US09909530B2

A fan section for an engine has a fan which rotates about an axis, the fan has an inlet for ingesting ambient air, and a non-axisymmetric nozzle for providing the fan with non-uniform back pressure.
US09909525B2

A water jacket apparatus for an engine may include a block water jacket provided in the cylinder block, interposing the combustion chamber therebetween, a head water jacket provided in the cylinder head corresponding to the combustion chamber, and an insert member portioning the block water jacket into an upper block water jacket and a lower block water jacket by being inserted into an upper portion of the block water jacket, and enabling the upper block water jacket to be interworked with the head water jacket.
US09909516B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus for acceleration event prediction. A system includes one or more external databases connected through a network to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a navigation unit, one or more sensors and an electronic control unit coupled to at least the navigation unit and the one or more sensors. The electronic control unit is configured to obtain navigational map information and vehicle information, determine a predicted route set including a destination location based on the the navigational map information and the vehicle information, determine one or more predicted acceleration events for the predicted route set, detect a respective acceleration event of the one or more predicted acceleration events based on the predicted route set and a first location of the vehicle and send or transmit a signal to a turbocharger that is coupled to an engine to prepare for the respective acceleration event.
US09909509B2

A gas turbine fuel supply method and arrangement is provided. The method of controlling a supply of a fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine having a compressor upstream of the combustor, the method including: supplying the fuel to the combustor; obtaining an inlet air pressure (PT7) at a compressor inlet; obtaining an inlet air temperature (Tinlet) at the compressor inlet; obtaining an outlet air pressure (PT8) at a compressor outlet; estimating a heat input (HIengmodel, HIexpected) of the fuel supplied to the combustor based on the inlet air pressure (PT7), the inlet air temperature (Tinlet) and the outlet air pressure (PT8); comparing the estimated heat input (HIengmodel, HIexpected) with a demanded heat input (FFDEM) to derive an error signal; and controlling a fuel valve regulating the supply of the fuel to the combustor based on the error signal.
US09909507B2

A control system for a combustor system including a plurality of can combustors, each can combustor accommodating combustion of a plurality of combustion fluids in a combustion chamber thereof is provided. The control system may include a calculator calculating: a) a pressure drop for each respective can combustor of the plurality of can combustors between a selected combustion fluid upstream of the combustion chamber and a combustion flow within the combustion chamber of the respective can combustor, and b) a differential between the respective pressure drop for each of the plurality of can combustors and an average pressure drop across all of the plurality of can combustors. The differentials identify can-to-can variation. A controller can modify a combustion parameter of at least one can combustor to reduce the differential for the at least one can combustor. The system can work iteratively to reduce can-to-can variation.
US09909495B2

A gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of fan rotors. A gas generator comprises at least one compressor rotor, at least one gas generator turbine rotor, a combustion section, and a fan drive turbine downstream of at least one gas generator turbine rotor. A shaft is configured to be driven by the fan drive turbine. The shaft engages gears to drive the plurality of fan rotors. A system controls the amount of power supplied to the plurality of fan rotors. A method of operating a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
US09909491B2

A reformer-liquid fuel manufacturing system that utilizes an engine to generate hydrogen-rich gas is disclosed. The engine operates at very rich conditions, such as 2.5<φ<4.0. In doing so, it creates an exothermic reaction, which results in the production of syngas. In addition, the system utilizes the energy from the exothermic reaction to rotate a shaft and also utilizes the heat in the syngas to heat the reactants. A mechanical power plant is in communication with the rotating shaft and can be used to produce oxygen, provide electricity or operate a compressor, as require. The hydrogen-rich gas is supplied to a chemical reactor, which converts the gas into a liquid fuel, such as methanol.
US09909488B2

A method to determine the injection pattern in the intake stroke of the combustion cycle of the cylinders of a direct-injection internal combustion engine, which includes determining the overall quantity of fuel to be injected for each combustion cycle of each cylinder during the intake stroke; determining the maximum quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection as a function of the value of the start of injection angle, of the speed and of the load of the internal combustion engine; and determining the number of partial injections and the objective quantity to be injected for each partial injection as a function of the quantity of fuel to be injected for each combustion cycle of each cylinder during the intake stroke and of the maximum quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection.
US09909485B2

A cooling fan module includes a frame, and a fan impeller having a plurality of fan impeller blades is located in an opening of the frame. The fan impeller blades are connected to a base portion of an outer fan ring. A lip portion of the outer fan ring extends from the base portion radially outward, and a leading end of the lip portion is turned in direction to the downstream side of the frame. A recirculating flow guiding device includes a plurality of guide vanes located on an upstream side of the frame and around the opening of the frame. An air gap is provided between the outer fan ring and the frame. A recirculating flow travels from downstream side of the cooling fan module through the air gap, and is turned by the leading end of the lip portion into the recirculating flow guiding device.
US09909483B2

Methods, systems, and vehicles that control the temperature of a device included in the vehicle are presented herein. The temperature of the device is controlled by ventilating the device with drivetrain air, such as transmission cooling air. In some embodiments, the device is at a greater temperature than the drivetrain air, which cools the device. In other embodiments, the device is at a lesser temperature than the drivetrain air, which heats the device. The drivetrain air is provided to the device through an exhaust duct coupled to the vehicle's transmission. The drivetrain exhaust air is preferably circulated by the transmission. The transmission may be a continuously variable transmission. The device may be an oxygen sensor that is coupled to an engine exhaust pipe. The oxygen sensor is thermally coupled to the engine exhaust and the engine exhaust pipe, which are at greater temperatures than the transmission exhaust air.
US09909481B2

A system according to the present disclosure includes a model predictive control (MPC) module and an actuator module. The MPC module generates a set of possible target values for an actuator of an engine and predicts an operating parameter for the set of possible target values. The predicted operating parameter includes an emission level and/or an operating parameter of an exhaust system. The MPC module determines a cost for the set of possible target values and selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost. The MPC module determines whether the predicted operating parameter for the selected set satisfies a constraint and sets target values to the possible target values of the selected set when the predicted operating parameter satisfies the constraint. The actuator module controls an actuator of an engine based on at least one of the target values.
US09909479B2

In an exhaust passage, an exhaust manifold connected to exhaust ports of each cylinder of an engine body and formed to extend vertically is arranged in a side portion of a cylinder head. A secondary air supply system has an intake silencer, a check valve configured to permit only a flow to the exhaust passage side, a secondary air supply control valve configured to control a flow rate of the secondary air, and a secondary air supply passage configured to connect those components to each other and the exhaust passage. The secondary air supply system is arranged in a side portion of a cylinder block placed between a crankcase of the engine body and an assembly of the exhaust manifold and the cylinder head.
US09909473B2

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a particulate filter located in an exhaust runner of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust from a first cylinder through a first particulate filter in a first runner, and flowing exhaust from a second cylinder through a second particulate filter in a second runner. The method may further include adjusting engine operation in response to particulate filter degradation, the particulate filter degradation distinguishing between degradation of the first and second particulate filters based on an exhaust pressure pulsation timing relative to combustion events.
US09909468B2

A fluid conditioning system includes a recirculation pump fluidly coupled to a reservoir via a first conduit; a delivery pump fluidly coupled in series with the recirculation pump, such that an outlet of the recirculation pump is fluidly coupled to an inlet of the delivery pump via a second conduit; and a recirculation loop including a recirculation filter, an inlet of the recirculation filter being fluidly coupled to the second conduit, and an outlet of the recirculation filter being fluidly coupled to the first conduit. The recirculation pump is configured to operate at a flow rate that is higher than a flow rate of the delivery pump.
US09909466B2

A central valve (1) for a camshaft adjusting device including a control piston (2) having a first (3) and a second (4) control edge which enclose a first annular groove (6), including a valve housing (26), on the peripheral wall of which openings (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are disposed, and including pressure medium paths extending between a feed connection and a discharge connection P, T of which the adjustable configuration is predetermined by the control edge geometry and the arrangement of the openings (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) and the adjusted configuration is dependent upon the relative axial position of the control piston (2).
US09909462B2

A duct burner assembly for a HRSG having a casing that defines a combustion chamber with a liner for communicating an exhaust gas. A firing runner attaches to the liner and extends through the combustion chamber. The firing runner defines a plurality of orifices for emitting combustible gas and sustaining a flame. A flame stabilizer attaches to the firing runner and is configured to at least partially shield the plurality of orifices from the exhaust gas. A guide plate attaches to the firing runner and is configured to define a slot between the liner and the guide plate. The guide plate has an upstream end and a downstream end wherein the downstream end is closer to the lining than the upstream end to control turbulent flow of the exhaust gas through the slot and cool the liner. To reduce generation of flow turbulence the tubes within the slot are covered with streamline plates. It allows to decrease a mixing between hot and cold gas flows and improve the liner cooling.
US09909452B2

A device for sealing the coaxial shafts of a turbomachine includes an annular seal able to perform sealing by contact with the outer shaft, and a lubricating device to lubricate the region of contact between the annular seal and the outer shaft.
US09909430B2

An apparatus includes a disk, an attachment member, and a blade. The disk has an outer surface including a coupling portion. The attachment member has a coupling portion and defines at least a portion of an opening. The coupling portion of the first attachment member is configured to be coupled to the coupling portion of the disk. A portion of the blade is configured to be disposed within the opening when the coupling portion of the attachment member is coupled to the coupling portion of the disk.
US09909421B2

A mixing system includes a pipe having a longitudinal axis, in which exhaust gases can flow in a flow direction, a nozzle designed to inject a fluid inside the pipe from an injection inlet arranged in the pipe wall, according to an injection direction, a first mixing device positioned inside the pipe upstream from the injection inlet, the first mixing device including a peripheral portion including blades capable of creating a peripheral swirl along the pipe wall, and a central portion designed to create substantially no turbulence, and a second mixing device positioned inside the pipe downstream from the injection inlet, the second mixing device including a central portion including blades capable of creating a swirl inside the pipe.
US09909418B2

The invention relates to a protective element (20) for connecting to a concrete element (10) of a tunnel lining, to the concrete element (10) and to the method for producing the concrete element (10). It is an object of the invention to provide a protective element (20) for a tunnel lining, or the associated concrete element, which ensures that the protective casing of the tunnel lining is better safeguarded against corrosive gases or liquids. The solution of the invention provides that the protective element (20) is produced from an injection-moldable plastics material, that a protective portion (21, 22, 23) is connected in a single piece to a seal (30), wherein the connection is gas-tight and liquid-tight, that the protective portion (21, 22, 23) is connected in a single piece to a connecting element (24, 25, 26, 27, 28), and that the single-piece connection is produced by injection molding of the plastics material.
US09909417B2

A degradation pick of the type used in such fields as road milling, mining, and trenching to engage and degrade tough materials such as asphalt, concrete, and rock may comprise a body attached at one end to a substantially cylindrical shaft. A hardened tip may also be attached to the body opposite the shaft. The hardened tip may comprise an axis offset from a central axis of the shaft. Such a degradation pick may be secured to an exterior of a rotatable drum or continuous chain so as to be repeatedly brought into contact with a surface of a material to be degraded. The body may comprise a protruding spine adjacent the hardened tip and opposite a direction of travel of the hardened tip when transported by a rotating drum or continuous chain.
US09909416B1

A unitary bit/holder assembly includes a reverse taper insert having a diamond coated tip mounted thereon that is received in an annular flange forwardmost portion of a holder body. In a modification, the diamond coated tip is received in a recess on a generally cylindrical forwardmost portion of the holder body.
US09909410B2

A downhole depth, load and torque reference system. The system includes a well feature disposed within a wellbore tubular having a depth reference element, a load reference element and a torque reference element. A mating assembly is operable to be run downhole within the wellbore tubular on a conveyance. The mating assembly is operable to contact the depth reference element of the well feature to identify the depth of the well feature, operable to engage the torque reference element of the well feature such that rotation of the conveyance at the surface transmits sufficient torque to break the torque reference element to identify torque efficiency at the depth and operable to engage the load reference element of the well feature such that applying weight at the surface to the conveyance transmits sufficient load to break the load reference element to identify load efficiency at the depth.
US09909399B2

A flow device, includes a flow-through region comprising at least one stage and configured to create a first pressure drop across the flow-through region in response to flow through the flow-through region in a first direction and a second pressure drop in response to flow through the flow-through region in a second direction. The first pressure drop being less than the second pressure drop under the same flow rates. The flow device having no moving parts to create the difference in pressure drop between the first direction and the second direction. A method of creating different pressure drops based on a direction of flow.
US09909386B2

An apparatus for directing a fluid from an inlet to one of a plurality of outlets that are associated with a wellhead assembly includes a block body having a block inlet and a plurality of block outlets. A selector plug is located within the block body, the selector plug having a plug inlet aligned with the block inlet along a central axis, a plug outlet at an angle relative to the central axis, and a plug bore extending from the plug inlet to the plug outlet. A stem member is moveable to selectively rotate the selector plug within the block body so that the plug outlet aligns with one of the plurality of block outlets, providing a fluid flow path from the block inlet to such one of the plurality of block outlets, and impeding fluid communication from the block inlet to the others of the plurality of block outlets.
US09909374B2

A managed pressure drilling (MPD) operation may use an inverse model in conjunction with a hydraulic model and real-time drilling conditions and parameters as inputs to determine a wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure. For example, while drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a drilling system, measured data including a wellhead pressure may be acquired. A model may then be executed that applies a hydraulic model to an a priori model estimate vector to produce predicted data; converts the measured data to a measured data vector; applies a randomized maximum likelihood algorithm to the a priori model estimate vector, the predicted data, and the measured data vector to produce an a posterioiri model estimates; and applies the hydraulic model to the a posterioiri model estimates to produce an a posteriori prediction and a calculated wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure.
US09909367B2

A downhole tool (10) comprising rotatable inner and outer sleeves (62, 63). The sleeves (62, 63) comprise coupling portions for transmitting a torque between the sleeves (62, 63). The tool is reconfigurable between a first configuration whereby the coupling portions are axially misaligned to prevent transmission of torque between the inner and outer sleeves (62, 63), and a second configuration whereby the coupling portions are axially aligned to permit a transmission of torque between the sleeves (62, 63). At least one of the coupling portions is configured to prevent the transmission of torque above a predetermined torque threshold.
US09909362B2

The invention relates to a holder for one or more elongate elements (70, 72), particularly slats for shading systems and daylight control systems, comprising an elastic or resilient compensating unit having two profiles (50, 150) which are located opposite one another and engage in one another and are arranged such as to be movable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the elongate elements (70, 72), said two profiles forming a common interior (90). Accommodated in the interior (90) is a spring element (92) which is compressed when the elongate element (70, 72) expands under the effect of temperature and which relaxes when the elongate element (70, 72) contracts in the longitudinal direction of the elongate element (70, 72). The spring element is held in the interior (90) with a clamping fit or friction fit, a compensating movement in the longitudinal direction being possible. The profiles of the compensating unit each comprise, on the side facing away from the interior (90), a further profile (30, 130) which is formed in one piece therewith and is designed to hold the elongate elements (70, 72) or as a spacer from a window frame or carrier element (8). The components, consisting in each case of one profile (50, 150) of the compensating unit and a further profile (30, 130), are identical.
US09909359B2

A covering device comprises a 1st cover which has a plurality of 1st slats interconnected in an articulated manner and a 2nd cover which has a plurality of 2nd slats interconnected in an articulated manner. The covers can each be adjusted between a rest position and a covering position, said covers facing each other with slat end faces when in the covering position. At least one of the 1st slats comprises a 1st engagement part on its end face facing the 2nd slats and at least one of the 2nd slats comprises a 2nd engagement part on its end face facing the 1st slats, said 1st engagement part being able to be brought to engage with the 2nd engagement part such that the first cover is connected to the 2nd cover.
US09909358B2

An example of a vertically operating door includes a flexible panel comprising two pliable sheets of material with a plurality of pads or mats of thermal insulation between the two sheets. In some examples, a plurality of horizontally elongate baffles made of pliable strips of material are installed between the two sheets. The baffles effectively divide one large interior volume between the sheets into more manageable smaller volumes or chambers. The baffles restrict the air between the sheets from being forced to the bottom of the panel as the panel ascends and bends across an overhead roller. Without the baffles and smaller chambers, the panel sheets in the area near the bottom of the panel would tend to bulge outward as the door opens.
US09909356B1

A fire door utilizing a pair of frame members each having cases forming opposing open chambers. The open chambers are filled with fire resistant material and include structural plates that do not contact the cases. Holders attach to the cases support a fire resistant glazing unit.
US09909352B2

A prefabricated flashing product for an opening in an exterior surface of a structure includes a generally planar flange shaped to conform to the exterior surface, the flange extending outwardly from an entire perimeter of an aperture therein that corresponds to the opening, and a return that seals to the flange about the aperture and extends substantially perpendicularly therefrom toward an inward direction of the opening. The flange and the return are monolithically formed of a waterproof material. A method of integrating a fenestration product into an opening of an exterior surface of a structure includes inserting the flashing product described above into the opening, and inserting the fenestration product at least partially into the aperture of the flashing product.
US09909343B2

An adaptable lock mounting device featuring adaptability and flexibility of use is configured to couple with a vehicle frame and includes a mounting base to detachably couple with a coupling base or an assembly base as appropriate, wherein the coupling base is different from the assembly base. A portion of the mounting base is one of a sliding block and a corresponding sliding sleeve to be fitted around the sliding block, while each of a portion of the coupling base and a portion of the assembly base is the other of the sliding block and the corresponding sliding sleeve.
US09909340B2

The invention relates to a device (23) for actuating the locking mechanism of a lock, more particularly a furniture lock, said device comprised of a fixing unit (1) by means of which the device (23) can be fastened to a component, more particularly a door and/or window sash, at which the lock is also arranged, and comprised of a handle (27) which is pivoting mounted about a rotary axis at the fixing unit (1) and through the rotation of which the locking mechanism can be manually actuated, and comprised of a power transmission unit (8) which can be torque-proof coupled to the handle (27) to transmit the power applied on rotating the handle (27) to the locking mechanism, wherein the power transmission unit (8) is not coupled torque-proof to the handle (27) until a release code is entered and authenticated, and wherein the entry of the release code is effected by way of electronically picking-up at least one position of the handle (27) relative to the power transmission unit (8), and wherein the entry of the release code is accomplished by electronically picking-up of at least one position of the handle (27) relative to the power transmission unit (8), and wherein the device is comprised of a coupling mechanism through which the power transmission unit (8) can be torque-proof coupled optionally to the fixing unit (1) or to the handle (27).
US09909332B2

A pool cleaning robot that may include a fluid inlet, a filter; a winding mechanism and a holding mechanism; wherein the holding mechanism is configured to hold the filter; wherein the winding mechanism is configured to perform a winding of the filter thereby removing a filter portion that was positioned in a filtering position and placing another filter portion in the filtering position; and wherein the filter portion, when positioned in the filtering position, is configured to filter fluid that enters through the fluid inlet.
US09909328B2

The invention relates to a feed-through member (1) which is to be mounted in a wall element or floor element and comprises a tube element (2) that includes a first (23) and a second (24) tube element section. Said tube element sections (23, 24) can be moved relative to one another in the conducting direction (21) in such a way that the length of the tube element (2) is adjustable, a blocking mechanism (26, 32; 51, 61) being provided which at least partly prevents the tube element sections (23, 24) from moving when same are in the relative positions.
US09909307B2

Method of forming a concrete slab to reduce or eliminate control joints includes preparing a substantially flat base, overlaying one or more barriers on top of the base, placing a concrete mixture on top of the barrier(s) and base to form a concrete slab, and allowing the concrete to cure without forming control joints. The base is prepared with a flatness of about ±¼ inch over 10 feet. A side edge is prepared along a periphery of the concrete slab by extending a vapor barrier from a bottom surface of the slab up the side edge toward a top surface of the slab and covering the side edge. A plurality of post-tensioning cables are positioned to extend through the slab and configured to compress and assist in controlling accelerated displacement of the concrete slab during curing and shrinkage. The concrete slab is formed of an evenly gradated and low slump concrete having high fiber content, minimized cement content, and maximized size of large aggregate.
US09909306B2

A manufacture and method for reducing thermal transfer through window systems has a composite window cap retainer. The retainer has a metal extrusion at least partially covered by a thermal spacer having reduced relative thermal conductivity. The thermal spacer is mechanically supported by the metal extrusion and mechanically intermediates and thermally insulates between the cap and the metal window structures to which the cap is secured, reducing thermal transfer between the inside and outside environments of a building.
US09909295B2

An in-toilet leak detector is disclosed, as are communication systems for reporting toilet leaks. The leak detector comprises an inlet that receives water from the toilet's fill tube and diverts it through a flow tube. A capacitive sensor is located between the inlet and an opening of the flow tube from which water flows into the overflow tube of the toilet tank. A housing is connected to the flow tube and the inlet and contains a controller and other electronics, including one or more transceivers. The leak detector measures the duration of water flow and establishes an alert if the water flow is shorter or longer in duration than a calibrated normal duration. The transceivers connect the leak detector to a computer network, and leak alerts are communicated to a server or servers so that they can be forwarded directly to those responsible for fixing the toilets.
US09909280B2

A mechanical linkage for a power machine includes first and second horizontal shafts extending sideways along respective first and second axes. First and second links are operably coupled to the respective first and second horizontal shafts. The links convert actuation of operator input devices of the power machine into rotation of the horizontal shafts about their axes. First and second valve actuators convert rotation of the respective first and second horizontal shafts into actuation of respective first and second spools in a hydraulic valve of the power machine.
US09909277B2

Disclosed herein are in situ waste remediation methods and systems configured to hydraulically isolate waste material from groundwater. Methods for enclosing and/or remediating waste impoundments, landfills and the like using discrete in situ solidification/stabilization techniques are provided. The disclosed methods and systems provide containment techniques to create a vertical barrier to further isolate waste from groundwater and enhance geotechnical stability by increasing embankment strength, reducing saturated conditions and increasing the overall factor of safety for slope failure.
US09909276B2

Pick hole guards are provided for use in guarding pick holes on manhole covers. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pick hole guards can have a base, biasing member, and guard member. The biasing member can be attached to the base and guard member, and can bias the guard member toward a pick hole on the manhole cover to guard the pick hole. In other embodiments, the pick hole guards do not have movable guard members, but instead have retaining surfaces to serve as a receptacle for catching waste disposed through a pick hole.
US09909275B2

A manhole cover assembly includes a manhole cover supportable by a manhole frame. The manhole cover defines a latch bore having a longitudinal axis. A latch housing extends from the manhole cover, and a latch assembly is positioned at least partially therein. A first end of a latch yoke extends through the latch bore and slidably couples the latch yoke to the manhole cover along the longitudinal axis. A latch member is rotatably coupled to the second end of the latch yoke about a first transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The latch member is also rotatably coupled to the latch housing about a second transverse axis spaced from the first transverse axis. The latch member is selectively rotatable relative to the latch housing about the second transverse axis, between a locked position and an unlocked position, via sliding the latch yoke relative to the manhole cover.
US09909273B2

A snow shovel with a tilting element includes an elongated support having upper and lower ends opposite the upper end and a blade having front and opposite rear portions. The blade is mounted at the lower end of the elongated support and is designed to be movable with a rotary motion between a first shoveling position and a second snow dumping position in which it is at least partially spaced from the elongated support. The blade pivots with respect to the elongated support at a substantial front-end portion thereof. The elongated support includes at least one pair of sliding elements shaped for crawling in use on the ground where the snow shovel rests. The snow shovel includes a rotating unit to rotate the blade operated by a connecting rod, the rotating unit being arranged to allow the blade to rotate between the first and second snow positions.
US09909271B2

A retractable bollard system for installation in a support surface that includes pavement includes a shell that when installed in the support surface extends below an upper surface of the pavement. The bollard system includes a post to be telescopically coupled to the shell. The post is axially movable relative to the shell selectively to an upper area and a lower area. The post extends farther above the shell when the post is in the upper area than when the post is in the lower area. The bollard system further includes a shock absorber to encircle the shell. The shock absorber is made of a polymeric material.
US09909269B2

Diffractor for diffracting sound of traffic on a travel surface with at least one diffraction plate disposed laterally beside the travel surface. The diffraction plate is provided with a pattern of recesses in the upper surface thereof for the purpose of diffracting the traffic noise in a direction which differs from the lateral direction. Each of the recesses is divided into individual resonators by intermediate walls provided in the recesses. The recesses have acoustically substantially non-absorbing walls and are free of acoustically absorbing material. The intermediate walls between adjacent resonators have at least one throughflow opening along which the rainwater can flow from the one resonator to the other.
US09909258B2

A textured mask comprising a film. The film can have a first substantially continuously flat surface lying in a first plane and a second surface opposite the first surface lying in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The second surface is interrupted by a plurality of cavities, each of the cavities having a first depth defined by a third surface lying in a third plane substantially parallel to the first and second planes. The depth of the cavities can be at a distance of from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm from the second plane. The textured mask is at least partially coated with an opaque masking agent. The textured mask can make a correspondingly structured three-dimensional papermaking belt, which can make correspondingly structured three-dimensional fibrous structure.
US09909252B2

For the purpose of delivering a laundry item (10) to an ironer, the laundry item (10) is spread, by opposite corners of a lateral edge (20), by means of spreader clips (18, 19). In this case, deformations, or “ear formation” may occur at the corner regions (12, 13) of the laundry item (10) that are gripped by the spreader clips (18, 19). This “ear formation” is mostly irreversible, and in the long term results in damage to the laundry items (10). The invention creates a method and a device by which the laundry item (10) is delivered to an ironer in a gentle manner. For this purpose, at least one corner region (12, 13) of the laundry item (10) that is gripped by a spreader clip (18, 19) is captured by an imaging means as the laundry item (10) is being spread.
US09909250B1

A clothes rack having a lower subassembly, a center subassembly and an upper subassembly. The lower subassembly is configured with a tripod base for support on a surface. The center and upper subassemblies having arms that pivotally expand to form extension arms that are each configured to hold hangers or articles of clothing.
US09909236B2

A cross-lapper (1) includes an upper carriage (2), a laying carriage (3), and two endless laying belts, which are each guided on the main carriages (2, 3) by deflecting rollers (15 to 21). The one laying belt (6) is designed as a feeding belt, which carries a fibrous web (9) and feeds the fibrous web to the upper carriage (2). The other laying belt (7) is designed as a counter belt. The upper carriage (2) has a belt deflection device (12) for both laying belts (6, 7). At the belt deflection device (12), the laying belt (6) is deflected by approximately 180 degrees from a feeding direction (11) thereof to the opposite direction by means of three of more deflection points (15, 16, 17).
US09909232B2

After CMP and before an epitaxial growth step, the substrate is prepared by an atmospheric plasma which includes not only a reducing chemistry, but also metastable states of a chemically inert carrier gas. This removes residues, oxides, and/or contaminants. Optionally, nitrogen passivation is also performed under atmospheric conditions, to passivate the substrate surface for later epitaxial growth.
US09909226B2

A solid electrolyte membrane (13) is arranged on a surface of an anode (11) between the anode (11) and a substrate (B) that serves as a cathode. The solid electrolyte membrane (13) is brought into contact with the substrate (B). At the same time, a metal film (F) is formed on the surface of the substrate (B) by causing metal to precipitate onto the surface of the substrate (B) from metal ions through application of voltage between the anode (11) and the substrate (B) in a first contact state where the solid electrolyte membrane (13) contacts the substrate (B). The metal ions are contained inside the solid electrolyte membrane (13).
US09909215B2

A method of CVD plasma processing for depositing at least one of diamond, diamond-like-carbon, or graphene includes forming a vacuum chamber comprising a conduit and a process chamber. A gas is introduced into the vacuum chamber. An RF electromagnetic field is applied to a magnetic core to form a toroidal plasma loop discharge in the vacuum chamber. A workpiece is positioned in the process chamber for plasma processing at a distance from a hot plasma core to a surface of the workpiece that is in a range from 0.1 cm to 5 cm. A gas comprising hydrogen is introduced to the workpiece so that the toroidal plasma loop discharge generates atomic hydrogen.
US09909213B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for reducing non-uniformity and/or skews during substrate processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides a flow equalizer assembly for disposing between a vacuum port and a processing volume in a processing chamber. The flow equalizing assembly includes a first plate having at least one first opening, and a second plate having two or more second openings. The first and second plates define a flow redistributing volume therebetween, and the at least one first opening and the two or more second openings are staggered.
US09909210B2

A method of coating all surfaces of a plurality of piston rings in a single run by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process is provided. The method can include providing a coil formed of an iron-based material; heating the coil; and depositing a coating on all surfaces of the coil during a single continuous period of time, without having to move the coil during the CVD process. The coil is maintained in a fixed position during the depositing step. The method next includes splitting the coil into a plurality of separate coated piston rings. Alternatively, the method can include providing a plurality of stacked keystone piston ring bodies; and disposing a cylinder around the stack to maintain the keystone piston ring bodies in position while depositing the CVD coating on all surfaces of the keystone piston ring bodies during the single coating run.
US09909209B2

A polycrystalline chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond wafer comprising: a largest linear dimension equal to or greater than 125 mm; a thickness equal to or greater than 200 μm; and one or both of the following characteristics measured at room temperature (nominally 298 K) over at least a central area of the polycrystalline CVD diamond wafer, said central area being circular, centered on a central point of the polycrystalline CVD diamond wafer, and having a diameter of at least 70% of the largest linear dimension of the polycrystalline CVD diamond wafer: an absorption coefficient ≦0.2 cm−1 at 10.6 μm; and a dielectric loss coefficient at 145 GHz, of tan δ≦2×10−4.
US09909205B2

A vapor deposition apparatus including: a chamber that holds an object on which a film is to be deposited through vapor deposition; a vapor deposition source that is disposed inside the chamber, the vapor deposition source having a housing that accommodates therein a vapor deposition material for the vapor deposition; and a heater that heats the vapor deposition material. The housing has a plurality of eject outlets and an air outlet that is openable and closable, the plurality of eject outlets connecting the inside of the housing with the outside of the housing and ejecting vapor of the vapor deposition material towards the object.
US09909204B2

The present invention discloses a frame for a mask plate and a mask plate. The frame comprises a frame body and a frame through hole passing through the frame body in the thickness direction, a first recessed portion being provided around the frame through hole at an inner periphery of the frame body, the first recessed portion having a continuous bottom surface for providing masks thereon, and a second recessed portion being provided inside the first recessed portion, the second recessed portion being used for providing a shielding film thereon so that the position of the shielding film corresponds to the positions of gaps between adjacent ones of the masks.
US09909203B2

A method for fabrication of metal film with nanoapertures is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a nanopatterned template including a plurality of nanostructures, depositing of the metal film onto the nanopatterned template, and thermally induced dewetting of the metal film to define the nanoapertures in the metal film by diffusion and reflow of the metal film.
US09909200B2

There is provided a method of manufacturing an Ni-base superalloy which enables a uniform coat of a glass lubricant to be maintained even after heated to hot forging temperature. The method of manufacturing an Ni-base superalloy in which a forging stock containing an Ni-base superalloy, coated with a lubricant, is subjected to hot forging includes: a preliminary oxidation step of previously generating a Cr oxide coating film having a film thickness of 0.5 to 50 μm on the forging stock thereby to obtain a preliminarily oxidized material; a lubricant coating step of coating the preliminarily oxidized material with a glass lubricant containing borosilicate glass as a main component thereby to obtain a material to be forged; and a hot forging step of hot forging the material to be forged thereby to obtain a hot forged material.
US09909197B2

A fabrication method of a supporting unit supporting a substrate is provided. The fabrication method includes providing a supporting plate that is made of a non-conductive material and configured to support the substrate, providing a base plate that is disposed under the supporting plate and made of a material containing a conductive material, and forming a first metal film on a top surface of the base plate and bonding the supporting plate with the base plate through a brazing process.
US09909191B2

Described herein is a set of oligonucleotide probes. Also included are methods of using the oligonucleotide probes in profiling the microbiota of the GI tract of a subject and methods of diagnosing or monitoring a disease or condition in a subject or predicting or assessing the risk of a subject developing a disease or condition. Kits comprising the oligonucleotide probe set described herein are also provided.
US09909188B2

The instant disclosure relates to the finding that lincRNA expression is associated with particular cytogenetic abnormalities and is related to disease pathogenesis of certain cancers. Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been found to play a role in gene regulation, but their expression has not been described in B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Methods and compositions are provided regarding B-ALL associated long intergenic RNAs (BALIRs).
US09909187B2

Disclosed herein are primers and probes for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the KRAS gene. These primers and probes may be used in a method of identifying the presence or absence of one or more SNPs in the KRAS gene. These primers and probes may also be used in a method of predicting a response of a subject in need thereof to a cancer therapy. The primers and probes may further be used in a method of selecting a cancer therapy for a subject in need thereof.
US09909184B1

Disclosed are methods, compositions, and diagnostic kits for the rapid detection of certain types of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia. In some embodiments, a diagnostic kit, reagents, and methods are disclosed for the rapid detection of various α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia genotypes in multiple patient samples using real-time PCR. More specifically, in certain embodiments, diagnostic kits, reagents, and methods are disclosed for the rapid detection of up to seven different α-thalassemia genotypes and twenty different β-thalassemia genotypes in one single multiplex real-time PCR reaction.
US09909164B2

There is provided a method for preparing a sample for a nucleic acid amplification reaction, the method including a heating step of applying heat to a nucleic acid-containing sample, and an electrodialysis step of bringing an electrical conductivity of the sample to 2,000 μS/cm or less.
US09909163B2

Methods and composition related to the engineering of a novel protein with methionine-γ-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-γ-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.
US09909162B2

Described herein are methods and apparatus for rapid detection of microorganisms in biological samples (e.g. blood) for analysis to determine the presence or absence of infectious microorganisms in the samples. The apparatus includes a cartridge with a lid and a tray, a mechanism for isolating a bulk sample into multiple smaller samples, and a sensor disposed on the tray to determine the presence or absence of microorganisms. The cartridge lid includes projections that, in a first position, allow for sample to distribute evenly in the cartridge tray and, in a second position, isolate the sample into multiple smaller volume samples. The apparatus and method shorten the time-to-detection of a microorganism in a sample and reduce the steps required from sample collection to microorganism detection.
US09909158B2

A method of producing a sugar liquid from a cellulose-containing biomass includes (1) hydrolyzing a cellulose-containing biomass using a filamentous fungus-derived cellulose and carrying out solid-liquid separation into a sugar liquid and a hydrolysis residue; (2) washing the hydrolysis residue in (1) using an aqueous alkaline solution and an aqueous inorganic salt solution independently and recovering, as a washing liquid, the filamentous fungus-derived cellulase adsorbed to the hydrolysis residue; and (3) filtering the washing liquid in (2) through an ultrafiltration membrane to recover a sugar liquid as a permeate and the filamentous fungus-derived cellulase as a non-permeate.
US09909153B2

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for biologically producing fatty acid derivatives, such as fatty alcohols, from recombinant C1 metabolizing microorganisms that utilize C1 substrates such as methane or natural gas as a feedstock.
US09909139B2

Disclosed is a dsRNA construct used to silencing specific eukaryotic translation initiation factor in plants to produce a plant resistant to viruses such as Potyviruses, Luteoviruses, and Furoviruses. More specifically, the plant would be resistant to viruses such as Wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, Soil bourne mosaic virus, or Barley yellow dwarf virus. Also disclosed are non-transgenic wheat plants having the genes for eIF(iso)4E-2 or eIF4G silenced.
US09909130B2

The present invention provides systems for producing engineered oleaginous yeast or fungi that express carotenoids.
US09909124B2

Provided herein are improved compounds, compositions and associated methods for reducing expression of ApoCIII mRNA and protein in a subject having, or at risk of having, diabetes. Also provided herein are compounds, compositions and associated methods improving peripheral insulin sensitivity, a lipid profile and a diabetes profile as well as reducing free fatty acids and intramyocellular triglyceride deposition.
US09909123B2

Disclosed are antisense molecules and compositions for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infection. The antisense molecules and compositions comprise nucleic acid molecules, such as RNA, DNA, or nucleic acid molecules with modified backbones, such as PNA. The antisense molecules and compositions inhibit gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus; are optionally conjugated to cell penetration molecules such as peptides; and are optionally administered in the form of a nanoparticle composition.
US09909106B2

A recombinant baculovirus expression vector or cell comprising an engineered baculovirus fp25k gene with one to three modified or mutated spots, the modified spots comprise the two 7-adenine mononucleotide repeats (MNR) and the 10th TTAA site. The invention also provides the method of making the vector and baculovirus.
US09909103B2

The present disclosure relates to a tissue collection apparatus including a housing defining an inlet and an outlet and a tissue scaffold suitable for disposal within the housing, the tissue scaffold configured to be loaded with the tissue under the application of an aspiration force applied through the tissue collection apparatus.
US09909101B2

Provided herein are methods of perfusion culturing an adherent mammalian cell using a shake flask and a plurality of microcarriers, and various methods that utilize these culturing methods.
US09909098B2

The current invention provides methods, as well as compositions useful in such methods, involving application of energy to a tissue of interest to generate a liquefied sample comprising tissue constituents so as to provide for rapid tissue sampling, as well as qualitative and/or quantitative detection of analytes that may be part of tissue constituents (e.g., several types of biomolecules, drugs, and microbes). Determination of tissue composition can be used in a variety of applications, including diagnosis or prognosis of local as well as systemic diseases, evaluating bioavailability of therapeutics in different tissues following drug administration, forensic detection of drugs-of-abuse, evaluating changes in the tissue microenvironment following exposure to a harmful agent, and various other applications.
US09909097B1

This disclosure describes a biochemical reactor with an unclogging pipe. The biochemical reactor may include a tank configured to house immobilized carriers and fluid. The biochemical reactor may include a circulation conduit at least partially disposed within the tank. The circulation conduit may include a circulation inlet opening and a circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include one or more vanes disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. The one or more vanes may be configured to cause the immobilized carrier and the fluid exiting the circulation outlet opening to enter into a helical pattern. The biochemical reactor may include an unclogging pipe configured to clear clogging of the circulation conduit. The unclogging pipe may be disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. Clearing clogging of the circulation conduit may include directing a pressurized flow of air to the circulation conduit via the unclogging pipe.
US09909093B2

The present disclosure relates to a funnel apparatus for channeling cells onto a plurality of distinct, closely spaced regions of a seeding surface. The funnel apparatus has a body portion having an upper surface and a lower surface. The body portion forms a plurality of flow paths, at least one of which is shaped to have a decreasing cross-sectional area from the upper surface to the lower surface. The flow paths are formed at the lower surface to enable cells deposited into the flow paths at the upper surface of the funnel apparatus to be channeled into a plurality of distinct, closely spaced regions on the seeding surface positioned adjacent the lower surface.
US09909081B2

The present disclosure provides an additive package for a lubricant composition that includes an alkoxylated amide, an ester, and an anti-wear agent including phosphorus, molybdenum, or a combination thereof. The present disclosure also provides a lubricant composition that includes a base oil, the alkoxylated amide, the ester, and the anti-wear agent including phosphorus, molybdenum, or a combination thereof. The present disclosure further provides a method of lubricating an internal combustion engine for improving fuel economy.
US09909078B2

A processed pyrolysis oil composition, a renewable liquid fuel, having a high energy density, low water content and a more neutral pH, and made with an oxygen-starved microwave sub-system from a processed organic-carbon-containing feedstock made with a beneficiation sub-system is described. Renewable biomass feedstock passed through a beneficiation sub-system to reduce water content to below at least 20 wt % and water-soluble salt reduction of at least 60% from that of unprocessed organic-carbon-containing feedstock on a dry basis. The processed feedstock is introduced into a substantially microwave-transparent reaction chamber. A microwave source emits microwaves which are directed through the microwave-transparent wall of the reaction chamber to impinge on the feedstock within the reaction chamber. The microwave source may be rotated relative to the reaction chamber. The feedstock is subjected to microwaves until the desired reaction occurs to produce a liquid processed pyrolysis oil fuel.
US09909077B2

The present invention provides a method for producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester (FAAE) product from feed-stocks containing free fatty acids. The method comprises glycerolysis and transesterification processes combined with end-product refining. Products produced from a transesterification reaction are separated into a crude FAAE stream and a crude glycerin stream. The crude glycerin stream is further processed to produce a glyceride stream from which additional FAAEs may be produced.
US09909072B2

The present disclosure relates to a process for the production of bio-oil which involves heating a mixture of a biomass slurry and a first catalyst composition at a temperature ranging from 200 to 350° C. and at a pressure ranging from 70 to 250 bars to obtain a mass containing crude bio oil, a residue and the catalyst; separating the crude bio oil from said mass to obtain a separated crude bio oil; extracting said separated crude bio oil with at least one solvent and evaporating said solvent to obtain a solvent free crude bio oil; subjecting said solvent free crude bio oil to reduction in the presence of a second catalyst composition and hydrogen source at temperature and pressure conditions similar to those employed for the conversion of bio mass into crude bio oil to obtain bio-oil. The second catalyst composition is the same as that of the first catalyst composition. The process also comprises a method step of recovering the first catalyst and reusing it either for preparing crude bio oil or bio oil or both.
US09909067B2

Various biomass reactors systems and methods of pyrolyzing biomass are disclosed. One type of biomass reactor system comprises a plurality of biomass processing stations configured in series, each station comprising an auger reactor including an auger inlet for receiving biomass and a transfer screw for conveying the biomass through the auger reactor.
US09909066B2

An alignment layer composition including a copolymer of a dianhydride compound and a diamine compound, wherein the copolymer includes a repeating unit represented by Formula 1: wherein each of Ar1 and Ar2 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group comprising 6 to 30 carbon atoms, X is an electron donating group, and is an ester group, wherein “*” indicates a point of attachment to the aromatic groups Ar1 and Ar2.
US09909055B2

Methods and compositions for a treatment fluid composition are disclosed for use within a subterranean formation, comprising: a degradable diverting agent, and a Schiff base comprising a degradation accelerator. The treatment fluid may be introduced into a formation and the Schiff base allowed to hydrolytically release the degradation accelerator, allowing the degradation accelerator to degrade the degradable diverting agent.
US09909053B2

Embodiments of a polymer composition are disclosed for use in enhancing the production of oil from a formation. In one embodiment, the composition includes a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from the group of surfactants, glycol ethers, alcohols, co-solvents, and mixtures thereof, at a weight ratio of powder polymer to water soluble solvent ranging from 20:80 to 80:20. The polymer composition is substantially anhydrous. The polymer composition is hydrated in an aqueous fluid for an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and having a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 μm filter.
US09909048B2

The invention relates to cementitious or grout compositions and drilling fluids including reinforcement fibers and methods relating thereto. The cementitious or grout compositions include dry blend material and reinforcement fibers. Each of the fibers can have one or more of a pre-selected mean length, denier, diameter and aspect ratio to improve dispersion in dry blending the cementitious or grout compositions.
US09909045B2

A composition including 2,3,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-1-ene as a mixture with one or more hydrocarbon, hydrofluorocarbon, ether, hydrofluoroether or fluoroolefin compounds having a boiling point of less than or equal to 0° C. Also, the use of such a composition in heat transfer applications. Also, a heat transfer installation including a vapor compression circuit containing such a composition as heat-transfer fluid or containing a heat-transfer composition including such a composition, and also one or more additives chosen from lubricants, stabilizers, surfactants, tracers, fluorescers, odorous agents and solubilizers, and mixtures thereof.
US09909044B2

This invention provides emulsions and adhesives comprising proteins that can be isolated from a variety of sources including renewable plant biomass, and methods of making and using such emulsions and adhesives.
US09909042B2

An adhesive composition for use on a fleece-backed roofing substrate includes two components that are mixed prior to application on the fleece backed roofing substrate. The first component includes renewable polyol, catalyst, fumed silica, and surfactant. The renewable polyols are selected from any non-petroleum based polyol that is derived from a renewable source. The second component includes isocyanates, including renewable and non-renewable isocyanates.
US09909041B2

Resin systems and methods for making and using same are provided. The resin system can include a first aqueous resin comprising at least two polymerized monomers and a second aqueous resin comprising at least two polymerized monomers. The first aqueous resin can be present in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 95 wt %, based on the total weight the resin system. The second aqueous resin can be present in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 95 wt %, based on the total weight the resin system. The at least two polymerized monomers of the first and second aqueous resins can be the same monomers.
US09909040B2

Compositions containing an adhesive material, a release additive and a compatibilizer are suitable for temporarily bonding two surfaces, such as a wafer active side and a substrate. These compositions are useful in the manufacture of electronic devices where a temporary bonding of a component to a substrate is desired.
US09909028B2

A ligneous decorative design part having a high degree of originality and excellent design, and exhibiting a novel handsome appearance, due to properties of a ligneous material which has translucency when impregnated with a resin material. The ligneous decorative design part has a surface layer portion including a ligneous sliced veneer which is impregnated with a resin material and disposed on a side of a front surface of the surface layer portion, and which defines a decorative design surface, and a base layer portion superposed on a back surface of the surface layer portion, and formed integrally with the surface layer portion. The surface layer portion has translucency, and the ligneous decorative design part further includes another material interposed between the surface layer portion and the base layer portion and which is visible on a side of the front surface of the surface layer portion.
US09909026B2

Disclosed is a hard coating film with high impact resistance and superior physical properties, including high hardness, scratch resistance and transparency, and high processability.
US09909025B2

The present invention relates to thermochromic micro particles capable of stably implementing a high chromogenic property and a decolorization property and having an improved erasing property, thermal resistance, and chemical resistance, and a thermochromic ink composition, a writing apparatus, and a smart window using the same. The thermochromic micro particles comprise a core part including a phase change material and a dye, the phase change material including a phenol-based compound containing an aliphatic functional group having a carbon number of 6 or more; and a shell layer including a polymer resin.
US09909021B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing a coating agent, such as a paint or a plaster, having a 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolone content in the range from 0 to 1 ppm, using components which would introduce in total more than 1.5 ppm of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolone into the coating agent. The method comprises the steps: a) decomposing the 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolone present in the components of the coating agent with the help of at least one 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolone-decomposing compound, such that the content of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolone is in a range from 0 to 1 ppm over the course of a period of less than 24 hours, b) mixing the individual constituents of the coating agent, not definitively selected from the group comprising water, binder, pigment, wetting agent, thickener, thixotropic agent, pH regulating compounds, fillers and dispersants, and c) adding at least one preservative selected from the group consisting of 2-methylisothiazolin-3-one, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, N-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and 2-n-octylisothiazolin-3-one.
US09909019B2

The present invention is directed to coating compositions for forming diffusion coatings on metal-based substrates. The coating compositions may include a metal powder, an inorganic salt, an activator, and a binder. The present invention is also directed to processes for forming diffusion coatings on metal-based substrates using the disclosed coating compositions.
US09909014B2

The present invention provides fluorinated compounds as well as dispersions of the fluorinated compounds. The fluorinated compounds described herein, in some embodiments, can be applied substrates such as textiles, including carpet and other floor coverings.
US09909011B2

A method for coating the surface of inorganic solid particles in an aqueous suspension, particularly for coating titanium dioxide with SiO2 includes: a) disagglomeration of the solid particles contained in aqueous suspension, b) addition of a water-soluble precursor of the coating substance to the suspension, c) immediately following step b) homogenization of the suspension, where the temperature and pH value of the suspension do not change significantly in steps a) to c), d) feeding the slurry into a tank and precipitation of the coating substance onto the particle surface and, optionally, application of further coatings, and e) separation of the solid particles from the suspension. The method produces to a highly homogeneous and continuous skin on the particle surface, and to less separately precipitated coating substance.
US09909007B2

The present invention relates to a curable silicone composition comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane represented by the average unit formula: (R13SiO1/2)a(R12SiO2/2)b (R2SiO3/2)c (R3SiO3/2)d, wherein, R1 are the same or different alkyl groups having from 1 to 12 carbons, alkenyl groups having from 2 to 12 carbons, aryl groups having from 6 to 20 carbons, or aralkyl groups having from 7 to 20 carbons, provided that at least two R1 in a molecule are the alkenyl groups; R2 is an aryl group having from 6 to 20 carbons or an aralkyl group having from 7 to 20 carbons; R3 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbons; and a, b, c, and d are respectively numbers satisfying: 0.01≦a≦0.5, 0≦b≦0.7, 0.01≦c<0.7, 0.1≦d<0.9, and a+b+c+d=1; (B) a linear organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups and at least one silicon-bonded aryl group in a molecule; (C) an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in a molecule; (D) a hydrosilylation-reaction catalyst. The curable silicone composition has excellent handling/workability and forming a cured product with a high refractive index and low gas permeability when cured.
US09909002B2

There are provided a resin composition capable of affording a cross-linked foam excellent in heat storage performance, a cross-linked product of the resin composition, and a method for producing the cross-linked product. Specifically, there is provided a resin composition containing an olefin polymer comprising a main chain containing monomer units derived from ethylene and branch chains having 5 or more carbon atoms, the number of the branch chains being within the range of 20 chains to 40 chains per 1000 carbon atoms constituting the olefin polymer, and having a melting peak temperature measured with DSC of within the range of 10° C. to 50° C., a crystallization peak temperature measured with DSC of within the range of 0° C. to 40° C., and a melt enthalpy measured with DSC of 50 J/g or more, and an olefin polymer having a melting peak temperature measured with DSC of within the range of 50° C. to 180° C.
US09908992B2

Curing fluoroelastomers with curing agents of formulas (I), (II), (III), and (IV): wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, R8, and R9, is selected from the group consisting of H; halogen atom; C1 to C4 alkyl groups in which the alkyl group is linear, branched, or cyclic; OR′; and aromatic groups; R5 is H; and R′ is selected from the group consisting of C1 to C4 alkyl groups in which the alkyl group is linear, branched, or cyclic; and phenyl.
US09908991B2

An organic pigment composition that allows a colored item to have good color saturation and high resistance to a change in hue even when subjected to a thermal history for a prolonged period. A color filter includes an organic pigment composition for color filters in a pixel portion. The organic pigment composition for color filters includes an organic pigment (A) having an average primary particle size of 100 nm or less; and a copolymer (B) of a (meth)acrylic acid ester having a phosphate group and another (meth)acrylic acid ester having no phosphate group, the amount of a nonvolatile component of the copolymer (B) being 0.1 to 15 parts relative to 100 parts of the organic pigment (A) on a mass basis.
US09908986B2

The present disclosure relates to an inorganic, halogen-free flameproofing agent produced from modified, carbonized red mud (MKRS-HT) having, in some examples, a mineral composition of 10 to 50 weight % of iron compounds, 12 to 35 weight % of aluminum compounds, 5 to 17 weight % of silicon compounds, 2 to 10 weight % of titanium dioxide, 0.5 to 6 weight % of calcium compounds, the weight ratio of Fe (II) carbonate to the oxides of iron being at least 1. Examples of the agent can be used as a flame retardant in the high-temperature range. The disclosure further relates to an agent produced from modified, carbonized and rehydrated red mud, which can be used as a flame retardant in the low-temperature and high-temperature ranges, methods for producing same and use as flame retardants. The disclosure further relates to a flameproofed material system and methods for producing same.
US09908983B2

Means for solving the problemsThe thermoplastic resin composition (X1) of the present invention comprises (A1), (B1), (C1), and optionally (D1) below: 1 to 90 wt % of an isotactic polypropylene (A1); 9 to 98 wt % of a propylene/ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (B1) containing 45 to 89 mol % of propylene-derived structural units, 10 to 25 mol % of ethylene-derived structural units, and optionally, 0 to 30 mol % of C4-C20 α-olefin-derived structural units (a1); 1 to 80 wt % of a styrene-based elastomer (C1); and 0 to 70 wt % of an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (D1) whose density is in the range of 0.850 to 0.910 g/cm3, wherein (A1)+(B1)+(C1)+(D1)=100 wt %.
US09908982B2

The present application relates to a natural fiber plastic composite product comprising thermoplastic polymer and dried deinking sludge containing cellulose fibers and minerals in foamed form. The present application also relates to a method for preparing the natural fiber plastic composite product.
US09908971B2

A multi-arm polyethylene glycol derivative having a narrow molecular weight distribution represented by the formula (1): wherein, L represents a group selected from a linear or branched alkylene, arylene, or cycloalkylene group having two or more carbon atoms and combinations thereof, which may have an ether bond in a chain; X represents a dehydroxylation residue of a linear sugar alcohol having 5 or 7 carbon atoms; m is the number of polyethylene glycol chains bonded to X and represents 4 or 6; n is the average addition molar number of oxyethylene groups and represents an integer of 3 to 600; Y represents a single bond or an alkylene group as further defined herein; and Z represents a chemically reactive functional group.
US09908963B2

This invention relates to polymer particles, a process for their preparation, the use of these particles for the preparation of an electrophoretic device, electrophoretic displays comprising such particle, and new copolymer stabilizers.
US09908961B2

Provided are (1) a vinyl alcohol graft copolymer grafting polymerizable unsaturated monomers as a graft chain onto a side-chain mercapto group-containing vinyl alcohol polymer backbone, the graft chain being attached to the polymer backbone at a mercapto group, and the backbone including: a vinyl alcohol unit and a unit represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl group; R2 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a carboxyl group, or a carboxymethyl group; and X is a divalent C1-22 group which contains a carbon atom and a hydrogen atom and may contain a nitrogen atom and/or an oxygen atom; and (2) an ion-exchange membrane having controlled swelling in water and excellent flex resistance, the membrane including a vinyl alcohol graft copolymer as described above.
US09908951B2

The present invention generally relates to processes for converting an ester group to an acid group for polymers having a pendant ester of an acid group. This process is generally performed using an aqueous strong base.
US09908940B2

The invention provides methods for identifying immunobinders, such as scFv antibodies, capable of specifically binding to cell surface antigens, and compositions identified according to said methods.
US09908929B2

A mineralized collagen matrix with an intrafibrillar and/or extrafibrillar gradient of mineralization for insertion replacement is disclosed. The intrafibrillar mineralization of the collagen matrix is formed by the addition of fetuin to the simulated body fluid. The gradient of intrafibrillar mineralization may stiffen the collagen matrix and simulate a natural insertion for improved cell infiltration and regeneration.
US09908928B2

The present invention relates to an isolated fusion protein comprising an extracellular CD95 domain or a functional fragment thereof and an Fc domain or functional fragment thereof, formulations providing such fusion protein in a stable form as well as a method for producing such a fusion protein.
US09908927B2

Provided herein are specific TRAIL receptor agonist proteins, nucleic acids encoding the same, and methods of treating a subject having a TRAIL-associated disease or disorder. The TRAIL receptor agonist proteins provided herein comprise three soluble TRAIL domains and an Fc fragment. The TRAIL receptor agonist proteins are substantially non-aggregating and suitable for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications.
US09908923B2

The present invention provides a CXCL121 peptide engineered to resist peptide-induced dimerization by maintaining steric repulsion of the chemokine helix, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using said dimer in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease, and HIV/AIDS.
US09908922B2

The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules.
US09908921B2

The present invention provides galectin-9 variant having substantially the same bioactivity as in wild-type galectin-9 and being superior in protease stability, solubility, and yield. The galectin-9 variant according to the present invention is a protein including the following NCRD and the following CCRD composed of an N-terminal region and a C-terminal region. The C terminus of the NCRD and the N terminus of the CCRD are directly or indirectly bound to each other. The NCRD is (N1) a peptide composed of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1. The N-terminal region of the CCRD is (C-N1) a peptide composed of an amino acid sequence obtained by deletion of 1 to 17 amino acids in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 3. The C-terminal region is (C-C1) a peptide composed of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 5.
US09908908B2

The invention relates to a tenofovir prodrug and pharmaceutical uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a compound as shown in general formula (I): and its isomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate, as well as their uses in preparing drugs for treating viral infectious diseases, especially HIV infection, hepatitis B, or diseases caused by hepatitis B virus, wherein the definition of each substituent in the general formula (I) is as defined in the specification.
US09908906B2

Nanoscale metal halide perovskites are provided. The nanoscale metal halide perovskites may have a 2D structure, a quasi-2D structure, or a 3D structure. Methods also are provided for making the nanoscale metal halide perovskites. The color emitted by the nanoscale metal halide perovskites may be tuned.
US09908904B2

Surface-modified nanoparticles wherein each nanoparticle includes an inorganic core and surface modifying groups, wherein the surface modifying groups include at least one triorganoborane-amine complex having the structure —Z—NHR1—B(R2)3 wherein: Z is a divalent organic group; R1 is H or an organic group; and each R2 is independently an organic group bound to the boron atom through a carbon atom. The inorganic core is typically an inorganic oxide core, e.g., silica, zirconia, or alumina.
US09908891B2

The present invention provides processes for preparing morphinan-6-one compounds, in particular oxymorphone and salts thereof, having improved impurity profiles.
US09908889B2

Provided is a salt having a high selectivity to BTK and is useful as a drug ingredient for a pharmaceutical product.It has been found that fumarate of Compound A is free of a characteristic of channel hydrate and is stable and excellent in absorptive property, compared to Compound A or other salts thereof.
US09908883B2

The invention provides a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound, wherein R1, R2, R3, Z, A1, L and A2 are as described herein; pharmaceutical compositions thereof; and the use thereof in treating diseases, conditions or disorders modulated by the inhibition of an acetyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme(s) in an animal.
US09908881B2

The present invention refers to novel process for the preparation of Apixaban. Further, the invention also related to a process for the preparation of intermediate of Apixaban from very basic and cheap row material i.e. Aniline which is widely commercially available. The present invention provides process for preparation of Apixaban using a different sequence of synthetic steps and does not involve use of Ullmann reaction.
US09908873B2

Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating of disorders that are affected by the modulation of the GPR40 receptor. Such compounds are represented by Formula (II) as follows: wherein R1B, R2B, R4B, WB, XB, YB, and GB, are defined herein.
US09908866B2

Chemical entities that are quinoxaline kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described.
US09908861B2

Methods of preparing a second high-efficiency, rhenium-promoted silver catalyst for producing alkylene oxide from an alkylene based on a first catalyst are disclosed and described. In accordance with the disclosed methods, the first and second catalysts include at least one promoter that includes a rhenium promoter. The target catalyst concentrations of one or more promoters of the at least one promoter on the second catalyst are determined based on the values of a catalyst reference property for the two catalysts and the concentration of the one or more promoters of the at least one promoter on the first catalyst. Suitable catalyst reference properties include carrier specific surface area and silver specific surface area. Reaction systems utilizing the first and second catalysts are also described.
US09908859B2

The invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of diseases and disorders associated with myeloproliferative disorders. In particular, the invention relates to an LSD 1 inhibitor for use in treating or preventing Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative disorders.
US09908855B2

This present disclosure is related to the field of N-(substituted)-5-fluoro-4-imino-3-methyl-2-oxo-3,4-di-hydropyrimidine-1(2H)-carboxylates and their derivatives and to the use of these compounds as fungicides. Also provided are methods of controlling a fungal disease such as Septoria tritici, comprising administering an effective amount of the fungicide compound to at lease one surface associated with the plant, seed or soil.
US09908850B2

Novel salt forms of [R—(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-β,δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid characterized by their X-ray powder diffraction pattern and solid-state NMR spectra are described, as well as methods for the preparation and pharmaceutical composition of the same, which are useful as agents for treating hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and Alzheimer's Disease.
US09908847B2

The present invention relates to an improved method for producing specific α,β-unsaturated aldehydes.
US09908837B2

Polymers, particularly those used in pressure-sensitive adhesives, are prepared from a mixture of structural isomers of a secondary alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer. The mixture is made by dehydrating a biobased C2-C22 alcohol with a first acid catalyst using a continuous process to form a mixture of olefins, and reacting (meth)acrylic acid with at least some of the mixture of olefins in the presence of a second acid catalyst. The adhesives are characterized by exhibiting an overall balance of adhesive and cohesive characteristics, and containing biobased material.
US09908836B2

The invention provides a process for the isolation of levulinic acid and formic acid from a composition comprising formic acid and levulinic acid, said process comprising a solid-liquid separation step, a vapor removal step, and a solvent-solvent extraction step, wherein a vapor condensate vapor and/or an aqueous phase from the solvent extraction is used to wash the solid fraction. Washing with vapor condensate results in higher levulinic acid yields (higher levulinic acid recovery) as compared to washing with normal water. Washing with aqueous phase results in a less compressible filter cake. Washing first with aqueous phase and subsequently with condensate results in even higher levulinic acid yields. The process is suitable for isolating levulinic acid and formic acid from compositions made by acid hydrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass, and also from compositions made by acid hydrolysis of sugars such as glucose and fructose.
US09908829B2

Disclosed is (i) a process of making phenol and/or cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene including a step of removing methylcyclopentylbenzene from (a) the cyclohexylbenzene feed supplied to the oxidation step and/or (b) the crude phenol product (ii) a phenol composition and (iii) a cyclohexylbenzene composition that can be made using the process.
US09908819B1

A method for producing a green body includes forming a layer which contains a powder of a ceramic on a substrate, applying at least one solidifying composition on at least a part of the layer, repeating forming the layer and applying at least one solidifying composition at least one time, removing the solvent or dispersing agent at least in part for forming a green body, and removing the powder which has not bonded and thereby exposing the green body. The solidifying composition contains a dissolved or liquid organometallic compound, which has at least one atom other than C, Si, H, O, or N bonded to at least one organic moiety, an organic binding agent, and a solvent or dispersing agent.
US09908817B2

The invention provides a stacked capacitor configuration comprising subunits each with a thickness of as low as 20 microns. Also provided is combination capacitor and printed wire board wherein the capacitor is encapsulated by the wire board. The invented capacitors are applicable in micro-electronic applications and high power applications, whether it is AC to DC or DC to AC, or DC to DC.
US09908814B1

The invention relates to cementitious compositions, concrete compositions, and methods of making and using the cementitious compositions in the preparation of concrete. In particular, the cementitious compositions comprise a saccharide. In an aspect of the invention, the concrete compositions have improved properties, which can include, but are not limited to, increased flexural and compressive strength, improved wear, reduced permeability, and reduced slumping.
US09908811B2

A glass-based article including a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface defining a thickness (t) of about 3 millimeters or less (e.g., about 1 millimeter or less), and a stress profile, wherein all points of the stress profile between a thickness range from about 0·t up to 0.3·t and from greater than about 0.7·t to t, comprise a tangent with a slope having an absolute value greater than about 0.1 MPa/micrometer. In some embodiments, the glass-based article includes a non-zero metal oxide concentration that varies along at least a portion of the thickness (e.g., 0·t to about 0.3·t) and a maximum central tension of less than about 71.5/√(t) (MPa). In some embodiments, the concentration of metal oxide or alkali metal oxide decreases from the first surface to a point between the first surface and the second surface and increases from the point to the second surface. The concentration of the metal oxide may be about 0.05 mol % or greater or about 0.5 mol % or greater throughout the thickness. Methods for forming such glass-based articles are also disclosed.
US09908808B1

Ternary chalcogenide glass materials containing germanium can display enhanced properties compared to corresponding binary chalcogenide glass materials lacking germanium. For instance, ternary chalcogenide glass materials containing germanium, arsenic and selenium can exhibit improved Vickers micro-hardness values and other enhanced mechanical properties while still maintaining small changes in refractive index as function of temperature. Such ternary glass materials can have a formula of (AsySez)[(100-x)·0.01]Gex, in which x ranges between about 1 and 5, y ranges between about 30 and 40, z ranges between about 60 and 70, and y+z=100. Methods for producing the ternary glass materials can include blending arsenic, selenium, and germanium as a melt, and cooling the melt to form the ternary glass material.
US09908805B2

A method of providing locally annealed regions for a glass article comprising: (a) providing a strengthened glass article having a first surface compressive stress and a first depth of layer of compressive stress; (b) targeting first portions of the glass article on a first side thereof; (c) annealing the targeted first portions to a second surface compressive stress and a second depth of layer of compressive stress; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) to create a pattern of annealed portions of the glass article on the first side thereof. Targeted annealing can be done e.g. by focusing a laser or using microwave energy or an induction source. A method for making a laminate structure comprising a first glass layer (12), a second glass layer (16), and at least one polymer interlayer (14) intermediate the first and second glass layers. The first glass layer (12) can be comprised of a strengthened glass having a first portion with a first surface compressive stress and a first depth of layer of compressive stress and a second portion with a second surface compressive stress and a second depth of layer of compressive stress. In other embodiments, the second glass layer (16) can be comprised of a strengthened glass having a third portion with a third surface compressive stress and a third depth of layer of compressive stress and a fourth portion with a fourth surface compressive stress and a fourth depth of layer of compressive stress.
US09908798B2

Provided is a method for resourceful utilization of desorption liquid generated in the resin ion exchange process. This method effectively separates highly-concentrated organics and salts from the desorption liquid and puts these two components into comprehensive utilization.
US09908796B2

The invention provides for treatment strategies that prevent or control the growth of organisms that degrade oxidant stabilizers in oxidant stabilized biocides. This allows stabilized halogen programs to perform at their intended level and prevents the need for increased halogen usage in an attempt to maintain control of these microbial populations and reduce the halogen-demand created by their enzyme byproducts.
US09908790B2

The invention discloses the design of an improved household solar still with enhanced output and high recovery. The output and recovery are enhanced by (i) aligning the top glass and basin so as to maximize the input solar radiation, (ii) using North-South reflectors in V trough configuration to further raise the incident radiation, (iii) employing metallic condensers on sides to maximize condensation efficiency, (iv) using suitably heated and cooled saline water by taking advantage of ambient temperature differential during a day and using such water as feed water and condenser water respectively. Use of detachable top glass assembly and teflon cork at the bottom allows for easy cleaning of the interior of the still and discharge of concentrate, respectively. The still is also demonstrated to be useful for other applications where, besides producing distilled water, the concentrate is a more value added product than the feed.
US09908789B2

A modular distillation apparatus including at least one heat exchanger that preheats contaminated liquids; a heater that heats the contaminated liquid from the heat exchanger; an evaporator condenser adapted o boil the contaminated liquid coming out of the heater to produce water vapor and contaminant concentrate, and condenser the water vapor into distilled water; a vacuum chamber capable of operating at below atmospheric pressure, the vacuum chamber housing the evaporator condenser and including at least one partition to separate the distilled water from the contaminate concentrate; a vapor compressor operably associated with the vacuum chamber to receive water vapor from the evaporator condenser in the vacuum chamber and pump the water vapor at pressure back through the evaporator condenser, wherein the heat exchanger recovers sensible heat from outgoing condensed distilled water and contaminant concentrate recycled from the vacuum chamber.
US09908788B1

Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of radium form an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of radium from a source by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is monitored for radiation levels and replaced with fresh zeolite when the level of radioactivity reaches approximately 9,000 pCi/g. Spent zeolite is disposed of at a low-level radioactive waste site. A system for monitoring and maintaining radium removal and disposal by an off-site provided is also disclosed.
US09908772B2

A nanostructured article comprises a matrix and a nanoscale dispersed phase. The nanostructured article has a random nanostructured anisotropic surface.
US09908771B2

In accordance with one embodiment, a single chip combination inertial and pressure sensor device includes a substrate, an inertial sensor including a movable sensing structure movably supported above the substrate, and a first fixed electrode positioned adjacent to the movable sensing structure, and a pressure sensor including a gap formed in the sensor at a location directly above the movable sensing structure, and a flexible membrane formed in a cap layer of the device, the flexible membrane defining a boundary of the gap and configured to flex toward and away from the gap in response to a variation in pressure above the flexible membrane.
US09908768B2

A refrigerator includes a dispenser having a dispenser well, a control for regulating a product dispensing operation, and an optical sensing system includes a camera within the dispenser well in communication with a controller for controlling the filling of a container within the dispenser well based on image data. The image data can used to detect at least one of a presence of a container in the dispenser well, a height of liquid within the container, a height of ice within the container and a shape of the container within the dispenser well, as well as to adjust a dispensing rate of product.
US09908766B2

A processing station of a container-processing machine includes an electromagnetic linear drive that raises and lowers a container carrier. The linear drive includes a tubular guide element having a stack of magnets extending through it. This guide element guides the motion of a guided element that has coils. Current through these coils generates a magnetic field that interacts with the field from the tubular guide's magnets. This interaction yields a force that can raise the carrier.
US09908764B2

An apparatus for operating a vehicle lift comprises at least one lifting assembly, a control unit, and a control pendant. The control pendant is configured to remotely control the motion of the vehicle lift through the control unit. The control pendant is configured to permit the lifting of a vehicle by the push of a single button on the control pendant. To permit lifting of a vehicle with a single button, the control pendant comprises a menu screen and a plurality of menu buttons. The menu screen and the plurality of menu buttons may be used together by a user to select one vehicle profile of a plurality of vehicle profiles. The selected vehicle profile may correspond to the vehicle being lifted. The selected vehicle profile provides specific data with respect to how the at least one lifting assembly should be moved for the particular vehicle being lifted.
US09908763B2

An adjustment head (2) is provided for a hoisting device (1) and intended for releasable connection (7) with the free end (6) of the hoisting device (1), said adjustment head (2) comprising mechanisms (9-13, 15) for three-dimensional adjustment of the adjustment head (2) independently from adjustment means of the hoisting device (1).
US09908742B2

A telecommunications cable spool for storing, paying-out, and reeling-in a telecommunications cable includes a spool, an axis of rotation, and a rotatable cable guide mounted about the axis. The spool defines a wrapping area that receives a plurality of wraps of the cable and defines a circumference. The axis passes through the spool within the circumference. The guide defines a rotating cable guide path with a first end adjacent the wrapping area and a second end positioned near the axis. The first end of the path is oriented at least partially tangential to the circumference, and the second end of the path is oriented at least partially aligned with the axis. The cable is routed along a cable route that extends between first and second ends with a storage portion between the ends of the route. The route includes a transitional portion along the guide path between the storage portion and the second end of the route. A portion of the transitional portion is routed through a center of the storage portion. A deployed portion of the cable is paid-out from the second end of the cable route.
US09908741B2

A cord storage device has a base member with two sides, and a plug receptacle extending from one side. The plug receptacle anchors a plug end of an electronic device cord and forms a core about which the cord can be wound. A flexible retaining wall is coupled to the base member and moves between a closed position on the one side and an open position on the other side of the base member. In the closed position, an annular space is formed for the wound cord.
US09908732B2

The invention relates to a device for decurling a web of material, such as a paper web, which device comprises: a first main roller; a second main roller arranged parallel to and at a distance of the first main roller, wherein the first main roller and the second main roller are arranged in a main plane; and a decurling roller arranged parallel to and between the first and second main roller, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main plane, wherein the spacing between the first main roller and the second roller is smaller than the diameter of the decurling roller.
US09908731B2

A paper conveying mechanism includes an elastic urging member provided on each side surface of an upper guide. The urging member includes a projecting portion that projects toward a side guide forming each end of a paper conveying path. An outer width of the upper guide inclusive of the projecting portion is greater than an inner width of the side guides. When a printer cover is closed, the upper guide is urged by the urging member substantially to the center of the inner width of the side guides, thereby producing gaps of substantially equal size on both sides of the upper guide in the paper width direction.
US09908728B2

An apparatus for dispensing absorbent sheet products includes a store with an absorbent web which is to be dispensed, a conveying mechanism with at least one conveying element for feeding the absorbent web and a mechanism for severing the web so as to form absorbent sheet products. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for collecting electrical charges caused by static electricity, a mechanism for directing electrical charges to another element within the apparatus for dispensing, and a mechanism for neutralising or consuming the electrical charges.
US09908723B2

A system including devices and methods for transporting or storing materials uses slidable containers, or modules. The modules have recessed wheels that facilitate sliding movement when placed on tracks. The use of tracks allows for precise placement of the modules in close proximity to each other and the walls of a vessel or facility they are placed in. The modules may be disassembled for easy, compact storage or transport. The modules may be used with a lift platform adapted to accommodate the modules and tracks or rails for engaging the recessed wheels. By using closely aligned tracks, the transport module may be used to maximize efficient use of space when transporting cargo.
US09908716B2

A material handling machine for transferring discrete loads of excavated, uncrushed waste from an excavator or other excavation equipment to a dumping location beyond the reach of the excavator. The material handling machine may include a mobile bridge supported by two or more crawlers. The material handling machine may further include at least one skip that is selectively moved between a first end and a second end of the mobile bridge. The at least one skip may receive material from excavation equipment at the first end and deposit the received material proximate the second end. When the material handling machine includes two skips, one skip may be positioned above the other skip, or the skips may be positioned to be side-by-side.
US09908715B2

A workpiece supplying device includes a pallet that has a stepped portion and accommodates a workpiece, a vibration unit that applies vibration to the pallet, and a posture change unit that changes a posture of the workpiece.
US09908711B2

A conveyor for conveying products in a vertical direction comprises a frame and a drivable conveyor belt supported by the frame and following a helical track about a central centerline. The belt is provided with movable slats having upwardly directed support faces. Inner rollers and outer rollers are present at the lower side of the belt having inner axes and outer axes of rotation, respectively, which are angled with respect to the support faces. The outer rollers are located at a larger distance from the centerline than the inner rollers. The frame is provided with a first guide face for supporting the outer rollers in an outward direction which first guide face is radially directed in the outward direction and with an upwardly directed second guide faces for supporting the belt in the upward direction, which second guide face lies at a distance from the first guide face.
US09908709B2

Disclosed herein is a belt assembly including a flexible belt with an improved belt attachment. The belt attachment includes two crossbars spaced along the length of the belt. The crossbars retain bearings that allow predetermined movement in six degrees of freedom. The crossbars are connected by a rigid body that attaches to the bearings. Implements that are attached to the rigid body are simply supported but restrained in pitching rotation.
US09908708B1

The present invention is directed to a conveyor belt link and a sprocket driven conveyor belt comprising the same. In particular, it relates to a conveyor belt link with coupling mechanism that provides a conveyor belt surface that can reduce product marking, minimizes costs, and simplifies manufacturing and assembly of a conveyor belt comprising the same.
US09908707B2

A conveying installation has a conveying belt and also has drums, loadbearing rollers and loadbearing frameworks. The conveying installation forms a material-conveying upper strand with a supply location for the conveying material and a mostly material-free lower strand. At least one drum and/or at least one loadbearing roller have/has a drum cover, which contains at least one layer composed of a foamed polymer mix.
US09908702B2

Some embodiments efficiently locate and map item locations in a distribution site using robots and a set of markers that the robots can scan without cessation of movement. Some embodiments optimally position a robot for item retrieval or placement. The optimal position is determined by affine transform computation or feature mapping. The robot first aligns itself according to the expected item position as indicated by one or more of the markers. The alignment is determined based on size and orientation of the markers in images obtained using the robot's camera. The robot then aligns itself according to the actual item position. Here, the repositioning is determined based on size and orientation of the actual item in images obtained using the robot's camera. Using the robot cameras and feature mapping, robots can traverse the shelves to identify and map item location therein.
US09908698B2

An autonomous transport vehicle including a transfer arm including at least one finger and a movable finger support member, at least one sensor configured to detect movement of the at least one finger, the at least one sensor having a registration member and a detection member where one of the registration member and detection member is mounted to each of the at least one finger so as to be movable with a respective one of the at least one finger and the other one of the registration member and detection member is stationary relative to the at least one finger, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to determine a position of the at least one finger along the second direction based on a proximity of the registration member relative to the detection member.
US09908685B2

A method for producing a recyclable molded product is provided. The method includes injecting a coffee ground amalgam into a mold, injecting the coffee ground amalgam with a mycelium, incubating the molded coffee ground amalgam injected with the mycelium for a period of time, and dehydrating the molded coffee ground amalgam injected with the mycelium at a set temperature.
US09908682B2

Ampoules made of plastics material and containing 0.5 to 5 ml of a pharmaceutical formulation are sealed, together with an oxygen scavenger, within a pouch.
US09908678B2

The invention is a protective container for transporting an enclosed object such as a flat screen television or other flat screen monitor. The protective covering includes two flaps and a base having soft padding material on their inner surfaces. An open configuration is essentially flat, allowing a monitor to be easily positioned on the covering. The flaps fold up to transform the protective container into a closed configuration, with straps or other connectors holding the flaps in place. The protective container has various features making it convenient to move manually and to transport in a delivery truck. The protective container is more convenient to use than the prior art, and can be manufactured from relatively inexpensive materials.
US09908673B2

A secure drinking assembly includes a container that may contain a beverage. A valve is coupled to the container and the valve selectively opens and closes the container. A security lock is coupled to the container. The security lock may be manipulated thereby facilitating the security lock to receive a security code. The security lock actuates the valve to selectively open the container when the security lock receives the security code.
US09908672B2

A container comprising a jar defining a volume for containing a liquid, the jar having a rim defining an opening having a first diameter, a removable lid defining a through hole of a second diameter and having a coupling element, the removable lid sealing the opening of the jar; a tool configured to extend through the removable lid and having a working portion disposed in the volume when the tool is attached the jar opening, wherein each of the working portion has a diameter less than the second diameter, which is smaller than the first, such that for an amount of liquid material above a threshold, the tool can access the liquid material through the throughhole, and for an amount of liquid material at or below the threshold, the lid is removable and the tool is used to access the liquid material.
US09908669B2

A lid for a liquid container has a lid wall with a perimeter, a top side surface, and an underside surface. The lid has an anti-glug device carried on the lid wall and positioned to coincide with a dispensing orifice in the lid wall. The anti-glug device has a channel that partly circumferentially surrounds the dispensing orifice. Terminal ends of the channel define a circumferential gap therebetween. One or more air vents are formed axially through a part of the channel and are disposed circumferentially opposite the circumferential gap.
US09908668B2

The present disclosure provides a flexible container having four panels—a front panel, a rear panel, and opposing gusseted side panels. The front panel bottom face includes a first line defined by the inner edge of a first peripheral tapered seal and a second line defined by the inner edge of a second peripheral tapered seal. The first line intersects the second line at an apex point in a bottom seal area. The front panel bottom face has a bottom distalmost inner seal point on the inner edge and the apex point is separated from the bottom distalmost inner seal point by a distance from 0 mm to less than 8.0 mm.
US09908667B1

A cup lid assembly includes a cover and a cap. The cover includes an annular mounting portion that secures the cover to the cup rim, an outer annular side wall, an annular upper ridge, an annular inner sidewall, and an interior portion. The annular upper ridge has a drink opening, and the annular inner sidewall slopes downward and inward from the annular upper ridge toward the interior portion. The cap is removably attachable to the cover and includes a main body arranged to be positioned over the interior portion of the cover and a hinged flap extending from the main body. The hinged flap includes a plug adapted to seal the drink opening. The annular inner sidewall has printed text provided on the sloped surface of the annular inner sidewall opposite the drink opening.
US09908659B2

Container for packaging a first fluid and a second fluid, provided with a rupturable membrane which allows this first fluid to be separated from this second fluid, and with a striker having the function of striking said membrane and thus of allowing the first and the second fluid to mix, wherein the container comprises a first element, suitable for receiving the first fluid with a body comprising a first end provided with a dispenser, and a second end forming an aperture intended for receiving the first fluid, wherein the container also includes a second element, suitable for receiving the second fluid with a body including a first end forming an aperture, intended for receiving the second fluid, and a second end closed by means of a pliable wall, wherein the second element is suitable for being received in the second end of the first element and thus for closing this second end of the first element, and the second element is provided with a striker fixed onto the pliable wall, which thus makes the striker mobile.
US09908653B2

Disclosed herein is a banknote handling apparatus 100 including a bundling stacker 4 configured to stack banknotes B therein. The bundling stacker 4 includes: a stage 41 configured to support the banknotes B in their thickness direction; and a guide 42 facing one side of the banknotes B and configured to regulate movement of the banknotes B in a predetermined regulation direction which is parallel to a surface of the banknotes B. The guide 42 moves such that while the banknotes B are removed from the bundling stacker 4, a gap G is formed in the regulation direction between the guide 42 and the one side of the banknotes B.
US09908633B2

An engine inlet for efficient operation at both design Mach number and off-design Mach numbers has a fixed compression surface and a leading edge that is variably extendible over the fixed compression surface to simultaneously vary capture area, compression and shock wave position.
US09908623B2

A wall mounted stowage compartment for a passenger cabin of an aircraft includes a housing having a rearwardly facing wall mounted to a forwardly facing interior monument wall. The stowage compartment is located under an aft most passenger seat adjacent to the forwardly facing interior monument wall. The stowage compartment includes a stowage compartment drawer, and a protective breathing equipment compartment is mounted to a side wall of the aircraft cabin monument, and includes a forwardly facing edge that follows a contour of the forwardly facing wall of the aircraft cabin monument extending from a forwardly facing recess to the floor of the cabin.
US09908616B1

A geometry-based flight control system is disclosed. The geometry-based flight control system receives a set of inputs associated with a requested set of forces and moments to be applied to the aircraft and computes an optimal mix of actuators and associated actuator parameters to achieve to an extent practical the requested forces and moments. Computing the optimal mix of actuators and associated actuator parameters includes taking into consideration dynamically varying effectiveness of one or more actuators based on a dynamic state of the aircraft. For example, the dynamic state may comprise an angle of a tiltwing of the aircraft or an angle of a tilt rotor of the aircraft.
US09908613B2

A propulsion system for aircraft, in particular lightweight aircraft, provides a low-noise and low-cost aircraft. The propulsion system includes at least two ducted propellers (3, 3′). The ducts of are provided laterally on the fuselage (4) of the aircraft in such a way that the common net thrust of the ducted propellers is substantially collinear to the net drag.
US09908598B1

A buoyancy compensating device is disclosed. The buoyancy compensating device includes an air chamber for containing gas for controlling buoyancy, a vent valve for releasing the gas from the air chamber, a tube secured to a shoulder strap of the buoyancy compensating device, and a pull knob for operating the vent valve. The pull knob includes a head piece and an elongated tail piece extending from the head piece. The tail piece is extended into the tube and connected to the vent valve. The tail piece is configured to reside in the tube while the pull knob is pulled by the diver for opening the vent valve. The tail piece may be connected to a pull cord which is then connected to the vent valve. Alternatively, the tail piece may be directly connected to the vent valve.
US09908583B2

Disclosed herein are rear suspension systems for bicycles that coupling the rear wheel of the bicycle to the bicycle frame through a swing arm assembly. The structures disclosed herein allow for independent movement of a swing arm assembly in both a vertical and horizontal directions.
US09908581B2

A vehicle body frame of a saddle-ride-type vehicle which enables a high-strength joint and a reduction in the weight of the vehicle body frame. The vehicle body frame of a saddle-ride-type vehicle includes a plurality of rear frames arranged to face each other in an opposed manner and a cross frame for connecting the plurality of rear frames to each other. A through hole is formed in the rear frames arranged to face each other in an opposed manner with the cross frame being joined to the rear frames at insertion portions thereof inserted into the through holes.
US09908579B2

An intelligent somatic full-balance electric vehicle comprises two wheels (11, 12) of a same size and a motor (4) disposed between the two wheels (11, 12), the two wheels (11, 12) being coaxially connected to the motor (4) through an axle (3); the intelligent somatic full-balance electric vehicle further comprises a control system (10) and a power supply (9); both the control system (10) and the power supply (9) are disposed inside a housing of the vehicle body and located above the wheels, or between the two wheels (11, 12); or one of the control system (10) and the power supply (9) is located between the two wheels (11, 12), and the other is located above the wheels; vertical columns (6) are separately disposed at two ends of the axle (3), and the vertical columns (6) are separately provided with pedals (5) on external sides of the wheels. Because the two coaxial wheels (11, 12) are used, the electric vehicle can implement full balance like a bicycle, and in addition, has unique advantages of a monocycle, namely, having a small size and being easy to carry.
US09908574B2

An assembly of a vehicle fixed bodywork panel and a support part for this fixed bodywork panel, comprising one adjustment means in translation of the fixed bodywork panel comprising: a translation member engaging said support part along a member translation axis; a through hole arranged into a first portion of the bodywork panel, the member translation axis being offset from the through-hole, and; a translation coupling element for the translation member and the fixed bodywork panel engaging the through hole, so that moving the translation member along the member translation axis causes a translation of the fixed bodywork panel relative to the support part in a translation direction allowing the fixed bodywork panel to be in a desired position, e.g. flush with a mobile bodywork panel.
US09908565B2

An axle support of a motor vehicle has two longitudinal supports and at least one cross-beam which is connected to connection points with the cross-beams having body connection points in the end areas thereof. The axle support can be installed with identical dimensions in different types of motor vehicle with respect to the weight and/or drive power thereof. When using the axle support in a type of motor vehicle with a heavy weight and/or high driving power, at least one connecting point is wound with a reinforcement element made from fiber-reinforced plastic, which, in another type of vehicle with a lower weight and/or lower driving power is either not provided or is provided in smaller dimensions.
US09908560B2

A collision countermeasure apparatus for a vehicle includes a longitudinally extending frame rail that defines a transverse opening adjacent a front end. An extension is partially received in a bumper that defines an open end. A pin is received in the transverse opening and has an outer end pivotally connected by a joint to an outboard end of the extension. Collisions outboard of the frame rail drive the extension into the pin and the pin into the rail to laterally displace the vehicle. Collisions inboard of the rail slide the extension outwardly from the bumper and pivot the extension and pin toward each other. Collisions inboard of the rail shift the pin laterally outwardly from the transverse opening.
US09908556B2

Disclosed is a receptacle for a control circuit that controls an electric motor for power assistance in a vehicle steering system. The receptacle includes a housing for holding the control circuit, wherein the housing has an opening to allow insertion of the control circuit into the housing, and a baseplate for dust-tight closure of the opening of the housing in an end position, wherein the baseplate and the housing can be connected to one another in a dust-tight fashion in a delivery position which is different from the end position.
US09908549B2

A novel apparatus and methods for automating or robotically controlling a motorized pallet jack are described herein. A fixed threaded shaft connected to the main pallet structure has a threaded engagement with a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft has two motorized drive wheels that each can be independently controlled causing potential rotation of the rotating shaft with respect to the fixed threaded shaft. Independent control of each drive wheel provides the ability to translate the jack, turn the jack, as well as raise and lower the pallet jack.
US09908542B2

A event recorder system carried on-board a locomotive may include a controller configured to receive data from one or more of a train management system, a cab signaling system, an energy management system, an exhaust aftertreatment monitoring system, a braking system, a communications management system, and an operator fatigue or distraction monitoring system. The data may include one or more of video data, audio data, sensor output data, GPS map data, scanned image data of an operator in a cab of the locomotive, and operational data associated with operation of the locomotive during a trip. The controller may be configured to synchronize the data based on a common attribute associated with all of the data received by the controller, receive from a user one or more customizable parameters predetermined to be indicative of one or more of a system-related characteristic or behavior associated with any one or more of the systems from which the controller receives data, and generate a system notification based on an indication of one or more of a system-related characteristic or behavior that one of falls outside of a predetermined range of system-determinable parameters, or indicates a trend in one or more system-determinable parameters that deviates from an expected trend in the one or more system-determinable parameters.
US09908541B2

A railcar brake beam assembly including a brake beam formation having a tension member, a compression member and strut, and with the strut defining an axis for the brake beam assembly. First and second brake head assemblies are disposed to opposite lateral sides of the axis, with each brake head assembly being operably carried by the brake beam formation and includes a guide member extending in a direction away from the axis. The first and second brake head assemblies are generally centered laterally relative to the axis of the brake beam assembly. A distal end of the guide member on the first brake head assembly is disposed a different lateral distance from the axis of the brake beam assembly than is a distal end of the guide member on the second brake head assembly to minimize lateral shifting movements while maintaining adequate clearances for permitting reciprocal moments of the brake beam assembly during application of braking forces. A method of designing a brake beam assembly for a railcar is also disclosed.
US09908537B2

A rail vehicle includes a side wall cladding element having at least one hook for hooking the side wall cladding element into a guide for securing purposes. The guide is connected in turn to a framework of the rail vehicle.
US09908536B2

A hatch cover for a covered hopper railcar includes a substantially circular shell member having a radially outer circumferential perimeter. The substantially circular shell member includes a topside surface and an underside surface. The hatch cover also includes a downwardly extending rim member coupled to and unitarily formed with the substantially circular shell member. The substantially circular shell member and the downwardly extending rim member define a shell/rim interface at the underside surface. The hatch cover further includes at least one sealing gasket fixedly coupled to the underside surface proximate the shell/rim interface.
US09908535B1

This disclosure relates to a system and method for determining vehicle operator preparedness for vehicles that support both autonomous operation and manual operation. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to vehicles and their operation. During autonomous vehicle operation, the system gauges the level of responsiveness of an individual vehicle operator through challenges and corresponding responses. Based on the level of responsiveness, a preparedness metric is determined for each vehicle operator individually.
US09908521B2

A method is provided for regulating the rotational speed in a hybrid drive of a vehicle having a first drive source, in particular an internal combustion engine, and a second drive source, in particular an electric motor. A rotational speed variable which is a function of a rotational speed of the first drive source and of a rotational speed of the second drive source is determined. The rotational speed of the first drive source or of the second drive source is regulated based on the rotational speed variable for oscillation reduction. The rotational speed variable used is preferably a mean value of the two rotational speeds. The two rotational speeds may be weighted on the basis of inertia in order to form the mean value as well.
US09908519B2

A braking system for a vehicle includes: a brake input element for an actuation to input a brake pressure signal by a driver; a brake master cylinder coupled to the brake input element and supplied with hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid reservoir fluidically connected to the brake master cylinder; and a first brake circuit. The first brake circuit has: a switchover valve with controllable through flow rate for the hydraulic fluid; a pressure regulating valve with controllable through flow rate for the hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic pump for optionally building up an elevated hydraulic fluid pressure in the first brake circuit; at least one first wheel brake cylinder exerting a braking torque on a first vehicle wheel coupled to the wheel brake cylinder; and a first fluid line from the hydraulic fluid reservoir being fluidically connected to the pressure regulating valve and to the hydraulic pump.
US09908518B2

A hydraulic brake system includes two brake circuits, a tandem master brake cylinder which is connected to the two brake circuits and includes a float piston, and a means for adjusting a position of the float piston, wherein a defined distribution of brake power between the two brake circuits is commensurate with the position of the float piston.
US09908502B2

An antimicrobial barrier seatbelt covering apparatus for preventing a cross contamination between hosts contacting with a seatbelt includes stripes of antimicrobial material creating a barrier against pathogens accumulated on a seatbelt, a container for storage of the antimicrobial material that can be attached on one end of the seatbelt, and a holding device to fix the material on the other end of the seatbelt. The antimicrobial seatbelt covering may be used in applications including seatbelts in cars seats, airplanes, boats where the seatbelt covering controls the level of cross contamination by preventing unwanted microbes that contact the seatbelt and thereby, prevents the spread of disease and infections.
US09908499B2

A curtain airbag assembly that includes one or more angled stiffening chambers and one or more standoff chambers. An angled stiffening chamber may be configured to support and retain an occupant within a vehicle during or after a vehicle collision. The angled stiffening chamber may include a plurality of extending portions and bent portions such that the angled stiffening chamber, when inflated, has an angled or bent configuration.
US09908496B2

A front air bag for a vehicle is provided. The air bag includes an air bag cushion that has of a plurality of chambers and a gas flow passage that supplies each of the chambers with gas of an inflator. A variable valve selectively closes or opens the gas flow passage. Additionally, a controller determines a type of vehicle collision and operates the variable valve based on the collision type.
US09908489B2

A power distribution system for an aircraft is provided. The power distribution system comprises a first wiring harness connected to a power supply, at least one integrated switching power converter connected to the power supply through the first wiring harness, and at least one electrical load connected to a respective output of a respective integrated switching power converter through a second wiring harness.
US09908484B2

A self-adjusting latching connection include a first component having a latching projection, and a second component having an opening into which the latching projection can be inserted in a mating direction and latched in a final position on a base, on which one of the two components is movably guided transverse to the mating direction between a resting position and a locking position. A spring acts on the one component in the direction of the resting position, and a bolt detachably fixes the one component in the locking position.
US09908476B2

A vehicle hitch assembly for suspension support of an accessory from the rear of a vehicle having a rear bumper and a trailer hitch receiver positioned under the bumper. The hitch assembly includes a horizontally extending rigid trailer hitch receiver insert for insertion and retention in the vehicle trailer hitch receiver, and a rigid support arm having one end adjustably and detachably securable to the vehicle rear bumper and another end thereof rigidly and adjustably securable to the trailer hitch receiver insert. An accessory support is then secured to the vehicle hitch assembly for supporting a load off of the rear of the vehicle.
US09908469B2

When a support ECU detects a crossing object approaching so as to cross a travel path toward which an own vehicle is heading, the support ECU calculates an object speed Vx, which is the speed of the crossing object. When the object speed Vx is more than a speed threshold Vref, the support ECU delivers an alert at a timing at which a margin period Tx becomes equal to or less than a time threshold Tref. On the other hand, when the object speed Vx is equal to or less than the speed threshold Vref, the support ECU alerts a driver at a timing at which a margin distance Dx becomes equal to or less than a distance threshold Dref.
US09908467B2

A vehicle interior illumination device includes: illumination parts respectively provided in a plurality of positions in a vehicle; and a control part which controls turning on and off operations and illuminating colors of the illumination parts. The control part allows the illumination parts respectively to emit lights by different colors of a same type relating to a theme selected by the control part.
US09908464B2

A vehicle subject to autonomous operation includes one or more autonomous support systems configured to support autonomous operation, a feedback system configured to provide feedback in an interior portion of the vehicle and a confidence appraisal system in communication with the one or more autonomous support systems and the feedback system. During autonomous operation, the confidence appraisal system monitors, based on operational statuses of the one or more autonomous support systems supporting the autonomous operation, confidence in the autonomous operation, and operates the feedback system to provide feedback in the interior portion of the vehicle. The feedback corresponds to the confidence in the autonomous operation, and varies with changes to the confidence in the autonomous operation, to continuously apprise a driver of the confidence in the autonomous operation.
US09908452B2

A unit, such as a transport refrigeration unit 12, may include a plurality of components arranged in multiple stages. At least a portion of the components 18,20 may be arranged in a serial or parallel manner. A position associated with the plurality of components may be selected to control a load on a power source, such as an engine 30. For example, a position for each of the components may be selected so as to maximize a delivery of available power from the power source to the unit. In some embodiments, one or more controllers 32,34 may measure a parameter associated with the power source and select a position for one or more of the components. In some embodiments, an economized refrigeration cycle may be used. Capacity may be staged from a single stage compression cycle or mode to a multistage compression cycle or mode, with a corresponding increase in capacity via subcooling.
US09908443B2

A seat reclining device includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a cam, and pawls moved in a radial direction and engaged with the second bracket. The pawls include outer teeth engageable with the second bracket. The second bracket includes an outer circumferential wall including inner teeth engaged with the outer teeth, and an inner circumferential portion. At least one of the pawls includes a first block and a second block shifted in an axial direction from the first block. The second block is formed integrally with the first block. The first block includes the outer teeth and a cam surface that contacts the cam. The second block includes a restriction surface that contacts the inner circumferential portion when the pawl moves toward the outer side. The cam surface and the restriction surface have the same planar structure.
US09908440B2

Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a seat assembly, and corresponding method and computer readable medium, for adjusting a seat in an autonomous vehicle. The adjustment is provided such that a seat occupant may control the adjustment may providing a natural pushing force once the vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode.
US09908439B2

A seat slide device includes: a pair of seat slide rails configured to support a seat, each of the seat slide rails including a lower rail and an upper rail; a transfer shaft rotationally driven by motor drive in a state where the transfer shaft is provided in a bridging manner between the seat slide rails, the transfer shaft having a hollow portion; and rail drive mechanisms, each of the rail drive mechanisms being provided between the lower rail and the upper rail and being configured to move the upper rail relative to the lower rail based on a driving force transmitted from a motor via the transfer shaft.
US09908438B2

An operating device for operating an adjustable seat of a motor vehicle includes a carrier, an operating element having a surface, and at least one holding element coupling the operating element to the carrier at a bearing position on the carrier. The operating device also includes a sensor configured to detect a size of a force acting on the operating element surface during an operating input and to generate a signal corresponding to the size of the detected force. The sensor is integrated into the bearing position on the carrier. The operating device further includes seat adjuster configured to adjust the adjustable seat based on the size of the detected force.
US09908435B2

This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
US09908433B2

A method for controlling a braking torque of a drive system and for braking a vehicle includes in a first state connecting phase connections of a synchronous machine to one another by a changeover apparatus and short circuiting the phase connections such that a first braking torque develops at the synchronous machine. In a second state the phase connections are connected to one another by the changeover apparatus and to a resistance, such that a second braking torque develops at the synchronous machine. The changeover apparatus periodically switches between the first and second states at a switching frequency of 10 Hz or higher to produce a pre-settable braking torque at the synchronous machine, with the changeover between the first state and the second state being controlled by a timing element in an unregulated manner.
US09908431B2

A counterweight system for a battery of a material handling vehicle is provided. A counterweight case can be configured to receive the battery. One or more spacers can be disposed within the counterweight case. The one or more spacers can space the battery apart from one or more internal walls of the counterweight case, when the battery is received in the counterweight case. In some cases, the spacers, along with vent holes, plugs, brackets, and/or a cover (e.g., a blanket cover) can help to protect the battery from environmental factors (e.g., heat, cold, vibrations, contact, and so on).
US09908422B2

A system for coiling an electrical cable employed for charging an electric vehicle employs a cable management system. The cable management system has a drive assembly which has a drive mode that retracts the cable and release mode which allows for the cable to be extended. The installation employs a drum having a cylindrical sidewall. The drive assembly drives the cable downwardly into a drum so that the cable progressively engages the sidewall to form a vertical coiled configuration. A clutch assembly cooperates with the drive assembly to provide the automatic retracting and extending operations and also locks the vehicle connector at the end of the electrical cable in an extended position as well as a retracted home position.
US09908421B2

The present application relates to a charger for electric vehicles, comprising at least two power exchange ports for vehicles, each port comprising a data communication connection for at least receiving a power request from a vehicle, and a power exchange connection for delivering power to a vehicle; at least one grid connection for receiving electric power; a data communication bus, for communicating the power request from the vehicles to a plurality of autonomously controllable power converters, each for converting power from the grid connection to a suitable level for charging a vehicle; and each of the power converters comprises a data communication device, connected to the data bus, and configured for receiving power requests from vehicles; and configured for indicating its available power via the data bus.
US09908418B2

A circuit arrangement for operating an energy store of an electric and/or hybrid vehicle includes an analog monitoring circuit. The analog monitoring circuit is designed and arranged to detect a measurement signal that is representative of a current flowing through the energy store, and to generate a predetermined first control signal in a manner dependent on the measurement signal. The circuit arrangement further has a semiconductor switching element which is designed to electrically couple, in a first switching state, the energy store to an electrical energy network, and, in a second switching state, to electrically decouple the energy store from the electrical energy network, The semiconductor switching element includes a control terminal which is coupled by signaling technology to an output of the monitoring circuit. The switching state of the semiconductor switching element is adjustable in a manner dependent on the first control signal.
US09908413B2

A vehicle display device includes an indicator that luminously displays a display image on its screen by lighting and stops the luminous display of the display image by extinction, and a display panel that includes a light shielding part on a rear surface of the display panel. The light shielding part light-shields a surrounding part of a transmitting window, through which an image light of the display image is transmitted to be capable of being visually recognized from a front side. A transmission region of a front surface of the display panel that is located at least on the front side of the transmitting window is occupied by a planar part that is formed in a flat surface shape along the screen, and a plurality of projecting surface parts that project from the planar part into a curved projecting surface shape. An area occupancy of the planar part at the transmission region is adjusted to be equal to or larger than an area occupancy of all the plurality of projecting surface parts at the transmission region.
US09908412B2

An on-vehicle meter includes a meter including an indicator that rotates about a certain axis, a transparent display device provided on a display side of the meter, a light guide plate provided between the meter and the transparent display device, a light source that emits light to the light guide plate, and a control device that controls a display state of the transparent display device and the light source.
US09908410B2

In a method for warning the driver of a motor vehicle in the event of lack of attention, in order to improve the acceptance of such systems among drivers, it is provided to monitor the driver with regard to lack of attention and also to ascertain the instantaneous driving situation of the vehicle, and, if lack of attention of the driver has been determined, to output a warning signal only in certain driving situations, but not in others.
US09908407B1

A transaxle for a vehicle is provided, the transaxle including a pump assembly having an input shaft extending from a housing and a pump disposed on a first hydraulic mounting member attached to the pump housing. The pump may be driven by an electric motor mounted on the vehicle. A motor assembly in a separate housing is also provided, and the transaxle may use a pair of dual planetary gear reduction mechanisms driven by a motor output shaft, each reduction mechanism driving an axle driving one of a pair of driven wheels of the vehicle. The axes of rotation of the pump shaft, motor shaft, electric motor output and the axles may all be located on a common plane to provide a compact unit.
US09908406B2

A support system is provided for a vehicle. The support system can include one or more bracket assemblies in which each includes a coupling member and a curved member in which the coupling member is affixed to a structure of the vehicle. A housing can be supported by the one or more bracket assemblies in which the housing encloses a container that stores a material such that the housing protects the container and the material. The support system provides movement between a length of the container so as to reduce deterioration of the support system.
US09908405B2

A fuel supply system includes a filler neck that is provided in a filler neck body formed in a tubular shape and has a pipe connection structure. A first member is formed separately from the filler neck. A second member is formed separately from the filler neck to be different from the first member. The first member and the second member are engaged with each other. At least one of the first member and the second member includes a protective portion that is configured to cover at least part of the pipe connection structure in a state that the first member and the second member are engaged with each other and positions of the first member and the second member are fixed relative to the filler neck. This configuration suppresses damage of the pipe connection structure that is connected with the filler neck in the fuel supply system.
US09908389B2

An agricultural vehicle has an operator's with at least one cab window. The at least one cab window is designed and configured such that a transparency of the cab window is changeable, preferably steplessly, at least in one subsection. As a result, an intensity of ambient light shining onto the operator's cab from the outside and through the at least one cab window is diminished such that a readability and operation of a control terminal in the cab is improved both in direct and indirect ambient light.
US09908381B2

The vehicle control apparatus configured to control a vehicle includes a fuel cell configured to supply electric power to the vehicle; an air conditioning mechanism having a heater core; a first medium circuit; a radiator installed in the first medium circuit; a bypass circuit formed in the first medium circuit to make a bypass flow of the cooling medium bypassing the radiator; a regulation valve installed in the first medium circuit to regulate a ratio of a flow rate of the cooling medium going through the radiator to a flow rate of the cooling medium going through the bypass circuit; a second medium circuit; a cooling medium circulation pump installed in at least one of the first medium circuit and the second medium circuit; a temperature acquisition module; a warm-up controller; and a state switchover structure.
US09908374B2

A tire module for attachment to an inside of a pneumatic tire for vehicles includes a device for measuring and/or monitoring the air pressure in the tire. A transmitter for transmitting radio signals, which contains information regarding the air pressure in the tire, includes a mechanical-electrical transducer having a flexible piezo-electrical element, which converts alternating changes in shape of the piezo-electric element caused by the rolling tire into electric energy and includes a storage unit for the electric energy, which is connected to the transducer. The transducer may contain a circular, disc-like, piezo-electric element, which in the following is described as piezo disc and on which an electrical voltage generated through the piezo effect is tapped off on contact points which are located on opposite sides of the piezo disc.
US09908373B2

A rotary air connection for an automatic tire inflation system having an air pressure source, the rotary air connection comprising a stationary portion and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the stationary portion, the rotary air connection having a central channel with a one-way check valve disposed in the central channel so as to allow fluid to flow from the air pressure source in one direction through the central channel but not in the opposite direction toward the air pressure source.
US09908367B2

An operating shaft rises and falls by abutting against a cam surface of a cam rotatably built into the upper part of a stem. A swivel-preventing plate part is fixed to the lower end of the operating shaft. An engagement member is fixed to a support yoke and regulates the swiveling by engaging with the swivel-preventing plate part. A brake shoe part is fixed to the lower part of the swivel-preventing plate part and brakes by abutting against a treat surface of a wheel when the operating shaft falls. A link cam causes a link cam to pivot and causes a brake plate to rise and fall by connected to the brake shoe part. A protruding part for braking, by displacement of the brake plate, is capable of engaging with and disengaging from an annular engagement receiving part formed in the inner periphery of the wheel.
US09908362B2

A liquid applying container includes a container main body housing an impregnated body impregnated with a liquid, an applying body having an applying portion for applying liquid, and an applying body holder into which the applying body is inserted and which supports the applying body. The applying body holder includes one or more supporting portions in a rear portion of the applying body holder that are disposed so as to be along a direction of insertion of the applying body and supporting the rear portion of the applying body so as to sandwich or wrap the rear portion of the applying body, the one or more supporting portions having an opening formed at a rear end of the one or more supporting portions, with the one or more supporting portions advancing into the impregnated body or the impregnated body advancing into the one or more supporting portions.
US09908360B2

The invention relates to a security feature for securing documents of value having a plurality of microcapsules, which respectively have a wall and in which is respectively contained a liquid medium in which are distributed several magnetic particles which are movable in the liquid medium and whose arrangement within the microcapsule is changeable by the action of a magnetic field, whereby the magnetic particles are configured to arrange themselves within the microcapsule such that they form a light-diffractive structure.
US09908359B2

An extended content booklet label having a substrate, a folded booklet and overlaminate. The overlaminate is applied to secure the multi-up book to the substrate. The area between the booklet and the substrate is devoid of adhesive so that the substrate can conform to the shape of a container without interference from the booklet. The booklet is held closed against the substrate by the overlaminate which extends beyond the booklet to adhere to the substrate or the container. The overlaminate can pivot away from the container to an open position where the booklet can be unfolded to access all of the pages.
US09908344B2

At a printer that feeds a continuous paper unwound from a paper sheet supply unit in a sheet-shape to a printing head portion side via a damper portion, and then prints on a label of the continuous paper, in conjunction with an opening and closing operation of the printing head portion of the printing unit, the damper portion opens and closes in a vertical direction.
US09908343B2

In some examples herein, control data is for application of treatment fluid on a treatment substrate location surrounding a substrate dot corresponding to a first pixel of the digital image. Treatment fluid is ejected on the treatment substrate location if a metric value computed from pixel values of a set of pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel is above a threshold level.
US09908336B2

An ink container for an inkjet printer includes an ink containing portion. The ink containing portion contains ink and includes an upper surface including a placing portion, a refill port disposed on the upper surface, and a sealing member. The sealing member includes a sealing portion located at the center and an outer peripheral portion located at the outer periphery. An outer diameter of the sealing portion matches with an inner diameter of the refill port. The placing portion further includes a first recess portion and a positioning portion extending in a circumferential direction of the first recess portion. The first recess portion is configured to receive the sealing member and not to contact the sealing portion. The positioning portion includes a restricting portion configured to reduce horizontal movement of the outer peripheral portion and a supporting portion configured to vertically support the outer peripheral portion.
US09908325B2

A first output section outputs a first parameter calculated for each nozzle in a group obtained by dividing the nozzles into groups for each certain number so that density unevenness of ink ejected from each nozzle in the group is corrected. A second output section outputs a second parameter calculated for each group so that change rate of the density unevenness between groups is corrected. A first register circuit divides first parameters for each nozzle in the group and stores the first parameters. A second register circuit divides second parameters for each group and stores the second parameters. A multiplication section sequentially multiplies the first parameters by the second parameters. A conversion section converts a multiplication value to correction data of each nozzle. A setting section sets the correction data in a memory.
US09908323B2

A method and system of controlling at least one printbar in a printing system are described. The printing system has one or more of printbars (160, 190) distributed along a media transport. A first image including a reference pattern (240A, 240B) is generated on a print medium (150) with a first printbar (160). A detector (180) then detects a pattern on the print medium. The reference pattern and the detected pattern are used to determine a position of the first image relative to a second printbar (190). This position is used to configure nozzle data for a second image to be generated on the print medium by the second printbar.
US09908322B2

A device one of adjusts and changes a dampening medium profile, which extends in the direction of a printing width, in a printing unit comprising at least one printing unit cylinder, at least one inking unit which inks the printing unit cylinder, and at least one dampening unit which interacts with one of the printing unit cylinder and the printing unit. A drying device, which extends over the printing width, is provided with a number I(Iε, 0>1) of drying elements, the influence of which, on a printing unit surface to be treated, allows moisture to be removed from a number of n(nε, n>1) axial portions aj(j=1, . . . , n) that are offset relative to one another in the direction of the printing width. One of an extent of the influence of the drying device with respect to the axial direction (aj) and the operating state of the drying device can be varied independently of one another. The drying elements are designed and arranged in the printing unit such that at least 20% of the width (bj), when seen in the direction of the printing width, of multiple or all of the axial portions (aj), which are designed as active portions (aj) with an active width (bj) of the drying elements in the printing unit, over the extension of those portions, overlaps with an adjacent axial portion of the axial portions (aj), which are axially offset relative to one another in the direction of the printing unit. A controller and one of a switching and an adjusting device, which are connected to the controller for signaling purposes, are provided. The controller and the one of the switching and adjusting devices are used to operate multiple or all of the drying elements during a stationary active operating state such that each of the drying elements is pulsed, i.e. is individually clocked between an “off” switching state and an “on” switching state.
US09908309B2

In general, a decorative laminate construction (50, 60) is provided. In one embodiment, the construction (50) includes: a protective layer (12), the protective layer comprising a film having opposing first and second major surfaces; an embossing layer (20) formed over the second major surface of the protective layer, the embossing layer have opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface of the embossing layer being proximate the protective layer and the second major surface (22) of the embossing layer being distal from the protective layer, the second major surface of the embossing layer being embossed with a pattern such that features (22a, 22b) are produced on the second major surface of the embossed layer which are raised and lowered relative to one another; a metallization layer (30) formed over the second major surface of the embossing layer so as to achieve a visual effect by virtue of the metallization layer conforming to the features of the embossed pattern; and, a primer layer (32) formed over the metallization layer on a side thereof opposite the embossing layer. Also disclosed is a method for application of the decorative laminate construction to a part (80, 100) such that the decorative laminate construction wraps around multiple surfaces of the part.
US09908305B2

Creating a ceramic matrix structure may include alternating different layers of fiber fabric to achieve porosity, infiltration, and/or other objectives. Different layers of the ceramic matrix structure may be configured differently to achieve different objectives in different regions of the ceramic matrix structure. The fiber tow spacing, fiber count and/or other characteristics may be varied within individual layers and/or among different layers of the ceramic matrix structure.
US09908303B2

A foldable box sealing machine includes an upright main frame unit, an upper taping unit mounted on the main frame unit, a platform unit having a base panel mounted rotatably on the main frame unit below the upper taping unit, a lower taping unit disposed below the upper taping unit. The base panel is rotatable between a first position where the base panel is substantially horizontal, and a second position where the base panel is substantially vertical.
US09908295B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, facilitate the design and use of 3D printed auxetic structures. In one aspect, a system includes one or more computer storage media having instructions stored thereon; and one or more data processing apparatus configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including (i) receiving an input specifying a three dimensional (3D) model of a 3D structure that includes at least two different materials having a predefined arrangement with respect to each other to give the 3D structure a negative Poisson ratio, (ii) receiving an input regarding a change for the 3D structure, and (iii) modifying the predefined arrangement of the at least two different materials with respect to each other in response to the input regarding the change.
US09908293B2

A three-dimensional printing system and equipment assembly for the manufacture of three-dimensionally printed articles is provided. The equipment assembly includes a three-dimensional printing build system, an optional liquid removal system and an optional harvester system. The build system includes a conveyor, plural build modules and at least one build station having a powder-layering system and a printing system. The equipment assembly can be used to manufacture pharmaceutical, medical, and non-pharmaceutical/non-medical objects. It can be used to prepare single or multiple articles.
US09908291B2

This document describes techniques and apparatuses for smooth 3D printing using multi-stage filaments. These techniques are capable of creating smoother surfaces than many current techniques. In some cases, the techniques determine a portion of a surface of a 3D object that includes, or will include, a printing artifact or is otherwise not smooth, and then applies multi-stage filaments to provide a smoothing surface over that portion.
US09908288B2

A part is fabricated by an additive manufacturing process while levitating in space. Constituent features of the part are formed by 3-D printing. A part levitation system allows the spatial orientation of the part to be manipulated relative to one or more print heads.
US09908287B2

A build platform and methods of fabricating an article with such a platform in an extrusion-type additive manufacturing machine are provided. A platform body 202 includes features 204 that extend outward from the body 202. The features 204 define protrusive areas 206 and recessive areas 208 that cooperate to mechanically engage the extruded material that forms the initial layers 220 of an article when the article is being fabricated by a nozzle 12 of the additive manufacturing machine 10.
US09908285B2

A method of creating crumples in a monolayer entails contacting a monolayer comprising a two-dimensional material with a thermally contractible polymer, and heating the thermally contractible polymer to contract the polymer and induce buckling of the monolayer, where a plurality of crumples are formed in the monolayer due to the buckling. A device having a crumpled microstructure includes a monolayer comprising a two-dimensional material and including a plurality of crumples.
US09908279B2

Plastic preforms are introduced into a blow mold and are expanded by applying a flowable medium thereto, which is introduced into the internal space of the plastic preforms, wherein the blow mold includes at least two lateral parts which form a cavity during the expansion of the plastic preforms, within which the plastic containers are expanded. The lateral parts are respectively provided on lateral part carriers that are moved relative to each other for opening and closing the blow mold. At least one arrangement of a lateral part carrier and the lateral part provided thereon has an expansion element that can have a gaseous medium applied thereto. The expansion element ensures, when the gaseous medium is applied thereto, that one lateral part is moved towards the other lateral part. During the expansion of the plastic preforms, at least two different pressure levels are applied.
US09908277B2

An apparatus for producing plastic containers includes: a forming machine for producing plastic preforms; a blow-molding machine for blowing the preforms to obtain containers, provided with a blow-molding carousel having a plurality of blow-molding molds that expand the preforms to obtain the containers; a thermal conditioning station interposed between the forming machine and the blow-molding machine; a storage station, configured for receiving and containing preforms; a supplying system for feeding the thermal conditioning station with preforms contained in the storage station.
US09908267B2

Provided is a temperature control device having at least one temperature control branch connected to a feed, and a pump system including at least one pump for the delivery of temperature control medium in the feed. Additionally, the temperature control device is provided with at least one sensor by which at least one of the parameters from the group of temperature, through-flow amount and pressure can be detected, and a control or regulating device for regulating or controlling a delivery of the pump system, to which signals from the at least one sensor can be fed.
US09908258B2

A device for deflecting a detached cutting chain off the drive sprocket of a chain saw in order to deenergize and arrest it. A ramp provides a surface disposed below the chain guide bar, which surface is oblique with respect to the chain guide bar, slightly below a lower edge of the chain guide bar and obliquely angled with respect to a plane that contains the exterior surface of the chain guide bar, and distal to the drive sprocket. Sliding engagement of a detached cutting chain with the oblique surface moves the cutting chain exteriorly away from the chain guide bar and off the drive sprocket. A chain catcher is also provided to arrest the detached cutting chain and/or chain shot portions thereof.
US09908257B2

A fence system for a miter saw is configured to be adjusted along a horizontal axis while remaining aligned with the support table. The fence system includes a fence body defining first and second slots and an aperture, and a fixed base including first, second, and third bores. A first bushing extends through the first slot and includes a first opening, and a second bushing extends through the second slot and includes a second opening. A first fastener extends through the first opening into the first bore to clamp the first bushing to the fixed base, a second fastener extends through the second opening into the second bore to clamp the second bushing to the fixed base, and a third fastener extends through the opening into the third bore to releasably clamp the fence body to the fixed base.
US09908255B2

An apparatus for manufacturing magnet segments constituting a field pole magnetic body formed by cleaving a magnetic body at a plurality of scheduled cleaving parts is provided. The apparatus includes placing tables on which a magnetic body having a coating applied to an outer surface thereof is placed, a pressing unit that cleaves the magnetic body by pressing the magnetic body from an opposite side of an incision at a scheduled cleaving part arranged between two of the placing tables, and a cutting unit that cuts the coaling of the magnetic body present at the scheduled cleaving part after the magnetic body is cleaved, by applying a moment in a direction opposite to a moment generated in the magnetic body between the two placing tables at the time of cleaving. Cleaving divides the magnetic body into a magnet segment and an uncleaved magnetic body.
US09908250B2

A shaving razor cartridge with a housing having a guard, a cap, and one or more blades located between the guard and the cap. The guard is positioned in front of the one or more blades and the cap is positioned behind said one or more blades. A heat delivering element is mounted to the housing for transferring heat during a shaving stroke. The heat delivering element includes a skin contacting surface and an opposing bottom surface defined by a perimeter wall. An insulating member is positioned within the perimeter wall. The insulating member has a first surface facing the bottom surface of the heat delivering element and a second surface.
US09908247B2

A utility knife has a housing, a blade support adapted to carry a blade and shiftable in the housing between a cutting position in which the blade projects from the housing and a safety position in which the blade is retracted into the housing, and a handle pivotal on the housing from a starting position in a first direction into an open position in which the blade in the support can be replaced and from the starting position in a second direction opposite the first direction into an active position operatively engaging the blade support and displacing same into the cutting position. An actuation element is movable on the housing between a first position blocking movement of the handle into the open position and a second position blocking movement of the support into the cutting position.
US09908245B1

A folding knife, including a handle, with at least two parts connected to form a cavity therebetween, and a blade having a sharpened edge and a tang. The blade is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The blade defines a first plane inside the cavity. The tang includes a step protrusion and a rounded protrusion. A stop pin restricts movement of the blade in an opening direction. The folding knife also includes a locking member rotatable from a first position, allowing the blade to rotate, to a second position blocking rotation of the blade by engaging one of the tang's protrusions. The engagement of the locking member with the step protrusion of the tang locks the blade in its open position, and the engagement of the locking member with the rounded protrusion of the tang locks the blade in its closed position.
US09908244B2

A method for warning a person in a working area about at least one first robot, and a robot system that includes the at least one first robot, wherein the movement of the robot in a future working interval is predicted, a determination is made as to whether a working area segment will be passed over by the robot in a first or second time period, a first or second visual warning is emitted in accordance with when the working area segment will be passed over, and the first or second visual warnings are respectively emitted onto a floor segment that is assigned to a respective working area segment.
US09908238B2

A method and system for determining at least one property associated with a selected axis of a manipulator (2). The elasticity of the links (4, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14) and joints (3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12) of a manipulator (2) can be modeled and the resulting compliance can be determined. A certain method is used to control the manipulator (2) such that certain quantities related to actuator torque and/or joint position can be determined for a certain kinematic configuration of the manipulator (2). Depending on the complexity of the manipulator (2) and the number of properties that are of interest, the manipulator (2) is controlled to a plurality of different kinematic configurations in which configurations the quantities are determined. Thereafter, a stiffness matrix (K) for each component of the manipulator (2) can be determined, and a global stiffness matrix (MSM) for the total manipulator (2) can be determined in order to determine at least one property of the selected axis.
US09908237B2

A robot includes an arm and a control unit configured to control a motion of the arm using compliant motion control. The control unit changes a parameter value of the compliant motion control depending on a relative position and orientation of a first object moving along with the arm and a second object.
US09908234B2

A portable power tool has at least one actuating element and at least one tool holding unit. A center axis of the at least one tool holding unit is configured to extend at least through a vicinity of the at least one actuating element.
US09908233B2

A fastener installation tool including a cylinder assembly, a handle/sleeve assembly, and a tool head. The handle/sleeve assembly includes a handle having a bore and a sleeve positioned within the bore. An inner wall of the sleeve includes a first portion with a first inner diameter and a second portion with a second inner diameter. The sleeve includes an outer wall having a first portion with a first outer diameter and a second portion with a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter of the first portion of the outer wall of the sleeve being greater than the second outer diameter of the second portion of the outer wall of the sleeve. A space is formed between the second portion of the outer wall of the sleeve and the second portion of the inner wall of the handle, which enables the sleeve to flex during operation of the tool.
US09908227B1

A quick disconnect storage compartment for handheld devices disclosed herein. The storage compartments incorporated into the handle of the handheld device so that objects stored within the handle are concealed and not noticeable to others. The quick disconnect feature requires that the user depress two buttons on opposite sides of each other so that a cover or endcap that covers an opening of the handle for accessing the object within the handle does not inadvertently become dislodged but requires that the user intentionally and actively depress the buttons with opposing forces with his or her fingers.
US09908226B1

A fastener driving tool magazine and nose piece for use with a fastener with a preinstalled elastomer beneath the head of the fastener. A magazine structure for avoiding damage to the elastomer is taught and a birds beak fastener guide is taught for installing the fastener while still avoiding damage to the elastomer.
US09908223B2

An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes an attaching member releasably connectable to the shaft. A press mechanism is coupled to the attaching member and is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. An optical sending unit is configured to output a high intensity light to allow a user to locate a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft.
US09908218B2

A media-bearing polisher and restorer removes surface and subsurface contaminants from a vehicle, household or other surface. The media-bearing polisher and restorer comprises an ovoid body with a planar bottom. The body comprises a resilient or rigid material and one or more flutes for receiving one or more user fingers. A permeable elastic medium is removably attached to the planar bottom of the body, which absorbs and extracts contaminants from the surface. A variety of media can be used with the media-bearing polisher and restorer.
US09908212B2

An apparatus for replacing a polishing table, which is used in a polishing apparatus for polishing a substrate such as wafer, is disclosed. The polishing table replacement apparatus (10) is used for removing a polishing table (3) from a polishing apparatus (1). This polishing table replacement apparatus (10) includes a crane (10) configured to move the polishing table (3) vertically and horizontally, a table stage (14) on which the polishing table (3) can be placed, and a table-stage tilting mechanism (15) configured to tilt the table stage (14).
US09908210B2

A portable and transportable die cavity modifying machine having a base carrying a carriage adjustable along one axis, e.g., a generally horizontal axis, and a machining head adjustable along another axis, e.g., a generally vertical axis, for modifying a die cavity of a stamping die in a manner that prevents blank or slug pulling during stamping press operation. The machine includes a grinder that can be pneumatically powered having a grinding bit used to precisely machine a slug retention groove in a die cavity defining surface (sidewall) of a die cavity formed in a stamping die. The machine has an angularly adjustable head carrying the grinder enabling adjustment of the angle of the groove relative to die cavity defining surface enabling the groove to be angled relative to the direction of a punch entering the die cavity during stamping.
US09908209B2

In a method for machining a workpiece, a cutting tool is guided relative to the workpiece, with a vibration being superposed, the amplitude of which is at least 5 μm. A supply circuit for a piezo actuator of a vibrating tool generates a voltage at the voltage output, which has a direct component and an alternating component. A supply system for a piezo actuator of a vibrating tool has the above-mentioned supply circuit which is connected to a secondary coil that is coupled to a primary coil.
US09908207B2

A railing assembly may include a first railing portion including a first aperture, a second railing portion including a second aperture, a first in-rail connector disposed in the first railing portion, and a second in-rail connector disposed in the second railing portion. A baluster may extend through the first aperture and may be connected to the first in-rail connector The baluster may extend through the second aperture and may be connected to the second in-rail connector.
US09908200B2

The present invention generally relates to an optical system that is able to reliably deliver a uniform amount of energy across an anneal region contained on a surface of a substrate. The optical system is adapted to deliver, or project, a uniform amount of energy having a desired two-dimensional shape on a desired region on the surface of the substrate. Typically, the anneal regions may be square or rectangular in shape. Generally, the optical system and methods of the present invention are used to preferentially anneal one or more regions found within the anneal regions by delivering enough energy to cause the one or more regions to re-melt and solidify.
US09908197B2

A wire butt welding apparatus includes at least two clamps, individual ones of the at least two clamps configured to hold a respective wire. The individual ones of the at least two clamps are positioned within the wire welder such that the ends of individual ones of the respective wires, when held by the respective clamps, will contact each other. One or more individual ones of the at least two clamps are associated with an adjustment axis about which the individual ones of the at least two clamps are configured to rotate. An adjustment mechanism is operatively coupled to fix one or more of the at least two clamps corresponding to the associated adjustment axis at an angular orientation with respect to a second clamp.
US09908194B2

A process for establishing a permanent bond between a first part made of a ferrous alloy and a second part made of aluminum or of an aluminum alloy, comprises: a step of stacking a plurality of parts comprising the first part and the second part; and a heating step in which the heat produced by a heat source is transmitted to the second part through the first part, the heating step being carried out so as to cause the bond to be established between the first part and the second part by melting at least one of the stacked parts.
US09908193B2

An improved design for a dust shroud providing an airflow conduit for collecting dust off a work piece and a saw blade is disclosed. The dust shroud is configured with either one or two extending and telescoping lower rigid jaws that are durable and can engage a work piece at different angles. A novel roller is additionally provided for moving along a work piece.
US09908185B1

A cutting device with wheeled blades has a shear and a cutting wheel set-blade. The shear has a first handle and a second handle pivoted together via a pivot member, the first handle extending to form a first arm, and the first arm provided with a connecting aperture, and the second handle extending to form a second arm, an assembling aperture provided at an end of the second arm. The cutting wheel set-blade having two positioning wheeled-blades, a third arm and a movable wheeled blade. The positioning wheeled-blades are respectively connected to the connecting aperture and the assembling aperture of the shear, the third arm lockable with the adjustment apertures of the shear via a knob, a locking aperture provided on the extended third arm and engaging the movable wheel-blade, and the two positioning wheeled-blades and the movable wheeled blade are disposed in a triangular arrangement on the shear.
US09908182B2

A method is provided for controlling operation of a power tool, such as a drill driver. The method begins with one or more descriptors for a fastening application being received by a controller residing in the power tool, where the descriptors are indicative of a fastening application to be performed by the power tool and are received via a wireless data link from a computing device located remotely from the power tool. The descriptors are translated into a threshold value used by a fastener setting algorithm and the threshold value is stored in a data store of the power tool. During a subsequent fastening operation performed using the tool, an operating parameter of the power tool is monitored and evaluated in accordance with the fastener setting algorithm, including the updated threshold value. Example operating parameters include current delivered to the motor and speed of the motor.
US09908174B2

In the present invention the torch movement period is 20-40 seconds, with the torch movement period being the time required to move plasma torches (which heat the surface of molten metal in the casting mold) one time. The average heat input amount at multiple sites, which are obtained by dividing the initial solidification portion (which is where the molten metal makes contact with the casting mold and first solidifies) into multiple sites in the circumferential direction of the casting mold, is 1.0-2.0 MW/m2. The molten metal advection time, which is the time required for electromagnetically stirred molten metal to travel the length of the torch heating region of the surface of the molten metal in the lengthwise direction of the casting mold, is 3.5 seconds or less.
US09908173B2

A method for manufacturing a metallic component especially configured and designed for a turbomachine includes a) for a precision-casting process, a wax model with a wax structure is produced, subsequently b) the tip of the wax structure is thermally and/or mechanically treated such that a region with an undercut is formed on the wax structure, subsequently c) the metallic component is manufactured from the wax model in the precision-casting process, with a component structural element with an undercut forming on a surface of the component, and d) the component structural element is provided at least partially with a ceramic coating, a plastic-containing coating, in particular a fiber composite layer and/or a plastic component.
US09908171B2

A press machine includes at least one actuator and at least one linkage to open and close a ram. Another aspect employs a sheet metal-working punch mounted to the ram. A fluid-powered piston drives a carriage coupled to a linkage in another aspect of the present machine. In still another aspect, at least a majority of an actuator is located externally to an outside surface of a stationary structure within which a ram is located. Yet a further aspect both opens and closes a ram with a unidirection movement of an actuator.
US09908162B2

A brake assembly machine for forming a hem in sheet metal has a top bar and a bottom bar opposite the top bar. The top bar and the bottom bar can move towards one another to hold sheet metal therebetween. The brake assembly machine also has an angle foot movable to a proximity of a bending bar that moves about a bending bar axis and includes a bending face. As the bending bar moves about the bending bar axis, the bending face of the bending bar can move closer to the angle foot and before the bending bar bending face contacts the angle foot, the angle foot moves to avoid contact with the bending bar.
US09908150B2

A molded polyurethane vibratory screen including a body having opposite side edge portions, upper and lower edge portions, an upper surface and a lower surface, first members extending between the side edge portions and the second members extending between the lower edge portion and the upper edge portion, third members substantially parallel and extending transversely between the side edge portions and having multiple first members therebetween, the fourth members substantially parallel and extending transversely between the lower edge portion and the upper edge portion and having multiple second members therebetween, reinforcement members molded integrally with the third and fourth members.
US09908146B2

Two-part coating compositions are described comprising an aliphatic cyclic secondary amine and methods of coating surfaces of a (e.g. drinking water) pipeline.
US09908142B2

Web lifter and/or stabilizer and method of lifting and/or stabilizing a travelling web and for coating a web. The device creates a web hold down force via a negative pressure slot at its exit side, which draws the web down against the surface on the entry side. The device can be actuated to move the web relative to a slot die coater off the die lips and stop the application of slurry to the web, thereby creating uncoated regions on the web surface. The device can then be actuated to move the web back into contact with the coater to start the application of slurry to the web, thereby creating coated regions on the web surface. Web lifting can be accomplished by rotating the device in first and second directions to lift the web off of the slot die coater and return the web back into contact with the coater.
US09908140B2

Apparatus is described for use with a container (102) for dispensing a composition (112), the container including a movable platform (106). The apparatus includes a container holder (101), which includes: an upper portion (116), which includes one or more user input elements (104); and a lower portion, including a driving unit (201, 3001) and a power source (205, 3008). The power source (205, 3008) is operative to drive the driving unit (201, 3001) to move the movable platform (106) of the container (102), in response to actuation of the one or more user input elements (104). Other applications are also described.
US09908139B2

A timed glue gun includes a glue pushing unit including a trigger, a glue pushing member and a heating member for melting the hot melt glue stick, and a control unit including a timing member and an alarm member. The trigger is at a released position, and is operable to be pressed to a triggered position. The timing member starts to count upwards from zero when the heating member starts to heat up, and controls the alarm member to emit a first alarm signal when counting to a first elapsed time. The alarm member emits a second alarm signal when the timing member counts to a second elapsed time longer than the first elapsed time in response to continuous location of the trigger at the released position for the second elapsed time during heating of the heating member.
US09908137B2

A fluid application device, a nozzle assembly and a method of applying a fluid onto a strand of material provided. The fluid application device includes an applicator head and a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a guide slot for receiving a strand of material. The nozzle assembly further includes an orifice, spaced from the guide slot, configured to discharge a first fluid to onto the strand, and at least one outlet, adjacent to the orifice, for discharging a second fluid to act on the first fluid. The method includes positioning the strand at the closed end of the guide slot so that the strand is spaced a predetermined distance from the orifice, feeding the strand through the guide slot at a predetermined speed, applying the first fluid onto the strand from the orifice and discharging the second fluid from the at least one outlet.
US09908133B2

The invention provides apparatuses and methods for acoustically ejecting the fluid from a reservoir contained in or disposed on a substrate. The reservoir has a portion adapted to contain a fluid, and an acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through at least the portion of the reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of determining the energy level of the transmitted acoustic radiation and raising the energy level of subsequent pulses to a level sufficient to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir. The invention is particularly suited for delivering fluid from a plurality of reservoirs in an accurate and efficient manner.
US09908126B2

The spray head for a pre-rinse assembly includes a discharge cover having a plurality of ports for discharging water and a diffuser within discharge cover having a circumferential wall with at least one slot for directing a jet of water onto the fins of a rotatable impeller within the diffuser. The impeller has a plurality of tabs disposed relative to the ports whereby a respective tab momentarily covers a respective port to prevent passage of water therethrough during rotation of said impeller thereby effecting a pulsating stream of water through a respective port.
US09908119B2

A thermal cycling apparatus having a sample interfacing wall extending from a mounting wall. The sample interfacing wall can accept and apply thermal cycles to samples. An air source can direct an air stream to cool the sample. Another source can direct heated air away from the sample.
US09908116B2

Described embodiments provide devices, systems and methods for sequencing liquid flow in response to a driving force by entrapping and releasing gas between volumes of liquid in a controlled manner. In one particular form, a centrifugal “lab on a disk” device is provided to drive liquid flow and sequencing by virtue of the centrifugal force and in one particular form a radially inward bend conduit is used in connection with controllably trapping and releasing gas between liquid volumes.
US09908110B2

The invention relates to a method of preparing a supported catalyst, which method comprises the steps of; (i) providing a porous catalyst support comprising a framework having an internal pore structure comprising one or more pores which internal pore structure comprises a precipitant; (ii) contacting the catalyst support with a solution or colloidal suspension comprising a catalytically active metal such that, on contact with the precipitant, particles comprising the catalytically active metal are precipitated within the internal pore structure of the framework of the catalyst support. The invention also relates to supported catalysts made according to the above method, and to use of the catalysts in catalyzing chemical reactions, for example in the Fischer Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons.
US09908107B2

A hydrogenation treatment catalyst is provided for heavy hydrocarbon oil, in which a hydrogenation-active component is supported on a silica-containing porous alumina carrier containing 0.1% to 1.5% by mass of silica based on the carrier. The total pore volume is 0.55 to 0.75 mL/g. Of the total volume of pores having a pore diameter of 3 to 30 nm (1) 30% to 45% have a pore diameter of 5 to 10 nm, (2) 50% to 65% have a pore diameter of 10 to 15 nm, and (3) the total volume of pores having a pore diameter in a range of ±1 nm from the average pore diameter is 25% or more. The total volume of pores having a pore diameter of 30 nm or more is 3% or less. The average pore diameter of pores having a pore diameter of 10 to 30 nm is 10.5 to 13 nm.
US09908103B2

A process for preparing a mesoporous metal oxide, i.e., transition metal oxide. Lanthanide metal oxide, a post-transition metal oxide and metalloid oxide. The process comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the mesoporous metal oxide. A mesoporous metal oxide prepared by the above process. A method of controlling nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in mesoporous metal oxides. The method comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to control nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in the mesoporous metal oxides. Mesoporous metal oxides and a method of tuning structural properties of mesoporous metal oxides.
US09908095B2

A method of processing a reaction product generated from a plasma-based reactive process includes: supplying a first electromagnetic energy to a flowing primary gaseous feed material, such that at least a fraction of the flowing primary gaseous feed material is excited by the supplied first electromagnetic energy into a first plasma within a first plasma zone, and such that at least a fraction of the flowing primary gaseous feed material is converted to a first plasma zone-conditioned product while flowing through the first plasma and the first plasma zone-conditioned product is flowed to a downstream reaction zone. A second gaseous material is then introduced to the downstream reaction zone. The first plasma zone-conditioned product is contacted with the second gaseous material within the downstream reaction zone.
US09908092B2

The present disclosure relates generally to two-stage biomass pyrolysis systems configured to maximize pyrolysis vapor yield from a lignocellulosic biomass while being conducive to commercial-scale throughput of lignocellulosic biomass. The system includes a reactor first stage comprising at least one auger pyrolyzes a lignocellulosic feedstock at a temperature and residence time that produces pyrolysis vapors derived predominantly from cellulose and hemi-cellulose fractions of the feedstock. A reactor second stage is configured to partially-pyrolyzed feedstock from the reactor first stage at a higher temperature for an additional residence time to produce additional pyrolysis vapors that are predominantly derived from of lignin. Certain embodiments arrange multiple reactor first stages around a single reactor second stage.
US09908087B2

A hollow fiber membrane fluid transport device is disclosed wherein the fibers are comprised of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the potting materials are comprised of fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer based materials. The potting of the device utilizes a compressed chemically resistant fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer film, allows for ease of manufacture without destruction of the PTFE hollow fibers, with high packing densities, and without the processing complexity of pre-melting, extruding, or chemical crosslinking of any polymeric adhesives. Furthermore, the PTFE hollow fibers can be treated with a fluoropolymeric solvent solution before the chemically resistant film is applied to enhance the adhesion of the PTFE fiber to the film. PTFE hollow fibers, and its respective fluoro-co and terpolymers as potting films impart high packing densities, superb chemical resistance and temperature resistance without membrane contamination, or low fiber pull strength, as is sometimes observed with standard potting materials such as polyurethane and epoxy.
US09908085B2

A method for removing heat stable base salts, such as amine salts, is disclosed. The method of the present invention can be used to reduce the level of heat stable salts in a solvent gas stream in an acid gas removal process. A solvent in which the lean acid gas loading is high is first stripped to achieve an acceptable lean gas loading. The lean solution is then reclaimed using one or more methods. The purified base or amine solution can be used again to remove acid gases from a gas stream. A process for recovering acid gas from an acid gas stream is also disclosed. The process also comprises a reduction of the level of heat stable salts in the solvent gas stream.
US09908077B2

An air dryer includes a supporting base, a drying agent container, and an outer cover. The supporting base includes an inlet for receiving compressed air to be subject to a drying process and an outlet for delivering the processed compressed air that has undergone the drying process. The drying agent container is a container supported on the supporting base, contains a drying agent in the interior, and enables the drying process to be performed by passing the compressed air from the inlet through the drying agent. The outer cover surrounds the outer side of the drying agent container on the supporting base and defines a chamber for storing the compressed air between itself and the drying agent container. The supporting base includes first and second mounting surfaces, which are oriented in different directions, and a plurality of inlets, which are oriented in different directions and receive the compressed air.
US09908070B2

Fuel tank inerting prefilter assemblies, fuel tank inerting prefilter devices, and methods for treating fluids, particularly process fluids used in fuel inerting tank systems, are disclosed.
US09908067B2

A waste water treatment system including primary settling tanks. The waste water treatment system includes a trough which causes waste water to flow in a direction parallel to a bar screen placed in the trough with the base of the bar screen being at a lower elevation than the trough weir. Each primary settling tank has a fine screen box for screening waste water. Each primary settling tank has a scum and floatables trough for collecting scum and floatables which pass through or over a top edge of the bar screen. The scum and floatables troughs are in fluid communication with one another. When a scum valve is open, scum, floatables and waste water in the scum and floatables trough flow from the scum and floatables trough of the first primary setting tank to the scum and floatables trough of the second primary settling tank and into a collection container.
US09908064B2

A portable fluidic platform for rapid and flexible end-to-end production of recombinant protein biologics includes a bioreactor system hosting stable and robust cell-free translation systems that is fluidically integrated with modular protein separation functionalities (e.g., size exclusion, ion exchange or affinity chromatography systems) for purification of the cell-free expressed product and which are configurable for process-specific isolation of different proteins, as well as for formulation. The bioreactor utilizes lysates from engineered eukaryotic (e.g., yeast) or prokaryotic (e.g., bacterial) strains that contain factors for protein folding and posttranslational modifications. Combination of various purification modules on the same fluidic platform allows flexibility of re-routing for purification of different proteins depending on specific target requirements. Protein synthesis and purification modules are integrated into self-contained disposable fluidic cartridge that eliminates cross-contamination between runs. The platform allows for flexible production of protein biologics within 24 hours (from DNA to purified product).
US09908045B2

The computer-implemented game comprises a plurality of user-initiated in-game actions for affecting game state information that includes a set of browser in-game actions which is available via a browser user interface and includes a set of convenience in-game actions which is unavailable via the browser user interface, a single convenience in-game action of the set of convenience in-game actions being capable of producing a particular game result that corresponds to a plurality of browser in-game actions from the set of browser in-game actions, the plurality of browser in-game actions being capable of collectively producing the particular game result. A mobile application allows access to a set of mobile in-game actions that includes at least a portion of the set of browser in-game actions and includes the set of convenience in-game actions, initiation of each convenience in-game action being a user-selectable option for a user only via the mobile application.
US09908041B2

A finger pad for a game controller includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes a finger interface. The finger interfaces includes a plurality of planar facets. The planar facets are sized and shaped for manual manipulation by a finger. The second side includes a mounting interface.
US09908035B1

A board game, also embodied in two or three dimension electronic display, is based on one of China's greatest works of literature, Journey to the West or Monkey. The preferred embodiment of the game of the instant invention allows from two to four players to compete through a combination of chance rolls of dice, chance draw of randomly-sequenced instruction cards, and exercise of strategy. The initial “movement roll” of two six-sided dice by each player begins advance of their game pieces along spaces around a closed path. When all of the game pieces have completed one round, a separate central character game piece may advance along a separate path that ends at a final goal. This requires repetitive circuits of the players' game pieces around the closed path.
US09908033B2

A game having: a plurality of game pieces; a plurality of game cards, the plurality of game cards having a plurality of first cards, a plurality of second cards and a plurality of third cards, the plurality of first cards when played require an action to be performed and the plurality of second cards when played allow for one of the plurality of pieces to be possessed; and wherein when each one of the game pieces when possessed provides immunity to the action to be performed when one of the plurality of second cards is played.
US09908031B2

Provided herein is a training device configured to allow a user to simulate all of the balancing and turning movements of downhill snow skiing or snowboarding on dry, downhill surfaces. The device is equipped with a braking system that allows the user to slow down the speed of travel when the moving direction changes from forward to sideways, thereby simulating the act of slowing down on a slope by turning a ski or snowboard. The braking effect is further enhanced when the ski or snowboard is tilted towards the uphill direction, further simulating the actual movements of skiing or snowboarding on snow. The braking system may include one or more mechanisms to amplify the force applied to the brake cables. An optional steering bar may be provided with handles that are positioned ahead of the bar to simulate the planting of ski poles prior to or during a turn.
US09908026B2

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an exercise apparatus. In certain embodiments, an exercise apparatus comprises a frame and a seat assembly, the seat assembly comprising a seat, the seat configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position accommodates use of the exercise apparatus by a user sitting on the seat and wherein the second position accommodates use of the exercise apparatus by a user sitting in a wheelchair. The seat assembly may be pivotably coupled to the frame. The seat assembly may comprise a stop configured to inhibit movement of the seat, and may further comprise a biasing element that is biased to disengage the stop.
US09908025B2

Portable guiding device for the practice of golf comprising a first fastening module, rigid or semi-rigid, with an inverted U shape, which is attached to the user's belt. Said first fastening module comprises attachment methods to a second arm module, which in turn comprises a retractable extendible system that is placed in a mouth of said second arm module. Said retractable arm, in turn, comprises a series of telescopic sub-arms that may be manually extended or retracted, depending on the user's needs, and concludes in a distal end which is placed in the mouth of an objective module, which is made of a soft material. The second arm module allows for different adjustment and angle degree variations.
US09908024B2

A system and method for improving a golf swing. The system includes a club lie angle calculator, a golf club grabber, and a propeller channel for creating and supporting a swing plane for a user equal to the lie angle of a given golf club.
US09908023B1

A retractable ball return system having a rebounding surface that is retractable on a roll back into a reel assembly housing, which housing is mountable above a garage door opening or in an open space such as a gymnasium. The rebounding apparatus includes an integrated cable support structure, which is securable at its lower corners to attachment members mounted to the garage door frame. The door frame attachments have a plurality of different connection points which allow the rebounding surface to be secured at different degrees of angle, from angling forward to angling back, or centered in the middle for a perpendicular setting. Once connected, the support cable is retracted, either manually or mechanically, to pull the cable taught, to allow for a strong support structure. The rebounding surface is also then retracted until it has a desired tension level to allow the rebounding surface to be used with different balls as well as to adjust the different performance levels with the same ball.
US09908013B2

A golf club head including a multi-piece construction. The golf club head includes a plurality of body components coupled at a seam. A weight member is coupled to the golf club head so that it overlaps a seam.
US09908009B1

A string clamping device of a threading machine for a racket contains: a clamp unit, a tightening unit, an adjustment disc, a connection column, and a fixing structure. The clamp unit includes a body, a locking seat, and two first springs. The body has multiple first paws, the locking seat has multiple second paws, and among the multiple first and second paws is defined a gap of the clamp unit. The tightening unit includes an abutting block and an operation handle, the body has a first protrusion with a first through orifice, and the adjustment disc includes multiple teeth, wherein between any two adjacent teeth is defined a recess. The fixing structure includes an affix member, a coupling shaft, a second spring, a screwing element, and a support part, wherein the affix member has a retaining portion, and the second spring contacts with a drive tab of the support part.
US09908004B2

The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
US09908002B2

A tipping chair (10) includes a main strut (12),a pivot seat (34) on the main strut (12), a pivot slot (18) defined the main strut (12) and a pivot strut (24) pivotally secured within the pivot slot (18). Pivoting a prop end (28) of the pivot strut (24) out of the pivot slot (18) of the main strut (12) backward toward a bottom end (14)of the main strut (12) causes a seat end (26) of the pivot strut (24) to raise the pivot seat(34) , and the seat end (26) becomes secured to a latch (42) on a brace surface (40) opposed to a seating surface (38) of the pivot seat (34) to postion the chair (10) in a seated.configuration. Reversing the process returns the chair (10) to a flat, stored configuration to be optionally stored as wall art.
US09907998B2

A method includes: receiving, by a wrist device, a notification of an event, wherein the notification is indicated to a user of the wrist device; in response to receiving the notification, initiating at least one measurement; determining, based on the at least one measurement, that a predetermined condition is met; and in response to the determining that the predetermined condition is met, performing an action having an effect on the indication of the notification.
US09907991B2

A fitness bar catch includes a first side plate, a central plate perpendicular and adjacent to the first side plate, a second side plate perpendicular and adjacent to the central plate and parallel to the first side plate, a stud extending perpendicular from the second side plate, a bar rest extending from the second side plate, and a safety mechanism extending from the first side plate. The safety mechanism may be engageable to prevent lateral movement of the fitness bar catch relative to a vertical support member.
US09907988B1

The present invention relates to a process for decontaminating surfaces contaminated with one or more toxic agents. The processes include contacting a contaminated surface with a porous metal hydroxide which rapidly absorbs the toxic agent from the surface, then decontaminates the agent via reactions involving surface functional groups.
US09907980B2

Apparatus and methods for measuring radiation levels in vivo in real time. Apparatus and methods include a scintillating material coupled to a retention member.
US09907976B2

A system and method for light stimulation within a medium. The system has a reduced-voltage x-ray source configured to generate x-rays from a peak applied cathode voltage at or below 105 kVp, and a plurality of energy-emitting particles in the medium which, upon radiation from the x-ray source, radiate at a first lower energy than the x-ray source to interact with at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium. The method introduces the plurality of energy-emitting particles into the medium, radiates the energy-emitting particles in the medium with x-rays generated from a peak applied cathode voltage at or below 105 kVp; and emits a lower energy than the x-ray source to interact with the medium or with at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium.
US09907972B2

Embodiments relate to an implantable cardiac system, including a housing, electronic circuitry for controlling one or more of power management, processing unit, information memory and management circuit, sensing and simulation output. The system also includes diagnosis and treatment software for diagnosing health issues, diagnosing mechanical issues, determining therapy output and manage patient health indicators over time, a power supply system including at least one rechargeable battery, a recharging system, an alarm (or alert) system to inform patient of energy level and integrity of system, communication circuitry, one or more electrodes for delivering therapeutic signal to a heart and one or more electrodes for from delivering electrocardiogram signal from the heart to the electronic circuitry. The present embodiments further include a body orientation unit to determine body position and use same to control therapy.
US09907971B2

Embodiments are directed to a medical device, such as a defibrillator, for use with an accessory capable of collecting a parameter of a patient. The medical device is capable of at least performing a basic functionality, an advanced functionality, and of defibrillating the patient. The medical device includes an energy storage module within a housing for storing an electrical charge that is to be delivered to the patient for the defibrillating. The medical device includes a processor structured to determine whether a data set received from the accessory confirms or not a preset authentication criterion about the accessory. Although when the accessory is coupled to the housing the medical device is capable of the defibrillating and the basic functionality, the medical device is capable of the advanced functionality only when the accessory is coupled to the housing and it is determined that the preset authentication criterion is confirmed. Embodiments also include methods of operation and a programmed solution.
US09907968B2

Delivery of an implantable wireless receiver-stimulator (R-S) into the heart using delivery catheter is described. R-S comprises a cathode and an anode and wirelessly receives and converts energy, such as acoustic ultrasound energy, to electrical energy to stimulate the heart. Conductive wires routed through the delivery system temporarily connect R-S electrodes to external monitor and pacing controller. R-S comprises a first temporary electrical connection from the catheter to the cathode, and a second temporary electrical connection from the catheter to the anode. Temporary electrical connections allow external monitoring of heart's electrical activity as sensed by R-S electrodes to determine tissue viability for excitation as well as to assess energy conversion efficiency.
US09907961B2

The present invention provides a fully intrathoracic artificial pacemaker. The pacemaker is of sufficiently compact size to allow for implantation of both the electrode and the power source within the chest cavity. In exemplary embodiments, a screw-type electrode is used for connection to heart tissue, and a relatively short lead is used to connect the electrode to a battery unit, which can comprise electronics for control of the pacemaker. An assembly for implanting the pacemaker, as well as methods of implanting the pacemaker, are disclosed. In embodiments, the device is designed as a fetal pacemaker.
US09907960B2

A spinal cord stimulation device having a stimulation unit for generation and delivery of stimulation pulses, a control unit for controlling the stimulation unit with respect to stimulation intensity and an autonomic nervous system (“ANS”) sensing unit that is configured to generate ANS indicating signals that represent an increased sympathetic tone or an increased parasympathetic tone, respectively. The control unit is configured to control the intensity of respective stimulation pulses depending on a respective ANS indicating signal as generated by said ANS sensing unit.
US09907955B2

In one example, a method includes delivering, via one or more stimulation generators of a medical device implanted in a patient, electrical stimulation to the patient. In this example, the method also includes disturbing, by one or more components of the medical device, an image of the patient generated by a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanner.
US09907950B1

Some implementations provide a method for modulating excitable tissue in a body of a patient, the method including: placing a wireless implantable stimulator device at a target site in the patient's body, the stimulator device including one or more electrodes; reconfiguring the wireless implantable stimulator device to form an enclosure that substantially surrounds the excitable tissue at the target site with the electrodes on the inside of the enclosure and facing the nerve; and causing electrical impulses to be delivered to the electrodes on the wireless implantable stimulator device such that neural modulation is applied to the excitable tissue substantially surrounded by the enclosure.
US09907948B2

A medical electrical lead includes a threaded conductor, a coil conductor, and a sleeve. The threaded conductor has an outer surface with a threaded section that includes threads defining grooves between the threads. The coil conductor has coils seated in the grooves of the threaded conductor. The coil conductor has a coil major diameter greater than a thread major diameter. The sleeve is positioned radially outward of the coil conductor and has an inner surface in contact with the coil conductor so as to produce a radially inward force compressing the coil conductor against the threaded section of the threaded conductor.
US09907942B2

This invention provides methods and systems uniquely capable of enhancing medicant delivery and/or effectiveness through the use of energy to predictably disrupt membranes and mechanically and thermally modulate cells and tissues. In exemplary embodiments, the methods and systems disclosed herein are capable of modulating multiple layers of tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy is acoustic energy (e.g., ultrasound). In other exemplary embodiments, the energy is photon based energy (e.g., IPL, LED, laser, white light, etc.), or other energy forms, such radio frequency electric currents, or various combinations of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy and other energy forms or energy absorbers such as cooling. Medicants can be first introduced to the region of interest by diffusion, circulation, and/or injection. An exemplary system for enhancing medicant delivery and/or effectiveness comprises a control system, a probe, and a display or indicator system. Imaging and/or monitoring may alternatively be coupled and/or co-housed with an ultrasound system contemplated by the present invention.
US09907933B2

Systems and methods for securely supporting devices such as reservoirs for surgical drains or catheters. In one embodiment, a surgical drain support apparatus comprises a sash having a first end and a second end. The sash has an opening such as a slit or a loop at the second end. When the first end is inserted through the opening, the sash forms an adjustable loop that is placed around a user's body (e.g., over the shoulder or around the waist), thereby supporting the apparatus on the user's body. The first end of the sash, which hangs downward from the large loop, has one or more compartments that hold surgical drain reservoirs. The first end of the sash also has a strap attached to it that can be wrapped around the user's body (e.g., around the leg) to hold the first end of the sash against the user's body.
US09907920B2

Various embodiments of a tracheal tube capable of suctioning accumulated mucus secretions from the airway of intubated patients are provided. Disclosed embodiments include a variety of endotracheal tubes with integral suction lumens terminating in ports optimally located at the distal end of the endotracheal tubes between a Murphy's Eye and a cuff. During intubation, the foregoing features, among others, of the tracheal tube may have the effect of preventing bacterial colonization of the respiratory airway and the subsequent development of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in the lungs.
US09907915B2

A needle head structure of a safety syringe includes a protecting cover, a first sleeve, a second sleeve, a syringe holder and a plunger. The first sleeve, second sleeve and syringe holder are structures with mutually latched embedding protrusion and latch portion. The plunger includes a guide channel, and is operated with the syringe holder to reduce a remaining liquid. The first sleeve, second sleeve and syringe holder are latched with one another to fix an end of the syringe holder. After the use of the syringe, a first sleeve is pulled towards a an end to link the second sleeve, so that the first sleeve is latched to an end of the second sleeve, and the other end of the second sleeve is fixed to the syringe holder, so as to provide a convenient operation to users and reduce the risk of being pierced by the needle head structure accidentally.
US09907904B2

A drug delivery device or patch-like delivery device which employs a spring force and an inclined surface to apply pressure on a fluid reservoir, thereby delivering medicament to a user's body. The slope of the inclined surface may be engineered to control the drug delivery rate. The device may be low profile and wearable, for example in the form of a patch. A visual indicator of the amount of medicament delivered or remaining may be incorporated, for example via a transparent window that shows the progression of an inclined surface as it presses on the reservoir. The device may incorporate mechanisms for automatic extension and retraction of a cannula at the beginning and end of drug delivery. Drug delivery rate may be limited with flow restrictors, and by using a two-reservoir system with a viscous liquid displacing a reservoir containing the medicament.
US09907895B2

A controller for a life support device, the controller having a control section in charge of sequence control, the controller includes: a first interface section transmitting an output state of the control section to each part in the life support device, and transmitting an output state of each part in the life support device to the control section; and a second interface section setting an output state in response to detection of a predetermined data sequence output from the control section, and maintaining the set output state until the second interface section receives the predetermined data sequence anew. A part of the life support device is driven via the second interface section.
US09907878B2

The present invention relates to a wet tissue containing a hot water extract of Coptidis Rhizoma extracted under high temperature and high pressure conditions, or a distillate thereof, and more specifically, to a wet tissue containing a hot water extract of Coptidis Rhizoma obtained by mixing 2,000-8,000 parts by weight of water on the basis of 100 parts by weight of Coptidis Rhizoma and extracting the same under high temperature and high pressure conditions of 120-131° C. and 1.2-2.8 atm, respectively, or a distillate thereof. The wet tissue containing a hot water extract of Coptidis Rhizoma or a distillate thereof shows remarkable antibacterial and fungicidal activities against pathogenic microorganisms existing in the skin and has an excellent inflammation inhibitory effect, and thus can be readily used for cleaning the skin and alleviating various inflammatory diseases.
US09907877B2

A sanitization mist shower apparatus includes a water tank that stores water, a plasma generator that causes a plasma discharge in water inside the water tank and generates reformed water, an air blower that blows pressurized air, and a mist nozzle that spouts fine mist obtained by mixing the reformed water supplied from the water tank and the pressurized air supplied from the air blower. A liquid pressure of the reformed water supplied to the mist nozzle and air pressure of the pressurized air are substantially the same as each other.
US09907869B2

A solution for disinfecting a screen of an item using ultraviolet radiation is provided. The solution can provide an electronic device including a screen utilized by a user of the electronic device. The screen can be an ultraviolet transparent screen that covers at least some of the internal portion of the electronic device and a set of ultraviolet radiation sources can be located adjacent to the transparent screen. The set of ultraviolet radiation sources can be configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed towards an external surface of the ultraviolet transparent screen. The electronic device can further include a monitoring and control system, which can manage the ultraviolet radiation generation by monitoring a set of attributes relating to the external surface of the screen and controlling, based on the monitoring, ultraviolet radiation directed at the external surface of the screen.
US09907856B2

Provided are compositions for repairing an injured tissue. The composition includes carboxymethylcellulose conjugated to an extracellular matrix derived peptide, and a methylcellulose. Also provided are kits and methods for using the subject compositions.
US09907854B2

The invention provides novel chemical entities based on sugar alcohols. These new chemical entities are biocompatible and biodegradable. The molecules can be made in a single and pure form. The molecular weights of these molecules range from small (<1000 Da) to large (1000-120,000 Da). The sugar alcohol-based molecules can have functional groups throughout the molecule for crosslinking compounds, such as the preparation of antibody-drug conjugates, or to facilitate the delivery of therapeutic proteins, peptides, siRNA, and chemotherapeutic drugs. Also provided are new conjugate entities prepared through sugar alcohol molecules. Methods of synthesizing sugar alcohol-based molecules and conjugates are also within the scope of the invention.
US09907851B2

The present disclosure provides compositions (e.g., extended release compositions) which exhibit a desirable pharmacokinetic profile of an active agent while providing reduced dissolution sample variability, e.g., in the form of reduced inter-capsule variability and/or a reduction in storage-time dependent change in mean release of the active agent from the composition. Related methods of making and administering the disclosed compositions and formulations are also provided.
US09907848B2

The present invention relates to the discovery that increases in invariant NKT cell (iNKT) number and/or activity can reduce the incidence or severity of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. The invention accordingly features methods, kits, and compositions for the treatment of such metabolic disorders by administration of a composition capable of increasing iNKT activity.
US09907844B2

The present disclosure provides modified human herpesvirus glycoprotein B (gB) proteins that incorporate unique mechanisms for generating proteins that mimic their native conformation to enhance their immunogenicity. The modified herpesvirus gB proteins insert a peptide linker at the furin cleavage site in the extracellular domain of herpesvirus gB. When expressed, the gB subunit associates in triplicate to produce a homotrimeric complex, mimicking the native conformation of the gB protein. Also provided are protein complexes comprising a homotrimeric complex of a modified herpesvirus gB protein and herpesvirus gH and gL proteins. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the modified herpesvirus gB proteins, methods of inducing or suppressing an immune response in a subject by administering a vaccine comprising the modified herpesvirus gB protein, or nucleic acid encoding the same, or a protein complex comprising a homotrimeric complex of the modified herpesvirus gB protein and herpesvirus gH and gL proteins.
US09907843B2

The invention relates to a recombinant novirhabdovirus expressing a chimeric protein comprising the sequence of an antigen of interest flanked, at the N-terminus, by a signal peptide, and at the C-terminus, by a polypeptide comprising at least one portion of the transmembrane domain of a rhabdovirus G protein. Said recombinant novirhabdovirus can be used especially for inducing an immune response to the antigen of interest.
US09907839B2

Methods of treating glycogen storage disease type II, by administering acid α-glucosidase, are described, as are compositions for use in treatment of glycogen storage disease type II.
US09907836B2

The invention provides a protein composition derived from silk fibroin, which composition possesses enhanced solubility and stability in aqueous solutions. The primary amino acid sequence of native fibroin is modified in the SDP such that cysteine disulfide bonds between the fibroin heavy and fibroin light protein chains are reduced or eliminated. Additionally, the composition can have a serine content that is reduced by greater than 40% compared to native fibroin protein, and the average molecular weight of the SDP is less than about 100 kDa.
US09907833B2

The subject application relates to methods for treating a placental syndrome, wherein relaxin is administered during the late secretory/luteal (LS) phase of the menstrual cycle in women who have a propensity for developing the placental syndrome. In certain embodiments, administration of relaxin continues beyond the LS phase and into pregnancy.
US09907827B2

The present invention refers to a prebiotic mixture comprising at least one plant polysaccharide fiber and at least one of Propolis and/or Olea europaea and/or Aloe vera extracts, optionally comprising also Thymus vulgaris and/or Agrimonia eupatoria extracts. Moreover, the present invention also relates to said mixture for use in the preservation and/or in the restoration of the intestinal microbiota balance.
US09907818B2

Methods of treating a gastrointestinal spasm in a subject are provided. The methods can include administering an effective amount of a formulation to treat the gastrointestinal spasm, the formulation having a tannin combined with a hydrogen donor in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient as a binding pair, the tannin releasing in an oxidized state from the hydrogen donor after oral administration of the formulation in the subject; wherein, the composition at least inhibits a gastrointestinal spasm in the subject when compared to a second subject in a control group in which the composition was not administered.
US09907816B2

There is provided a granular material comprising (i) at least 50% by weight based on the weight of the granular material of solid water-insoluble mixed metal compound capable of binding phosphate of formula (I): MII1-x.MIIIx(OH)2An−y.zH2O (I) where MII is at least one of magnesium, calcium, lanthanum and cerium; MII is at least iron(III); An is at least one n-valent anion; x=Σny, 0
US09907815B2

A method for the polymerization of α-lipoic acid and α-lipoic acid derivatives includes preparing an α-lipoic formulation, exposing the α-lipoic formulation to an aqueous phase and a gaseous phase at a gas/water interface, and allowing the α-lipoic formulation to polymerize at the gas/water interface to form a poly(α-lipoic acid) polymer. The α-lipoic formulation can be an α-lipoic solution of an α-lipoic solute and an organic solvent miscible with water, and can also be an α-lipoic acid or oligomer or polymer thereof in liquid (typically melt) form.
US09907812B2

The invention provides conjugate-based antifungal or antibacterial prodrugs formed by coupling at least one anti-fungal agent or antibacterial agent with at least one linker and/or carrier. The prodrugs are of formula: (i) (AFA)m-X-(L)n; (ii) [(AFA)m′-X]p-L; (iii) AFA-[X-(L)n′]q; or (iv) (AFA)m″-X, wherein: AFA is an antifungal agent or an antibacterial agent; L is a carrier; X is a linker; m ranges from 1 to 10; n ranges from 2 to 10; m′ is 1 to 10; p is 1 to 10; n′ is 1 to 10; and q is 1 to 10, provided that q′ and n are not both 1; and m″ is 1 to 10. The invention also provides nanoparticles comprising the conjugate-based prodrugs. Additionally, the invention also provides non-conjugated antifungal and antibacterial agents in the form of nanoparticles.
US09907811B2

The present invention generally relates to concentrated natamycin suspension formulations for inhibition of fungal growth. Specifically, the present invention relates to stable suspension concentrate formulations comprising from about 25% to about 48% w/w natamycin, from about 0.1% to about 10% w/w of an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyelectrolyte polymers, modified styrene acrylic polymers, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinates, sodium salts of naphthalene sulfonates, and combinations thereof, and water. The formulations of the present invention contain natamycin as particles which are on average less than 11 microns in diameter and the formulations have a viscosity of less than 1400 centipoise at 21 degrees Celsius.
US09907809B2

The disclosure provides an oral antiviral supplement composition comprising a lysine, an ascorbic compound, a flavonoid glycoside, a threonine, and a pyridoxine. The disclosure also provides a method of reducing viral replication in a cell comprising treating a virus-infected cell with a composition of the disclosure. The disclosure further provides a method for the treatment and prophylaxis of a viral infection in a patient comprising administering a composition of the disclosure.
US09907808B2

An inventive composition including an amount of sugar or sugar alcohol, an amount of alkalizing agent, and an amount of vehicle; whereby the inventive composition is formulated for transdermal administration to alleviate one or more disorder symptoms, for example neurogenic pain, or to treat one or more disorders, for example neurogenic inflammation.
US09907806B2

The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for emergency contraception, to the use of levonorgestrel in combination with COX inhibitors for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the stated purpose, and to a method for preparing these pharmaceutical compositions.
US09907802B1

Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising brimonidine and timolol for topical ophthalmic delivery and a method of treatment comprising administering said composition when indicated for glaucoma and associated conditions such as elevated intraocular pressure in the eyes of humans.
US09907799B2

A tau aggregation inhibitor can sufficiently inhibit a tau protein from aggregating in cells. The inhibitor includes a 4-substituted catechol structure compound, having, at position 4 of its catechol ring, an electron-donating substituent R other than a hydrocarbon group, or a salt thereof. The 4-substituted catechol structure compound is preferably 4-aminocatechol or 1,2,4-benzenetriol. Examples of tauopathies to which this inhibitor is applicable include AD, Down's syndrome, frontotemporal dementia, cotricobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
US09907788B1

Roflumilast crystals have been shown to increase in size during storage. The size of the roflumilast crystals can affect the bioavailability and efficacy of a pharmaceutical composition. The growth of roflumilast crystals can be inhibited during storage by including hexylene glycol in the composition. The resulting composition has improved bioavailability and efficacy and can be used to inhibit phosphodiesterase 4 in a patient in need of such treatment.
US09907778B2

The present invention relates to an anticancer agent having a high safety and a superior anticancer activity, and an anticancer agent containing, as an active ingredient, an aminoacetonitrile compound represented by the formula (I) wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group and the like, R2, R3, and R4 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group and the like, R5 and R6 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and the like, m is 0 or 1, R is a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a phenyl group optionally substituted by an alkyl group and the like, an alkyl group and the like, Ar1 is a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, a pyridyl group, a pyrazolyl group, or the like, each of which is optionally substituted by a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, alkyl group and the like, and W is —O—, —S—, —SO2—, or —N(R7)— wherein R7 is a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C6)alkyl group and the like, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.
US09907770B2

Provided are compositions comprising beta-alanylhistidine peptides and/or beta-alanines, and methods for administering these peptides and amino acids. In one aspect, the compositions and methods cause an increase in the blood plasma concentrations of beta-alanine and/or creatine.
US09907764B2

Treatment of CNS disorders with (1R,4S)-trans 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenamine; and (1S,4R)-trans 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenamine is disclosed. A process for preparing 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenamine is also disclosed. The process includes the preparation of all four isomers of N-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]formamide, which are also useful.
US09907761B2

Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinoids as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided.
US09907753B2

The invention provides delivery systems comprised of stabilized multilamellar vesicles, as well as compositions, methods of synthesis, and methods of use thereof. The stabilized multilamellar vesicles may comprise prophylactic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents.
US09907745B2

The present invention generally relates to cosmetic compositions comprising serum derived from cultured keratinocyte and fibroblast cells. The invention also relates to methods of producing serum for use in the cosmetic compositions through novel cell culture techniques.
US09907738B2

A compliant personal care composition can include a granular personal care composition, including i) from about 20% to about 80%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant; and ii) from about 3% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, a water insoluble hygroscopic fiber, fine, or filament; wherein the composition is granular before a first simulated use and has a compliance value of about 0.01 kg/mm to about 1.5 kg/mm after 2 simulated uses. The composition may also be at least partially surrounded by a substrate and in the form of an article.
US09907736B1

A method for forming a benzophenone derivative product that resistant to absorption by living tissue that includes binding a benzophenone-containing compound with an oxide-containing particle by acid-catalyzed condensation or Friedel-Crafts acetylation to provide a benzophenone derivative having a microscale size. The benzophenone derivative can then be mixed into a lotion. The microscale size of the benzophenone derivative obstructs absorption by cell tissue. The benzophenone derivative may be an oxybenzone derivative.
US09907735B2

An object of the present invention is to provide an external composition for skin excellent in ultraviolet-ray absorbability. The present invention relates to the external composition for skin comprising (a) an ultraviolet-ray absorber, and (b) an inorganic phosphor. (a) The ultraviolet-ray absorber preferably contains at least one ultraviolet-ray absorber which absorbs UVB. Also, (a) the ultraviolet-ray absorber is more preferably at least one ultraviolet-ray absorber selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl paramethoxycinnamate, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, etc.
US09907732B2

Dental cement compositions (including two-part compositions), kits, and related methods are used for bonding a dental prosthetic appliance to a tooth. A first part includes an amine activator component and a zinc oxide reactive filler, while a second part includes a polymerization initiator (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) and a polymerizable component having a structure including at least one acrylate or methacrylate group at one end and a carboxylic acid group at another end. A temporary cement composition advantageously exhibits reduced compressive and/or bonding strength relative to permanent cement compositions, which provides sufficient strength to facilitate normal use of the teeth while the provisional appliance is in use, while also facilitating easy removal of the provisional appliance for replacement with a permanent appliance at a later time.
US09907729B2

The present invention relates to a medical device connector for connecting a piercing device, with a vial comprising a base member. A plurality of grip members, each grip member comprising a distal end (D) and a proximal end (P) and each comprising a wedge portion adapted to temporarily or permanently lock the medical device connector to the vial. The base member further comprises a plurality of flanges, wherein the proximal ends (P) of the grip members are arranged to the flanges. The flanges extend substantially out from the periphery of the base member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the grip members, wherein the space formed between the flanges of the base member forms at least one grip portion. The present invention provides for a medical device connector which is easy and comfortable to use, which provide good stacking capabilities and which permits a user to readily acknowledge that the medical device connector is correctly assembled with the vial.
US09907723B2

The present disclosure provides a universal user assist seat for use with walkers and seating platforms, and walker with said seat. The universal user assist seat may include a base portion, an engagement portion pivotably coupled to an upper surface of the base for engaging a user when a user sits thereon, and a lifting mechanism that provides an assist force to the engagement portion that biases the engagement portion in an upward position from the base. The universal user assist seat may also include at least one attachment mechanism that removably and rotatably couples the base of the user assist seat to at least one of a front cross-member and a rear cross-member of a frame of a walker. The walker may include frame comprising a plurality of leg portions extending between ground engagement portions and handle portions, and the front and rear cross-members.
US09907719B2

A mattress apparatus including a foam layer, an inflatable air cushion superposed with the foam layer, a first pneumatic line in fluid communication with the air cushion, and a non-shearing layer covering at least a portion of the air cushion. The air cushion can be inflated to support a patient such that the air cushion contours the patient's body and disperse pressure portions over a larger area, thereby helping eliminate pressure points which can cause or worsen skin wounds. The non-shearing layer can help prevent further tearing or pulling of the skin as a patient moves on the mattress. The foam layer can comprise viscoelastic polyurethane. The apparatus can include a removable cover at least partially surrounding the foam layer, inflatable air cushion, pneumatic first line, and non-shearing layer. An air passage can be defined through the removable cover.
US09907705B2

A method of dispensing adhesive onto a stretched elastic strand includes applying a first volume of adhesive onto a first portion of the elastic strand, applying a second volume of adhesive onto a second portion of the elastic strand, and applying a third volume of adhesive onto a third portion of the elastic strand. The second volume is less than the first and third volumes. When the elastic strand is adhesively secured to a substrate to form a personal disposable hygiene product, the first and third portions of the elastic strand define opposing ends of the elastic strand, which are adhered with a larger amount of adhesive capable of limiting movement of the strand at the opposing ends, thereby maintaining the integrity of the bond between the substrate and the elastic strand.
US09907703B2

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed towards wound dressings comprising a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.
US09907698B2

A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.
US09907692B2

Systems and methods directed to the art of therapeutic thermal compression are provided. A therapeutic device capable of providing various therapeutic stimuli, including thermal energy transfer and applied pressure. The therapeutic device has a heating/cooling system, a temperature moderating system, a compression system, and a control system which controls the amount of pressure applied, the degree of temperature applied, and the duration of each application of therapeutic stimuli.
US09907690B1

An articulation aid with seats for upper and lower teeth for positioning between the upper central incisors and the lower central incisors respectively, or upper lateral incisors to lower lateral incisors as the case may be resulting in a generally vertical orientation of the article prizing the jaw in an open position. The slender aid permits a user or voice therapist to discern the instant position of the tongue when the user is speaking.
US09907679B2

An apparatus including a plurality of stents is provided, each stent having a center line curving in three dimensions. The plurality of stents includes at least one stent with a center line having a right handed curvature and at least one stent with a center line having a left handed curvature.
US09907674B2

A self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus is disclosed which includes at least first and second sliding boxes. A first screw member having a tapered end and a threaded body is disposed within the first sliding box, and a second screw member having a tapered end and a threaded body disposed within the second sliding box. An adjuster adjusts the height of the sliding boxes. The screw members are screwed into vertebral bodies in order to fuse the vertebral bodies together. A plurality of the self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatuses may be attached together and/or integrated via a plate or cage. Also disclosed is a cervical facet staple that includes a curved staple base and at least two prongs attached to the bottom surface of the curved staple base.
US09907671B2

An oblique expanding fusion cage device including a body with a superior portion and an inferior portion. The superior portion and the inferior portion have a proximal end and a distal end. The fusion cage device also includes a pathway, an opening, and an expanding member. The pathway travels from the proximal end to the distal end of the device between the superior and inferior portions. The opening in the proximal end of the body enables access to the pathway. The expanding member may be removably inserted into the opening and is moveable toward the distal end of the body, wherein the expanding member engages the superior portion and the inferior portion as the expanding member moves distally within the pathway.
US09907668B2

An intervertebral prosthetic implant having a first endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a first vertebral body and a second surface having an extension with a concave contact surface, the concave contact surface being spaced apart from the second surface. A second endplate is provided with a first surface configured to substantially engage with a second vertebral body and a second surface comprising a convex contact surface, and the second endplate having a securing element positioned along and above the second surface defining a first and second window on opposing sides of the second surface. The securing element extends along the width and length of the lower endplate and configured with an access hole. An extension portion extends from the first surface of the first endplate through the access hole of the securing element and contacts the second surface of the second endplate.
US09907652B2

This disclosure pertains generally to prosthetic devices and related methods for helping to seal native heart valves and prevent or reduce regurgitation therethrough, as well as devices and related methods for implanting such prosthetic devices. In some cases, a spacer having a single anchor can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, a spacer having dual anchors can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, devices can be used to extend the effective length of a native heart valve leaflet.
US09907649B2

A prosthetic atrioventricular tissue valve comprising a continuous tubular member formed from a first biocompatible material, the tubular member having proximal and distal ends, and at least one valve leaflet formed therein, the distal end of the tubular member including cardiovascular structure engagement means for connecting the tubular member to a cardiovascular structure, the cardiovascular structure engagement means comprising a plurality of elongated members that extend distally from the distal end of the tubular member.
US09907647B2

Provided is an intraocular lens insertion device capable of omitting a repeated operation after the intraocular lens is inserted into the eye. The intraocular lens insertion device (1) comprises a lens setting part (11) for mounting an intraocular lens (5) having an optic (6) and one or two or more supporting portions (7a and 7b) disposed at the outer edge of the optic (6), a plunger (4) for pushing out the intraocular lens (5) mounted in the lens setting part (11), and a nozzle (13) for releasing the intraocular lens (5) pushed out by the plunger (4). This plunger (4) includes a lens contact portion (32) for abutting against the outer edge of the optic (6), and a pushing portion (33) for pushing out the supporting portion (7b) arranged in the backward direction of a lens advancing axis (A).
US09907646B2

Various methods and devices are provided for a graft fixation device for fixing a graft member within a bone tunnel. In one embodiment, a graft fixation device is provided having a radially expandable sheath adapted to be disposed within a bone tunnel, and a sheath expander adapted to be received within the radially expandable sheath to expand the sheath and thereby anchor a graft between the sheath and the bone tunnel. In an exemplary embodiment, the graft fixation device is particularly useful to affix a graft within a femoral tunnel.
US09907645B2

A system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint. The system includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint. There is also an adjustable energy absorbing device attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, wherein adjusting the energy absorbing device changes the load manipulating characteristics of the energy absorbing device.
US09907643B2

A system for treating a patient is provided that includes an expandable vascular device having a body having a substantially uniform porosity that is adapted to change by adjusting an axial length of the body. The system also includes an expanding member positioned within a central lumen of the device, the expanding member configured to engage the body, as the body is radially expanded from a collapsed configuration, and to reduce a porosity of the body within a body region more than the body porosity is reduced outside the region.
US09907639B2

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treating a vascular condition by restoring patency to a vessel while reducing the likelihood that emboli become dislodged into the bloodstream. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a graft having proximal and distal regions, a first support member attached to the distal region of the graft, and a second support member attached to the proximal region of the graft. The first and second support members may comprise first and second stents, respectively. The first stent is deployed distal to a vascular condition, and the second stent is deployed proximal to a vascular condition, such that the graft spans the length of the vascular condition to entrap emboli during treatment of the vascular condition. In an alternative embodiment, the graft is adapted to be everted to form a pocket adapted to entrap emboli dislodged during treatment of the vascular condition.
US09907634B2

A multi-function charging coil bobbin (90) for a power toothbrush (10) configured to improve the durability of the toothbrush and to simplify the assembly process. The coil bobbin (90) provides a bridge spring (98) for tolerance mitigation and shock protection, and also provides a coil winding surface (92) such that the bobbin (90) can be wound prior to final assembly. The coil bobbin (90) may be unitary in structure for low cost.
US09907628B2

The present invention is to provide implants for an artificial tooth that does not require a period, for integration of implant bodies and a jawbone as in the background art, enables treatment even of a patient whose jawbone is small in bone amount or thickness, can reduce the treatment period and the number of times of treatment for many patients, and can lighten the mental and physical burden of a patient by minimizing the impact to the jawbone, and this invention is characterized by the following means, an artificial tooth, implant device with an arrangement where at least two implant bodies, each having a shaft portion, form a pair, a hook portion, hooked in a hook hole bored in a jawbone, is provided on the shaft portion of each implant body, the hook, portion is bent with respect to the shaft portion, and when the respective implant bodies are hooked onto the jawbone, tip portions of the hook portions are positioned so as to face each other inwardly, the arrangement being provided with a fixing means for fixing the implant bodies to each other.
US09907620B2

Surgical end effectors are disclosed having angled tissue-contacting surfaces. The end effectors may have a first jaw member that is movable relative to a second jaw member between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw member may have a first positively-angled tissue-contacting surface. The second jaw member may have a second positively-angled tissue-contacting surface. At least one of the jaw members may have at least one active electrode configured to deliver RF energy to tissue located between the first jaw member and the second jaw member when in the closed position.
US09907616B1

A system for use in TFL lithotripsy procedures uses a silica trunk fiber semi-permanently mounted in an endoscope and includes a detachable and replaceable wave guide treatment tip, including hollow wave guides and fiber tips. The system provides for ready removal and replacement of wave guides damaged during lithotripsy. The trunk fiber in the endoscope tube is of diameter ≦200 μm, suitable for use in the lower pole of the kidney, and should be useful over-and-over with only the detachable wave guide removed and replaced, whether during a single procedure or for multiple procedures on different patients in which the endoscope tube and trunk fiber are sterilized between patients. Multiple connector assemblies are provided for optical coupling contact between the detachable wave guide and trunk fiber and include a gap for dissipation of heat between the trunk fiber and the wave guide when in optically coupling contact.
US09907614B2

Laser energy delivery devices and methods are provided. A laser energy delivery device for providing treatment to a subject may include a coupling adapted to couple to a laser energy generator. A sheath is coupled to the coupling, the sheath including a distal end adapted to be disposed in the subject. A plurality of transport members are carried by the coupling and the sheath, the plurality of transport members being adapted to receive laser energy at the coupling, transmit laser energy through the sheath, and deliver laser energy to the subject. A sensor is adapted to detect transmission of laser energy through at least one of the plurality of transport members.
US09907607B2

Embodiments of a guide and flexible sleeve for use with catheters for ablation or other medical procedures are disclosed. An exemplary catheter comprises a guide element having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configurable in a desired shape. A flexible sleeve is conformable to the guide element so that the flexible sleeve slides over the guide element, the flexible sleeve has a proximal end and a distal end. A controller couples to the flexible sleeve. The controller operates to move the flexible sleeve at least part way between the distal end of the guide element and the proximal end of the guide element. At least one ablation element disposed at the distal end of the flexible sleeve operates to form a substantially continuous ablative lesion when the flexible sleeve is in contact with a contiguous volume of target tissue.
US09907606B2

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has a handle and an operation tool. The operation tool is mounted on a front end of the handle and has multiple holes densely formed in and spread over at least one working surface of the operation tool. With the multiple holes formed on the at least one working surface of the operation tool, tissues of a surgical site can be heated uniformly and adhesion of the surgical site is minimized. Moreover, since the multiple holes are directly formed on the at least one working surface, the multiple holes do not become shallow under long-term use and no toxic gas would be released when the operation tool is heated to high temperature. Accordingly, anti-adhesion effect of the operation tool and health of medical staffs can be assured.
US09907603B2

An apparatus and method for performing cardiac ablations employs a catheter comprising an anchoring device and an ablating device to perform the ablations to electrically isolate the pulmonary veins and left atrium from surrounding atrial tissue. The anchor can comprise a balloon-type device, a stent-like device, a strut-like device, a spring-strut-like device, an umbrella-like device, a mushroom-like device, or other device that allows the catheter to maintain a position with respect to target tissue. The ablator can comprise a balloon ablator, an umbrella ablator, a pinwheel ablator, an umbrella ablator incorporating a cinch mechanism, a mushroom balloon ablator and a segmented balloon or pinwheel ablator. The anchor and ablator can also comprise a combination mushroom balloon anchor section and mushroom balloon ablator section. The anchor and ablator can include electrodes for measuring a conductance therebetween when in deployed position, so as to determine the effectiveness of the ablation.
US09907600B2

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, an ultrasonic element, and an annular clamp pad. The shaft extends distally from the body. The ultrasonic element is located at the distal end of the shaft. The ultrasonic element includes a distally presented annular face. The clamp pad is movable toward the distally presented annular face of the ultrasonic element. When tissue is compressed between the clamp pad and the distally presented annular face of the ultrasonic element, the ultrasonic element may be activated with ultrasonic energy. The resulting ultrasonic vibrations may sever and seal the tissue captured between the distally presented annular face and the clamp pad, resulting in an anastomosis. The apparatus may thus be used to join two hollow tubular tissue structures, such as portions of a gastrointestinal tract.
US09907592B2

A surgical bone fixation screw having a head, an end segment distally from the head and an intermediate shank having outwardly protruding screw threads. The improvement is a self guiding, threadless, elongated end segment having a smooth outer surface with no cutting edges, a length of at least 8 mm and preferably 15 mm and a bluntly rounded end with an outer contour that is smoothly blended to the shank. Most preferably, the bluntly rounded end is substantially a prolate hemispheroid.
US09907585B2

A new shape changing bone implant and instrument for the fixation of structures to include bone tissue. This new implant stores elastic mechanical energy to exert force on fixated structures to enhance their security and in bone affect its healing response. This unique implant locks into bone and then simultaneously expands and shortens to lock into bone and then pull the bone segments together. This implant once placed changes shape in response to geometric changes in the implant's and bone's materials structure. The implant may be fabricated from any biocompatible material that acts elastically when deformed including but not limited to nitinol, stainless steel, titanium, and their alloys as well as polymers such as polyetheretherketone, silicone elastomer and polyethylene. The implant is advanced over prior devices due to its: (1) method of operation, (2) high strength, (3) method of insertion, (4) compressive force temperature independence, (5) energy storing implant retention and delivery system, (6) compatibility with reusable or single use product configuration, (7) ability to act as a scaffold to conduct healing bone through the implant, (8) efficient and cost effective manufacturing methods, and (9) reduction in the steps required to place the device.
US09907580B2

Provided is a bi-dimensionally adjustable spacing device configured to be placed between the spinous processes of at least two adjacent vertebrae and also adjusted laterally to securely contact the lateral surfaces of the spinous process. A method of using the device to treat spinal disorders is also provided.
US09907577B2

A closure for an open headed medical implant, such as a bone screw. The closure having a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation and also having a radially outer surface with a thread or other guide and advancement structure thereon. The body having a plurality of apertures that open onto a top surface of the body and that are parallel to but spaced from the axis of rotation. The closure also has a break-off head centrally attached by a neck to the top surface of the body.
US09907576B2

A reduced shock breakaway set screw for use with medical implants and constructs for the spine having improved geometry of the groove area between the upper head portion and lower threaded portion of the set screw. The groove area of the set screw has circular and noncircular portions which in at least one embodiment comprise upper and lower radii separated by a flattened groove bottom. Other embodiments have apertures running between the groove area and an internal cylindrical bore and/or ridges or ribs running across the groove area. The improved geometry serves to slow down the fracturing process during shearing thereby increasing the proportion of energy dissipated as heat from plastic deformation of the material to the amount of energy released as kinetic energy from elastic deformation, thus reducing shock to the patient and physician without changing the preset break-off torque for the set screw.
US09907574B2

A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. The receiver can have crimp tabs, but is devoid of spring tabs and collet-like flexible structures. A down-loadable compression insert (some with lock and release feature), a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled. The receiver and insert include aligned tool receiving apertures for lock and release of the polyaxial mechanism.
US09907557B2

Vaso-occlusive apparatuses, including implants, and methods of using them to treat aneurysms. The vaso-occlusive implants described herein include one or more soft and expandable braided member coupled to a pushable member such as a coil that maybe inserted and retrieved from within an aneurism using a delivery catheter as well as a friction element between the soft braided member and the coil. The friction element allows the relatively soft and elongate implant to be pushed out of a cannula without binding up within the cannula.
US09907553B2

A stapling device for forming multiple tissue plications without needing to reload the device between plications is described. The device includes staple and anvil housings that move toward and away from a tissue-capture position. A cartridge holder in the staple housing supports a cartridge with multiple groups of offset staple slots, where the slots in each group are circularly arrayed about a cartridge center axis. A staple driver in the staple housing carries a plurality of arms for engaging and ejecting the staples in a first group of staples in the cartridge, when a tissue fold is captured between the cartridge assembly and anvil in the anvil housing. When the staple driver is retracted, after a tissue plication is formed, the cartridge assembly and tissue drive are indexed to eject the next-up group of staples.
US09907550B2

An end effector assembly for a surgical stitching device is provided. The end effector assembly includes an end effector, a housing, and a needle. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The housing is movable relative to the end effector. The needle is releasably coupled to the housing and movable relative to the housing between a first, insertion position and a second deployed position. The needle is adapted, when in the second, deployed position, to releasably couple to one or both of the first jaw member and the second jaw member of the end effector.
US09907546B2

A suction elevator with suction capability includes a handle having a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle includes a connector for attaching the surgical elevator to a suction source. An arm extends from the second end of the handle, the arm having a blade portion at the end opposite that which extends from the handle. A continuous bore runs through the connector, handle, and arm, ending where the blade defines an opening in fluid communication with the bore.
US09907542B2

A biopsy device includes a needle extending distally from a body. The needle includes a transverse aperture, a first lumen, and a second lumen. A cutter is movable within the first lumen to sever tissue protruding through the transverse aperture. A valve assembly is operable to change the pneumatic state of the second lumen. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a translating member slidably disposed in a bore of the valve body. The valve body includes a first port and a second port. The first port is in fluid communication with the second lumen of the needle. The second port is in fluid communication with atmospheric air. The translating member selectively couples the first port with the second port based on the longitudinal position of the translating member within the bore. The translating member translates relative to the valve body based on the position of the cutter.
US09907536B2

Systems and methods are provided for performing a minimally invasive procedure in an automated or semi-automated fashion, where an imaging probe having an imaging modality compatible with the presence of an intraluminal medium is employed to record images that are processed to identify regions of interest and direct a medium displacement operation during a subsequent minimally invasive operation that benefits from the displacement of the intraluminal medium. The minimally invasive operation may include recording images with a second imaging modality, or may be a therapeutic treatment. The method is may be performed in real-time, where images obtained from the first imaging modality are processed in real time to determine whether or not the minimally invasive operation is to be performed at a given position.
US09907534B2

A directable acoustic transducer assembly is presented for use in a medical insertion device (MID). In an embodiment, the assembly aims an acoustic signal in response to a sensed or detected force or load imposed on the MID. The directable acoustic transducer assembly includes a switch array and a plurality of directional acoustic transducer elements. The switch array responds to the force or load and activates the directional acoustic transducer elements closest to the source of the force or load. The switch array may include a plurality of switches, at least one of which responses to a force or load and may activate directional acoustic transducer elements having a target tissue in the field of view. The assembly includes embodiments that are responsive to various loads. A directable acoustic transducer assembly may be part of a diagnostic and/or therapeutic system, such as an RF ablation system.
US09907529B2

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for patient-dependent optimization and reduction of the contrast medium amount. An embodiment includes provisioning patient-specific data, containing information about a patient cross-section relevant for the imaging measurement; establishing CT values and/or CNR values of a contrast medium to be expected for at least one region of interest of the patient for different candidate settings of x-ray source arrangement and/or of an image reconstruction device; determining a relevant candidate contrast medium amount for the different candidate settings, which would lead to a CT value or CNR value of the contrast medium which corresponds to the CT value or CNR value of the contrast medium at the reference setting of the x-ray source arrangement and/or image reconstruction device; and displaying an optimum relative candidate contrast medium amount and of the associated candidate setting.
US09907526B2

The present disclosure provides a method and system using software and associated equipment to automatically identify two or more preselected anatomical features by examining pixels within images, such as computerized tomography (CT) scanned images, determining appropriate measurements between such identified features based on dimensions and scaling available within the image file, comparing these measurements to normative data, and providing output of the results to a user, such as medical personnel. In at least one embodiment, the system can measure an interval between a first bone and a second bone that may be useful for medical analysis.
US09907524B2

A phase contrast x-ray imaging system generates an absorption image and a phase shift image of an object under study. The absorption image represents a measurement of the imaged object's attenuation of radiographic energy, and the phase shift image represents a measurement of the imaged object's phase shifting of the radiographic waves passing through the object. The two images may be used to improve soft tissue discrimination in radiographic imaging.
US09907517B2

According to an embodiment, detector cells are provided on a substrate, divided into groups, and detect an X-rays. Switches respectively connected to the detector cells. The data acquisition elements are respectively connected to the groups and configured to integrate electrical signals from a detector cells belonging to each of the groups. The control circuitry are configured to control the switches for each of the groups so as to switch between first connection for substantially simultaneously reading out electrical signals from a detector cells belonging to each of the groups and second connection for reading out electrical signals from a detector cells belonging to each of the groups at different timings.
US09907516B2

An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.
US09907515B2

A machine for processing continuous glucose monitoring data and issuing an alert if hypoglycemia is imminent has three modules: (a) a pre-processing module that receives and modulates continuous glucose monitoring data by reducing noise and adjusting for missed data points and shifts due to calibration; (b) a core algorithm module that receives data from the pre-processing module and calculates a rate of change to make a hypoglycemia prediction, and determine if hypoglycemia is imminent; and (c) an alarm mode module that receives data from the core algorithm and issues an audio or visual alert or warning message or a negative feedback signal to an insulin delivery device if hypoglycemia is imminent.
US09907509B2

An alcohol consumption determination method includes: detecting an effective frame of an input voice signal; detecting a difference signal of an original signal of the effective frame; performing fast Fourier conversion on the original signal and the difference signal; and determining, in the frequency domain, whether alcohol has been consumed based on a slope difference between the fast-Fourier-transformed original signal and the fast-Fourier-transformed difference signal. Accordingly, it is also possible to determine whether a driver or an operator from a remote location has consumed alcohol and a degree of the consumption, thus preventing an accident caused by an individual operating a vehicle under the influence.
US09907508B2

An apparatus and system diabetes management. The apparatus comprises a body which houses: (i) at least a first memory for storing data inputs corresponding at least to one or more components in a patient's present insulin dosage regimen and the patient's blood-glucose-level measurements determined at a plurality of times; (ii) a processor operatively connected to the at least first memory, the processor programmed at least to determine from the data inputs corresponding to the patient's blood-glucose-level measurements determined at a plurality of times whether and by how much to vary at least one of the one or more components of the patient's present insulin dosage regimen; (iii) a display screen operatively connected to the processor; (iv) a quantity of insulin; (v) a needle communicating with the quantity of insulin for delivering insulin to the patient; (vi) means for effecting delivery of a portion of the quantity of insulin to the patient via the needle; and (vii) metering means for controlling the portion of the quantity of insulin delivered to the patient via the needle.
US09907498B2

A body-mountable device may be formed of a polymeric material. A molding form can define a cavity and polymeric material can be formed using the mold to create a device shaped in accordance with the cavity. Electronics disposed on a substrate can be encapsulated within the polymeric material by forming a first layer of polymeric material, positioning the substrate on the first layer, and then forming a second layer of polymeric material over the substrate. A channel can expose a sensor disposed on the substrate. The channel may be formed while molding the second layer of polymeric material over the substrate. The molding form can include a protrusion that extends toward the sensor. A sacrificial sealant material can be applied to the sensor or the protrusion to create a seal between the protrusion and the sensor. The polymeric material forms around the sealed protrusion to create the channel.
US09907491B2

Subject matter disclosed herein relates to monitoring and/or controlling levels of an analyte in bodily fluid. In particular, estimation of a concentration of the analyte in a first physiological compartment based upon observations of a concentration of the analyte in a second physiological compartment may account for a latency in transporting the analyte between the first and second physiological compartments.
US09907478B2

This document provides methods and materials related to the non-invasive measurement of analytes in blood.
US09907473B2

A system includes a processor; a cellular, WiFi, or Bluetooth transceiver coupled to the processor; an accelerometer or a motion sensor coupled to the processor; and a sensor coupled to the processor to sense mood, wherein text, image, sound, or video is rendered in response to the sensed mood.
US09907467B2

An eye imaging apparatus can include a housing, an optical imaging system in the housing, and a light source in the housing to illuminate an eye. The optical imaging system can include an optical window at a front end of the housing with a concave front surface for receiving the eye as well as an imaging lens disposed rearward the optical window. The apparatus can comprise a light conditioning element configured to receive light from the light source and direct said light to the eye. The apparatus can further include an image sensor in the housing disposed to receive an image of the eye from the optical imaging system. In various embodiments, light conditioning element includes at least one multi-segment surface. In some embodiments, the housing is provided with at least one hermitic seal, for example, with the optical window. In some embodiments, time sequential illumination is employed.
US09907461B2

A system and associated method are used for warming an endoscope, laparoscope, or other such instrument to minimize fogging. A flexible pad has a length, a width and a periphery for wrapping around the instrument. An activation disc and a mixture of water and sodium acetate are used to generate heat through an exothermic reaction initiated through manual manipulation of the disc. The disc may be exposed in a flexible tab in fluid communication with the pad. A housing includes an end bore to receive the instrument such that the instrument is surrounded by the folded or rolled pad within the housing. The housing may further include a slit or narrow opening enabling the tab and activation disc to extend therethrough and outside the housing for activation.
US09907456B2

An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
US09907451B2

A dishwasher drying system includes an air inlet configured to receive hot, humid air from a tub of a dishwasher. The dishwasher drying system also includes an air outlet configured to discharge the air to an ambient environment outside the dishwasher. The dishwasher drying system further includes an air moving device configured to cause the air to move from the air inlet to the air outlet. In addition, the dishwasher drying system includes a thermal storage heat exchanger positioned within an airflow path of the moving air, the thermal storage heat exchanger configured to absorb heat and condense moisture from the moving air as the moving air contacts the thermal storage heat exchanger during a dishwasher drying cycle.
US09907439B2

A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.
US09907436B2

Methods, ovens, and associated apparatus. Ovens and methods are adapted for maintaining the quality of a pre-cooked food product. Rapid temperature and/or relative humidity restoration may be used. Ovens may include a partition movable to vary sizes of oven cavities. Ovens may include removable interior panels. Humidification mechanisms are adapted for generating water vapor which may be used to maintain the quality of a pre-cooked food product.
US09907433B2

A water filter assembly for a beverage dispenser. The water filter assembly may generally include filter media positioned within a filter housing which may be attachable to a first fitting or a second fitting of a water storage reservoir to provide filtered water to a reservoir outlet. The filter housing includes an adapter sleeve that defines mounting features that correspond with the first fitting and the second fitting to enable the water filter assembly to connect to either of the first fitting or the second fitting. In this manner, a single water filter assembly may be used in beverage dispensers having different reservoir fittings.
US09907428B2

A device for controlled dispensing of capsules containing beverage ingredients, as well as a system and a beverage preparation machine that include the device, are disclosed. Methods of use of the device are also disclosed. In addition, a package for holding beverage ingredients containing capsules is also disclosed.
US09907423B1

A tool has a lower component formed as a tool hook and an upper component formed as a handle. The handle has a configuration with a top, a bottom, a front, a back and sides. The handle has a chamber with a panel to provide access to the chamber. The tool hook extends downwardly from the bottom of the handle. The tool hook is fabricated of a rigid wire with parallel side portions and a semi-circular portion coupling the side portions. The side portions are spaced by a width. The semi-circular portion is spaced from the bottom by a length. The width is less than the length. An electrical assembly constitutes a portion of the handle. The electrical assembly includes a source of illumination, a source of potential, and a switch.
US09907422B2

A bootie application device that provides booties that slide along a rail system on tabs that releasably connect the booties to the rail system. A sensor detects when booties are not disposed at a position along the rail system and issues a bootie level signal. An alert indicates when the bootie level signal has been issued.
US09907416B1

A device configured to removably mount a point of sale terminal. The device includes an anchor portion with a base that is configured to anchor the device. A carriage support member with an upper section and a lower section is connected to the anchor portion. The carriage support member has a first connecting feature. A carriage with an upper side and a lower side is configured to be positioned on the upper section of the carriage support member and is configured to support an interface device operational as a point of sale terminal on the upper side. The carriage has a second connecting feature that is engageable with the first connecting feature of the carriage support member to removably connect the carriage to the carriage support member.
US09907410B2

A portable changing table comprises a flexible hanging support having upper and lower ends, a chamber adapted to receive and hold a child during diapering, and left and right support straps. The upper end of the hanging support has at least one hook for hanging the changing table during use. The hanging support is adapted to hang substantially vertically during use. The chamber is attached to the lower end of the hanging support such that the chamber hangs from the hanging support during use. The chamber comprises a floor, a rear wall having a bottom edge foldably attached to a rear edge of the floor, a front wall having a bottom edge foldably attached to a front edge of the floor, a flexible left side wall, and a flexible right side wall.
US09907408B2

In various embodiments, a support system includes a multi-layer support system with a number of layers. Systems and methods of removing moisture vapor from an environment surrounding patient are disclosed that accomplish such removal without the use of powered air-movers.
US09907393B2

An expandable table which allows a user to easily increase the tabletop surface remotely. The expandable table includes a plurality of primary leaves, a plurality of secondary leaves, a motorized actuation disk, and a guide disk. The motorized actuation disk is concentrically and rotatably connected to the guide disk in order to delineate a travel path for each of the primary leaves and each of the secondary leaves. The primary leaves and the secondary leaves are radially distributed about and operatively coupled to the motorized actuation disk and the guide disk. In a retracted configuration, the primary leaves make up the tabletop surface. In an expanded configuration, the primary leaves and the secondary leaves are positioned offset to a rotation axis of the motorized actuation disk with the secondary leaves being interspersed between the primary leaves. Additionally. The centerpiece is raised in order to yield a substantially larger tabletop surface.
US09907392B1

A tool, consisting of a flanged lever arm fabricated from a strip of rigid metal, is recessed in a channel located in the distal end of a paint brush handle, along one of the handle's lateral edges. The proximal end of the tool terminates in a flange, which is configured to be inserted under the lid bead of a paint can. Using the container bead as a fulcrum, the handle is leveraged upward so that the flange engages the lid bead and lifts it away from the container channel. To re-seal the lid, the handle is leveraged downward, so that the lever arm bears down on the lid channel and forces it into the container channel.
US09907388B2

A strap member includes a first primary strap including a first notch formed along its inner edge and a second primary strap includes a second notch formed along its inner edge, the first notch and second notch defining a recess in the strap member. An intersection point positioned within the recess is at an intersection of lines being one of collinear and tangential with portions of the inner edges of the first and second primary straps. An elastic member extends between the first primary strap and the second primary strap.
US09907387B2

An adjustable cosmetic applicator including a handle unit with a rod unit coupled thereto and defining a rod with a rod central axis. An applying unit includes a brush rod with a brush central axis and a brush extending from the brush rod. A flexible portion interconnects the rod and the brush rod such that the applying unit may be rotated relative to the rod unit with the brush central axis angled relative to the rod central axis.
US09907375B1

An improved electromagnetic shielding card case comprising a front panel hingedly connected to a U-shaped member and a base member which sandwich an electromagnetic shielding member between them. A card slot is defined on its top by U-shaped member, its bottom by the shielding member, and its left, right and rear sides by a continuous inner wall extending downwards from the U-shaped member, whereby cards are able to be slidably inserted and removed at the front end of the case and shields cards inside the slot from RFID scanning. A resilient means frictionally engages the edges of cards in the slot so a user can shuffle through cards without any falling out, and allows the topmost card to be pushed forward and easily inserted into a chip and pin card reader. A soft rubber strap affixed to the back of the base member allows paper currency to be held securely.
US09907369B2

An adjustable carrying pack includes a main body having an outer surface with an upper portion, a lower portion, and a rear portion. A first strap having a plurality of loops is disposed along a first side of the outer surface of the main body and a second strap having a plurality of loops is disposed along a second side of the outer surface of the main body. A bottom strap includes a fixed end and a free end having an attachment element. In a first configuration, the attachment element of the bottom strap is attached to a loop of the first strap. In a second configuration, the attachment element of the bottom strap is attached to a loop of the second strap.
US09907362B2

Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include: (A) an upper; (B) a rear heel strap member engaged with or integrally formed with the upper and including: (i) a rear heel element, (ii) a lateral side strap element, and (iii) a medial side strap element; (C) a first strap member extending along the medial side of the upper, wherein the first strap member includes at least one structure for engaging a lace; (D) a second strap member extending along the lateral side of the upper, wherein the second strap member includes at least two structures for engaging the lace; (E) a tensioning system for engaging the medial side strap element with the first strap member; (F) another tensioning system for engaging the lateral side strap element with the second strap member; and (G) a sole structure.
US09907359B2

An article of footwear with various types of guide elements is disclosed. The article of footwear provides a set of tensile elements that can be moved through the guide elements to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The tensile elements may be routed through a guide element associated with the upper that can provide compressive strength and support.
US09907355B2

An article of footwear may include a sole and a stability element. The sole may have a receiving channel extending from a sole bottom surface toward a sole top surface. The receiving channel may have a first groove at an outer perimeter of the receiving channel and a second groove at an inner perimeter of the receiving channel. The stability element may have a first tongue protruding from an outer perimeter of a body of the stability element and a second tongue protruding from an inner perimeter of the body of the stability element. In an exemplary aspect, the first groove of the receiving channel is configured to receive the first tongue of the stability element, and the second groove of the receiving channel is configured to receive the second tongue of the stability element as the stability element is maintained, at least in part, within the receiving channel.
US09907352B2

A waterproof breathable sole for shoes, which comprises, for at least part of its extension, at least two structural layers, a lower one provided with a supporting structure so as to form the tread, and an upper one that is permeable to water vapor. The lower layer has portions that are open onto the upper layer. A coating obtained by means of a plasma deposition treatment for waterproofing is provided on the upper layer. A layer is thus obtained that has structural functions and characteristics of resistance to damage and is at the same time waterproof and breathable.
US09907347B2

A helmet can include a helmet body formed of a foam energy-absorbing material in which the helmet body includes inner and outer opposing surfaces. A plurality of lower slots can be formed completely through the helmet body and can be open at a lower edge of the helmet body. A plurality of upper slots can be formed completely through the helmet body and be open at a top portion of the helmet body to form a star shape. An S-shaped panel of the helmet body can include an undulating form from the alternating and overlapping positions of the plurality of lower slots and the plurality of upper slots. A reinforcing halo can be disposed within the helmet body to reinforce areas of weakness in the helmet body resulting from the plurality of lower slots and the plurality of upper slots.
US09907343B2

A flexible padding layer for use during competitive sports is provided. The flexible padding layer is comprised of a plurality of individual padding elements each joined on multiple sides with an adjacent padding element via a thin, connecting section. Each padding element further comprises openings and a three-dimensional surface configuration to allow for consistent mechanical properties throughout the padding layer as a whole.
US09907341B1

The present disclosure relates to an E-liquid separation mechanism and electronic cigarettes having the E-liquid separation mechanism. The E-liquid separation mechanism includes an E-liquid storage tank assembly, and a vaporizer assembly. The E-liquid storage tank assembly and the vaporizer assembly are slidedly and rotatably connected through an E-liquid storage tank connector and a silicone gel sealing cover. When a user uses the electronic cigarette, the user pushes the E-liquid storage tank assembly down from an up position, and rotates the vaporizer assembly using an E-liquid separation control handler from a first position to a second position to allow E-liquid in the E-liquid storage tank to flow into a cylindrical E-liquid storage medium to be vaporized by one or more heating elements formed between a first E-liquid storage tank base opening and a first vaporizer E-liquid opening, and a second E-liquid storage tank base opening and a second vaporizer E-liquid opening.
US09907333B2

The object of the application is a method for measuring the quality of connection in a tobacco industry's rod-like article comprising a rod (1A, 1B) with a filler (2, 3, 5, 6) and a wrapper (4A, 4B), characterized in that the tested rod (1A, 1B) used in the tobacco industry's article is fixed in a measuring device in a seat (11) for fixing the rod (1A, 1B) in a rotary measuring table (10), then the rotary measuring table (10) is put in rotary motion, by means of the measuring unit the advancement of the filler (3, 6) of the tested rod from the wrapper (4A, 4B) is measured, and the quality of connection between the wrapper (4A, 4B) and the rod (1A, 1B) filler (3, 6) is determined on the basis of the extent of advancement of the rod (1A, 1B) filler (3, 6), and the centrifugal force. The object of the application is also a device for measuring the quality of connection.
US09907324B2

A method of making a gelled composition that includes combining water and an effervescent tablet in a vessel, the effervescent tablet including at least 200 mg gelatin and an effervescent couple that includes an acid and a base, heating an aqueous composition (e.g., in a microwave oven), optionally adding cold water to the heated composition, and chilling the composition for a period sufficient for the composition to form a gel.
US09907323B2

A nutritional compositions in a compressed solid form comprising about 5 to about 35% by weight of protein, about 5 to about 50% by weight percent of fat, and about 40 to about 70% by weight percent of carbohydrate, wherein the compressed solid form is readily dissolvable in water and has a moisture level of 4 to 17%. The nutritional composition, in certain embodiments, eliminates the need for scooping powder into narrow bottles, eliminates the need for transportation of loose powders for later reconstitution, and provides more precise serving sizes to ensure proper delivery of nutrients per feeding, while remaining readily dissolvable upon contact with a liquid. The disclosure further provides process for preparing a nutritional composition in a compressed solid form comprising cooling a powdered nutritional composition, contacting the cooled powdered nutritional composition with moisture, compressing the powdered nutritional composition under pressure, and drying the nutritional composition.
US09907322B2

The invention provides protein compositions containing structured protein products having protein fibers that are substantially aligned.
US09907321B2

Fluorine being present in the exoskeleton of crustaceans, and especially krill represents a problem for using krill as a source for food, feed, food additives and/or feed additives. There has been developed a process for removing such fluorine from krill material by subjecting the krill to disintegration and to an enzymatic hydrolysis process prior to or simultaneously with a removal of the exoskeleton particles producing a fluorine-reduced product. Inherent in the disclosed process is the ability to process krill material with a high polar lipid content for producing superior quality, low fluorine, products suitable for the food and feed as well as the pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and cosmetic industry.
US09907317B2

The present invention relates to a molding machine, particularly for lollipops, with a die set that, during production, rotates around an axle. The present invention further relates to a molding machine with a container for the stick and to a method to assemble or disassemble a die set from the axle of a molding machine.
US09907310B2

The present invention generally relates to high residual effect and/or low off-site movement anionic herbicide formulations and, more particularly, auxin herbicide formulations. Generally, the formulations of the present invention include an anionic herbicide (e.g., an auxin herbicide), a particulate sorbent (e.g., silica), a cationic surfactant, and water.
US09907309B2

The present invention relates to a mixture comprising [(3S,4R,4aR,6S,6aS,12R,12aS,12bS)-3-(cyclopropanecarbonyloxy)-6,12-dihydroxy-4,6a,12b-trimethyl-11-oxo-9-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,12a,12b-decahydro-11H,12H-benzo[f]pyrano[4,3-b]chromen-4-yl]methyl cyclopropanecarboxylate and a fungicidal compound II in synergistic effective amounts, to the use of this mixture for controlling pests and for improving the plant health and to plant propagation material comprising this mixture.
US09907303B2

The invention relates to a viscoelastic system for drift reduction for pesticidal formulations, and the use thereof, wherein the formulation comprising at least one nitrogen-based cationic surfactant and at least one pesticide, wherein the pesticide contains at least one acid functional group associating with the cationic surfactant thereby forming a viscoelastic formulation.
US09907296B2

Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for stimulating a desired response, such as ovulation and egg laying, fertility, hunger, growth, mood and sexual maturity in birds or ayes, by controlling the pulsing of two or more different wavelength bands, duty cycle, and frequency of photon bursts within a photon signal to a bird, where the photon modulation and duty cycle is based upon the specific needs of the bird.
US09907294B2

The invention relates to a control feeding pan for use in a feeding system for poultry keeping, comprising a mounting element for mounting the feeding pan to a conveyor line; a feeding dish; a feeding shaft through which feed gets from a conveyor line to the feeding dish; a filling level sensor which is arranged and formed to generate a drive control signal; characterized by a signal unit arranged and formed to emit a feed signal that can be perceived by the poultry.
US09907288B2

A lettuce cultivar, designated Zorro, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds, plants and plant parts of lettuce cultivar Zorro and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar Zorro with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Zorro, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Zorro and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar Zorro with another lettuce cultivar.
US09907286B1

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH229513. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH229513, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH229513 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH229513.
US09907284B2

A novel garden bean cultivars, designated HMX4129 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of garden bean cultivars HMX4129 to the plants of garden bean line HMX4129 and to methods for producing a bean plant by crossing the cultivars HMX4129 with itself or another bean line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a bean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other garden bean lines derived from the cultivars HMX4129.
US09907283B1

A soybean cultivar designated 62103227 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 62103227, to the plants of soybean cultivar 62103227, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 62103227, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 62103227. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 62103227. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 62103227, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 62103227 with another soybean cultivar.
US09907281B1

A soybean cultivar designated 64291310 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 64291310, to the plants of soybean cultivar 64291310, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 64291310, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 64291310. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 64291310. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 64291310, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 64291310 with another soybean cultivar.
US09907279B1

A soybean cultivar designated 63282422 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 63282422, to the plants of soybean cultivar 63282422, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 63282422, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 63282422. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 63282422. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 63282422, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 63282422 with another soybean cultivar.
US09907277B1

A soybean cultivar designated 50231656 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 50231656, to the plants of soybean cultivar 50231656, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 50231656, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 50231656. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 50231656. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 50231656, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 50231656 with another soybean cultivar.
US09907274B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01052030. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01052030. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01052030 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01052030 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907258B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01063898. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01063898. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01063898 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01063898 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907254B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01058698. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01058698. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01058698 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01058698 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907241B2

The invention provides seed and plants of broccoli hybrid PS05151639 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of broccoli hybrid PS05151639 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a broccoli plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another broccoli plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants.
US09907223B2

An agricultural implement system includes a tow bar configured to couple to a hitch assembly. The agricultural implement system also includes a first wing tool bar rotatable relative to the tow bar and disposed proximate to a first side of the tow bar. The first wing tool bar has a first send proximate to the first side of the tow bar and a second end opposite the first end. Further, the agricultural implement system includes a caster wheel assembly having a caster wheel pivotally coupled to a sub-frame. The first sub-frame is pivotally coupled to the first wing tool bar proximate to the second end of the first wing tool bar, and is coupled to the first wing tool bar such that the axis of rotation of the sub-frame extends through the first wing tool bar.
US09907222B2

An agricultural implement system includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, and a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit. The agricultural implement system also includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the down force cylinder and the depth control cylinder. The valve assembly is configured to automatically adjust the downward force by varying fluid pressure within the down force cylinder based on fluid pressure within the depth control cylinder.
US09907221B2

A hitch module adapted to be coupled to a frame of a work machine or towed assembly. The hitch module includes a carrier assembly having a first plate and a second plate coupled to one another. The first and second plates are spaced from one another by a first distance, where both plates define a pivot axis. A guide assembly defines a longitudinal axis and is pivotally coupled to the carrier assembly about the pivot axis. The guide assembly has a first guide plate and a second guide plate coupled to and spaced by a second distance from one another. A hitch assembly is disposed at least partially between the first and second plate of the carrier assembly and the first and the second guide plate. The hitch link assembly is pivotal about the pivot axis and movable along the longitudinal axis.
US09913419B2

A feeder is provided with a pushing member that pushes the carrier tape against a rail, an engaging member engageable with indexing holes of the carrier tape, and an interlocking mechanism that moves an engaging member upwards by interlocking with the upwards movement of the pushing member. The engaging member engages with indexing holes of the carrier to restrict the movement of the carrier tape to the insertion section side. The interlocking mechanism separates the engaging member from the indexing holes of the carrier tape by interlocking upwards movement of the engaging member with upwards movement of the pushing member, allowing movement of the carrier tape in the conveyance direction.
US09913413B2

This disclosure relates to a multi-piece shield comprising a fence, a lid, and an insert. The lid attaches to the fence, which is attached to the circuit board. The lid is a relatively thick, flexible material for supporting the insert. The lid has a recess so that the insert can be recessed into the lid to position the insert closer to the circuit for enhanced heat absorption. The insert is made of a thicker heat absorbing material than the lid, again to facilitate heat absorption. The insert can be press-fit into the recess of the lid. The lid can have a dovetail configuration to retain the insert in the lid.
US09913407B2

The vertical data center module is a multistory compact footprint data center unit that exploits vertical air movements, both downward and upward, to efficiently sustain conventional low-cost air-cooled computing systems. It integrates a hybrid cooling system that can benefit from an air-side economizer without compromising its compact footprint. For polluted urban environments, this air-side economizer comprises an air-to-air heat exchanger to effectively limit the amount of outside air that can enter the module and come into contact with sensitive computing systems. Through side-to-side, side-to-back or back-to-back juxtaposition, multiple units can be assembled in clusters on a colocation site to create large-scale vertical data center complexes, effectively maximizing real estate use and cost effectiveness by fully exploiting all three dimensions.
US09913400B2

The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing efficient heat rejection for a lightweight and durable compact computing system having a small form factor. The compact computing system can take the form of a desktop computer. The desktop computer can include a monolithic top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing. A mixed flow fan is utilized to efficiently pull cooling air through the compact computing system.
US09913398B1

A cable management device is applicable to a cable management assembly. The cable management device includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a wall. A cable management space is defined by the first component and the second component. The second component is configured to be opened or closed relative to the first component. The second component includes two portions. When the second component is closed relative to the first component, the wall of the first component is engaged between the two portions of the second component.
US09913397B2

A device includes a housing supported by a rack in a manner such that the housing is drawable from a front surface of the rack; a cable whose one end is connected to an electronic device contained in the housing, where a portion of the cable in a longitudinal direction thereof is contained between a rear end portion of the housing and a rear surface of the rack; and a cable guide that guides the cable between the rear end portion of the housing and the rear surface of the rack, where the cable guide is unfoldable from a folded state between the rear end portion of the housing and the rear surface of the rack according to a drawing operation of the housing. The cable guide holds the cable at a height which differs from a height of the one end of the cable.
US09913379B2

A component-embedded substrate includes: a resin substrate having a mount surface and a peripheral surface surrounding a perimeter of the mount surface; a first mounted component mounted on the mount surface; a second mounted component mounted on the mount surface and spaced from the first mounted component; a first chip-type electronic component disposed in the resin substrate; and a second chip-type electronic component disposed in the resin substrate and spaced from the first chip-type electronic component. The first and second chip-type electronic components are spaced from each other along a cross direction crossing an arrangement direction along which the first mounted component and the second mounted component that are arranged with respect to each other. The first and second chip-type electronic components are each arranged to cross the cross direction.
US09913378B2

Electronic sub-assembly comprising a carrier layer and a mounting area with at least one electronic component, wherein the carrier layer has at least in portions a material with a low coefficient of thermal expansion to adjust the coefficient of thermal expansion of the carrier layer, and wherein at least one compensation layer is provided on the carrier layer adjacent to the installation area, on which compensation layer an electrically insulating, thermally conductive layer and at least one electrically conductive layer are provided.
US09913376B2

An exemplary bridging inter-connector establishes electrical connections between conductors on a PCB and aligned conductors on a first board mounted to the PCB. A flexible non-conductive sheet covers at least a portion of these conductors. Separated conductive strips on the sheet that are dimensioned to align with and engage at least a portion of both the aligned conductors. A thin film of a bonding agent is disposed on the separated conductive strips and located to engage at least a portion of both aligned conductors to form a conductive connection.
US09913375B2

A method includes forming a multi-stacked electronic device having two or more electronic components, each of the electronic components includes a leadframe, the leadframes of each electronic component are physically joined together using a non-solder metal joining process to form a joint, and the joint is located outside a solder connection region.
US09913372B2

The wiring board of the present disclosure includes an insulating layer, and a wiring conductor existing so as to be adjacent to both main surfaces of the insulating layer; the insulating layer includes at least two particle-containing resin layers containing insulating particles in an insulating resin, and a particle-free resin layer formed of an insulating resin; and the particle-free resin layer is interposed between the particle-containing resin layers.
US09913367B2

A wiring board of an embodiment includes a through via, a first insulating film disposed around the through via, a second insulating film disposed around the first insulating film, a third insulating film disposed around the second insulating film and a resin disposed around the third insulating film. The resin includes fillers. The second insulating film has a relative permittivity lower than a relative permittivity of the first insulating film. The third insulating film has a relative permittivity higher than a relative permittivity of the second insulating film.
US09913366B2

Embodiments are directed to a method for manufacturing a smoke detector, comprising: manufacturing a substrate that comprises a guard ring configured to surround an ion chamber collector plate pin connection point, a surface mount component connection point, and a trace coupling the ion chamber collector plate pin connection point and the surface mount component connection point, and coupling a surface mount component to the substrate at the surface mount component connection point.
US09913363B2

A structure for delivering power is described. In some embodiments, the structure can include conductors disposed on two or more layers. Specifically, the structure can include a first set of interdigitated conductors disposed on a first layer and oriented substantially along an expected direction of current flow. At least one conductor in the first set of interdigitated conductors may be maintained at a first voltage, and at least one conductor in the first set of interdigitated conductors may be maintained at a second voltage, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage. The structure may further include a conducting structure disposed on a second layer, wherein the second layer is different from the first layer, and wherein at least one conductor in the conducting structure is maintained at the first voltage.
US09913362B2

Methods of fabricating tamper-respondent assemblies with bond protection are provided which include at least one tamper-respondent sensor having unexposed circuit lines forming, at least in part, one or more tamper-detect network(s), and the tamper-respondent sensor having at least one external bond region. The tamper-respondent assembly further includes at least one conductive trace and an adhesive. The conductive trace(s) forms, at least in part, the one or more tamper-detect network(s), and is exposed, at least in part, on the tamper-respondent sensor(s) within the external bond region(s). The adhesive contacts the conductive trace(s) within the external bond region(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor(s), and the adhesive, in part, facilitates securing the at least one tamper-respondent sensor within the tamper-respondent assembly. In enhanced embodiments, the conductive trace(s) is a chemically compromisable conductor susceptible to damage during a chemical attack on the adhesive within the external bond region(s).
US09913361B2

A method for assembling an integrated circuit device includes positioning a thermal interface material (TIM) on top of an electronic component, positioning a load frame onto a printed circuit board, the load frame having an open region for the electronic component to extend through, and positioning a heat sink onto the TIM. The method further comprises fastening a first screw fastener, resulting in a TIM bond line between the heat sink and the electronic component, and actuating a second screw fastener disposed within a bore of the heat sink and threaded into the load frame. The second screw fastener, upon being tightened expands radially to lock the heat sink into the load frame. The first screw fastener, upon the tightening of the second screw fastener, connects the heat sink and the load frame to the printed circuit board.
US09913360B1

A resonant apparatus such as a resonant waveguide module in an RF particle accelerator includes an unbrazed joint that provides a reliable vacuum seal and RF contact between resonators with precisely controlled internal geometry. The joint can be disassembled and reassembled without degradation. Hard, stainless steel end faces include knife edges pressed into a copper central component, such as a gasket. The knife edges extend the waveguide interiors without gaps or interruptions. The central component serves as a coupling iris or other functional component of the resonant apparatus, thereby allowing the central component to have substantial dimensions that inhibit mechanical distortions thereof. The waveguides and knife edges can be copper plated. Embodiments include embedded passages and/or recesses used for cooling, radiation shielding, magnetic focusing coils, and/or electron optics element formed by permanent magnets.
US09913352B2

A light socket adaptation system and method. A light socket adapter module comprises a female end designed to accept a light bulb, a male end designed to be placed in an existing light socket, WIFI transmit/receive circuitry, Bluetooth LE transmit/receive circuitry, a processor that processes instructions received via one or more of the WIFI transmit/receive circuitry and the Bluetooth LE transmit/receive circuitry, wherein the instructions are received from one or more of a remote server system and a mobile computing device, wherein the processor executes Bluetooth LE instructions to cause the light socket adapter module to detect Bluetooth LE enabled devices within a detection proximity of the light socket adapter module, and power supply control circuitry controllable by the processor, wherein the power supply control circuitry controls power supplied to a light bulb positioned in the female end of the light socket adapter module.
US09913343B1

A system allows a light fixture to have a wider range of color temperatures (CCT) while limiting the warmest temperature reached at full intensity. The CCT of the light output may be controlled independently of intensity across a certain range of CCT and dependent on intensity across another range. In an implementation, both intensity and CCT may be adjusted from a single handle, where the interface positions may be divided into multiple zones. In another implementation, intensity may be adjusted from a first handle, while CCT may be adjusted from a second handle. The CCT of the light output may be limited to cooler levels when the intensity is higher, and/or the intensity of the light may be limited to lower levels when the CCT is warmer.
US09913337B2

Disclosed is a control circuit of an LED lighting apparatus, which compensates for power for light emission of a lamp including LEDs. The control circuit can generate a compensation signal corresponding to change of power provided to the lamp, and uniformly maintain the power by controlling a current provided to the lamp in response to the compensation signal. Thus, the control circuit can compensate for the power change of the lamp due to a power supply environment factor in a building, region, or country or a temporarily unstable power supply environment factor, such that the lamp can emit light at uniform luminance.
US09913333B2

A light source and method for making the same are disclosed. The light source includes a plurality of Segmented LEDs connected in parallel to a power bus and a controller. The power bus accepts a variable number of Segmented LEDs. The controller receives AC power and provides a power signal on the power bus. Each Segmented LED is characterized by a driving voltage that is greater than 3 times the driving voltage of a conventional LED fabricated in the same material system as the Segmented LED. The number of Segmented LEDs in the light source is chosen to compensate for variations in the light output of individual Segmented LEDs introduced by the manufacturing process. In another aspect of the invention, the number of Segmented LEDs connected to the power bus can be altered after the light source is assembled.
US09913330B2

A light-emitting diode (LED)-based solid-state lamp using an LED driving circuit with an electric current control operates normally for a regulated power from either a compact fluorescent (CFL) electronic ballast or AC mains. The LED driving circuit together with a matching circuit is configured to optimize resonant characteristics of the CFL electronic ballast used and enhance lamp compatibility without flickering, which in turn reduces possibility of overheating and fires due to incompatibility. With a cycle-by-cycle current control and power switching at a constant on-time and varied off-time, an over-rated surge current is limited, preventing occasional fire hazards occurred in both the CFL electronic ballast and the LED lamp.
US09913327B2

According to one aspect, a control system for an LED luminaire includes a dimming control circuit that develops an analog dimming command signal that is variable between zero volts and ten volts to command LED brightness. The control system further includes a modulation circuit coupled to the dimming control circuit. The modulation circuit modifies the analog dimming command signal so as to include digital data for further commanding a parameter of LED operation.
US09913323B2

A door for a microwave appliance. The door includes an outer glass panel ranging over a complete outer side of the door and an inner glass panel ranging over at least a central portion of an inner side of the door. The door includes a door frame covering at least the circumferential sides of the oven door and a wave choke system. The outer glass panel, the inner glass panel and the door frame form a casing of the door, wherein the wave choke system is arranged inside the casing of the door. The wave choke system is arranged in an outer portion of the interior of the door and circumferentially enclosed by the door frame. The wave choke system is arranged adjacent to an outer side of the inner glass panel.
US09913320B2

An induction heating system includes an induction heating head assembly configured to move relative to a workpiece. The induction heating system may also include a temperature sensor assembly configured to detect a temperature of the workpiece and/or a travel sensor assembly configured to detect a position, movement, or direction of movement of the induction heating head assembly relative to the workpiece, and to transmit feedback signals to a controller configured to adjust the power provided to the induction heating head assembly by a power source based at least in part on the feedback signals. In certain embodiments, the induction heating system may also include a connection box configured to receive the feedback signals, to perform certain conversions of the feedback signals, and to provide the feedback signals to the power source. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the induction heating system may include an inductor stand assembly configured to hold the induction heating head assembly against the workpiece.
US09913314B2

Systems and methods are presented for the dynamic aggregation of communications network bandwidth. Communication devices are bonded in a community in which the communication resources of a bonded device can be used to transfer data on behalf of another bonded device. In an exemplary embodiment, communication devices are bonded wirelessly to share wireless wide area network communication channels. Bandwidth aggregation is performed dynamically based on user communication requirements and the current states of the bonded communication devices. Methods are presented by which communication devices can be automatically bonded when a predetermined bonding condition is satisfied. The methods and systems of the invention optimize utilization of communication resources in a cost-effective manner that provides a user high quality service as well as location mobility.
US09913310B2

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a device for establishing layer-2 entities for D2D communication system, the method comprising: configuring a sidelink radio bearer over which the UE transmits data to a peer UE; establishing RLC (Radio Link Control) and PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) entities for the sidelink radio bearer; and transmitting configuration information of the sidelink radio bearer via a sidelink to the peer UE, wherein the UE is directly connected to the peer UE via the sidelink.
US09913309B2

Techniques are disclosed for discovery of Wi-Fi serial bus and Wi-Fi docking services. Such networks include (but are not limited to) IEEE 802.11 networks.
US09913303B2

Systems and methods for network curation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises scanning, by a mobile device, an area to identify a network device for accessing a network, receiving, by the mobile device, a network identifier associated with the network device, providing a curation indicator request to a curation server, the curation indicator request comprising the network identifier, receiving a curation indicator from the curation server, the curation indicator being retrieved, based on the network identifier, from a database of a plurality of curation indicators, the curation indicator associated with a likelihood of intent to publicly share the network by the network device, comparing the curation indicator to an access setting, the access setting indicating acceptability of network access based on the likelihood of intent to publicly share the network by the network device, and accessing the network via the network device based on the comparison.
US09913302B2

A method of interfacing with a serving device from a wearable device worn by a user, the method includes establishing a lossless and wireless data link between the serving device and the wearable device. The method further includes collecting, by the wearable device, audio data from one or more microphones of the wearable device. The method also includes sending, by the wearable device, the collected audio data to the serving device through the lossless and wireless data link. The method may further include providing, by the serving device, speech recognition services associated with the audio data.