US09982846B2
A method and a control system are provided for reducing the size and/or the frequency of hydrodynamic slugging in a fluid processing system. The fluid processing system includes a pipeline for conveying produced fluids and a vessel for receiving the produced fluids from the pipeline. A control valve is provided in the pipeline upstream of the vessel. A pressure sensor is provided upstream of the control valve. Pressure information from the pressure sensor is sent to a master control loop in a cascade control scheme in which the master control loop controls a slave control loop which in turn controls the control valve. The master control loop determines a set point of the slave control loop coupled to the control valve to achieve a pressure setpoint. The slave control loop, also referred to as a pseudo-flow controller, determines whether the control valve opening needs be modulated to achieve the setpoint of the slave control loop. A method is also provided for retrofitting an existing fluid processing system.
US09982845B2
A scale-dampening or scale-inhibiting device is at a radial restriction in a pipeline. A helical flow guide is arranged in a pipeline portion upstream of the restriction. The flow guide projects radially inwards from a pipe wall and has a longitudinal direction slanted relative to the center axis of the pipeline. A method is for dampening or inhibiting scaling in a dead zone of a fluid flow downstream of a restriction in a pipeline.
US09982843B2
A system for maintaining a substantially constant pressure within an ullage space of a cryogenic storage tank is provided. The system includes a compressor configured to receive fuel gas from the cryogenic storage tank, and compress the fuel gas to produce heated fuel gas. The system further includes a heat exchanger in flow communication with the compressor and configured to cool the heated fuel gas to produce cooled fuel gas, and a turbine in flow communication with the heat exchanger and configured to expand the cooled fuel gas to produce a gas and liquid mixture having a predetermined liquid to gas ratio, and discharge the gas and liquid mixture into the cryogenic storage tank.
US09982840B2
A cooling device (20) has a cryostat (23) and a cold head (1), in particular, the cold head (1) of a pulse tube cooler. The cryostat (23) has a vacuum container (4) with a vacuum container wall (4a), wherein the vacuum container wall (4a) seals off a vacuum inside the vacuum container (4) from the environment. A flexible sealing section (6) connects the vacuum container wall (4a) directly or indirectly to the room temperature part (1a) of the cold head (1). The flexible sealing section (6) seals off the inside of the cryocontainer (2) from the environment. The cooling device further reduces mechanical coupling between the cold head and the cryostat, in particular, in order to enable performance of NMR measurements with fewer disturbances due to external vibrations.
US09982839B2
An impermeable and thermally insulated tank built into a load-bearing structure, the tank wall comprising: a thermally insulated barrier attached to a load-bearing wall and made of insulating blocks, juxtaposed in parallel rows separated from one another by gaps, an impermeable barrier supported by the thermally insulated barrier and made of welded metal sheets. Each insulating block carries, on the face of same opposite the load-bearing wall, two metal connecting strips arranged in parallel to the sides of the insulating block. The sheets of the membrane carried by the insulating block are welded to the strips. The connecting strips are rigidly connected to the insulating block carrying same. The sheets each have at least two orthogonal folds parallel to the sides of the insulating blocks, the folds being inserted into the gaps formed between two insulating blocks.
US09982838B2
Apparatuses are disclosed including an apparatus for machine fluid monitoring or sampling comprising a transparent sight glass attachable to a machine such that machine fluid is transferable to the sight glass. The sight glass may have one or more ports, an open first end, a closed second end, and a cavity for the machine fluid. A grommet may be positioned in a first port of the sight glass and may have a sealable access pathway through the grommet to the cavity within the sight glass through which a probe may be extended. A magnetic plug may be positioned in the second port of the sight glass extending into the cavity within the sight glass such that the magnetic plug is positionable for contact with the machine fluid. A sample port assembly may be connected to the sight glass whereby samples of the machine fluid are accessible.
US09982834B2
Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for a space-saving suspension system. In various embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a fine suspension device, a coarse suspension device, and a mechanical assembly. In various embodiments, the fine suspension device is arranged at an angle greater than zero degrees from the z-axis. In various embodiments, the mechanical assembly is coupled to the fine suspension device and a payload, such that when a force is exerted on the mechanical assembly by the payload, an applied force is transmitted to the fine suspension device.
US09982830B2
Technical objective is to provide an in-pipe inspection robot for inspecting interior of a pipe, which can exert repulsive force to the pipe when the linear actuator is driven. To this purpose, the in-pipe inspection robot, which is moved inside the pipe to inspect the interior of the pipe, includes a linear actuator which is extendably and contractably driven, and a braking unit configured to fix a rear end of the linear actuator to an inner wall of the pipe and release a front end of the linear actuator from a fixed state, when the linear actuator is being extended, and release the rear end of the linear actuator from the fixed state and fix the front end of the linear actuator to the inner wall of the pipe, when the linear actuator is being contracted.
US09982802B1
A conduit support bracket is provided. The support bracket has an elongated base that can be secured to a pair of adjacent joists having a space between the joists. The support bracket has a vertical support arm secured to the base at one end of the arm. The length of the support arm is adjustable. A support platform is secured to the opposite end of the support arm. The support platform can be rotated both horizontally and vertically to adjust the orientation of the support platform. As many support brackets as needed may be used at intervals to support a length of conduit in an elevated position above joists.
US09982799B2
A hydraulic assembly for a mining system is disclosed. The hydraulic assembly may have at least one control valve for controlling a supply of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator of the mining system. The hydraulic assembly may also have at least one temperature sensor associated with the at least one control valve. The at least one temperature sensor may be configured to measure a temperature of the at least one control valve. In addition, the hydraulic assembly may have a control unit in communication with the at least one temperature sensor. The control unit may be configured to receive the temperature measured by the at least one temperature sensor. The control unit may also be configured to determine that a leakage has occurred in the at least one control valve based on the temperature.
US09982798B2
A locking mechanism for restricting access to a valve, the locking mechanism including a locking body and a retaining plate. The locking body is configured to be placed on a valve to restrict access to the valve. The retaining plate is configured to be selectively secured to the locking body via a lock to secure the locking body to the valve. The retaining plate is fixedly movable relative to the locking body so that the locking mechanism may be adjusted to fit valves of varying sizes.
US09982796B2
A valve body arrangement for a hydraulic or pneumatic valve comprises two elements between which a valve body is retained. The two elements are welded together in a first region, preferably by the laser transmission method, and clamp the valve body in a second region with a force.
US09982795B2
A modular fluid control system comprised of a plurality of fluid control modules (11), each including a manifold portion (17), and a support element (14) to which the modules are mechanically fixed (12). The manifolds of adjacent units are pneumatically, but not mechanically, connected in order to communicate therebetween. In such an arrangement the modules can be removed from within an array without disturbing neighboring units.
US09982794B2
A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A roller is supported for rotation on a post. The post is fixed to the shaft by a lever arm. A torsion spring includes a first end coupled to the conduit and a second end coupled to the roller. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position. A method of assembling the snap-action valve assembly with a predetermined spring preload torque is also discussed.
US09982793B2
A snap-action valve assembly includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit for controlling exhaust flow through the conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A guide is fixed to the valve flap. A torsion spring is positioned at least partially outside the conduit and includes a first end restricted from rotation in at least one direction. The torsion spring includes a second end coupled to the guide. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position.
US09982791B2
Valve devices for selectively controlling fluid flow through multiple converging paths are described. An example valve device comprises a housing defining first and second inlet paths, an outlet path, a junction in fluid communication with the first and second inlet paths and the outlet path, and first and second plunger cavities. A first movable plunger is disposed in the first plunger cavity and a second movable plunger is disposed in the second plunger cavity. A control member is slidably attached to the housing and is movable between a first, proximal position with the first plunger in a first position to impede fluid flow through the first inlet path and the second plunger is in a second position, and a second, distal position with the first plunger in a second position and the second plunger in a first position to impede fluid flow through the second inlet path.
US09982786B2
Embodiments of valves having adjustable hard stops and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The adjustable valve includes a valve body including an inlet and an outlet; a valve member that is moveable between a fully closed position and a fully open position to selectively allow or prevent flow from the inlet to the outlet; and an adjustable hard stop to limit the fully open position of the valve to an adjusted fully open position.
US09982785B2
A pressure control valve includes a main valve unit provided with a main valve element and a valve housing body having a main valve seat capable of seating the main valve element and having a pilot chamber for slidably housing the main valve element. A pilot valve unit is provided with a pilot valve element and a pilot valve seat member has a pilot valve seat capable of seating the pilot valve element and separating the pilot valve element from the pilot valve seat and opening when a pressure in the pilot chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure. The pressure control valve is configured with recessed (concaved) parts that form hydraulic fluid channels between the pilot valve seat member and the pilot valve element when the pilot valve unit is in an open-valve-state at three or more locations so as to be separated by equal angles. Each recess has the same shape.
US09982769B2
A belt pulley arrangement with a belt pulley that is fastenable to rotate on a shaft, a torsion spring arranged within the belt pulley for enabling a transmission of torque between the belt pulley and shaft. The torsion spring acts with one end against the shaft and with an other end against the belt pulley. A looped flat spiral spring is arranged radially between the belt pulley and the torsion spring and acting as a free-running clutch. The torsion spring is arranged on one of its axial ends in a first sleeve that is connected so that it can rotate with a radial inner lateral surface of the belt pulley. The looped flat spiral spring is arranged radially between the first sleeve and the torsion spring, and contacts, in its extended state, at least in some sections on the inner lateral surfaces of the first sleeve and belt pulley.
US09982765B2
An object is to provide a fluid coupling capable of effectively utilizing an internal space of a cover member and of sufficiently exerting a performance of a device damping torsional vibration. In a fluid coupling including a cover member accommodating a fluid, a pump impeller, a turbine runner, a lockup clutch operated by a fluid pressure and selectively connecting the cover member and an output shaft, a damper mechanism having an elastic member, and a pendulum damper having a rotary member rotating integrally with the output shaft and an inertial mass capable of relative rotation with respect to the output shaft, the turbine runner, the damper mechanism, the lockup clutch, and the pendulum damper are arranged in this order in an axial direction of the output shaft inside the cover member.
US09982764B2
A power transmission apparatus for a vehicle may include a first input shaft, a second input shaft, a third input shaft, an intermediate shaft disposed parallel to the first, second, and third input shafts, a transfer gear fixedly disposed on the intermediate shaft and outputting torque thereof, an first shifting member changing torque of an engine into first and second preliminarily shifted torques, and outputting the first and second preliminarily shifted torques, an second shifting member changing the torque of the engine into third and fourth preliminarily shifted torques, and outputting the third and fourth preliminarily shifted torques, and a third shifting member changing the torque of the engine transmitted from the first input shaft and the first preliminarily shifted torque to the fourth preliminarily shifted torque selectively transmitted from the first shifting member or the second shifting member into eight forward speed stages and one reverse speed stage.
US09982762B2
The present disclosure provides differential drive assemblies and methods of making and operating differential drive assemblies. The differential drive assembly includes a rotor having a rotor axis about which the rotor is configured to rotate. The rotor has a peripheral wall portion encircling the rotor axis that is positioned a varying distance radially outward from the rotor axis. The differential drive assembly also includes a base coupled to the rotor. That includes a first plurality of pulleys and a carriage movably coupled to the base that includes a second plurality of pulleys and is movable with respect to the base. The differential drive assembly includes a rope wound about the rotor. The rope extends from the peripheral wall portion of the rotor to the second plurality of pulleys. The rope extends from the second plurality of pulleys to the first plurality of pulleys to form a continuous rope circuit.
US09982756B2
The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.
US09982745B2
A fluid-filled vibration-damping device including: a first mounting member; a second mounting member; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the two mounting members; a fluid chamber whose wall is constituted by the main rubber elastic body at a portion and by a flexible film at another portion, the fluid chamber being filled with a non-compressible fluid; a fixation member being attached to an outer peripheral rim of the flexible film and being disposed inside or outside the tubular second mounting member such that the fixation member is superposed to the second mounting member in an axis-perpendicular direction; an insertion hole formed in the second mounting member and the fixation member; and a positioning member inserted through the insertion hole so as to relatively position the second mounting member and the fixation member at a scaling position by axial locking.
US09982739B2
A shock absorber includes a cylinder; a piston movable therein and dividing the cylinder in first and second cylinder chambers; a cylinder attachment for attachment to a first part of a vehicle and connected to the cylinder; and a piston attachment for attachment to a second part of a vehicle and connected to the piston. The piston attachment and cylinder attachment move towards one another on an inward movement and away from one another on an outward movement. The piston includes a first inward channel; a first inward valve to open the first inward channel on inward movement; a first outward channel; a first outward valve to open the first outward channel on outward movement; a second inward channel; a second inward valve to open the second inward channel on inward movement; a second outward channel; and a second outward valve to open the second outward channel on outward movement.
US09982738B2
A hydraulic device includes a tubular housing, inside of which a rod is jointly attached to a piston separating upper and lower areas which hold hydraulic fluid so that, as the piston and rod move, the piston and the rod move together relatively and axially inside the tubular housing, displacing the hydraulic fluid inside the tubular housing, flowing from one of the upper and lower areas to the other of the upper and lower areas, and thus changing the respective volumes inside the upper and lower areas. The hydraulic device further includes a modular mechanism located inside the lower area that regulates shock absorption at a maximum level of compression of the hydraulic device, as well as in other relative positions.
US09982733B2
A force-limiting and damping device has a body, a tapping element, and an elastic element. The body has a connecting segment and a holding segment. The connecting segment is formed on an end of the body and has a mounting hole. The holding segment is formed on the body opposite the connecting segment. The tapping element is connected to the body to move relative to the connecting segment. The elastic element is mounted between the tapping element and the connecting segment to abut against the tapping element and to enable the tapping element to move relative to the connecting segment. The structural relationship between the connecting segment, the tapping element, and the elastic element may provide a delayed rebound and damping effect to the reaction force, and the applied force is continuously transferred to a tapping object. This may reduce noise and the loss of energy.
US09982731B2
A disc brake apparatus that holds brake pads (46) and is capable of holding a caliper body (30) in a part of the support is provided with a support in which pairs of torque receiving parts (16, 18) provided in both sides in a braking force tangential direction and connecting parts (20) respectively connecting together the torque receiving parts (16, 18) are provided in both sides in an axial-direction of a rotor. In the support, at least one of the torque receiving parts (16, 18) is capable of being divided. The support (12) includes an open part capable of inserting and removing the brake pads (46) in the braking force tangential direction by dividing the torque receiving parts.
US09982709B2
The present invention provides a half thrust bearing in a semicircular ring shape for receiving an axial force of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, including thrust reliefs formed adjacent to both circumferential end portions of a slide surface which receives the axial force, so that a wall thickness of the half thrust bearing becomes thinner toward the circumferential end portions, wherein at least the thrust relief on a rear side in a rotational direction of the crankshaft has a thrust relief length which becomes larger toward an outer end portion from an inner end portion in a radial direction of the half thrust bearing. The present invention also provides a bearing device including the above half thrust bearing, a crankshaft, a pair of half bearings supporting a journal portion of the crankshaft, and a bearing housing having a holding hole for holding the pair of half bearings.
US09982707B2
A driveshaft assembly of a vehicle includes a yoke assembly having a shaft extending between a yoke and a flange. The yoke assembly further includes a bearing having an inner race integrally formed on an outer surface of the shaft, an outer race circumscribing the inner race, and a plurality of rotating elements rollably engaging between the inner and outer races. A tube is attached to the flange.
US09982692B2
An air cylinder apparatus equipped with a fall prevention mechanism, wherein the air cylinder apparatus includes a cylinder body and a piston rod which advances and retreats by supplying and discharging pressurized air to and from the cylinder body, and wherein the fall prevention mechanism includes a fixed member which is immovable with respect to the cylinder body; a plurality of brake members which are supported by the fixed member to be capable of coming into and out of contact with the fixed member; a biasing member which presses the plurality of brake members against the piston rod to lock the piston rod to the fixed member; and a lock-release air mechanism which holds, against a biasing force of the biasing member, the brake members in a non-contact position with the piston rod, the lock-release air mechanism operating by a pressurized air source that is common with that of the air cylinder apparatus.
US09982690B2
A hydraulic system that includes a rotating group with a plurality of fluid chambers and a plurality of valve sets that valve a corresponding one of the fluid chambers is disclosed. The hydraulic system may function as a hydraulic transformer. The hydraulic system may transfer energy between a high pressure fluid supply (e.g., from a pump), an accumulator, a hydraulic component (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic motor, and/or a hydraulic pump-motor), and/or an input/output shaft. The hydraulic system may include a single rotating group with a common axis. Each of the valve sets may include a first valve that fluidly connects to the pump, a second valve that fluidly connects to a tank, a third valve that fluidly connects to the accumulator, and a fourth valve that fluidly connects to the hydraulic component. The valves may have a valving period set to less than half or one-third of a rotational period of the rotating group. The valves may have a frequency of greater than 100 Hertz and may be digitally controlled.
US09982683B2
A device is disclosed including a shaft seal made with thermoplastic material formed as a hollow cylinder with an inside diameter and an outside diameter. The hollow cylinder may have multiple passages through the thermoplastic material between the inside diameter and the outside diameter. The multiple passages between the inside diameter and the outside diameter allow fluid under pressure to pass between the inside diameter and the outside diameter through the multiple passages.
US09982669B2
A pump system includes a pump and a storage volume in fluid communication with a discharge port of the pump. The pump includes a housing defining a pump bore and a pump piston disposed in sliding engagement with the pump bore, the pump piston being in selective fluid communication with the discharge port of the pump. A method for operating the pump system includes determining a time to drain an amount of a first fluid from the storage volume, and retracting the pump piston within the pump bore at a target retraction rate based at least partly on the time to drain the first fluid from the storage volume.
US09982664B2
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for metering a dose volume of fluid that may be used to treat microelectronic substrates. The system enables precision dispensing of relatively small amounts of a liquid chemical into a chemical bath or processing chamber for microelectronic substrates. The dispensing device may include a fluid conduit with a plurality of actuation devices that may limit fluid communication between the actuation devices and store a portion of the fluid in expandable membrane. The actuation devices may push or pull the fluid within the fluid conduit when the expandable membrane expands or contracts. The configuration and operation of the actuation devices may enable the collection, isolation, and dispensing of the dose volume.
US09982662B2
A pressure generator for a hydraulic vehicle brake system includes a piston-cylinder unit, a piston, a ball screw drive configured to move the piston, an electric hollow-shaft motor that surrounds and is configured to drive the ball screw drive, and a planetary gear set configured to transmit a rotational movement of the hollow-shaft motor to the ball screw drive. The generator also includes a flange part, a sleeve, and an axial needle-roller bearing. The flange part has a tubular collar configured to axially guide the piston in a movable fashion therein. The sleeve has a flange configured as a counterbearing which is attached to an interior of the tubular collar, and is further configured to support the bearing. The bearing is configured to rotatably mount and axially support the ball screw drive.
US09982653B2
The invention refers to a system and method for reinforcing a weakened area of a wind turbine blade whose interior comprises a box beam extending from the blade root to the blade tip and wherein said box beam comprises an open end at the blade root. The system is characterized by comprising a repair module (100) adapted for moving inside the box beam and transporting a reinforcement element (107) from the blade root to the weakened area; and by the repair module (100), which is adapted for applying the reinforcement element (107) onto a interior surface of the box beam in the weakened area.
US09982652B2
A system for use with a fluid-containing body having a body wall with an opening and defining a body interior, and for use with a device to be inserted and extracted by said system via said opening into the fluid-containing body, said system having a central axis and comprising: a proximal portion configured for being attached to the body wall when mounting the system in said opening, and having a first chamber configured for receiving said device therein; a sealable interface having a first side facing said first chamber and a second side in a direction opposite said first chamber and defining a distal area configured for receiving said device from said first chamber; said sealable interface, when unsealed, being configured to allow passage therethrough of the device along said central axis between the first chamber and the distal area; a pressure regulating mechanism configured for regulating pressure within said first chamber between pressure at an upper exterior of the proximal portion and pressure at the distal area; and a second chamber encompassing at least a part of the distal area and configured for receiving the device therein; said sealable interface, when unsealed, being configured to allow passage therethrough of the device along said central axis between the first and the second chambers.
US09982645B2
A remote engine starting system includes a portable terminal that is carried by a user and a vehicle that allows an engine to be started in response to receiving an engine start signal transmitted from the portable terminal. The vehicle periodically transmits a query signal for establishment of a wireless communication link with the portable terminal to a predetermined range surrounding the vehicle to define a predetermined wireless communication area of the vehicle. A control unit of the portable terminal determines, based on whether the wireless communication link with the vehicle is established, whether the portable terminal is within the wireless communication area. The control unit transmits an engine start signal when the portable terminal enters the wireless communication area surrounding the vehicle while automatic start setting is enabled by the user.
US09982643B2
A metering system for a fluid atomizer includes a housing, first and second metering members, and at least one solenoid. The housing includes a mixing chamber. The first metering member is operable to control flow of a first fluid to the mixing chamber. The second metering member is arranged coaxial with the first metering member and operable to control flow of a second fluid to the mixing chamber. The at least one solenoid is configured to operate at least one of the first and second metering members.
US09982638B2
An air intake assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle-forward air intake inlet, an airflow diverter opening, and a moisture-diverting gutter surrounding a portion of the vehicle-forward air intake inlet. The moisture-diverting gutter may surround at least a top and opposed sides of the vehicle-forward air intake inlet. The assembly further includes an air intake inlet shield which may define a slope. The airflow diverter opening may be positioned below the vehicle-forward air intake inlet.
US09982630B2
A cooler assembly disposed in and cooled by an air stream according to one embodiment includes a cooler matrix and a fairing. The fairing assembly is disposed generally around the cooler matrix and includes side fairing-housings, first and second side fairing-housings being joined to one another at respective leading and trailing edges, the leading edges partially defining a cooler inlet and the trailing edges partially defining a cooler outlet, the first and second side fairing-housing trailing edges angled transversely toward each other to define a trapezoidal shape for the outlet.
US09982626B2
The heat engine with transfer-expansion and regeneration (1) includes a compressor (2) which compresses gases in a high-pressure regeneration line (6) of a regeneration heat exchanger (5) from which they emerge preheated via a high-pressure regenerator outlet line (9) which has a heat source (12) that superheats the gases, the latter being then transferred by an admission metering valve (24) operated by a metering valve actuator (25) into a transfer-expansion chamber (16) formed in particular by an expansion cylinder (13) and an expansion piston (15), the gases leaving the chamber (16) after having been expanded via an expanded gas exhaust line (26) and thanks to an exhaust valve (31) operated by an exhaust valve actuator (32) before being cooled down in a low-pressure regeneration line (7) of the regeneration heat exchanger (5).
US09982621B2
A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a hardware structure including an engine control unit and a maintenance unit, an electronic engine identification module and an engine control program, the method having the steps: providing a computer program product via a network by which an engine identification and engine data are loaded together and are exchanged, wherein the computer program product is designed for uploading and/or downloading a maintenance software module by which the engine identification and the engine data are compiled; loading the computer program product onto a non-volatile storage medium; coupling the non-volatile storage medium to the maintenance unit of the hardware structure and executing the computer program product; exchanging the maintenance software module between the non-volatile storage medium and the maintenance unit; identifying the engine and compiling engine data by the maintenance software module and a hardware component of the hardware structure.
US09982620B2
A method for correcting a fuel quantity injected by a fuel injection device during operation of an internal combustion engine, including: determining an air heat characteristic variable, on which an air heat stream fed to a combustion chamber of the engine functionally depends; determining an exhaust heat characteristic variable, on which an exhaust heat stream discharged from the combustion chamber functionally depends; determining a heat distribution factor, which specifies a fraction of the exhaust heat stream reduced by the air heat stream in relation to a heat stream fed with the injected fuel to the combustion chamber; calculating a fuel mass fed to the engine from the air heat characteristic variable, the exhaust heat characteristic variable and the heat distribution factor; calculating a comparison variable by comparing the calculated fuel mass with a fuel mass setpoint value and adapting actuation of the fuel injection device depending on the comparison variable.
US09982618B2
An engine includes a low-pressure delivery pipe that stores fuel to be injected from port injection valves, a feed pump that supplies the fuel to the low-pressure delivery pipe, a high-pressure delivery pipe that stores the fuel to be injected from in-cylinder injection valves, a high-pressure pump driven in response to rotation of the engine, and a fuel pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the fuel stored in the low-pressure delivery pipe. An engine ECU controls the feed pump based on a detection value from a fuel pressure sensor, and when the engine ECU executes an abnormality diagnosis of the fuel pressure sensor, the engine ECU increases a rotational speed of the engine to be higher than a rotational speed when the engine ECU does not execute an abnormality diagnosis of the fuel pressure sensor. This improves the accuracy of an abnormality determination of the fuel pressure sensor.
US09982614B2
A control device for an internal combustion engine comprises an air-fuel ratio control part configured to control the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas and a heating control part configured to control the heating of the air-fuel ratio sensors. The heating control part controls the sensor heaters so that the temperature of the upstream air-fuel ratio sensor becomes less than the activation temperature and so that the temperature of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor becomes the activation temperature or more while the internal combustion engine is stopped by the automatic stop function. The air-fuel ratio control part controls the exhaust air-fuel ratio based on the outputs of the two air-fuel ratio sensors during engine operation and control the air-fuel ratio temporarily based on only the output of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor after the internal combustion engine has been restarted after automatic stop.
US09982609B2
A method controls an internal combustion engine that has a drive output shaft connected to an input shaft of a transmission. The internal combustion engine, the transmission and a drive wheel are encompassed by a drivetrain for the drive of a motor vehicle. The method includes determining a rotational acceleration of the input shaft and determining an input torque at the input shaft of the transmission based on a product of the rotational acceleration and a speed reduction ratio-dependent moment of inertia of the drivetrain in a section between the input shaft and the drive wheel. A combustion torque of the internal combustion engine is controlled such that the input torque adheres to a predetermined maximum input torque at the input shaft of the transmission.
US09982607B2
A method for use in a turbine control system includes controlling fuel supply to a gas turbine engine at least in part using a fuel supply limit determined as a first function of a rotational speed of a shaft of the gas turbine engine. The method also includes obtaining a first value representative of a rotational speed of the shaft, and differentiating the first value within a processing unit. The processing unit determines an adjusted fuel supply limit as an adjusted function of the first value. The adjusted function is based on the first function and the differentiated first value. The method further includes controlling the fuel supply to the gas turbine engine at least in part using the adjusted fuel supply limit.
US09982583B2
A dosing valve includes at least a valve housing with a duct, a valve body being movable in order to open and close the dosing valve and a spring exerting a spring force on the valve body and thus holding the valve body in a rest position. The spring is supported on at least one calibration body. The valve body, the spring and the at least one calibration body are disposed in the duct. The at least one calibration body is fastened in the valve housing at least by using a cohesive or material connection. A method for producing the dosing valve and a motor vehicle having the dosing valve are also provided.
US09982582B2
A cleaning system for reducing SOx and particulate matter in exhaust gases from a marine combustion engine, burner or boiler. The cleaning system comprises first and second scrubber process loops having first and second scrubber, respectively, and first and second water circulation tanks, respectively. Water from the first tank is evaporated to water vapor inside the first scrubber by contact with the exhaust gases, whereby the water vapor and the exhaust gases form humid exhaust gases. The humid exhaust gases are transferred to the second scrubber, wherein water from the second tank condensates the water vapor in the humid exhaust gases. A reflux of water from the second scrubber process loop to the first scrubber process loop is provided. At least 60% and more preferred at least 90% of a total amount of alkaline agent supplied to the cleaning system is supplied to the second scrubber process loop.
US09982576B2
A camshaft phaser includes an input member and an output member defining an advance chamber and a retard chamber; a valve body having a valve bore which extends along an axis, an annular groove extending radially outward from the valve bore and having a first width in the direction of the axis, and a passage which opens into the annular groove and which extends from the valve bore through the valve body radially outward from the valve bore such that the passage has a second width in the direction of the axis that is greater than the first width of the annular groove. The camshaft phaser also includes a valve spool which moves along the axis within said valve bore, the valve spool having a land which varies a flow area between the valve bore and the annular groove and between the valve bore and the passage.
US09982572B2
An apparatus (10) and method for controlling an angular position of a camshaft (12) in an internal combustion engine having a camshaft phaser (14) for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and the camshaft (12). The camshaft phaser (14) can be actuated by an electric motor (16) having an actuator shaft (18) operating through a gear reduction drive train (20) having a stationary adjusting member (22) which rotates when a phase change adjustment is desired. A sensor (30) can generate a signal corresponding to an angular position of the stationary adjusting member (22) of the gear reduction drive train (20). An engine control unit (40) can adjust a position of the camshaft (12) through operation of the electric motor (16) for rotating the stationary adjusting member (22) based on the generated signal corresponding to the angular position of the stationary adjusting member (22).
US09982561B2
An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a strut and a heat shield. The heat shield is disposed adjacent the strut and the heat shield and is adapted to contain a cooling air flow that passes along first cavity between the heat shield and the strut.
US09982557B2
A turbocharger unit (10) incorporating variable turbine geometry. The unit (10) has a turbine housing (12) for receiving exhaust gases from an engine, a turbine wheel (14) located inside a turbine housing (12), and a bearing housing (24) connected to the turbine housing (12), having a recessed portion (28). A spring member is located in the recessed portion (28), and a heat shield (32) receives apply force from the spring member. There is also a cartridge for providing variable turbine geometry located in the turbine housing (12); the cartridge is held in contact with the turbine housing (12) by the spring member in the form of a contoured sleeve (26). The apply force received by the heat shield (32) from the spring member transfers through the cartridge, and holds the cartridge in place in the turbine housing.
US09982524B2
A method of improving flow of liquids and gases from a subterranean fracture using a viscosified fracture fluid 1 formed by combining a solid proppant, a binding agent and an enzyme to form a proppant-immobilized enzyme 2, mixing the proppant-immobilized enzyme 2 with a second proppant 3 to form a heterogeneous proppant pack 4 and mixing said heterogeneous proppant pack 4 with a gelled liquid fracturing fluid 5 to form the viscosified fracture fluid 1 containing the heterogeneous proppant pack 4. The viscosified fracture fluid 1 containing the heterogeneous proppant pack 4 is pumped 6 into a subterranean zone 7 to form one or more fractures therein. The proppant-immobilized enzyme 2 that is part of the heterogeneous proppant pack 4 has the dual purpose of propping open the subterranean fractures and reducing the viscosity of the viscosified fracture fluid.
US09982518B2
A subsea riser system with a gas-lift facility has a production riser having a riser conduit and at least one lift gas injection port communicating with the riser conduit. An umbilical is arranged to supply lift gas to the lift gas injection port. A heating unit is positioned to act on a downstream end region of the umbilical adjacent to the lift gas injection port. A method of providing lift gas to a subsea riser system includes the steps of conveying lift gas toward a production riser and, before injecting the lift gas into the production riser, heating the lift gas locally adjacent to the production riser.
US09982515B2
A locking apparatus for attaching to an end of a valve actuator includes an assembly body, the assembly body releasably securable to a valve actuator. The assembly body has a stem bore for receiving an actuator stem, and a plunger orifice through a sidewall of the assembly body. An immobilizer assembly has a plunger extending through the plunger orifice, and biased radially outward and moveable between a radially inner position where the immobilizer assembly extends over the stem bore, and a radially outer position where an inner end of the immobilizer assembly is radially outward of the stem bore. A segmented housing circumscribes the assembly body and is moveable between a first position where the plunger is in the radially outer position and a second position where the plunger is in the radially inner position. A fusible band selectively retains the segmented housing in engagement with the immobilizer assembly.
US09982514B2
A downhole paraffin melting tool is provided, comprising a heating element housing having a cutting head and a heating element disposed within the heating element housing. A battery pack is disposed within a battery pack housing, wherein the battery pack is operatively connected to the heating element. A control board is disposed between the heating element and the battery pack, wherein the control board is adapted to control power delivered from the battery pack to the heating element. A top sub is connected to the battery pack housing, wherein the top sub includes a retrievable member. The battery pack, delivering power to the heating element through the control board, is adapted to maintain a predetermined temperature of the heating element during operation.
US09982512B2
There is provided a flow control apparatus comprising: a housing; a port extending through the housing; a housing passage defined within the housing and configured for fluidly communicating via the port; a flow control member displaceable relative to the port for effecting opening and closing of the port; a retainer housing space, disposed between the housing and the flow control member, and co-operating with the flow control member such that, at least while the flow control member is disposed in the closed position, a sealing interface is disposed between the retainer housing space and the housing passage; and a resilient retainer member, extending from the housing and into the retainer housing space, and configured to releasably engage the flow control member for resisting displacement of the flow control member.
US09982493B2
A joint element connects casing sections of a casing string for transporting fluids and/or gases. The joint element includes a first longitudinal part arranged to be at least partly overlapping a second longitudinal part or a casing section. The first longitudinal part is connected with the second longitudinal part or with the casing sections in a mounted state with the first longitudinal part adapted to move axially relative to the second longitudinal part or the casing sections in an operative state. The joint element includes at least one shear member with a predefined shear value and the shear member is adapted to shear when an axial force exceeding the total shear value of the shear member is exerted, allowing a relative axial movement between the first longitudinal part and the second longitudinal part or the casing sections.
US09982490B2
A method of forming a casing bit includes positioning a cutting element adjacent an outer surface of a casing bit body. The cutting element has a superhard material and a bonding material that is used to bond the cutting element to a body of the casing bit. The bonding material may be a weldable or brazable metal alloy, and a welding process or a brazing process, respectively, may be used to bond the cutting elements to body of the casing bit. Casing bits fabricated using such methods may exhibit reduced bond strength between the cutting elements and the casing bit body.
US09982489B2
A rotary drill bit for drilling formations in dry-drilling environments is disclosed. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body rotatable about a central axis. The rotary drill bit may also include at least one cutting element coupled to the bit body. The at least one cutting element may have a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, and a back surface opposite the cutting face. The at least one cutting element may be oriented so that a substantial portion of the cutting edge has a positive clearance angle, which may be defined by a first vector that is normal to the cutting face and a second vector that is tangential to a helical path traveled by the cutting edge during drilling.
US09982479B1
A gate apparatus that includes a gate, an elongate member or gate base for the ends of the gate, and a stairway post adapter such that a wooden stairway post can serve as a base for a gate without harming the wood of the stairway post. The stairway post adapter includes a vertical or longitudinally running channel for receiving the gate base, a horizontally or laterally extending channel for receiving a strap, and a recess or receptor or face for confronting a section of a stairway post. The gate base includes an upper and lower eyelet. Each of the ends of the gate includes upper and lower pins for engaging the upper and lower eyelets of the gate bases. On the hinge side of the gate, the pins are relatively long and remain in the eyelets as the gate is lifted and swung. On the latch side of the gate, the pins are relatively short such that that latch side of the gate can be lifted and disengaged from the eyelets and then swung open. The gate is extendable and retractable in length, and is reversible.
US09982478B2
A door seal fitting, such as for a garage door, may include a main body or mounting fitting; a cap, and the door seal itself. The mounting fitting has a back web or wall that is attached to a door post or door jamb. The cap seats on the mounting fitting to conceal the mounting hardware of the mounting fitting. The door seal is located in a T-shaped slot on the doorward end of the mounting fitting. It is secured by mechanical fasteners that are hidden behind the seal. The mechanical fasteners pass through a web of the mounting fitting and through a wing or internal leg of the cap. The fasteners are spaced along the length of the assembly to discourage axial shrinkage or shifting of the cap relative to the mounting fitting.
US09982475B2
Systems and methods for automatically closing a garage door can include one or more door open sensors, one or more motion sensors, one or more timers, and a door close activator. In certain embodiments, the one or more door open sensors are configured to detect whether the garage door is completely open. In various embodiments, the one or more motion sensors are configured to detect motion. In certain embodiments, the one or more timers are configured to delay for at least one predetermined time period after motion is no longer detected. In various embodiments, the door close activator is configured to close the garage door after the delay of the predetermined period of time.
US09982473B2
An actuating apparatus for adjusting a first vehicle door which can be automatically adjusted between a closed position and an open position is used in a vehicle. To this end, the actuating apparatus has a capacitive distance sensor for detecting a movement of a person who is in the vicinity of the vehicle, and also has a control and evaluation unit. The control and evaluation unit is configured to identify a first door actuation request on the basis of the detected movement, and to trigger adjustment of the first vehicle door when the first door actuation request is identified. In this case, a sensor electrode of the capacitive distance sensor is arranged in a vehicle corner region which is associated with the rear of the vehicle.
US09982472B2
Managing an entryway for a building includes a computer system accessing identity data providing unique biometric identifications and associated names for respective people. Roles are stored and associated with people. Rules are stored and configured to define roles or people and define conditions and actions. A certain rule includes presence of a person at an entryway and a person in at a different location than the entryway as a condition. A named person is identified by the computer system comparing identity data to biometric data received for a person at the entryway. The computer system performs a defined action for the certain rule responsive to determining that the certain rule defines a role associated with the identified, named person at the entryway and responsive to detecting by a sensor in the building that a person is present in the building at a different location than the entryway.
US09982468B2
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, having a lock case (1), and also a locking mechanism (2, 3) which is supported in the lock case (1) and consists substantially of a rotary latch (2) and a pawl (3), and having an additional reinforcing element (7), wherein the reinforcing element (7) is formed as a reinforcing plate (7) which couples the two axes of rotation of both the rotary latch (2) and the pawl (1) at a distance from the lock case (1).
US09982466B2
A vehicle door latch device includes: a base fixed to a door; a latch pivotally supported on the base, and configured to be rotatable in association with opening and closing of the door, the latch having a cam portion on an outer periphery thereof; a detection lever pivotally supported on the base by a shaft, the detection lever having a detecting portion, which slides along the cam portion in association with rotation of the latch, and a cam surface, the detection lever being configured to be rotatable, by the detecting portion sliding along the cam portion, to a position corresponding to a rotational position of the latch; and a detection switch configured to detect open and closed states of the door by being turned ON and OFF by coming into contact with and separating from the cam surface in association with rotation of the detection lever.
US09982464B2
A security device is provided including a security lock configured to retain an object when locked, a receiver configured to receive a security code transmission, and processing circuitry configured to transition the security lock between a locked state and unlock permissive state based on receipt of a security code. The security lock may initially be set to the unlock permissive state. At the first instance in which a security code is received, the processing circuitry may transition the security lock to a key permissive mode in which the security lock transitions to a locked state and in response to a subsequent receipt of the security code the security lock transitions to the unlock permissive state.
US09982455B2
A door lock includes a latch assembly positioned at least partially within the door and movable between an engaged position in which the door is held in a closed position and a disengaged position in which the door is movable from a closed position to an open position. An outside spindle is rotatable about an axis and an inside spindle is rotatable about the axis to move the latch assembly between the engaged position and the disengaged position. A locking plate is movable along the axis between a locked position in which the outside spindle is fixed and an unlocked position in which the outside spindle and the inside spindle are each rotatable and a privacy lock actuator positioned on the inside of the door and movable in a direction substantially normal to the axis to move the locking plate between the locked position and the unlocked position.
US09982452B2
A pool cleaner having a coarse filter and a fine filter. The coarse filter removes large pieces of debris. The fine filter removes fine particles from the water. In an embodiment, the fine filter is a filter bag made from a cloth material. In an embodiment, the coarse filter is a mesh grating with small holes. In an embodiment, the fine filter is supported by a rigid mesh placed downstream from the coarse filter.
US09982447B2
In some embodiments, a mobile safety platform includes a protective enclosure coupled to a frame of a wheeled transport. The wheeled transport is configured to raise the protective enclosure so that the wheeled transport can relocate the protective enclosure and to lower the protective enclosure so that the protective enclosure and/or deck is deployed on a substrate. In at least one embodiment, the wheeled transport is configured to raise and to lower the protective enclosure utilizing a lifting and lowering mechanism, such as a hydraulic system. In at least one embodiment, the lifting and lowering mechanism is configured, when deployed, to transfer at least some of the weight of the transport to the protective enclosure and/or deck. In at least one embodiment, the wheeled transport comprises a trailer. In other embodiments, the wheeled transport can be a motor vehicle including an engine.
US09982445B2
The invention comprises a connector for a pair of opposed spaced concrete forming panels. The connector comprises an elongate spacer member having flanges formed thereon intermediate a central portion thereof and each opposite end thereof. A portion of at least one end of the spacer member is sized and shaped to selectively engage an elongate panel bracing member. A composite insulated concrete form and a method of using the insulated concrete form are also disclosed.
US09982440B2
An integrated fiber cement and foam cladding system is provided that incorporates foam or similar light weight material to improve the insulation capacity of the cladding system. The system includes at least a fiber cement layer and a foam layer disposed on the backside of the fiber cement layer. The system improves the R-value of the building, a measure of the building's resistance to transferring heat or thermal energy.
US09982438B2
An apparatus for heating structure or areas adjacent such structure, such as a roof on a building for example, exposed to varying weather conditions and methods of making and use of the apparatus. The heating apparatus can include a heating element and heat supplying components. In one embodiment, the heating apparatus also includes a heatable cover panel and fasteners or other fastening components or materials for securing the heating element and cover panel to the structure. The heat supplying components may include one or more heater cable or heater cable sections penetrating one or more heater cable channels in the heating element. The apparatus may also utilize various insulating and other materials, including paint on exposed surfaces of the apparatus.
US09982436B2
A mounting assembly for a membrane roof has a metal base plate coated on both sides with material compatible to heat weld, a plurality of openings spaced around an outer periphery, one further hole within the pattern having a bolt passing upward through the hole, and a first sheet of roofing membrane material having length and width dimensions smaller than those of the metal base plate, heat welded over the bolt head.
US09982430B2
A layered insulation system comprising one or more layers. A variety of types of layers can be used in conjunction with one another to deliver a range of desired Low-E and/or Low-U insulation properties and/or venting choices. Some types of layers can be foam layers with foam that inhibits heat conjunction interspersed with microparticles and/or nanoparticles that reflect, scatter, abate, and/or negate infrared radiation (IR) wavelengths, including dampening “Ideal Model Matrix” vibrations to inhibit heat flux through an IR opaque system. Other layers can be Low-E layers, Low-U layers, primarily empty layers, and/or other types of layers.
US09982428B2
An expansion joint design for supporting transfer loads. The system includes an elongated core and at least one longitudinal load-transfer member which are bonded together.
US09982423B2
A water-saving flow regulator includes a housing; a flow regulating device within the housing and having a shaft hole that has a periphery including a plurality of through holes; a switching shaft movable between an initial position and a second position, sleeved with a sealing part, and inserted into the shaft hole; and a water diversion body disposed above the flow regulating device and having a bottom portion that forms a chamber. When the switching shaft is in the initial position, the sealing part closes a first flow passage so that water only flows out of a second flow passage. When the switching shaft is in the second position, the sealing part of the switching shaft moves away from the flow regulating device, the second flow passage is open and remains open due to water pressure so that water flows out of both passages.
US09982410B2
The foundation structure of an offshore structure, for example of an offshore wind energy system, is composed of steel tubes sheathed by an extruded layer made of a polyamide moulding composition. This simultaneously ensures both good protection from corrosion and good protection from mechanical effects, giving the foundation structure markedly prolonged lifetime.
US09982409B1
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising: a first tubular mesh enclosure having a first opposing pair of ends, at least one of said first opposing pair of ends sealed; a first filling surrounded by said first tubular mesh enclosure; a first geogrid wrapped at least partially around said first tubular mesh enclosure.
US09982406B2
A large scale geotextile tube includes a plurality of shelves that extend across the width of the geotextile tube with each shelf formed of a web of geogrid material or geocell material. As one moves from the bottom of the geotextile tube to the top of the geotextile tube, the width of each shelf decreases. The geotextile tube can be surrounded by an envelope formed of geogrid material.
US09982404B2
A skid shoe assembly for use on a snow thrower includes a bracket having a mounting portion configured to couple to the snow thrower and a support portion extending outwardly from the mounting portion. The skid shoe assembly also includes an insert including an annular body having a central aperture and a linear section configured to engage a ground surface. The central aperture receives the bracket so that the annular body is disposed around the mounting portion of the bracket. A portion of the annular body is configured to be captured between the support portion of the bracket and the snow thrower to secure the insert to the snow thrower.
US09982395B2
Strengthening resins and methods for making and using same. The strengthening resin can include a polyamine partially cross-linked with a bridging moiety and having azetidinium ions. The bridging moiety can be derived from a functionally symmetric cross-linker. The functionally symmetric cross-linker can include a diisocyanate, a 1,3-dialkyldiazetidine-2,4-dione, a dianhydride, a diacyl halide, a dienone, a dialkyl halide, or any mixture thereof.
US09982392B2
An antifoaming agent, based on an oil-in-water emulsion in which the oil phase accounts for from 5-50% by weight of the emulsion, where the oil phase includes: (a) at least one selected from the group consisting of (a1) an alcohol of not less than 12 carbon atoms and (a2) a C1-C36-carboxylic acid, a distillation residue; (d) a component including (d1) a polyglyceryl ester and (d2) a C18-C30 alkyl behenate, wherein the component (d) accounts for 1-80% by weight of the oil phase of the emulsion.
US09982391B2
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a defibrating unit, a forming unit, and an operation unit. The defibrating unit defibrates a raw material that contains fiber in air. The forming unit forms a sheet by using at least a part of a defibrated material after defibration by the defibrating unit. The operation unit is for operation of the sheet manufacturing apparatus. When the side where the operation unit is located is defined as the front side, the defibrating unit is located at the rear side, and the forming unit is located at the front side.
US09982386B2
A rope structure adapted to engage a bearing structure while under load comprises a plurality of fibers, a matrix, and lubricant particles. The plurality of fibers is adapted to bear the loads applied to the ends of the rope structure. The matrix surrounds at least a portion of some of the plurality of fibers. The lubricant particles are supported by the matrix such that at least some of the lubricant particles are arranged between at least some of the fibers to reduce friction between at least some of the plurality of fibers and at least some of the lubricant particles are arranged to be between the bearing structure and at least some of the plurality of fibers to reduce friction between the bearing structure and at least some of the plurality of fibers.
US09982385B2
The present invention provides methods for chemically embossing and debossing fabric. A composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol is applied to fabric in the shape of a design, and the fabric is dried. Upon the fabric drying, the surface of the fabric is embossed and/or debossed in the shape of the design. In particular embodiments, the composition comprises polyvinyl alcohol that is at least about 90% hydrolyzed. A kit for embossing and/or debossing fabric includes a composition comprising polyvinyl alcohol inside of a container, and one or more applicators.
US09982373B2
An article of footwear includes an upper incorporating a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component includes portions having courses aligned along different knitting directions, including a first knitting direction and a second knitting direction. The knitting direction of the courses transitions gradually from the first direction to the second direction. The knitting direction of the courses of the knitted component is configured to be aligned so as to distribute forces acting on the knitted component when the article of footwear is worn during a sport or athletic activity.
US09982368B2
Provided is a flame-retardant fiber having improved light resistance and/or colorability. The flame-retardant fiber is a fiber including a fiber-forming polymer. The fiber-forming polymer contains a polymer blend comprising a polyetherimide polymer (A) and a thermoplastic polymer (B) having a glass transition temperature lower than that of the polymer (A); and the fiber-forming polymer further contains a functional additive (C) that provides light resistance, colorability, or both of light resistance and colorability. The mass ratio (A)/(B) of the polymer (A) to the polymer (B) is from 50/50 to 90/10, and the content of the functional additive (C) is from 0.5 to 10% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the total mass (A+B+C) of the polymer (A), the thermoplastic polymer (B), and the functional additive (C).
US09982362B2
In a rotating disk reactor for growing epitaxial layers on substrate or other CVD reactor system, gas directed toward the substrates at gas inlets at different radial distances from the axis of rotation of the disk has both substantially the same gas flow rate/velocity and substantially the same gas density at each inlet. The gas directed toward portions of the disk remote from the axis may include a higher concentration of a reactant gas than the gas directed toward portions of the disk close to the axis, so that portions of the substrate surfaces at different distances from the axis receive substantially the same amount of reactant gas per unit area, and a combination of carrier gases with different relative molecular weights at different radial distances from the axis of rotation are employed to substantially make equal the gas density in each region of the reactor. The system may be applied with a combination or carrier gases at multiple gas inlets, a combination of carrier and reactant gases at multiple inlets, and may be used with an arbitrarily large number of gases, when at least two gases of different molecular weights are provided. A linear flow pattern is achieved within the reactor, avoiding laminar recirculation areas, and permitting uniform deposition and growth of epitaxial layers on the substrate.
US09982361B2
A crystal growth furnace comprising a crucible containing at least feedstock material and a liquid-cooled heat exchanger that is vertically movable beneath the crucible to extract heat from it to promote the growth of a crystalline ingot is disclosed. The liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprises a heat extraction bulb made of high thermal conductivity material that is vertically movable into thermal communication with the crucible to extract heat from the crucible using a liquid coolant. A liquid-cooled heat exchanger enclosed in a sealed tubular outer jacket is also disclosed as is a method for producing a crystalline ingot using a vertically movable liquid-cooled heat exchanger.
US09982360B2
A method for transferring a graphene layer from a metal substrate to a second substrate is provided comprising: providing a graphene layer on the metal substrate, adsorbing hydrogen atoms on the metal substrate by passing protons through the graphene layer, treating the metal substrate having adsorbed hydrogen atoms thereon in such a way as to form hydrogen gas from the adsorbed hydrogen atoms, thereby detaching the graphene layer from the metal substrate, transferring the graphene layer to the second substrate, and optionally reusing the metal substrate by repeating the aforementioned steps.
US09982350B2
The invention relates to a multilayer cladding including a combination of ceramic and metallic components. The multilayer coating includes an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer. The inner layer can form the cladding structure, the intermediate layer can include a ceramic composite or ceramic-containing composite composed of interlocking woven or braided fibers, e.g., fiber tows wrapped on the inner layer to form a woven structure, and a matrix material, and the outer can be composed of metal or metal alloy, such as, in the form of a coating. The multilayer cladding is effective to protect contents of the cladding structure from exposure to high temperature environments.
US09982348B2
A method of forming a patterned metal unit on an article. The method includes the steps of: providing an article that has an insulating surface; transferring a catalyst layer onto the insulating surface of the article, the catalyst layer including a catalytic material; removing a part of the catalyst layer to form a patterned catalyst layer; and forming a patterned metal layer on the patterned catalyst layer by an electroless plating technique to obtain a patterned metal unit that is constituted by the patterned catalyst layer and the patterned metal layer.
US09982337B2
The present invention relates to a sputtering method using a sputtering device, wherein entire scan region is defined from one side to the other side of a sputtering target, and the sputtering target is scanned with a magnet moving back and forth along the entire scan region multiple times. The entire scan region of a sputtering target is divided by N parts to be uniformly eroded, such that a magnet moves back and forth along some part of the divided entire scan region. A sputtering method using a sputtering device can therefore extend an alternating cycle of a sputtering target, by virtue of improving utilization efficiency of the sputtering target through uniform erosion of the sputtering target, and can also reduce manufacturing cost.
US09982336B2
The embodiments of the embodiments of the Nanostructure Lithium Ion Battery are comprised of a multi-layer coaxial assembly formed over a cylindrical core. The multilayers are each comprised of sublayers in order as follows: a copper sublayer with nano “chicken wire” embedded in the copper sublayer for current collection, a nanostructured aluminum substrate sublayer, a nanostructured cathode sublayer, an electrolyte sublayer, a nanostructured anode sublayer, and a copper interlayer sublayer. The nanobatteries are arranged in layered stacks of nanocells. The nanocells stacks are comprised of a plurality of individual octagonal shaped multilayer nanocells. Each nanocell stack is electrically connected to an array of other nanocells stacks via electrode contacts. A lower copper bus serves as the anode current collector and an upper copper bus serves as the cathode current collector. Pass-throughs connect to the appropriate cathode layers in the multilayer nanocell stacks.
US09982335B2
A manufacturing method of a cylindrical sputtering target material formed of copper or a copper alloy is provided, the method including: a continuous casting step of casting a cylindrical ingot having an average crystal grain diameter equal to or smaller than 20 mm using a continuous casting machine or a semi-continuous casting machine; and a cold working step and a heat treatment step of repeatedly performing cold working and a heat treatment with respect to the cylindrical ingot, to form the cylindrical sputtering target material in which an average crystal grain diameter of an outer peripheral surface is from 10 μm to 150 μm and a proportion of the area of crystal grains having a crystal grain diameter more than double the average crystal grain diameter is less than 25% of the entire crystal area.
US09982334B2
Provided is a polycrystalline silicon target produced by a melting method. In the polycrystalline silicon sputtering target, the average amount of nitride or carbide grains having a size of 100 μm or more for samples of 100×100 mm taken from an arbitrary plane of the target is less than three. Also provided is a method of producing a polycrystalline silicon sputtering target. The method is characterized in that a silicon ingot is produced by melting silicon as a raw material with an electron beam and pouring the molten silicon into a crucible heated at 90° C. or more, and the resulting ingot is machined into a target. The present invention has focused on polycrystalline silicon produced by a melting method, and an object of the present invention is to provide a polycrystalline silicon sputtering target having high quality by reducing the presence of silicon nitride and silicon carbide and to provide a polycrystalline silicon sputtering target having a high bending strength by devising the production process.
US09982331B2
An abrasion resistant steel plate which possesses excellent abrasion resistance, excellent low-temperature toughness and excellent corrosive wear resistance. The abrasion resistant steel plate has the composition comprising by mass %: 0.10% to 0.20% C, 0.05% to 1.00% Si, 0.1% to 2.0% Mn, 0.020% or less P, 0.005% or less S, 0.005% to 0.100% Al, one or two kinds of components selected from a group consisting of 0.05% to 2.0% Cr and 0.05% to 1.0% Mo, and remaining Fe and unavoidable impurities as a balance. Content of solute Cr in steel (Crsol) and the content of solute Mo in steel (Mosol) satisfy the formula 0.05≥(Crsol+2.5Mosol)≥2.0. Steel plate has a structure where an as-quenched martensitic phase forms a main phase and a grain size of prior austenite grains is 30 μm or less, and surface hardness of the steel plate is 360 or more at Brinel hardness HBW10/3000.
US09982329B2
An aluminum casting alloy contains the following alloy components: Si: 3.0 to 3.8 wt.-%, Mg: 0.3 to 0.6 wt.-%, Cr: 0.05 to <0.25 wt.-%, Fe: <0.18 wt.-%, Mn: <0.06 wt.-%, Ti: <0.16 wt.-%, Cu: <0.006 wt.-%, Sr: 0.010 to 0.030 wt.-%, Zr: <0.006 wt.-%, Zn: <0.006 wt.-%, Contaminants: <0.1 wt.-%, and is supplemented to 100 wt.-% with Al, in each instance.
US09982325B2
Methods are provided for the recovery of scandium from scandium-bearing ores. The methods included leaching under atmospheric conditions using various acids. Solution impurities are removed from the leachate and scandium values are then recovered from the leachate.
US09982313B2
Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes targeting the genes for HSV-1 viral DNA polymerase B (HSV-1 Pol) and HSV-1 thymidine kinase C (HSV-1 TK), and also target the genes for HSV-2 thymidine kinase C (HSV-2 TK) and HSV-2 glycoprotein B (HSV-2 gB), along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of HSV-1 and/or HSV-2.
US09982298B2
The present invention relates to a process for determining in vitro the immune status of an individual according to which: (a) a blood sample from the individual is provided, (b) at least two reagents specific to at least two products of expression of at least two target genes are provided; (c) the expression of said at least two target genes is determined, and (d) the expression of said at least two target genes respectively is compared with a reference expression, with a change in the expression of said at least two target genes relative to their reference expression indicating that the individual's immune status has changed, and a correlation between the expression of said at least two target genes with their reference expression indicating that the individual's immune status is normal; as well as a kit for determining said immune status of the individual.
US09982284B2
A method is disclosed for hydrolyzing an alpha-1,5 glucosyl-fructose linkage in a saccharide (disaccharide or oligosaccharide) such as leucrose. This method comprises contacting the saccharide with an alpha-glucosidase enzyme such as transglucosidase or glucoamylase under suitable conditions, during which contacting step the enzyme hydrolyzes at least one alpha-1,5 glucosyl-fructose linkage of the saccharide. This method is useful for reducing the amount of leucrose in a filtrate isolated from a glucan synthesis reaction, for example.
US09982272B2
Mutant photosynthetic microorganisms having reduced chlorophyll and increased photosynthetic efficiency are provided. The mutants have a locked in high light-acclimated phenotype, in which many of the photosynthetic parameters characteristic of high light acclimated wild type cells are found in the LIHLA mutants when acclimated to low light, such as reduced chlorophyll, reduced NPQ, higher qP, higher Ek, higher Pmax per unit chlorophyll with little to no reduction in Pmax per cell, and higher rates of electron transport through photosystem II over a wide range of light intensities. Provided herein are constructs for attenuating or disrupting genes are provided for generating mutants having the LIHLA phenotype. Also provided are methods of culturing LIHLA mutants for the production of biomass or other products.
US09982269B2
It relates to a Mortierella alpine ATCC32222 uracil auxotroph strain and a construction method thereof. In the present invention, Mortierella alpine ATCC32222 is used as a material and undergoes gene knockout through an Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated genetic manipulation technology, to obtain the Mortierella alpine uracil auxotroph. The method is of great significance for the basic theoretic researches of the oil producing fungus Mortierella alpine ATCC32222 and product development.
US09982255B2
A nucleic acid patch method for amplifying target nucleic acid sequences in circulating free DNA or residual DNA samples where the defining ends of the target nucleic acid sequences are unknown.
US09982251B2
An object of the invention is to provide an electroporation method for treating vesicles with exogenous material for insertion of the exogenous material into the vesicles which includes the steps of: a. retaining a suspension of the vesicles and the exogenous material in a treatment volume in a chamber which includes electrodes, wherein the chamber has a geometric factor (cm.sup.−1) defined by the quotient of the electrode gap squared (cm.sup.2) divided by the chamber volume (cm.sup.3), wherein the geometric factor is less than or equal to 0.1 cm.sup.−1, wherein the suspension of the vesicles and the exogenous material is in a medium which is adjusted such that the medium has conductivity in a range spanning 50 microSiemens/cm to 500 microSiemens/cm, wherein the suspension is enclosed in the chamber during treatment, and b. treating the suspension enclosed in the chamber with one or more pulsed electric fields. With the method, the treatment volume of the suspension is scalable, and the time of treatment of the vesicles in the chamber is substantially uniform.
US09982242B2
Provided are: a protein complex capable of selectively and asymmetrically oxidizing an enantiomer of a secondary alcohol without adding a coenzyme and having an asymmetric oxidation activity in a water-soluble solvent system in the presence of oxygen; a method for producing the same; and a method for coating the protein complex with a high molecular weight compound. The method for producing the protein complex includes: (1) enclosing a crude water-soluble protein in a gel, air-oxidizing the gel, and eluting the protein complex into an aqueous solution; and (2) applying gravity to concentrate and precipitate the protein complex, redissolving the precipitate in an aqueous glycine sodium hydroxide solution of about 0.5 mM and allowing the same to homogeneously coexist with a high molecular weight compound, and re-precipitating the solution and dehydrating and drying the same to yield a protein complex coated with a high molecular weight compound.
US09982240B2
The invention relates to a method for producing influenza infectious viruses wherein CHO cells are infected with a seed of infectious influenza virus which has been generated by transfecting cells with an appropriate set of expression vectors. The invention also relates to a recombination cassette, and to a vector comprising said recombination cassette, that may be used in methods for producing infectious viruses, and particularly in the method according to the invention.
US09982239B2
Reagents and methods are provided that allow for an improved expression of a recombinant protein. More specifically, the introduction of recombinant DNA elements into a host cell allows for the increased expression of a recombinant protein, an improvement of the correct folding of said protein and an increase in cell viability and proliferation of the host cell, These recombinant DNA elements can be introduced into host cells, for example, via a recombinant baculovirus, which has incorporated said elements. The recombinant DNA elements include nucleic acids encoding transcriptional regulators, such as IE-0 and IE-1, transcriptional enhancer elements, such as the homologous region (hr) and promoters.
US09982237B2
The invention provides a composition and a method for inducing pluripotency in non-pluripotent eukaryotic cells. The composition comprises chemical inducers of pluripotency (CIPs) including glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) inhibitors, TGFp receptor inhibitors, cyclic AMP agonists, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAH) inhibitors, and optionally an agent that promotes histone acetylation. The method comprises contacting a cell with the CIPs for a sufficient period of time to reprogram the cell into a pluripotent stem cell.
US09982236B2
The present invention provides methods for the sequential and temporally-regulated administration of pancreatic transcription factors to induce non-pancreatic cells to transdifferentiate and mature along the pancreatic β-cell lineage. The present invention also provides methods for identifying, isolating and enriching transdifferentiation predisposed cells and methods for treating a degenerative pancreatic disorder such as diabetes.
US09982231B2
Compositions and methods are described herein for chemically inducing cells to change their differentiation state and become cardiac progenitor cells or cardiomyocytes.
US09982228B2
The present invention relates to gram positive bacteria with increased stress resistance and/or improved storage characteristics. In particular, the invention relates to gram positive bacterium which accumulate intracellular trehalose. The gram positive bacterium according to the invention lack cellobiose-specific PTS system IIC component (PtcC) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further lack trehalose 6-phosphate phosphorylase (TrePP) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further overexpress trehalose transporters. The invention further relates to compositions comprising such gram positive bacterium as well as methods and uses thereof.
US09982227B2
System and method for production of on-demand proteins in a portable unit for point of care delivery
A portable and mobile bioprocessing system and method for protein manufacturing that is compact, integrated and suited for on-demand production of any type of proteins and for delivery of the produced proteins to patients or for assay purposes. The portable system and method can also be used for efficient on-demand production of any type of protein with point-of-care delivery.
US09982224B2
A composition for treating a hard surface. The composition has: (a) at least one adhesion promoter; (b) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionic, and combinations thereof; (c) mineral oil; (d) water; (e) optionally, at least one solvent; and wherein the composition is self-adhering upon application to a surface to be treated, and wherein the composition provides a wet film to said surface when water passes over said composition and surface.
US09982218B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) in the form of any one of its stereoisomers or a mixture thereof and wherein one R represents a methyl group and the other R is a hydrogen atom; which are useful as perfuming ingredients.
US09982214B2
Lubricating oil compositions comprising neutral or low overbased alkaryl sulfonate calcium salts, hydrocarbyl polyalcohol, and zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate for use as tractor hydraulic fluids.
US09982213B2
A drive device includes a plurality of gears; and a grease composition that is held on a tooth flank of at least one gear of the gears. The at least one gear is made of a resin. The grease composition contains a hydrocarbon base oil, lithium soap serving as a thickener, and olefin resin powder. A weight ratio between the hydrocarbon base oil and the lithium soap in the grease composition is in a range of 94.5:5.5 to 96.0:4.0. A consistency of the grease composition is in a range of 360 to 400.
US09982210B2
The present invention relates to a lubricating composition containing (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) a compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) an ester-containing heterocycle; (ii) an amide-containing heterocycle; and (iii) a pyrimidine, wherein the ester-containing heterocycle and the amide-containing heterocycle have a hydrocarbyl group containing 6 to 40 carbon atoms. The invention further provides for a method of supplying an internal combustion engine with the lubricating composition.
US09982206B2
This invention is about a coal feeding system (1) which feeds pulverized coal and oxygen separately and vertically through concentric pipes directly to the upper level of the reactor (R) at entrained flow gasification systems. The system (1) consists a top intake (2), a side intake (3), an air supply chamber (4), an oxygen port (5), an ultrasonic sensor port (6), an inner concentric pipe (7), and an outer concentric pipe (8). The system (1) also operates with a coal bunker (K), a screw feeder (B) for adjusting the coal mass flow rate from the coal bunker (K) through the coal feeding system (1) to the reactor (R), and a reactor (R) where the coal are sprayed from the coal feeding system (1) and gasified at high temperatures.
US09982197B2
A dry distillation reactor for a raw material of hydrocarbon with a solid heat carrier is provided. An inner component with a pore path or a pore space is arranged inside the reactor to form a flow channel for the gas-phase product of the dry distillation. Also a dry distillation method using the dry distillation reactor is provided. The dry distillation method includes moving the reacting materials from top to bottom; moving a gas-phase product of the dry distillation along a designed path in the reactor; and finally leading same out through an outlet arranged in a central collecting channel for the gas-phase product of the dry distillation.
US09982196B2
Provided is a device for the destructive distillation of coal, said device suppressing increases in the concentration of mercury within destructively distilled coal generated by the device. The device for the destructive distillation of coal is a rotary kiln in which an inner cylinder is rotatably supported inside an outer cylinder, thermal gas is supplied to interior of the outer cylinder and dried coal is supplied to the interior of the inner cylinder from one end side thereof, the dried coal is subjected to thermal destructive distillation while being moved and agitated from the one end side of the inner cylinder to the other end side thereof due to the inner cylinder being rotated, and destructively distilled coal and destructively distilled gas are delivered from the other end side of the inner cylinder.
US09982194B2
The invention relates to liquid-crystalline media which can be used, in particular, for electro-optical displays having active-matrix addressing based on the ECB effect and for IPS (in-plane switching) displays or FFS (fringe field switching) displays.
US09982187B2
Methods and systems of delivering a treatment chemical are disclosed, including providing a plurality of porous particles each having an outer surface, wherein each of the plurality of porous particles comprises a plurality of pores; infusing the plurality of porous particles with the treatment chemical; coating the plurality of porous particles with a degradable film; adding the plurality of porous particles to a carrier fluid, wherein the degradable film substantially separates the treatment chemical from the carrier fluid; introducing the carrier fluid into a formation; and allowing the degradable film to degrade within the formation.
US09982167B2
A precursor composite material (60) is provided, having a layer sequence (50) comprising an adhesive layer (20), a carrier layer (10) on the adhesive layer (20), a release layer (40) on the carrier layer (10) and a parting layer (30) on the release layer (40), wherein the layer sequence (50) is arranged in such a way that the side of the adhesive layer (20) facing away from the layer sequence (50) is arranged at least in sub-regions on the side of the parting layer (30) facing away from the layer sequence (50). Further provided are a composite material, a method for producing the precursor composite material, a method for producing the composite material and a use of the precursor composite material and of the composite material.
US09982160B2
Urea (multi)-(meth)acrylate (multi)-silane precursor compounds, synthesized by reaction of (meth)acrylated materials having isocyanate functionality with aminosilane compounds, either neat or in a solvent, and optionally with a catalyst, such as a tin compound, to accelerate the reaction. Also described are articles including a substrate, a base (co)polymer layer on a major surface of the substrate, an oxide layer on the base (co)polymer layer; and a protective (co)polymer layer on the oxide layer, the protective (co)polymer layer including the reaction product of at least one urea (multi) (meth)acrylate (multi)-silane precursor compound synthesized by reaction of (meth)acrylated materials having isocyanate functionality with aminosilane compounds. The substrate may be a (co)polymer film or an electronic device such as an organic light emitting device, electrophoretic light emitting device, liquid crystal display, thin film transistor, or combination thereof. Methods of making the urea (multi)-(meth)acrylate (multi)-silanes and their use in composite films and electronic devices are described.
US09982159B2
This invention relates to a coating composition comprising a carboxy-containing compound (A), a polyepoxide (B), and a specific polyol (C) having a number average molecular weight of 300 to 1,500, and a method for forming a multilayer coating film using the coating composition as a clear coating composition, the method comprising sequentially applying an aqueous first colored coating composition, an aqueous second colored coating composition, and the clear coating composition to a substrate, and heat-curing the resulting coating films all at once to form the multilayer coating film.
US09982158B2
UV curable coatings containing dual phase filler-polymer compositions with high resistivity, low dielectric constant, good optical density, and controlled electrical resistivity are described, and cured coatings or films formed thereof, along with their use in black matrix, black column spacers, and other light shielding coating elements in LCD. Devices having these black matrices, black column spacers, and/or other light shielding coating elements, and methods of preparing and making these various materials and products are also described.
US09982154B2
The present invention provides an ink composition. The composition comprises a metal ion and a ligand. The ink composition is in a form of solid at a temperature of less than about 30° C. and in a form of liquid at temperature of above about 40 to about 80° C.
US09982153B2
An ink set includes a reaction liquid containing coagulant; a first ink containing a color material; and a second ink containing a color material. The ink set is used for recording on a non-absorptive recording medium or a low-absorptive recording medium and for imparting the reaction liquid, the first ink, and the second ink to the recording medium in a superimposed manner in this order.
US09982146B2
A film-forming composition capable of undergoing dual cure, comprising: (1) a resin component comprising at least one polyepoxide; and (2) a radiation-curable diluent comprising a reaction product of a composition comprising: (a) a partially capped polyisocyanate; and (b) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having active hydrogen functional groups capable of reacting with isocyanate groups. Also provided are processes for improving corrosion resistance of a metal substrate using the above composition.
US09982141B2
A corrosion resistant coating composition for a metal substrate is disclosed. The metal substrate, such as carbon steel, is coated with a first layer comprising a phosphate corrosion inhibitor, such as sodium phosphate monobasic (NaH2PO4) and a second layer comprising nickel nanoparticles. In addition, an electrodeposition method for the production of the coating composition is disclosed that uses either pulse or direct current electrodeposition to form the coating composition of desired anticorrosive properties. In addition, a coated metal substrate and method for inhibiting corrosion of a metal substrate that apply the corrosion resistant coating composition in any of its embodiments are disclosed.
US09982137B2
An alkali-resistant pigment composition is provided comprising (a) a C.I. Pigment Yellow 139 and (b) an adduct containing a compound of formula (II) or a tautomeric form thereof, wherein X is O, S or NR1; Y is O, S or NR1; the group -A-B— is selected from the group consisting of —CR2═CR3−, —CR4R5—CR6R7−, —CY—CR8R9−, —CX—NR10−, —CR11═N—, —CR12R13−NR14−and R1 is hydrogen, C1-C8alkyl, C3-C7cycloalkyl, C6-C10aryl or C7-C10aralkyl; R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently of each other hydrogen, halogen, C1-C8alkyl, C2-C8alkenyl, or C6-C10aryl, or R2 and R3 form a benzoannellated ring; and/or a melamine- or pyrimidine-based compound, which is optionally substituted. The pigment composition may be used as colorant in various applications, especially in coloring high molecular weight organic material, for example, coating compositions, paints, printing inks, liquid inks, plastics, films or fibers.
US09982132B2
This invention relates to an alloy comprising polyurethane and polyolefin. It has now surprisingly been found that a specific composition of polyolefin and polyurethane has surprising mechanical properties and at the same time has transparent characteristics and/or appearance. The present invention provides an alloy with remarkable mechanical properties. The phases do not macro-phase separate. Thus, this stable and potentially broad interface is very effective in stress transfer when the alloy is strained. As one might expect, the hardness values for the alloys are in between the hardness values of each component but the other physical properties are no adjusted. In this way, when considering the hardness and mechanical values, these alloys behave like two compatible polymers.
US09982128B2
Fibers, which can be used for making wipes (e.g., antimicrobial wipes), wherein the include: an aliphatic polyester; an unreacted epoxidized fatty ester having greater than 4.7 wt-% oxirane oxygen, based on the total weight of the epoxidized fatty ester; wherein the aliphatic polyester and unreacted epoxidized fatty ester form a mixture.
US09982127B2
The composition comprises a mixture of: i) poly(L-, D-lactide) homopolymer and, optionally, poly(ε-caprolactone) homopolymer, and ii) poly(L-lactide) and poly(ε-caprolactone) diblock copolymer, where said copolymer has a molar mass of the L-lactide block of 20,000 g/mol to 200,000 g/mol and a molar mass of the ε-caprolactone block of 10,000 g/mol to 100,000 g/mol, with the molar ratio between the L-lactide block and the ε-caprolactone block of 2:1. The invention also refers to the nanostructured material obtained from this composition that is characterized by a nanostructure of two mutually self-assembled phases, one phase being formed by a polymeric matrix of poly(L-, D-lactide) units and the other phase by poly(ε-caprolactone) units self-assembled with the matrix and also its use for the manufacture of a plastic article in the form of a transparent film or thin sheet.
US09982124B2
Disclosed is a photocurable elastomer composition that exhibits, when cured, excellent flexibility and barrier properties and has low compression set. The photocurable elastomer composition may comprise components (A) to (D) such that the mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (B) ((A):(B)) is from 25:75 to 75:25, and that the content of the component (C) is 50 mass % or less based on the total content of the components (A), (B), and (C).
US09982112B2
A copolymeric polyphosphite is described: wherein each R1 through R5 can be the same or different and independently selected from the group consisting of C12-20 alkyl, C12-22 alkenyl, C12-40 cycloalkyl, C12-40-cycloalkenyl, C12-20 alkyl glycol ethers and A-OH and B—OH are different end-capping groups and independently selected from the group consisting of C2-40 alkylene, C7-40 cycloalkylene, C3-20 alkyl glycol ethers, C3-40 alkyl lactone, and —R7—N(R8)—R9—; wherein R7 and through R9 are independently selected from the group C1-20 alkyl, C2-22 alkenyl, C6-40 cycloalkyl, C7-40 cycloalkylene and H; m and n are integers from 1 to 100 inclusive, with various provisos.
US09982111B2
A one-part moisture-curable polyurethane composition according to the present technology comprises: a urethane prepolymer (A), a crosslinking agent (B), carbon black (C) and a catalyst (D). The crosslinking agent (B) is at least one type selected from the group consisting of isocyanurate of hexamethylene diisocyanate (b1), allophanate of hexamethylene diisocyanate (b2), a reaction product of hexamethylene diisocyanate with trimethylolpropane (b3), and a reaction product of hexamethylene diisocyanate with glycerin (b4). The content of the crosslinking agent (B) is from 8 to 20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the urethane prepolymer (A).
US09982104B2
A reverse electrodialysis device, including an anode, a cathode, one or more single cells spaced apart from each other between the anode and the cathode, each single cell including a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane, and a shielding membrane disposed to define spaces between the anode and the single cell and/or between the cathode and the single cell. The cation exchange membrane and the shielding membrane include a porous polymer substrate and a polymer electrolyte incorporated into pores in the substrate.
US09982101B2
This invention discloses a method to fuse silicone and thermoplastic resin, comprising the following steps: Step A: conducting treatment twice on thermoplastic resin lid upon molding in plasma equipment under normal temperature, and opening the inert molecular chain of thermoplastic resin; wherein the power for treating the thermoplastic resin lid ranges 500 to 800 W, the time of treatment ranges from 5 s to 60 s; Step B: applying glue on the place for laying silicone gasket on thermoplastic resin lid, baking in the oven for 15-20 min; Step C: putting the treated thermoplastic resin lid and silicone gasket in step B into the over mold for encapsulation, the time of which is 2-3 min; conducting post vulcanization for 2 h after completing the encapsulation.
US09982100B2
The invention relates to an acoustic product composed of composite material, such as a musical musical instrument, a part thereof, an acoustic equipment or like, which is manufactured from raw material comprising at least cellulose based substance and plastic based substance by means of a thermoplastic process, such as by pressing, compression molding, injection molding, extrusion, blow molding by heat, rotational molding and/or the like. The acoustic product has a material composition consisting of fiber substance (1) based on surface modified cellulose and plastic based substance (2), wherein the product has an essentially wood-like, but isotropic sound.
US09982097B2
A high-chi diblock copolymer (BCP) for self-assembly comprises a first block comprising repeat units of trimethylsilyl styrene (TMSS) and styrene, and a second block comprising an aliphatic carbonate repeat unit. The blocks are linked together by a fluorinated junction group L′ in which none of the fluorines of L′ are covalently bound to an atomic center of the polymer backbone. A top-coat free film layer comprising the BCP, which is disposed on an underlayer and in contact with an atmosphere, is capable of forming a perpendicularly oriented lamellar domain pattern on an underlayer that is preferential or non-preferential to the domains of the block copolymer. The domain pattern can be selectively etched to provide a relief pattern comprising a remaining domain. The relief pattern having good critical dimensional uniformity compared to an otherwise identical polymer lacking the silicon.
US09982094B2
Methods and compounds for producing nylon 6 are disclosed. Di-substituted furanic compounds may be used as the raw material for producing precursor compounds for nylon 6, and the precursor compounds are convertible to nylon 6.
US09982093B2
Nylon 7 may be produced from biomass derived 6-carbon hydroxymethyl furan compounds as the raw material. The hydroxymethyl furan compounds may be homologated to form an aldehyde that may be aminated to produce an amino carbonyl compound. Hydrogenation/hydro-deoxygenation of the amino-carbonyl compound provides nylon 7.
US09982089B2
The subject of the invention is a method to manufacture polyester resins using a by-product formed during a process of oxidizing cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, which contains a mixture of carboxyl acids; the method comprises a heating process with the removal of water and low-boiling residues as well as a polycondensation process with di- and polyhydroxy alcohols under a reduced pressure; the method described is characterized by that a water layer is applied as a baseline material in the synthesis; the said water layer is separated from the residues left over after the hydrolysis of cyclohexyl esters contained in the cyclohexane oxidation product, and after the main components, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanon, have been first separated from the said product: thereafter, the water layer is condensed.
US09982082B2
Embodiments of the present technology include a formaldehyde-free binder composition. The composition may include melamine. The composition may also include a reducing sugar. In addition, the binder composition may include a non-carbohydrate aldehyde or ketone. Embodiments may also include a method of making a formaldehyde-free binder composition. The method may include dissolving melamine in an aqueous solution of a reducing sugar. The concentration of the reducing sugar may be 30 wt. % to 70 wt. % of the aqueous solution, which may be at a temperature of 50° C. to 100° C. The method may also include adding a non-carbohydrate aldehyde or ketone to the dissolved melamine in the aqueous solution to form a binder solution. The temperature of the aqueous solution of the dissolved melamine may be 50° C. to 100° C. during the addition of the non-carbohydrate aldehyde or ketone. The method may further include reducing the temperature of the binder solution.
US09982079B2
Described herein is polymer melt additive composition for use as a processing aid in the extrusion of a non-fluorinated polymer, the polymer melt additive composition comprising a fluorine-containing polymer derived from the polymerization of a monomer and a sulfinate-containing molecule, wherein the sulfinate-containing molecule is selected from the group consisting of: (a) CX1X3═CX2—(R)p—CZ1Z2—SO2M Formula (I) (b) and (c) combinations thereof, wherein X1, X2, and X3 are each independently selected from H, F, Cl, a C1 to C4 alkyl group, and a C1 to C4 fluorinated alkyl group; R is a linking group; Z1 and Z2 are independently selected from F, CF3, and a perfluoroalkyl group; R1 and R2 are end-groups; p is 0 or 1; m is at least 2; and M is a cation.
US09982078B2
A copolymer, a method for producing the copolymer, a porous structure formed by the copolymer, a method for producing the porous structure, and a porous carbon sphere formed by carbonizing the porous structure are shown. The copolymer has a chemical structure of formula (1) or (2): wherein the molecular weight of the copolymer structure is 120,000 or less g/mole, m and t are both greater than 0, 8%≤p≤80%, y≥0, z≥0, and X is selected from —Cl, —Br and —I.
US09982072B2
A process for the preparation of optionally asymmetric acetal compounds includes reacting a compound containing a hydroxyl group with a vinylether compound in the presence of a zwitterionic catalyst including at least one basic nitrogen containing structural fragment and at least one sulfonic acid group in its structure, with the proviso that a molar ratio of the basic nitrogen to sulfonic acid is 1:1.
US09982047B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active agent that causes reduction of the level of systemic immunosuppression in an individual for use in treating a disease, disorder, condition or injury of the CNS that does not include the autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), is provided. The pharmaceutical composition is for administration by a dosage regimen comprising at least two courses of therapy, each course of therapy comprising in sequence a treatment session followed by an interval session.
US09982045B2
The present invention relates to anti-CDH6 antibodies, antibody fragments, antibody drug conjugates, and their uses for the treatment of cancer.
US09982044B2
The invention provides humanized mouse anti-human IL-31 antibodies and antibody fragments that are capable of binding IL-31 and thereby neutralizing, inhibiting, limiting, or reducing the proinflammatory or pro-pruritic effects of IL-31.
US09982041B2
Pharmaceutical composition comprising antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to SSEA-4 are disclosed herein, as well as methods of use thereof. Methods of use include, without limitation, cancer therapies and diagnostics. The antibodies of the disclosure can bind to certain cancer cell surfaces. Exemplary targets of the antibodies disclosed herein can include carcinomas, such as those in brain, lung, breast, mouse, esophagus, stomach, liver, bile duct, pancreas, colon, kidney, cervix, ovary, and/or prostate cancer.
US09982040B2
The present invention relates to anti-ricin antibodies and uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to anti-ricin antibodies and fragments thereof as well as their use in therapy or prophylaxis.
US09982038B2
The present invention relates to antibodies or antibody fragments that bind, neutralize, and/or inhibit Hendra or Nipah virus. The invention provides antibodies or antibody fragments that selectively bind to the F glycoprotein of Hendra or Nipah virus, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies and/or fragments. The invention further provides polynucleotides encoding the antibodies and fragments of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention discloses prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies, fragments, polynucleotides, and/or compositions of the invention.
US09982037B2
The present invention provides antibodies (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, human antibodies, humanized antibodies, etc.), which bind to multiple influenza strains. Such antibodies are useful, for example, in the prophylaxis, treatment, diagnosis, and/or study of influenza.
US09982029B2
The present invention relates to dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonists and their medical use, for example in the treatment of disorders of the metabolic syndrome, including diabetes and obesity, as well as for reduction of excess food intake.
US09982027B2
Disclosed are mixed solutions of PRG4 and hyaluronic acids having controlled, enhanced rheological properties adapted for various particular medical and cosmetic uses. Such solutions combine the solution-based lubrication ability of HA and the boundary-based lubricating effects of lubricin. Being more viscous, the solutions when used for joint viscosupplementation enhance both the duration of the HA within the joint capsule (in vivo half-life) and enhance the cushioning effects of the HA, as well as improve both solution and boundary mode lubrication mechanisms.
US09982025B2
The invention provides a construct containing two or more monomeric griffithsin molecules, optionally joined by a linker, as well as conjugate comprising the construct, a nucleic acid encoding the construct or conjugate, vectors, and cells. A nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide or fusion protein, as well as compositions or cells comprising the polypeptide, fusion protein, or nucleic acid also are provided.
US09982020B2
The present invention relates to polyamide compounds and their use in pharmaceutical compositions and in medical applications for the treatment of human papillomavirus infections and/or polyomavirus infections.
US09982016B2
Disclosed are novel compounds having NPR-B agonistic activity. Preferred compounds are linear peptides containing 8-13 conventional or non-conventional L- or D-amino acid residues connected to one another via peptide bonds.
US09982011B2
The present invention discloses doxorubicin derivatives for targeted activation by Legumain, its preparation method and use. The doxorubicin derivatives are obtained by condensation between the amino group of compound A and the carboxyl group of compound B and have the following structure: compounds A and B have the following structures, respectively: wherein R3 in compound B is Len or absent; R4 is any one amino acid selected from the group consisting of Ala and Thr; R5 is any one amino acid selected from the group consisting of Ala, Thr and Asn; R6 is wherein n=1-20; or wherein R7 is substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C20 fatty hydrocarbon, or substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon. The doxorubicin derivatives of the present invention are specifically tumor-targeted and have a long in vivo metabolic half-life, as compared with doxorubicin. They exhibit an efficient and safe anti-tumor effect and could be used to prepare an anti-tumor drug.
US09982006B2
Provided herein are formulations, methods and substituted 2′-chloro aminopyrimidinone and pyrimidine dione compounds of Formula (I) for treating Pneumovirinae virus infections, including respiratory syncytial virus infections, as well as methods and intermediates for synthesis of substituted 2′-chloro aminopyrimidinone and pyrimidine dione compounds.
US09982003B2
This invention relates to a process to using dimers of a group 3 metal (typically scandium) catalyst compound to produce ethylene polymers, such as ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers and ethylene-conjugated diene copolymers.
US09981999B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula X: where Ra, Rb, R2, R7, and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds described herein are prodrugs of compounds having neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds; methods of using these compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds.
US09981993B2
Disclosed herein are a manufacturing method of a carbon-silicon composite, including: (a) preparing a slurry solution including silicon (Si)-block copolymer core-shell particles; (b) mixing the slurry solution with a carbon raw material to manufacture a mixed solution; (c) performing a primary carbonization process on the mixed solution, followed by pulverization, to manufacture a primary carbon-silicon composite; and (d) performing a secondary carbonization process on the primary carbon-silicon composite, followed by pulverization, to manufacture a secondary carbon-silicon composite, the carbon-silicon composite, an anode for a secondary battery manufactured by applying the carbon-silicon composite, and a secondary battery including the anode for a secondary battery.
US09981990B2
The present disclosure provides dimers of melampomagnolide B (MMB), including carbamate, carbonate, succinic amide, ester and carboxamide dimers of MMB. These derivatives are useful for treating cancer in humans, in particular in treating leukemia, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). A compound comprising Formula (1) wherein: Z is independently selected from the group consisting of CH2, O, C(O), and CH, wherein when Z is CH, Z is connected to Y via a double bond and Y is N.
US09981986B2
The present invention relates to certain tetramic acid derivatives and, in particular, bicyclic tetramic acid derivatives that are suitable for use in the preparation and development of antimicrobial (e.g. antibacterial or antifungal) compositions. The present invention also relates to the use of such compounds as antimicrobial (e.g. antibacterial or antifungal agents) and, in particular, as topical antibacterial or antifungal agents.
US09981977B2
The discovery of distinct modes of asymmetric catalysis has the potential to rapidly advance chemists' ability to build enantioenriched molecules. As an example, the use of chiral cation salts as phase-transfer catalysts for anionic reagents has enabled a vast set of enantioselective transformations. A largely overlooked analogous mechanism wherein a chiral anionic catalyst brings a cationic species into solution is itself a powerful method. The concept is broadly applicable to a number of different reaction pathways, including to the enantioselective fluorocyclization of olefins, and dearomatization of aromatic systems with a cationic electrophile-transferring (e.g., fluorinating) agent and a chiral phosphate catalyst. The reactions proceed in high yield and stereoselectivity. The compounds and methods of the invention are of particular value, especially considering the scarcity of alternative approaches.
US09981974B2
A method for treating prostate cancer in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent to the subject, wherein the agent is selected from: (a) a phenyl-substituted imidazole, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; or (b) a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, having a formula I of: wherein R20 is an aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, a silyl-containing group, a boryl-containing group, a phosphine-containing group, amino, a thio-containing group, a seleno-containing group, halide, or a nitro-containing group; R21 is an alkanediyl or a substituted alkanediyl; a is 0 or 1; c is 0 or 1; X is C or S; R22 is a moiety that includes at least one divalent amino radical; and R23 is an aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, a silyl-containing group, a boryl-containing group, a phosphine-containing group, amino, a thio-containing group, a seleno-containing group, halide, or a nitro-containing group.
US09981966B2
The purinone derivative 6-amino-9-[(3R)-1-(2-butynoyl)-3-pyrrolidinyl]-7-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-7,9-dihydro-8H-purin-8-one hydrochloride has Btk-selective inhibitory activity and, in addition to having excellent metabolic stability, it is a compound that exhibits a high level of solubility and absorption with respect to the free base and can be crystallized, hence it can serve as a therapeutic agent for diseases involving B cells and mast cells.
US09981965B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing Idelalisib (1). In this process, acid addition salts of idelalisamine (2) are useful intermediates for purification purposes.
US09981962B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical agents useful for therapy and/or prophylaxis in a mammal, and in particular to inhibitors of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK—also known as MAP3K14) useful for treating diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders and autoimmune disorders. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes to prepare such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention or treatment of diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
US09981954B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) or the tautomers or pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, characterized by a topological polar surface area value (TPSA) of at least 145, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X, and Z− have one of the meanings as defined in the specification, to the use of compounds of formula (I) as medicaments, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound of formula (I), as well as to medicament combinations containing one or more compounds of formula (I). The compounds are ENaC inhibitors useful for the treatment of respiratory diseases and allergic diseases of the airways.
US09981952B2
Compounds that are agonists of the MCIR receptor and that exhibit reduced toxicity relative to other compounds of the same class are described. These compounds can have the general formula (I) wherein: R1 represents a cyclopropylmethyl or a 4-hydroxybutyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and also the salts and enantiomers of the corresponding compounds of general formula (I). Also described, are methods for treating hypopigmentary pathologies and photosensitive dermatoses.
US09981932B2
A bioderived based plasticizer is produced by reacting a bioderived diol (and/or a bioderived alcohol) and a bioderived carboxylic acid in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), wherein the bioderived carboxylic acid includes a hydrolyzed oil. The bioderived carboxylic acid (e.g., linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, oleic acid, and mixtures thereof) may be produced by hydrolyzing a triglyceride, such as canola oil, linseed oil, soybean oil, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bioderived based plasticizer is produced by reacting 2,5-bis-(hydroxymethyl)furan and α-linolenic acid in the presence of DCC. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bioderived based plasticizer is blended into one or more polymers.
US09981930B1
Provided herein are piperazine carbamates and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful as modulators of MAGL. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of pain.
US09981929B2
The present invention relates to a method for prevention of premature polymerization during the preparation, purification, transportation and storage of a polymerizable compound with at least one conjugated unsaturated group in the presence of an azine dye-based compound as inhibitor. Further the present invention relates to methods of preparing such inhibitors as well as to the inhibitors itself, as well as to methods of improving solubility and stability of dissolved inhibitors.
US09981928B2
The present invention relates to aryl sulfoxide derivatives, to the use thereof as acaricides and insecticides for controlling animal pests and to processes and intermediates for preparation thereof. The aryl sulfide and aryl sulfoxide derivatives have the general structure (I) in which the respective radicals are as defined in the description.
US09981924B2
Disclosed is a process for the integrated production of urea and melamine. A urea production zone produces a urea synthesis stream comprising urea, water and ammonium carbamate. This stream is subjected to processing, preferably involving stripping, so as to separate an aqueous urea stream from residual dissociated carbamate vapor comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water. The urea is fed to a melamine synthesis zone and subjected to melamine forming conditions so as to form melamine and off-gas comprising carbon dioxide and ammonia. The dissociated carbamate vapor and the melamine off-gas are subjected to combined condensation so as to form a dilute melamine off-gas condensate.
US09981897B2
The present invention relates to ethers of 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanes, to the preparation of such ethers and also to the use of such ethers as fragrances and as formulation auxiliaries in fragrance-comprising preparations.
US09981895B1
Composition, methods of synthesizing trans-arachidin-3; and, methods of use as a dietary supplement, food additive, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, and antioxidant. The methods of production entail organic syntheses using primary alkylamines or primary hydroxyalkyl amines, or carboxy amines (amino acids) with natural carboxylic acids (acetic acid) as catalysts to react isovaleraldehye with trans-resveratrol. The synthesis is carried out in organic solvent, which is composed of an azeotropic mixture comprising toluene with pyridine, n-butanol, n-propanol, 2-propanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, or other alcohols that form an azeotrope with toluene. The final product is purified and analyzed for the amount of trans-arachidin-3, such as via HPLC, IR, column chromatography, and high-performance counter-current chromatography. All solvent and catalysts used in the reaction are approved by the FDA as either food additives, secondary direct food additives, and/or indirect food additives, and thus this synthetic trans-arachidin-3 may be used in the food and cosmetic industry.
US09981886B2
The present invention is directed to a fertilizer composition comprising a cannabidiol (CBD Oil), and/or a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC Oil) and/or hemp oil derivatives in combination with a superabsorbent polymer(s) (SAP's). The present invention also relates to methods of using and manufacturing said fertilizers.
US09981885B2
A device is described for producing humus, in particular a composter, having a compost container (1) forming a jacket, which is closed on top using a cover (2), wherein the cover (2) forms a rainwater collecting basin (3), with which at least one drain (5) opening into the composter interior (4) is associated. To achieve advantageous climate conditions in the composter container, it is proposed that the drain (5) open into a collection container (6) associated with the jacket.
US09981882B2
The present invention relates to a porous aggregate, comprising Al2O3, SiO2 and optionally Fe2O3, having a d50 of equivalent pore diameter between 1 μm or more and 50 μm or below and a total porosity between 20% and 60%, for use in the formation of monolithic refractories. Also part of the invention is a method of formation for said aggregates, their use in the formation of monolithic refractories and monolithic refractories comprising such aggregates.
US09981872B2
A single layered smart window may include a substrate; and a single layered coating formed on the substrate, wherein the coating includes a composite of a vanadium oxide and a low reflective material. The single layered smart window has high visible light transmittance and is capable of blocking infrared ray as a temperature is increased.
US09981862B2
The invention relates to a method for the decontamination of contaminated liquid, as well as a reactor for implementing a decontamination method. The method comprises a step of mixing the contaminated liquid under stirring with at least one persulphate ion with the exception of ammonium persulphate, and at least iron, an iron atom or an iron ion in its ferrous or ferric form at a concentration between 50 μM and 600 μM, preferably between 100 μM and 400 μM, a second step in which the mixture obtained is subjected for a sufficient time to at least one UV/visible irradiation having a narrow wavelength spectrum comprised between 153 nm and 560 nm.
US09981859B2
The present invention provides a positive electrode composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, wherein the composition includes a lithium-transition metal composite oxide represented by the following compositional formula: LiaNi1-x-yCoxM1yM2zMoαNbβO2 wherein 1.00≤a≤1.50, 0.00≤x≤0.50, 0.00≤y≤0.50, 0.000≤z≤0.020, 0.002≤α≤0.020, 0.002≤β≤0.020, and 0.00≤x+y≤0.70, M1 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn and Al, and M2 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Ti, Mg, Ta, and V, and a boron compound including at least boron and oxygen.
US09981852B2
Provided is a selective sonication-assisted deposition method of inorganic particles and CHA zeolite membranes grown from seeded uniform layers on substrates using the method and plate-like Si-CHA zeolite particles used for seed layer formation and manufacturing method of the same, in which thin inorganic particles may be selectively deposited on a substrate or on a support, and even a physical interaction between the deposited particles and supports (or substrates) alone allows for obtaining high surface coverage to form a uniform layer, which is critical in reproducible production of membranes of inorganic materials, such as zeolite, by secondary growth.
US09981850B2
An electrically conductive film including a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and having a layered crystal structure: MeCh2 Chemical Formula 1 wherein, Me is Ru, Os, Re, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, or Au, and Ch is sulfur, selenium, tellurium, or a combination thereof.
US09981847B2
Provided is a facilitated CO2 transport membrane having an improved CO2 permeance and an improved CO2/H2 selectivity. The facilitated CO2 transport membrane includes a separation-functional membrane that includes a hydrophilic polymer gel membrane containing a CO2 carrier and a CO2 hydration catalyst. Further preferably, the CO2 hydration catalyst at least has catalytic activity at a temperature of 100° C. or higher, has a melting point of 200° C. or higher, or is soluble in water.
US09981837B2
In some embodiments, a lift actuator is added to a pallet truck to effect initially lifting a load and a traction command effects fully raising the load while a pallet truck moves. In other embodiments, an electronic controller is programmed to effect initially lifting a load when a lift actuator is engaged and to effect fully lifting the load while a pallet truck moves when a traction actuator is engaged.
US09981830B2
A method of providing a support for an elevator car in an elevator installation, wherein the support includes a plurality of tensile carriers arranged parallel to one another and substantially enclosed by a casing, includes pre-preparation of a first support end wherein the tensile carriers are directly electrically contactable at a pre-prepared location by a contacting device, and wherein the pre-preparation is carried out before transport of the support to the elevator installation.
US09981818B2
An image forming apparatus including: a sheet container; a sheet conveyer; a sheet detector; and a controller, wherein, in a case where a leading edge of a first sheet is positioned downstream of a first position in a conveyance direction and a trailing edge of a second sheet preceding the first sheet is positioned downstream of a second position located downstream of the first position when the first and second sheets are stopped based on a result of the sheet detector, the controller causes the sheet conveyer to convey the first sheet in the conveyance direction, and in a case where the leading edge of the first sheet is positioned upstream of the first position when the first and second sheets are stopped, the controller causes the sheet conveyer to convey the first sheet in an opposite direction to return the first sheet to the sheet container.
US09981816B2
The present sheet conveying apparatus includes: a resist roller pair that corrects skew of a sheet conveyed from a sheet supplying unit; and a guide portion disposed at an upstream side relative to the resist roller pair in a sheet conveying direction, the guide portion including a first guide and a second guide disposed opposite to the first guide with a sheet conveying path therebetween, the second guide being located at a projection side of a curved portion formed in the sheet when a tip of the sheet is conveyed to a nip portion of the resist roller pair that is stopped, the second guide being divided into a plurality of divided guides in an axial direction of the resist roller pair, a flexible film being disposed to cover at least a portion of a space between the plurality of divided guides.
US09981803B2
A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body, a primary ejector, and an auxiliary ejector. The chassis includes a frame and a cab disposed at one end of the frame. The body includes a hopper portion and a storage portion. The width of the storage portion is greater than the width of the hopper portion. The auxiliary ejector has a width equal to the difference between the width of the storage portion and the width of the hopper portion. The primary ejector is selectively repositionable within the hopper portion and the storage portion of the body to at least one of compact refuse therein or eject refuse therefrom. The auxiliary ejector is selectively repositionable within the storage portion of the body to at least one of compact refuse therein and eject refuse therefrom in tandem with the primary ejector.
US09981794B2
A container includes an external package and a sealed flexible bag, adapted to hold liquid contents, retained within the external package. The bag is made from a polymer film, which prior to being formed into a bag, was a two dimensional film to which was applied a PECVD SiOx coating.
US09981792B2
Disclosed is a consumer package that has a fin seal for reclosing the contents of the package when a remainder of the contents is present inside of the closed container.
US09981783B2
A metal container having a metal and a metal bottom that slide relative to one another along a sliding axis is provided. The metal container includes a plastic lid insert attached to the metal lid and a plastic bottom insert attached to the metal bottom that operably couple the metal lid to the metal bottom and provide the structures allowing for a relative sliding motion between the metal lid and the metal bottom.
US09981779B2
A rope fixture 11 fixes a closing rope 12 for binding a bag opening of a flexible container bag 20A as a bag body, and includes a plate-shaped body in which a through-hole and a slit are formed, wherein a through-hole 13 allows the closing rope 12 to pass therethrough and a slit 14 nips and locks the closing rope 12 and has an insertion opening 17 provided at one end located at a lateral side of the plate-shaped body 15 and has a rope locking portion 18 allowing the closing rope 12 to pass therethrough and locks the closing rope 12 provided at the other end.
US09981763B2
A food packaging system including a film dispensing device and a perforation device configured to create perforations in a film dispensed by the film dispensing device. The system also includes a wrapping device configured to wrap a food product in the film, and a controller configured to control the perforation device to produce a predetermined perforation pattern in the film. The film extends continuously while moving from the dispensing device to the wrapping device. The perforation device is positioned so that the film is perforated after leaving the dispenser and prior to the food product being wrapped in film.
US09981761B2
A machine and a method for forming a two-compartment pouch having a lower compartment and an upper compartment The method includes the steps of drawing a film over a pair of fill tubes; sealing side edges of the film to form a sleeve; forming a bottom seal on the sleeve; pulling the sleeve downwardly; filling a bottom portion of the pouch using one of the fill tubes; forming a second seal over the filled bottom portion; filling an upper portion of the pouch using the other fill tube; and sealing the upper portion.
US09981757B2
The invention relates to a propulsion unit for a reusable launch vehicle including a rocket engine supported by a cradle. According to the invention, the cradle includes at least three attachment elements for assembling the unit on the structure of the vehicle to which the unit is to be connected, the at least three attachment elements defining a plane for removing the unit, and in which the unit includes one or more fluid and/or electric links of the engine, each one of the links including a free end to be assembled with a corresponding circuit for supplying the vehicle, to which the unit is to be connected, the tip of at least some of the free ends being contained in the removal plane.
US09981756B2
A total air temperature sensor includes a probe head, a strut, and a turbulence inducing surface. The probe head has an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The strut defines a leading edge and an opposed trailing edge extending along a longitudinal axis, and connects between the probe head and an opposed probe mount. The turbulence inducing surface is defined in the strut aft the leading edge. The turbulence inducing surface is configured to trip a fluid boundary layer passing over the strut to transition from laminar to turbulent for moving flow separation toward the trailing edge to reduce acoustic noise emission from the total air temperature sensor.
US09981754B2
Systems and methods for detecting runway conditions are disclosed. A weight on wheel system may determine that an aircraft is on the ground. Wheel speed sensors may measure the speed of the aircraft wheels. Axle reference speeds may be calculated for each landing gear based on the speed of the aircraft wheels. A weight on wheel time limit may be reached prior to the axle reference speeds reaching an on ground threshold. A brake control unit may determine that the runway is contaminated if the on ground threshold was not reached.
US09981752B2
A liquid tank system comprises a main liquid tank, an outlet communicating between a fluid circuit and the main liquid tank, an inlet communicating between the fluid circuit and the main liquid tank, and an auxiliary cavity. First vent passage and second vent passage(s) communicate between the main liquid tank and the auxiliary cavity and allows liquid and gas to flow from the main liquid tank to the auxiliary cavity. The second vent passage has a flow control device regulating flow through the second vent passage and having a set point at which it allows liquid and gas to flow from the main liquid tank to the auxiliary cavity only when a pressure in the main liquid tank is beyond a threshold. The liquid tank system has an attitude envelope in which the liquid tank system is configured such that, in use, the flow control device blocks flow through the second vent passage when an end of the first vent passage in the main liquid tank is above a liquid level, and the flow control device allows gas and/or fluid flow through the second vent passage when main fluid tank pressure is above the threshold and the end of the first vent passage in the main liquid tank is below the liquid level.
US09981750B2
A propulsion system for a tiltrotor aircraft includes an engine supported by the airframe and a fixed gearbox operably coupled to the engine. Inboard and outboard pedestals are supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. A pylon assembly is rotatably coupled between the inboard and outboard pedestals. The pylon assembly includes a spindle gearbox having an input gear, a mast operably coupled to the input gear and a proprotor assembly operable to rotate with the mast. The spindle gearbox is rotatable about a conversion axis to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between helicopter and airplane modes. A common shaft, rotatable about the conversion axis, is configured to transfer torque from an output gear of the fixed gearbox to an input gear of the spindle gearbox. Each of the inboard and outboard pedestals includes a spherical bearing providing a self-aligning coupling with the pylon assembly.
US09981746B2
Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide systems and methods for providing fountain beverage consumables in an easily accessible and removable and replaceable form. In one example, the fountain beverage consumables are provided on a cart that has interface connections with a dispensing unit. The dispensing unit may be mounted in a galley. When the cart is in its docking station with respect to the dispensing unit, fluid communication between the fountain beverage consumables and the dispensing unit is provided.
US09981741B2
Systems and methods are described herein related to an unmanned aerial vehicle, the unmanned aerial vehicle includes: a frame portion, two rear arms extending away from the frame portion, and at least one rear air propulsion device arranged on each of the rear arms at an orthogonal angle relative to a vertical axis. The at least one rear air propulsion device has an axis of rotation for both lift and rotation based on the angle. The unmanned aerial vehicle has two front arms arranged along a horizontal axis. The vertical axis is perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The unmanned aerial vehicle also includes at least one camera arranged on at least one of the front arms. The at least one camera faces a front direction.
US09981735B2
The present disclosure is generally directed to a composite trailing edge control surface including a contiguous one-piece composite control surface skin wrapped around a plurality of stiffening cores, a plurality of hinge fittings, and a plurality of substantially parallel ribs. The contiguous one-piece composite control surface skin provides a control surface on opposing sides of the trailing edge control surface and substantially distributes bending, shear and torsion loads of the trailing edge control surface to the plurality of hinge fittings and the plurality of substantially parallel ribs. A method of manufacturing the trailing edge control surface includes positioning a contiguous one-piece composite control surface skin on a substantially flat tool. A plurality of stiffener cores having a plurality of thin covering skins are positioned on the contiguous one-piece composite control surface skin and are cured to create a laminate sandwich composite structure skin that is trimmed and has fastener apertures and hinge fitting access apertures provided there-through.
US09981733B2
Systems and methods for securing an emergency exit door on an armrest of a seat are provided. A system includes a latch connected to an armrest of a seat of a vehicle. The latch is moveable relative to the armrest between a stowed position and a deployed position. The latch is structured and arranged to engage an edge of a door that is associated with an exit of the vehicle to hold the door on the armrest.
US09981726B2
A human propelled watercraft having a pair of flexible fins extending into the water each adapted to oscillate through an arcuate path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of said watercraft. Pedals are provided for applying input force whereby as input force is applied, the flexible fins can twist to form an angle of attack for providing forward thrust with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the watercraft while moving in both directions along the arcuate path. The user can pull a lever and cause the fins to rotate 180° and produce thrust in the reverse direction. The fins are able to pivot and swing aft to avoid damage if there is a collision with a submerged object. The fins are more efficient, durable, and adjustable. Simple plastic roller bearings have been adapted to reduce mechanical friction without the need for oil seals.
US09981725B1
A vest has a back and a front with a vertical opening, laterally spaced sides with arm holes, a neck hole, a waist hole, an interior surface and an exterior surface. A plurality of front light emitting diodes are on the front of the vest and a plurality of back light emitting diodes are on the back of the vest. A battery and a plurality of solar panels on the vest power the light emitting diodes.
US09981722B2
Inflatable tubes forming elongated top and bottom sections hingedly connected together along one side and open on the opposite side but closeable about a surfboard for protection thereof.
US09981721B2
The instant disclosure pertains to a pontoon boat having various embodiments of an enclosure. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the enclosure are configured for habitation.
US09981720B2
The invention relates to a device for transferring personnel, equipment and/or structural elements from a surface vessel to an offshore structure, such as a wind turbine, or to another vessel comprising a foundation mounted or to be mounted on a surface vessel, an arm pivotally connected to the foundation and at least one gripper connected to the free end of the arm for coupling the arm to an offshore structure. A second arm is pivotally connected to the first arm.
US09981716B2
In an electric-motor-assisted bicycle, a motor includes a motor output shaft including a helical gear provided thereon. A reduction gear includes a rotatable shaft and a cylindrical portion. The rotatable shaft extends through the cylindrical portion. A helical gear provided on the cylindrical portion engages the helical gear on the motor output shaft. The rotatable shaft includes a first large-diameter portion, a small-diameter portion and a second large-diameter portion. The reduction gear further includes a bush bearing between an end surface of the first large-diameter portion and an end surface of the second large-diameter portion in the axial direction of the rotatable shaft. The outer periphery of the bush bearing is fixed to the cylindrical portion. The inner periphery of the bush bearing slides in a circumferential direction relative to the small-diameter portion. The bush bearing moves in the axial direction.
US09981714B2
A frame assembly is provided for a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular for a bicycle, including: a main frame, which has a head tube for connecting to a front wheel mount and a saddle connection for connecting to a saddle; and a drive-train swing arm pivotably connected to the main frame. The drive-train swing arm includes a wheel suspension for a rear wheel to be driven and a pedal-crank drive having a pedal crank for driving the rear wheel by muscle force of a rider. The pedal-crank drive is associated with the drive-train swing arm. The drive-train swing arm is pivotably connected to the main frame by a multijoint assembly.
US09981709B1
An aerodynamic front fork assembly for a bicycle may include an elongated crown portion extending from a steerer tube to a distal end behind a front wheel, with one or more fork blades projecting in a generally forward direction from the distal end of the crown portion to engage the front wheel. The crown portion may substantially fill the gap between the front wheel and the down tube of the bicycle, thereby collectively forming an airfoil with the front wheel and the down tube.
US09981706B2
A bicycle stand which includes a frame with a first channel support and a transversely extending second channel support which are configured to engage with parts of a rim of a bicycle wheel.
US09981703B2
A track system for use as a wheel replacement on a vehicle comprises a first drive wheel configured to be mounted to the vehicle, a first frame pivotally yet non-drivingly mounted to the first drive wheel, a second frame mounted to the first frame, at least a second drive wheel pivotally mounted to the second frame, at least an idler wheel pivotally mounted to the second frame at a second extremity, and at least an endless traction band disposed about the second drive wheel and the idler wheel. The second drive wheel is configured to drivingly engage the traction band. The first drive wheel is operatively coupled to the second drive wheel via a transmission mechanism (e.g. a loop) such that rotation of the first drive wheel causes the rotation of the second drive wheel.
US09981699B2
In a body structure of an automobile, a floor panel having a sandwich structure in which a core is sandwiched between and joined to an outer skin and an inner skin, which are made of a CFRP, and a first load-dispersing frame extending in the fore-and-aft direction along a side sill is disposed between an energy-absorbing member and the core. A locally concentrated load inputted into the side sill is absorbed by crumpling of the energy-absorbing member of the interior of the floor panel beneath the side sill and then widely dispersed through the floor panel further inside in the vehicle width direction than the side sill by the first load-dispersing frame, and local destruction of the floor panel further inside in the vehicle width direction than the side sill is inhibited. Furthermore, by increasing bending stiffness of the first load-dispersing frame, to reduce the sheet thickness of the CFRP outer and the inner skins, a light weight is achieved.
US09981696B2
A pillar for a motor vehicle bodywork is disclosed having a main element with an upper coupling section for attaching to a roof frame, and a secondary element composed of metallic alloy. The secondary element is connected in a planar fashion at least over certain sections of the main element, and the main element has a middle layer composed of a hardened steel alloy, and at least one outer layer which bounds the middle layer toward the outside.
US09981695B2
A vehicle lower-body structure includes a front pillar, including a front-pillar outer panel and a front-pillar inner panel, and a side sill, including a side-sill outer panel and a side-sill inner panel and joined to a lower portion of the front pillar. The front-pillar outer panel is joined to an outer surface of the side-sill outer panel. The front-pillar inner panel is held between the side-sill outer panel and the side-sill inner panel. The side-sill outer panel and the side-sill inner panel respectively include vertical beads in front of a reinforcement member disposed at a front portion of the side sill and below the front pillar, the vertical beads extending vertically.
US09981685B2
A steering control device can restrain a steering from being operated to cause a steered angle and a steering angle to exceed their upper limit values. A first limiting reaction force setting circuit increases a first reaction force rapidly if the steering angle becomes no smaller than a steering angle threshold. A second limiting reaction force setting circuit increases a second reaction force rapidly if the steered angle becomes no smaller than a steered angle threshold. A target steering angle setting circuit sets a target steering angle based on steering torque applied to the steering minus the first reaction force, the second reaction force, etc. A steering angle control circuit sets reaction torque as a manipulated variable for feedback controlling the steering angle to the target steering angle. An operation signal generation circuit outputs an operation signal to a reaction force motor so as to achieve reaction torque.
US09981680B2
A vehicle includes a vehicle support structure and a steering linkage. The vehicle support structure includes a dash wall. The dash wall separates an engine compartment and a passenger compartment. The dash wall has an energy absorption member supported by the support structure on an engine compartment side of the dash wall. The steering linkage extends through an opening of the dash wall between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment. The steering linkage includes a steering column in the passenger compartment. The steering linkage further includes an abutment. The abutment is positioned and configured to contact the energy absorption member upon a frontal impact of the vehicle to transfer energy from the steering linkage to the energy absorption member and to limit a rearward displacement of the steering linkage.
US09981678B1
A foldable stroller includes a main frame, a support unit, two fixed side units, two movable side units, and a guardrail. The main frame includes two joints, two upper connectors, a handlebar, two lower connectors, a lower bar and two front wheels. Each of the two fixed side units includes a leg, a first locking member, a first spring, a fixed block, a release member, a ramp, a pull handle, a second spring, a wheel support and a rear wheel. Each of the two movable side units includes a movable block, a press knob, an extension, a second locking member, a third spring and two braces. Thus, the first locking member and the second locking member construct a two-stage locking mechanism, to lock the stroller steadily, thereby preventing the stroller from being folded accidentally.
US09981677B1
The present invention provides disposable mobile storage units and supply carts, their methods of assembly and use. More particularly, the invention relates to carts that are lightweight, reusable, collapsible, recyclable, and suitable for use in a wide variety of industries.
US09981670B2
A gangway arrangement can be laid out between two bodies of a public transport jointed vehicle, such as a railway vehicle. The gangway arrangement includes at least one seat for at least one passenger. The gangway arrangement can be connected through a pivot connection to the end portion of one of the bodies. The end portion includes an access corridor delimited by two opposite edges. The seat has an end extending to one of the edges when the gangway arrangement is connected to the body. An angular spacing is provided between the end of the seat and the edge, when the longitudinal direction is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding body. This angular spacing is relative to the pivot connection, and corresponds to the angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the body and the longitudinal direction when the tilt between both bodies is maximum.
US09981664B2
A control device includes a controller configured to perform control to increase a rotational speed of a power source when a brake is stepped on and accelerator opening becomes a predetermined value or larger while a vehicle stops, and thereafter, when the brake is stepped off, engage a plurality of engaging units to transmit a power, and start the vehicle. The controller includes: a parameter obtaining unit configured to obtain a parameter indicating requested acceleration when the vehicle starts; and a slip control unit configured to perform slip control on at least one of the plurality of engaging units such that difference in rotational speed occurs between frictionally engaging elements and set number of engaging units on which the slip control is performed according to a value of the obtained parameter when the vehicle starts.
US09981651B2
A control system is provided to account for differences in engine response times and motor response times during an upshift in a transmission. A vehicle includes a driveline that has an engine, a traction motor, and a transmission selectively connected in series. A control area network (CAN) connects a plurality of controllers. At least one of the controllers is programmed to, during an upshift in the transmission, output signals over the CAN to reduce torque of the traction motor. The controller also reduces the engine torque based on signal delays in the CAN.
US09981650B2
In a method for controlling a vehicle with a drive system comprising an output shaft in a combustion engine, a planetary gear and a first and second electrical machine connected to the planetary gear, the turning off of the combustion engine is achieved when the vehicle is driven with the combustion engine running, and a transition to operation of the vehicle with the electrical machines is achieved by ensuring that the second electrical machine's rotor is connected with the combustion engine's output shaft, that injection of fuel into the combustion engine is interrupted and that the second electrical machines rotational speed is controlled towards and until a standstill, whereupon the combustion engine's output shaft is disconnected from the second electrical machine and the planetary gear.
US09981646B2
A spring-type brake cylinder that includes a compression spring, a pressure chamber, a dividing wall disposed between the compression spring and the pressure chamber, a piston having an inner wall and a bottom, and a nut disposed inside the piston and configured to be held on a release bolt. A support structure is disposed inside the piston and configured to abut against the nut while the release bolt is screwed into the nut. The piston comprises a first retaining structure and a second retaining structure, the first retaining structure configured to hold the support structure in an assembly position and the second retaining structure configured to hold the support structure in a drive position. The support structure is moveable from the assembly position to the drive position by a movement of the nut relative to the piston.
US09981645B2
An electric brake system is disclosed. The electric brake system comprises a hydraulic pressure supply device configured to generate hydraulic pressure using a hydraulic piston which is activated by means of an electrical signal that is output corresponding to a displacement of a brake pedal, and including a cylinder block, first and second hydraulic pistons movably accommodated inside the cylinder block, and first and second pressure chambers comparted by the first and second hydraulic pistons, a first hydraulic circuit configured to connect a first hydraulic flow path communicating with the first pressure chamber to one or more wheel cylinders, a second hydraulic circuit configured to connect a second hydraulic flow path communicating with the second pressure chamber to one or more wheel cylinders, and a balance valve configured to open and close a balance flow path connecting the first hydraulic flow path to the second hydraulic flow path.
US09981642B2
Electronic brake system is disclosed. An electronic brake system includes, a pressure sensor including a first pressure sensor configured to measure a hydraulic pressure of the accumulator, a second pressure sensor configured to measure a hydraulic pressure of the first hydraulic circuit, and a third pressure sensor configured to measure a hydraulic pressure of the second hydraulic circuit, a driver including one or more apply valves and release valves configured to control the hydraulic pressures of the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit, a determiner configured to determine that at least one of the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit has failed when an absolute value of a slope of the pressure measured by the first pressure sensor is greater than a preset first threshold value and the pressure measured by the first pressure sensor is less than a preset second threshold value and a controller configured to close apply valves of the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit when the failure has been determined, determine that a leak has occurred in one of the first and second hydraulic circuits having an amount of pressure change greater than that of the other hydraulic circuit measured on the basis of the second pressure sensor and the third pressure sensor, and control braking using only the hydraulic circuit operating normally.
US09981637B2
An apparatus and method for measuring coolant temperature to ensure the proper amount of coolant for refilling or servicing a coolant system, such as an automobile coolant system, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a measurement display for viewing the temperature of air conditioning output inside a vehicle while the user is outside the vehicle refilling or servicing a coolant system. The measurement display is in communications with a temperature sensor measuring the air temperature at a vent inside the vehicle to allow a user to ensure the proper amount of coolant is refilled.
US09981634B2
A support panel adjacent to the windshield opening has an upper surface and a lower surface with a first shaft opening. A wiper drive mechanism is supported to the vehicle body structure and extends along the lower surface of the support panel. The wiper drive mechanism includes a shaft housing and a wiper shaft pivotally supported within the shaft housing. A water diverting panel at least partially covers the wiper drive mechanism and is attached thereto and has a cylindrically shaped portion extending upward therefrom. The cylindrically shaped portion defines a second shaft opening with the shaft housing and wiper shaft extending upward through the second shaft opening and further extending upward through the first shaft opening. A filter member is mounted to the cylindrically shaped portion above the water diverting panel and below the support panel encircling the shaft housing.
US09981630B2
A webbing take-up device includes a spool capable of taking-up webbing worn by an occupant, a V-gear capable of rotating accompanying rotation of the spool, a lock pawl that is operated to restrict rotation of the spool in a pull-out direction, and a W-pawl provided at the V-gear, that is displaced and causes the lock pawl to operate when the V-gear is rotated in the pull-out direction at a specific speed or greater. The webbing take-up device also includes a restricting body that is moved to a permitting position permitting displacement of the W-pawl when the V-gear is rotated in the pull-out direction, and that is moved to a restricting position enabling the W-pawl to abut when the V-gear is rotated in a take-up direction, restricting displacement of the W-pawl due to the W-pawl abutting, a contact angle with the W-pawl being set with 90 degrees or greater.
US09981626B2
A vehicle body 10 equipped with an airbag system has a side curtain airbag 20 provided on a roof side rail 12. The side curtain airbag 20 includes: a bag body 51 that is disposed along the roof side rail 12; a central protector 59 that holds the bag body 51; and an inflator 52 that is configured to feed gas to the bag body 51. The central protector 59 has a contact end part 65 that is opposed to a reinforcement member 48 with a gap L2 left therebetween. The contact end part 65 is moved toward the reinforcement member 48 by a deployment force of the bag body 51, and the contact end part 65 is thus supported by the reinforcement member 48.
US09981616B2
A remote function control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and coupled to a plurality of vehicle devices, and a wired vehicle electrical power system. A wireless data bus device may be coupled to the power system including a wired interface coupled to the data bus in the vehicle, and a first wireless device coupled to the wired interface. A remote function device may include a housing removably coupled to the power system, a vehicle position determining device, a second wireless device to wirelessly communicate within the vehicle with the first wireless device, and a third wireless device to wirelessly communicate with a remote control device away from the vehicle. The remote function device may permit communication between the remote control device and a vehicle device(s) coupled to the data bus, and perform a tracking function(s) based upon vehicle position.
US09981605B2
A system and method for correcting the calibration of a plurality of cameras on a mobile platform such as in a surround-view camera system on a vehicle based on changes in vehicle dynamics. The method includes reading measurement values from one or more sensors on the vehicle that identify a change in vehicle dynamics and defining the plurality of cameras and a vehicle body as a single reference coordinate system. The method also includes identifying the measured values as a rotation matrix and a translation vector in the coordinate system, and integrating the rotation matrix and the translation vector into a relationship between a vehicle coordinate system and a camera coordinate system to provide the calibration correction of the cameras.
US09981604B2
An object detector is provided including a light emitter including at least a light source having a plurality of light emitting areas disposed along a first direction to emit light, an optical scanner configured to scan the light emitted from the light emitter along a second direction that is different from the first direction, a light receiver configured to receive the light that is scanned by the optical scanner and then is reflected at an object, and a controller configured to divide a detection field into a plurality of subareas in a third direction that is orthogonal to the second direction, where a number of partitions of the detection field is variable.
US09981597B2
An auxiliary apparatus may be used with a vehicle. The auxiliary apparatus may include an auxiliary implement, an auxiliary lighting system and auxiliary wiring. When the auxiliary wiring is properly connected: (1) an operator adjustable auxiliary implement control is operable to operate the auxiliary implement; (2) an operator adjustable auxiliary light control is operable to operate an auxiliary headlight; and, (3) an operator adjustable vehicle light control is operable to operate an auxiliary supplemental light.
US09981592B2
A lighting structure includes a light source; a first lens; and a second lens. The second lens is located between the light source and the first lens. An angle between an optical axis of the first lens and an optical axis of the second lens is not more than 90 degrees. The light emitted from the light source which is not taken and refracted by the first lens is taken and refracted by the second lens.
US09981581B2
A vehicle seat includes: a cover member that covers an ISOFIX anchor for fixing a child seat; an intermediate portion that is exposed at a position between the cover member and the ISOFIX anchor in a state where the cover member is opened; and a stopper that retains the cover member in a state where the cover member is opened, wherein the stopper has an engagement part and an abutting part, wherein the engagement part of the stopper is detachably engaged with at least one of the rear surface and the intermediate portion in a state where the cover member is opened, and wherein the abutting part of the stopper abuts on the other of the rear surface and the intermediate portion so as to prevent the cover member from being moved in a closing direction.
US09981580B2
A seat for vehicle includes a skin, a substrate to which the skin is applied, and a connection structure for connecting the substrate and the skin. The skin includes a first skin part, and a second skin part made of a soft material for connecting the first skin part and the connection structure. The connection structure includes a first fold-back portion integrally formed with the second skin part, and a second fold-back portion disposed on the substrate. The first fold-back portion is fitted with the second fold-back portion.
US09981574B2
A system includes a shear member and an energy absorber. The shear member is configured to couple a seat portion to a base structure of a vehicle. The shear member is configured to sustain a first load without fracture and configured to inelastically deform under a second load. The second load is greater than the first load. The energy absorber is coupled to the seat portion and coupled to the base structure. The energy absorber is configured to absorb the energy following deformation of the shear member.
US09981573B2
An auxiliary tractor seat for providing additional seating in a tractor cabin is provided herein. The auxiliary tractor seat includes a mounting plate defining one or more mounting holes, configured to receive an auxiliary tractor seat bolt, so as to couple the auxiliary tractor seat to tractor seat. A base plate is coupled to the mounting plate so as to provide a substantially flat seating surface. A lower seat back coupled to at least one of the mounting plate and the base plate, an upper seat back at least partially disposed above the lower seat back, and a hinge coupled to the lower seat back and the upper seat back so as to permit the upper seat back to transition from an upright position to a horizontal position. The auxiliary tractor seat is coupled to the tractor seat such that suspension supports the auxiliary seat and provides shock absorption.
US09981571B2
A cable release mechanism for a seat of the type having a seat bottom and a seat back adapted to be moved by a lockable gas spring between upright and reclined positions relative to the seat bottom. An electric motor is operatively attached to the gas spring by a cable movable by the motor to move the seat back between the upright and reclined positions, and a switch is electrically connected to the motor for initiating operation of the motor to move the cable. A related method is also disclosed.
US09981570B2
A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back rotationally connected at a pivot. The seat base is rotatable about the pivot between a plurality of rotational positions relative to the seat base. A recliner disk is positioned at the pivot. The recliner disk includes a guide plate coupled to the seat base and a tooth plate coupled to the seat back. A plurality of bearings is positioned between the guide and tooth plates. The plurality of bearings and the guide and tooth plates are free of an internal braking mechanism. The engagement of the guide and tooth plates with the bearings provide for substantially free rotational movement between the plurality of rotational positions. The bearings also fix the relative axial position of the guide plate relative to the tooth plate.
US09981569B2
Example embodiments presented herein concern a reclinable seat comprising a base, a seat back and a seat pan. The seat pan comprises a seat bottom and a seat front, wherein the seat bottom is pivotably connected to the seat back by a first hinge member, and the seat bottom is further pivotably connected to the seat front by a second hinge member. The seat further comprises a seat bottom link arm attachable between the seat bottom and the base, and a seat front link arm attachable between the seat front and the base. The seat bottom link arm and the seat front link arm individually control a pivoting of the seat bottom and seat front, respectively, in response to a pivot of the seat back. Example embodiments presented herein further relate to a vehicle provided with a reclinable seat.
US09981567B2
A battery controller that controls a battery for supplying power to a load apparatus, includes a current detection unit that detects a discharge current and a charge current of the battery, a malfunction detection unit that detects malfunction of a voltage detector for detecting a voltage of the battery, and a contactor control unit that is provided on a power supply line through which the discharge current and the charge current flow to open/close a contactor. The contactor control unit integrates the charge and discharge current when the malfunction of the voltage detector is detected, calculates an actual charge current amount obtained by subtracting an integrated value of the discharge current from an integrated value of the charge current, and prohibits charging/discharging of the battery by controlling the contactor when the actual charge current amount is equal to or more than a predetermined value.
US09981561B2
A motor vehicle electrical system which includes an electric machine, an active bridge rectifier, and at least one control device, the at least one control device being configured for converting an alternating voltage which is output by the electric machine at a number of phase connections into a direct voltage by controlling active switching elements of the bridge rectifier. An arrangement is provided configured for initiating a short circuit of at least two of the phase connections as soon as a signal characterizing the direct voltage exceeds an upper threshold value, and for deactivating the short circuit as soon as the signal characterizing the direct voltage subsequently falls below a lower threshold value. An evaluation device is provided configured for detecting a value of the direct voltage, for filtering the detected value, and for providing the filtered value as the signal characterizing the direct voltage.
US09981551B2
A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.
US09981548B2
A filler neck housing or charging housing for insertion into a body opening in a motor vehicle, comprising a housing section with a first sealing section and a second sealing section, the first sealing section being provided on an outer edge, which can be inserted into the body opening, of the housing section and being designed to bear in a sealing manner on the body opening, and the second sealing section being provided on a passage opening in the housing section, into which a tank filler pipe or a plug-in charging connector can be inserted, the second sealing section being designed to bear in a sealing manner against the tank filler pipe or the plug-in charging connector.
US09981545B1
A zero turning radius mower radiator mounting structure having inclined deflectors extending upwardly from the radiator. The inclined deflectors slide on a cross member extending horizontally across the roll over protection system if the mower is in a rollover position. The inclined deflectors push the radiator rearwardly from the roll over protection system and disengage the radiator from first and second pairs of isolators.
US09981539B1
An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a fixed roof having a roof edge, defining the roof opening and protruding in a downward direction and further comprising a stationary part, at least one panel to open and close the roof opening. The panel is movably supported by an operating mechanism, guided in a guide rail of the stationary part, extending along at least a longitudinal side of the roof opening. The panel is movable in vertical and longitudinal directions with respect to the roof opening. The stationary part is provided with a sealing assembly comprising a first seal part capable of sealing the panel towards the fixed roof, and a second seal part capable of sealing the stationary part against an inner part of the fixed roof. The first seal part is slidably adjustable with respect to the second seal part in vertical direction.
US09981535B2
Upright bead sections extending in a door vertical direction and having recessed shapes indented toward a vehicle cabin inside are formed at the two vehicle width direction end portions of a resin door inner panel. Side reinforcement portions of metal hinge reinforcements are disposed inside the recessed shapes of the upright bead sections, and extend in the door vertical direction. The side reinforcement portions include bent plate portions having bent plate shapes running along locations of the upright bead sections from the outside sidewall portions to recessed bottom wall portions. The side reinforcement portions are each joined to the respective outside sidewall portion through an adhesive layer, and are each joined to the respective recessed bottom wall portion through an adhesive layer.
US09981525B2
A heater core is disposed to be inclined with respect to an airflow direction so that a first header tank unit is displaced downstream of a second header tank unit in the airflow direction. Therefore, when a first air mixing door blocks a first heating portion, an air stagnates between a downstream lateral portion of the first heating portion and a second partition wall downstream of the first heating portion, and the air is unlikely to be heated downstream of the first heating portion. Likewise, the air is unlikely to be heated upstream of a second heating portion in a second airflow passage. Therefore, a maximum cooling performance of a vehicle air conditioning unit can be restrained from being deteriorated due to a heat from a heater core.
US09981524B2
A stabilizer bushing including: a tubular main rubber elastic body configured to be disposed about and attachable to a stabilizer bar; an inside protrusion protruding in an axial direction from an inner peripheral part of the main rubber elastic body; and a bonding surface constituted by including an inner peripheral surface of the main rubber elastic body and an inner peripheral surface of the inside protrusion, the bonding surface being configured to be bonded to an outer peripheral surface of the stabilizer bar.
US09981521B2
An axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes a first axle operably coupled to an axle mount of the load bearing frame by a first articulation structure, and a second axle spaced a distance from the first axle and operably coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation structure. The first articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a first articulation connection, and the second articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation connection. A suspension system is operably coupled to both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In a first mode of operation, the suspension system forms a substantially rigid connection between the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In response to an upward articulation of the first articulation structure towards the load bearing frame, the substantially rigid connection causes the second articulation structure to articulate down and away from the load bearing frame. In a second mode of operation, the suspension system articulates both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure towards the load bearing frame.
US09981512B2
In order to provide a coupling unit for a trailer coupling of a motor vehicle comprising a coupling ball and a coupling ball carrier carrying the coupling ball with the aid of which the loads effective thereon when in use can be detected in a reliable and simple manner, it is proposed that the coupling unit comprise a load-bearing structure which engages around a channel extending parallel to an axis, and that a reference finger extending from a first end to a second end in a longitudinal direction approximately parallel to the axis be arranged in the channel, wherein said finger is fixed at the first end such as to be static relative to the load-bearing structure and extends such as to be free from deformations of the load-bearing structure up to the second end, and wherein the second end cooperates with a sensor unit which detects a relative position of the second end relative to a region of the load-bearing structure engaging around it.
US09981506B2
Tire for a heavy goods vehicle, comprising a crown reinforcement, and, radially outside this crown reinforcement, a tread having a total thickness PMU of material intended to become worn during running, the crown reinforcement being formed by at least two working plies and a protection ply positioned radially outside the working plies and radially inside the tread, the narrowest working ply having a width in the range from 70% to 90% of the width W of the tread, the protection ply having a width at most equal to 70% of the width of the narrowest working ply, the tread comprising grooves only in the part radially outside the protection ply, each circumferentially orientated groove having a depth at least equal to 75% of the maximum thickness intended to become worn PMU. This tread comprises, axially between an axial end of the narrowest working ply and an axial end of the protection ply located on the same side of the equatorial plane, a channel that is generally circumferentially orientated and runs all the way around the tire, this channel being formed in such a way that the minimum distances between this channel and the working plies and between this channel and the protection ply are different from zero.
US09981501B2
Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09981500B2
A impact resistant rim is configured to soften or minimize an impact, thereby reducing the risk of pinching or otherwise flattening the tire and/or damaging the rim. This impact resistant rim further reduces the effects of an impact by maintaining the integrity of the rim during and following the impact. In this rim design, a shock absorbing cord is inlaid, molded, an/or otherwise embedded inside opposing leading edges of the rim. The shock absorbing cord is designed to elastically and/or plastically deform during an impact.
US09981495B2
A printer includes a discharge unit, a first printing unit disposed along a sheet conveying path extending from the discharge unit and configured to print an image on a first sheet while the first sheet is conveyed from the discharge unit to the first printing unit and then to the discharge unit, a second printing unit disposed farther from the discharge unit than the first printing unit along the sheet conveyance path and configured to print an image on a second sheet while the second sheet is conveyed towards the discharge unit therethrough, a scanning unit disposed along the sheet conveying path between the discharge unit and the first printing unit, and configured to scan a surface of the first sheet, and a control unit configured to perform a shading correction of the scanning unit using the second sheet as a white reference.
US09981489B2
A printer includes a transport unit that transports continuous paper (P), a medium support unit (20) in which a support surface (20a) that is capable of supporting continuous paper (P) that is transported by a transport unit, and first concave sections (24A and 24B), which are indented from the support surface (20a), are formed, and an image capture unit, which is disposed on a lower side of the support surface (20a), and which captures an image of a lower surface of the continuous paper (P).
US09981484B1
A method for applying flame treatments to a print surface on an object in an inkjet printer includes activating a hydrogen torch within the inkjet printer to generate a flame through a nozzle of the hydrogen torch and operating an actuator to move at least one of the print surface or the nozzle in a predetermined direction to apply the flame from the nozzle to the print surface. The method further includes adjusting a rate of fuel flow to the nozzle of the hydrogen torch to change a thermal output level of the flame with reference to a change in distance between the nozzle of the hydrogen torch and the print surface during the operating of the actuator.
US09981476B2
A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate including a recording element, an electronic substrate disposed outside the recording element substrate, an electric element mounted on the electronic substrate, a housing that supports the recording element substrate and the electronic substrate and is made of a first resin material, and a cover member that surrounds and shields the electric element and is made of a second resin material, wherein the second resin material has higher heat resistance than the first resin material.
US09981466B2
A drive circuit includes an amplification unit that amplifies a signal and outputs the amplified signal toward a node; and a voltage output unit that outputs a voltage responding to the signal toward the node during a predetermined period of a part or all of a period in which a magnitude of a voltage change of the signal is less than or equal to a threshold. The amplification unit includes a differential amplifier, a selector, and transistors, and the voltage output unit includes a linear amplifier and a switch.
US09981464B2
In a printing apparatus including a circulation system circulating a liquid, a volatile component included in the liquid evaporates from an ejection opening and thus characteristics of the liquid involving with concentration or viscosity change. The invention provides a printing apparatus that uses a liquid ejection head including an ejection opening ejecting a liquid, a print element generating energy for ejecting a liquid, and a pressure chamber having the print element provided therein, the printing apparatus including: a circulator configured to circulate the liquid so that the liquid passes through the pressure chamber; and a concentration adjustment unit configured to adjust a concentration of a liquid inside a liquid circulation system by discharging the liquid from the inside of the liquid circulation system and replenishing the liquid into the liquid circulation system from the outside of the liquid circulation system in response to the amount of the discharged liquid.
US09981454B2
The invention provides a polyolefin pre-stretched packaging film comprising perforations arranged in a series of columns along a longitudinal direction of the film, wherein each adjacent column of said perforations is separated by a column without perforations along the longitudinal direction, and the perforations are staggered in a transverse direction across the film, wherein said film comprises an inherent cling surface on at least one of its surfaces; wherein the perforations cover at least 25% of the total surface area of the film, and the film has an inside/inside cling property of 5 to 22 gr, and a weight of no more than 13 g/m2.
US09981453B2
A photochromic polyurethane laminate that is constructed to solve certain manufacturing difficulties involved in the production of plastic photochromic lenses is disclosed. The photochromic laminate includes at least two layers of a resinous material and a photochromic polyurethane layer that is interspersed between the two resinous layers and which contains photochromic compounds. The polyurethane layer is formed by curing a mixture of a solid thermoplastic polyurethane, at least one isocyanate prepolymer, at least one photochromic compound, and a stabilizing system.
US09981450B2
A copper foil composite comprising a copper foil and a resin layer laminated thereon, satisfying an equation 1: (f3×t3)/(f2×t2)=>1 wherein t2 (mm) is a thickness of the copper foil, f2 (MPa) is a stress of the copper foil under tensile strain of 4%, t3 (mm) is a thickness of the resin layer, f3 (MPa) is a stress of the resin layer under tensile strain of 4%, and an equation 2: 1<=33f1/(F×T) wherein f1 (N/mm) is 180° peeling strength between the copper foil and the resin layer, F(MPa) is strength of the copper foil composite under tensile strain of 30%, and T (mm) is a thickness of the copper foil composite, wherein a Sn layer having a thickness of 0.2 to 3.0 μm is formed on a surface of the copper foil on which the resin layer is not laminated.
US09981448B2
A waterproof invisible barrier seam is formed between two fabric laminates, an outer shell fabric laminate and an inner lining fabric laminate. The seam includes an invisible seam tape that forms a hydrostatic barrier within the seam. The design of the seam allows the formation of an effective hydrostatic barrier along the seams of a soft shell garment, while retaining flexibility, stretch, aesthetic appearance, and reversibility.
US09981447B2
There is provided a fiber-reinforced resin joined body, including: a fiber-reinforced resin shaped product A containing reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic resin, and including at least one a protrusion part with a buckling strength of 80 MPa to 450 MPa; and a member B including at least one through hole, wherein the protrusion part of the fiber-reinforced resin shaped product A is inserted into the through hole of the member B, and a caulked part is provided in a portion of the protrusion part, protruding from the through hole.
US09981444B2
A composite stiffener is fabricated using preforms of laminated, unidirectional composite tape. The stiffener includes a void that is reinforced by a filler wrapped with a structural adhesive. The surfaces of the preforms surrounding the void include a layer of composite fabric which is bonded to the filler by the adhesive, thereby increasing the toughness of stiffeners around the void and improving pull-off strength of the stiffener.
US09981443B2
A core member for a sandwich panel and a method of forming the core member for the sandwich panel which are capable of attaining a desired profile, a desired pattern on their surfaces, and a desired inner structure in accordance with an application of the sandwich panel. There is provided a thermoplastic resin core member interposed between two resin skin sheets comprising a closed hollow portion located to be inside of a desired position in accordance with an application of the sandwiched panel, and it is formed by clamping parison of a molten thermoplastic resin positioned to be between two split molds so as to exhibit a desired profile and/or a surface shape, two surfaces against each of which the molten parison is pressed to form an adhesive surface on which the corresponding resin skin sheet is formed.
US09981441B2
A forming device for gathering the width of a traveling web is disclosed. The forming device includes opposing arrays of flute-forming bars that can be interlaced to define therebetween a longitudinal flute-forming labyrinth effective to reduce the width of a web traveling therethrough by a preselected take-up ratio. The flute-forming bars are curved beginning at an entry end of the forming device such that they converge in a lateral direction as they proceed in the machine direction. In this manner, individual elements of the web traveling between the respective arrays in the machine direction follow contour lines along the curved bars or between adjacent ones of the curved bars so that no such element crosses any flute-forming bar in the cross-machine direction as the web travels and is fluted. A corrugating die for introducing a near-net shape to the intermediate-fluted web is also disclosed, as are a corrugating line incorporating these operations and methods for its operation.
US09981435B2
The present invention general related to a method and a reusable mold for making a contact lens, comprising a first mold half having a first mold surface in contact with a silicone containing lens forming composition and a second mold half having a second mold surface in contact with the lens forming composition. The first mold half and the second mold half are configured to receive each other such that a cavity is formed between the first mold surface and the second mold surface. The cavity defines the shape of a contact lens to be molded. The lens forming composition is polymerizable and/or crosslinkable by actinic radiation. The reusable mold has at least one of the mold halves is made from chalcogenide glasses, Zinc Selenide or Zinc Sulfide.
US09981434B2
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a contact lens including the steps of: (i) adding reactive components to a mold, wherein the reactive components comprise (a) at least one hydroxy-containing silicone component having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to about 15,000 g/mole and (b) at least one mono-ether terminated, mono-methacrylate terminated polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to about 10,000 g/mole; (ii) curing the reactive components within the mold to form the contact lens; and (iii) removing the contact lens from said mold.
US09981423B2
The present disclosure provides a system for printing at least a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) object. The system may comprise a source of at least one feedstock, a support for supporting at least a portion of the 3D object, a feeder for directing at least one feedstock from the source towards the support, and a power supply for supplying electrical current. The system may comprise a controller operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller may receive a computational representation of the 3D object. The controller may direct the at least one feedstock through a feeder towards the support and may direct electrical current through the at least one feedstock and into the support. The controller may subject such feedstock to Joule heating such that at least a portion of such feedstock may deposit adjacent to the support, thereby printing the 3D object in accordance with the computational representation.
US09981422B2
A three-dimensional object printer comprises a conveyor having a surface configured to convey a three-dimensional object in a first direction; a leveling assembly configured to level a surface of the three-dimensional object as the conveyer conveys the three-dimensional object in the first direction, the leveling assembly comprising (i) a member, (ii) a roller connected to the member having a cylindrical shape, the roller having an outer surface that moves upon the surface of the three-dimensional object to level a surface of the three-dimensional object, and (iii) an actuator arranged near the member, the actuator being configured to mechanically interact with the member to move the roller with respect to the planar surface of the conveyer; and a controller configured to, as the outer surface of the roller moves upon the surface of the three-dimensional object, operate the actuator to move the roller with respect the conveyer.
US09981421B2
Systems and processes that integrate thermoplastic and shape memory alloy materials to form an adaptive composite structure capable of changing its shape. For example, the adaptive composite structure may be designed to serve as a multifunctional adaptive wing flight control surface. Other applications for such adaptive composite structures include in variable area fan nozzles, winglets, fairings, elevators, rudders, or other aircraft components having an aerodynamic surface whose shape is preferably controllable. The material systems can be integrated by means of overbraiding (interwoven) with tows of both thermoplastic and shape memory alloy materials or separate layers of each material can be consolidated (e.g., using induction heating) to make a flight control surface that does not require separate actuation.
US09981416B1
Apparatus for injection of fluid into an extruder is provided, including a static mixer section with a pipe assembly coupled with the static mixer outlet and leading to the extruder barrel; the pipe assembly outlet and barrel injection opening have diameters less than the maximum internal diameter of the static mixer casing. The invention greatly simplifies the fluid injection apparatus used with extruders, while giving more efficient absorption of thermal energy with a minimum of environmental contamination, and the ability to inject multiple streams into the extruder.
US09981408B2
Polymer optical waveguides can be produced by separating the processes into a distinct embossing process and a distinct UV exposure process. Separating the processes can create a more refined product and a more efficient process, thus eliminating the need for special polymer optical waveguide fabrication machinery.
US09981406B2
A drill bit has a shank, an intermediate shaft, and a cutting head and defines a longitudinal axis. The cutting head has a body having a front end, a rear end, and a peripheral sidewall, a primary cutting insert and a pair of auxiliary cutting inserts. The primary cutting insert is cross-shaped with a central portion with a cutting tip and four cutting arms each with a cutting edge extending radially outward from the central portion past the peripheral sidewall. The auxiliary cutting inserts are spaced radially outward from the central portion and circumferentially from the radial cutting arms, and have a cutting edge extending radially outward past the peripheral sidewall. A pair of primary dust egress slots and a pair of auxiliary dust egress slots are formed in the peripheral sidewall and configured to channel debris from the front end to the rear end of the body.
US09981396B1
A single operation cutting device having a safety guard which locks after each cutting action. The single operation cutting device having a housing, cutting blade holder, safety guard, safety guard release and intermediary member. The safety guard is in movable communication with said intermediary member. The intermediary member having a body translatable along a rod such that it may move responsive to said safety guard during locking and unlocking actions.
US09981394B2
A human-robot cooperation (HRC) workstation has a programmable industrial robot (4) and a manual working area (14) for a worker (5) in a region surrounding the industrial robot (4). In the HRC workstation (1), the working areas of the industrial robot (4) and the worker (5) overlap. Contact between the worker (5) and the industrial robot (4) is possible. The workstation (1) is divided into a plurality of different zones (17, 18, 19, 20) having differently high levels of risk of hazard from the industrial robot (4) for the worker (5). The industrial robot (4) is suitable for human-robot cooperation.
US09981388B2
A gripper is described as including two lateral flanks that are directly or indirectly connected to each other at one end, generating a space between them containing an actuator whose lateral boundaries have at least one opening accessible from the outside. At least one reinforcement rib is allocated to at least one of the lateral flanks. A method for manufacturing the gripper is also described.
US09981387B2
Provided is a robot control system and a method thereof. The robot control system includes: a mobile robot comprising at least one camera; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to transmit, to the mobile robot, a signal for adjusting a resolution of a next image to be transmitted from the at least one camera to the controller, based on a data transmission rate of a current image captured by the at least one camera and output to the controller, and wherein the mobile robot is configured to adjust the resolution of the next image, based on the signal for adjusting the resolution of the next image.
US09981384B2
The present invention provides a mechanical arm and a pickup device. The mechanical arm includes a mechanical arm body and a pressure sensing system. The pressure sensing system is fixedly connected with the mechanical arm body, for sensing whether the mechanical arm body is to be collided with a picked-up object.
US09981376B2
In an aspect, a robotic system is provided and includes at least two digital servo modules, each of which includes a position-controlled motor and a position sensor for sensing a servo position, a plurality of building block elements that are connectable with the digital servo modules to create position-controlled joints of a robotic figure, at least two wheel modules enabling wheeled movement of the robotic figure and a central controller communicating with and controlling the digital servo modules and the wheel modules. The central controller operatively places a selected group of digital servo modules in a learned motion mode, wherein a corresponding group of position-controlled joints is enabled to be manually manipulated, and wherein each of the selected digital servo module periodically transmits servomotor position to the central controller. The central controller can steer the robotic figure wheel modules based on servo positions of the selected digital servo modules.
US09981375B2
Method to move an articulated arm provided with a first end associated with a support and rotatable movement tower and with a second free end and including a plurality of segments pivoted with respect to each other and actuation members configured to make at least one of the segments rotate with respect to one other of the segments or to the support and rotatable movement tower, and where the method allows to manage and control the speed of movement of the articulated arm to determine on each occasion the speed of movement of its free end so that the latter is confined inside a predefined limit value.
US09981372B2
In one embodiment, a reciprocating tool includes a first variable volume fluid chamber, a second variable volume fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first variable volume fluid chamber, a plunger configured to modify the volume of the first variable volume fluid chamber by movement generally in a first direction along a plunge axis such that a portion of a fluid moves from one of the first and second variable volume fluid chamber to the other of the first and second variable volume fluid chamber, a counterweight configured such that the movement of the portion of the fluid results in a movement of the counterweight generally in a second direction along the plunge axis, the second direction opposite to the first direction, and a chuck assembly supported by the plunger.
US09981371B2
A switching method includes starting up a percussion device in acting on a control device arranged to vary the striking stroke of the striking piston between a short striking stroke and a long striking stroke. The percussion device is forced to operate on a short striking stroke for a predetermined period of time from the starting up of the device, and in acting on the control device so as to allow the percussion device to operate on a long striking stroke, after the expiry of the predetermined period of time.
US09981369B2
A tensioning device for stretching a threaded bolt by applying tension to the threaded portion of the threaded bolt has a base and a support tube surrounding the threaded bolt and supported on the base. A cylinder housing is arranged as an axial extension on the support tube. A piston is moveably arranged in the cylinder housing and delimits together with an inner wall of the cylinder housing a hydraulic operating chamber. An interchangeable bush is rotatable relative to the piston and can be entrained axially by the piston. The interchangeable bush has an internal thread to establish a screw connection to the threaded portion. A device for path and/or position detection with first and second interacting elements is provided. The first element is fastened to the at least one piston and faces the cylinder housing. The second element is fastened to the cylinder housing and faces the piston.
US09981365B2
A quick-release device for screwdriver bit includes a shank having a polygonal hole longitudinally defined in one end thereof and adapted for partially receiving a bit. At least one slot is longitudinally defined in the shank. An annular groove is defined in an inner periphery of the polygonal hole and communicates with the at least one slot, wherein the annular groove is formed with a tapered section toward the first end of the shank. An expandable limit element is received in the annular groove. A sleeve is movably sleeved on the shank. The sleeve has at least one protrusion inwardly extending therefrom and engaged into the at least one slot and abutting against the limit element when removing the bit form the polygonal hole. A stopper is secured on one end of the shank for preventing the sleeve from removing from the shank.
US09981361B2
A dressing apparatus for dressing a urethane foam pad, for use in polishing, by bringing diamond abrasive grains into sliding contact with the urethane foam pad, includes a support for holding the grains. The grains have multiple grit sizes, and include a high-grit diamond abrasive grain with a grit size of #170 or more and a low-grit diamond abrasive grain with a grit size of #140 or less. The grains are held by the support such that height positions of dressing surfaces of the grains are on the same plane. The dressing surfaces come into contact with the urethane foam pad. As a result, a dressing apparatus is capable of sufficiently roughening the surface of the urethane foam pad by one-time dressing without closing holes of the foaming part of the urethane foam pad, enabling short dressing time, long dressing interval, and inhibition of lowering of productivity.
US09981357B2
One embodiment of the present invention can be characterized as a method for controlling a multi-axis machine tool that includes obtaining a preliminary rotary actuator command (wherein the rotary actuator command has frequency content exceeding a bandwidth of a rotary actuator), generating a processed rotary actuator command based, at least in part, on the preliminary rotary actuator command, the processed rotary actuator command having frequency content within a bandwidth of the rotary actuator and generating a first linear actuator command and a second linear actuator command based, at least in part, on the processed rotary actuator command. The processed rotary actuator command can be output to the rotary actuator, the first linear actuator command can be output to a first linear actuator and the second linear actuator command can be output to a second linear actuator.
US09981352B2
The tool is designed to carried out maintenance operations on a bearing assembly comprising a bushing split into at least two shells; the maintenance tool comprises a device arranged to act on and rotate the bushing shells. In particular, the device comprises a slide and a pin; the slide has a hole transversal to its sliding direction and the pin is slidably mounted inside the hole and protrudes from the hole; in a first operating position the pin acts on a shell and in a second operating position the pin does not act on any shell. The method provides to rotate the bushing shells without rotating the supported shaft, and to carry out maintenance operations on a shell at a time while leaving the shaft supported by the other shell.
US09981351B2
Various welding accessory apparatus are disclosed herein. A welding accessory apparatus can include a welding lens and a vacuum assembly. The welding lens can be configured to filter at least one of ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light to a shade number of at least two. The vacuum assembly can have at least one intake aperture positioned proximate to the welding lens. A welding accessory apparatus can include a welding lens and a flexible curtain. The welding lens can be configured to filter at least one of ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light to a shade number of at least two. The flexible curtain can be positioned proximate to the welding lens and can be configured to provide protection from sparks and spatter generated during welding. A welding accessory apparatus can include a shielding strip and a fastening member. The shielding strip can be one of fabric and flexible film. The shielding strip can be configured to provide protection from sparks and spatter generated during welding. The fastening member can be affixed to the shielding strip.
US09981345B2
A laser processing machine employs a step of forming a pierced hole at a sheet material portion on an inner or outer side of a closed route when a processing to form a hole in the sheet material by cutting along a closed route is carried out. Following this pierced hole a step to perform a cutting process to cut to a predetermined position with a center of the laser beam traversing the closed route and a step of returning, in a condition in which laser irradiation is interrupted, a position of the laser processing head relative to the sheet material to assume a start position lying on the route during a step of cutting to the predetermined position and on the closed route are employed. Thereafter, a step of performing the cutting process from the start position along the closed route is carried out.
US09981340B2
A method of treating a metallic surface comprising a copper alloy, such as phosphor bronze, whereby the metallic surface is ablated by directing a laser beam with a diameter of 200-400 μm produced by a CO2 laser with a pulse frequency of 1200-1800 HZ onto the metallic surface, and a N2 assist gas is concurrently applied with a pressure of 550-650 KPa co-axially with the laser beam to form an ablated metallic surface comprising microgrooves with Cu3N present on a surface of the microgrooves, wherein the ablated metallic surface has a higher surface hydrophobicity than the metallic surface prior to the ablating.
US09981337B2
A method for testing the integrity of a stack during ultrasonic welding, includes the steps of: (i) ultrasonically welding two or more work pieces with a stack, the stack including a convertor and a horn; (ii) measuring a frequency profile based on a vibration of the horn during the welding step; and (iii) comparing the measured frequency profile to a standard frequency profile to obtain an error rate, the error rate being indicative of a difference between the measured frequency profile and the standard frequency profile. A system employing the aforementioned method is also provided.
US09981335B2
A replaceable cartridge for a plasma arc torch includes a cartridge body having a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are joined at an interface to form a substantially hollow chamber. The interface provides a coupling force that secures the first and second sections together. The cartridge also includes an arc constricting member located in the second section; an electrode included within the substantially hollow chamber; and a contact start spring element affixed to the electrode. The spring element imparts a separating force that biases the electrode toward at least one of the first section or the second section of the body. The separating force has a magnitude that is less than a magnitude of the coupling force.
US09981334B2
An integrated welding system is described that includes an engine-driven power supply, control circuitry for regulating power from the power supply and for delivering power suitable for welding, and a wire feeder driven by the generated power for delivering a continuous feed of wire electrode. The system is suitable for MIG and flux core welding applications, and may further include an optional gas supply for a shielding gas. Other power is available in the system, such as for running conventional 120V and 240V power tools, lights and so forth. The unit may also be operated from an external power source, typically the power grid. The unit may be designed to permit selective operation in accordance with constant voltage and constant current regimes for MIG, TIG and stick welding.
US09981328B2
A blade holding device for securely holding a saw blade includes a holding unit, a sleeve member, a retaining unit, and a shell. The holding unit includes a clamp member and an insert. The clamp member has two half portions defining a gap for receiving the saw blade, a slot extending through one of the half portions, and an abutment surface. The insert is inserted into the slot, abuts against the abutment surface, and has a threaded hole. The sleeve member surrounds the half portions of the clamp member without blocking the threaded hole. The retaining unit includes a fastening member extending threadedly through the threaded hole for pressing against the saw blade. The shell surrounds the sleeve member and the clamp member.
US09981319B2
The invention discloses a tool clamping system comprising a tool holder for clamping a tool, said tool holder being configured for being driven rotatingly; a tool secured to the tool holder; a tool shaft carried by the tool; at least one cutting edge carried by the tool; at least one piezo element for generating a voltage from mechanical vibration energy of the rotating tool clamping system; and at least one delay element selected form the group consisting of an inductor and a capacitor being connected to the at least one piezo element so as to form an electrical oscillating circuit, wherein the oscillating circuit is configured for monitoring at least one operating parameter of the tool clamping system.
US09981317B2
A polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond work piece for use in a polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond tool, the polycrystalline CVD synthetic diamond work piece comprising: a working surface; and a rear mounting surface; wherein an average lateral grain size of the rear mounting surface is no less than 10 μm, and wherein the working surface comprises: (a) smaller diamond grains than the rear mounting surface; (b) an average lateral grain size in a range 10 nm to 15 μm; and (c) a Raman signal generated by a laser focused on the working surface which exhibits one or more of the following characteristics: (1) an sp3 carbon peak at 1332 cm−1 having a full width half-maximum of no more than 8.0 cm−1, (2) an sp2 carbon peak at 1550 cm−1 having a height which is no more than 20% of a height of an sp3 carbon peak at 1332 cm−1 after background subtraction when using a Raman excitation source at 633 nm; and (3) an sp3 carbon peak at 1332 cm−1 is no less than 10% of local background intensity in a Raman spectrum using a Raman excitation source at 785 nm.
US09981316B2
Disclosed is an alignment system for a vertical lathe, the lathe configured to perform a cutting process on a workpiece (W) mounted on a circular turn table (3) by rotating the workpiece (W), and the alignment system configured to, when the lathe performs the cutting process on an unbalanced eccentric workpiece, perform a center alignment operation for correcting imbalance. The alignment system includes an alignment mechanism which includes: multiple alignment weights (13) provided movable along an outer periphery (3a) of the circular turn table (3); and a movement mechanism (15) configured to move the alignment weights along the outer periphery (3a) of the turn table (3). The alignment system further includes a control unit (7) configured to calculate setting positions for the alignment weights (13), and to set the alignment weights (13) at the calculated setting positions using the movement mechanism (15), in order to correct the imbalance.
US09981311B2
A method for pouring a melt using a bottom-pouring-type ladle comprising a melt-pouring nozzle and a stopper rod, comprises an opening step, in which the stopper rod is separate from the nozzle; a first closing step, in which the stopper rod moves downward, such that a lower end portion of the stopper rod comes into contact with a tapered surface of the nozzle when the horizontal distance between their center axes becomes 2 mm or more; and a second closing step, in which a lower end portion of the stopper rod further moves downward along the tapered surface of the nozzle to close the nozzle.
US09981304B2
Disclosed herein is a method for assembling a module for a motor vehicle engine, which module comprises at least one supporting structure with bearing seats and at least one camshaft which is mounted rotatably in the bearing seats, the camshaft being constructed during the assembly of the module from a support shaft which is configured at least in sections as a hollow shaft and components which are to be connected to the support shaft at predefined joining positions. The method includes providing a supporting structure having bearing seats, positioning components to be affixed to a support shaft in a preliminary position with respect to the bearing seats, pushing the support shaft through the bearing seats and through-openings of the components, enlarging portions of the outer diameter of the support shaft at defined joining positions thereof, and axially moving the components on the support shaft onto the joining positions.
US09981300B2
The present invention relates to a column frame (20) for tools of stamping and forming technology, consisting of a head plate (1) and a base plate (2) between which guide columns (3) for guiding a guide plate (4) are arranged, and the guide columns (3) defining a movement direction Z for the guide plate (4), characterized in that the guide plate (4) is mounted elastically on the guide columns (3) on guide plate-side guide units (5) in such a way that the guide plate (4) can wobble about an axis parallel to the Z direction.
US09981298B2
A method of producing a polygonal closed cross-section structural component includes press-forming a metal sheet into a gutter-shaped pre-processed part with a curved form along its longitudinal direction having plural ridge lines corresponding to corner portions of the polygonal closed cross-section in a cross-sectional form developed by cutting the component at a position corresponding to the ridge line located at the innermost side in the radial direction to provide a flange portion extending along the ridge line at the resulting respective ends, and press-forming the pre-processed part to deform inwardly in the cross-sectional direction at a position of one or more of the plural ridge lines to butt the ridge lines located at the innermost side and the flange portions to each other.
US09981292B2
The present invention can provide a lead-free piezoelectric material having a high piezoelectric constant in the room temperature range. The present invention for this purpose is a piezoelectric material including a main component containing a perovskite metal oxide represented by following general formula (1), Baa(Ti1-xZrx)O3 (1) where 0.02≤x≤0.13 and 0.986≤a≤1.02, a first auxiliary component containing Mn, and a second auxiliary component containing trivalent Bi, wherein an amount of the contained Mn is 0.0020 moles or more and 0.0150 moles or less relative to 1 mole of the metal oxide, and an amount of the contained Bi is 0.00042 moles or more and 0.00850 moles or less relative to 1 mole of the metal oxide.
US09981284B2
A bearing article can include a metal substrate having a bronze layer; a PEEK layer; a PTFE composition layer overlying and penetrating the PEEK layer. A method for preparing a bearing article can include providing a metal substrate with a sintered bronze layer, electrostatic spraying a non-fluorinated polymer onto the metal substrate followed by spraying a fluorinated polymer onto the non-fluorinated polymer and heat rolling to form a laminate.
US09981277B2
A device (10) for applying a fluid to a moving substrate (36) includes a nozzle head (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) with an inlet opening (26, 26c) and an outlet opening (29a, 29b, 29c, 29d). The device further includes a supply station (11) with a fastening surface (17) with a mouth region (20a) of a fluid duct. The nozzle head is arranged so as to be pivotable relative to the fastening surface about a pivot axis (38a). The inlet opening (26, 26c) and the mouth region (20a) of the fluid duct are arranged in alignment along the pivot axis (38a).
US09981270B2
A method for grinding a grinding material in a mill including a grinding body and at least one roller which rolls on the grinding body under a grinding pressure, wherein the grinding material is fed in a stream of grinding material, forms a grinding bed between the grinding body and the roller and is crushed in the grinding bed by the roller, wherein a grinding bed height of the grinding bed between the grinding body and the roller is continuously measured, and wherein the mill is controlled based on control variables to achieve a predetermined nominal condition, wherein the control variables include at least the grinding pressure and the stream of the grinding material and the nominal condition includes at least one nominal value for the grinding bed height, wherein a mechanical condition of the roller and therefrom a stability of the grinding bed are continuously determined.
US09981267B2
The combined value of integrating optical forces and electrokinetics allows for the pooled separation vectors of each to be applied, providing for separation based on combinations of features such as size, shape, refractive index, charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. The interplay of these separation vectors allow for the selective manipulation of analytes with a finer degree of variation. Embodiments include methods of method of separating particles in a microfluidic channel using a device comprising a microfluidic channel, a source of laser light focused by an optic into the microfluidic channel, and a source of electrical field operationally connected to the microfluidic channel via electrodes so that the laser light and the electrical field to act jointly on the particles in the microfluidic channel. Other devices and methods are disclosed.
US09981259B2
The disclosure is directed at a method of producing a recyclable photocatalytic particulate. The recyclable photocatalytic particulate includes metal oxide nanoparticles and electrically insulative magnetic particles which are amine functionalized and then added to a sheet of graphene oxide, preferably in solution. This combination is then hydrothermally treated to create covalent bonds between the metal oxide nanoparticles and the graphene oxide sheet and the electrically insulative controlled aggregates with the graphene oxide sheet.
US09981254B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a zeolite catalyst useful for aromatization of a lower alkane, a zeolite catalyst useful for aromatization of a lower alkane obtainable by said method and a process for aromatization of a lower alkane using the zeolite catalyst of the present invention.
US09981248B2
The invention provides a polycondensation catalyst for producing polyester by an esterification reaction or a transesterification reaction between a dicarboxylic acid or ester-forming derivative thereof and a glycol, wherein the polycondensation catalyst comprises particles of a solid base having on their surfaces either a coat layer of titanic acid in an amount of from 0.1 to 50 parts by weight in terms of TiO2 per 100 parts by weight of the solid base, or an inner coat layer of an oxide of at least one element selected from silicon, aluminum and zirconium or a composite oxide of at least two elements selected from silicon, aluminum and zirconium in an amount of from 1 to 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the solid base and an outer coat layer of titanic acid in an amount of from 0.1 to 50 parts by weight in terms of TiO2 per 100 parts by weight of the solid base.
US09981239B2
Devices and methods for de novo synthesis of large and highly accurate libraries of oligonucleic acids are provided herein. Devices include structures having a main channel and microchannels, where the microchannels have a high surface area to volume ratio. Devices disclosed herein provide for de novo synthesis of oligonucleic acids having a low error rate.
US09981236B2
A process for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises partially oxidizing a feedgas comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of steam to form a partially oxidized hydrocarbon gas mixture at a temperature >1200° C. and passing the resultant partially oxidized hydrocarbon gas mixture through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, wherein the bed comprises a first layer and a second layer, each layer comprising a catalytically active metal on an oxidic support wherein the oxidic support for the first layer is a zirconia.
US09981229B2
There is provided a loop flow type bubble generation nozzle capable of improving the bubble generation efficiency compared to conventional nozzles without reducing the bubble generation efficiency even when liquid containing impurities is used. A loop flow type bubble generation nozzle 10 includes a tubular bottomed member 1 having a circular cross section and a tubular member 2 which is fitted into the other end side of the bottomed member 1. A substantially cylindrical space surrounded by the bottomed member 1 and the tubular member 2 serves as a loop flow type gas-liquid stirring and mixing chamber 6. The tubular member 2 has, on the center thereof, an inflow hole 7 which is capable of allowing liquid and gas to flow therein, and a first jet hole 8a and a second jet hole 8b which are capable of jetting liquid and gas. The inflow hole 7 is formed in a tapered shape whose diameter continuously expands from the first jet hole 8a toward the loop flow type gas-liquid stirring and mixing chamber 6. A plurality of cut-away parts 7a are formed on an end face of the inflow hole 7, the end face facing the loop flow type gas-liquid stirring and mixing chamber 6.
US09981226B2
The method of solvent recovery includes using a plurality of solvent recovery units to recover solvent from a dilute solution. The solvent recovery units can include a plurality of reverse osmosis or forward osmosis membrane systems arranged in series. For reverse osmosis, at least some of the concentrate in a last reverse osmosis unit of the series is recycled back to the permeate of that unit to provide a mixed permeate. The mixed permeate is then passed successively to the permeate side of each preceding reverse osmosis unit in the series. For forward osmosis, a draw solution is passed sequentially from the permeate side of each unit to the permeate side of the preceding unit. The draw solution may be prepared by concentrating part of the concentrate stream by evaporation and recycling it back as a draw solution.
US09981223B2
The exhaust gas purification apparatus is provided with: an upstream catalyst section which is disposed on the upstream side of an exhaust pipe; a downstream catalyst section which is disposed on the downstream side of the exhaust pipe with respect to the upstream catalyst section; and reducing agent solution supplier that supplies a reducing agent solution for generating ammonia from the upstream of the upstream catalyst section. The upstream catalyst section and the downstream catalyst section each include a SCR catalyst constituted by a zeolite, which adsorbs ammonia and reduces NOx in the exhaust gas. The skeleton density (A) of the SCR catalyst included in the upstream catalyst section is less than the skeleton density (B) of the SCR catalyst included in the downstream catalyst section (A
US09981219B2
A gas purification processing apparatus is described. The gas purification processing apparatus can control the generation of adsorption heat by an adsorbate substance in purification processing and thereby prevent desorption or ignition or the like of the adsorbate component by performing cooling processing on an adsorbent itself when needed. This advantageously ensures high adsorption efficiency with a simple and convenient configuration. During operation of the apparatus, gas is supplied from the source and purified by a purification part and then discharged as a purified gas. When the temperature of the purification part exceeds a predetermined temperature, a cooling medium is supplied from the cooling processing part to cool the purification part.
US09981214B2
A vacuum filter backflushing system having an air recapturing adapter coupled to a vacuum motor's air exhaust port which recaptures a portion of exhaust air and introduces the air into a recaptured air passage. The recaptured air passage is coupled to an air flow director which is configured to direct air to an air filter. The air flow director is configured to selectively prevent air from flowing through the filters in a normal air flow direction and allow the air in the recaptured air passage to backflush the filter by dislodging particles from air filter media. The recaptured air passage can terminate after a last air filter, such that the recaptured air passage is pressurized, or the recaptured air passage can recouple back into the air exhaust port or the air recapturing adapter, such that the air is in constant motion in the recaptured air passage.
US09981194B1
In a theater or ride attraction, a motion base articulates a load-bearing seating platform by independently revolving two intermediate wedge-like rings to provide pitch, roll and yaw movements. Unlike flight simulator types of motion bases, these movements do not rely on substantially horizontally pivoting axes, and the resultant loads imparted to motive components. Rather the movements are provided by a circumferentially wedging action between the rings. The motion base has high load carrying capacity and reduced space requirements.
US09981192B2
Tools, strategies, and techniques are provided for connecting an audience comprising artists of many different kinds with a wider audience of other users to engage in competitions, provide commentary, review communications, and perform other activities around works of art.
US09981186B1
The present invention provides method for starting and determining the winner of a staggered race between two racers. The method includes the use of a display having two columns of lights, each column having three countdown lights, a start light and a foul light. A race is started by illuminating the countdown lights on both columns and, upon illumination of the last countdown light, illuminating a first start light for a first driver and illuminating a second start light for the other driver after a predetermined time. In the event of an action that triggers a foul light by the first driver, delaying the illumination of a foul light for the first driver until both racers have started.
US09981180B2
A die rolling and identification apparatus having a die container with a die shaker, an opening connector and a die slide and containing a least one die, the opening connector is between the die shaker and the die slide to enable the die to move between the die shaker and the die slide through the opening connector; a motor and a plurality of gears connected to the motor. The plurality of gears turn the die container, the die slide has a slide lower surface and slide upper surface, the slide lower surface and the slide upper surface are substantially parallel such that the die slides in the die slide without rolling, the die shaken in the die shaker are stopped in a prescribed position in the die slide and the die are read by light sensors disposed on a surface of the die slide.
US09981177B2
An apparatus for use with a protective cup is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of support members which may position the protective cup in a preferred position relative to a user's body, and secure the protective cup in the preferred position. The plurality of support members may connect to the protective cup or a protective support configured to receive the protective cup. The apparatus may be configured to protect the user's groin region, such as the user's crotch area, pubic bone and genitals. The apparatus may also be configured to protect the user's buttocks or legs, such as the user's hips, thighs, shins or knees.
US09981174B1
Systems and methods of ball tossing machines. Ball tossing machines having reconfigurable joints are contemplated. Embodiments having dynamically articulating joints create tossing arms that mimic human arms completing underhanded tosses. In other embodiments, the tossing arm's elbow and fingers can be locked into place and pivoted about a shoulder to accomplish a basic tossing motion with an altered effective tossing arm length.
US09981173B2
A reversibly attachable muscle trainer includes a multi-arm structure with motion sensors and force generators for exercising opposing muscles of a person moving an implement so as to maintain an ideal movement. When attached to the implement, the muscle trainer trains the opposing muscles to consistently move the implement in an ideal way. While the person moves the implement with the muscle trainer attached, a processor receives signals from the motion sensors and determines differences between the actual implement motion and an ideal implement motion. The difference indicates a dominating force direction in which the dominating muscles urge the implement. The processor activates the force generators to apply external forces to the implement to urge the implement in various types of training force directions.
US09981164B2
The present invention provides a golf club head that enables increasing the moment of inertia while also improving durability, and a manufacturing method for the same. The golf club head of the present invention includes a crown portion. The crown portion has a first region having a first thickness and multiple second regions having a second thickness that is smaller than the first thickness. The second regions are distributed in a radiating fashion so as to extend from an origin toward a peripheral portion of the crown portion excluding the face side, the origin being located within 15 mm of the center of gravity of the golf club head in the toe-heel direction and also being located in the vicinity of the face side in the face-back direction in a plan view.
US09981159B2
A stationary aquatic kickboard for leg kicking exercises in water. Aging and quadriceps decline are the origin of this products creation. TKS is anchored to the swimming pool wall or deck by two separate lines having equal tension when in use. The buoyancy of the kickboard is adjustable to accommodate persons of different body weight and for the preferred level of floatation. The handle grips positions will permit user to exercise in the prone or supine positions. Board and handle grips will provide high stability to do high intensity leg kicking action. This equipment is able to detach for removal from pool. TKS Hydrakick system will be used for exercise, physical therapy, relaxation or recreation. TKS hydrakicking is optimal lower extremity exercise and does not cause trauma to the legs.
US09981155B2
Apparatus for performing a pull down exercise comprising: a frame, a seat, an input arm assembly interconnected to a resistance mechanism and a manually graspable mechanism disposed vertically above the user's trunk in a start sitting exercise position, the input arm assembly being pivotably mounted on the frame for back and forth travel along a generally forward to rearward direction and along a generally side to side direction orthogonal to the forward to rearward direction, the input arm assembly being rotatably pivotable around a first linear axis and a second linear axis in the respective directions on exertion by the user of a rearwardly downwardly directed force on the manually graspable mechanism.
US09981153B2
A brake controller for spinner bikes has a frame body engaging a pair of connecting pieces, a shaft engaging a first block through a top end thereof and a second block through a bottom end thereof, and a magnetic encoder that has a PCB with coding circuit for detecting rotation of a magnet disposed under the second block. Thereby the brake controller controls two kinds of braking forces by a single button for spinner bikes.
US09981142B2
Appropriate cardiac therapy is determined by data sensed and analyzed by the disclosed defibrillators and other medical devices that one or both of treat and monitor a patient. The disclosed devices sense various patient physiological parameters including patient pulse and breathing data to determine whether the patient has a pulse and to determine if the patient is breathing. Depending on the analysis of the generated patient physiological data, the disclosed devices determine the appropriate therapy for the patient, which can include providing breathing assistance to the patient and providing electrotherapy and other therapies to the patient. Some of the disclosed medical devices can be wearable by the patient. The disclosed devices can include therapy modules like electrotherapy for delivering therapies to the patient while other devices monitor but do not deliver the therapies to the patient.
US09981141B2
The defibrillator may include a heart rhythm detector to detect the heart rhythm of a patient, a manual mode controller structured to set the defibrillator in a synchronous shock operating mode or an asynchronous shock operating mode depending on an input from a human operator, a shock module to cause the defibrillator to deliver a shock to the patient according to the operating mode, and an automatic mode controller structured to, after the shock module has delivered the shock to the patient, set the external defibrillator to the synchronous shock operating mode or the asynchronous shock operating mode depending on the detected heart rhythm of the patient and without input from the human operator.
US09981140B2
An external defibrillator can have a synchronous shock operating mode and an asynchronous shock operating mode and include a controller to set the defibrillator in the synchronous shock operating mode or the asynchronous shock operating mode. The defibrillator can also include a shock module to cause the defibrillator to deliver shock therapy to the patient according to the operating mode of the defibrillator, and a prompt module to transmit a prompt, after delivery of the shock therapy, that includes the operating mode of the defibrillator.
US09981130B2
A multiple output current stimulator circuit with fast turn on time is described. At least one pair of input side and output side transistors is arranged in a current mirror connected to a supply transistor by cascode coupling. The output side transistor supplies stimulation current to an electrode in contact with tissue. An operational amplifier connected to a reference voltage and to the output side transistor drives the supply transistor to maintain the voltage at the output side transistor equal to the reference voltage. The at least one pair of transistors includes multiple pairs of transistors whose output side transistors drive respective electrodes with stimulation currents. The stimulator determines the initiation and duration of stimulation current pulses supplied to each electrode. At circuit activation, large currents are generated which discharge capacitances in the output side transistors causing rapid output side transistor turn on.
US09981118B2
A coupling assembly for securing an end of a tube to a connecting shaft of a device is provided. The coupling assembly comprises an inner sleeve having a first end, an opposite second end, a first end section at the first end and a second end section at the second end, and an outer sleeve having a first end, an opposite second end and a second end section at the second end. The second end section of the outer sleeve is sized and shaped to receive at least the first end section of the inner sleeve therein. An interior surface of the second end section of the outer sleeve is provided with a protrusion or a recess to engage a corresponding recess or protrusion on an exterior surface of the inner sleeve. The second end section of the inner sleeve is flexible.
US09981111B2
A two-piece catheter securement system has a fixation pad with an adhesive undersurface and an antimicrobial flap. On an upper surface of the pad are cooperative first attachment members. An upper capture and retention shell has an outer shell wall. The first and second ends of the shell may have a plurality of slots for capturing and retaining administration and catheter tubing. The shell has an inner shell ceiling having a plurality of spaced apart second attachment members thereon. The first and second attachment members are aligned to cooperatively engage when the shell is urged into releasable engagement with the pad with the slots capturing and retaining the tubes.
US09981106B2
A respiratory treatment device comprising at least one chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the at least one chamber, at least one chamber outlet configured to permit exhaled air to exit the at least one chamber, and an exhalation flow path defined between the chamber inlet and the at least one chamber outlet. A restrictor member positioned in the exhalation flow path is moveable between a closed position, where a flow of exhaled air along the exhalation flow path is restricted, and an open position, where the flow of exhaled air along the exhalation flow path is less restricted. A vane in fluid communication with the exhalation flow path is operatively connected to the restrictor member and is configured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position in response to the flow of exhaled air along the exhalation flow path.
US09981094B2
A CPAP apparatus for supplying pressurized breathable gas to a patient includes a blower device including an electric motor, an impeller driven by the motor, and a housing to receive the motor and the impeller, a housing element that defines a blower receiving chamber to receive the blower device, and a suspension device to elastically support the blower device within the chamber of the housing element. The suspension device includes at least one elastic support chamber coupled to both the blower device and the housing element.
US09981093B2
The invention relates to a gas regulating valve (1) for a respiratory system comprising:—a main path between an inlet (2) and an outlet (3), and—an evacuation path between the outlet (3) and an evacuation orifice (4), characterised in that:—the main path is provided with at least a non-return valve for preventing gas to circulate from the outlet (3) to the inlet (2), and—the evacuation path is provided with an obstructing membrane (10) arranged and designed for being deformed by gas from the inlet (2) to partially or fully obstruct the evacuation path. The invention also relates to a mask integrating such gas regulating valve, and to a respiratory system also comprising such gas regulating valve.
US09981084B2
An infusion set has an integrated ballistic inserter that can insert a needle at a controlled high rate of speed to a depth to deliver content to the upper 3 mm of skin surface, and a skin securing, adhesive layer to secure the skin surface at the insertion site such that the inserter that can insert a needle without a risk of tenting of the skin surface. A driving spring of the ballistic inserter is captured within the ballistic inserter, and can be released by user operation, to insert a needle at such a controlled rate of speed.
US09981077B2
In one general aspect, a cuff for attachment to a heart includes an attachment component configured to engage a blood pump to attach the cuff to the blood pump and a sewing ring for attachment to the heart. The sewing ring is coupled to the attachment component, and the attachment component and the sewing ring each define a central opening configured to admit an inflow cannula of a blood pump. The sewing ring comprises a member that provides rigidity to flatten a portion of a myocardium of the heart when the cuff is attached to the heart.
US09981074B1
A method for forming metal nanoparticles on halloysite nanotubes. The method provides a water-based suspension solution containing about 0.002% to about 0.1% by weight of halloysite nanotubes. The suspension solution is maintained between about 2° C. and about 98° C. and under sufficient mixing that the nanotubes are maintained in substantially constant suspension. At least one positive and at least one negative metal electrode is positioned in the suspension solution, wherein the metal electrodes are at least 98% pure metal. A voltage is maintained across the electrodes of between about 10 and about 300 volts for a time sufficient to form metal ions on at least about 10% of a surface of the halloysite nanotubes.
US09981073B2
Provided are surface-modified metals such as metal medical devices, e.g. guide wires, syringe needles, and metal tubes in medical devices or equipment, and methods for modifying a metal surface, wherein a lubricant layer is firmly bonded to the metal surface to impart lubricity to the metal surface and further to improve the durability of the lubricant layer on the metal surface, thereby suppressing deterioration of the sliding properties. Included is a surface-modified metal at least partially having a treated surface, the treated surface being obtained by treating a surface of a metal with a silane coupling agent, followed by adsorbing a hydrogen abstraction type photopolymerization initiator onto the surface and then polymerizing a monomer in the presence of an alkali metal salt.
US09981069B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for rendering a surface resistant to bio-film formation by a combination of an alkanediol and an antimicrobial agent (and, optionally, an organic hydroxy acid). The invention provides for compositions which may be used to render surfaces bio-film resistant, articles having bio-film resistant surfaces, and methods for their preparation. The present invention may be advantageously applied to medical articles as well as articles used in non-medical contexts, such as child care or food preparation.
US09981063B2
A composite for osteochondral defect repair includes a porous scaffold and a periosteal graft secured to a surface of the scaffold. The composite provides cartilage growth from autologous periosteum chondrogenesis. Biological resurfacing of large osteochondral defects, or a complete joint is feasible using the porous scaffold/autologous periosteal composite. The use of this composite eliminates the necessity of using normal cartilage surface as a donor site and its respective associated morbidity. In one form, the strong bone integration capacity of a porous metal (e.g., tantalum) scaffold and the high grade of integration observed from periosteal chondrogenesis into the normal cartilage eliminates the lack of chondral-chondral integration observed in the autologous osteochondral graft technique.
US09981055B2
The invention relates to a device for sterilization of the interior surface of packaging containers with electron beam, comprising an emitter provided with an electron exit window. The emitter is adapted to emit charge carriers, such as electrons, through the electron exit window, said electrons forming an electron cloud. The device comprises at least one outlet adapted to provide a flow of sterile gaseous medium adapted to maintain a local aseptic zone around at least an emitter portion including the electron exit window, thus preventing any flow of medium from outside the local aseptic zone from coming into the local aseptic zone. The invention also relates to a method.
US09981048B2
The presently disclosed invention is directed to the discovery that hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α; also known as NR2A1), a transcription factor, reverses hepatocyte dysfunction in an animal model of cirrhosis, resulting in improvement in hepatic function, treatment of cirrhosis, and prolonged survival.
US09981044B2
Polypeptides, such as a multi-valent polypeptide designated svD2, useful in pharmaceutical compositions for stimulation of the adaptive arm of the immune system. svD2 demonstrated in vivo activity in a syngeneic mouse model. svD2 is biologically active at nanomolar concentrations. These properties are believed to result as a consequence of the ability of svD2 to cross-link cell-surface receptors.
US09981040B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a capsule formulation comprising a phosphonooxymethyl derivative of ravuconazole which suppresses delay in dissolution due to storage regardless of an encapsulated amount of the phosphonooxymethyl derivative of ravuconazole. The present invention provides a capsule formulation comprising an encapsulated material comprising {[(1R,2R)-2-[4-(4-cyanophenyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)propyl]oxy}methyl dihydrogen phosphate or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate of any of the foregoing, and a capsule shell not comprising gelatin.
US09981035B2
An immunogenic composition having 13 distinct polysaccharide-protein conjugates and optionally, an aluminum-based adjuvant, is described. Each conjugate contains a capsular polysaccharide prepared from a different serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F) conjugated to a carrier protein. The immunogenic composition, formulated as a vaccine, increases coverage against pneumococcal disease in infants and young children globally, and provides coverage for serotypes 6A and 19A that is not dependent on the limitations of serogroup cross-protection.
US09981034B2
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for immunizing a subject against disease caused by influenza A. Disclosed methods comprise administering to the subject an immunoprotective dose of an immunogenic composition. In certain aspects, the immunogenic composition is a vaccine comprised of a recombinant chimeric hemagglutinin polypeptide. In certain aspects, the subject is a mammal. In further aspects, the mammal is a pig. In still further aspects, the mammal is a human.
US09981028B2
The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.
US09981025B2
The present invention relates to anti-drug vaccines based on conjugates between the drug and a non-immunogenic carrier protein. In preferred embodiments, it provides for anti-cocaine vaccines and their use to diminish the effects and/or use of cocaine in a subject.
US09981023B2
The present invention provides liposomal compositions for inducing immune tolerance. The compounds typically comprise a liposome displaying a specific antigen and also a binding moiety for a sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin (Siglec) expressed on B cells. The invention also provides methods for inducing tolerance to a protein or polypeptide antigen (e.g., a protein antigen) in a subject. The methods involve administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition thatco-presents both the antigen and a glycan ligand for a Siglec expressed on B lymphocytes.
US09981020B2
A method of inactivating a proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus by treating the host cell with a composition comprising a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease, and two or more different guide RNAs (gRNAs), wherein each of the at least two gRNAs is complementary to a different target nucleic acid sequence in a long terminal repeat (LTR) in the proviral DNA, and inactivating the proviral DNA. A composition for use in inactivating a proviral DNA integrated into the genome of a host cell latently infected with a retrovirus including isolated nucleic acid sequences comprising a CRISPR-associated endonuclease and a guide RNA, wherein the guide RNA is complementary to a target sequence in a human immunodeficiency virus.
US09981016B2
Intestinal absorption is enhanced in short bowel syndrome patients presenting with colon-in-continuity by treatment with a GLP-2 receptor agonist, such as teduglutide.
US09981008B2
Provided are peptides, compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing dyslipidemia, a cardiovascular disease, endothelial dysfunction, a macrovascular disorder, or a microvascular disorder.
US09981006B2
Provided herein are peptide formulations comprising polymers as stabilizing agents. The peptide formulations can be more stable for prolonged periods of time at temperatures higher than room temperature when formulated with the polymers. The polymers used in the present invention can decrease the degradation of the constituent peptides of the peptide formulations.
US09980999B2
The invention relates to a method for producing dry extracts of plants and to pharmaceutical preparations containing the same, more particularly phytopharmaceuticals, which contain at least one ethanolic/aqueous extract of a plant (drug), the plants being selected from the group consisting of: Rumicis herba; Verbena officinalis; Sambucus nigra; Primula veris; and Gentiana lutea and mixtures thereof. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical for treating inflammatory and/or infectious diseases of the nose and throat area and/or the nasal sinuses, as well as the use thereof.
US09980995B2
The present invention relates to a method of reducing total gas production and/or methane production in a ruminant animal.
US09980992B2
Methods and compositions for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise a recombinant bacterium genetically modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a recombinant bacterium modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Administration of the recombinant bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The recombinant bacterium may be administered in a single dose or series of doses. Methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of inflammatory disorders including, for example, treating or preventing inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or Crohn's disease.
US09980989B2
A bacterial composition for the treatment of colibacillosis on farms, in particular poultry farms, contains at least 105 cfu/ml of at least one of the following four strains of Bacillus subtilis or of Bacillus licheniformis: NOL01, NOL02, NOL03 and NOL04, and at least 105 cfu/ml of at least one lactic acid bacterium chosen from the following lactic acid bacteria: Lactococcus lactis spp lactis 1 strain NOL11 and Pediococcus pentosaceus 2 strain NOL12.
US09980988B2
The present invention provides a nutritional food product composed of a prebiotic and an isolated protein for use in reducing elevated levels of nitrogenous waste products in the blood and ameliorating renal failure.
US09980984B2
The present disclosure provides an inventive method of treating inflammation that is associated with osteoarthritis of the knee joint by injecting mesenchymal stem cells into the symptomatic knee. In one aspect, the mesenchymal stem cells are obtained autogenously. In another aspect, the mesenchymal stem cells are injected below the degenerated medial tibial plateau of the knee joint, resulting in reduction of the inflammation and alleviation of the symptoms of the osteoarthritis.
US09980983B2
Embodiments are directed to a stable composition comprising stabilized hydrogen peroxide and 2-propanol and applicators configured to store, dispense, and apply such stable compositions. Such compositions may be used to treat skin conditions such as warts, condyloma accuminatum, molluscum contagiosum, acrochordons, seborrheic keratosis, or a combination thereof. Some embodiments also describe take home compositions, in office compositions, over-the-counter compositions, and kits for the use of such compositions.
US09980980B2
Aspects of the invention relate to compounds, extracts and compositions thereof, and methods of using of the same, to treat neurodegenerative disorders and/or improve brain health. In certain embodiments, said compounds are pomegranate flavonoids.
US09980979B2
Compounds and methods for enhancing erythropoiesis. The compound contains a chemical structure of the formula (I) indicated below, in which R is a glucosyl group. In addition to having an erythropoiesis effect, the compound of the formula (I) is effective in enhancing erythropoietin formation, and increasing kidney function and expression of hepatocyte growth factor. The method includes the step of administering an effective amount of the compound of the formula (I) to a subject in need thereof and thereby results in an enhancement of erythropoiesis.
US09980976B2
Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and activity. The disclosed methods typically include administering to a patient in need thereof a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist and administering to the patient in need thereof a REDD1 inhibitor that inhibits expression or activity of REDD1, wherein the REDD1 inhibitor is administered before, concurrently with, or after the GR agonist is administered.
US09980969B2
The invention provides methods of enhancing memory and/or learning and prevent neurodegeneration, comprising administering therapeutically effective amounts of certain heterocyclic and aromatic compounds to a patient in need thereof. In one aspect, the invention provides methods of treating patients suffering from a neurodegenerative disease, such as but not limited to, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons's, Lou Gehrig's (ALS) disease, and/or memory or learning impairment. The invention further provides neuronal human cell-based assays that assess NF-kB gene upregulation using a luciferase reporter, wherein the assays identify compounds that are useful in enhancing memory or learning.
US09980965B2
Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including lupus, uveitis and encephalitis. Said compositions useful for treating autoimmune diseases comprise pyrrolo-pyrazole PKC inhibitors.
US09980963B2
Provided herein are methods for treating or preventing chronic lymphocytic leukemia, comprising administering an effective amount of a Dihydropyrazino-Pyrazine Compound to a patient having chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
US09980962B2
Methods are provided herein for selectively killing senescent cells and for treating senescence-associated diseases and disorders by administering a senolytic agent. Senescence-associated diseases and disorders treatable by the methods using the senolytic agents described herein include cardiovascular diseases and disorders associated with or caused by arteriosclerosis, such as atherosclerosis; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; osteoarthritis; senescence-associated ophthalmic diseases and disorders; and senescence-associated dermatological diseases and disorders.
US09980959B2
There is provided pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of rhinitis by, for example, nasal or ocular administration comprising zwitterionic cetirizine, a polar lipid liposome and a pharmaceutical acceptable aqueous carrier. The compositions are preferably homogeneous in their nature.
US09980954B2
The present disclosure relates to a quinoline derivative which inhibits the activity of histone methyltransferases (ESET/SETDB1) specific for the histone molecule H3K9 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a use thereof.
US09980949B2
The present invention relates to SNS-595 and methods of treating cancer using the same.
US09980918B2
The present disclosure relates to acid resistant banding solutions for two piece hard capsules endowed with acid resistant properties, and methods of making and using acid resistant banding solutions. The present disclosure also relates, in part, to methods for banding such acid resistant capsules which provides an acid resistant seal between the capsule parts and achieves increased acid resistance in vitro.
US09980914B2
A pharmaceutical product comprising lyophilized polymer matrix including a biologically active compound, of particular utility for embolization, having improved rehydration properties is packaged in an airtight package under vacuum.
US09980890B2
Disclosed herein are mouthwashes comprising a complex of a zinc ion source acid. Methods of making and using the compositions are also provided.
US09980883B2
A gutta-percha composition for filling a tooth root canal includes a temperature indicating component, such that the user has a visual indication that the material is ready for placement in the prepared canal. The material may include a thermochromatic dye, bismuth oxide or the like, in an otherwise conventional obturation material.
US09980880B1
A pill dispenser is configured to receive a plurality of different pill types into discrete pill reservoirs, whereby a dose of different pills may be provided to a user in a dispense reservoir. A vacuum manifold may be configured with a vacuum tube for removing pills from the discrete reservoirs and placing them into the dispense reservoir. In one embodiment, a pill dispenser is part of a pill dispenser system that utilizes a remote electronic device having an application software program for setting, managing and displaying the dosing regimens for pills loaded into the pill dispenser. The application software program may be coupled with a prescribing pill database, whereby prescription pill information, including dosing regimens may be loaded onto the application software program to ensure compliance with the prescription.
US09980871B2
An orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first arm member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second arm member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. A third arm member including a third extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom is interposed between the first and second arm members. The third extension member is slidably connected to the first arm member and the second extension member is operatively connected to the third arm members, such that the second arm members travel along an arcuate path defined by the second extension member when the second arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first and third arm members. Furthermore, the position of the third arm member can be securedly adjusted relative the first arm member.
US09980870B2
The invention provides a cordless chiropractic adjustment device including a thrust element (80) capable of impacting a body contact member (10), a resilient spring (314) arranged to bias the thrust element towards the body contact member, and a motor (120). The motor is arranged to move the thrust element between a variable primed configuration in which the thrust element is held out of contact with the body contact member, and a fired configuration in which the thrust element is propelled by the resilient spring into contact with the body contact member through a range of different impact forces. The motor is provided with direct current by one or more batteries (150), which may be rechargeable.
US09980858B2
A disposable absorbent article may include a chassis comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the rear waist region of the chassis such that at least a portion of said ear extends laterally outward from the longitudinal edge of the chassis in the rear waist region. The article further comprises a fastening system including an engaging member disposed proximate to distal edge of the ear and a receiving member disposed on the chassis in the front waist region, wherein the ear interconnects the front waist region and the rear waist region upon engagement of the engaging member with the receiving member. The ear has a Front Edge Displacement and a Rear Edge Displacement such that a sum of the Front Edge Displacement and the Rear Edge Displacement is no greater than about 12 mm.
US09980855B2
An earmuff (3) includes a disc-shaped elastomeric pressure-equalizing element (6′) that lies between an inner end of a cup (4) and an outer face of an annular element (7). The elastomeric element (6′) is found to provide a more consistent blocking of environmental sound. The cup inner end has a radial projection (15) that projects into a recess (19), and the elastomeric element is bent to lie between the projection and the walls of the recess.
US09980848B2
A force distribution apparatus and method are presented. Various embodiments of the disclosed apparatus include a plurality of layers configured and oriented to be deployed on a subject in a manner that disperses forces and lowers peak pressures experienced by the subject when resting on a surface, which tends to minimize risks of deformation and local ischemia. An innovative combination of novel construction methods and material selections produce an apparatus that possesses an inherent three-dimensional shape despite being built from essentially flat components, while also retaining an ability to effectively distribute forces and reduce pressures.
US09980840B2
A prosthesis delivery device comprises a cannula having an expandable positioning device disposed at the proximal end thereof. A prosthesis is retained on the cannula distal of the expandable device. Expansion of the expandable device retains and centers the delivery device and the prosthesis carried thereon in the vessel and allows repositioning of the prosthesis without contacting the proximal end of the prosthesis with the vessel walls prior to deployment.
US09980824B2
A method of implanting an intervertebral spacer may include positioning the intervertebral spacer within an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebral bodies. The intervertebral spacer may include a plurality of bores, and each of the plurality of bores may be configured to receive either a linear fastening element or a curvilinear fastening element. The method also may include selecting a first fastening element from a group including linear fastening elements and curvilinear fastening elements, and inserting the first fastening element into a first bore of the plurality of bores such that the first fastening element is inserted into one of the adjacent vertebral bodies to secure the intervertebral spacer within the intervertebral space.
US09980818B2
An exemplary two-stage prosthetic heart valve system has a radially expandable base stent implanted within a native valve annulus. The base stent desirably has three position markers projecting in the axial direction from the outflow end of the base stent to assist in aligning the stent with respect to the commissures of the native valve. The two-stage heart valve system also has a valve component that is delivered to and mounted within the base stent in a separate or sequential operation after the base stent has been anchored within the annulus. The valve component in certain embodiments comprises a hybrid valve component that includes a conventional, non-expandable surgical valve that is modified to include an expandable coupling stent that can be expanded to engage the inner surface of the base stent, thereby anchoring the valve component to the base stent.
US09980812B2
A heart valve implant is disclosed herein. The heart valve implant comprises an inflatable valve body, a shaft, an anchor assembly and an inflation (injection) port. Also disclosed herein, are methods of trans-apically and trans-septally delivering a heart valve implant within a heart such that the valve body can be inflated in situ to partially or completely restrict blood flow through a heart valve in a closed position. The inflation (injection) port permits inflation of the valve body with an adjustable amount of an inflation fluid to attain a desired degree of inflation of the valve body when disposed within the heart valve.
US09980811B2
An exemplary ocular implant insertion system includes a case and a preloaded ocular implant insertion apparatus. The apparatus includes first and second movable structures that move the ocular implant in a predetermined sequence. The respective configurations of the case and the ocular implant insertion apparatus are such that the ocular implant insertion apparatus is not removable from the case when the ocular implant insertion apparatus is in the pre-use state and is removable after the first movable structure has moved at least a portion of the optical implant.
US09980808B2
A ligament assembly (2) comprising a resilient element (20) connected to a bone anchor (4) and a ligament (18), the resilient element (20) acting m a cantilever and resisting toads transmitted between the bone anchor (4) and the ligament (18) by virtue of the resistance to bending of the resilient element. The ligament (18) may comprise an artificial ligament (18) which is adapted to replace a human or animal ligament. The resilient element (20) may comprise a spiral spring and may act as a biasing element/shock absorber operatively coupled to the artificial ligament (18) to control the effective stiffness of the artificial ligament (18). Consequently, the resilient element (20) enables an effective stiffness of the artificial ligament (18) to be achieved that more closely approximates the stiffness of a natural ligament.
US09980798B2
A package (11) that comprises a front cover (40) and a back cover (60), at least a first portion of the front cover (40) or the back cover (60) being formed of a first material, and one of the front cover (40) and the back cover (60) being formed of a second material, the second material being more rigid than the first material. The first portion formed of the first material is capable of being deflected without permanent deformation of the display package. An oral care implement (10) may be included within the package (11) and in some embodiments, the first portion is adjacent the head (27).
US09980770B2
An over shoe for use with electrosurgical instruments having a pair of juxtaposed jaw members pivotably associated with one another, at least one of which includes an electrically conductive surface disposed thereon which is in electrical engagement with an electrosurgical energy source. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the over shoe includes a tissue contacting wall configured and dimensioned to selectively and substantially overlie the electrically conductive surface of the electrosurgical instrument. The tissue contacting wall is fabricated from a non-conductive material and includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. In another embodiment, the tissue contacting wall is electrically conductive and is configured for selective engagement atop on of the jaw members.
US09980768B2
To achieve a safe transition from the ignition of a plasma in incision mode to the combustion of the plasma during a cutting mode, an electromedical device to supply an instrument with electrical power is equipped with an ignition recognition mechanism formed by a sensor device. This ignition recognition mechanism switches the HF generator provided in the device from an incision operating mode to a cutting operating mode as soon as ignition is recognized. The switching is brought about by the switching of an HF modulation from a low crest factor in the incision operating mode to a high crest factor in the cutting operating mode.
US09980750B2
According to some embodiments, a method of accessing an intervertebral space of a patient's spine in a minimally invasive manner compromises creating a passage from a posterior end of a pedicle of a vertebral member using a probe, advancing the probe through the pedicle and to a main body portion of the vertebral member, advancing the probe through a superior endplate of the vertebral member and into the intervertebral space and enlarging the passage using at least one tap to create an enlarged passage from a posterior of the pedicle to the intervertebral space. In some embodiments, the enlarged passage traverses at least three cortical layers of the vertebral member.
US09980740B2
A system for treating tissue includes a device including a first member and a second member arranged to move relative to the first member to treat tissue. The system also includes a processor configured to automatically control movement of the second member relative to the first member using position control methodology. A method of treating tissue includes providing a device having a first member and a second member arranged to move relative to the first member, moving the second member relative to the first member, and automatically controlling the movement of the second member using position control methodology.
US09980738B2
A device for simultaneously monitoring the health of surgical drills and detecting proximity to critical structures during surgery is described herein. By using various sensors (e.g. microphones, accelerometers, temperature sensors, etc.), signals from the drill can be measured and analyzed. The processed signals can then be used to indicate the proximity of the drill bit to critical structures, such as the patient's brain, and identify drill health issues (e.g. worn bearings, misaligned rotational axis, etc.).
US09980730B2
A loading unit includes a shell assembly and a locking collar. The shell assembly has an annular ring that defines a locking slot and a proximal opening. The proximal opening configured to receive a distal end portion of the surgical instrument. The locking collar is rotatably disposed about the annular ring. The locking collar has a body including a flexible tab that has an inwardly extending lock. The locking collar is moveable about the annular ring between a locked and unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, the lock passes through the locking slot and into the proximal opening of the annular ring. In the unlocked configuration, the body of the locking collar is rotated about the annular ring from the locked configuration to move the lock from within the proximal opening.
US09980728B2
A clip for closing a puncture in a body lumen comprises a clip having a resiliently expandable circumference and a plurality of barbed prongs extending at least approximately in the same direction from one edge of the clip. A device for deploying such a clip is described. A method for deploying such a clip is also described.
US09980722B2
Disclosed is a locking needle to be used with a Furlow insertion tool during penile prosthesis. The invention also provides methods of using the locking needle for the implantation of a penile prosthesis cylinder.
US09980720B2
A handle assembly for operating a surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and an articulation assembly supported on the housing for effectuating an articulation of an end effector operatively connected to the housing, the articulation assembly being operable to effect articulation of the end effector in a first pair of opposed directions and a second pair of opposed direction which is substantially transverse to the first pair of opposed directions.
US09980718B2
The present disclosure relates to a suture anchor. The suture anchor includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body including threads along at least a partial length of the body and at least one through hole, the threads including a profile such that the threads located near the distal end of the body include a first shape and the threads located near the proximal end of the body include a second shape different from the first shape. Delivery devices and anchor dilators are also disclosed.
US09980716B2
Devices and methods for forming and securing a tissue plication are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a tissue manipulation device is described that includes a first jaw member pivotally coupled to a distal end of an elongate shaft and having an articulating portion located distal to the proximal end of the first jaw member. The device also includes a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member such that the jaws move in a first plane, and a fastener delivery member attached to the second jaw member. The articulating portion of the first jaw member is configured to move the first and second jaw members between a straight configuration in which a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft is contained within the first plane and an articulated configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft is transverse to the first plane.
US09980711B2
Medical devices that have a releasable intermediate member and tubular member are described. Methods of using medical devices that have a releasable intermediate member and tubular member are also described. An example of a medical device comprises an elongate member, an intermediate member, and a tubular member. Each of the intermediate member and tubular member is releasably disposed on the elongate member.
US09980708B2
A device that, when implanted in the heart, closes the wound and complies with wall motion (i.e., expands and contracts with the myocardium).
US09980705B2
A biopsy system comprising a probe and a holster. The probe comprises a rotatable needle portion a rotatable thumbwheel coupled with the needle portion and a rotatable tissue sample manifold. The holster is removably coupled to the probe. The holster comprises a selective engagement mechanism configured to selectively link rotation of the thumbwheel with rotation of the tissue sample manifold. A method of collecting tissue samples using a biopsy system unlinking rotation of the thumbwheel with rotation of the tissue sample manifold by actuating the selective engagement mechanism; and obtaining a tissue sample after the unlinking.
US09980703B2
An ultrasound imaging system and method is provided that includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data for a region of interest and a controller circuit communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe configured to generate one or more ultrasound images from the ultrasound data. The ultrasound imaging system and method further provide a curved housing shaped to extend along a curvature angle, the curved housing includes a front panel having a curved touchscreen having at least a first interface section, a second interface section, and a third interface section formed integral with one another. The first interface section and the third interface section are positioned at different display angles with respect to each other. The first interface section is also configured to display one or more ultrasound images, and the third interface section includes one or more user selectable icons to control the ultrasound probe.
US09980689B2
A detector system for an imaging system includes an airflow cooling system. The detector system includes a detector chassis, a duct extending along the length of the chassis, and a manifold that couples the duct to the interior of the chassis. A vacuum source, such as a suction fan, is coupled to the duct and generates a vacuum force within the duct. The chassis includes a plurality of inlet openings, with an airflow path being defined through the interior of the chassis between the inlet openings and the manifold. The suction fan pulls cooling air through the inlet openings, through the chassis and manifold to the duct, and then expels the air through an exhaust opening. The airflow is directed into thermal contact with detector elements and associated electronics in the detector chassis to provide cooling of these components.
US09980682B2
A curved movable beam-stop array which has a generator, a curved grid and a controller. The generator generates radiation beams while rotating to a gantry angle. The curved grid is positioned in the radiation direction of the radiation beams generated from the generator. The controller controls operations of the grid. A plurality of slits of the grid are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance and allow at least a portion of the radiation beams generated from the generator to pass through. The controller moves the slit by a predetermined distance when the generator moves by a predefined angle.
US09980681B1
A system includes a plurality of RFID chips affixed to a medical item, a device reader such as a data collection engine device, and a server device. The data collection engine wirelessly transmits power to an RFID chips and receives first medical data from the RFID chip while the RFID chip is activated by the power receiver. The data collection engine generates a first message indicative of the first medical data to be sent to the server device. The server device can determine aspects of the medical item such as position and risk states based upon the first medical data.
US09980679B2
Transducer-based systems and methods may be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected elements. Transducer activation characteristics, such as initiation time, activation duration, activation sequence, and energy delivery characteristics, can vary based on numerous factors. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers. Activation requests for a set of transducers can be denied if it is determined that a transducer in the set of transducers is unacceptable for activation.
US09980677B1
A system for estimating fractional fat content of an object of interest. An energy emitter is used to direct an energy signal toward the region of interest, wherein the region of interest has an object of interest, a reference with known properties, and a boundary area with one or more boundary locations between the object of interest and the reference. Next, a plurality of thermoacoustic or ultrasonic transducers is used to receive a plurality of thermoacoustic bipolar signals from the one or more boundary locations, wherein the thermoacoustic bipolar signals are induced by the energy signal. A machine configured to accept data from the energy emitter and the plurality of thermoacoustic or ultrasonic transducers and calculate a fat concentration that is a function of a difference between two peaks of the thermoacoustic bipolar signal at each respective boundary location and a distance or distances between each respective boundary location.
US09980639B2
A visual compensation system (10) enabling observation, with variable optical power correction, along an optical observation axis (X) includes:—a first rotatable optical element (2) centered on the optical axis (X) and having a first cylinder power along the optical axis (X); —a second rotatable optical element (4) centered on the optical axis (X) and having a second cylinder power along the optical axis (X); and—a lens (6) having the optical axis (X) as the axis thereof, and moreover having variable sphere power.
US09980638B2
Systems and methods for providing identification factors for an individual wearer. Some or all of the identification factors when within a predetermined value provide a prescription and corrective ophthalmic lenses for a selected individual wearer, the corrective ophthalmic lens having at least one correction that is to the nearest 0.20 diopter, or is in a range between about the nearest 0.01 diopter and about the nearest 0.20 diopter. The prescription and corrective ophthalmic lenses are obtained by at least first analysis performed with a first instrument, a second analysis performed with a second instrument, and a third analysis performed with a third instrument, in which each instrument is different, and each analysis is different.
US09980636B2
Disclosed herein are methods and systems of evaluating test-retest precision using fractional rank precision or mean-average precision, comprising: a) collecting a test and a retest result of each subject, wherein the results are described in feature space(s) and collected from a vision test machine; b) selecting, a first test result of a first subject; c) calculating distances from the first test result to the retest result of each subject; d) assessing, a similarity between the first test result and the retest result of each subject by ranking the distances in a non-descending order; e) assessing a rank precision for the first subject based on a rank of a distance from the first test result to the retest result of the first subject; f) repeating b), c), d), and e) for each subject; and evaluating, the test-retest precision based on the rank precision for each of the plurality of subjects.
US09980634B2
The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.
US09980631B2
Devices and methods of identifying and treating bodily passages, such as sinus cavities, are provided. More particularly, irrigation devices and methods useful in the identification and treatment of bodily passages, such as sinus cavities, are provided. The irrigation devices comprise an elongate tubular member and an optical fiber which assist with the transcutaneous identification and/or treatment of a bodily passage.
US09980630B2
The distal end of a surgical instrument is movable in all six Cartesian degrees of freedom independently of other components of a telemanipulated surgical system. The surgical instrument extends through a guide tube. The distal end is moved by actuators that are telemanipulatively controlled.
US09980621B1
A fluid dispenser having a liquid release bottle with suction bellows which is incorporated into a flat mop. This embodiment includes an exterior wall, an interior chamber surrounded by an exterior wall and a cap on the liquid intake member. The exterior wall includes a suction bellows to create a suction within the interior chamber of the liquid release bottle. A downward force on the handle activates a suction bellows to create a suction on the interior chamber of the liquid release bottle enabling fluid retained in the interior chamber to flow out of a duck-bill valve and into flexible tubing which will then flow through the tubing and out an opening of a yoke so that the fluid can flow onto a front of a scrubbing portion of the mop to facilitate cleaning. An alternative embodiment replaces the liquid release bottle with a liquid squeeze bottle.
US09980620B2
A bagless vacuum cleaner with a main housing, a dust bin releasable from the main housing upon relative movement between the dust bin and the main housing in a release direction, a filter unit, and at least one cleaning member arranged to perform a cleaning action on the filter unit upon relative movement between the at least one cleaning member and the filter unit. The relative movement between the filter unit and the at least one cleaning member is created by relative movement between the main housing and the dust bin in the release direction.
US09980616B2
A hand vacuum cleaner wherein the central longitudinal axis of the air treatment member extends generally horizontally and the suction motor axis of rotation extends generally vertically.
US09980604B2
A safety timer device, for a cooking appliance connected to an energy source, the cooking appliance having a heat generating component in communication with a heat controller. A timer communicates with the heat controller configured to count down a predetermined cooking time. An alarm unit, in communication with the timer, is configured to communicate an alarm signal for a predetermined alarm time after the cooking time expires.
US09980598B2
A vending machine having a housing incorporating an authorization unit, a storage area for storing vendible product, a dispenser for dispensing the vendible product, and an integrated brewer. The vendible product stored in the storage area comprises a cup containing a brew pack and condiments. The integrated brewer is secured to the housing yet has a user-accessible brew chamber in which a consumer can deposit the brew pack associated with the vendible product in order to brew a hot drink. The dispenser is interlocked with the authorization unit such that the dispenser dispenses vendible product in response to a dispense signal from the authorization unit. The integrated brewer is interlocked with the authorization unit such that the integrated brewer is by default inoperative and becomes operative in response to an asserted operation signal from the authorization unit.
US09980596B2
Method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage producing device (20) comprising a capsule with a two-dimensional barcode (7) thereon, capturing at least one image of the barcode via a digital camera (42) and displaying decode information from said image on a display (41).
US09980595B2
Device for preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient contained in a receptacle (17) by driving the receptacle in centrifugation comprising: —a holding part (16) arranged for holding the receptacle in a position enabling it to be driven in rotation along a longitudinal axis of rotation (I), —a liquid interfacing part (8) arranged for supplying water in the receptacle and/or extracting the beverage from the receptacle, —a collecting part (44) for collecting the beverage obtained by the interaction between the ingredient and water in the receptacle, wherein the holding part and liquid interfacing part (8, 16) are connected together by connection means in such a manner that these parts (8, 16) rotate together with the receptacle during centrifugation, wherein the connection means comprise at least a first engaging surface (48; 86) of the holding part (16) and a second engaging surface (23; 87) of the liquid interfacing part (8) engaged in contact together during connection in a manner preventing the holding part (16) and the liquid interfacing part (8) from moving away from each other, at least in the axial direction of rotation (I), and the connection means further comprising at least one mass of inertia (20, 21, 31; 80) arranged to be moveably connected to at least one of the parts (8, 16) with at least one degree of freedom in a least one radial direction for enabling the engagement forces to increase between the two engaging surfaces as a result of the increase of the centrifugal forces.
US09980593B2
An apparatus for use on a mailbox having a substantially vertical side, includes a first panel; a second panel; a hinge joining the first panel and the second panel; an angle limiter; and a mounting device for securing the apparatus to the mailbox. A mailbox is improved by mounting on the box an apparatus having a panel to provide a surface oriented to tangentially receive the impact of substantially horizontally-directed debris directed toward the mailbox.
US09980591B2
A playmat system includes a series of isosceles right triangle tiles and edge tiles. Advantageously, the triangle shaped tiles and edge tiles have one or of two color or patterns or more. The triangle shaped tiles and edge tiles have complementary edges which allow the triangle tiles to be interlockingly engaged with one another along either hypotenuse edges or like edges to thereby produce a number of different patterns when laid out and interconnected.
US09980590B1
A drinking straw device capable of ionizing, filtering, and/or flavoring water as well as tracking a user's water intake. The device may be generally straw-shaped and may have an ionizer component, an internal carbon filter, and/or a flavoring compartment for housing a flavoring component. The device may further have an intake tracking device, such as an internal impeller that spins as fluid is drawn through the device. The device may track the number of time the impeller spins, and thus the amount of fluid that has passed through the device, and may transmit that information to a software application on a smartphone or other device. A user may thus ionize, filter, and flavor his or her water while tracking his or her water intake throughout the day.
US09980587B2
A pillow is provided, including a first longer fabric panel extending to a first length-wise edge of a first shorter fabric panel and folded over a first fold line and extending to a first length-wise edge of a second shorter fabric panel; and a second longer fabric panel extending to a second length-wise edge of the second shorter fabric panel and folded over a second fold line and extending to a second length-wise edge of a first shorter fabric panel, the first longer fabric panel and the second longer fabric panel being different lengths.
US09980585B2
A method of updating existing screen printing or other manufacturing processing in order to generate sheets and other bedding with marking indicators for proper alignment of the covering on a mattress, and the covering as produced. For a top sheet it would be marked along the top edge of the sheet as well as the body of the sheet which contacts the corners of the mattress at the foot of the bed, and for a fitted bottom sheet the markings would occur at each corner of the sheet which is associated with a corner of the mattress. Optional side indicators located between the corner indicators may also be included. The purpose is to provide a quick and easy identifier for locating the corners of the mattress with the sheet so that the sheet is quickly and easily placed symmetrically upon the mattress the first time.
US09980580B2
A baby handling device includes a removable, washable pillow cover sized and shaped to fit over and extend from an irregular star-shaped pillow and provides at least two elongated star-point shaped extensions formed of flexible material and adapted to fold over and enclose at least a portion of a baby positioned on the cover. The cover has a closeable opening sized and shaped to permit insertion and removal of the pillow which is formed of resilient material and includes a broad center section with a central depression to receive a baby's head. A central point-shaped portion of the pillow extends upwardly from the depression and is adapted to lodge under an arm of a breast feeding mother. The pillow includes first and second side portions that surround a cavity that is sized and shaped to receive the shoulders and torso of the baby. The side portions support a baby's arms.
US09980579B2
A child carrying unit (4) comprising a base portion (6) and a wall portion (8) substantially surrounding the base portion (6), the wall portion (8) comprises first and second pliable members, which meet end-to-end at a jointed region, the arrangement being such that at least a portion of one part of the child carrying unit (4) including one of the pliable members is locatable in an opposite part by way of the jointed region in the wall portion (8).
US09980575B2
Electric motor furniture drive for adjusting parts of a piece of furniture relative to one another has a drive unit which has at least one electric motor and is in drive connection with at least one tensioning unit. Furniture drive has a base body which is preferably configured as a housing and is accommodated in or on the tensioning unit. At least two Bowden cables are operatively associated with each tensioning unit, traction cables of Bowden cables being in operative connection with associated tensioning unit. Traction cables are guided or guidable to tensioning unit(s) through at least one recess in the housing. The sheathings of the Bowden cables are fixed or fixable to the base body.
US09980574B2
The invention provides a bed capable of providing postural support to a user, the bed comprising: a headrest (10) having an adjustable height; a backrest (12) having an adjustable angle (α) of inclination to incline the user's back; and a shoulder and arm rest (11) positioned between the headrest and the backrest; wherein the headrest (10), backrest (12) and the shoulder and arm rest (11) are configurable to form a channel (14) extending between and separating the headrest (10 and the backrest (12) when the headrest (10) and backrest (12) are adjusted in elevated positions, and configurable to form a substantially even sleeping surface of the backrest (12) and shoulder and arm rest (11) without forming the channel (14) when the backrest (12) is adjusted to a flat angle of inclination. The invention also provides an insert capable of being inserted into an outer bed frame in the construction of the bed, and a kit for construction of the bed.
US09980568B2
Chairs, seating systems, chair sub-assemblies and sub-systems, and associated methods of assembly and use. Aspects relate to chairs and methods of assembling chairs including chair controls of a relatively compact and effective design with desirable synchronous raising and tilting motions. Aspects also relate to tilt lock assemblies for achieving secure and effective tilt securement. Additional aspects relate to forward and rearward adjustment, or extension and retraction, of a seating assembly of the chair.
US09980561B1
A mobile multimedia workstation comprises a base and a mobile component attached to the base bottom side. First and second upright members are attached to the top side and spaced apart to define an opening. A clamp having first and second clamp faces is connected by an adjustable member extending through the opening. The adjustable member is adjustable to urge the first and second clamp faces toward each other to apply a compressive force to first and second upright members and thereby hold a vertical position of the clamp. The clamp further comprises a first and a second protrusion each extending inwardly from the respective first and second clamp face and disposed within the opening between the first and second upright members.
US09980555B1
A push broom has a straight push broom handle with a longitudinal axis and a push broom block having a longitudinal axis. The push broom block has outwardly extending dual brackets and an upstanding handle connecting member for accepting and securing the handle. The handle is configured to be secured such that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the push broom block in the shipping and merchandising mode. The handle is configured to be secured within the handle connecting member such that its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the push broom block in the push broom's use mode. An integrally molded, “U” shaped strap is also provided to support and brace the handle in its various modes.
US09980550B2
The invention relates to an applicator for applying a product to the nails or to the skin, comprising: a gripping portion, a stem extending from the gripping portion along a longitudinal axis X-X, and an applicator member fixed in a housing at the free end of the stem. According to the invention, the stem of the applicator has, along the axis X-X, a succession of noncircular cross sections that are angularly offset with respect to one another about said axis X-X so as to form a helical pattern.
US09980547B2
A writing instrument case includes a base having a first member and a second member rotatably attached to the first member via a hinge. A flap is attached to the base and includes at least one button adapted to fit within at least one dimple of the second member. The flap further includes a plurality of grooves, at least one groove having a knob to secure a portion of a writing instrument to the flap. The second member of the base is rotatably moveable between a closed position, in which the flap fits within the second member of the base, and an open position, in which the projection of the second member fits into the slot of the first member of the base upon rotation of the second member toward the first member, forming a locking mechanism.
US09980545B2
A contact lens storage case of limited life and predetermined usage to further the safe and effective use of contact lenses by ensuring patient compliance through both limiting case use over a set period of time and discouraging reuse and topping-off of the disinfecting and storage solution. Generally, the self-destruction consists of the case developing a leak in a pre-determined fashion as a result of the change in properties of a material in a limited area of the case following exposure of the case to the storage solution.
US09980536B2
An article of footwear including a tensioning system is disclosed. The tensioning system is adjustable and includes a first layer and a second layer that is moveable and extends over the first layer. The article can include elements that are capable of distributing tension over the article. The article may include a tensile element, guide elements, and one or more strap guides attached to an underside of the second layer.
US09980530B2
A sports helmet optimizes the full peripheral field of vision of its wearer. The optical properties of the entire protective shell will allow the transmission of light, while reflecting a colored appearance externally, and remaining antireflective from the eye of the wearer. Internal padding and face guard also enhance the transmission of light compared to existing designs. Helmets constructed in accordance with the invention are made with a transparent shell material, with one or more optical layers to achieve an anti-reflective view from the eye side of the helmet and an acceptable appearance on the external surface of the shell. Single or multiple metalized thin films may be used to create a one-way mirror effect. In other embodiments see-through graphics may be used with microdot patterns. In certain embodiments, multiple optical coatings may be used to achieve a desired combination of transparency and light-absorbing properties.
US09980529B1
A helmet/hood assembly includes a housing, a support ring subassembly configured to hold the assembly on a human head, a face shield, and a flexible hood attached to the housing and to the face shield, with the assembly being received, stored, used, and disposed as a single unit. The support ring subassembly pivots on the housing between a position suitable for shipping and storing the assembly and a position in which the assembly is worn. An accessory light powered by a battery may be held in place on the housing by magnetic attraction through the hood.
US09980525B2
In a first-aid system including an ultra compact first-aid pouch configured to fit behind the ballistic plates of a protective vest, the first-aid kit is protected from shrapnel and tearing, is easily locatable and removable and does not effect the user's freedom of movement. When the first-aid pouch is removed from its protected location, it presents the first-aid equipment in a logical and easily viewable manner.
US09980518B1
Presented herein is a compact air heat exchanger/heating element for use in a portable vaporizer. In one arrangement the heating element is a multi-layered ceramic element having multiple internal conductive layers that form resistors. The heating element may be manufactured utilizing Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing processes.
US09980517B2
Certain aspects of present invention relate to a top refillable e-cigarette, having movable cylindrical e-cigarette assembly, stationary top connecting assembly, and air adjustment assembly. Stationary top connecting assembly is positioned on top of air adjustment assembly. Movable cylindrical e-cigarette assembly may be slid upwards to open an e-liquid refill port against stationary top connecting assembly so e-liquid is refilled at top. Movable cylindrical electronic cigarette assembly has an e-liquid storage tank inside, and a vaporizer body support threadedly connect to a mouthpiece assembly and a sliding base. Stationary top connecting assembly defining a vapor passage in the center of the stationary top connecting assembly configured to allow vaporized e-liquid from the vaporizer to pass through to the mouthpiece assembly. A vaporizer is positioned inside the stationary top connecting assembly. Air adjustment assembly is configured to allow a user to adjust amount of air intake to the top refillable electronic cigarette.
US09980508B2
Systems, techniques and methods for estimating the metabolic state or flux, e.g., the body energy state (“BES”) of a patient, are disclosed. The BES provides a deep insight into the nutritional needs of the patient, thus allowing for a sort of exquisite glycemic control with regard to the patient. The invention discloses systems and methods for estimating fractional gluconeogenesis. The invention also discloses systems and methods for estimating and targeting patient blood lactate concentration, both as a target itself and as an intermediate step to estimating and targeting patient fractional gluconeogenesis glucose production. Nutritional support methods and formulations are also disclosed. The invention is suitable for any sort of patient, including those who are injured, such as with traumatic brain injury, ill, or have other conditions that stress the metabolic system.
US09980503B2
Chewing gums and chewing gum bases which are cud-forming and chewable at mouth temperature contains a multi-block copolymer having at least two repeating sequences of at least two different polymeric blocks having at least three monomer units each. The multi-block copolymer optionally includes linking units and may be formulated to have non-covalent crosslinking between the copolymer chains. The multi-block copolymer is optionally plasticized with a compatible di-block copolymer to function as an elastomer system in the gum base. Characteristics of the multi-block copolymers can be selected to produce gum bases and chewing gums having desired properties. In some cases, chewed cuds formed from the gum bases may exhibit improved removability from environmental surfaces to which they may become undesirably attached.
US09980497B2
Compositions comprising chelating agents, metal ion salts, gelling agents or a buffer, antimicrobials, antibiofilm agents and a pH adjuster or a buffer for the prevention and treatment of wound infections and food-borne diseases involving bacterial biofilms are disclosed. The anti-infective properties of a composition include reduction or killing of anaerobic/aerobic/facultative gram-negative and gram-positive wound infection associated bacteria occurring in polymicrobial biofilms. The composition may be in the form of lotion, cream, ointment, dressing, bandage, rinse, soak, gel, spray, or other suitable forms, including certain devices. Additionally, the invention offers an efficient method of delivering the formulated composition containing one or two chelating agents or chelating agents alone or in combination with a metal ion salt using either a nanoparticle or other efficient delivery systems.
US09980496B2
A trimming system for fish which is placed with belly sides on opposite sides of a supporting structure. A force supplying means applies opposite forces onto the belly sides towards the supporting structure. A profile measuring means determines the profile of the belly sides, and a cutting means trims the belly sides. Opposite forces are supplied by the force supplying means while the belly sides are measured by the profile measuring means, and the opposite forces are supplied while the belly sides are simultaneously trimmed.
US09980494B2
A dough proofing apparatus includes a proofing chamber for holding dough during proofing operations and having a door for accessing the proofing chamber. An air duct assembly includes at least one inlet opening and at least one fan for drawing in air from the proofing chamber. At least one heating element is located within the air duct assembly for heating the air and a flow path for delivering the heated air back to the proofing chamber. A vent chamber is divided into an exhaust side and an intake side, the exhaust side fluidly connected to the air duct assembly, the intake side fluidly connected to the proofing chamber.
US09980491B2
A probiotic composition and methods for the mitigation, inhibition, and/or exclusion of microorganisms.
US09980486B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), or an agronomically acceptable salt of said compounds wherein A1a, A1b, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein. The invention further relates to herbicidal compositions which comprise a compound of Formula (I), and to their use for controlling weeds, in particular in crops of useful plants.
US09980475B2
A method for fumigating psyllium husk. The method comprises filling a fumigation chamber with psyllium husk chamber is at least 35% filled with bags of psyllium husk, fumigating the psyllium husk with at least 40 g/m3 of methyl bromide for at least 24 hours, and degassing the chamber for at least 6 hours to form fumigated psyllium husk. The fumigated psyllium husk comprises less than 50 ppm inorganic bromide residue and the fumigated psyllium husk does not comprise an insect infestation or a khapra beetle infestation.
US09980464B2
An orbit-type cat toy with a sensing function includes a chassis with a circular orbit (track) and a small toy capable of rolling along the circular orbit. A plurality of sensing devices are evenly distributed along the circumference of the chassis, and an inside of the chassis is provided with a signal sending module configured to send a signal after a sensing device is triggered. The bottom of the small toy is provided with a roller wheel, and the inside of the small toy is provided with a motor to drive the roller wheel to rotate. The small toy further includes a signal receiving module, a calculation module, a comparison module, and a control module to control the motor to rotate.
US09980463B2
An item dispensing device having a wheel with a dispensing bucket formed into the wheel wall. The device can have a number of features to prevent items being dispensed from interlocking and thereby preventing further dispensing. These features can include protrusions on the cylinder wall, and a torsion spring to agitate the items to be dispensed, and a reed sweeper to help prevent jamming of an item during dispensing. Further, the device includes an ejection arm having an ejection face configured to dispense items in a manner that are engaging for a pet.
US09980459B2
A robotic attacher includes a main arm that is suspended vertically from a rail, and a supplemental arm that is coupled to and extends horizontally from the main arm along a longitudinal axis. The supplemental arm includes a pivot assembly that pivots a gripping portion around a vertical axis that is substantially parallel to the main arm of the robotic attacher, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the supplemental arm, and between at least a maximum-left position, a maximum-right position, and a centered position. The pivot assembly includes a first actuator that extends and retracts a first cable coupled to a left side of the gripping portion in order to pivot the gripping portion. The pivot assembly further includes a second actuator that extends and retracts a second cable coupled to a right side of the gripping portion in order to pivot the gripping portion.
US09980453B1
A novel maize variety designated PH2DNS and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH2DNS with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH2DNS through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH2DNS or a locus conversion of PH2DNS with another maize variety.
US09980450B2
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line PSQ9Z11-9048. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line PSQ9Z11-9048 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato 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, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US09980442B2
A method and decoder-based irrigation controller, and method and programming chart, are provided. In some embodiments, a decoder-based irrigation controller comprises a microcontroller; and a first connector coupled to the microcontroller and configured to couple to a reader, wherein the reader comprises an optical reader configured to read an optically readable pattern, wherein the first connector is further configured to couple an input from the reader to the microcontroller; and wherein the microcontroller is configured to interpret the input from the reader and perform an action at the decoder-based irrigation controller according to the input.
US09980441B2
A landscape edging stake includes a driving end, a penetration end and an edging engagement portion positioned between the driving end and the penetration end. The edging engagement portion includes a rib configured to engage an inner wall of an anchoring bore of an edging link. A ground engagement portion is positioned between the edging engagement portion and the penetration end and includes a helical groove or thread.
US09980438B2
A method for operating a shearing tool that includes: operating a first switch to control a drive unit to drive a blade of a blade set; and operating a second switch to cause the drive unit to operate in an anti-binding mode in which a direction of an input to the drive unit is alternated at least twice. A shearing tool is also provided.
US09980431B2
An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header system carried by the chassis. The header system includes a frame; a cutter carried by the frame; a cutter sensor associated with the cutter which outputs a cutter height signal; a gauge wheel carried by the frame behind the cutter; a wheel sensor associated with the gauge wheel which outputs a wheel position signal; an actuator system including actuators which can adjust a height and/or a tilt angle of the frame; and a controller electrically coupled to the cutter height sensor, the wheel sensor and the actuator system. The controller is configured to: receive the cutter height signal; receive the wheel position signal; compare the cutter height signal and the wheel position signal to determine a terrain irregularity is present; and activate one or more actuators to adjust the frame in response to determining the terrain irregularity is present.
US09980426B2
A seed metering system, for use on a row crop planter, selects individual seeds from a seed reservoir and dispenses the seeds singularly at a controlled rate. A direct drive seed metering system includes a seed disc having a plurality of suction apertures with a recessed pocket adjacent to an aperture. The recessed pockets act to agitate seeds in the seed reservoir and to direct seed flow towards the apertures. A seed path relief system provides for allowing the placement of the seeds such that they are released from an outer edge of the seed disc. An adjustable seed singulator is mounted adjacent to the face of the seed disc where inner and outer blades are adjusted radially to compensate for the singulation of various seed sizes and shapes. The seed disc is driven via engagement of an internal gear with the external gear of an independent drive motor.
US09986666B2
A power converter, including a housing, an air channel that is installed in the housing and that has a top part and a leg part forming a T-shape, and a plurality of power conversion units that are arranged in the housing on opposite sides of the leg part of the air channel, each power conversion unit having at least one cooling fin formed thereon that projects into the top part of the air channel.
US09986665B2
A power conversion apparatus includes a first power converter, second power converter, a case, and partitioning portion. The first power converter performs power conversion. The second power converter performs power conversion. The case houses the first power converter and the second power converter. The partitioning portion partitions the first power converter and the second power converter housed in the case, and forms a coolant flow passage through which a coolant flows. The first power converter includes a first heat-generating component. The second power converter includes a second heat-generating component. The first heat-generating component and the second heat-generating component are each joined to the partitioning portion at a position at which the first heat-generating component and the second heat-generating component do not overlap each other in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to a coolant flow direction of the coolant flow passage.
US09986661B2
A water cooling heat radiation device and module thereof includes a body structure, composed of a plurality of laminations, a top and a bottom sheet body, and a water pump. Each the lamination has a plurality of radial extended portions and a spiral raised portion. The laminations are stacked to form the body structure, such that the radial extended portions and the spiral raised portions form a plurality of radiation fins and a spiral flow passage, respectively. The spiral flow passage has a water inlet in a water inlet part, and a water outlet, respectively, provided on two ends thereof. The top and the bottom sheet body correspondingly secure a top and a bottom side of the spiral flow passage of the body structure. The water pump is located in the water inlet part, and forms a water cooling heat radiation module with a first and a second pipe.
US09986655B1
An equipment strap is provided. The equipment strap includes at least one strap, the at least one strap configured to hold together a plurality of electronic devices as a bundle of the electronic devices. The equipment strap includes at least one panel attached to the at least one strap. The at least one panel includes at least one cable integrated therein. The at least one cable is configured to couple to the plurality of electronic devices, wherein the at least one cable provides an electrical interconnection among the plurality of electronic devices.
US09986651B2
Methods and mechanisms for mitigating attenuation in a printed circuit board connection may include selecting the relative permittivities of resin layers proximate to the connection to control connection frequency resonances such that the attenuation of signals in the connection due to frequency resonance is mitigated.
US09986644B2
A process for the production of an entry sheet for drilling a printed wiring board material, which process comprises forming a multi-layered water-soluble resin composition layer on at least one surface of a metal foil, wherein an aqueous solution of a water-soluble resin composition is applied to the metal foil, dried and solidified to form one water-soluble resin composition layer, the application, drying and solidification of the aqueous solution of the water-soluble resin composition are repeated at least once to form at least one water-soluble resin composition layer on the above one water-soluble resin composition layer, the multi-layered water-soluble resin composition layer is composed of these water-soluble resin composition layers, the multi-layered water-soluble resin composition layer has a thickness of at least 50 μm and is almost free from air bubbles, and an entry sheet for drilling a printed wiring board material obtained by the above process.
US09986635B2
An assembly includes a carrier and an electrically conductive mesh, wherein the carrier includes a side surface with an edge, the electrically conductive mesh is attached to the side surface and extends over the edge of the side surface, and the edge has a radius at least as big as a minimal bending radius of electric lines of the electrically conductive mesh.
US09986628B2
A method of generating radiation for a lithography apparatus. The method comprises providing a continuously renewing fuel target (50) at a plasma formation location (12) and directing a continuous-wave excitation beam (6) at the plasma formation location such that fuel within the continuously renewing fuel target is excited by the continuous-wave excitation beam to a radiation generating plasma.
US09986610B1
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a series-connectable decorative light string. High-voltage power is received via a first electrical connector at a first end of the decorative light string and is conducted to a complementary second electrical connector at a second end of the decorative light string. The decorative light string has a power converter that converts the received high-voltage power to low-voltage DC power for consumption by a plurality of lighting elements distributed along the decorative light string. Each of the plurality of lighting elements has an illumination controller. The plurality of lighting elements is wired in daisy chain fashion from the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector via data-in and data-out ports of each lighting element. The wire high-voltage power received by the first electrical connector can provide power to additional decorative light strings connected via the second electrical connector without resulting in degraded illumination.
US09986608B2
The lighting system includes a voltage source for generating a constant direct current adapted to supply lighting modules, a number n of electronic switches, a current sensor connected in series with the voltage source to detect a measurement signal indicative of the current provided by the voltage source, and a control unit. The control unit generates the drive signals for the electronic switches. It varies the drive signals, such that: in a first instant, all lighting modules are connected to the voltage source; and during a sequence of instants, each time a different set of lighting modules is connected to the voltage source. It then determines the current flowing through all lighting modules as a function of the measurement signal detected in the first instant, and determines the currents which flow through the various lighting modules as a function of the measurement signals detected during the sequence of instants.
US09986604B2
The invention describes a driver arrangement (1) for driving a semiconductor lighting load (2), which driver arrangement (1) comprises a first power converter (10) arranged to drive a portion (2_10, 2_10_11) of the lighting load (2); a second power converter (11) arranged to drive a portion (2_11, 2_10_11) of the lighting load (2); a monitoring arrangement (12) realized to monitor an operating characteristic (12A, 12B, 12C, IR3O) ° f the second power converter (11); and a control signal generator (13) for generating a control signal (130, Vshunt) for the first power converter (10) on the basis of the monitored operating characteristic (12A, 12B, 12C, IR3O). The invention also describes a lighting arrangement (100), which lighting arrangement (100) comprises a semiconductor lighting load (2); and such a driver arrangement (1) for driving the semiconductor lighting load (2). The invention also describes a method of driving a semiconductor lighting load (2).
US09986602B2
An enclosure for heating a three dimensional structure. The enclosure comprising a body defining a cavity therein. The cavity sized to receive a three dimensional structure. A plurality of heating blankets configured to heat the three dimensional structure to a substantially uniform temperature. At least one of the plurality of heating blankets comprises a conductor for receiving current and generating a magnetic field in response thereto, a first susceptor wire comprising an alloy having a first Curie temperature point and a second susceptor wire. The second susceptor wire comprising a second Curie temperature point that is different than the first Curie temperature point of the first susceptor wire.
US09986601B2
To provide a vehicle window glass, in which heater wires and a conductor wire, such as an antenna, intersect, and a mounting structure for the window glass for a vehicle. The heater wires are not noticeable and have a good appearance. A window glass for a vehicle, comprising a glass main body, a plurality of heater wires formed to extend in a horizontal direction when mounted to a vehicle, and an antenna wire formed to intersect at least one of the heater wires, wherein the smallest line width “a” of the heater wires is at most 0.4 mm, and the largest line width “b” of the antenna wire is smaller than the line width “a” in a range of intersection of the antenna wire and the heater wires extending from one end of the antenna wire to the other end of the antenna wire.
US09986600B2
The invention provides a method of using a water heater arranged for heating an aqueous liquid wherein the water heater comprises a heating element to heat aqueous liquid in the water heater. The method comprises (a) heating aqueous liquid in the water heater with the heating element), wherein the heating element is in contact with the aqueous liquid; and (b) applying a first AC voltage between the heating element and a counter electrode, and applying a DC voltage between the heating element and the counter electrode, wherein the DC voltage is at least 0.5 V, and wherein the heating element is chosen as positive electrode.
US09986598B2
Substrate temperature control apparatus including groove-routed optical fibers. Substrate temperature control apparatus includes upper and lower members including grooves in one or both, and a plurality of optical fibers routed in the grooves. In one embodiment, the optical fibers are adapted to provide light-based pixelated heating. In another embodiment, embedded optical temperature sensors are adapted to provide temperature measurement. Substrate temperature control systems, electronic device processing systems, and methods including groove-routed optical fiber temperature control and measurement are described, as are numerous other aspects.
US09986592B2
The disclosure relates to methods for improving the DRX operation of a UE by introducing an additional DRX wake-up cycle, which runs in parallel to the short and/or long DRX cycle. The DRX wake-up cycle defines time intervals after which the UE starts monitoring the PDCCH for a wake-up duration of time; the UE does not perform any other operation during the wake-up duration apart from monitoring the PDCCH. The time intervals of the wake-up cycle between the wake-up durations are preferably shorter than the one of the DRX long cycle, and may have the same or a shorter length than the ones of the DRX short cycle. The wake-up duration may be as long as the on-duration of the DRX short/long cycle, or may be preferably much shorter, such as only one or a few subframes.
US09986588B2
A random access method and device relate to the field of mobile communication, and solve the problem of triggering a random access procedure of a small cell. The method comprises a terminal detecting whether a small cell random access condition is satisfied at present; the terminal automatically initiating a random access procedure of a small cell when the small cell random access condition is satisfied. The technical scheme provided in the embodiments of the present document is applicable to the LTE system, and the random access mechanism of a small cell is achieved.
US09986577B2
A method for dynamically managing spectrum access and supporting multiple tiers of users is provided. A spectrum access server receives a request from a device to access a segment of spectrum, and determines which tier of the multiple tiers is associated with the request. If the request is from a second tier user and the request does not interfere with first tier users, the request is granted. If the request is from a third tier user and the request does not interfere with first tier users and authorized second tier users, the request is granted.
US09986574B2
Techniques for channel selection and related operations in a shared spectrum environment are disclosed. In one example, a channel selector or the like may be used to select one of a number of available channels as an operating channel based on a comparison of cost functions for each of the available channels, with the cost functions being based on separate utility and penalty metrics. In another example, a channel scanner or the like may be used to trigger a channel scan in response to a channel quality metric indicating poor service for a threshold number or proportion of access terminals. In another example, an operating mode controller may be used to trigger a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) mode on an operating channel in response to a utilization metric being above a threshold. The TDM mode may cycle operation between activated and deactivated periods in accordance with a TDM communication pattern.
