A hot water supply system comprising: a water receiving tank receiving water supplied from a water supply source; a hot water storage tank connected to the water receiving tank via a connection pipe and storing hot water and supplying hot water to a hot water supply load; and a hot water supply device supplying the water stored in the hot water storage tank. The water receiving tank including: a temperature non-raising water receiving tank storing water supplied from the water supply source, the temperature non-raising water receiving tank, a general water supply pipe performing general water supply being connected; a temperature raising water receiving tank storing the water supplied from the water supply source and supplying the stored water to the hot water storage tank; and a preheating device preheating the water stored in the temperature raising water receiving tank.
US09879866B2

A cooking device includes a casing, a heating chamber (102) provided in the casing and having an opening on a front side thereof, and a heat shield member (122) for blocking heat that transfers from the heating chamber (102) toward the casing. At least a part of the heat shield member (122) is located in a position that enables the heat shield member (122) to receive water droplets dropping through between the heating chamber (102) and the casing (101). The configuration reduces the possibility that a motor (133) and other components located below the heating chamber (102) fails by becoming wet due to condensate water.
US09879855B2

The invention relates to a gaseous fuel (including all mixtures thereof) burner structure, characterized in that it comprises: a housing defining a distal flame outlet end and a proximal gaseous fuel and air supply end, both ends having covers; a pressurized-air inlet arranged in the housing close to the proximal end, defining an inner pressurized-air-supply chamber; a pressurized-gaseous-fuel-supply duct arranged in the center, housed in a first mixing chamber and provided with a plurality of openings for the outflow of the gaseous fuel to said first mixing chamber, said first mixing chamber also comprising a plurality of openings for supplying pressurized air axially and radially; an igniter arranged inside said first mixing chamber for a first combustion; a second, over-mixing chamber arranged colinearly with said first chamber, the end of the fuel duct comprising a cover provided with openings via which gaseous fuel is axially supplied to said second, over-mixing chamber, and the wall of said second chamber comprising openings via which pressurized air is radially supplied, where a second stage of the combustion process is carried out; and a third, conical flame-formation chamber colinearly connected to the end of said second, over-mixing chamber.
US09879850B2

The T-bar includes an elongate rigid spine extending between terminal ends including either a fixed anchor or adjustable anchor for attachment to adjacent T-bars or other supports. An upper heat sink is provided on an upper portion of the spine to enhance heat transfer from the T-bar to air surrounding upper portions of the T-bar. A light housing is provided on a lower portion of the T-bar which is configured to support a lighting module therein, such as a light emitting diode (LED) light. A lower heat sink is provided above this light housing and integrated into a rest shelf which supports ceiling tiles adjacent the T-bar. A power supply is provided which can be removably attached to the T-bar and provide appropriately conditioned power for the lighting module.
US09879849B2

An LED light fixture including a heat-conductive overstructure having upper and lower surfaces and a plurality of upwardly-protruding elongate fins which extend along the upper surface adjacent to at least one opening through the fixture permitting air flow from beneath the lower surface to above the upper surface. An LED light source is secured with respect to the lower surface. The fins have heights which gradually increase toward fin-ends proximal to the at least one opening.
US09879845B2

A modular lighting system for providing light in various areas includes one or more canopies, a set of buses, a set of hangers for supporting the bars from canopies and, optionally other supports, a set of pendants with light emitting elements and a set of hangers for supporting the pendants from the bars. The bars include two segments with conductive rails disposed or imbedded in their inner surfaces. The hangers have one or two rods and bases shaped and sized for mounting on the bars with the rods contacting the conductive rails. The hangers and bars cooperate to allow the hangers to be placed anywhere along the bars. Pendants can be hanged on the bars singly, or in clusters. In this manner systems can be formed easily and quickly to achieve systems having various esthetic and utilitarian configurations.
US09879842B2

Sunny Bright Solar Lighting is an easily mounted roof solar sunpipe that magnifies and concentrates the incoming sun light with an internally mounted and focused nonimaging Fresnel lens paired with a Kohler concentrator lens in order to magnify and concentrate the focused intense sun light onto a fiber optic illumination systems glass plate, used for solid core fiber optic lighting cables, and a bundle of seven 14 mm solid core endglow plastic fiber optic cables that carries only light waves in a visible light spectrum to seven different rooms that are up to thirty three feet away from the roof mounted sunny bright solar tube. Each fiber optic cable has an easily installed adjustable light aperture with diffuser on the end in order to dim or turn off each light independently this would allow sunny bright solar lighting to bring the suns light into any desired room during the day and at night the 110 v LED lighting array that is internally mounted in the sunny bright solar tube would replace the sunlight to continue lighting the seven different rooms.
US09879841B2

A ventilation apparatus of a lamp module for vehicles may include a lamp housing, a lamp installed in the lamp housing and emitting light through a light transmitting part, a light transmitting lens covering an opening of the lamp housing and transmitting the light emitted from the light transmitting part, an intake hole part formed through the lamp housing and arranged at one side of the lamp, an exhaust hole part formed through the lamp housing and arranged at the other side of the lamp, an exhaust pipe coupled to the lamp housing and connected to the exhaust hole part, and an exhaust pump connected to the exhaust pipe and forcibly discharging the air between the lamp housing and the light transmitting lens through the exhaust pipe.
US09879836B2

The present invention is directed toward a lighting device in a motor vehicle that includes a first light conductor and at least one second light conductor. The first light conductor propagates light by total internal reflection which impacts on a light coupling-out area of light conductor and is at least partially reflected toward and emits from an opposite light output area. The at least one second light conductor propagates light by total internal reflection which is coupled into the first light conductor by a midway coupling-in. The light that emits out of the second light conductor via a light output area enters into the first light conductor via the light coupling-out area. An air gap is formed between the light coupling-out area of the first light conductor and the light output area of the second light conductor.
US09879831B2

A semiconductor lamp comprises a housing in which a driver is accommodated and at least one contact pin protruding from the housing outwards, wherein the contact pin is tubular and riveted to the housing and the driver is connected to the contact pin via an electrically conductive connection element which is inserted into a cavity of the contact pin. A method serves for producing a semiconductor lamp, wherein at least one tubular contact pin is inserted into a feedthrough of a housing from outside till the contact pin abuts the housing, the contact pin is next riveted with the housing on the inside and a driver is inserted into the housing, whereby an electrically conductive connection element is inserted into the contact pin. The invention is particularly applicable to LED retrofit lamps for replacing bipin halogen lamps, in particular MR16 lamps.
US09879830B2

A device and method for chemicals to be fed into a water system, treating the water system as it enters, for example, a fire protection mains and/or fire protection systems (FPS) to protect and maintain the longevity of the water system preventing damages to the water system or enhancing the operation characteristics of the system. This device is a treatment system that may be installed as a portable or permanent device with chemicals such as, corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents, polymeric dispersants, biocides, biostats or other water chemical enhancing effects with means for injecting the chemicals into the fire protection system or a bypass feed system utilizing the fluid means without the need for any electricity. Activation of the pump occurs when water enters the FPS mains and FPS sprinkler system from an outside source. Valving is included to isolate the pump and drums, storage tank to prevent backflow from the FPS.
US09879811B2

The quick-fit coupling (1) for pressurized fluid comprises a valve body (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) and having an axial cavity (4) wherein a shutter stem (5) is axially movable with respect to the valve body in contrast to and by action of at least one elastic element (6) between a position for opening and a position for closing an axial passage of fluid through said cavity (4), the stem (5) being configured so as to be subjected by the fluid present in the cavity (4) to a resultant force having a substantially null component at least in an axial direction.
US09879810B2

Embodiments of a push fitting joint packaging arrangement include a sealing member, a fastening ring, a retaining ring member and a shield member. In various embodiments, the shield member has a substantially cylindrical interior surface, and a non-cylindrical exterior surface.
US09879802B2

The invention is a suspension apparatus for maintaining conduits (hoses, cables, wires, tubing) in desirable positions to prevent abrasion, drag, and friction damage. The suspension apparatus connects a conduit guide engaging the conduits to a tension reel via a tension cable that maintains the conduits at a proper elevation and placement. The tension reel may be enclosed in a housing and attached to a structure with an appropriate bracket. The suspension apparatus may be used to ensure that tractor and trailer combinations have conduits maintained in place such that the conduits are not damaged during use.
US09879798B2

A valve position indicator/method comprising a main rotation axle operably connected with a valve. Repositioning the valve provides rotation of the main axle with a main axle disc with at least one tooth for cooperation with a gear wheel. The main axle disc has a toothless portion substantially not interfering with the gear wheel. The at least one tooth provides a rotation of the gear wheel and the toothless portion provides no rotation of the gear wheel upon rotation of the main axle disc. The gear wheel is on a secondary axle with an indication means.
US09879795B2

A manifold constructed by additive manufacturing for use in semiconductor processing tools is provided. The manifold may include a mixing chamber and portions of a plurality of flow paths with each flow path including a first fluid flow component interface, a second fluid flow component interface, a first tubular passage fluidically connecting the first mixing chamber with a first fluid flow component interface outlet of that flow path, and a second tubular passage fluidically connecting a first fluid flow component interface inlet of that flow path with a second fluid flow component interface outlet of that flow path. Each fluid flow component interface is configured to interface with a corresponding fluid flow component such that the corresponding fluid flow component, when installed, is able to interact with fluid flow between the fluid flow component interface inlet and the fluid flow component interface outlet.
US09879785B1

A seal system includes a housing defining a bore having an inner bore surface. A rotating shaft is rotatably received in the bore and includes a recessed annular groove. A seal body has an unassembled form having a ring shape, wherein in an assembled state the seal member is received in the annular groove of the rotating shaft with the seal member flipped with a first side surface facing radially inward toward the annular groove and a second side surface facing radially outward toward the bore, the first side surface along a cylindrical outer diameter surface being lifted off of a bottom surface of the annular groove so that the second side surface along the outer diameter surface engages the inner bore surface while the second side surface along an inner diameter surface is spaced from the inner bore surface.
US09879782B2

A seal comprises an annular portion having a static seal surface in contact with a first element and made of an elastomeric material. An annular lip exerts a dynamic seal in relation to a second element. A garter spring and a leaf spring cooperate to maintain the annular lip in an operating configuration abutting on a sliding surface of the second element, whilst an annular locking element holds in position the leaf spring.
US09879775B2

A shifting lever assembly is provided and includes a shifting lever rotated about a predetermined angle of a rotation axis to select a shift stage, a magnet disposed on the rotation axis to rotate integrally with the shifting lever, and a shifting lever position detection unit coupled adjacent to the magnet that detects a magnetic force based on a rotation of the shifting lever. Further the shifting lever position detection unit includes a circuit board, first and second magnetic force sensors, installed on a first surface of the circuit board, and a third magnetic force sensor, installed on a second surface of the circuit board. Each of the three magnetic force sensor includes a magnetic force detector for detecting a force of the magnet. The magnetic force detectors of the first and second magnetic force sensors are arranged to be symmetrical to the rotation axis.
US09879771B2

Disclosed herein are a shaft assembly having a dry well and a gearbox incorporating the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly may include a housing having an opening and a lubricant reservoir. A tubular member may be fixed in the opening and extend above a surface of lubricant that collects in the lubricant reservoir during operation. At least one sealing member may be positioned between the tubular member and an inner wall defining the opening. A solid shaft may extend through the tubular member and have an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the tubular member, thereby defining a dry well between the solid shaft and the tubular member. A bearing mount may be arranged about the tubular member and may be removably connected to a gear associated with the solid shaft. A method of assembling a gearbox incorporating the shaft assembly is also disclosed.
US09879765B2

The disclosure provides a vehicle drive system that includes a drive pedestal, a drive motor mounting plate connected to the drive pedestal, an electric drive motor assembly having an output shaft and being connected to the drive motor mounting plate, at least two bearings connected to the drive pedestal, an axle shaft rotatably connected to the at least two bearings, a drive wheel connected to the axle shaft, a chain drive assembly, and a controller that provides control signals to the electric drive motor assembly and is connected to the drive pedestal. The electric drive motor assembly also includes a first gear speed reduction, while the chain drive assembly includes a second gear speed reduction.
US09879764B2

A tensioner which adjusts the mean tensioner force to keep the chain tension as low as possible without sacrificing chain control, significantly improving drive efficiency as the chain wears and is subject to low dynamic loads.
US09879763B2

A chain guide includes a curved guide base extending along the direction in which a torque transmitting chain moves. The guide base includes, on its surface opposed to the chain, a rolling guide portion including a plurality of roller element bearings which are rotatable and configured to guide the chain while kept in rolling contact with the chain, and a sliding guide portion in the form of a curved surface. The rolling guide portion reduces a loss in torque transmission, while the sliding guide portion reduces flapping of the chain, thus reducing noise and vibrations of the chain.
US09879762B2

A jump shift of an automatic transmission with multiple shift speeds such as, e.g., ten forward speeds involves operation of many engagement elements. The shifting operation for the jump shift is therefore complicated, making it difficult for the automatic transmission to respond quickly. After shifting to the seventh speed as a direct coupling speed is completed by engaging three clutches C1, C3, C4, the remaining other clutch C2 is also engaged at the seventh speed. In the case of a jump shift, e.g., a shift from the seventh speed to the fifth speed, shifting to the fifth speed is completed by disengaging the clutch C1 and performing control to disengage the clutch C3 and to engage a brake B1 with the remaining other clutch C2 kept in the engaged state. This facilitates the shifting operation from the direct coupling speed and allows the automatic transmission to respond quickly.
US09879760B2

A parallel eccentric electro-mechanical actuator provides motive power and includes an electric prime mover that drives the reducer's pinion gear. This pinion drives minimum three star gears with stationary shaft bearings. Each shaft contains an eccentric which are completely in parallel with each other. These eccentrics can be thought of as parallel/in-phase driven crankshafts. Each eccentric drives the parallel eccentric (PE) gear through a bearing. The PE gear exhibits a circular motion (without rotation) which in itself is unbalanced. The crankshafts have another eccentric which create an opposite inertia force to balance that of the PE gear. The PE gear contains an external toothed gear on its periphery. It meshes with the internal teeth of the output ring gear. The relative motion between the PE gear and the ring gear is that the PE gear rolls inside the ring gear. This relative motion is called hypo-cycloidal motion.
US09879757B2

The present invention relates to a chain comprising a plurality of chain links comprising a polymeric fiber and wherein said chain comprises at least one spacer having a thickness Δ at the contact location through which loads are directly transmitted between said chain links and a ratio Δ/τ=f, with τ being the thickness of any of the chain links at the contact location through which loads are directly transmitted between said chain links and f being in a range between 0.10 and 2.50. The invention further relates to the use said chain for storing, securing, lashing and tying down for handling and transporting cargo, in lifting and hoisting, logging, hauling and rigging, propulsion and driving, mooring, cargo-hold of an aircraft or naval ship.
US09879756B2

A link unit includes two outer chain plates and an assembling pin. Each of the outer chain plates has a first end section, and a second end section spaced apart from the first end section. The first end section of each of the outer chain plates has a through hole. The second end section of each of the outer chain plates has a connecting hole that has a first hole portion, a second hole portion, and a neck portion located between the first and second hole portions. The assembling pin is inserted removably through the connecting hole of each of the outer chain plates, and is capable of being prevented from moving past the neck portion of each of the outer chain plates so as to be positioned in the second hole portion of each of the outer chain plates.
US09879752B1

A device that will allow a go kart to smoothly accelerate and decelerate particularly during racing the go cart. This device once assembled will allow the gradual absorption of shock on the drive chain as it rotates around thereby, rotating the axle of the go kart.
US09879750B2

A damper system may include an inner damper having a first annular geometry and a textured surface. An outer damper may also have an annular geometry and be disposed about the inner damper. The outer damper may have a textured surface. The textured surfaces of the inner damper and outer damper may define a cavity that is configured to contain a viscous fluid.
US09879746B2

The present disclosure relates to a shock absorber having a pressure tube forming a pressure chamber. A piston rod is disposed within the pressure chamber. A reserve tube defines a reserve chamber adjacent the pressure tube. A rod guide assembly is concentrically disposed about the piston rod and the pressure chamber and houses a plurality of digital valves. Each one of the digital valves includes a component which is moveable between an open state and a closed state, and thus helps to control a fluid flow between the pressure chamber and the reserve chamber. An electronic control system is disposed on a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and controls actuation of the digital valves. At least one additional valve is associated with one of the digital valves for further controlling a flow of fluid between the pressure chamber and the reserve chamber.
US09879743B2

A bellows-type air spring, more particularly a folding-bellows-type air spring having two or more bellows sections designed as folds or toroidal parts, which are separated by rings placed around the air spring bellows, more particularly metal rings, wherein the bellows-type air spring is secured between the sprung and the unsprung mass with the aid of connecting parts, more particularly designed as an air spring cap and an air spring rim or piston, and wherein the bellows project outward in the manner of a balloon between the connecting parts, or the folds or toroidal parts of the bellows project outward in the manner of a balloon between or adjacent to the rings.
US09879736B2

A ball ramp plate assembly includes a first ball ramp plate and a second ball ramp plate coaxially aligned so that first and second ball pockets are opposed with rolling elements disposed in the opposing first and second ball pockets. A plug extends through the first ball ramp plate and the second ball ramp plate and engages both ball ramp plates to maintain the first ball ramp plate and the second ball ramp plate against displacement with respect to each other.
US09879732B2

A universal joint includes a joint cross having a plurality of bearing journals, each bearing journal being supported in a bearing bushing by a plurality of trunnion bearing rolling elements, the universal joint also including a seal assembly configured to seal the journal cross against the bearing bushing. The bearing bushing includes a sleeve for slidingly supporting at least one seal lip of the seal assembly, the sleeve has an axially inner region facing the rolling elements, and the axially inner region has a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion. The radially inner portion is axially offset from the radially outer portion towards the rolling elements by an offset amount.
US09879729B2

A tubular device for connection to a shaft such that a torque can be transmitted between the tubular device and the shaft comprises a hollow receiving region configured to receive a first supporting region of the shaft, and at least one first torque-transmitting section configured to engage with at least one second torque-transmitting section of the shaft. The hollow receiving region includes at least one contact surface configured to engage at least one first supporting region of the shaft when the tubular device is radially mounted to the shaft. The at least one first torque-transmitting section includes at least one bump which, starting from the at least one first contact surface, projects into the hollow receiving region and is positioned immovably on the tubular device.
US09879723B2

A countershaft as disclosed herein may include one or more bearing zones along its axial length. Each bearing zone may include one or more radial holes in fluid communication with one or more grooves, respectively, and one or more axial channels formed along the longitudinal length of the countershaft. Each groove may be positioned adjacent an interface between a rotating member and a non-rotating member and include one or more features therein, such as a profile and/or taper.
US09879720B2

One embodiment describes a bearing damper including a housing; a damper with an annular gap and an internal spring, in which the annular gap is formed between an inner rim and an outer rim of the damper, the internal spring circumferentially bounds the annular gap, the outer rim is coupled to the housing, and the annular gap is configured to be filled with fluid used to dampen vibrations produced on a drive shaft; and an external spring coupled to the housing and to the inner rim, in which the external includes an axial stiffness engineered to externally offset axial forces exerted on the inner rim of the and a radial stiffness engineered to externally offset a first portion of radial forces exerted on the inner rim and to permit a second portion of the radial forces to propagate the vibrations from the drive shaft to the inner rim.
US09879719B2

A shift mechanism includes a second driven gear, a first conical roller bearing and a second conical roller bearing, a biasing member, a first spacer, and a nut. The second driven gear meshes with a driving gear. The first and second conical roller bearings are disposed on an outer periphery of a tubular portion of the second driven gear in directions opposite from one another. The biasing member biases one of inner or outer races of the first or second conical roller bearings in directions separate from one another. The first spacer maintains a distance between the other ones. The nut holds the first conical roller bearing and the second conical roller bearing to the tubular portion of the second driven gear. One of the inner or outer races of the first and second conical roller bearings are relatively displaceable in an axial direction.
US09879715B1

A rotation shaft device comprises: a base; a first rotation unit; a pair of second rotation units; a torsion unit, having a connection rod; a slide mechanism, including a slide block disposed in a hollow slot and having the top surface formed with a pivotal part, and a pair of slide pieces are disposed at two opposite sides of the slide bock; and a bottom seat, formed with an accommodation part, two opposite sides defined on a top surface of the accommodation part and/or a bottom surface of the base are formed with a pair of slide slots allowing the pair of slide pieces to be disposed; the slide block is pivotally connected to the torsion unit and the first rotation unit, thus the pair of slide pieces can stably slide between the bottom surface of the base and the pair of slide slots.
US09879708B2

The described embodiments provide a subsea connector that is a quickly deployable and reusable. The subsea connector comprises a male and a female assembly that can be connected and disconnected. The male assembly includes a shaft, a sleeve that surrounds the shaft, and bars that are connected to the shaft and are configured to rotate about one axis. The female assembly includes a receptacle into which the male assembly can fit. Once the male assembly is inserted into the female assembly, the bars can rotate into such a position that the male and female assemblies are connected together. The bars can also be rotated such that the male and female assemblies can be disconnected.
US09879704B2

In one embodiment, a system includes a first end effector configured to press a selected area of an aircraft wing skin panel against a corresponding area of an underlying wing support structure with a downward force, drill a hole within the selected area, the hole extending through the skin panel and the support structure, and insert an elongated shaft of a fastener into the hole. The system includes a mechanism configured to locate the first end effector relative to the selected area. The system can further include a second end effector configured to press the corresponding area of the support structure against the selected area of the skin panel with an upward force that is opposite in direction to the downward force, and a mechanism configured to locate the second end effector relative to the corresponding area of the support structure.
US09879703B2

A fluid pressure cylinder includes a cylinder tube, a piston rod, and a displacement sensor. A bottom portion of the cylinder tube has: a pin hole formed in a direction orthogonal to a center axis; and a through hole penetrating the bottom portion through the pin hole. The displacement sensor has: a sensor body disposed on inner side of the pin hole in the through hole; a sensor rod provided so as to extend from the sensor body; and an annular magnet relatively movable with respect to the sensor rod. The through hole has: a reduced-diameter portion; and a female screw portion that has a female screw formed on an inner circumference of the female screw portion. The sensor body is fixed by being pressed by a plug that is screwed into the female screw portion and by being engaged with the reduced-diameter portion.
US09879674B2

A compressor may include a shell, first and second scrolls, a seal assembly, a modulation control chamber, and a modulation control valve. The first scroll may include a first end plate having a biasing passage extending therethrough. The seal assembly may isolate a discharge pressure region from a suction pressure region. The seal assembly and the first scroll may define an axial biasing chamber therebetween that communicates with the axial biasing chamber and a first pocket between the first and second scrolls. The modulation control chamber may be fluidly coupled with the biasing chamber by a first passage. The modulation control valve may be fluidly coupled with the modulation control chamber by a second passage and movable between a first position allowing communication between the second passage and the suction pressure region and a second position restricting communication between the second passage and the suction pressure region.
US09879671B1

A hydraulic motor assembly capable of precise control having a housing, a hydraulic mounting surface located in the housing, a cylinder block rotatably disposed on the hydraulic mounting surface, a motor shaft engaged to the cylinder block and supported proximate to a first end, a plurality of cooperating gears located in the housing and rotationally engaged to a second end of the motor shaft, an output shaft rotationally engaged to the plurality of cooperating gears, a speed sensor located proximate to one of the plurality of cooperating gears, wherein the speed sensor transmits a signal indicative of the rotational speed of the one of the plurality of cooperating gears.
US09879670B2

A vane pump includes a rotor, vanes, pump chambers, a suction port, and a discharge port. The side member has a first transition section and a second transition section. The first transition section is a section from an end point of the suction port to a start point of the discharge port. The second transition section is a section from an end point of the discharge port to a start point of the suction port. An angle between the start point and the end point of the suction port is set such that a pressurizing timing is offset from a depressurizing timing. The pressurizing timing is a timing at which one pump chamber starts to communicate with the discharge port from the first transition section, and the depressurizing timing is a timing at which another pump chamber starts to communicate with the suction port from the second transition section.
US09879664B2

A device for controlling a compressor of vehicles may include a sensor module including a cabin temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature sensor, an evaporator temperature sensor detecting a temperature of cooling medium in an evaporator, a vehicle speed sensor, and a brake sensor, an injector, an air conditioning system including a condenser, an evaporator, the compressor, a temperature control door controlling a temperature of air flowing into a cabin, an intake door selectively distributing an inner air or an outer air into the cabin, and a blower blowing the air to the intake door, and a controller controlling the injector and the air conditioning system, wherein the controller accumulates a cold air energy by increasing an operation of the compressor if a speed-reducing condition occurs, and the air conditioning system uses the accumulated cold air energy by decreasing the operation of the compressor if a release condition occurs.
US09879661B2

A vibrational fluid mover assembly having an active damping mechanism is disclosed. The vibrational fluid mover assembly includes a vibrational fluid mover having a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, a spacer element having an orifice formed therein and being positioned between the first and second plates to maintain the first and second plates in a spaced apart relationship, and an actuator element coupled to at least one of the first and second plates to selectively cause deflection thereof such that a fluid flow is generated and projected out from the orifice. The vibrational fluid mover assembly also includes an absorber system connected to the vibrational fluid mover and providing active damping to the vibrational fluid mover, with the absorber system having suspension tabs coupled to the vibrational fluid mover and spring components configured to mount the vibrational fluid mover in a suspended arrangement.
US09879653B2

Systems for increasing the power productivity of two bladed teetering hinge, yaw controlled wind turbines by varying rotor shaft restraining torque and yaw angle.
US09879649B2

The present invention provides a floating offshore wind turbine capable of suppressing yawing of a nacelle caused by a gyro effect which is a cause of adverse influence of power generating efficiency of a wind turbine and endurance of devices thereof. The floating offshore wind turbine includes a rotor which is rotated by wind, a nacelle in which a rotation shaft of the rotor is accommodated, and a tower including a turning seated bearing which supports the nacelle such that the nacelle can turn with respect to a sea surface to exert a weathercock effect. The tower is provided with yawing suppressing means which suppresses yawing of the nacelle. According to this, it is possible to suppress the yawing of the nacelle generated by a gyro effect caused by yawing generated in the floating body by waves of the sea surface.
US09879646B2

A ceramic glow plug includes a ceramic heater; a tubular sleeve which holds the outer circumference of the ceramic heater with a front end portion thereof protruding from the front end of the sleeve; and a tubular housing which surrounds a rear end portion of the ceramic heater and has a mounting portion for mounting the housing. The sleeve has a small-diameter portion which is accommodated in a front end portion of the housing and has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the front end portion of the housing, and a large-diameter portion which is connected to the small-diameter portion, disposed frontward of the front end portion of the housing, and has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the front end portion of the housing. The front end portion of the housing is welded to the large-diameter portion.
US09879640B2

A housing has an outer pipe. An inner pipe is accommodated in the outer pipe. The inner pipe defines an inner passage internally. The inner pipe defines an annular passage externally with the outer pipe. The inner pipe has through holes communicating the inner passage with the annular passage. The housing internally defines an EGR channel communicating with the annular passage. The EGR channel accommodates a deflector partitioning the EGR channel.
US09879635B2

To improve the efficiency of an axial piston engine, the invention proposes an axial piston engine with a combustion chamber which operates with two-stage combustion.
US09879627B2

Methods and systems are provided for reducing idling torque imbalances between cylinders by actuating a common camshaft to which the cylinders are coupled. The camshaft may be adjusted within camshaft limits during each combustion event of each cylinder. In this way, idling NVH issues may be addressed.
US09879619B2

A system and a method for controlling valve timing of a continuous variable valve duration engine including classifying control regions depending on engine speed and load; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and a long duration to an exhaust valve and limiting an overlap; applying the maximum duration to the intake valve and the long duration to the exhaust valve, and adjusting the overlap according to the engine load; applying the long duration to the exhaust valve, fixing an exhaust valve open timing and an exhaust valve close timing, and advancing an intake valve close timing according to an increase of engine load; controlling a wide open throttle valve and applying a short duration to the exhaust valve; and controlling a wide open throttle valve, applying the long duration to the exhaust valve, delaying the intake valve close timing according to an increased engine speed.
US09879615B2

A system includes: a computing device configured to tune a set of gas turbines (GTs) by: commanding each GT to a base load level; commanding each GT to adjust a respective power output to match a nominal power output value, and subsequently measuring an actual emissions value for each GT; adjusting an operating condition of each GT based upon a difference between the respective measured actual emissions value and a nominal emissions value at the ambient condition; updating a pre-existing emissions model for each GT based upon the adjusted operating condition; running a set of operating conditions on each GT and measuring an updated emissions value; and refining the updated pre-existing emissions model based upon a difference between the updated emissions value and the updated pre-existing emissions model.
US09879606B2

The described method of supplying fuel to an internal fuel manifold of a bypass gas turbine engine includes directing a fuel flow through a fuel fairing having an outer surface exposed to a cool bypass airflow, directing the fuel flow in the fuel fairing through a heat exchanging structure on the outer surface of the fuel fairing to cool the fuel flow being below a coking temperature of the fuel, and then feeding the cooled fuel flow from the fuel fairing to the internal fuel manifold.
US09879605B2

The invention relates to a transition piece assembly for a gas turbine. A transition piece having one end adapted for connection to a gas combustor and an opposite end adapted for connection to a first turbine stage. The transition piece having at least one external liner and at least one internal liner. The internal liner forms the hot gas flow channel. A first section of the transition piece assembly upstream of a first turbine stage has a plurality of cooling apertures. Cooling medium through the cooling apertures enters the plenum, which is created between external and internal liners and a cooling medium flows along at least the first section of the transition piece assembly. At least one second section upstream of the first section with respect to the hot gas flow has at least one additional air inlet system.
US09879604B2

A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes an inner frame case. A bearing support member is located adjacent the inner frame case. At least one spoke is attached to the inner frame case. At least one spoke includes a cooling airflow passage that extends through the inner frame case and the bearing support member.
US09879592B2

The invention relates to a method for controlling a combustion engine (1) equipped with a supercharging system, comprising a turbocharger (2) and a mechanical compressor (3) and a bypass circuit disposed in parallel with the mechanical compressor comprising a controlled bypass valve (4). The method includes: a) acquiring a boost pressure setpoint Psuralsp; b) converting the boost pressure setpoint Psuralsp into an opening setpoint Bypasssp of the bypass valve (4) using a filling model modelling the filling of the supercharging boost volume between the intake valves of the engine (1) and the mechanical compressor (3) and bypass valve (4); and c) controlling the bypass valve (4) is according to the opening setpoint Bypasssp of the bypass valve.
US09879585B2

Micropore zones ZMI are defined at upstream sides of partition walls 72 of a particulate filter and macropore zones ZMA are defined at downstream sides of partition walls. The pore size of the partition walls at the micropore zones is set so that the particulate matter and the ash can be trapped by the partition walls at the micropore zones, while the pore size of the partition walls at the macropore zones is set so that the ash can pass through the partition walls at the macropore zones. When a quantity of trapped particulate matter is smaller than a limit quantity, control for increasing gas which temporarily increases the flow rate of the gas which flows into the particulate filter in order to remove the ash from the particulate filter, is performed.
US09879582B2

A method for starting operation of a device for providing a liquid additive, the device having at least one preheating element and at least one PTC heating element, includes: a) heating by the at least one preheating element; b) conducting heat from the at least one preheating element to the at least one PTC heating element such that a temperature of the at least one PTC heating element is raised; and c) heating by the at least one PTC heating element when the temperature of the PTC heating element has been raised.
US09879579B2

Disclosed embodiments include methods of removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, systems for removing carbon dioxide from combustion gas from an engine of a vehicle, vehicles, methods of managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle, and computer software program products for managing carbon dioxide emissions from an engine of a vehicle.
US09879574B2

A valve opening and closing timing control apparatus includes a torsion coil spring provided at an accommodation chamber which is defined by a front member provided at a drive-side rotational member and a tubular void provided at a driven-side rotational member, the torsion coil spring engaging with the front member and the driven-side rotational member to bias the driven-side rotational member in an advanced or a retarded angle direction relative to the driven-side rotational member and an oil reservoir portion defined by an outer surface of the torsion coil spring facing the driven-side rotational member and at least one recess portion provided at the driven-side rotational member, the recess portion being provided in a radially outer direction from a position at a radially outer side than an inner diameter of the torsion coil spring and at a radially inner side than an outer diameter of the torsion coil spring.
US09879573B2

A camshaft phaser, including: a stator including radially inwardly extending protrusions with radially outermost ends; a rotor including radially outwardly extending protrusions radially outermost ends; chambers at least partially bounded by a inwardly extending protrusion and an outwardly extending protrusion; first seals disposed in the radially innermost ends and facing the rotor; second seals disposed in the radially outermost ends and facing the stator; first and second wedge plates radially disposed between the rotor and the stator; and a displacement assembly arranged to for an advance mode, displace the first wedge plate to enable rotation of the rotor, with respect to the stator, in the first circumferential direction and for a retard mode, displace the second wedge plate to enable rotation of the rotor, with respect to the stator, in a second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction.
US09879570B2

A lifter includes a roller caused to abut against a cam thereby to be pressed and a lifter body rotatably supporting the roller and housed in a guide hole of a lifter guide so as to be reciprocable in the guide hole. The lifter body includes a cylindrical part and a rotation stopper. The cylindrical part has an outer periphery formed into a cylindrical shape such that the outer periphery is slidable on an inner periphery of the guide hole. The cylindrical part has one of two axial ends, the one end being formed with a skirt covering the roller. The rotation stopper is formed to protrude outward from the other axial end of the cylindrical part, the other axial end being located opposite a side where the skirt is located. The rotation stopper prevents the lifter body from being rotated about an axis thereof relative to the lifter guide.
US09879569B2

A method and a device for operating a waste heat utilization device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The waste heat utilization device contains a waste heat utilization circuit in which a working medium circulates. A conveyor, an evaporator, an expansion machine, and a condenser are disposed in the waste heat utilization circuit. A basic adjustment of the waste heat utilization circuit is provided, which as a function of a heat input into the working medium adjusts the mass flow rate at the conveyor and/or the ratio between high pressure and low pressure at the expansion machine. In addition, a pilot control is provided which recognizes a change of the operating point of the internal combustion engine and, when the operating point is changed, controls the condensation output of the condenser in accordance with a mass distribution of the working medium in the waste heat utilization circuit optimized to the new operating point.
US09879564B2

A compressor rectifier of a turbomachine including a plurality of stationary blades extending in a circular fashion between an inner shroud and an outer shroud that are concentric and define interblade channels forming an air duct in which air to be compressed flows, the inner shroud including at least one vortex generator extending into the air duct to reduce corner vortices. The vortex generator is positioned axially in the interblade channel, between the axial position of a leading edge of the blades and those of a trailing edge thereof.
US09879555B2

Respective seals (54, 78) for the upper and lower spans (48A, 48B) of an exit frame (48) of a turbine combustion system transition piece (28). Each seal has a first strip (55, 79) and a second strip (66, 88) of a sealing material. The two strips of each seal are attached together along a common edge. The second strip is flexible, generally parallel to the first strip, and has a bead (72, 90) along its free edge. This forms a spring clamp that clamps a rail (68, 86) of the exit frame between the bead and the first strip of each seal. A tab extends axially aft from the first strip of each seal for insertion into a circumferential slot (58, 82) in a turbine inlet support structure (52, 76), thus sealing the transition piece (46) to the turbine inlet for efficient turbine operation.
US09879549B2

An aircraft engine annular shroud includes, on its internal surface, a peripheral annular groove able to accept a plurality of blade roots; an insertion opening for inserting the blade roots into the annular groove; and a closure device for closing off the insertion opening.
US09879537B2

A gas turbine engine includes an axial high pressure compressor includes a rear hub disposed aft of an aft rotor segment. The rear hub includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a sealing face, wherein the sealing face is sealingly engaged with the aft rotor segment, and in fluid communication with the cooling channel. The cooling channels are configured to delivery air to contact the inner surface of the rear hub.
US09879534B2

A transmission assembly for a rotary piston and cylinder device, comprising a first gear (120) and a gear sub-assembly (15, 16, 17, 18, 19), the first gear connectable to a rotatably mounted shutter (12) of the device, and the first gear extending from a side of the shutter, and the first gear connected to the gear sub-assembly which converts rotation to an axis of rotation different to that of the shutter.
US09879531B2

Improved bit holder/bit holder block structure provides increased access to the rear of the assembly allowing bit holder blocks to be mounted closer to each other for micro-milling operations. Shortened bit holder shanks are reconfigured from prior art to provide increased holding power between the bit holder shank and bit holder block bore.
US09879527B2

Systems and methods for communicating messages over a three-phase power cable between surface equipment and downhole equipment in a well. A transmitter parses messages into data bit pairs and generates a parity bit for each pair (a triplet). The bits of each triplet are concurrently but separately transmitted over the power cable. Each triplet is received from the power cable by a receiver and is decoded to identify the data bits. The receiver may verify the received bits and/or recover a lost bit in each triplet. The data bits are then reconstructed into the original message. Since each triplet has two bits, the effective data rate is twice the data rate of transmitting a single bit at a time. The parity bit enables recovery of data with a bit error rate of up to 1 in 3.
US09879520B2

An apparatus for protecting a module used in a borehole may include a plurality of shock protection elements associated with the module. The plurality of shock protection elements cooperatively has a macroscopic non-linear spring response to an applied shock event. The plurality of shock protection elements may include at least an enclosure and a dampener connecting the module with the enclosure. A related method for protecting a module used in a borehole may include enclosing the module within the plurality of shock protection elements; disposing the module in the borehole; and subjecting the module to a shock event. The plurality of shock protection elements cooperatively has a macroscopic non-linear spring response to the shock event.
US09879517B2

A modular ‘Subsea Level Gas Separator of Oil Well Effluent’ (SLGOE) about the well-head, precludes gas entrainment reaching the rig. The effluent, past the well-head BOP, through ab oil-diversion tube, enters into ‘gas-separator’ tanks, creating fountain-like up-flow (Sumathi Paturu Up-flow Model). The oil down-streaming into an ‘oil-passage tank’, is ‘styphoned’ to the partitioned collection system, past the diversion tube. Massively clustered top outlets of the tanks let off the ‘instantly’ rising gases. In another embodiment otherwise similarly configured, the oil flows down from the top to the bottom of the tank (Symathi Paturu Down-flow Model). In either model, a gas entrainment instantly reaching the top of the tank(s) is precluded to entrain into the down-streaming oil. Additionally, the immensely pressured gases are attenuated by enormous receptive volume of the tanks and the multiple upstream gas-outlets. A Continuation-in-part application will detail the incorporated emergency measures encompassing a blown-out oil-well.
US09879514B2

A hydraulic fracturing system and method for enhancing effective permeability of earth formations to increase hydrocarbon production, enhance operation efficiency by reducing fluid entry friction due to tortuosity and perforation, and to open perforations that are either unopened or not effective using traditional techniques, by varying a pump rate and/or a flow rate to a wellbore.
US09879512B2

Processes for recovering hydrocarbons from subterranean formations are disclosed. The hydrocarbon can be contacted with water or steam and one or more additives, and subsequently recovered. The hydrocarbon can be selected from the group consisting of heavy or light crude oil, bitumen, an oil sand ore, a tar sand ore and combinations thereof. The additive can be, for example, a fluorinated hydrocarbon, one or more alcohols, combinations of alcohols, and combinations of one or more alcohols and one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons. Compositions or mixtures including hydrocarbons, water or steam, and additives are also disclosed.
US09879493B2

A technology is described of a system capable of altering between extracting a core sample from, or drilling of, a downhole subterrain formation. In coring mode the core is encapsulated downhole at in-situ conditions with a material capable of providing a pressure tight seal around the core, protecting the core and temporary storing the core downhole in an inner string for later retrieval. In drilling mode the unwanted sections of the core is grinded away and the material discarded. No tripping to surface is required to change the composition of the drillstring to alter between drilling mode and coring mode. Downhole sensor technology and intelligence is used to distinguish between areas of interest where the core is encapsulated and kept, and areas of no interest where the core is discarded.
US09879492B2

A clad is expanded with a variable swage or other ways to create a seat for an object to obstruct the passage therethrough while at the same time expanding at least a part of the clad into a surrounding tubular for support and sealing. The exterior of the clad can have grit to enhance the grip. A perforating gun can be delivered in the same trip with the clad. After the swage passes through the clad the gun is positioned and fired, the bottom hole assembly is retrieved and the ball is dropped from the surface onto the seat formed in the clad with expansion or with some other means. A treating operation against the clad and into the surrounding formation can then take place. The process can be repeated preferably in a bottom up direction until the formation is fully treated. The clads and objects landed on the clads disintegrate with time or borehole exposure.
US09879490B2

A method of automatically placing a drill bit used to form an opening in a subsurface formation on a bottom of the opening being formed comprises a) increasing a flow rate in a drill string to a target flow; b) controlling a flow rate of fluid into the drill string to be substantially the same as a flowrate of fluid out of the opening; c) allowing a fluid pressure to reach a relatively steady state; and d) automatically moving the drill bit toward the bottom of the opening at a selected rate of advance until an increase in measured differential pressure indicates that the drill bit is at the bottom of the opening.
US09879489B2

A gas trap system for releasing gas-phase fluids is provided herein. The gas trap system is designed to reside within a return fluids tank, such as at a drill site. The gas trap system first includes a gas trap. The gas trap is configured to agitate drilling fluids in the return tank, and then to release gases during agitation. Liquids are circulated and released through a liquids exhaust port while gases are released through a gas exhaust port near the top of the gas trap. The gas trap system is configured to float along vertical guide rods in response to changes in height, weight and viscosity of the drilling fluids in the return tank. A method of capturing gaseous phase fluids from a fluid return is also provided herein. The fluid return is preferably drilling fluids at a drill site.
US09879487B2

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to measurement and control systems and methods of improved spooling accuracy. Specifically, the systems and method disclosed herein provide techniques for accurately monitoring the depth of a sandline in a wellbore through sensing spool rotation, and controlling certain aspects of the spooling and/or producing certain notifications when the depth is above or below a certain threshold. Thus, the spool can be operated with increased diligence when it gets close to the wellhead. In certain example embodiments, the depth of the sandline is measured based at least partially on the number of spool rotations, compensating for decreasing length of sandline per layer of sandline on the spool.
US09879484B2

A formation-engaging assembly includes a formation-engaging structure holder with a side surface between a proximal end and a distal end, a receptacle in the distal end, and a lateral protrusion extending from a portion of the side surface of the formation-engaging structure holder adjacent the distal end. A formation-engaging structure may include a formation-engaging surface at a distal end, a proximal end and a sidewall therebetween. The proximal end and at least a portion of the sidewall of the formation-engaging structure may be received within the receptacle of the formation-engaging structure holder. Earth-boring tools may include such formation-engaging assemblies.
US09879478B1

We disclose a window blind which includes at least one conformable seal which may inhibit light and/or heat transmission. The slats of the window blinds may include conformable seals on one or more of their edges. The conformable seals may include interlocking teeth, intermingled bristles, or a continuous strip of material which may form a lip. The window blinds may also include a conformable seal around an orifice through which a cord may be inserted. The conformable seal around the orifice may be designed similar to those of the slats or may include overlapping flaps of material. The slats may also include materials with different properties on either side of the slats. These may include light reflecting material and heat absorbing material.
US09879476B2

A cordless curtain includes a stretchable component, a movable guide-line sliding assembly, a guide-line fixing seat assembly and a traction cord. One end of the stretchable component is fixed, and another end of the stretchable component is connected to the guide-line sliding assembly; the position of the guide-line fixing seat assembly is fixed and the guide-line fixing seat assembly is connected to the guide-line sliding assembly via the traction cord.
US09879472B2

A frame assembly is disposed within an opening of a structure. The frame assembly includes first and second frame members each defining an interior and having a plurality of walls extending between a first end and a second end. The frame assembly includes a cornerlock extending into each of the first and second frame members. The cornerlock includes first and second body members each having hinge and distal ends and are rotatably coupled together at the hinge ends. The first body member has at least one arm deflectable to bias against and engage the first frame member. Each of the first and second frame members has a mitered end. The first and second frame members abut at the mitered ends in an angular configuration. The cornerlock rotates to correspond with the angular configuration and is entirely disposed within a combination of the interiors of the first and second frame members.
US09879465B2

A power assist device is provided herein. A motor is operatively coupled to a door of a vehicle. A controller controls a mechanical resistance applied by the motor to the door to resist door swing. The mechanical resistance applied to the door is a function of an angular position of the door.
US09879463B2

The technology relates to assisting in the closing of a vehicle door by automatically pulling a door closed. One or more computing devices having one or more processors may receive, from one or more sensors, information indicating that a door on the vehicle is not closed. In response to the received information indicating that the door is not closed, the one or more computing devices may determine to send a triggering signal to close the door. The one or more computing devices may send the triggering signal to the actuator and the actuator may receive the triggering signal. In response to receiving the triggering signal the actuator may be activated to close the door of the vehicle without user input.
US09879459B2

In a combined acceleration and deceleration device with a carrier housing and a carrier element which is movable along at least one guide track of the carrier housing between a force and/or form-locking park position and an end position under the control of an acceleration arrangement and a deceleration arrangement including a hydraulic cylinder-piston unit with a spring return structure. The cylinder-piston unit carries a guide member which is guided by the guide track and has a curved stop surface and the carrier element has a curved push surface with the push surface area and the stop surface area having different radii of curvature so that they contact each other maximally along a contact line.
US09879453B1

A double door gate apparatus having a frame, a main gate and a secondary gate, where the apparatus includes the unique features of a) a latch apparatus between uppermost framework members of the main gate and secondary gate, b) the latch apparatus being weighted to return to a normally closed position, c) each of the main gate and secondary gates having an inverted U-shaped piece engaging the bottommost horizontal member such that each of the main and secondary gates need to be lifted prior to being opened and prior to being closed, and d) a pair of hand wheels on a common shaft that work together to space the double door gate apparatus a desired distance from a vertical surface such as a wall.
US09879437B2

A transportable restroom comprises a rectangular skid; a clean water tank carried by the skid and a waste water tank carried by the skid and disposed side to side on the skid to form a unitary base; wall extending from the base including a door; roof over the wall; and a toilet disposed over the waste water tank. The skid includes a recess with triangular wall portions. The waste water tank includes a bottom with corresponding triangular wall portions; and the waste water tank is disposed within the recess.
US09879435B2

A height-adjustable furniture piece has a wall mounting plate configured to be secured to an interior wall, a frame, a first actuator secured to the wall mounting plate and to a wall-facing surface of the frame, and a display mount secured to a room-facing surface of the frame. A worksurface is secured to and extends outwardly from a lower portion of the frame. A single height-adjustable leg is secured to the worksurface to support the furniture piece on a floor surface. The height-adjustable leg has a second actuator. The first actuator and the second actuator are adapted to operate to raise and lower the frame and the worksurface relative to the floor surface.
US09879432B2

An outdoor wall padding apparatus attachable to a vertical structure includes an upper padding section, and a lower drainage section disposed below the upper padding section. The outdoor wall padding apparatus is attachable to the vertical structure with the lower drainage section positionable adjacent to the ground and operable to allow water to pass into and out of the lower drainage section.
US09879430B2

Roof-mounted venting devices adapted for use with roof mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels are provided. Venting devices and assemblies can include a replacement flashing that fits over a cut-down roof pipe vent as well as venting assemblies that redirect airflow from a roof pipe vent. Such replacement flashing can include a substantially planar flashing portion having a raised portion for accommodating any residual flashing or roofing debris. Such replacement flashing may further include a hood portion with one or more vent openings to allow airflow into and out from the interior of the hood portion. Venting assemblies can include a coupling portion for mating with a vent-pipe, a section of hose or piping to redirect airflow, and a venting portion disposed outside or between roof-mounted solar panels.
US09879429B2

An inside corner piece for a rainwater gutter system having an angled front wall extending at a 45 degree angle to increase the amount of water able to be collected by the corner piece, with each end of a main section of the front wall having an angled out wing section slidably receiving an end of one of the straight gutter sections. The manufacturing method minimizes scrap by the shape of a blank used to form the corner piece.
US09879418B2

The present invention relates to a wall element comprising an upper element extending along an upper edge, a lower element extending along a lower edge, a first and second side element each comprising a substantially rectangular cross section, the first side element extending along a first side between the upper and lower element, the second side element extending along a second side between the upper and lower element and a substantially rectangular board arranged on an outer side and attached to said the upper element, lower element and first side element. The upper and lower element comprise a first edge coinciding with the first side and a second edge coinciding with the second side, wherein the first and second edge are arranged in an angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the outer side, and the first and second side elements extending parallel to the plane, perpendicular to the board and having a total extension in the plane corresponding to the extension of the upper and lower element in the plane, wherein the first side element bears against the board and the second side element extends from the inside of the wall element. The invention further relates to a wall section comprising the wall element and a method for building the wall section.
US09879409B2

A multi-stage toilet flush valve includes an inner valve and an outer valve that circumstribes the inner valve. The inner and outer valve control the flow of flushwater through associated inner and outer outlets. Thus, when the flush valve is actuated, the inner and outer valves are actuated at separate times, while the inner valve delivers flushwater to a rim of the toilet, while the outer valve delivers flushwater to a jet feed outlet in the toilet. As such the multi-stage toilet valve provides two independent inner and outer flushwater delivery outlets that are controlled by associated inner and outer valves that are capable of being actuated at separate times to control the ratio of flushwater delivered to a toilet rim and to a toilet jet feed outlet to enhance the effectiveness in which the toilet bowl is cleaned.
US09879408B2

A device for changing the jet shape of free-flowing products, in particular of foodstuffs, including: an inflow area for the free-flowing products to enter, an outflow area for the free-flowing products to exit, and several channels through which to pass the free-flowing products. Each channel has an inlet allocated to the inflow area and an outlet allocated to the outflow area. Each inlet of a channel has a first cross sectional area. Each outlet of a channel has a second cross sectional area. In order to make it easy to adjust the shape and velocity profile of the filling jet, it is proposed that the second cross sectional area of at least one channel be larger than the first cross sectional area of this channel.
US09879397B2

A strand pressure-pipe anchor comprises a compression anchor base element, a tension strand or a plurality of tension strands, and at least one sheath, in which the tension strand or at least one of the tension strands is received. The tension strand or at least one of the tension strands is provided, at the end thereof associated with the compression anchor base element, with a crimp sleeve, which is provided with an external thread, which, in a connected state of the tension strand and the compression anchor base element where the tension strand is connected to the compression anchor base element to pass on the anchoring forces to the surrounding substratum, is in screw engagement with an internal thread of the compression anchor base element.
US09879394B2

An Herodotus machine, or bottom-source, up-stair, hybrid pump and step lock system, includes synchronized reciprocating cross-gate displacers with commonly synchronized gates and floating body movers; specifically including a sequence of ascending adjacent step locks separated by gates with reciprocating gears on axles aligned over respective gates. A chain over each reciprocating gear has a displacer on each end, with one displacer in the upper lock and the other displacer in the lower lock. Rotating first, the downstream displacer descends to raise the lower lock water level, while the upstream displacer rises to lower the upper lock water level, and vice versa on the reverse gear rotation. Displacers are sized such that water levels in alternate pairs of upper lock and lower lock are made the same. The gate is then opened and a watercraft can be transferred from the lower lock to the upper lock or vice versa.
US09879391B2

A method is provided for measuring the milling depth of a road milling machine, the machine being operative to mill a ground surface with a milling roller lowered to a milling depth to create a milling track, the machine including at least one side plate located to at least one side of the milling roller to engage an untreated ground surface, and the machine including a stripping plate operative to be lowered onto the milling track generated by the milling roller. The method includes measuring the milling depth of the milling track, the measuring including detecting a measurement value of a ground engaging sensor engaging the milling track.
US09879389B1

A cement screeding system in the form of a powered roller screed with a wet screed attachment. The wet screed attachment includes a wet screed shoe. A handle is rotationally isolated from the screed roller and is rigidly coupled to this wet screed shoe. As such, motion of this handle is transmitted to the wet screed shoe in a replicating fashion.
US09879387B2

A system for re-surfacing a pavement surface includes a conduit configured to transfer a spreadable material and a material application and dispersal device (MADD) coupled in flow communication with the conduit. The MADD includes at least one material application mechanism (MAM) coupled in flow communication with the conduit. The system also includes a pressurization device coupled in flow communication with the conduit and the MADD. The pressurization device is configured to channel the spreadable material into the at least one MAM and to generate a positive pressure within the at least one MAM to facilitate delivering the spreadable material to the pavement surface.
US09879383B2

A rail fastener (7) comprises an anchoring shaft (9) for fixing the rail fastener (7) in a fastening base, for instance a sleeper (2) which bears the rail (1), and a head (10) which is integrally formed on the anchoring shaft (9) and equipped with means for receiving a torque for the purpose of screwing the anchoring shaft (9) into the fastening base. The rail fastener (7) is distinguished in that—a threaded shaft (11) is integrally formed on the head (10) on the side thereof opposite to the anchoring shaft (9) or a bore equipped with an internal thread is made in the head (10) and/or the anchoring shaft (9) integrally formed thereon from the side thereof opposite to the anchoring shaft (9), —the head (7) has a surface portion as a first abutment surface (24) annularly surrounding the threaded shaft (11) or the threaded bore, —the rail fastener (7) has a clamping element (12) seated on the threaded shaft (11) or engaging in the internal thread of the head (10) and/or of the anchoring shaft (9) and meshing with the respective thread, which clamping element has an outwardly projecting projection for supporting on at least one leg of a rail hold-down spring (22) and a shaft portion (15) integrally formed thereon in the direction of the head (10), which shaft portion has a second abutment surface (26) directed towards the head (10) and corresponding with the first abutment surface (24) and—between the two abutment surfaces (24, 26) there is situated a securing disc or a securing disc arrangement (16) which is supported on the abutment surfaces (24, 26) to prevent the clamping element (12) from loosening.
US09879382B2

A multi-ply bath tissue includes cellulosic microfibers and wood pulp fibers. The bath tissue has sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, decaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutes after immersion of the tissue in water, and a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight. At least one of the plies includes a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions transitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.
US09879370B2

A laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a laundry receiving part provided within the cabinet and configured to receive laundry, a water supply part configured to supply wash water, and a detergent supplier configured to supply detergent. The detergent supplier includes a storage body having a first storage part configured to hold a first detergent and a second storage part configured to hold a second detergent. The first storage part is configured to communicate with the laundry receiving part, and the second detergent is in liquid form. The detergent supplier further includes a passage body having a water supply passage that is configured to supply the first storage part with the wash water from the water supply part, and a liquid detergent supply part that is configured to supply the water supply passage with the second detergent from the second storage part.
US09879369B2

The present invention relates to a screw providing a balance weight to be secured to a household appliance, for example a washing machine, in prestressed manner, having a head providing the screwing operation to be performed by being rotated, mounted with a spring washer on the lower side, and a shank extending under the head having a threaded portion thereon, a cylindrical shoulder disposed on the part of the screw where the shank joins with the head, with a diameter greater than that of the shank.
US09879367B2

In a sewing machine equipped with a needle threading device, a thread holding tool includes: a thread holding surface part that guides and holds a thread; a thread pressing member that presses and sandwiches together with the thread holding surface part the thread; and a thread detachment preventing part that is provided to cross the thread which is sandwiched between the thread pressing member and the thread holding surface part. When passing the thread through the needle hole, a thread detachment preventing part regulates the thread so that the thread, which is sandwiched between the thread holding surface part and the thread pressing member of the thread holding tool, passes in a predetermined direction without deviating from a thread holding state.
US09879357B2

A system for depositing a film on a substrate comprises a lateral control shutter disposed between the substrate and a material source. The lateral control shutter is configured to block some predetermined portion of source material to prevent deposition of source material onto undesirable portion of the substrate. One of the lateral control shutter or the substrate moves with respect to the other to facilitate moving a lateral growth boundary originating from one or more seed crystals. A lateral epitaxial deposition across the substrate ensues, by having an advancing growth front that expands grain size and forms a single crystal film on the surface of the substrate.
US09879345B2

A chemical conversion agent which is capable of providing, for example, an aluminum-based metal material with excellent corrosion resistance and moisture resistance, while also providing the aluminum-based metal material with excellent adhesion with a laminate film, excellent hydrofluoric acid resistance, and excellent alkali resistance. The chemical conversion agent has (1) a mass concentration of zirconium of 5-5,000 ppm by mass; (2) a mass concentration of titanium is 5-5,000 ppm by mass; (3) a mass concentration of vanadium is 10-1,000 ppm by mass; (4) a mass concentration of a metal stabilizer is 5-5,000 ppm by mass; and (5) the pH is 2-6.
US09879339B2

A method of depositing Ni—Cr and Si coatings onto a turbine component comprising supplying a Ni—Cr target and Si target with a dual-gun magnetron sputtering system; introducing inert gas and negatively biasing the magnet assembly; grounding or negatively biasing the turbine component to be coated; rotating the turbine component, wherein the turbine component has a surface; and forming a Ni—Cr and Si coating on the component surface.
US09879338B2

A method of manufacturing an electrically conductive mayenite compound, includes preparing a body to be processed including a mayenite compound; and placing the body to be processed in the presence of carbon monoxide gas and aluminum vapor supplied from an aluminum source without being in contact with the aluminum source and retaining the body to be processed at a temperature range of 1080° C. to 1450° C. under a reducing atmosphere.
US09879330B2

The present invention is a diagnostic kit and materials for: 1) the prediction of the long-term response of a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier to treatment with nucleoside/nucleotide analog, or their combination; 2) the detection of HBV variants that exhibit reduced reactivity to antibody detection; 3) the detection of HBV variants in the precore/core region that negatively affect the course of liver disease; 4) the identification of the HBV genotype.
US09879326B1

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting and/or producing a soybean plant or germplasm having iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance. A soybean plant, part thereof and/or germplasm, including any progeny and/or seeds derived from a soybean plant or germplasm identified, selected and/or produced by any of the methods of the present invention is also provided.
US09879323B2

The invention relates to the typing of MHC-DRB loci in mammals. In particular, the invention provides a typing procedure for the mammalian DRB region that allows an easy, economical, high resolution, fast and accurate haplotyping protocol. The invention further provides the use of said typing procedure in genetic applications, and provides a kit for typing of MHC-DRB loci.
US09879322B2

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides nucleic acid sequences that are genetic polymorphic variations of the human TMEM216 gene, and TMEM216 polypeptide encoded by these variant alleles. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods of determining or predicting a predisposition to, or the presence of, a ciliopathy (or any genetic disorder of a cellular cilia or cilia anchoring structure, basal body or ciliary function) in an individual, such as a Joubert Syndrome (JS), a Joubert Syndrome Related Disorder (JSRD) or a Meckel Syndrome (MKS). In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for the identification of genetic polymorphic variations in the human TMEM216 gene, and methods of using the identified genetic polymorphisms and the proteins they encode, e.g., to screen for compounds that can modulate the human TMEM216 gene product, and possibly treat JS, JSRD or MKS. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cells, cell lines and/or non-human transgenic animals that can be used as screening or model systems for studying ciliopathies and testing various therapeutic approaches in treating ciliopathies, e.g., JS, JSRD or MKS.
US09879321B2

The invention provides DNA compositions that relate to transgenic insect resistant maize plants. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the maize DAS-59122-7 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the maize genome and the DNA sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are provided.
US09879317B2

Disclosed are compositions including primers and probes, which are capable of interacting with the disclosed nucleic acids, such as the nucleic acids encoding the reverse transcriptase, protease, or integrase of HIV as disclosed herein. Thus, provided is an oligonucleotide comprising any one of the nucleotide sequences set for in SEQ ID NOS: 1-89, 96-122, and 124-141. Also provided are the oligonucleotides consisting of the nucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1-89, 96-122, and 124-141. Each of the disclosed oligonucleotides is a probe or a primer. Also provided are mixtures of primers and probes and for use in RT-PCR and primary PCR reactions disclosed herein. Provided are methods for the specific detection of several mutations in HIV simultaneously or sequentially. Mutations in the reverse transcriptase, protease, or integrase of HIV can be detected using the methods described herein.
US09879316B2

The present invention provides a method for the detection of the presence of RNA variants comprising the step of performing a competitive cDNA synthesis comprising a first primer specific to a first RNA variant, a second primer specific to a second RNA variant, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, and RNA from said sample as a template, wherein said first primer and said second primer comprise an allele-specific nucleotide portion, a target-specific sequence and tag units with a common sequence and/or a discriminating sequence so that the sequence of said tag units is not complementary to said first or second RNA variant, wherein each of the cDNA products obtained from said competitive cDNA synthesis consists of the sequence of only one primer extended by the sequence complementary to one of the target RNA variants.
US09879307B2

Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.
US09879304B2

The present invention provides a method of quantifying the activity of a protein modifying enzyme in a sample, comprising: (i) grouping modified peptides from a first sample and modified peptides from a second sample into a single group according to one of the following parameters: (a) modified peptides having a modification site that is modified by the same protein modifying enzyme; or (b) modified peptides having a modification site that is part of the same modification motif; (ii) calculating enrichment of the modified peptides from the first sample compared to the modified peptides from the second sample in the group; and (iii) calculating the statistical significance of said enrichment; wherein a statistically significant enrichment is indicative of a protein modifying enzyme being activated in the first sample compared to the second sample. In some embodiments, the method further comprises identifying modified peptides in a first sample and a second sample using mass spectrometry (MS) prior to step (i).
US09879303B2

Chromogenic substrates for β-D-glucuronidase activity comprising monoglucuronides of some 1,2-dihydroxyaromatic derivatives. When cleaved these form soluble colored conjugates with multivalent metal ions such as iron ions. The substrates may be used in conjunction with chromogenic substrates for other enzymes in microbial detection and identification especially involving liquid media. Microbes can be grown in the presence of the substrates and the compounds providing the metal ion. The substrates are particularly useful for detecting β-D-glucuronidase-positive E. coli. Synthetic methods for making the compounds are described.
US09879301B2

The invention relates to a colorimetric method for detecting bacterial or fungal pathogens by detecting peptidoglycan or (1-3)-β-D-glucan in a sample.
US09879294B2

Provided are methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material, comprising: treating the cellulosic material with an enzyme composition in the presence of a polypeptide having catalase activity; and enzyme composition used for degrading or converting a cellulosic material comprising one or more (e.g., several) enzymes having cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic activity and a polypeptide having catalase activity.
US09879287B2

The process for the dry fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass of at least 50% by weight of lignins, cellulose and hemicelluloses. The biomass is fragmented to obtain an ultrafine powder. The process includes at least one step of separating a fraction enriched with cellulose and a fraction enriched with lignin, hemicelluloses and minerals by electrostatic sorting of the ultrafine particles. Preferably, the fraction separation step includes a step of triboelectrostatic charging of ultrafine particles and at least one step of deviating a path in the electric field of the charged particles to sort the particles.
US09879284B2

A method for obtaining natural extracts, oleoresins, colorants flavors and aromas from aromatic plant substances, alfalfa, flowers with pigments, and vegetables, which includes washing the plant substances and vegetables, rinsing with water, milling and sifting the resulting product yielding a pulp phase and a cellulose phase. The pulp phase is transferred to fermentation tanks and a first centrifugation of the fermented pulp phase is then performed yielding two phases: phase (A) containing water, mineral salts and other water-soluble substances, with natural extracts, oleoresins, colorants, aromas and flavors and phase (B) in the form of a paste in which the moisture has been reduced to 50%, performing a second centrifugation of the mentioned phase (A), which causes the separation of natural extracts, oleoresins, colorants, aromas and flavors from the water and other water-soluble substances.
US09879281B2

Disclosed herein is a novel recombinant virus vector derived from the attenuated vaccinia virus strain KVAC103. The recombinant virus vector is obtained by inserting an exogenous gene into the KVAC103 and may be used as a safe vaccine delivery vehicle in mammals. Particularly, recombinant viruses obtained by rescuing some of the genes deleted from the parent virus have an enhanced ability to proliferate in cells being cultured, and thus are easily produced. In addition, the recombinant viruses express an increased level of an exogenous antigen, and thus has enhanced immunogenic efficacy. Such recombinant virus vectors may be used in vaccines for preventing diseases, therapeutic vaccines, and molecular biological studies.
US09879277B2

Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are isolated insecticidal proteins and nucleic acids. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The insecticidal proteins find use in controlling or killing lepidopteran, coleopteran, dipteran, fungal, hemipteran, and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
US09879264B2

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Membrane Bound Transcription Factor Peptidase, site 1 (MBTPS1), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Membrane Bound Transcription Factor Peptidase, site 1 (MBTPS1). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of MBTPS1.
US09879258B2

The present invention relates to modulators, in particular inhibitors, of TSC22D4 activity or expression and their uses for the prevention, treatment, and/or regulation of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes and/or for improving insulin sensitivity in mammal. The present invention further relates to screening methods in order to identify these modulators, the use of modulators as identified in the diagnosis of these diseases, as well as kits, comprising materials for performing the methods according to the present invention.
US09879254B2

Disclosed herein is an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a first nucleic acid sequence 5′-ACCCTGCCGCCTGGACTCCGCCTGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 22), or a functional variant thereof, operably linked to a second, heterologous nucleic acid sequence. The isolated nucleic acid molecule can be DNA (in an expression vector) and RNA (mRNA, shRNA, orncRNA). Also disclosed is a microvesicle comprising the nucleic acid molecule and a microvesicle preparation comprising the microvesicle. Also disclosed is an in vitro method of producing a microvesicle preparation enriched for a specific RNA sequence by transfecting cells with the nucleic acid sequence, and isolating microvesicles generated therefrom. Methods of delivering therapeutic RNA to a subject are also disclosed.
US09879251B2

Methods are provided for microbial electrosynthesis of H2 and organic compounds such as methane and acetate. Method of producing mature electrosynthetic microbial populations by continuous culture is also provided. Microbial populations produced in accordance with the embodiments as shown to efficiently synthesize H2, methane and acetate in the presence of CO2 and a voltage potential. The production of biodegradable and renewable plastics from electricity and carbon dioxide is also disclosed.
US09879246B2

The present invention provides a fibrinolytic composition useful as a therapeutic for administration to a patient having a thrombotic occlusion. In one aspect of the present invention, the fibrinolytic composition comprises a reversibly inactivated acidified serine protease substantially free of a plasminogen activator, a low buffering capacity buffer, and optionally, a stabilizing agent. In another aspect of the invention, the fibrinolytic composition of the present invention comprises a reversibly inactivated acidified plasmin substantially free of a plasminogen activator, a low buffering capacity buffer, and optionally, a stabilizing agent.
US09879244B2

The present invention relates to xylanase variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.
US09879237B2

Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3′-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
US09879230B2

Novel nucleic acids include non-integrative chimeric retroviral genomes including the 5′ and 3′ long terminal repeat sequences (LTRs) of the caprine lentivirus: the Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) or of another retrovirus not integrating human cells and at least one viral gene of another retrovirus. A vector including such a nucleic acid, an immunogenic or vaccinal composition including the vector or the nucleic acid, as well as their use for treating and/or preventing an infection by a retrovirus or a disease induced by a pathogenic agent are also described.
US09879226B2

Disclosed is a basic culture medium for mesenchymal stem cells, and a cell therapeutic agent cultured and differentiated using same. The basic culture medium reduces the time taken from collection to mass culturing by increasing the proliferation rate of undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells derived from an adult tissue such as human marrow and adipose tissue, and also is capable of various differentiations into treating agents for bone-forming cells, for cartilage cells, or for fat cells.
US09879218B2

The invention relates to methods of producing a diatom biomass. More particularly, the invention relates to methods to produce a diatom biomass using a continuous culture to produce a volumetric production rate of biomass of at least 20 g dry weight/L/day, wherein the culture medium is designed to provide the essential nutrients to maintain the diatom in log phase growth. In a preferred embodiment the biomass comprises highly unsaturated fatty acid.
US09879213B1

A system reduces and/or prevents the risk of spontaneous ignition and/or explosion of an explosive atmosphere which uses a bag, sealable couplings, automated valves, an explosive gas detector operably disposed inside the bag and in communication with a processor which when the explosive gas detector detects gas levels of an explosive type gas and of a second predetermined molecular weight different than the first predetermined molecular weight and at level to present a risk, the processor causes actuation of the automatically controlled valve to open and release the inert gas into the bag which in turn drives the explosive gas out through one way check valve by means of the different molecular weights.
US09879202B2

A trunk piston marine engine lubricant comprises in respective minor amounts (A) an overbased metal hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate detergent system, and (B) a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinic acid anhydride, preferably made by halogen- or radical-assisted fractionalization processes, where the ratio of succinic anhydride to hydrocarbyl chains is in the range of 1.4 to 4. The lubricant, when used to lubricate such an engine fuelled by heavy fuel oil, exhibits improved control of asphaltene precipitation and deposition on engine surfaces.
US09879187B2

A catalyst for treating heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks. The catalyst comprises a calcined particle comprising a co-mulled mixture made by co-mulling inorganic oxide powder, molybdenum trioxide powder, and a nickel compound or cobalt compound, or both compounds, and then forming the co-mulled mixture into a particle that is calcined to provide the calcined particle. The calcination is conducted at a temperature such that at least 20% of the pore volume of the calcined particle is in pores of greater than 5,000 Å and less than 70% of the pore volume of the calcined particle is in the pores having a pore size in the range of from 70 to 250 Å.
US09879183B2

To show a liquid crystal compound satisfying at least one of physical properties such as high chemical stability, a high clearing point, a low minimum temperature of a liquid crystal phase, low viscosity, large optical anisotropy, large dielectric anisotropy, a suitable elastic constant and excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, a liquid crystal composition containing the compound and a liquid crystal display device including the composition.A compound is represented by formula (1).
US09879181B2

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to the invention is used for a liquid crystal display element for an active matrix drive for TV applications or the like for which a high speed and a wide viewing angle are required. The liquid crystal composition has a negative dielectric anisotropy having a large absolute value and also has a sufficiently low viscosity. Therefore, the liquid crystal composition has excellent characteristic properties, that is, a high speed response, good display quality and a suppressed display defect, and is therefore suitable as a practical liquid crystal composition. Further, a liquid crystal display element produced using the liquid crystal composition can be used favorably as a liquid crystal display element of a VA type or the like.
US09879179B2

A method for producing a fluorescent material can be provided. The method includes preparing fluorescent material particles that contain a fluoride having a composition including Mn, at least one selected from the group consisting of alkali metal elements and NH4+, and at least one selected from the group consisting of Group 4 elements and Group 14 elements; causing at least one cation selected from rare-earth elements and a phosphate ion to come into contact with each other in a liquid medium containing the fluorescent material particles to obtain rare-earth phosphate-adhered fluorescent material particles including the fluorescent material particles to which the rare-earth phosphate is adhered; and separating the rare-earth phosphate-adhered fluorescent material particles from the liquid medium.
US09879178B2

The present invention provides a method for fabricating a fluoride phosphor. A first solution is formed by dissolving potassium fluoride (KF) and either K2MnF6 or KMnO4 in a hydrofluoric acid solution. A second solution is formed by mixing a surfactant and a silane. The first solution and the second solution are mixed to form a precipitate. The precipitate is collected after the first solution and the second solution are mixed. The present invention also provides a fluoride phosphor represented by the following formula: K2[SiF6]:Mn4+. The fluoride phosphor has a particle size in a range of about 1 μm to about 10 μm. The present invention further provides a light-emitting apparatus and backlight module employing the same.
US09879176B2

An organic electroluminescent element comprising: an anode; a cathode; and a light emitting unit arranged between the anode and the cathode and having three or more light emitting layers each containing a polymer compound, wherein the light emitting layers constituting the light emitting unit emit lights differing from each other in peak wavelength, and a light emitting layer that emits a light with a longer peak wavelength is located closer to the anode.
US09879174B2

A fluid slug consolidation is maintained in a fluid system for use in downhole applications. The fluid system has an interfacing fluid of a different character adjacent to the fluid slug. The method is carried out by admixing a particulate material with at least one of the fluid slug and adjacent interfacing fluid in an amount wherein discrete interfacing fluid margins are formed between the slug and the adjacent interfacing fluid under laminar flow conditions. The fluid system is introduced into a well bore of a well formed in a subterranean formation. In certain applications at least a portion of the particulate material is provided with adhesive properties to facilitate aggregation of the particulate material within the at least one of the fluid slug and adjacent interfacing fluid.
US09879173B2

A well treatment composite comprising a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent may be prepared by precipitating the well treatment agent, in the presence of a metal salt, from a liquid while the well treatment agent is being adsorbed onto the water-insoluble adsorbent. After a treatment fluid containing the composite is introduced into a well or a subterranean formation, the well treatment agent is slowly released from the composite. The composite permits a continuous supply of the well treatment agent into a targeted area and is particularly effective in high pH treatment fluids.
US09879170B2

A well treatment composition for use in a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir comprising a reversible aminal gel composition. The reversible aminal gel composition includes a liquid precursor composition. The liquid precursor composition is operable to remain in a liquid state at about room temperature. The liquid precursor composition comprises an organic amine composition; an aldehyde composition; a polar aprotic organic solvent; and a metal salt composition with valence 3, 4, or 5. The liquid precursor composition transitions from the liquid state to a gel state responsive to an increase in temperature in the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir. The gel state is stable in the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir at a temperature similar to a temperature of the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir, and the gel state is operable to return to the liquid state responsive to a change in the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir selected from the group consisting of: a decrease in pH in the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir and an addition of excess metal salt composition in the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir.
US09879168B2

There is provided a method for producing hexagonal boron nitride, including a heating step of heating a mixture containing boron carbide and an alkaline earth metal compound under an ammonia atmosphere at 1300-1500° C. to obtain a product containing hexagonal boron nitride, wherein a molar ratio of the boron carbide to the alkaline earth metal compound in the mixture is 0.5-2.0.
US09879167B2

A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.
US09879161B2

An adhesive composition includes an alkyl (meth)acrylate ester, wherein the alkyl group has 4 to 18 carbon atoms, a hydrophilic copolymerizable monomer and a free-radical generating initiator. The adhesive composition has a tan delta value of between about 0.5 and about 1.0 at a temperature of between about 25 C and about 100 C.
US09879158B2

An object of the invention is to provide a primer composition for application between the base film and the adhesive layer of an adhesive tape that can improve the adhesion between the base film and the adhesive layer of the adhesive tape and an adhesive tape prepared by using the primer composition. A primer composition, comprising 100 parts by mass (as solid matter) of a graft polymer of a natural rubber graft-polymerized with 15 to 65 mass % of methyl methacrylate and 25 to 300 parts by mass of a carboxyl group-modified acrylonitrile butadiene rubber.
US09879156B2

Provided is a polishing composition which can polish a sapphire substrate having a non-polar plane or a semi-polar plane at a high polishing rate.The invention is a polishing composition used in an application to polish a sapphire substrate having a non-polar plane or a semi-polar plane, the polishing composition containing colloidal silica particles and water, in which a value obtained by dividing a specific surface area (unit: m2/g) of the colloidal silica particles by a number average particle diameter (unit: nm) of the colloidal silica particles, that is, (specific surface area/number average particle diameter) is 0.5 or more and 3.0 or less.
US09879153B2

The present invention relates to a novel anti-icing composite for preventing ice adhesion. A microphase separated, fluorinated nano/micro particles in aliphatic/fluorinated polyurethane/polyurea matrix coated on an elastic substratum results in anti-icing composite. The preparation method for novel anti-icing composite is disclosed.
US09879150B2

A description is given of a nonaqueous sound deadener composition comprising (a) a nonpulverulent polyacrylate binder having a K value in the range from 10 to 35, measured as a 1% strength solution in tetrahydrofuran; (b) inorganic fillers; and a radically polymerizable compound which has at least one radically polymerizable C—C double bond and possesses a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of greater than 160° C. Also described is a method for damping oscillations or vibrations of components of vehicles and machines, using the sound deadener composition of the invention.
US09879149B2

Firstly, the invention concerns an organic resin that comprises structural units in its overall composition obtained from: a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying a cyclic carbonate group, b) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying at least one carboxylic acid group, c) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer with a hydrophobic nature having a hydrophobic value, estimated by the logarithm of the partition coefficient between octanol and water, of at least 3, d) optionally, at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer that is different from said monomers a), b) or c) and does not carry any group that is susceptible of reacting with a carbonate group or carboxylic acid group, but also no group that is susceptible of reacting with a functional group of another monomeric component of said resin, all cross-linking reactions in the preparation of said resin being excluded, overall, said resin having: an acid value of at least 10 mg KOH/g with respect to the dry resin, and a cyclic carbonate group content of 0.5 to 3.5 mmol/g with respect to the dry resin. The invention also concerns an aqueous dispersion of said resin and a preparation process as a cross-linkable aqueous composition comprising said resin or dispersion and a polyamine. The resin is used for the preparation of cross-linked polyurethanes without the use of polyisocyanate, in particular in high performance aqueous coatings.
US09879146B2

A pigment dispersion for ink jetting, including: a pigment (A) represented by the following Formula (A); a pigment (B) represented by the following Formula (B); and water, wherein a content mass ratio of the pigment (A) to the pigment (B) is higher than 1.0. In Formula (A), each of two R1s represents a cyano group and each of two R2s represents a hydrogen atom, or each of two R1s represents a hydrogen atom and each of two R2s represents a tertiary butyl group. In Formula (B), each of two R3s represents a hydrogen atom and each of two R4s represents a chlorine atom, each of two R3s represents a hydrogen atom and each of two R4s represents a hydrogen atom, or each of two R3s represents a hydrogen atom and each of two R4s represents a phenyl group.
US09879142B2

The disclosure provides a poly(urea-formaldehyde) microcapsule, which comprises encapsulated in the poly(urea-formaldehyde) microcapsule an organofluorine silane of the general formula (I) A3C(CA2)mSiR1yX(3-y) (I), wherein in formula (I) A is either fluorine (F) or hydrogen (H), wherein at least 50% of atoms A are fluorine, X is chloro or a group RO, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R1 is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, n=0 or 2, y=0 or 1 or 2 and m=0 to 20, encapsulated within the microcapsule. The disclosure also provides self-healing coating compositions comprising such polymeric microcapsules and methods of preventing or slowing corrosion using such coating compositions.
US09879138B2

The present invention provides thermosetting aqueous binder compositions of one or more diprimary diamine, e.g. lysine, or poly(primary amine), e.g. polyethylenimine, and one or more reducing sugar in which the number of equivalents of primary amine relative to the number of equivalents of carbonyl groups in the reducing sugar ranges from 0.4:1 to 2:1, the binders being suitable for use on fiber, nonwoven, woven web and finely divided substrates. The binders are at least substantially formaldehyde free, need no polycarboxylic or polycarboxylate component, and yet provide excellent hot wet tensile strength when cured for as little time as a minute or less in use.
US09879137B2

Poly(hexamethylene adipamide), (also referred to as Nylon 6,6) compounds that are flame retardant using non-halogenated ingredients are disclosed. Polyphenylene ether or bismaleimides act as synergists when used in specific amounts in combination with polyphosphonate to achieve a V-1 or V-0 rating in a UL 94 test at thicknesses of about 3.18 mm.
US09879132B2

The invention relates to compositions comprising OH-functional polybutadiene and solvent and to the use thereof as release agents in the production of polyurethane moulded articles or as antisquawk agents in the processing of moulded polyurethane articles.
US09879131B2

There are provided rubber compositions comprising an elastomer comprising a rubber chosen from natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber and mixtures thereof; reinforcing fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, glass fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures thereof, and/or nanometric filamentary structures chosen from nanowires, nanorods, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanotubes and mixtures thereof, said nanometric filamentary structures being functionalized or unfunctionalized; and a filler chosen from carbon black and silica. These compositions can be cured or uncured and can be effective for preparing various articles such as tracks, pneumatics, strips, sheets, bands, belts, hoses, linings, gaskets, guides, drive lugs, guide lugs, transmission belts etc.
US09879128B2

A composition of matter includes a particle, a resin bonding functionality bonded to a first portion of the particle, and a lubricating functionality bonded to a second portion of the particle.
US09879115B2

The present invention concerns a catalyst formulation comprising: (a) a Zn catalyst comprising a Zn compound having alcoholate ligand(s) derived from one or more polyols, and (b) a catalyst additive comprising a metal compound (i) having alcoholate ligand(s) derived from one or monohydric alcohol wherein the metal is selected from: (I) first row transition metals excluding Zn, preferably Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Co, more preferably Ti, (II) second row transition metals, preferably Y and Zr, more preferably Zr, and (III) combinations of at least two metals selected from (I) and (II). The present invention also relates to a process for polymerizing an epoxide monomer, preferably ethylene oxide, comprising carrying out the process in the presence of the catalyst formulation.
US09879109B2

Provided are rubber compositions for tires capable of providing tire components and pneumatic tires that have the same level of fuel efficiency and wet grip performance (particularly, wet grip performance) as those of tire components and pneumatic tires containing conventional synthetic rubber, while satisfying the requirements for a sound material-cycle society. The present invention relates to rubber compositions for tires containing a biomass-derived rubber polymerized from an aromatic vinyl compound and a diene, the biomass-derived rubber having a pMC (percent modern carbon) measured in accordance with ASTM D 6866-10 of 1% or higher.
US09879107B2

A fluorinated copolymer excellent in adhesion and elongation deformation processability. This fluorinated copolymer has carbonyl groups, its melting point is from 120 to 230° C., the ratio (X/W) of the melt tension X (N) to the load W (N) at the time of measuring the melt tension X, is from 0.5×10−4 to 2.0×10−4, it contains units derived from the following monomers (a), (b), and (c), the molar ratio of the units derived from the monomer (a) to the units derived from the monomer (b) is from 30/70 to 70/30, and the total content of the units derived from the monomer (a) and the units derived from the monomer (b) is from 80 to 99.995 mol % based on the total of all units (a), (b) and (c): Monomer (a): tetrafluoroethylene; Monomer (b): ethylene; Monomer (c): a monomer having two or more polymerizable carbon-carbon double bonds.
US09879104B2

This invention relates to a process to using an aminopyridinate scandium or yttrium metal (typically scandium) catalyst compound to produce ethylene conjugated diene copolymers, preferably ethylene isoprene copolymers having: 1) from 75 to 90 mol % ethylene; 2) from 10 to 25 mol % isoprene; 3) a Tg of 0° C. or less; 4) 1,4 isomer present at 60 wt % or less; 5) 3,4 and 1,2 present at 40% or more; 6) Mn of 250,000 g/mol or less; and 7) optionally, a Tm of 100° C. or less.
US09879101B2

A polymer having a long chain branching content peaking at greater than about 20 long chain branches per million carbon atoms, and a polydispersity index of greater than about 10 wherein the long chain branching decreases to approximately zero at the higher molecular weight portion of the molecular weight distribution. A polymer having a long chain branching content peaking at greater than about 8 long chain branches per million carbon atoms, a polydispersity index of greater than about 20 wherein the long chain branching decreases to approximately zero at the higher molecular weight portion of the molecular weight distribution. A polymer having a long chain branching content peaking at greater than about 1 long chain branches per chain, and a polydispersity index of greater than about 10 wherein the long chain branching decreases to approximately zero at the higher molecular weight portion of the molecular weight distribution.
US09879097B2

When manufacturing a sugar chain compound having an activating group, there was a problem with the ammonium carbonate method that is the conventional technology that during the process of introducing an amino group at the reducing terminal of the sugar chain, the unit sugar located at the reducing terminal of the sugar chain is subjected to ring-opening, thus causing a mixture of α and β anomers to be produced. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a sugar chain compound having an activating group with high β selectivity using a compound having a sugar chain asparagine structure as the source material by cleaving the sugar chain from the sugar chain peptide so that the reducing terminal of the sugar chain and the nitrogen atom derived from the asparagine side chain will remain in a bound state, and introducing an activating group to said nitrogen atom while retaining not only the covalent bond between the reducing terminal of said sugar chain and said nitrogen atom but also the β configuration. A novel sugar chain compound which is a β anomer and has an activating group is also provided as a compound of the present invention.
US09879093B2

Antibodies (e.g., sdAbs) binding to PCSK9 are described. Nucleic acids encoding such Abs, host cells expressing such Abs and pharmaceutical composition comprising same are described. The use of these PCSK9-binding Abs for lowering low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, is also described.
US09879092B2

Anti-RhoB antibodies, compositions comprising the same, and methods for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases using the anti-RhoB antibodies are disclosed.
US09879071B2

The application identifies novel fragments of alpha-synuclein in patients with Lewy Body Disease (LBD) and transgenic animal models thereof. These diseases are characterized by aggregations of alpha-synuclein. The fragments have a truncated C-terminus relative to full-length alpha-synuclein. Some fragments are characterized by a molecular weight of about 12 kDa as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis in tricine buffer and a truncation of at least ten contiguous amino acids from the C-terminus of natural alpha-synuclein. The site of cleavage preferably occurs after residue 117 and before residue 126 of natural alpha-synuclein. The identification of these novel fragments of alpha-synuclein has a number of application in for example, drug discovery, diagnostics, therapeutics, and transgenic animals.
US09879069B2

There is disclosed compositions and methods relating to or derived from anti-OprF and anti-OprI antibodies. More specifically, there is disclosed fully human antibodies that bind OprF and OprI, OprF and OprI-antibody binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and OprF and OprI-binding polypeptides comprising such fragments. Further still, there is disclosed nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, cells comprising such polynucleotides, methods of making such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, and methods of using such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, including methods of treating or diagnosing subjects having Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. There is disclosed a method for treating or preventing Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of burns, surgical site infections, diabetic foot ulcers, infected wounds, and cystic fibrosis.
US09879067B2

The present invention provides liquid formulations of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof that immunospecifically bind to a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen, which formulation exhibit stability, low to undetectable levels of aggregation, and very little to no loss of the biological activities of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, even during long periods of storage. In particular, the present invention provides liquid formulations of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof which immunospecifically binds to a RSV antigen, which formulation are substantially free of surfactant, inorganic salts, and/or other common excipients. Furthermore, the invention provides method of preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with RSV infection utilizing liquid formulations of the present invention.
US09879063B2

Compounds are provided having inter alia good duration of action, high potency and/or convenient dosing regimens including once weekly administration. The compounds are engineered polypeptides which incorporate an albumin binding domain in combination with one or more biologically active polypeptides. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment for diseases and disorders including lipodystrophy, dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, overweight, obesity, hypothalamic amenorrhea, Alzheimer's disease, leptin deficiency, fatty liver disease or diabetes (including type I and type II). Additional diseases and disorders which can be treated by the compounds and methods described herein include nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic syndrome X and Huntington's Disease.
US09879050B2

In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted urea depsipeptide analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as activators the ClpP endopeptidease; synthesis methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating infectious disease using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US09879047B2

The template-fixed β-hairpin peptidomimetics Cyclo(-Tyr-His-Cys-Ser-Ala-DPro-Dab-Arg-Tyr-Cys-Tyr-Gln-Lys-D-Pro-Pro), disulfide bond between Cys4 and Gysl1, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, with X being Ala or Tyr, have CXCR4 antagonizing properties and can be used for where cancer is mediated or resulting from CXCR4 receptor activity.
US09879043B1

The present disclosure relates to the synthesis of non-natural analogs of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) and/or of Se-adenosyl-L-methionine (SeAM) by reacting a methionine analog and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the presence of at least one methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT), and to use thereof with downstream SAM and/or SeAM utilizing enzymes. The non-natural analogs of SAM and/or SeAM have the general formula: where X is S or Se, and R1 is an alkyl group.
US09879042B2

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) compositions and methods for iNKT-independent induction of chemokines are disclosed.
US09879041B2

The invention relates to dendritic compounds, the use of these compounds as pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, processes for preparing the compounds, and methods of treating diseases or conditions in which it is desirable to inhibit β-secretase.
US09879038B2

Disclosed is a novel tenofovir disoproxil edisylate salt having the structure of Chemical Formula 1.
US09879037B2

[Problem] To provide a fluorine-containing phosphate ester-amide which has high flame retardancy such as exhibiting flame retardant effects at a small quantity of addition, and sufficient hydrolysis resistance.[Solution] A fluorine-containing phosphate ester-amide represented by general formula (1). (In the formula, R1 and R2 are the same or different and represent a branched or linear alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in which at least one carbon bonded to a nitrogen atom is a secondary or tertiary carbon, wherein R1 and R2 may have a substituent group selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a methyl amino group, an ethyl amino group, a dimethyl amino group, diethyl amino group and a fluorine atom. In addition, R1 and R2 may be bonded together to form a five- to eight-membered cyclic structure. X and Y are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, and n and m represent an integer of 1 to 6.)
US09879036B2

The present invention provides compounds that bind to mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2), methods of using said compounds to treat patients with Fanconi Anemia, and methods of preparing said compounds.
US09879035B2

A composition for fabricating an organic film, an organic light-emitting display apparatus manufactured using the same, and a method of manufacturing the organic light-emitting display apparatus, the composition comprising a first compound that includes n substituents Y, and m polymerizable groups P1, wherein n is selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4; m is selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4; OP1 of the first compound is equal to or greater than 2.8 and equal to or less than 4.8; OP1 being (total number of atoms of the first compound)/{(number of carbon atoms of the first compound)−(number of oxygen atoms of the first compound)}; and RP1 of the first compound is equal to or greater than 0.01 and equal to or less than 0.46; RP1 being {(number of carbon atoms of the substituent Y)X n}/(number of carbon atoms of the first compound).
US09879034B2

To provide a near-infrared absorption composition which contains a squarylium compound having excellent solvent solubility, a cured film which uses the near-infrared absorption composition, a near-infrared cut filter, a solid-state imaging device, an infrared sensor, and a compound. A near-infrared absorption composition includes a compound represented by the following Formula (1) and a resin. R1 and R2 each independently represent “—S1-L1-T1” or the like, R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, X1 and X2 each independently represent an oxygen atom or —N(R5)—, R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, Y1 to Y4 each independently represent a substituent, p and s each independently represent an integer of 0 to 3, and q and r each independently represent an integer of 0 to 2; and S1 represents an arylene group or the like, L1 represents an alkylene group or the like, and T1 represents an alkyl group or the like.
US09879030B2

Chemical compounds are provided which act on GPR17 receptors and are useful in the treatment or amelioration of chronic and/or acute neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory diseases, pathologies involving the immune system, cardiovascular diseases, and renal diseases.
US09879024B2

The present invention provides a new forms of (R)-N-methylnaltrexone, and compositions thereof, useful as a peripheral mu opioid receptor antagonist.
US09879010B2

The present invention provides pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-4-yl amines pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyrimidin-4-yl amines that modulate the activity of Janus kinases and are useful in the treatment of diseases related to activity of Janus kinases including, for example, immune-related diseases and cancer.
US09879007B2

Provided herein are compounds of Formula (I): and forms thereof, including compositions thereof and uses therewith for treating spinal muscular atrophy.
US09878999B2

Focused library synthesis and medicinal chemistry on an oxadiazole-isopropylamide core proteasome inhibitor provided the lead compound that strongly inhibits CT-L activity. Structure activity relationship studies indicate the amide moiety and two phenyl rings are sensitive toward synthetic modifications. Only para-substitution in the A-ring was important to maintain potent CT-L inhibitory activity. Hydrophobic residues in the A-ring's para-position and meta-pyridyl group at the B-ring significantly improved inhibition. The meta-pyridyl moiety improved cell permeability. The length of the aliphatic chain at the para position of the A-ring is critical with propyl yielding the most potent inhibitor, whereas shorter (i.e. ethyl, methyl or hydrogen) or longer (i.e. butyl, propyl and hexyl) chains demonstrating progressively less potency. Introduction of a stereogenic center next to the ether moiety (i.e. substitution of one of the hydrogens by methyl) demonstrated chiral discrimination in proteasome CT-L activity inhibition (the S-enantiomer was 35-40 fold more potent than the R-enantiomer).
US09878995B2

The present disclosure relates generally to modulators of Cot (cancer Osaka thyroid) and methods of use and manufacture thereof.
US09878994B2

Indazole compounds of formula (I) as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) and cell-proliferation inhibitors, and therapeutic uses and methods of preparation thereof, are disclosed. These compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, prodrugs, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, are useful for treating diseases and disorders associated with activity of cyclin-dependent kinases, in particular CDK4/6, including but not limited to various cancers and inflammation-related diseases or conditions.
US09878990B2

The invention relates to benzylhydroxyde derivatives of formula (I): The invention also relates to the preparation and the therapeutic use of the compounds of formula (I).
US09878987B2

The present invention provides compounds I and II and compositions thereof for use in the modulation of Hsp70. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for inhibiting Hsp70 activity. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from or susceptible to a disease, disorder, or condition responsive to Hsp70 inhibition comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a provided compound. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing cancer in a subject suffering therefrom, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a provided compound.
US09878986B2

Provided are urea derivatives of Formula I: with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory activity, optical isomers thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. The provided urea derivatives of Formula I are selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and are effective for the treatment of histone deacetylase-mediated diseases such as malignant tumors, inflammatory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegeneration.
US09878968B2

A process is described for separating paraxylene from a multicomponent fluid mixture of C8 aromatics. A mixture of C8 aromatics is fed to a simulated moving bed adsorptive apparatus having at least two sieve chambers and at least two rotary valves. Each sieve chamber may be operated individually using the PowerFeed process. The flow rates of the streams to or from the individual sieve chambers may be varied during the step time in an inverse manner such that a substantially constant flow to and from the apparatus is achieved. Alternatively, the flow rates to each sieve chamber may vary during the step time according to the same profile, but the rotary valves may be off-set and step independently in a staggered manner to achieve a substantially constant flow of a stream to or from the apparatus.
US09878960B2

A homogeneous fertilizer granule comprises slow-release (e.g. struvite) and fast release sources of phosphorus (P). The homogeneous fertilizer granule may further contain other essential nutrients and micronutrients required by plants. A number of methods may be used to make such granules. One method includes introducing a struvite slurry or fines and a liquid supply of water soluble P into a granulator. Alternatively, dry raw materials can be mixed with water/steam and/or another binder prior to being fed into a granulator. In another embodiment, pre-mixed dry raw materials are mechanically compacted and crushed to yield homogeneous fertilizer particles.
US09878959B2

The present invention is directed to a process for coating a substrate in a rotating drum, wherein a pocket is created in a substrate bed into which pocket coating materials are delivered. Also provided is a controlled release product produced according to this process, and an apparatus for carrying out the process.
US09878956B2

Nano polycrystalline diamond is composed of carbon, an element of different type which is an element other than carbon and is added to be dispersed in carbon at an atomic level, and an inevitable impurity. The polycrystalline diamond has a crystal grain size not greater than 500 nm. The polycrystalline diamond can be fabricated by subjecting graphite in which the element of different type which is an element other than carbon has been added to be dispersed in carbon at an atomic level to heat treatment within high-pressure press equipment.
US09878950B1

A liquid accelerator composition for accelerating the setting reaction of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and water and methods of forming a liquid gypsum accelerator are provided. The liquid accelerator composition includes a liquid media in which calcium sulfate dihydrate is less than fully soluble and a ground product of a mill grinding of a mixture comprising calcium sulfate dihydrate.
US09878943B2

The present disclosure is directed to a method of making an optical fiber with improved bend performance, the optical fiber having a core and at least one cladding layer, and a chlorine content in the in the last layer of the at least one cladding layer that is greater than 500 ppm by weight. The fiber is prepared using a mixture of a carrier gas, a gaseous chlorine source material and a gaseous reducing agent during the sintering of the last or outermost layer of the at least one cladding layer. The inclusion of the reducing gas into a mixture of the carrier gas and gaseous chlorine material reduces oxygen-rich defects that results in at least a 20% reduction in TTP during hydrogen aging testing.
US09878942B2

Provided is a glass composition for glass fiber allowing spinning to be stably performed without mixing of red foreign substances into glass fibers. The glass composition for glass fiber includes, in relation to the total amount thereof, SiO2 in a content falling within a range from 57.0 to 60.0% by mass, Al2O3 in a content falling within a range from 17.5 to 20.0% by mass, MgO in a content falling within a range from 8.5 to 12.0% by mass, CaO in a content falling within a range from 10.0 to 13.0% by mass and B2O3 in a content falling within a range from 0.5 to 1.5% by mass, the total content of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO and CaO being 98.0% by mass or more.
US09878941B2

A glass composition including SiO2 in an amount from about 70.0 to about 78.2% by weight, Al2O3 in an amount from about 18.6 to about 26.2% by weight, MgO in an amount from about 3.1 to about 10.7% by weight, CaO in an amount from 0.0 to about 7.6% by weight, Li2O in an amount from about 0.1 to about 5.0% by weight, and Na2O in an amount from 0.0 to about 0.2% by weight is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the glass composition is free or substantially free of B2O3 and fluorine. The glass fibers have a specific strength between about 1.6×106 J/kg and 2.24×106 J/kg and a specific modulus between about 3.3×107 J/kg and 3.7×107 J/kg. Glass fibers formed from the inventive composition possess exceptionally high specific strength and a low density, which make them particularly suitable in applications that require high strength, high stiffness, and low weight, such as in wind blades and aerospace structures.
US09878935B2

A manufacturing method of an optical fiber includes drawing an optical fiber preform and forming a bare optical fiber, coating an outer circumference of the bare optical fiber with a coating layer including a resin, curing the coating layer and forming an optical fiber by curing the coating layer, and changing a direction of the bare optical fiber using one or a plurality of direction changing devices at any position between a position where the bare optical fiber is formed and a position where the coating is performed. The direction changing device includes a guide groove which guides the bare optical fiber, and an internal space portion into which a fluid is introduced from an outside, and in the guide groove, an outlet through which the fluid in the internal space portion is blown to float the bare optical fiber in the guide groove is formed.
US09878929B2

A process for producing a polyaluminum chlorosulfate (PACS) includes providing solid aluminum hydroxychloride, providing aluminum sulfate, mixing the solid aluminum hydroxychloride with the aluminum sulfate, in the presence of water, to form an aqueous milky suspension, wherein, on a dry weight basis, the ratio of the aluminum hydroxychloride to the aluminum sulfate is 0.75-20 parts aluminum hydroxychloride to 1 part aluminum sulfate, and maintaining the milky suspension for a period sufficient to allow the milky suspension to form a clear to slightly turbid solution including the PACS, the PACS having a basicity of 55 to 75%, the average molecular weight of the PACS is greater than or equal to 95 and less than or equal to 111, and salts present in the PACS comprise 0-1.0% sodium chloride by weight and 0-1.0% sodium sulfate by weight.
US09878927B2

Apparatus for purifying a fluid, which comprises at least one ion absorption cell (2) with an operating chamber (4, 5) at its interior through which a first operative fluid (F1) flows and an evacuation chamber (13, 13′) through which a second operative fluid (F2, F2′) flows and which is separated from the operating chamber (4,5) by a filtering membrane (100). A porous electrical conductor (18) is housed in the evacuation chamber (13, 13′) and is traversed by the second operative fluid (F2, F2′). Two electrodes (A, B) have the aforesaid operating chamber (4, 5) and evacuation chamber (13, 13′) interposed, and are supplied with opposite polarities in order to generate an operative electric field in the operating chamber (4, 5) and a limited electric field in the evacuation chamber (13, 13′), the latter with value lower than the operative electric field, due to the shielding effect of the porous electrical conductor (18). The charged particles contained in the operating chamber (4, 5) are susceptible of traversing the filtering membrane (100) under the action of the operative electric field generated by the electrodes (A, B), and be evacuated by the second operative fluid (F2, F2′) in the evacuation chamber (13, 13′), in which they are subjected to the action of the limited electric field.
US09878923B1

A cross-linked terpolymer (BSDF) obtained by polycondensation of bisphenol-S, formaldehyde and 1,6-diammohexane. The terpolymer is highly efficient in eliminating lead ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption of lead ions on BSDF was studied under different conditions such as: pH, contact time and temperature. The adsorption kinetics fits Lagergren second order kinetic model that are in agreement with the low surface area as a chemisorption process. Applying BSDF on non-spiked and spiked real wastewater samples under optimum conditions revealed the high efficiency of BSDF in removing toxic metal ions.
US09878915B2

A silicon member for a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The silicon member has an equivalent performance to one fabricated from a single-crystalline silicon even though it is fabricated from a unidirectionally solidified silicon. In addition, it can be applied for producing a relatively large-sized part. The silicon member is fabricated by sawing a columnar crystal silicon ingot obtained by growing a single-crystal from each of seed crystals by placing the seed crystals that are made of a single-crystalline silicon plate on a bottom part of a crucible and unidirectionally solidifying a molten silicon in the crucible.
US09878904B1

A MEMS device with electronics integration places integrated circuit components on a topping wafer of a sensing die to conserve space, minimize errors and reduce cost of the device as a whole. The topping wafer is bonded to a sensing wafer and secured in a housing.
US09878903B2

Methods of forming micro-electromechanical device include a semiconductor substrate, in which a first microstructure and a second microstructure of reference are integrated. The first microstructure and the second microstructure are arranged in the substrate so as to undergo equal strains as a result of thermal expansions of the substrate. Furthermore, the first microstructure is provided with movable parts and fixed parts with respect to the substrate, while the second microstructure has a shape that is substantially symmetrical to the first microstructure but is fixed with respect to the substrate. By subtracting the changes in electrical characteristics of the second microstructure from those of the first, variations in electrical characteristics of the first microstructure caused by changes in thermal expansion or contraction can be compensated for.
US09878902B2

A method and system for changing a pressure within at least one enclosure in a MEMS device are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises applying a laser through one of the at least two substrates onto a material which changes the pressure within at least one enclosure when exposed to the laser, wherein the at least one enclosure is formed by the at least two substrates. In a second aspect, the system comprises a MEMS device that includes a first substrate, a second substrate bonded to the first substrate, wherein at least one enclosure is located between the first and the second substrates, a metal layer within one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and a material vertically oriented over the metal layer, wherein when the material is heated the material changes a pressure within the at least one enclosure.
US09878897B2

In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.
US09878894B1

A fluidic delivery device includes a fluid supply containing a fluid, the fluid supply has a fluid reservoir and a pair of fluid permeable compressible bodies located in the fluid reservoir. One of the fluid permeable compressible bodies has an effective greater density than the other fluid permeable compressible body.
US09878891B2

Machine (1) for filling containers with liquids, which comprises a rotatable carousel (10) equipped with a tank (12) for containing a liquid to be bottled, and a plurality of valve groups (13) peripherally mounted on the rotatable carousel (10) and equipped with a supply duct (14) for the flow of said liquid into containers (2) to be filled, and with an air return cannula (16).Furthermore, each valve group (13) comprises: a collection cup (29), which is connected to the upper end (16″) of the air return cannula (16); a first control valve (34), actuatable to place the collection cup (29) in communication with an atmospherically pressurised evacuation circuit (31); a second control valve (35) actuatable to place the collection cup (29) in communication with a suction circuit (33′, 33″).Furthermore, a logic control unit (100) operatively connected to the first and second control valves (34, 35) of each valve group (13) is provided in order to control the switch of said control valves (34,35).
US09878884B1

A load-hauling device includes a pair of karabiners, each having an array of pulleys, a pulley rope fixed at one end to one of the karabiners below its respective pulley array, to anchor that end of the rope, the pulley rope passing sequentially between the pulleys of each pulley array to provide a mechanical advantage at the free end of the pulley rope when pulled, a rotatable locking cam mounted between a cam yoke fixed around an end pulley of one of the pulley arrays, wherein the cam includes a cam spring to bias the cam to engage with the rope and permit movement of the rope in one direction while preventing movement of the rope in the other direction, the cam including an integral trigger and locking mechanism to selectively disengage the cam from the rope and allow the device to release a load carried thereby.
US09878881B2

A propulsion system includes a magnetic screw having a first magnetic element having a first polarity, the first magnetic element arranged along a first non-linear path along a longitudinal axis of the magnetic screw and a second magnetic element having a second polarity, the second magnetic element arranged along a second non-linear path along the longitudinal axis of the magnetic screw; a motor for rotating the magnetic screw about the longitudinal axis; and a stator made from a ferrous material, the stator having a body with an internal cavity, the body including a plurality of poles extending into the cavity, the poles arranged along a pole non-linear path along a longitudinal axis of the stator.
US09878874B2

An elevator-landing device that can register a floor which is daily used as a destination floor without a button operation, and register another floor as a destination floor in accordance with necessity. The elevator-landing device includes a hall operating panel to which a user can input a destination floor, a reading part which reads identification information from an information recording medium carried by a user in the hall, by radio communication, a storage part which stores identification information associated with a destination floor, a temporary registration part which obtains the destination floor associated with the identification information and temporarily registers a call to the obtained destination floor, and a determination part which determines whether or not a predetermined destination floor establishment condition is established, when it is determined that the predetermined destination floor establishment condition is established by the determination part.
US09878872B2

A cord winder spindle cover housing, wherein the housing is mountable onto a spindle, and said housing has (i) a drive portion for receiving a cord that controls the extension and retraction of a blind and (ii) at least one opening through which the cord passes, the opening defined by a pair of spaced but opposing convex surfaces.
US09878869B2

There is provided a rolled product dispenser for dispensing a web of rolled product. The rolled product dispenser includes a housing, a dispensing assembly operationally connected to the housing and interacting with the web of the rolled product and a cutting assembly cooperating with the dispensing assembly to sever the web of rolled product. The cutting assembly includes at least two cutting blades, each one of the cutting blades having a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally mounted and the second end is operationally connected to a guiding assembly for guiding the blade between a cutting position and a non-cutting position.
US09878868B2

An image forming apparatus includes: a discharging slot provided for discharging a recording medium on which an image is formed; a discharge tray including a supporting surface supporting the recording medium discharged from the discharging slot; a discharge mechanism configured to discharge the recording medium to the discharge tray through the discharging slot; and a press down mechanism including an abutting surface which is provided for pressing down the upper surface of the recording medium supported by the supporting surface of the discharge tray. The press down mechanism is rotatable about a rotation center provided on the upstream of the discharging slot in a discharge direction in which the recording medium is discharged from the discharging slot, and the abutting surface contacts with the supporting surface when no recording medium is supported by the discharge tray.
US09878867B2

A card feeding apparatus realizes random and selective feeding of cards of different types or kinds. This apparatus includes a card supplying device, a card holding and feeding device, and a controller. The card holding and feeding device includes a table set having tables on which cards from the card supplying device are held, a table set supporting structure (e.g., a frame), a table set moving device (e.g., a lifting mechanism), and a card conveying device that conveys cards held on the tables. In response to a card feeding signal, the table set supporting structure is temporarily stopped using the table set moving device such that a target table designated from the tables by the said signal is located at the card conveying position, and the card holding and feeding device is activated, thereby feeding a card on the target table by the card conveying device.
US09878864B2

An automatic positioning group in a machine for winding plastic film onto bobbins that determines the correct position of an operative oscillating element with respect to a core such as a bobbin of a film having a different diameter sizes, wherein the operative oscillating element is supported at first free ends of levers hinged on pins associated with a frame of the winding machine and oscillated by a related actuator. The levers extend, in an opposite position to the ends carrying the operative oscillating element into appendices which collaborate with at least one pair of abutments positioned on a respective cam rotated with respect to the frame by an actuator, wherein each of the abutments is positioned on the cam with a different radial dimension with respect to a rotation axis of the rotating cam. The operative oscillating element can consist of a contact roll or a cutting blade.
US09878861B1

It is an object of the present invention to provide sheet supplying apparatus. The sheet supplying apparatus has a tray; a guide mechanism; a movement conversion mechanism; a rotary member; a cam and slider mechanism and a compression spring. The movement conversion mechanism converts an up and down motion of the tray to a rotational motion. The rotary member comprises a transmitted portion configured to receive a rotational motion converted from the up and down motion of the tray in cooperation with the movement conversion mechanism and a driven portion configured to receive a rotational driving force to lift the tray. The cam and slider mechanism converts the rotational motion of the rotary member to a linear motion of a linearly movable member. The compression spring elastically presses the linearly movable member of the cam and slider mechanism in the rotational axis direction to lift the tray.
US09878858B2

A stacking ring for a chair base may be disposable between a first and second chair base such that the stacking ring generally prevents lateral movement of the first chair base relative to the second chair base. The stacking ring may be integrally formed to the chair base, or separate and disposable between at least two chair bases. The stacking ring may substantially prevent rotation of a first chair base relative to a second chair base.
US09878855B2

A method and device for feeding at least one receiving surface between two consecutive stations in a production line for handling products on an assembly line, the device having a pick-up zone from where the products are transferred to the surface, and including an input conveyor to receive and maintain a compact flow of products received from an upstream station, a receiving conveyor, extending along a conveying direction in the pick-up zone to receive and then stop the flow of products there delivered by the input conveyor, an a transfer unit, to move, transversely to the conveying direction, toward the receiving surface, the products stopped in the pick-up zone. The device further includes at least one buffer conveying element, able to receive the compact flow of products from the input conveyor when the products are stopped on the receiving conveyor for their transfer, and maintain the compactness of the flow.
US09878852B2

The invention provides a sorting mechanism arranged to empty or discharge a container for carrying a load, e.g. totes in a luggage handling system. The sorting mechanism has a plurality of tilting elements T1-T11 for receiving and transporting the container in a transport direction. The tilting elements T1-T11 are arranged neighboring each other, and they are individually tiltable by controllable tilting actuators, e.g. servo motors. The tilting elements T1-T11 are controlled in response to at least one position signal such that a group of at least two tilting elements T1-T11 perform a coordinated tilting motion, when the container passes the sorting mechanism. Each tilting element T1-T11 has a length of 30-50% of the container. The tilting elements T1-T11 are stationary, and the container is driven forward by belts on each of the tilting elements T1-T11.
US09878847B2

A panel gripping and lifting device (100) having a clamping assembly (105) having a handle assembly (162) rotatably interrelated with a spaced apart opposing jaw assembly (107) by a cam assembly (149). Jaws of the opposing jaw assembly (107) have a planar jaw inner surface (116); when the spacing between the jaws is increased, the planar jaws are fitted on either side of a panel; when the spacing between the jaws is lessened the planar jaws contact surfaces of the panel exerting a gripping force against the panel. When gripping forces are exerted against the panel the handle assembly (162) enables the lifting and moving of the panel such as sealed multipane window (220) window frame (200) having an outwardly extending nail fin (210) or a sheet metal panel.An alternative embodiment has opposing jaws rotating in the same plane and separated by jaw spacing. A first jaw and a second jaw are positioned on either side of a frame channel and, when the embodiment is rotated the jaw spacing is lessened causing the first jaw and the second jaw to clamp against the frame channel thereby allowing lifting of large framed units such as glass door units.
US09878833B2

A closure system for sealing a container constructed and arranged to be mated with a container body is disclosed. The closure system comprises a fixed element and a movable closure element. With the container closure system containers may be constructed to be resealable and improve sanitary conditions of the dispensing portion, thereby allowing for easier opening and resealing.
US09878832B2

A beverage container closure or lid that is adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container is provided. The lid is selectively couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable cover that, when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The lid is provided with a dual-locking mechanism including an actuation disk locking mechanism and a press-button locking mechanism. Each locking mechanism is operable to transition between a locking position and an unlocking position and opening the cover to permit the passage of fluid requires that both locking mechanism be in their respective unlocking positions.
US09878830B2

A structure for substantially sealing a storage unit, wherein the structure includes an elastically stretchable flange cooperable with a lip provided on a rim of the storage unit, wherein the flange is elastically urged to seal against the lip of the storage unit.
US09878825B1

Automation-compatible reusable envelopes are embedded in standard envelope layouts, having a top flap outgoing envelope and an opposing bottom return seal flap. The return flap is formed by a person removing a unique flared tear strip that removes undesirable outgoing postal codes, and also forms a tapered return seal flap. The unique flare at each end of the tear strip is formed with lines of weakness that primarily extend parallel to the long bottom edge of the envelope, but that also wrap from the face across the bottom edge and then to the side edge of the envelope. A security tab and/or bridge structure is formed by removing a tear strip on the envelope, allowing access into the envelope.
US09878821B2

The present application provides a container for storage, preservation, identification, tracking and transport of a federally controlled substance comprising: (a) a one or more piece airtight container having an exterior surface and an interior surface, an upper portion and a lower portion, configured for containing a federally controlled substance; (b) an inner coating liner lining said interior surface of said airtight container; (c) a one piece tamper resistant easy open lid affixed to said upper portion of said airtight container; and (d) identifying indicia located on the exterior surface for identifying the contained federally controlled substance contents within said container; wherein said airtight container configured for containing a federally controlled substance, has the atmosphere evacuated and the container filled with an inert gas before the airtight container is hermetically sealed, containing a federally controlled substance inside.
US09878820B2

A transport structure, such as a pallet or dolly, having a plurality of retractable stops in a pattern to enable transport of a two-down configuration or a three-down configuration is provided.
US09878812B2

A large container loading system and method for a packaging machine includes an infeed conveyor and a transfer flight. An array of pivotable cradle lugs is carried by the transfer flight in synchronized movement with cartons on an adjacent carton flight. Containers are moved into the cradle lugs in an upright orientation and the cradle lugs and containers are reoriented to a substantially horizontal or sideways orientation before being pushed into their cartons by an inserter assembly. A transfer block or a support conveyor may be positioned between each of the cradle lugs and an aligned open container to support a container as it moves between a cradle lug and a carton.
US09878789B2

A power drive unit (PDU) for moving cargo relative to a cargo bay of an aircraft includes a cam shaft. The PDU also includes a lift cam coupled to the cam shaft and configured to cause the PDU to be in at least one of a raised position or a lowered position based on rotation of the cam shaft. The PDU also includes a permanent magnet motor configured to generate a cogging torque sufficient to resist rotation of the cam shaft such that the PDU remains in the raised position in response to power being removed from the permanent magnet motor.
US09878785B2

A method of operating an aircraft having a rotor/wing assembly and a nozzle comprises vectoring the nozzle into a position for creating vertical thrust, and using the rotor/wing assembly and the nozzle together to create vertical thrust during a rotary mode of operation.
US09878783B2

According to one embodiment, a constant velocity (CV) joint includes a first yoke, a second yoke, and three bearings. The first yoke is configured to be rotatably coupled to an input device about a first axis and configured to receive the input device through a first opening. The second yoke is rotatably coupled to the first yoke about a second axis and rotatably coupled to an output device about a third axis. The first bearing is disposed about the first axis adjacent to the first yoke, the second bearing is disposed about the second axis adjacent to the first yoke or the second yoke, and the third bearing disposed about the third axis adjacent to the second yoke. The first and third bearings torsionally constrain movement the first yoke and the second yoke so as to achieve a substantially CV characteristic between the input device and the output device.
US09878779B2

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a landing method thereof are provided. The landing method includes the following steps. Firstly, a depth image of a scene is obtained. Next, a landing position is determined in accordance with the depth image. Next, a height information of the landing position is obtained. Next, a plurality of relative distances of the landing gears relative to the landing position are adjusted in accordance with the height information to make the relative distances substantially the same. Then, the UAV lands on the landing position.
US09878775B2

Apparatus are disclosed that are configured to passively rotate a propeller blade from a first pitch angle to a second pitch angle. An example apparatus involves: (a) a rotor hub, (b) at least one dual-pitch support coupled to the rotor hub, wherein the dual-pitch support has a first surface, a second surface and a cavity defined there between, and (c) at least one propeller blade rotatably coupled to the rotor hub such that a blade root is disposed within the dual-pitch support's cavity, where the blade root's front face is positioned against the dual-pitch support's first surface in a first position and the blade root's back face is positioned against the dual-pitch support's second surface in a second position, and the propeller blade is oriented at a first pitch angle in the first position and is oriented at a second pitch angle in the second position.
US09878774B2

A system for operating a droop panel on an air vehicle, the droop panel positioned between a fixed structure and a trailing edge flap on the wing. The system includes a pin joint linkage assembly coupled between and to the fixed structure, the droop panel, and the trailing edge flap. The assembly has a first link attached to the fixed structure; and a second link coupled to the first link, and pivotably connected to a third pin joint, connected to a fourth pin joint, and an angled portion pivotably connected to a second pin joint. The assembly has a third link coupled to the second link, and coupled to the fourth pin joint and to a fifth pin joint attached to the trailing edge flap. The assembly is configured to operate the droop panel by concurrently moving the droop panel and the trailing edge flap in a single coordinated motion.
US09878772B2

A mounting assembly for mounting a sound-deadening body to a fuselage of an aircraft and a method for attaching a sound-deadening body to a fuselage of an aircraft using the mounting assembly is disclosed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the mounting assembly includes, but is not limited to, a retaining member that is configured to engage the sound-deadening body. The mounting assembly further includes an isolating member that is engaged with the retaining member. The isolating member is configured for connection to the fuselage and is further configured to diminish transmission of vibration from the fuselage to and through the retaining member, and therefore to reduce the transmission of sound into the cabin.
US09878759B2

Disclosed is a shock absorber that includes first to third gas spring chambers, and performs a compression operation and an extension operation. The shock absorber includes a lip packing which works as a rod lip packing for the third gas spring chamber and has an arc-shaped lip, a lip packing which works as a piston lip packing for the third gas spring chamber and has the arc-shaped lip, a lip packing which works as a piston lip packing for the first gas spring chamber and has an edge-shaped lip, and a lip packing which works as a rod lip packing for the second gas spring chamber and has the edge shaped lip.
US09878758B2

A motorized foldable bicycle assembly is foldably collapsible from a ridable elongated, segmented four sectioned frame arrangement. The frame consisting of a front wheel support frame, a front frame, a mid frame and a rear wheel support frame, with a set of electronically controlled motorized front and rear wheels spaced longitudinal alignment, apart one on each end of the four-sectioned elongated frame arrangement. The frame sections are foldable into an unridable configuration wherein the front wheel and a displaced rear wheel are arranged in an aligned, side-by-side adjacent, tandem configuration controllably guided by a steering column supported handlebar motor speed and direction control arrangement. A bicycle-supported tilt sensor actuator is in communication with a control computer and a circuit electronically connected to a bicycle handlebar switch, to permit operator controlled non-riding, self-powered, electric-motor-engaged movement of the tilted, partially foldably collapsed bicycle.
US09878754B2

A height adjusting device for a bicycle seat post provides an up-down adjust unit. All the oil-flow control elements of the height adjusting device are arranged inside the up-down adjust unit. The oil flows between the valve port and the oil-block plate are blocked by both the oil-block plate and the valve port touching tightly in an up-down engaging manner. By the structure, what repairing the oil-flow control elements needs is to replace the up-down adjust unit when the oil-flow control elements are out of work. Therefore, it is convenient to repair and assemble. The valve port and the oil-block plate are arranged up and down so that they may touch each other closely in surfaces engaging. Thus, it provides good oil-blocking effects. Besides, the oil-block plate receives no shear stress occurring in the prior art generated from suddenly pressing down the seat. Therefore, it has a long service life.
US09878750B2

An endless track for traction of an off-road vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, an industrial vehicle (e.g., a construction vehicle) or a military vehicle, is provided. The endless track a plurality of elastomeric lugs, such as drive/guide lugs projecting from the inner surface and/or traction lugs projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface. An elastomeric lug may have a material composition defining an arrangement of zones of different materials which comprises a plurality of zones of different elastomeric materials, may exhibit a desired variation of a material property (e.g., across the arrangement of zones of different materials. A zone of the elastomeric lug may have a dedicated function, such as a sacrificial zone or a wear indicator zone. An elastomeric drive lug may comprise an uneven drive surface, such as an angled or curved surface, for engaging a drive member of a drive wheel of the vehicle.
US09878740B2

An active steering system for an articulated bus is provided. In an assisted steering mode, a hydraulic turntable assists in the steering action of the articulated bus. While the articulated bus is linearly driven at a high speed or the lane-changing action is performed, the assisted steering mode can provide stable driving performance. In the assisted steering mode, a better steering trajectory is achieved while a cornering action of the articulated bus is performed. By collecting the information about the driving velocity, the position of the transmission gear and the position of the steering wheel, a steering force applied to the front frame and the trailer frame is calculated. Moreover, if the control unit judges that the angle of the hydraulic turntable is optimal, a locking force is generated to assure the optimal angle of the articulated bus. The assisted steering mode also supports the action of reversing the articulated bus. When the articulated joint is adjusted to an optimal trajectory, the articulated bus is reversed to the designated position.
US09878732B2

A rotational operation device includes a holder fixed to a rotation shaft, a torsion coil spring, and a case accommodating the holder and the torsion coil spring. The torsion coil spring includes a coil, fitted to the rotation shaft, and two protrusions, located at opposite ends of the coil. When the rotation shaft is rotated, the case restricts movement of the first protrusion, and the holder pushes the second protrusion in a rotation direction of the rotation shaft. The case includes a first groove that receives the first protrusion. The holder includes a second groove that receives the second protrusion. The first and second protrusions are spaced apart by an invariable interval set by a fixed length between the first and second grooves. The fixed length is set to a distance that produces a gap between coil windings when the coil is in a load-free state.
US09878731B2

A steering wheel for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The steering wheel includes an optical finger navigation module, at least one further operating element, a steering wheel electronic system and a databus for data transmission between the optical finger navigation module and the steering wheel electronic system. The at least one further operating element is directly connected to the optical finger navigation module via a signal line. The optical finger navigation module is designed in such a way as to receive a signal from the at least one further operating element and relay it on to the steering wheel electronic system via the databus. In this way, no dedicated lines from the operating element to the steering wheel electronic system are necessary. Thus, the construction space for the installation of a device consisting of an optical finger navigation module and a further operating element in a steering wheel is reduced.
US09878729B2

The present disclosure generally relates to shunt devices for providing multi-fold protection for track workers. For example, a failsafe shunt device may have a pair of end components magnetically couple to two running rails and a central unit connected to the pair of end components via electrical wires. The failsafe shunt device may communicate with an operations control center (OCC) to indicate a presence of the shunt device. Related methods of using disclosed shunt devices and associated systems are also described.
US09878727B2

A rail vehicle spring system has a spring strut, arranged between a bogie and carriage body of the rail vehicle, and includes a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder. Piston spaces are defined below and above the piston head. The piston or the cylinder is connectable with the bogie, while the other component is connectable with the carriage body. A spring cushions the body relative to the bogie, and a hydraulic system is connected with at least one of the piston spaces to charge the space with hydraulic medium. The spring surrounds the cylinder and is contracted by the piston when an excess pressure exists in the lower piston space with respect to the upper piston space, and an entraining element is adjoined by the spring. Only when an excess pressure exists in the lower piston space does the piston rod exerts a force on the entraining element.
US09878724B2

An auxiliary drive axle assembly is disclosed for a railcar mover that provides traction for a railcar mover when required. The auxiliary drive axle assembly comprises a frame, a plurality of hydraulic motors, and a plurality of wheel assemblies positioned underneath a railcar mover. The auxiliary drive axle assembly may be lowered to a use position where the wheels engage the rails either upon demand by the railcar mover operator or automatically by a control system based upon a set of monitored parameters. When in a use position, the control system directs the power to the hydraulic motors such that the wheel assemblies can have optimal traction to assist the railcar mover.
US09878721B2

A tire tracking system and method for tracking travel mileage experienced by a vehicle tire includes multiple tire-based sensors affixed to the tire generating identified tire-specific operating condition measurements. The tire-specific operating condition measurements include tire temperature, tire air inflation pressure, a tire wear state measurement and a tire load measurement. A rolling radius estimation model generates a tire rolling radius estimation compensated by the tire-specific operating condition measurements and a vehicle speed estimator generates a vehicle speed estimation based on the compensated tire rolling radius.
US09878719B2

Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.
US09878714B2

Devices, systems, and methods for accelerating a vehicle in the case of a line start at a traffic light system can include determining a likelihood of a predefined vehicle being able to pass through the traffic light system during a current or imminent green phase, accelerating the vehicle in accordance with a signal from an electronic towbar system if the likelihood is higher than a predefined threshold value, and accelerating the vehicle to a lesser extent if the likelihood is lower than the predefined threshold value.
US09878708B2

A drive system includes a drive source and a transmission mechanism transmitting a torque between the drive source and a drive wheel. The transmission mechanism includes at least one clutch switching between an engaged state of transmitting the torque between elements constituting the drive system and a disengaged state of failing to transmit the torque. An ECU detects at least one loaded state in which an excessively large torque can be applied to the drive system in a direction from the drive wheel, and disengages a predetermined clutch when the at least one loaded state in which an excessively large torque can be applied is detected. In the case where an excessively large torque can be applied to the drive system, the torque applied to a predetermined element constituting the drive system can be blocked and the torque applied to the drive system can be suppressed with a good response.
Patent Agency Ranking