Document	Document Title
US09157670B2	Hazardous location heat transfer unit A two chamber heat transfer unit configured such that hazardous air can circulate through one of the chambers and potential ignition source components are contained in another chamber through which the gas to be heated or cooled will circulate.
US09157664B2	Support structure and systems including the same Support structures and systems for electrical panels, such as solar panels or collectors, and other materials and devices are described. The structures are relatively strong and lightweight and include cable management features.
US09157661B2	Service device for maintenance of a solar panel arrangement The invention relates to a service device for maintenance of a solar panel arrangement, comprising a service unit for maintenance of at least one surface of the solar panel arrangement, a guiding unit for guiding the service unit with respect to the solar panel arrangement, and a driving unit for moving the service unit with respect to the solar panel arrangement, wherein the service unit comprises a first engagement section and a second engagement section, wherein the guiding unit is attachable to the first engagement section, the guiding unit being configured for direct engagement with an edge of the solar panel arrangement, wherein the driving unit is attachable to the second engagement section, and wherein the second engagement section is displaceable with respect to the first engagement section by the driving unit.
US09157652B2	Vent cover with biased door A vent cover includes a body having an inner portion and a outer portion, a vent exhaust hole defined in the body through the inner portion and the outer portion, an enclosure defined between the inner portion and the outer portion; and a door movably coupled to the body, the door including a biasing portion and a door portion, the door moveable between a first position and a second position, the door in the first position at least partially covering the vent exhaust hole, the second position having a clearance between the door portion and the vent exhaust hole, the biasing portion enclosed within the enclosure of the body and including a biasing element biasing the door to the first position.
US09157649B2	Air-conditioning apparatus An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat medium flow control device that adjusts the flow rate of a heat medium circulating in a use side heat exchanger, temperature sensors that are disposed in an inlet-side passage and an outlet-side passage of the use side heat exchanger and that detect temperatures of the heat medium, and a controller that controls the heat medium flow control device so that a temperature difference between a detection value of the temperature sensors is equal to a first target value. A refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant flow passage of the heat exchanger related to heat medium and a heat medium flowing through a heat medium flow passage of the heat exchanger related to heat medium are in counter flow relative to one another, and the controller changes the first target value in accordance with an operation state of a refrigerant circuit.
US09157645B1	Apparatus, method, and system for controlling flow of a fluid Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising a power supply, a wireless controller coupled to the power supply, the wireless controller being configured to wirelessly receive a command from a wireless thermostat of a ventilation system, the ventilation system having a vent through which a fluid passes, and a flow controller to automatically control an amount of flow of the fluid through the vent of the ventilation system based at least in part on the command received wirelessly from the wireless thermostat. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09157642B2	Air conditioner including virus removal device A virus removal device with an ultraviolet LED may be provided that includes: an operating member; an ultraviolet LED configured to irradiate ultraviolet light onto an object under an operation of the operating member; and a driving means configured to generate a driving force so that the operating member is moved.
US09157641B1	Oven door support legs A pair of self-folding legs intended to support a door of an oven when in an open position pivot downwardly from a front surface of the door to a floor surface, thus forming a stable support system. In such a manner, heavy objects can be placed on the door surface as they enter and exit the oven cavity. The pair of legs is fastened to the front surface of the door using a high-temperature adhesive fastening method. The legs automatically pivot down as the door is opened and fold back up when the door is closed. Each leg comprises a height adjustable foot with a rubberized bottom surface to accommodate all styles and sizes of ovens to avoid damage to the floor surface.
US09157638B2	Adaptor assembly for removable components An assembly is provided with a housing, a guide sleeve, and a spring. The guide sleeve may be at least partially housed within the housing. The spring may be disposed to abut against the housing and the guide sleeve.
US09157636B2	Gas regulating fitting A gas regulating fitting that ensures simple manual operation is to be created. In particular, the device is to be capable of being switched both on and off in one operation. To that end, a microswitch (12) connected to an electronic control unit is arranged on the housing (1). The microswitch is operated when a tappet (10) arranged axially to the safety pilot valve (26) and the main valve (19) is manually operated. The electronic control unit thereby receives an electrical signal whereby the gas regulating fitting is activated in its switched-off state, and the gas flow flowing through the open safety pilot valve (26) is therefore ignited, whereas the holding current flowing to the thermoelectric safety pilot valve (26) is interrupted in the switched-on state of the gas regulating fitting, and the gas regulating fitting is therefore deactivated. The gas regulating fitting can be used to ignite and regulate a gas flow flowing to a burner.
US09157635B2	Fuel distribution manifold A fuel distribution manifold comprises an outer shell having an inner surface. The outer shell defines an inlet for receiving fuel from a parent supply line, a base opposite the inlet, a central manifold axis that intersects the inlet, and a plurality of outlets for delivering fuel to offspring fuel lines, each outlet defining a respective outlet axis. In one exemplary embodiment, a fuel distribution manifold also comprises a center-body having an outer surface and being positioned within the outer shell wherein the outer surface of the center-body and the inner surface of the outer shell define a flow-path through which fluid flows from the inlet to the plurality of outlets. In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the outlets is positioned adjacent to the base and oriented so that its respective outlet axis is rotated relatively to a radial direction that intersects the central manifold axis.
US09157631B2	Method for burning burner The object of the present invention is to provide a method for burning a burner which has NOx reduction effects and has practical value, and a device therefore; the present invention provide A method for burning a burner in a heating furnace including a step of: periodically changing at least one of a flow rate of a fuel fluid and a flow rate of an oxidizing agent fluid which are supplied to the burner while periodically changing an oxygen concentration in the oxidizing agent fluid, thereby an oxygen ratio which is calculated by dividing an amount of oxygen supplied by a theoretical necessary amount of oxygen is periodically changed, and the periodical change of the oxygen ratio is made different from the periodical change of the oxygen concentration to cause combustion in periodically vibrational conditions.
US09157626B2	Light emitting diode lamp A light emitting apparatus includes a housing having a transparent portion, at least one LED positioned within the housing to emit light through the transparent portion, and a fan positioned within the housing to cool said at least one LED.
US09157625B2	Lightweight lighting fixture with improved heat management configuration A lighting fixture configured for lightweight and improved thermal management. The lighting fixture includes a metallic sheet ballast housing configured to house a ballast, and a metallic sheet reflector coupled to the metallic sheet ballast housing via an interface member. The ballast is disposed on one side of the interface member, and a light emitting source is disposed on and attached to the opposite side of the interface member. Since the primary components of the lighting fixture are made out of sheet metal (e.g., with a thickness of approximately 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter), the lighting fixture may be configured to be significantly lightweight. Additionally, since the ballast and the light emitting source are respectively disposed on and attached to the interface member between the metallic sheet ballast housing and the metallic sheet reflector, heat generated by these devices may be easily dispersed via the ballast housing and the reflector.
US09157623B2	Multiple beam light source A portable light having a transmitter configured to emit a signal, a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter, a source of electric light that includes a plurality of light modes, a power source, and a controller connected to a circuit, wherein the transmitter, the receiver, the source of electric light, the power source, and the switch are included in the circuit. The controller is configured to control the switch and a transition between or among the plurality of light modes in response to the signal received by the receiver.
US09157602B2	Optical element for a light source and lighting system using same An optical element for a light source and a lighting system using the optical element are disclosed. In example embodiments, the optical element includes an entry surface and an exit surface opposite the entry surface. The entry surface includes at least three subsurfaces, wherein each subsurface is disposed to receive light rays leaving light source. Each of the three subsurfaces is geometrically shaped and positioned to receive light rays entering the optical element through that subsurface in order to direct the light passing through the optical element. In some embodiments the optical element includes a concentrator lens disposed in the exit surface. The optical element can also include a mixing treatment. A lighting system can include multiple optical elements, each paired with a light source such as an LED or LED package.
US09157594B2	Adjusting device for headlights An adjusting device for headlights has a luminous component supported on a carrier and a linear element for angling the luminous component around a horizontal and/or vertical adjusting axis, which is acting upon said component and arranged on an adjusting point, wherein in the region of the linear element, the luminous component is supported on areas of contact opposite the carrier and/or the luminous component by way of said type of deformation element such that if an adjusting force is applied onto the areas of contact in the normal direction, the deformation element is moveable together with the luminous component along an adjusting pathway running perpendicular to the normal direction.
US09157583B2	Lighting device comprising at least two organic luminescent materials The invention provides a lighting device (100) comprising a light source (10) and luminescent materials (20). The luminescent materials (20) comprise a first organic luminescent material (120) and a second organic luminescent material (220), the light source (10) together with the luminescent materials (20) being configured to generate white lighting device light (101) during operation. The first organic luminescent material (120) degrades with time at a first degradation rate and the second organic luminescent material (220) degrades with time at a second degradation rate, wherein the first degradation rate is larger than the second degradation rate. The first organic luminescent material is configured in a first layer (130, 1020) and the second organic luminescent material is configured in a second layer (140, 1220). The first layer and/or the second layer is further configured to at least partly compensate for the difference in the first degradation rate and the second degradation rate in order to maintain the lighting device light (101) substantially white during operation time of the lighting device (100).
US09157579B2	LED assembly with omnidirectional light field Disclosed is an LED assembly having an omnidirectional light field. The LED assembly has a transparent substrate, LED chips, and first and second electrode plates. The transparent substrate comprises first and second surfaces facing to opposite orientations respectively. The transparent substrate has a via hole tunneling therethrough, which is formed with conductive material to provide a conductive via. The LED chips are mounted on the first surface. The first and second electrode plates are formed on the first and second surfaces respectively. The light emitting diode chips and the conductive via are electrically connected in series between the first and second electrode plates.
US09157578B2	Gas supply device The present invention relates to a gas supply device having a compact configuration that enables prevention of vaporized gas by requisite minimum heating means from being liquefied again and an installation area to be considerably reduced. The gas supply device is provided with: a tank configured to retain material liquid; and a mass flow controller that is connected to an inside of the tank through a first valve unit, and controls a flow rate of gas resulting from vaporizing the material liquid, in which inside an outer wall of the tank, an internal flow path is formed, and the internal flow path is provided with a generated gas lead-out line provided with: a first valve flow-in flow path connecting the inside of the tank and a first inlet port; and a first valve flow-out flow path connecting a first outlet port and an introduction port of the mass flow controller.
US09157576B2	Lubrication device with fluid lubricant flow rate regulation A lubrication device including a tank of fluid lubricant to be dispensed to a user position, a component for raising the pressure of the lubricant, a device for regulating the flow rate of a pressurized lubricant, and a distributor for enabling the lubricant flow to be conveyed to the user position with regulated flow rate. The regulating device including a body provided at least with one feed channel and one outflow channel put into communication by an aperture within the interior of which a valving element is movable provided with a perimetral lateral surface in which at least one window is provided in communication with a free end of the valving element.
US09157571B2	Features for securing tape to annular band A tracking band comprises a magnetic tape and mounting tabs that secure the magnetic tape within a band clamp. The mounting tabs protrude radially inwardly toward a center region defined by the band clamp. The magnetic tape is precision-coded with a sequence of magnetic poles. The tracking band may be disposed within an annular recess of a rotating shaft of a heliostat. The tracking band may rotate with the rotating shaft. The shaft may be coupled with a mirror such that the mirror and rotating shaft rotate concurrently. As the tracking band rotates with the rotating shaft, the tracking band may pass by an encoder head, which may read the magnetic tape and relay information regarding the angular position of the mirror from the magnetic tape to a control system. The tracking band may thus provide altitude and azimuth position information for the mirror to a control system.
US09157562B2	Positive swivel fitting A positive swivel fitting provides for a system flow transmitting portion and a separate lock-down portion. The flow transmitting portion is configured to be receivable within the lock-down portion. When the flow transmitting portion is properly and “positively” positioned, then the lock-down portion can be secured and the position of the flow transmitting portion is maintained, thus making alignment with other parts of the flow device variable. The fitting can be used within any air, other gas or liquid flow system.
US09157561B2	Wet connection system, downhole system using wet connection system, and method thereof A wet connection system including a first connector configured to connect to a first control line. The first connector including at least one first pathway arranged to fluidly communicate with the first control line, and a biased movable plug movable within the first connector; and, a second connector configured to connect to a second control line. The second connector including a second pathway in fluid communication with the second control line and a biased sleeve movable within the second connector; wherein the first and second connectors are each pressure balanced to prevent internal control line pressure. External borehole pressures from moving the plug and sleeve from their biased positions blocking the respective first and second pathways in the disconnected condition of the wet connection system. Mating of the first connector with the second connector moves the movable plug and the sleeve against their bias to fluidically couple the first and second pathways in a connected condition of the wet connection system. Also included is a method of pressure balancing a hydraulic wet connection system in a downhole environment.
US09157557B2	Gas distribution assembly A gas distribution assembly includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe, defining a gas supply chamber therebetween. Furthermore, the gas distribution assembly includes a unit for supplying compressed gas to the gas supply chamber, a first end connection connecting first ends of the outer pipe and of the inner pipe, and leaving an orifice of the first end of the inner pipe open outwards, a second end connection connecting second ends of the outer pipe and of the inner pipe, and leaving an orifice of the second end of the inner pipe open outwards. The inner pipe includes a first pipe member including the first end of the inner pipe and a second pipe member including the second end of the inner pipe, which pipe members are in telescopic engagement with each other.
US09157555B2	Apparatus and method for a ball joint fitting assembly An apparatus for extending a pipe through a wall. The apparatus includes a ball joint through which at least one pipe extends, an inner pipe, which extends through the ball joint and through which a fluid material may transfer, a housing unit, which substantially surrounds the ball joint and comprises resin bonding surfaces that that seal the housing unit to the ball joint, and a flange unit, which affixes to the housing unit and comprises resin bonding surfaces that seal the flange unit to a wall. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the inner pipe and a line orthogonal to the wall through which the pipe extends is in the range of between about 0 and 20 degrees.
US09157554B2	Boltless locking arrangement A “boltless” locking arrangement for secure attachment of a boss to a fixed structural part is shown. The boss has a central axis and is extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the structural part when the parts are assembled. The arrangement includes two substantially radially extending, when viewed relative to the central axis, action surfaces provided in the external surface of the boss, and at least one annular plate configured body made up by individual segments. The at least one annular plate configured body is at its radially inner, but external portion designed to co-operate, or engage with, at least one of the respective two action surfaces, and at its radially outer, but internal portion and on opposite side, is abutting the fixed structural part.
US09157551B2	Reconfigurable microactuator and method of configuring same A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs.
US09157548B2	Foot actuated faucet A hands-free faucet control device includes a water valve assembly and a foot pedal assembly. The water valve assembly includes a housing with two input ports and two output port configured to be attachable in series with a hot water pipe and a cold water pipe. A valve includes two through holes and is movable in the housing between a closed position and an open position. In the open position the two through holes are in alignment with the two input and output ports. In the closed position the two through holes are not in alignment with the two input and output ports. A spring is biased against the valve keeping the valve in the closed position. The single valve reduces costs, increases reliability and simplifies ease of installation. The foot actuated faucet can also be configured to remain in the down/on position through various mechanical structures.
US09157534B2	Two-stud diaphragm for diaphragm valves A diaphragm valve features a valve body having a fluid flow channel with a weir portion to control the flow of fluid through the fluid flow channel; a diaphragm that responds to a closing or force to make sealing contact with the weir portion to interrupt said flow, or to release the sealing contact with the weir portion to allow the flow; a compressor configured to apply the closing or force in order to interrupt or allow the flow; and two studs configured to: couple the compressor and the diaphragm together, attach to the diaphragm to provide attachment points on the diaphragm on each side of the weir portion, and respond to the closing or opening force so the attachment points on both sides of the weir portion cause the diaphragm to make sealing contact with the weir portion or cause the sealing contact to be released.
US09157532B2	Hydraulic seal arrangement A hydraulic seal arrangement for a rotating machine, the hydraulic seal arrangement comprising: a hydraulic seal; and an annular reservoir (16) fluidly coupled to the hydraulic seal; wherein the annular reservoir (16) is arranged to retain fluid from the hydraulic seal when the machine is shutdown and to return the retained fluid to the hydraulic seal under centrifugal force after the machine is restarted.
US09157531B2	Brush-type circular seal The seal comprises a casing made of two portions (1, 2) crimped into one another with an accurate hermetic position adjustment at interfaces (15, 6b) and a composite structure comprising inside the casing an advantageously flexible and resilient core (24) and a winding (20) of brush bristles. This structure directly extends facing internal faces (9, 10) facing each other in the casing, which compresses the same and has an arcuate shape having a slightly higher radius of curvature. The composite structure is held at an accurate position, firmly but free of constraint.
US09157517B2	Compound harmonic drive A harmonic drive includes a first flexible gear and a second flexible gear disposed around the first flexible gear and coaxial with the first flexible gear. A first ring gear meshes with the first flexible gear, and a second ring gear meshes with the second flexible gear.
US09157513B2	Rack guide unit and steering system including the rack guide unit A rack guide unit includes a closure member secured to an external opening end of an accommodation portion of a housing, and a rack guide. Coned disc springs that urge the rack guide toward a rack shaft are interposed between the closure member and the rack guide. A protrusion of the closure member is passed through the coned disc springs and inserted in a recessed portion of the rack guide. An O-ring held in an accommodation groove formed in the outer periphery of the protrusion, at a position closer to the distal end of the protrusion than the coned disc springs are, functions as a retaining protrusion that restrains the coned disc springs from coming off the protrusion. For example, the coned disc springs and the closure member constitute a subassembly formed in advance.
US09157508B2	Industrial gear mechanism An industrial gear mechanism with a bevel gear stage having a-bevel gear and a bevel pinion in engagement therewith. The bevel gear and the bevel pinion are surrounded by a gear mechanism housing having bearing seats for a bevel gear shaft and a bevel pinion shaft. A first and a second bevel pinion shaft bearing are arranged in an O-arrangement, with the first bevel pinion shaft bearing arranged on a first end of the bevel pinion shaft facing the bevel pinion and the second bevel pinion shaft bearing arranged on a second end of the bevel pinion shaft remote from the bevel pinion. A gearwheel of a spur gear stage on the drive side is arranged axially between the first and second bevel pinion shaft bearings in fixed rotative connection with the bevel pinion shaft and in engagement with a drive pinion of the spur gear stage.
US09157501B2	Vehicle wheel balance weights A vehicle wheel weight for attachment to a wheel rim comprises a mass portion formed of nonlead material and a clip. The clip has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim and an attachment portion juxtaposed to the mass portion. In addition, an injection molded outer casing surrounds the mass portion. The mass portion and the attachment portion of the clip are embedded in the casing, but the extended portion of the clip extends outwardly from and is external to the casing.
US09157498B2	Efficient energy accumulation element for actuators and other devices An efficient energy accumulation element comprising a compression spring which uses end caps and flexible rope to pre-compress the spring for using in actuators and other devices. The efficient energy accumulation element is independent of external surfaces or end construction of the spring. The accumulation and release of energy happens noiselessly.
US09157497B1	Lamina emergent torsional joint and related methods A torsional joint assembly formed from a substantially planar material sheet comprises a plurality of contiguous segments. The contiguous segments include at least two, substantially parallel hinge segments, each being coupleable to a loading structure; and at least a first connecting element connecting the hinge segments one to another, the connecting element extending substantially orthogonally to the hinge segments.
US09157493B2	Mechanical system comprising a one-way clutch and alternator comprising such a system The present invention relates to a mechanical system with a one-way clutch, for example a pulley for a motor vehicle alternator, comprising a first element and a second element which are able to move one with respect to the other in rotation about a central axis and delimit an annular housing radially to the central axis, a one-way clutch device arranged in the annular housing, and at least one rolling bearing arranged in the annular housing. The mechanical system is characterized in that the rolling bearing is an angular-contact bearing and comprises at least one pressed ring comprising means of attachment of the rolling bearing to the first element or the second element. The invention also relates to an alternator comprising such a mechanical system configured as a pulley with a one-way clutch.
US09157489B2	External adjuster for clutch incorporating an expanding friction disk An adjuster is disclosed, to be placed “in-line” to a clutch disengagement system. The adjuster provides a means for lifting the pressure plate above the clutch pack without significantly affecting the operation or feel of the clutch disengagement system to the operator. Such an adjuster is particularly well suited for use with an automatic centrifugal clutch incorporating a friction disk that expands when rotated above a threshold speed.
US09157488B2	Clutch apparatus A clutch apparatus including a compressive force boosting member for biasing a presser plate in a direction to compress friction plates between a pressure bearing plate and the presser plate upon accelerated rotation of a clutch inner member. A movable cam member is formed independently wherein the machinability thereof is enhanced. A compressive force boosting member includes a cam mechanism. The movable cam member is separate from a clutch inner member and a movable spring retainer member for movement independent of said clutch inner member in response to accelerated rotation of the clutch inner member. A pressure bearing plate is fixed to a clutch inner member rotatable relatively to an output shaft. A plurality of bosses extending through a presser plate have respective ends affixed thereto. A back torque limiter member has a cam mechanism disposed between a clutch inner member and an output member.
US09157484B2	Rotating shaft and industrial robot employing same A rotating shaft has: a first shaft member that includes a rail member and a first connecting portion which is disposed at the rail member; and a second shaft member that includes a slider which is movably installed to the rail member, a tubular unit which is secured to the slider, and a second connecting portion which is disposed at the tubular unit. The slider includes a plurality of roller type rolling elements. The plurality of roller type rolling elements includes: first roller type rolling elements which roll along a rolling path and when torque in a first direction is inputted, transfer running torque between the slider and the rail member; and second roller type rolling elements which roll along a rolling path and when torque in a second direction, which is opposite of the first direction, is inputted, transfer running torque between the slider and the rail member.
US09157479B2	Finite linear motion guide unit with cross-roller bearing system A synthetic resin-made cage plate to retain rollers lies between guideway members. The smaller pitch between the adjacent rollers in a cage results in the greater number of the rollers lying in a preselected length of the cage to get heavier load-carrying capacity. A holder to receive a pinion is molded integrally with the cage plate. The rollers are retained in openings in the cage plate at a tilt such that their rotating axes are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the raceway surfaces and also tilting at 45 degrees relative to major surfaces of the cage plate. The openings on their contour edges have bearing lips to retain end surfaces of the rollers. The cage plate has flanges extending lengthwise on its' widthwise opposite edges and bulging sidewise out over the major surfaces of the cage plate to render the cage plate tougher to warp or bend.
US09157478B2	Plain bearing A plain bearing of a shaft, in particular of an electric-motor drive unit of a motor vehicle, contains a first plain bearing part that surrounds the shaft and a second plain bearing part connected axially to the first plain bearing part. The thermal expansion coefficient of the second plain bearing part is greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the first plain bearing part.
US09157477B2	Linear motion guide apparatus having lubricating oil wiping mechanism A linear motion guide device includes a slider slidably attached onto a guide rail, two dust caps oppositely attached to end portions of the slider respectively and each having a channel formed between two legs for slidably engaging with the guide rail, and each having a lip portion directed toward the guide rail for wiping the engaging surface of the guide rail, and the lip portions of the legs of the dust caps each include an inner flange directed toward the slider and each include a number of notches and a number of projections formed in the inner flange of each of the legs and offset from each other for wiping the lubricating fluid into the notches of the legs respectively.
US09157476B2	Underconstraint eliminator mechanism in double parallelogram linear flexure bearing A double parallelogram linear flexural system and method includes a first stage extending in a direction of movement, and a pair of parallelogram flexures extending from the first stage to distal ends configured for being grounded. A second stage extends parallel to the first stage, with another pair of parallelogram flexures extending between the stages, wherein the stages and parallelogram flexures form a double parallelogram. A linkage is disposed between, and resiliently coupled to, the stages. Linkage guiding flexures extend divergently from the linkage, to distal end portions configured for being grounded. The linkage guiding flexures define a notional triangle having a base extending between the distal end portions, and sides extending through proximal end portions to a notional apex defining a center of rotation for the linkage. The linkage is entirely within the double parallelogram, while constraining the stages to oscillate at the same frequency and phase.
US09157475B2	Self-aligning maintenance free bearing unit for agricultural applications A contamination-resistant bearing assembly includes an outer ring mounted within a housing and an inner ring rotatably supported from the outer ring. Inboard and outboard seal structures are disposed within a bearing space defined between the rings and prevent contaminants from entering a rolling element lubrication zone. A surface seal may also be included to protect the spherical interface between the housing and outer ring. The improved structure allows dynamic alignment of the bearing assembly when acted on by outside forces and also allows for extended operation under maintenance free conditions with no need for relubrication.
US09157474B2	System and method of monitoring wear in a bearing A bearing can include a ball member, a race, and a liner located on an interior surface of the race, the liner having a first surface bonded to an interior surface of the race, the liner having a second surface that is adjacent to the ball member. The bearing also includes a wafer having a wear surface that is aligned with the second surface of the liner, the wafer being an electrically conductive member. Operational wear of the liner can be calculated by comparing a measured resistance of the wafer to an original known resistance of the wafer.
US09157468B2	Packing nut lock and method of use An apparatus for preventing a threaded nut from unscrewing from a threaded bore of a device. The threaded nut has a circular periphery containing a plurality of apertures. The apparatus has a body with a first pin configured to insert into one of the apertures of the threaded nut, and a retainer that releasably holds the first pin within the aperture.
US09157454B2	Flow straightener device for turbomachine A flow straightener device for a turbomachine including an inner shell ring and an outer shell ring surrounding the inner shell ring, at least one out of the inner shell ring and outer shell ring having first orifices; at least two flow straightener vanes each including, at least at one same first end, an attachment platform having second orifices positioned facing the first orifices; the at least two vanes being assembled with at least one of the inner shell ring and outer shell ring by at least one first device of attachment introduced into the first orifices and the second orifices. The flow straightener device includes a covering platform covering the at least one first device of attachment.
US09157452B2	Radial fan wheel, fan unit and radial fan arrangement A radial fan wheel comprising vanes (2) which are inclined against the rotational direction (8) (radial impeller inclined towards the rear), the outer edge regions (14, 7) of the top and bottom disks (3,4) projecting past the effective diameter (DAs) of the vanes. The diffusion space thus established between the bottom and top disks (1,3) and the effective and outer diameter (Das, DN) of the vanes enables the kinetic energy of the fluid to be effectively converted into static pressure). The cross-section of the diffusion space is thus embodied in such a way that it expands radially outwards in a rectangular or trapezoidal manner
US09157449B2	Multi-blade centrifugal fan and air conditioner using the same In a multi-blade centrifugal fan including an impeller (7) rotatably disposed in a casing and composed of a disc-shaped hub (8), a plurality of blades (9), and an annular shroud (10), the blades (9) are curved in a concave shape on a pressure side in a cross-section perpendicular to a rotating shaft of the impeller (7) and have a curved shape that is backward-swept near a leading edge (9C) thereof and that is forward-swept near a trailing edge (9D) thereof, the inner diameter of the cascade of blades (9) increases gradually from the hub (8) toward the shroud (10), and the diameter of a maximum-curvature position (9B) where the curvature of the curved shape is maximized increases gradually from the hub (8) toward the shroud (10).
US09157442B2	Fan with integrated vibration absorbing structure A fan with integrated vibration absorbing structure includes a fan frame, a hub-blade assembly, and at least one vibration absorber. The fan frame includes a base and at least one side wall formed around the base, and the hub-blade assembly is arranged in the fan frame. The at least one vibration absorber is provided on the at least one side wall to project therefrom for absorbing vibration produced by the fan during the operation thereof. Therefore, with the vibration absorbers integrated into the fan frame, it is no longer necessary to provide any additional vibration-absorbing member while upgraded vibration-absorbing effect can be achieved. Meanwhile, the fan can be more conveniently mounted at reduced mounting cost.
US09157437B2	Rotary compressor with oiling mechanism A rotary compressor includes an oiling mechanism that contains a vertical fitting hole formed on a countershaft portion in the lower part of the rotating shaft, and an oil pipe having an inlet port at the lower end and an opening at the upper end. The upper part of the oil pipe is press-fitted into the vertical fitting hole. The oiling mechanism further contains a pump vane having a vane portion and a base portion. The vane portion is twisting processed and inserted into the vertical oil hole to provide a space. The base portion is fixed into the lower part of the oil pipe that has an inner diameter smaller than the width thereof.
US09157421B2	Roadway energy harvesting system A system of efficiently and safely generating and storing energy from the weight and motion of a moving vehicle across a roadway. It is a object of the present invention to transform energy in the form of pressure, weight, or movement, for example, produced by moving vehicles into air pressure, store it, and subsequently convert the energy into the type of usable energy typically desired by cities, municipalities or private entities. In an embodiment, pressurized air is utilized. In another embodiment, magnetoelectric energy is utilized.
US09157414B2	Modular alternative energy unit A wind energy apparatus is made up of a plurality of modular wind energy devices or units. Each unit has a housing and at least two turbines mounted on the housing. Each of the turbines has a blade set extending upward from the housing. Each blade set has a vertical axis extending upward in relation to the housing. Each of the turbines has a generator connected thereto, each generator being disposed in the housing, and having a rotor and a stator. Each turbine is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing, and mounted to the rotor so that they rotate together. Each housing has a positive connector and negative connector on each side of the respective unit. The units, when placed together, connect their respective poles, positive and negative, together completing a circuit. Therefore, one may connect multiple units together.
US09157405B2	Starter motor testing device A control test device for testing a dual starter system has a first and a second starter. Each starter has a starter electrical interface including a starter start signal interface and a starter status signal interface. The control test device includes a first and a second communication interface for communicating a test signal to the first and second starter respectively. Each communication interface includes an electrical interface for interfacing with the first and second starter electrical interface. The test signal includes a start signal and a status signal. The start signal interfaces with one of the first and second starters start signal interface. The status signal sends a simulated status of the other one of the first and second starters to the one of the first and second starters start interface. A switch mechanism commands the start signal to one of the first and second starters.
US09157388B2	Methods and systems for air fuel ratio control Various methods and systems for an engine driving an electrical power generation system are provided. In one embodiment, an example method for an engine driving an electrical power generation system includes adjusting an engine speed in response to a relationship between oxygen and fuel while maintaining a power transmitted to the electrical power generation system.
US09157386B2	Vehicle travel control device To more reliably realize both improvement in fuel economy at the time of travelling of a vehicle and maintenance operation, a vehicle travel control for performing control at the time of travelling of the vehicle starts an engine when activation of an actuator of a pre-crash safety system is predicted when an engine is stopped causing a vehicle, which travels by power generated by the engine, to travel through inertia in an aim of reducing fuel consumption amount. Power is thus generated in an alternator arranged in the engine, so that supply amount of electricity can be increased.
US09157383B2	System, method and computer program for simulating vehicle energy use A system, method and computer program for simulating vehicle energy use is provided. Drive cycle data collected during real-world driving of at least one vehicle is received by at least one computing device, and engine torque information associated with the real-world driving of the at least one vehicle is also received. Vehicle payload mass of the at least one vehicle is estimated based at least partly on the respective received engine torque information, and energy use of the at least one vehicle is estimated based at least partly on the respective drive cycle data, the respective torque information, and the estimated vehicle payload mass.
US09157381B2	Mechanically controllable valve train assembly, internal combustion engine and method for operating an internal combustion engine A valve train assembly for an engine comprising cylinders, each comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet valve. A camshaft comprises a peripheral contour. A valve stroke adjusting device comprises a control shaft comprising control contours. An intermediate lever arrangement comprises an intermediate lever comprising a working curve which cooperates with a swivel lever, and an engagement element connected to a control contour. Each intermediate lever is connected to the peripheral contour. A transmission arrangement provides that an intermediate lever arrangement and a swivel lever arrangement is associated with each gas inlet valve. A control contour for an idle range is similar to a control contour for a full-load range. A control contour for a part-load range of a gas inlet valve of a shut-off cylinder comprises a section different to a control contour for a part-load range of the gas inlet valve of a remaining cylinder.
US09157372B2	Series battery start controller A series battery start controller for starting an aircraft turbine engine and method thereof is provided, wherein the battery series start controller connects two batteries in series when an aircraft engine starter is engaged to provide a higher voltage to start the aircraft engine and to provide adequate operational voltage to aircraft engine instruments and other aircraft electrical systems, and wherein the battery series start controller reconnects the batteries in parallel when the electrical load drawn by the starting aircraft engine decreases and the supplied voltage to the aircraft rises to a predetermined threshold.
US09157371B2	Fuel control module A fuel control module for a gas turbine engine and method of installation. The fuel control module includes a first frame unit, a second frame unit, a fuel path, and a fuel controller components. The first frame unit and the second frame unit include features for installation in multiple installations and/or multiple configurations.
US09157369B2	Waste heat utilization for energy efficient carbon capture A method and system for integrating a power plant and a post combustion carbon capture plant such as a solvent based absorption-regeneration process plant. Electricity is produced by a boiler feeding steam to one or more turbines. The flue gas from the boiler is fed to a waste heat recovery unit which captures heat and provides it to the post combustion capture plant where it can be used in a stripper interstage heater as a supplemental heat for solvent regeneration. Additionally recovered heat can be also integrated with the power generation plant by transferring it to the boiler feed water heating system. Part of the electricity that is generated is also fed to the post combustion capture plant where it will be used to power unit operations therein.
US09157368B2	Active flow control for nacelle inlet The disclosed turbine engine includes a fan nacelle surrounding a fan and including an inlet arranged upstream from the fan. The inlet includes an inlet surface having a boundary layer flow. A flow control actuator is in fluid communication with the inlet surface. A boundary layer sensing device is associated with the inlet surface for detecting a boundary layer condition at the inlet surface. A controller is in communication with the flow control actuator and the boundary layer sensing device. The controller is programmed to command the flow control actuator in response to the boundary layer sensing device detecting an undesired boundary layer condition. In this manner, the flow control actuator generates a desired boundary layer condition.
US09157359B2	Exhaust energy recovery for engines Technologies are generally described for recovery of energy from engines. The described technology may be applied to systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. An example exhaust energy recovery apparatus (50) may include at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element (60) having at least one side for thermal coupling along a substantial length (34, 35, 36) of an exhaust duct (30) for a combustion engine. The example apparatus (50) may also include a cover (52) located over at least a portion of the exhaust duct (30) adjacent to the at least one energy conversion element (60). A channel (53) may be formed between the cover (52) and an exterior portion of the exhaust duct (30), the channel having at least one inlet (54, 56) for admission of cooling fluid.
US09157356B2	Method for operating a motor vehicle diesel engine A method for operating a motor vehicle diesel engine having an exhaust emission control system is provided. The emission control system includes an oxidation catalytic converter, a particle filter, and an SCR catalytic converter, in which the exhaust gas that is discharged from the diesel engine is passed through the oxidation catalytic converter before passing through the particle filter and the SCR catalytic converter. A regeneration of the particle filter with thermal soot burn-off is occasionally carried out, during which the diesel engine is operated at an air-fuel ratio having a lambda value (λ) of at least approximately 1.0, and air is added to the exhaust gas after it exits the oxidation catalytic converter and before it enters the particle filter air, so that soot deposited on the particle filter is burnt-off.
US09157350B2	Engine system To provide a configuration that can discharge condensed water remaining in an exhaust gas passage in an engine in which a catalyst is placed in the exhaust gas passage. An engine system (100) is an engine system having an engine (10) in which a catalyst (6) is placed in an exhaust gas passage (31). The engine system (100) has a determination device (81a) for determining whether or not the catalyst (6) is immersed in the condensed water condensed from exhaust gas in a cold state and remaining in the exhaust gas passage (31) when the engine (10) is started, and an operation continuing device (81b) that allows operation of the engine (10) to continue when it is determined that the catalyst (6) is immersed in the condensed water so that a discharge operation time Te exceeds a required time.
US09157337B2	Power receiving device, control method of power receiving device, and power feeding system A power receiving device including: a power receiving coil configured to receive power when a power feeding device supplies the power via a magnetic field; an alternating-current power supply configured to apply an alternating voltage to the power receiving coil; and a foreign matter detecting section configured to generate an amount of change in impedance of the power receiving coil from a current induced in the power receiving coil to which the alternating voltage is applied and the alternating voltage, and detect foreign matter between the power receiving coil and the power feeding device on a basis of the amount of change.
US09157330B2	Layout of a blisk A layout of a blisk includes two inserts housed between the bulb of the blade and the wall of a groove in a disk to compensate for variations in inclination between the overhanging faces of the groove and the upper faces of the bulb at their central part. This construction makes it possible to select blades for which upper faces of the bulb are slightly inclined relative to the radial direction, which facilitates their construction from a composite material.
US09157323B2	Oscillatory rotary engine An oscillatory rotary engine comprising a toroidal housing having an intake port and an exhaust port. The housing supports an output shaft and a plurality of stacked rotors are disposed within the housing and coupled to the output shaft. Each rotor includes a plurality of pistons disposed in spaced relation to each other about a circumference of the rotor. A resilient coupler connects the rotors to the output shaft. Preferably, the coupler comprises a plurality of nested spiral cuts extending through the rotor. Each piston may include a pawl that is operative to engage ratchets located around the housing, thereby allowing rotation of each rotor in only one direction. The oscillatory rotary engine may further include a compression bypass port that is operative to relieve intake air pressure during compression, whereby the engine has a compression ratio that is less than its expansion ratio.
US09157316B2	System and method for determining pressure transition zones A method and apparatus for estimating a pressure transition zone in a borehole is disclosed. A parameter indicative of formation fluid pressure at a plurality of borehole depths is measured. A global trend of the parameter is determined over a first depth interval and a local trend of the parameter is determined over a second depth interval. A relation is determined between the global trend and the local trend, and the pressure transition zone is determined from the determined relation between the determined global trend and the determined local trend.
US09157309B1	System and method for remotely controlled surface steerable drilling A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the system receives feedback information from a drilling rig and calculates an estimated position of a drill bit in a formation based on the feedback information. The system compares the estimated position to a desired position along a planned path of a borehole. The system calculates multiple solutions if the comparison indicates that the estimated position is outside a defined margin of error relative to the desired position. Each solution defines a path from the estimated position to the planned path. The system calculates a cost of each solution and selects one of the solutions based at least partly on the cost. The system produces control information representing the selected solution and outputs the control information for the drilling rig.
US09157306B2	Thermally-activated gellant for an oil or gas treatment fluid A treatment fluid for treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprises: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises a hydrocarbon liquid; and a gellant, wherein the gellant: is a polymer; and is activated at an activation temperature, wherein the thermal activation of the gellant causes the treatment fluid to become a gel. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation includes introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation, wherein the subterranean formation is penetrated by a well, wherein at least a portion of the well has a bottomhole temperature greater than or equal to the activation temperature, and wherein the step of introducing comprises introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the well.
US09157304B2	Hydrocarbon resource recovery system including RF transmission line extending alongside a well pipe in a wellbore and related methods A hydrocarbon resource recovery system for a laterally extending wellbore in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source and an electrically conductive well pipe extending within the laterally extending wellbore. The hydrocarbon resource recovery system may further include an RF transmission line coupled to the RF source and extending alongside in parallel with an exterior of the electrically conductive well pipe within the laterally extending wellbore. The RF transmission line may be coupled to the electrically conductive well pipe to define an RF antenna for heating the hydrocarbon resources within the subterranean formation.
US09157293B2	Tunable floating seal insert A system including, a mineral extraction component, a conduit fitting coupled to the mineral extraction component, a floating seal insert disposed in the conduit fitting. The floating seal insert including a feature configured to tune a fluid dynamic characteristic along a liquid flow path through the conduit fitting and the floating seal insert. Furthermore, the fluid dynamic characteristic can be shockwaves, flow rate, turbulence, etc.
US09157292B2	Double valve block and actuator assembly including same A valve comprises a housing including a first chamber, a second chamber, and a neutral chamber. In addition, the valve comprises a stem disposed within the housing. Further, the valve comprises a first valve member at least partially disposed in the first chamber and connected to the stem and a second valve member at least partially disposed in the second chamber and connected to the stem. The first valve member has a closed position seated in a first annular valve seat and an open position spaced apart from the first valve seat. The second valve member has a closed position seated in a second annular valve seat and an open position spaced apart from the second valve seat. Moreover, the valve comprises a biasing member configured to bias the second valve member to the closed position and the first valve member to the open position.
US09157285B2	Offshore drilling method An offshore universal riser system may include a valve module which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through a flow passage extending longitudinally through a riser string. An anchoring device may releasably secure the valve module in the passage. A method of constructing a riser system may include the steps of installing the valve module in the passage, and installing at least one annular seal module in the passage. The annular seal module may prevent fluid flow through an annular space between the riser string and a tubular string positioned in the passage. Drilling methods may include injecting relatively low density fluid compositions into the annular space, and selectively varying a restriction to flow through a subsea choke in a drilling fluid return line. The riser string, including housings for the various modules and external control systems, may be dimensioned for installation through a rotary table.
US09157278B2	Apparatus including load driven by a motor coupled to an alternator An apparatus for use in a wellbore is described. The apparatus includes a load, a motor coupled to the load to provide mechanical power to the load and an alternator directly coupled to the motor driving the motor. The apparatus further includes a switch between the alternator and the motor that in a first position connects the alternator to the motor in a first configuration that rotates the motor in the clockwise direction and in a second configuration that rotates the motor in the counterclockwise direction.
US09157272B2	Cellular shade having at least two cellular columns An expandable and contractable shade assembly includes at least a first column of cell structures aligned vertically one above another and a second column of cell structures also aligned vertically one above the other. The second column of cell structures can be positioned offset and nested with the first cell structures such that each second cell structure may be positioned in between two adjacent of the first cell structures. One or more lift cords may be encased or contained within the first cell structures. The first cell structures not only have lift cords but also provide the product with added integrity.
US09157271B2	Spline for screen framing A dual composition spline for screen framing adds a stabilizing top plate to a round spline body for improved ease of installation using a wide flat roller. The plate is generally rectangular and is made of a relatively high Durometer material, which makes it much harder than the usual material used in screening splines. The holding portion (body) is more like a typical round spline with a relatively low Durometer material which is resilient to hold the screen in a frame channel. The plate and body are connected lengthwise to make a unitary spline.
US09157264B2	Device for sliding door leaves with co-planar closure, particularly for furniture and the like A device for sliding door leaves with co-planar closure, particularly for furniture, includes a bracket system for connection with each one of the door leaves. A first pair of wheels is associated with the bracket system in a downward region. The device includes elements adapted to force the closure arrangement of at least one of the door leaves.
US09157238B2	Use of polyolefin membranes being coated by non-reactive hotmelt adhesives for sealing The invention relates to a process for sealing an above-ground or underground construction. In particular it involves the use of non-reactive hot melt adhesives and flexible polyolefin films. This procedure in particular has the advantages that good and long-lasting adhesion can be achieved very quickly, and that in particular by using polyolefin strips coated with non-reactive hot melt adhesives, insulating strips can be obtained simply which are non-tacky at room temperature and can be processed and bonded easily at the construction site.
US09157233B2	System for forming an insulated concrete thermal mass wall Disclosed herein is an insulated thermal mass concrete wall (100) constructed using a system (10). The system (10) comprises an outer insulation layer (12) and an inner drywall layer (14) spaced apart from the outer insulation layer. Vertical frame members, formed from several frame member modules (16) that are connected one on top of another, extend between the outer insulation layer (12) and the inner drywall layer (14) to interlock the insulation and drywall layers and maintain a space there between for receiving uncured concrete (18), in which conduits (19) for services can be embedded.
US09157226B2	Apparatus and method for increasing hydraulic capacity of a sewer A method for increasing hydraulic capacity of a gravity sewer system includes installing a receiving structure within or proximate to at least a portion of the gravity sewer system. The receiving structure has at least one fluid inlet opening, at least one liquid outlet opening, and at least one gas outlet opening. The method further includes evacuating at least some of any gas within the receiving structure through at least one gas outlet opening to create a vacuum within the receiving structure. The method further includes receiving a flow of at least liquid through the at least one fluid inlet opening of the receiving structure and into the receiving structure. The method further includes discharging at least some of the liquid from the receiving structure through the at least one liquid outlet opening of the receiving structure.
US09157225B2	Flush toilet A flush toilet which includes: a bowl portion having a waste-receiving surface, a rim and a recess; a first rim spout portion which spouts flush water toward a front end of the bowl portion so as to form a swirl flow; and a second rim spout portion which spouts flush water so as to form a swirl flow having a same flow direction as that of the swirl flow formable by the first rim spout portion. The bowl portion is configured to allow flush water spouted from the first rim spout portion to form a major stream which flows from the front end of the bowl portion into the recess, and allow flush water spouted from the second rim spout portion to flow into the recess from a lateral side of the bowl portion and then merge with the major stream M.
US09157223B2	Lavatory system A lavatory system includes a basin configured to receive at least one faucet, the basin defining a primary drain passage and first and second overflow drain passages; and an overflow adapter configured to be mounted to a rear surface of the basin, the overflow adapter defining an adapter passage such that when the overflow adapter is mounted to the basin, fluid received by way of the first overflow drain passage is directed through the adapter passage between the overflow adapter and the rear surface of the basin and to the second overflow drain passage.
US09157222B2	Adjustable overflow closure device A three-position, circularly-shaped, height-adjustable overflow drain is disclosed. A circular back plate includes a bottom half opposite a top half, and is configured to be attachable to an overflow elbow. A first aperture is located in the bottom half of the back plate. A second aperture is located in the top half of the back plate. A rotatable handle comprises an outer cylindrical portion including a center plate. A third aperture is located in the center plate. The first, second and third apertures are aligned along a common radius, wherein the rotatable handle is rotatable to align either the first and third apertures, the second and third apertures, or no apertures. A cover plate is disposed within the rotatable handle and attached to the circular back plate forming an annular gap between the cover plate and the outer cylindrical portion.
US09157216B2	Hydraulic shovel calibration device and hydraulic shovel calibration method A hydraulic shovel calibration device is adapted to calibrate parameters in a hydraulic shovel including a current position computation unit configured to compute a current position of a working point included in a work tool of a hydraulic shovel based on a plurality of parameters that indicate dimensions and swing angles of a boom, an arm, and the work tool. The hydraulic shovel calibration device includes an input unit and a calibration computation unit. The input unit is configured and arranged to input working point position information indicating coordinates of a working point included in a work tool of the hydraulic shovel at a plurality of positions which are measured by an external measurement device. The calibration computation unit is configured to compute calibration values of the parameters based on the working point position information input into the input unit.
US09157215B2	Vehicle payload weight display method and system A computer-based method for displaying an implement payload weight to an operator of a vehicle is provided. The method includes calculating an implement payload weight at a lift position, displaying, at a first location on a monitor, the calculated implement payload weight, determining an accuracy of the calculated implement payload weight, and displaying, at a second location on the monitor proximate to the first location, an accuracy indicator based on the accuracy of the calculated implement payload weight.
US09157204B2	Wave suppressor and sediment collection system A system and method to provide water and sediment flow through a rock jetty, which includes a plurality of collection components mounted along a forward face of the rock jetty, each collection component having a plurality of flow pipes to receive water carrying sediment; a principal flow pipe to receive flow from the plurality of flow pipes and to carry water and sediment a predetermined distance to deposit at the rear of the jetty; a continuous trough mounted on the jetty forward face to efficiently capture water and sediment at entrances of the plurality of flow pipes; and a filter screen covering the entrance of the trough to allow water and sediment to flow into the trough and to prevent large rocks and other debris from entering. Sections of principal flow pipe may be removed when sufficient quantity of sediment has been deposited, so that additional sediment can be deposited.
US09157195B2	Methods and devices for forming contraction joints in concrete works Procedures and devices for the formation of retraction joints in works of concrete. The devices are made of a material for separating concrete and have a configuration that comprises: a) A vertical wall (15, 15′) in its top portion that is planned to be placed underneath the surface fissure line of the retraction joint on the top face of a surface of the concrete; b) Two prismatic surfaces (17, 17′) equal on their bottom part deployed on alternate sides with respect of the vertical wall and configured for the formation of entries and exits imbricated between adjacent slabs forming the faces of support (21, 21′) of one slab over the other at angles of between 0° and −10° with respect of the horizontal plane. The procedures are based on the insertion of the devices in fresh concrete in the position planned for each retraction joint using a machine.
US09157180B2	Drying-ironing combined machine A drying-ironing combined machine. The machine includes a supporting body (1), a pillar (4) located on the supporting body (1), a drying unit (2) and an ironing unit (3). The drying unit (2) comprises a drying rack member (21), a hood (22) supporting body on the drying rack member (21), and a heating member (23). A venting port (232) of the heating member (23) is in a sealed communication with an air inlet (225) of the hood (22). The drying unit (2) has a clothes drying region formed on one side of the pillar (4). The ironing unit (3) comprises an ironing device and a clothes hanger (331). The ironing unit (3) has an ironing region formed on the other side of the pillar (4). The drying-ironing combined machine allows for drying and ironing of clothes to be performed simultaneously without interference with each other, thus improving the capability of the machine in handling dry and wet clothes, increasing convenience of use, reducing operational difficulty during use, preventing energy wastage, allowing for a reduced footprint, and being particularly applicable in use in room having limited space.
US09157175B2	Fly sewing machine There is provided a fly sewing machine. A fly supply unit is configured to supply flies to a transfer passage. A fly transfer unit is configured to transfer and send the fly supplied by the fly supply unit toward the downstream side thereof. A chain feed unit is configured to feed a slide fastener chain onto the flies sent by the fly transfer unit. An auxiliary conveyance unit is configured to press the flies and the slide fastener chain which are overlapped by the chain feed unit from above or below, and to send the flies and the slide fastener chain toward the downstream side thereof. A sewing machine part is configured to stitch together the flies and the slide fastener chain sent by the auxiliary conveyance unit.
US09157170B2	Single crystal diamond material A method of producing a grown single crystal diamond substrate comprising: (a) providing a first diamond substrate which presents a (001) major surface, which major surface is bounded by at least one <100> edge, the length of the said at least one <100> edge exceeding any dimension of the surface that is orthogonal to the said at least one <100> edge by a ratio of at least 1.3:1; and (b) growing diamond material homoepitaxially on the (001) major surface of the diamond material surface under chemical vapour deposition (CVD) synthesis conditions, the diamond material growing both normal to the major (001) surface, and laterally therefrom.
US09157168B2	Vitreous silica crucible having transparent layer, bubble-containing layer, and semi-transparent layer in its wall, method of manufacturing the same, and method of manufacturing silicon ingot Provided is a vitreous silica crucible which can suppress inward sagging and buckling of the sidewall effectively even when time for pulling silicon ingots is extremely long. According to the present invention, provided is a vitreous silica crucible for pulling a silicon single crystal, wherein the crucible has a wall comprising, from an inner surface toward an outer surface of the crucible, a transparent vitreous silica layer having a bubble content rate of less than 0.5%, a bubble-containing vitreous silica layer having a bubble content rate of 1% or more and less than 50%, a semi-transparent vitreous silica layer having a bubble content rate of 0.5% or more and less than 1.0% and having an OH group concentration of 35 ppm or more and less than 300 ppm.
US09157161B1	Multifunctional thin film surface A thin film with multiple binding functionality can be prepared on an electrode surface via consecutive electroreduction of two or more aryl-onium salts with different functional groups. This versatile and simple method for forming multifunctional surfaces provides an effective means for immobilization of diverse molecules at close proximities. The multifunctional thin film has applications in bioelectronics, molecular electronics, clinical diagnostics, and chemical and biological sensing.
US09157154B2	Aqueous treating solution for forming black trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating on zinc or zinc alloy and method of forming black trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating A treating solution for forming on a surface of either zinc or a zinc alloy a hexavalent-chromium-free trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating which has an even black appearance and satisfactory corrosion resistance. The treating solution has a long treating-bath life. Also provided is a method of forming a black trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating. The aqueous treating solution, which is for forming a black trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating on zinc or a zinc alloy, contains trivalent chromium ions, a phosphoric ester and/or phosphorous ester, and a sulfur compound. The method is a method of chemically treating zinc or a zinc alloy which comprises using the aqueous treating solution to chemically treat the zinc or zinc alloy at a solution temperature of 10-60° C., whereby a black trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating is formed on the zinc or zinc alloy. Furthermore provided is a coated zinc or zinc alloy metal which comprises zinc or a zinc alloy and, formed thereon, a black trivalent-chromium chemical conversion coating formed by a chemical treatment with the aqueous treating solution.
US09157151B2	Elimination of first wafer effect for PECVD films The present invention generally provides an apparatus and method for eliminating the “first wafer effect” for plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a chamber after the chamber being idle for a period of time. The method comprises a cleaning step followed by a season step and a heating step adapted to the length of the idle time.
US09157149B2	Bis(trimethylsilyl) six-membered ring systems and related compounds as reducing agents for forming layers on a substrate A first compound having an atom in an oxidized state is reacted with a bis(trimethylsilyl) six-membered ring system or related compound to form a second compound having the atom in a reduced state relative to the first compound. The atom in an oxidized state is selected from the group consisting of Groups 2 to 12 of the Periodic Table, As, Sb, Bi, Se, and Te.
US09157147B2	Test glass changing system The invention relates to a test glass changing system (10) for selectively coating and optically measuring a test glass (24, 24″) in a coating chamber (1) of a vacuum coating installation (3). In the coating chamber, a movable turntable (2) is used to guide substrates (7) on a path through a stream of a coating material. The test glass changing system (10) comprises a test glass holder (8, 8″) with a test glass plate (26) for holding the test glass (24, 24″), and a cover (28, 28″) for selectively covering the test glass plate (26). The test glass changing system (10) also comprises a rotary apparatus (34) for rotating the test glass plate (26) about an axis (51) which is oriented approximately parallel to the axis of rotation (5) of the turntable (2). The test glass holder (8, 8″) can be positioned on the turntable (2) and removed from the coating chamber (1) in the form of a unit.
US09157140B2	Metal components with silicon-containing protective coatings substantially free of chromium and methods of forming such protective coatings Metal components with a protective coating containing silicon and a process for forming such protective coatings. The protective coating is formed by applying a silicon-containing fluid composition to the metal component as a silicon-containing layer and then heating the silicon-containing layer to a temperature exceeding 400° F.
US09157139B2	Process for applying a shape memory alloy erosion resistant protective structure onto an airfoil of a turbine blade A component is provided for use in a turbine comprising: a substrate formed from an alloy, and an erosion resistant protective structure mechanically coupled to a portion of the substrate for protecting the substrate portion from erosion caused by a fluid. The erosion resistant protective structure may be formed from a shape memory alloy.
US09157135B2	Lead-free jointing material and method of producing the same The present invention provides a high-temperature lead-free solder alloy which has no variation in strength of the soldered portion and has an excellent balance between strength and soldering properties, and a method for producing the alloy. The present invention relates to a lead-free jointing material made of an alloy of two elements A and B selected from elements other than Pb, wherein the element A has a melting point higher than a melting point of the element B, wherein the alloy is an alloy which has a room-temperature stable phase composed of the element B and a room-temperature stable phase AmBn composed of the elements A and B (provided that m and n are specific numerals in accordance with an alloy constituting a stable phase at room temperature) and satisfies AxB1-x (provided that 0
US09157134B2	Low silver, low nickel brazing material A homogenous brazing material essentially consisting of relatively low amounts of silver and nickel together with copper, zinc, and other constituents is provided. The brazing material has a working temperature exceeding 630° F. and is preferably between about 1250° F. and 1500° F. The brazing material preferably has about 30 percent by weight of silver, about 36 percent by weight of copper, about 32 percent by weight of zinc, and about 2 percent by weight of nickel. The addition of nickel in the above-specified amount improves resistance against interface corrosion in aqueous solutions, aids in the strength of the alloy, and provides improved wettability on ferrous and non-ferrous substrates. The brazing material may also include a flux, such as a core or a coating.
US09157122B2	Method of diagnosing cancer and reagents therefor The present invention provides methods for diagnosis and monitoring the efficacy of treatment of a cancer. More particularly, the methods of the invention comprise detecting an enhanced degree of chromatin modification within Chromosome 2 of the human genome from about map position 2q14.1 to about map position 2q14.3 in a sample derived from a subject. The methods include detecting an enhanced level of methylation, or detecting an enhanced level of modification of a histone positioned within the chromatin within the region of about 2q14.1 to 2q14.3 of Chromosome 2. The methods also include detecting a modulated level of expression of a gene within the region of about 2q14.1 to 2q14.3 of Chromosome 2. The gene may be selected from the group consisting of DEAD box polypeptide 18 (DDX18), translin (TSN), v-ral simian leukaemia viral oncogene homolog B (RALB), secretin recepto (SCTR), engrailed homolog 1 (EN1), macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO), protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 4 (PTPN4), insulin induced gene 2 (INSIG2), inhibin beta B (INHBB), GLI-Kruppel family member 2 (GLI2), FLJ10996, STEAP3, diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), MGC10993, erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1 like 5 (EPB41L5), FLJ14816, transcription factor CP2-like 1 (TFCP2L1).
US09157116B2	Combinatorial amplification and detection of nucleic acids High throughput methods are used that combine the features of using a matrix-type microfluidic device, labeled nucleic acid probes, and homogenous assays to detect and/or quantify nucleic acid analytes. The high throughput methods are capable of detecting nucleic acid analyes with high PCR and probe specificity, producing a low fluorescence background and therefore, a high signal to noise ratio. Additionally, the high throughput methods are capable of detecting low copy number nucleic acid analyte per cell.
US09157107B2	Method of producing compound originating from polysaccharide-based bio-mass A method of producing a compound originating from a polysaccharide-based biomass includes at least one of a saccharification step that produces a sugar solution containing a monosaccharide and/or an oligosaccharide from a product obtainable by hydrolyzing the polysaccharide-based biomass; a fermentation step that ferments the sugar solution containing the monosaccharide and/or oligosaccharide originating from the polysaccharide-based biomass; and a treatment that removes a fermentation inhibitor with the use of a separation membrane having a glucose removal rate and an isopropyl alcohol removal rate which simultaneously satisfy the following relationships (I) and (II) when a 500 ppm aqueous glucose solution at pH 6.5 at 25° C. and a 500 ppm aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution at pH 6.5 at 25° C. are respectively permeated through the membrane at an operation pressure of 0.5 MPa, prior to the saccharification step and/or in the step prior to the fermentation step: Glucose removal rate≧80% (I) Glucose removal rate−Isopropyl alcohol removal rate≧20% (II).
US09157106B2	Polynucleotide and use thereof Provided is a polynucleotide including, from the 3′ terminus of the polynucleotide to the 5′ terminus of the polynucleotide, a first region including a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence of a portion of a target nucleic acid; a second region including a nucleotide sequence identical to a nucleotide sequence of a portion of the target nucleic acid; and a third region including a nucleotide sequence that self-hybridizes to form a stem-loop structure, and compositions, kits, and methods related thereto.
US09157093B2	Promotor sequence and gene construct for increasing crop yield in tomato Presented herein is a SP3D promotor sequence, capable of directing transcription of a downstream SP3D gene that is operably linked to said promotor sequence, wherein the promotor sequence is derived from a species of the Solanaceae family having a sympodial index of 2, for reducing sympodial index in plants having a sympodial index of 3 or more. Also presented herein are methods for providing plants of the Solanaceae family, in particular S. lycopersicum, having a reduced sympodial index including the steps of introducing into the genome of said plants a promotor sequence in operable linkage with a downstream SP3D gene, or introducing into said plants a gene construct, such that the sympodial index of the plant with the promotor sequence or gene construct is reduced as compared to the plant without said promotor sequence or gene construct, and to plants obtainable by said methods.
US09157082B2	Modulation of apolipoprotein CIII (ApoCIII) expression Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of ApoCIII mRNA and protein in an animal. Also provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for increasing HDL levels and/or improving the ratio of TG to HDL and reducing plasma lipids and plasma glucose in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate any one or more of cardiovascular disease or metabolic disorder, or a symptom thereof.
US09157071B2	Herpes simplex virus (HSV) with modified tropism, uses and process of preparation thereof A modified Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which has a portion of gD (glycoprotein D) of the glycoproteic envelope deleted and a heterologous single chain antibody inserted in place of such deleted portion; the modified HSV is capable of infecting cells through receptor HER2/ErbB2 but not through receptors HVEM/HveA and nectin1/HveC; uses of the modified HSV and a process of the preparation thereof are also disclosed.
US09157065B2	Use of the opposite cell differentiation program (OCDP) for the treatment of degenerated organs in the pathological state The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of organs which are degenerative and/or in the pathological state by means of the use of cells, which are phenotypically stably differentiating or differentiated but not necessarily ultimately predetermined with respect to development, from a donor organ selected according to the principles of the opposite cell differentiation program (OCDP) and also to the use of cells of this type for the treatment or for the production of a drug for treatment of the same. Furthermore, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical agents comprising suitable phenotypically stable cells, cells of a first organ which is different from the second organ with respect to organ type thereby being used, which, in the normal physiological state with respect to a predetermined set of expressed genes and/or phenotypical properties, have opposite properties to the second cells in the normal physiological state.
US09157058B2	Method and apparatus for growing microbial cultures that require gaseous electron donors, electron acceptors, carbon sources, or other nutrients Compositions and methods and apparatus for growth and maintenance of microorganisms and/or bioprocesses using one or more gases as electron donors, electron acceptors, carbon sources, or other nutrients, and for a bioprocess that converts hydrogen and carbon dioxide, or syngas, or producer gas into lipid products, bio-based oils, or other biochemical products.
US09157057B2	Monascus purpureus mutant, nucleotide sequence for monascus purpureus mutant and primers for nucleotide sequence of monascus purpureus mutant The present invention relates to a mutant of Monascus purpureus NTU 568, a nucleotide sequence for Monascus purpureus NTU 568 and primers for nucleotide sequence of Monascus purpureus NTU 568, wherein the Monascus purpureus NTU 568 having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, SEQ ID NO 2 or SEQ ID NO 3 is deposited with Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ, Inhoffenstr. 7B, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany) on Nov. 18, 2013, with the accession number of DSM 28072. Moreover, the nucleotide sequence for NTU 568 and the primers for the nucleotide sequence are proposed in order to facilitate the person skilled in Monascus purpureus filed capable of carrying out the strain (mutant) identification of the NTU 568 according to the present invention. Moreover, the person skilled in Monascus purpureus filed can also rapidly complete the strain (mutant) identification of the NUT 568 by using DNA molecular marker technology, without culturing any isolated Monascus purpureus strain or live Monascus purpureus bacteria.
US09157051B2	Liquid salt cleaning compositions A cleaning composition comprising a liquid salt, and a hydrogen bond donor for the liquid salt, and a surfactant. Also a method of cleaning using the cleaning composition.
US09157050B2	Detergent composition with improved drying performance A detergent composition with a superior drying performance is provided comprising a surfactant according to the formula: Formula (I)) Wherein n=0-5 and m=10-50; or formula (2): R1O(AlkO)xM(OAlk)yOR2 wherein R1 and R2 are independently a branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated, and possibly hydroxylated, alkyl radicals with 4 to 22 carbon atoms. wherein Alk is a branched or unbranched alkyl radical with 2-4 carbon atoms; wherein x and y are independently an integer between 1 and 70; wherein M is an alkyl radical selected from the group CH2, CHR3, CR3R4, CH2CHR3, CHR3CHR4; and wherein R3 and R4 are independently branched or straight chain, saturated or unsaturated, alkyl radicals with 1 to 18 carbon atoms.
US09157044B2	Bearing lubricant composition A bearing lubricant composition includes a base oil containing an ester compound (α) represent by the general formula (1), and has a pour point of −30° C. or lower and a viscosity index of 150 or more. [wherein, A1 is a C3-8 linear or branched alkylene group; and at least one of Xa and Xb is a C2-20 linear or branched alkyl ether group, or when it is not an alkyl ether group, it is a C5-13 linear or branched alkyl group.]
US09157039B1	Process for manufacturing biofuels The present invention relates to a process for obtaining simultaneously several compositions comprising fatty acid alkyl esters (biodiesel), glycerol formal and fatty acid glycerol formal esters.
US09157036B2	Hydroprocessing of gas oil boiling range feeds A system and method for producing fuels and lubricant basestocks from gas oil boiling range feeds is provided. Desulfurization and conversion stages are used to form fuel and lubricant products. The product from a desulfurization stage can be fractionated, and a portion of the fractionated bottoms can be used as an input feed for a conversion or hydrocracking stage. The configuration can advantageously allow for reduced amounts of catalyst in the conversion stage.
US09157027B2	Compound having four polymerizable groups, liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device A compound represented by formula (1), a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal display device are described. In formula (1), for example, the ring A1 and the ring A4 are phenylene or cyclohexylene; Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 are a single bond or alkylene having 1 to 6 carbons; L1 is a single bond; s and t are 0; and P1, P2, P3 and P4 are a polymerizable group.
US09157023B2	Light-emitting device with an iridium complex The invention relates to a light-emitting device comprising at least a substrate, an anode, a light-emitting layer and a cathode whereby the light-emitting layer contains an iridium complex IrL3 and whereby at least two ligands L are a dibenzoquinoline. The invention relates in particular to the complexes Ir(dibenzo[f,h]quinoline)2(pentane-2,4-dionate) and Ir(dibenzo[f,h]quinoline)3 which emit light with a wavelength of λmax=545 nm and λmax=595 nm respectively.
US09157016B2	Modified polyphenol binder compositions and methods for making and using same Modified polyphenol binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the binder composition can include at least one unsaturated monomer and at least one polyphenolic compound. The polyphenolic compound can include a lignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, humic acid, or any mixture thereof.
US09157013B2	Structural adhesives A solid dry to the touch at ambient temperature structural adhesive which can be cured at elevated temperature and which can be molded at an intermediate temperature is provided as well as the use of the adhesive for bonding metals.
US09157011B2	Polishing composition A polishing composition contains colloidal silica. The colloidal silica satisfies the expression A×D×E×F≧350,000 where “A” denotes the average aspect ratio (dimensionless) of the colloidal silica, “D” denotes the average particle diameter (units: nm) of the colloidal silica, “E” denotes the standard deviation of the particle size (units: nm) of the colloidal silica, and “F” denotes the volume fraction (units: %) of particles having a diameter of 1 to 300 nm in the colloidal silica. The volume fraction of particles having a diameter of 1 to 300 nm in the colloidal silica is 90% or greater.
US09157003B2	Highly soluble carbon nanotubes with enhanced conductivity New methods for preparing carbon nanotube films having enhanced properties are provided. The method broadly provides reacting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and compounds comprising a polyaromatic moieties in the presence a strong acid. During the reaction process, the polyaromatic moieties noncovalently bond with the carbon nanotubes. Additionally, the functionalizing moieties are further functionalized by the strong acid. This dual functionalization allows the CNTs to be dispersed at concentrations greater than 0.5 g/L in solution without damaging their desirable electronic and physical properties. The resulting solutions are stable on the shelf for months without observable bundling, and can be incorporated into solutions for printing conductive traces by a variety of means, including inkjet, screen, flexographic, gravure printing, or spin and spray coating.
US09157002B2	Phase change ink pigment dispersion process A process for preparing a pigment dispersion including melting a phase change ink carrier and an optional dispersant at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 170° C. in a jacketed vessel comprising a jacket surrounding an immersion mill or basket mill attachment and a dispersion blade attachment disposed within the jacketed vessel; mixing the melted phase change ink carrier and optional dispersant with a dispersion blade in the jacketed vessel; adding a pigment to the melted, mixed phase change ink carrier and optional dispersant in the jacketed vessel; wetting the pigment; after pigment wetting, reducing the pigment particle size using an immersion mill or basket mill attachment in the jacketed vessel; and discharging the pigment dispersion.
US09157001B2	Coating for aqueous inkjet transfer A coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system is disclosed that comprises a hydrophilic composition and a surfactant. The hydrophilic composition can be a polyvinyl acetate-based composition.
US09156996B2	Powder coloring system A method for coloring powders is provided that includes mixing a base powder and non-incorporated pigments. A colored powder composition having a base powder particle and at least a partial shell of non-incorporated pigments about the base powder particle is also provided. Articles having a coating of the colored powder composition are also provided.
US09156993B2	Pretreatment agent for ink jet textile printing, ink jet textile printing ink set, and method of ink jet textile printing A pretreatment agent was provided for ink jet textile printing. The pretreatment agent contains a polyvalent metal compound, an anionic resin emulsion, a fluorinated water and oil repellent, and water.
US09156989B2	Surface modified pigments and non-aqueous inks therewith A method for preparing a surface modified organic pigment includes the steps of a) reacting the organic pigment in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent with a surface modifying reagent to form a surface modified organic pigment; and b) washing and drying the surface modified organic pigment; wherein the surface modifying reagent is represented by Formula (I): wherein, X is selected from the group consisting of O, S and N—R3; Y is selected from the group consisting of —O—, and NR4; R1 to R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a -aralkyl group, an alkaryl group, and an aryl group and s heteroaryl group; with the proviso that when Y—R1 is different from OH that at least one of R2 to R4 is substituted by at least one functional group having a pKa between 2.5 and 9.
US09156981B2	Moisture curable compositions with enhanced elongation and tear strength properties Moisture-curable compositions are provided which comprises a moisture-curable silylated resin, a flexibilizer and at least one curing catalyst. The cured compositions possess enhanced elongation and tear properties, and are highly suitable for applications such as adhesives, sealants, coatings, gaskets, industrial rubber goods, and the like.
US09156980B2	Biodegradable composition comprising polymers of natural origin and aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters The present invention relates to a biodegradable composition comprising at least one polymer of natural origin and at least one aliphatic-aromatic copolyester obtained starting from mixtures comprising aliphatic diols, polyfunctional aromatic acids, and at least two aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, at least one of which is long chain. Said composition combines improved biodegradability, excellent mechanical properties, a high level of industrial processability, limited environmental impact as well as stability of physical properties under the influence of environmental factors.
US09156969B2	Conjugated diene based polymer, and polymer composition containing the polymer The present invention relates to a conjugated diene based polymer comprising a monomer unit derived from at least one conjugated diene selected from 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and a monomer unit derived from a compound represented by Formula (1): wherein n represents an integer of 0 to 5; R11, R12 and R13 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
US09156968B2	Rubber composition including a functionalized thermoplastic polymer The present invention relates to a diene rubber composition reinforced with an inorganic filler comprising a thermoplastic polymer bearing, at at least one end, a silanol or silyl ether functional group. The presence of the functional thermoplastic polymer makes it possible to improve the compromise of performances, which are the handling and the grip, of a tire having a tread that is based on such a composition.
US09156967B2	Rigid material for heat-insulation and/or buoyancy for an underwater pipe A rigid material for heat-insulation and/or buoyancy, consisting of a mixture of: (a) a matrix of a uniform cross-linked elastomeric polymer mixture and a liquid insulating plasticizer compound and (b) hollow balls dispersed in the matrix. The insulating plasticizer compound being selected from among compounds from inorganic or vegetable oil, and being a material, the phase of which does not change at a temperature of −10° to +150° C., the weight proportion of the insulating plasticizer compound in the matrix being at least 50%. The hollow balls, dispersed in the matrix are at a volumetric proportion of at least 35% of the total volume of the mixture of the balls with the matrix. The rigid insulating material can be used for the insulation and/or buoyancy of an underwater pipe or underwater-pipe element.
US09156960B2	Dust separating and carrier returning device Disclosed is a dust separating and carrier returning device, which comprises: an outer raw material transfer passage (1) and an inner carrier returning passage (2), and a sieve cage (4) with one end thereof connected with the raw material transfer passage (1) and the other end sealed; a spiral conveyer belt is provided between the sieve cage (4) and the carrier returning passage (2), with the two sides thereof connected to the inner wall of the sieve cage (4) and the outer wall of the carrier returning passage (2); and the end of the spiral conveyer belt is connected to the rear port of the carrier returning passage (2) via a guide plate (5). The above device achieves the dedusting of the carrier during the transmission process and the returning of the dedusted carrier to another working circle, thereby improving work efficiency and reducing the number of manufacturing process steps which in turn reduces the process cost.
US09156958B2	Thermoplastic polymer composition containing polyamide The invention relates to a thermoplastic polymer composition that contains polyamide and comprises an excellent compromise of properties, in particular mechanical properties, and a high fluidity at the molten state. The invention particularly relates to a composition containing at least a high-fluidity linear polyamide and optionally fillers such as glass fibers, and to a method for making such a composition.
US09156955B2	Formation of latex coagulum composite A method of producing a coagulated latex composite. A coagulating mixture of a first elastomer latex and a particulate filler slurry is flowed along a conduit, and a second elastomer latex is introduced into the flow of the coagulating mixture.
US09156954B2	Emulsion polymerisation method The invention relates to a method for the production of silicone in water emulsions by emulsion polymerization. The emulsion contains particles of an organopolysiloxane polymer having an average particle diameter of less than 1 μm. The method comprises: —combining a silanol end-blocked organosiloxane starting polymer, water, and a surfactant; said starting polymer having a viscosity of at least 2 Pa·s preferably at least 2.5 Pa·s preferably at least 3.5 Pa·s preferably at least 4 Pa·s and up to 150 Pa·s; —emulsifying the starting polymer by agitating or shearing the ingredients; —polymerizing the starting polymer to form a longer chain silanol end-blocked organopolysiloxane polymer; wherein at least a portion of said polymerizing step is performed at a temperature of less than or equal to 16° C. preferably less than or equal to 15° C.
US09156949B2	Silicone containing polymeric materials A polymeric material with a variable modulus of elasticity is described herein. The polymeric material described herein is useful for forming implantable medical devices (e.g. ophthalmic lenses, breast implants, and body augmentation devices). In addition, medical devices formed from the polymer material can be used to controllably release a therapeutic agent. Also, the polymeric material may be used to prepare topical compositions or other applications or devices where control of a mechanical property such as material modulus is important.
US09156946B2	Amine/thiol curing of benzoxazines Novel oligomers and polymers derived from the reaction of benzoxazine compounds with a mixture of thiol compounds and amine compounds are disclosed. The compositions are useful in coating, sealants, adhesive and many other applications.
US09156945B2	Mixed organic and inorganic polymers A polymer is characterized by a repeat unit represented by Structural Formula (I): or a copolymer thereof. A crosslinked polymer characterized by a repeat unit represented by Structural Formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V): or a copolymer thereof, wherein at least one such repeat unit of a first polymer strand is crosslinked with at least one repeat unit of a second polymer strand by at least one bridging unit, the first and second polymer strands and the repeat unit being components of the crosslinked polymer.
US09156941B2	Color in titanium catalyzed polyesters Polyester compositions composed of (a) titanium-catalyzed polyesters containing the residues of terephthalic acid, cyclohexanedimethanol, and ethylene glycol; and (b) at least one chelating phosphorus species and/or reaction products thereof, represented by the structure: The polyester compositions are characterized by having superior color and/or clarity.
US09156934B2	Silicone hydrogels comprising n-vinyl amides and hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates or (meth)acrylamides The present invention relates to a process comprising the steps of reacting a reactive mixture comprising at least one silicone-containing component, at least one hydrophilic component, and at least one diluent to form an ophthalmic device having an advancing contact angle of less than about 80°; and contacting the ophthalmic device with an aqueous extraction solution at an elevated extraction temperature, wherein said at least one diluent has a boiling point at least about 10° higher than said extraction temperature.
US09156933B2	Cation exchange materials prepared in aqueous media The application describes a method of preparing a polymer that includes: mixing in an aqueous solution comprising water and a water-soluble alcohol: a vinyl-based monomer having a sulfonic acid functional group, a bifunctional vinyl-based cross-linking agent, and a polymerization initiator, to form a reaction solution, where the monomer and the cross-linking agent are soluble in the reaction solution; and polymerizing the monomer and cross-linking agent to form the polymer. The application further describes a polymer that includes a polymer backbone comprising sulfonic acid functional groups; and crosslinks comprising alcohol functional groups.
US09156919B2	Method of removing alkylene halogenohydrin from cellulose ether In a method of removing alkylene halogenohydrin from a cellulose ether the cellulose ether is provided, water is added to the cellulose ether and subsequently alkylene halogenohydrin and water is removed from the cellulose ether by evaporation. Alternatively steam or a steam mixture can be sparged across or through the cellulose ether to remove halogenohydrin from the cellulose ether.
US09156911B2	Apelin antigen-binding proteins and uses thereof This disclosure relates to apelin antigen-binding proteins and methods of using the apelin antigen-binding proteins. The antigen-binding protein may comprise an antibody to apelin and can be used to treat pathological conditions involving angiogenesis. The pathological conditions can comprise cancer or retinopathy and/or retinopathy-related complications.
US09156906B2	Glycopeptides and methods of making and using them In one embodiment, the invention provides glycopeptides (or carbohydrate-peptide conjugates) comprising TACAs that direct against (e.g., bind specifically to) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) or helper T cells for, e.g., CTL- or T-helper-based immunotherapy of carcinomas, and methods for making and using the glycopeptides of the invention. In one embodiment, the invention provides novel glycopeptides comprising tumor-derived carbohydrate or tumor-derived epitopes that specifically bind to major histocompatibility (MHC) class I molecules on cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) or MHC molecules on helper T cells, and methods for using same, e.g., as a vaccine, including a pan-cancer vaccine.
US09156901B2	Acylated glucagon analogues The invention provides materials and methods for promoting weight loss or preventing weight gain, and in the treatment of diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. In particular, the invention provides novel acylated glucagon analogue peptides effective in such methods. The peptides may mediate their effect by having increased selectivity for the GLP-1 receptor as compared to human glucagon.
US09156900B2	Control agent for controlling undifferentiated state and use thereof The present invention aims to provide a novel undifferentiated state-control agent that maintains and/or improves an undifferentiated state of undifferentiated cells. CCL2 or a protein containing a functional domain thereof is used as the undifferentiated state-control agent. By culturing undifferentiated cells in the presence of the control agent, it is possible to maintain and/or improve an undifferentiated state of the undifferentiated cells. Examples of the undifferentiated cells include embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The origin of the cells is not particularly limited, and may be a human, mouse, or the like, for example.
US09156894B2	Chimeric, hybrid and tandem polypeptides of meningococcal NMB1870 NMB1870 is a protein in Neisseria meningitidis. Three families of NMB1870 are known. To increase the ability of a NMB1870 protein to elicit antibodies that are cross-reactive between the families, NMB1870 is engineered. Sequences can be substituted from one NMB1870 family into the corresponding position in another family. Proteins of NMB1870 sequences from different families can be joined to each other.
US09156889B2	Drug transporter permeating blood-brain barrier, peptide and use thereof A peptide, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence expressed by the following SEQ ID NO: 1, an amino acid sequence expressed by the following SEQ ID NO: 2, an amino acid sequence expressed by the following SEQ ID NO: 3, an amino acid sequence expressed by the following SEQ ID NO: 4, or any combination thereof: (SEQ ID NO: 1) ALGDSLYGAASLN; (SEQ ID NO: 2) MTVDNPASTTNKDKLFSVWK; (SEQ ID NO; 3) PGAVPEK; and (SEQ ID NO: 4) STKDLTTY.
US09156887B2	Non-natural consensus albumin binding domains Non-natural albumin binding domains, polynucleotides encoding thereof and methods of making and using these domains and polynucleotides are useful in controlling the half-life of therapeutic molecules for patients.
US09156883B2	Binding molecules for human factor VIII and factor VIII-like proteins It is an object of the present invention to provide novel binding molecules for factor VIII and factor VIII-like proteins. Preferred binding molecules of the present invention exhibit not only distinct characteristics for binding of the target factor VIII polypeptides but also specific and desirable characteristics for release (elution) of the target polypeptides. Especially preferred binding molecules according to the invention are short polypeptide sequences, characterized by a stable loop structure.
US09156878B2	Treatment of prostate cancer Described herein are compounds, methods of making such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and medicaments comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat androgen receptor mediated diseases or conditions. The present invention provides therapies and therapeutic regimens for the treatment of prostate cancer.
US09156867B2	Acyclic nucleoside phosphonate diesters The present disclosure relates, inter alia, to compositions and methods for treating viral diseases and cancer. There are disclosed lipophilic antiviral and anticancer acyclic nucleoside phosphonate diesters, preparation thereof, and methods of using the compounds to treat viral diseases and cancer.
US09156865B2	System for delivering therapeutic agents into living cells and cells nuclei The present invention relates to a novel delivery system for delivering therapeutic agents into living cells, and more particularly, to novel chemical moieties that are designed capable of targeting and/or penetrating cells or other targets of interest and further capable of binding therapeutic agents to be delivered to these cells, and to delivery systems containing same.
US09156854B2	Maytansinoid derivatives with sulfoxide linker The invention relates to novel maytansinoid compounds having sulfoxide linkers and more specifically to novel maytansinoid compounds of structural formula (I) and (II). The invention also provides conjugates of the maytansinoid compounds linked to a cell-binding agent. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention.
US09156851B2	Photocurable dianhydro-hexane-hexol derivative, manufacturing method thereof, and photocurable composition including same Provided herein is a photocurable dianhydrohexanehexol derivative, a method preparing the same, and a composition including the same, for example, to a photocurable compound derived from environmentally friendly biomass, the compound having a structure where a 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPM) functional group prepared by reacting a biomass derived dianhydrohexanehexol (1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol, DHH) compound under an optimal reaction condition is combined, a preparing method thereof, and a photocurable composition comprising the photocurable compound.
US09156850B2	Enediyne compounds, conjugates thereof, and uses and methods therefor Enediyne compounds having a structure according to formula (I), where R0, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are defined herein, can be used in chemotherapeutic drugs, especially in conjugates, for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
US09156847B2	Processes and intermediates for preparing a medicament Disclosed is a process for the preparation of the following compounds: where R1, R1a and R2a have the definitions in the description, as well as a process to prepare other intermediates that may be useful to synthesize downstream products, especially compounds that are useful as medicaments, for instance Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitors such as ibrutinib. Also disclosed are other processes, other intermediates and compounds per se.
US09156845B2	4-(substituted amino)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidines as LRRK2 inhibitors The present invention provides novel 4,5-disubstituted-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives of Formula I, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I and to use of the compounds in the treatment of diseases associated with LRRK2, such as neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease, cancer, Crohn's disease or leprosy.
US09156844B2	Pyrimidine derivatives and their use in the treatment of respiratory diseases such a COPD Compounds of formula (I) are inhibitors of neutrophil elastase, wherein A is C—R1 or N; —X1—X2— is CR15═N— or —NR19—CO—; and R1-R6, R15, R15 and R19 are as defined in the claims.
US09156842B2	Process for preparing 3-[(4S)-8-bromo-1-methyl-6-(2-pyridinyl)-4H-imidazo[1,2-A][1,4]benzodiazepine-4-YL]propionic acid methyl ester or the benzene sulfonate salt thereof, and compounds useful in that process The invention concerns a new process for preparing 3-[(4S)-8-bromo-1-methyl-6-(2-pyridinyl)-4H-imidazo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-4-yl]-propionic acid methyl ester or 3-[(4S)-8-bromo-1-methyl-6-(2-pyridinyl)-4H-imidazo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-4-yl]propionic acid methyl ester benzene sulfonate (P) which comprises reacting 3-[(S)-7-bromo-2-((R and/or S)-2-hydroxy-propylamino)-5-pyridin-2-yl-3H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-3-yl]-propionic acid methyl ester of formula (EM) with an oxidizing agent and optionally treating the reaction product under acidic conditions, such as to produce the compound of formula (F) or the compound (P), and new compounds useful as starting material or as intermediate for performing that process.
US09156827B2	Anticancer agent An anticancer agent comprising a compound represented by the formula (I) [R1 represents hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group and the like; R2 and R3 represents hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group and the like; R4 represents hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkylsulfonyl group and the like; R5 represents hydrogen atom or a substituent; represents a single bond or a double bond; R6 and R7 represents hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group and the like; R8 represents hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group and the like; A represents —O—, —S—, or —CH2—; D represents —C═ or —N═; X represents methylene group, —O—, or —CO—; Q represents —N═ or —C(R8)═; and Y represents a heterocyclic group or amino group], which shows a superior inhibitory activity against pim-1 kinase.
US09156812B2	Crystalline form of 6-[(4S)-2-methyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl]pyridazin-3-amine The present disclosure generally relates to a crystalline form of 6-[(4S)-2-methyl-4-(naphthyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl]pyridazin-3-amine. The present disclosure also generally relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline form, as well of methods of using a crystalline form in the treatment of depression and other conditions and methods for obtaining such crystalline form.
US09156811B2	N-myristoyl transferase inhibitors The present invention relates to N-heterocyclic sulphonamide compounds, in particular pyrazole sulphonamide compounds, and their use as N-myristoyl transferase inhibitors.
US09156809B2	Carboxy ester ketals, methods of manufacture, and uses thereof This disclosure is directed to compound of formula (1): wherein R1 is a C7-18 alkyl, R2 is hydrogen or a C1-3 alkyl, each R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 is independently hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl, a is 2-3, and b is 0-1, its method of preparation and uses thereof in water-borne coating compositions, cleaning compositions, fragrance, and personal care compositions.
US09156803B2	Succinic anhydride from ethylene oxide Continuous flow systems and methods produce succinic anhydride by a double carbonylation of ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide and at least one catalyst. In some embodiments, the double carbonylation occurs using a single catalyst. In other embodiments, a first catalyst is used to promote the first carbonylation, and a second catalyst different from the first catalyst is used to promote the second carbonylation. The succinic anhydride is isolated from the product stream by crystallization and the catalyst is recycled to the reaction stream.
US09156800B2	Analogues of porphyrins, their method of preparation and use thereof The present invention relates to compound of formula (I), their method of preparation and use thereof in particular in the fields of optoelectronic, photonic, photovoltaics and biology.
US09156799B2	Isotopically enriched arylsulfonamide CCR3 antagonists Provided herein are isotopically enriched arylsulfonamides, for example, of Formula I, that are useful for modulating CCR3 activity, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided herein are methods of their use for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a CCR3-mediated disease, disorder, or condition.
US09156797B2	Benzimidazole derivatives as PI3 kinase inhibitors This invention relates to the use of benzimidazole derivatives for the modulation, notably the inhibition of the activity or function of the phosphoinositide 3′ OH kinase family (hereinafter PI3 kinases), suitably, PI3Kα, PI3Kδ, PI3Kβ, and/or PI3Kγ. Suitably, the present invention relates to the use of benzimidazoles in the treatment of one or more disease states selected from: autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, allergy, asthma, pancreatitis, multiorgan failure, kidney diseases, platelet aggregation, cancer, sperm motility, transplantation rejection, graft rejection and lung injuries. More suitably, the present invention relates to PI3Kβ selective benzimidazoles compounds for treating cancer.
US09156788B2	TRPV3 modulators Disclosed herein are modulators of TRPV3 of formula (I) wherein G1, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, G2, Z1, Ra, Rb, u, and p are as defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also presented.
US09156784B2	Herbicidal sulfinimidoyl- and sulfonimidoyl benzoyl derivatives The invention relates to sulfmimidoyl- and sulfonimidoylbenzoyl derivatives of the general formula (I). In said formula (I), R, R′, X, W and Z represent radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogens. Q represents a cyclohexandionyl-, pyrazolyl-oder isoxazolyl radical.
US09156769B2	Method of recovering carboxylic acids from dilute aqueous streams Improvement in separating lower carboxylic acids from aqueous streams via liquid-liquid extraction with pressurized liquefied propylene and/or propane, wherein carboxylic acid is transferred from the aqueous phase into the liquid solvent phase (extract). The extracted carboxylic acids are recovered as a liquid concentrate by evaporating off the propylene and/or propane solvent from the extract at mild temperatures.
US09156768B2	Isolation of acrylic acid by means of a distillation column having a side offtake The present process separates acrylic acid from a composition containing acrylic acid and at least one accompanying product. The process first involves contacting the composition with an aqueous liquid stream to give a liquid solution of acrylic acid, accompanying product, and water. The water then forms an azeotrope with an entrainer, which is added to the solution. Distillation then separates the solution into an overhead product containing the azeotrope and a bottom product containing acrylic acid and accompanying product. The overhead product is separated into water and entrainer and the bottom product is separated in a distillation column into acrylic acid and accompanying product. The process provides a way to remove high- and low-boiling products with a small number of distillation columns.
US09156763B1	Photocatalyst for selective oxidation of alcohols: a green synthesis approach A photocatalyst comprising silver orthophosphate (Ag3PO4) is used for selective and exhaustive conversion of alcohols into their corresponding carbonyl compounds; namely, benzyl alcohol, 4-methoxy benzyl alcohol and/or cinnamyl alcohol with >99% yield. The reactions were carried out in double distilled water at room temperature and pressure under sunlight-type excitation. Oxidation of alcohols is selective and Ag3PO4 may be active for a variety of other essential oxidation reactions.
US09156761B2	Process for preparing polyether polyols The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyetherols by catalytic ring-opening polymerization, wherein at least one nitrogen-containing cyclic precatalyst compound is used.
US09156758B2	Perfluoroalkylation of carbonyl compounds The present invention provides a process for producing a compound comprising a perfluorinated alkyl group moiety from a carbonyl compound. Typically, the process includes contacting a carbonyl compound with a silane compound in the presence of a fluorohydrogenate ionic liquid under conditions sufficient to produce a compound comprising a perfluorinated alkyl group. The silane compound includes a perfluoroalkyl group.
US09156755B2	Converting glycols to alcohols The conversion of diols to mono-alcohols as fuel blendstocks. In one embodiment hydrotreating processes are described that selectively convert glycols to mono-alcohols that can be blended as biofuels. Both NiMo and CoMo catalysts are active for the reaction and reaction conditions can also impact the selectivity of mono-alcohols.
US09156728B2	Low density and high strength fiber glass for ballistic applications The present invention relates to fabrics, composites, prepregs, laminates, and other products incorporating glass fibers formed from glass compositions. The glass fibers, in some embodiments, are incorporated into composites that can be adapted for use in high energy impact applications such as ballistic or blast resistance applications. Glass fibers formed from some embodiments of the glass compositions can have certain desirable properties that can include, for example, desirable electrical properties (e.g. low Dk) or desirable mechanical properties (e.g., specific strength).
US09156726B2	Toughened glass substrate and process for producing same Provided is a tempered glass substrate formed by a float method, comprising a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein a compression stress value of the bottom surface is larger than a compression stress value of the top surface.
US09156718B2	Wastewater treatment system A system for treating a fluid in a container. The system includes an included airlift tube and active air input into the tube. The air is supplied by a pump that is external to the tank and sized in accordance with the size of the tank. The system is arranged to promote the generation of suspended growth bacteria. The bacteria are provided by an air supply that is diffused in the tube wherein the air carries naturally occurring bacterial spores. The airlift tube includes one or more inlet ports located below an air diffuser. The tube may be located on the floor of the tank, suspended from the ceiling of the tank or arranged to float within the tank. A plurality of tubes may be used together to treat fluids in containers larger than standard septic tanks. A pH neutralizing device may form part of the system.
US09156713B2	Manually operated continuous flow type drinking water disinfector using concentrated solar radiation The present invention of manually operated continuous flow type concentrated solar drinking water disinfector improves the effectiveness and productivity of disinfection of drinking water for individual families or small communities, without using conventional fossil fuel derived heat or electricity or solar photovoltaic electricity, by clarifying the feed water with alum, aerating it manually, preheating it in solar water preheater and then while flowing as a thin stream exposing it directly to solar radiation without an intervening glass or plastic container material, with solar radiation incident on top side of pre-heater section and on top side of solar UV section intensified with mirrors and while the disinfector unit which is mounted on a trolley, is manually oriented towards the sun intermittently.
US09156712B2	Thermal desalination A thermal desalination process comprising: introducing a feed solution into a thermal separation unit, distilling the feed solution in the thermal separation unit to produce a distillate stream and a residual stream having a higher solute concentration than the feed solution, contacting a portion of the residual stream from the thermal separation unit with one side of a selectively permeable membrane, contacting the opposite side of the selectively permeable membrane with a portion of the feed solution, such that water flows across the membrane to dilute the residual stream by direct osmosis, and introducing at least a portion of the diluted residual stream into the thermal separation unit.
US09156710B2	Wastewater treatment apparatus and method A method of wastewater treatment comprises: providing waste water to a vessel within a solar collector; and superheating the waste water under pressure within the vessel using solar energy of the solar collector, thereby to provide oxidation conditions from said solar energy to oxidize organic matter. The water may then be passed to a flash chamber to vaporize and leave behind a brine with dissolved salts.
US09156709B2	Multi-rotator magnetic resonator embodying sacred geometry A magnetic resonator is provided which has a support structure and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted thereto for rotation about respective axes of rotation which are generally parallel one to another. Drive means are coupled to the roller assemblies to rotate each of the roller assemblies about its respective axis of rotation relative to the support structure. Each roller assembly houses a plurality of magnets disposed along respective axes of the roller assemblies. The plurality of magnets are grouped in a plurality of first and second arrangements with a first arrangement being interspersed between a pair of second arrangements. At least one of the first and second arrangements incorporates a pattern or shape based on sacred geometry.
US09156706B2	Method for preparing high-silica LEV-type zeolites Disclosed herein is method for preparing LEV-type zeolites from FAU-type zeolites in fluoride media using an N-methyl quinuclidinium cation as a structure directing agent.
US09156697B2	Method for manufacturing carbon nanotube film A method for manufacturing a large-area carbon nanotube film is provided. A helical-shaped substrate having a smoothly curved surface configured for growing carbon nanotube film thereon is provided. The helical-shaped substrate is fixed in a reactor chamber using a supporter. The helical-shaped substrate gradually increases along an axis of the reactor chamber, and the supporter is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reactor chamber. A catalyst layer is formed on the smoothly curved surface of the substrate. A carbon nanotube film is grown on the smoothly curved surface of the helical-shaped substrate by a chemical vapor deposition process.
US09156691B2	Process for co-producing commercially valuable products from byproducts of heavy oil and bitumen upgrading process The present invention is directed to modifications of bitumen and heavy oil upgrading and refining processes to synthesize synthetic crude oil and other valuable synthesized hydrocarbon products in an efficient manner along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products formed by the upgrading process.
US09156684B1	Methods of manufacture of top port surface mount MEMS microphones Methods for manufacturing multiple top port, surface mount microphones, each containing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone die, are disclosed. Each surface mount microphone features a substrate with metal pads for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between the microphone package and the device's circuit board. The surface mount microphones are manufactured from a panel of unsingulated substrates, and each MEMS microphone die is substrate-mounted. Individual covers, each with an acoustic port, are joined to the panel of unsingulated substrates. Each individual substrate and cover pair cooperates to form an acoustic chamber for its respective MEMS microphone die, which is acoustically coupled to the acoustic port in the cover. The completed panel is singulated to form individual MEMS microphones.
US09156680B2	Packages and methods for packaging A three-dimensional printing technique can be used to form a microphone package. The microphone package can include a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A first electrical lead can be formed on an outer surface on the first side of the housing. A second electrical lead can be formed on an outer surface on the second side of the housing. The first electrical lead and the second electrical lead may be electrically shorted to one another. Further, vertical and horizontal conductors can be monolithically integrated within the housing.
US09156673B2	Packaging to reduce stress on microelectromechanical systems One example includes an integrated circuit including at least one electrical interconnects disposed on an elongate are extending away from a main portion of the integrated circuit and a microelectromechanical layer including an oscillating portion, the microelectromechanical layer coupled to the main portion of the integrated circuit.
US09156671B2	Liquid dispenser for a cooler A cooler having a fountain type dispenser that includes a cooler body, a cooler lid and a liquid pump mechanism that is designed to dispense liquid from the cavity of the cooler body. The cooler lid includes at least one pump opening through a body of the cooler lid, the liquid pump mechanism includes a top portion and a bottom portion, an electric pump and a power supply designed to power said electric pump. The electric pump is designed to draw liquid into the bottom portion and to the top portion when the electric pump is activated.
US09156663B2	Device and method for ascertaining and monitoring an assembled counterweight on a crane A device for detecting and monitoring an assembled counterweight on a crane includes a turntable steelwork construction comprising a counterweight cylinder; a sensor which is arranged in the region of a connection between the counterweight cylinder and the turntable steelwork construction; and a computational unit (8), wherein the sensor is connected to the computational unit, and the computational unit comprises a logic which determines a weight of a counterweight which can be connected to the turntable steelwork construction from data which are captured by the sensor and transmitted to the computational unit.
US09156662B2	Monitoring system and method A system with an apparatus that moves on wheels along a track defined by rails, and comprises two opposite sides carried by two or more wheels. The apparatus comprises detectors, at least one detector in either side of the apparatus in a known spatial connection with a wheel for generating to the control unit a signal that represents a measured lateral distance of a specific part of the wheel from a rail. Signals received from detectors are associated with position data that represents a specific position along the track where the lateral distance of the specific part of the wheel from the rail was measured. Signals received from detectors in spatial connection with wheels in opposite sides of the apparatus are used to generate an indication that represents temporal dimensional compatibility of the apparatus and the track. An effective tool for advanced monitoring interoperability of the apparatus and the track.
US09156656B2	Friction drive lift A stair lift for transporting a load includes a longitudinal guide having a first side running surface and a second side running surface opposing the first side running surface; and a carriage which is transportable along the guide and provided with rollers for guiding the carriage along the guide. The rollers include a first roller having a first roller peripheral friction surface which is in frictional engagement with the first side running surface for guiding the carriage along the guide and a second roller having a second roller peripheral friction surface which is in frictional engagement with the second side running surface for guiding the carriage along the guide. The first roller friction surface is provided with a first roller member, and the first side running surface is provided with a longitudinal first side running surface member which fits complementary with the first roller member.
US09156651B2	Tubing reel assembly for coiled tubing systems A tubing reel assembly including a drive assembly, a swivel assembly, a reel, and a stand. The drive assembly includes a drive assembly adapter that connects the reel and the drive assembly, a drive assembly mount that connects the drive assembly and the stand, and a rotational power source. The swivel assembly includes a swivel assembly adapter that connects the reel and the swivel assembly, a swivel assembly mount that connects the swivel assembly and the stand, a bearing, and a hydraulic swivel. The reel includes recessed hubs that allow the overall width of the tubing reel assembly to be reduced, and the recessed hubs are used for connecting the drive assembly to the reel and the swivel assembly to the reel.
US09156640B2	Sheet processing apparatus and color erasing apparatus a sheet processing apparatus comprises a main body side guiding module, a first movable module, a second movable module and a connection module. The main body side guiding module guides a sheet. The first movable module moves to a second position to open the conveyance path through motion from a first position opposite to the main body side guiding module, towards a first direction. The second movable module holds a detachable processing module for carrying out a given processing on the sheet, and moves integrally with the first movable module from the first position to the second position. The connection module connects the second movable module with the first movable module in such a manner that the second movable module can move to a third position to expose the processing module through motion from the second position in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US09156639B1	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet conveying apparatus includes a conveying guide configured to guide a sheet which is conveyed by a conveying roller and a driven roller, a pressing spring configured to press the driven roller toward the conveying roller, a holding portion configured to be provided to be rotated about a shaft center of the driven roller and to receive a pressing force of the pressing spring, and a supporting portion configured to support the driven roller in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction to abut on or be separated from the conveying roller. The holding portion includes a facing portion which is disposed to face the conveying guide. The facing portion is separated from the conveying guide in a state where the driven roller abuts on the conveying roller. The facing portion abuts on the conveying guide when the driven roller is separated from the conveying roller.
US09156635B2	Image forming device having conveying unit An image forming device includes a housing; a sheet tray; an image-forming unit; a conveying unit; and a switching mechanism. The sheet tray is detachably housed in the housing. The image-forming unit is configured to form an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet tray. The conveying unit includes a first roller and a second roller configured to nip and convey the sheet on which the image is formed by the image-forming unit to the image-forming unit. The switching mechanism is disposed between the sheet tray and the conveying unit and configured to bring the first roller and the second roller to be in peripheral contact with each other in conjunction with a loading operation of the sheet tray into the housing and separate the first roller and the second roller in conjunction with an unloading operation of the sheet tray from the housing.
US09156623B1	Automated tie plate placement system An automated tie plate placement system preferably includes a vibratory feeder, at least one vertical translation guide, at least one knock down device, at least one rotary orientation device, at least one bottom orientation device and a programmable logic controller. The vibratory feeder is preferably mounted to a support frame of a hi-rail vehicle. The plurality of tie plates in the vibratory feeder are vibrated into the at least one vertical translation guide. A vertical guide extends past a vertical exit of the vertical translation guide. The knock down device is positioned above the vertical guide. The rotary orientation device rotates the tie plate to place a field end in front. An entrance of the bottom vertical guide may be located adjacent to the rotary orientation device. The programmable logic controller receives inputs from a plurality of sensors and actuates a motor and a plurality of actuators.
US09156622B1	Sweep conveyor for removal of grain and other materials from bins A sweep conveyor extends along a bin floor between a sump pivot about which the conveyor rotates, and an outer end adjacent the bin wall. During the conveyor's orbit about the floor, flights at the conveyor bottom sweep across the floor toward the sump pivot, whereby bin material in front of the conveyor is swept into a sump. The conveyor is preferably made in modular sections connected end-to-end, whereby different sections are combined to construct conveyors having different lengths and capabilities. Some sections are preferably hinged together, allowing different sections to adopt different inclinations as they travel about a non-level floor. The flights are preferably provided on a belted chain riding on sprockets at opposite ends of the conveyor, and the chain is not supported by idler sprockets along its length, allowing the chain (and its flights) to sag under gravity so the flights ride along the bin floor.
US09156618B2	Plastic, modular and self-engaging bristle brush The present disclosure relates to a plastic, modular and self-engaging bristle brush (2), comprising a set of runners (6) including a pair of opposing guiding and self-centering ends projecting from the perimeter of the brush (2), said runners (6) being distributed such that the ends of runners (6) of contiguous brushes (2) can be fitted together by overlapping one another, and in that said runners (6) include at their guiding and self-centering ends articulated attachment means (7) for the articulated attachment of contiguous brushes (2) for self-engagement, turning the set of multiple brushes (2) into a cutting mat (1) which in turn forms an endless conveyor belt, said articulated attachment means in turn being provided with articulating drive shafts (8) that can engage drive elements (9) housed in multiple positions of a support table (5).
US09156617B2	Portable belt conveyor system A belt conveyor system for creating an overland material transport assembly on a ground surface comprises a frame configured for transportation over the ground surface, a plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections, a head pulley assembly mounted to the first end of the frame, a tail pulley assembly mounted to one of the conveyor belt support sections, and a conveyor belt. The frame includes first and second elongate rails, each of which have a first support surface and a second support surface spaced from the first support surface. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are supportable on the frame in a transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are accordion-folded relative to one another and are generally perpendicular to the first and second elongate rails. The plurality of pivotally connected conveyor belt support sections are movable to a material transport configuration wherein the plurality of support sections are unfolded to be generally parallel to the first and second rails. The belt conveyor is carried by the head pulley assembly, the plurality of conveyor belt support sections and the tail pulley assembly.
US09156616B1	Debris collecting chute device A debris collecting chute device facilitates the collection of debris while repairing sheetrock on a ceiling surface. The device includes a tube having an open top end, an open bottom end and a perimeter surface coupled to and extending between the open top end and the open bottom end. The open bottom end of the tube is configured for positioning over an open top of a waste receptacle. An attachment member has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the attachment member is coupled to the open top end of the tube. The lower surface of the attachment member is configured for attaching to a ceiling surface surrounding a damaged area of the ceiling surface.
US09156613B2	Insect control waste receptacle lid The invention is directed to the mitigation of nuisance insects, predominantly common flies and wasps, attracted to and gathering in discarded food, spills and related waste in garbage receptacles. A solar-powered, programmable or programmed dispenser of an aerosol agent releases the aerosol agent into the waste receptacle at selected intervals. The solar panel acts both as a power source and as a dusk-to-daylight sensor to turn the dispenser system off at night when insect populations are less troublesome but on in the morning to clear any accumulated insects and prepare the receptacle for use during the day. The dispenser system of the invention reduces the exposure of visitors to stings suffered by both patrons of a given establishment as well as the sanitation workers providing for a more enjoyable recreational experience and workplace.
US09156606B2	Ion sequestering active packaging materials The invention described herein provides a modified material is a packaging material in which, at least one side, the product contact side, has been modified to sequester ions in order to prevent the ions from being available to promote degradative reactions in biological or chemical products such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, cosmetics, paints and chemicals. The invention described herein also includes methods of making the packaging materials and methods of using the packaging materials for preserving the integrity of biological and chemical compounds.
US09156604B2	Cigarette packet A cigarette packet substantially having the shape of a parallelepiped and containing a group of cigarettes includes an outer case formed by two larger lateral walls, respectively a front wall and a rear wall, and by two smaller lateral walls or sides, by a lower wall or base and by an upper wall or lid. An inner case is inserted in the outer case. The outer case includes a projection for controlling the lid, the projection being interposed between the front wall of the outer case and a front wall of the inner case and moveable between a first position in which the lid is closed and a second position in which the lid is open. A mechanism is provided for reciprocal engagement of the projection and the inner case for partially extracting the group of cigarettes from the outer case.
US09156602B1	Actuators for dispensers for texture material Stored material is dispensed in a spray by defining a chamber and arranging the stored material and pressurized material within the chamber. A conduit passageway is arranged such that a conduit inlet is arranged within the chamber and a conduit outlet is arranged outside of the chamber. An adjustment system comprising an actuator member and first and second adjustment members is provided. The actuator member is arranged to define at least a portion of the conduit passageway. The first and second adjustment members are supported on the actuator member such that the conduit outlet is defined by a first surface of the first adjustment member and a second surface of the second adjustment member. Moving the first and second adjustment members relative to each other alters a cross-sectional area of the conduit outlet and thereby varies a flow of stored material along the conduit passageway at the conduit outlet.
US09156601B2	Application material extruding container An application material extruding container has a filling member including a filling area filled with an application material, a piston inward inserted to the filling member in a rear end of the filling area, and a hole portion arranged in the filling member. A front end surface of the piston is arranged in front of a rear end of an opening of the hole portion when the piston is at a backward moving limit, and a part of the application material is flowed out of the filling area while passing through the hole portion. When the piston is assembled in the filling member, the piston is inward inserted to the filling member while securely discharging an air between the application material and the piston out of the filling area via the hole portion, until the application material is flowed out of the filling area via the hole portion.
US09156587B2	Multiple sealed beverage vessels in a case A consumer packaged good includes a case, a plurality of translucent vessels vertically stacked within the case, a beverage stored in each of the plurality of the vessels and a barrier sealed to each vessel for containing the beverage in the respective vessel. The case includes a base wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the base wall. The plurality of translucent vessels are surrounded by the sidewall. Each vessel includes an opening for drinking from the vessel and a base surface for supporting the vessel on an associated support surface. The barrier seals to each vessel for covering the opening and containing the beverage in the respective vessel. The barrier is peelable from the vessel without destroying the vessel to provide access to the beverage stored in the vessel.
US09156586B2	Transport system for compressed gas cylinders The invention generally relates to a pallet or other flat platform having one or more, preferably two, perpendicular dividers secured to the surface of the flat platform and each other in a stable manner. Gas cylinder(s) are set in an upright position on the same surface of the flat platform as the divider(s). The cylinder(s) are secured, generally by steel bands or nylon straps, to the divider(s) and/or the flat platform surface.
US09156579B2	Carton with recloseable features A carton for holding a product. The carton having a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprises a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel and a second side panel. A tear away panel in at least one of the plurality of panels, the tear away panel providing access to the interior. A hinge in at least one of the plurality of panels and at least one tear line extending at least partially across at least one of the plurality of panels. The at least one tear line dividing the carton into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion configured to be pivotable at the hinge between an open position allowing access to the interior and a closed position with the first portion at least partially overlapping the second portion.
US09156575B2	Bagging, sealing, and labeling system and method A load packaging system includes a bag feeder for pulling a length of bag material, a mechanism for cutting and sealing the bag material to form a bag with a first sealed end, and a gripping device for opening the bag. The system also includes a load pusher for pushing the load into the bag, a package sealer for sealing a second end of the bag, and a labeling device for printing and applying one or more labels onto the load.
US09156555B2	Desk assembly for positioning board-like electronic device A desk assembly includes a desk top pivotably connected to a seat or the armrest of the seat, and includes an angle adjustment unit and a positioning portion. The desk top is flat and suitable for books or magazines put thereon. A rack is pivotably connected to the desk top and has a positioning unit. The rack is pivoted and positioned relative to the desk top so that the board-like electronic device such as cellular phone or board-like computer can be supported on the rack.
US09156553B1	Aircraft mission equipment having an integrated air caster handling system Aircraft mission equipment (e.g., an electrical equipment cabinet) comprising a base plate equipped on a bottom with a plurality of air casters that provide flotation mobility. When the equipment is being loaded in or unloaded from an aircraft, the actuated air casters provide a plurality of air cushions. The total lift force produced by the air cushions is sufficient to float the equipment above and out of contact with the floor, thereby improving ease of handling and reducing point loads on the floor structure. Portions of the air distribution system that provides pressurized air to the air casters on the bottom of the base plate are structurally integrated into the base plate of the mission equipment.
US09156549B2	Aircraft vertical lift device A lift device is disclosed that can be used to provide vertical lift to an aircraft or other vehicle. The lift device can include a fan that produces an airflow and a vane box that can direct the airflow. In one form the fan can be oriented at an angle relative to a reference plane in the aircraft. In another form the vane box can be oriented at an angle. The vane box can be structured to provide a maximum flow area between an aft flow vector and a forward flow vector.
US09156548B2	Rotor assembly A rotor assembly for helicopter vehicles for stabilizing the aircraft and thus providing an easy way of controlling pitch and roll of the aircraft by respectively associated magnetic actuators. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor with two flexible rotor blades, a rotor head rotationally coupled to the rotor shaft, a rotating swash plate, with at least three fly bars extending therefrom. The swash plate is rotationally coupled to the rotor shaft and adjusted to tilt in all directions relative to a plane perpendicular to the rotor shaft. The rotor head is hinged to the rotor shaft in one direction so that the rotor head and the rotor blades jointly are not able to tilt around their transversal axis. The coupling between the rotating swash plate and the rotor head provide synchronized tilt movements between the rotor head and the rotating swash plate around the longitudinal axis of the rotor head.
US09156544B2	Hub assembly with centrifugal and radial bearings A rotary system including a yoke having an opening forming a bridge for receiving a spoke extending therethrough. A rotor blade couples to the spoke and a pitch horn positioned outside the opening pitches the rotor blade during flight. A bearing assembly attaches the spoke and the pitch horn to the bridge and control blade forces exerted against the hub assembly during flight.
US09156538B1	Aircraft skin attachment system A method and apparatus for operating an aircraft. The aircraft is flown. A skin panel is held on a support structure. The support structure has flanges on a number of edges of the support structure, the flanges being substantially orthogonal to the edges. The support structure also has openings into the support structure substantially orthogonal to the flanges. First connecting structures on clips are connected to the flanges and positioned such that an opening in each clip is aligned with one of the openings in the support structure. The skin panel is positioned such that the clips are received in holes in the skin panel. Fasteners are attached to the second connecting structures such that the support structure holds the skin panel.
US09156537B1	Watercraft propulsion system and propulsion machine controlling method A watercraft propulsion system includes a normal watercraft operating unit, a joy stick watercraft operating unit, a control unit, a control mode switching unit, and a detection unit. The normal watercraft operating unit includes throttle levers and a steering wheel. The throttle levers are used to adjust outputs of at least two propulsion machines mounted to a hull. The steering wheel is used to adjust rudder turning angles of the at least two propulsion machines. The joy stick watercraft operating unit includes a joy stick. The joy stick is used to move the hull in at least each of front, rear, left, and right directions. The control unit is configured and programmed to control the outputs and the rudder turning angles of the at least two propulsion machines in a normal mode in accordance with an operation of the normal watercraft operating unit or a joy stick mode in accordance with an operation of the joy stick watercraft operating unit. The control mode switching unit is configured to output a control mode switching instruction to the control unit when the control mode switching unit has received a switching operation of the control mode.
US09156529B2	Method of making a lithographic printing plate A method of making a lithographic printing plate including the steps of a) image-wise exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a light or heat sensitive coating on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and b) processing the precursor consecutively with a first solution and a second solution thereby removing the coating from the support in the non-printing areas. The first and second solutions are provided by a cascade system such that the second solution overflows into the first solution and the first solution overflows into a container to be further treated as waste, and the second solution is regenerated by adding a replenishing solution or a mixture of replenishing solutions at a rate of at least 5 ml/m2 of treated precursor and at most 30 ml/m2 of treated precursor.
US09156525B2	Front derailleur A front derailleur is attachable to a bicycle with a frame in which a fixing bore is provided. The front derailleur basically includes a base member, a chain guide and a link mechanism. The base member has an attaching bore for attaching the base member to a fixing bore of a frame by a fastening member. The chain guide configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism movably couples the chain guide to the base member. The base member is disposed with respect to the chain guide such that at least a part of the attaching bore is disposed in front of the chain guide and above the chain guide while the front derailleur is in a state in which the base member is attached to the frame.
US09156516B2	Two-wheeled battery-powered vehicle A two-wheel battery-powered vehicle having a platform, two wheels connected to the platform, a battery-powered wheel drive driving the two wheels, an attachment connected to the platform, and a sensor device arranged in the platform. A person standing on the platform and engaging the attachment moves the platform into an angle position corresponding to a body position of the person. Based on the angle position of the platform relative to a horizontal position, the sensor device controls the wheel drive such that the wheel drive, by acceleration or deceleration, keeps the vehicle and the person standing on the platform in a balanced position. The attachment has a leg support device for at least one leg of the person standing on the platform in order to keep the platform at a desired angle position. The leg support device is adjustable.
US09156503B2	Mounting structure of fender side cover A mounting structure of a fender side cover, which is mounted between fenders disposed on both sides of a vehicle, a car body, and a hood hinge may include a hinge pin extending in a vehicle width direction on a side portion of the hood hinge, a rear mounting portion formed at a rear of the fender side cover and mounting the fender side cover to the hinge pin so as to be rotationally and laterally movable, and a front mounting portion formed on a front side of the fender side cover and inserted into a fender through-hole formed in the fender to couple the fender side cover to the fender, in which the fender side cover is mounted on the fender regardless of the type of the hood hinge and is moved along with the fender.
US09156493B1	Steering apparatus A steering apparatus includes a collision relaxation member provided on a surface of a housing, the surface being opposed to each rack end in a vehicle width direction. The collision relaxation member includes an elastic member arranged in an outer side of a rack shaft in a radial direction and absorbing a collision load from the corresponding rack end, and a shock absorbing member provided in an inner peripheral side of the elastic member and buckling by abutting of the rack end.
US09156489B2	Sliding sleeve blank and motor vehicle steering spindle assembly having a sliding sleeve made from the blank A sliding sleeve blank for producing a sliding sleeve for a steering spindle shaft of a motor vehicle steering spindle and the motor vehicle steering spindle assembly are provided. The sliding sleeve blank has a cylindrical form and has a section on one end, which has a collar, from which winged webs extending away radially extend in the direction of the second end. The sliding sleeve blank is a cold impact extrusion component, which, at the section has a preliminary toothing system extending over one part of the length of the section.
US09156488B1	Mounting brace assembly for steering column member There is provided in a preferred embodiment a mounting brace assembly for securing a steering column member to a vehicle cross-support member in a position braced against a vehicle cowl top. The assembly includes a cowl top bracket for engaging the vehicle cowl top, and a mounting base arm extending longitudinally along a base axis from a first axial end portion to a second axial end portion. The base arm includes an anchor flange sized for generally upward mated insertion in at least part of a flange receiving slot. The cowl top bracket is coupled to the base arm proximal to a vehicle forward end, and includes a load transfer portion shaped for juxtaposed abutment with a load bearing portion of the vehicle cowl top. Contact between the cowl top bracket and the vehicle cowl top transfers rotational bearing forces from the assembly towards the vehicle cowl top.
US09156484B2	Device for operating decentralized functional units arranged in an industrial installation A device and a method operate decentralized functional units arranged in an industrial installation. The device contains a superordinate control system which interchanges information with the decentralized functional units using data messages, and a data transport network having a number of network access points. The superordinate control system is coupled to the data transport network via at least one network access point. The device further has communication units which are connected to a network access point and provide the decentralized functional units with access to the data transport network, and an energy transport network to which the decentralized functional units are connected and which supplies the decentralized functional units with electrical energy. A number of intelligent energy stores are connected to the energy transport network and consume energy and/or output energy in accordance with the super ordinate control system and/or at least one of the other energy stores.
US09156483B2	System and method for changing when a vehicle enters a vehicle yard A method includes, responsive to a determination that a first vehicle system to be received in a vehicle yard is longer than a length of a receiving route of the vehicle yard that is designated for receiving the first vehicle system, processing a first movement plan to generate a revised movement plan. The first movement plan governs movement of the first vehicle system and one or more second vehicle systems in a transportation network that includes the vehicle yard. The revised movement plan is generated based at least in part on a designated time restriction for the first vehicle system to travel to and be received within the vehicle yard on the receiving route. The method also includes controlling at least one of the first vehicle system or at least one of the one or more second vehicle systems based on the revised movement plan.
US09156478B2	Railroad gondola car structure A gondola car has a body for lading carried on an underframe. The underframe includes a center sill and cross-bearers. The car has deep side beams having top chords, side sills, and side sheets. The lower portion of the car includes tubs that seat between the cross-bearers. The car may have an internal volume of more than 8000 cu. ft. The car may have rotary dump claw sockets. The car has opposed internal and external stiffeners aligned at the longitudinal stations of the cross-bearers. The internal stiffeners may be triangular cantilevers extending upwardly inside the side sheets. The side sheet lies intermediate the stiffeners and their flanges. The top chords may be wider in cross-section than the side sills. The side sills may define torque tubes that co-operate with the sidewall stiffeners and the top chords to resist lateral deflection. The car may include a false deck, or dog-house at one end to accommodate the brake reservoir and brake valve, such that the car is longitudinally asymmetric.
US09156477B2	Control system and method for remotely isolating powered units in a vehicle system A control system includes an energy management system and an isolation control system. The energy management system generates a trip plan that designates operational settings of a vehicle system having powered units that generate tractive effort to propel the vehicle system. The energy management system determines a tractive effort capability of the vehicle system and a demanded tractive effort of a trip. The energy management system identifies a tractive effort difference between the tractive effort capability of the vehicle system and the demanded tractive effort of the trip and selects at least one of the powered units based on the tractive effort difference. The isolation module remotely turns the selected powered unit to an OFF mode such that the vehicle system is propelled along the route during the trip by the powered units other than the selected powered unit.
US09156471B2	Parental control of rear seat HVAC unit in vehicle A vehicle has front and rear seats and an air conditioning system. There is an auxiliary control accessible from the rear seat for adjusting the air conditioning system. A rear entry door has a child locked state and a child unlocked state. There is a lock control element accessible from the front seat for setting the child locked state. The lock control element is coupled to the air conditioning system for selectably defeating the auxiliary control. Thus, the activation by a driver/parent of a rear-door child protection door lock system is also used for locking out child access to a rear air conditioning unit.
US09156456B2	Biased double check valve for brake system A brake system and a valve device for a brake system are provided which provide at least partial front brake actuation in the event of a failure in the front brake pneumatic supply circuit. The valve device may be configured as a biased orifice double check valve which permits compressed air flow from the front brake pneumatic supply circuit to a front brake actuator during normal brake operation, but in the event of lack of sufficient front brake pneumatic pressure permits compressed air to be supplied to the front brake actuator from a rear brake pneumatic supply circuit, as well as permitting compressed air in the front brake actuator to be ventilated back through the rear brake pneumatic supply circuit when the brake is released.
US09156455B2	Assembly made of a pressure medium storage tank and a manually actuated main cylinder, in particular for a hydraulic motorcycle brake system The invention relates to an assembly including a pressure medium reservoir and a manually actuable master cylinder, in particular for a hydraulic motorcycle brake system, wherein the pressure medium reservoir is connected permanently to the master cylinder by at least one pressure medium connection, wherein the master cylinder has at least one pressure chamber, which can be connected to wheel brakes. According to the invention, provision is made for a protection device to be arranged in the region of the pressure medium connection, the device preventing air from penetrating into the pressure chamber and allowing air to escape in the direction of the pressure medium reservoir.
US09156449B2	Brake system of a rail vehicle with compensation of fluctuations of the friction conditions A brake system of a rail vehicle, having at least one brake actuator with at least one brake disk and at least one brake lining, which interacts with the brake disk, for generating a braking force. Also disclosed is a sensor device to measure the time profile of at least one variable, representing fluctuations in the friction conditions between the wheel or wheel set assigned to the brake actuator and the rail and/or between the brake disk assigned to the brake actuator and the at least one brake lining, and to output a signal dependent on the measured variable to a control device which adapts the braking force generated by the brake actuator as a function of the deviation of the time profile of the measured variable from a predefined or expected time profile of the variable.
US09156439B2	Automatic opening and closing apparatus of opening and closing member for vehicle and structural member included in vehicle An automatic opening and closing apparatus of an opening and closing member for a vehicle includes an opening and closing member driving portion, a receiving portion configured to receive a radio signal transmitted from a radio transmitter and indicating identification information for identifying the vehicle, a non-contact detection sensor including a detection range that is specified to an inner side than an outermost position of the vehicle in a direction towards an outer side of a vehicle interior from the opening and closing member in a state where the opening and closing member is closed, and a control portion configured to control the opening and closing member driving portion in a case where the non-contact detection sensor detects an object in a state where the identification information is correlated to the vehicle on a basis of the radio signal received from the radio transmitter.
US09156437B2	Remote starting system for vehicle and control method for the same Disclosed is a remote start system for a vehicle which activates a timer configured after a vehicle is remote started when a door of the vehicle is opened. After activating the timer, a fob (e.g., a keyless remote) is searched and certified once a driver's door is closed, a brake is operated, or a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation of the vehicle. Once the fob is certified, the vehicle is converted from a remote start mode to a normal mode. If, however, the fob is not certified the remote start is terminated.
US09156433B2	Four-point seat belt device A four-point seat belt device includes right and left lap belts to press the hipbone of a passenger sitting in a seat, two shoulder belts to press both shoulders of the passenger, a driving unit to perform winding of the lap belts and the shoulder belts, and a latching detecting unit to detect a state in which the lap belts and the shoulder belts are latched via a buckle. The driving unit controls the lap belts in the case that the latching detecting unit has detected latching.
US09156430B2	Method and system for activating at least one triggering element for a passenger protection means A system for activating a triggering element for a passenger protection unit includes: a high-side control circuit establishing a first connection from an energy source to the triggering element, a low-side control circuit establishing a second connection of the triggering element to ground, and a regulating device regulating a firing current for the triggering element). A firing mode is selected as a function of a connected triggering element. In a first firing mode, a first firing current having a first time characteristic is generated for an ohmic triggering element, and in a second firing mode, a second firing current having a second time characteristic is generated for an inductive triggering element.
US09156426B1	Headrest-mounted vehicle airbag A head rest is mountable on a vehicle seat back with at least one hollow support bar. The support bar is adjustable to adjust the height of the head rest relative to the seat back. An airbag is located in the head rest and a connection is provided in the hollow head rest support bar between the airbag and an airbag system component in the seatback.
US09156425B1	Methods and apparatus for restraining vehicular passengers An airbag can include a first portion disposed closest to the passenger seat upon deployment, and configured to be rolled to form a cylindrical configuration having an axis that is perpendicular to a vehicle's longitudinal axis. The first portion can include a serpentine section disposed closest the vehicle's longitudinal axis and configured to be folded in a serpentine manner along the cylindrical configuration's axis. The first portion can include a rolled section that is spaced further from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the serpentine section. The airbag can include a second portion disposed closer to the instrument panel than the first portion and including a tether that is rigidly connected to the vehicle. The second portion can be disposed further from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the serpentine section, but at approximately the same distance from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle as the rolled section.
US09156422B1	Active bolster with multiple bladders on single trim piece An active bolster protects a passenger in an automotive vehicle during a crash event. An interior trim panel has a front wall with a front surface facing the passenger and a back surface including a plurality of closed bonding tracks spaced laterally across the panel. A plurality of bladder walls each has an outer flange bonded to a respective bonding track, a plurality of pleats disposed annularly adjacent the respective outer flange and defining a respective extension length, and central mounting towers attaching the respective bladder wall to a reaction structure. A plurality of micro gas generators are each mounted to a respective bladder wall for inflating the respective bladder walls. Inflation causes unfolding of the respective pleats while the trim panel deploys away from the reaction structure by a non-uniform distance resulting from a bladder wall having a pleat extension length not equal to another laterally-spaced bladder wall.
US09156419B2	Bumper attachment structure A bumper attachment structure includes a flange of a bumper fascia provided with a guide portion protruding therefrom and a flange of a fender panel having an insertion hole into which the guide portion can be inserted. The bumper attachment structure also includes an attachment bracket having a groove in which the guide portion can be housed and an insertion fitting portion in which a tip portion of the attachment bracket can fit.
US09156414B2	Roof clip for fastening accessories to the panels of vehicles Roof clip for attaching accessories to the panels of vehicles, designed to be inserted in an opening made in said panels, the clip being assembled to the modular roof system, along with the accessory, and secured by a screw, in which there is a base having a hole with a screw thread, openings in said base, and side wings, the fold of which provides a surface for contact with said panel, and also flanges for removing said clip from said panel, comprising the superposition of a lower base with said intermediate base, keeping said screw thread of said intermediate base aligned with the lower hole in said lower base.
US09156409B2	Device for hanging items of clothing A device for hanging items of clothing on a vehicle seat part, such as a backrest (1a), a head restraint 1(d) or head restraint holder (1c) of a vehicle seat (1) has a fastening hook (4e, 40e) for hanging the clothes hanger (4a, 4b, 4c, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40b′, 40c′), the fastening hook being movable between an inoperative position, in which the fastening hook (4e, 40e) is entirely or partially accommodated in the clothes hanger (4a, 4b, 4c, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40b′, 40c′) or bears against the latter, and an operative position, in which the fastening hook (4e, 40e) protrudes out of the clothes hanger (4a, 4b, 4c, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40b′, 40c′) to such an extent that the clothes hanger (4a, 4b, 4c, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40b′, 40c′) can be hung on a wardrobe bar.
US09156405B1	Supplemental step assembly for a vehicle and method of use A supplemental step assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle step includes a step which has a first end and an opposite second end. A first side member has a first step end which is connectable to the first end of the step, and an opposite first vehicle step end which is connectable to the vehicle step, the first step end being offset from the first vehicle step end. A second side member has a second step end which is connectable to the second end of the step, and an opposite second vehicle step end which is connectable to the vehicle step, the second step end being offset from the second vehicle step end. The supplemental step assembly can be connected to the step of the vehicle in either an upward projecting direction or a downward projection direction. The supplemental step assembly provides an additional step which reduces the vertical step height and facilitates entry of the vehicle.
US09156404B2	Adapter for precise and accurate attachment of a mirror unit to a support arm A tubular frame section directly or indirectly attached to the vehicle and a mirror unit, attached by a clamping connection to the tubular frame section, whereby the mirror unit in interconnection to an adapter is attached to the tubular frame section. The adapter, which is torque-proof, displacement-resistant and coupleable with a fastening section of the mirror unit, can balance the diameter difference between the fastening section of the mirror unit and the tubular frame section. An inner contour of the adapter is designed so that the adapter can be connected in a form lock for the accurate attachment of the mirror unit to the tubular frame section in such a way that a longitudinal movement of the adapter on the tubular frame section is hindered and the degrees of freedom of the adapter are at least limited in the circumferential direction of the tubular frame section.
US09156400B2	Steering wheel A steering wheel has an airbag apparatus mounted on a core metal via a horn switch mechanism for activating a horn device. The horn switch mechanism includes a supporting member that is formed of an electrically conductive material, supported on the core metal, and extends rearward, a slider that is formed of an insulating resin material, is disposed outside the supporting member to be slidable with respect to the supporting member, and urged rearward by an urging member, a cap member that is formed of an insulating resin material and covers at least a rear end of each of the supporting member and the slider, and a movable side contact that is formed of an electrically conductive metal material and disposed between the cap member and the slider. The horn switch mechanism is configured to activate the horn device.
US09156394B2	Suspension system for autonomous transports An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot including a drive section assembly having at least one motor and a pair of drive wheels coupled to the motor, a frame configured to support a payload, a transfer arm connected to the frame and configured for the autonomous transfer of payload to and from the frame, and a suspension system movably connecting the drive section assembly and the frame allowing relative movement between the frame and the drive section assembly.
US09156393B2	Locking rack for storing chain ratchet binders A rack and method for storing tie-down chain ratchet binders on a surface. The rack includes a base that preferably is mounted on a truck wall. A first finger is provided on the base and a first recess is defined therein. The first recess is configured so that the shaft of a chain ratchet binder is receivable therein. The rack further includes a second finger spaced laterally from the first finger and defining a second recess therein that is aligned with the first recess. The shaft of the binder is received in the first and second recesses and is supported by the first and second fingers. The rack is able to store a plurality of chain ratchet binders vertically spaced from each other and may lock the binder to the rack.
US09156392B2	Adjustable support structure for vehicle cargo bed extension This invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for adjustable support of an extension of a vehicle cargo bed. The apparatus provides a range of horizontal, vertical, diagonal and angular adjustment of a vehicle cargo bed extension deck so as to accommodate a wide variety of differently designed and dimensioned vehicles and provides other features promoting reliability and safety while minimizing unwanted vibration during use.
US09156387B2	Coupling structure for pull-cup and armrest assembly A door trim assembly includes an armrest, a pull-cup unit, and an attachment structure. The attachment structure has a first portion with a first flange, a second portion with two second flanges on opposing sides of the first flange, and an attachment member engaged with the at least one first flange and the at least two second flanges. The first and second portions are respectively coupled to one each of the armrest and the pull-cup unit, which may prevent separation during and after a crash event.
US09156386B2	Armrest assembly An armrest assembly may include a base member, an armrest member, and a brake mechanism. The armrest member may be linearly movable relative to the base member between a first position and a second position. The brake mechanism may include first and second brake members. The first brake member may be fixed relative to the base member. The second brake member may be movable with the armrest member relative to the base member and may be movable relative to the first brake member between an engaged position restricting relative movement between the armrest member and the base member and a disengaged position allowing relative movement between the armrest member and the base member. The first and second brake members may be engageable with each other at any of an infinite number of positions between the first and second positions.
US09156384B2	Vehicle seat comprising load sensor and side frame having a concave part A vehicle seat includes a load sensor that is configured to measure a load applied from an occupant and that has a rod extending therefrom, a seat cushion frame that includes right and left side frames that extend along a front-rear axis, and a bracket member attaching the load sensor to at least one of the right and left side frames. A lower surface of the at least one side frame has a concave part opening downward. At least a part of the load sensor is lower than the concave part, and the load sensor is closer to a center of the vehicle seat than the concave part.
US09156383B2	Locking unit for a vehicle seat A locking unit (10) for a vehicle seat (1) includes a pivotally mounted rotary latch (20) for locking to a bolt (12), and a detent (30) which secures the locking unit (10) in the locked state in the event of a crash, in which the rotary latch (20) supports itself on a first contact point against the detent (30). The rotary latch (20) also supports itself on a second contact point in the event of a deformation of the latch (20) in the event of a crash. The second contact point is provided on the detent (30).
US09156380B2	Vehicle seat of type having upwardly foldable seat cushion A vehicle seat having an upwardly-foldable seat cushion that includes an engagement piece projecting from the rear end of the seat cushion and an under cover below the seat having an upper panel portion having an upwardly sloped surface. A forwardly-and-rearwardly extending guide groove formed in that upper panel portion which allows the engagement piece to be moved therein, without its contact with the upwardly sloped surface of the upper panel portion, when the rear end of the seat cushion is slidingly brought to a lower end of a set back. Ribs are formed in a bottom surface of the guide groove. The guide groove allows forward-and-rearward movement of the engagement piece therein, so that the engagement piece can be pressed against and frictionally engaged with the lower end of the seat back, without being caught by the upwardly sloped surface of the upper panel portion.
US09156367B2	Overriding delayed electric vehicle charging events An electric vehicle charging station that supports delayed charging overrides. In one embodiment, to support delayed charging override in an electric vehicle charging station that requires authorization, after authentication is successful (e.g., the electric vehicle operator is authorized) and the electric vehicle is detected (e.g., the charging cord has been plugged into the charging port of the electric vehicle), the charging station begins a plug out timer for the electric vehicle operator to unplug the charging cord from the charging port of the electric vehicle and then begins a plug-in timer for the electric vehicle operator to plug the charging cord back into the charging port of the electric vehicle. If the electric vehicle operator does so within the periods of the timers, the charging session will not end and the delayed charging will be overridden.
US09156354B2	Driver assistance system having autonomous braking to a standstill A driver assistance system for a vehicle is provided. The driver assistance system includes a detecting device, which is designed to detect driving data that characterize the driving state of the vehicle, and a controller, which is designed to process the driving data detected by the detecting device and, if predetermined driving data are present, trigger a braking device to perform autonomous braking of the vehicle. The controller is also designed such that if driving data that indicate an imminent collision with an obstacle are detected, the function of the detecting device is monitored. If the detecting device no longer provides any driving data or plausible driving data to the controller, a continuation of the autonomous braking is triggered, at least until the vehicle has been decelerated to a specified speed.
US09156344B2	Motor-assisted transmission A powertrain has an engine with a crankshaft. The powertrain includes a planetary gear set having a first, a second, and a third member. The first member is connected for common rotation with an input member. A first clutch is selectively engageable to operatively connect the crankshaft with the input member. A second clutch is selectively engageable to ground the input member with a stationary member. An electric motor/generator has a rotor operatively connected for common rotation with the second member. An output member is provided, with a set of intermeshing gears configured to transfer torque from the third member to the output member. A first gear pair and a second gear pair are operable by engagement of a first synchronizer and a second synchronizer, respectively, to provide two different fixed ratios between the input member and the output member.
US09156343B2	Electrolytic capacitor reformation systems and methods An electrolytic capacitor reformation system for a vehicle includes an electrolytic capacitor, a motor driver module, a switching device, a resistor, and a switching control module. The electrolytic capacitor receives power from a battery of the vehicle. The motor driver module receives power from the electrolytic capacitor and drives an electric motor of the vehicle. The switching device and the resistor are connected in series in a current path between the battery and the electrolytic capacitor. The resistor limits current flow through the current path. The switching control module selectively transitions the switching device to a closed state to reform the electrolytic capacitor.
US09156341B2	Electric work vehicle and battery holding structure thereof A battery holding structure for an electric work vehicle equipped with a battery-driven electric motor includes a plurality of battery cases, a base frame and a plurality of pillars. The battery cases respectively have a bottom wall and front, rear, right and left sidewalls. The battery cases respectively accommodate a plurality of batteries aligned in a lateral direction. The battery cases are stacked in a vertical direction. The battery cases are installed in a rear part of the base frame. The rear sidewalls of respective ones of the battery cases are fixed to the pillars. The pillars are respectively fixed at bottom end portions thereof to a rear end portion of the base frame and extending upwardly.
US09156339B1	Hail cover for vehicle A hail cover for a vehicle is provided having a deformable, inflatable body member with attachment straps and an inflation tube extending therefrom. The body member has a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough. The body member is placed over top portions of a vehicle and secured thereto with the attachment straps. Once secured a user can enter their vehicle and inflate the cover to create a protective layer for the vehicle while safely inside of the vehicle. The plurality of apertures provide for a fluid-dynamic structure to the cover to assist with stabilizing the position of the cover during turbulent winds.
US09156337B2	Sunroof apparatus for vehicle A sunroof apparatus for a vehicle includes a movable panel, a guide rail, a first sliding member, a second sliding member, the movable panel being configured to be shifted to a tilt-up state in a case where the first sliding member moves in a front direction in a fully closed state of the movable panel and to be opened while being maintained in the tilt-up state in a case where the first sliding member moves in a rear direction after moving further in the front direction, and a holding mechanism configured to stop the second sliding member in a state where the engagement between the first sliding member and the second sliding member is released and to cause the second sliding member to be movable in the engagement state in a case where the first sliding member moves in the rear direction.
US09156336B2	Golf cart retractable enclosure A retractable enclosure for open sided golf carts and/or recreational vehicles. Golf cart retractable enclosures have roll-back doors which coil into housings and onto a tube within each housing for storage. The roll-back door panels are made up of sheets of flexible transparent plastic and or flexible opaque fabric material. Each roll-back door panel has an upper side edge which is received in a horizontal upper track extending from the front vertical post to the roll-back panel housing. The tubes are rotated by either electric motors and or springs in one direction to open and store the roll-back doors and rotated in an opposite direction to close the roll back doors.
US09156333B2	System for the heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning of a vehicle, comprising at least one heat exchanger through which a heat-transfer fluid flows The invention relates to a system for the heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning of a motor vehicle passenger compartment. The system includes at least one heat exchanger through which there flows a heat-transfer fluid. The system is equipped with at least one means for pumping the heat-transfer fluid at a flow rate of between 40 1/h and 200 1/h, in such a way that a temperature difference of the heat-transfer fluid between an outlet and an inlet of the heat exchanger is greater than 45° C.
US09156322B2	Charge cable device A charge cable device includes: a cable having one end detachable from a power source or another charge cable device and an electric power line for supplying electricity to a vehicle from the electric power source or another charge cable device; a charge connector on the other end of the cable detachable from a charge inlet of the vehicle; a cable connector detachable from further another charge cable device to connect between further another charge cable device and the electric power line; and a controller. When the cable connector is not attached to further another charge cable device, the controller controls to supply electricity from the one end of the cable to the charge connector. When the cable connector is attached to further another charge cable device, the controller controls an electric power supply amount of electricity to the charge connector and to further another charge cable device.
US09156314B2	Pneumatic tire and method of manufacturing pneumatic tire A pneumatic tire including a cylindrical annular structure, a rubber layer that will become a tread portion provided along a circumferential direction of the annular structure, on an outer side of the annular structure, and a carcass portion including fibers covered by rubber, provided on both sides in a direction parallel to a center axis (Y-axis) of a cylindrical structure including the annular structure and the rubber layer. In a meridian cross-sectional view of the structure, an outer side of the rubber layer and the outer side of the annular structure have the same form.
US09156307B2	Plasma etching method and plasma etching apparatus A plasma etching method deposits a silicon-containing deposit by a plasma processing using a Si-containing gas on an object to be processed that includes a film to be processed, an organic film formed in a plurality of narrow linear portions on the film to be processed, and a rigid film that covers both the film to be processed which is exposed between the linear portions and the linear portions. In the plasma etching method, each of the plurality of narrow linear portions of the organic film and the film to be processed between the linear portions are exposed by etching the silicon-containing deposit by plasma of CF-based gas and CHF-based gas after the silicon-containing deposit is deposited.
US09156283B2	Liquid dispersal in radiant dryers for printing systems Systems and methods are provided for dispersing a liquid coolant in a radiant dryer. The system comprises a dryer of a printing system. The dryer includes a heating element within an interior of the dryer that is able to heat a web of printed media as the web travels through the interior. The dryer also includes a liquid dispersal unit within the interior that is able to project liquid droplets of coolant onto the web as the web travels through the interior, in order to control the temperature of the web.
US09156281B2	Inkjet printing machine A printing machine is providing including a transporter for transporting objects to be printed, a printing station including at least four printing units arranged to project ink on the objects to be printed, a transfer device for transferring an object to be printed from the transporter to the printing station and from the printing station to the transporter. The printing station includes a single mandrel corresponding to the maintenance of an object to be printed, the corresponding mandrel being rotatably movable around its axis so that the printing units project ink onto the object maintained by the corresponding mandrel, the printing station being arranged to print only the objects maintained by the corresponding mandrel.
US09156280B2	Light emitting diode integrated with lens, line printer head, and method of manufacturing the light emitting diode Provided are a light emitting diode unit including a light emitting diode integrated with a lens, a line printer head using the light emitting diode, and a method of manufacturing the light emitting diode. The light emitting diode unit includes the light emitting diode layer bonded to a transparent substrate after removing a growth substrate on which the light emitting layer is grown, and a lens that refracts light emitted from the light emitting diode is formed on the transparent substrate.
US09156272B2	Liquid supply apparatus for avoiding erroneous installation of liquid cartridge, printer provided with the same and liquid cartridge for the same A liquid supply apparatus, which supplies a liquid or liquids stored in liquid cartridges of a plurality of types, includes a plurality of cartridge installing sections to which the liquid cartridges of the plurality of types are detachably installable, wherein a plurality of connection ports, which correspond to supply ports formed for the liquid cartridges of the plurality of types respectively, are formed at mutually different positions of the respective cartridge installing sections.
US09156271B2	Liquid jet head A liquid jet apparatus is provided. The liquid jet apparatus includes a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber, a release path operatively associated with both the first damper chamber and the second damper chamber, and a control path connecting the first damper chamber, the second damper chamber, and the release path to each other.
US09156269B2	Liquid ejection apparatus An inkjet printer includes a cleaning unit to be brought into contact with a head lower surface of an ejection head, and a unit movement mechanism for moving the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes a base part, a cleaning liquid ejecting part protruding above the base part, and a pair of positioning parts. The positioning parts are brought into contact with a block lower surface of a head fixation block on opposite sides of the cleaning liquid ejecting part to keep an under-head gap for holding the cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid ejecting part and the head lower surface. Since the positioning parts are spaced from the cleaning liquid ejecting part, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid that has spread from the under-head gap to the surrounding area from adhering to the block lower surface via the positioning parts.
US09156255B2	Movement of fluid within printhead channels In one embodiment, an actuator connected to a printhead structure is activated with a waveform to cause vibration of the structure sufficient to move fluid within a printhead channel adjacent to the structure and not cause the fluid to eject from the channel during a nonprinting period. In another embodiment, a first pulse module applies a pulse at a printhead structure at a combination of voltage, duration, and frequency to cause shaking of printhead structure to move fluid within a printhead channel adjacent to the structure without ejecting the fluid from the channel during a nonprinting period. In another embodiment, an actuator connected to a printhead structure is activated during a nonprinting period to pulse the structure to move fluid within a printhead channel adjacent to the structure without causing the fluid to be expelled from the channel.
US09156254B2	Fluid ejection device A fluid ejection device is described. In an example, the fluid ejection device includes a substrate having a chamber formed thereon to contain a fluid. A thin-film stack is formed on the substrate having a resistor formed under the chamber. A transistor is formed in the substrate and coupled to the resistor. A circuit is formed in the substrate coupled to a gate of the transistor to selectively cause the transistor either to supply a firing current to the resistor for ejecting the fluid from the chamber or to dissipate power to warm the device.
US09156246B2	Method and device for the quality inspection and testing of flat printed products A method and a device for the quality inspection and testing of a flat print product. A print product, including at least one structural element, is initially deposited on a support element and illuminated by at least one light source. At least one image of the illuminated print product is generated using at least one image recording unit. An image is also generated of at least one structural element on the support element and a geometric object of the support element is determined from the at least one structural element of the support element. Actual values for the at least one geometric object of the support element are compared to predetermined desired values for this geometric object and the result of the comparison is used for controlling the further processing of the print product.
US09156235B2	Modular production device for integral fiber semifinished products and method for producing endless-fiber composite components made from integral fiber composite semifinished products having a hollow body structure A modular production device for integral fiber semi-finished products and a method for the creation of endless fiber composite components having a hollow body structure after the production of such integral fiber semi-finished products. The modular production device has at least one moveably guided fiber guide tube (100), at least one base element (2, 2′) and a plurality of hollow bodies (7) that are separated from one another in a row by a gap (8) and that can be fastened to an inner wall of the base element (2, 2′). Each hollow body (7) has at least one base (6) at least on one side, wherein the gap (8) has a width that provides a passage for the fiber guide tube (100).
US09156231B2	Steel for machine structure use for surface hardening and steel part for machine structure use Steel for machine structure use for surface hardening containing, by mass %, C: 0.3 to 0.6%, Si: 0.02 to 2.0%, Mn: 1.5% to 3.0%, W: 0.0025 to 0.5%, Al: 0.001 to 0.5%, N: 0.003 to 0.02%, S: 0.0001 to 0.025%, P: 0.0001 to 0.03%, and O: 0.0001 to 0.0050%, having an Mn/S of 70 to 30000, and having a balance of substantially Fe and unavoidable impurities.
US09156230B2	Glass film laminate without adhesive A glass film laminate includes a supporting glass and a glass film peelably laminated to the supporting glass. A contacting surface of the glass film and a contacting surface of the supporting glass directly contact each other without an adhesive therebetween. The contacting surface of the supporting glass includes a first region and a second region with a surface roughness smaller than a surface roughness of the first region. An adhesive force between the supporting glass and the glass film is greater at the second region than at the first region.
US09156225B2	Packing structure and assembling method thereof A packing structure adapted to pack a plurality of objects. The packing structure includes a plurality of first dividing plates and two side plates. The first dividing plates are arranged with intervals to form a plurality of containing spaces. Each of the first dividing plates has two sides opposite to each other, each of the sides has two first inserting slots, and a positioning portion is formed between the two first inserting slots. The two side plates are disposed at the two sides respectively. Each of the side plates has a plurality of positioning slots, and the positioning portions are respectively inserted into the positioning slots of the corresponding side plate. An extending direction of each of the first inserting slots is perpendicular to the corresponding side plate. The objects are adapted to be located in the containing spaces respectively and between the two side plates.
US09156218B2	Apparatus for producing pneumatic tyres Along a building line, a green tire is built on a rigid toroidal support having an outer surface substantially conforming in shape to an inner surface of the green tire. The green tire is then transferred to a bead molding and prevulcanization station where each bead of the tire is molded by tightening it between a surface portion of the toroidal support and an annular clamping surface carried by a removable tightening flange. The tightened beads are prevulcanized through a heat supply by means of electric resistors integrated into the tightening flanges. The tire with the prevulcanized and tightened beads is transferred into a molding cavity having an inner wall of a shape substantially conforming to that of the outer surface of the molded tire, to carry out molding of the tire and complete vulcanization of same.
US09156215B2	Method for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses The invention provides a method for washing, with a water-based system, reusable molds for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The water-based washing system comprises an ethoxylated silicone polyether surfactant. The water-based system of the invention can effectively wash away silicone-containing components and other components of a lens formulation left behind on the molding surfaces of a reusable mold, after removing a silicone hydrogel contact lens cast molded in the reusable mold.
US09156209B2	Biooptical and biofunctional properties, applications and methods of polylactic acid films Biopolymers that may be used in optical applications are provided. Suitable biopolymers include polylactic acid and polylactic acid blends. The polylactic acid may be used with a photocatalyst such as titonium dioxide in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the polylactic acid may incorporate decorative fused recycled particles. Generally, the biopolymer may be used in applications where optical characteristics and/or fire performance are desired.
US09156208B2	Infusion method and flow aid Disclosed is an infusion method for the manufacture of a fiber-reinforced composite component with a flow promoter, wherein the flow velocity of the matrix material in a component to be infiltrated is modified by means of the flow promoter. Also disclosed is a flow promoter, which has an integral body section for the modification of the flow velocity.
US09156202B2	Filament winding method and filament winding apparatus A filament winding method performs a hoop winding step including a first step of fixing an end of a fiber bundle to a liner surface at a starting position of hoop winding, a second step of hoop winding the fiber bundle having the end fixed to the liner surface in the first step, a third step of fixing the fiber bundle hoop wound in the second step to the liner surface at an ending position of hoop winding, and a fourth step of cutting the fiber bundle upstream in a fiber bundle supplying direction of the position where the fiber bundle is fixed in the third step.
US09156199B2	Method for operating a hybrid drive and hybrid drive A hybrid drive includes an electric motor coupled to a hydraulic drive having a double-acting hydraulic piston and a piston rod, and a substantially throttle-less valve for actuating the hydraulic drive, and a control unit for actuating the electric machine. To avoid unnecessary energy consumption, an actuating direction requested by the hybrid drive and a desired actuating force are determined, the valve is switched to a position such that the hydraulic drive is effective in the actuating direction, at least when the actuating force cannot be generated by the electric motor alone, the difference between the force generated by the hydraulic drive and the actuating force is determined, and the electric motor is operated such that the desired actuating force is achieved by adding the force generated by the motor to the force generated by the hydraulic drive, or subtracting the first from the latter.
US09156198B2	Temperature controlled molding of composite components Systems and processes that limit distortion of inserts (e.g., previously formed parts) in insert molding and overmolding processes. Initially, a mold may be closed (e.g., clamped) about an insert with the mold at a first temperature. After closing the mold about the insert, the mold is heated up to a second temperature (e.g., a temperature suitable for injection of the molding material) and filled with the molding material to contact (e.g., encapsulate) the insert. After the mold has been cooled, the mold may be opened and the finished part (including the insert and the solidified molding material) removed (e.g., ejected). The process may be repeated for additional finished parts. Closing the mold about the insert before heating the mold to the injection temperature advantageously limits distortion of the insert that would otherwise occur by placing the insert into the mold with the mold already at the injection temperature.
US09156190B2	Method for sintering The present invention provides a method for sintering, comprising in the following order the steps of: providing a body in the green state or in the pre-sintered state on a support; providing a load on at least one spacer on the support such that the load is located above said body in the green state or in the pre-sintered state without contacting the body; heat treating the body in the green state or in the pre-sintered state at a temperature above the decomposition temperature of organic components contained in the green body and below the softening temperature or decomposition temperature of the spacer; heat treating the body in the green state or in the pre-sintered state at a temperature above the softening point or decomposition temperature of the spacer and below a sintering temperature such that the load contacts the body, and—sintering the body in the green state or pre-sintered state.
US09156189B2	Systems and methods for high-throughput microfluidic bead production A system for producing microbeads includes a microfluidic device defining a supply channel and a shearing channel, a microbead precursor material disposed in the supply channel, a carrier fluid disposed in the shearing channel, and a pressure distribution system fluidly connected to each of the supply channel and the shearing channel to control at least relative pressures of the microbead precursor material and the carrier fluid. The supply channel includes a check valve adapted to be subjected to a bias pressure that is sufficient to close the check valve to flow of microbead precursor material when a supply pressure of the microbead precursor material is below a threshold pressure and is open to flow of the microbead precursor material when the supply pressure of the microbead precursor material is greater than the threshold pressure. An end of the supply channel opens into the shearing channel such that the microbead precursor material is sheared into droplets by the carrier fluid flowing through the shearing channel. A pressure of the carrier fluid is less than the bias pressure. The microbead precursor material and the carrier fluid are substantially immiscible.
US09156182B2	Spring biased base with offset pivot point A saw assembly includes a drive member, a motor, a housing, a foot, and a spring. The drive member is configured to be moved in a repeating pattern. The motor is configured to move said drive member in said repeating pattern. The housing defines an interior space in which said motor is positioned, and said housing includes a mount located in said interior space. The foot includes (i) a base defining a work piece contact surface, and (ii) an extension structure attached to said base and defining a spring arm contact surface. The spring includes (i) a spring arm positioned in contact with said spring arm contact surface, and (ii) a coiled portion supported by said mount. The housing is configured to pivot in relation to said foot about a pivot axis.
US09156177B2	Device for disassembling lens module A device includes a bearing assembly, a supporting assembly, a cutting assembly, a rotation pole, and a transmitting assembly. The supporting assembly includes a driving pole rotatably supported on the bearing assembly and a pair of guiding rails positioned on the bearing assembly. The cutting assembly screws on the driving pole and is slidably supported on the guiding rails. The cutting assembly includes a cutter protruding from the top plate. The rotation pole is rotatably positioned on the bearing assembly and is configured for supporting a lens module. The transmitting assembly drives the rotation pole and the driving pole to rotate. The driving pole drives the cutting assembly to move and the rotation pole to rotate, the cutter cuts the lens module during moving along the driving pole.
US09156176B2	Cutting apparatus and computer readable storage medium A cutting apparatus includes a cutter, a controller and a memory configured to store instructions. The instructions instruct the controller to execute steps including arranging patterns including peripheral lines including sequential line segments. The pattern arrangement includes arranging the patterns so that the line segments of adjacent patterns overlap each other. The instructions further include identifying the overlapping line segments, generating data representing a line including the identified overlapping line segments, designating the patterns including the overlapping line segments as a pattern group and extracting parallel line segments from the line segments forming the pattern group, grouping the extracted parallel line segments into line segments parallel to each other and denoting an identical cutting direction, determining a cutting order of the line segments composing the pattern group of the patterns including the overlapping line segments and generating a signal based on the generated data and the determined cutting order.
US09156174B2	Razor cartridge and mechanical razor comprising such a cartridge A razor cartridge that includes a housing, at least one support, received by the housing, and having parallel first and second faces, the support having a lower portion, an upper portion, and a bent portion intermediate the lower and upper portions, a razor blade having a cutting edge and a fixation portion fixed on the second face of the upper portion of the support, where the second face of the support has a recess extending at least in the bent portion.
US09156166B2	Robot control device A robot control device according to an embodiment includes: an observer receiving the angular velocity of the motor and the current command value, and estimating an angular acceleration of the link, and angular velocities of the link and the motor from a simulation model of an angular velocity control system of the motor; a first feedback unit calculating an axis torsion angular velocity from a difference between the angular velocities of the link and the motor estimated by the observer, and giving feedback to the angular velocity control system; a second feedback unit feeding back the angular acceleration of the link estimated by the observer to the angular velocity control system; and a first feedback constant calculating unit compensating an end effector load mass and increases inertia at the second feedback unit when an end effector load in the nonlinear dynamic model has low inertia.
US09156161B2	Robot arm assembly A robot arm assembly includes a first robot arm, a second robot arm, and a third robot arm. The first robot arm includes a first body and a backlash adjusting assembly received in the first body. The backlash adjusting assembly includes a base plate, a protruding shaft perpendicularly coupled to the base plate, and an adjusting member. The base plate defines a slotted hole. The adjusting member is detachably inserted into the slotted hole and is detachably coupled to first body. The second robot arm includes a second body and a first transmission assembly rotatably coupled to the second body. The first transmission assembly includes a first adjusting gear, a first intermediate gear, and a second adjusting gear. The first intermediate gear meshes the first and second adjusting gear. The second adjusting gear is coupled to the second body. The first intermediate gear is sleeved on the protruding shaft.
US09156160B2	Robot system, calibration method, and method for producing to-be-processed material A robot system includes a plurality of robots, a control device, a common work table, and a calibration device. The control device is configured to control the plurality of robots. On the common work table, the plurality of robots are configured to work. Based on a position of a first robot having a calibrated coordinate relative to a position of a second robot among the plurality of robots, the calibration device is configured to calibrate a coordinate of the second robot.
US09156154B2	Gimbal assembly for tool support A supporting and orienting apparatus that is angularly agile and can balance the weight of tools, and permits quick tool replacement is disclosed. An inner gimbal portion holds the tool at its center of balance and is rotationally disposed within an outer gimbal portion. The gimbal portion combination is rotationally attached to an articulated arm. The tool with one or both gimbal portions attached can be removed and replaced with another tool, also having gimbal portions attached such that the tool is automatically balanced when inserted into the support apparatus.
US09156150B2	Snap ring pliers The present invention relates to a snap ring pliers. As to the entire structure of the present invention, a lock member is simply turned to control gripping members to hold or release deformation of a snap ring. The lock member is turned for a stop of a limit member to hold against the upper surface of an elastic plate to block a hook portion from moving upward, so that the elastic plate can be made with a thinner plate. The hook portion is flexibly held by teeth of a ratchet rail. A lower protrusion of the elastic plate is held by an upper protrusion of the lock member with less resistance. This enhances the lock member to be turned in a labor-saving or flexible way.
US09156146B1	Wrench adapter device A wrench adapter device adapts a conventional box wrench for use with a ratchet. The device includes a housing having a top face, a bottom face, and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending between the top face and the bottom face. The perimeter wall comprising a plurality of planar faces wherein the housing is configured for insertion into a wrench such that the housing is engaged to be rotated by the wrench. A socket extends into the top face of the housing wherein the housing is configured for being engaged by insertion of a drive of a ratchet into the socket.
US09156131B2	Method of treating surface of mold Provided is a method of treating a surface of a mold to achieve good demoldability and capable of preventing wearing of the mold by avoiding load concentration on one part of the surface of the mold. After a first blasting is performed on the surface of the mold to remove a hardened layer produced on the surface and/or to adjust the surface roughness, a second blasting is performed to create fine irregularities on the surface. Then, an elastic abrasive in which abrasive grains are carried on an elastic body, or a plate-like abrasive having a planar shape with a maximum length that is 1.5 to 100 times the thickness thereof, is ejected onto the surface of the mold at an inclined ejection angle such that the abrasive is caused to slide along the mold surface to flatten peaks of the irregularities created on the mold surface.
US09156130B2	Method of adjusting profile of a polishing member used in a polishing apparatus, and polishing apparatus The method includes the steps of measuring a surface height of a polishing member 10 at each of plural oscillation sections Z1 to Z5 which are defined in advance on the polishing member 10 along an oscillation direction of a dresser 5; calculating a difference between a current profile obtained from measured values of the surface height and a target profile of the polishing member 10; and correcting moving speeds of the dresser 5 in the plural oscillation sections Z1 to Z5 so as to eliminate the difference.
US09156126B2	Polishing pad An object of the invention is to provide a polishing pad that is prevented from slurry leaks and has high optical detection accuracy. The present invention relates to a polishing pad comprising a polishing region, a cushion layer, and a support film layered in this order, wherein a light-transmitting region is provided on the support film and in an opening part that passes through the polishing region and the cushion layer; the light-transmitting region has a peripheral part and a recessed part on the surface of a polishing platen-side; the support film is layered on the peripheral part; and the support film is not layered on the recessed part, which remains open.
US09156119B2	Machine tool The present invention relates to a machine tool, in particular to a lathe, comprising a machine frame 1, a first work spindle 21 which is arranged on a spindle carrier face of the machine frame 1 and is to receive a first workpiece W1, a second work spindle 22 which faces the first work spindle 21, is arranged on a spindle carrier face of the machine frame 1 and is to receive a second workpiece W2, the axis of the second work spindle 22 being aligned parallel, in particular coaxially to the axis of the first work spindle 21, and comprising two movable tool carrier slides 51 and 52, on which a respective tool-carrying tool carrier 61 and 62 is arranged. According to the invention, provided between the work spindles 21 and 22 is a tool carrier 62 which can be moved transversely to the spindle axes, is configured as a tool turret and the turret axis of which is aligned transversely to the spindle axes.
US09156116B2	Axial machining device The present invention provides an axial machining device comprising a tool-carrier spindle rotatable in a housing, the housing housing a transmission system causing the spindle to advance automatically relative to the housing under the effect of the tool-carrier spindle being driven in rotation, the transmission system including an advance gearwheel screwed onto the spindle, the device including a resilient return member urging the advance gearwheel in a first axial direction opposite to the advance direction of the spindle, and also including a first rolling bearing having rolling members rolling on an undulating raceway having an axial component, thereby periodically urging the advance gearwheel to move in a second direction opposite to the first, such that rotation of the spindle is accompanied by axial vibratory motion.
US09156103B2	Modular direct current power source A modular direct current power source is provided. One welding power supply system includes a plurality of hysteretic buck converters coupled in parallel. The hysteretic buck converters are configured to receive a common input and to provide combined output power to a common load based upon the common input.
US09156099B2	Method for inductive hardening of teeth of gearwheels In a method for manufacturing a gearwheel, a gearwheel blank is clamped in a workholder of a multi-axis machine tool. A milling head is clamped in a tool holder which is rotated by a spindle drive to enable the milling head to mill out tooth spaces of the gearwheel blank to thereby create a gearwheel having teeth. After replacing the milling head in the tool holder with an inductor, the inductor is inserted successively between two adjacent teeth of the gearwheel and supplied with alternating current from a current supply device of the spindle drive to inductively heat at least one of the two adjacent teeth. The inductor in the tool holder is then replaced with a machining tool to remachine the teeth of the gearwheel.
US09156092B2	Centric clamping device A clamping device (01), for use on a lathe, includes a plurality of basic clamping supports (06), which can be moved in a star-shaped formation in relation to an axis of rotation and on each of which a clamping jaw (11) for clamping workpieces can be attached. The basic clamping supports (06) can be adjusted simultaneously by means of an adjusting drive (21, 36) of the clamping device (01). At least two basic clamping supports (06) are coupled directly or indirectly to one another by an outer rocker (15). At least in the middle of the adjusting path, a limited inward displacement of a basic clamping support (06a, 06c, and 06b, 06d, respectively) leads to a swiveling of the outer rocker (15a, 15c) and an outward displacement of the other coupled basic clamping support (06b, 06d, and 06a, 06c, respectively).
US09156073B2	Forming apparatus, shoe thereof and forming method A forming apparatus and method for forming a sectional profile of round tubing, angled tubing or open forming stock without losing the manufacturability of conventional roll forming The forming apparatus comprises individual shoe blocks having a pass on their rotating curved faces. The shoe blocks can be moved in the circumferential direction on an endless track, and are connected to provide the same curvature radius and length as a required arc segment of a virtual large-diameter circle.
US09156068B2	Methods and apparatus for cleaning objects in a chamber of an optical instrument by generating reactive ions using photon radiation An optical instrument, including a chamber, an object exposed to an interior of the chamber, a source of low-pressure gas, the gas comprising at least one of low-pressure molecular hydrogen gas, low-pressure molecular oxygen and a low-pressure noble gas, the source of low pressure gas being fluidly coupled to the chamber, a low voltage source electrically coupled between the object and a remaining portion of the instrument that is exposed to the interior of the chamber so as to maintain the object at a low voltage relative to the remaining portion, and an EUV/VUV light source adapted to direct EUV/VUV light through the low pressure gas in the chamber onto the object. In such a system, when the EUV/VUV light source is activated ions of the low-pressure gas are formed and directed to the object. The ions may be ions of Hydrogen, Oxygen or a noble gas.
US09156066B2	Aperture cleaning system and methods of use A sensor aperture cleaning system includes a fluid dispensing arm movable between a stowed position in which the fluid dispensing arm is outside a field of view of a sensor aperture and a cleaning position in which the fluid dispensing arm is disposed within the field of view of the sensor aperture. The system further comprises a piston mechanism, a housing sized to slidably receive the piston mechanism, and a biasing member disposed within the housing and configured to bias the piston mechanism. The piston mechanism is coupled to the fluid dispensing arm and is configured to move the fluid dispensing arm from the stowed position to the cleaning position in response to pressure on the piston mechanism from a pressurized fluid.
US09156064B2	Apparatus and method for sorting plant material An apparatus and method for sorting plant material based on the presence or absence of a visual marker on the plant material. The visible marker may be a visible genetic color marker in the corn seed which is used in double haploid breeding. The absence or presence of the visible marker identifies correctly pollinated seeds as well as putative haploid seeds.
US09156062B2	Vibratory screener cleaning system A vibratory screener including a screen with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of apertures, an attachment post extending above the upper surface of the screen, and a cleaning system positioned above the upper surface of the screen. The cleaning system includes a support plate, a plurality of arms extending radially from the support plate, and at least one brush extending downwardly from each of the arms. Each brush is positioned so that the distal end of at least one of its multiple bristles contacts the upper surface of the screen. The screener further includes a collection area positioned below the lower surface of the screen and a vibration generator that vibrates the screen and the cleaning system and causes the arms to rotate relative to the upper surface of the screen.
US09156057B2	Method for controlling the viscosity of a sprayable mixture The present invention is directed to a method for controlling the viscosity of a sprayable mixture. The sprayable mixture forms a layer of a coating composition on an applied substrate and forms crosslinked network after drying and curing the layer. The dried and cured composition provides the substrate with a coating having a good appearance.
US09156044B2	Aerosol device The invention relates to devices for air humidification, aerosol vaccination and disinfection, inhalation chemotherapy and for protection of plants against pests and diseases. The inventive aerosol nozzle-based device comprises a cylindrical container in which ejector atomizers are arranged above a liquid surface in such a way that they can rotate in a horizontal plane. Each atomizer comprises a chamber which is provided with a nozzle and into which branch pipes for supplying a liquid material to be atomized and air are introduced. The air supply branch pipes are tangentially arranged in the chamber. The atomizers are mounted in such a way that a jet coming out therefrom is chordwisely oriented with respect to the walls of the cylindrical container. The projection of the central axis of the aerosol spray on the cylinder walls does not cross the top edge of the walls during at least one turn. The dimensions of the branch pipe openings and of the nozzle are related by the equation Do=(0.5÷0.7)D2c/Dk, wherein Do is the diameter of the liquid supply branch pipe, Dc is the diameter of the outlet nozzle and Dk is the diameter of the air inlet channel. Said invention makes it possible to produce a stable fine aerosol.
US09156033B2	Lab On a Chip A Lab On a Chip (LOC) has a Sample Preparation Module (SPM) coupled to a sample inlet, a microchannel coupled to the SPM, and an optic module optically proximate to the microchannel. The optic module holds multiple lenses, each of which has a different effective focal length, such that all fields of focus within the microchannel are covered as objects suspended within the liquid sample pass through the microchannel.
US09156029B2	Composition having an active metal or precursor, an amine component and a non-amine containing polar additive useful in the catalytic hydroprocessing of hydrocarbons, a method of making such catalyst, and a process of using such catalyst A composition that comprises a support material that is loaded with an active metal or metal precursor, an amine component, and a non-amine containing polar additive. The composition is useful in the hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon feedstocks. The composition is prepared by incorporating a metal solution into a support material followed by incorporating therein an amine component and a non-amine containing polar additive.
US09156017B2	Pyrolysis apparatus using liquid metal The present invention relates to a pyrolysis device using a liquid metal including: a hollow reactor in which the liquid metal is received; a circulating pump connected to the reactor; a buffer tank disposed on an upper portion of the reactor and receiving the liquid metal from the circulating pump; a nozzle coupled with the buffet tank and jetting the liquid metal within the buffer tank into the reactor; and an air supply source supplying air to the liquid metal within the reactor, wherein char generated from fuel injected into the reactor is combusted by reacting with air introduced into a lower portion” of the reactor through the air supply source, and liquid metal sprays jetted from the nozzle react with gases generated in the reactor to purify the gases.
US09156015B2	Microchannel double pipe device and usage thereof A microchannel double pipe device comprises a channel for inner nozzle (4), a channel for outer nozzle (5) and a mechanical probe (8). The channel for outer nozzle (5) concentrically surrounds the channel for inner nozzle (4), and the channel for inner nozzle (4) concentrically surrounds the mechanical probe (8). Constricted at the outlet of the channel for inner nozzle (4), the channel for inner nozzle (4) extends to form an inner nozzle core (9). Constricted at the outlet of the channel for outer nozzle (5), the channel for outer nozzle (5) extends to form an outer nozzle core (10). The outer nozzle core (10) essentially concentrically surrounds the inner nozzle core (9), and the outlets of the inner nozzle core (9) and the outer nozzle core (10) are at the same level essentially. The mechanical probe (8) is configured to intermittently empty the inner nozzle core (9). The device can be used for microcosmic mixing and reaction, especially suitable for continuous preparation of inorganic, organic or medicine particles with nanostructure or micron-structure using liquid-liquid precipitation method.
US09156012B2	Method and device for mixing samples on a support A method for detecting analytes in a liquid is provided in which the liquid is subjected to a mixing treatment on an area of a support which has in particular immobilized reactants, wherein in the mixing treatment the liquid is impinged upon by a stream of gas that sweeps across at least some areas of the support surface in a scanning manner by means of a jet directed towards the support surface. The invention also concerns a method for mixing a liquid sample comprising an analyte and a device for carrying out the method.
US09156010B2	Droplet-based assay system Systems, including apparatus and methods, for performing assays. These systems may involve separating sample components by partitioning them into droplets or other partitions, amplifying or otherwise reacting the components within the droplets, detecting the amplified components, or characteristics thereof, and/or analyzing the resulting data, among others.
US09156002B2	Process for controlling the pH and level of target ions of a liquid composition A process for simultaneously controlling the pH and level of target ions of a liquid composition, more particularly the use of Reverse Electro-Enhanced Dialysis (REED) for extraction of low-molecular, charged species generated in a reactor. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a process for simultaneous pH control and control of inhibitors in an ongoing fermentation or catalytical system, where the pH is controlled by at least one primary Reverse Electro-Enhanced Dialysis (REED) stack and the level of target ions by at least one secondary REED stack, where the primary REED is one of a Cation REED (CX-REED) or an Anion REED (AX-REED) and the secondary REED is the other of a CX-REED and an AX-REED.
US09155996B2	Sorbents for carbon dioxide capture Provided herein are sorbents for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, such as from natural gas and coal-fired power plant flue gases, and uses thereof.
US09155994B2	System and method for purifying ship diesel exhaust gases The invention relates to a system and a method for purifying ship diesel exhaust gases of fine dust particles, and of certain burnt gases, having a spray tower, a venturi washer, a cyclone and a disc centerifuge.
US09155993B2	Exhaust-gas treatment apparatus and exhaust-gas treatment method An object is to provide an exhaust-gas treatment apparatus capable of realizing a dissolved-salt spray method easily and at low cost. An exhaust-gas treatment apparatus that removes SO2and SO3contained in combustion exhaust gas includes a desulfurization apparatus based on the lime-gypsum method. Desulfurizing effluent, containing dissolved salt, from the desulfurization apparatus is sprayed to an upstream side of the desulfurization apparatus to remove SO3. A wet electrical dust precipitator may be provided downstream of the desulfurization apparatus. Furthermore, effluent from the wet electrical dust precipitator may be made to merge with the desulfurizing effluent from the desulfurization apparatus.
US09155988B2	Multi-stage air filtration systems and associated apparatuses and methods Embodiments of multi-stage air filtration systems are disclosed herein. A filtration system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes at least a first filter and a second filter arranged in series in an exhaust stream. The first filter is arranged to hold a first active media in the exhaust stream, the second filter is arranged to hold a second active media in the exhaust stream, and the active media is selected to remove one or more contaminants known to be in the exhaust stream. The system also includes at least one sensor arranged to detect the presence of the one or more contaminants downstream of the first filter and/or the second filter.
US09155981B2	Liquid settling systems and methods A system and method for filtering sediment from water prior to disposal. According to some aspects, water is provided to a trough which feeds a settling pool via a port. The settling pool may comprise one or more blocks disposed in one or more corresponding channels which restricts flow of the water. In some embodiments, this restriction of flow may cause sediment to collect on a bottom of the settling pool and/or residual oil to collect on a surface of the water. The residual oil may be pumped or skimmed from the surface and the water may be pumped from the settling pool into one or more external holding tanks. The one or more blocks may then be removed from the settling pool and the sediment may be collected via a frontloader or other device accessing the sediment via an access ramp formed in the settling pool.
US09155979B2	Method for performing maintenance on a chromatography column A method for performing maintenance on a chromatography column (1; 41) comprising the steps of: a) when maintenance is required, detaching a detachable joint (7; 63) between a bottom plate (5; 53) of the chromatography column and a stand (3; 43) on which the chromatography column is provided; b) attaching an adaptor (15; 59) provided in the chromatography system to any part of the chromatography column (1; 41) making it possible to lift the bottom plate (5; 53) from the stand (3; 43) with the adaptor (15; 59); and c) raising the adaptor (15; 59) and thereby also the bottom plate (5; 53) such that maintenance can be performed under the bottom plate (5; 53).
US09155972B2	Motion platform system A motion platform system comprising a motion platform which is supported above a base by displacement units. Displacement units comprise a drive unit which drives a crank. A connecting arm is connected between the crank and the motion platform, so that translational and tilting movement of the motion platform is achieved by appropriate operation of the drive units. Each connecting arm has a curved profile which enables a full range of movement of the motion platform to be achieved using connecting arms of relatively short length. The connection between the connecting arm and the crank arm can be brought close to, or within, the crank arm. The height of the motion platform above the base, and bearing loads within the drive units, can thus be reduced.
US09155969B2	Video game competition notifications Methods and systems are described for automatically sending a popup or other message to another person's electronic device upon finishing a predetermined goal in a video game. The predetermined goal can be, for example, killing a first boss in under five minutes. The message to the friend can include a link or button enabled such that the friend can begin the game on his device in the same room, mission, scenario, etc. that the first player started out in so that the friend can attempt to duplicate or ‘one up’ the first player's achievement. Friends who are interested in receiving such messages can be determined from existing social networking sites.
US09155955B2	Putter stroke training device A putter stroke training device comprising a putter guide apparatus having a shaft clamp configured to removably secure a golf putter shaft, an arm extension comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft clamp may be coupled to the first end of the arm extension and the arm extension may be configured to extend away from the putter shaft, and wherein a rail contact member may be coupled to the second end of the arm extension; and a putter rail apparatus which may comprise a contact rail with a contact surface configured to make contact with the rail contact member of the putter guide apparatus.
US09155952B2	Tennis training apparatus A tennis training apparatus is provided with a sheet supporting frame to be installed in a training place; a hit ball receiving sheet supported by the sheet supporting frame rises in an inclination state toward a distal end thereof; and a turning guide portion provided at an upper end of the hit ball receiving sheet in an eave shape curved toward a near side. When a ball hit by a player is received by the hit ball receiving sheet, the ball is turned by the turning guide portion to move downward along the hit ball receiving sheet and fly out of the hit ball receiving sheet as a returning ball. The returning ball bounces to return near the player. The hit ball receiving sheet is provided with a returning hit ball guiding structure where the player can select from one or more preferable hitting-back positions.
US09155941B2	Takraw ball A takraw ball side strip (2) comprising an elongate length of plastics material having one side edge of sinusoidally undulating profile having troughs (7) and peaks (6), wherein the strip (2) is shaped or otherwise constructed to be preferentially flexible in peak regions (20) whereby, when the strip (2) is joined by its ends into a hoop (30), peak regions (20) will bend more readily than other regions of the strip. Also disclosed is A takraw ball woven from side strips as described, a more flexible peak region (20) of one strip (20a) may be positioned to overlie a less flexible strip region (34), located between a peak region (20) and a trough (7), of an underlying strip (20b).
US09155935B2	Gyroscopic exercise ball A gyroscopic exercise ball (10) includes a housing (10a, 10b) surrounding a rotor (12) centrally disposed on a shaft (14) having two ends (28) mounted in notches (26) of a freely rotatable gimbal ring (24). The ring and the ends of said shaft are disposed in a groove having a height larger than a diameter of the ends of the shaft. The diameter is larger than a thickness of the gimbal ring, and a rotation rate sensor (60) measures the rotor speed. A processor (110) is in communication with the rotation rate sensor to calculate an exercise evaluation. A pitch axis and a roll axis gyroscopic sensor (80, 70) are in communication with the processor. The exercise evaluation determines energy expenditure, force, power, angles or angular velocity of motion, range of motion, position, speed or trajectory of motion, and an evaluation of form for an individual exercise.
US09155931B2	Strap restraint apparatus A strap restraint for a device having adjustable straps is disclosed. In one embodiment, a strap restraint for an adjustable device is provided. The device has a strap with an end that doubles back through a length-adjustment mechanism and over the strap. The strap restraint includes an elastic band attached to the end, where the band encircles the strap, and a pair of flexible inelastic fastening elements attached to the end. The strap restraining permits the user to select the force with which the strap restraint holds the end against the strap.
US09155929B2	Fire suppression compositions and methods of treating subterranean fires A method of suppressing, reducing and/or extinguishing a subterranean fire comprising contacting the subterranean fire with a fire-suppression composition comprising a carrier agent and a flame-retardant salt. A method of treating a peat fire comprising locating one or more hot spots associated with the peat fire, preparing an aqueous solution of a fire-suppression composition comprising guar and monoammonium phosphate, wherein a ratio of guar to monoammonium phosphate is about 30:70; and contacting the peat fire with the aqueous solution.
US09155922B2	Protective garment having an improved hood This invention relates to a protective garment comprising a hood comprising an outer protective apparel fabric, the hood adapted to be worn on a user's head and including a face side provided with hood portions for covering the front side of the head and defining an opening for the face; a back side provided with hood portions for covering the back side of the head and comprising a hood crown portion and first and second side hood portions, the first and second side hood portions meeting along the centerline plane of the hood; the back side further having an first resilient strap secured to the inside of the back side of the hood, extending from the first side portion to the second side portion, the resilient strap positioned perpendicular to, and centered on, the centerline plane of the hood.
US09155921B2	Chemical protective suit A chemical protective suit includes a head portion, a body portion, a pair of arm portions, a pair of leg portions, and a pair of foot portions. The aforementioned portions are integrated into a unitary body. The integrated portion of each two adjacent sheet fabric pieces in each of the foot portions comprises a seam line extending along peripheral edges of two adjacent sheet fabric pieces stacked on each other, with the peripheral edges opposed to each other, and a welded portion of the stacked sheet fabric pieces of a predetermined breadth extending along the seam line, with the peripheral edges and the welded portion disposed to face opposite sides of the seam line. The integrated portion of the two adjacent sheet fabric pieces in each of the foot portions is exposed to the external air.
US09155911B1	Ion source method and apparatus used in conjunction with a charged particle cancer therapy system As part of a charged particle cancer therapy system, a negative ion source is used to generate and accelerate an anion, such a C−, and to convert the anion to a cation, such as C6+, through use of one or more electron extraction subsystems. Initially, an electric field is pulsed across a magnetic field to generate the C− anion. Subsequent to extraction of the C− anion from a plasma region using pulsed electrodes, one or both of a hydrogen gas electron stripping system and a carbon foil electron stripping system converts the carbon anion into the cation. The resultant cation is accelerated in a synchrotron, transported along a beam-line, and targeted to a tumor resulting in ablation of the tumor.
US09155910B1	Device and methods for adaptive resistance inhibiting inverse compton scattering microbeam and nanobeam radiosurgery This invention relates to adaptive resistance inhibiting 100 to 1,000 Gy, single fraction radiosurgery with inverse Compton scattering gamma ray microbeam and nanobeam. The distance from two adjacent microbeams or the nanobeam generate peak and valley dose. Proliferation of normal tissue's clonogenic cells from low or no dose valley region to peak dose regions makes the normal tissue tolerance to to 100 to 1,000 Gy. The collilinear electron beam and gamma ray microbeam and nanobeam are generated in microfocus carbon tubes in a tissue equivalent primary collimator. Electron beam is absorbed by the tissue equivalent primary collimator. Focusing anode and magnets and multiwalled carbon nanotubes channels the microbeam and nanobeam as focused beams. Methods of spread out or spot scanned or raster scanned collilinear gamma ray microbeam and nanobeam radiosurgery are implemented. Adaptive resistance to cancer treatment is inhibited by inactivation of cancer cell's repair capabilities.
US09155908B2	Simultaneous multi-modality inverse optimization for radiotherapy treatment planning When performing multimodal radiotherapy planning, an optimizer (36) concurrently optimizes a combined treatment plan that employs an intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) device (30) and an intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) that respectively generate a photon beam and an ion beam for treating a volume of interest (18) in a patient (34). A simulator (40) iteratively generates multiple variations of a simulation model (44) according to optimization parameters that are varied by the optimizer (36) until the simulation model (44) satisfies user-entered treatment objective criteria (48) (e.g., maximum dose, does placement, etc.)
US09155907B2	Apparatus and method for combining machine limitations information with target motion boundary information A control circuit accesses machine limitations information and target motion boundary information. The control circuit then combines the machine limitations information with the target motion boundary information when acting with respect to a radiation treatment plan. By one approach the control circuit acts with respect to a radiation treatment plan by presenting machine limitation information in combination with target motion boundary information. As another approach, the control circuit acts by combining the foregoing information while developing the radiation treatment plan to use that information to make automatic adjustments to the radiation treatment plan to correct instances where a planned configuration reveals a conflict between the physical limitations of the treatment platform and the target motion boundary.
US09155906B2	LED therapeutic apparatus having thermal radiating function A light-emitting diode (LED) therapeutic apparatus includes a body portion formed of a light-weight resin material into a rectangular housing; a printed circuit board including a plurality of LEDs having different emission colors mounted linearly in a plurality of rows at required intervals; a thermal radiating plate provided with a plurality of thermal radiating studs formed of a light-weight thermally conductive material; and a transparent plate mounted on an opening surface of the body portion. The thermal radiating plate is mounted in tight contact in the body portion, and the printed circuit board is mounted in tight contact with the heat radiating studs. The heat generated by the LEDs is radiated from the surface of the body portion via the thermal radiating plate from the thermal radiating studs. The LEDs may be maintained to a junction allowable temperature or lower so that a long life span without noise is achieved.
US09155902B2	Pocket kits and methods for retrofitting and adapting common notebook computers, laptop computers, and tablet computers, to enable each to be used as an automated external defibrillator (AED), and as a manual defibrillator A notebook, laptop computer or tablet computer having an automated external defibrillator (AED) capability, and methods of utilizing the notebook, laptop computer or tablet computer defibrillator to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Kits and methods for converting, adapting or retrofitting a common notebook, laptop computer and tablet computer to enable each to be used as an AED to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest. A kit including an adjustable case for receiving, encompassing, adapting and converting a common notebook, laptop computer or tablet computer to enable each to be used as an AED. A kit including a slave automated external defibrillator (AED) that is joined to a common notebook, laptop computer or tablet computer to adapt, convert and enable each to be used as an AED.
US09155900B2	Medical device battery charging system and methods Systems, methods, and apparatuses may be used to charge battery-powered devices using a charging device. Such battery-powered devices include the external portions of auditory prostheses or other medical devices. The charging device prioritizes the charging requirements of a number of batteries and transfers power to one or more batteries. The charging device also sends a signal to activate an indicator on each external portion.
US09155888B2	Cochlear implant systems including magnetic flux redirection means An exemplary cochlear implant system includes a component that houses a circuit board comprising electronic circuitry that generates one or more signals, an induction coil that transmits the one or more signals by generating a telemetry magnetic field, and a telemetry flux guide positioned between and in direct contact with a top surface of the induction coil and a bottom surface of the circuit board.
US09155884B2	Treatment system and actuation method for treatment system A treatment system includes a power source for heat generation which outputs power for heat generation, a grasping member having a heating element which applies the power for heat generation as thermal energy to a grasped living tissue, a storage section storing a power decrease pattern which is a prediction about a change state of the power for heat generation, and a control section which performs pattern control on the power source for heat generation on the basis of the power decrease pattern acquired from the storage section.
US09155878B2	Device for preparing an implanted medical apparatus for extraction A device for preparing an elongated implanted medical apparatus, such as a cardiac lead, for extraction from the body of a patient. The device includes a first handle and a second handle. At least the first handle has a surface for receiving the implanted apparatus therealong. A wire member having a first end and a second end is positioned to span a distance between the surface of the first handle, and the second handle. The wire member first end is removably engaged with the first handle, and the wire member second end is removably engaged with the second handle. The wire member is sized and arranged to enable the wire member to be wound around a length of the implanted apparatus to facilitate extraction of the apparatus with a lead extraction device.
US09155876B2	Port valve of a blood control catheter A catheter assembly is presented which includes a catheter adapter having a blood control valve. A port is disposed in the catheter adapter for providing selective access to the interior of the catheter adapter. A port valve is disposed within the catheter adapter to control access between the interior of the catheter adapter and the port. The port valve includes a flexible tube, a portion of the flexible tube covering an opening between the port and the catheter adapter.
US09155875B2	Microneedle patch applicator support A method and apparatus for application of a microneedle patch to a skin surface of a patient includes use of an applicator. The applicator includes a housing, a slidably disposed applicator plate, and a compression spring. The applicator plate is moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and has an engaging surface suitable for mashing up against a microneedle patch and pressing it against a skin surface. A docking system transfers the microneedle patch from a support to the applicator without requiring a user to handle the microneedle patch directly. Once mounted in the applicator, the microneedle patch is deployed against a skin surface of a patient for delivery of a desired agent via a microneedle array contained on the patch.
US09155871B2	Electrically operable, in one possible embodiment programmable hydrocephalus valve An electrically operable, in one possible embodiment programmable hydrocephalus valve. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US09155869B2	Catheter having inflation and deflation lumen useful for preventing or reducing reperfusion injury A system including a catheter and an expandable member. The catheter includes an independent inflation lumen and an separate independent deflation lumen capable of sequential inflation and deflation of an expandable member in rapid succession, such as less than five seconds.
US09155864B2	Multiple use blood control valve with center and circumferential slits A system for controlling fluid flow in a catheter assembly is disclosed. The system comprises an intravenous catheter assembly with a catheter adapter. The catheter adapter comprises an inner lumen with a septum disposed within a portion of the inner lumen. The septum has a barrier capable of being deformed from a relaxed position to a biased position. The barrier further comprises a slit having a closed configuration and an opened configuration. The slit is in the closed configuration when the barrier is in the relaxed position and in the opened configuration when the barrier is in the biased position. The barrier is configured to be mechanically deformed from the relaxed position to the biased position by a septum actuator that advances against a proximal surface of the barrier without traversing the barrier.
US09155860B2	Indwelling catheter with anti-clotting features A catheter for providing a blood flow includes first and second lumen parts having a distal portion with at least one port for delivering and receiving the flow from a patient and a non-linear profile along the distal portion.
US09155853B2	Systems and methods of adjusting ventilator modes and settings visually via a touchscreen The systems and methods of the present application provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for adjusting the modes and settings of a patient ventilator. Upon selecting the type of breath setting (mechanical and/or pressure supported), and the target and control parameters for each breath setting, an ideal set of pressure, flow and volume waveforms are displayed on a touch-screen GUI. The user is then able to adjust any of the waveforms using the touch-screen GUI to the desired ventilator settings for that particular patient. The user then confirms the settings and the ventilator operates according to the user-set waveforms.
US09155852B2	System and method for adaptive high frequency flow interrupter control in a patient respiratory ventilator A method and system for controlling fluid flow settings by receiving a precondition pressure wave function, representative of a precondition frequency, a precondition amplitude and a precondition pressure of the fluid flow in the system, establishing an operating pressure wave function, representative of an operating frequency, an operating amplitude and an operating pressure of the fluid flow desired in the system, determining cycle error between the precondition pressure wave function and the operating pressure wave function, converting the cycle error to flow adjustment, and updating an operating flow with the flow adjustment.
US09155842B2	Medication delivery device and method of assembling a medication delivery device A medication delivery device (1) comprises an indicator element (3) having indications (300) and a magnifying device located over an indication position (32). The magnifying device (4) comprises an optical system (5) with a magnifying lens (43) wherein the optical system (5) is constructed such that the optical path length between the indication position (32) and the magnifying lens (43) is enlarged. As an example, the medication delivery device (1) is a pen-type device, wherein a dose dial element (30) having a dosage scale (31) is disposed. The magnifying device (4) generates a magnified image of the dosage scale (31) so that the size of the selected dose (33) of the medical product is visible through a window (41). A method for assembling the medication delivery device (1) includes providing a medication delivery device (1) having a receptacle and mounting an element of the magnifying device (4) at the receptacle.
US09155841B2	Drive mechanism for a drug delivery device A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device having a rotationally fixed plunger rod driven by a lead screw. The lead screw engages a free lock which is coupled to a release knob. A dose setting dial cooperates with an inner cylinder using a clutch to establish the axial movement of the plunger rod during dose setting and dispensing.
US09155834B2	Systems and methods for infusion of fluids using stored potential energy and a variable flow resistor Systems and methods for infusion of fluids using stored potential energy and a variable flow resistor. In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an infusion device that includes a plunger situated within a vessel so as to define a chamber within which a volume of fluid can be accommodated between a downstream surface of the plunger and the vessel. The infusion device further includes an outflow path through which the fluid in the chamber can be dispensed upon displacement of the plunger by a force acting thereon. A variable flow resistor is situated within the outflow path and is configured to allow a substantially constant fluid flow rate from the vessel to be maintained as the force acting on the plunger decreases.
US09155825B2	Hemodialysis system using sorbent and reservoir A hemodialysis system including (i) a dialyzer; (ii) a blood circuit including a blood pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer; (iii) a dialysate circuit including a dialysate circulation pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer, at least a portion of the dialysate circuit incorporated into a disposable dialysate cassette; (iv) a sorbent cartridge for cleaning used dialysate flowing in the dialysate circuit; (v) a reservoir holding an initial supply of dialysate; (vi) a reservoir pump in fluid communication with the dialysate circuit and the reservoir; (vii) a supply of infusate; and (viii) an infusate pump in fluid communication with the dialysate circuit and the supply of infusate.
US09155821B2	Fluid collection canister including canister top with filter membrane and negative pressure wound therapy systems including same A fluid collection canister including a chamber to collect fluids and a canister top disposed over the chamber. The canister top includes a bottom side facing into the chamber, including first and second ribs disposed thereon, a filter membrane attached to the first and second ribs, a first port to communicate with the chamber and a pressure source external to the chamber, and a second port to communicate with the chamber and a sensor external to the chamber. The first port is in fluid communication with a first area, which is bounded by the filter membrane, the first and second ribs and the bottom side of the canister top. The second port is in fluid communication with a second area, which is bounded by the filter membrane, the second rib and the bottom side of the canister top.
US09155816B2	Magnesium-based medical device and manufacturing method thereof A magnesium-based medical device which can adjust a degree of corrosion within a wide range of period such that the device can maintain a sufficient strength only during a desired period and disappears within a desired period thereafter and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A magnesium-based medical device of the present invention is a magnesium-based medical device in which a base material is made of magnesium or a magnesium alloy, wherein a corrosion-resistant film is formed on a surface of the base material, and variation in surface hardness of the formed corrosion-resistant film in the in-plane direction is less than 21 in terms of a dispersion value of Vickers hardness.
US09155815B2	Biocompatible phase invertible proteinaceous compositions and methods for making and using the same Biocompatible phase invertible proteinaceous compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. The subject phase invertible compositions are prepared by combining a crosslinker and a proteinaceous substrate. The proteinaceous substrate includes one or more proteins and a polyamine, where the polyamine and a proteinaceous substrate are present in synergistic viscosity enhancing amounts, and may also include one or more of: a carbohydrate, a tackifying agent, a plasticizer, or other modification agent. In certain embodiments, the crosslinker is a heat-treated dialdehyde, e.g., heat-treated glutaraldehyde. Also provided are kits for use in preparing the subject compositions. The subject compositions, kits and systems find use in a variety of different applications.
US09155812B1	Vent stick air freshener with dual action bodies and air flow tunnel A vent stick air freshener has a pair of vent rods extending rearwardly from an annular head with a hollow therein, an open front end and an open rear end defining an air tunnel. At least one body is carried by at least one of the pair of vent rods. An insert is at least partially received in the hollow of the annular head. A space is defined between the insert and the annular head. The at least one body or the insert or both has a desired scent material interspersed therein and diffusible out over time.
US09155808B2	Radiation source assembly There is described a radiation source assembly comprising an elongate radiation source; a reactor port for receiving and reversibly securing the elongate radiation source; a top plug element for reversible connection to a proximal end of the radiation source and reversible engagement with the reactor port; the top plug element configured to be disengaged from reactor port without disengagement of the elongate radiation source from the reactor port.
US09155807B2	Method and apparatus for the sterilization of containers A method of sterilizing containers, wherein the containers are conveyed along a pre-set conveying path by a conveying device, and wherein an irradiation device is introduced by a relative movement between the container and the irradiation device in a longitudinal direction of the container into the interior of the container to be sterilized and emits a charge carrier irradiation to sterilize the inner wall of the container by the charge carrier irradiation, wherein an aperture region situated on the outside of the container is also sterilized.
US09155805B2	Monoclonal antibody, and use thereof [Theme] To provide a monoclonal antibody against human GPR87. Also, to provide a novel means for diagnosing or treating a malignant tumor.[Solution means] Monoclonal antibodies against human GPR87 are provided. The antibodies can recognize human GPR87, which is expressed on a cell membrane while retaining a three-dimensional structure, and can recognize GPR87, which is expressed in a cell endogenously with an epitope being present in an extracellular domain of full-length human GPR87. The antibodies are thus useful in biochemical analysis, etc., of GPR87, useful in immunohistological diagnosis, etc., of squamous cell carcinoma, and also potentially useful in PET diagnosis, antibodies for treatment, etc., of squamous cell carcinoma.
US09155801B2	Amino acid sequences which enhance peptide conjugate solubility The present invention provides peptide conjugates having improved solubility as well as increased secretion during cell based production, as well as methods of utilizing such peptides. The peptide conjugates include a short peptide domain defined by the amino acid sequence AGIH (SEQ ID NO: 8) and may include a biologically active molecule useful in intracellular and intranuclear transport of the biologically active molecule to treat various disorders and diseases.
US09155793B2	Skin composition for external use containing ceramides The present invention provides a ceramide lamella structure comprising a glucoside surfactant, a preparation method thereof, and a skin composition for external use containing the same. According to the skin preparation composition for external use of the present invention, phase stability is very excellent and a greater amount of ceramides can be stably formed according to the stability of ceramides using multilayered lamellar liquid crystals, thereby showing excellent skin moisturizing and skin barrier function repairing effects when applied to the skin.
US09155789B2	Use of allogenic or syngenic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules as universal adjuvants for vaccines against neoplastic disease, infection and autoimmune disease The present invention is directed to the discovery that allogenic or syngenic adjuvant stimulation can cause local inflammation which increases the antigen presentation capability of cells in the vicinity of adjuvant stimulation. By discovering this phenomenon, the present invention provides a novel method for augmenting the immunogencity of an antigen by conjointly administering an allogenic or syngenic MHC molecule (as a universal adjuvant) to trigger a local inflammatory reaction to enhance antigen presentation at the site of delivery.
US09155783B2	Agents and methods based on the use of the EDA domain of fibronectin This invention relates to the use of a polypeptide in the production of an immunostimulatory agent, said polypeptide comprising a sequence corresponding to the EDA domain of fibronectin, a fragment of the EDA domain which can bind to TLR4 or a variant of said EDA domain or a fragment which can bind to TLR4 and which has a homology of more than 70% with any form or natural fragment of the EDA domain. The invention also relates to the production methods and applications of said agent.
US09155778B2	Tripeptides that down regulate the activity of plasma membrane transporters including sodium-D-glucose cotransporter SgIt1 A regulatory protein RS1 fragment or a nucleic acid molecule encoding the regulatory protein RS1 fragment for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, food and/or food supplements for the amelioration, prevention and/or treatment of a metabolic disease or a secondary disorder caused by a (pathological) modification of homeostasis, wherein the RS1 fragment is characterized in comprising at least the amino acid sequence Q-C-P Glutamine-Cysteine-Proline) or derivatives thereof, is provided. Also provided is a method for the amelioration, prevention and/or treatment of a metabolic disease or a secondary disorder caused by a (pathological) modification of homeostasis comprising administering a pharmaceutically active amount of a regulatory protein RS1 fragment or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a regulatory protein RS1 fragment, wherein the RS1 fragment comprises at least the amino acid sequence Q-C-P or derivatives thereof.
US09155775B1	Process for manufacturing glatiramer acetate product The patent provides a process of preparing a pharmaceutical preparation of glatiramer acetate and mannitol in a suitable container comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining an aqueous pharmaceutical solution of glatiramer acetate and mannitol; (ii) filtering the aqueous pharmaceutical solution at a temperature of from above 0° C. up to 17.5° C. to produce a filtrate; and (iii) filling the suitable container with the filtrate obtained after performing step (ii), so as to thereby prepare the pharmaceutical preparation of glatiramer acetate and mannitol in the suitable container. This patent further provides an aqueous pharmaceutical solution comprising 40 mg/ml glatiramer acetate and 40 mg/ml mannitol, wherein the aqueous pharmaceutical solution a) has a viscosity in the range of 2.0-3.5 cPa; or b) has an osmolality in the range of 275-325 mosmol/Kg. This patent also provides a prefilled syringe, an automated injector and a method of treatment of a human patient.
US09155774B2	Scaffold-kinase interaction blockades and uses thereof in treating cancer Aspects of the invention include compositions and methods for inhibiting the interaction between scaffold proteins and kinases. These compositions and methods find a number of uses including, for example, suppressing tumor growth and metastasis and reducing tumor size and number in a mammal with cancer.
US09155769B2	Flavor oils with reduced dimethyl sulfoxide content and use in oral compositions The present invention relates to flavor oils including mint-, fruit- and spice-type flavors that are specially processed to substantially eliminate low-molecular weight sulfur compounds, in particular dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which has been found to be the main precursor of malodorous species such as dimethyl sulfide and methyl mercaptan. These malodorous species are produced via oxidation-reduction reactions involving such sulfur-containing compounds present in flavor oils. A preferred processing method is an aqueous-washing process, which has advantages of being simple, inexpensive and easy to implement while importantly avoiding the problems of typical processes including non-selective removal of desirable components and subjecting the flavor oils to extreme conditions that may destroy other components and result in undesirable changes in flavor or odor character. Other processing methods to selectively remove non-desired components include (1) distillation to remove polar low boiling point components, (2) filtration through adsorbents selective for sulfur compounds, (3) countercurrent extraction and (4) column chromatography. The processing methods may optionally be followed by reengineering to add back desired components that may have been removed or altered during the processing. The specially processed flavor oils are particularly useful in oral care compositions comprising components with chemical reducing capability such as stannous ions, which react with the sulfur-containing compounds to produce malodorous products.
US09155762B2	Uses and isolation of stem cells from bone marrow The presently disclosed subject matter provides populations of stem cells that are purified from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or other sources. Also provided are methods of using the stem cells for treating tissue and/or organ damage in a subject.
US09155760B2	Method of prophylaxis of bacterial vaginosis Methods of treatment or prophylaxis of bacterial vaginosis, prevention of recurrence of bacterial vaginosis and alleviation or prevention of symptoms or diagnostic criteria of bacterial vaginosis are provided. The methods include administration of an effective amount of a macromolecule comprising a polylysine, polyamidoamine, poly(etherhydroxyamine) or poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer and one or more sulfonic acid containing moieties attached thereto.
US09155756B2	Method for the prevention and treatment of sepsis This invention is in the field of medical treatment, in particular the invention provides a method for the prevention and treatment for sepsis or septic shock. The invention provides a novel use of a known medicament, i.e., pentasaccharide-depleted heparin, for use in the treatment or prevention of sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, severe sepsis or septic shock.
US09155755B2	Dietary supplements including glucan and fulvic acid Beta glucan and fulvic acid can be combined in a dietary supplement as a partial substitute or complete replacement for blue green algae and/or brown seaweed and its derivatives. Beta glucans are widely available as derivatives of Brewer's yeast and fulvic acid is widely available as well. These supplements are not subject to the vagaries of weather-influence growing seasons as is the case with blue green algae and brown seaweed. When combined, beta glucan and fulvic acid can provide a less costly dietary supplement than blue green algae and brown seaweed and its derivatives such as fucoidan.
US09155750B2	Composition of dialysis liquid comprising crystallisation inhibitor substances This invention relates to a composition that comprises inositol phosphates and/or bisphosphonates, and to the use thereof to prevent the loss of substances of biological interest in the body of patients subjected to dialysis and to maintain sufficient physiological levels of said substances to regulate physiological and/or pathological processes, these substances being inhibitors of pathological crystallization.
US09155749B2	Long lasting drug formulations The present invention is directed to long-lasting therapeutic formulations and their methods of use wherein the formulation comprises a genetically modified micro-organ that comprises a vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encodes a therapeutic polypeptide, such as erythropoietin or interferon alpha.
US09155744B2	Pharmaceutical composition and method for regenerating myofibers in the treatment of muscle injuries A pharmaceutical composition and method for regenerating cardiomyocytes in treating or repairing heart muscle damages or injuries caused by an ischemic disease. The pharmaceutical composition contains an active ingredient compound with a backbone structure of Formula (I). The active ingredient compound is capable of (a) increasing viability of myogenic precursor cells to enable said precursor cells to survive through an absolute ischemic period; (b) reconstituting a damaged blood supply network in said heart region where said injured muscle is located; and (c) enhancing cardiomyogenic differentiation efficiency of said precursor cells down cardiac linage, said steps being performed simultaneously or in any particular order.
US09155739B2	Histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors Histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACIs) and methods for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof are disclosed. The HDACIs comprise a compound of Formula X. or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, R1 is ethyl; R2 is 2-phenylethyl; R3 is hydrogen; R4 is fluoro; R5 is (2E)-3-N-hydroxyamino-3-oxo-propenyl; and R6 is hydrogen, or a salt thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, R1 is ethyl; R2 is 2-phenylethyl; R3 is hydrogen; R4 is (2E)-3-N-hydroxyamino-3-oxo-propenyl; R5 is chloro or fluoro; and R6 is hydrogen.
US09155717B2	Pharmaceutical formulation containing irritant Disclosed in certain embodiments is an oral dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a drug susceptible to abuse; and an effective amount of an irritant to impart an irritating sensation to an abuser upon administration of said dosage form after tampering.
US09155716B2	Enhanced bimatoprost ophthalmic solution A composition comprising from 0.005% to 0.02% bimatoprost by weight and from 100 ppm to 250 ppm benzalkonium chloride, wherein said composition is an aqueous liquid which is formulated for ophthalmic administration is disclosed herein. A method which is useful in treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension related thereto is also disclosed herein.
US09155711B2	Transdermal drug delivery system containing donepezil The present invention provides a transdermal drug delivery system comprising a drug-containing matrix layer comprising: (a) donepezil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient; and (b) an acrylate-rubber hybrid as an adhesive.
US09155710B2	Ropinirole-containing patch and package thereof A ropinirole-containing patch comprises an adhesive agent layer and a support layer, the adhesive agent layer containing ropinirole and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein a content of the ropinirole and/or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in terms of free ropinirole in the adhesive agent layer is 5 to 13.2% by mass relative to a total mass of the adhesive agent layer.
US09155709B1	Buffered hydroalcoholic povidone iodine composition and method A composition containing two (2) essential medicaments formed in situ, hydroalcoholic povidone iodine and hydroalcoholic benzalkonium chloroiodide after mixing a stock solution and a topical reacting solution which form a safe and effective antiseptic, antimicrobial protective polymeric film after topical application to the skin. A method of preparing a composition for forming a protective polymeric film after topical application includes mixing povidone iodine in a buffer solution to form a stock solution and mixing that solution on a one to one basis with a topical reacting solution with a hydroalcoholic benzalkonium chloride with lidocaine or benzocaine solution. A related method of treating injured or diseased skin is also disclosed.
US09155706B2	Pharmaceutical composition Disclosed are novel pharmaceutical compositions containing N-{3-[3-cyclopropyl-5-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-6,8-dimethyl-2, 4, 7-trioxo-3, 4, 6, 7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-1-yl]phenyl}acetamide dimethyl sulfoxide solvate, methods of using the compositions in therapy and processes for preparing the same.
US09155701B2	Delivery of ibuprofen and other compounds The present invention generally relates to the transdermal delivery of various compositions. In some aspects, the transdermal delivery may be facilitated by the use of a hostile biophysical environment. One set of embodiments provides a composition for topical delivery comprising ibuprofen and/or an ibuprofen salt, a nitric oxide donor, and optionally, a hostile biophysical environment. In some cases, the composition may be stabilized using a stabilization polymer such as xanthan gum, KELTROL® BT and/or KELTROL® RD; propylene glycol; and a polysorbate surfactant such as Polysorbate 20, which unexpectedly provides temperature stability to the composition, e.g., at elevated temperatures such as at least 40° C. (at least about 104° F.), as compared to compositions lacking one or more of these.
US09155700B2	Process for the preparation of pharmaceutical suspensions for inhalation Process for preparing sterile suspensions for inhalation comprising an active ingredient insoluble in water and wherein at least 80% of the particles of said active ingredient have a diameter between 3 and 5 μm, comprising the following stages: dissolving the active ingredient in the minimum quantity of an alcoholic solvent, optionally in the presence of a polyol and adding at least one surfactant, filtering the solution obtained in the previous stage through a sterilizing filter, adding the solution from stage (b) to sterile water under sonication to directly obtain a suspension wherein the particles have a reduced diameter.
US09155699B2	Pulmonary delivery for levodopa In one aspect, the invention is related to a method of treating a patient with Parkinson's disease, the method including administering to the respiratory tract of the patient particles that include more than about 90 weight percent (wt %) of levodopa. The particles are delivered to the patient's pulmonary system, preferably to the alveoli or the deep lung.
US09155695B2	Injectable ropinirole compositions and methods for making and using same Compositions and methods are provided that utilize an injectable ropinirole having a therapeutically effective amount of ropinirole in an aqueous solvent, the composition having a pH of from about 3.0 to about 6.5. The compositions and methods provided contain less than 3% by weight of impurities and are suitable for administration by infusion pumps. In some embodiments, the compositions are made in an oxygen free environment and/or are made with an antioxidant to reduce impurities and improve stability. In some embodiments, the compositions provided are utilized to treat Parkinson's disease.
US09155680B2	Modular filling device for an applicator A modular filling device for filling at least a first reservoir (111) of an applicator (100) with a fluid is proposed. The filling device comprises a container holder (310) with a holding area (320) on which a container (330) is held. The applicator is mounted along a securing direction on an applicator holder (200). In order to permit the greatest possible flexibility in the choice of the container, the container holder (310) can be connected to the applicator holder (200) along a connecting direction that runs transversely with respect to the securing direction for the applicator.
US09155679B2	Medical container and syringe A syringe is provided with an inner tube which has at the tip thereof a mouth section through which liquid can enter and exit the inner tube; a bag body which is disposed inside the inner tube and is flexible and reversible; a gasket which is mounted to the tip of the inner tube; and an outer tube in which the inner tube is inserted together with the gasket so as to be movable in the axial direction. The syringe is configured in such a manner that, when liquid enters and exits through the mouth section, the bag body is reversed to change the volume of a containing space surrounded by the inner tube and the bag body.
US09155678B2	Apparatus of cardiopulmonary resuscitator The present disclosure discloses an apparatus of cardiopulmonary resuscitator that is operated through a driving mechanism controlled and driven by air power. The driving mechanism functions to actuate a belt adapted to extend around a chest of a patient to generate reciprocating movement of pressing and releasing so as to achieve a purpose of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for recovering heartbeat and breathing of the patent.
US09155676B2	Device which permits slimming by improving blood flow in the abdomen area A device that permits slimming by improving blood flow in the skin, with movement by endurance training devices in the fat-burning pulse, with a main body with an attachment in the form of a sleeve for placing around the abdomen, wherein the main body has at least two chamber systems that can be acted on independently by a fluid, is improved by the fact that at least one and preferably two to four chambers of the chamber systems which come to lie on the right-hand side of the body are arranged in a U-shape with upwardly directed arms, whereas at least one and preferably two to four chambers of the chamber systems which come to lie on the left-hand side of the body are arranged in a U-shape with downwardly directed arms. This additionally stimulates peristalsis.
US09155666B2	Press and method for producinig absorbent article The present invention relates to a press (100) for manufacturing a tampon, comprising at least three press jaws (6) arranged in a star around a central longitudinal press axis (4) forming a press opening (2), whereby there is provided on a single or separate adjacent press jaws (6): —a penetrating segment, PSLG, (13) configured to penetrate the absorbing material with a longitudinal groove, and —penetrating segments, PSSG, (11) configured to penetrate the absorbing material with a plurality of side grooves that are arranged in the longitudinal direction, wherein the press is configured to: a) load a cylindrical blank (200) in the press opening (2), b) move the press jaws (6) to a closed position to press the cylindrical blank (200) so forming a preform (210), c) move the press jaws (6) to a holding position between the closed position and open position, so that the preform can be removed, d) remove the preform while the jaws (6) are in the holding position, and e) move the press jaws (6) to the open position for loading of a subsequent cylindrical blank. It further relates to a method for manufacture of the tampon.
US09155652B2	Method for laser correction of refractive errors of an eye with a thin cornea The present invention relates to a method of altering the refractive properties of the eye, the method including applying a substance to a cornea of an eye, the substance configured to facilitate cross linking of the cornea, irradiating the cornea so as to activate cross linkers in the cornea, and altering the cornea so as to change the refractive properties of the eye.
US09155644B2	Flexible helical stent having intermediate structural feature The present invention relates to tubular stents that are implanted within a body lumen to support the organ, maintain patency and/or deliver drugs or agents. The stent has a cylindrical shape defining a longitudinal axis and includes a helical section having of a plurality of longitudinally oriented strut members and a plurality of circumferentially oriented hinge members connecting circumferentially adjacent strut members to form a band. The band is wrapped about the longitudinal axis in a substantially helical manner to form a plurality of helical windings. The helical section further includes a proximal section, a distal section and an intermediate section there between. The stent further includes a plurality of connector members extending between longitudinally adjacent helical windings, wherein the number of circumferentially adjacent connector members per winding in the intermediate section is greater than the number of circumferentially adjacent connector members per winding in the proximal or distal sections.
US09155639B2	Helical hybrid stent An expandable helical stent is provided, wherein the stent may be formed of a main stent component and a securement. The main stent component is formed from a flat strip having one or more undulating side bands that may be connected to form geometrically shaped cells and are helically wound to form a stent. The helical coils of the main stent component may be spaced apart or nestled to each other. The nestling of the undulation of adjacent helical windings contributes to maintaining the tubular shape and uniformity of the helically coiled stent. Alternatively, the flat strip may comprise a single undulating pattern. At the ends of the main stent component are end bands, which when wound, form a cylindrical ring. In one embodiment, one or more struts of the main stent component may have a width sufficient to include one or more fenestrations. The fenestrated struts may be connected by loops or turns wherein the material is narrower than that of the fenestrated struts to provide enhanced flexibility. The helical tubular is maintained with a securement.
US09155620B2	Annuloplasty devices and methods of delivery therefor Apparatus is provided, including a tube (421) shaped to define a tube lumen at least one implant (100) reversibly coupled to the tube (421), and configured for implantation within a body of a patient. The apparatus also comprises two or more longitudinal guide members (470) disposed at least in part along a distal portion of the tube (421), the longitudinal guide members (470) having distal portions thereof configured to be reversibly coupled to the implant (100), and arranged such that application of a force to a first one of the longitudinal guide members (470) steers the distal portion of the tube (421) toward a first location along the implant (100), and application of a force to a second one of the longitudinal guide members (470) steers the distal portion of the tube (421) toward a second location along the implant (100). Other embodiments are also described.
US09155615B2	Hingeless cartridge for use with an intraocular lens injector providing haptic control An intraocular lens (“IOL”) cartridge includes an upper wall and a lower wall, together defining a lumen for receiving an IOL. The proximal end of the cartridge has an open slot cut into and through the entire thickness of the upper wall so to allow the leading haptic of the IOL to extend above the upper wall. The cartridge includes a proximal-end feature to facilitate folding of the leading haptic radially inward relative to the optic as the IOL moves into the lumen.
US09155599B2	Systems and processes for forming anatomical features in dentures The system of a preferred embodiment uses a process whereby a true replication of the patient's jaw structure is created in a digital three dimensional model. This true replication is then used to precisely locate and/or copy the anatomical landmarks of the patient for use in fabricating a denture base for use in a denture for the individual patient. This system is able to create a denture with precisely located features corresponding to the anatomical landmarks of the patient with little manual intervention.
US09155593B2	Positioning unit and monitoring device A positioning unit (11) for positioning an optical unit (12, 13) comprising at least one optical element in a beam path (20) of a microscope between an objective lens of a microscope and in front of an eye to be monitored is provided, wherein the positioning unit comprises a connection device (21), by means of which the positioning unit can be coupled to the microscope, wherein the positioning unit comprises a positioning device (22), by means of which the optical element is movable relative to the microscope in the longitudinal direction of the beam path, wherein the positioning device is formed by a first double rocker mechanism (31) and a second double rocker mechanism (32), wherein the double rocker mechanisms are interconnected by means of a common coupling member (33). A monitoring device (10) is also provided that comprises the positioning unit (11).
US09155577B2	Housing for a locking element and locking element A locking element and a corresponding housing are disclosed, for the locking of the locking element in housing. The locking element includes a locking piece, for example a head, with a peripheral outer surface, running essentially in the direction of a longitudinal axis with at least one clamping surface extending outwards from the longitudinal axis in the form of a wedge, in order to lock the locking piece on the locking element with a corresponding inner contour of the housing. The peripheral outer surface is at least approximately spherical, parabolic, elliptical or hyperbolic in embodiment, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis in the region of the clamping surface, which is also true for the inner contour of the housing in the region of the recess, whereby the recess cooperating with the clamping surface can also be cylindrical.
US09155572B2	Minimally invasive tooling for delivery of interspinous spacer A plurality of individual tools is provided where each tool is uniquely configured to perform a step or a portion of a step in a novel procedure associated with the implantation of a stabilizing device (e.g., an interspinous spacer) for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment. The tools are usable individually, or more preferably as a tooling system in which the tools are collectively employed to implant an interspinous spacer, generally in a minimally invasive manner. For example, each of the tools is arranged with coordinated markings and/or other features to ensure consistent depths of insertion, proper orientation of the tools with respect to each other or an anatomical feature of the patient, and precise delivery of the spacer to maintain safe positioning throughout the implantation procedure.
US09155564B2	Spine stabilization system and method A stabilization system for the spine that includes an elongated member, preferably an elastic cord, and a plurality of attachment mechanisms, preferably lamina hooks. The stabilization system is configured to extend across a plurality of spinal motion segments to dynamically couple the motion segments in a manner that places the system in tension to apply a compression force to the posterior of the spine. The system and method may have particular application after a laminectomy or laminoplasty procedure.
US09155559B2	External fixator strut The present disclosure provides an external fixation strut for an external fixation device having a ball joints that can be attached to the outer or inner surface of the ring and locked to increase overall stability of the external fixation device. Some embodiments of the fixation strut include a first ball joint coupled to a first end portion of a strut housing, the strut housing having an axial bore defined therethrough. A second ball joint is coupled to a second end portion of an elongated member. The elongated member is coupled to an adjustment mechanism, which is coupled to an upper end portion of an adjustment sleeve. The adjustment sleeve is slidably disposed in the axial bore of the strut housing, and is used to effect coarse strut length adjustments. Gradual strut adjustments are effected by translating the elongated member.
US09155557B2	Endoluminal and transluminal surgical methods and devices An access device adapted and configured to be inserted through a natural biological orifice, and related surgical methods are provided. The access device includes a body, a nozzle means and means for delivering a pressurized flow of fluid to the nozzle means. The body is configured and dimensioned to be inserted through a natural bodily orifice and has proximal and distal end portions and defines at least one lumen therethrough to accommodate passage of one or more surgical instruments. The nozzle means is operatively associated with the body for directing pressurized fluid into the lumen to develop a pressure differential in an area within a region within the lumen to form a fluid seal around the one or more surgical instruments passing therethrough.
US09155556B2	Support element for circumcision and system comprising the same The present disclosure provides a support element (110) for use in effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin of a penis, being a closed-loop member defining an opening dimensioned to permit a penis glans to pass therethrough and having an inner surface and an outer surface; the outer surface comprising a circumferential support (118) for an elastic ring (150) to be mounted thereon, said circumferential support being formed within a groove (120) in at least part of the outer surface; at least one first segment of the outer surface having an outer curvature of a radius larger than that of its flanking second segments. Also provided herein is a system (100) for effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin of a penis, comprising the support element (110) and elastic ring (150), and optionally a deployment element (160) for mounting the elastic ring over the foreskin and support element.
US09155553B2	Intervertebral spacer implant with pivotally engaged links An intervertebral spacer implant can include: a plurality of links, each link having a hole bored along an axis of said link and said hole of each link of said plurality of links aligns to form a channel bored through said plurality of links, wherein a first link of said plurality of links is pivotally engaged to a second link of said plurality of links. The implant can include an elongated member, such as a guide wire, adapted to retain said plurality of links, wherein said elongated member is configured to mate with each said hole of each link of said plurality of links. At least one link of the plurality of links includes a body having one or more textured sides. The elongated member is adapted to allow said plurality of links to rotatably articulate with respect to one another, such as by a hinge.
US09155532B2	Medical devices, systems and methods for closing perforations Medical devices, systems and methods for placing tissue fixation devices are provided. The medical device includes a plurality of elongate delivery devices, a plurality of elongate tubes, and a distal tip. Each delivery device defines a delivery lumen sized to receive a tissue fixation device. Each elongate tube defines a tube lumen sized to receive one of the delivery devices. Each tube lumen has a distal port. The distal tip is connected to the plurality of elongate tubes and defines a guide surface positioned distally of the distal ports. The guide surface is structured to redirect the plurality of delivery devices radially outwardly as the plurality of delivery devices are distally translated through the tube lumens and the distal ports of the plurality of elongate tubes. A medical system is formed by an endoscope that is selectively attachable to the medical device.
US09155524B2	Physiologically active substance collecting device and biological information acquisition method A physiologically active substance collecting device, includes: a collecting section brought into contact with a body surface of a living organism to acquire a physiologically active substance from the body surface; and a liquid sending means for sending a solvent to the collecting section, the collecting section having an aperture at which the solvent flown by being sent from the liquid sending means contacts the body surface.
US09155520B2	Ultrasound probe for laparoscopy An intra-operative ultrasound probe for use with a robotic and laparoscopic surgical systems that allows for direct surgeon control over the position and orientation of the ultrasound image is presented. The transducer is designed to interface with the laparoscopic grasper so that it is easy to pick up in a locking, self-aligning and repeatable manner. The transducer is tracked in space using either forward kinematics or electromagnetic sensing, allowing multiple 2D images to be combined in order to create 3D ultrasound volumes. The 3D volumes can be further processed and displayed on the surgeon's console, or used to register and display acquired pre-operative images at the correct spatial location within the patient.
US09155517B2	Opto-electrical ultrasound sensor and system An opto-electrical ultrasound sensor, preferably for the use in medical diagnostics, comprising at least one light source (2), a photo detector (3) illuminated by the light source (2) and capable of producing an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the light incident on the photo detector (3), and an optical ultrasound detector (4) located in the optical path between the light source (2) and the photo detector (3) and capable of modulating in response to an ultrasound signal the intensity of at least part of the light incident on photo detector (3) from the light source (2). The opto-electrical ultrasound sensor further comprises intensity adjustment means (5) for adjusting the intensity of the light incident on the photo detector (3) via the optical ultrasound detector (4).
US09155496B2	Low oxygen in vivo analyte sensor The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous and subcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US09155494B2	Hearing testing probe apparatus with digital interface Certain embodiments provide a hearing testing probe apparatus. The hearing testing probe apparatus includes a probe tube detachably coupled at a first end to a probe body and extending through a center hole in an eartip to align proximate a face of the eartip at a second end. The probe tube includes a plurality of stimulus lumens for receiving and carrying stimulus from the first end of the probe tube for output at the second end of the probe tube. The probe tube includes one or more microphone lumens for receiving and carrying one or more measured responses from the second end of the probe tube to one or more microphones at the first end of the probe tube.
US09155492B2	Sinus illumination lightwire device An illuminating wire medical device may include an elongate flexible housing and an illuminating fiber and a core wire extending through at least part of the housing, the core wire providing desired pushability and torquability. The illuminating device may further include a connector assembly cooperating with the illuminating fiber to accommodate changes in length, to absorb forces applied during use of the device and to channel errant light away from the illuminating fibers of the device.
US09155484B2	Body worn physiological sensor device having a disposable electrode module A body-worn physiological sensor includes a computation-communication module, and a flexible circuit layer configured to be coupled to a skin surface of a subject to measure physiological signals. An adhesive covers at least a portion of the flexible circuit layer and a protective covering protects the adhesive. The computation-communication module can be releasably attached to the sensor using electrical traces provided on the flexible circuit layer.
US09155472B2	Method for evaluating vascular endothelium function and a system therefor A method for evaluating vascular endothelium function in a human subject comprises monitoring changes in intensity of NADH fluorescence signal emitted from skin tissue cells of an upper limb of said subject as a function of time, wherein said changes result from reactive hyperaemia caused by blocking and releasing blood flow in the same upper limb of said subject. A system for evaluating vascular endothelium function in a human subject comprises a means for illuminating a skin on an upper limb of said subject with exciting light, a means for measuring intensity of fluorescence signal emitted from the skin and recording changes of said intensity of the fluorescence signal over time; and a restriction means for blocking and releasing blood flow in the upper limb of said subject.
US09155469B2	Methods and apparatus to retrofit wired healthcare and fitness systems for wireless operation Provided herein is an apparatus for converting a wired sensor system to a wireless sensor system. The apparatus can comprise a relay station comprising at least one antenna and at least one radio. The relay station can be adaptable to be integrated as at least one application specific integrated circuit and further adaptable to convert a wired sensor system into a wireless sensor system. Further provided are systems for converting wired sensor systems into wireless sensor systems and methods of use.
US09155466B2	Eye imaging apparatus with a wide field of view and related methods An eye imaging apparatus can include a housing, an optical imaging system in the housing, and a light source in the housing to illuminate an eye. The optical imaging system can include an optical window at a front end of the housing with a concave front surface for receiving the eye as well as an imaging lens disposed rearward the optical window. The apparatus can comprise a light conditioning element configured to receive light from the light source and direct said light to the eye. The apparatus can further include an image sensor in the housing disposed to receive an image of the eye from the optical imaging system. In various embodiments, light conditioning element includes at least one multi-segment surface. In some embodiments, the housing is provided with at least one hermitic seal, for example, with the optical window. In some embodiments, time sequential illumination is employed.
US09155464B2	Visual field examination system A visual field examination system measures the visual field of an eye. Quantitative information of a 3D retinal layer structure is acquired by detecting a range in which a peak of a retinal reflectance distribution obtained by OCT scanning is lost. A position of the fovea of the eye fundus is identified based on the acquired information. A location of a range in which the peak of the retinal reflectance distribution is lost is specified in a 2D fundus image based on the position of the fovea, and the specified location is marked on a region of the 2D fundus image. A position of the marked region is detected, and a visual inspection field region is generated based on the detection. Visual field examination points of the visual inspection field region are presented to the eye through a visual field dome for carrying out visual field examination of the eye.
US09155462B2	Short coherence interferometry for measuring distances A short coherence interferometer for measuring several axially spaced-apart regions of a sample, especially of an eye, which has a measuring optical path, through which the measuring radiation falls on the sample, a tunable interferometer for the axial, relative retardation of parts of the radiation, wherein the axial relative retardation is assigned to the axial spacing of the regions and a detector for producing an interference signal from interfering measurement radiation, scattered or reflected back from the sample as sample radiation. The tunable interferometer divides the sample radiation into two parts, which are axially relatively retarded and superimposed so as to interfere. During the superimposition, the tunable interferometer forms individual radiations, which represent quadrature components of the sample radiation, and the detector detects the individual radiations.
US09155459B2	Methods and systems for observation of tympanic function Methods and systems for endoscopic observation of tympanic function.
US09155457B2	Endoscope apparatus for performing color correction An endoscope apparatus includes a white LED that emits synthesized light of the excitation light and the fluorescence, a CCD that picks up an image of an observation part, a brightness detecting section that detects brightness of an optical image of the observation part based on an image pickup signal outputted by the CCD, a light adjusting circuit that adjusts driving time of the semiconductor light source, a color correction parameter deriving section that derives a first color correction parameter for correcting a gain of a color component signal related to the excitation light in a video signal, and a second color correction parameter for correcting a gain of a color component signal related to the fluorescence, and a color tone varying section that corrects the excitation-light-related gain with the first color correction parameter, and corrects fluorescence-related gain with the second color correction parameter.
US09155451B2	Variably flexible insertion device and method for variably flexing an insertion device A torque-transmitting, variably-flexible device, comprising a hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end, a torque-transmitting element operable to transmit torque from the proximal end towards the distal end of the hollow body, and a steering element operable to steer the distal end of the hollow body.
US09155445B2	Integrateable domestic appliance A domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher, includes a container for receiving items to be processed, and at least one load limiter which is held directly or indirectly on the container and constructed to absorb a load. The load limiter is provided with at least one open or enclosed recess for engagement of at least one tab assigned to an outer region of the container in a mounted position of the at least one load limiter.
US09155442B2	Dishwasher with an improved pump-off sequence A dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, includes a control facility for performing a wash cycle to clean items to be washed based on a plurality of selectable wash programs. The control facility operates, in particular controls or regulates, a drain pump for pumping off wash fluid from the dishwasher. At least one of the wash programs includes an automatic execution of a pump-off sequence having at least three successively executed pump-off phases to define first, second and third pump-off phases, during each of which the drain pump is activated, with a break being provided between the first and second pump-off phases and a break being provided between the second and third pump-off phases, wherein the drain pump is deactivated during each of the breaks.
US09155432B2	Central vacuum control unit A central vacuum cleaning system can include a vacuum unit, a plurality of inlet valves, an exhaust, a cleaning air path from the inlet valves through the vacuum unit to the exhaust, and a control unit. An example control unit can include a power input, a power output, motor control circuitry to control application of power from the power input to the power output, a first port, a second port, a conduit providing a conduit air path between the first port and the second, a heat sink in thermal contact with the conduit air path and a component of the motor control circuitry, wherein the control unit is connected through the first port and the second port in the cleaning air flow path between the inlets and the exhaust, and the power output is connected to a power input of the vacuum unit.
US09155425B2	Nut opening device A culinary nut opening device can include a mount and a tool. The mount can be sized and shaped to securely and removably receive a finger or a thumb of a human user. The tool can extend from and be coupled to a portion of the mount. In varying examples, the tool can include a pick portion that is sized and shaped to fit at least partially within an opening of a culinary nut and have sufficient stiffness to allow the culinary nut to be pried open. A pick portion can extend ventrally, laterally, or dorsally from a side of the mount, or from a distal end of the mount. A culinary nut opening device can be provided with or packaged in a container of culinary nuts, or with other culinary nut opening devices (e.g., of different sizes), or with instructions for use.
US09155421B2	Rotisserie grill An improved grill assembly is provided that has at least three grilling regions for effecting different types of cooking. The first grilling region includes two vertically standing fuel receptacles spaced apart in a grill housing to form an open area therebetween. An opening in the housing allows a food basket to be inserted into the open area to cook both sides of the food at the same time. The second grilling region includes a grilling surface that is placed over a recessed grilling area on the outer surface of the top wall of the grill housing. The third grilling region is a rotisserie cooking region and includes an open area on a side of the grill housing that has a rotatably secured rod that receives a food product and that is in communication with one of the vertical standing fuel receptacles to cook the food product.
US09155416B1	Grill and fire pit A multi-purpose grill which easily can be converted for use as a conventional grill and as an open fire pit by selectively opening and closing a movable covering.
US09155415B2	Integrated rack installation apparatus and method According to one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated installation apparatus to receive an electronics rack in a data center method is provided having a mat comprising a hard material to protect a floor surface beneath the mat, wherein the mat has a key feature to couple to a key feature of an adjacent mat. The apparatus also has a guide coupled to the mat to receive a rolling member supporting the electronics rack and a weight distribution structure configured to distribute a weight from feet that support the electronics rack to the mat. The weight distribution structure includes a first pair of elongated members arranged to form an X-shaped structure.
US09155412B2	Napkin ring with removable insert A napkin ring can include a first transparent disc, a second transparent, and a decorative disc positioned between the first and second transparent discs. The first and second transparent discs can be retained adjacent to each other by a retention feature, which can be a first and second plurality of magnets disposed within the respective transparent discs.
US09155411B2	Chopsticks The invention relates to a pair of chopsticks, comprising: an upper chopstick, and a lower chopstick with a first protrusion and a second protrusion, wherein both of the first and second protrusions protrude from the back surface of the lower chopstick, so that at the holding status of the chopsticks, the first protrusion can touch the vicinity of the first joint of the ring finger of user and the second protrusion can touch the finger pad of the third section of the index finger of user. With the two protrusions coexisting in the lower chopstick, the chopsticks can be firmly held by hand of users.
US09155406B1	Conversion lifting platform A device includes a housing, a rotatable platform, and a lift assembly supported by the housing and coupled to lift the rotatable platform above a working surface of the housing, the rotatable platform configured to support a checkout module and rotate the checkout module between a self-checkout position and an assisted checkout position.
US09155390B2	Presentation viewing apparatus and method A motion simulator is provided with a motion simulator accommodation that is dynamically mounted to a fixed datum or platform and is positioned facing a presentation. The motion simulator is provided with one or more access fitting which may be used to assist a person to enter the motion simulator accommodation. At least one of the motion simulator accommodation and the access fitting is movable with respect to each other from a first position to a second position, wherein, in the second position, the access fitting is less perceptible during the presentation than in said first position.
US09155387B2	System and device for preventing corrosion on shelving corner posts An anti-corrosion support device includes a post and a post protector that is disposed about a bottom portion of the post. An interior surface of the post protector is sized and shaped to fit tightly over an exterior surface of the bottom portion of the post. The anti-corrosion support device also may include an adjustment foot that passes through an aperture formed through a bottom portion of the post protector into an attachment member mounted to the post. An anti-corrosion support system includes several of the anti-corrosion support devices, shelf supporting means, and one or more shelves.
US09155378B2	Accessory pocket system An accessory pocket system that provides a slim, secure pocket that attaches to a belt loop. The pocket system according to the present invention allows a user to insert documents, credit cards, money and in one particular embodiment a smart phone for safekeeping. The accessory pocket system includes a belt sleeve that allows the insertion of a user's belt to secure the pocket to the individual. The accessory pocket system allows the insertion of passports, credit cards, documents, portable electronic devices or smart phones in a convenient manner so that the user may readily access them.
US09155376B2	Tool lanyard wrist cuff A tool lanyard wrist cuff includes a fixed closed loop band and an adjustment tab extending therefrom. A second fastener part releasably engages a first fastener part when the adjustment tab is folded with a tab inside surface against a loop outside surface. A lanyard connector assembly includes a lanyard connector, a breakaway lanyard connector strap releasably connected to the closed loop band by a releasable fastener and fixedly connected at a first end to the adjustment tab or the closed loop band adjacent the adjustment tab.
US09155374B2	Fire extinguisher harness A wearable equipment carrier comprises a first receptacle for retaining a first set of equipment, a lower load bearing section, and an upper load stabilizing section. The lower load bearing section includes a belt for detachably securing the first receptacle to a lower abdominal region of a person. The belt is engaged with a middle portion of the first receptacle for transferring a majority of weight in the first receptacle through the belt to the lower abdominal region during a time that the belt is secured to the person. The upper load stabilizing section includes a first shoulder strap for orienting and laterally stabilizing the first receptacle substantially along a forward walking direction. The first shoulder strap has a forward end for engaging with a top portion of the first receptacle, and a distal end for engaging with a bottom portion of the first receptacle.
US09155365B2	Method for sublimating an image onto a substrate A method for applying an image onto a surface (or substrate) of most any material, including thermoplastic, thermoset plastic, metal, metal alloys, wood, cellulose material, polymer, synthetic fabric, natural fabric, glass, ceramic, and combinations thereof, includes the steps of preparing a substrate for application of an image, placing the transfer sheet onto the prepared substrate, applying heat to the substrate and image sufficient to sublimate the image, allowing the image to absorb into the prepared substrate, and then curing the imaged substrate. Multiple substrates may be individually imaged and joined, if desired. One or more of the substrates may be at least partially transparent (e.g., clear, transparent or translucent) such that portions of other images, substrates or objects placed behind the one or more substrates are at least partially visible through the one or more substrates.
US09155356B2	Shoe sole, shoe with such a shoe sole and method for the production of such a shoe sole A shoe sole, a shoe and a method for producing a shoe sole, which has at least one cleat that is designed to make contact with the ground on the underside of the sole facing towards the ground when used as intended. In order to improve the traction of the shoe fitted with such a shoe sole the cleat has a base body that is fixed to the underside of the sole, wherein an arcuate recess having a longitudinal direction of arc is arranged in the base body which has two openings on a surface facing the ground of the base body. An insert having a shape congruent to the arcuate recess is arranged in the recess. The insert is arranged such as to be movable in the base body in the longitudinal direction of arc of the arcuate recess.
US09155355B2	Insole with inferiorly extending projections An insole for an article of footwear includes a base that extends generally in the transverse direction, and the base includes a base superior surface and a base inferior surface. Furthermore, the insole includes a dampener that is resiliently flexible to cushion the foot of the wearer. The dampener extends inferiorly from the inferior surface of the base and terminates at a dampener inferior surface. The dampener also is rounded in a cross section taken in the inferior-superior direction. The dampener also includes an opening that extends through the dampener inferior surface and that extends superiorly therefrom.
US09155353B2	Flex groove sole assembly with biasing structure An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.
US09155348B2	Hat using shape-maintenance enhancing member The present invention relates to a hat using a shape-maintenance enhancing member and a method for manufacturing the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a hat using a shape-maintenance enhancing member that can maintain the exterior appearance of the hat by eliminating wrinkles in a sewing portion using a flexible tape and maintain the shape of the hat to be the same as the initial design, and a method for manufacturing the hat. The shape-maintenance enhancing member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a main body portion disposed on the sewing portion and a wing portion surrounding the sewing portion, and the main body portion includes a shape-maintenance enhancing layer formed of a material with properties of heat fusion and thermal fixation and a cover portion connected with the wing portion.
US09155347B2	Helmet with magnetic fixing means for eyewear The invention is a kit including a helmet having front straps fixed at a first end to the helmet such that in use, the two front straps fasten together. A continuous front strap is formed running from one fixing device to another, under the chin of the wearer and crossing the temporal line on each side of the wearer's face. Each front strap includes a magnetic or magnetically attractable element extending both above and below the temporal line when the helmet is worn with the front straps fastened together. The kit includes eyewear which extends on both sides of the face, along the respective temporal lines up to at least the points where the front straps intersect their respective temporal lines, and magnetically couples the eyewear to the magnetic or magnetically attractable element fixed to the front straps of the helmet.
US09155343B1	Patient lift assist harness A patient lift assist harness composed of a single or multiple layer sheet of flexible fabric material in a generally elongated X shape with a central crotch portion, two first arms, and two second arms. The first arms are at an angle of approximately 45° to each other, and the second arms are at an angle of approximately 45° to each other. Belt loops at the ends of the arms are adapted to receive a gait belt. The gap between the first arms, the gap between the second arms, and the space between first and second arms at the sides expose the gait belt around the patient, thereby providing hand holds for the therapist.
US09155335B2	Degradable cigarette filter A degradable cigarette filter includes a filter element of a bloomed cellulose acetate tow, a plug wrap surrounding the filter element, and either a coating or a pill in contact with the tow. The coating and/or pill may be composed of a material adapted to catalyze hydrolysis of the cellulose acetate tow and a water-soluble matrix material. The material may be an acid, an acid salt, a base, and/or a bacterium adapted to generate an acid. The coating may be applied to the tow, the plug wrap, or both. The pill may be placed in the filter element. When water contacts the water-soluble matrix material, the material adapted to catalyze hydrolysis is released and catalyzes the hydrolysis, and subsequent degradation, of the cellulose acetate tow. The foregoing is also applicable to articles made of cellulose esters.
US09155331B2	Device and method for adding flavoring to a liquid A device for adding a flavoring product to a liquid includes a tubular body having openings extending through a sidewall of the body to an interior cavity. A flavoring product is loaded into the interior cavity. At least one fin is coupled to the tubular body and extends outwardly from the sidewall. The device, with the flavoring product loaded therein, is inserted into a container and a liquid is added to the container. The openings in the tubular body are sized to admit the liquid into and out of the interior cavity to enable infusion of the flavoring product into the liquid and to discharge the flavored liquid. The fin is configured such that following insertion into the container, the fin is positioned to largely prevent the tubular body of the device from blocking the opening into the container and inhibiting discharge of the liquid.
US09155327B2	Soybean variety A1016131 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016131. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016131. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016131 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016131 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09155324B2	Apparatus, systems and methods for manufacturing food products Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing slices of sausages that appear to have been cut from a conventional round sausage log at an angle. An illustrative embodiment provides a manufacturing process for making portions to be finished into angled pet treats comprising: (a) providing a ground mix of proteinaceous material, flavor enhancers and preservatives to a forming chamber comprising: a fixed base surface, a fixed top surface, and a movable intermediate section insertable between said base and top surfaces, said intermediate section having a plurality of die cavities that each have a central axis oblique to the surface of said intermediate plate, said top surface having a plurality of feeder holes that overlap at least partially with said die cavities, (b) filling said plurality of die cavities via said feeder holes with said foodstuff, thereby forming a plurality of portions in shapes and dimensions that generally correspond to the shapes and dimensions of said die cavities, (b) moving said intermediate section containing said plurality of portions out of said chamber, (c) forcibly ejecting said portions with a plurality of longitudinal elements that reciprocate in and out of said die cavities along said central axis, thereby forming angled pet treats.
US09155323B2	Aqueous process for preparing protein isolate and hydrolyzed protein from an oilseed Disclosed is an aqueous process for the preparation of a protein isolate and a hydrolyzed protein concentrate from an oilseed meal, comprising: 1) mixing an oilseed meal with an aqueous solvent to form a slurry; 1a) optionally treating the slurry with phytase; 2) separating the slurry with a solid/liquid separation to form a liquid phase comprising the aqueous solvent, soluble protein and oil; and a solid phase comprising insoluble protein; 3) separating the liquid phase to form an oil phase and an aqueous protein phase; 4) subjecting the aqueous protein phase to membrane filtration to obtain a protein solution and drying the protein solution to obtain the protein isolate, subjecting the insoluble protein to enzymatic hydrolysis, and 5) subjecting the hydrolyzed protein to membrane filtration to obtain an amino acid and peptide solution; and drying the amino acid and peptide solution to obtain the hydrolyzed protein concentrate.
US09155319B1	Truncated gaussian distribution of coffee particles, cartridge assemblies, and uses thereof The present technology relates to compositions, assemblies, and methods for the brewing of ground coffee bean particles, where the ground coffee bean particles have been separated on the basis of size to provide a truncated Gaussian distribution of particle sizes of coffee particles.
US09155312B2	Fungicidal combinations of active ingredients Safeners for herbicides are suitable for increasing the microbicidal activity of fungicides.
US09155303B2	Fungicidal compositions comprising a carboxamide A method of controlling phytopathogenic diseases on useful plants or on propagation material thereof, which comprises applying to the useful plants, the locus thereof or propagation material thereof a combination of components (A) and (B) in a synergistically effective amount, wherein component (A) is a compound of formula (I) compound of formula (I) wherein R is hydrogen or methoxy; Q is (Q1) or (Q2); R1 is hydrogen, halogen or C1C6alkyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1C6alkyl, C2-C6alkenyl, C3-C6alkinyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl-C3-C6alkinyl, halophenoxy, halophenyl-C3-C6alkinyl, C(C1-C4alkyl)═NO—C1-C4alkyl, C1C6haloalkyl C1C6haloalkoxy, C2-C6haloalkenyl, or C2-C6haloalkenyloxy; R3 is hydrogen, halogen, C1C6alkyl; R4, R5 and R6, independently from each other, are hydrogen, halogen or ≡R7; with the proviso that at least one of R4, R5 and R6 is different from hydrogen; R7 is hydrogen, C1C6alkyl, C1C6haloalkyl or C1C4alkoxyalkyl; and R8 is hydrogen or methoxy; and agrochemically acceptable salts/isomers/structural isomers/stereoisomers/diastereoisomers/enantiomers/tautomers and N-oxides of those compounds; and component (B) is a compound selected from compounds known for their fungicidal and/or insecticidal activity, is particularly effective in controlling or preventing fungal diseases of useful plants.
US09155289B2	Methods concerning PPAR delta and antagonists thereof Non-human animals which overexpress PPARd or which express transgenic PPARd are useful as models for inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis. Test substances can be screened to assess their suitability for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis. Methyl 3-({[2-(methoxy)-4-phenyl]amino}sulfonyl)-2-thiophenecarboxylate can be administered topically for the prevention or treatment of psoriasis.
US09155286B2	Motion control weighted canine fitness garment A pet vest adapted to safely secure weights to a pet to improve the health benefits of exercise and a method for using same.
US09155285B2	Portable water feeder for pets A portable water feeder for pets comprises a water storage bottle, a water tray for pets, a bottle stopper and curved sliding surface set on the inner bottom side of the water tray; the bottle stopper has a radial water outlet; when the water storage bottle is in the closing state, the head of the bottle stopper presses against the root of the curved sliding surface, so that water cannot leak from the water storage bottle; when the water storage bottle is rotated to be in use and squeezed, the bottle stopper moves a distance towards the outside of the bottle mouth, so that the water flow path between the water storage bottle and the water tray is clear and water flows from the water storage bottle into the water tray for pets to drink. The water feeder is watertight and simple in structure.
US09155283B2	Animal husbandry drawer caging Provided herein are slidable “drawer” animal containment systems that allow for ready access to contained animals. In certain embodiments, the animal containment systems include disposable cages, and the systems are ventilated in some embodiments.
US09155257B2	Guzmania hybrid ‘Blitz’ A new and distinct Guzmania hybrid named ‘BLITZ’ characterized by solid growth habit; funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 20 cm to 25 cm in height (above the pot when flowering); numerous, green color foliage (measuring about 25 to 30 cm length and about 3.0 to 3.5 cm in width) Superior floral bract production; bracts are red in color (closest to RHS 45A), singular head inflorescence, measuring about 8 cm in height and about 18 cm in diameter; and long-lasting habit.
US09155240B2	Tillage implement A tillage implement includes a main frame with adjustable toolbar sections thereon which each support respective tillage units thereon for engaging the ground. According to one aspect of the invention, the toolbar sections are angularly adjustable about a pivot head at one end thereof while also being slidable in a longitudinal direction of the toolbar section to maintain alignment of the tillage units. The pivot head is elongate in a direction transverse to the toolbar section to resist moments applied to the toolbar section by the tillage units engaging the ground while the toolbar section remains adjustable. In another aspect of the invention, the tillage units each comprise a trailing arm supporting the respective coulter disks thereon. The trailing arm is pivoted between two side plates fixed to the toolbar section and biased downward by a spring enclosed between the side plates to resist debris catching on the spring.
US09155239B2	Agricultural tractor An agricultural tractor seeks to simplify a shaft support structure in a lower portion side of an elevating hydraulic cylinder which is externally installed to a rear side of a transmission case. The agricultural tractor of the present invention is provided with a travel machine body to which an engine and the transmission case are mounted, a lift arm which is provided in a rear portion side of an upper surface of the transmission case so as to freely oscillate up and down, the elevating hydraulic cylinder which oscillates up and down the lift arm, and rear axle cases which protrude laterally outward from the transmission case. An upper portion side of the elevating hydraulic cylinder is connected to the lift arm, and a lower portion side of the elevating hydraulic cylinder is supported to the travel machine body. The lower portion side of the elevating hydraulic cylinder is axially supported rotatably via a laterally directed pivot pin shaft by a hitch portion which is integrally formed in at least one of the right and left rear axle cases so as to protrude backward, and a bracket portion which is integrally formed in a rear surface of the transmission case so as to protrude backward.
US09161485B2	System and method for microelectronics lamination press The system contains a lamination press. The first cavity is formed in a chassis. A film assembly is fitted within the chassis. A buffer mounts over the film assembly and within the chassis. A tool set is shaped to fit within the first cavity. The tool set and chassis are positioned within the lamination press to confer heat and pressure from the lamination press to the film assembly and chassis.
US09161460B2	Printed circuit board and method for manufacturing the same Disclosed herein are a printed circuit board and a method for manufacturing the same. The printed circuit board includes: a base substrate having a metal pattern for a circuit; and a surface roughness provided on the metal pattern, wherein the surface roughness has a first surface roughness in an anchor structure and a second surface roughness having a black oxide layer in a needle structure formed on the first surface roughness.
US09161457B2	Apparatus for manufacturing camera module Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a camera module, the apparatus including: a base jig holding a PCB from below; a bonding head picking up an image sensor and attaching the image sensor onto the PCB; and a housing bonding tool picking up a housing assembly and attaching the housing assembly onto the PCB so that the image sensor attached onto the PCB is received in the housing assembly, wherein the base jig is constituted in a structure where the base jig is tension-movable in a vertical direction (Z-axial direction), so that an upper surface of the PCB is an identical reference plane for attaching the image sensor and the housing assembly when the image sensor is picked up by the bonding head and attached onto the PCB.
US09161452B2	Component-embedded printed circuit board and method of forming the same A method of forming a component-embedded printed circuit board includes: preparing a first layered structure; preparing a second layered structure that includes an adhesive film and a releasable film; attaching the second layered structure to the first layered structure to form a layered stack, the releasable film releasably covering a mounting region of the first layered structure; heating and pressing the layered stack; cutting the second layered structure through the adhesive film; removing the releasable film together with a portion of the adhesive film from the mounting region to form a hole in the second layered structure; and mounting an electronic component in the hole.
US09161449B2	Image sensor module having flat material between circuit board and image sensing chip An image sensor module is provided. The image sensor module includes a circuit board, a flat material, an image sensing chip, a holder and a covering plate. The flat material disposed on an assembling surface of the circuit board has a supporting surface and a bottom surface opposite thereto. The image sensing chip with its base surface facing to the supporting surface is configured on the supporting surface. The holder is disposed on the flat material, and the bottom plane of the holder faces to the supporting surface. The supporting surface is used to make the base surface parallel to the bottom plane. The covering plate is arranged on the holder to seal the image sensing chip.
US09161443B2	Wholly aromatic polyester amide copolymer resin, polymer film including the wholly aromatic polyester amide copolymer resin, flexible metal-clad laminate including the polymer film, and flexible printed circuit board including the flexible metal-clad laminate Provided are a wholly aromatic polyester amide copolymer resin, a polymer film containing the wholly aromatic polyester amide copolymer resin, a flexible metal clad laminate containing the polymer film, and a flexible printed circuit board employing the flexible metal clad laminate. The disclosed wholly aromatic polyester amide copolymer resin includes 5-25 parts by mole of a repeating unit (A) derived from an aromatic hydroxy carboxylic acid; 20-40 parts by mole of at least one repeating unit selected from the group consisting of a repeating unit (B) derived from an aromatic amine having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a repeating unit (B′) derived from an aromatic diamine; 20-40 parts by mole of a repeating unit (C) derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid; 5-20 parts by mole of a repeating unit (D) derived from an aromatic diol; and 5-20 parts by mole of a repeating unit (E) derived from an aromatic amino carboxylic acid.
US09161441B2	Glass cloth for printed wiring board The present invention provides a glass cloth suitable for producing a printed wiring board to be used in the electronics and electric fields, which has small anisotropy in dimensional change and is free from warpage and twist, a prepreg using said glass cloth, and a printed wiring board using said glass cloth. The glass cloth relevant to the present invention is characterized in that the warp yarn and the weft yarn are configured with a glass yarn of 1.8×10−6 kg/m to 14×10−6 kg/m, a (breadth/length) ratio of an average filament diameter of said weft yarn to an average filament diameter of said warp yarn is 1.01 or more but less than 1.27, and a thickness is 10 μm to 40 μm.
US09161439B2	Display device and method for manufacturing the same A display device includes a laminated wiring formed of a low-resistance conductive film, and a low-reflection film mainly containing Al and functioning as an antireflective film which are sequentially arranged on a transparent substrate, a wiring terminal part provided at an end part of the laminated wiring and has the same laminated structure as that of the laminated wiring, and an insulating film for covering the laminated wiring and the wiring terminal part, in which the insulating film side serves as a display surface side, the wiring terminal part has a first opening part penetrating the insulating film and the low-reflection film and reaching the low-resistance conductive film, and an outer peripheral portion of the first opening part has a laminated structure of the low-resistance conductive film, the low-reflection film, and the insulating film, in at least one part.
US09161436B2	Connection device and connection method for high-frequency digital signals In order to improve the signal integrity, for a connection device for twinax cables the connecting pad belonging to the respective drain wire is disposed directly between the two connecting pads of the two leads belonging to the same data line. Groups of connecting pads can be disposed so that they are offset with respect to one another in order to prevent crosstalk. To this end the data lines can be fastened to the connection device, which for example consists of a circuit board.
US09161431B2	Multilayered printed circuit board, more particularly flame-resistant and/or smoke-suppressing multilayered printed circuit board In the case of a multilayered printed circuit board (20), more particularly a flame-resistant and/or smoke-suppressing multilayered printed circuit board, consisting of a plurality of interconnected layers (2, 3, 12, 13) composed of incombustible, conductive material and layers (1, 11) composed of non-conductive material, two layers (2, 3, 12) composed of a conductive material in each case being separated by at least one layer (1, 11) composed of a non-conductive material, it is provided that the printed circuit board (20) contains in its interior at least two layers (2, 3, 12) having a surface proportion of at least 50%, more particularly at last 70%, composed of the incombustible, conductive material, as a result of which a multilayered printed circuit board (20) having improved flame resistance and reduced smoke evolution can be made available.
US09161429B2	Compact ion source neutron generator A neutron generator includes a conductive substrate comprising a plurality of conductive nanostructures with free-standing tips and a source of an atomic species to introduce the atomic species in proximity to the free-standing tips. A target placed apart from the substrate is voltage biased relative to the substrate to ionize and accelerate the ionized atomic species toward the target. The target includes an element capable of a nuclear fusion reaction with the ionized atomic species to produce a one or more neutrons as a reaction by-product.
US09161423B2	Method of driving a gas-discharge lamp The invention describes a method of driving a gas-discharge lamp (1) according to conditions in a specific region (R) of the lamp (1), which gas-discharge lamp (1) comprises a burner (2) in which a first electrode (4) and a second electrode (5) are arranged on either side of a discharge gap, which lamp (1) is realised such that the position (PCs) of a coldest spot during an AC mode of operation is in the vicinity of the first electrode (4), which method comprises the steps of initially driving the lamp (1) in the AC mode of operation; monitoring an environment variable of the lamp (1), which environment variable is indicative of conditions in a specific region (R) of the lamp (1); switching to a temporary DC mode of operation at a DC power value on the basis of the monitored environment variable, whereby the first electrode (4) is allocated as the anode; and driving the lamp (1) in the DC mode of operation until the monitored environment variable has returned to an intermediate environment variable threshold value (TDCAC). The invention also describes a gas-discharge lamp and a driver for a gas-discharge lamp.
US09161419B2	Intelligent and coordinated lighting of a lighting device Intelligent lighting is provided to motorists traveling down a stretch of road by sequentially turning on adjacent lighting devices in a lighting segment only when required, such as when vehicles are approaching the lighting devices, and turning off the lighting devices or decreasing a light intensity output of the lighting devices to a predefined minimum lighting intensity output level when no vehicles are present. In addition, which bulb to use in a multi-bulb lighting device is determined, as well as the optimal lighting intensity level of the selected bulb. Further, it is determined which lighting devices in a lighting segment may be turned off or dimmed while maintaining a predefined minimum safe light/brightness level along a pathway associated with the lighting segment.
US09161411B1	LED driver for vehicle display illumination A vehicle display illumination system includes a controller controlling a constant current source. The constant current source receives a variable voltage input and outputs multiple constant current channels to one or more light sources for the vehicle display. The controller is further operable to alter a color or brightness of the light sources in response to a change in status of another vehicle system, thereby providing an indication to the user of the change in status.
US09161395B2	Instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions An instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions typically includes (i) a microwave-radiation source, (ii) a cavity, (iii) a waveguide in microwave communication with the microwave-radiation source and the cavity, (iv) at least one reaction-vessel sensor for determining the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity, (v) an interface, and (vi) a computer controller. The computer controller is typically in communication with the interface, the microwave-radiation source, and the reaction-vessel sensor. The computer controller is typically capable of determining the output of the microwave-radiation source in response to the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity.
US09161392B2	Heating apparatus for X-ray inspection In a heating apparatus for X-ray inspection which heats at least one surface of a sample (7) by convection to perform an X-ray inspection, a planar heater 1 formed of an X-ray transmitting material having an opening 1b for passing gas is provided at a window part 22 for making an X-ray observation of the sample. Thereby, a board can be subjected to convection heating uniformly without enlarging or complicating the apparatus.
US09161391B2	Electrical heating device An electrical heating device includes a housing, which encloses a circulation chamber through which a medium can flow and into which heating ribs extend essentially parallel to one another. Each of the ribs has a U-shaped recess which opens into a uniform connecting chamber, which is separated from the circulation chamber by a partition wall provided in the region of the open ends of the U-shaped recesses, and which accommodates at least one PTC heating element that abuts oppositely situated inner sides of the U-shaped recess in heat-conducting contact. The heating ribs protrude inwards alternately from the oppositely situated inner sides of the housing. A flow passage of a meander-type flow channel is formed in the housing between the free ends of the heating ribs and the adjacent inner wall of the housing. The flow passage is closed off by a covering element on the side oppositely situated to the partition wall.
US09161389B2	Method and apparatus for providing voice call in mobile communication system and system thereof Methods and apparatuses are provided for providing a voice call service in a Circuit Switching (CS) domain to a User Equipment (UE) being in a Packet Switching (PS) domain in a mobile communication system. A first message for paging to provide the voice call service in the CS domain to the UE is sent to an evolved Node B (eNB) in the PS domain. A second message including a cause associated with a domain change from the PS domain to the CS domain, is received from the eNB. A third message requesting suspension of the service being provided to the UE in the PS domain, is sent to a gateway in the PS domain.
US09161385B2	Systems and methods for wireless communications in a solar field Embodiments relate to methods and systems of controlling and operating a wirelessly controlled solar field. By placing a higher density of access points in regions close to the solar field border, communication interference may be mitigated. A method of mitigating interference between an access point and a heliostat in a wireless communication system located in a solar field, may include in a first section of the solar field, deploying a first plurality of access points such that each of the access points is a first distance from its neighbor; and in a second section of the solar field, deploying a second plurality of access points such that each of the access points is a second distance from its neighbor. The first distance is greater than the second distance and the second section of the solar field may be closer to a perimeter of the solar field.
US09161378B2	Concentrator for multiplexing access point to wireless network connections Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate multiplexing communications from multiple downstream access points to one or more mobility management entities (MME). In particular, a concentrator component is provided that can establish a single transport layer connection with an MME along with multiple application layer connections over the single transport layer connection for each of multiple downstream access points and/or related mobile devices. The downstream access points and/or mobile devices can provide identifiers to the concentrator component, which can utilize the identifiers to track communications with the MME. In this regard, the MME can additionally include identifiers received from the concentrator component in subsequent communications to facilitate identifying the appropriate downstream access point and/or mobile device.
US09161373B2	Methods and arrangements for contention resolution in a communication system The present invention relates a User Equipment, UE (204) and a Radio Base Station (202, 206) and methods therein for contention resolution in general. Based on measured and analyzed measurements of a radio connection establishment response from each of at least a first and a second Radio Base Station, a UE receiving said radio connection establishment response can resolve the contention by selecting a RBS based on the received power of a set of DL reference signals as received by the UE, of the received power of the radio connection establishment responses, on timing of the received sets of reference signals, on timing of the radio connection establishment responses, on historic RBS selections, on priority level of the RBS, to mention a few alternatives.
US09161366B2	Methods and devices for configuring antenna mode for uplink communication Methods and devices for configuring transmit antenna mode for a user equipment that can transmit in the uplink using at least two transmit antennas are provided. In accordance with embodiment a transmit antenna mode of the user equipment can be configured in response to a measured transmit antenna imbalance. Methods and devices for configuring transmit antenna mode for a user equipment that can transmit in the uplink using at least two transmit antennas are provided. In accordance with embodiment a transmit antenna mode of the user equipment can be configured in response to a measured transmit antenna imbalance.
US09161363B2	Network node, user equipment and methods therein for configuring cells for downlink operations A network node, user equipment, and corresponding methods can support non-contiguous cell configuration of the downlink in at least one frequency band of a telecommunications system. The network node configures cells for non-contiguous downlink operations based on a signal received from a user equipment. The signal comprises information about the user equipment's radio access capability in non-contiguous downlink operation, including: a first indication that indicates the maximum number of cells supported by the user equipment; a second indication that indicates the maximum gap bandwidth between cells supported by the user equipment; and a third indication that indicates whether the user equipment supports an equal number of cells, or a different number of cells, on each side of a gap between the maximum number of cells.
US09161352B2	Mobile communication system and channel transmission/reception method thereof A method for transmitting a physical channel in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication system capable of carrier aggregation is provided for supporting aggregation of carriers having different TDD configurations. The communication method of a terminal in a TDD radio communication system accomplishing broadband through carrier aggregation of primary and secondary cells, of which aggregated carriers have different TDD Uplink-Downlink (UL-DL) configurations, includes receiving Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) through the secondary cell, and transmitting acknowledgement information corresponding to the PDSCH to a base station, where acknowledgement information is transmitted on a Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH) of the primary cell.
US09161351B2	Method of transmitting uplink control signals in wireless communication system A method and device are disclosed for transmitting uplink control signals in a wireless communication system using at least one subframe comprising two slots, each slot including a plurality of symbols, the wireless communication system configured to transmit a first uplink control signal via an assigned first physical uplink control channel resource and to transmit a second uplink control signal via an assigned second physical uplink control channel resource. The method can include generating a modulation symbol by modulating the second uplink control signal, and transmitting the modulation symbol in a subframe via a physical uplink control channel resource which is assigned for the first uplink control signal if it is determined that the first uplink control signal and the second uplink control signal are to be transmitted in the subframe.
US09161347B2	Integrated circuit for control channel allocation A wireless communication base station apparatus that allows the number of times of blind decodings at a mobile station to be reduced without increasing the overhead caused by notifying information. In this apparatus, a CCE allocation part allocates allocation information allocated to a PDCCH received from modulation parts to a particular one of a plurality of search spaces that is corresponding to a CCE aggregation size of the PDCCH. A placement part then places the allocation information in one of downstream line resources, reserved for the PDCCH, that is corresponding to the CCE of the particular search space to which the allocation information has been allocated. A radio transmission part then transmits an OFDM symbol, in which the allocation information has been placed, to the mobile station from an antenna.
US09161346B2	Method for transmitting control channel in multicell cooperative wireless communication system and device therefor Disclosed is a method for transmitting a control channel in a multicell cooperative wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention comprises the steps of: a 1st transmitting end transmitting a control channel and a data channel, and at least one 2nd transmitting end transmitting only the data channel, in a 1st subframe; and the 1st transmitting end transmitting only the data channel and the at least one 2nd transmitting end transmitting the control channel and the data channel, in a 2nd subframe, wherein the data channel transmitted by the at least one 2nd transmitting end in the 1st subframe is decoded on the basis of the control channel transmitted by the at least one 2nd transmitting end in the 2nd subframe.
US09161342B2	Methods and apparatuses for allocating wireless resources in wireless network In a method for transmitting control information in a wireless network, a wireless resource allocation module assigns at least one of (i) a first plurality of enhanced resource element groups to a first set of enhanced control channel elements, and (ii) a second plurality of enhanced resource element groups to a second set of enhanced control channel elements; and a transceiver transmits the control information to at least one radio frequency equipment using at least one of the first and second sets of enhanced control channel elements.
US09161333B2	Systems and methods for wireless communication system channel allocation using intentional delay distortion Advantage is taken of adaptive allocation techniques by intentionally creating multi-user diversity in an otherwise flat fading environment in order to improve system capacity. In one embodiment, multi-path distortion can be resolved to determine subscriber station (SS) diversity gain. Overall network capacity can be increased by allocating channel assignments to SSs within the network based on determined SS diversity gains. In one embodiment, intentional multi-path distortion is produced by transmitting a signal and a time-delayed version of the signal from a base station (BS).
US09161332B2	Location estimation device and location estimation method for estimating location of interference source A wireless communication network system includes: a location estimation device includes: a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute: collecting information, for each wireless device in a pair of wireless devices communicating with each other in the wireless communication network, as to the number of occurrences of duplicate reception caused by the data retransmission performed when the reception acknowledgement does not reach the transmitting wireless device; and estimating the location of an interference source of radio wave in a wireless communication network based on the collected information as to the number of occurrences of duplicate reception such that the location of the interference source is closer to one of wireless devices in the pair with a less number of occurrences of duplicate reception than to the other one of the wireless devices in the pair.
US09161329B2	Communication of mobile device locations Method, apparatus, and system for communicating location of a mobile device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes determining information at the mobile device from a marker associated with an object, generating a location request in accordance with the determined information, and communicating location information in response to the location request generated.
US09161317B2	Transmission power reporting method and apparatus Provided are a transmission power reporting method and apparatus. A terminal determines a configured maximum transmission power based on a maximum power reduction (MPR) and transmission power configured by a base station and determines whether reporting of the configured maximum transmission power is triggered. If reporting of the configured maximum transmission power is triggered, the terminal transmits a reporting message including the configured maximum transmission power to the base station.

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