Document	Document Title
US09222920B2	Elemental analyzer In order to provide an elemental analyzer that, without providing a buffer tank, can cope with measurements of a low concentration sample to a high concentration sample on the basis of a simple configuration, the elemental analyzer is provided with: an extraction furnace 1 adapted to heat a sample contained in a crucible R, and gasify an element contained in the sample into sample gas; an introduction flow path L1 adapted to introduce carrier gas into the extraction furnace 1; a lead-out flow path L2 adapted to, from the extraction furnace, lead out mixed gas in which the sample gas and the carrier gas are mixed; an elemental analysis part 3 that is provided in the lead-out flow path L2 and analyzes elements contained in the mixed gas; a bypass flow path L3 that branches from the introduction flow path L1 and joins the lead-out flow path L2; and a valve 4 that is provided in the bypass flow path L3 and can adjust an opening level.
US09222913B2	Analysis and assay of glycated haemoglobins by capillary electrophoresis, buffer compositions and kits for capillary electrophoresis The invention relates to a method for analysis by capillary electrophoresis of glycated haemoglobins comprising at least one globin chain comprising a glucose residue bound to the amino acid in the N-terminal position, contained in a biological sample, said method comprising using a buffer composition comprising at least one compound which is capable of specifically complexing glucose residues of one or several glycated haemoglobin(s) and of providing said glycated haemoglobin(s)with several negative electric charges at an alkaline pH. By way of example this compound may be 3,4- or 3,5-dicarboxyphenylboronic acid, preferably 3,5-dicarboxyphenylboronic acid. Said method may in particular be used to separate and assay haemoglobin HbA1c present in a biological sample optionally comprising other haemoglobins, in particular other minor fractions. The invention also concerns buffer compositions for use in said analysis, as well as kits for the analysis and for the assay of glycated haemoglobins by capillary electrophoresis.
US09222911B2	Method and device for detecting at least one property of a gas A method for detecting at least one property of a gas in a measuring gas chamber, in particular for detecting at least one gas component of the gas. The at least one property is determined using at least one electrochemical measuring cell of a sensor element. Temperatures are detected at at least two different locations of the sensor element and used in determining the at least one property.
US09222909B2	Biosensor and method for producing the same A biosensor according to the present invention includes a first base material having an insulating surface; an adhesive layer located on the insulating surface of the first base material; and an electrode system and wiring sections fixed to the first base material via the adhesive layer. The electrode system includes top electrode layers and bottom electrode layers, and the bottom electrode layers are formed of a material having a higher conductivity than that of the top electrode layers; the electrode system includes a working electrode and a counter electrode, and also includes an enzyme reaction section located on the working electrode, the enzyme reaction section containing an enzyme and an electron acceptor; and the bottom electrode layers and the wiring sections are integral with each other.
US09222903B2	Method of determining the softening- or dropping point At least one of the softening point and the dropping point of a substance is determined with a measuring instrument that comprises a sample chamber (4), a temperature sensor (16), a heater device (11), a means for providing temperature/time target values, an image-recording means (5) and a controller unit (17) with a processor unit. The heater device heats the sample chamber, the temperature sensor measures the temperature in the sample chamber, and the image-recording means captures a visual image of the interior of the sample chamber. A method using the measuring instrument has at least the steps of determining the change over time of the sample as a function of temperature based on the recorded image/time data and actual temperature/time data, and of determining the dropping- or softening point of the sample based on the observed change over time as a function of temperature.
US09222901B2	X-ray diffraction method of mapping grain structures in a crystalline material sample, and an X-ray diffraction apparatus An X-ray diffraction method of mapping grain structures in a polycrystalline material sample, where an X-ray detector detects spots or line-shaped segments from beams diffracted from at least some of the grains. A processing device analyzes values received from the X-ray detector and identifies at least the position of the spots or line-shaped segments. The processing device discretizes an initial three-dimensional model of the polycrystalline material sample into voxels and reconstructs the grains in the model by iterative testing associating crystallographic orientations of the voxels to the detected spots or line-shaped segments.
US09222896B2	Systems and methods for inspecting and monitoring a pipeline Disclosed are systems and methods for inspecting and monitoring an inner surface of a pipeline. One system includes a pig arranged within the pipeline, the pipeline being divided into first and second radial divisions, and first and second sets of optical computing devices arranged on the pig adjacent the inner surface of the pipeline, the first set being configured to monitor a first substance on the first radial division and the second set being configured to monitor a second substance on the second radial division. Each optical computing device includes an integrated computational element configured to optically interact with the first or second substance and thereby generate optically interacted light, and at least one detector arranged to receive the optically interacted light and generate an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the first or second substance.
US09222895B2	Generalized virtual inspector Generalized virtual inspectors are provided. One system includes two or more actual systems configured to perform one or more processes on specimen(s) while the specimen(s) are disposed within the actual systems. The system also includes one or more virtual systems coupled to the actual systems to thereby receive output generated by the actual systems and to send information to the actual systems. The virtual system(s) are configured to perform one or more functions using at least some of the output received from the actual systems. The virtual system(s) are not capable of having the specimen(s) disposed therein.
US09222891B1	Reflectometry apparatus and method The present invention is directed to a reflectometer-based apparatus and method for colorimetric analysis. Advantageously, the present invention includes use of a test strip provided with an aperture over which a translucent colorimetric, indicator-bearing matrix is affixed. In addition, the present invention beneficially includes a test strip holder that includes a test strip-holding channel provided with a white background.
US09222887B2	Conjugates of nano-diamond and magnetic or metallic particles Techniques for imaging a characteristic of a sample with a plurality of conjugates of diamond-metallic nanoparticles having a nitrogen vacancy center. The plurality of conjugates can be exposed to a sample and the nitrogen vacancy centers can be optically pumped. One or more microwave pulses can be applied to the nitrogen vacancy center, and a fluorescent response can be detected.
US09222884B2	Hydrogen peroxide sensitive metal nanoparticles, method for producing the same and hydrogen peroxide detection system comprising the same Provided is a hydrogen peroxide sensitive metal nanoparticle including: a metal nanoparticle including a biocompatible metal and a hydrogen peroxide reactive ion which is bonded to a surface of the metal nanoparticle and is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide.
US09222873B2	Optical particle detector An optical device mounted on the interior of an aircraft for distinguishing the morphology of individual atmospheric particles, identifying them as water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles or volcanic ash, including a source of collimated, polarized light and providing this information to the flight crew to assist them in making informed decisions on conditions that might impact aircraft performance.
US09222871B2	Tracking of the rate of corrosion of a metal conduit traversed by a corrosive fluid A method of tracking the rate of corrosion of a metal conduit traversed by a corrosive fluid, in which is provided a device arranged so as to form, when said device is installed on a wall of the metal conduit, a chamber able to receive gaseous hydrogen issuing by permeation across said wall of said conduit, the method comprising: (i) a step of treatment to eliminate a metallic species from the chamber, (ii) a step of measuring a quantity of hydrogen received in the chamber, with a view to estimating the rate of corrosion of the metal conduit.
US09222856B2	Measurement of particle morphology using filtration A system and method for characterizing a totality of particles selects a class of the totality of particles having a defined mobility; determines the total particle concentration of the class of particles; filters the class of particles using the filter apparatus and determines a filtered particle concentration indicative of the particles of the class which penetrate the filter apparatus; and determines at least one morphological parameter based on the fraction of particles of a class penetrating the filter apparatus.
US09222850B2	Integrated optics reflectometer An apparatus includes a laser source configured to output laser light at a target frequency, and a measurement unit configured to measure a deviation between an actual frequency outputted by the laser source at a current period of time and the target frequency of the laser source. The apparatus includes a feedback control unit configured to, based on the measured deviation between the actual and target frequencies, control the laser source to maintain a constant frequency of laser output from the laser source so that the frequency of laser light transmitted from the laser source is adjusted to the target frequency. The feedback control unit can control the laser source to maintain a linear rate of change in the frequency of its laser light output, and compensate for characteristics of the measurement unit utilized for frequency measurement. A method is provided for performing the feedback control of the laser source.
US09222847B2	Gas gauge compatible with vacuum environments In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a gas gauge for use in a vacuum environment having a measurement gas flow channel. The gas gauge may comprise a measurement nozzle in the measurement gas flow channel. The measurement nozzle may be configured to operate at a sonically choked flow condition of a volumetric flow being sourced from a gas supply coupled to the measurement gas flow channel. The gas gauge may further comprise a pressure sensor operatively coupled to the measurement gas flow channel downstream from the sonically choked flow condition of the volumetric flow to measure a differential pressure of the volumetric flow for providing an indication of a gap between a distal end of the measurement nozzle and a target surface proximal thereto.
US09222844B2	Process temperature transmitter with improved sensor diagnostics A process temperature transmitter is operable with at least one temperature sensor having a plurality of leads. The temperature transmitter includes measurement circuitry operably coupleable to the at least one temperature sensor to provide an indication of an electrical parameter of the at least one temperature sensor. A controller is coupled to the measurement circuitry to obtain the indication and provide a process temperature output. A current source applies a test current to the plurality of leads simultaneously. Diagnostic circuitry measures a voltage response on each lead in order to provide a diagnostic indication of the temperature sensor.
US09222840B1	Dual temperature sensor for an engine The dual temperature sensor for an engine includes a first sensor configured for detecting the temperature of an engine and for generating at least one information signal corresponding to the detected temperature of the engine, and a second sensor configured for detecting the temperature of the engine coolant and for generating at least one information signal corresponding to the detected temperature of the engine coolant within the engine. An insulator is positioned between the first sensor and the second sensor. The dual temperature sensor is mounted in the thermostat housing such that the first sensor of the dual temperature sensor is positioned outside the thermostat housing wall so that the first sensor is in communicating relation with the engine and the second sensor of the dual temperature sensor is positioned inside the thermostat housing in communicating relation with the engine coolant.
US09222834B2	Inspection apparatus and method A spectroscopic scatterometer detects both zero order and higher order radiation diffracted from an illuminated spot on a target grating. The apparatus forms and detects a spectrum of zero order (reflected) radiation, and separately forms and detects a spectrum of the higher order diffracted radiation. Each spectrum is formed using a symmetrical phase grating, so as to form and detect a symmetrical pair of spectra. The pair of spectra can be averaged to obtain a single spectrum with reduced focus sensitivity. Comparing the two spectra can yield information for improving height measurements in a subsequent lithographic step. The target grating is oriented obliquely so that the zero order and higher order radiation emanate from the spot in different planes. Two scatterometers can operate simultaneously, illuminating the target from different oblique directions. A radial transmission filter reduces sidelobes in the spot and reduces product crosstalk.
US09222833B2	Spectral characteristic obtaining apparatus, image evaluation apparatus and image forming apparatus A spectral characteristic obtaining apparatus including a light irradiation unit configured to emit light onto a reading object; a spectroscopic unit configured to separate at least a part of diffused reflected light from the light emitted onto the reading object by the light irradiation unit into a spectrum; and a light receiving unit configured to receive the diffused reflected light separated into the spectrum by the spectroscopic unit and to obtain a spectral characteristic. The light receiving unit is configured to be a spectroscopic sensor array including plural spectroscopic sensors arranged in a direction, and the spectroscopic sensors include a predetermined number of pixels arranged in the direction to receive lights with different spectral characteristics from each other.
US09222831B2	Spectroscope A spectroscope comprises a package provided with a light entrance part, a plurality of lead pins penetrating through a support part opposing the light entrance part in the package, a light detection unit supported on the support part within the package, and a spectroscopic unit supported on the support part within the package so as to be arranged on the support part side of the light detection unit. The light detection unit has a light transmission part for transmitting therethrough light incident thereon from the light entrance part. The spectroscopic unit has a spectroscopic part for spectrally resolving the light transmitted through the light transmission part while reflecting the light to a light detection part. The lead pins are fitted into fitting parts provided with the light detection unit and electrically connected to the light detection part.
US09222830B2	Optical control sensor system with driver that switches frequencies of a set of different orthogonal signals and modulates the intensity of light A optical control sensor system includes a driver controlling an operation of a light source coupled to an end of an optical fiber, an orthogonal signal generator, generating a set of different orthogonal signals controlling the driver, a terminal sensor coupled to another end of the optical fiber selecting a predetermined set of input orthogonal signals for converting them into component combinations, constituting output signals, and directing the output signals back to the optical fiber, a device coupled to the light sources and to the first end of the optical fiber for extracting output signals that have passed through a return path in the optical fiber, a detector converting optical output signals into electrical signals, and a selector and a decoder connected to the orthogonal signal generator indicating a current state of the optical control sensor system based on an analysis of the selected combinations of components in the output signals.
US09222826B2	Apparatus for weighing elongate containers supplied along a conveyor line An apparatus (1) for weighing elongate containers (5) supplied along a conveyor line (4) comprises: weighing means (2); a support member (6) suitable for restingly receiving at least a container (5); a first articulated system (7) and a second articulated system (12); the apparatus (1) being configured such as to impart, by means of the first articulated system (7) and the second articulated system (12), a translating and rotating motion to the support member (6) such as to transfer the containers (5) from a first position (K1), in which the support member (6) is arranged at the conveyor line (4) such as to receive therefrom the containers (5) to be weighed, and a second position (K2) in which the support member (6) engages with the weighing means (2) such as to enable the containers (5) to be weighed in an inclined position, and vice versa.
US09222820B2	Self-leveling measuring device A self-leveling measuring device is provided. The self-leveling measuring device includes at least two measuring devices each having a measuring cup. The two measuring devices are hinged together at one end so they swivel with respect to each other and are positioned such that the measuring cup of a first device is positioned opposite the measuring device of a second device when the two are positioned over each other. The upper measuring device acts as a leveler for ingredients contained in the lower measuring device by swiveling the upper device over the ingredient filled lower device measuring cup, and can also act as a cover for the ingredient filled lower measuring cup when positioned over the same.
US09222812B2	Hybrid sensor system for gas flow measurements Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for measuring gas flow. A gas flow meter can include a plurality of sensors to detect a gas flow at various flow rates in the meter. A first sensor can detect a gas flow at a low flow rate and a second sensor can detect a gas flow when the flow rate is sufficient to produce an oscillating jet. The first sensor can be disposed parallel to the gas flow and detect the flow rate and the temperature of the gas flow. When the flow rate of the gas is below a predetermined threshold, power is supplied to the first sensor to detect gas flow. When the gas flow rate is high enough such that the gas flow produces an oscillating jet of fluid, power is supplied to the second sensor. The second sensor can detect the frequency of the oscillating jet flow.
US09222810B1	In situ calibration of a light source in a sensor device A sensor device is described herein, wherein the sensor device includes an optical measurement system, such as an interferometer. The sensor device further includes a low-power light source that is configured to emit an optical signal having a constant wavelength, wherein accuracy of a measurement output by the sensor device is dependent upon the optical signal having the constant wavelength. At least a portion of the optical signal is directed to a vapor cell, the vapor cell including an atomic species that absorbs light having the constant wavelength. A photodetector captures light that exits the vapor cell, and generates an electrical signal that is indicative of intensity of the light that exits the vapor cell. A control circuit controls operation of the light source based upon the electrical signal, such that the light source emits the optical signal with the constant wavelength.
US09222809B1	Portable pipe inspection systems and apparatus A portable pipe inspection system having a removable storable pull-handle and a detachable wheel assembly that may be front-mounted is disclosed. The portable pipe inspection system may include a wireless transceiver and intelligent battery system. The pipe inspection system may be configured to be operated in a horizontal position to provide enhanced stability in sloped or uneven environments.
US09222808B2	Scale for rotary encoder, method of injection-molding same, and rotary encoder using same In a radial optical path type rotary encoder, in order to be able to reduce deterioration of resolution and variation among products due to burrs during molding and/or rounding of a die, a scale for a rotary encoder is provided with a scale body which is formed substantially in a cylindrical shape, the scale body having a side surface portion in which a light transmitting portion through which light passes and a light blocking portion by which light with a predetermined width in a circumferential direction is blocked are formed alternately in the circumferential direction, wherein the side surface on a light-incident side of the light blocking portion is formed outside a light transmittable region having an outer edge defined by a light beam tangent to the side surface of the light blocking portion amidst the light passing through the light transmitting portion, in a lateral cross-section view.
US09222807B2	Method and device for production of a magnetic position or path sensor element A method is provided for producing a magnetic position or path sensor element, the magnetic position or path sensor element having at least one magnetic pathway that extends along a displacement path and that has a plurality of magnetic north-south transitions, as well as at least one magnetic sensor mounted so as to be movable relative to the magnetic pathway. At least one of the magnetic north-south transitions is defined as a critical north-south transition whose position is to be detected with a specified degree of precision. Adjacent to the critical north-south transition are situated magnetic poles having identical polarity. The method provides production reliability by reducing the sensitivity of the magnetic position or path sensor element to positional tolerances.
US09222804B2	System and method for position sensing A system for position sensing includes an incremental track including a plurality of sectors and a measurement subsystem. The measurement subsystem includes at least two differential read-heads each having at least one primary coil and at least two differential secondary coils, the at least two differential secondary coils of one of the at least two differential read-heads configured to generate output signals having their amplitudes modulated by the sectors of the incremental track and the at least two differential secondary coils of the other of said two differential read-heads configured to generate output signals having their amplitudes modulated by the sectors of the incremental track.
US09222798B2	Systems and methods for identifying an activity of a user based on a chronological order of detected movements of a computing device Disclosed herein are methods and systems for identifying an activity of a user based on a chronological order of detected movements of a computing device. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may include detecting movements of a computing device. The method also includes determining a chronological order of the detected movements. Further, the method includes identifying an activity of a user of the computing device based on the detected movements and chronological order. The method also includes determining a geographic location associated with at least one of the movements. Further, the method includes presenting identification of the activity and the geographic location.
US09222797B2	Device, system and method of contact-based routing and guidance Device, system and method of contact-based routing and guidance; for example, an apparatus including a route guidance information generator adapted to receive a plurality of personal contacts associated respectively with at least one of: a plurality of road-based addresses, or a plurality of latitude and longitude data items; and to generate route guidance information including a reference to at least one of said personal contacts.
US09222790B2	Method and apparatus for crowdsourced tour creation and provision A system includes a processor, configured to communicate with a vehicle camera, a vehicle audio input and at least one vehicle input control. In this embodiment, the processor is configured to receive a request to being recording user audio from the audio input. The processor is also configured to record user audio and GPS coordinates to be associated with the audio and record one or more images or video files from the vehicle camera, to be associated with the audio or the GPS coordinates. Further, the processor is configured to compile and save the audio input, GPS coordinates and one or more images as a tour data file.
US09222781B2	Geofence-based triggers for automated data collection Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for automated data collection using geofence-based triggers. In one embodiment, the location of a vehicle can be monitored by a variety of computing entities. By using the vehicle's location, it can be determined when the vehicle enters and/or exits defined geofences. After a determination that a vehicle has entered or exited a defined geofence, one or more events can be automatically triggered/initiated.
US09222780B2	System and method for determination and display of personalized distance A system and method for determination and display of personalized distance. A request is received for the determination of a personalized distance over a network, wherein the request comprises an identification of a requesting user, and a plurality of real world entities comprising at least a starting location and an ending location. At least one route is determined between the first location and the second location. Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to the requesting user and each real world entity and the route is retrieved using a global index of data available to the network. A personalized distance is calculated via the network between the first location and the second location using spatial, temporal, topical, and social data relating to the requesting user and each real world entity and the route. A representation of the personalized distance calculated for the route is displayed on a display medium.
US09222777B2	Methods and systems for creating and using a location identification grid A method and system for generating a location identification grid and for using a location identification grid. The location identification grid can include a first geographic area that correspond to a pre-existing area. This pre-existing area can correspond to a postal code such as a zip code, a telephone code such as, an area code, or any other desired pre-existing area. The location identification grid can be subdivided into smaller geographic areas to allow more accurate identification of a location. The location identification grid can include a second geographic area. The second geographic area can be a subdivision of the first geographic area. The location identification grid can be used with signals that identify a location within a location identification grid. These signals can include a first component corresponding to the first geographic area and the second component corresponding to one or more second geographic areas.
US09222773B2	Grade mechanism for tiltable laser optical systems Rotating construction laser device with a grade mechanism, including a code element and a position detection device for providing and detecting a feedback position information, and a leveling mechanism, which supports a lens barrel tiltably and is designed to tilt the lens barrel in order to have the level position detected by a tilt sensor and therewith to level the grade arm, the code element or the position detection device is arranged directly on the grade arm, and the feedback position information directly depends on the position of a reference point on the grade arm, the reference point being defined by the code element or the position detection device, respectively, thus allowing to deduce a position of the grade arm directly from the feedback position information, and/or to calculate a tilting angle of the grade arm with respect to the lens barrel directly from the feedback position information.
US09222771B2	Acquisition of information for a construction site Systems and methods for acquiring information for a construction site are provided. One system includes a base unit positioned within a construction site by a user. A computer subsystem of the base unit determines a position of the base unit with respect to the construction site. The system also includes a measurement unit moved within the construction site by a user. The measurement unit includes one or more elements configured to interact with light in a known manner. An optical subsystem of the base unit directs light to the element(s) and detects the light after interacting with the element(s). The computer subsystem is configured to determine a position and pose of the measurement unit with respect to the base unit based on the detected light. The measurement unit includes a measurement device used by the measurement unit or the base unit to determine information for the construction site.
US09222768B2	Supplemental scene reference surface devices for three-dimensional mapping Supplemental reference surface devices are provided for use in three-dimensional modeling of intra-oral scenes using identifiable positional characteristics from structured illumination or other techniques. Reference surface devices having at least one substantially plane smooth non-polished face are disclosed for locating the positions of intra-oral features, and for stitching together separate 3D tiles according to the identifiable positional characteristics. Reference can be attached to an intra-oral feature in or adjacent to the imaged intra-oral scene. Disclosed are reference surface devices having orientation and position indicia, as well as reference surface devices having a multiplicity of faces distributed in spatial position and angular orientation to facilitate correlation of 2D images obtained by imaging systems in different positions.
US09222765B2	Quantitative phase measurement apparatus Provided is a small-sized quantitative phase measurement apparatus. The quantitative phase measurement apparatus 1 includes a reflective polarization splitting element 17. The reflective polarization splitting element 17 is disposed at a focusing position of the converging light L4, and performs splitting of the converging light L4 into two polarized beams having different polarization directions and reflection of the two polarized beams to form a first polarized beam L5 and a second polarized beam L6 both travelling toward the converging optical system 16.
US09222760B2	Portable target apparatus A portable target apparatus is disclosed that includes a main body and a first target plate adjacent the main body. The first target plate is operable to move independent of the main body when struck by at least one projectile. A support member is coupled to the first target plate and is operable to retain the main body in an upright position when the main body is struck by at least one projectile and move the main body from the upright position to a non-upright position when the first target plate is struck by at least one projectile.
US09222754B2	Precision guided firearm with hybrid sensor fire control A precision guided firearm (PGF) includes a trigger assembly and an optical device coupled to the trigger assembly. The optical device includes an optical sensor configured to capture video of a view area and includes at least one motion sensor. The optical device is configured to process video frames of the video to determine a distance between an aim point of the PGF and a selected location on a target and to determine a trajectory of the aim point based on the video frames and motion data from the at least one motion sensor.
US09222751B2	Holster The invention concerns a holster which has a weapon part (10) for a weapon which is detachably connected to a fastening part (1), whereby the fastening part (1) has at least one connection device (21, 21′) and the weapon part (10) having a connection counter device (23) that acts in combination with it.The invention is characterized by an adapter (12) being detachably providable between the weapon part (10) and the fastening part (1), said adapter (12) having in the area of one of its ends a connection counter device (24) which corresponds geometrically to the connection counter device (23) of the weapon part (10) and having in the area of its other end a connection device (22) which corresponds geometrically to the connection device (21, 21′) of the fastening part (1).
US09222747B1	Hinged firearm suppressor mount Embodiments of a hinged firearm suppressor mount are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the hinged firearm suppressor mount can include a suppressor attachment portion that has an attachment surface and a first structure that houses a first assembly passageway. The hinged firearm suppressor mount also can include a firearm attachment portion that includes a firearm attachment surface and a second structure that houses a second assembly passageway. An assembly mechanism can be passed through the first structure and the second structure to connect the attachment portion to the suppressor attachment portion.
US09222743B1	Firearm safety device A firearm safety device for preventing an individual from inserting a magazine or cylinder containing cartridges into the firearm, injecting a cartridge into the firing chamber and pressing the trigger contemplates a transmitter receiver with storage and record information in or on the firearm. The safety device also includes an electromechanical trigger lock, electromechanical magazine or cylinder lock for preventing a magazine or cylinder from being inserted into the firearm and an electromechanical lock for preventing a cartridge from being injected into the firing chamber. In addition, the safety device includes a second or remote transmitter/receiver for carrying by an individual user and/or owner of the firearm for activating and deactivating the firearm safety device. In this embodiment of the invention the safety device is activated if the firearm is pointed in the direction of the user/owner.
US09222737B1	Projectile launcher This application relates to a projectile launcher in which the amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chamber can be varied to shoot the projectile in a lethal or non-lethal mode. The amount of fuel determines the velocity at which the projectile is fired. A low velocity launch on the order of 150 feet per second will be non-lethal at all but very short distance whereas a high velocity launch on the order of 450 feet per second will be non-lethal at a typical range of 100-150 meters but may possibly be lethal at a range of the order of 30 meters or less.
US09222732B2	Substrate processing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device Provided is a substrate processing apparatus capable of maintaining a temperature of a furnace port part at a heat-resistant temperature or less of each member constituting the furnace part. The substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber configured to process a plurality of substrates vertically stacked at predetermined intervals; a substrate retainer configured to hold the plurality of substrates in the process chamber; and a first heat exchanger installed in the process chamber to support the substrate retainer from a lower portion of the substrate retainer, and configured to perform a heat exchange with a gas flowing in a downward direction from a side of the substrate retainer in the process chamber, wherein the first heat exchanger includes a hollow cylindrical insulating tube vertically extending in the downward direction and an insulating plate installed in the insulating tube, and regions in the insulating tube over and under the insulating plate are spatially connected to each other.
US09222727B2	Purification of argon through liquid phase cryogenic adsorption The invention relates to a process for removing oxygen from liquid argon using a TSA (temperature swing adsorption) cyclical process that includes cooling an adsorbent bed to sustain argon in a liquid phase; supplying the adsorbent bed with a liquid argon feed that is contaminated with oxygen and purifying the liquid argon thereby producing an argon product with less oxygen contaminant than is in the initial liquid argon feed; draining the purified residual liquid argon product and sending purified argon out of the adsorbent bed. Regeneration of specially prepared adsorbent allows the adsorbent bed to warm up to temperatures that preclude the use of requiring either vacuum or evacuation of adsorbent from the bed.
US09222717B2	Ice compartment assembly for refrigerator An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.
US09222716B2	Refrigerator with temperature control An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.
US09222714B2	Beverage cooling device A fluid cooling apparatus includes a first cooling portion have a first series of cooling elements with first cooling surfaces. A second cooling portion can have a second series of cooling elements with second cooling surfaces. The second cooling portion can be removably nested together with the first cooling portion such that the first and second cooling surfaces of respective first and second series of cooling elements can be positioned adjacent to each other with gaps therebetween to form cooling cavities for cooling fluid introduced into the cooling cavities.
US09222711B2	Refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus A refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus including a refrigerant circuit, which in turn includes an outdoor unit, and an indoor unit, connected by an extension pipe. The apparatus further includes a control unit having a memory, and is configured to calculate an internal volume of the extension pipe and calculate a standard refrigerant amount, serving as a criterion for determining whether the refrigerant is leaked from the refrigerant circuit, on the basis of the calculated refrigerant extension pipe internal volume. The memory is configured to store the refrigerant extension pipe internal volume and the standard refrigerant amount. The control unit is configured to calculate a total amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit on the basis of the refrigerant extension pipe internal volume stored in the memory and operation data measured during normal operation, and compare the calculated total refrigerant amount with the standard refrigerant amount stored in the memory to determine whether refrigerant is leaked.
US09222710B2	Heat-pump automotive air conditioner and defrosting method of the heat-pump automotive air conditioner A refrigerant cycle (16) for cooling as a prototype is provided with: an internal condenser (8) connected to a discharge circuit of an electric compressor (9) and disposed on a downstream of an internal evaporator (7) of an HVAC unit (2); a first heating circuit (18) connected to a receiver (11) through a switching unit (17) arranged on an inlet side of the external condenser (8); and a second heating circuit (23) connected between an outlet side of the receiver (11) and a suction side of the electric compressor (9) and provided with a second expansion valve (20) and an external evaporator (21). A heat pump cycle (24) for heating is formed by a second heating circuit (23) including the electric compressor (9), the internal condenser (8), the switching unit (17), the first heating circuit (18), the receiver (11), the second expansion valve (20), and the external evaporator (21).
US09222704B2	Geothermal energization of a non-combustion chemical reactor and associated systems and methods Systems and methods for heating a non-combustion chemical reactor with thermal energy from a geothermal heat source are described. A working fluid is directed from the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor to transfer heat. The working fluid can be circulated in a closed system so that it does not contact material at the geothermal heat source, or in an open system that allows the working fluid to intermix with material at the geothermal heat source. When intermixing with material at the geothermal heat source, the working fluid can transport donor substances at the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor.
US09222701B2	Modular solar receiver and solar power plant comprising at least one such receiver A solar receiver for a thermal power plant including a plurality of absorber modules, each absorber module including at least one face configured to be illuminated by a solar flux, wherein the modules are arranged side by side forming a paving. Each absorber module further includes its own fluid circuit in which a fluid to be heated by the solar flux can flow, the fluid circuits of the absorber modules being connected to one another.
US09222700B2	Method and device for blowing gas on a running strip The present invention relates to a method for acting on the temperature of a travelling strip (4) by blowing gas or a water/gas mixture, whereby a plurality of jets of gas or a water/gas mixture, extending toward the surface of the strip and arranged in such a way that the impacts (24, 34) of the jets of gas or water/gas mixture on each surface of the strip are distributed at the nodes of a two-dimensional network, are sprayed onto each face of the strip. The impacts (24) of the jets on one face (A) are not opposite the impacts (34) of the jets on the other face (B), and the jets of gas or water/gas mixture come from tubular nozzles (23, 33) which are supplied by at least one distribution chamber (21, 31) and extend at a distance from the distribution chamber in such a way as to leave a free space for the flow of the returning gas or water/gas mixture parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip.
US09222698B2	Heater for vaporizing liquids A method of heating fluids that includes heating liquids within a lower portion of a vessel, using first immersion heaters and heating a gas within an upper portion of the vessel using second immersion heaters. Liquid levels in the lower portion of the vessel are controlled. Heating the gas includes heating gas within the upper portion of the common vessel within another vessel positioned within the upper portion of the common vessel.
US09222697B2	Water heater with centering thermal break support A water heater is provided that includes a centering ring or thermal barrier that facilitates centering or alignment of the water tank while also diminishing heat loss through the bottom of the water heater. Features are provided with the bottom of the water heater and centering ring that can also improve the stability of the water heater when placed in a vertically upright position.
US09222694B2	Refrigerating cycle device This invention optimizes the settings of refrigeration components to achieve a power efficient state. First, the compressor is run at a level that achieves a desired temperature. Next, the invention searches for the most energy efficient settings (claimed as operation manipulation amounts) for the fans and indoor expansion valves. The search algorithm tries adjusting the settings of each component by a predetermined amount, adopting the setting that is the most energy efficient for the refrigeration cycle. The algorithm then increases or decreases the predetermined amount, as appropriate, and repeats the search. This allows the invention to quickly and accurately converge on the most energy efficient setting for each component.
US09222692B2	Wireless zone control via mechanically adjustable airflow elements An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
US09222688B2	Air conditioning control device, air conditioning control method and program An air-conditioning control device controls a plurality of air-conditioners (indoor devices) disposed at different locations within a predetermined living room space. A data manager stores location information for each air-conditioner (indoor device). A distance calculator calculates a distance between respective air-conditioners (indoor devices) based on the location information. A control order setter sets, based on the distance between respective air-conditioners (indoor devices) calculated by the distance calculator, a control order of each air-conditioner (indoor device) on which energy-saving control is to be performed in such a way that time spans for performing the energy-saving control that controls respective air-conditioners (indoor devices) for a predetermined time to suppress power consumption in respective sections of the living room space are balanced. The control executer repeatedly executes the energy-saving control on each air-conditioner (indoor device) in accordance with the control order set by the control order setter.
US09222684B2	Indoor unit of air conditioner and method of connecting refrigerant pipe thereof An indoor unit of an air conditioner having an improved frame structure in which a refrigerant pipe that connects an outdoor unit and the indoor unit can be easily connected. The indoor unit of the air conditioner includes: a frame; a heat exchanger mounted on the frame and having a refrigerant pipe in which a refrigerant flows; a hanger plate mounted on a rear surface of the frame and fixing the frame onto a wall surface; and a holder plate mounted on a lower portion of the frame, fixing the frame and the hanger plate, and supported by a fixing member of the wall surface. The holder plate selectively opens/closes the lower portion of the frame so that a pipe connection operation can be easily performed.
US09222676B2	Supercritical or mixed phase fuel injector An apparatus is disclosed including a main fuel supply fluidly coupled to a main fuel valve and an arcuate fuel passage receiving main fuel through the main fuel valve. The arcuate fuel passage includes a passage diameter and a radius of curvature which provides sufficient rotational acceleration to the main fuel such that a liquid portion of the main fuel is deposited on an outer wall of the arcuate fuel passage. The apparatus includes a fuel injector nozzle that receives the main fuel from the arcuate fuel passage, and injects the main fuel into a combustion chamber for a turbine engine. The apparatus further includes a pilot fuel supply fluidly coupled to a pilot fuel passage and a fuel selector structured to selectively provide the main fuel or the pilot fuel to the fuel injector nozzle.
US09222667B2	Gas burner for ovens Gas burner (1) for oven, or grill, of the type comprising a Venturi tube (2) for mixing fuel gas and primary air, a main distribution chamber (3), longitudinally extended in the flow forwarding direction of the mixture, and located downstream to such a Venturi tube (2), as well as at least one delivery chamber (22a, 22b) placed outside the afore said main chamber (3), and provided with flame holes (4; 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) for the gas-primary air mixture outflow, such a main chamber (3) and such an outer chamber (22a, 22b) being reciprocally fluidically connected, for at least one longitudinal length of the same main chamber (3), by at least one through opening (16a, 16b, 17a, 17b). Advantageously, the afore said through opening (16a, 16b, 17a, 17b) has, relative to the forwarding longitudinal direction of the mixture flow, a greater cross section in the upstream portion and smaller cross section in the downstream portion of the afore said longitudinal length of the main chamber (3).
US09222666B2	Swirler, combustion chamber, and gas turbine with improved swirl A swirler for mixing fuel and air is provided. The swirler includes a plurality of vanes positioned radially around a central axis of the swirler and a plurality of mixing channels for mixing fuel and air. At least one mixing channel of the plurality of mixing channels is defined by opposite walls of two adjacent vanes of the plurality of vanes. The at least one mixing channel includes at least one fuel injection opening arranged at an upstream sections of the at least one mixing channel. The at least one mixing channel also includes an axial swirler arranged at a downstream section of the at least one mixing channel.
US09222662B2	Heat dissipation module and modular lighting device with heat dissipation module A heat dissipation module and a modular lighting device with the heat dissipation module are provided. The modular lighting device includes a transparent lamp cover and a lamp body. The transparent lamp cover and the lamp body are combined together easily. The heat dissipation module is disposed within a smooth cup-shaped receiving chamber. A circuit board is accommodated within the receiving chamber. An electronic component on the circuit board is contacted with the heat dissipation module. The arrangement of the heat dissipation module can increase the heat dissipating efficiency of the modular lighting device. In comparison with the conventional fin-type lamp cup, the fabricating cost of the lamp cup of the modular lighting device of the present invention is reduced.
US09222661B2	Lighting device A lighting device may be provided that includes: a heat sink which includes a base and a projection extending from the base and having one side; a light source which includes a substrate disposed on the one side of the projection and a light emitting device disposed on the substrate; an optical plate disposed on the light emitting device; a driving part which is disposed on the base and is electrically connected to the light source; and a housing which receives the heat sink, the light source, the optical plate and the driving part, wherein the one side of the projection is disposed between a first point and a second point, wherein the first point indicates a half of the overall height of the housing, and wherein the second point indicates a minimum interval of 5 mm between the light emitting device and the optical plate.
US09222656B2	Conformal power adapter for lighted artificial tree A conformal power adapter for insertion into a lighted artificial tree and for converting power received from an external power source to a power usable by the lighted artificial tree. The power adapter includes an elongated housing including a first end, and a second end; a printed circuit board assembly including power-converting circuitry for converting an input electrical power to an output electrical power for use by a lighted artificial tree having a hollow trunk section, the printed circuit board assembly located substantially within the elongated housing; a power cord secured to the first end of the housing and in electrical connection with the power converting electronics, the power cord adapted to transmit power from an external power source to the power-converting circuitry. The elongated housing enclosing the printed circuit board assembly is sized to fit substantially within the hollow trunk portion of the lighted artificial tree.
US09222648B2	Broad-area lighting systems In accordance with certain embodiments, thermal stresses are mitigated in illumination systems by mating optical substrates with a plurality of discrete substrates each having one or more light-emitting elements thereon.
US09222645B2	LED lighting assembly and method of lighting for a merchandise display Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.
US09222641B2	Translucent conductive substrate for organic light emitting devices A translucent conductive substrate (1) for Organic Light Emitting Device comprising, a transparent support (10), a scattering layer (11) formed over the transparent support (10) and comprising a glass which contains a base material (110) having a first refractive index for at least one wavelength of light to be transmitted and a plurality of scattering materials (111) dispersed in the base material (110) and having a second refractive index different from that of the base material and a transparent electrode (12) formed over the scattering layer (11), said electrode (12) comprising at least one metal conduction layer (122) and at least one coating (120) having properties for improving the light transmission through said electrode, said coating (120) comprises at least one layer for improving light transmission (1201) and is located between the metal conduction layer (122) and the scattering layer (11), on which said electrode (12) is deposited.
US09222637B2	Lightguide with horizontal cutoff and horizontal spread An automotive lightguide includes a main guide portion with a light entrance surface and a reflective rear edge surface; and an exit lens joined to the main guide portion, the exit lens having an exit surface with an arcuate exit profile. In use, light rays from a light source enter the main guide portion through an entrance surface, travel through the main guide portion and reflect off the rear edge surface to the exit lens which images the reflected light rays as a light beam pattern having a predetermined sharp horizontal cutoff and a predetermined horizontal spread, the arcuate profile of the rear edge surface determining the horizontal cutoff and vertical spread of the light beam pattern with respect to the horizontal optical axis H-H, and the exit profile of the exit lens determining the horizontal spread of the light beam pattern.
US09222631B2	Electric torch An electric torch includes an enclosure for housing at least two battery units, a head portion, a front connecting unit secured to a front end of the enclosure, and a rear connecting unit secured to a rear end of the enclosure opposite to the front end. The front connecting unit and the rear connecting unit are electrically connected to opposite terminals of the at least two battery units, to connect the at least two battery unit in serial or parallel, or in combination of serial and parallel connection to act as the power supply of the electric torch. The power supply includes a first electrode and a second electrode with the polarity thereof reverse to the polarity of the first electrode.
US09222630B2	Method and system for forming LED light emitters A flexible sheet of light-emitting diode (LED) light emitters includes a support substrate having a thermally conductive material. The flexible sheet of LED light emitters also has an LED emitter sheet overlying the support substrate, and the LED emitter sheet including a plurality of LED light emitters. The flexible sheet of LED light emitters also has a flexible circuit sheet overlying the LED emitter sheet, and a phosphor sheet overlying the flexible circuit sheet. The phosphor sheet includes a wave-length converting material. The flexible sheet of LED light emitters also has a lens sheet overlying the phosphor sheet. The lens sheet includes a plurality of lenses.
US09222628B2	Color temperature tunable LED-based lamp module A light mixing and folding lamp includes an LED assembly with two or more LED chips that direct light into the ingress end of a light mixing rod. The light mixing rod is positioned to pass through an aperture in a concave second reflecting element, and mixed light emerges from the egress end of the light mixing rod, where it is directed toward a first reflecting element positioned near a focal point of the second reflecting element. The first reflecting element reflects mixed light emerging from the egress end of the light mixing rod, folding the mixed light back toward a concave reflecting surface of the second reflecting element. The second reflecting element reflects light from the first reflecting element forward, where the light emerges from the lamp directed toward a subject to be illuminated.
US09222620B2	Method and system for tank refilling Disclosed is a simple, analytical method that can be utilized by hydrogen filling stations for directly and accurately calculating the end-of-fill temperature in a hydrogen tank that, in turn, allows for improvements in the fill quantity while tending to reduce refueling time. The calculations involve calculation of a composite heat capacity value, MC, from a set of thermodynamic parameters drawn from both the tank system receiving the gas and the station supplying the gas. These thermodynamic parameters are utilized in a series of simple analytical equations to define a multi-step process by which target fill times, final temperatures and final pressures can be determined. The parameters can be communicated to the station directly from the vehicle or retrieved from a database accessible by the station. Because the method is based on direct measurements of actual thermodynamic conditions and quantified thermodynamic behavior, significantly improved tank filling results can be achieved.
US09222619B2	Apparatus for unloading CNG from storage vessels Methods and apparatus for offloading CNG from high-pressure storage vessels (22) are provided. The methods and apparatus are operable to warm the offloaded CNG either before or after a letdown in pressure to ensure that the delivered product is gaseous and that delivery of condensed products to downstream equipment is avoided. Particularly, a heating assembly (32) configured to warm a stream offloaded from a vessel (22) and flowing through a coil-shaped conduit (84) by infrared energy emitted by one or more heating elements (70) is provided upstream or downstream of a pressure reduction device (50).
US09222618B2	Stepper motor driving a lubrication pump providing uninterrupted lubricant flow Apparatus and method for supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubrication points via divider valves. A pump driven by a stepper motor to supplies lubricant at a varying rate which provides lubricant substantially uninterrupted at the lubrication point(s), and/or provides lubricant at a continuous non-constant flow rate which provides lubricant without interruption at the lubrication point(s), and/or provides lubricant at a constant flow rate which provides lubricant without interruption at the lubrication point(s).
US09222607B2	Threaded connection with metal to metal seal capable of expansion A retaining device for a threaded connection that is expanded holds the connection together to prevent leakage. In a two step thread the retention device is located between the steps and comprises a nose in a groove that holds aligned surfaces together for a metal to metal connection and allows for relative axial movement at the same time.
US09222605B2	Ducting for a fluid transfer pipeline for an aircraft or spacecraft, method for producing same and aeronautical structure incorporating same A ducting and associated method is provide in which the ducting includes a pipe with a thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomeric layer and a reinforcing layer. The pipe has a curved or bent geometry and the reinforcing layer is made of a composite material based on reinforcement in intimate and direct contact with the subjacent layer. The geometry is obtained by hot forming the inner layer to give the geometry, and the reinforcement is either impregnated with a thermosetting matrix to form a thermosetting composite, or reinforcing fibers are intermixed with thermoplastic fibers or powders, or impregnated with a plastic polymeric coating that is curable chemically. Alternatively, the inner layer is first covered with the reinforcing layer in which the reinforcement includes reinforcing fibers intermixed with a thermoplastic material in the form of fibers, film or powder is blow-molded to give the pipe its final geometry.
US09222596B2	Fault tolerant airflow control system An airflow control system for controlling pressure and flow through a flow passage with an upstream portion and a downstream portion includes a valve actuator which receives electrical signals to control the opening and closing of the valve that is configured and arranged such that the system may operate in the event of loss of power.
US09222594B2	Directional valve equipped with pressure control A directional valve for controlling an actuator by a pressurized medium, including: a pressure port; a work port; a tank port; a spool moving axially inside the directional valve; a first position of the spool, in which the spool tends to be set, and a second position, to which the spool can be moved by a pilot control force and in which the spool opens the flow of pressurized medium from the pressure port to the work port. The directional valve further includes a feedback chamber in which the pressure generates a feedback force effective on the spool and opposite to the pilot control force. In its second position, the spool guides the pressure of the work port to the feedback chamber, and in the second position, the directional valve generates a feedback force proportional to the pressure of the work port, moving the spool to shut off the flow.
US09222586B2	Valve for switching waterways and adjusting flow A valve for switching waterways and adjusting flow has a fixed seat, a control piece and an operation mechanism. The fixed seat is provided with a fixed face, an inlet waterway and two outlet waterways, the inlet port of the inlet waterway and the outlet ports of the outlet waterway are arranged on the fixed face. The control piece is provided with a control face that is relied on the fixed face hermetically and a communicating groove that is concavely arranged on the control face. The operation mechanism is connected with the fixed seat and the control piece, and can drive the control piece to move, and then the control face can be driven to rotate and slide relative to the fixed face.
US09222583B2	Split gate valve Provided in some embodiments is a system that includes a split gate valve including first and second gate sections coupled together and configured to move together within a cavity of the split gate valve between an open position and a closed position. The split gate valve includes a rolling actuator to reduce friction and to convert a rotational input into a linear motion to move the first and second gate sections between the open and closed positions. In other embodiments is provided a method that includes converting a rotational input into a linear motion to activate a split gate valve via a rolling actuator. The method also includes seating first and second gate sections of the split gate valve against opposite first and second seats to provide a double seal.
US09222578B2	Electro-hydraulic control system diagnostics Various embodiments of methods, apparatus and systems that diagnose and/or detect faults of an electro-hydraulic control system for a transmission are presented. Some embodiments, adjust a main line pressure of the electro-hydraulic control system and detect faults based upon changes in a pressure switch resulting from such adjustments of the main line pressure. The pressure switch may be incorporated into a control main valve or a clutch trim valve of the electro-hydraulic control system.
US09222575B2	Electric pump A system for lubricating transmission components with hydraulic fluid includes a pump and a motor coupled to the pump. The pump has an inlet port that receives hydraulic fluid and an outlet port from which hydraulic fluid is pumped to the transmission components. A pump pressure is regulated by adjusting a motor torque of the motor, and the motor torque is set by commands based on a look-up table or a formula.
US09222566B2	Auto-locking torque distributing mechanism An auto-locking torque distributing mechanism comprises a main plate receiving two gear sets. On two sides of the main plate, slots and apertures are respectively formed near two side peripheries thereof and partially communicated with each other. A sleeve assembly includes a covering unit with an opening enclosed by a first wall whereby each aperture is communicated with the opening and arranged near the first wall while connecting the main plate to the sleeve assembly. When one wheel slips and spins much faster than the other wheel, the sleeve assembly keeps fluid to avoid leaking. By the aforementioned partial communication, the fluid is easily sucked into the aperture to enter the slot and go among the gear sets, thereby limiting the amount of torque sent to the slipping wheel and distributing as much as torque to the non-slipping wheel to keep the traction of the vehicle.
US09222558B2	Geared infinitely variable transmission A geared infinitely variable transmission (GIVT) to provide a continuous output-to-input speed ratio from zero to a certain value is designed, and its working principle is illustrated. Crank-slider systems are used in the GIVT; the output-to-input speed ratio is changed with the crank length. Racks and pinions, controlled by planetary gear sets, are used to change the crank length when the cranks are rotating. One-way bearings rectify the output speeds from different crank-slider systems to obtain the output speed of the GIVT. Noncircular gears are used to minimize variations since the crank-slider systems can introduce variations of the instantaneous speed ratio. A direction control system is provided using planetary gear sets.
US09222551B2	Transmission A racing transmission that is lightweight and simplistic. The racing transmission features a low gear, reverse gear, neutral and a direct drive gear. The transmission utilizes a drive shaft; two sets of planetary gears and a common sun gear. The transmission disclosed herein does not use a countershaft to accomplish low and reverse. This transmission can be with an external clutch.
US09222541B2	Fluid-filled vibration damping device A fluid-filled vibration damping device including: first and second mounting members elastically connected by a main rubber elastic body; a partition member supported by the second mounting member; a pressure-receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber disposed on either side of the partition member; a housing space formed within the partition member; a plate-shaped movable member arranged in the housing space with liquid pressures of the pressure-receiving chamber and the equilibrium chamber applied to the respective faces of the movable member; and a rubber buffer arranged on wall inner surfaces of the housing space to be struck by the movable member. The movable member is grasped partially in a thickness direction between the wall inner surfaces of the housing space via the rubber buffer at surfaces facing the wall inner surfaces of the housing space.
US09222539B1	Shock absorber with frequency dependent passive valve A shock absorber has a pressure tube with a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube and attached to a piston rod. The piston assembly divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston assembly includes a frequency dependent valve assembly attached to the piston rod which defines a housing attached to the piston rod and a spool valve assembly. The spool valve assembly includes a pair of spool valves and a pair of bypass valve assemblies that control fluid flow through a bypass passage that bypasses the piston assembly.
US09222538B2	Shock absorber having unidirectional fluid flow A twin-tube shock absorber comprising an outer tube which houses an inner tube. The inner tube forms an annulus area between the outer tube and the inner tube, and includes a check valve for allowing a fluid to flow unidirectionally from the annulus area to the interior volume of the inner tube. The shock absorber includes a piston which is slidably disposed within the inner tube. The piston includes a check valve allowing the fluid to flow unidirectionally from a cap side chamber to a rod side chamber. An adaptive flow regulator is disposed about the inner tube for allowing the unidirectional flow of fluid from the rod side chamber to the annulus area, wherein the flow regulator provides a resistance against the flow of the fluid from the rod side chamber to the annulus area by varying the fluid pressure supplied to the flow regulator.
US09222533B2	Emergency stop device for a rotary platform of a milking parlour An emergency stop device for a rotary platform (1) of milking parlor for a milking parlor that includes at least one component (10, 13a) arranged beside an edge portion (1a, 1b) of the platform (1). The emergency stop device includes a detecting element (13b) adapted to initiate an emergency stop of the rotary platform (1) in a case of an object being detected in a detecting area (13b1) located beside the edge portion (1a, 1b) of the platform (1) at an upstream distance (D) from the component (10, 13a) with respect to the rotary direction of the platform (1). The upstream distance (D) is longer than an estimated stopping distance (d) of the edge portion (1b) when the platform (1) is emergency stopped.
US09222532B2	Brake carrier A brake carrier for a heavy vehicle disc brake includes an actuating side carrier portion including a support for an actuating side brake pad having a first material having a first property. The brake carrier also includes a separate reaction side carrier portion having a support for a reaction side brake pad for securement to the actuating side carrier portion. The actuating side carrier portion includes a first material having a first property, and the reaction side carrier portion includes a second material having a second property, wherein the second property differs from the first property.
US09222529B2	Actuation mechanism for a mechanical diode assembly The present disclosure provides an actuation mechanism for applying a mechanical diode clutch. The actuation mechanism includes a capsule including a cylindrical body defining an interior chamber, the cylindrical body defining a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end thereof. The actuation mechanism also includes a pin having a body and a radially-extending arm, the pin being retained within the interior chamber of the capsule. An apply spring is coupled at one end to the pin and a return spring is retained within the interior chamber of the capsule. The return spring is disposed between the pin on one end and the cylindrical body on the opposite end thereof. The return spring substantially surrounds the apply spring.
US09222527B2	High efficiency infinitely variable fluid power transformer A fluid transformer is comprised of standard components arranged in a novel way that gives a substantial high efficiency gain in overall transmission over prior art transfomers. The transformer is applied in a example of continuous application where high efficiency is important, that of a wave energy converter, (WEC), that reciprocates as recurring waves pass over. The transformer operates with single-acting, double-acting and helical hydraulic actuators to pressurize hydraulic fluid in an energy conversion system and power a hydraulic motor that drive an electric generator. A sensor system detects characteristics of in-coming waves, or alternatively waves in the process of wave making, by detecting changes in pressure as waves pass over the sensor system. A control computer system calculates characteristics of the waves such as wave height and speed data, and uses the data to control aspects of the WECs and components of the transformer system.
US09222526B2	Clutch housing and assembly A clutch assembly includes first, second and third clutches, a housing including a first projection to which the first clutch selectively produces a connection, a second projection to which the second and third clutches selectively produce connections, clutch-apply circuits each circuit corresponding to one of the clutches, and a balance volume circuit for supplying fluid to each of the clutches, and a shaft rotatably supporting the housing.
US09222520B2	Secure universal-joint An apparatus for securing a first joint member to a second joint member in a universal-joint comprising at least one pin for insertion along a Y axis, at least one pin for insertion along an X axis, a coupler between the joint members configured to receive these pins, and a security pin configured to traverse the coupler along a Z axis when each of these pins are within the coupler, such that the security pin penetrates at least a partial hole in each of these pins. The at least one pin for insertion along the Y axis may be a main pin having two recesses. The at least one pin for insertion along the X axis may be two bracket pins each having a bracket extension. Grease may be injected into a center of a joint member through a fitting. Retaining rings may shrink the boot to a pre-defined limit.
US09222519B2	Rigid coupling A slotted rigid coupling is configured in such a manner that an inner peripheral surface portion of a shaft hole, the inner peripheral surface portion being located within the slit-equipped fastening section of the coupling body, has an inner diameter d. The inner diameter d of an inner peripheral surface portion of the shaft hole, the inner peripheral surface portion being adjacent to the inner peripheral surface portion, is slightly larger than the inner diameter d. The inner peripheral surface portion is a relief surface recessed outward in the radial direction relative to the inner peripheral surface portion. A shaft is inserted in the shaft hole, and the fastening section is fastened. The region where the inner peripheral surface portion adjacent to the inner peripheral surface portion is provided does not come into contact with the shaft. The shaft can be fastened and affixed to the shaft hole without tilt.
US09222518B2	Device for centering a bearing ring in a holding element A centering assembly (100; 200; 400) serves to center a bearing ring (123; 423) in a circular opening (111) of a holding element (110; 210; 510; 610). The centering assembly (100; 200; 400) includes at least three centering elements (101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) that are each elastically deformable in the radial direction of the bearing ring. The centering elements (101; 201; 301; 401; 501; 601) are respectively disposed in recesses (114; 214; 514; 614) defined around a circumferential edge of the circular opening. The centering elements urge the bearing ring to be centered relative to the holding element.
US09222505B2	Thrust bearing A thrust bearing including a back metal layer and a sliding layer joined to a front face of the back metal layer. The thrust bearing having a thickness. The back metal layer includes an intermediate sub-layer and a buffer sub-layer disposed on a back face of the back metal layer. The sliding layer is joined to the intermediate sub-layer. Both of the sub-layers include iron or an iron alloy, and the buffer sub-layer has a thickness of 2 to 20% relative to the thickness of the thrust bearing, and a porosity ratio of 10 to 50%.
US09222502B2	Self-piercing nut element and component assembly comprising the nut element and a sheet metal part A self-piercing nut element having a strength in the range between 700 and 900 MPa is designed for press fitting into a sheet metal part, for the self-piercing attachment of the nut element into a higher strength sheet metal part, such that the piercing section merges directly into the sheet metal contact surface and such that the piercing section has a piercing edge at its free end face, with the piercing edge being spaced apart from the sheet metal contact surface by a peripheral surface having an axial height which corresponds to at least 30%, and preferably at least 50%, of the sheet metal thickness. The radial wall thickness of the piercing section in the region of its free end face from the outer side up to the nominal diameter of the thread corresponds to a thickness between 1.2 times, to 1.8 times, the provided sheet metal thickness.
US09222495B2	Locking mechanism for movable column One embodiment includes an assembly with a movable column with an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end includes a recessed opening. The assembly also includes a locking foot assembly with a base foot and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a latch which is spring biased and at least partially extends outward from the base foot such that the latch comes into contact with the lower end of the movable column and is retractable inward into the base foot when the spring is compressed, such that the latch of the locking mechanism can both engage and disengage the recessed opening in the lower end of the movable column.
US09222486B2	Engine augmentation of hydraulic control system A power distribution system includes a prime mover and a hydraulic drive system. The hydraulic drive system includes an accumulator to store energy and supplement that available from the prime mover. A control monitors torque imposed on the prime mover and utilizes energy stored in the accumulator to offload the prime mover when its operating conditions are to be changed. Effecting a change under reduced load conditions mitigates inefficient operation of the prime mover.
US09222483B2	Heat pump A heat pump has an evaporator for evaporating water as a working liquid so as to produce a working vapor, the evaporation taking place at an evaporation pressure of less than 20 hPa. The working vapor is compressed to a working pressure of at least 25 hPa by a dynamic-type compressor so as to then be liquefied within a liquefier by direct contact with liquefier water. The heat pump is preferably an open system, wherein water present in the environment in the form of ground water, sea water, river water, lake water or brine is evaporated, and wherein water which has been liquefied again is fed to the evaporator, to the soil or to a water treatment plant.
US09222480B2	Integrated method of driving a CO2 compressor of a CO2-capture system using waste heat from an internal combustion engine on board a mobile source An integrated system and method for driving a CO2 compressor to densify CO2 captured from the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine on board a mobile source of CO2 includes operating a turbine that is operatively connected to the power input or drive shaft of the CO2 compressor, and operatively connecting a motor-generator to the turbine for (a) recovery of any excess power when the turbine-generated power exceeds the CO2 compressor power demand and (b) providing supplemental power when the turbine-generated power is insufficient to meet the CO2 compressor power demand.
US09222472B2	System, method, and apparatus for utilizing a pumping cassette The present invention involves, in some embodiments, systems and methods for performing an integrity test on a medical grade cassette that is configured to be used on a medical fluid handling system, wherein the cassette may be disposable and may comprise a membrane therein. The test may be configured to determine an error condition, such as detection of membrane leakage above a threshold value, and may in certain cases be implemented by a medical computer system. In certain cases the integrity test is a dry integrity test and in certain cases, the test is configured to determine a leakage rate of fluid through the membrane.
US09222467B2	Transmission device for a wind turbine The invention relates to a transmission device for a wind turbine, having a holder, a sliding contact device having pressing means, and at least one electrode having adjustment means for transmitting lightning current. The electrode can form a spark gab having a sparking distance S together with a ring electrode, wherein the ring electrode can be arranged on the rotary device, or can be connected to a grounding device that cannot be rotated with respect to the rotary device. To improve the transmission, the holder is rotationally fixed arranged on the rotary device, or arranged in a non rotatable manner with respect to the grounding device. Furthermore, the electrode is arranged in a movable manner relative to the holder by means of a tracking device having support means. The electrode is supported by way of the supporting means relative to the rotary device or the ring electrode such that the sparking distance S can not fall below a minimum dimension.
US09222466B2	Wind-power production with reduced power fluctuations A method of operating at partial load a wind turbine (1) supplying electrical power to an electrical grid (20) includes monitoring stability of the grid; and upon detection of a reduced grid stability, changing operation of the wind turbine by limiting wind-caused fluctuations of the active-power supply to the electrical grid, or by reducing an already existing limit to fluctuations of the active-power supply.
US09222461B2	Vertical axis wind turbine system with one or more independent electric power generation units A vertical axis wind turbine system having a vertical mast with one or more turbine units supported thereon. The turbine units are of modular construction for assembly around the foot of the mast; are vertically moveable along the height of the mast by a winch system; and are selectively interlocking with the mast to fix the turbine units in parked positions. The turbine system and each turbine unit includes a network of portals and interior rooms for the passage of personnel through the system, including each turbine unit. The electrical generators, and other sub-components, in the turbine units are of modular construction that permits the selective removal and replacement of component segments, including the transport of component segments through the portals and interior rooms of the turbine system while the turbine units remain supported on the mast. The electrical generators are also selectively convertible between AC generators and DC generators.
US09222460B2	Conveyor-type system for generating electricity from water currents A modular system for producing electricity from water currents is disclosed. Each module contains a submersible water current energy converter and a self-adjusting buoyant mooring mechanism. The converter consists of a pair of contra-rotating conveyor-type turbines, connected to electrical generators, and a water flow accelerator. Each turbine comprises a conveyor mechanism, which is mounted via bearings on inner vertically-oriented shafts to a protecting housing, and a plurality of rectangular-shaped blades (preferably three), which are held by blade support members in the position maximizing the turbine's performance. The system module is capable of self-adjusting to the optimal position in water currents, vertically with changing water levels and horizontally, depending on the direction of a water flow. It uses a simple anchoring mechanism and can be easily relocated. An array of these modules can be connected to an underwater transmission line to create a robust and cost-effective power generation system.
US09222459B2	Hydrogen production system for controlling the power output of power stations based on renewable energy sources and control process It stands out mainly for consisting of a nested configuration of electrolysis units (5), independently operated, the nominal power values of which are descendant in such a manner that, for any unit of the system, the sum of the nominal power of the smaller electrolysis units (5) is always greater than or equal to the “dead band” (DB) of said units, allowing reduction of the dead band of said hydrogen production system (4) to negligible levels, avoiding loss or discharge of the energy generated in said renewable power stations, preferably one or several wind farms (2) formed by a group of wind turbines (1), connected to the power grid (3) as a consequence of the implementation of a primary control service therein or, in general, of any other active power control service, thereby optimizing the total energy obtained.
US09222455B2	Laser ignition system based diagnostics Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion.
US09222448B2	Air intake system for a work vehicle with improved fan aspiration In one aspect, an air intake system for a work vehicle may generally include a fan shroud, a fan disposed within the fan shroud, an intake duct for receiving a portion of the air drawn through a front grille of the work vehicle by the fan and a filter assembly in flow communication with the intake duct. The filter assembly may include a pre-cleaner defining a scavenge port. The system may also include an aspiration conduit coupled to the scavenge port and an aspiration scoop extending between an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end may be coupled to the aspiration conduit. The aspiration scoop may extend through a portion of the fan shroud such that the outlet end is positioned within the fan shroud at a location upstream of the fan. The outlet end may include an outlet opening defined by at least one curved wall.
US09222443B2	Method for purging fuel vapors to an engine A method for improving purging of fuel vapors from a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine is presented. In one example, the method adjusts engine operation to provide sonic flow between a canister and the engine. In this way, it may be possible to lower an amount of fuel vapors stored in a canister while the engine continues to operate efficiently.
US09222438B2	Rocket engine with cryogenic propellants A cyrogenic-propellant rocket engine includes: at least a first tank for a first liquid propellant; a second tank for a second liquid propellant; a third tank for an inert fluid; an axisymmetrical nozzle including a combustion chamber, a device for injecting first and second liquid propellants into the combustion chamber, a nozzle throat, and a divergent section; and a heater device including at least one duct for conveying the inert fluid and arranged outside the nozzle in immediate proximity thereof, but without making contact therewith, to recover energy of thermal radiation emitted when the rocket engine is in operation and to heat the inert fluid.
US09222432B2	Path planning during combustion mode switch Systems and methods are provided for transitioning between a first combustion mode and a second combustion mode in an internal combustion engine. A current operating point of the engine is identified and a target operating point for the internal combustion engine in the second combustion mode is also determined. A predefined optimized transition operating point is selected from memory. While operating in the first combustion mode, one or more engine actuator settings are adjusted to cause the operating point of the internal combustion engine to approach the selected optimized transition operating point. When the engine is operating at the selected optimized transition operating point, the combustion mode is switched from the first combustion mode to the second combustion mode. While operating in the second combustion mode, one or more engine actuator settings are adjusted to cause the operating point of the internal combustion to approach the target operating point.
US09222431B2	Estimating a fuel leakage quantity of an injection valve during a shut-down time of a motor vehicle A method is disclosed for estimating a fuel leakage quantity which enters from a leaking injection valve during a shut-down time of a motor vehicle into an intake tract or into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle and is added to a fuel mixture to be combusted during a starting process. The method may include: measuring a first start index characteristic of a starting behavior of the engine during a first starting process; determining a first injected fuel quantity during the first starting process; measuring a second start index characteristic of a starting behavior of the engine during a second starting process; determining a second injected fuel quantity during the second starting process; and estimating the fuel leakage quantity based on the measured first start index, the determined first injected fuel quantity, the measured second start index and the determined second injected fuel quantity.
US09222428B2	Engine device Provided is an engine device which improves a general-purpose property of an ECU carrying out a drive control of an engine and a regeneration control of a DPF. The engine device is provided with an exhaust gas purifying device which is arranged in an exhaust route of the engine, the ECU which controls a drive of the engine, and a variable memory means which stores a general-purpose regeneration program selectively executing a plurality of regeneration modes with respect to the exhaust gas purifying device and a flag table corresponding to an optional regeneration mode, and is rewritable. The ECU executes the general-purpose regeneration program in accordance with a regeneration mode which is selected on the basis of the flag table.
US09222417B2	Geared turbofan gas turbine engine architecture A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a fan drive turbine and a second turbine. The fan drive turbine includes a plurality of turbine rotors. A fan includes a plurality of blades rotatable about an axis and a ratio between the number of fan blades and the number of fan drive turbine rotors is between about 2.5 and about 8.5. A speed change system is driven by the fan drive turbine for rotating the fan about the axis. The fan drive turbine has a first exit area at a first exit point and rotates at a first speed. The second turbine section has a second exit area at a second exit point and rotates at a second speed, which is faster than the first speed. A first performance quantity is defined as the product of the first speed squared and the first area. A second performance quantity is defined as the product of the second speed squared and the second area. A performance ratio of the first performance quantity to the second performance quantity is between about 0.5 and about 1.5.
US09222414B2	Fuel supply system for gas turbine combustor and fuel supply method for gas turbine combustor A consumption amount of high-calorific gas such as coke oven gas (COG) during operation of a gas turbine is reduced, halt of the gas turbine due to clogging of a pilot system, a malfunction of a compressor which compresses high-calorific gas is prevented, and reliability of the gas turbine is improved. When operation of the gas turbine (11) starts, with use of both a first fuel supply system (31) which supplies a high-calorific fuel for a first nozzle constituting a combustor (17), and a second fuel supply system (32) which supplies a low-calorific fuel for a second nozzle constituting the combustor (17), the high-calorific fuel and the low-calorific fuel are supplied to the combustor (17), and at a time when the gas turbine (11) reaches output power which enables continuous operation with only the low-calorific fuel, supply of the high-calorific fuel to the combustor (17) is shut off, and only the low-calorific fuel is supplied to the combustor (17).
US09222413B2	Mid-turbine frame with threaded spokes A mid-turbine frame located in a gas turbine engine axially aft of a high-pressure turbine and fore of a low-pressure turbine includes an outer frame case, an inner frame case, and at least a first spoke connecting the outer frame case to the inner frame case. The first spoke includes a tie rod having a first threaded surface and a connector having a second threaded surface. The first and second threaded surfaces overlap partially but not completely.
US09222408B2	Drive system for a vehicle A drive system for a vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a torsional vibration damping arrangement. The internal combustion engine is switchable between operating modes of different performance. The torsional vibration damping arrangement includes an input region, which can be driven in rotation, and an output region. A first torque transmission path is provided between the input region and output region, and a second torque transmission path is provided parallel thereto. A coupling arrangement superposes the torques transmitted via the torque transmission paths, and a phase shifter arrangement is provided in at least one torque transmission path for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities transmitted via the one torque transmission path in relation to the rotational irregularities transmitted via the other torque transmission path.
US09222405B2	Turbocharged single cylinder internal combustion engine using an air capacitor Internal combustion engine system. The system includes a single cylinder engine having an engine volume, the single cylinder engine having an intake manifold for introducing air into the engine and an exhaust manifold for discharge of exhaust gases. A turbocharger communicates with the exhaust manifold to receive exhaust gases to power the turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a compressor section communicating with the intake manifold to pressurize ambient air. An air capacitor is arranged to receive the pressurized ambient air from the turbocharger and to deliver the pressurized air to the engine during an intake stroke.
US09222399B2	Liquid cooled internal combustion engine with coolant circuit, and method for operation of the liquid cooled internal combustion engine A liquid cooled internal combustion engine having a bypass line with a controllable shut off element so that coolant can bypass the cylinder head in certain engine operating conditions. The bypass line branches off from the coolant circuit upstream of the cylinder head and returns to the coolant circuit downstream of the cylinder head.
US09222397B2	Method and device for carrying out a zero point adaptation of a lambda probe of an internal combustion engine The invention relates to a method for carrying out a zero point adaptation of a lambda probe (16) in an exhaust gas discharge section (4) of an internal combustion engine (2), wherein fresh air is pumped, during an after-run period following a deactivation of the internal combustion engine (2), from an air supply system (3) into the exhaust gas discharge section (4) such that fresh air flows around the lambda probe (16).
US09222394B2	Diesel engine exhaust gas purification method and exhaust gas purification system An exhaust gas purification method of a diesel engine, which purifies exhaust gas while suppressing deterioration in drivability and fuel consumption, including when exhaust gas enters a rich reduction state, opening an EGR valve and closing an intake throttle, if a temperature of an NOx occlusion reduction catalyst is at or above a predetermined temperature, and a vehicle having a diesel engine is decelerating from a speed at or above a predetermined speed, and then closing an exhaust throttle provided downstream of the NOx occlusion reduction catalyst and supplying fuel to the NOx occlusion reduction catalyst as a reductant.
US09222386B2	Injection device for metering a liquid additive, method for freezing an injection device and motor vehicle An injection device for the metering or addition of a liquid additive into an exhaust gas treatment device, includes an outlet region to be brought into contact with the exhaust gas treatment device, a connector region spaced apart from the outlet region and having a fluid-line connector, and a duct or channel for the additive extending from the connector region to the outlet region. A valve controls the metering or addition of the additive, and at least one heat-flow adjustment device defines a direction of freezing in the duct from the outlet region towards the connector region. A method for freezing an injection device, a method for producing an injection device and a motor vehicle are also provided.
US09222373B2	Method for operating a combined gas and steam turbine system, gas and steam turbine system for carrying out said method, and corresponding control device A method of operating a combined gas and steam turbine system is provided. The system includes a gas turbine, a waste heat steam generator with an evaporator heating area, and a steam turbine. Fluid is fed to the waste heat steam generator as feed water. A primary control loop controls a feed water flow rate. Taking into account heat stored in the evaporator heating area, a primary desired value for the feed water flow rate is determined based upon a desired overheating value characteristic of a temperature by which the fluid exceeds a boiling point as the fluid exits the evaporator heating area and based upon a heat flow parameter characteristic of a heat flow transfer from fuel gas to the fluid via the evaporator heating area. The desired overheating value is lowered from a first value to a second value in order to activate an instantaneous power reserve.
US09222372B2	Integrated power, cooling, and heating apparatus utilizing waste heat recovery The present invention provides an apparatus for utilizing waste heat to power a reconfigurable thermodynamic cycle that can be used to selectively cool or heat an environmentally controlled space, such as a room, building, or vehicle. The present invention also integrates an electric machine, which may operate as a motor or generator, or both, and an additional prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine. Different combinations of these components are preferable for different applications. The system provides a design which reasonably balances the need to maximize efficiency, while also keeping the design cost effective.
US09222371B2	Efficient heat exchange system for storing energy The efficient heat exchange system provides a rapidly rechargeable thermal energy storage bank operably connected to a heat engine capable of use in an electric power generation facility or in a vehicle. Microwave energy is supplied to the system via a network of waveguides. The thermal energy storage bank has a slurry in a heat exchanger capable of sustaining operation of the engine without requiring the microwave source. The slurry provides a mixture of powdered stainless steel and silicone oils functioning as the working fluid in the hot side of the heat exchanger. The slurry may be heated by plugging the system into standard AC power for a predetermined microwave heat charging duration. A closed, triple-expansion, reciprocating Rankine cycle engine capable of operating under computer control via a high pressure micro-atomized steam working medium is provided to propel the vehicle.
US09222365B2	Bearing arrangement for a shaft of a turbocharger A bearing arrangement for supporting a shaft in a turbocharger housing. The bearing arrangement includes a sleeve element and the sleeve element is formed with a flange section at each end for fastening the bearing arrangement in the turbocharger housing.
US09222360B2	Combined power and heating station A combined heat and power plant has at least one primary heat source thermally connected to a heat distribution network for heat energy via one or more primary heat exchangers. At least one secondary heat source is thermally connected to one or more energy converters arranged to, when an amount of heat energy is supplied from the at least one secondary heat source, generate an amount of electrical energy for an internal electricity distribution network in the combined heat and power plant. A method is for operating a combined heat and power plant.
US09222357B2	Bit exchange method and bit exchange device for shield tunneling machine Sealing in the sliding gap of a rotating valve is improved to smoothly rotate the rotating valve during replacement of a roller bit. A valve housing portion is formed behind a bit housing portion having an opening at the front of a main cutter spoke. A rotating valve is rotationally disposed as a rotating body in the valve housing portion. A bit case containing the roller bit is moved into the bit housing portion so as to protrude from a removable passage of the rotating valve, and then the bit case is fixed by a cotter member to support a drilling reaction force. Thus, the sliding gap of the rotating valve is disposed in the bit housing portion and the valve housing portion and is covered with the bit case.
US09222354B2	Tool system The invention relates to a tool system having a bit holder and a shank bit, the bit holder comprising a bit receptacle that comprises a first and a second diameter region that lead into one another via a transitional segment (taper), a bit shank of the shank bit comprising a first and a second cross-sectional region that lead into one another via a transitional segment. With a tool system of this kind, a wear-optimized design results from the fact that the transitional segments of the shank bit and of the bit holder are arranged spaced away from one another in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the shank bit, in order to form a resetting space.
US09222348B2	Methods for monitoring the formation and transport of an acidizing fluid using opticoanalytical devices In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing at least one acid; combining the at least one acid with a base fluid to form an acidizing fluid; and monitoring a characteristic of the acidizing fluid using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the acidizing fluid.
US09222347B1	Hydraulic fracturing system and method A hydraulic fracturing system and method are disclosed. The system include a pulse-inducing system configured to deliver pulses of fluid to a fluid stream upstream of the wellbore. The pulse-inducing system can include at least one supplemental pump, at least one pulsation valve, and at least one pressure storage vessel. A hydraulic fracturing method can comprise generating a fluid stream via a primary pumping system, generating a pulsed output via a pulse-inducing system, and directing the pulsed output into the fluid stream upstream of a wellbore.
US09222346B1	Hydraulic fracturing system and method A hydraulic fracturing system and method are disclosed. The system can include a manifold having a first fluid outlet, a second fluid outlet, and a plurality of fluid inlets. The system can also include primary pumps, which are fluidically coupled to one of the fluid inlets, wherein the primary pumps are configured to deliver a first fluid stream to the first fluid outlet and a second fluid stream to the second fluid outlet. The system can further include a supplemental pump fluidically coupled to the second fluid outlet, wherein the supplemental pump is configured to deliver pulses of fluid to the first fluid stream.
US09222345B2	Well fracturing systems and methods A fracturing system can include a fracturing manifold coupled to a plurality of fracturing trees. The fracturing manifold may include adjustment joints that enable adjustment of the length of the fracturing manifold. The fracturing manifold can also include pivot joints that allow angular displacement of portions of the fracturing manifold with respect to other portions. The adjustment and pivot joints can accommodate spacing and elevation differences between the fracturing trees.
US09222339B2	Perforating safety system and assembly Perforating assemblies and perforating safety systems capable of being disposed in a wellbore for hydrocarbon fluid production are described. The perforating assemblies can include an isolation device that is capable of preventing a detonation train when the assemblies are in a first orientation and allowing a detonation train when the perforating assemblies are in a second orientation. The isolation device can be automatically reoriented or reconfigured upon a change in the orientation of the perforating assembly.
US09222338B2	Tool for a horizontal connecting device A tool for lowering, alternatively later retrieval, of a pipeline end which is provided with a connecting part designed for mating with and connection to a first connecting part on the seabed is shown. The tool is so arranged that the tool can be brought to the surface again for reuse. The tool comprises a central lifting frame, a guiding part forming an extension of the lifting frame and a lifting yoke, which tool includes gripping mechanisms which, in one situation, are actuatable to partly circumscribe and retain the pipeline end, and, in a second situation, the gripping mechanisms are releasable to release the pipeline end from the lifting frame.
US09222335B2	Controllably releasable shifting tool A shifting tool having a release mechanism of predictable deforming radial character. The tool may be utilized for activating any of a variety of different types of downhole actuators. Once more, due to the controlled and predictable manner of deformation employed in the release mechanism, load pulls directed at the actuator may be significant without undue concern over unintended or uncontrolled tool breakage. So, for example, a stuck actuator arm engaged with the shifting tool may be safely pulled at substantially greater loads thereby increasing the odds of dislodging. Thus, the occurrences of added follow-on interventional applications addressing stuck actuator arms may be reduced, resulting in tremendous time and cost savings.
US09222319B1	LCM recovery tank An LCM recovery system that relies on gravity and density or specific gravity differences between three of the main components of drilling fluids, i.e., the mud and chemicals, lost circulation material (LCM) or additives, and drill solids or cuttings. Fluid enters the LCM recovery tank from the well via a flow line or mud gas separator return leg. Cuttings, having a greater density than additives, tend to settle and become trapped on the input side of the LCM recovery tank. The less dense fluid and entrained or suspended LCM tends to travel over the baffle near the center of the tank. LCM can then be efficiently returned to the active mud system for reconditioning or pumping downhole again.
US09222308B2	Detecting stick-slip using a gyro while drilling A method for drilling operation in a subterranean formation, including calculating, by a hardware processor and in response to determining that an magnitude of gyro data representing rotations of a drill bit in a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and a time derivative of the gyro data are within a pre-determined range, a drift parameter of the gyro data, analyzing, by the hardware processor, the gyro data based on the drift parameter to generate a stick-slip alert, and presenting the stick-slip alert.
US09222307B2	Locking joint for collapsible ladders and other structures A rigid structure such as a ladder is disclosed having rotating hinges that allow the ladder to fold up and/or be disassembled and assembled. The hinge or hinges can be provided between ladder sections with one ladder section having a male hinge element, and another having a female hinge element. A cam element provided with the female hinge element can be moved between an unlocked position in which the ladder sections can rotate with respect to each other, and a locked position in which the structure is rigid.
US09222303B2	System for confining lift cords in coverings for architectural openings A system for incorporation into a retractable covering that includes a flexible lift cord extending from a headrail to a bottom rail. The system includes a flexible protector of a length similar to that of an associated lift cord with the lift cord being operatively connected to the protector. The protector is in turn connected to a fabric extending between the headrail and the bottom rail at predetermined spaced locations so that any loop of protector formable is limited by the spacing between the locations at which the protector is connected to the fabric. The maximum size of a loop so formed in the protector and thus the lift cord associated therewith is insufficient to encapsulate a body part of a child or infant.
US09222297B2	Openable roof window An openable roof window includes: a window panel configured to be slidable along a guide rail to selectively open and close an opening in a roof and tiltable relative to a base frame; a slider having a pin and driven by a drive device to slide along the guide rail; an engagement structure that selectively engages the slider with the window panel such that they are unmovable relative to each other in a direction along the guide rail; and the engagement structure includes a stay fixedly secured to the window panel and having a cam groove formed therein, the cam groove engaging the pin of the slider and having a shape defined such that, when the engagement structure does not engage the slider with the window panel, the window panel is caused to tilt as the slider moves relative to the stay as a result of sliding of the slider along the guide rail.
US09222296B2	Linear drive actuator for a movable vehicle panel An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for controlled bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.
US09222295B2	Window regulator A window regulator includes: a guide rail including a rail main body part, an insert-through part provided at one end of the rail main body part and inserted into a housing, and a locking tab provided at the rail main body part. The housing includes a housing part housing the insert-through part, an engaging part engaging with a tip of the locking tab, and a guide part configured to guide the tip of the locking tab to the engaging part when the tip of the locking tab is brought into contact with the guide part. The engagement of the locking tab and the engaging part restricts movement of the housing in a longitudinal direction of the rail main body part toward the one end of the rail main body part.
US09222294B2	Movement restricting apparatus for a slide assembly A movement restricting apparatus includes a track unit with a guide track that has a non-limit path and a limit path, and a restricting unit with a pin unit that has a pin portion. The pin portion is swingably inserted into the guide track. The pin portion and the guide track make relative movement when a moving unit moves relative to a stationary unit. The relative movement of the pin portion and the guide track is guided by the limit path when the moving unit moves in a first direction and is guided by the non-limit path when the moving unit moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US09222282B2	Energy efficient multi-stable lock cylinder Some embodiments include a lock cylinder comprising: a plug assembly having a front portion and a back portion; a housing shell within which the plug assembly is rotatably disposed, wherein the housing shell includes a notch; wherein the back portion of the plug assembly comprises: a locking pin that is movably disposed, and wherein the locking pin is configured to prevent a rotation of the plug assembly when the locking pin is engaged in the notch and prevented from retracting by a multi-stable mechanism; and the multi-stable mechanism having at least two stable configurations corresponding to respectively to a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the multi-stable mechanism can maintain the stable configurations without consuming energy; wherein, at a first stable configuration, the multi-stable mechanism prevents the locking pin from retracting, and, at a second stable configuration, the multi-stable mechanism enables the locking pin to retract.
US09222276B2	Seismic isolation system A seismic isolation building system, and method thereof, for buildings and other structures that is well suited to protect lightweight low rise buildings including houses against earthquakes, particularly where the structure is located in low lying wet regions subject to liquefaction. The system utilizes a platform with piles extending from the platform into a ground, wherein the piles are connected to the platform via at least one shear bolt that links a platform plate to a pile. The shear bolt or bolts are designed to shear in an event of a predetermined level of seismic activity freeing the platform and structure on the platform to move independent of the piles. Post seismic activity, the platform and structure are moved, repositioned and/or re-fixed to new or existing piles thereby minimizing damage to the structure and hence repair costs.
US09222273B2	Group privacy structure and configurations of group privacy structures A structure and its adjacent group-segregated outdoor spaces or an arrangement of structures and their adjacent group-segregated outdoor spaces includes at least one structure comprising at least one a unit and at least one b unit. The areas adjacent to the structure or structures are physically separated into a first group-segregated outdoor space and a second group-segregated outdoor space. The first group-segregated outdoor space is associated with the at least one a unit. The second group-segregated outdoor space is associated with the at least one b unit. The areas adjacent to the structure or structures are physically separated by a barrier, whereby the barrier at least partly limits visibility and access between the first and second segregated outdoor areas.
US09222265B2	Insulating cover for an attic sealing member An insulating system comprises a cover and a generally rigid attic sealing member. The cover defines an interior chamber, and the interior chamber is filled with insulation. The cover further forms a cavity in the bottom of the cover, where the attic sealing member is received into the cavity. Together, the system raises the insulating value (R-value) of an area above an attic opening to a minimum R-value level required by many building codes. The cover may be filled with insulation through a slit or passage extending along the top of the cover.
US09222240B2	Apparatus for protecting components of an excavator The present invention relates to a structurally improved apparatus for protecting components of an excavator, which protects components inside an upper swing body comprising a hydraulic valve and a turning joint from damage from residue (R) such as rock fragments or stone fragments falling to the bottom of a boom base during scratch processing in a quarry mine. The apparatus comprises: a boom base supporting the bottom of a boom; a left and right cover support frame formed on a left and right center frame extending from the boom base; and a protective cover body detachably installed on the top of the left and right cover support frame. The protective cover body comprises: an inserting portion coupled to the back of the boom; a dipping plate for absorbing shock when residue falls; and a bottom plate formed on the bottom of the damping plate and contacting and supported on the upper side of the left and right cover support frame.
US09222236B2	Bulldozer and blade control method A bulldozer includes a blade pivotably attached to a vehicle body, a blade operation lever, and a blade control section. The blade operation lever outputs a lowering instruction signal, a holding instruction signal, and a raising instruction signal for the blade. The blade control section controls a height of the blade according the signal input. The blade control section can lower the blade to a predetermined position when the lowering instruction signal and the holding instruction signal are input in order after a transmission has been switched from a state, which is different from an advancing state, to the advancing state. The blade control section can raise the blade to a predetermined position when the raising instruction signal and the holding instruction signal are input in order after a transmission has been switched from a state, which is different from a reversing state, to the reversing state.
US09222226B2	Device for detecting the motion of a compactor roller of a soil compactor A device for detection of the motion of a compactor roller (20) of a soil compactor (10) rotatable about an axis of rotation (A), where said roller comprises on one inside of a roller mantle (22) a plurality of motion sensors (ai) arranged in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation (A) and at a spacing from each other and moveable with the roller mantle (22) around the axis of rotation (A).
US09222225B2	Pre-stressed concrete track slab of slab-type ballast-less track Provided in the disclosure is a pre-stressed concrete track slab of slab-type ballast-less track, which includes a slab body (1), on which fastening embedded casings (4) are arranged. At least one row of longitudinal common steel bars (11) and at least one row of transverse common steel bars (12) are arranged in the slab body (1) along a length direction and a width direction. The longitudinal common steel bars (11) are insulated from the transverse common steel bars (12). At least one row of longitudinal pre-stressed steel bars (7) and at least one row of transverse pre-stressed steel bars (6) are fastened in the slab body (1) along the length direction and the width direction through anchor backing plates and fastener devices (8). In the pre-stress directions of the longitudinal pre-stressed steel bars (7) and the transverse pre-stressed steel bars (6), it is post-tensioned in both directions or it is pre-tensioned in one direction and post-tensioned in the other direction. Limiting structures (5) and grounding terminals (10) are also arranged on the slab body (1). The pre-stressed concrete track slab has the characteristics of light structural dead weight, small structure height, low manufacturing cost and deformation resistance.
US09222223B1	Esterified cellulose pulp compositions and related methods Esterified cellulose pulp compositions produced in high yield from commercially available wood pulp sources, methods for making the esterified cellulose pulp compositions, and articles prepared from the esterified cellulose pulp compositions.
US09222219B2	Blade element A blade element (20) for a conical portion (4) of a stator (2) of a refiner (1). The blade element (20) has a feed end (24), a discharge end (25), and a refining surface (21) which has a feed zone (26) at the feed end (24) of the blade element (20). The feed zone (26) of the blade element (20) has at least one guide groove (29) extending from the feed end (24) toward the discharge end (25) for guiding a flow of material to be refined from the feed end (24) toward the discharge end (25). The depth of the guide groove (29) is arranged to change in a direction transverse in relation to the extending direction of the guide groove (29).
US09222218B2	Loop rope assembly A loop rope assembly includes a main rope segment having a plurality of rope strands and first and second ends, a first end loop provided on the first end of the main rope segment, a second end loop provided on the second end of the main rope segment and at least one intermediate loop defined by at least one of the rope strands.
US09222217B2	Ink and dyed article An ink contains (A) water, (B) a disperse dye, (C) a resin dispersant, and (D) at least one selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by formula (1) and a compound represented by formula (2) and having an HLB of 15 or more: RO(CH2CH2O)mSO3−M+ (1) RO(CH2CH2O)mH (2) where R is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing 8 to 20 carbon atoms, m is an integer of 2 to 50, and M+ is an alkali metal or ammonium ion. The ratio of the mass of the ingredient (D) to that of the ingredient (C) is in the range of 4% to 50%, both inclusive.
US09222209B2	Washing machine A washing machine may include an integrated tub/drum configured to hold water, hold laundry, and rotate; a hollow rotary shaft coupled to an end and/or surface of the integrated tub/drum; a water supply pipe and a drain pipe in the integrated tub/drum and through a passage in the hollow rotary shaft; and a partition in the integrated tub/drum that is configured to separate the laundry from the water supply pipe and the drain pipe and that includes a plurality of holes.
US09222205B2	Rapidly configurable braiding machine A braiding system having a plurality of mobile carrier devices movable under its own power, each mobile carrier including a plurality of wheels, a motor driving the wheels, a power source, a controller, and a pick-up unit having a receiver. Each of the plurality of mobile carriers has a tow carrier positioned in the receiver, and each mobile carrier is simultaneously movable along a virtual track-less path predetermined for each individual carrier, such that the simultaneous movement of the mobile carrier devices along their predetermined paths form a braid.
US09222190B2	3-dimensional nanoparticle assembly structure and gas sensor using same The present invention provides a 3-dimensional nanoparticle structure, wherein a plurality of structures formed by assembling nanoparticles is connected to form a bridge, and a gas sensor using the same.
US09222189B2	Method for the post-treatment of metal layers A process for treating the surface of a metal substrate comprising a constituent metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Rh, Pb, Sn, Ni, Zn, in some cases Fe, and alloys of these metals. An anodic potential is applied to the metal surface in an electrolytic circuit comprising the metal surface, a cathode, and an electrolytic solution that is in contact with the metal surface and in electrically conductive communication with the cathode. The electrolytic solution may contain an electrolyte comprising anions of phosphate, phosphonate, phosphite, phosphinate, nitrate, borate, silicate, molybdate, tungstate, carboxylate, oxalate and combinations thereof. The anion may comprise a polymer having a pendent moiety selected from the group consisting of phosphate, phosphonate, phosphite, phosphinate, sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and combinations thereof. The potential applied to the circuit is such that the substrate is anodically oxidized and reacts with the anion to form a composition that imparts an enhanced property to the metal surface. Preferably, the pH of the electrolytic solution is less than about 6.0, the potential applied is between about 0.5 and about 20 volts, and the current density is between about 0.01 and 2 amps/dm2 of the geometric surface area of metal in contact with the electrolytic solution and is controlled such that nascent cations of said constituent metal produced by anodic oxidation of said constituent metal react with said anions at the metal surface without significant formation of any oxide or hydroxide of said constituent metal.
US09222185B2	Nanowire structural element The invention concerns a nanowire structural element suited for use in a microreactor system or microcatalyzer system. A template based process is used for the production of the nanowire structural element, wherein the nanowires are electrochemically depositioned in the nanopores. The irradiation is carried out at different angles, such that a nanowire network is formed. The hollow chamber-like structure in the nanowire network is established through the dissolving of the template foil and removal of the dissolved template material. The interconnecting of the nanowires provides stability to the nanowire structural element and an electrical connection between the nanowires is created thereby.
US09222175B2	Method for protecting electrical poles and galvanized anchors from galvanic corrosion A method for protecting a plurality of metal electrical poles and copper grounding from galvanic corrosion in corrosive soils includes electrically interconnecting the poles to a grounding grid and providing an impressed current anode for the cathodic protection of the grounding grid.
US09222174B2	Corrosion inhibitor comprising cellulose nanocrystals and cellulose nanocrystals in combination with a corrosion inhibitor The present invention relates to a corrosion inhibitor comprising cellulose nanocrystals. According to another aspect, there is provided a corrosion-inhibiting agent essentially consisting of a plurality of cellulose nanocrystals. The above set out cellulose nanocrystals may be in free form, such as acid-form cellulose nanocrystals, in one embodiment and added to a carrier. The cellulose nanocrystals may be effective in inhibiting ferrous and non-ferrous metals. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a corrosion-inhibiting composition comprising a corrosion inhibitor and the above set out corrosion-inhibiting agent in an effective combination to inhibit corrosion of metals. The composition may be effective in inhibiting ferrous metals when the cellulose nanocrystals are in either salt or free form. The composition may be effective in inhibiting corrosion of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals when the cellulose nanocrystals are in free form.
US09222168B2	Forming method of laminated structure by internal oxidation A forming method of a laminated structure by internal oxidation is provided. An alloy coating layer is formed. The alloy coating layer has a columnar grain structure and includes a first metal element and a second metal element, and the first metal element is oxidized more easily than the second metal element. Thereafter, a thermal oxidation treatment process is performed to the alloy coating layer, so as to form a plurality of oxide layers and a plurality of metal layers stacked alternately with each other from a surface portion of the alloy coating layer. A material of the oxide layers includes an oxide of the first metal element, and a material of the metal layers includes the second metal element.
US09222156B2	High strength steel having good toughness Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise carbon steels and methods of manufacture. In one embodiment, quenching and tempering procedure is performed in which a selected steel composition is formed and heat treated to yield a slightly tempered microstructure having a fine carbide distribution. In another embodiment, a double austenizing procedure is disclosed in which a selected steel composition is formed and subjected to heat treatment to refine the steel microstructure. In one embodiment, the heat treatment may comprise austenizing and quenching the formed steel composition a selected number of times (e.g., 2) prior to tempering. In another embodiment, the heat treatment may comprise subjecting the formed steel composition to austenizing, quenching, and tempering a selected number of times (e.g., 2). Steel products formed from embodiments of the steel composition in this manner (e.g., seamless tubular bars and pipes) will possess high yield strength, e.g., at least about 165 ksi, while maintaining good toughness.
US09222146B2	Apparatus for manufacturing molten zinc coated steel sheet An apparatus for manufacturing a molten zinc coated steel sheet includes a molten zinc coating device, a temper rolling mill, an acid solution contacting device, and a cleaning device connected in tandem, wherein the acid solution contacting device and the cleaning device are separated from each other with a region therebetween and an absolute humidity controller is disposed in the region between the acid solution contacting device and the cleaning device.
US09222140B2	Primers for detecting plasmodium The present invention provides an easy and rapid method for detecting/identifying the presence or absence of specific Plasmodium parasites and four species of malaria parasites in a human specimen, an anti-malaria measure support system, and a malaria infection-prevention/treatment system, which can contribute to practical diagnosis in a malaria endemic area. According to the present invention, using a genus-specific primer set that can detect four Plasmodium parasites that infect humans at a time, and the primer sets each specific to each of four species of Plasmodium parasites (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale), the presence or absence of infection with these parasites can be detected/identified easily and rapidly.
US09222139B2	Primers for detecting plasmodium The present invention provides an easy and rapid method for detecting/identifying the presence or absence of specific Plasmodium parasites and four species of malaria parasites in a human specimen, an anti-malaria measure support system, and a malaria infection-prevention/treatment system, which can contribute to practical diagnosis in a malaria endemic area. According to the present invention, using a genus-specific primer set that can detect four Plasmodium parasites that infect humans at a time, and the primer sets each specific to each of four species of Plasmodium parasites (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale), the presence or absence of infection with these parasites can be detected/identified easily and rapidly.
US09222135B2	Lafora's disease gene A novel gene (EPM2B) that is mutated in humans and dogs with Lafora's disease is described.
US09222132B2	Methods and compositions for efficient base calling in sequencing reactions The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for acquiring nucleotide sequence information of target sequences. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for improving the efficiency of sequencing reactions by using fewer labels to distinguish between nucleotides and by detecting nucleotides at multiple detection positions in a target sequence.
US09222130B2	Method and apparatus for sequencing molecules The invention comprises a polymer sequencing chip. In one embodiment, an open nano channel is used in the surface of a semiconductor material or glass as a conduit for the polymer and the resulting monomers released from the polymer. As the resulting monomers pass through the nano channel, a detection device reads the sequence of monomers. Preferably, multiple micro LEDs are used to emit a signal when different monomer units pass through a region of the nano channel, such that multiply parallel sequencing operations can be conducted at the same time on a chip.
US09222129B2	Method for amplification of nucleotide sequence A method for amplification of a nucleotide sequence characterized by performing PCR amplification using mRNA isolated from a biological sample as a template and using a first primer comprising a poly(T) sequence and an additional nucleotide sequence X thereto and a second primer comprising a poly(T) sequence and an additional nucleotide sequence Y thereto, provided that the nucleotide sequences X and Y in the first and second primers, respectively, have different sequences from each other.
US09222124B2	Method for the simultaneous detection of multiple nucleic acid sequences in a sample The invention is in the technical field of detecting nucleic acid sequences in a sample, such as the detection of pathogenic organisms in clinical samples. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of detecting an infection caused by a pathogenic organism such as a virus or a bacterium in a clinical specimen by amplifying and detecting specific nucleic acid sequences from the pathogenic organism. It provides a multiplex assay with the possibility to determine about 30 different target nucleic acid sequences in a single one-tube assay combined with real-time probe detection. The method employs multiplex ligation dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) employing labelled primers in combination with labelled, probes and detection of the fluorescence.
US09222122B2	System and method for rapid detection and identification of nucleic acid labeled tags A method for detecting and identifying nucleic acid tags. A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule is created or selected and then immobilized on or in an item, or seeded within an area of interest. Samples are obtained from the surface of an item that has potentially been labeled, and an initial screen is conducted using universal primers to determine which samples contain nucleic acid tag. A multiplex screen is conducted on samples testing positive for nucleic acid tag in order to identify which of a plurality of nucleic acid tags are present on or in the item of interest.
US09222116B2	Microfluidic device and method for processing of macromolecules A microfluidic device and method for enzymatic processing of ultra-long macromolecules is accomplished using a microfluidic device a reaction chamber with a first manifold, a second manifold, and a plurality of reaction channels. Each reaction channel extends from the first manifold to the second manifold. First inlet and outlet channels fill the reaction channels via the manifolds with one or more macromolecule containers suspended in a first carrier fluid. The first inlet and outlet channels are configured such that a flow is guided through the reaction channels, and an enzymatic reagent is fed to the reaction chamber essentially without displacing the macromolecule containers trapped in the reaction channels. The second set of inlets and outlets are configured such that a flow established from the second inlet to the second outlet is guided through at least one of the manifolds and bypasses the reaction channels.
US09222113B2	Microorganisms and methods for the coproduction 1,4-butanediol and gamma-butyrolactone The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising 1,4-butanediol (14-BDO) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) pathways comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 14-BDO and GBL pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 14-BDO and GBL. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce 14-BDO and GBL.
US09222103B2	Methods of enhancing the resistance of plants to bacterial pathogens Methods are provided for enhancing the resistance of plants to bacterial pathogens. The methods involve transforming a plant with a polynucleotide molecule comprising a plant promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes a plant receptor that binds specifically with bacterial elongation factor-Tu. Further provided are expression cassettes, transformed plants, seeds, and plant cells that are produced by such methods.
US09222101B2	Method of producing fatty acids or lipids containing fatty acids using thioesterase variants A method of producing a fatty acid or a lipid containing a fatty acid, using a thioesterase variant having an amino acid sequence in which the 231st amino acid is substituted from threonine to lysine in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1; and a transformant obtained by introducing a gene that encodes the thioesterase variant which transformant has an enhanced ability to produce a fatty acid or a lipid containing a fatty acid.
US09222094B2	Thermophilic and thermoacidophilic metabolism genes and enzymes from alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and related organisms, methods Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for modulating or altering metabolism in a cell using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.
US09222087B2	Therapeutic uses of inhibitors of RTP801L The present invention provides novel molecules, compositions, methods and uses for treating microvascular disorders, eye diseases respiratory conditions and hearing disorders based upon inhibition of the RTP801L gene and/or protein.
US09222081B2	Method of producing and purifying an active soluble sialyltransferase The present invention relates to a method for the production and purification of a sialyltransferase polypeptide, in particular a N-Acetylgalactosamine (Gal NAc)-α-2,6-sialyltransferase I (ST6GalNAcI) polypeptide. The method comprises the steps of producing the sialyltransferase polypeptide in a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell and purifying the polypeptide with a combination of chromatography steps. The method results in high yield of sialyltransferase polypeptide which is highly pure and active. The obtained sialyltransferase, especially ST6GalNAcI, can be employed for the glycosylation of therapeutic proteins such as G-CSF.
US09222070B2	Cell therapy method for the treatment of tumors T cell responses are often diminished in humans with a compromised immune system. We have developed a method to isolate, stimulate and expand naïve cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTLp) to antigen-specific effectors, capable of lysing tumor cells in vivo. This ex vivo protocol produces fully functional effectors. Artificial antigen presenting cells (AAPCs; Drosophila melanogaster) transfected with human HLA class I and defined accessory molecules, are used to stimulate CD8+ T cells from both normal donors and cancer patients. The class I molecules expressed to a high density on the surface of the Drosophila cells are empty, allowing for efficient loading of multiple peptides that results in the generation of polyclonal responses recognizing tumor cells endogenously expressing the specific peptides. The responses generated are robust, antigen-specific and reproducible if the peptide epitope is a defined immunogen. This artificial antigen expression system can be adapted to treat most cancers in a significant majority of the population.
US09222055B2	High intensity fragrances The present invention relates to a high intensity fragrance composition for use in a cosmetic, toiletry, personal care, personal cleansing product or adsorbent article, which comprises by weight: a) 75% to 100% of at least 2 fragrance ingredients where each fragrance ingredients must contain only atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, comprise an ester functional group, an alcohol functional group or an aldehyde functional group, have boiling points between 100° C. and 300° C. at a pressure of 760 mm of mercury, have molecular weights within the range of 70 atomic mass units to 175 atomic mass units, and have ClogP values between 0.00 and 4.00; b) 0 to 25% of an essential oil; and c) 0 to 25% of a fragrance ingredient other than the fragrance ingredients in category a), wherein the sum of a), b) and c) equals 100%.
US09222047B2	Liquid fuel compositions A liquid fuel composition containing (a) a diesel base fuel suitable for use in an internal combustion engine; and (b) one or more organic sunscreen compounds. The liquid fuel composition of the present invention provides benefits in terms of power output of a diesel engine, and modifying the ignition delay and/or modifying the burn period and/or increasing the cetane number of the liquid fuel composition.
US09222041B2	Combined gasification and vitrification system An optimized gasification/vitrification processing system having a gasification unit which converts organic materials to a hydrogen rich gas and ash in communication with a joule heated vitrification unit which converts the ash formed in the gasification unit into glass, and a plasma which converts elemental carbon and products of incomplete combustion formed in the gasification unit into a hydrogen rich gas.
US09222040B2	System and method for slurry handling A system includes a slurry depressurizing system that includes a liquid expansion system configured to continuously receive a slurry at a first pressure and continuously discharge the slurry at a second pressure. For example, the slurry depressurizing system may include an expansion turbine to expand the slurry from the first pressure to the second pressure.
US09222038B2	Plasma gasification reactor A plasma gasification reactor vessel having a top section with a conical wall extending up from a bottom section, containing a carbonaceous bed into which plasma is injected by plasma torches, to a roof of the vessel is arranged in ways that can contribute to characteristics of gas flow and solids residence time that are favorable for thoroughness of reactions and yield of useful reactions products. In some cases, such a conical wall is combined in arrangements with other features such as one or more feed ports arranged to give more uniform distribution including examples with a feed port that has a distributive feed mechanism. The roof of the vessel, in some examples, has vertical outlet ports that include intrusions into the interior volume of the reactor proximate the conical wall of the top section. The configurations of outlet ports with intrusions and the configurations of feed ports for more uniform distribution of feed material are also applicable to reactor vessels with other geometries.
US09222026B2	Plasma gasification reactors with modified carbon beds and reduced coke requirements A process for forming and maintaining a carbonaceous bed with coke replacement units suitable for use in pyrolytic processes includes the steps of: forming a plurality of non-coke units that are either or both irregularly shaped natural wood blocks and bricks including carbon-containing fines and one or more binders; forming an initial carbonaceous bed by a quantity of particles of coke in which at least about 25% of the carbon content of the initial bed is provided by said quantity of non-coke units and up to about 75% of the carbon content of the initial bed is provided by said quantity of particles of coke; and performing a pyrolytic process with the carbonaceous bed including reacting carbon in the bed with other added process material at an elevated temperature in the bed and supplementing carbon material during the pyrolytic process by adding additional carbon material of which at least 25% of the additional carbon material is not coke.
US09222023B2	Liquid crystal composition and display device thereof A liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal display wherein the liquid crystal composition includes: a compound of general formula (I) including 1%-50% of the total weight of the liquid crystal composition; a compound of general formula (II) including 1%-60% of the total weight of the liquid crystal composition; a compound of general formula (III) including 1%-60% of the total weight of the liquid crystal composition; and a compound of general formula (IV) including 0-50% of the total weight of the liquid crystal composition—wherein the liquid crystal composition has a suitably wider nematic phase scope, a suitable optical anisotropy, a favorable low-temperature storage stability a faster response speed, can be used for outdoor work, has a good image display effect, and substantially free of streaking phenomenon.
US09222018B1	Titanium nitride hard mask and etch residue removal Formulations for stripping titanium nitride (TiN or TiNxOy; x=0 to 1.3 and y=0 to 2) hard mask and removing titanium nitride etch residue are low pH (<4) comprise a weakly coordinating anion having negative charge highly dispersed throughout its structure, amine salt buffer, a non-oxidizing trace metal ion, a non-ambient trace oxidizer, and the remaining being solvent selected from the group consisting of water, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfide, lactic acid, glycol, and mixtures thereof. The formulations contain no hydrogen peroxide, and are exposed to air. Bifluoride, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants may be added to the formulations. Systems and processes use the formulations for stripping titanium nitride hard mask and removing titanium nitride etch residue.
US09222009B2	Fine abrasive particles and method for producing same Provided are fine abrasive particles which have a high rate of polishing and generate few polishing flaws. A process for producing then abrasive particles is also provided in which the fine abrasive particles have a reduced coefficient of fluctuation in particle diameter, the production steps are simple, and the production cost is low. The fine abrasive particles comprise cerium oxide, at least one element selected from La, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu, and one or more element selected from Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, and are characterized in that the cerium oxide has a Ce content of 20 mol % or higher and that the sum (mol %) of the content of the at least one element selected from La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Nd Eu and the content of Ce in the cerium oxide is greater than the sum (mol %) of the contents of the one or more elements selected from Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu.
US09222005B2	Slip prevention pad and method of manufacturing the same The present invention relates to a slip prevention pad and a method of manufacturing the slip prevention pad. The method includes coating emery with a rubber-metal adhesive and then drying the adhesive-coated emery; kneading a raw rubber with a rubber reinforcing material and a vulcanizing agent to prepare an unvulcanized rubber; mixing the adhesive-coated emery with the unvulcanized rubber to obtain a mixture; introducing the mixture into a rubber molding machine to vulcanize and mold the mixture to obtain a rubber product; and cutting the rubber product. The slip prevention pad may effectively prevent slipping on a slippery road surface such as a snowy road or an icy road.
US09222003B2	Electrode assembly An electrode assembly and a battery are provided. The electrode assembly may be effectively fixed inside a can as a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape attached to an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly is formed into a 3D shape by an electrolyte. Thus, the electrode assembly does not move and rotate inside the can due to external vibration or impact and damage of welded regions of a tab or disconnection of inner circuits can be prevented.
US09221998B2	Erosion-resistant coating compositions The invention relates to a composition which comprises at least one polyol component having a hydroxyl group content of 9% to 15% by weight relative to the total weight of the polyol component, and at least one isocyanate component having a free isocyanate group content of 10% to 15% by weight relative to the total weight of the isocyanate component. The polyol component comprises at least one polyol which is selected from the group of the polyether polyols, polyester polyols, and polyether polyester polyols. The isocyanate component comprises at least one di- or polyisocyanate-terminated polylactone prepolymer. The composition can be used as erosion-resistant coating material.
US09221994B2	Aqueous based process to fabricate nanostructured block copolymer films The present invention provides a method to transfer block copolymers from water immiscible organic phase to aqueous phase using a phase transfer agent. At higher concentrations, micellar networks of the block copolymers were obtained in the aqueous solution that can be coated onto a variety of substrates. Block copolymer films showed very good antifouling properties. The phase transferred block copolymers can be used to synthesize encapsulated nanoparticle aggregates for biodiagnostic imaging applications. The phase transferred block copolymer micelles can be used to encapsulate active compounds. The invention has applications in drug delivery, crop protection, and medical device coating.
US09221993B2	Waterborne acrylic coating compositions A waterborne coating composition includes latex particles and a crosslinker. The latex particles can be prepared from a mixture of reactants including: (a) a monomer represented by formula (I): where R1 is a hydrogen or methyl group and R2 is a hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl group; (b) a multi-ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and (c) a mono-ethylenically unsaturated functional monomer different from in the monomer represented by formula (I), the mono-ethylenically unsaturated functional monomer having a functional group selected from a hydroxyl group, thiol group, group, or a mixture thereof, where R9 is a hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl group. A method of preparing waterborne coating compositions and substrates coated with the compositions are also disclosed.
US09221968B2	Curable perfluoropolyether based gel composition and gel product using cured composition A curable perfluoropolyether based gel composition is provided comprising (A) a linear fluorinated polymer containing at least two alkenyl groups, (B) a polyfluoromonoalkenyl compound containing one alkenyl group and having a perfluoropolyether structure in its backbone, (C) a cyclic organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms and at least one perfluoroalkyl group or perfluoropolyether structure-containing group, and (D) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst. The composition cures into a gel having improved acid resistance as well as heat resistance, solvent resistance, chemical resistance, weatherability, parting property, and water/oil repellency.
US09221964B2	Rubber composition and pneumatic tire Provided are: a rubber composition achieving balanced improvement in fuel economy, abrasion resistance, and processability, and a pneumatic tire including the composition. The rubber composition includes: a conjugated diene polymer; silica; and a silane coupling agent, the polymer being obtained by polymerizing a monomer component including a conjugated diene compound and a silicon-containing vinyl compound in the presence of a polymerization initiator of formula (I): to produce a copolymer, and reacting a compound containing nitrogen and/or silicon atoms with an active terminal of the copolymer, wherein the rubber composition contains the conjugated diene polymer in an amount of 5-45% by mass per 100% by mass of a rubber component, the silica in an amount of 5 to 100 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and the coupling agent in an amount of 2-12 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the silica.
US09221958B2	Plasticizer mixture of epoxidized fatty acid glycerin carbonate ester and epoxidized fatty acid esters A process of transesterifying biobased epoxidized vegetable oils with a dialkyl carbonate produces mixtures of epoxidized fatty acid cyclic glycerin carbonate esters and epoxidized fatty acid alkyl esters.
US09221944B2	Semiconductor materials prepared from dithienylvinylene copolymers Disclosed are new semiconductor materials prepared from dithienylvinylene copolymers with aromatic or heteroaromatic π-conjugated systems. Such copolymers, with little or no post-deposition heat treatment, can exhibit high charge carrier mobility and/or good current modulation characteristics. In addition, the polymers of the present teachings can possess certain processing advantages such as improved solution-processability and low annealing temperature.
US09221937B2	Methods and systems for olefin polymerization Methods and systems for olefin polymerization are provided. The method for olefin polymerization can include flowing a catalyst through an injection nozzle and into a fluidized bed disposed within a reactor. The method can also include flowing a feed comprising one or more monomers, one or more inert fluids, or a combination thereof through the injection nozzle and into the fluidized bed. The feed can be at a temperature greater than ambient temperature. The method can also include contacting one or more olefins with the catalyst within the fluidized bed at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin.
US09221936B2	Continuity additive for polyolefin polymerization processes A polymerization process is disclosed, including: polymerizing an olefin to form an olefin-based polymer in a polymerization reactor; and introducing a hindered amine light stabilizer to the polymerization reactor. The process may further comprise monitoring static in the polymerization reactor; maintaining the static at a desired level by use of a hindered amine light stabilizer, the hindered amine light stabilizer present in the reactor in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw, based on the weight of polymer produced by the process.
US09221927B2	Golf ball resin composition and golf ball A golf ball resin composition that is excellent in resilience includes (A) at least one resin component selected from the group consisting of (a-1) a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, (a-2) an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of a binary copolymer composed of an olefin and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, (a-3) a ternary copolymer composed of an olefin, an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and (a-4) an ionomer resin consisting of a metal ion-neutralized product of a ternary copolymer composed of an olefin, an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, and (B) a basic metal salt of a fatty acid.
US09221920B2	Energy efficient polyolefin process A manufacturing system for producing polyolefin includes a polymerization reactor, a flash chamber, and a purge column. In certain embodiments, the purge column may receive a solids stream directly from the flash chamber. Further, the purge column may function as a feed tank for an extruder within an extrusion/loadout system. According to certain embodiments, the manufacturing system may be configured to consume less than 445 kilowatt-hours of energy per metric ton of polyolefin produced based on consumption of electricity, steam, and fuel gas.
US09221912B2	Antibody against the CSF-1R The present invention provides antibodies specific for the CSF-1R, compositions comprising said antibodies and methods of treatment using such compositions.
US09221904B2	Treatment of osteoarthritis using IL-20 antagonists The present disclosure provides methods for alleviating or delaying the onset of osteoarthritis in a subject in need of the treatment using an IL-20 antagonist, which can be an antibody that blocks a signaling pathway mediated by IL-20, e.g., an anti-IL-20 antibody.
US09221897B2	Human cytomegalovirus neutralizing antibodies and use thereof The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies, and antibody fragments thereof, having high potency in neutralizing hCMV, wherein said antibodies and antibody fragments are specific for one, or a combination of two or more, hCMV gene UL products. The invention also relates to immortalized B cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of disease.
US09221893B2	Hyaluronic acid-protein conjugates and method for preparing same An HA-protein conjugate in which an HA-aldehyde derivative, in which an aldehyde group is introduced to a hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof, is conjugated to the N-terminus of a protein, and a method for preparing the same are provided. The HA-protein conjugate includes a protein drug exhibiting an excellent bioconjugation efficiency and long-term medicinal effects, and has excellent protein drug activities since the hyaluronic acid is specifically conjugated to the N-terminus of the protein. Also, since liver-targeting properties of the hyaluronic acid can be freely controlled by changing an aldehyde substitution rate of the HA-aldehyde derivative, the HA-protein conjugate can be effectively used as a protein drug for treating liver diseases, and also be useful in enabling long-term medicinal effects of a protein drug required to bypass the liver. Accordingly, the HA-protein conjugate can be effectively used for a drug delivery system of proteins.
US09221892B2	Capping modules for designed ankyrin repeat proteins Improved N-terminal capping modules for designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) conferring improved thermal stability to the DARPins are described, as well as nucleic acids encoding such proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such proteins and the use of such proteins in the treatment of diseases.
US09221886B2	Supercharged proteins for cell penetration Compositions, preparations, systems, and related methods for delivering a supercharged protein, or a complex of a supercharged protein and an agent (e.g., nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, small molecules) to cells are provided. Such systems and methods include the use of supercharged proteins. For example, superpositively charged proteins may be associated with nucleic acids (which typically have a net negative charge) via electrostatic interactions. In some embodiments, such systems and methods involve altering the primary sequence of a protein in order to “supercharge” the protein (e.g., to generate a superpositively-charged protein). In some embodiments, complexes comprising supercharged proteins and one or more agents to be delivered are useful as therapeutic agents. In some embodiments, complexes and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof are administered to a subject in need thereof. The inventive complexes or pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be used to treat proliferative diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, inborn errors in metabolism, genetic diseases, etc.
US09221884B2	Treponema pallidum triplet antigen A Treponema pallidum triplet antigen construct is disclosed which includes three Treponema pallidum antigens (TP15, TP17, and TP47), as well as a ten amino acid leader sequence (tag 261) and human copper zinc superoxide dismutase (hSOD). This construct is optimized for in vitro diagnosis of syphilis infection. Plasmids containing DNA encoding the triplet antigen, host cells, production methods, detection methods, and kits are also disclosed.
US09221882B2	Biosynthetic proline/alanine random coil polypeptides and their uses We discovered that a biosynthetic polypeptide, consisting of at least about 50 proline (Pro) and alanine (Ala) amino acid residues, forms a random coil, and increases the stability of other compounds to which it is conjugated, such as small molecules and polypeptides. We describe such biosynthetic polypeptides, constructs containing such polypeptides, ways of making them, and their use.
US09221868B2	Uridine di- or tri-phosphate derivatives and uses thereof The disclosure provides particular uridine di- and tri-phosphate compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The definitions of variables such as R, Y, B, m, Z1, Z2, and Z3 are as provided in the disclosure. These compounds are useful for treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions modulated by P2Y6 receptors, and particularly for lowering intraocular pressure and thereby treating ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma.
US09221866B2	Phosphoramidate derivatives of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine for use in the treatment of cancer Phosphoramidate derivatives of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine are disclosed for use in the treatment of cancer, especially in the treatment of cancer where the patient shows resistance, for example, in a patient with cells with a lowered level of nucleoside transporter proteins and/or with nucleoside kinase-deficient cells and/or with mycoplasma-infected cells and/or with cells with a raised level of thymidylate synthase.
US09221861B2	Multivalent [beta]-1-2-linked mannose oligosaccharides as immunostimulatory compounds and uses thereof This invention relates to synthetic oligo- or multivalent beta-1-2-linked mannooligosaccharide compounds and to their use for modulating T helper (Th) and T regulatory (Treg) cell-mediated immune responses.
US09221860B2	Antidiabetic enolic glucoside of phenylpyruvic acid There is provided an antidiabetic enolic glucoside of phenylpyruvic acid and derivatives thereof for use as medicaments, especially normoglycemic agents, i.e. for lowering blood glucose levels to normal levels in mammals that are obese, pre-diabetic or have diabetes, obesity and/or syndrome X. Hence the compounds of the present invention help to manage blood sugar levels, i.e. helping the body by balancing the blood sugar levels; helping to keep balanced blood glucose levels, particularly in humans with diabetes; aiding by enhancing the glucose uptake by the cells and by reducing sugar levels, thus improving or restoring the glucose tolerance; optimizing the glycemic response; normalizing the glucose tolerance.
US09221850B2	Monophosphite ligands having a tert-butyloxycarbonyl group A novel monophosphite ligand having a tert-butyloxycarbonyl group is useful as a ligand in hydroformylation of an olefin.
US09221844B2	Metal bis(malonato) borate monomers, polymers and copolymers derived therefrom, methods of making the monomers and polymers, and articles derived therefrom Disclosed herein are novel metal bis(malonato)borate monomers and polymers formed by polymerizing the monomers. The monomers and the polymers have conductive properties, making them particularly useful in applications requiring materials with conductive properties. When the metal is lithium, the polymers are particularly well suited for use in lithium ion batteries.
US09221838B2	Inhibitors of AKT activity The invention relates to a series of compounds with particular activity as inhibitors of the serine-threonine kinase AKT. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising same as well as methods for treating cancer.
US09221837B2	Process for preparing dithiine-tetracarboximides The present invention relates to a new process for preparing dithiine-tetracarboximides.
US09221832B2	Heterocyclic amide derivatives as P2X7 receptor antagonists The invention relates to heterocyclic amide derivatives of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X, Y and n are as defined in the description, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds.
US09221830B2	Polymorphic forms of naltrexone This invention relates to the discovery of novel polymorphic forms of naltrexone, including solvates, hydrates, anhydrous and other crystalline forms and combinations thereof. These novel forms of naltrexone impart advantages in pharmaceutical formulations incorporating them, including sustained release, or long acting, formulations.
US09221820B2	Heterocyclic compound and organic light emitting device using the same The present specification provides a heterocyclic compound, and an organic light emitting device including: a first electrode, a second electrode, and organic material layers formed of one or more layers including a light emitting layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, in which one or more layers of the organic material layers include the heterocyclic compound or a compound in which a heat-curable or photo-curable functional group is introduced into the heterocyclic compound.
US09221813B2	Intermediates and processes for preparing compounds The invention provides intermediates and processes of preparation thereof useful in the preparation of compounds that can be used as CHK1 inhibitors.
US09221807B2	Substituted pyridones and pyrazinones and their use as inhibitors of neutrophil elastase activity Substituted 2-pyridones and pyrazinones of formula 1 and their use as inhibitors of neutrophil elastase activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of using the same as agents for treatment and/or prevention of pulmonary, gastrointestinal and genitourinary diseases, inflammatory diseases of the skin and the eye and other auto-immune and allergic disorders, allograft rejection and oncological diseases.
US09221798B2	4-substituted-(3-substituted-1H-pyrazole-5-amino)-pyrimidine derivatives having activity of inhibiting protein kinase and use thereof Provided are derivatives substituted by urea associated with 4-substituted-(3-substituted-1H-pyrazole-5-amino)-pyrimidine-2-amino of formula (I), wherein these compounds may selectively regulate or inhibit an information transmission process controlled by natural or variant tyrosine kinase. Also provided are preparation methods and uses of the compounds.
US09221796B2	Selective NR2B antagonists The disclosure generally relates to compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds are ligands of the NR2B receptor and may be useful for the treatment of various disorders of the central nervous system.
US09221794B2	PRMT5 inhibitors and uses thereof Described herein are compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Compounds of the present invention are useful for inhibiting PRMT5 activity. Methods of using the compounds for treating PRMT5-mediated disorders are also described.
US09221792B2	N-(4-(azetidine-1-carbonyl) phenyl)-(hetero-) arylsulfonamide derivatives as pyruvate kinase M2 (PMK2) modulators Compounds of general Formula (I), and compositions comprising compounds of general formula I that modulate pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) are described herein. Also described herein are methods of using the compounds that modulate PKM2 in the treatment of cancer.
US09221775B2	Alkylene oxide production A process for preparing an alkylene oxide comprising contacting an alkyl phenyl hydroperoxide with an alkene in an epoxidation reaction to obtain an alkylene oxide and an alkyl phenyl alcohol, wherein the alkyl phenyl hydroperoxide is prepared by a process comprising reacting an alkyl aryl compound and oxygen to produce a reaction mixture comprising alkyl phenyl hydroperoxide, alkyl aryl compound and oxygen; separating at least a part of the reaction mixture into a product stream comprising alkyl phenyl hydroperoxide and an alkyl aryl compound stream; mixing at least a part of the alkyl aryl compound stream with a basic aqueous solution; separating at least a part of the mixture of alkyl aryl compound and basic aqueous solution with the help of a coalescer to obtain an organic phase containing alkyl aryl compound, and an aqueous phase; and recycling at least a part of the organic phase to the reacting step.
US09221769B2	Process for the preparation of bis-(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl)-amine monohydrate A process for the preparation of Bis-(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl)-amine monohydrate. This preparation process is carried out by the reaction between sodium dicynamide and sodium azide in presence of a dilute solution of an inorganic acid solution in aqueous medium.
US09221753B2	Process for the synthesis of vitamin D compounds and intermediates for the synthesis of the compounds An object of the present invention is to provide a process for synthesizing a vitamin D compound by simple procedures at lower costs.The present invention provides a process for preparing a vitamin D compound and an intermediate thereof, comprising the step of: (a) mixing a ketone or aldehyde, a Wittig reagent, and a base; or (b) mixing a ketone or aldehyde and a Wittig reagent, and then adding a base to the resulting mixture.
US09221747B2	Method of making fatty acid N-acylalkanolamines The present invention relates to methods for making a fatty acid N-acylalkanolamine having the formula: One of the methods comprises the steps of providing a vinyl ester of a fatty acid having the formula: providing a primary or secondary alkanolamine having the formula: NHR1R2; and reacting the vinyl ester of the fatty acid with the alkanolamine under conditions effective to form the fatty acid N-acylalkanolamine. The other method comprises the steps of providing a fatty acid; purifying the fatty acid; providing a primary or secondary alkanolamine having the formula: NHR1R2; reacting the fatty acid with the alkanolamine under conditions effective to form the fatty acid N-acylalkanolamine; and purifying the formed fatty acid N-acylalkanolamine.
US09221744B2	Asymmetric catalysts The present invention relates to asymmetric catalysts, including redox-reconfigurable asymmetric catalysts. Methods of producing compounds having one or more stereocenters using the asymmetric catalysts of the present invention are also disclosed.
US09221739B2	Methylene beta-diketone monomers, methods for making methylene beta-diketone monomers, polymerizable compositions and products formed therefrom The present invention provides methylene beta-diketone monomers, methods for producing the same, and compositions and products formed therefrom. In the method for producing the methylene beta-diketones of the invention, a beta-diketone is reacted with a source of formaldehyde in a modified Knoevenagel reaction optionally in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst, and optionally in the presence of an acidic or non-acidic solvent, to form reaction complex. The reaction complex may be an oligomeric complex. The reaction complex is subjected to further processing, which may be vaporization by contact with an energy transfer means in order to isolate the beta-diketone monomer. The present invention further compositions and products formed from methylene beta-diketone monomers of the invention, including monomer-based products (e.g., inks, adhesives, coatings, sealants or reactive molding) and polymer-based products (e.g., fibers, films, sheets, medical polymers, composite polymers and surfactants).
US09221733B2	Methods and systems useful for drying ethanol Mixtures of ethanol and water are dehydrated using starch pearls to adsorb and remove water. Vapor-phase adsorption equilibrium capacities of cassava starch pellets (tapioca pearls) having different particle sizes are disclosed, and tapioca pearl particles are shown to be surprisingly more effective for dehydrating 88 to 97% w/w feed ethanol than corn grits. The adsorption equilibrium curve and BET surface area measurement show that the adsorption capacity of tapioca pearls is a function of surface area available to water molecules. SEM images demonstrate that the particle architecture required for the adsorption and dehydration properties is that of a core-shell configuration with pre-gel starch acting as a central scaffold holding together other particles to the outer layer of the particle. The outer surface area of the pearls, populated with dry starch granules, is the main factor determining the adsorption capacity of the pearls. Tapioca pearls are shown to possess a surprisingly higher adsorption capacity than corn grits of the same particle size. Pearls of 2 mm size in diameter gave 34% higher linear adsorption equilibrium constant (K) than grits of 1.7 mm.
US09221732B2	Method for separating 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and hydrogen fluoride, and method for producing 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene by using same A separation method of 1-chloro-3,3,3-tetraluofopropene and hydrogen fluoride according to the present invention includes reducing the hydrogen chloride content of a mixture containing hydrogen chloride, 1-chloro-3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and hydrogen fluoride, thereby causing phase separation of the mixture so as to obtain an upper phase predominantly containing the hydrogen fluoride and a lower phase predominantly containing the 1-chloro-3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. This separation method is industrially economically advantageous since the 1-chloro-3,3,3-tetraluofopropene and the hydrogen fluoride can be separated rapidly by simple operation.
US09221720B2	Dense protective coatings, methods for their preparation and coated articles A method for depositing a protective coating on a complex shaped substrate includes the steps of: (1) dipping a complex shaped substrate into a slurry to form a base coat thereon, the slurry comprising an aqueous solution, at least one refractory metal oxide, and at least one transient fluid additive present in an amount of about 0.1 percent to 10 percent by weight of the slurry; (2) curing the dipped substrate; (3) dipping the substrate into a precursor solution to form a top barrier coat thereon; and (4) heat treating the dipped, cured substrate to form a protective coating.
US09221713B2	Coated article with low-E coating having barrier layer system(s) including multiple dielectric layers, and/or methods of making the same Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to coated articles with low-E coatings having one or more barrier layer systems including multiple dielectric layers, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, providing barrier layer systems that each include three or more adjacent dielectric layers advantageously increases layer quality, mechanical durability, corrosion resistance, and/or thermal stability, e.g., by virtue of the increased number of interfaces. These barrier layer systems may be provided above and/or below an infrared (IR) reflecting layer in the low-E coating in different embodiments. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application.
US09221711B2	Process for producing optical fiber and processing apparatus for optical fiber work used for the same Provided is a process for producing an optical fiber including a processing process where an optical fiber work made of a glass is held by a processing apparatus for an optical fiber work to be heated and processed, wherein in the processing process, vibration caused by an abnormality of the optical fiber work in the heated state or vibration caused by an abnormality of a glass body which is a portion of the processing apparatus for an optical fiber work and is in the state where the glass body portion is heated due to the heating of the optical fiber work is detected by using an acoustic emission sensor.
US09221705B2	Method for manufacturing molded glass articles, and use of the glass articles manufactured according to the method Processes for producing shaped glass articles with a defined geometry are provided. In some embodiment, the process includes arranging a glass pane on a mould, heating the glass pane by infrared radiation, deforming the heated glass pane over the mould by gravity, negative pressure, and/or positive pressure, and cooling the shaped glass pane to obtain the shaped glass article with a defined geometry.
US09221704B2	Through-port oxy-fuel burner A fluid-cooled through-port oxy-fuel burner for converting an air-fuel regenerator port from air-fuel combustion to oxy-fuel combustion and an associated furnace and method. The oxy-fuel burner is suitable for installing through a regenerator port neck. The burner has an elbow-like bend to accommodate the geometry of the regenerator port neck. The burner has a cooling fluid jacket, a fuel conduit, a first oxidant conduit, and optionally an oxidant staging conduit.
US09221701B2	Methods for reducing scale formation on and removing deposits from heat transfer surfaces Disclosed are methods of operating steam generators, particularly evaporators, in hard water environments characterized by high Si and Mg content in which the pHcold of the feed water stream is maintained within a range of about 11 to 12 in order to reduce, eliminate or remove scale from internal evaporator surfaces. Additional components may be added to the feed water stream including surfactants, chelants, dispersants, sequestrants and mixtures thereof.
US09221695B2	Methods for decomposing partially fluorinated and perfluorinated surfactants In a method of decomposing partially fluorinated and perfluorinated surfactants which are, in particular, present in wastewater, sewage sludges and the like, the surfactant is present in solution or suspension and is electrolytically decomposed. An anodic oxidation of the surfactants preferably takes place here. The method is particularly suitable for decomposing perfluorinated alkylsulfonates, in particular PFOS.The invention also describes an apparatus for electrolytically decomposing partially fluorinated and perfluorinated surfactants.
US09221690B2	Process for producing a silica sol material The present invention relates to an improved process for producing a biodegradable and/or absorbable silica sol material which is advantageous especially with regard to the reproducibility of the material, the rapidity of the synthesis and the possibility of being able to produce the silica sol material on an industrial scale. A further subject matter of the invention relates to a biodegradable and/or absorbable silica sol material which can be produced by the synthesis process according to the invention.
US09221681B2	System and method for providing an integrated reactor A system and method for providing an integrated indirectly fired reactor and steam generator are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the reactor comprises an indirect heating zone heating water and generating steam, a mixing zone mixing feedstock and the steam and providing a mixture of the feedstock and the steam, and a reaction zone comprising a first reactor and a second reactor. The first reactor converts the mixture to a first syngas at a first temperature. The second reactor converts the first syngas to a second syngas at a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature.
US09221678B2	Active fixturing for micro/mesoscale, machine tool systems Embodiments generally relate to fixturing devices for supporting a workpiece, the devices including modularized cantilevered and fixed beam fixing elements. Each module includes a compliant beam and an interface element in contact with the workpiece and a portion of the compliant beam for transmitting a contact force between the workpiece and the beam. Dynamic adaptability of the beam is configured by selectively varying beam stiffness by varying either beam length or beam width. Varying a width can include varying a beam width, and/or breadth. In a further embodiment, the compliant beam fixed at both ends is slidable in a longitudinal direction of the beam such that a portion of the interface element slides along the beam, thus dynamically adapting the beam stiffness according to a force applied to a workpiece.
US09221677B2	Composite sacrificial structure for reliably creating a contact gap in a MEMS switch The present Disclosure provides for fabrication devices and methods for manufacturing a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch on a substrate. The MEMS fabrication device may have a first and second sacrificial layer that form the mold of an actuation member. The actuation member is formed over the first and second sacrificial layers to manufacture a MEMS switch from the MEMS fabrication device.
US09221671B2	Glueless pocketed spring unit construction Methods and systems for no-glue pocketed spring unit construction. Rows of pocketed springs, preferably arranged into modules of more than two pocketed springs surrounding a central hole, are ultrasonically welded together when paired vibrating probes and anvils press layers of pocketed spring fabric from the rows of pocketed springs together and a welding pulse is transmitted to the vibrating probe.
US09221670B2	Glueless pocketed spring unit construction Methods and systems for no-glue pocketed spring unit construction. Rows of pocketed springs, preferably arranged into modules of more than two pocketed springs surrounding a central hole, are ultrasonically welded together when paired vibrating probes and anvils press layers of pocketed spring fabric from the rows of pocketed springs together and a welding pulse is transmitted to the vibrating probe.
US09221654B2	Method and system for coupling an offshore structure to a hoisting block of a hoisting installation The present invention is related to a method for coupling an offshore structure (1), such as a jacket leg of an offshore platform, to a hoisting block (19) of a hoisting installation (13), preferably a floating hoisting installation. The present invention is also related to a hoisting block provided with a first coupling part of a system according to the invention and to an offshore structure provided with a second coupling part of a system according to the invention. The present invention is further related to a method for coupling a jacket of an offshore platform comprising a number of jacket legs to hoisting blocks suspended from hoisting cables (17) of a hoisting installation, wherein each jacket leg is coupled to a hoisting block according to the method for coupling a jacket leg of an offshore platform to a hoisting block suspended from hoisting cables of a hoisting installation according to the invention.
US09221652B2	Rotatable cable guide for retractable cord reel A novel retractable cord reel is disclosed. The retractable cord reel may have a rotating rotatable guide configured to adapt to an expandable wire coil that changes direction within the cord reel. The retractable cord reel may have splices between wire segments that are formed by electrical connectors that are sealed from the environment with an adhesive.
US09221641B2	Controller and system for controllably rotating a roll of material A controller for a motor is configured to rotate a roll of material. The controller includes a drive speed regulator configured to generate an initial torque command based on a difference between a speed setpoint and a measured drive speed of the motor. The controller also includes an observer module configured to estimate a density error of the roll of material. The initial torque command is adjusted based on the density error to obtain a total torque command. The controller also includes a torque regulator configured to control the motor based on the total torque command.
US09221629B1	Friction feeder An exemplary friction feeder includes a hopper configured to accommodate a stack of items, a drive assembly configured to engage and move an item from the stack in a feed direction, and a gate assembly. The gate assembly includes a curved elongate separating member extending in the feed direction and configured to separate the item from other items in the stack as the item passes in the feed direction. The separating member has an item engaging surface biased to a reference point.
US09221627B2	Cut extrudate dispersal hood A product-spreading hood assembly (10) for use with a die unit (128) includes a deflector (14) having wall structure defining a product inlet opening (90) and a product outlet opening (92); the deflector (14) is preferably generally frustoconical in shape and is supported by a housing (12). An optional air delivery assembly (16) allows air currents to be directed from the area of the inlet (90) towards outlet (92) to facilitate separation of discrete products. Advantageously, the air currents are delivered in a circumferential fashion about the die unit (128). Use of the hood assembly (10) serves to separate high moisture or “sticky” extrudates, thereby preventing agglomeration thereof.
US09221623B2	Suction gripper apparatus A suction gripper apparatus with a suction head, which is mounted with at least one elastic mounting member on a working head of an actuation device, the suction head having an elastic suction cup which possesses a suction body and a suction lip forming an open edge portion of the suction body and running in a suction plane, wherein the suction head possesses a retaining plate connected to the suction cup and surrounding it like a ring and having a flat contact surface running in a contact plane parallel to the suction plane.
US09221621B2	Apparatuses for transferring discrete articles The present disclosure is directed to a transfer assembly for transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a rotation axis. The frame comprises a track having a circumferential shape surrounding the rotation axis. The transfer assembly comprises transfer members movably engaged with the track, each having a transfer surface. The transfer assembly comprises a wheel engaged with the frame and configured to rotate about the rotation axis. The wheel is engaged with the transfer members. As the wheel rotates about the rotation axis, the transfer members circumnavigate about a path about the rotation axis in correspondence with the track. The shape of the track causes the transfer surfaces to move radially relative to the rotation axis while the transfer surfaces are maintained a substantially constant distance away from the moving carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer.
US09221614B2	Device for transferring filter segments in the process of manufacturing multi-segment filter rods Device for transferring cylindrical segments from a hopper onto a grouping belt is provided with a guiding drum, having flutes on its periphery and a circumferentially closed conveyor which delivers segments to a rotary element with pushers. Conveyor with seats with a catching element for catching segments, and transferring the segments from the conveyor to the element is effected by means of a spiral drum. The device has a push-down element constituted by a cam with a groove of a height corresponding to the diameter of the segment. The catching element has the form of a depression in the body of the seat shaped as a half of a cylinder, corresponding to the diameter of the segment, with locks on edges, whereas the axis of the depression is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor.
US09221611B2	Variable spaced conveyor belt with shortened edge link cut-off A flat wire conveyor belt includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods, a plurality of rows of flat wire pickets transversely disposed and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, each picket defining a nominal picket height; each of the rows of pickets defines a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links, and each of the links having a transverse spacing. The conveyor belt includes opposing first and second outer edges and the plurality of first links are disposed on at least one of the first and second outer edges of the flat wire conveyor belt. The first links on at least one of the first and second outer edges having a terminal end with a reduced length less than the nominal picket height.
US09221606B2	Goods transport facility A goods transport facility provided with a detected body installed on the ground side for providing stop control. A detected-body detector on a mobile assembly detects the presence of the detected body. The goods transport facility is switchable between a first and a second control status so that when a fire detector means detects that no goods are on fire, the first control status is maintained. Once the fire detector detects a fire, the status is switched to the second control status. In the first control status, a mobile assembly control provides travel control using an optical distance-measuring sensor to control the actuation of the mobile assembly. In the second control status, the actuation of the mobile assembly travels until detected by the detected-body detector for a goods storage section to which goods are to be transferred, and brought into alignment with the target travel position.
US09221603B2	Plate-shaped member storage rack, plate-shaped member transfer facility, and plate-shaped member storing method A rack includes: a rack main body including a storage space configured to store a plurality of plate-shaped members and a carry-in opening; a plurality of upper supporting portions configured to respectively support upper edge portions of the plurality of plate-shaped members; lower supporting portions respectively provided under the plurality of upper supporting portions and configured to respectively support lower edge portions of the plurality of standing plate-shaped members; and lower edge portion storage portions provided to be each located at an outer side of an end of the upper supporting portion and an end of the lower supporting portion in the arrangement direction and configured to store the lower edge portions of the plate-shaped members, and at least one of the upper supporting portions is configured to be able to support the upper edge portion of the plate-shaped member.
US09221599B2	Collapsible stackable shipping container with reusable seals A reusable gasket may be configured for use between first and second collapsible containers of a shelter. The gasket may have a body configured to seal at least a portion of a seam defined between the first and second collapsible containers. The gasket may include at least one magnet embedded in the body. A reusable plug configured to be disposed into a cavity defined by a collapsible container may have a body configured to be compressibly secured in the cavity. The body of the plug may be made of compressible foam.
US09221588B2	Slider device display package A display package for slider phones devices, comprising an outer cover package having a front section molded to conform to the front surface of the slider phone in the open position, and an inner tray molded to conform to the back surface of the slider device in the open position. The inner tray is contained within the outer cover package and the outer cover package is closed with the molded front section located over the front surface of the slider device, packaging the device securely in the open position. Another embodiment comprises a recessed inner tray conforming to the back side of the slider device in the open position and a molded retainer placed between the front surface of the slider phone in the open position and a flat front outer cover package.
US09221584B2	Cereal bag with crumb collector A bag includes a main compartment and a crumb collector compartment disposed below the main compartment. The bag includes a substantially horizontal non-continuous seal including a plurality of sealed portions and a plurality of open portions disposed between the sealed portions. The substantially horizontal non-continuous seal is disposed between the main compartment and the crumb collector compartment. The bag includes a continuous seal disposed below the crumb collector compartment.
US09221576B2	Display ready container assembly A container preassembly which has an inner sleeve in a flat unopened position disposed within an outer sleeve in a flat unopened position. The two sleeves are adapted to form the two ends of the container and are secured together in the aligned relationship of the final open container, thereby allowing the preassembly to be opened into the form of the final container without requiring further adjustment. Once opened, the flaps for forming the container bottom are folded to create a container ready for use. A method of making the container preassembly is also provided.
US09221558B2	Apparatus and method for calculating satellite navigation visibility Provided is a satellite navigation visibility calculation apparatus. The satellite navigation visibility calculation apparatus includes a processing unit configured to binarize an input sky view image to create an binary image, an extraction unit configured to extract a plurality of feature points from the binary image, and a calculation unit configured to calculate satellite navigation dilution of precision (DOP) corresponding to the sky view image using the plurality of feature points.
US09221556B2	Airplane off ground advisory system An airplane off ground advisory system employs at least one position sensor attached for detection of an extended condition and a compressed condition of a main landing gear. A control system receives an input from the position sensor. The control system records a toggling of the input from an extended to a compressed to an extended condition and providing an output. At least one indicator is coupled to the control system to be activated by the output.
US09221546B2	Aircraft hybrid fuel system An aircraft hybrid fuel system includes a main tank and a set of flexible bladders, the main tank and the set of flexible bladders defining a fuel containment space. The system further includes a set of pathways coupling the set of flexible bladders to the main tank. The set of pathways is constructed and arranged to vent gas out of the set of flexible bladders into the main tank while fuel from a fuel source is provided into the fuel containment space defined by the main tank and the set of flexible bladders. Along these lines, each flexible bladder can be provisioned with a fuel port to provide fuel, and a separate vent port to vent gas to the main tank.
US09221544B2	Integrated surface thermal management system Systems to apply heat to an aircraft surface are disclosed. In some embodiments, heaters are embedded in a composite structure of an aircraft. In one embodiment, a composite aircraft structure comprises a base comprising a plurality of resin impregnated plies, a heating layer adjacent the base, wherein the heating layer comprises at least one heater, an adhesive layer adjacent the heating layer, a lightning protection layer adjacent the heating layer, and an exterior surface layer adjacent the lightning protection layer. Other embodiments may be described.
US09221530B2	Ship propulsion system and ship equipped therewith Marine propulsion system and ship outfitted therewith, wherein the marine propulsion system has a propulsion element for propelling a ship, a driving engine which is to be flexibly mounted at a hull of the ship for driving the propulsion element, a thrust bearing which is to be rigidly mounted at the hull and which has a thrust bearing shaft having a first end and a second end, a driving engine drivetrain for connecting the driving engine to the first end of the thrust bearing shaft, and a propulsion element drivetrain for connecting the second end of the thrust bearing shaft to the propulsion element, wherein the driving engine drivetrain rigidly connects the driving engine to the first end of the thrust bearing shaft.
US09221527B1	Aquatic hammock An aquatic hammock supporting a user and adapted to be placed on a surface of water includes a floating open-end body formed by a convex exterior wall and a concaved inner wall. First and second inflatable chambers are provided. The first inflatable chamber configured as a convex-concave shell extending between the convex exterior wall and the concaved inner wall. The second inflatable chamber is a tubular-shaped inflatable rim extending along an outer periphery of the floating body. A resting platform accommodating a user is supported by a top portion of the floating body and includes an ellipse-shaped frame with a fabric segment extending between sides of the frame. The hammock may be used not only on any open water surface, but also on any hard surface supporting a pool.
US09221522B2	Vent cap system for a suction pile A vent cap system includes a top plate, a center stem assembly, a retainer assembly attached to the top plate, a bottom plate, a flange assembly with a connection end for installation on a suction pile and a plurality of perimeter stem assemblies. The center stem assembly extends from the top plate, through threaded engagement to the retainer assembly, and to the bottom plate. Rotation of the center stem assembly moves the bottom plate between opened and closed positions, relative to the top plate and flange assembly. The perimeter stem assemblies hold the relative position of the top plate to the flange assembly, and the bottom plate seals against the flange assembly, when the system is in the closed position. The bottom plate has a bottom alignment pin to assure alignment of the bottom plate to the flange assembly for any orientation of the vent cap system.
US09221519B2	Motorised bicycle gearshift with actuation in translation of the drive shaft A motorised bicycle gearshift that has a deformable articulated kinematic mechanism, fixed to a bicycle frame and capable of taking up different operating configurations; a chain guide, carried by the deformable articulated kinematic mechanism, capable of taking up different positions with respect to the bicycle frame according to the different operating configurations of the deformable articulated kinematic mechanism; a motor member, comprising a motor casing and a master drive shaft that projects directly from the motor casing, the motor member being mounted on the deformable articulated kinematic mechanism so as to deform it, thus making it take up the different operating configurations. The master drive shaft is immobile in rotation and mobile in translation in the axial direction, with respect to the motor casing. This gearshift provides greater precision in use, because the possible presence of dirt on the master drive shaft does not hamper the movements thereof.
US09221514B2	Scooter having a gearing system The invention is directed towards a scooter comprising a frame, a front wheel carried by the frame, a rear wheel carried by the frame, a pair of reciprocating pedals attached to the frame, a drive assembly for transferring force from the reciprocating pedals to the rear wheel comprising: a pedal cam having a plurality of openings at various distances from the rotational center of the pedal cam; a drive pin extending from one of the reciprocating pedals and is received on one of the openings; and, a gear shifting cable attached to the drive pin causing the drive pin to engage with one of the openings so that the pedal cam is rotated by the movement of the pedal so that based upon the opening engaged, the rotational power output that the pedal cam ultimately exerts on the rear wheel is varied.
US09221490B2	Vehicle steering control apparatus and steering control method A vehicle steering control apparatus and vehicle steering control method make it possible to suppress a steering state of a steering operation element from being different from the driver's intention, in starting the driving source. A backup clutch, which is switchable between a release state where a torque transmission path is mechanically decoupled and an engagement state where the torque transmission path is mechanically coupled, is set to the engagement state in starting the engine. When the steering torque detected after the engine starts becomes equal to or lower than a clutch release start torque, the backup clutch in the engagement state is switched to the release state.
US09221489B2	Steering system with overload protection A method for operating an electromechanical steering system for a motor vehicle with variable chassis height, with a steering rack, which is driven by a servo motor through a recirculating ball screw drive, with a control unit, which receives input signals and generates output signals for driving the servo motor, the output signals being representative of an assist torque to be provided by the steering system, may be characterized in that, in operation, the control unit may receive or generate a chassis height signal that may indicate a current chassis height of the vehicle, and may limit the assist torque, on the basis of the chassis height signal, to an upper limit, wherein the upper limit may be decreased with an increase of the difference between the current chassis height and a mean chassis height.
US09221486B2	Cart A collapsible or foldable cart, shopping cart, utility cart or supermarket cart. The cart includes: a basket mounted on top of a plurality of wheels; and a bridge element to engage with an edge of a vehicular trunk. The bridge element is connected at a point located between the basket and the wheels. The bridge element is moveable on one or more fixed rails that are connected within the cart underneath the basket substantially in parallel to an axis of the basket. The rails are an integral part of the cart and are not fixedly attached to the vehicular trunk.
US09221484B2	Configurable cart This invention includes a cart assembly with an integrated cooler and a configurable and expandable cargo platform. The cart assembly comprises a chest compartment. One end of support beams is attached to the front surface of the chest. The opposite ends of the support beams are attached to the rear surface of the extension member. One end of an expanding platform is attached to the front surface of the chest. The opposite end of the expanding platform is attached to the rear surface of the extension member. Ends of the telescoping support rails are attached on both the left and right sides of the chest. Opposite ends of the telescoping support rails are attached on both the left and right side of the extension member. The cart assembly can expand and collapse to accommodate larger or smaller cargos and reconfigure the platform into a table.
US09221483B1	Transport dolly A transport dolly is configured to move cargo. The transport dolly includes a first L-shaped support and a second L-shaped support attached to a hinge. A first wheel assembly is attached to the first L-shaped support. A second wheel assembly is attached to the second L-shaped support. In a first mode of operation the hinge is collapsed such that a first upper surface on the first L-shaped support is immediately adjacent to a second first L-shaped support. In a second mode of operation, the hinge is opened such that the first upper surface is distant from the second upper surface. In a third mode of operation, the cargo is placed on first L-shaped support and the second L-shaped support such that the first L-shaped support and the second L-shaped support contact three sides of the cargo.
US09221477B2	Communications system and method for a rail vehicle A rail vehicle includes of one or more locomotives and may further include one or more rail cars, and the rail vehicle further includes a locator element, a communications device and a control module located on the rail vehicle. The locator elements provide a location information of the rail vehicle to a control module. The control module is coupled to the communications device and the locator element. The control module determines control settings for controlling the operations of the communications device based on the location of the rail vehicle. The communications device sends and/or receives data, including communications data, off-board the rail vehicle.
US09221474B2	Retractable step arrangement for a rail vehicle The invention relates to a retractable step arrangement for a rail vehicle with a first housing that can be mounted on a body of the rail vehicle and features a first housing opening, with a step that is movably supported in the first housing in an initial position and can be displaced between the initial position and a final position, in which the step at least sectionally protrudes from the first housing, through the first housing opening, and with a drive unit for the step that features a motor and at least one movable connecting means that transmits a motion generated by the motor to the step. The retractable step arrangement provides a separate second housing, in which the drive unit is arranged, wherein the interior of the first housing is spatially separated from the interior of the second housing.
US09221473B2	Travel velocity compensation apparatus and method for railway vehicles Disclosed is a travel velocity compensation apparatus for railway vehicles and a method thereof for compensating a travel velocity when there is generated a slide between a wheel and a railway, the apparatus including a velocity measurement unit measuring a travel velocity of a railway vehicle, a velocity estimation unit estimating the travel velocity using travel information of railway vehicle and rail information received from at least one sensor, a detection unit generating wheel slide information by determining whether wheels of the railway vehicle slide, using the travel velocity of the railway vehicle measured by the velocity measurement unit and the travel velocity estimated by the velocity estimation unit, and a selection unit selecting, as a travel velocity, any one of the travel velocity measured by the velocity measurement unit using the wheel slide information generated by the detection unit and the travel velocity estimated by the velocity estimation unit.
US09221472B2	Means of transport and method for wired data transmission between two vehicles which are detachably connected to one another A transport system or means of transport includes vehicles detachably connected to one another and a data transmission apparatus for wired data transmission between the vehicles and within the vehicles. In each vehicle the data transmission apparatus includes data coupling units for the data transmission between the respective vehicle and vehicles connected to it as well as two separate data connections connecting its two data coupling units. Each data coupling unit has four data ports as well as one or more switch units which can be used to produce different electrical connection states for the data ports. A method for data transmission in such a transport system or means of transport is also provided.
US09221470B2	Children's ride-on vehicles and play systems incorporating wheel and track assemblies Play systems of the present disclosure comprise a children's ride-on vehicle and a companion track. The companion vehicle and track each include a guide surface that is complementary to the companion apparatus and configured to guide the vehicle along a path of travel defined by the track. The children's ride-on vehicle may be powered, steerable, and configured to operate on and off the track. When the children's ride-on vehicle is guided and/or steered along the path of travel, the complementary guide surfaces do not substantially impede progress of the vehicle. When the children's ride-on vehicle is guided and/or steered away from the path of travel, the complementary guide surfaces contact and/or frictionally engage to direct the vehicle along the path of travel and/or to slow progress of the vehicle.
US09221469B2	Vehicle height estimation device and vehicle height estimation method The height of a vehicle can be estimated inexpensively by: detecting a wheel speed, which is a speed of each wheel; performing frequency analysis of the detected wheel speed of a pair of left and right wheels and calculating respective wheel speed characteristics of the left and right wheels at a gain-specific frequency; calculating a left-right wheel speed gain difference on the basis of the calculated wheel speed characteristics of the left and right wheels; and estimating the vehicle height on the basis of a corresponding relationship between a wheel height of the wheel with respect to a vehicle body and a value (wheel speed/road surface input gain) that is based on wheel speed and a road surface input that is inputted from the road surface to the wheels, and on the basis of the left-right wheel speed gain difference.
US09221467B2	Determining the installation location of a wheel sensor A method for determining an installation location of a wheel sensor on a wheel of a motor vehicle, wherein the method includes the steps of sampling a transverse acceleration signal of the wheel sensor, comparing the received transverse acceleration signal with a transverse acceleration signal of the motor vehicle, and determining that the wheel sensor is located on a steerable axle of the motor vehicle if the transverse acceleration signals differ from one another.
US09221463B2	Automatic speed controllable vehicle and method for controlling speed thereof Disclosed are an automatic speed controllable vehicle and a speed controlling method thereof. The vehicle collects vehicle information and transmitted collected vehicle information to an RSE, and the RSE receives vehicle information from each vehicle within a management section and transmits again, to each vehicle, information required for each vehicle to adjust a speed. The vehicle receiving information required to adjust the speed may adjust the speed of the vehicle based on the received information and may display a warning notification for a driver.
US09221462B2	Vehicle behavior stability control apparatus A vehicle behavior stability control apparatus includes a yaw rate sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, an urgency determining section, a target yaw rate setting section, and an actuator control section. If the urgency determining section determines that an urgency with which a vehicle behavior is to be stabilized is equal to or lower than a determination criterion that indicates a necessity to stabilize the vehicle behavior urgently, the target yaw rate setting section sets, as a target yaw rate, a right-left cooperative target yaw rate that is commonly applied to both right cornering and left cornering. Otherwise, if the urgency determining section determines that the urgency exceeds the determination criterion, the target yaw rate setting section sets, as a target yaw rate, right-left independent target yaw rates that are independently applied to the right cornering and left cornering, respectively.
US09221461B2	Construction zone detection using a plurality of information sources Methods and systems for detection of a construction zone using information from a plurality of sources are described. In an example, a computing device, configured to control the vehicle, may be configured to receive information, from a plurality of sources, relating to detection of a construction zone on the road on which the vehicle is travelling. Also, the computing device may be configured to determine a likelihood of existence of the construction zone on the road, based on the information. Further the computing device may be configured to modify a control strategy associated with a driving behavior of the vehicle, based on the likelihood; and control the vehicle based on the modified control strategy.
US09221454B2	Control system of a vehicle Provided is a control system of a vehicle equipped with first and second motors/generators, and a differential device including a ring gear and a sun gear individually connected to the first and second motors/generators and a carrier connected to a driving wheel side, wherein at the time an SOC of a battery exceeds a predetermined threshold value during regenerative driving operations of the first and second motors/generators, a power driving operation of any one of the first and second motors/generators is selectively performed.
US09221448B2	Vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus A vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes an acquiring section, first and second control quantity calculators, and a holding section. The acquiring section acquires engine restarting information. The first control quantity calculator calculates a first control quantity. The second control quantity calculator calculates a second control quantity larger than the first control quantity. The holding section holds a brake hydraulic pressure. If the brake hydraulic pressure lowers from a point in time when the vehicle is stopped to a point in time when the acquiring section acquires the engine restarting information, the holding section holds the brake hydraulic pressure with the first control quantity. If the acquiring section acquires the engine restarting information, the holding section holds the brake hydraulic pressure with the second control quantity. If the restarting of the engine is completed, the holding section holds the brake hydraulic pressure with the first control quantity).
US09221447B2	Compressed air supply system for truck trailers and compressed air supply method A compressed air supply system is described for a truck trailer, which includes at least one first compressed air network, which supplies a pneumatic brake system of the truck trailer with an air pressure limited according to a requirement, and at least one compressed air supply coupling between the tractive vehicle and the truck trailer for supplying compressed air, in which the at least one compressed air supply coupling is configured for a higher air pressure than the limited air pressure according to the requirement.
US09221444B2	Brake system having drag reduction function and method of controlling the same A brake system may have a drag reduction function of effectively attenuating drag by controlling the position of a pressurizing piston in a pressurizing cylinder through a motor to supply a fluid in a hydraulic line to the reserve tank such that negative pressure is created to forcibly withdraw the piston in a caliper, and a method of controlling the same. The brake system may include a pressurizing cylinder connected to a reserve tank to store a fluid, a motor to move a pressurizing piston forward, and a braking control unit to receive state information about the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle is braking or traveling, execute, when the vehicle is traveling, a negative pressure creation mode of driving the motor to move the pressurizing piston forward to create a negative pressure, and execute, when creation of the negative pressure is completed, a negative pressure maintaining mode.
US09221440B2	Electromechanical actuator strain gauge temperature compensation device The EMA may comprise an EMA housing, a strain gauge coupled to the EMA housing, the strain gauge comprising a Wheatstone bridge, the Wheatstone bridge comprising a first group of resistors coupled in parallel with a second group of resistors, a controller coupled to the strain gauge, a variable resistance resistor coupled to the Wheatstone bridge, the variable resistance resistor configured to derive a temperature of the EMA housing based upon a temperature of the variable resistance resistor and configured to provide feedback to the controller, the controller adjusting a force applied by the EMA based upon the temperature of the EMA housing.
US09221438B2	Electronic control unit and vehicle behavior control device An electronic control unit which includes: a sensor board to which a sensor for detecting a predetermined physical quantity is attached; a control board which controls an operation of an electric part based on the physical quantity detected by the sensor; and a housing which accommodates the sensor board and the control board, wherein the housing has a first room for accommodating the electric part, a second room for accommodating the sensor board and the control board in a stacked condition, and a partition portion for separating the first room and the second room from each other, wherein a recess which is opened to the second room is formed in the partition portion, and a sensor accommodating portion for accommodating the sensor is formed using the recess.
US09221431B2	Wheel cleaning mat A mat for clearing wheels and tires of contaminants as the wheels and tires roll over the mat. The mat includes a tray having a floor, a perimetric wall, and groups or clumps of bristles arranged to incline at an acute angle to the surface of the wheel, perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the wheel. Rows of bristles incline in generally opposing directions. The bristles are anchored to bristle supporting tracks which lie on the floor. Low walls surround and separate the clumps of bristles. The mat may be used as modules in an array. The array may include ramps configured to elevate the wheels above the floor of the tray. The array may include supports for holding the bristles above the tray for cleaning of the tray.
US09221417B1	Releasable tether retention system A releasable tether retention system includes a housing and a tether retention member including a portion movably mounted in the housing. The system is configured to retain a tether on the member when the member is positioned in a first position, and configured so that a tether retained on the member is released from the member during movement of the member from the first position to a second position different from the first position.
US09221400B1	Firearm mount for vehicle trunk or cargo area A firearm mount for a trunk or cargo space of a vehicle comprises a firearm mount and a support member. The firearm mount is shaped to receive and lockably secure a firearm. The firearm mount is connectable to the support member, and the support member is positionable within the trunk or cargo space to slidably retract inwardly to a storage position and to slidably extend outwardly to an access position. When installed, the firearm mount and the support member are positioned to suspend the firearm within the trunk or cargo for easy access.
US09221397B1	Variable magnetic break-away mounting mechanism Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus providing a first component having a circular opening with an interior chaffered edge and a second component positioned within the circular opening. The apparatus also provides a magnetic feature at a circular bottom surface of the first component, where the magnetic feature provides a magnetic pull force in a first direction to secure the second component within the circular opening. The second component is configured to break away from the circular opening when a contact force to the breakaway component causes a force in a second direction opposite of the first direction and greater than the magnetic pull force.
US09221394B2	Lighting device for vehicle A lighting device for a vehicle is provided to a vehicular door trim to illuminate a handle housing portion in which an inside handle is housed. The lighting device includes a light exit member, a light exit member mount member provided on an upper side of the inside handle and on which the light exit member is arranged, and a light transmission portion provided to the light exit member mount member and through which light from the light exit member is directed to the handle housing portion. The light exit member is arranged on a vehicular compartment inner side than the light transmission portion.
US09221383B2	Modular central instrument In the case of a central instrument in the center console of a motor vehicle having a circular display, on which a plurality of vehicle-relevant information is shown, the display has an at least approximately circular edge which contains several illuminants which are freely programmable in their brightness, are variably controlled during an operating phase of the motor vehicle and generate a luminous shape that varies with respect to time. The luminous shape supplies information on the condition and/or the function of the motor vehicle and/or of a motor vehicle component.
US09221372B1	Sanitized protective seat cover kit with disinfecting agent The protective seat cover kit is a specially fabricated sanitary and protective seat covering comprising a back section, a seat section, left and right wings, and a pouch containing a sani-pac. The sani-pac contains fumigant particles secured in place by a fine mesh overlaid by an airtight flap. A traveler using the seat cover kit places it over the corresponding parts of a passenger seat to protect the traveler from harmful bacteria or germs that may have been deposited onto the seat by a prior occupant. After use of the protective seat cover, the fumigant particles in the sani-pac, may be exposed to air circulation by the opening of the flap. The protective seat cover is then folded along designated seams and placed completely within the pouch, thus allowing the fumigant particles to sanitize and disinfect the protective seat cover as it is folded within the confines of the pouch.
US09221365B2	Convertible child safety seat assembly and method of operating the same A convertible child safety seat assembly includes a seat portion and a removable seatback. The seat portion has a seat portion having an upper surface, and an elongated slot opened on the upper surface. The seatback is affixed with at least one beam that has an elongated shape. The beam has a distal end, and is assembled with a latch movable transversally relative to the beam. The seatback is attached to the seat portion with the beam received in the elongated slot, the distal end engaged under the upper surface, and the latch engaging through a sidewall of the elongated slot.
US09221363B2	Seat reclining apparatus A seat reclining apparatus includes a base plate, a ratchet plate, guide grooves formed on the base plate including an internal gear, lock members installed in the guide grooves and each having an outer toothed portion, and an operating member for moving the lock members between engaged and disengaged positions in which an outer toothed portion is engaged and disengaged with the internal gear, respectively. One of the lock members constitutes a small-clearance lock member which is smaller in play in a circumferential direction relative to a guide groove than the remaining lock members when in the engaged position. The small-clearance lock member is provided at the smallest distance between an engagement central position, at which the outer toothed portion and the internal gear are centered about, and an upper end of the seatback side frame.
US09221360B2	Longitudinally adjustable vehicle seat with a memory device In a longitudinally adjustable vehicle seat with a freely pivotable backrest which can be folded forward and with a memory device, the memory device has a stop rail with latching openings, and a locking element with a slider and pall connected pivotably thereto and a ramp which is arranged on the slider and has an upper region, with which a scanner of the memory device interacts, wherein the scanner is connected to a transmission arrangement for locking the backrest in an entry position, and the pall is prestressed in the locking direction by a spring.
US09221354B2	Propulsion control apparatus of electric motor vehicle and control method for propulsion control apparatus A propulsion control apparatus of an electric motor vehicle includes a first power converter that operates as a DC/AC converter, an AC/DC converter, or a DC/DC converter, a second power converter that operates as a DC/AC converter, an AC/DC converter, or a DC/DC converter, a first power storage device and a second power storage device functioning as a direct-current power supply source that is charged using direct-current power supplied from a direct-current common section or a first input output end side or discharges direct-current power to the direct-current common section or the first input and output end side, and a control device that controls operations of the first power converter, the second power converter, the first power storage device, and the second power storage device.
US09221352B2	Charging control apparatus and method, charging system, correlation method, and computer program A charging control apparatus (310) controls wireless charging between one charging apparatus (10) and a vehicle (20) which communicates with the one charging apparatus via a communication relay apparatus (30). The charging control apparatus is provided with: an outputting device (320, 330) for transmitting a first signal which is a signal for designating a signal outputted from the one charging apparatuses, to of the one charging apparatuses; a detecting device (320, 330) for detecting a third signal which is transmitted by wireless communication from the vehicle and which is a signal corresponding to a second signal which is a signal outputted from the one charging apparatus due to the transmitted first signal; and a distinguishing device (310) for correlating the one charging apparatus with the vehicle on the basis of the transmitted first signal and the detected third signal.
US09221349B2	Charging system for vehicle and vehicle comprising the same A power source for vehicles according to the present disclosure includes a secondary battery pack to support power required to start up a vehicle and power required for an electronic device equipped in the vehicle together, and having an operating voltage range of 9V to 19V in which a maximum operating voltage ranges from 16V to 19V and an average voltage is higher than or equal to 12V, and an alternator to produce a charging power for the secondary battery pack in response to operation of an engine of the vehicle.
US09221342B2	Method and device for displaying information in a vehicle A method for displaying graphical objects. The graphical objects can be displayed by a control device of a display device in a first or second display mode. The speed of the vehicle is measured, and in a first speed range the graphical objects are displayed in the first display mode and in a second speed range the graphical objects are displayed in the second display mode. Also disclosed is a device for displaying information of graphical objects.
US09221341B2	Vehicle operation input apparatus and control method for vehicle operation input apparatus A vehicle operation input apparatus includes: a display having a screen; and a control unit configured to determine whether or not a hand of a driver has been removed from a steering wheel, and after determining that the hand of the driver has been removed from the steering wheel in a situation where an operation menu is not displayed on the screen, control the display such that the operation menu is displayed on the screen.
US09221339B2	Motion sensitive interlock for a vehicle having a breath analyzer Apparatus for use with a vehicle is disclosed and comprises an interlock device. The device is adapted to, in use: at least while said vehicle is in motion, periodically generate a prompt; assess motion of said vehicle; at least when said vehicle is assessed by said device to be at rest, carry out an analysis operation wherein a breath sample is received and analyzed; and in the event that, within a predetermined period following a prompt, the device does not, while said vehicle is assessed to be at rest, carry out said analysis operation, enter an alarm state at least when the vehicle is in motion. The device can be adapted to carry out analysis operations only when the vehicle is assessed to be at rest.
US09221333B2	Fuel tank opening-closing device A fuel tank opening-closing device has a tank opening forming member, a flap valve mechanism that has an opening-closing member, and an opening-closing activation mechanism that switches between the locked position and the unlocked position that does the opening operation of the opening-closing member. The opening-closing activation mechanism has a nozzle detection mechanism which has introductory push parts mounted on the opening-closing member and adapted to receive force of motion in the insertion direction of the fueling nozzle, and a lock member that is mounted on the tank opening forming member and that selectively shifts between the locked position and the unlocked position by engaging and disengaging with the opening-closing member, and a locking mechanism that moves the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position by being pushed by the introductory push parts.
US09221332B2	Plastic fuel tank The invention relates to a plastic fuel tank (1) for motor vehicles having at least one tank wall (2) surrounding at least one fuel volume, wherein the tank wall (2) is provided at least in a certain area or certain areas with means for increasing flexural rigidity in the form of two-dimensionally extended reinforcing layers (3) connected materially and/or positively thereto (FIG. 1).
US09221328B2	System for hybrid vehicle to enhance driving performance during electric mode Disclosed is system for a hybrid vehicle that includes an engine, a transmission, and a battery. The system may further include a first clutch configured to connect the engine with the transmission and having a first part and a second part; a first motor/generator configured to be connected to the first part and directly connected to the transmission; a second motor/generator configured to be connected to the second part; and a second clutch configured to connected the second motor/generator with the transmission. In particular, the first part and the second part may be clutches that can operate independently.
US09221317B1	Releasable chassis mount A releasable chassis mount for a vehicle having a body structure and a chassis and subjectable to an external force includes an outer sleeve, a cylindrical insert, and a chassis bolt. The outer sleeve is attachable to the chassis and has a mount release feature. The cylindrical insert is in an interference fit relationship with the outer sleeve and defines a hole. The chassis bolt extends through the hole for attaching the cylindrical insert to the body structure. The mount release feature is configured to initiate release of the cylindrical insert from the outer sleeve during such external force, whereby to enable the separation of the chassis from the body structure.
US09221307B2	Pneumatic tire The characteristic of the present invention is a pneumatic tire comprising a plurality of radial protrusions 60 each extending in a tire radial direction on a tire surface 31 and having a shape protruding from the tire surface outward in a tire width direction, wherein the plurality of radial protrusions 60 are provided radially with a tire rotation axis S as a center, the plurality of radial protrusions 60 each have an outer end portion 62 being an end portion located on an outer side in the tire radial direction, and the outer end portion 62 is provided to the tire surface in a tire maximum width portion (a maximum width portion T) in the tire width direction.
US09221299B2	Wheel support device A rotary ring of a hub unit has an annular first end face on one side in the axial direction, and an outer ring of a joint has an annular second end face on the other side in the axial direction. Outer splines are formed in a radially outer-side region of the first end face and outer splines are formed in a radially outer-side region of the second end face. The outer splines of the first end face and the outer splines of the second end face mesh with each other. Inner splines are formed in a radially inner-side region of the first end face and inner splines are formed in a radially inner-side region of the second end face. The inner splines of the first end face and the inner splines of the second end face mesh with each other.
US09221295B2	Apparatus and method to control material converting and envelope stuffing An apparatus and method for stuffing envelopes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of prime movers, a plurality of sensors disposed throughout the apparatus, and a central controller. The prime movers, the sensors and the central controller are operably interconnected such that the central controller directly receives signals from the sensors and from the plurality of prime movers for real-time control of at least one prime mover from the plurality of prime movers based upon determined movement of at least one of a discrete sheet of material, a stack of sheets of material or a stuffed envelope through at least a portion of the apparatus.
US09221290B2	Apparatus and method for forming an image with a plurality of decolorizable materials and for decolorizing the image An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit and a second image forming unit. The first image forming unit is configured to form a first image portion to be transferred to a sheet with a first decolorizable material that is decolorized at a first temperature. The second image forming unit is configured to form a second image portion to be transferred to the sheet with a second decolorizable material that has a color different from the first decolorizable material and that is decolorized at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.
US09221286B2	Polyester film with smooth surface properties for winding and printing A substrate composite film for thermal transfer printing includes a biaxially oriented base layer including polyester, a first type of lubricant particles, and a second type of lubricant particles. The substrate composite film satisfies the following: (1) a ratio of maximum height SRma and peak count SPc is 1≦SRma/SPc≦4.5, (2) a center plane average roughness Sra is 15 to 30 nm, (3) coefficient of dynamic friction is <0.60, and (4) 20 and 60 degree gloss is greater than 160 SGU. The 20 degree gloss may be equal in all directions, and the 60 degree gloss may be equal in all directions.
US09221284B2	Image forming apparatus, method for forming test pattern, and computer program product An image forming apparatus includes a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid droplets; and a pattern forming unit configured to form a test pattern used for positional deviation adjustment including a first pattern serving as a reference pattern and a second pattern serving as an adjustment pattern. The first pattern and the second pattern each are a linear pattern that is parallel to a nozzle arrangement direction and has a disconnected portion. The disconnected portion of the first pattern and the disconnected portion of the second pattern are shifted from each other in the nozzle arrangement direction.
US09221278B2	Ink jet recording apparatus An ink jet recording apparatus is provided and includes: a carriage on which a recording head for discharging ink droplets onto the recording medium is mounted and that moves relative to the recording medium; a platen that supports the recording medium at a predetermined position; and heating means for heating the recording medium, in which heating means includes a platen heater that is mounted on the platen and heats the recording medium from a lower side of the recording medium, a carriage heater that is mounted on the carriage and heats the recording medium from an upper side of the recording medium, and an upper heater that is disposed on a downstream side of the carriage in a moving direction of the recording medium and heats the recording medium from the upper side of the recording medium.
US09221276B2	Substrate mounting structure and tape printer A substrate mounting structure includes a substrate, a substrate support portion, a protruding portion, and a screw. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface that is a surface on an opposite side to the first surface. The substrate support portion includes a screw hole and is a section of an outer peripheral portion of the screw hole. The section comes into contact with the first surface of the substrate. The protruding portion is provided on at least a part of a section of the outer peripheral portion apart from the substrate support portion, and protrudes further in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface than the substrate support portion. The screw is screwed into the screw hole and clamps the substrate together with the substrate support portion.
US09221272B2	Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus An optical scanning device includes a light-source unit that emits a plurality of light beams, a deflector that deflects the light beams, and an image-forming optical system that receives the light beam deflected by the deflector and forms a spot image on photoconductors. The image-forming optical system includes a first scanning lens that allows only a corresponding light beam to pass and is arranged to form, upon receiving a virtual light beam, the spot image on the photoconductor with a not-curved line. The virtual line lies between a pair of light beams that travels in one of areas separated by a reference plane that is parallel to a sub-scanning direction and on which a normal line to a deflection plane of the deflector falls.
US09221263B2	Inkjet recording device and nozzle surface wiping method for an inkjet recording device An inkjet printer has a cap that covers the ink nozzle surface in which ink nozzles are formed when the inkjet head is at a inkjet head standby position; an ink absorber that is held inside the cap and absorbs ink ejected from the ink nozzles into the cap; a water discharge head that seals the cap with a water nozzle surface in which water nozzles are formed when the inkjet head is at the printing position; and a suction pump for discharging water from the water discharge head when the water discharge head seals the cap.
US09221261B2	Printer having sled providing wiping, capping and platen modules A printer includes: an inkjet printhead assembly; a sled slidably arranged with respect to the printhead assembly, the sled supporting a platen module, a capper module and a wiper module; a sliding mechanism for sliding the sled relative to printhead assembly so as to selectively align one of the platen, capper and wiper modules with the printhead assembly; and a lift mechanism for lifting an aligned module linearly away from the sled and towards the printhead assembly. The platen module is positioned between the capper and wiper modules on the sled, such that the capper and wiper modules are positioned at opposite sides of the printhead assembly during printing.
US09221256B2	Print head die A print head die is described. In one example, the print head die includes a substrate having liquid feed slots formed therein extending along a major dimension of the substrate and nozzles extending along opposite sides of each of the liquid feed slots; and electrical interconnect formed on the substrate along the major dimension adjacent a last one of the liquid feed slots. A first one of the liquid feed slots opposite the last liquid feed slot and farthest from the electrical interconnect supplies an ink using a higher drop volume than inks in other ones of the liquid feed slots. The last liquid feed slot supplies an ink having a higher contrast with the ink in the first liquid feed slot than with inks in other ones of the liquid feed slots.
US09221255B2	Ink jet head and ink jet printing apparatus having the same An ink jet head includes a pressure chamber formed to hold ink, and a nozzle plate including a vibrating plate forming a bottom wall of the pressure chamber, a driving element that is provided on a surface of the vibrating plate and configured to cause a volume of the pressure chamber to be changed by deforming the vibrating plate upon application of voltage to the driving element, an opening through which the ink held in the pressure chamber is discharged in response to the change of the volume of the pressure chamber, and an insulating layer disposed between the driving element and the opening.
US09221253B2	Liquid ejection apparatus An ink jet printer includes an ejection unit including a nozzle which ejects a liquid containing a pigment; a cavity which communicates with the nozzle; and a piezoelectric element which is provided in the cavity, and a driving signal generation unit which generates a driving signal allowing the piezoelectric element to be displaced such that the cavity expands or is contracted. The ink jet printer includes a detection unit that detects a cycle of a residual vibration waveform of the piezoelectric element which is generated by the driving signal being applied to the piezoelectric element and indicates a value according to change of the pressure inside of the cavity and a determination unit that determines the pigment is settled based on the cycle of the residual vibration waveform detected by the detection unit.
US09221252B2	Controlling ink deposition during printing Systems and methods of controlling ink deposition during printing are disclosed. An example of a method includes actuating a plurality of print heads to deposit ink on a substrate. The method also includes activating an energy source to speed cure of the deposited ink on the substrate. The method also includes adjusting electrical output to the plurality of print heads to compensate for different distances from the energy source to each of the plurality of print heads.
US09221251B2	Adaptive level shifter for print nozzle amplifier An apparatus includes an amplifier to provide a waveform to drive a print nozzle. The amplifier also provides a current proportional to a slew rate of the waveform. A pass gate to applies the waveform to the print nozzle in response to a drive signal. A level shifter adjusts the drive signal based on the current.
US09221240B2	Method for providing a textile product, the product itself and uses thereof A method for providing a textile product includes the steps of providing yarns, contacting the yarns with a support material to form an intermediate product and bonding the yarns to the support material to form the textile product, wherein the bonding takes place by providing a reactive nucleus precursor at a site where the yarns contact the support material, and converting the precursor into a compound having multiple reactive nuclei in the presence of a compound having multiple nucleophilic groups, as well as a textile product obtainable by the method, uses of that product and lignin for use in producing such a textile product.
US09221234B2	High density polyurethane and polyisocyanurate construction boards and composite boards A construction board comprising a cellular body including at least one planar surface, where the cellular body includes a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate cellular structure, where the cellular structure has a density greater than about 2.5 pounds per cubic foot, an ISO index of at least 270, and where the cellular body includes at least 5.0% by weight flame retardant based on the weight of the cellular body.
US09221227B2	Method and machine for producing bags containing fiber material A method for producing bags containing fiber material, comprises the steps of forming at least one continuous layer of fiber material; separating in succession portions of fiber material from the continuous layer and moving them along a predetermined path; feeding each portion of fiber material to respective containment and compaction elements of a first transfer conveyor; feeding an ordered succession of bags containing respective portions of fiber material to respective supporting elements of a second transfer conveyor; transferring the portions of fiber material from the first transfer conveyor inside respective containment bags carried by the second transfer conveyor; transferring the containment bags housing respective portions of fiber material from the respective supporting elements of the second transfer conveyor to a fourth transfer conveyor; and moving in succession the bags housing respective portions of fiber material to a folding unit at which the bags are closed.
US09221217B2	Method for producing a three-dimensional structure and three-dimensional structure The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional structure. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: applying to or introducing into a carrier element (1; 7; 16) particles (2), a plurality of at least partially interlinked cavities being formed between the particles (2) and the particles (2) coming into contact in points of contact, and interconnecting the particles (2) in the points of contact by coating the system consisting of particles and the carrier element, the coat (4) produced during coating penetrating the cavities at least to some extent. The method according to the invention allows the production of three-dimensional structures with little effort.
US09221210B2	Method to create vacuum insulated cabinets for refrigerators A method of forming a vacuum insulated refrigerator cabinet, the method comprising providing first and second sheets of material. The first sheet of material is thermoformed over a first forming tool forming a first intermediate structure. The first intermediate structure is then thermoformed over a second forming mold to create a second intermediate structure. The second sheet of material is then sealing connected with the second intermediate structure forming an annular space. A vacuum is created in the annular space creating a vacuum insulated cabinet.
US09221206B2	Multi-layered fuel tubing The invention describes a flexible tubular article for transport of volatile hydrocarbons comprising: (a) an inner layer of a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymer or a polyvinylidene difluoride copolymer; (b) an intermediate thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) layer extruded in tubular form over the inner PVDF layer, and (c) a polyvinyl chloride polymer extruded in tubular form over the outside surface of the intermediate layer and being coextensive therewith. The tubular articles of the invention have a maximum permeation rating of 15 g/m2/day under SAE J1737 test conditions.
US09221205B2	Mold and method for injection-molding a part with a projecting portion A mold and a method for the molding by injection of plastic material of a generally thin part, notably of a vehicle lighting and/or signalling device. The mold comprises two half-molds designed to be disposed one against the other and forming an enclosure designed to be filled with plastic material by injection. The plastic material is injected via an injection nozzle in the vicinity of one end of the part. The volume formed by the mold includes a cavity the volume of which may be modulated by means of a mobile element. During the injection of plastic material, when the latter has reached at least the level of the cavity, the initially zero volume of the cavity is progressively increased via the control means of the mobile element.
US09221204B2	Techniques to mold parts with injection-formed aperture in gate area Methods and systems for co-extruding multiple polymeric material flow streams into a mold cavity to produce a molded plastic article having an injection-formed aperture in gate region of the article are disclosed herein. A method includes providing a valve pin having a distal portion with a first diameter and a mid-portion with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and providing a mold defining a cavity corresponding to a shape of a resulting molded plastic article. The mold has a recess aligned with a gate region of the mold, extending into the mold and configured to receive the distal portion of the valve pin when the distal portion of the valve pin extends beyond the gate region. The method includes advancing the distal portion of the valve pin into the recess until the mid-portion of the valve pin at least partially extends into the gate region, thereby establishing a flow path for a combined polymeric stream into the cavity at the gate region for forming a molded plastic article having at least one layer of a first polymeric material and at least one layer of a second polymeric material. The method also includes withdrawing the mid-portion of the valve pin from the gate region, thereby forming an injection-molded aperture in the resulting molded plastic article at the gate region.
US09221203B2	Locating ring for positioning parts A locating ring has a metal body with a ring shape and having a perimeter surface facing radially outward, a center axis defined by the body, a mounting face, and a locating face spaced from and facing opposite the mounting face along the axis. The locating ring has a guard connected to the body and made of a material that is softer than the metal body. The guard is sized to be radially within the perimeter wall and to project axially beyond the locating face.
US09221202B2	Making twist-on wire connectors A method of making a twist-on wire connector including a method of making a sealant containing twist-on wire connector by in situ formation of a shell around the coil wherein a sealant may be injected into a cavity in the coil prior to removing the shell from the mold to form a ready-to-use sealant containing twist on wire connector without further steps outside the mold.
US09221189B2	Apparatus and method for perforating beams This invention concerns an apparatus and method for perforating a beam. The apparatus comprises a main longitudinal support structure to support the beam. A cutting zone is located along the main longitudinal support structure. Controllable translating means translate the beam longitudinally in the cutting zone. A detector detects a presence of the beam in the cutting zone and in response, a router is controllably moved substantially orthogonally and transversally with respect to the beam, while the beam is translated. The combined controlled movement of the router and the beam results in a perforation of the beam following a predetermined perforation pattern.
US09221188B1	Precision positioning of a fence A fence device includes a coordinate system for providing accurate positioning of a workpiece along two perpendicular axes. Precise repeatable positioning of the workpiece relative to a given reference point is achieved. Two or more separate calipers are used for the positioning. The device includes parallel channels along two opposing edges of a table top. Channel guides along edges of a fence engage the channels for movement of the fence toward and away from a cutter bit or other material removing tool. A first caliper determines the distance that a workpiece may be moved when engaging the cutter bit. The location of a workpiece along the fence is determined using a second caliper perpendicular to the first caliper. A slide plate is secured at right angles to the fence and uses the second caliper to accurately position the distance of the fence with relation to the tool.
US09221187B2	Moving shear rail A sawmill including a band saw, mounted on a carriage. A moving shear rail is connected to the carriage such that the shear rail moves in synchronization with the band saw. The moving shear rail has a notch formed in the upper edge, and is positioned so that the notch is aligned with the band saw blade, and the upper edge of the moving shear rail extends at least to even with the band saw blade, and possibly even beyond the saw blade. The moving shear rail includes a shear rail plate carrying the notch, and a flexible element connected at each end of the shear rail plate. The flexible element is formed of conveyor links reeved about a pair of reels, including a last link that is removably connected to the shear rail plate. Each of the reels is mounted to a standard, one having a pivot, allowing that reel to be pivoted away.
US09221166B1	Protective shield for hand-held tools A protective device for a hand-held tool includes a protective shield having a first end and an opposing second end, a first clamp portion attached to the first end of the protective shield, and a second clamp portion removably attached to the first clamp portion. The first and second clamp portions are configured to securely fix a portion of the handle of the hand-held tool therebetween when the second clamp portion is attached to the first clamp portion.
US09221155B1	Lag driver A lag driver includes a drive shank and a drive body assembly extending from the drive shank. The drive body assembly includes a fastener-receiving portion, wherein a fastener is receivable within the fastener-receiving portion in a first, loading position such that the fastener is positionable in substantial coaxial alignment with the lag driver, and wherein the fastener is rotatable into a second, locked position within the fastener-receiving portion such that the fastener-receiving portion is engageable with a portion of the fastener for applying torque to the fastener.
US09221148B2	Method and apparatus for processing sliders for disk drives, and to various processing media for the same A method and apparatus for processing sliders for a disk drives. The apparatus includes at least one gimbal structure adapted to engage at least one slider. The gimbal structure permits the slider to move in at least pitch and roll. A processing media is positioning opposite a surface on the least one slider to be processed. A preload mechanism biases the slider toward the processing media. One or more fluid bearing features are provided on at least one of the slider or the processing media configured to generate aerodynamic lift forces at an interface of the processing media with the surface of the slider during movement of the processing media relative to the slider. Various processing media are also disclosed.
US09221142B2	Guard assembly A guard assembly for a tool is provided. The guard assembly has a body with a first open end, a second open end and a mid-portion between the first open end and the second open end. The body forms an inner passage between the first open end and the second open end. The passage is configured to receive a portion of a tool. The body has a plurality of spaced slots. Each slot extends from the first open end a select distance toward the mid-portion of the body. The body has a port and a plurality of openings proximate the second open end to allow air or fluid passage.
US09221140B2	Method of machining workpiece with machine tool A workpiece is machined by setting a frequency response band of a control system for a rotation drive motor or a feed drive motor so that tool abrasion is within a predetermined allowable range. The frequency response band may be adjusted by adjusting a proportional gain and an integral gain. With the workpiece machined by such a process, where the frequency response band maintains tool abrasion within the allowable range, machining quality and efficiency are improved.
US09221132B2	Solder alloy, solder paste, and electronic circuit board A solder alloy is a tin-silver-copper solder alloy containing tin, silver, copper, nickel, antimony, bismuth, and indium, and substantially does not contain germanium, wherein relative to the total amount of the solder alloy, the silver content is more than 0.05 mass % and less than 0.2 mass %, and the antimony content is 0.01 mass % or more and less than 2.5 mass %.
US09221131B2	Solder alloy An alloy suitable for use in a wave solder process, reflow soldering process, hot air levelling process or a ball grid array, the alloy comprising from 0.08-3 wt. % bismuth, from 0.15-1.5 wt. % copper, from 0.1-1.5 wt. % silver, from 0-0.1 wt. % phosphorus, from 0-0.1 wt. % germanium, from 0-0.1 wt. % gallium, from 0-0.3 wt. % one or more rare earth elements, from 0-0.3 wt. % indium, from 0-0.3 wt. % magnesium, from 0-0.3 wt. % calcium, from 0-0.3 wt. % silicon, from 0-0.3 wt. % aluminum, from 0-0.3 wt. % zinc, and at least one of the following elements from 0.02-0.3 wt % nickel, from 0.008-0.2 wt % manganese, from 0.01-0.3 wt % cobalt, from 0.01-0.3 wt % chromium, from 0.02-0.3 wt % iron, and from 0.008-0.1 wt % zirconium, and the balance tin, together with unavoidable impurities.
US09221126B2	Method for producing a cellular wheel A method for producing a cellular wheel, wherein a tool having a cylindrical inner shell, the diameter of which corresponds to the inner diameter of the subsequent sleeve, is placed on the free end edges of the fins for fixing the angular orientation of the fins. A molding material mixture is applied in the cells bounded by the inner shell of the tool and the fins and cured. After removing the tool, the subsequent sleeve is placed on the free end edges of the fins fixed in place by the cured molding material mixture. The free end edges of the fins are joined to the subsequent sleeve to the cells. The cured molding material mixture is thermally treated and is removed from the cells.
US09221112B2	Motor mount for a power tool A power tool includes a motor having a can and a shaft extending axially from the can, a gear case having an inner surface that defines an opening, a bearing positioned around a portion of the shaft that extends from the can and at least partially within the opening in the gear case, and a motor mount coupled to the motor. The motor mount includes a flange extending away from the motor. The flange of the motor mount and the inner surface of the gear case axially and laterally locate the motor and the gear case on the bearing.
US09221108B2	Drill tool A drill tool including a drill body having an inner insert and an outer insert at an end portion of the drill body. The distance from a central axis of the drill body to the outer insert is greater than the distance from the central axis to the inner insert. The cutting edges of the inner and outer inserts can be chamfered with the inner insert chambered at a radially inward portion and the outer insert chamfered at a radially outward portion. The inner insert and the outer insert can be mirror symmetric to one another. The inner insert and the outer insert are mounted to the drill body such that an effective cutting length of the inner insert equals an effective cutting length of the outer insert, the effective cutting lengths being measured in a direction perpendicular to the central axis.
US09221106B2	Device and method for machining a cylinder bore by means of a geometrically defined cutter and a geometrically undefined cutter The invention relates to a device (1) for the combined precision turning and honing of a cylindrical borehole (35). The device (1) according to the invention can comprise either only honing stones (29) which can be fed or also cutters (7) that can be fed during machining.
US09221105B2	Drill chuck A chuck including a body having a tail section and a nose section defining an axial bore. A plurality of jaws are movably disposed with respect to the axial bore and a nut is in threaded engagement with the jaws. A sleeve engages the nut so that rotation of the sleeve moves the jaws. A first ring defines a plurality of teeth and a second ring is rotatable relative to the nut over a limited arc and defines at least one pawl. In a first state, the second ring is non-rotatable relative to the first ring in both the opening and closing directions, and in a second state the first and second rings are rotatable about the body, and the second ring is rotatable relative to the first ring in the closing direction.
US09221099B2	Refractory material and casting nozzle A refractory product includes CaO component-containing refractory particles and MgO component-containing refractory particles. The refractory material contains, a chemical composition measured after it has undergone heating in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at 1000° C., one or more of the following metal oxides B2O3, TiO2, V2O5, P2O5 and SiO2 in a total amount of 0.1 to 5.0 mass %, and free carbon in an amount of 2 to 35 mass %, with the remainder including CaO and MgO whose mass ratio (CaO/MgO) is in the range of 0.1 to 1.5. In microscopic observation performed at room temperature on the refractory material which has undergone the above heating, an inorganic film comprised of CaO and the one or more metal oxides is formed in at least each CaO surface of the refractory particles each containing either one or both of a CaO component and an MgO component, with a thickness of 0.1 to 25 μm.
US09221096B2	Centrifugal casting apparatus and method A centrifugal casting apparatus includes a rotatable assembly to rotate about a rotation axis. The rotatable assembly includes a sprue chamber positioned about the rotation axis and is shaped to receive a supply of molten material. A first gate and a second gate are positioned to receive molten material from the sprue chamber in a general direction of centrifugal force. A first cavity and a second cavity are stacked and are respectively positioned to receive molten material from the first gate and the second gate in the general direction of centrifugal force.
US09221091B2	System and method for incremental forming A system includes a frame configured to hold a workpiece and first and second tool positioning assemblies configured to be opposed to each other on opposite sides of the workpiece. The first and second tool positioning assemblies each include a toolholder configured to secure a tool to the tool positioning assembly, a first axis assembly, a second axis assembly, and a third axis assembly. The first, second, and third axis assemblies are each configured to articulate the toolholder along a respective axis. Each axis assembly includes first and second guides extending generally parallel to the corresponding axis and disposed on opposing sides of the toolholder with respect to the corresponding axis. Each axis assembly includes first and second carriages articulable along the first and second guides of the axis assembly, respectively, in the direction of the corresponding axis.
US09221077B2	CMUT assembly with acoustic window In some implementations, a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) apparatus includes one or more CMUTs or CMUT arrays, an acoustic window, a coupling medium, and a packaging substrate. The acoustic window may have various configurations, such as for reducing acoustic reflectance or increasing mechanical properties. In some examples, at least one of the CMUTs, the acoustic window or the coupling medium may include a focusing capability for focusing acoustic energy to or from the CMUT.
US09221062B2	Process and apparatus for dedusting a vapor gas mixture A process for dedusting a dust laden vapor gas mixture (VGM) obtained by pyrolysis of a material containing hydrocarbons includes treating the dust laden VGM in a dry electrostatic precipitator at a temperature in a range from 380 to 480° C. so as to separate dust from the VGM. Then, the VGM is cooled to a temperature in a range from 310 to 360° C.
US09221059B2	Mobile crushing system A mobile crushing system with a sub-construction features at least one chassis and a superstructure featuring at least one receiving hopper, a crusher and a transport device. The superstructure features rigid bearings, and a hoisting device for raising and lowering the superstructure relative to the sub-construction and is provided between the superstructure and sub-construction. The superstructure is supported against the sub-construction by the hoisting device during traveling operation. The superstructure can be placed on the ground by the bearings by lowering the superstructure with the hoisting device during crushing operation in such a way that the bearings at least partially transmit the weight of the superstructure along with dynamic and static forces acting on the superstructure directly onto the ground.
US09221053B2	Reagent container A test reagent container includes: a bottom part; a peripheral wall part on the periphery of the bottom part; a storage part which opens upward and with an internal diameter of an inner peripheral wall decreased with depth; a film which seals the opening of the storage part; a discharge channel which penetratingly passes from an inner bottom surface of the storage part to the bottom part of the container body; a projecting part formed downwardly projecting from the bottom part to seal an outlet of the discharge channel; a breakable part including a thick-walled part and a thin-walled part thinner than the thick-walled part formed on the periphery of the projecting part. The breakable part is broken when the projecting part is depressed from outside of the container, the projecting part is inserted into the inside of the discharge channel, and the sealed state of the outlet is released.
US09221052B2	Dispensing device A dispensing device includes: a syringe; a first pump; a second pump; a first flowmeter; and a first control unit configured to correct a plurality of initial driving voltages for the first pump by calculating a first ratio of, with respect to a driving voltage for the first pump associated in advance with a target flow rate in a case where the syringe draws in a first fluid as the fluid, a driving voltage for the first pump when the first flowmeter measures a flow rate corresponding to the target flow rate in a case where the syringe draws in the first fluid, and multiplying, by the first ratio, the plurality of initial driving voltages for the first pump respectively associated in advance with a plurality of target flow rates in a case where the syringe draws in a second fluid as the fluid.
US09221050B2	Conductive patterns and methods for making conductive patterns This document provides conductive patterns, electrical sensors including conductive patterns, and methods of making conductive patterns used in electrical sensors. In some cases, the conductive patterns can define one or more microelectrodes. For example, thermal transfer printing techniques are described. In some cases, a microfluidics device can include one or more microelectrodes in a micro-channel.
US09221049B2	Device and method for removing a supernatant of a liquid sample, and use of a valve device having a soluble membrane A device and a method for separating a supernatant of a liquid sample are proposed, in which an outlet is closed off by a water-soluble membrane that dissolves after a certain length of time so that the supernatant of the sample is automatically drained away after centrifugation. The water-soluble membrane may in principle may also be used for other purposes for temporarily retaining a liquid in a holding chamber.
US09221044B2	Flow system method for preparing substantially pure nanoparticles, nanoparticles obtained by this method and use thereof The invention relates to a method of synthesis of substantially pure nanoparticles in a continuous-flow system, in which a precursor substance solution undergoes reduction reaction using a reducing agent solution and nanoparticles are produced, wherein the reduction reaction is terminated by adding an agent neutralizing the reducing agent and a stable nanoparticle colloid is produced. In the method of the invention a need for using surfactants or other organic molecules for nanoparticle stabilization has been eliminated.
US09221042B2	Metal complexes, especially the ruthenium complexes, and use thereof Described herein are novel metal complexes, especially ruthenium complexes, represented by the formula (1): wherein L1 is a N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, L2 is a neutral phosphine ligand, preferably tricyclohexyl-phosphine, and process of catalyzing olefin metathesis reactions, especially tetra-substituted olefin metathesis reactions.
US09221039B2	Catalyst and the preparation process thereof and a process for epoxidising olefin Disclosed herein are a catalyst, a preparation process thereof, and a process of epoxidizing olefin using the catalyst. The catalyst contains a binder and a titanium silicate as specified. The catalyst disclosed herein has high strength, and shows high catalytic activity in the epoxidation of olefins.
US09221029B2	Automatic system for synthesizing 123I-MIBG and automatic device for synthesizing and dispensing 123I-MIBG comprising the same The present invention relates to an automatic system for synthesizing iodine-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG), which comprises a first reactor for subjecting radioactive iodine-containing sodium iodide and meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) sulfate to an iodine-iodine exchange reaction to obtain radioactive iodine labeled MIBG; a purification unit for purifying the iodine labeled MIBG; and a second reactor for substituting a solvent used in purification with a phosphate buffer to obtain a phosphate solution containing 123I-MIBG. The present invention also relates to an automatic device for dispensing 123I-MIBG, which comprises the automatic system for synthesizing 123I-MIBG, a radioactivity measuring unit, and a dispensing and packing unit.
US09221028B2	Delivery particles The present application relates to encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents and processes for making and using compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents. Such encapsulated benefit agents eliminate or minimize one or more of the drawbacks of current encapsulated benefit agents and thus provide formulators with additional perfume delivery opportunities.
US09221021B2	Method for producing air-permeable composite sheet It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method for producing an air-permeable composite sheet which has excellent mechanical strength and compression resistance as well as PTFE's innate property such as air-permeability, water repellency, heat resistance and chemical resistance; and a filter and a fabrics material containing the air-permeable composite sheet produced by the method as a constituent material. The method for producing an air-permeable composite sheet according to the present invention is characterized in comprising steps of filling pores of a porous PTFE sheet with a hardenable material solution; hardening or semi-hardening the porous PTFE sheet filled with the hardenable material solution; and expanding the hardened or semi-hardened porous PTFE sheet.
US09221017B2	Exhaust gas control apparatus for internal combustion engine The purpose of the present invention is to suppress degradation of a PM sensor and a decrease in detection accuracy of the amount of PM in a configuration in which a urea addition unit and a selective reduction-type NOx catalyst (NOx catalyst) are provided downstream of a particulate filter (filter) in an internal combustion engine exhaust passage, the PM sensor being disposed downstream of the filter. According to the present invention, in an exhaust passage (2) of an internal combustion engine (1), a first NOx catalyst (4) and a second NOx catalyst (5) are disposed downstream of a filter (3) successively from the upstream side along the flow of exhaust. A urea addition unit (6) is disposed between the filter (3) and the first NOx catalyst (4). A PM sensor (7) is disposed between the first NOx catalyst (4) and the second NOx catalyst (5).
US09221015B2	Copper containing ZSM-34, OFF and/or ERI zeolitic material for selective reduction of NOx Described is a copper containing ZSM-34, OFF and/or ERI zeolitic material having a silica to alumina mole ratio ranging from about 4 to about 50 and a copper content, reported as CuO, ranging from about 1 to about 10 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the calcined zeolitic material, and having an alkali metal content, reported as metal oxide, ranging from about 1.5 to about 12 wt.-%.
US09221012B2	Carbon dioxide absorbent and method of using the same In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a composition which contains the amino-siloxane structures I, or III, as described herein. The composition is useful for the capture of carbon dioxide from process streams. In addition, the present invention provides methods of preparing the amino-siloxane composition. Another aspect of the present invention provides methods for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in a process stream employing the amino-siloxane compositions of the invention, as species which react with carbon dioxide to form an adduct with carbon dioxide.
US09221011B2	Method and system for reducing industrial emissions The invention relates to a method adapted for integration with a carbonate absorption/stripping process for removal of carbon dioxide, the method and system including the steps of: converting a source of alkali from a first industry to a non-carbonate alkali; feeding the non-carbonate alkali as makeup to a carbonate absorption system for stripping carbon dioxide from emissions from a second industry; recovering an output from the system for stripping carbon dioxide, and in the process of conversion of the alkali from the first industry, utilising energy from the second industry.
US09221009B2	System and method for softening water for use in a scrubber The present invention relates generally to the field of emission control equipment for boilers, heaters, kilns, or other flue gas-, or combustion gas-, generating devices (e.g., those located at power plants, processing plants) and, in particular to a new and useful method and apparatus designed to improve the water supplied to non-calcium-based, aqueous wet SOx scrubbers. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a system and method for softening water for use in non-calcium-based, aqueous wet SOx scrubbers.
US09221008B2	Gas prepurification process A method for removing impurities from a feed air gas stream prior to the stream being fed to a cryogenic distillation unit. The feed air gas stream contacts an ionic liquid which adsorbs the impurities from the air. The method can use one or more beds such as in pressure swing adsorption processes.
US09221002B2	Pulse cleaning filter system arrangement A pulse cleaning filter system has a housing with an inlet side and an outlet side separated by a planar tubesheet. The housing includes multiple tubesheet openings forming multiple rows. Multiple cylindrical filter cartridges have an open end sealed around one of the tubesheet openings and a closed end at the inlet side of the housing. A filter cleaning system includes a compressed gas header extending perpendicular to a normal of the tubesheet, multiple compressed gas outlet stub pipes extending from the header, right angle pulse valves connecting each of the stub pipes to a pulse manifold pipe including a first straight portion, a ninety degree bend at the outlet side of the housing, and a second straight portion at the outlet side of the housing. A gas pulse nozzle has a main injection axis directed along the central axis of the filter cartridge.
US09221001B2	Oil mist separator An oil mist separator includes: a separator body having a gas flow path; a gas introduction part introducing the blow-by gas into the separator body; a gas discharge part discharging the blow-by gas from the separator body; a separation unit separating oil from the blow-by gas; dams provided on the bottom wall of the separator body downstream of the separation unit in the gas flow path and configured to block the oil separated from flowing to the downstream side; and an oil discharge part provided upstream of the dams in the gas flow path and configured to discharge the oil separated from the separator body, wherein the dams are formed along the gas flow path so as to alternately extend from the pair of side walls, and the dams extend such that tip ends of the dams are located beyond a center of the gas flow path.
US09221000B2	Filtration barrier A filtration barrier includes a filter mesh that has a plurality of groups of flexible filter elements, with each group having at least a first and second flexible filter elements disposed in spaced relation. The first flexible filter element is more flexible than the second. Each flexible filter element is secured to the first and second anchoring members of the mesh and free therebetween. During forward fluid flow, the first and second flexible filter elements are supported against downstream deflection and lie in a common plane. For reverse fluid flow, the first flexible element of a group displaces farther from the common plane than the second flexible filter element of that group, such that a first backwash opening associated with the first flexible element is larger than a second backwash opening associated with the second flexible element. Each group may have more elements, and associated methods are also disclosed.
US09220998B2	Filter media for a liquid filter using an electrospun nanofiber web, method for manufacturing same, and liquid filter using same Provided is a filter medium for a liquid filter, having a three-dimensional micropore structure of a multi-layered structure using a multilayer nanofiber web that is obtained by performing air-electrospinning, to thus be thin but have high efficiency and long life, a method of manufacturing the filter medium using the multilayer nanofiber web, and a liquid filter using the filter medium. The filter medium for a liquid filter, includes: a nanofiber web that is made by stacking nanofibers that are obtained by air-electrospinning a fibrous polymer material and that have micropores; and a supporter that is inserted and combined onto one surface or in an inner portion of the nanofiber web.
US09220995B2	System and method for constructing a set or a stage A wall module assembly usable to make interchangeable scenery, the module comprising a first support member having a first end, a second end, a first main surface, and a second main surface, a second support member having a first end, a second end, a first main surface, and a second main surface, a plurality of panel members interchangeably and removably supported by at least one of the first support member and the second support member, adjacent at least one of the first main surface and the second main surface of the first and/or second support member, and a plurality of connection members supported by the first end of the first support member and configured to be removably received within openings formed in the second end of the second support member positioned adjacent to the first support member.
US09220977B1	Friend recommendation system An optimized friend recommendation system is described. An active social network (ASN) of a player of an online game is determined based on a frequency of reciprocated communications between the player and friends of the player. The ASN of the player has friends of the player with a minimum number of closed-loop communications with the player within a predetermined duration. The social network of non-ASN friends outside the ASN of the player is identified. One or more non-ASN friends identified and suggested to socially engage with the player in an online game based on the social network of non-ASN friends of the player outside the ASN of the player are.
US09220958B2	Consequential location derived information The number of messages required in networks where location services are deployed may be reduced, by providing updated location information regarding particular subscribers, or even all subscribers, to subscribed or otherwise logged applications or services upon obtaining and providing location information for a different application or service. Consequential watch services in accordance with the principles of the present invention provide location information to one or more services OTHER than or in ADDITION to the service currently requesting location information, based on subscription to a suitable service.
US09220957B1	Golf club head with adjustable characteristics A golf club head with means for adjusting a center of gravity along more than one axis and means adjusting at least one of a characteristic selected from the group consisting of face angle, loft angle, and lie angle is disclosed herein. The golf club head comprises one or more adjustable features such as weight bars, weight screws, weight cartridges, and adjustable sole members, and preferably includes structural features such as pegs, teeth, and polymeric dampeners that serve to preload the one or more adjustable features on the golf club head and prevent or reduce unwanted vibrations when the golf club head is in use.
US09220944B2	Apparatus for exercise and balance training The present application is directed to a balance board upon which a user may exercise, conduct balance training and do tricks. The balance board comprises a body member with at least two separate balancing surfaces extending from the lower surface with a discontinuity between each separate balancing surface. A first balancing surface is provided by a hub member and a second balancing surface is provided by one or more nub members. These balancing surfaces facilitate the capability of a variety of new balance and strengthening exercises.
US09220942B1	Load and lag golf glove A magnetometer and magnet are incorporated into a glove in order to measure the magnetic field between the two carrying an athletic movement such as a golf swing. The resulting magnetic field can be related to the distance between the magnet and the magnetometer in the wrist-joint angle, allowing a real time receptacle signal to be transmitted to the user when a proper wrist angel in achieved.
US09220939B2	Rehabilitation or exercising chair device An exercising device includes a chair member having a seat element disposed on a base supporting member, two handles each include a lower portion rotatably attached to the base supporting member and each include a spring biasing member provided on the handle, a resistive device engaged with the handles for applying a spring biasing force to resist the rotational movement of the handles relative to the chair member, and two arm rests each include a bottom portion attached to the spring biasing member for supporting a forearm of a user and for allowing the arm rest to be pivoted laterally and upwardly and downwardly relative to the handle and the chair member with the spring biasing member.
US09220938B2	Playground assembly In one embodiment, a playground assembly includes a beam having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis that extends between the first end and the second end such that the beam is elongate along the longitudinal axis. The beam defines a length measured between the first end and the second end along the longitudinal axis, and a width measured in a direction perpendicular to the length, wherein the length is at least five times greater than the width and the beam is at a height above a ground level. The playground assembly also includes at least one flexible strip extending between the beam and the ground level.
US09220936B2	Device for carrying an apparatus for discharging a fire extinguishing agent and method therefor A device for carrying an apparatus for discharging a fire extinguishing agent has a frame member. A leg member extends out and away from a bottom section of the frame member. The leg member is dimensioned to be inserted through an opening formed in the hose attachment.
US09220935B2	Fire-fighting control system A nozzle system is provided for use in a fire-fighting environment. The nozzle system includes a nozzle, and a remote component that is communicatively coupleable to a base component and that is associated with the nozzle. The remote component includes an indicator configured to provide a status signal associated with the nozzle system.
US09220924B2	System and method for energy delivery to tissue while monitoring position, lesion depth, and wall motion Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.
US09220922B2	Clearance check devices, systems, and methods Clearance check devices, systems, and methods that can be used to indicate whether a proposed treatment plan will cause a collision between a patient/couch and a medical device, such as a linac, are described herein. Some devices and/or systems include an adjustable clearance member to account for the rotation of the medical device and a rotatable frame segment to account for the rotation of the patient or couch. Others include a frame segment that has an inner surface defining an arc that has a radius that is substantially equal to or less than an orbital radius of a centermost portion of a medical equipment component. Still others are disclosed.
US09220921B2	Method and system for radioisotope ion beam gamma therapy A method includes directing an ion beam at a tissue. Ions of the ion beam can include positron emitters, such as carbon-11, nitrogen-13, oxygen-15, and fluorine-17. The ions can ionize at least a portion of the tissue and the positron emitters can irradiate the at least a portion of the tissue. The ion beam may be generated with a cyclotron, a synchrotron, or a particle accelerator. The ion beam may be targeted at the tissue using a stereotactic targeting system, clinical dosimetry system, or a positron emission tomography system such that a delivered energy of the ions peaks throughout a volume of the targeted portion of the tissue. The ions may damage a cell in the tissue, and positrons produced, in vivo, by the positron emitters may combine with electrons to create gamma rays that damage the cell in the course of a combination ion beam therapy and brachytherapy treatment.
US09220920B2	Intensity-modulated proton therapy The therapeutic treatment of a patient using intensity-modulated proton therapy is described. In one example, a method of creating a proton treatment plan is presented that divides volumes of interest into sub-volumes, applies dose constraints to the sub-volumes, finds one or more feasible configurations of a proton therapy system, and selects a proton beam configuration that improves or optimizes one or more aspects of proton therapy. In some implementations, the method of dividing volumes into sub-volumes includes creating fractional sub-volumes based at least in part on proximity to a target volume boundary. In some implementations, the method of finding an improved or optimal proton beam configuration from a set of feasible configurations includes finding a minimum of a cost function that utilizes weighting factors associated with treatment sites.
US09220919B2	Radiotherapy apparatus controller and radiotherapy apparatus control method A radiotherapy apparatus control method includes: collecting a planning-stage position where a patient is arranged during a planning stage; collecting a position-adjusting-stage position where the patient is arranged during a position-adjusting stage; calculating a treatment-stage position, a gantry-angle offset value and a ring-angle offset value such that an orientation in which an irradiation head is arranged with respect to the treatment-stage position, when a ring is arranged while deviating from a ring angle by the ring-angle offset value and a gantry is arranged while deviating from a gantry angle by the gantry-angle offset value, coincides with an orientation in which the irradiation head is arranged with respect to the planning-stage position, when the ring is arranged at the ring angle and the gantry is arranged at the gantry angle. After that, the patient is arranged at a patient position.
US09220911B2	Implantable medical devices with power supply noise isolation The present invention provides an implantable medical device having at least two electrodes coupled to the device housing. The electrodes may be configured for sensing physiological signals such as cardiac signals and alternatively for providing an electrical stimulation therapy such as a pacing or defibrillation therapy. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the device housing provides a hermetic enclosure that includes a battery case hermetically coupled to a circuit assembly case. At least one of the at least two electrodes is coupled to an exterior surface of the battery case. The battery case is electrically insulated from the cathode and anode of the battery.
US09220909B2	External device for an implantable medical system having accessible contraindication information Disclosed is a remote controller for an implantable medical device having stored contraindication information, which includes information which a patient or clinician might wish to review when assessing the compatibility of a given therapeutic or diagnostic technique or activity with the patient's implant. The stored contraindication information is available through a display of the remote controller or via a wired, wireless, or portable drive connection with an external device. By storing contraindication information with the implant's remote controller, patient and clinician can more easily determine the safety of a particular therapeutic or diagnostic technique or physical activity with the patient's implant, perhaps without the need to contact the manufacturer's service representative.
US09220899B2	Electrode for medical applications, system having an electrode, and method for producing an electrode An electrode for medical applications for neuromodulation and/or nerve stimulation and/or neurological signal detection, which electrode can be compressed and expanded in order to insert same into a hollow organ of a body and is or can be coupled to a current supply. The electrode has a compressible and expandable lattice structure including lattice webs, which form cells, wherein the lattice structure is or can be coupled to the current supply and forms at least one electrically conductive region and at least one electrically insulated region.
US09220897B2	Implantable lead An implantable wireless lead includes an enclosure, the enclosure housing: one or more electrodes configured to apply one or more electrical pulses to a neural tissue; a first antenna configured to: receive, from a second antenna and through electrical radiative coupling, an input signal containing electrical energy, the second antenna being physically separate from the implantable neural stimulator lead; one or more circuits electrically connected to the first antenna, the circuits configured to: create the one or more electrical pulses suitable for stimulation of the neural tissue using the electrical energy contained in the input signal; and supply the one or more electrical pulses to the one or more electrodes, wherein the enclosure is shaped and arranged for delivery into a subject's body through an introducer or a needle.
US09220894B1	Overshoot waveform in micro current therapy Systems and methods are provided to generate an waveform for micro current therapy. The waveform includes overshoot signals overlaid on constant currents and is capable of stimulating cells or nerves to achieve healing. The system can include an oscillator configured to generate a reference signal, a pulse wave generator to generate a pulse waveform signal based on the reference signal, an overshoot generator to generate an overshoot signal based on the reference signal, and an output module to generate a composite output waveform signal based on the overshoot signal and the pulse waveform signal, wherein the composite output waveform includes one or more pulses having one or more overshoots that extend a width of each of the pulses. The system can be adjusted by a user depending on the disease, condition, or preference of the user.
US09220888B2	Medical leads Medical leads, such as medical electrical leads and medical neurological leads, that include a polymeric material that includes a silicone-urethane-containing polymer having improved hydrolytic stability.
US09220883B2	Medical connector The present invention provides a connector (1, 2) for use in fluid driving applications such as enteral feeding sets, catheters, and other medical devices, comprising a body (3) having a cylindrical coupling portion (7) with a substantially circular coupling surface (8) and having an outer surface (9) extending from the coupling surface (8) to form an internal cavity (11), a tube mating portion (13) extending outward from the body (3) for connecting to a tube, at least one thread sector (15) provided at the coupling portion (7), and at least one locking means (17) on the coupling portion (7), and at least one locking means (17) on the coupling surface (8).
US09220874B2	Transvascular access device and method Transvascular access devices and methods for transvascular access are provided. The transvascular access devices can include a guidewire lumen and a guide tube and stylet disposed in a second lumen. The guide tube can be used to control the orientation of the stylet and provide additional support for the stylet. The methods include providing a second entry point in a vessel of a patient remote from a first entry point. A vascular catheter can enter the vascular system of a patient at a first entry point and be advanced to a second entry point. A guide tube can be advanced out the second lumen of the vascular catheter with a stylet advanced out of the guide tube to pierce the vessel wall and skin of the patient at the second entry point. A catheter can be introduced to the vascular system at the second entry point.
US09220866B2	Package with catheter Package for a catheter, with a catheter having catheter tube with a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being provided with a catheter connector. A main body is provided for holding the catheter, and a cap for closing off the main body. A gel container is positioned inside the main body, the gel container being provided with a cavity for holding an amount of gel-like lubricating agent. The gel container comprises a first opening at a distal end, and a second opening at a proximal end. The catheter tube is disposed through the first opening and second opening when stored in the package. The main body is made of a rigid material to allow easy and reliable storage.
US09220855B2	Oscillating positive expiratory pressure device An oscillating positive expiratory pressure device comprising a housing enclosing at least one chamber, a chamber inlet configured to receive exhaled air into the at least one chamber, and a chamber outlet configured to permit exhaled air to exit the at least one chamber. A channel is positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, with the channel being moveably connected to a chamber of the at least one chamber. An air flow regulator is moveable with respect to the channel between a first position, where the flow of air through the channel is restricted and a second position, where the flow of air through the channel is less restricted, the air flow regulator being configured to repeatedly move between the first position and the second position in response to a flow of exhaled air.
US09220846B2	Medicated module for an ophthalmic drug delivery device A drug delivery device having a collar and a linkage component. The drug delivery device includes a variable dose setting mechanism, a fixed dose setting mechanism, a single dose setter, a collar, and a linkage component. The variable dose setting mechanism is operably coupled to a primary reservoir holding a first medicament. The fixed dose setting mechanism is operably coupled to a secondary reservoir holding a second medicament. Further, the single dose setter is operably coupled to the variable dose setting mechanism, and the collar is disposed on the variable dose setting mechanism. Still further, the linkage component is disposed on the fixed dose setting mechanism, wherein the linkage component is capable of engagement with the collar.
US09220842B2	Automatic injection device A device is provided for automatic injection of a product comprising a container, a needle and a piston. The device includes a housing receiving the container, the container being movable with respect to the housing between an initial position and an insertion position, distally spaced relative to the initial position; a safety shield coupled to the housing and movable with respect thereto between a rest position, an activation position, proximally spaced relative to the rest position, and a safety position; biasing feature for causing the movement of the safety shield to the safety position; triggering feature for causing the container to move from its initial position to its insertion position, the triggering feature being releasable by movement of the safety shield to the activation position; and, isolating feature for isolating the safety shield from the biasing feature when the safety shield is moved to its activation position.
US09220832B2	Dialysis systems and methods This invention relates to dialysis systems and methods. In some implementations, a method includes applying vacuum pressure to a device of a dialysis system, and then determining, based on a detected fluid level or measured pressure, whether the device is functioning properly.
US09220825B2	Blood pump A blood pump 2 comprising: a cartridge 4 having a concave recess 8 therein having a surface, and a flexible membrane 0 covering said recess, the concave recess and flexible membrane forming a pump chamber 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16 wherein: said flexible membrane is movable between a first position, separated from said surface wherein in such position the pump chamber has a maximum volume, and a second position, substantially adjacent said surface such that in said second position the pump chamber has a minimum volume, a pump driver mechanism 18 arranged to interface with the cartridge, said driver operable to move the flexible membrane in a first direction into the recess to, in use, pump blood from the chamber and operable to move the flexible membrane in a second direction away from the recess to, in use, draw blood into said chamber; and wherein the pump driver controls the movement of the flexible membrane in the first direction such that the speed at which it is moving reduces as it approaches the surface of the concave recess.
US09220819B2	Cross-linked coating delivered by a balloon The present invention relates to systems for and corresponding methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to a vessel wall of a body lumen by providing a compound capable of being crosslinked after intraluminal release onto a vessel wall so that the therapeutic agent is temporarily retained at the site of delivery by the crosslinked compound.
US09220812B2	Surface interactions to improve retention of medical devices A method for improving the retention between the surfaces of medical devices. The method includes coating a surface of one medical device such as a stent with a coating that includes a functional group and coating a surface of another medical device such as a balloon with a coating that includes an identical or different functional group. The method further includes interacting the coated surfaces to produce a plurality of bonds between the surfaces, thereby improving retention.
US09220807B2	Non-toxic cross-linker for hyaluronic acid Systems and methods are disclosed for cosmetic augmentation by storing a non-toxic biocompatible cross-linker; storing a biocompatible polymer having a multi-phase mixture with a predetermined controlled release of selected pharmaceutical substance to modulate soft tissue response to the polymer; mixing the biocompatible cross-linker and polymer into a mixture; injecting the mixture into a patient and during or after injection, cross-linking the polymer in the patient; and augmenting soft tissue with the biocompatible cross-linked polymer.
US09220801B2	Air purifying apparatus using microwaves In an air purifying apparatus for removing contaminants, such as soot and the like, by burning contaminated air while passing the contaminated air through a filter heated by microwaves, the apparatus includes: a housing, which is hollow, and comprises an inlet on one side and an outlet on the other side; a ceramic filter of a longitudinal material, which is arranged in the housing in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and includes a plurality of partition walls formed so that a flow path where contaminated air flows may be divided in plurality; and a microwave generator configured to generate microwaves to be supplied to one end surface of the ceramic filter in a longitudinal direction thereof to heat the one end surface of the ceramic filter in the longitudinal direction.
US09220794B2	Two-photon fluorescent probes for imaging of total sulfide in live cell and tissue, and quantitative estimation of total sulfide concentration using the same The present disclosure relates to a two-photon fluorescent dye for imaging total sulfide in vivo and a method for quantitatively estimating total sulfide concentration in vivo using the same. The two-photon fluorescent dye, which includes a compound of [Chemical Formula 1], can detect hydrosulfide ion and image total sulfide and allows quantitative estimation of total sulfide concentration in vivo.
US09220787B2	Vitamin E conjugates, and their uses as antioxidants and prodrug delivery vehicles Tocopherol conjugates are disclosed that are useful as antioxidants or as pro-drug delivery vehicles. The conjugates are amphiphilic, and tend to localize at the interface between water domains and lipid domains. A prototype embodiment disclosed is an alpha tocopherol-linker-carnosine conjugate that has been designated VECAR.
US09220783B2	Therapeutic composition with a botulinum neurotoxin The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions which comprise a botulinum neurotoxin from Clostridium botulinum, the neurotoxin being free of the complexing proteins naturally present in the botulinum neurotoxin complex or being chemically modified or being modified by genetic manipulation. Moreover the pharmaceutical compositions of the instant invention have good stability and are advantageously formulated free of human serum albumin.
US09220777B2	Ultrasonically-triggered drug vehicle with magnetic resonance imaging function Present invention relates to an ultrasonically-triggered drug vehicle with magnetic resonance imaging function. In the delivery system of the invention, tracks the of drug vehicle carrying a certain drug (or drugs) is detectable by magnetic resonance imaging, and the release of drug is triggered by ultrasonication when the drug vehicle arrives at target site and accumulates to a desirable concentration. The MRI-guided drug delivery system provides improved accuracy of drug releasing, including position and timing.
US09220773B2	Pharmaceutical composition A pharmaceutical composition for intraperitoneal delivery of an anti-neoplastic agent is provided for treating cancers associated with aberrant mucin expression, preferably ovarian cancer and pancreatic, prostate, metastatic breast, bladder and lung cancers. The composition comprises nanomicelles loaded with the anti-neoplastic agent, and antibodies such as anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 or anti-MUC4 are conjugated to these nanomicelles. The antibody-bound nanomicelles are optionally embedded in a biodegradable pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogel capable of sol-gel transition at body temperature. The pharmaceutical composition is implantable in the peritoneum, where it transforms into a semi-solid gel at the body's core temperature. In response to pH, the hydrogel swells and releases the antibody-bound nanomicelles. The nanomicelles specifically target mucin antigens on cancer cells. The anti-mucin antibodies can be internalized by the tumor cells, enabling the drug-loaded nanomicelles to gain entry and deliver the chemotherapeutic drugs inside the tumor cell.
US09220769B2	Composition The present invention provides a modified influenza virus wherein the RNA of the haemagglutinin gene has been modified such that the haemagglutinin signal sequence is not expressed and the virus produces a haemagglutinin protein that lacks a functional signal sequence. The invention further provides composition comprising the modified virus and uses of the modified virus.
US09220765B2	Bacterial ribonucleic acid cell wall compositions and methods of making and using them The present invention relates to novel bacterial and mycobacterial compositions containing RNA and cell walls, and methods for making and using these compositions. These compositions have immune stimulating and anti-cancer activity.
US09220763B2	Nano-vehicle derived from tumor tissue, and cancer vaccine using same The present invention relates to a cancer vaccine, and specifically, to a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer containing a nano-vehicle derived from tumor tissue, and a method for treating cancer using the nano-vehicle derived from tumor tissue, and the like. According to the present invention, a nano-vehicle antigen derived from tumor tissue indicates a high yield while having properties similar to those of an exocellular vehicle, and can be variously modified, and is thus expected to be very useful for developing the cancer vaccine.
US09220760B2	Method of modulating the proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells The present invention is directed to a method of decreasing the rate of proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells which comprises contacting medullary thyroid carcinoma cells with one or more SSTR2 agonist. A somatostatin receptor antagonist having the formula Cpa-cyclo(D-Cys-4-Pal-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys)-Nal-NH2 is also disclosed.
US09220756B2	Inhibition of the tumorigenic potential of tumor stem cells by LIF and BMPS The present disclosure includes methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of diseases and disorders characterized by excessive or misregulated cellular proliferations, including methods for the treatment of tumors. The methods involve the use of pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of a LIF preparation, a BMP preparation, a BMPR signalling activator, and a LIFR signalling activator. The disclosure also includes LIF preparations, BMP preparations, BMPR signalling activator, and LIFR signalling activators, and methods for the identification of LIF preparations, BMP preparations, BMPR signalling activator, and LIFR signalling activators. The disclosure also includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of a LIF preparation, a BMP preparation, a BMPR signalling activator, and a LIFR signalling activator.
US09220750B2	Use of antisecretory factors (AF) for optimizing cellular uptake The present invention relates to the use of an antisecretory factor (AF) protein, peptide, derivative, homologue, and/or fragment thereof, having equivalent functional activity, and/or a pharmaceutically active salt thereof, for optimizing delivery and cellular uptake of a pharmaceutical substance and/or formulation, or a gene delivery. Typically, said pharmaceutical substance and/or formulation comprises an anticancer drug, radiation therapy, an antibiotic substance, an antiviral substance or a drug targeting posttraumatic injury, neurodegeneration, a parasite, or an inflammatory condition.
US09220747B2	Methods using desmopressin acetate in orodispersible form Described are orodispersible solid dosage forms of desmopressin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof useful for treating diseases or conditions such as incontinence, primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE), nocturia, and central diabetes insipidus. The dosage forms disintegrate in the mouth within 10 seconds and provide good desmopressin bioavailability.
US09220741B2	Weight loss formulation A method of enhancing weight loss involves administering to an overweight human a weight loss product that includes a mixture of Alchemilla vulgaris, Olea europaea, Cuminum cyminum, and Mentha longiflora (in the weight proportion 12:10:5:4), to which is added at least one herbal ingredient such as Malpighia glabra. As additional ingredients at least one of Conjugated linoleic acid and caffeine can be provided, with the caffeine in the form of caffeine anhydrous, Coffea Arabica, Coffea canephora, Camellia sinensis, Ilex paraguariensis, Guarana, Theobroma cacao, and kola nut. In one preferred embodiment the method involves administering, optionally in tablet form, a composition consisting essentially of the mixture of Alchemilla vulgaris, Olea europaea, Cuminum cyminum, and Mentha longiflora; caffeine anhydrous; Vitamin C; Lyceum barbarum; Malpighia glabra; Blueberry; Punica granatum; Bilberry; and one or more excipients. Other ingredients may be used as well in accordance with specific disclosed formulations.
US09220738B1	Herbal composition and a method of treating uterine fibroids The invention discloses an herbal composition of treating uterine fibroid. The herbal composition comprises Antrodia cinnamomea, Astragalus membranaceus, and Leonurus japonicus; wherein the weight percentages of Antrodia cinnamomea, Astragalus membranaceus and Leonurus japonicus are 25 to 75%, 20.8 to 62.5% and 4.2 to 12.5% by weight of the formula, respectively. The invention also discloses a method of treating uterine fibroid.
US09220737B2	Plant cell culture expressing human lysosomal proteins and uses thereof A device, system and method for producing glycosylated proteins in plant culture, particularly proteins having a high mannose glycosylation, while targeting such proteins with an ER signal and/or by-passing the Golgi. The invention further relates to vectors and methods for expression and production of enzymatically active high mannose lysosomal enzymes using transgenic plant root, particularly carrot cells. More particularly, the invention relates to host cells, particularly transgenic suspended carrot cells, vectors and methods for high yield expression and production of biologically active high mannose Glucocerebrosidase (GCD). The invention further provides for compositions and methods for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases.
US09220731B2	Continuous culturing device A continuous device for culturing mammalian cells in a three-dimensional structure for the transplantation or implantation in vivo is described. The culturing device comprises (a) a scaffold formed by a matrix of interconnected growth surfaces spaced at regular intervals and (b) a fluid distribution means at the inlet and the exit of the growth areas. The device is particularly useful for culturing bone cells for dental implants or bone reconstruction.
US09220730B2	Methods of treating ischemic spasticity The invention relates generally to methods of treating spasticity, rigidity, or muscular hyperactivity conditions by introducing a portion of an expanded population of neural stem cells into an area of a recipient spinal cord.
US09220727B2	Method of dietary management of depression The present invention relates to a method of the dietary management of depression, which method comprises a step of administering to a subject in need thereof a water containing from 0.0002 to 0.0278 molecular % of isotopologue HOD.
US09220714B2	Nitrofuran compounds for the treatment of cancer and angiogenesis The invention is directed to the synthesis and use of nitrofuran compounds, especially Nifurtimox, as medicaments to treat cancer, especially neuroblastoma, and to inhibit angiogenesis. The invention also provides compositions, unit dosage forms, and kits comprising the compounds.
US09220710B2	Therapeutic compounds Compounds of formula I: or salts thereof are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I, processes for preparing compounds of formula I, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I and therapeutic methods for treating a Retroviridae viral infection including an infection caused by the HIV virus.
US09220705B2	Method of treating colorectal cancer The present invention relates to the use of certain platinum compounds including [PtCl2(cis-1,4-diaminocyclohexane)], or combinations of these compounds with a variety of other agents for treating and/or preventing the progression of colorectal cancer in mammals. In particular, the invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing oxaliplatin-refractory colorectal cancer in mammals.
US09220702B2	Composition for external use on skin for inflammatory diseases [Problem] Provision of a composition for external use on skin that is safe to use and has an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic actions. [Solution] A composition for external use on skin in the treatment of inflammatory disease which comprises dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) as an active ingredient. The DGLA is preferably contained as a glyceride, a phospholipid, or an alkyl ester. The composition for external use contains DGLA in an amount of 0.1-50 wt %.
US09220698B2	Method for delivering a pharmaceutical composition to patient in need thereof The present disclosure is directed to a method for delivering a pharmaceutical composition to a patient in need thereof, comprising: administering to said patient a pharmaceutical composition in unit dose form comprising naproxen, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and esomeprazole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09220694B2	Emulsion compositions containing cetalkonium chloride Compositions containing quaternary compounds in which the nitrogen atom is substituted by at least one alkyl group having at least 12 carbon atoms, and the composition includes at least 20% in weight by weight of the total composition, of ammonium halides in which the nitrogen atom is substituted by at least one alkyl group having at least 14 carbon atoms and more than 5%, preferably more than 7% in weight by weight of the total composition, of ammonium halides in which the nitrogen atom is substituted by at least one alkyl group having at least 16 carbon atoms. Also, ophthalmic oil-in-water emulsions containing such compositions, the ophthalmic emulsions being useful for eye care or for the treatment of eye conditions.
US09220688B2	Device and method for reducing calorie intake Devices and methods for substantially reducing the caloric efficiency of the digestive tract by capturing food being digested in the stomach 10 and/or anywhere else in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, absorbing or encapsulating the captured food into multiple capturing members and moving such multiple capturing members containing the ingestible encapsulated food down the GI tract, practically out of reach of the GI absorption organs, thus excluding the entrapped ingredients from being involved in the digestion and\or absorption process. The device is designed for oral delivery. The system can be comprised of liquid, food bars or a capsule system. The capsule system is comprised of an external capsule that dissolves in accordance with a temporal or ph dependent preset, which allows the food intake to be at least partially fluidic. The capsule system is further comprised of a mechanism designed to capture and isolate a portion of the food being digested.
US09220687B2	Substituted diketopiperazine analogs for use as drug delivery agents Disclosed are drug delivery systems for the delivery of small molecule and macromolecular drugs. More particularly, disclosed are substituted analogs of 3,6-di(alkyl-4 aminobutyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine (which may also be referred to DKP), their use in the formulation of both small molecule and macromolecular drugs including therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents, stabilizing agents and systems for their delivery.
US09220674B2	Cationic conditioner replacements Described are personal care compositions for hair, comprising a surfactant, a silicone, and a methylcellulose that gels at 45 C or less, wherein personal care composition is substantially free of cationic polymers selected from cationic cellulose derivatives, cationic guar derivatives, cationic methacrylamido polymers, polyquaternium-6, or polyquaternium-7.
US09220673B2	Surface-treated calcium phosphate particles suitable for oral care and dental compositions Calcium phosphate particles are described comprising a surface treatment wherein the surface treatment comprises at least one sugar alcohol. Also described are various oral care compositions comprising surface treated calcium phosphate particles and methods of surface treating calcium phosphate particles.
US09220671B2	Dye composition comprising at least four dye precursors including at least one oxidation base and at least one coupler The present invention relates to a dye composition comprising at least four oxidation dye precursors, including at least one oxidation base chosen from suitably selected pyrazolopyridines and diamino-N,N-dihydropyrazolone derivatives and at least one coupler chosen from suitably selected cationic 3,5-diaminopyridines and 4-aminoindoles, 5-amino-6-chloro-2-methylphenol, 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine, 2-methyl-5-hydroxyethylaminophenol and 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine, and also to the dyeing process using this composition. The present invention makes it possible in particular to obtain a composition for dyeing keratin fibers that is suitable for use in oxidation dyeing and that can produce colorations in varied shades, which are strong or chromatic, powerful, aesthetic, sparingly selective, and resistant to the various attacking factors to which the hair may be subjected, such as shampoo, sweat, permanent reshaping and light. The composition in accordance with the invention moreover shows good harmlessness and good stability.
US09220667B2	Stannous chloride compositions The invention relates to a particulate composition comprising: c) a particulate source of stannous chloride; d) and silicon dioxide (also referred to as hydrated silica or silica). The invention further relates to a method for improving the flowability of particulate stannous chloride by admixing silica with it. The composition of the invention has been found to give improved flow properties to stannous chloride when compared to the absence of an anti-caking agent, as assessed via methods of powder characterization detailed in the European Pharmacopoeia.
US09220661B2	Systems and methods for safe medicament transport A medicament transport system includes a syringe adapter assembly; and a vial adapter assembly including a base defining an opening having a seal member disposed therewithin, a stem extending from the base and defining a lumen therethrough and an opening through a wall thereof, a needle shuttle valve slidably disposed within the lumen of the stem and supporting a transfer needle and a vacuum needle; and a vacuum cup slidably supported on the stem, wherein a vacuum chamber is defined in the space between the base, the stem and the vacuum cup. The medicament transport system includes a condition where the transfer needle and the vacuum needles penetrate the seal member of the vial adapter assembly, and the vacuum cup is moved to draw a vacuum through the vacuum needle. An automation system is provided that utilizes a medicament transport system for forming a medicament solution from a liquid/non-liquid solution.
US09220659B2	Ultrasound coupling liquid and container This invention relates to a coupling liquid for ultrasound devices, preferably high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The coupling liquid comprises a liquid aqueous solution of at least one hydrophilic polymer having an average molecular mass of between 30,000 and 70,000 and at least one alcohol with a carbon chain of 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a container (10) for an ultrasound coupling liquid having a thin wall.
US09220649B2	Electric actuator system An electric actuator system for hospital and care beds comprising at least one linear actuator (9,48) for adjusting the lying surface of the bed. The actuator (9,48) used for adjusting the backrest section (6,57) of the bed comprises means for registering the force which it is exposed to. By comparing the registered forces to a zero value and/or a force interval, it can be determined whether the person occupying the bed is in the process of leaving the bed or has already left the bed. A connected alarm can thus notify the staff that the bed-bound person is in the process of leaving the bed.
US09220636B2	Sock for treatment of foot and leg wounds, methods of use and manufacture The Improved Sock is made of yarns knitted into a foot and calf, with graduated compression on an individual's foot from the foot to the calf. The yarns can include wool and alpaca fibers. A substantial proportion of wool and/or alpaca are on the inside of the sock so as to be in direct contact with the skin and wound. The Improved Sock provides absorption and wicking of inflammatory mediators, bacteria and biofilm and necrotic exudate from the foot and leg. The Improved Sock has AgNP shapes electrostatically bonded to the yarn. At least 30% of the mass of the AgNP shapes attached to the fibers have a shape selected from the group consisting of truncated triangular plates (a triangle with the corners rounded off), triangular prisms, discs and combinations of two or more of them. The Improved Sock functions as a unique wound dressing with the sock in direct contact with the wound.
US09220635B2	Tactile pattern music generator and player A device that produces patterned tactile sensations or events discernible to human touch from micro-actuators housed in a fabric, or other pliable material, where such actuated sensations or events are discernible by a user donning the fabric. The device is configured to convert electronically stored music or audio data into a sequence of patterned tactile sensations or events in a matrix across the fabric, providing a tactile representation of the music or audio data to the user. The discernible tactile sensations or events may alternately comprise retractable physical features, electric stimuli, and/or combinations of these.
US09220630B2	Implantable valve assembly for male contraception A valve assembly adapted for implantation into the vas deferens of a male patient. The valve assembly is operable in a first mode to block the flow of sperm and in a second mode to permit the flow of sperm. The surgeon is permitted to shift the valve assembly between its first and second functional modes by moving a moveable valve member. The valve assembly includes a valve retention feature for releasably retaining the valve member is a selected position associated with each of the two distinct functional modes.
US09220617B2	Dual capture device for stent graft delivery system and method for capturing a stent graft A delivery system for delivering and deploying stents with proximal and distal apices includes a guidewire catheter, a nose cone assembly, a proximal capture portion and a stent graft with proximal and distal stents. The nose cone assembly is at the distal end of the guidewire catheter and includes a nose cone and a distal capture portion. The proximal capture portion is proximal to the distal capture portion of the nose cone assembly. The proximal stent is releasably secured to the distal capture portion and the distal stent is releasably secured to the proximal capture portion. The stent graft can be deployed by releasing the proximal stent and the distal stent from proximal and distal capture portions of the delivery system.
US09220611B2	Femoral component instrument A femoral component instrument includes a rotatable locking mechanism such as a post and is capable of interchangeable use between posterior stabilizing (“PS”) and cruciate retaining (“CR”) femoral component types via the locking mechanism. The instrument further includes a modular pad so that a pad specific to the prosthesis type may be chosen. Each pad of a particular femoral component type is useable with a variety of sizes of that femoral component type. The locking mechanism of the instrument is alternatively useable with a variety of femoral component types. The locking end of the post keys to a pad aperture to rotatably align the post to an appropriate securement position. If a femoral component is not locked to the pad, the post of the instrument moves from an exposed position proximal to the proximal pad surface to a retracted position distal to the proximal pad surface, thereby permitting impaction.
US09220609B2	Spine stabilization device, and method and kit for its implantation A spine stabilization device is provided, the spine stabilization device including an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra, and including a top surface oriented towards the lower endplate of the vertebral body of the upper vertebra and a bottom surface oriented towards the upper endplate of the vertebral body of the lower vertebra; and a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device including a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra into a ventral direction, the support portion shaped to rest against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and further including an anchor, the anchor including an anchoring material portion that is configured to be inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral body of the upper vertebra and of the vertebral body of the lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.
US09220599B2	Acetabular cup having deformation resistant features An acetabular cup component can include a hemispherical first shell, an annular ring, and a second shell. The annular ring can laterally extend from and circumscribe an outer surface of the first shell and can include a first portion for engaging an anatomy. The second shell can include a second portion for engaging the anatomy adjoining the first portion. Another acetabular cup component can include a first shell, a second shell, and a support ring. The support ring can be coupled to an end portion of the first shell and can include a portion for engaging an anatomy and a rim for engaging a bearing. Another acetabular cup component can include a hemispherical inner shell composed of Cobalt, a hemispherical intermediate shell coupled to an outer surface of the inner shell by a diffusion bond, and a hemispherical outer shell coupled to an outer surface of the intermediate shell.
US09220586B2	Surgical implant and applicator A surgical repair device is provided and includes a roll of surgical mesh material and an applicator for applying the roll of surgical mesh material to tissue. The applicator has a generally cylindrical body portion defining a chamber for receipt of the roll of surgical mesh material and longitudinally extending edges defining a gap therebetween for exposing the roll of surgical mesh material to the tissue. The surgical mesh material has a non-adhering surface and an adhering surface for engaging the tissue and securing the surgical mesh to the tissue. The roll of mesh material is oriented within the chamber with the adhering surfacing outward. A method of using the surgical repair device to repair a tear in tissue is also provided.
US09220584B2	Treatment of diabetic patients with a stent and locally administered adjunctive therapy Embodiments of the present invention include methods of treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating a vascular disease and/or disorder in a diabetic or pre-diabetic patient. The methods include implanting a stent in a vascular region in a diabetic or pre-diabetic patient, and prior to and/or during the implantation procedure, delivering a lubricant formulation to the vascular region. The stent may be a bare metal stent, or a drug eluting stent, such as a metal stent with a coating including a drug, such as everolimus or sirolimus.
US09220581B2	Porous implant device for supporting a denture A dental implant device has an implant portion for being placed in a bore in bone. The implant portion has a coronal end portion and a porous metal portion. A metal coupling has a coronal end configured for connection to a denture support piece. The coupling also has an apical end integrally formed with the coronal end and engaging the porous metal portion. In one form, the coupling is attached to the porous metal portion in a threaded connection so that the coupling is removable from the porous portion without significantly damaging the porous metal portion sufficiently to re-engage another metal coupling.
US09220579B2	System and method for positioning teeth Methods and apparatus fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system and computing an occlusion based on interactions in the computer representation of the masticatory system.
US09220578B2	Capsule for storage, mixing and dispensing materials The present invention relates to a capsule for storage, mixing and dispensing of materials, preferably dental materials like glass ionomer cement. The capsule comprises a capsule body member that provides a main chamber and comprises a dispensing opening; and an applicator member being slideably accommodated in said capsule body member, said applicator member providing an auxiliary chamber. An activator member is slideably accommodated in said applicator member.
US09220575B2	Active marker device for use in electromagnetic tracking system A device for use in an image-guided procedure on a patient is disclosed. The device includes an EM sensor assembly, a frame assembly (e.g., a base portion from which a plurality of legs project upward to a common point) and a plurality of attachment members. Each attachment member is arranged to be releasably (e.g., adhesively) secured to the skin of a patient and to be coupled to the frame assembly to secure the frame assembly on the skin of the patient. The EM sensor assembly is arranged to be releasably secured to the frame assembly (e.g., pivotably snap-fit into a socket in the frame assembly). The device additionally includes plural visualizable elements (e.g., metal balls) that are adapted to be readily imaged to establish imaging reference points and a plurality of asymmetrically disposed apertures to enable tattooing indicia on the skin of the patient through the apertures.
US09220570B2	Automated surgical and interventional procedures Described herein are an apparatus and methods for automating subtasks in surgery and interventional medical procedures. The apparatus consists of a robotic positioning platform, an operating system with automation programs, and end-effector tools to carry out a task under supervised autonomy. The operating system executes an automation program, based on one or a fusion of two or more imaging modalities, guides real-time tracking of mobile and deformable targets in unstructured environment while the end-effector tools execute surgical interventional subtasks that require precision, accuracy, maneuverability and repetition. The apparatus and methods make these medical procedures more efficient and effective allowing a wider access and more standardized outcomes and improved safety.
US09220564B2	Electromagnetic radiation delivery apparatus An electromagnetic radiation delivery apparatus for tissue treatment, including a source of electromagnetic radiation, an emission window which is optically coupled to the source of electromagnetic radiation and is able to emit electromagnetic radiation, at least one recess provided in a skin contact area, and a pressure gauge for measuring a pressure inside the recess or a pressure correlated therewith. The electromagnetic radiation delivery apparatus for tissue treatment includes a pump for creating an overpressure inside the recess.
US09220563B1	Multiwavelength surgical laser A multiwavelength laser-based intense light source is described having applications in incision, excision and ablation of soft tissues with minimal collateral tissue damage. The light source combines the output of a plurality of relatively low power laser sources, emitting radiation in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum bounded by approximately 350 nm to 450 nm, where the combined output may be coupled into a single fiber optic energy delivery device: a standard surgical probe. Spectral and spatial beam combining are used to produce an incoherent light source with relatively low average power at any given wavelength, but with high total power and superior M2 beam quality, targeting multiple chromophores in target tissue and tissue breakdown product chromophores for consistently high and target absorption without indiscriminant char interference throughout a surgical procedure.
US09220558B2	RF renal denervation catheter with multiple independent electrodes A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery relative to a percutaneous access location. The catheter includes a multiplicity of elongated resilient members each comprising a pre-formed curve and extendable beyond the catheter. The resilient members are constrained to a low profile when encompassed by a removable sheath, and expand outwardly to assume a pre-defined shape when removed from the sheath. An electrode assembly is provided at a distal end of each resilient member, and includes an electrode element coupled to an electrical conductor and a thermal sensor in thermal communication with the electrode element. The resilient members have a stiffness sufficient to maintain contact between the electrode elements and an inner wall of the renal artery including irregularities of the inner wall of the renal artery during ablation of perivascular renal nerve tissue.
US09220555B2	Cryo-ablation device with deployable injection tube A medical system is provided, including a catheter body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a shaft slidably disposed within a portion of the catheter body, the shaft defining a distal tip; a fluid injection tube coupled to the distal portion of the catheter body and the distal tip of the shaft, the fluid injection tube being transitionable from a first geometric configuration to a second geometric configuration; a membrane coupled to the shaft and enclosing at least a portion of the fluid injection tube therein; and a coolant source in fluid communication with the fluid injection tube. The first geometric configuration may be substantially linear, the second geometric configuration may be substantially helical, and the membrane may be tensioned across at least a portion of the fluid injection tube in the second geometric configuration.
US09220547B2	Flanged interbody fusion device Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the vertebral column. An implant for treating the spine is provided comprising at least two articulations between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. Another implant for treating the spine is also provided, comprising two or more fixation plates attached to a spacer with two or more articulations, wherein the fixation plates are independently movable.
US09220540B2	Bone anchoring device and bone stabilization device including the same A bone anchoring device, includes a receiving part for receiving a rod-shaped implant element, the receiving part having a first bore coaxial with a longitudinal axis and extending from a first end of the receiving part, and a recess extending from the first end to accomplish insertion of the rod-shaped implant element. The device further includes a bone screw having a threaded section for insertion into the bone and being fixed at or positionable at a second end of the receiving part and a fixation element provided to the first bore to fixate a rigid section of the rod-shaped implant element. The rigid section of the rod-shaped implant element has a first width, and the recess of the receiving part has a second width. The second width is larger than the first width, such that the recess may accommodate a stepped portion of the rod-shaped implant element that has an increased thickness.
US09220537B2	Spinal alignment correction system and methods of use A spinal alignment correction system (1) has a posted lumbar pedicle screw called a MAC Pin (10) which has an elongated shaft (11) and a rod coupler assembly (20) and a cannulated tower (40). The elongated shaft (11) has an inner pedicle screw portion (12) with pedicle threads (12A), an outer second thread portion (14) with second threads (14A) and a transition or intermediate portion (16) disposed between the pedicle screw portion (12) and the second thread portion (14). The cannulated tower (40) when mounted over said elongated shaft (11) abuts said coupler (20) along an outer cam surface and further tightening rotation of the cannulated tower (40) causes outward movement of the elongated shaft (11). The system (1) allows for a controlled alignment correction of malaligned vertebral bodies using a number of methods used to correct a variety of indications.
US09220536B2	System and method for correction of a spinal disorder A surgical system and method for fusionless correction of a spine disorder are provided. The method comprising the steps of: providing access to a spine; providing a longitudinal element extending between a first end including a first fixation element and a second end including a second fixation element; engaging the first fixation element with a first costovertebral surface and engaging the second fixation element with a second costovertebral surface such that the longitudinal element is disposed in a costotransverse orientation along a selected section of the spine; and preventing growth of the selected section of the spine with the longitudinal element.
US09220531B2	Control handle with device advancing mechanism A catheter having an internal advancing mechanism that can advance stiffening wires or other devices, has a catheter with a catheter body, a tip section distal the catheter body, a device extending through at least the catheter body, and a control handle proximal the catheter body, where the control handle has an advancing mechanism with a threaded member, an adjustment member, and a guided member to which the device is connected, and the advancing mechanism is configured to advance and retract the device along the catheter body as controlled by a user. Each of the threaded member and the adjustment member has a generally cylindrical configuration. The threaded member has an outer surface configured with a helical guide channel. The adjustment member is configured to guide the guided member to move within the helical guide channel to advance and retract the device. The adjustment member can be rotatable over the threaded member by the user to control advancement and retraction of the device. The device may be a stiffener wire, a needle or any other device suitable for advancement and retraction in a catheter.
US09220529B2	Rotational atherectomy device with electric motor An atherectomy device is disclosed, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor. In some designs, the device includes features unavailable on gas turbine-driven systems, such as the storing in memory of low/medium/high preset rotation speeds for particular models of handle, calculations of the amount of saline left in the IV and associated warnings when it gets sufficiently low, and automatic adjustment of the IV pump rate to a predetermined or calculated level when the rotational speed of the motor is changed. The electric motor has far more rotational inertia than a comparable gas turbine, so the system includes a control mechanism that helps prevent damage from excessive torque being applied to the distal end of the drive shaft. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected, by a drop in the motor rotational speed, the motor is released and is allowed to spin freely as a flywheel. The freely-spinning motor allows the large angular momentum of the system to dissipate rapidly and safely, without excessive torque to the drive shaft.
US09220517B2	Patient selectable joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US09220515B2	Bone plate with pre-assembled drill guide tips Removable drill guide tips are pre-assembled into threaded holes of a bone plate. The tips may be used with an extension to together function as a conventional drill guide. After drilling, the extension or another tool is used to remove the tips from the plate. According to another use, the tip is used as a guide for a drill bit without any additional extension and then removed with a tool.
US09220512B2	Medical drill A medical drill is disclosed, which is made of amorphous alloy, the amorphous alloy is zirconium amorphous alloy comprising 45 at % or above of zirconium, wherein the tensile strength of the medical drill is 1500-2500 Mpa, and the Vicker's hardness of the medical drill is 400-750. Moreover, a medical drill made of titanium amorphous alloy is also disclosed.
US09220508B2	Surgical clip applier with articulation section An instrument for clamping a surgical clip has a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The handle assembly has a trigger and an articulation knob. The shaft assembly has an outer ground tube, a middle articulation tube, and a push/pull tube disposed within the middle articulation tube. The trigger is operable to cause longitudinal translation of the push/pull tube. The outer ground tube and the middle articulation tube present mating angled faces sloped in opposing directions. Rotation of the articulation knob causes rotation of the middle articulation tube. Rotation of the middle articulation tube changes the orientation of the angled faces and thus causes articulation of the middle articulation tube and the push/pull tube. The end effector has a pair of jaws configured to apply a surgical clip to a vessel. Longitudinal translation of the push/pull tube causes closure of the pair of jaws.
US09220504B2	Annular adhesive structure An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a circular surgical stapler having an anvil assembly with an anvil shaft and an anvil, the circular surgical stapler further having a tubular body portion with an annular knife and a body portion shaft selectively attachable to the anvil shaft; and a seal structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue including a hub configured to engage attachment structure on at least one of the anvil shaft and the body portion shaft. The attachment structure is positioned so that the seal structure is located between the intestinal sections of tissue when the circular surgical stapler is disposed within the intestinal sections of tissue.
US09220503B2	Surgical device for conjuctival tissue closure Disclosed herein is a surgical device for closing an opening in conjunctival tissue, an instrument for applying the surgical device to close an opening in conjunctival tissue, a system for closing an opening in conjunctival tissue including the surgical device and the instrument, and a method of operating the instrument and the surgical device to close an opening in conjunctival tissue.
US09220502B2	Staple formation recognition for a surgical device There is provided a surgical stapler having a staple formation recognition system incorporated into an anvil member of the surgical stapler. In one series of embodiments, a trace system and controller form an open electrical circuit and a surgical staple acts as an electrical connector to complete an electrical circuit and confirm the proper formation of the surgical staple. In another series of embodiments, a trace system and a controller form a complete electrical circuit which is broken by engagement of a surgical staple with a trace pad of the trace system to signal proper formation of the surgical staple. There is also provided a knife blade position indication system for tracking the progress of a knife blade through the anvil member and relative to staple crimping pockets formed in the anvil member.
US09220501B2	Tissue thickness compensators A two-part tissue thickness compensator assembly can include a first tissue thickness compensator configured to be positioned relative to an anvil of a surgical stapler, a second tissue thickness compensator configured to be positioned relative to a staple cartridge of the surgical stapler, and a hinge connecting the first tissue thickness compensator to the second tissue thickness compensator. The first and/or second tissue thickness compensators may include additional engagement features, such as a raised ridge that engages a slot in the anvil and/or the staple cartridge. In certain embodiments, the first and/or second tissue thickness compensators may include an encasement that contains a suitable biologic agent. An end effector assembly may be provided for attachment to a surgical instrument that includes, for example, a staple cartridge, an anvil, a first tissue thickness compensator positioned on the anvil, and a second tissue thickness compensator positioned on the staple cartridge.
US09220494B2	Methods for tissue repair A method of closing a tissue wound includes providing a wound closure device having a first fastener, a second fastener, and a flexible member extending between the first and second fasteners and movably attached to the second fastener by a one-way knot formed in the flexible member between the first and second fastener, positioning the first fastener against tissue, passing the flexible member across the wound, positioning the second fastener against tissue, and pulling on a free end of the flexible member to shorten a length of the flexible member between the first and second fasteners, thereby closing the wound.
US09220485B2	Tissue collection and separation device An improved tissue specimen trapping device for collecting and separating solid particles and materials from body fluids has a porous separator that rests on a shelf-like annular ledge between upper and lower portions of the tissue collection container. At least one tissue collection basket removably disposed in the tissue collection container above the separator shelf has a porous bottom surface to filter tissue specimens from body fluids and has downward projections to the tissue collection basket above the separator shelf to create a space therebetween.
US09220483B2	Medical tool with electromechanical control and feedback A medical device for reducing the force necessary to penetrate living being tissue using a variety of reciprocating motion actuators. The reciprocating actuator drives a penetrating member, such as a needle, through the tissue at a reduced force while the device detects the passage of the penetrating member through the tissue. Upon passage of the penetrating member through the tissue, a feedback system monitors electromechanical properties of a control signal of the device and automatically modifies control based thereon, e.g., electrical power to the reciprocating actuator is automatically terminated.
US09220482B2	Method for providing ultrasound images and ultrasound apparatus A method of providing an ultrasound image, the method including: marking a cut line or a cut surface on a 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image of an object which is obtained by using a probe, wherein the cut line and the cut surface are used to view a cross section of the 3D ultrasound image; detecting motion information about the probe by using a sensor included in the probe; and changing a location of the cut line or the cut surface based on the detected motion information about the probe.
US09220479B2	Methods and apparatus for ultrasound imaging A first ultrasound pulse is applied to biological tissue to create shear waves in the biological tissue, a focused ultrasound pulse is transmitted into the biological tissue, one or more ultrasound signals is received from the biological tissue, and shear waves are detected in the biological tissue based on the received one or more ultrasound signals. At least one propagation property associated with the detected shear waves is determined, and the determined at least one propagation property is displayed. A strain image is obtained by either acoustic radiation forces or mechanical compression, e.g., by an ultrasound probe. The strain image is then converted to a new shear wave velocity image by using a previously-obtained shear wave velocity image.
US09220474B2	Radiographic imaging device, method of controlling radiation detection sensitivity and program storage medium A radiographic imaging device including: a sensor portion that generates an output signal according to an irradiated amount of irradiated radiation; a detector that based on the output signal detects a radiation irradiation start of radiation irradiated from a radiation source during capture of a radiographic image; a noise data generation means that, based on an output signal from the sensor portion in a non-irradiation state of radiation from the radiation source, generates noise data relating to noise incorporated in the output signal; a controller that controls detection sensitivity to radiation irradiation start in the detector according to a degree of variation in noise level expressed by the noise data; and an imaging unit that captures the radiographic image after radiation irradiation start has been detected by the detector.
US09220471B2	X-ray diagnostic apparatus In order to achieve reductions in the size and weight of an arm while ensuring the strength, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X-ray generation unit, an X-ray detection unit, an arm having an arch shape which supports the X-ray generation unit and the X-ray detection unit, and at least one reinforcing member which has a higher elastic modulus than the arm and a sheet-like shape and is fixed to the arm.
US09220467B2	Method and system for tracking catheters in 2D X-ray fluoroscopy using a graphics processing unit A method and system for detecting and tracking multiple catheters in a fluoroscopic image sequence in an integrated central processing unit and graphics processing unit framework is disclosed. A catheter electrode model is initialized in a first frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence. The catheter landmark candidates are detected, by a graphics processing unit, in the first frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence. The catheter electrode model is tracked, by a central processing unit, and is detected by the graphics processing unit, in subsequent frames of the fluoroscopic image sequence by detecting catheter landmark candidates in the subsequent frames of the fluoroscopic image sequence using at least one trained catheter landmark detector, and outputting the catheter model tracking and landmark detection results of for each frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence.
US09220461B2	Transceiver unit in a measurement system A measurement system may comprise a sensor wire and a transceiver unit. The sensor wire may comprise an insertable portion configured to be inserted in a blood vessel of a patient's body and a sensor disposed within the insertable portion at a distal end of the senior wire. The sensor is configured to measure a parameter when inserted inside the patient. The transceiver unit may comprise: a housing adapted to be connected to a proximal end of the sensor wire; and a first communication module within the housing adapted to wirelessly communicate by a communication signal with an external second communication module in order to transfer information to the external second communication module.
US09220458B2	Method for deep brain stimulation targeting based on brain connectivity Due to the lack of internal anatomic detail with traditional magnetic resonance imaging, preoperative stereotactic planning for the treatment of tremor usually relies on indirect targeting based on atlas-derived coordinates. To overcome such disadvantages, a method is provided that allows for deep brain stimulation targeting based on brain connectivity. For example, probabilistic tractography-based thalamic segmentation for deep brain stimulator (DBS) targeting is suitable for the treatment of tremor.
US09220452B2	Plastic injection-moulded part with embedded component A method for producing a plastic injection-molded part having an insert made of a material different from the plastic material is provided, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing and positioning the insert in a cavity of an injection mold; (b) setting the clamping force of the injection mold on a clamping mechanism to a maximum force predetermined by the material of the insert; and (c) seamlessly encapsulating the insert with the plastic material of the plastic injection-molded part inside the injection mold, wherein the encapsulating is seamless or complete.
US09220446B2	Object authentication A device detects multi-spectral imaging by using scan elements. The device may include an illumination module and a detection module to detect light scattered from an object illuminated by the illumination module. The device may also include an array of light sources to produce light at a plurality of different wavelengths, and create a line of illumination with each of the different wavelengths. The light detection may be applied to authenticate and validate documents, such as banknotes moving along a document conveyer.
US09220443B2	CPR chest compression monitor for infants Methods and devices for chest compression depth measurement for CPR performed on infants.
US09220441B2	Medical system and method for providing measurement information using three-dimensional caliper Provided are a medical system and a method for providing measurement information by setting a three-dimensional (3D) caliper on a 3D image. The medical system includes: an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data corresponding to a 3D image of a living body including an object; a user input unit that receives user input information; and a processor that generates 3D data by using the image data and the 3D image by using the 3D data, detects 3D geometry information corresponding to a 3D caliper from the 3D data based on the user input information, sets the 3D caliper on the 3D image based on the detected 3D geometry information, and creates measurement information.

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