Document Document Title
US09256448B2 Process grouping for improved cache and memory affinity
Embodiments include determining a set of two or more processes that share at least one of a plurality of resources in a multi-node system in which the processes are running, wherein each of the set of two or more processes is running one different nodes of the multi-node system. For each combination of the set of processes and the resources, a value is calculated based, at least in part, on a weight of the resource and frequency of access of the resource by each process of the set of processes. The pair of processes having a greatest sum of calculated values by resource is determined. A first process of the pair of processes is allocated from a first node in the multi-node system to a second node in the multi-node system that hoses a second process of the pair of processes.
US09256443B2 Electronic device having updatable bios and bios updating method thereof
An electronic device having updatable BIOS is used to perform a BIOS updating method. The electronic device electrically connects to a server, in which update data is stored. The electronic device includes a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), a network connection module and a switch. A BIOS program is stored in the BIOS, and a connecting program is stored in the network connection module for connecting to the server. When the electronic device is updating, the BIOS switches to electrically connect to the network connection module via the switch, and the network connection module connects to the server by executing the connecting program, downloads the update data applying to the BIOS, and overwrites the update data to the BIOS to update the BIOS program.
US09256440B1 Facilitating device driver interactions
Techniques are described for facilitating interactions with device driver modules. In at least some situations, the techniques include managing interactions between device driver modules and other programs or hardware devices so as to minimize disruptions related to the device driver modules, including when changes to existing device driver modules are made. Such device driver module changes may have various forms and may occur for various reasons, including to install new versions of device driver modules or otherwise upgrade existing device driver modules. Furthermore, the interactions with device driver modules may be managed in various manners, including to allow changes to occur to a device driver module while that device driver module is in use on a computing system, but without causing other programs on the computing system to be restarted or to lose existing connections to the device driver module being changed.
US09256436B2 Branch prediction table install source tracking
Embodiments relate to branch prediction table install source tracking. An aspect includes a computer-implemented method for branch prediction table install source tracking. The method includes receiving at a branch target buffer a request to install a branch target buffer entry corresponding to a branch instruction for branch prediction. The method further includes identifying, by a computer, a source of the request as an install source of the branch target buffer entry. The method also includes storing, by the computer, an install source identifier in the branch target buffer based on the install source.
US09256433B2 Systems and methods for move elimination with bypass multiple instantiation table
Systems and methods for move operation elimination with bypass Multiple Instantiation Table (MIT) logic. An example processing system may comprise a first data structure configured to store a plurality of physical register values; a second data structure configured to store a plurality of pointers, each pointer referencing an element of the first data structure; a third data structure including a plurality of move elimination sets, each move elimination set comprising a plurality of bits representing a plurality of logical registers; and a logic configured to perform a data manipulation operation by causing an element of the second data structure to reference an element of the first data structure, the logic further configured to reflect results of two or more data manipulation operations by performing a single update of the third data structure.
US09256431B2 Synthetic processing diversity within a homogeneous processing environment
A method of increasing processing diversity on a computer system includes: loading a plurality of instruction streams, each of the plurality of instruction streams being equivalent; executing, in a context, a first stream of the plurality of instruction streams; stopping execution of the first stream at a first location of the first stream; and executing, in the context, a second stream of the plurality of instruction streams at a second location of the second stream, the second location corresponding to the first location of the first stream.
US09256428B2 Load latency speculation in an out-of-order computer processor
Load latency speculation in an out-of-order computer processor, including: issuing a load instruction for execution, wherein the load instruction has a predetermined expected execution latency; issuing a dependent instruction wakeup signal on an instruction wakeup bus, wherein the dependent instruction wakeup signal indicates that the load instruction will be completed upon the expiration of the expected execution latency; determining, upon the expiration of the expected execution latency, whether the load instruction has completed; and responsive to determining that the load instruction has not completed upon the expiration of the expected execution latency, issuing a negative dependent instruction wakeup signal on the instruction wakeup bus, wherein the negative dependent instruction wakeup signal indicates that the load instruction has not completed upon the expiration of the expected execution latency.
US09256427B2 Tracking multiple conditions in a general purpose register and instruction therefor
An operate-and-insert instruction of a program, when executed performs an operation based on one or more operands, results of an instruction specified test of the operation performed are stored in an instruction specified location of an instruction specified general register. The instruction specified general register is therefore able to hold results of many operate-and-insert instructions. The program can then use non-branch type instructions to evaluate conditions saved in the register, thus avoiding the performance penalty of branch instructions.
US09256426B2 Controlling total number of instructions executed to a desired number after iterations of monitoring for successively less number of instructions until a predetermined time period elapse
A system and method for controlling processor instruction execution. In one example, a method for controlling a total number of instructions executed by a processor includes instructing the processor to iteratively execute instructions via multiple iterations until a predetermined time period has elapsed. A number of instructions executed in each iteration of the iterations is less than a number of instructions executed in a prior iteration of the iterations. The method also includes determining the total number of instructions executed during the predetermined time period.
US09256413B2 Automatic identification of services
In one aspect, a metadata of an application is received. The metadata describes a number of artifacts of the computer application. Based on a reference in the application metadata, at least one service that the application is configured to access is determined. In another aspect, additional metadata describing artifacts associated with the at least one service are identified. The artifacts associated with the at least one service and the artifacts of the computer application are selected for installation of the computer application.
US09256411B2 Strength reduction compiler optimizations
An optimizing compiler includes a strength reduction mechanism that optimizes a computer program that includes conditional operations by analyzing the instructions in the computer program in a single pass, determining whether instruction substitution is profitable for original instructions in the code, and performing instruction substitution for one or more original instructions for which instruction substitution is deemed profitable, including conditional operations. The substituted instructions result in strength reduction in the computer program.
US09256402B2 End user programming for a mobile device
A tool for creating and editing applications on a mobile device. The tool searches the mobile device for a plurality of currently installed applications on the mobile device. The tool exposes a workspace using a graphical programming language on the mobile device. The tool receives a plurality of selections in the workspace. The tool receives a configuration of the plurality of received selections in the workspace. The tool determines, based on the configuration of the received selections in the workspace, the application is complete. The tool prompts to save the completed application.
US09256385B2 Relay device and image processing device capable of executing selected image processing using selected application types
A relay device may receive, from a image processing device, selected image processing identifying information configured to identify a selected image processing. A plural types of image processing may be a processing to be executed on first image information outputted from the image processing device. The relay device may receive, from the image processing device, selected second image information-identifying information configured to identify selected second image information selected in the image processing device. The relay device may receive the selected second image information identified by the selected second image information-identifying information. The relay device may execute the selected image processing identified by the selected image processing identifying information to compose the selected second image information and the first image information. The relay device may send, to the image processing device, created image information created by the execution of the selected image processing.
US09256375B2 Level placement in solid-state memory
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining level placement in q-level cells of solid-state memory, where q>2. A group cells is read, where each cell is programmed to a respective programming level, at a series of time instants to obtain a sequence of read metric values for that cell. Statistical data as a function of time for each level is derived by processing the sequence of read metric values for the group of cells. At least one parameter of a model defining variation with time of the statistical data is determined. Calculating a set of q programming levels which has a pre-determined property over time based on a variation of the parameter as a function of level and the model.
US09256374B1 Metadata for managing I/O and storage for a virtualization environment
Disclosed is an improved approach for using advanced metadata to implement an architecture for managing I/O operations and storage devices for a virtualization environment. According to some embodiments, a Service VM is employed to control and manage any type of storage device, including directly attached storage in addition to networked and cloud storage. The advanced metadata is used to track data within the storage devices. A lock-free approach is implemented in some embodiments to access and modify the metadata.
US09256371B2 Implementing reinforcement learning based flash control
A method and system are provided for implementing enhanced flash storage control using reinforcement learning to provide enhanced performance metrics. A flash controller, such as a Reinforcement Learning (RL) flash controller, is coupled to a flash storage. The flash controller defines a feature set of flash parameters determined by a predefined one of a plurality of optimization metrics. The optimization metric is adapted dynamically based upon system workload and system state. The flash controller employing the feature set including at least one feature responsive to erase operations; computes a current system state responsive to the employed feature set; selects actions at each time step by sensing the computed current system state for performing an action to maximize a long term reward, and moves to another state in the system while obtaining a short-term reward for the performed action.
US09256369B2 Programmable memory controller
One embodiment includes a programmable memory controller. The programmable memory controller includes a request processor that comprises a first domain-specific instruction set architecture (ISA) for accelerating common requests. A transaction processor comprises a second domain-specific ISA for accelerating transaction processing tasks. A dedicated command logic module inspects each memory command to a memory device and stalls particular commands for meeting timing constraints for application specific control of the memory device.
US09256364B2 Touch control apparatus which is helpful for double click determining, and computer readable recording media for performing corresponding touch control method
A computer readable recording media comprising at least one program code recorded thereon, a touch control method is performed when the program code is read and executed. The touch control method comprises the following steps: (a) detecting location data for an object relative to a detecting surface to generate at least one displacement data; (b) storing the displacement data to a storage apparatus and outputting the stored displacement data to a target apparatus from the storage apparatus after storing the displacement data for a predetermined time period, when the object touches the detecting surface; and (c) cleaning the stored displacement data when the object leaves the detecting surface.
US09256362B2 Network system, communication method and communication terminal
Provided is a network system including at least first and second communication terminals capable of communicating with each other via a network. The first communication terminal causes handwritten data input in response to an instruction for a point on an image to be displayed in a certain position on the image corresponding to this point, associates the point information about the point with the handwritten data and transmits the point information and the handwritten data to the second communication terminal. Based on the point information and the handwritten data from the first communication terminal, the second communication terminal causes at least a part of the image to be displayed on a second display and also causes the handwritten data to be displayed in a location in accordance with the point information.
US09256355B1 Accelerated panning user interface interaction
A computer-implemented user interface method includes displaying on a touch screen a portion of a large scale graphical space that is at least multiples larger than the device display, receiving from a user of the device an input to pan within the graphical space, automatically generating a pop up graphical panning control in response to receiving the user input, and receiving a user input to the panning control and providing panning in the graphical space, wherein movement of the panning control in a single selection is able to pan the display across a substantial portion of the large scale graphical space.
US09256348B2 Posture creation with tool pickup
Computer simulation generates improved 3D images of human movement involving an object associated with the human character. A set of axes in 3 dimensional space is originally defined for tracking orientation of the human character in a 3D image. This set of axes is subsequently automatically applied to and used for object(s) carried by the human character. The object is displayed at a constant (same, unchanged) orientation while the human character is illustrated moving in certain ways in succeeding 3D images.
US09256341B2 Tracking changes in collaborative authoring environment
Change tracking and collaborative communication are provided in authoring content in a collaborative environment. Monitored changes, comments, and similar input by the collaborating authors may be presented on demand or automatically to each author based on changes and/or comments that affect a particular author, that author's portion of collaborated content, type of changes/comments, or similar criteria. Change and/or comments notification may be provided in a complementary user interface of the collaborative authoring application or through a separate communication application such as email or text messaging.
US09256328B2 Touch input sensing device and touch input sensing method
There are a touch input sensing device and a touch input sensing method. The touch input sensing device includes: a plurality of sensing electrodes; and a controller obtaining sensing signals generated from the plurality of sensing electrodes through a plurality of sensing channels electrically connected to the plurality of sensing electrodes, wherein the controller calculates a difference value between the sensing signals obtained from the plurality of sensing channels connected to the mutually adjacent sensing electrodes among the plurality of sensing electrodes to determine a touch input. A weighting value is assigned to a difference value between sensing signals obtained from mutually adjacent sensing electrodes, based on which the coordinates, or the like, of a touch input are determined, thus significantly reducing the influence of noise and accurately determining a touch input.
US09256319B2 Input device
Provided is an input device including a coordinate input unit having plural capacitance detection units, a capacitance measurement unit that measures capacitance for each of the plural capacitance detection units, and performs an AD conversion on the measured capacitance to output the converted capacitance as a measurement signal, and a control unit that controls the capacitance measurement unit, calculates a data signal by arithmetically operating the measurement signal, stores the data signal in association with coordinate information of the capacitance detection unit, and outputs a control signal. The control unit calculates a difference value between a predetermined reference value and the data signal at a constant time interval, performs a weighted average process on the data signal and the predetermined reference value to update and store a value on which the process is performed as a new reference value, and changes a weight given to the weighted average process.
US09256313B2 Touch point detecting device and the touch point detecting method thereof
A touch point detecting device is provided. The touch point detecting device comprises a plurality of electrodes and a scanning unit connected to said electrodes and scanning said electrodes with at least two variable excitation signal frequencies. A touch point detecting method is also provided. By means of the touch point detecting device, the electrode border as well as the integrated circuit package of the processor is reduced without reducing the detection accuracy of touch points.
US09256309B2 Display device including integrated touch panel
A display device comprises a touch panel including a plurality of electrode columns that each includes a plurality of electrodes positioned in the electrode column. The display device further comprises a plurality of lines, each of which is connected to a corresponding electrode included in a corresponding one of the plurality of electrode columns. The lengths of the lines within a first electrode column increase as the lines are positioned further from one end of the first electrode column that is not adjacent to the second electrode column in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the lines of the first electrode column and the lengths of the lines within a second electrode column decrease as the lines are positioned further from the one end of the first electrode column in the direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the lines of the second electrode column.
US09256300B2 Remote controller with touch panel
A remote controller with touch panel comprises a case, a circuit board, a power supply, and signal emitter. The circuit board, the power supply, and the signal emitter are accommodated in the case. The touch panel comprises a cover lens, and a carbon nanotube film is located on an inner surface of the cover lens. A number of touching and sensing electrodes are electrically connected to the carbon nanotube to supply signals. The carbon nanotube film comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes oriented along the same direction.
US09256293B2 Button key assembly, operation panel, and image forming apparatus
A button key assembly of an operation panel includes button key units. Each button key unit includes button keys and a frame member. The button keys are arranged corresponding to switches on a substrate provided at the operation panel. The frame member supports the button keys via elastic arm members. The button key units are superposed one over the other to form the button key assembly. At least one of the button key units includes a supporting space having a width sufficient for supporting the button keys via the elastic arm members, and a vacant space disposed adjacent to the supporting space on a side closer to the elastic arm members and having a width narrower than the width of the supporting space. A button key of another button key unit superposed on the at least one button key unit is arranged in the vacant space.
US09256292B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program to recognize an object from a captured image
There is provided an information processing apparatus, which includes an input unit and a control unit. The input unit is configured to serially input an image captured by a capturing device. The control unit is configured to detect a user's hand from the input image, to recognize a position, a posture and a size of the hand detected while moving. A predetermined area of a surface on which the hand is moved as an operation area is defined based on the position, the posture and the size of the hand recognized. A virtual three dimensional object for operation by the user is produced disposed on the operation area. Also, an information processing method and a program are provided for the information processing apparatus.
US09256289B2 Method and apparatus for displaying a polyhedral user interface
Provided is a method and apparatus for providing a three-dimensional (3D) polyhedral user interface. A first polyhedron may be formed of a plurality of blocks which are mapped with a plurality of pieces of information. A user may manipulate rotation of some of the blocks to generate a second polyhedron.
US09256286B2 Haptic accessory and methods for using same
A method for providing tactile feedback comprises displaying a visual representation of a physical object having at least one haptic property, generating time-varying data associated with the at least one haptic property from the visual representation, sending the time-varying data to a computing device including a feedback apparatus electrically connected to the computing device, and generating the tactile feedback via the feedback apparatus in response to a pressure on the feedback apparatus applied by a user.
US09256278B2 Devices and methods for multi-core memory
A power management device is adopted in a memory device which includes a first memory unit and a second memory unit, including a first voltage regulator, a second voltage regulator, and a controller. The first voltage regulator receives a supply voltage from an external supply source and provides a first internal voltage to the first memory unit. The second voltage regulator receives the supply voltage from the external supply source and provides a second internal voltage to the second memory unit. The controller independently enables or disables the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator according to a control signal.
US09256270B2 Platform power management for building wide control of power factor and harmonics
Example embodiments of an apparatus to reduce power consumed by a processor include a timing signal block configured to be coupled to measure the magnitude of an alternating current voltage signal supplied to a processor and to assert a timing signal when the magnitude of the alternating current voltage signal is about equal to zero volts and a throttling block configured to be coupled to the processor, to receive the timing signal and to assert a throttling signal that causes processor speed to be reduced so that processor power consumption is reduced in phase with the alternating current voltage signal and harmonic distortion of a current waveform supplied to the processor is reduced.
US09256266B1 Negative bit line driver circuitry
Integrated circuits with memory elements are provided. Data may be loaded into the memory elements using write driver circuitry. The write driver circuitry may be provided with a fixed positive power supply voltage and an time-varying ground power supply voltage that is less than the positive power supply voltage. The time-varying ground power supply voltage may be generated using programmable power supply circuitry. The programmable power supply circuitry may include a pulse generation circuit and a configurable capacitive circuit. The pulse generation circuit may output a pulse signal to the capacitive circuit. In response to receiving the pulse signal, the capacitive circuit may push the time-varying ground power supply voltage to a negative value. The time-varying ground power supply voltage may be driven below zero volts for at least a portion of a write cycle to help improve write margins and increase memory yield.
US09256264B2 Information processing device and method for driving the same
Hibernation/resume time is reduced, and a low-power information processing device and a method for driving the information processing device are provided. In an information processing device in which a virtual environment is created, in hibernation during which part of a main storage unit is stopped while data in the main storage unit is retained, data stored in the main storage unit is saved to a non-volatile memory, and whether another data shares a common block with the data saved to the non-volatile memory is determined in hibernation during which part of the main storage unit is stopped while the other data in the main storage unit is retained. In the case where there is a common block, the common block of the other data is not saved to the non-volatile memory, and the information on the common block is retained in the non-volatile memory.
US09256263B1 Efficient power allocation for redundant power supply with system priority
This disclosure describes a more efficient and configurable power allocation scheme for redundant power supply (RPS) systems used in network switches. This allocation scheme allows the system owner to assign power from a shared RPS unit to higher priority devices in any network switch in the system. This permits more granularity in assigning the RPS with backup power available to devices such as ports residing within individual switches in a multiple switch network. An efficient power allocation scheme for RPS allows the user to define the system priority of various devices for backup power according to the user's preferences. The user may assign the RPS to user-defined high priority devices in any piece of equipment. This makes RPS power allocation more flexible by offering the user more setup options for backup power.
US09256245B2 Clock tree circuit and memory controller
A clock tree circuit includes a clock source and a tree circuit. The clock source generates a signal. The tree circuit at least includes five driving units and a metal connection element. A first driving unit has an input terminal for receiving the signal, and an output terminal coupled to a first node. A second driving unit has an input terminal coupled to the first node, and an output terminal coupled to a second node. A third driving unit has an input terminal coupled to the first node, and an output terminal coupled to a third node. A fourth driving unit has an input terminal coupled to the second node. A fifth driving unit has an input terminal coupled to the third node. The metal connection element is coupled between the second node and the third node, and configured as a short-circuited element.
US09256244B2 USB3.0 clock frequency generation device without crystal oscillator
The present invention discloses a USB3.0 clock frequency generation device without crystal oscillator, that is, the crystal oscillator used in the USB3.0 device (or apparatus) is removed and replaced with an oscillator circuit module in the present invention, in which a simple circuit module is added to the controller circuit of the USB3.0 device to provide accurate and proper timing signals needed. The oscillator circuit module includes an oscillator block, a frequency divider block, a delta-sigma modulator block, and a preset number block.
US09256239B2 Voltage controlling circuit
A voltage controlling circuit with power sharing components is provided. The circuit includes a voltage regulator for controlling an output voltage for a load and a device in communication with the voltage regulator for power sharing.
US09256229B2 Air-conditioning control system and program
According to a calculation 13 of a peak operating rate of an air conditioner 19 based on an actual quantity of electric power used, a calculation 14 of an hourly average operating rate according to the peak operating rate in consideration of an outside air temperature, a calculation 15 of an hourly average surplus rate according to (1−average operating rate), and a calculation 16 of a control rate having the upper limit of the average surplus rate as a predetermined value, energy-saving control 17 of the air conditioner 19 is performed by a quantity of the control rate. Thereby, providing an air-conditioning control system 100 for achieving appropriate energy saving with simplified calculations.
US09256217B2 Dynamically adapting to changes in control system topology
An apparatus and method for adapting to changes in the control topology of a cooperative control system including a plurality of controllers are disclosed. The method is implemented by an actuator or sensor, and includes the steps of selecting one of the controllers as the master controller for one or more state variables of an actuator or sensor, detecting a change in the control topology of the cooperative control system, and reselecting a master controller for the one or more state variables responsive to the change in the control topology.
US09256215B2 Apparatus and methods for generalized state-dependent learning in spiking neuron networks
Generalized state-dependent learning framework in artificial neuron networks may be implemented. A framework may be used to describe plasticity updates of neuron connections based on connection state term and neuron state term. The state connections within the network may be updated based on inputs and outputs to/from neurons. The input connections of a neuron may be updated using connection traces comprising a time-history of inputs provided via the connections. Weights of the connections may be updated and connection state may be time varying. The updated weights may be determined using a rate of change of the trace and a term comprising a product of a per-neuron contribution and a per-connection contribution configured to account for the state time-dependency. Using event-dependent connection change components, connection updates may be executed on per neuron basis, as opposed to per-connection basis.
US09256213B2 Numerical control unit having function to smoothly change feed speed when override is changed
A commanded speed is acquired by a command program analysis unit, an override is acquired by an override input unit, and the override before input is changed in steps by a stepwise override change unit to the override that is input, in a predesignated time or by a predesignated change amount, and outputs the override changed as an actual override. The actual override is acquired by a speed operation unit in an interpolation cycle from the stepwise override change unit and the commanded speed is multiplied by the actual override to calculate a feed speed.
US09256211B2 Input channel diagnostics
This invention relates to input channel diagnostics for an industrial process control system. The invention provides improved apparatus and methods relating to fault containment, overload protection and input channel diagnostics.
US09256208B2 Timepiece
The present invention is to provide a timepiece. The time piece comprises a ring-shaped mounting member formed of an elastic material and positioned between the annular shell and the ring-shaped bezel. The ring-shaped mounting member includes an engaging portion having a second engagement surface configured to engage with a first engagement surface formed in the annular shell to restrict the ring-shaped bezel from moving relative to the annular shell in a first axial direction to prevent the ring-shaped bezel from separating from the annular shell. The ring-shaped mounting member is deformable with a force, so that the second engagement surface can slide along the first engagement surface to release ring-shaped bezel from the annular shell.
US09256206B2 Device for maintaining and regulating a timepiece resonator
Timepiece resonator oscillating at a natural frequency, comprising one oscillating member and oscillation maintenance means, this oscillating member carrying a regulator oscillating at a regulation frequency comprised between 0.9 times and 1.1 times the value of an integer multiple greater than or equal to 2 of the natural frequency, this resonator is included in a timepiece movement for a timepiece, particularly a watch, and this regulator imposes a periodic modulation of the resonant frequency and/or quality factor and/or point of rest of this resonator.
US09256165B2 Transfer device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A transfer device includes an image carrier, a transfer roller, and a moving unit. The moving unit moves the transfer roller between a nip formation state in which the transfer roller forms a transfer nipping portion in contact with the image carrier and a separated state in which the transfer roller is separated from the image carrier. In a contact operation of bringing the transfer roller into contact with the image carrier via the recording medium, the moving unit moves the transfer roller toward the image carrier at a moving velocity slower than that in a pressing operation of generating a predetermined nipping pressure by further moving the transfer roller toward the image carrier after the contact operation. The moving unit causes the recording medium to enter the transfer nipping portion in the contact operation.
US09256157B2 Moving mechanism for a developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus that reduces or removes press-contact forces on a developer carrying member
A developing apparatus includes a developing container for accommodating a developer; a developer carrying member for carrying the developer to a developing zone for developing a latent image; a developer regulator in contact with the developer carrying member to regulate a developer layer thickness on the developer carrying member; a developer feeding member in contact with the developer carrying member to supply the developer to the developer carrying member; an urging member for urging the developer carrying member toward the developer regulator; and a moving mechanism for moving the developer carrying member in a first direction which is a direction in which the urging member urges the developer carrying member and in a second direction crossing with the first direction. The moving mechanism moves the developer carrying member in the second direction to reduce or remove press-contact forces applied by the developer regulator and the developer feeding member.
US09256146B2 Toner for electrostatic image development
Provided is a toner for electrostatic image development, having low-temperature fixability and long-term stable charge property and also having heat-resistant storage stability. The toner for electrostatic image development includes toner particles containing a binder resin. The binder resin has a domain-matrix structure in which a crystalline polyester resin is dispersed as a domain phase in a matrix phase formed of an amorphous vinyl polymer formed using at least a vinyl-based monomer. The amorphous vinyl polymer has a carboxy group concentration of not less than 0.2 mmol/g and not more than 1.0 mmol/g, and the crystalline polyester resin has an ester group concentration of not less than 0.1 mmol/g and not more than 7.1 mmol/g.
US09256144B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member containing a terphenoquinone derivative represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 to R5 may be the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally having an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
US09256141B2 Exposure apparatus, device manufacturing method using same, and gas supply device
The exposure apparatus includes a purge member that includes a humidifier that humidifies supplied gas; a first regulator that regulates a flow rate of first gas which passes through the humidifier; a second regulator that regulates a flow rate of second gas which does not pass through the humidifier; a variable instrument that varies a humidifying performance of the humidifier; a sensor; and a controller. Here, the controller controls the first and the second regulators to adjust a flow rate ratio of the first gas and the second gas on the basis of the humidity of the humidified gas detected by the sensor and a pre-set target humidity, and controls the variable instrument to keep the flow rate of the first gas constant on the basis of an amount of operation of the first regulator and an amount of pre-set target operation.
US09256133B2 Apparatus and method for developing process
An apparatus includes at least two tanks, at least two pumps, at least one nozzle, and a chuck. The apparatus provides multiple developers with different polarities during a developing process to target portions of a latent resist profile having different polarities, and thus different solubility. This apparatus also allows a mixture of two developers to be used for the resist film developing. A polarity of the mixture is adjustable by controlling a ratio of one pump flow rate to another pump flow rate and further controlling the resist pattern profile.
US09256132B2 Layered radiation-sensitive materials with varying sensitivity
A method for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first radiation-sensitive material and applying a second radiation-sensitive material to the first radiation-sensitive material. The first radiation-sensitive material has a first sensitivity. The second radiation-sensitive material has a second sensitivity different from the first sensitivity. At least one mask is placed between at least one radiation source and the first and second radiation-sensitive materials. The mask has a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures. The first and second radiation-sensitive materials are then exposed to a plurality of radiation beams through the radiation-transparent apertures in the mask to form a first construct in the first radiation-sensitive material and a second construct in the second radiation-sensitive material. The first construct and the second construct cooperate to form the radiation-cured structure.
US09256129B2 Method for creating surface texture on flexographic printing elements
A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is described. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer and the laser ablatable mask layer is selectively laser ablated to create an in situ mask and uncover portions of the at least one photocurable layer. The method includes a) pushing the photosensitive printing blank through a nip formed by a textured roller and a backing roller, wherein the textured roller contacts the in situ mask and the uncovered portions of the at least one photocurable layer; and b) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure the portions of the at least one photocurable layer not covered by the in situ mask. A defined topographical pattern is transferred from the textured surface of the roller to the at least one photocurable layer.
US09256117B2 Panoramic imaging systems comprising rotatable mirrors for image stabilization
Panoramic imaging systems including rotatable mirrors are provided. A panoramic imaging system includes a rotatable platform, an imaging device mounted to the rotatable platform, and a mirror rotatably mounted to the rotatable platform. The mirror is positioned in an optical path of the imaging device. The mirror and the imaging device are oriented such that the mirror and imaging device are in the same plane, an optical axis of the imaging device is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotatable platform, and an axis of rotation of the mirror is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable platform when the mirror is in an initial position.
US09256116B2 Stereoscopic imaging device, image reproducing device, and editing software
A recording unit recording the plurality of time-series parallax images outputted from the plurality of imaging units on a recording medium when the moving image is photographed, reading out the first and second information from the storage unit, and recording the first information and the second information read out from the storage unit on the recording medium in association with the plurality of parallax images.
US09256111B2 Electrochromic lithium nickel group 5 mixed metal oxides
Multi-layer devices comprising a layer of an electrochromic lithium nickel oxide composition on a first substrate, the lithium nickel oxide composition comprising lithium, nickel and a Group 5 metal selected from niobium, tantalum and a combination thereof.
US09256094B2 Touch panel
A touch panel is presented, which includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a third substrate. The first substrate includes a first side having a first circuit. The second substrate includes a first side arranged on the first side of the first substrate and a second side having a second circuit. The third substrate is arranged on the second side of the second substrate. Therefore, by using the structure of the touch panel, the substrates of the touch panel can be integrated, so as to achieve the objective of decreasing the overall thickness of an electronic device.
US09256092B2 Backlight module and liquid crystal display device
The present invention discloses a backlight module that includes a liquid crystal glass and a front frame. The front frame includes at most three successively-connected side frame members. The three side frame members are positionable on and hold down the liquid crystal glass. The present invention also discloses a backlight module, which includes a liquid crystal glass and a front frame, of which the front frame includes at most two side frame members that are opposite to each other. The two side frame members re positionable on and hold down the liquid crystal glass. The present invention also discloses a liquid crystal display device that uses the backlight module. The backlight module and the liquid crystal display device using the backlight module according to the present invention improve firmness of bonding between the liquid crystal glass and the front frame and lowers down cost of the backlight module.
US09256088B2 Three-level-driven array substrate row driving circuit
A three-level-driven array substrate row driving circuit includes cascaded multi-level array substrate row driving units. The n-th level array substrate row driving unit includes a clock signal input, a (n−1)-th level signal input, a (n+1)-th level signal input, a (n+3)-th level signal input, a first low level input, a second low level input, and a signal output. The n-th level array substrate row driving unit further includes a pull-up driving unit, a pull-up unit, a first pull-down unit, and a second pull-down unit. The three-level-driven array substrate row driving circuit contributes to reduce the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal panel and the narrow border design. By adopting the three-level-driven method, the impact caused by the feed-through voltage, which is generated by the data line and the gate line, toward the TFT LCD is effectively eliminated such that the display performance is enhanced.
US09256084B2 Polarization beam splitter
An optical system may include: a polarization beam splitter having: a first end having an input configured to receive multiple optical signals; a second end having a first output and a second output, where the first output may provide first components, having a first polarization of the multiple optical signals, and the second output may provide second components, having a second polarization, of the multiple optical signals; and a first waveguide having a first width and a second waveguide having a second width, where the first waveguide and the second waveguide may each have a length corresponding to a difference between the first width and the second width, where the first waveguide and the second waveguide may be configured to induce a phase shift of the plurality of optical signals based on the first width, the second width, and the length of the first waveguide and the second waveguide.
US09256080B2 Receptor and lock for glasses with removable lenses
A glasses structure that receives a variety of lens element types including full-frame, half-frame and frameless lens elements. A temple that receives a connector on the lens element includes a kerf-like slotted spring lock, that releases under pressure to allow the insertion of the lens element and once inserted, provides sufficient force to retain the lens element in position even during athletic activity. The lock includes an interior space that includes latches. The lens element includes catches and detents that correspond to the latches. In operation, the lock is forced into the open position as the catches of the lens element are forced to the backside of the latches, and as the lock closes, the latches are forced into the detents thereby securing the lens to the lock.
US09256077B2 Optical device
Disclosed is an optical device which includes: optical components configured to be electrically actuated such that light transmission states are variable; a driver circuit for the optical components; a power source unit for driving the optical components; rims for supporting the optical components; temples having front and rear ends and connected at the front ends to the rims; and earpieces formed at the rear ends of the temples. The power source unit includes a secondary battery, and a charge/discharge circuit for controlling charge and discharge of the secondary battery. The secondary battery is provided near the rear end of the temple or in the earpiece.
US09256074B2 Liquid crystal optical element and stereoscopic image display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal optical element includes first and second substrate units, a liquid crystal layer, and spacers. The first substrate unit includes a first substrate and first electrodes. The first substrate has a first major surface. The first electrodes are provided on the first major surface, extend along a first direction, and have a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second substrate unit includes a second substrate and an opposing electrode. The second substrate has a second major surface opposed to the first major surface. The opposing electrode is provided on the second major surface. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrate units. The spacers are in contact with the liquid crystal layer. A diameter of each spacer is larger than the first width.
US09256068B2 Spherical aberration corrector, method of spherical aberration correction, and charged particle beam instrument
A spherical aberration corrector is offered which permits a correction of deviation of the circularity of at least one of an image and a diffraction pattern and a correction of on-axis aberrations to be carried out independently. The spherical aberration corrector (100) is for use with a charged particle beam instrument (1) for obtaining the image and the diffraction pattern and has a hexapole field generating portion (110) for producing plural stages of hexapole fields, an octopole field superimposing portion (120) for superimposing an octopole on at least one of the plural stages of hexapole fields to correct deviation of the circularity of at least one of the image and diffraction pattern, and a deflection portion (130) for deflecting a charged particle beam.
US09256067B2 Optical scanner, image display apparatus, and head-mount display
An optical scanner includes: a base portion; a light reflecting portion that reflects light; a connection portion that connects the base portion and the light reflecting portion; and a shaft portion that supports the base portion in a swingable manner, wherein the light reflecting portion is disposed so that a geometrical center of the light reflecting portion is separated from a geometrical center of the base portion in a plan view, and wherein the light reflecting portion includes a center of gravity adjusting portion that performs adjustment so that a distance between the geometrical center of the base portion and a center of gravity of the light reflecting portion in the plan view becomes smaller than a distance between the geometrical center of the light reflecting portion and the geometrical center of the base portion in the plan view.
US09256050B2 Lens barrel assembly and photographing apparatus including the same
A lens barrel assembly includes: a lens barrel that is rotatable about an optical axis and is movable in a direction along the optical axis; a moving plate that is combined with the lens barrel so that the moving plate is rotated together with the lens barrel and is movable with respect to the lens barrel in the direction along the optical axis; a power transmission unit that is installed on the moving plate and transmits an outside rotation force to the lens barrel via the moving plate; and a stopper that is disposed on a path on which the moving plate moves in the direction along the optical axis and that limits a movement of the moving plate in the direction along the optical axis in a partial section of the path on which the lens barrel is moved.
US09256041B2 Optical fiber cable
An optical fiber cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers, tensile strength fibers that accommodate the plurality of optical fibers, and a sheath formed with a thermoplastic resin and covering the tensile strength resin. In this optical fiber cable, when a Young's modulus of the sheath at 0° C. is E [MPa], a cross-sectional area of the optical fiber cable is S [mm2] and an inner diameter of the sheath of the optical fiber cable is Di [mm], ES (0° C.) [N] which is the product of the Young's modulus E at 0° C. and the cross-sectional area S, and the inner diameter Di [mm] satisfy: ES ⁡ ( 0 ⁢ ° ⁢ ⁢ C . ) Di ≤ 600 ( 1 )
US09256038B2 Optical modules
Provided is an optical module. The optical module includes: an optical bench having a first trench of a first depth and a second trench of a second depth that is lower than the first depth; a lens in the first trench of the optical bench; at least one semiconductor chip in the second trench of the optical bench; and a flexible printed circuit board covering an upper surface of the optical bench except for the first and second trenches, wherein the optical bench is a metal optical bench or a silicon optical bench.
US09256032B2 Global link connector system
A connector mating system that can enable the coupling and decoupling of electrical or optical communications channels, while in a deep, sub-oceanic, sea-floor environments, during which time the contacting interfaces of the said channels remain fully protected from the destructive effects of the said environment. The system features a Wet-Mate Connector (WMC) that provides a means for electrical, optical and hybrid interconnection within an extremely hostile environments.
US09256028B2 Dispersion-corrected arrayed waveguide grating
Techniques are described for forming an arrayed waveguide grating. In one example, an arrayed waveguide grating comprises a waveguide array coupled to the output of a parallel mode converter and a concave reflective diffraction grating coupled to the output of the waveguide array, wherein the waveguide array comprises a first waveguide and a second waveguide, wherein the first waveguide of the waveguide array has a different length from the second waveguide of the waveguide array. The waveguide array has a first dispersion having a first sign and a first magnitude, wherein the concave reflective diffraction grating has a second dispersion having a second sign and a second magnitude, wherein the second sign is opposite the first sign.
US09256024B2 Backlight module
The present invention provides a backlight module, which includes a backplane (2) and a light guide plate (4), a backlight source (6), a mounting bracket (8), a quantum dot rail (10), and a heat isolation member (12) mounted in the backplane (2). The quantum dot rail (10) is fixedly mounted, via the mounting bracket (8), between the light guide plate (4) and the backlight source (6). The mounting bracket (8) is made of an aluminum material. The heat isolation member (12) is arranged between the quantum dot rail (10) and the mounting bracket (8). The present invention uses a mounting bracket made of an aluminum material to fix a backlight source for enhancing the effect of heat dissipation and also to fix the quantum dot rail for ensuring a desired effect of fixing and reducing cost. Further, a heat isolation member is arranged between the quantum dot rail and the mounting bracket to prevent the quantum dot rail from being affected by the heat emitting from the backlight source thereby guaranteeing the life span of the backlight module.
US09256023B2 Backlight module and liquid crystal display device using same
The present invention provides a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device using the backlight module. The backlight module includes a backplane (2), a light guide plate (4) arranged in the backplane (2), a backlight source (6) arranged in the backplane (2) at one side of the light guide plate (4), a light shielding film (8) mounted on the light guide plate (4) and the backplane (2) and located above the backlight source (6), and an optic film assembly (10) arranged on the light shielding film (8) and the light guide plate (4). The light shielding film (8) has an end fixedly connected to an upper surface of the light guide plate (4) and an opposite end fixedly connected to the backplane (2). The present invention provides an arrangement of a light shielding film above the backlight source to effectively prevent light leaking and enhance the optic quality of the backlight module. Further, a light shielding section of the light shielding film is arranged to be extendable so as to effectively prevent shifting of the light shielding film resulting from an external force acting thereon during the transportation thereof thereby further effectively preventing the occurrence of light leaking and being helpful for bezel slimming of the liquid crystal display device.
US09256021B2 Lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus includes a laser light modification unit for modifying laser light from a laser to form a modified light. The lighting apparatus further includes a first layer and an opposing second layer, where the laser light modification unit is between the first and second layers. One of these two layers includes a transparent material being transparent to the modified light. The laser light modification unit is configured to allow the modified light to pass through the transparent material.
US09256006B2 Method for printing product features on a substrate sheet
The present invention provides a method of producing a product comprising an array of product features (3) arranged on a surface (7) of a substrate sheet (5), and an arrangement for the production of such products. In this method curable compound (13) is filled into recesses of a matrix (8), pre-cured and then printed onto the substrate sheet (5), thereby forming printed product features (3). These printed product features (3) and additional product features (2) arranged on the opposed side of the substrate sheet (5) may form image objects and focusing elements, respectively, of a synthetic image device. By way of example a cast cure step can be used to form the additional product features (2). Preferably the production of the product is performed in a continuous roll-to-roll process.
US09256005B2 Polarizing plate
Provided are a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display device. The polarizing plate has lighter weight, a smaller thickness, and excellent physical properties such as durability, water resistance, workability, and light leakage preventing ability. In addition, the polarizing plate prevents curling occurring in the polarizing plate or a polarizer in formation thereof, and has excellent thermal resistance or thermal shock resistance.
US09256004B2 System and method for transmitting differential weather information to an in-flight aircraft
Systems and methods are provided for transmitting updated weather data to an in-flight aircraft. The aircraft transmits a request for updates to a ground system that determines if the data has changed since the last transmission and transmits only the changed data. Data may be tailored to pilot preferences or to pilot requests for data representing a predetermined history.
US09256001B2 Bandwidth enhancing liquid coupled piezoelectric sensor apparatus and method of use thereof
Sensors used in mapping strata beneath a marine body are described, such as in a flexible neutrally buoyant towed array. A first sensor is a motion sensor including a conductive liquid in a chamber between a rigid tube and a piezoelectric motion film circumferentially wrapped about the tube. The liquid transfer signal from a gravitational bottom of the sensor while rejecting water body surface reflected noise. A second sensor is a traditional acoustic sensor or a novel acoustic sensor using a piezoelectric sensor mounted with a thin film separation layer of flexible microspheres on a rigid substrate. Combinations of motion sensors and acoustic sensors co-located in a rigid streamer housing sections are provided.
US09255990B2 Method and apparatus for generating volume image
A volume image generating method including transmitting an ultrasonic signal to a target body divided into a plurality of regions and generating a first sub-volume image corresponding to a first region from among the plurality of regions of the target body, based on a response signal reflected from the target body; generating a second sub-volume image corresponding to a second region contacting the first region from among the plurality of regions; connecting the second sub-volume image to the first sub-volume image according to a location relationship between the first region and the second region of the target body; and re-generating the second sub-volume image based on a concordance rate between sectional images of the first and second sub-volume images that contact each other, and connecting the re-generated second sub-volume image to the first sub-volume image.
US09255982B2 Apparatus and method for the binaural reproduction of audio sonar signals
An apparatus and a method for the binaural reproduction of audio sonar signals, which can be direction-selectively received by a sonar system having a receiving antenna provided with a plurality of transducers, and at least one direction generator, and which can be modified by binaural audio signal processing. The apparatus comprises a portable sound reproduction device, particularly a headphone, and a head tracking sensor connected to the sound reproduction device for registering position changes of the sound reproduction device. Signals, associated with the position changes, are generated, which are transferred to the direction generator, in order to select a direction of the sound waves to be received.
US09255972B2 Method of testing secondary battery
A method of testing a secondary battery includes first to fourth steps. At the first step, the secondary battery after manufacture is charged to a first voltage. At the second step, a second voltage lower than the first voltage is set as a target voltage and discharge or charge is performed in a constant-current constant-voltage mode before the secondary battery is left standing. At the third step, the open circuit voltage of the secondary battery is measured before and after the secondary battery is left standing. At the fourth step, it is determined whether the secondary battery is a conforming item or not based on the difference in the open circuit voltage before and after the secondary battery is left standing.
US09255971B2 Device and method for detecting state of health of batteries
A device for detecting state-of-health (SOH) of batteries has a detection module, a computation control module and an output module. The computation control module is electrically connected to the detection module and the output module. The detection module detects voltage values of a battery at multiple test points. The computation control module converts the voltage values at the test points into a ratio and maps the ratio to a SOH value in a SOH curve of the battery indicative of a state of health of the battery and the SOH value is outputted through the output module. The present invention can easily detect the SOH of a battery within a short period of time to solve the existing problems of being time-consuming and complicated in determining the SOH of batteries and causing incorrect determination of battery capacity and additional maintenance cost.
US09255967B2 System and method for measuring an integrated circuit age
A system and method are provided for measuring an integrated circuit age. A first clock generator is provided for generating a first clock signal and a second clock generator is provided for generating a second clock signal. Further, a phase detector in communication with the first clock generator and the second clock generator is provided for receiving the first clock signal from the first clock generator and the second clock signal from the second clock generator, and outputting a phase difference signal that is capable of being used as a measure of an integrated circuit age. Still yet, a circuit in communication with the phase detector and the first clock generator is provided for receiving the first clock signal from the first clock generator and the phase difference signal from the phase detector and for synchronizing the phase difference signal from the phase detector with the first clock signal from the first clock generator.
US09255965B2 System for post-processsing of electronic components
A method of post-processing a plurality of electronic components in a post-processing machine after fabrication of the electronic components including providing a carrier with align fixtures, which align fixtures have a clamping mechanism, actuating the clamping mechanism to enlarge a size of receptacles, each of the receptacles is assigned to one of the align fixtures and the enlarged receptacles are larger than the electronic components to be received, positioning the electronic components in the receptacles of the align fixtures, actuating the clamping mechanism to reduce a size of the receptacles so that the electronic components are aligned within the receptacles of the carrier, placing the carrier in the post processing machine, and subjecting the electronic components to operations of the post-processing machine while the electronic components maintain in aligned positions in the receptacles of the carrier.
US09255962B2 Determining intra-die variation of an integrated circuit
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus and method to determine the intra-chip variation of an integrated circuit. In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a test macro that includes two or more test structures; wherein each test structure includes identical copies of the same performance monitor; wherein each performance monitor has a unique bounding circuitry that encompasses the performance monitor; and wherein the two or more test structures are positioned close enough to each other as to reduce systematic across chip variation between the two or more test structures.
US09255960B2 Testing structure and method for interface trap density of gate oxide
The present invention discloses a testing structure and method for interface trap density of gate oxide, relating to the field of quality and reliability researches of MOS devices. The present invention makes the interface traps density tests for gate oxide layers of n-type and p-type MOS devices completed on a same testing structure, this does not only shorten the measurement period by half but also decrease the costs for testing instruments, because the present testing method is based on a simple current-voltage scanning test without using equipments such as pulse generator required in conventional method. The testing results obtained according to the present invention are featured with spectral peak, which facilitates the data analysis and computation.
US09255959B2 Test apparatus for semiconductor package
A test apparatus for a semiconductor package comprising an X-ray analyzer acquiring an X-ray image of the semiconductor package and detecting a thickness of the semiconductor package from the X-ray image, and a thermal reaction analyzer applying a voltage to the semiconductor package and detecting a failure position of the semiconductor package using a surface temperature of the semiconductor package and the thickness of the semiconductor package may be provided.
US09255955B2 Method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a vehicle electrical system
A vehicle electrical system tester for testing the electrical system of a vehicle is provided. The electrical system has a wiring harness which extends between components of the vehicle and includes a plurality of wires. The vehicle electrical system tester is configured to measure an electrical parameter of at least one of the plurality of wires through a first connection to coupled to a first end of the at least one of the plurality of wires and a second connection coupled to a second end of the at least one of the plurality of wires. An electrical signal is applied between the first and second ends of the at least one of the plurality of wires and the electrical parameter of the at least one of the plurality of wires is responsively measured.
US09255951B2 Potentiometer degradation evaluating method
In a method for evaluating degradation of a potentiometer, a plurality of evaluation items, from minor to major, are established as evaluation items for degradation in performance prior to failure of a potentiometer. The degradation of the potentiometer in performance of the plurality of evaluation items is evaluated in terms of stages, in a specific sequence.
US09255950B2 Method and arrangement for frequency determination
In a method for determining a frequency of an input signal, a first count value is determined by counting clock edges of a reference clock signal while the input signal corresponds to a first level value. Further, a second count value is determined by counting clock edges of the reference clock signal while the input signal corresponds to a second level value. The frequency of the input signal is determined as a function of the first and the second count value.
US09255945B2 Micro positioning test socket and methods for active precision alignment and co-planarity feedback
Methods and structures for testing a microelectronic packaging structure/device are described. Those methods may include placing a device in a floating carrier, wherein the floating carrier is coupled to a socket housing by pin dowels disposed in four corners of the socket housing, and wherein at least two actuating motors are disposed within the socket housing, and micro adjusting the device by utilizing a capacitive coupled or a fiber optic alignment system wherein a maximum measured capacitance or maximum measured intensity between alignment structures disposed in the socket housing and alignment package balls disposed within the device indicate optimal alignment of the device. Methods further include methods for active co-planarity detection through the use of a capacitive-coupled techniques.
US09255944B1 Tip structure of platinum-platinum silicide-silicon composite field sensor probe and method for forming MSTA strucutre on the probe
A platinum-platinum silicide modified silicon composite tip apex, and a method for forming the aforesaid tip apex are disclosed, where a metallic precursor solution and a silicon probe are reacted to form a local platinum nano-structure, which could be precisely controlled with local selectivity, and a local platinum silicide layer is formed between the platinum nano-structure and the silicon probe with an atmospheric microwave annealing (a-MWA) process conducted as well, largely enhancing the conductivity of the tip and spatial resolution of the field detection in field sensitive scanning probe microscopy. In addition to exemption from a stray-field effect and thus having better image quality, the platinum silicide-containing probe could more efficiently enhance the interfacial electron transfer efficiency as compared to the probe tip having only a platinum nano-structure, so that the probe could be applicable to a controlled conductive probe having high spatial resolution.
US09255942B2 Mobile terminal and continuous movement detection method
A mobile terminal includes a first fixed-interval timer that counts a first interval; a second fixed-interval timer that counts a second interval longer than the first interval; a motion acceleration detection unit that obtains a first period of acceleration data from an acceleration sensor at the first interval and detects motion acceleration based on the first period of acceleration data; a walking state detection unit that, when the motion acceleration is detected based on the first period of acceleration data, obtains a second period of acceleration data, which is longer than the first period, from the acceleration sensor and detects a walking state or a non-walking state based on the second period of acceleration data; and a continuous walking determining unit that determines that continuous walking is detected when the walking state is detected a predetermined number of times or more within the second interval.
US09255941B1 System and method for determining fluence of a substance
A system and method for measuring a fluence of gas are disclosed. The system has a first light detector capable of outputting an electrical signal based on an amount of light received. A barrier is positionable adjacent the first light detector and is susceptible to a change in dimension from the fluence of the gas. The barrier permits a portion of light from being received by the first light detector. The change in the dimension of the barrier changes the electrical signal output from the first light detector. A second light detector is positionable to receive light representative of the first light detector without the barrier. The system and method have broad application to detect fluence of gas that may cause erosion chemical reaction causing erosive deterioration. One application is in low orbit Earth for detecting the fluence of atomic oxygen.
US09255935B2 Lipid biomarkers for stable and unstable heart disease
The present invention relates generally to the field of diagnostic and prognostic assays for heart disease. More particular, the present invention provides an assay for diagnosing the presence or extent of development of heart disease or its classification or state thereof. The assay of the present invention is also useful in the stratification of a subject with respect to a risk of developing heart disease. The assay of the present invention is also capable of integration into pathology architecture to provide a diagnostic and reporting system.
US09255932B2 Antibody, kit and method for determining amyloid peptides
The invention relates to the field of immunoassays which allow the detection of Aβ17 peptides by virtue of the use of an anti-Aβ17 antibody and a kit and method using said antibody. The invention also relates to a method for diagnosing or distinguishing between different stages of a neurodegenerative disease.
US09255930B2 BNP-SP antibodies
The invention provides methods for predicting, diagnosing or monitoring acute cardiac disorders, cardiac transplant rejection, or distinguishing acute cardiac disorders from pulmonary disorders, by measuring BNP signal peptide levels in a sample taken from a subject shortly after onset of, or presentation with the disorder or transplant rejection.
US09255927B2 Methods of developing a prognosis for pancreatic cancer and predicting responsiveness to cancer therapeutics
Methods of predicting responsiveness of a cancer in a subject to a cancer therapy including a VEGF targeting agent are provided herein. The methods include detecting the expression level of at least one biomarker selected from ANG-2, SDF-1 and VEGF-D in a sample from the subject and using the expression levels to determine whether the VEGF targeting agent will be effective to treat the cancer in the subject. The predictions may be used to develop treatment plans for the subjects. Methods of developing a prognosis for a subject with pancreatic cancer are also provided. These methods include determining the expression level of IGFBP-1, PDGF-AA and at least one of IL-6 or CRP in a sample from a subject with pancreatic cancer.
US09255923B2 Quantitative multiplex detection of pathogen biomarkers
The present invention addresses the simultaneous detection and quantitative measurement of multiple biomolecules, e.g., pathogen biomarkers through either a sandwich assay approach or a lipid insertion approach. The invention can further employ a multichannel, structure with multi-sensor elements per channel.
US09255920B1 Wireless sensor
Disclosed is a sensor for detecting a target material. The sensor includes a ferromagnetic metal and a molecular recognition reagent coupled to the ferromagnetic metal. The molecular recognition reagent is operable to expand upon exposure to vapor or liquid from the target material such that the molecular recognition reagent changes a tensile stress upon the ferromagnetic metal. The target material is detected based on changes in the magnetic switching characteristics of the ferromagnetic metal caused by the changes in the tensile stress.
US09255915B2 Evaluating a process effect of surface presentation angle
An apparatus (10) and method for evaluating an effect of a surface presentation angle (A). The apparatus supports a plurality of samples (12) separated by support plates (18) between end plates (22) in a shish kebab arrangement. A groove (34) is formed on each side of each support plate for receiving an edge of each respective sample at a different angle relative to an axis of impingement (32). A clamping mechanism (20) holds the end plates, support plates and samples together in the fixed orientation exposing each sample surface at a different presentation angle, yet at the same distance from a process end effector (30). The sample impingement surfaces are exposed to the process, and the effect of the different surface presentation angles is determined from the samples. Process variables to counter the effects of surface presentation angle may be identified and controlled.
US09255913B2 System and method for acoustically identifying damaged sections of a route
A method for acoustically examining a route includes sensing passively excited residual sounds of a vehicle system during travel over a route, examining the passively excited residual sounds to identify one or more changes of interest in the passively excited residual sounds, and identifying a section of the route as being damaged responsive to the one or more changes of interest in the passively excited residual sounds that are identified.
US09255911B2 Non-contact signal propagation property evaluation of synthetic fiber rope
A non-contact evaluation system for evaluating a synthetic rope. The system includes a first transducer, a second transducer, and a processor. The first transducer is located at a first position and configured to convert a first electrical signal into a wave directed toward the synthetic rope under test. The wave has characteristics such that at least of a portion of the wave passes around a perimeter of the synthetic rope. The second transducer is located at a second position opposite the first position and radially aligned with the first transducer. The second transducer is also configured to receive and convert the portion of the wave into a second electrical signal. The processor is configured to determine a structural health measure of the synthetic rope based on the second electrical signal.
US09255909B2 Surface visualization system for indicating inconsistencies
A method and apparatus for indicating an inconsistency. An apparatus comprises a platform, a location system, a transducer system, a projector system, and a data processing system. The platform is configured to move on a surface of an object. The location system is configured to generate location information for the platform on the surface of the object. The transducer system is configured to send signals into the object and receive a response to the signals. The projector system is configured to project an image onto the surface of the object. The data processing system is configured to generate the image using the response. An indication of an inconsistency in the image projected onto the surface of the object corresponds to a location of the inconsistency in the object. The data processing system is configured to control the projector system to project the image onto the surface of the object.
US09255904B2 Step-change sensor for pumped and unpumped operation
A sensor device for sensing at least a proportion of at least one gas component of a gas in a measurement gas space, in particular for detecting oxygen in an exhaust gas of a combustion machine, is proposed. The sensor device includes at least one sensor element. The sensor element includes at least one first electrode and at least one first reference electrode and at least one second reference electrode. The second reference electrode is connected to at least one reference gas channel. The first electrode is connected to the first reference electrode and the second reference electrode by at least one respective solid electrolyte. The sensor element has at least one diffusion element between the first reference electrode and the reference gas channel.
US09255899B2 Non-destructive inspection method and device
A method of non-destructive inspection of a subject body including an element is comprised of irradiating the subject body with a neutron ray through a first measurement point and a second measurement point; measuring an elapsed time after a first time point when a resonant neutron specific to the element passes through the first measurement point and before a second time point when a prompt gamma ray made emitted by the resonant neutron from the subject body is detected at the second measurement point; and determining a location of the element in the subject body by the first measurement point, the second measurement point, a relative position toward a surface of the subject body, and the elapsed time.
US09255895B2 Angle-resolved antisymmetric scatterometry
A method for determining an overlay offset may include, but is not limited to: obtaining a first anti-symmetric differential signal (ΔS1) associated with a first scatterometry cell; obtaining a second anti-symmetric differential signal (ΔS2) associated with a second scatterometry cell and computing an overlay offset from the first anti-symmetric differential (ΔS1) signal associated with the first scatterometry cell and the second anti-symmetric differential signal (ΔS2) associated with the second scatterometry cell.
US09255894B2 System and method for detecting cracks in a wafer
A wafer crack detection system includes a rotational wafer stage assembly configured to secure a wafer and selectively rotate the wafer, a light source positioned on a first side of the wafer and configured to direct a light beam through the wafer, a sensor positioned on a second side of the wafer and configured to monitor one or more characteristics of light transmitted through the wafer as the wafer is rotated, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and a portion of the rotational wafer stage assembly, the controller configured to: determine the presence of one or more cracks in the wafer based on the monitored one or more characteristics of light transmitted through the wafer, and, responsive to the determination of the presence of one or more cracks in the wafer, direct the rotational stage assembly to adjust the rotational condition of the wafer.
US09255891B2 Inspection beam shaping for improved detection sensitivity
Methods and systems for reshaping the beam intensity distribution of an illumination light supplied to a specimen under inspection are presented. A scanning surface inspection system includes a beam shaping element that flattens the beam intensity distribution of a beam of light generated by an illumination source. The reshaped illumination light is directed to the wafer surface over an illumination spot. With a flattened beam intensity distribution, the incident beam power can be increased without the beam intensity exceeding the damage threshold of the wafer at any particular location. In addition, the illumination spot is shaped by the beam shaping element to have a variable beam width in a direction parallel to the inspection track. The location of a defect within an inspection area having a variable beam width is estimated based on an analysis of the output of the detector.
US09255887B2 2D programmable aperture mechanism
Methods and systems for reconfiguring an aperture of an optical inspection system are presented. A programmable aperture system includes a two dimensional array of mechanical pixels that selectively block light passing through the aperture. An array of linear guiding elements is aligned parallel to one another, and each row of mechanical pixels is supported by a corresponding linear guiding element. Each mechanical pixel is configured to slide along the corresponding linear guiding element when pushed by an actuator subsystem. The actuator subsystem repositions one or more of the mechanical pixel elements to change the shape of the aperture. The actuator subsystem is configured to selectively engage one or more mechanical pixel elements and translate the one or more mechanical pixel elements along corresponding linear guiding elements to a new position.
US09255885B2 Method and device for detecting an analyte in a body fluid
A method for detecting at least one analyte in at least one sample of a body fluid is disclosed. Therein, at least one test element (124) is used, the at least one test element (124) having at least one test field (162) with at least one test chemistry (154) is used, wherein the test chemistry (154) is adapted to perform at least one optically detectable detection reaction in the presence of the analyte. The method comprises acquiring an image sequence of images of the test field (162) by using at least one image detector (178). Each image comprises a plurality of pixels. The method further comprises detecting at least one characteristic feature of the test field (162) in the images of the image sequence. The method further comprises correcting a relative position change between the image detector (178) and the test field (162) in the image sequence by using the characteristic feature, thereby obtaining a sequence of corrected images.
US09255883B2 Surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence measuring apparatus
Provided is an apparatus having a beam geometry changing device that changes the beam geometry of excitation light, and a control device that controls the beam geometry changing device, with favorable precision, which the apparatus performs a resonance angle scan and to detect a target material.
US09255876B2 Temperature sensor and method for measuring a temperature change
A temperature sensor is provided which comprises a measurement light source for generating measurement light and two optical waveguides. The two optical waveguides are arranged such that they respectively receive a measurement light portion of the measurement light and that the measurement light portions are superimposed after passing through the optical waveguides. Furthermore, the two optical waveguides have an optical property with different temperature dependency.
US09255874B2 Fluid stream imaging apparatus
A fluid stream imaging apparatus having either optics for manipulating the aspect ratio or sensing elements configured for manipulating the aspect ratio of an image of the fluid stream. This application may also relate to a system for acquiring images of a portion of a fluid stream at high speeds for image processing to measure and predict droplet delays for individual forming particles.
US09255859B2 Force platform system
A method of processing force signals from plural force platforms includes, in a computer, in an initialization process, receiving data distinguishing the plural platforms, monitoring force data signals from each of the plural platforms, and identifying each of the plural platforms to a force platform data process application by a sequence of received above-threshold force data signals. The method further includes, subsequent to the initialization process, processing subsequent force data signals according to the identification of each of the plural force platforms. The distinguishing data can include data retrieved from nonvolatile memory of each of the plural force platforms, such as a platform serial number, calibration data, and platform capacity. A force platform system includes one or more force platforms and force platform signal conditioning circuitry connected to the one or more force platforms. The signal conditioning circuitry may include a separate signal conditioner connected to each force platform.
US09255853B2 Non-contact strain sensing of objects by use of single-walled carbon nanotubes
In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of detecting strain associated with an object by: (1) irradiating a composition that has been applied to the object, where the composition comprises semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes; (2) measuring an emission from the irradiated composition, where the emission comprises near infrared emission; and (3) correlating the near infrared emission to the presence or absence of strain associated with the object. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without physically contacting the object or the composition. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without utilizing Raman spectroscopy. Further embodiments of the present invention also include a step of applying the composition to the object.
US09255846B1 Digital temperature determination using a radiometrically calibrated and a non-calibrated digital thermal imager
A method, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of computer executable instructions for calibrating an uncalibrated thermal imager is provided. The system includes a calibrated pyrometer for determining a first temperature of a Region of Interest under a first condition, and an uncalibrated thermal imager for determining a first average count value over the region of interest under the first condition and for determining a second average count value over the region of interest under a second condition. A temperature sensor for determining a second temperature of the region of interest under a second condition is also provided. Control electronics determine a Planck function that intersects the points (first temperature, first average count value) and (second temperature, second average count value). The uncalibrated thermal imager is calibrated using the Planck function.
US09255841B2 Spectroscopy systems and methods using quantum cascade laser arrays with lenses
A spectroscopy system includes an array of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) that emits an array of non-coincident laser beams. A lens array coupled to the QCL array substantially collimates the laser beams, which propagate along parallel optical axes towards a sample. The beams remain substantially collimated over the lens array's working distance, but may diverge when propagating over longer distances. The collimated, parallel beams may be directed to/through the sample, which may be within a sample cell, flow cell, multipass spectroscopic absorption cell, or other suitable holder. Alternatively, the beams may be focused to a point on, near, or within the target using a telescope or other suitable optical element(s). When focused, however, the beams remain non-coincident; they simply intersect at the focal point. The target transmits, reflects, and/or scatters this incident light to a detector, which transduces the detected radiation into an electrical signal representative of the target's absorption or emission spectrum.
US09255830B2 Dose measurement system and method
Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, systems and methods for measuring the dose remaining in a drug delivery device that is used for delivering a dose to a patient. In some embodiments, a dose measurement system for measuring the liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources which are disposed and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the container. A plurality of sensors are located in the apparatus that are optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources and are disposed and configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least a portion of the light sources. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to receive data representing the portion of the detected electromagnetic radiation from each of the plurality of sensors. The processing unit is further operable to convert the received data into a signature representative of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the plurality of sensors.
US09255828B2 Transducer cable assembly and flow meter employing same
A cable assembly for coupling a transducer includes a plug body having a nose section with a nose end, a tail section with a tail end opposite the nose end; and a cable restraining feature disposed proximal the tail end. In addition, the cable assembly includes a cable having a first end, a second end, a signal conductor, and a pliable fixing member. A portion of the pliable fixing member is disposed in the cable restraining feature and extends at least partially around the plug body to limit the movement of the first end of the cable relative to the plug body.
US09255825B1 Self-aligning wafer-style process instrument
A process instrument having a wafer-style body for mounting between an upstream flanged pipe and a downstream flanged pipe has a flow passage, a transmitter connected to the body, and first and second end plates fixed to the body. The first end plate has a first set of cams for engaging a plurality of threaded fasteners extending between the upstream flanged pipe and the downstream flanged pipe. The second end plate has a second set of cams for engaging the plurality of threaded fasteners such that the first set of cams and the second set of cams center the flow passage with respect to the upstream flanged pipe and the downstream flanged pipe.
US09255823B2 Metallic sensor housing and method for manufacture of same
The invention relates to a metallic sensor housing for an optoelectronic sensor which is composed of a plurality of parts. Provision is made in accordance with the invention that two or more metallic parts of the housing are connected to one another with material continuity. The invention additionally relates to an optoelectronic sensor having a metallic sensor housing in accordance with the invention and to a method of manufacturing a metallic sensor housing in accordance with the invention.
US09255818B2 Arrangement comprising an inductive proximity sensor, and method implementing such a sensor
An electronic circuit detecting proximity includes an excitation coil emitting an inductive excitation field toward a target. A first pair of detection coils obtains a first differential inductive signal that is modified by a transition of the target within the inductive field. An out-of phase second pair of detection coils obtains a second differential inductive signal that is modified by a transition of the target within the inductive field. A comparator generates a transition signal when the difference between the first and second differential signals reaches a threshold value. A stationary target, in a ferromagnetic or conductive material, creates an offset to the signals at the outlet of the coil pairs. The offset is decreased during the presence of a movable target within the same type of material or increased during the presence of a movable target within another type of material. A comparator detects the offset level.
US09255814B2 Systems and methods for transitioning between pedometer modes
Systems and methods are provided that allow steps to be counted in multiple pedometer modes. For example, a pedometer application on an electronic device can count steps in an ambient mode of operation and a session mode of operation. By maintaining separate counters for each pedometer mode and continuously monitoring the desired mode of operation, the pedometer application can accurately count the number of steps during a certain time period. In response to detecting a change in the desired mode, the pedometer application can seamlessly switch to the corresponding mode counter. In some embodiments, the pedometer application can display graphical representations of historical step information for one or more pedometer modes.
US09255801B2 Yaw rate sensor
A yaw rate sensor, including a substrate and a main extension plane, for detecting a yaw rate around a first direction in parallel to the main extension plane, a first Coriolis mass, and a second Coriolis mass, and a drive device configured to drive the first and second Coriolis masses in parallel to a drive direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second Coriolis masses, for a yaw rate around the first direction, experiencing a Coriolis acceleration in parallel to a detection direction, which is perpendicular to the drive and first directions, the first and second Coriolis masses having first/second partial areas and third/fourth partial areas, respectively. The first and third partial areas are farther from the axis of symmetry in parallel to the first direction, and the second and fourth partial areas are closer to the axis of symmetry in parallel to the first direction.
US09255799B2 Determining and correcting error of positional vector-valued sensors using a fixed angle calibration process
Systems and methods described herein relate to the correction of positional vector-valued sensors using a variety of calibration processes including fixed-angle calibration, known-angle calibration, ortho-calibration and 3-axis gimbal calibration further including various weighting schemes to provide fine-tuned functions or interpolated data which may be used for real-time sensor correction calculation or to populate a look-up table of corrected values.
US09255792B2 Optical probe, attachable cover, and shape measuring apparatus
An optical probe includes a probe cover, within which is installed an optical system having an illuminating optical system and a receiving optical system. An emitting region and an incidence region through which light passes are provided to a bottom surface of the probe cover, the bottom surface forming an opposing region opposite a work piece. The bottom surface forms a surface where, of the light reflected from the work piece, light following a direct reflection direction is reflected in a direction moving away from the incidence region, from a position where light emitted from the emitting region is emitted at the work piece. Accordingly, an amount of second order reflected light striking the incidence region can be suppressed and, therefore, an occurrence of an erroneous value in received light distribution can be suppressed.
US09255790B2 Wide angle bistatic scanning optical ranging sensor
A sensor for determining a profile of an object surface relative to a reference plane includes a radiation source, a collector, a processor, first and second reflectors and at least one reflective element comprising third and fourth reflectors secured in mutual angular relation. The radiation source projects a launch beam for impingement onto the object surface. The collector detects at least a portion of a return beam reflected by the object surface. The processor determines the profile of the object surface at a point of impingement of the launch beam onto the object surface from at least one characteristic of the at least a portion of the return beam.
US09255788B1 Measuring method for linear stage
A measuring method for linear stage used for measuring a displacement volume of a linear stage includes a light source, a two-dimensional grating, a quadrant photodiode and a processor. The light source provides an incident light, and the two-dimensional grating is disposed in light path of the incident light and reflects the incident to form a reflection light. The quadrant photodiode is disposed in light path of the reflection light and receives the reflection light for generating a plurality of sensing signals. The processor receives the sensing signals and utilizes the sensing signals to calculate a slope signal by a slope signal equation of the two-dimensional grating and an initial position signal and an end position signal by a position signal equation of the two-dimensional grating. The processor obtains the displacement volume of the linear stage by the slope signal, the initial position signal and the end position signal.
US09255784B2 Contactless angular position detection device
The contactless angular position detection device includes a main casing (1) having a through opening (2) formed about a geometric axis (E) and a rotary element (3) to which a permanent magnet (4) is fixed. The rotary element (3) is mounted inside the main casing (1) to rotate with respect thereto about the geometric axis (E) Further, an electronic circuit 5 is mounted inside the main casing (1) and which includes a sensor (7) capable of detecting variations in the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet (4) when rotating with respect to the main casing (1), a secondary casing (9) coupled to the main casing (1), and plug connection housed in or supported by the secondary casing (9) for connecting said electronic circuit 5 to the outside. The main casing (1) and secondary casing (9) are permanently and tightly attached.
US09255783B2 Sensor arrangement for capturing a torque
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (2) for capturing a torque acting on a shaft (14), wherein the sensor arrangement (2) comprises a sensor unit (4) with a sleeve (34), on which at least one sliding element and at least one first sensor which is sensitive to magnetic fields are arranged, and a magnetic-flux unit (6) with two magnetic flux-conducting rings (28, 30), wherein the at least one sliding element is arranged between the magnetic flux-conducting rings (28, 30), wherein the sensor unit and the magnetic-flux unit (6) are rotated relative to one another during a rotation of the shaft (14), and wherein the at least one sensor which is sensitive to magnetic fields captures a magnetic flux conducted by the rings (28, 30).
US09255775B1 Longitudinally sectioned firearms projectiles
The present invention relates to longitudinally sectioned bullets and more particularly pertains to a projectile structured to be discharged from a firearm and comprising at least two separable longitudinal body sections and at least one binding element that holds the at least two longitudinal body sections together, such as before impact with a target. Said projectile is thus capable of controlled fragmentation against a soft target. Said projectile is adapted to also contain at least one supplemental payload deliverable to a target.
US09255774B2 Controlled fragmentation of a warhead shell
A series of small explosive charges are used to preferentially crack the casing of a warhead to provide for a controlled fragmentation of the warhead. During detonation of the warhead's explosive fill, the casing will break early in the process along pre-determined lines resulting in very large fragments that are projected towards the ground and away from innocent civilians. A fragmentation control collar which contacts these charges can be fitted on the outside of existing warheads. An annular liner within the warhead aids in the controlled fragmentation.
US09255767B2 Method and system for providing power and data to firearm accessories
An apparatus and method for providing power to an accessory on a firearm, the method including the steps of: detecting an accessory when attached to said firearm through actuation of a magnetic switch magnetically coupled to a magnet in the accessory via a pin located in the firearm and providing a power path with said accessory; and providing power to said accessory from a secondary source of power should power be required.
US09255765B2 Spear gun safety device
A spear gun safety device for shielding at least one spike of a spear is provided. The safety device may include a tube assembly having a firing end and an opposing handle end, forming a barrel through the length of the tube assembly, wherein the barrel is dimensioned and adapted to house the spear, including the at least one spike, but not including a perpendicularly joined band post. The tube assembly provides an elongated notch extending from the firing end toward the handle end, wherein the elongated notch is configured to guide the band post protruding therethrough. The tube assembly provides a pair of band connectors disposed near the firing end, each band connector straddling opposing sides of the elongate notch, whereby tension bands extend from the band connectors to the band post.
US09255758B1 Narrow crossbow with large power stroke
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a crossbow may include a main beam; a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam; and, a trigger mechanism mounted to the beam for use in holding a bowstring in a cocked position. The crossbow may include wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring. The wheels may be separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position. The crossbow may also have a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD may be less than 2.0.
US09255756B1 Multifunctional crossbow
The present invention is directed to a crossbow operable for shooting missiles. The crossbow comprises: (a) a left-side bowhead and a right-side bowhead; (b) a left-side bow limb and a right-side bow limb; (c) a cam wheel affixed to the anterior end and the posterior end of each of the left-side and right-side bowheads and the left-side and right-side bow limbs; (d) a left-side bowhead string and a right-side bowhead string; (e) a connecting string; (f) a retention base affixed to the connecting string; and (h) a tiller capable of cocking and firing the crossbow.
US09255753B2 Energy storage device for a bow
An energy storage portion for a bow and a method of configuring the same. At least one first limb has both a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the first side of a center support. At least one second limb has both a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the second side of the center support. At least one first pulley is attached to the first limb at a location between the distal and the proximal portions of the first limb and at least one second pulley is attached to the second limb at a location between the distal and the proximal portions of the second limb.
US09255751B1 Bipod firearm support
A bipod includes a mount body, a clutch assembly, a clamp member, a side plate assembly including spaced side plates and legs. The mount body is suitable for mounting to a firearm. The clutch assembly is rotatably mounted to the mount body and is divided into lower and upper portions which define side plate slots suitable for receiving the side plates of the side plate assembly. The clamp member is common to the mount body and the clutch assembly. The clamp member can be tightened to fix the side plate assembly relative to the clutch assembly and the clutch assembly relative to the mount body or can be loosened to allow the side plate assembly to slide through the clutch assembly and the clutch assembly to rotate relative to the mount body. The bipod is supported by the legs which extend downwardly from opposite ends of the side plate assembly.
US09255725B2 Sun tracking solar energy collection system
A sun tracking solar energy collection system includes a sun tracker having a base with a rotatable member driven by a base motor. A support extends from the base and is rotatably driven in conjunction with the rotatable member by the base motor. An arm in communication with the support is pivotable relative to the base and the support and is driven by an arm motor associated with the arm. A light sensitive element in conjunction with the arm receives a light from a light source for determining an amount of received light. A solar energy collector is movably positioned to correspond to a relative position of the base and the arm to correspond to the position of the light source for collecting solar energy. A controller controls a position of the sun tracker and the solar energy collector to correspond to a position of the light source.
US09255714B2 Cookery air purification and exhaust system
An air filtration and exhaust system is described. The system comprises a microcontroller, a power supply, and a series of sensors that detect the presence of airborne contaminants such as ultra fine particles, smoke, natural gas and radon gas. In the presence of these airborne contaminants, the system is designed to inactivate and prevent operation of nearby food preparation appliances. Once these contaminants have been safely removed, the operation of these appliances is restored. In addition, the ventilation system may be equipped with a purification subassembly, which safely and efficiently removes such containments from the area. The system may also comprise an alarm that is activatable in the presence of these contaminants.
US09255703B2 Light pipe heat sink element
An assembly for use with a heat producing electronic device is disclosed. The assembly may include a heat sink in thermally conductive contact with a shell containing the electronic device, and a light pipe having a first thermal conductivity and configured to transmit light from a light-emitting diode (LED) to a front side of the heat sink. The light pipe may include at least a portion having a thermally conductive layer with a second thermal conductivity greater than the first thermal conductivity. The thermally conductive layer may cover at least a portion of an outer surface of the light pipe, and be positioned between, and in thermally conductive contact with a portion of the heat sink protrusions. The thermally conductive layer may be designed to conduct and radiate heat away from at least a portion of the heat sink protrusions.
US09255698B2 Mounting device for lighting sources
A device for mounting planar lighting sources having a light emitting surface on a substrate includes a frame provided with fixing formations for fixing the frame on the substrate with the planar lighting source sandwiched between the frame and the substrate. The frame has an opening to surround the light emitting surface of said lighting source and is provided with elastic formations to elastically urge the lighting source toward the substrate. The fixing formations include at least one resilient formation to resiliently urge the frame toward the substrate.
US09255696B2 Lighting devices
Improved lighting devices, such as non-rechargeable and rechargeable flashlights, having simplified designs with fewer component parts are described. A focusing feature is described where the light source is held stationary and the reflector is moved through the engagement of threads and/or teeth arrangement. An improved reflector that avoids regions of increased thickness to reduce or avoid distortion caused by sink is also described.
US09255693B2 Fluorescent screen and image display device comprising same
A fluorescent screen includes a phosphor layer including a phosphor that absorbs excitation light to emit fluorescence, a reflecting layer that is provided on one surface of the phosphor layer so as to transmit the excitation light and to reflect, to the phosphor layer, a part of fluorescence that is emitted from the phosphor and that exits from the one surface; and a plurality of holes that penetrates the reflecting layer.
US09255692B2 Light source unit capable of shining light of high in-plane uniformity, illuminating method of light source unit, and projector
There is provided a light source unit including an excitation light source which emits excitation light, a luminescent material which receives excitation light from the excitation light source to emit luminous light, a diffuse plate on which the luminous light is incident, and a driving device which moves the diffuse plate so as to change an entering position of the luminous light on the diffuse plate.
US09255685B2 Luminaire with prismatic optic
A luminaire with a prismatic optic permits the nearly uniform distribution of light about the luminaire. The prismatic optic permits the use of directional light sources, such as light emitting diodes, while maintaining the uniform light distribution. Furthermore, a concave shape of the optic further enables uniform light distribution. When light emitting diodes are used, the luminaire further includes a heat sink to maintain a desirable operational temperature without negatively affecting the light distribution properties of the luminaire.
US09255683B2 Light module of a lighting device of a motor vehicle
A light module of a lighting device comprises one passing-light sub-module for production of a dimmed-light distribution below a horizontal “light/dark” boundary, one high-beam sub-module for production of a light distribution above the boundary, a common projection-lens system for production of an overall light distribution, and one element deflecting a course of light beams of the sub-module(s) before it falls on the system. To realize the smallest system and a reduction of non-homogeneities in the overall light distribution in a region of the boundary, a majority of the light beams of the high-beam sub-module falls on a common segment of the system as a majority of the light beams of the passing-light sub-module, a smaller portion of the light beams of the high-beam sub-module falls on another segment of the system, and the system exhibits a deflector that deflects at least a portion of the light beams falling on the other segment downward.
US09255682B2 Laser lamp system for a vehicle
A lamp system includes a laser source and a reflecting plate for reflecting light generated from the laser source. The laser source includes a laser diode, a light splitter for splitting light generated from the laser diode into a plurality of beams, a phosphor layer for changing color of the beams transmitted from the light splitter, and a diffusing layer for diffusing the beams transmitted from the light splitter, to thereby form a surface light source. The lamp system is configured to be used in a vehicle.
US09255679B2 Led reading light and method of replacing an LED reading light
An LED reading light, in particular for a passenger transport vehicle, such as an aircraft, a road vehicle, a ship or a rail car, is disclosed that has a plurality of illuminating LED's and in operation provides a desired light intensity for a set supply current, wherein the LED reading light comprises two power supply terminals connectable to a power supply for receiving the set supply current, and at least one lighting strand coupled between the two power supply terminals. Each of the at least one lighting strand comprises at least one voltage drop diode, with the at least one voltage drop diode in operation not contributing to the desired light intensity, and at least one of the illuminating LED's. The illuminating LED's are distributed among the at least one lighting strand and connected such that they jointly provide the desired light intensity for the set supply current.
US09255676B2 Tubular luminaire
A luminaire having a tubular body that fits into a ceiling mounted sleeve that allows azimuthal rotation of a light beam. The luminaire features an upright tubular heat sink connected to a fixed base having a downward portion inclined at an angle where an LED chip is affixed. The chip is sandwiched in place by a reflector holder having a rim that centers a rotating reflector that admits light from the LED and forms a beam. The angular inclination of the reflector is additive with the angle of the inclined portion of the base allowing vertical angle adjustment of the beam independently of the azimuthal adjustment.
US09255674B2 Method of manufacturing a light emitting diode lighting assembly
A method of manufacturing a light emitting diode lighting assembly that includes producing a heat sink and securing a platform assembly having a plurality of light emitting diode dies on a single plane. A bulb is formed by securing a first lens section made of a first material to a second lens section made of a second material such that only the bulb determines the lamp type of the light emitting diode lighting assembly.
US09255673B2 LED bulb having an adjustable light-distribution profile
A light-emitting diode (LED) bulb includes a reflector, a plurality of LEDs disposed within a recess of the reflector, a thermally conductive liquid disposed within the recess, and an adjustment mechanism to move the LEDs from a first position to a second position, with respect to the reflector. The thermally conductive liquid may transfer heat generated by the LEDs to the reflector, and the reflector may dissipate heat transferred by the thermally conductive liquid to the surrounding environment. The reflector may also reflect light from the LEDs to produce a first light-distribution profile, having a respective first beam angle, when the LEDs are in the first position, and to produce a second light-distribution profile, having a respective second beam angle, when the LEDs are in the second position.
US09255670B2 Street lighting device for communicating with observers and associated methods
A thoroughfare lighting device may include a housing configured to be attached to a thoroughfare surface, having a top surface, a proximal face, a distal face, and first and second opposing sidewalls, a driver circuit, a plurality of light-emitting diodes electrically coupled to the driver circuit comprising a first set of LEDs configured to emit a generally white light, and a second set of LEDs configured to emit colored light that is observable by an observer. The lighting device may also include an optic carried by the housing and positioned in optical communication with the plurality of LEDs. The color of light emitted by the second set of LEDs may be selectable to indicate a condition of the thoroughfare in a direction of travel of the observer. Additionally, the first sidewall may taper in a direction of the distal face.
US09255667B2 LED lighting assembly and an LED retrofit lamp having the LED lighting assembly
An LED lighting assembly may include a printed circuit board with an LED chip, and a heat sink thermally conducted with the printed circuit board, wherein the LED lighting assembly further comprises a light guide body configured as a bulb, the light guide body having an end surface as a light incidence surface of light from the LED chip, an outer surface as a light emergent surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface is structured so as to form a reflecting surface, reflecting at least part of light from the end surface to the outer surface.
US09255658B2 Connection device
A connection device may include an insertion section having an annular outer groove. A housing may be configured to receive the insertion section and a blocking element may be configured to lock the insertion section in the housing. The blocking element may have a band-shaped core and a plurality of teeth arranged adjacent in the peripheral direction along the core. Each of the teeth may include an outer tooth section and an inner tooth section. A core profile may have a core principal direction determined by a maximum diameter. The teeth may have a tooth profile which has a tooth principal direction determined by an inner flank of the teeth lying radially on an interior of the outer tooth section and the core principal direction may be inclined with respect to the tooth principal direction.
US09255642B2 Aerodynamic seals for rotary machine
An aerodynamic seal assembly for a rotary machine includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes a shoe plate with a forward-shoe section and an aft-shoe section having multiple labyrinth teeth therebetween facing the rotor. The sealing device segment also includes multiple flexures connected to the shoe plate and to a top interface element, wherein the multiple flexures are configured to allow the high pressure fluid to occupy a forward cavity and the low pressure fluid to occupy an aft cavity. Further, the sealing device segments include a secondary seal attached to the top interface element at one first end and positioned about the flexures and the shoe plate at one second end.
US09255639B2 Electronic control for the drive unit of a vehicle
In vehicles designed to pick up and process crops, drive units affect the ground drive, which is an all-wheel drive, which acts on all of the wheels and/or track roller unit in contact with the ground, electronic controls and actuators perform the control and regulation of the drive units, and control units that control the drive torque at the wheels are used to obtain good traction and minimal slippage of the wheels on the ground. To control the drive torques, sensors are used at particular points, the signals and data of which are processed by the control device in order to predetermine a torque or intake volume requirement. The preselection of torque in the control results in the intake volume of the hydraulic drive motor being regulated. By specifying the intake volume required, it is possible to obtain optimal traction at one or more drive wheels, and to prevent undesired slippage of any one drive wheel in advance.
US09255623B2 Engine with inclined cylinder
An engine with an inclined cylinder, including a horizontally-disposed crankshaft, and two balancer shafts arranged in parallel to the crankshaft. A drive gear for driving the balancer shafts is provided on the crankshaft, and driven gears respectively meshed with the drive gear are provided on the balancer shafts. The two balancer shafts are divided into areas on both sides of a center line of the cylinder and into upper and lower regions relative to an axis of the crankshaft, and axes of the balancer shafts are arranged so as to be placed within a range of a diameter of the drive gear.
US09255617B2 Disc for a disc brake of the ventilated type
A disc for a disc brake of the ventilated type comprising a braking band (2) defined by two plates (3, 4), which are co-axial to an axis, which are mutually facing and spaced to provide an interspace. The plates have facing surfaces (6, 7) from which elements (8, 9, 10) for the connection of the same plates transversally extend. Such facing surfaces define, together with the connecting elements, inside the interspace, ventilation ducts in order to cool the disc. The disc (1) comprises a plurality of projections (11, 12) protruding from both facing surfaces of the two plates (3, 4). The projections are circumferentially arranged only in proximity of the outer edges of the plates in correspondence of the outlet of the ventilation ducts. Each projection (11) of a plate (3) is opposed to and aligned with a projection (12) of the other plate (4) along a direction parallel to the axis.
US09255616B2 Fan clutch for vehicle
A fan clutch for a vehicle may include a shaft rotated by a drive force and having a first oil line formed in the shaft in a radial direction thereof, a rotor rotated in combination with the shaft, wherein the rotor includes an oil storage chamber formed in the rotor and the oil storage chamber communicates with the first oil line, a valve formed in an end of the oil storage chamber and being selectively opened, wherein the valve may be configured to allow oil stored in the oil storage chamber to flow to an outside of the rotor through the first oil line, and a housing formed to surround the rotor, and provided with a second oil line through which the oil that has flowed through the valve flows to the first oil line through an actuation chamber surrounding the rotor.
US09255612B2 Overtorque release drive
A torque-release coupling can be remotely reset after an over-torque condition. A threshold torque may be adjusted while the coupling is running. A pressure of pressurized fluid adjusts a force required to release a detent mechanism that holds a torque transmitting member in engagement across an interface between moving parts.
US09255610B2 Torque transmission device
A torque transmission device for a drive train of a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. The device includes an input part and an output part having a common axis of rotation around which the input part and the output part are jointly rotatable relative to one another, and a spring damper arrangement that has at least one energy storage device. A friction device is effective between the input part and the output part and is arranged radially outside the at least one energy storage device, in order to provide a torque transmission device having a construction that is optimized with respect to the installation space.
US09255603B2 Test equipment with housing damping system
A machine has an outer housing that receives a drive shaft. A bearing housing supports a bearing. The drive shaft is mounted within the bearing and the outer housing. Attachment members extend between the outer housing and the bearing housing. A selected damping includes an elastomeric ring attached to a surface of a bearing housing and an outer housing. A selectively moveable plate is connected to the outer housing and the bearing housing. The plate is selectively moveable from a position at which it engages the elastomeric ring to a point at which it is spaced from the elastomeric ring.
US09255600B2 Ratchet locking mechanism for threaded fastener
A fastening device including a fastener having a head portion and an elongated threaded body portion extending axially from the head portion. The threaded body portion includes opposing flat sections. A lock washer has a lower surface with an array of radially extending engagement teeth. The lock washer also defines an axial aperture for receiving the fastener. The axial aperture has two flat inner surfaces for cooperating with the two flat sections of the threaded body portion to prevent relative rotation of the washer and threaded body portion. A threaded lock nut mates with the threaded body portion. The lock nut has an upper surface with at least one cantilevered pawl members for ratcheted engagement with the array of radially extending engagement teeth of the lock washer.
US09255599B1 Nut tightening system
A system for applying rotational torque to a fastener on a fastening member (such as a threaded rod) to maintain the tight fastening. One specific embodiment of the system uses a recoil spring to apply such torque directly to the fastener; the system enables continued tightening of the fastener long after the initial fastening occurs.
US09255585B2 Fan structure and casing structure
A fan structure used for connecting with a plate body includes a main body, a fan blade, a sliding member and a locating member. The main body has an accommodating space and an adjustment slot. The fan blade is pivotally disposed on the main body and is located inside the accommodating space. The sliding member has a base and a joining portion. The base is accommodated in the adjustment slot. The sliding member is joined to the plate body through the joining portion. The locating member is used for joining the sliding member and the main body together, so as to fix the relative position of the sliding member and the main body.
US09255578B2 Systems and methods to monitor pump cavitation
Systems and methods to monitor pump cavitation are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a pressure parameter and a vibration parameter associated with an asset in an operating process unit. The example method includes calculating a manipulated pressure value based on the pressure parameter. The example method includes calculating a manipulated vibration value based on the vibration parameter. The example method includes determining a state of cavitation associated with the asset based on at least one of the manipulated pressure value or the manipulated vibration value.
US09255576B2 Cutter apparatus for centrifugal pump
A centrifugal pump with a cutter mechanism consisting of a toothed cutter rotor, integral with the impeller wear ring, affixed to the impeller and a toothed cutter stator affixed to the casing, separately from the casing wear ring. A cutter mechanism consisting of a stator and rotor set such that they may be installed on the centrifugal pump impeller and casing as original equipment or as a retrofit. A cutter mechanism such that when installed in a centrifugal pump they prevent stringy materials, garbage and other agglomerated soft wastewater solids from partially restricting or totally blocking the inlet to the pump impeller. A cutter mechanism such that when it prevents solids from restricting or blocking the impeller inlet, it does so without significant decrease of flow throughput or significant increase in absorbed hydraulic horsepower.
US09255574B2 Rotary pump for a vehicle
A rotary pump can pump a liquid for pollution control of exhaust gases in a system on board a vehicle and can include a rotor and a stator that are positioned in a casing. The casing can include a wall delimiting a main internal volume and an integral outlet pipe for the pump. A pressure sensor can be positioned within the main internal volume of the casing.
US09255571B2 Air pump with two pressure gauges for high/low pressure indication
An air pump includes an air pump body for pumping air, and a high pressure gauge and a low pressure gauge mounted in the air pump body for measuring and indicating the air pumped by the air pump body.
US09255567B2 Two-bladed vertical axis wind turbines
Two-bladed vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) have many efficiency advantages over turbines with other numbers of blades. Principles for making them in the ideal fashion are presented for both drag and lift configurations.
US09255557B2 Dual fuel injection valve apparatus including a hybrid nozzle for diesel and gas engines
The present invention relates to a dual fuel injection valve apparatus provided with a hybrid nozzle for a diesel engine and a gas engine and an objective thereof is to provide a dual fuel injection valve apparatus provided with a hybrid nozzle for a diesel engine and a gas engine, being capable of respectively injecting two kinds of different fuels from one fuel injection valve by pressure of fuel and tension of a spring.In a fuel injection valve apparatus for injecting fuel to a cylinder of a diesel engine or a gas engine, the present invention sequentially injects, without mixing, two kinds of fuel through respective nozzle holes by pressure of the two kinds of fuel introduced to a fuel valve and tension of a needle spring.
US09255555B2 Air cleaner for vehicle
Disclosed is an air cleaner for a vehicle. The air cleaner for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment includes: a body portion which has an air inlet formed at one side of the body portion so as to suck air; a cover portion which is coupled to an upper portion of the body portion and has an air outlet formed at one side of the cover portion; an element which is inserted into or withdrawn from the interior of the body portion and the cover portion through a receiving opening that is formed at one side of the body portion and the cover portion; a height adjustment handle which is rotatably coupled to a lower portion of the element and allows the element to be raised upward and lowered downward by a rotation of the height adjustment handle; and an element cover which is coupled to one side of the cover portion so as to prevent the element from being moved away from the receiving opening, and has a locking member which is provided at one surface of the element cover and has elastic force.
US09255549B1 Laser ignition for liquid propellant rocket engine injectors
A laser ignition device is used for igniting propellants in a rocket engine. The laser ignition device has an injector housing with passages for flowing gaseous hydrogen and liquid oxygen to injector elements which mix the hydrogen and oxygen in a combustion chamber. A laser ignition system assembly is inserted through the housing. The propellants in the housing keep the housing and the laser ignition system assembly cool. A laser beam entering the laser ignition system assembly via a fiber optic cable passes though a lens for diverging the laser beam and a second lens for converging the beam. A portion of the laser ignition system assembly extends beyond the injector housing face plate into the combustion chamber of the rocket engine. A multi-faceted pyramid reflector at the tip of the laser ignition system assembly in the combustion chamber splits the converging laser beam into beamlets which emerge from the laser ignition system assembly parallel to the ignition face plate and ignite the propellant a plurality of points in the combustion chamber adjacent to the injector elements. A purging gas may be introduced inside of the laser ignition system assembly to help cool the laser optic therein and helps keep the laser optics clean. The purging gas exits the laser ignition system assembly into the combustion chamber.
US09255540B2 Method for the operation of an internal combustion engine, and internal combustion engine
A method for operating an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine are described. In order to recognize and correct the drift in the amount of fuel injected over the service life of the injectors of the injection system of the internal combustion engine, multiple different corrective functions are used to establish corrected individual characteristics relative to nominal characteristics. Each offset of the corrected individual characteristic from the nominal characteristics is determined, offset curves are created, and the sections of the individual offset curves representing a minimal offset are used as control data for the amount of fuel to be injected, thus making it possible to always achieve overall optimal control with a minimal difference in the amount of injected fuel.
US09255530B2 Method for operating a spark ignition internal combustion engine having at least two cylinders
An example for operating a spark ignition engine comprises discharging exhaust gases via an exhaust system comprising exhaust pipes from the at least two cylinders coming together to form an exhaust manifold; and initiating autoignition with exhaust gas from a first, exhaust-gas-supplying cylinder, which is discharged from the first cylinder into the exhaust system, the exhaust gas is introduced into an adjacent, exhaust-gas-receiving cylinder via the exhaust system. Exhaust gas from the first cylinder mixes with the air-fuel mixture of an adjacent cylinder raising the temperature therein. Under high loads the higher temperature and density of the aircharge is suitable to undergo autoignition.
US09255524B2 Variable outer air seal fluid control
An example turbomachine system includes a first variable outer air seal including at least one channel. The first variable outer air seal configured to selectively communicate a fluid in response to movement of a second variable outer air seal relative to the first variable outer air seal. An example fluid control method includes selectively covering a channel inlet using a variable outer air seal to control flow through the channel.
US09255517B2 Engine device
An engine device in which an exhaust gas purification device can be assembled adjacent to an engine with high rigidity, and the exhaust gas purification device can be compactly installed. The engine device includes an exhaust gas recirculation device and a common rail disposed on the side on which an intake manifold of the engine is disposed, the exhaust gas purification device disposed on the side on which an exhaust manifold of the engine is disposed, an oil pan disposed on the bottom of the engine, and a support body for linking the exhaust gas purification device to the oil pan, so that the exhaust gas purification device is supported by the oil pan via the support body.
US09255514B2 Honeycomb structure
A honeycomb structure includes a tubular bonded honeycomb segment assembly having a plurality of honeycomb segments and a bonding layer which bonds side surfaces of the plurality of honeycomb segments to each other; and a pair of electrode members disposed on a side surface of the bonded honeycomb segment assembly, a volume resistivity of each of the honeycomb segments is from 1 to 200 Ωcm, at least a part of the bonding layer is made of a bonding material having a conductivity, a volume resistivity of the bonding layer is from 2 to 2000 Ωcm, and each of the pair of electrode members is formed into a band-like shape extending in an extending direction of the cells of the bonded honeycomb segment assembly, and one electrode member is disposed on a side opposite to the other electrode member via a center of the bonded honeycomb segment assembly.
US09255513B2 Exhaust air injection
Embodiments for controlling exhaust air-fuel ratio are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises adjusting upstream exhaust air-fuel ratio to maintain a first emission control device at or below a threshold temperature, and when the upstream exhaust air-fuel ratio is below a threshold, injecting air into an exhaust passage between the first emission control device and a second emission control device to maintain downstream exhaust at a different, higher air-fuel ratio. In this way, excess emissions may be converted while maintaining the emission control devices below a maximum temperature.
US09255507B2 Reagent injection system for exhaust of turbine system
A reagent injection system for a catalytic emissions reduction assembly of a combustion turbine that includes an exhaust duct and at least one injector. The exhaust duct includes a first section including an entrance end and an exit end, wherein the entrance end is configured to be fluidly coupled to the combustion turbine to receive exhaust gases therefrom. The exhaust duct also includes and a second section having an entrance end that is fluidly coupled to the exit end of the first section. The at least one injector is operatively coupled to one of the first and second sections, and each injector is configured to inject a reagent into the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust duct.
US09255495B2 Magnetically-coupled damper for turbomachinery
A system, method, and apparatus for damping vibration in a rotor supported by primary bearings are provided. The system includes a magnetic coupling configured to magnetically engage a rotor supported by one or more primary bearings, and a piston coupled to the magnetic coupling. The system also includes a damper engaging the piston and configured to damp the rotor, wherein the damper is substantially non-load bearing.
US09255490B2 Gas turbine and operating method thereof
Provided is a gas turbine capable of achieving high-speed startup of the gas turbine through quick operation control of an ACC system during startup of the gas turbine, improving the cooling efficiency of turbine stationary components, and quickly carrying out an operation required for cat back prevention during shutdown of the gas turbine. Included are a pressurizing device (40) connected to a branching channel (42) branching from the discharge side of a compressor (11) and capable of carrying out an operation for introducing and pressurizing air independently from the compressor (11); a temperature-control-medium supply channel (43) that guides compressed air pressurized at the pressuring device (40) to a turbine-cooling-medium channel (50) provided in stationary components of a turbine (13); and a temperature-control-medium return channel (44) that guides the compressed air that has passed through the turbine-cooling-medium channel (50) to the discharge side of the compressor (11) such that the flows are combined, and the pressurizing device (40) is operated at startup of the gas turbine and in preparation immediately before startup to carry out temperature-raising and cooling by letting the compressed air flow in the turbine-cooling-medium channel (50). The pressurizing device (40) is operated during shutdown of the gas turbine to exhaust the high-temperature gas remaining in the turbine (13).
US09255474B2 Flexibility of downhole fluid analyzer pump module
An apparatus for pumping a downhole fluid includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth and a pump disposed at the carrier and configured to pump the downhole fluid. A multi-phase electric motor is coupled to the pump and configured to receive multi-phase electrical energy from a power source in order to operate the pump. The multi-phase electrical motor includes multiple windings and a switch configured to connect the multiple windings in a configuration selected from a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations includes (i) a first configuration where one terminal of each winding of the multiple windings is uniquely connected to one terminal of another winding and (ii) a second configuration where one terminal of each winding of the multiple windings is commonly connected to one terminal of each of the other windings.
US09255473B2 Methods and systems for real-time monitoring and processing of wellbore data
An integrated digital ecosystem comprises an applied fluid optimization specialist and one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the applied fluid optimization specialist. The applied fluid optimization specialist receives data relating to performance of subterranean operations from the one or more sensors and interprets the data received. The applied fluid optimization specialist then regulates the performance of subterranean operations based on the interpretation of the data received.
US09255469B2 Integral fracturing manifold
A fracturing system can include an integral fracturing manifold. More particularly, a fracturing system can include a plurality of fracturing trees and an integral fracturing manifold may be directly coupled to each of the plurality of fracturing trees. The integral fracturing manifold may also include adjustment and pivot joints that accommodate spacing and elevation differences between the fracturing trees.
US09255467B2 Expandable liner hanger and method of use
The present invention generally relates to an expandable liner hanger capable of being expanded into a surrounding casing. In one aspect, an expandable tubular system is provided. The system includes an expandable tubular. The system further includes an expansion swage for expanding the expandable tubular, wherein the expansion swage is deformable from a compliant configuration to a smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. Additionally, the system includes a restriction member disposed on an exterior surface of the expandable tubular, wherein expansion of the expandable tubular in the location of the restriction member deforms the expansion swage from the compliant configuration to the smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a liner hanger using a cone is provided.
US09255456B2 Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a positive displacement motor for drilling and oil or gas well
A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a drill string that includes drilling pipe, a dump valve, a positive displacement motor and a rotary drill bit driven by the motor utilize a dump valve that does not depend upon a pressure loss to maintain the dump valve in a position which closes communication between the drilling string and the annulus between the drilling string and the well bore or casing. The dump valve includes a flow sleeve that is axially moved to close outlet passages to the annulus by the flow of fluid through the outlet passages rather than a pressure drop across the flow sleeve.
US09255455B2 Drill cuttings treatment system
Aspects of the present disclosure also involved a method of processing waste, such as drill cuttings, involving the operations of receiving a waste material comprising a liquid material and a solid material, the waste material received directly from a source wherein the waste material is warm. The source may be a drilling operation and the waste material may be drill cuttings from the drilling operation. The method further involving pumping the warm waste material to a separation mechanism, such as a dryer, that separates a portion of the solid material (e.g., cuttings) from a portion of the liquid material (e.g., drilling fluid). The method may further involve mixing the separated solid material with a bioremediation agent.
US09255454B2 Set-delayed cement compositions comprising pumice and associated methods
Set-delayed cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. Embodiments include a method of drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising: circulating a drilling fluid comprising a set-delayed cement composition in the wellbore while drilling the wellbore, wherein the set-delayed cement composition comprises: pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and water. A method of displacing a fluid in a wellbore comprising: introducing a spacer fluid comprising a set-delayed cement composition into a wellbore such that the spacer fluid displaces one or more prior fluids from the wellbore, and wherein the set-delayed cement composition comprises: pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and water.
US09255448B2 Reaming shoe for increased borehole clearance and method of use
An articulated reaming tool is provided in casing or liner drilling on or through the tubular wall with the articulation occurring from within the tubular. Outer limit travel stops are contemplated to optionally be used to retain the elements or blades to the tubular. In the case of liner drilling the drill string has an exterior protrusion to engage the movable components that ream and extend them to increase the clearance for the tubular as the tubular advances when more hole is made.
US09255443B2 Window covering
A window covering includes a headrail, a bottom rail, a shading member, two pulley assemblies, and a cord. The shading member is between the headrail and the bottom rail. The pulley assemblies are received in the headrail, each of which has a frame and a pulley. The frame has an opening, and the pulley is connected to the frame. The cord is a woven Y-shaped cord, having a single control section and two lift sections. The cord runs over the pulleys of the pulley assemblies, the single control section extends out of the headrail to be operated by a user, and the lift sections extend out of the frames via the openings respectively to connect to the bottom rail through the shading member.
US09255442B2 Double glazing system
A double glazing system, including a first sheet of glass, a second sheet of glass, a spacer element including a first surface for coupling with the first sheet of glass and a second surface for coupling with the second sheet of glass, a blind, or a screen, said spacer element made from low thermally conductive material including rubber and/or silicone foam. The spacer element includes support means including a housing made of a substantially “T”-shaped groove made on a surface perpendicular to the first surface and to the second surface. The support means include two lateral sections for guiding said blind, screen or the like having respective substantially “T”-shaped portions and being able to be engaged in said housing, the lateral sections including respective free ends for supporting respective end portions of said blind, screen or the like.
US09255435B2 Actuating method for adjusting a vehicle window adjustable by an actuating motor and actuating system for such a vehicle window
A servo system and an actuating method for adjusting a vehicle window that can be adjusted with a servomotor. For the sake of improved driving comfort, to permit adjustment of the vehicle window with a sensor, a measurement volume which adjoins the vehicle window in the passenger compartment of a vehicle is monitored for the presence of a body part of a vehicle occupant and/or the presence of a lighted cigarette. The vehicle window is lowered here from its closed position by a portion of its actuating path if the presence of a body part or the presence of a burning cigarette is detected in the measurement volume.
US09255434B2 Vehicle power window apparatus
A vehicle power window apparatus includes: a driver seat unit and a first non-driver seat switch which is a manual switch provided on a non-driver seat to open and close a non-driver seat window. The driver seat unit includes a switching circuit operated based on a predetermined operation of the first non-driver seat switch. When an extended operation of the first non-driver seat switch set by operating the first non-driver seat switch for a certain time period or more is detected, the control unit drives the switching circuit. After the extended operation of the first non-driver seat switch is released, the control unit fully opens or closes the non-driver seat window in an automatic operation mode by energizing the non-driver seat motor via the switching circuit and the first non-driver seat switch by the power supply.
US09255432B2 Seal structure for fixing window regulator to inner panel of vehicle
An object of the present invention is to provide a seal structure being capable of preventing rain water and the like from entering the inside of a vehicle through a clearance between an engagement portion and an engagement hole portion. The seal structure S is for fixing a window regulator WR to an inner panel 1. The inner panel 1 is provided with an engagement hole portion 1H, and the window regulator WR comprises an engagement portion 7 being slidable with respect to the inner panel 1 and engaging with the engagement hole portion 1H, a sealing member 8 provided around the engagement portion 7, and a seal supporting portion 9 holding the sealing member 7 between the seal supporting member 9 and the portion of the inner panel 1 surrounding the engagement hole portion 1H.
US09255426B2 Interior deadbolt lock cover
A deadbolt lock cover is removably attachable to an anchor plate. While a door is opened, the deadbolt lock cover may be removably engaged with the anchor plate by means of bolts and hooks. When the cover has been engaged with the anchor plate and the door is closed, the interior portion of the deadbolt lock, having the manually operable knob, is inaccessible, being completely covered by the deadbolt lock cover. Thus, the deadbolt lock may only be unlocked by using a key on the outside tumbler of the lock. The cover may include a frame for supporting the bolts and may be of a variety of different geometries.
US09255424B1 Door jamb mounted door lock
A lock mechanism for use with a swinging door on hinges with no outside key involved. A fixture is affixed to the door frame opposite the hinges. A through bore allows a rod with a handle at one end and threads at the opposite end to pass through the door and be threaded into a threaded aperture in the fixture to prevent hinged movement of the door. The parts may be cadmium plated for corrosion protection.
US09255423B2 Device to promote hand sanitization
Embodiments of the invention relate to a device to promote hand sanitization, such as a device that includes an assembly used to move a door coupled to a sanitizing agent dispenser such that the dispenser releases sanitizing agent upon manipulation of the assembly to move the door onto the hand of a user and may include a latch that is coupled to the door for latching the door.
US09255422B1 Lead and particulate abatement system
An encapsulating system for abating and mitigating contamination from lead-based dust, particles and/or chips in a construction repair, renovation or removal operation and thereby minimizing exposure to lead-based hazardous materials is provided. The apparatus utilizes a framing mechanism supporting an encapsulator container or workbag adapted to surround and seal off a work-area encompassing a contaminated work-piece. The framing mechanism is typically adjustable poles or an adjustable frame apparatus having a plurality of height adjustable vertical legs. The flexible plastic encapsulating container is positioned and supported by the adjustable poles or frame. The container has at least one open-end for surrounding the contaminated work-piece, and the open-end of the container is adhered to the work-area and substantially surrounds and seals off the contaminated work-piece from the interior portions of the work site.
US09255421B2 Secure shelter with trapezoidal walls
An above-ground secure shelter comprise multiple modular walls of trapezoidal shape allowing dimensional variation of structure size, supported on base beams placed and anchored into the ground in the pattern defined by the shape of polygon chosen for the floor, a door with locking mechanism remaining securely closed from inside during a storm event and preventing lock-out when shelter is not in use, a multitude of structural inserts and plates connectively placed between adjacent walls, and a roof affixed thereto, resulting in a cost-effective portable shelter in the shape of polygonal pyramid frustum for use during inclement weather and/or during armed assault alike.
US09255417B2 Independent aisle containment system
An aisle containment system is disclosed. The aisle containment system includes a frame defined by wall beams, header frames, and a plurality of posts secured to the wall beams and header frames. The header frames extend the width of the frame and the wall beams extend the length of the frame. A plurality of blanking panels extend from the floor to one of the wall beams. The plurality of blanking panels have a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side. Vertical stiffeners are positioned along at least one of the first side and the second side of each blanking panel. The blanking panels overlap adjacent blanking panels along the length of the frame. The blanking panels are laterally adjusted to fill openings in the aisle containment system.
US09255416B1 Construction hoist system
This invention relates generally to a method for using a deck in construction. In one embodiment, a technique includes, but is not limited to, positioning a deck on a floor of a building, the deck including at least a stationary support structure and a slidable platform; and extending the slidable platform relative to the stationary support structure beyond an edge of the floor of the building at least partly using one or more wheels of the slidable platform that rest directly or indirectly on the floor of the building.
US09255414B2 Building panels
Flooring material comprising sheet-shaped floor elements with a mainly square or rectangular shape. The floor elements are provided with edges, a lower side and an upper decorative layer. The floor elements are intended to be joined by means of joining members. The floor elements are provided with male joining members on a first edge while a second edge of the floor elements are provided with a female joining member. The male joining member is provided with a tongue and a lower side groove while the female joining member is provided with a groove and a cheek, the cheek being provided with a lip. The floor elements are provided with a male vertical assembly joining member on a third edge while a fourth, opposite, edge is provided with female vertical assembly joining member.
US09255399B2 Seismic isolation assembly
A seismic isolation assembly is defined by a first support plate and a second support plate disposed in parallel relation with a spacing being provided between the support plates. The first support plate is connected to ground and the second support plate is attached to a structure to be isolated. A set of wire rope isolators are disposed between the first and second support plates as well as at least one linear damper that is angularly disposed and mounted between the first and second support plates.
US09255398B2 Fire proof oriented strand board and its manufacture
The invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a fire proof board from strands of wood, the method comprising the following steps in the given order: (a) providing strands of wood having a humidity between 5% and 25%, preferably between 5% and 20%, even more preferably between 8% and 20%, (b) immersing the strands of wood in a watery solution of a flame retardant chemical composition, (c) separating the strands of wood from each other, (d) at least in part drying the strands of wood thereby providing dry impregnated strands of wood, (e) applying an adhesive to the strands of wood, and (f) forming a board of a predetermined shape from the strands. The invention furthermore pertains to a board formed by a plurality of strands of wood that are compressed and bonded together with an adhesive, wherein the board further comprises a flame retardant chemical composition, said composition comprising a phosphate compound.
US09255394B2 Corrugated stormwater chamber having sub-corrugations
A plastic arch-shape cross section corrugated stormwater chamber has a multiplicity of crest corrugations and valley corrugations which run transverse to its length. Sub-corrugations run along part or all of the arch-curve lengths of either crest corrugations or valley corrugations, or along both of them. A sub-corrugations are smaller in dimension than an associated crest corrugation or valley corrugation. Sub-corrugations may taper in width and depth and may taper to nothingness. A compound convex shape end cap, useful for closing off the ends of stormwater chambers, has substantially vertical corrugations with analogous sub-corrugations.
US09255390B2 Toilet purging device
The present invention provides a toilet purging device that ejects gas, when a switch is operated. The toilet purging device includes a pipe body that has a gas channel through the pipe body, a firing unit that includes a firing pin disposed to be longitudinally movable and a switch for moving the firing pin to the pipe body when pushed. The firing pin is coupled to the upper end of the pipe body. The toilet purging device includes a tightening cap that is thread-fastened to the top of the firing unit with a gas container therebetween and moves the gas container to be in close contact with the firing pin when turned, and a connector that is coupled to the lower end of the pipe body and inserted into a drain pipe of a toilet.
US09255388B2 Switch structure of water outlet of wall-mounted faucet
A water output switch structure of a faucet includes a water output switch structure of a faucet comprising a faucet main body, a water guiding duct, a switch valve, and a positioning unit including an adapter, a locking unit, a water-stopping pad and a water-stopping ring. The switch valve has a valve stick that moves horizontally, so a pulling head of the valve stick would not fall down unexpectedly due to gravity to change the status of water output.
US09255382B2 Construction machine
Provided is a construction machine having a sufficient space for tool accommodation and allowing reducing agent to be supplied into a reducing-agent tank easily. The construction machine includes an engine, a reducing-agent tank having a tank body and a supply portion, and a tool box. The tool box includes a box body defining an accommodation space having an opening which opens the accommodation space outwards and allows a tool to be put into and taken from the accommodation space through the opening, and an opening/closing cover which opens and closes the opening. The tank body is outside the box body. The supply portion includes a basal end connected to the tank body and a distal end located in the accommodation space at a position making the distal end visible from the outside of the box body through the opening which is opened.
US09255381B2 Construction machine
A cooling fan (12) generating a cooling air in a suctioning direction, a radiator (20) provided by facing the cooling fan (12) and cooling an engine coolant by passage of the cooling air, and an oil cooler (21) arranged in parallel with the radiator (20) so as to be in parallel with respect to a flow direction of the cooling air and cooling a hydraulic oil by passage of the cooling air are provided. On a suction side of the cooling air with respect to the radiator (20) and the oil cooler (21), a cooling-air adjusting member (26) for adjusting a ratio of a cooling air amount to be supplied to the radiator (20) and a cooling air amount to be supplied to the oil cooler (21) is provided.
US09255374B2 Icebreaking vessel and method of breaking ice
To keep the water around an off-shore installation (1) free from a harmful impact of ice, a vessel (5) is used to deploy an anchor (6) in a position at a distance from the off-shore installation (1) and in a direction which, seen from the off-shore installation (1), is substantially in parallel with the direction of movement (P) of the ice. By means of the machinery of the vessel, which preferably comprises azimuth propellers, the direction of the anchor line is adjusted and so is the orientation of the vessel relative to the anchor line to the effect that then propellers can be used to crush and dispose of the ice without using energy to hold the vessel up against the pressure of the ice.
US09255370B2 Snow plow for adjusting to surface contours and obstacles
A snow plow includes a plurality of surface-engaging sections movably carried by the moldboard and depending from the moldboard in side-by-side relationship with one another. The surface-engaging sections are each independently linearly movable relative to the moldboard between an extended position and a retracted position to adjust to the contour of the surface being plowed. Each surface-engaging section comprises a main body portion carried by the moldboard, and a surface-engaging trip blade portion carried by the main body portion and which can pivot between a surface-scraping position and a deflected position and is urged toward the surface-scraping position. The trip blade portion can deflect to accommodate obstacles, and can cooperate with the linear movement of the surface-engaging sections to accommodate larger obstacles than can be accommodated by deflection alone. The snow plow also includes adjustable wear shoes and an adjustable vehicle mounting assembly.
US09255361B2 In situ formation of catalytic cigarette paper
Methods for the in situ formation of catalyst particles in cigarette paper are provided. A catalyst precursor, which can be incorporated into the cigarette papermaking process or can be combined with cigarette paper after formation of the paper, can be decomposed to form catalyst particles that are incorporated within the cigarette paper. Cigarette paper comprising the catalyst particles can be used to form a cigarette. During the smoking of a cigarette comprising the catalyst particles the amount of carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of the cigarette can be reduced.
US09255359B2 Rotatable-drum laundry drier and method of controlling a rotatable-drum laundry drier
A method for controlling a rotatable-drum laundry drier to dry laundry in a drum is provided. The control method includes the steps of memorizing, in a memory device of the laundry drier, a comparison threshold variable in time according to a predetermined profile, and, at predetermined drying times in the laundry drying cycle, measuring an electric quantity indicating the moisture in the laundry at the drying time; comparing, at each drying time, the measured electric quantity with the memorized comparison threshold corresponding to the drying time; and determining the end of drying cycle time on the basis of this comparison.
US09255351B2 Knitting with yarns of differing stretch properties
A method of forming a circular knit fabric includes feeding a multi-filament non-elastomeric yarn from a first spool into an aperture defined in a yarn carrier plate that guides the non-elastomeric yarn sequentially to a series of knitting needles spaced about a circular needle array; while feeding an elastomeric yarn from a second spool to the yarn carrier plate, such that a fabric is knit to have a ground comprising both the non-elastomeric yarn and the elastomeric yarn. The non-elastomeric yarn and the elastomeric yarn are fed together into the carrier plate aperture in an untwisted, unwrapped relation, such that the fabric ground is knit to have a technical face in which portions of the non-elastomeric yarn are exposed in some areas and portions of the elastomeric yarn are exposed in some areas.
US09255349B2 Terpolymer for melt blown media for air filtration
Melt-blown fiber comprising a terpolymer of propylene, ethylene and a C4 to C10 α-olefin, wherein further said melt blown fiber and/or said terpolymer has/have a melt flow rate MFR25 (230° C.) of at least 300 g/10 min, the amount of propylene in said terpolymer is at least 90.0 wt.-%, the weight ratio of ethylene and α-olefin within said terpolymer is 1/100 to below 1/1, and the terpolymer has <2,1> regiodefects of below 0.4 mol.-% 0.10.
US09255346B2 Silicon wafers by epitaxial deposition
A system for depositing thin single crystal silicon wafers by epitaxial deposition in a silicon precursor depletion mode with cross-flow deposition may include: a substrate carrier with low total heat capacity, high emissivity and small volume; a lamp module with rapid heat-up, efficient heat production, and spatial control over heating; and a manifold designed for cross-flow processing. Furthermore, the substrate carrier may include heat reflectors to control heat loss from the edges of the carrier and/or heat chokes to thermally isolate the carrier from the manifolds, allowing independent temperature control of the manifolds. The carrier and substrates may be configured for deposition on both sides of the substrates—the substrates having release layers on both sides and the carriers being configured to have equal process gas flow over both surfaces of the substrate. High volume may be addressed by a deposition system comprising multiple mini-batch reactors.
US09255345B2 Method for growing germanium/silicon—germanium superlattice
A bulk manufacturing method for growing silicon-germanium stained-layer superlattice (SLS) using an ultra-high vacuum-chemical vapor deposition (UHV-CVD) system and a detector using it is disclosed. The growth method overcomes the stress caused by silicon and germanium lattice mismatch, and leads to uniform, defect-free layer-by-layer growth. Flushing hydrogen between the layer growths creates abrupt junctions between superlattice structure (SLS) layers. Steps include flowing a mixture of phosphine and germane gases over a germanium seed layer. This in-situ doped germanium growth step produces an n-doped germanium layer. Some of the phosphorus diffuses into the underlying germanium and reduces the stress in the underlying germanium that is initially created by the lattice mismatch between germanium and silicon. Phosphine can be replaced by diborane if a p-doped layer is desired. The reduction of stress results in a smooth bulk germanium growth.
US09255343B2 Iron-based composition for magnetocaloric effect (MCE) applications and method of making a single crystal
A method of making a single crystal comprises heating a material comprising magnetic anisotropy to a temperature T sufficient to form a melt of the material. A magnetic field of at least about 1 Tesla is applied to the melt at the temperature T, where a magnetic free energy difference ΔGm between different crystallographic axes is greater than a thermal energy kT. While applying the magnetic field, the melt is cooled at a rate of about 30° C./min or higher, and the melt solidifies to form a single crystal of the material.
US09255341B2 Method, apparatus, and electrolytic solution for electropolishing metallic stents
An apparatus, a method, and an electrolytic solution are described for electropolishing metallic stents made, for example, of high-strength medical alloys. The apparatus may include an electropolishing container made from material of low thermal conductivity. The apparatus may include at least one spiral cathode for optimization of solution agitation and/or voltage distribution in the electrolytic solution. Further, an electrolytic solution including at least dimethylsulfate is described. A method for improved electropolishing to consistently produce smooth surfaces is also described.
US09255338B2 Permanent system for continuous detection of current distribution in interconnected electrolytic cells
The invention relates to a current collecting bus-bar comprising electrode housings for accommodating a multiplicity of electrodes in electrical contact therewith. Probes for measuring the electric potential locally established in correspondence of the electrical contacts during the passage of electric current are also connected to the bus-bar. The invention further relates to a permanent monitoring system allowing the continuous evaluation of current distribution on each electrode of electrolysis cells of metal electrowinning or electrorefining plants, connected to an alerting system and to means for disconnecting individual electrodes in case on non-compliance with preset values.
US09255337B2 Methods and apparatus for processing of rare earth metal ore
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for extracting rare earth metals from ores comprising reduction of rare earth metal oxyfluorides. In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for extracting rare earth metals from ores comprising reduction of rare earth metal oxyfluorides. The methods and apparatuses described herein generate rare earth metals from ores with reduced requisite pre-removal of metal oxides found as natural impurities in ores.
US09255326B2 Systems and methods for remote plasma atomic layer deposition
Systems and methods deposit a film on a substrate by introducing a precursor gas into a reaction volume of a processing chamber. A substrate is arranged in the reaction volume. After a predetermined soak period, the precursor gas is purged from the reaction volume. The substrate is exposed with plasma gas using a remote plasma source.
US09255316B2 Processing of α+β titanium alloys
Processes for forming an article from an α+β titanium alloy are disclosed. The α+β titanium alloy includes, in weight percentages, from 2.90 to 5.00 aluminum, from 2.00 to 3.00 vanadium, from 0.40 to 2.00 iron, and from 0.10 to 0.30 oxygen. The α+β titanium alloy is cold worked at a temperature in the range of ambient temperature to 500° F., and then aged at a temperature in the range of 700° F. to 1200° F.
US09255313B2 Steel sheet for hot press forming having low-temperature heat treatment property, method of manufacturing the same, method of manufacturing parts using the same, and parts manufactured by the same
A steel sheet for forming having low-temperature heat treatment property, in which heat treatment is performed within a range of lower temperature than a conventional steel sheet in the event of hot press forming or post-heat treatment after cold forming, a method of manufacturing the same, and a method of manufacturing parts using the same. The steel sheet has a composition of, by weight, carbon (C): 0.15 to 0.35%, silicon (Si): 0.5% or less, manganese (Mn): 1.5 to 2.2%, phosphorus (P): 0.025% or less, sulfur (S): 0.01% or less, aluminum (Al): 0.01 to 0.05%, nitrogen (N): 50 to 200 ppm, titanium (Ti): 0.005 to 0.05%, tungsten (W): 0.005 to 0.1%, and boron (B): 1 to 50 ppm, wherein Ti/N: less than 3.4, where Ti/N is the atomic ratio of the corresponding elements, Ceq expressed by the following formula ranges from 0.48 to 0.58, and temperature Ar3 ranges from 670° C. to 725° C. Wherein Ceq C+Si/24+Mn/6+Ni/40+Cr/5+V/14 where C, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr and V indicate the contents (wt %) of the respective elements.
US09255312B2 Cutting tool insert
A polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compact and method for making the compact are provided. The method includes bringing a first PCD wafer and a second PCD wafer together at an interface in the presence of a bonding agent to form an unbonded assembly and bonding the wafers together at the interface at a pressure and temperature at which diamond is thermodynamically stable. The first PCD wafer is more thermally stable than the second PCD wafer.
US09255311B2 Copper alloy conductor, and trolley wire and cable using same, and copper alloy conductor fabrication method
A copper alloy conductor has a copper alloy material which has a copper parent material with 0.001 to 0.1 wt % (=10 to 1000 wt·ppm) of oxygen and 0.15 to 0.70 wt % (exclusive of 0.15 wt %) of Sn. A crystalline grain to form a crystalline structure of the copper alloy material has an average diameter of 100 μm or less, and 80% or more of an oxide of the Sn is dispersed in a matrix of the crystalline structure as a fine oxide grain with an average diameter of 1 μm or less.
US09255302B2 Method and device for reducing iron-oxide-containing feedstocks in a high-pressure reducing unit
A method for reducing iron-oxide-containing feedstocks by introducing a reducing gas into a high-pressure reducing unit (1) where the reducing gas is consumed by reducing iron-oxide-containing feedstocks and then the reducing gas is withdrawn as top gas from the high-pressure reducing unit (1). At least one subportion of the top gas is admixed to a feed gas as recycle gas (15). The reducing gas is generated by CO2 being separated off from the gas mixture obtained from the addition of the recycle gas (15) to the feed gas after one or more compression steps. The recycle gas (15) is added to the feed gas in at least two recycle gas substreams that are separated from one another with recycle gas substream pressures at various distances from the high-pressure reducing unit (1).
US09255296B2 Compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating kidney disorders in a feline
The present invention provides a method of diagnosing the existence of a kidney disorder in a feline comprising measuring the level of expression of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of lumican; collagen alpha 1 (111) chain, variant 12; decorin; secreted frizzled-related protein 2; retinol binding protein 5; MMP-2; MMP-7; and MMP-19, in a biological sample from the feline, wherein differences in expression of the one or more biomarkers in the sample relative to a control value for expression in a sample from a normal animal indicate the existence of a kidney disorder; a method of treating a feline so diagnosed; and compositions, reagents and kits for carrying out the specified methods.
US09255275B2 Methods for producing polypeptides in enzyme-deficient mutants of Fusarium venenatum
The present invention relates to methods of producing a polypeptide, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent Fusarium venenatum strain in a medium for the production of the polypeptide, wherein the mutant strain comprises a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide and one or more (several) genes selected from the group consisting of pyrG, amyA, and alpA, wherein the one or more (several) genes are modified rendering the mutant strain deficient in the production of one or more (several) enzymes selected from the group consisting of orotidine-5′-monophosphate decarboxylase, alpha-amylase, and alkaline protease, respectively, compared to the parent Fusarium venenatum strain when cultivated under identical conditions; and (b) recovering the polypeptide from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to enzyme-deficient mutants of Fusarium venenatum strains and methods for producing such mutants.
US09255261B2 Ultrapure hypoallergenic solutions of sacrosidase
One aspect provides an ultrapure, hypoallergenic sacrosidase. Another aspect provides a solution of sacrosidase in about 1:1 glycerol/water having an enzymatic activity of at least about 7500 IU/mL and a residual papain concentration that does not include an allergic reaction in a human patient when given a dose of about 2.0 mL/day.
US09255260B2 Cytotoxic ribonuclease variants
This invention relates to altered forms of members of the RNase A superfamily. An RNase A can be modified to be cytotoxic by altering its amino acid sequence so that it is not bound easily by the ribonuclease inhibitor while still retaining catalytic properties. While earlier work had identified some modifications to RNase A that would result in cytotoxicity, the use of the FADE algorithm for molecular interaction analysis has led to several other locations that were candidates for modification. Some of those modifications did result in RNase A variants with increase cytotoxicity.
US09255247B2 Methods of deriving mammalian pluripotent stem cell lines
A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.
US09255246B2 Use of lactobacilli inhibiting gas producing coliform bacterial isolated from infants affected by colic
The present invention relates to a composition comprising two probiotic strains of bacteria capable of performing an antioxidant and/or antibacterial and competitive action against species of coliform bacteria that produce gas by fermentation of sugar, in particular lactose, isolated from infants affected by colic.
US09255244B2 Bioreactor
A bioreactor (1) having a container (2), a shaft housing (3) for guiding a shaft (5) through a wall (7), a stirrer (6) connected to the shaft (5) in the interior (9) of the container (2), and a drive (4) arranged outside the container (2) and connectable to the shaft (5). The shaft (5) is mounted in the shaft housing (3) via at least one ball bearing (23) and is sealed in relation to the shaft housing (3) by at least one seal (11, 20). The seal (11, 20) is configured as a radial shaft seal (28) having two sealing lips (30, 31) that are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (5) and are able to run on the shaft (5) without lubricant.
US09255233B2 Fuel additive compositions
The invention provides the use of an organic compound selected from a bicyclic monoterpene, substituted bicyclic monoterpene, adamantane, propylene carbonate and mixtures thereof, to improve the solubilization of a solid, fuel-soluble iron compound in a fuel composition or in a precursor liquid to be added to fuel composition.
US09255224B2 Method for increasing amount of coke oven gas by using carbon dioxide
Provided is a method of amplification of coke oven gas (COG) through reacting high-temperature carbon with carbon dioxide and/or water using waste heat generated in a coke oven. More particularly, a method of amplification of COG including providing a gasification agent including carbon dioxide, water, or a mixture thereof to a COG stream in a carburization chamber of a coke oven and gasifying carbon by allowing the gasification agent to react with carbon in the carburization chamber, and a coke oven apparatus suitable for the method are provided.
US09255216B2 Adhesive agent composition, adhesive agent layer, polarizing plate provided with adhesive agent layer, and image formation device
A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, comprising: (A) a (meth)acryl-based polymer; and (B) an ionic compound comprising an anion component and a cation component, wherein the anion component is at least one of an anion component represented by the general formula (1): (CnF2n+1SO2)2N−,  (1) wherein n is an integer of 3 to 10, and an anion component represented by the general formula (2): CF2(CmF2mSO2)2N−,  (2) wherein m is an integer of 2 to 10.
US09255205B2 Silver particle-containing composition, dispersion solution, and paste and method for manufacturing the same
The method for manufacturing a silver particle-containing composition according to the invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a silver particle-containing composition coated with a fatty acid and includes a step (A) of preparing silver particles coated with a first fatty acid (a) with 3 to 7 carbon atoms, a second fatty acid (b) with 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and a solvent in which the first and second fatty acids can disperse, respectively, a step (B) of adding the silver particles coated with the first fatty acid (a) and the second fatty acid (b) into the solvent, and a step (C) of substituting the second fatty acid (b) for the first fatty acid (a) coating the silver particles after the addition step.
US09255199B2 Hydrophilic silicone monomers, process for their preparation and thin films containing the same
There is provided new mono-(meth)acrylate functionalized hydrophilic silicone monomers containing a polyether with branched linking group, useful in making water absorbing silicone-hydrogel films for contact lens applications. This invention also provides homo-polymers and copolymers made from the mono-(meth)acrylate functionalized hydrophilic silicone monomers described herein. Also provided is a process for producing the monomers and polymers described herein and contact lenses produced from the same.
US09255195B2 Ionic liquids, functionalized particulates, and fluoropolymer composites
The present invention relates to (i) novel fluoroionic compounds capable of dispersing particulate filler compositions into a fluoropolymer; (ii) novel particulate compositions in which particulates are surface-functionalized with a fluoroionic compound; (iii) fluoropolymer composite materials containing the surface-functionalized particulates of (ii) incorporated into a fluoropolymer; (iv) crosslinked versions of (iii); v) methods for producing the crosslinked material of (iv); and (vi) articles of manufacture containing the compositions (iii) and (iv).
US09255193B2 Film having water, grease, gas and water vapor barrier properties
Film having liquid-water, grease, gas and water-vapor barrier properties, comprising a PVA film grafted on the surface with a fatty acid.
US09255192B2 Optical compensation films based on fluoropolymers
An optical compensation film composition is disclosed herein wherein the optical compensation film is stretched to yield a negative A-plate having a refractive index profile of nx
US09255190B2 Process for the continuous preparation of water-absorbent polymers
The invention relates generally to a process for the preparation of water-absorbent polymer particles, including the process steps of preparing particulate water-absorbent polymer and mixing the particulate water-absorbent polymer with an aqueous crosslinker solution and heat-treating the mixture of particulate water-absorbent polymer in a horizontally operated mixing device, wherein the horizontally operated mixing device is hydraulically driven. The invention also relates to water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by such a process.
US09255185B2 Flame retardant fillers prepared from bridged polysilsesquioxanes
A bridged polysilsesquioxane-based flame retardant filler imparts flame retardancy to manufactured articles such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), connectors, and other articles of manufacture that employ thermosetting plastics or thermoplastics. In an exemplary synthetic method, a bridged polysilsesquioxane-based flame retardant filler is prepared by sol-gel polymerization of a monomer having two or more trialkoxysilyl groups attached to an organic bridging group that contains a fire retardant group (e.g., a halogen atom, a phosphinate, a phosphonate, a phosphate ester, and combinations thereof). Bridged polysilsesquioxane particles formed by sol-gel polymerization of (((2,5-dibromo-1,4-phenylene)bis(oxy))bis(ethane-2,1-diyl))bis(trimethoxysilane), for example, and follow-on sol-gel processing may serve both as a filler for rheology control (viscosity, flow, etc.) and a flame retardant. In an exemplary application, a PCB laminate stack-up includes conductive planes separated from each other by a dielectric material that includes a bridged polysilsesquioxane-based flame retardant filler.
US09255181B2 Solventless process for the preparation of amine functional polyetherimide resins with improved melt flow
The disclosure relates to a process that includes blending a polyimide resin and a primary alky amine organic compound to produce an aryl amine functionalized polyimide, having aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydride functionality. The polyimide resin can have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) from 5,000 to 100,000 daltons. The organic compound can include at least one primary aliphatic amine without a direct linkage of a nitrogen to an aryl group and without a functionality selected from a halogen functionality, a hydroxyl functionality, a sulfonic acid functionality, a sulfonic acid salt functionality, and combinations thereof. The disclosure also relates to alkyl imide functionalized polyimides also with aryl amine functionalized polyimides, having aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydride functionality and articles produced therefrom.
US09255178B2 Photocrosslinkable poly (caprolactone fumarate)
Fumaric acid or a salt thereof, such as a fumaryl halide (e.g. fumaryl chloride), which contains unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds that can be used for in situ crosslinking, is copolymerized with poly(caprolactone)diol in the presence of an alkali metal salt. The resulting photocrosslinkable biocompatible and bioresorbable poly(caprolactone fumarate) biomaterial is useful in the fabrication of injectable an in-situ hardening scaffolds for application in skeletal reconstruction.
US09255167B2 Method of making diarlysilanediol containing polymers, polymer compositions and articles containing such polymers
A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxy silane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. A mixture of at least one of a first stabilizing agent having the formula (R)4-nSi(OH)n wherein R is a C1 to C18 alkyl, C1 to C18 alkyl group containing a heteroatom such as nitrogen or oxygen, C4 to C8 cycloalkyl, or C6 to C18 aromatic group, and a at least one of a second stabilizing agents having the formula (R)2Si(OH)2 wherein R is an aryl group, is then added to the polymer, optionally in the presence of hydrocarbon oil. The polymer is then desolvatized, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.
US09255161B2 Solid state properties of polyethylene prepared with tetrahydroindenyl-based catalyst system
Rotomolded articles and methods of forming the same are described herein. The rotomolded articles generally have a permeability of less than 1 g/day. The rotomolded articles generally include polyethylene obtained by injecting into a reactor a catalyst system including a metallocene catalyst component of specific formula and an activating agent; injecting into the reactor ethylene monomer at a concentration of at least 6.5 wt %; injecting an amount of hydrogen such that a ratio of hydrogen to ethylene (H2/C2) in the feed is less than 85 g/106 g; maintaining the reactor under polymerization conditions at a temperature of less than 90° C.; and retrieving polyethylene exhibiting a melt index (MI2) of at least 3.
US09255156B2 Immunogenic synthetic glycoconjugate for the immunotherapy of melanoma
A specific antibody against a compound of formula (I) wherein X is O, NH, S, CH2; L is a linker that is a divalent spacer; A is an adjuvant or carrier that is an immunogenic molecule or an immunogenic particle; and wherein bonds between linker and saccharide moiety and between linker and carrier are of covalent type; wherein the linker L presents a chemical structure suitable to space the saccharide moiety and the carrier by 7-30 atoms when the adjuvant/carrier A is a biomacromolecule or by 19-30 atoms when the adjuvant/carrier A is a metallic nanoparticle; wherein the carrier/adjuvant A can be selected among a macromolecule, a macrocycle, a dendrimer, a liposome, a nanoparticle, an oligosaccharide featuring from two to five monosaccharidic units or cells like dendritic cells.
US09255155B2 Antibodies specific for urokinase-type plasminogen activator and methods of treating cancer
The present disclosure relates to antibodies specific for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). According to certain embodiments, the anti-uPA antibody specifically binds to the active form of uPA. In certain aspects, the anti-uPA antibody that specifically binds to active uPA binds specifically to the active form of human uPA (e.g., the antibody does not cross-react with active forms of uPA from non-human organisms). In certain aspects, an anti-uPA antibody of the present disclosure competes for specific binding to uPA with plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), where binding of the antibody to uPA results in internalization of a complex that includes the antibody, uPA, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to uPA and compete for binding to uPA with a synthetic ligand of uPA. The disclosure also provides anti-uPA antibody conjugates and compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical formulations) comprising the antibodies and/or conjugates. Methods and kits related to the anti-uPA antibodies, conjugates, or formulations including the antibodies and/or conjugates are also provided.
US09255149B2 Cytotoxic immunoglobulin
The invention relates to a cytotoxic modular antibody with a molecular weight of up to 60 kD, specifically binding to a cell surface target with a binding affinity of Kd<10−8 M, a method of producing such antibody and its use as a therapeutic.
US09255148B2 CLEC14A inhibitors
A method of inhibiting tumor angiogenesis in an individual, the method comprising administering to the individual an inhibitor of CLEC14A. The inhibitor may be an antibody, an siRNA molecule, an antisense molecule, or a ribozyme.
US09255146B2 Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) and uses thereof
The subject invention relates to isolated proteins, particularly monoclonal antibodies, which bind to the Nogo-66 receptor. Specifically, these antibodies have the ability to inhibit the binding of the natural ligand of the Nogo-66 receptor and neutralize the Nogo-66 receptor. These antibodies or portions thereof of the invention are useful for detecting NgR and for inhibiting NgR activity, for example in a human suffering from a disorder in which NgR or Nogo-66 activity is detrimental.
US09255142B2 Blood markers for diagnosing epithelium derived cancers and monoclonal antibodies thereof
The present invention provides uses of cytokeratins as markers for diagnosing epithelium derived cancers. The present invention provides cancer-related epitopes of cytokeratins and monoclonal antibodies which specifically recognize the epitopes. The present invention also provides methods for the early screen, diagnosis or prognosis of epithelium derived cancers in subjects, methods for the evaluation of therapeutic effect of related medicaments or therapies, and kits for accomplishing the methods.
US09255141B2 Multimeric IL-15 soluble fusion molecules and methods of treating neoplasia and HIV using same
The present invention features compositions and methods featuring ALT-803, a complex of an interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist mutant and a dimeric IL-15 receptor α/Fc fusion protein useful for enhancing an immune response against a neoplasia (e.g., multiple myeloma, melanoma, lymphoma) or a viral infection (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus).
US09255138B2 Method for extracting recombinant human serum albumin from transgenic rice grain
A method for extracting recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) from transgenic rice grain is provided, comprising the steps of: 1) grinding dehusked rice containing rHSA into milled rice grain with a fineness of 80˜120 mesh, which is mixed with a extraction buffer in a w/v ratio of 1:5, then extracting at 55˜60° C. for 1˜3 hours to obtain mixture I; said extraction buffer comprises 10˜30 mM phosphate buffer, 10˜20 mM sodium acetate, 15˜30 mM ammonium sulfate and 5˜20 mM sodium caprylate and has a pH of 6.5˜8; 2) adjusting the pH of mixture I to 4.0˜4.5, followed by precipitating at room temperature for 3˜12 hours to obtain mixture II; 3) filtering the mixture II and collecting the filtrate, to obtain a solution containing high concentration of rHSA. The concentration of rHSA in the resultant solution is 650˜660 μg/mL, which increases by 1.15 times comparing to the extraction amount before improvement, and the amount of non-target protein is reduced by 2.46 times. The method provides a basis for subsequent purification of rHSA.
US09255129B2 Modified polynucleotides encoding SIAH E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1
The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of oncology-related polynucleotides, oncology-related primary transcripts and oncology-related mmRNA molecules.
US09255127B2 Interaction of Moraxella catarrhalis with epithelial cells, extracellular matrix proteins and the complement system
The present disclosure relates to surface proteins of Moraxella catarrhalis and their ability to interact with epithelial cells via cell-associated fibronectin and laminin, and also to their ability to inhibit the complement system. These surface proteins are useful in the preparation of vaccines. The present disclosure also provides peptides interacting with fibronectin, laminin and the complement system.
US09255126B2 Chimeric alphavirus replicon particles
Chimeric alphavirus particles and alphavirus replicon RNAs are provided including methods of making and using same. The alphavirus replicon RNAs comprise deletions in one or more nonstructural proteins. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimeric alphavirus particle are disclosed.
US09255120B2 Conversion of glucose to sorbose
The present invention is directed to methods for preparing sorbose from glucose, said method comprising: (a) contacting the glucose with a silica-containing structure comprising a zeolite having a topology of a 12 membered-ring or larger, an ordered mesoporous silica material, or an amorphous silica, said structure containing Lewis acidic Ti4+ or Zr4+ or both Ti4+ and Zr4+ framework centers, said contacting conducted under reaction conditions sufficient to isomerize the glucose to sorbose. The sorbose may be (b) separated or isolated; or (c) converted to ascorbic acid.
US09255115B2 Method for producing glufosinate P free acid
The present invention provides a method for producing crystalline glufosinate P free acid with high purity from glufosinate P hydrochloride salt. In addition, the present invention also provides a method comprises a process of: dissolving glufosinate P hydrochloride salt in a solvent which is a mixed solvent of water and an alcohol(s) selected from the group of methanol, ethanol, propyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, and a ratio of water to the alcohol(s) is from 1:3 to 1:100 by volume; crystallizing glufosinate P free acid after neutralizing by addition of a base.
US09255114B2 Method for producing fluorine-containing substituted compound and fluorine-containing substituted compound
A method for producing a fluorine-containing substituted compound, the method including: introducing an organofluorine compound and an organolithium compound into a microreactor provided with a flow path capable of mixing a plurality of liquids, to thereby obtain a reaction product; and introducing, into the microreactor, the reaction product and an electrophile exhibiting electrophilic effect on the reaction product, to thereby obtain a fluorine-containing substituted compound.
US09255107B2 Heteroaryl alkyne compound and use thereof
In the field of pharmaceutical chemistry compounds of general formula I having heteroaryl alkynyl moiety or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, isomers, solvates, crystals or prodrugs thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions including these compounds, as well as uses of these compounds and compositions thereof in the manufacture of a medicament. The compounds have a strong inhibitory effect on BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase and are useful for treating diseases, such as tumors.
US09255106B2 Substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazines as PARP-1 inhibitors
Provided is a piperazinotriazole compound represented by general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, tautomer or hydrate thereof. Also provided are a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, a method for preparing the compound and a method of use thereof as a high-selectivity poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) inhibitor in the preparation of drugs for the prevention and/or treatment of PARP-related diseases.
US09255093B2 Polycyclic HERG activators
The present invention provides a compound of formula I, in which R1, R2, X and R3 are defined in the Summary of the Invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US09255089B2 Benzimidazolone derivatives as bromodomain inhibitors
This application relates to chemical compounds which may act as inhibitors of, or which may otherwise modulate the activity of, a bromodomain-containing protein, including bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), and to compositions and formulations containing such compounds, and methods of using and making such compounds. Compounds include compounds of Formula (I) wherein R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R3, and X are described herein.
US09255085B2 Carboxamide compounds and methods for using the same
Disclosed are carboxamide compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use. One embodiment is a compound having the structure in which R1, R2, R3, R4, D, J, Z, T, p, q, w and x are as described herein. In certain embodiments, a compound disclosed herein activates the AMPK pathway, and can be used to treat metabolism-related disorders and conditions.
US09255074B2 Process for preparing antiviral compounds
This disclosure is directed to: (a) processes for preparing compounds and salts thereof that, inter alia, are useful for inhibiting hepatitis C virus (HCV); (b) intermediates useful for the preparation of the compounds and salts; (c) pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds or salts; and (d) methods of use of such compositions.
US09255073B2 1-benzyl-3-hydroxymethylindazole derivatives and use thereof in the treatment of diseases based on the expression of MCP-1, CX3CR1 and p40
The present invention relates to novel 1-benzyl-3-hydroxymethylindazole derivatives according to formula (I) described in the claims, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising them, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of 1-benzyl-3-hydroxymethylindazole derivatives for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition that is active in the treatment of diseases based on the expression of MCP-1, CX3CR1 and p40, and to their use in a method for treating or preventing diseases based on the expression of MCP-1, CX3CR1 and p40.
US09255071B2 Compounds having antibacterial activity, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them
A pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or derivative compound of the formula I, wherein R1 is selected from H, a (C1-C5) alkyl group and a COR4 group; R2 is selected from H, a (C1-C5) alkyl group and a COR5 group; R3 is selected from H, a (C1-C5) alkyl group, a (C1-C5)-O-alkyl group, a cycloalkyl of (C5-C6) carbon atoms, an aryl group, and an aryl (C1-C5) alkyl group wherein the aryl group can be an unsubstituted aryl or substituted with one or more R6 groups and an NHCOR5 group, or the R2 and R3 groups together with N may form a piperidine, morpholine or piperazine group; R4 is selected from H and a (C1-C5)alkyl group; R5 is selected from an aryl group unsubstituted or substituted with one or more R6, linear or branched(C1-C5) alkyl or pyridyne groups and a pyridine group; R6 is selected from (C1-C5)alkyl groups, halogen and nitro.
US09255065B1 Multi(azobenzene-amine) photoactive crosslinkers and methods of making the same
Photo-active cross-linkers derived from a tris(azobenzene)-containing compound with the following generic structure: wherein for meta-azo substitution, R is equal to H, and for para-azo substitution, R is selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, CF3, and CH3.
US09255060B2 Method of preparing aromatic carbonate from dialkyl carbonate
A method of preparing an aromatic carbonate includes reacting a dialkyl carbonate with an aromatic alcohol in the presence of a catalyst represented by Formula 1. With the method, aromatic carbonate can be prepared from a dialkyl carbonate in high yield using a catalyst capable of increasing initial reactivity of the dialkyl carbonate. wherein X1 and X2 are the same or different and are each independently M—OR1)3 or  wherein M is a Group IV transition metal, R1 and R2 are the same or different and are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 hydrocarbon group, and R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted C5 to C20 cyclic alkylene group or arylene group.
US09255056B2 Omega-halo-2-alkynal
Provided is a method for industrially producing a conjugated Z-alken-yn-yl acetate such as Z-13-hexadecen-11-yn-yl acetate which is a sex pheromone component of a pine processionary moth, and an intermediate for the conjugated Z-alken-yn-yl acetate under mild conditions at a high yield. More specifically, provided is a method for producing a conjugated Z-alken-yn-yl acetate (5) comprising the steps of: reacting an ω-halo-2-alkynal (1) with an alkylidene triphenylphosphorane (3) through a Wittig reaction to obtain a conjugated Z-alken-yn-yl halide (4), and acetoxylating the conjugated Z-alken-yn-yl halide (4) into a conjugated Z-alken-yn-yl acetate (5).
US09255048B2 Process for producing chlorinated hydrocarbons
The preparation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as pentachloropropanes, such as 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane, from tetrachloropropanes, such as 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane, in the presence of a polyvalent antimony compound that includes a pentavalent antimony compound, such as antimony pentachloride, is described. Also described are methods for preparing optionally chlorinated alkenes, such as, tetrachloropropenes, from chlorinated alkanes, such as pentachloropropanes, in the presence of ferric chloride and a polyvalent antimony compound that includes a pentavalent antimony compound.
US09255045B2 E-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene production process from 1,1,3,3-tetrachloropropene
A production process for the production of E-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, the process including at least one stage during which 1,1,3,3 -tetrachloropropene reacts with anhydrous hydrofluoric acid in the liquid phase, in the absence of a catalyst, with an HF/1,1,3,3-tetrachloropropene molar ratio between 3 and 20 inclusive, at a temperature between 50° C. and 150° C. inclusive and an absolute pressure of between 1 and 20 bar inclusive.
US09255044B2 Process for the manufacture of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane by liquid phase fluorination of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene
Process of catalytic fluorination in liquid phase of product 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene into product 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, with an ionic liquid based catalyst. Process for manufacturing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
US09255035B2 Dielectric ceramic composition and multilayer ceramic capacitor containing the same
A dielectric ceramic composition may include: a base powder represented by BaTiO3 and accessory components. In an XRD measurement of a dielectric material in which the base powder and the accessory components are sintered, when a (1, 1, 0) plane peak of a BaTiO3 crystal phase is converted into 1.00, a secondary phase peak of pyrochlore (RE2Ti2O7) (RE is a rare earth element) at about 30.5 degrees, as compared with the (1, 1, 0) plane peak, is 0.01 or less.
US09255030B2 Concentration-modulated coatings
The invention provides a substrate bearing a low-emissivity coating. The low-emissivity coating comprises at least one graded film region. In certain embodiments, at least one graded film region is provided between the two infrared-reflective layers of a double-type low-emissivity coating. The graded film region has a substantially continuously decreasing concentration of a first dielectric material and a substantially continuously increasing concentration of a second dielectric material. Also provided are methods of depositing such low-emissivity coatings and substrates bearing these coatings.
US09255023B2 Treatment of contaminated impound water
Systems and methods for treating contaminated impound water are disclosed which include a pretreatment stage wherein contaminated water is oxidized, pH adjusted, treated with a coagulant, and treated with a polymer to form a flocculent comprising bulk solids and fine particles. The oxidizing step may include two or more stages, one of which is a treatment with ferrous iron generated from iron filings or steel wool. Bulk solids are removed, and the liquid portion containing fine particles is applied to a low pressure microfiltration unit to remove the fine particles resulting in a microfilter effluent. The microfilter effluent may be directly fed to a reverse osmosis (R/O) unit. The R/O reject may be recycled to another R/O unit (second pass). The R/O permeate may be blended as needed with the microfiltration effluent to provide the final discharge effluent with reduced contaminant levels and maximized throughput. The R/O second pass reject water is further oxidized and recycled back to the front of the system to be retreated.
US09255022B2 Biological-chemical treatment of liquid organic wastewater
The invention is directed to systems and methods of biological and chemical treatment of wastewater comprising organic nitrogen compounds. Systems may include: an aerobic reactor, a first separation module for separating liquid and solid components of the wastewater; an oxidation module for removing organic materials from the wastewater; and a post-anoxic reactor for denitrifying at least a portion of the wastewater. Systems may include a second separation module and various feedback recycle lines between the components. Methods may include: degrading by the aerobic reactor more than 95% of organic compounds to ammonia, oxidizing by the oxidation module at least a portion of the ammonia to nitrates, and degrading by the post-anoxic reactor at least a portion of the nitrates to nitrogen gas and water. Systems and methods may reduce total organic carbon of the wastewater by more than 90%, and total nitrogen of the wastewater by more than 90%.
US09255018B2 Cost-efficient treatment of fluoride waste
A method and system for processing fluoride-containing wastewater includes treating the wastewater with brine (waste) created by the regeneration process implemented by in ion exchanging water softener. The brine, which is typically disposed of, contains both calcium and magnesium salts, in varying concentrations and ratios. The regeneration process brine is added to the fluoride-containing wastewater within a reaction tank, and the fluoride ion concentration is monitored. When the fluoride ion concentration falls below a predetermined level (e.g., 15 ppm), the flow of regeneration process brine is stopped. A pH controller monitors the pH within the reaction tank, and adds a basic agent to ensure that the pH remains above a predetermined level (e.g., pH>9). The pH control results in a clear effluent, and a sludge having a high settling rate and a high dewater ability.
US09255016B2 Multiple separation filter and antioxidizing water produced using the same
Disclosed is a multiple separation filter including a microfiltration membrane, an active carbon-based filter and a ceramic filter stacked in order, wherein the active carbon-based filter is obtained by mixing active carbon with at least one selected from zeolite, gold, silver and a mixture thereof, treating the mixture with plasma gas of 60,000° C. to 70,000° C., and then quenching the mixture to −200° C. to −273° C. under vacuum, and the ceramic filter is obtained by quenching plasma gas generated by heating magnesium at 60,000° C. to 70,000° C. to −200° C. to −273° C. under vacuum. Disclosed also is antioxidant water obtained by using the multiple separation filter. The antioxidant water has a negative oxidation reduction potential.
US09255010B2 Boride having chemical composition Na—Si—B, and polycrystalline reaction sintered product of boride and process for production thereof
Provided are: a novel bonds useful as a highly-functional material; and a novel production method for a polycrystalline sintered product of a bonds, of which the energy cost is low, which does not require a sintering promoter, which enables the product to be worked into complicated forms and which enables a development to a polynary boride.Provided are a boride having a composition Na—Si—B, and a polycrystalline reaction-sintered product thereof. A mixed compact of boron and an element, M (M means Si and/or C) is heated along with metal sodium to give a polycrystalline reaction-sintered product.
US09255007B2 Copper foil for producing graphene and method of producing graphene using the same
A copper foil for producing graphene, including oxides and sulfides each having a diameter of 0.5 μm or more having a total number of 15/mm2 or less measured by using a scanning electronic microscope before heating at 1000° C. for 1 hour in an atmosphere containing 20% by volume or more of hydrogen and balance argon.
US09255004B2 Continuous production method of hydrogen
The present invention provides a continuous production method of hydrogen which is able to produce hydrogen, which is clean energy, simply and continuously without using ammonia. The invention of the continuous production method of hydrogen includes a hydrogen production step comprising introducing mayenite (Ca12Al14O33) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] into water and allowing them to react with water, thereby generating hydrogen and also forming katoite [Ca3Al2(OH)12]; a regeneration step comprising baking the formed katoite to regenerate mayenite and calcium hydroxide; and a circulation step comprising returning the regenerated mayenite and calcium hydroxide into the hydrogen production step. It is preferable that a temperature of water in the hydrogen production step is from 50 to 100° C., and a molar ratio of mayenite to calcium hydroxide is 1/9. In addition, it is preferable that a baking temperature of katoite in the regeneration step is from 300 to 500° C.
US09254997B2 CMOS-MEMS integrated flow for making a pressure sensitive transducer
A sensor is made up of two substrates which are adhered together. A first substrate includes a pressure-sensitive micro-electrical-mechanical (MEMS) structure and a conductive contact structure that protrudes outwardly beyond a first face of the first substrate. A second substrate includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and a receiving structure made up of sidewalls that meet a conductive surface which is recessed from a first face of the second substrate. A conductive bonding material physically adheres the conductive contact structure to the conductive surface and electrically couples the MEMS structure to the CMOS device.
US09254996B2 Vertical pressure sensitive structure
Embodiments related to pressure sensitive structures are described and depicted.
US09254993B2 Method for connecting a precious metal surface to a polymer
The invention relates to a method for connecting a precious metal surface to a polymer, wherein a layer made of 20% to 40% gold and 60% to 80% silver is deposited on a substrate and the silver is subsequently selectively removed in order to produce a nanoporous gold layer. A fluid polymer is applied to the gold layer and cured.
US09254976B2 Detection apparatus and image forming apparatus
A detection apparatus includes a rotating member which rotates in a rotation direction from a standby posture by being pushed by a conveyed sheet, a sensor of which an output is changed as the rotating member rotates from the standby posture, an elastic member which elastically applies a force to the rotating member in a direction opposite to the rotation direction, a first abutting portion which abuts onto the rotating member applied by a force by the elastic member to maintain the rotating member in the standby posture, and a regulation unit which allows the rotating member to rotate in the rotation direction by being pushed by the conveyed sheet and regulates the rotating member not to rotate in the rotation direction by a repulsion force when the rotating member rotated in the opposite direction by an elastic force of the elastic member abuts onto the first abutting portion.
US09254975B2 Recording apparatus and medium feeding device
A printer includes a lower tray and an upper tray disposed above the lower tray. An optical sensor which detects the presence or absence of a sheet is disposed above the upper tray. The optical sensor is disposed in a roller support member which supports a feeding roller and serves as a swingable swing member. A distance between the optical sensor and the sheet is adjusted by swing of the roller support member according to the number of sheets.
US09254973B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a sheet storage portion having a sheet stacking portion, a sheet feed portion, a drive portion configured to be capable of switching a lifting speed when lifting the sheet stacking portion between a first lifting speed and a second lifting speed, a height detecting portion configured to be capable of detecting the fact that the sheet reaches a decelerating position for switching the lifting speed of the sheet stacking portion from the first lifting speed to the second lifting speed, a time counting portion, and a control unit. The control unit computes the sheet stacking amount of the sheet stacking portion by using a relationship among the lifting time from a start of the lifting operation of the sheet stacking portion until the sheet reaches a decelerating position, the first lifting speed, and a heightwise position of the decelerating position when the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion is lifted to the decelerating position at the first lifting speed by the drive portion and then is lifted to a feeding position at the second lifting speed.
US09254972B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus including a first guide configured in one of a first manner that the first guide is disposed on a first tray surface of a first tray and extends in a first direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of a second tray and parallel to the first tray surface, and a second manner that the first guide is disposed on a second tray surface of the second tray and extends in a second direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the second tray and parallel to the second tray surface, and a second guide connected with the first guide, so as to move between a first position where the second guide faces the first tray surface in a direction perpendicular to the first tray surface and a second position where the second guide faces the second tray surface in a direction perpendicular to the second tray surface.
US09254970B2 Cover for slider of linear conveyer, linear conveyer, slider assembly, and method of detaching cover from slider of linear conveyer
A cover for a linear conveyer. The linear conveyer including a stationary module having a rail extending linearly and a stator including armature coils that is fixed to the rail, and a slider including a mover component having magnetic poles arranged linearly and a rail guide that is fitted on the rail. The slider sliding from an end surface of the rail along an elongated direction of the rail to be arranged on the rail and moving on the rail by a linear motor. The cover is attached to the slider to cover a magnetic pole face of the mover component of the slider. The cover has a thickness so as to come in contact with an end portion of the stationary module when the slider is mounted on the rail. The cover is detached from the slider by the contact with the end portion of the stationary module.
US09254966B2 Monitoring and control of a transport device for containers
Method for monitoring and controlling a loading rate of a transport section with one or several individually speed-controlled consecutive partial sections (T1, T2, T3) in a filling line, including detecting a container loading over a certain region at an incoming region (E1) of the transport section; simulating a container flow in real time using the detected container loading in the incoming region of the transport section and a transport speed, the simulation including: entering the detected value for the container loading into a shift register (SR1); and synchronizing a shift register clock with the transport speed, so that the shift register content (DW0, DW1, . . . ) represents the container loading on the transport section.
US09254959B2 Storage rack
A storage rack has a plurality of supporting brackets arranged one above the other for supporting storage product carriers conveyable by means of an automatic filling and withdrawal apparatus, and at least one filling and withdrawal opening for inserting and removing the storage product carriers. At a top side of the filling and withdrawal opening, an indicating means is arranged for indicating storage locations of a storage product in the storage product carrier, wherein the indicating means has a plurality of discrete lighting elements. The lighting elements are arranged in a two-dimensional grid in such a way that a light beam of the lighting elements is essentially vertically directed onto a storage surface of the storage product carrier.
US09254956B2 Multiple split package with closing flap
A package assembly provides for enclosing an array of aligned products in a package housing having a pair of product accommodating pockets. The pockets are disposed on opposite sides of a fold line for foldable movement between a flat closed condition and a folded open condition for allowing dispensing of the products from the pockets. The housing further includes an openable flap disposed over the pockets in the flat condition for closing the pockets, wherein the flap extends from one of the pockets and wherein the other of the pockets includes a slot for receipt of a distal end of the flap in the closed condition.
US09254947B2 Safety cap
A safety cap including a screw-type inner cap detachably mounted on a container mouth; and an outer cap that is combined with the inner cap so as to be rotatable relative to the inner cap. Each of the inner cap and the outer cap has a plurality of engaging protuberances. The engaging protuberances of the inner cap and the engaging protuberances of the outer cap are engaged with each other and rotate the inner cap when the outer cap is rotated while being pressed toward the inner cap. Each of the engaging protuberances has a vertical part that is engaged when the outer cap is rotated in a closing direction and an inclined part that is engaged when the outer cap is rotated in an opening direction. The inclined part has a steeply inclined part and a gently inclined part that is continuous with the steeply inclined part.
US09254944B1 Assembly and method for pouring liquid from a container
An assembly and method for pouring liquid from a container for ensuring that upon emptying the contents nothing will be left in the container. The assembly and method for pouring liquid from a container includes a pourer adapter including a tube portion having an open top, a bottom and a bore disposed therein through the open top and the bottom, and also configured to fasten to a container to facilitate emptying of liquid from the container; and a pourer member removably engaged to the pourer adapter for pouring the liquid from the container.
US09254941B2 Resealable container and closure package
A resealable container and closure package includes a container and a closure cap. The container has a longitudinal center axis, and a finish. The finish includes an external thread, an annular lip, and a sealing surface. The external thread includes 1.5 turns of a complete thread having symmetrical flank angles of about 13 degrees. The lip extends radially inwardly from a neck at an angle from about 0 degrees to about 5 degrees from a plane orthogonal to the center axis. The sealing surface is on an exterior surface of the lip. The closure cap includes an end wall defining a circumferential edge, an annular skirt projecting from the end wall, and an internal thread defined on an inner surface of the annular skirt. The internal thread is threadingly engageable with the external thread. The internal thread has an “M” style cross section for an SP 400 Finish.
US09254940B2 Multi-compartment resealable storage bag and container
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a storage apparatus having multiple compartments. In one aspect, a multi-compartment bag can be formed of a flexible material, and each compartment of the multi-compartment bag can have two or more seams and one resealable opening edge. The seams in each compartment can include at least one tearable seam that can include at least a perforated seam configured to physically separate one of the compartments from the multi-compartment bag. In another aspect, a multi-compartment container can be formed of a rigid material having one or more removable lids, an upper portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion can each have a plurality of compartments. The upper portion can be separated from the lower portion by an intermediate layer.
US09254937B2 Deep grip mechanism for blow mold and related methods and bottles
Disclosed is a mold for forming a deep grip container, the mold having drive mechanisms opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. The drive mechanisms may be located entirely within the mold and may include a slotted cam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip comprising: providing a mold hanger having an outer envelope and providing within the outer envelope a drive mechanism to drive moveable inserts into the mold after blowing molten plastic into contact with the mold. Further disclosed is a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip manufactured according to the disclosed methods.
US09254936B2 Fluid activatable adhesive for glue-free, liner-free, labels for glass and plastic substrates and methods of use thereof
Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate) substrates, are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols.
US09254932B2 Strapping device with an electrical drive
A mobile strapping device for strapping packaged goods with wrap-around strap, comprising a tensioner for applying a strap tension to a loop of a wrapping strap, and a connector for producing a connection in two areas of the loop of the wrapping strap disposed one on top of the other, and a chargeable energy storage means for storing energy that can be released as drive energy for motorized drive motions at least for the connector and/or for the tensioner, is intended to have high functional reliability and ease of handling despite the possibility of automated production of wrapped straps, at least to a large extent. In order to accomplish this, it is proposed that the strapping device be provided with a brushless DC motor as a drive for the tensioner and/or the connector.
US09254930B2 Method of storing and picking
A method of storing and picking individual articles and/or packaging units in a storage system includes separating and transferring individual articles from incoming-load carriers and depalletizing and separating packaging units from incoming-load carriers. Individual articles, load carriers and packaging units are transported to a warehouse for intermediate storage of individual articles on or in load carriers and packaging units. Individual articles and packing units are picked at a picking area and the picked articles or packing units loaded onto order-load carriers. Individual articles, load carriers and packaging units are transported from the warehouse to the picking area. Load carriers are used only for the transportation and storage of non-conveyable individual articles or non-conveyable packing units and conveyable packaging units and wherein conveyable individual articles are transported and stored directly and without load carriers.
US09254922B2 Hybrid clutch assembly for an aircraft
A hybrid clutch assembly inserted between an internal combustion engine and the propeller of an aircraft to provide a hybrid-powered aircraft. The hybrid clutch assembly allows a direct current (DC) electric motor to be attached to the hybrid clutch assembly using drive belts. The hybrid clutch assembly allows the internal combustion engine to transmit power to the aircraft's propeller and freely spin the DC motor. The DC motor can transmit power to the aircraft's propeller without turning the internal combustion engine. The hybrid clutch assembly independently allows either the internal combustion engine or the DC motor in parallel to power the aircraft's propeller. The hybrid clutch assembly includes a hybrid clutch, a drive belt housing, a hybrid clutch assembly shaft, and an adapter plate. The hybrid clutch connects to the drive belt housing a hybrid clutch assembly shaft. The adapter plate enables connection of the hybrid clutch to the internal combustion engine propeller flange. The drive belt housing enables connection of the hybrid clutch to the propeller. The DC motor is connected to the drive belt housing drive belts.
US09254910B2 Method and device for assisting the mission tracking of an aircraft
The device (1) comprises means (15) for computing deviations of a flight parameter with respect to a reference flight plan, by taking account of predictions, respectively for a plurality of flight data representing different origins, and display means (5) for simultaneously presenting the set of said deviations on a screen (6) of the flight deck of the aircraft, each time indicating the corresponding origin.
US09254905B1 Cooling fluid pump for cooling a marine engine
A cooling fluid pump is for a cooling a marine engine. The cooling fluid pump comprises a pump chamber that contains an impeller. An upstream inlet passage supplies cooling fluid to the pump chamber. A downstream outlet passage discharges cooling fluid from the pump chamber. An impeller shaft rotates the impeller, causing flow of cooling fluid through the pump chamber from the inlet passage to the outlet passage. A drain passage connects the pump chamber to the inlet passage such that at least when the impeller is not rotating, the drain passage drains cooling fluid that settles by gravity in the pump chamber back to the inlet passage.
US09254901B2 Personal boat carrying apparatus
A personal boat carrying apparatus is provided for supporting a kayak or similar boat on a user during a portage to make portaging a kayak easier and less uncomfortable. The apparatus is lightweight but durable and has a body with a curved and arched center portion for resting on the shoulders of a user carrying the kayak, and two opposite body ends. Each body end has a support arm which pivots from a closed position to one or more open positions. The pivoting support arm provides multiple open positions to allow the apparatus to support kayaks and similar boats of different widths and configurations. Each support may have a swiveling bracket for engaging the gunwale of the cockpit of the kayak or similar boat. When the support arms are in the closed position, the apparatus may be compactly stored in the boat or elsewhere.
US09254878B2 Mobile robot
The invention relates to a mobile robot, exhibiting an omnidirectional wheeled support vehicle (1) having numerous omnidirectional wheels (13) and drives for driving the omnidirectional wheels (13), a robot arm (2), exhibiting numerous, successively disposed links (3-7) and drives for moving the links (3-7), and a positioning device (17), designed to position the robot arm (2), which can be automatically moved on the support vehicle (1), in relation to the support vehicle (1), and a drive dedicated to the positioning device (17) for moving the robot arm (2) in relation to the support vehicle (1).
US09254877B2 Modular vehicle
The invention is a modular vehicle that is intended for a variety of operations including both military and civilian operations. The vehicle addresses the issue of performing special purpose tasks that the vehicle is asked to do. Such tasks can be accomplished by configuring the vehicle as an ambulance, as a fire-fighting vehicle, as a communications van, as a command and control vehicle, etc. Thus, the vehicle is readily adapted using standardized and customized modules that are readily attached to a standardized platform that includes an appropriate interconnection means.
US09254868B2 Displacement detection apparatus for linear motion mechanism and rear wheel steering apparatus for vehicle including the same
A displacement detection apparatus for a linear motion mechanism includes a nut member, a rod including elongate grooves elongating in an axial direction of the rod and a through hole, a permanent magnet disposed parallel to the rod, a magnet block made of synthetic resin and including a retaining portion holding the permanent magnet, a pair of leg portions extending from ends of the retaining portion that are spaced apart, and a nut made of metal insert-molded at an intermediate position between the pair of leg portions, and a displacement sensor disposed opposing to the permanent magnet. The pair of leg portions and the nut of the magnet block are disposed in the elongate groove of the rod and the magnet block is fixed to the rod by a bolt screwed to the nut, the bolt penetrating through the through hole extending through the rod.
US09254866B2 Method of controlling steering of a ground vehicle
A method of controlling steering of a vehicle through setting wheel angles of a plurality of modular electronic corner assemblies (eModules) is provided. The method includes receiving a driving mode selected from a mode selection menu. A position of a steering input device is determined in a master controller. A velocity of the vehicle is determined, in the master controller, when the determined position of the steering input device is near center. A drive mode request corresponding to the selected driving mode to the plurality of steering controllers is transmitted to the master controller. A required steering angle of each of the plurality of eModules is determined, in the master controller, as a function of the determined position of the steering input device, the determined velocity of the vehicle, and the selected first driving mode. The eModules are set to the respective determined steering angles.
US09254863B2 Torque detecting device and electric power steering device
There is provided a torque detecting device for providing a highly accurate torque signal, and an electric power steering device using the torque detecting device. A torque sensor is provided with a first coil pair and a second coil pair, which detect a relative displacement between an input shaft and an output shaft by corresponding the relative displacement to a change in impedance. Magnetization signal generating units supply exciting currents with different magnetization frequencies to the first coil pair and a second coil pair, respectively. The magnetization frequency difference is set to 3.5 kHz or higher. Moreover, low-pass filters for intercepting passage of a frequency equivalent to the magnetization frequency difference are deployed in signal processing circuits respectively.
US09254854B2 Method and device for determining the train length of a plurality of coupled railway traction vehicles
A method and a device for determining a train length of a plurality of coupled railroad traction vehicles, each having a vehicle device with an ID specific to the railroad traction vehicle, include determining the train length of arbitrarily long train sets in a secure and simple signaling manner by having vehicle devices determine if the railroad traction vehicle is coupled on one side or both sides by evaluating coupling contacts. The IDs of all of the coupled railroad traction vehicles or ID pairs indicating adjoining relationships of railroad traction vehicles directly coupled to one another are successively transmitted to a particular vehicle device by digital I/O connections between the vehicle devices. The device determines the train length as a function of received IDs or ID pairs.
US09254850B2 Rail road car truck with bearing adapter and method
A swing motion rail road freight car truck is provided that has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The side frames have spring seats for the groups of springs. The springs seats may be rigidly mounted in the side frames. Friction dampers are provided in inboard and outboard pairs. The biasing force on the dampers urges then to that act between the bolster ands and sideframes to resist parallelogram deflection of the truck. The bearing adapters and sideframe pedestal seats interact on a rolling linear contact interface that has a relatively small radius of curvature.
US09254848B2 Drinking vessels and related systems and methods
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to determine an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of the alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, drinking vessels configured to measure alcohol content or other property of an alcohol-containing liquid held therein, other related components such as mat devices that facilitate determining the amount, and related methods. The systems, drinking vessels, and methods disclosed herein facilitate determination of an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, which may be indicative of an amount of alcohol consumed by a drinker.
US09254845B2 System for preventing vehicle collision using yaw rate and method of preventing vehicle collision using the same
A system for preventing vehicle collision according to the present invention includes a steering detection part configured to detect collision with an object, a calculation part configured to calculate a yaw rate of a vehicle and to calculate a target steering angle, a brake control part configured to control a steering operation of the vehicle according to the target steering angle, and a wheel control part interlocked with the brake control part and configured to control the steering operation of the vehicle according to the target steering angle.And a method of preventing vehicle collision according to the present invention includes estimating collision with an object at a steering detection part of a vehicle, calculating a yaw rate of the vehicle at a calculation part, calculating a target steering angle according to the yaw rate calculated by the calculation part, and performing a steering operation for returning the vehicle according to the target steering angle by at least one of a wheel control part and a brake control part.
US09254844B2 Apparatus and method for driving control of vehicle
An apparatus and a method for driving control of a vehicle include a sensor including a laser sensor disposed in front of the vehicle A controller is configured to calculate a defile width in front of the vehicle based on an angle between a reference segment and an inference segment by recognizing sensing data passing through a reference point at which a virtual standard segment is in contact with the inference segment and a reference segment after confirming a position of an obstacle positioning in front of the vehicle using the sensing data received from the sensor. The controller generates the virtual standard segment for the obstacle based on the confirmed position and generates the inference segment which is perpendicular to the virtual standard segment. An output outputs a driving guide to the calculated defile under control of the controller.
US09254834B2 Vehicle and control method for vehicle
An ECU executes a program including the steps of: executing fuel-cut control when an IG OFF operation has been performed and a vehicle is traveling; determining torque command values of a first MG and a second MG when a charge power upper limit value Win is reduced; controlling the first MG based on the determined torque command value of the first MG; and controlling the second MG based on the determined torque command value of the second MG.
US09254833B2 Method and system for charging battery for hybrid electric vehicle
Disclosed herein is a method and system for charging a battery of a hybrid electric vehicle driven with power of an engine and/or a motor, the method including detecting an accelerator pedal position by an accelerator position detector, detecting a brake pedal position by a brake position detector, determining, by a controller, when the vehicle is coasting based on manipulation of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal; determining when a state of charge of the battery is a charged state having a value equal to or smaller than a set value; and maintaining the engine in a driving state and rotating the driving motor with engine power to charge the battery with generated power of the driving motor when the state of charge of the battery is the charged state having the value equal to or smaller than the set value and the hybrid electric vehicle is coasting.
US09254829B2 Pushing force controlling apparatus for pedal simulator
A pushing force controlling apparatus for a pedal simulator that includes a simulator cylinder in which a first pipe and a second pipe extending from a master cylinder are connected to a front side and a rear side thereof, respectively. A first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve are installed in the first pipe and the second pipe, respectively and a first piston and a second piston are disposed at a front side and a rear side of an interior of the simulator cylinder. A buffering member is installed between the first piston and the second piston, and pedal pushing force characteristics are controlled by variably setting a position of the second piston in the simulator cylinder using an amount of fluid provided from the master cylinder during an operation of a pedal.
US09254822B1 System and method for estimating position of machine
A system having a primary inertial measurement unit and a secondary inertial measurement unit configured to generate a primary position signal and a secondary position signal respectively is provided. The system also includes an error detection module communicably coupled to the primary inertial measurement unit and the secondary inertial measurement unit. The error detection module is configured to receive the primary position signal and the secondary position signal and detect if an out-range error is present in at least one of the primary position signal and the secondary position signal. The error detection module is also configured to detect if an in-range error is present in at least one of the primary position signal and the secondary position signal and determine an action to be performed based on the presence of at least one of the out-range error and the in-range error.
US09254818B2 Seat belt retractor for a motor vehicle
A seat belt retractor is provided for a motor vehicle with a receiving part for a seat belt retractable on the receiving part, a deceleration sensor for detecting a deceleration in the seat belt retractor, a first extension speed sensor for detecting an extension speed of the seat belt prior to activating an energy absorption device. The energy absorption device fixes the seat belt during an accident with energy absorption, so that when a first deceleration limit detected by the deceleration sensor is exceeded the seat belt is restrained with energy absorption. The seat belt retractor encompasses a locking mechanism for securing the seat belt and a second extension speed sensor for detecting an extension speed after activating the energy absorption device. When a second extension speed limit of the seat belt has been exceeded, the locking mechanism restrains the seat belt without energy absorption.
US09254792B2 Equipment storage and retrieval system
An equipment storage and retrieval system retrieves equipment from the back of pick-up trucks and other cargo carrying vehicles. A guide rail and a frame with attached rollers and equipment hold-downs, platforms or carts allow for easy access, retrieval, and storage of equipment in the bed of a vehicle. A frame extends out the back of a pickup for access to equipment, and folds into a vertical position for improved use of the pickup bed. A brake system prevents locks the sliding frame in place until the brake is released by a brake lever.
US09254787B2 Method and system for utilizing spread spectrum techniques for in car applications
A method of operating an audio system in an automobile includes identifying a user of the audio system. An audio recording playing on the audio system is identified. An audio setting entered into the audio system by the identified user while the audio recording is being played by the audio system is sensed. The sensed audio setting is stored in memory in association with the identified user and the identified audio recording. The audio recording is retrieved from memory with the sensed audio setting being embedded in the retrieved audio recording as a watermark signal. The retrieved audio recording is played on the audio system with the embedded sensed audio setting being automatically implemented by the audio system during the playing.
US09254769B2 Structural element for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a structural element (100) of a motor vehicle, in particular of a motor vehicle seat, wherein the structural element (100) comprises a first component (101) and a second component (102). In an overlap region (103), the first component (101) and the second component (102) have a formed-closed connection, or a form-closed and form-closed connection, wherein the connection in the overlap region (103) can be produced by an electromagnetic pulse shaping method, wherein the first component comprises at least one form-closed molding (600), wherein the second component can be molded into the at least one form-closed molding (600).
US09254765B2 Vehicle armrest with structural fabric substrate
A vehicle armrest includes an inner armrest substrate having at least one buckling member extending to an outer armrest substrate. A gap is defined by the inner and outer armrest substrates and the at least one buckling member. A fabric member extends across the gap and is attached to the inner and outer armrest substrates. A cover member extends over and is vertically supported by the fabric member.
US09254757B2 Hybrid vehicle and parameter display method for hybrid vehicle
On a display, a running power determined in accordance with an accelerator position or the like is displayed. When the hybrid vehicle is controlled in a CS mode, the running power is displayed together with eco-acceleration power greater than a first engine starting power. When the hybrid vehicle is controlled in a CD mode, the running power is displayed together with a second engine starting power in place of the eco-acceleration power. The engine is stopped when the running power is smaller than the first engine starting threshold value in the CS mode. The engine is driven when the running power is equal to or greater than the first engine starting threshold value in the CS mode. The engine is stopped when the running power is smaller than a second engine starting threshold value in the CD mode. The engine is driven when the running power is equal to or greater than the second engine starting threshold value in the CD mode. The second engine starting threshold value is greater than the first engine starting threshold value.
US09254748B2 Vehicle traction control
A method for controlling wheel slip comprising determining an actual wheel slip of a set of driven wheels on a vehicle, adjusting the actual wheel slip for cornering distortion, setting a target slip condition using a traction control unit with a multi-position switch depending upon road conditions, calculating overslip of the wheels, and retarding an engine output to minimize overslip, and an apparatus for accomplishing same.
US09254747B2 Wheel clutch device of a rollator
A wheel clutch device has two hubs, a shaft module, an engagement base, a clutch base, a clutch unit, and an abutment unit. The shaft module is inserted through the hubs and has a shaft body. The engagement base is mounted on one of the hubs and has at least one engagement base groove. The clutch base is mounted in the engagement base engaged with the shaft body and has at least one alignment slit aligned with the at least one engagement base groove. The clutch unit is mounted around the clutch base and has at least one engagement lump selectively engaged with the at least one engagement base groove and the at least one alignment slit. The abutment unit is combined with the shaft body and abuts the clutch wilt.
US09254746B2 Driving force transmission device and vehicle having said driving force transmission device
In a 4WD vehicle that is basically an FF type, a propeller shaft 4 includes, on a front end and a rear end thereof, respective driving force transmission devices 3 and 5. The propeller shaft 4 includes an electric motor 41, and when the electric motor 41 is rotated in a backward direction of the vehicle during a 2WD state, a hypoid ring gear 36 of a transfer mechanism 32 of the driving force transmission device 3 is moved so as to engage a clutch mechanism 31. By such an engagement, engine torque is transmitted to the driving force transmission device 5 via the propeller shaft 4. Thus, a hypoid ring gear 56 of a transfer mechanism 52 of the driving force transmission device 5 is moved so as to engage a clutch mechanism 51. Accordingly, a drive state is switched to a 4WD state.
US09254728B2 Suspension system with a floating axle lock
A suspension system for a vehicle includes a right front wheel, a left front wheel, a right rear wheel and a left rear wheel. A suspension system for the vehicle includes a first cylinder supporting the vehicle at the right front wheel in fluid communication with a second cylinder supporting the vehicle at the left front wheel, wherein the first and second cylinders form a virtual articulated front axle. The suspension system also includes a third cylinder supporting the vehicle at the right rear wheel and a fourth cylinder supporting the vehicle at the left rear wheel. The suspension system includes two spool valves in fluid communication with the first and second cylinders and intermediate the first and second cylinders. When one of the rear wheels is unweighted, an associate one of the spool valves closes and fluid flow between the first and second cylinders is blocked to create a virtual locked axle.
US09254727B2 Gas spring and gas damper assembly
A gas spring and gas damper assembly (110; 200; 400) can include a gas spring assembly (128; 202; 402) and a gas damper assembly (130; 204; 404). The gas spring assembly can include opposing end members (206, 208; 406, 408) and a flexible spring member (210; 410) secured there between that at least partially forms a spring chamber (212; 412). One of the end members (208; 408) can include an end member chamber (268; 468) that is separated into a plurality of damping chambers (292, 294; 492, 494). Damper pistons (300, 302; 500, 502) are disposed within the damping chambers (292, 294; 492, 494) and are connected to the other end member (206; 406) by way of a damping rod (276; 476).
US09254706B2 Multicolor writing tools and methods
Various multicolor writing tools and methods for applying multiple volatile marking substances one at a time. The tool includes a case member, a cartridge member, a cap member, and an optional actuator member. The case member forms an interior in which is disposed the cartridge member with multiple cartridges each containing one of the marking substances and a tip through which the marking substance is applied. The cap member changes and restores its configuration, while the actuator member changes the configuration and exposes one of the tips selected by an user out of the interior when the tool is in use, and then restores the configuration and encloses all of the tips inside the interior when not in use. Thus, the tool opens the cap member in response to input force without requiring the user to engage in a separate maneuver to remove the cap member.
US09254705B2 Ring binder having attachable and detachable covers
A ring binder is provided that has attachable and detachable covers. The opposite edges of the binder's spine are hingedly attached to the proximal edges of respective front and back extensions which are relatively short in a direction perpendicular to the hinge axes. The extensions are sized to be substantially coextensive with the maximum projection of the binder's rings along an axis that is perpendicular to the inside surface of the spine, and the rings and associated structures are either mounted on the inside of the spine or inside of the back extension depending on the ring type. The front and back extensions function to extend the front and back covers to the hinges when the covers are attached to the extensions' distal edges. When so attached, an assembled ring binder having hinged covers is created that appears and functions as a conventional binder when used.
US09254699B2 Inkjet printer control
A printing speed for printing an image using an inkjet printer is determined. Information regarding a measure of the nozzle firing quality of the printer as a function of printing speed and in relation to an image attribute is determined. The image to be printed is analyzed in respect of the image attribute and the information regarding the measure of the nozzle firing quality is used to determine an optimum printing speed for printing the image. Thus a determination may be made as to how fast a particular image may be printed using a particular printer arrangement without unacceptable loss of print quality of the image. Also described is a method of determining printing instructions for printing a plurality of images in which a printing speed for each image is determined, and printing instructions for printing the plurality of images is determined so as to increase the overall efficiency of printing the plurality of images.
US09254694B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes: a first transporting path which is a transporting path that transports a medium, passes along a recording portion that performs recording on the medium, and extends to an upstream side and a downstream side of the recording portion; a second transporting path which is a transporting path that is connected to the first transporting path, and switches back and transports the medium in a direction reverse to a feeding direction after the medium which passes along the recording portion is fed; and a third transporting path which is a transporting path that is connected to the second transporting path, makes the medium transported in the reverse direction detour an upper side of the recording portion, reverses the medium, and makes the medium merge at a position on the upstream side of the recording portion in the first transporting path.
US09254689B2 Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus includes: a nozzle head that has nozzles ejecting ink that is cured by an electromagnetic wave and relatively moves with respect to a printing medium; an applying section that relatively moves together with the nozzle head, and applies the electromagnetic wave; and a control section that controls intensity of the electromagnetic wave, in which a first intensity of the electromagnetic wave in a region in which the applying section and the printing medium face each other and that is a constant speed region in which a speed of the relative movement is constant is greater than a second intensity of the electromagnetic wave in regions in which the applying section and the printing medium do not face each other in at least a part thereof and that are acceleration and deceleration regions in which the speed of the relative movement is not constant.
US09254681B2 Textile-printing apparatus
A textile-printing apparatus includes a pre-treatment agent-applying section that applies a pre-treatment agent to a textile-printing medium, a press section that compresses, while heating the textile-printing medium, the textile-printing medium to which the pre-treatment agent has been applied, a printing liquid discharge section that discharges a printing liquid to the textile-printing medium that has been compressed while being heated by the press section, and a heater that heats the textile-printing medium to which the printing liquid has been discharged.
US09254674B2 Reservoir having particle trapping features
The techniques described are applied for trapping particles within a partially enclosed region of a reservoir of a printer head using thermal gradients and buoyant flows within the ink contained in the reservoir. One disclosed embodiment includes a reservoir for an ink jet printer that has a plurality of walls and a cavity. The plurality of walls include at least a first wall and a second wall. During operation, the first wall is provided with a temperature differential with respect to the second wall. The cavity is formed by the plurality of walls and operationally retains an ink of the ink jet printer. The cavity has a partially enclosed region that communicates with a remainder of the cavity. The partially enclosed region is adapted to retain particles that have separated from the ink.
US09254671B2 Liquid supplying device and liquid cartridge mountable therein
A liquid supplying device includes a liquid cartridge and a cartridge mounting unit having a liquid extraction tube. The liquid cartridge includes a liquid chamber, a valve chamber extending in a first direction away from the liquid chamber, first and second air channels, a seal member having a through-hole, a valve element having a closing part, first and second sealing parts and a liquid channel. A third sealing part is provided on the closing part or the liquid extraction tube. The liquid extraction tube entering into the valve chamber through the through-hole contacts the closing part, moving the valve element in a second direction opposite to the first direction from a first state where the closing part closes the through-hole, to a second state where the third sealing part closes the through-hole, and to a third state where the valve chamber is communicated with inside of the liquid extraction tube.
US09254666B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a carriage which reciprocates in a state where a liquid ejecting head is mounted thereon, a tank unit which is provided outside the carriage and accommodates ink, four liquid supply tubes which communicate with the liquid ejecting head and the tank unit, and a tube support portion which supports the liquid supply tubes in a state where the liquid supply tubes are aligned in a horizontal direction, in which, in a case main body, the liquid supply tubes extend further to the tank unit side than a portion in which the liquid supply tubes are supported by the tube support portion, in a state where a parallel alignment direction of the four liquid supply tubes changes from the horizontal direction (a transporting direction) to a vertical direction.
US09254658B2 Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus
A liquid ejection head includes, a first support member including a flow path for supplying liquid and an opening communicating with the flow path; at least one second support member that includes an individual liquid chamber communicating with the opening and arranged on the first support member along the flow path; and a recording element substrate including an energy-generating element for generating energy for ejecting the liquid, and a supply port for supplying the liquid to the energy-generating element, the supply port communicating with the individual liquid chamber, the recording element substrate being supported by a back surface of the second support member with respect to an opposite surface thereof facing the first support member. When P (μJ/pL) represents energy to be input per ejection liquid droplet volume in the energy-generating element, thermal resistance R (K/W) of a shortest heat transfer path of the second support member between the recording element substrate and the first support member satisfies: R≧1.4/ln{0.525e1.004P−0.372}−1.
US09254657B1 Flow path component, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus
An inclined plane which inclines toward a lower plane of a ceiling portion, that is, the lower plane of a communication substrate from a ceiling plane of a second liquid chamber is formed in the second liquid chamber of the communication substrate. Therefore, an individual communication opening is formed, in a state of penetrating the communication substrate from the inclined plane. One end (lower end) of the individual communication opening communicates with the second liquid chamber by being open onto the inclined plane, and the other end (upper end) of the individual communication opening individually communicates with a pressure chamber of a pressure chamber forming substrate by being open onto an upper plane of the communication substrate. When a thickness of the communication substrate is referred to as T, a length of the individual communication opening is referred to as L, and a substantial depth of the second liquid chamber is referred to as D, the dimensions are configured so as to be L+D>T.
US09254650B2 Thermal printhead and method of manufacturing the same
A thermal printhead includes a substrate, a resistor layer formed on the substrate, an electrode layer formed on the substrate and electrically connected to the resistor layer, and an insulating layer. The electrode layer includes a first electrically conductive portion and a second electrically conductive portion spaced apart from each other. The resistor layer includes a heater portion that bridges the first electrically conductive portion and the second electrically conductive portion as viewed in the thickness direction of the substrate. The insulating layer includes a portion positioned between the electrode layer and the heater portion. This arrangement reduces formation of a eutectic region between the heater portion and the electrode layer.
US09254633B2 Environmental seal maximizing sensor space beneath a button positioned in trim
An environmental seal is formed around a square sensor disposed beneath a circular button cap within a button assembly. The button assembly includes shelf portions each extending separately into the interior of the assembly from a sidewall of the assembly. Portions of the sidewall are exposed between the shelf portions large enough to permit the four corners of the square sensor to contact the sidewall. The button cap is set above the sensor, resting upon the shelf portions. A first sealant bonds the top faces of the shelf portions to the bottom of the button cap. A second sealant bonds the edges of the sidewall to the corners of the sensor. The second sealant interfaces with the first sealant to form a complete environmental seal.
US09254623B2 Quick assembling furniture
The invention is directed to furniture such as of floor independently standing or wall mounted furniture, cabinetry, containers, boxes that can be lightweight, modular, easily assembled and disassembled.
US09254618B2 Method for manufacturing a tyre and apparatus for laying a reinforcing element on a forming support
An apparatus for the deposition of at least one reinforcing element on a forming including at least one feeding unit of at least one reinforcing element at a forming support, at least one deposition unit of the at least one reinforcing element on the forming support, the at least one deposition unit including at least one presser member, a control unit of the at least one deposition unit, at least one detection device of the deviations between an actual deposition profile and a theoretical deposition profile along a first deposition path defined based upon the theoretical profile, and a processing unit to define, based upon said deviations, an actual deposition path of the at least one reinforcing element on the forming support.
US09254604B2 Controlled base flash forming a standing ring
A mold for forming a plastic container having an integrally formed standing ring. The mold includes a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The second mold portion is movable relative to the first mold portion. The first mold portion and the second mold portion together define at least in part a mold cavity for molding a plastic container. The first mold portion and the second mold portion together define a standing ring slot for forming a standing ring on a base portion of the plastic container. The standing ring slot is defined at an interface between the first mold portion and the second mold portion.
US09254586B2 Process for producing a fuel tank with underride protector
A fuel tank is produced together with an underride protector in a blow-molding tool by a blow-molding process. The underride protector is held on the fuel tank by a form-locking connection or by an integral connection. Therefore the outer underride protector is connected to the fuel tank in a simple production procedure.
US09254585B2 Forming of consolidation regions in a web and a web comprising such regions
An apparatus and methods for thermally treating webs having thermoplastic respectively meltable compounds, thereby creating cylindrical or elliptic consolidation regions which may optionally have an aperture by employing a thermal energy source, such as ultrasonic energy, as well as to webs with elliptic consolidation regions. In a particular, the apparatus and methods create consolidation regions by using an anvil with a flexible elongated member, such as a wire, a chain or a tubular anvil with circumferential ribs.
US09254577B2 Knife and sheath assembly with realeasable knife securing function
A knife and sheath assembly includes a sheath including a knife receptacle defining knife-receiving open chamber, a knife stopper located at the knife receptacle and a stretchable part operable to move said knife stopper, a knife including a blade insertable into the knife-receiving open chamber, a handle and a shoulder connected between the blade and the handle and stoppable by the knife stopper to keep the blade in the knife-receiving open chamber, and an operating member including a mounting part affixed to the sheath or the knife and an actuating part connected to the mounting part and operable to force the stretchable part of the sheath against the knife stopper in direction away from the shoulder of the knife.
US09254575B2 Attachment structure for drive cables of robot and robot apparatus provided therewith
An attachment structure for drive cables include a first fixing member and a second fixing member separate from the first fixing member, which are designed to fix the drive cables in a non-slidable manner. The first fixing member is disposed behind a pivot body of a robot so as to pivot together with the pivot body. The second fixing member is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the first fixing member in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of an arm of the robot. The drive cables are fixed so as to be convexly curved upward in a portion between the first fixing member and the second fixing member.
US09254573B2 Feeding mechanism
A feeding mechanism includes a supporting bracket; assembled to the supporting bracket; and a handling assembly. The handling assembly includes a pair of first handling subassemblies and a pair of first handling subassemblies. Each first handling subassembly includes a first guiding rod, a first elastic member, and a first handling member. The first guiding rod is slidably mounted on the supporting bracket, the first handling member is connected to the first guiding rod and the second guiding rod, the first elastic member is resisted between the first handling member and the supporting bracket. The second handling subassembly has a structure same as the first handling subassembly except that the guiding rod of the second handling subassembly has a length greater than that of the first guiding rod. The driving assembly is configured for driving the first handling member and the second handling member toward the supporting bracket.
US09254565B1 Toolbox
A toolbox includes a receiving seat having two sidewalls. Each sidewall includes a first guiding groove and a pivot. A pivotal seat receiving tools is received in the receiving seat and includes two sides. Each side of the pivotal seat includes an axle received in one of the first guiding grooves and a pivot coupling portion coupled with one of the pivots. A pressing seat includes two vertical portions respectively mounted to the sidewalls of the receiving seat. Each vertical portion includes a second guiding groove. Each axle is received in one of the second guiding grooves. An elastic element is provided for returning the pressing seat. When the pressing seat is pressed, the second guiding grooves of the pressing seat press against and move the axles along the first guiding grooves, the pivot coupling portions couple with the pivots, and the pivotal seat pivots to an exposed position.
US09254563B2 Power tool
The present invention provides a power tool that can be used at a position away from the external power source. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, an end tool, a battery pack, and an inverter. The motor is supported by the housing and driven by alternate-current power. The end tool is supported by the housing and rotatably driven by the motor. The battery pack outputs direct-current voltage. The inverter is disposed outside the housing and is configured to convert the direct-current voltage outputted from the battery pack into alternate-current voltage and supplies the motor with alternate-current power.
US09254560B2 Auto emergency tool
An ergonomic auto emergency tool for alternatively functioning as a flashlight, an illuminating distress signal, a sonic alarm, a tire depth gauge, a tire air pressure gauge, a seat belt cutter and a motor vehicle window glass breaker. The auto emergency tool includes a main portion and a projecting portion extending from a joining portion and being integral with the main portion, and defining a seat belt-receiving notch therebetween. A knife blade extends across the notch proximate the joining portion. An inner main portion-facing upper surface of the projecting portion is configured to facilitate the movement of the tool towards and through a seat belt, and the bottom outer surface of the projecting portion is curved for both easy handling and for enabling a firm grip when the tool is used to break window glass. The window-breaking mechanism includes a depressible plunger cover for releasing a spring-loaded impact member. A projecting portion and a main housing portion cooperate to define a seat belt receptacle. A blade cover is insertable into the seat belt receptacle. A blade cover includes a tire tread-depth gauge. The auto emergency tool further has a tire pressure gauge with a digital display. An optional visor clip is also provided for storing the tool on the visor of a motor vehicle. The visor clip has an alternate blade cover for attaching the tool to the visor.
US09254557B2 Ratchet wrench with dustproof structure
A ratchet wrench includes a driving device having first and second sides spaced along a rotating axis. A compartment extends from the first side through the second side. A drive member is received in the compartment and includes an end for driving a tool. A ledge is formed on an inner periphery of an end of the compartment at the second side. A pressing rod extends into the drive member via the end of the compartment at the second side. The pressing rod is movable relative to the drive member along the rotating axis to control engagement with or detachment from the tool. A dustproof ring is mounted between the ledge and the pressing rod. The dustproof ring includes an outer side and an inner side. The outer side presses against an abutment portion of the ledge. The inner side presses against the pressing rod.
US09254552B2 Abrasive article and method of forming
An abrasive article including a substrate having an elongated body, a tacking layer overlying the substrate, and a first type of abrasive particle overlying the tacking layer and defining a first abrasive particle concentration at least about 10 particles per mm of substrate.
US09254550B2 Surface coating processes and uses of same
The present application relates to processes for coating surfaces and provides a method of forming a coating on a surface. The method involves bombarding a surface with particles having sufficient energy to remove surface material. At the same time an aerosol is delivered to the surface. The cooperative action of the particles impinging on the surface and the presence of the aerosol contribute to the formation of a coating on the surface.
US09254549B2 Grinding machine
A grinding machine includes: a grinding wheel of which movement in an X direction and a Z direction is controlled and that grinds a workpiece; and a truing unit that is installed at a predetermined position and that trues a machining surface of the grinding wheel. The truing unit includes: a movable table that is installed to be movable in the X direction relative to a support member; a truer that is rotatably installed in the movable table and that trues the machining surface of the grinding wheel; and an X-direction pressing mechanism that presses the truer in the X direction along with the movable table.
US09254542B2 Machine tool with uninterrupted cutting
A machine tool includes a machine support, a work table positioned on the machine support, a moving device and a feeding device. The moving device is movably mounted on the machine support along a first direction above the work table. The feeding device is slidably positioned on the moving device along a second direction at ninety degrees from the first direction. The feeding device includes a feeding mechanism and a cutter. The feeding mechanism drives the tool holder and the cutter to move back and forth along a third orthogonal direction.
US09254541B2 Machine tool having rotary table
A machine tool includes a rotary table on which a workpiece is mounted, a clamping mechanism for clamping the rotary table against rotation, and a sensor for detecting completion of a clamping operation of the clamping mechanism. A numerical controller for controlling the machine tool calculates the time required for actual operations of the clamping mechanism, taking into account beforehand the processing time for processing a feedback signal from a sensor and the time until the next operation of the machine tool. By controlling the clamping mechanism based on the calculated required time, the cycle time of clamping or unclamping operations is shortened.
US09254539B2 Manufacturing system
A manufacturing system is provided comprising a plurality of work stations having one or more tools for processing a work item, at least one carrier for moving a work item among the plurality of work stations, and a platform for connecting the plurality of work stations. In a further embodiment, at least one of the plurality of work stations is not on a line with the other work stations and may include a lift machine for raising and/or lowering the at least one carrier and the work item. The platform also may preferably comprise at least one rotator for changing the direction of movement of the at least one carrier on the platform. The system also may preferably comprise at least one conveyer for transporting the at least one carrier to the platform.
US09254536B2 Method and apparatus for controlled laser ablation of material
A method and apparatus to produce controlled ablation of material through the use of laser pulses of short pulse widths at short wavelengths.
US09254530B2 Method for removing material from a component, and electrode
A method for removing material from a component that is connected as an anode is disclosed. In an embodiment, an electrode that is connected as a cathode is guided to the component such that a gap is formed, an electrolyte is introduced into the gap, and a closed system is formed for the electrolyte by the formation of a duct. The electrolyte is continuously guided from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the duct. Forming the duct, e.g., by guide elements that are mounted on the electrode, ensures that only those surface parts of the component to be machined from which material is to be removed enter in contact with the electrolyte while the other surface parts do not enter in contact with the electrolyte. Since the electrolyte is continuously guided across the surface, used electrolyte is continuously discharged along with residual matter while fresh electrolyte is delivered.
US09254522B2 Mold clamping device
The mold clamping device is provided with a first platen to which a stationary mold is attached. A movable mold unit is capable of approaching and moving away from the stationary mold. A second platen is linked to the first platen via a tie bar. When the movable mold unit and the stationary mold are closed, a wedge member is driven onto the movable mold unit to generate mold clamping force. The second platen has a pressure receiving surface. The pressure receiving surface receives, through the wedge member, mold opening force that is generated by filling, with a molding material, the stationary mold and the movable mold unit that are in the closed state.
US09254515B2 Guided keeper and method for metal forming dies
A locking collar assembly for metal forming dies includes a disc-shaped locking collar with a cylindrical outer surface closely received in a collar bore in one face of a first die member. A circular recess in the outer face of the locking collar has an internal retainer ring groove. A counterbored shaped fastener hole extends through the collar and a part of the recess, and has shank, head and shoulder portions. A socket head cap screw is inserted in the fastener hole with a threaded end anchored in a threaded end aperture in one of the guide pins, with the head seated on the shoulder of the fastener hole. A retainer ring is mounted in the collar ring groove and overlies the cap screw head to positively prevent the cap screw from unintentionally unfastening from the guide pin.
US09254510B2 Drying apparatus with exhaust control cap for semiconductor wafers and associated methods
A drying apparatus for drying a semiconductor wafer includes a processing chamber including a rinsing section and a drying section adjacent thereto. The rinsing section has a chamber loading slot associated therewith for receiving the semiconductor wafer. The drying section has a chamber unloading slot associated therewith for outputting the semiconductor wafer. An exhaust control cap is carried by the processing chamber and includes a bottom wall, a top wall, at least one intermediate wall between the bottom and top walls, and a side wall coupled to the top, bottom and the at least one intermediate wall to define stacked exhaust sections. The exhaust control cap has a cap loading slot aligned with the chamber loading slot, a cap unloading slot aligned with the chamber unloading slot, and at least one exhaust port configured to be coupled to a vacuum source.
US09254506B2 Moisture resistant coating for barrier films
A barrier film having a substrate, a base polymer layer applied to the substrate, an oxide layer applied to the base polymer layer, and a top coat polymer layer applied to the oxide layer. An optional inorganic layer can be applied over the top coat polymer layer. The top coat polymer includes a silane and an acrylate co-deposited to form the top coat layer. The use of a silane co-deposited with an acrylate to form the top coat layer of the barrier films provide for enhanced resistance to moisture and improved peel strength adhesion of the top coat layer to the underlying barrier stack layers.
US09254505B2 Method for manufacturing nanowire meshes
A variety of methods, devices, systems and arrangements are implemented involving nanowire meshes. One such method is implemented to include synthesizing metal nanowires in a solution containing a structure-directing agent. The metal nanowires are deposited on a substrate to form a sheet of nanowires. The deposited metal nanowires are heated to a temperature less than about 200 degrees Celsius and for a period of time of about 10 minutes to 60 minutes, thereby removing the structure-directing agent and modifying the electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of the sheet of nanowires.
US09254502B2 Broken sprinkler flow restriction or flow shut off suppressor for sprinkler
A restriction valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a valve body adapted to be positioned at an inlet of the sprinkler, wherein the valve body includes a central opening through which water flows into the sprinkler, a rib extending downwardly from the valve body at a location beyond the margin of the central opening, a valve member configured to cooperate with the central opening to open and close the valve, wherein the valve member includes a valve stem extending downwardly from the valve member, and positioned and configured to be movably supported in a guide ring formed at a lower end of the rib, wherein the valve stem is movable vertically to move the valve member to its open and closed positions and a resilient member biasing the valve stem such that the valve member remains in an open position until water pressure pushing against the valve member reaches a predetermined level to move the valve member into the closed position to restrict the flow of water into the sprinkler
US09254500B2 Aerosol generation for stable, low-concentration delivery
A feed aerosol comprising detectable particles is injected into a mix-enhancing swirler. Diluting gas is also injected into the mix-enhancing swirler and mixed with the feed aerosol in a swirling motion to form an aerosol with a particle concentration no greater than 1,000 particles per liter. The aerosol is then injected into a mixing chamber, where the aerosol is mixed and dried; the inner diameter of the mixing chamber is at least twice as great as that of the swirl chamber. The aerosol is then emitted through a flow straightener that removes swirl from the flow of the aerosol and passed through a delivery conduit, where the particles are detected and counted; and the particle count is compared with a target count. The respective flows of feed aerosol and diluting gas can then be increased or decreased based on a comparison of the particle count with the target count.
US09254496B2 Articles for manipulating impinging liquids and methods of manufacturing same
This invention relates generally to an article that includes a non-wetting surface having a dynamic contact angle of at least about 90°. The surface is patterned with macro-scale features configured to induce controlled asymmetry in a liquid film produced by impingement of a droplet onto the surface, thereby reducing time of contact between the droplet and the surface.
US09254494B2 Shower with various outlet functions
A shower with various outlet functions includes a main body part and outlet part, the main body part has an inlet waterway, and at least one first inlet hole and one second inlet hole communicated with the inlet waterway; the outlet part, is connected to the main body part in a moving manner, and is provided with at least one first water division hole group and one second water division hole group, and the first water division group includes at least two first division holes, and the first inlet holes are coupling with the first water division hole, the second water division group includes at least two second division holes, and the second water division holes are coupling with the second inlet hole, and the first and second water division hole communicates with the first and second inlet hole respectively in a switching manner.
US09254493B2 Oxygen-enriched air producing device and oxygen-enriched air producing method
The invention is characterized in: forming a magnetic field inside a flow channel tube, the tube wall of which is formed from a material that is nonmagnetic and which, when the pressure outside the flow channel tube is lower than the pressure inside the flow channel tube, passes a portion of the air flowing inside the tube through the tube wall and discharges same to the outside thereof; supplying air to the flow channel tube so that at least a region of laminar flow is formed inside the flow channel tube; and reducing the pressure outside the flow channel tube to a prescribed pressure.
US09254490B2 Process for treating fly ash and a rotary mill therefor
A process for treating fly ash to activate the fly ash so that it may be used as a substitute for Portland cement, with the process including the use of a specialized rotary mill having variably sized and shaped media to increase the surface area of one fly ash component by grinding, avoiding milling a second fly ash component, while roughing up the surface of the second component to increase its surface area.
US09254486B2 Micro-fluidic device
Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber.
US09254484B2 Methods and systems for processing samples on porous substrates
Methods and systems for processing samples fixed to a porous substrate generally comprising, a compressor defining one or more fluid isolation areas, a support, for the porous substrate, having an opening corresponding to one or more of the fluid isolation areas of the compressor, an actuator that causes at least a portion of the compressor to press against the porous substrate, a fluid inlet having access to the fluid isolation area at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate, and a fluid outlet to receive fluid, through the opening in the support corresponding to the fluid isolation area of the compressor, at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate.
US09254482B2 Catalyst material for the oxidation of hydrocarbons
A catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, is specified, comprising a) molybdenum (Mo), b) vanadium (V), c) niobium (Nb), d) tellurium (Te), e) nickel (Ni), f) tungsten (W) and g) manganese (Mn), in which the molar ratio of at least one element, which is selected from nickel, tungsten and manganese, to molybdenum lies in the range 0.01 to 0.2, more preferably 0.05 to 0.15 and particularly preferably from 0.0025:1 to 0.3:1. Furthermore, a catalyst for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, a use of the catalyst material or of the catalyst, a method for producing a catalyst material for the oxidation and/or oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons and a method for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid is specified.
US09254479B2 Process and catalyst for cracking of ethers and alcohols
A process for the production of olefins from at least one of an alcohol and ether, the process including: contacting at least one alcohol or ether with a hydrofluoric acid-treated amorphous synthetic alumina-silica catalyst under decomposition conditions to produce an olefin. Also disclosed is a process for the production of isobutylene from methyl tertiary butyl ether, the process including: feeding methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) to a reactor having at least one reaction zone containing a hydrofluoric acid-treated amorphous synthetic alumina-silica catalyst; contacting the MTBE with the hydrofluoric acid-treated amorphous synthetic alumina-silica catalyst under decomposition conditions to produce a reactor effluent comprising isobutylene, unreacted MTBE, heavies, and methanol; feeding the reactor effluent to a first distillation column; separating the isobutylene from the unreacted MTBE, heavies, and the methanol in the first distillation column to recover a first bottoms fraction comprising heavies, unreacted MTBE, and methanol and an isobutylene-rich overheads fraction.
US09254476B2 Chromia alumina catalysts for alkane dehydrogenation
Provided are methods of making dehydrogenation catalyst supports containing bayerite and silica. Silica-stabilized alumina powder, prepared by spray drying of bayerite powder, precipitating silica in a bayerite slurry with an acid, or impregnation or co-extrusion of bayerite with sodium silicate solution was found to be a superior catalyst support precursor. Catalysts prepared with these silica containing support materials have higher hydrothermal stability than current CATOFIN® catalysts. Also provided is a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising Cr2O3, an alkali metal oxide, SiO2 and Al2O3, and methods of using said catalyst to make an olefin and/or dehydrogenate a dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon.
US09254474B2 Method for selectively isolating hydrogen or helium using a natrolite-based zeolite, and novel natrolite-based zeolite
The present invention relates to selectively isolating gases using a natrolite-based zeolite, and more particularly, to a novel natrolite-based zeolite and to selectively isolating hydrogen and/or helium gas using a natrolite-based zeolite. The present invention is characterized in that gas containing hydrogen is brought into contact with a natrolite-based zeolite to selectively isolate the hydrogen. The present invention provides a sorbent which can selectively isolate hydrogen and/or helium, and provides a method for isolating the hydrogen and/or helium at room temperature or at a high temperature.
US09254470B1 Segmented liner and transition support ring for use in a fluidized bed reactor
Transition support rings for joining tubular segments of different inner cross-sectional dimensions to make segmented liners for use in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) for making polysilicon-coated granulate material are disclosed. Segmented liners comprising the transition support rings and fluidized bed reactors including segmented liners are also disclosed.
US09254469B2 Treatment of synthesis gases from a gasification facility
A technology for producing synthesis gas from crude gas from various gasification processes for solid or liquid fuels. To limit the temperatures in a subsequent strongly exothermic CO shift reaction to adjust the H2/CO ratio, the crude gas which has been freed of dust flows through two shift reactors arranged in series. The first reactor has a specific reaction-kinetically limited catalyst and the second reactor has a conventional sour gas catalyst. The specific catalyst used in the first reactor limits the exothermic shift reaction to such an extent that the reaction temperatures in the first and second reactors remain so low to avoid thermal damage to the catalysts even without introduction of external steam, and the desired gas composition is achieved.
US09254462B2 Reclaiming apparatus and reclaiming method
In a reclaiming apparatus (106) that includes an airtight container (106a) as an absorbent storing unit that stores a part of an absorbent that absorbs CO2 included in an exhaust gas and a heating unit that heats the absorbent stored in the airtight container (106a), a part of the absorbent stored in the airtight container (106a) is distributed, and a gaseous body is brought into counterflow contact with the absorbent that is distributed. As a result, since the gaseous body is brought into counterflow contact with a part of the absorbent stored in the absorbent storing unit, an absorbent component volatilizes and is separated from a degraded material, and the absorbent component can be extracted from the degraded material, whereby a loss of the absorbent can be reduced.
US09254460B2 Filter element and process for producing a filter element
The invention relates to a hotmelt adhesive comprising a hotmelt adhesive mixture, the mixture including a) 15-85% by weight of a first, polyester-based hotmelt adhesive and b) 15-85% by weight of a second, polyamide-based hotmelt adhesive.
US09254455B2 Method for filtering
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a filter structure. A second porous film having a plurality of second holes is disposed on a first porous film having a plurality of first holes. The second holes are smaller than the first holes. The filter structure is dried by an easy and power-saving method such as compression.
US09254454B2 Method of assembly for sand screen
A method of assembling a sand screen assembly includes the steps of providing inner and outer shrouds having radial protrusions, such as ribs, louvers, splines, etc., that are radially unaligned during a first assembly step thereby providing clearance for positioning of a filter layer between the shrouds. The outer or inner shroud is then rotated until the protrusions are aligned and the clearance between the shrouds and filter layer is eliminated to provide a tight fit between the layers.
US09254449B2 Solid and liquid separation process
A process for separation of solid and liquid components in a distillation whole stillage utilizing airless spray drying is disclosed, which is more efficient and economical than conventional processes. In the process, distillation whole stillage resulting from distillation of fermented biomass is first subjected to an evaporation step for separating the whole stillage into a condensate and a concentrate including water, dissolved solids and suspended solids. The concentrate is then subjected to airless steam spray drying for converting the concentrate into dried solids, steam and vapors. All steam and vapors resulting from the airless steam spray drying step are then redirected as energy source to a processing step upstream of the airless spray drying step. At least some of the steam generated in the airless spray drying step is airless steam.
US09254447B2 Mirror maze with dynamic animation for projection onto an arch
The invention relates to a labyrinth of mirrors with elemental cells in the form of an equilateral triangle, each cell having at least one passage portal covered with opaque vinyl and at least one arch with a mirror forming a reflective obstacle. Each cell has a short-throw projector for projecting moving images with different designs or themes. The images are projected over the variable surface or contour of the passage portal which is covered with light opaque vinyl, the other two arches being covered with reflective vinyl or a mirror, as are the inner surfaces of the holding pillars or posts. The projection is defined by means of masks wherein the pixels outside the contour are covered in black or are rendered transparent, a technology called “projection mapping”. In each cell, there is at least one opaque arch and two reflectors.
US09254446B2 Suspended play structure
A suspended play structure includes a floor, a sidewall, and a roof that defines an inner space. The structure includes top and bottom ring structures that provide additional support to the play structure. The play structure can be suspended from a tree, a stand, a ceiling, or similar structure. The structure is collapsible for easy storage and can also include a removable cushion that can fit within an internal pocket. The structure can also include a removable string of LED lights within the inner space.
US09254436B2 Regular visitor to friend board in viral game
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for presenting Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) in an online game. In one method, a player becomes a “regular” visitor of a friend when the player visits the friend a predetermined amount of times within a certain period (e.g., three times within the last seven days). When a player becomes a regular visitor, the player may obtain items (e.g., pepper) that are not obtainable in any other way. As long as a player is a regular visitor, the player may continue visiting the friend to continue obtaining the special items. However, if the player falls below the threshold of visits required within the period, the status of regular visitor is lost by the player, and the player may regain the regular status by meeting the requirement again.
US09254428B2 Surfing device and method
The present Invention provides a surfing device comprising at least one energy projecting means and at least one energy projecting structure for supporting and positioning the energy projecting means. The energy projecting structure positions the energy projecting means at one or more energy projecting positions. Energy is projected from the energy projecting means from positions to enable a person to surf at least partially solely via the projected energy. The present invention also provides a surface for a surfing device, either the device of the present Invention or another surfing device. The surface, is designed for a person to surf on either via the projected energy of the surfing device of the present Invention or by at least partially direct contact with the surface via fluid projected out of, over or upon it. The surface has an Impact absorption material. The material Is at (east partially porous and at least partially deformable and also designed to at least partially deform upon impact to at least partially absorb or diffuse the impact.
US09254425B2 Golf ball with single thermoplastic cover layer of heterogeneous composition
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a golf ball having a single cover layer of heterogeneous composition. One embodiment of the invention describes a method wherein a core, comprising one or more layers, has pre-molded hemispherical cover cups placed about the core and each cover cup has at least two layers of distinct resinous materials, and the cover cups are heated and compressed such that the resinous materials in the cover cups intermingle with each other to form a single heterogeneous cover layer.
US09254423B2 Golf balls having low and high modulus core layers based on polyalkenamer rubber
Golf balls containing a core having at least two layers made from a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. At least one layer is made from a relatively low modulus polyalkenamer rubber composition and at least one layer is made from a relatively high modulus polyalkenamer rubber composition. The rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core.
US09254420B2 Golf ball composition and golf ball
A golf ball having a good rebound and excellent flight performance can be obtained using a golf ball composition which includes a diene polymer containing not more than 1.5% of components having a molecular weight of 30,000 or less.
US09254419B2 Underwater man-powered mechanical propeller
An underwater man-powered mechanical propeller includes a screw propeller arranged on a screw propeller shaft and encircled by a concentric protective ring. One side of the protective ring is provided with a supporting plate on which a first gear and a second gear mesh with each other, and a transitional gear and the second ear form a meshing pair. The drive shaft of the transitional gear passes through the supporting plate and has a second bevel gear, which meshes with a first bevel gear provided on the screw propeller shaft. The first gear is connected to a first connecting rod and the second gear is connected to a second connecting rod.
US09254417B2 Sprint trainer aid
Disclosed is a sprinter training aid which pulls the sprinter forward in an over speed condition, for the purpose of exercise the muscles which pull the leg forward when running, such the hip flexor muscles. Two devices can be used, one pulling the sprinter forward and one pulling the sprinter backward at the start of a run. The backward pulling at the start of the run exercises the sprinter's muscles which are used when going from a stationary position, to a full speed sprint. The device which pulls the sprinter forward would take over when the rearward pulling device shut off, and pull the sprinter to an over speed condition. Include in the device is a cable and cable winder, and a motor, computer, and a wireless connection to a data compilation computer.
US09254412B2 Elliptical exerciser
An exerciser includes a body and an adjustment wheel. The body has two flywheels and two foot support links. The two flywheels each have a sliding portion which radially connected thereto so as to guide the two foot support links to alternatively move along a supporting travel and a crossing travel to complete a closed pedal trajectory when the flywheels rotate. The timing adjustment wheel is pivotally connected to the body. The timing adjustment wheel has a first slider and a second slider, the first and second sliders are configured to move along the sliding portions of the flywheels. The foot support links drives the flywheel to rotate so that the first and second sliders move along the sliding portions to change the speeds and phase differences of the foot support links so as to meet the principles of ergonomics.
US09254411B1 Treadmill with adjustable shock-absorbing structure
A treadmill includes a frame, a support plate mounted on the frame, and a shock-absorbing structure mounted on two opposite sides of the frame. The shock-absorbing structure includes an elastic bar mounted between the frame and the support plate to support the support plate and to provide a shock-absorbing function. The elastic bar is above the frame and under the support plate and has two opposite ends each pivotally mounted between the frame and the support plate. Thus, the elastic bar is movable in a horizontal direction and is elastically bendable toward an inner side or an outer side of the support plate to increase or decrease a contact area of the elastic bar and the support plate and to change the position of the elastic bar relative to the support plate.
US09254406B2 Exercise device and associated methods
A method of fatiguing a target muscle group of a user using an exercise device includes grasping in each hand one of a pair of outer handles of an exercise device, positioning the user's feet to be substantially aligned with the user's shoulders while maintaining the user's torso in a substantially upright orientation, positioning each hand in an initial position relative to the user's torso, cyclically pulling the outer handles away from one another in a cyclic motion to apply a cyclic pulling force to the tethers to cause the central disk to alternately rotate in opposing directions of rotation, and moving one or both hands to a secondary position relative to the user's torso and repeating the application of the cyclic force to fatigue the initial target muscle group or to fatigue a secondary target muscle group.
US09254405B1 Variable resistant exercise band, device containing same and exercise method
An exercise device is provided using a variable resistant exercise band having spaced apart eyelets along the length of the band. Each eyelet located at respective ends of the band is secured onto a hook member attached to a rigid bar, or a grip handle which permits the band to be pulled up to different levels, or in different directions.A method is also provided for using the exercise device.
US09254402B2 Movement facilitative device
The present invention discloses a movement facilitative device, basically comprising a first fixing module, a second fixing module, an energy storing module and a switching module, wherein the first fixing module and the second fixing module are fixed on the first extremity and the second extremity of the animal respectively. The first fixing module is connected with the second fixing module. The present invention has the advantages of decreasing the force required by the muscles during the exercise as well as retarding the impact enforced thereon while the user is jogging or exercising. Furthermore, the switching module of the present invention minimizes the limitations to the movement of the user so as to let the user exercise more effortlessly.
US09254401B2 Jump rope assembly
Disclosed is a jump rope comprising: an oil impregnated bushing; having a pair of handles with an external surface treatment. Additionally, the rope may include a fastener attached to each end and secured within the head of the jump rope yet still free to rotate about an axis formed by the centerline of the rope body. In some configurations a universal joint is attached to each end and secured to the jump rope handle, with one end of the input yoke acting as a column for rotation and one end of the output yoke used to secure the rope, and both free ends of each yoke attaching to the cross-trunnion to complete the assembly.
US09254400B2 Method for processing peroxygen solutions
The present disclosure relates to a multi-step method for processing peroxygen solutions for reuse or disposal. The method uses an enzyme and a reducing agent.
US09254397B2 Plasma evaluation apparatus
The present invention provides a plasma evaluation system and method for evaluating plasma, including: a treatment target material and a weak current measurement unit including a resistor unit and a differential amplifier, wherein the treatment target material is connected to the weak current measurement unit via a treatment target side measurement terminal, the resistor unit of the weak current measurement unit is connected to a ground side of a plasma generation current source, and the system and method evaluate plasma by receiving plasma generated by a plasma treatment equipment with the treatment target material, measuring a current by measuring a voltage across resistors of the resistor unit through the differential amplifier, and measuring an output voltage of the plasma generation power source.
US09254396B2 Advanced radiotherapy treatment planning optimization
A method of radiotherapy treatment planning is described. A planned target volume is identified for radiotherapy treatment and at least one volume of interest is identified. The mass, density, and total deposited energy contained in the planned target volume and the volumes of interest are identified and dose objectives are determined. At least one of the objectives is a function of the identified mass, density, or deposited energy. A composite objective function is determined using the dose objectives for the planned target volume and the volumes of interest. A near optimal solution to the composite objective function is determined to produce a radiotherapy treatment plan.
US09254394B2 Central base coils for deep transcranial magnetic stimulation
A transcranial magnetic stimulation coil which is location-specific for medial brain regions or lateral brain regions is designed with multiple spaced apart stimulating elements having current flow in a first direction, and multiple return elements having current flow in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The multiple stimulating elements are distributed around a central axis of the coil.
US09254391B2 Systems and methods for determining pacing related parameters
Pacing related timing is determined for an implantable medical device (IMD) by pacing at an RV pacing site, a first LV pacing site and a second LV pacing site in accordance with a first site, a second site and a third site pacing order, and further in accordance with a first inter-electrode pacing delay between pacing at the first site and pacing at the second site and a second inter-electrode pacing delay between pacing at the second site and pacing at the third site. At least one of a sensed event or a paced event is detected for at each of the second site and the third site. The first inter-electrode pacing delay and the second inter-electrode pacing delay are adjusted to avoid sensed events in favor of paced events at each of the second site and the third site. An atrio-ventricular delay may also be adjusted to avoid sensed events or lack of capture due to possible fusion at the first site, in favor of paced events at the first site.
US09254379B2 System that secures an electrode array to the spinal cord for treating back pain
This invention provides a device for implantation directly into the spinal cord for the purpose of treating back pain. Electrodes on a backing that conforms directly to the spinal cord are installed as a source of electrical stimulation and pain relief. The electrode array is maintained on the spinal cord by way of a spring or support structure that is anchored to an anatomical structure outside the spinal cord but near the site of implantation. Suitable anchoring structures include the vertebrae and the dura. Secured in this fashion, the support structure maintains a gentle pressure of the electrode array against the spinal cord so as to stay in electrical contact but minimize injury or inflammation. The device may accommodate and buffer movement of the spinal cord both laterally and in a caudal-rostral fashion so that the electrode array remains in place.
US09254375B2 Dispensing applicator for fluids
A hand-held dispensing applicator comprising a source of fluid a frangible applicator tip attached to the fluid source, and an absorbent member attached to the frangible applicator tip. When the frangible applicator tip is broken, fluid flows from the source to the absorbent member, whereby the fluid is applied and spread on a surface. Preferably the frangible applicator tip comprises a support element permanently connected to the fluid source, a relatively rigid tongue element extending outwardly of the support element, and a frangible region therebetween. Preferably, the tongue element comprises ribs for reinforcing the tongue element to resist unintentional breaking of the frangible region, and the applicator tip comprises a semi-permeable or non-permeable cover disposed around the frangible region to control the speed and direction of the dispersion of the fluid in the absorbent member. Adaptive embodiments allow the generation of designs applicable to a particular medical purpose.
US09254372B2 Catheter assembly with deflection size adjustability
A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet received within a lumen of the catheter sheath. A carrier arrangement projects from the distal end of the handle, the carrier arrangement mounting the catheter sheath and at least part of the deflection stylet. The catheter handle includes an adjustment unit having a gear mechanism that controls at least one of the deflection of the distal part of the stylet and the extent of deflection of the distal part of the stylet.
US09254368B2 Oxygen regulation with at least two SPO2 monitors and automatic recognition of a signal having a higher rating
A process and a device for oxygen regulation of a patient having at least two SPO2 monitors and a control for automatic recognition of which measurements are more reliable. The measurement from one or more of the two SPO2 is used to control the oxygen concentration delivered to a patient based on a comparison of the measurements from the at least two SPO2 monitors.
US09254364B2 Assembly for a drug delivery device
An assembly for a drug delivery device (1), comprises a housing (2), a dose member (22), a guide track (42) and a spring member (26). The dose member (22) is adapted to be rotated in a dose setting direction with respect to the housing (2) for setting a dose of a drug (5) and to be rotated in a dose delivery direction with respect to the housing (2) for delivering the set dose. The dose member (22) comprises a guide feature (46). The guide track (42) is configured to mechanically cooperate with the guide feature (46). The guide track (42) comprises a first section (43A) and a second section (43B) which are connected to each other via a connection region (55). The first section (43A) defines an angular start position (54) for the guide feature (46) and the second section (43B) defines an axial stop position (56) for the guide feature (46). When the dose member (22) is rotated in the dose setting direction, the guide feature (46) is angularly displaced from the angular start position (54) towards the connection region (55), the spring member (26) is torsionally biased, the biased spring member (26) tending to angularly displace the guide feature (46) towards the angular start position (54). When the guide feature (46) has passed the connection region (55), the guide feature (46) enters the second section (43B) and is axially displaced in a proximal direction with respect to the housing (2) towards the axial stop position (56). In the axial stop position, reduction of the torsional bias is prevented by mechanical cooperation of the guide feature (46) and the second section (43B).
US09254363B2 Unmanned device interaction methods and systems
Structures and protocols are presented for configuring an unmanned aerial device to participate in the performance of tasks, for using data resulting from such a configuration or performance, or for facilitating other interactions with such devices.
US09254361B2 Drip chamber for an infusion device
The application relates to a drip chamber for an infusion device, to an infusion device with a drip chamber, and to an arrangement composed of an infusion container and of such an infusion device. The drip chamber has a securing part for securing the drip chamber releasably to the infusion container. The securing part of the drip chamber has securing elements which are arranged along the circumference of a circle and which, on the inner sides facing each other, have grooves extending along the circumference of a circle. The securing elements can be spread from a position in which they engage firmly around the connector part of the infusion container to a position in which they release the connector part of the infusion device. The securing elements secure the piercing spike of the drip chamber against slipping out of the piercing part of the connector part of the infusion container.
US09254358B2 RO system and method for disinfecting lines of the RO system
A circulation pump and an electrochemical ozone generator are integrated into the permeate return line of an RO system, and the permeate return line is connected in flow direction behind the circulation pump and the ozone generator by a recirculation line to the permeate supply line, which can form a closed circuit where the ozonized permeate circulates until all organic contaminants have been killed or decomposed by the ozone in that part of the line system. Valves are integrated, respectively, into the recirculation line and the permeate return line downstream of the branch of the recirculation line. During normal operation of the RO system, the recirculation line valve is connected for feeding connected dialysis devices while the permeate return line valve is open, so excessive permeate that was not taken by the dialysis devices can flow into the supply tank. Alternatively, the permeate can be discharged into an outlet.
US09254355B2 Sorbent and chemical regeneration of dialysate
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the regeneration of spent dialysis solutions. The present invention further relates to systems and methods for continuously regenerating spent dialysis solution during dialysis. The present invention further relates to systems and methods for conducting dialysis that further include using chemical and physical separators in conjunction with ion exchange cartridges and/or adsorption cartridges.
US09254351B2 Method for the surface treatment of titanium bone implants using, in order, a sodium hydroxide bath and anodization
The invention relates to a method for the surface treatment of a biologically inert titanium implant to be placed in contact with a bone of the human body, which involves allowing body fluids, such as the inorganic portion of human blood plasma, to naturally deposit, onto the titanium implant, a calcium phosphate film having the formula Ca5(PO4)3(OH), in the form of hydroxyapatite, with a view to rendering the biologically inert titanium biologically active so as to enable the bone to chemically bond to the implant, thus promoting osseointegration, the method including an operation that involves submerging the titanium in a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, wherein said submersion causes the formation of a film of hydrated titanium oxides (HTiO3—) on the titanium, which in turn causes hydroxyl groups (TiOH) to appear, thus enabling the deposition of said calcium phosphate film. The method according to the invention is characterized in that it includes, after the operation of submerging the implant in sodium hydroxide, an operation of anodizing the implant at a given voltage, thereby enabling the stabilization of the oxide film formed by means the operation of submerging the implant in the sodium hydroxide.
US09254347B2 Tissue adhesive with accelerated curing
The present invention relates to a polyurea system encompassing as component A) isocyanate-functional prepolymers obtainable by reaction of aliphatic isocyanates A1) with polyols A2), which can in particular have a number average molecular weight of ≧400 g/mol and an average OH functionality of 2 to 6, as component B) amino-functional compounds of general formula (I) in which X is an organic residue comprising a tertiary amino function, having no Zerewitinoff active hydrogen, R1 is a CH2—COOR3 residue, in which R3 is an organic residue having no Zerewitinoff active hydrogen, a linear or branched C1 to C4 alkyl residue, a cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl residue or H, R2 is an organic residue having no Zerewitinoff active hydrogen, n is an integer ≧2 or ≦3, in particular for closing, binding, bonding or covering cell tissue, and to a metering system for the polyurea system according to the invention.
US09254344B2 Mobile power pack with fragrance feature
The present invention provides a mobile power pack with fragrance feature is disclosed. An outer surface of the housing is formed with an accommodating space, and a power module is installed in the housing. A heating element is disposed in the housing and corresponding to the accommodating space, and the heating element is electrically connected with the power module. A fragrant shim is disposed in the accommodating space, and the fragrant shim is heated by the heating element for producing aromas.
US09254342B2 Combination electronic device dock and dissinfector
Disclosed is a disinfecting station for at least one portable electronic device. An enclosure is adapted to receive the at least one portable electronic device therein through an openable side that includes a selectively closable door. Each electronic device is exposed to a disinfecting wavelength of light, such as UV light, to disinfect the surface of the device. The enclosure can include supports that minimally contact each device so that the device will be substantially exposed to the UV light. A control circuit can monitor the exposure time and level, and is programmable to activate the UV light based on pre-set criteria. The enclosures may be stacked and provide power and network connectivity to each device while docked therein.
US09254340B2 Nanodiamond and glycine conjugate and method for the preparation thereof
The invention relates to the field of pharmaceutics and medicine and concerns a nano-diamond conjugate with glycine for delivering glycine into an organism, the conjugate comprising nano-diamond particles modified by glycine, with a particle size of 2-10 nm, and containing up to 21% by mass of glycine which is included in the composition of the superficial shell of said particles with a thickness of up to 1 nm, and to a method for producing said conjugate.
US09254325B2 Percutaneously absorbed preparation
The purpose of the invention is to produce an imidafenacin-containing percutaneously absorbed preparation, wherein the drug not only is not allowed to crystallize but also has adequate skin penetration. The imidafenacin-containing percutaneously absorbed preparation comprises isostearic acid and a fatty acid ester, which function as crystallization-preventing agents.
US09254319B2 Compositions and methods for generating an immune response
We have developed DNA and viral vectors that can be used, alone or in combination, as a vaccine against one HIV clade, subtype, or recombinant form of HIV or against multiple HIV clades, subtypes, or recombinant forms. Moreover, the vectors can encode a variety of antigens, which may be obtained from one clade or from two or more different clades, and the antigens selected and/or the manner in which the vectors are formulated (e.g., mixed) can be manipulated to generate a protective immune response against a variety of clades (e.g., the clades to which a patient is most likely to be exposed; with the proportions of the components of the vaccine tailored to the extent of the patient's risk to a particular clade or clades).
US09254313B2 Variant, recombinant beta-glucocerebrosidase proteins with increased stability and increased retained catalytic activity
Described herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins characterized as having increased stability relative to recombinant wild-type β-glucocerebrosidase. Also provided herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins characterized as retaining more catalytic activity relative to recombinant wild-type β-glucocerebrosidase. Further described herein are variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins that can have amino acid variations at one or more of the following positions: 316, 317, 321 and 145. Methods of making the variant, recombinant β-glucocerebrosidase proteins are also described as well as methods of treating patients having lysosomal storage diseases.
US09254311B2 Modified polynucleotides for the production of proteins
The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.
US09254310B2 Therapeutic and cosmetic uses and applications of calreticulin
The invention relates to therapeutic and cosmetic uses of calreticulin including reducing or eliminating wrinkles and/or fine lines, tissue repair and reconstruction, repairing damaged bone and/or cartilage, stimulating regeneration of an epidermal appendage, enhancing phagocytosis of bacteria by phagocytes within a wound, treating a wound in a patient suffering from delayed wound healing, treating a corneal wound, and treating or preventing a surgical adhesion.
US09254306B2 Eye drops
An eye drop containing (i) a peptide having an amino acid sequence which is represented by Ser-Ser-Ser-Arg (“SSSR”), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and (ii) a peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2 (“FGLM”), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The concentration ratio of the SSSR or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the FGLM or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is 1/15 and 1/50. The concentration of the SSSR or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is 0.001% to 0.3% (w/v), and the concentration of the FGLM or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is 0.015% to 1.5% (w/v). The pH of the eye drop is 2.5 to 6.5. The eye drop serves to minimize the occurrence of side effects and serves to improve its storage stability.
US09254304B2 Supplement composition and methods of use
The present invention relates to a dietary supplement composition made of: linolenic expeller pressed soybean oil in the range of 65%-85%, Omega 3 (18/12) fish oil 15%-35%, 1%-20% alpha-tocopherol, and 7.5%-15% acai berry powder and a method to use this composition to supplement the diet of a domestic animal, such as a canine or an equine.
US09254290B2 Method for screening diabetes treating agent
The present invention provides a method for screening a diabetes treating agent comprising the following steps: (a) preparing cells inside a culture medium; (b) treating the culture medium with a test substance; (c) treating the result of step (b) with a glucose derivative which is not metabolized; and (d) measuring the glucose derivative which has flowed into the cells, wherein the test substance is determined to be a diabetes treating agent if the test substance accelerates uptake of the glucose derivative in the cells. Therefore, the described pharmaceutical composition, including a triazin-based compound as an active ingredient, can be useful for application in preventing or treating diabetes.
US09254287B2 Therapeutic formulation and methods of treatment
The present disclosure relates pharmaceutical formulations comprising hydralazine in the treatment of eye diseases and conditions with the formulations. The present disclosure also related to methods of preparing the pharmaceutical formulations.
US09254277B2 Pet food compositions and methods for treating arthritis and inflammation associated with arthritis
The present invention provides food compositions that are effective in treating arthritis or inflammation associated with arthritis in a companion animal, preferably a canine or feline.
US09254274B2 Method of treating Tourette'S disorder with GABA-aminotransferase inactivators
The present invention is a method of treating Tourette's Disorder (TD) using GABA ergic drugs that elevate the amount of stored presynaptic GABA and do not significantly increase GABA tone (a continuous background level of GABA signaling) in the brain. The administration of vigabatrin and/or (1S,3S)-3-amino-4-difluoromethylenyl-1-cyclopentanoic acid hydrochloride salt is expressly contemplated.
US09254270B2 Enteric soft capsules
A gel mass is provided that is useful in manufacturing enteric soft or hard capsules, or enteric tablets without coating.
US09254263B2 Thermogelling anaesthetic compositions
The present invention relates to a thermogelling pharmaceutical composition comprising local anaesthetics in base form and which is suitable for topical administration. The compositions further comprise a polyoxyethylene castor oil and one or more surfactants to obtain thermogelling characteristics.
US09254260B2 Methods of enhancing wound healing using magnesium and bromide
The present invention relates to ionic compositions for enhancing wound healing, particularly in the sinonasal cavity. The ionic components of the composition can include potassium, calcium, rubidium, zinc, bromide, and magnesium in an isotonic solution. In other embodiments, the ionic components of the composition can include magnesium, bromide, sulfate, sodium, and chloride. Methods of enhancing wound healing, enhancing sinonasal mucosal healing, promoting mucosal reciliation, and debriding tissue by administering the compositions of the present invention are also presented.
US09254254B2 Sunscreen compositions containing an ultraviolet radiation-absorbing polymer
Compositions including a discontinuous oil phase homogeneously dispersed in a continuous water phase, the oil phase including a sunscreen agent that includes a linear, ultraviolet radiation absorbing polyether that comprises a chemically bound UV-chromophore; and an oil-in water emulsifier component including an anionic oil-in-water emulsifier and a nonionic oil-in-water emulsifier having an alcohol functional group, wherein the weight ratio of the anionic oil-in-water emulsifier to the nonionic oil-in-water emulsifier is about 12 or less and wherein the linear, ultraviolet radiation absorbing polyether is present in an amount effective to provide the composition with an SPF of about 10 or greater.
US09254252B2 Compounds
The present invention relates to topical compositions comprising resveratrol in a liquid crystal gel network formed by a phosphate ester surfactant and a co-emulsifier. The present invention also relates to the process to make such compositions.
US09254247B2 Mascara system with thickening benefits
A mascara system comprising, in combination: (a) a mascara applicator comprising a substantially longitudinal stem having a major axis A and a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom, wherein at least two adjacent protrusions are spaced from one another at a distance R at the base of the stem; (b) a mascara composition comprising primary particles that are at least about 5 microns in equivalent diameter; and (c) a dermatologically acceptable carrier. The mascara applicator is a molded applicator, the distance R is from about 0.75 mm to about 3.0 mm, and at least one of the primary particles is a wax primary particle composed primarily of one or more waxes.
US09254245B2 Optically guided medical tube and control unit assembly and methods of use
An optical medical tube and control unit assembly and methods of using the same are provided. The optical medical tube may include a steering mechanism and an imaging device which provides the user a visual aid when placing a tube in the body of a patient. The optical medical tube may be coupled to a coupling adaptor to enable quick and easy connecting of the imaging device and steering mechanism of the tube with a control unit such that a single control unit may be used to place multiple feeding tubes or confirm that a feeding tube remains in its proper position without the need for lengthy sterilization procedures between uses.
US09254234B2 Robotic strong arm
A robotic strong arm (RSA) for assisting in the transfer of a person from a first surface to a second surface, comprising: first and second members, wherein in each member comprises a prismatic joint having first and second ends and comprising inner and outer shells and a motor for powered linear movement of the outer shell with respect to the inner shell; a first powered joint interconnecting the second end of the first member with the first end of the second member, wherein the first powered joint provides movement of the second member with respect to the first member; wherein the first end of the first member is attached to a rotatable base and wherein the rotatable base is movably attached for powered movement along a component associated with, and extending around at least a portion of a periphery about, the first surface; and a computer controller for controlling movements of the outer shells, first powered joint, rotation of the rotatable base and movement of the rotatable base and RSA along the component.
US09254217B2 Device for restraint of patients on a table
The present invention is a device for the restraint of patients on a treatment table. More specifically, the invention is designed to provide lateral side pressure on a patient in the abdomen, thorax, and hip areas during a radiation treatment. The main components of the device are paddle(s) and at least one crossbar assembly. The paddles are coupled to a crossbar assembly, which is positioned on a treatment table under the body cushion in which the patient is positioned. The paddles can be moved laterally along the crossbar such that they put lateral pressure on the cushion and the patient.
US09254216B2 Method and apparatus for limiting range of motion of the body of the user
An apparatus and method are disclosed for limiting the range of motion of a first portion of the body of a user relative to a second portion of the user's body. A body attachable device is secured to the first and second portion of the user's body. At least one elongated member extends between the first and second portions of the user's body for moving longitudinally as the user's body moves. A range of motion limiter restrains further longitudinal movement of the elongated member at the desired terminal end of the range of motion by receiving an adjustable stop secured to the elongated member. A stop adjustment enables the stop to be moved positionally to an adjusted position, whereby the terminal end of a range of motion can be adjusted by the user.
US09254214B2 Satiation devices and methods
A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis self-expandable from a collapsed position in which the prosthesis has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the prosthesis has a second, larger, diameter. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed in the collapsed position and inserted into a stomach of a patient. The prosthesis is allowed to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the stomach, where it induces feelings of satiety and/or inhibits modulation of satiety-controlling factors such as Ghrelin.
US09254212B2 Segmented scaffolds and delivery thereof for peripheral applications
Segmented scaffolds composed of disconnected scaffold segments are delivered to an implant site on a delivery balloon. The segments are crimped to the balloon and separated from each other by gaps. When the balloon is inflated the gaps between the disconnected scaffold segments stays constant Pillowed or banded balloons are used to deliver the segments.
US09254208B2 Oblique stent
A stent having a main body with a proximal end and a distal end section having proximal and distal openings used for treatment of lesions in blood vessels and hollow organs, particularly at the ostium of side branches. The stent adapts to the anatomical configuration of a vessel branch by having at least one oblique end section in at least its expanded state. Truncated versions of the oblique end section are described as well.
US09254204B2 Stents having barbs protected during delivery
The present embodiments provide a stent comprising a plurality of interconnected strut segments that enable expansion of the stent from a delivery state to a deployed state. A first strut segment and a second strut segment, of the plurality of strut segments, each comprise frontal surfaces facing radially inward in the deployed state and rear surfaces facing radially outward in the deployed state. The frontal surface of the first strut segment is at least partially stacked behind the rear surface of the second strut segment in the delivery state. A first barb coupled to at least a portion of the first strut segment. A sharpened tip of the first barb is aligned at least partially circumferentially behind at least one strut segment in the delivery state such that the sharpened tip is not radially exposed.
US09254203B2 Delivery device
A medical device includes an elongate member and a delivery member. The elongate member has a retention portion and defining a lumen. The retention portion has a first configuration and a second configuration different than the first configuration. The retention portion is biased to the first configuration. The delivery member has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The delivery member is configured to be disposed within the lumen of the elongate member to move the retention portion of the elongate member from the first configuration to the second configuration.
US09254199B2 Multi-walled placeholder
A placeholder for vertebrae or vertebral discs includes a tubular body, which along its jacket surface has a plurality of breakthroughs or openings for over-growth with adjacent tissue. The placeholder includes at least a second tubular body provided with a plurality of breakthroughs and openings at least partially inside the first tubular body. The first and second tubular bodies can have different cross-sectional shapes, can be are arranged inside one another by press fit or force fit or can be connected to each other via connecting pins and arranged side by side to one another in the first body.
US09254186B2 Anchor for bone and soft tissue
The invention is directed to an anchor for fixing a tendon or a ligament in a bone comprising: an elongated tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis, said tubular body comprising first and second independent parts slidably contacting each other, the first and second independent parts each having an outer circumferential surface along a length thereof parallel to the longitudinal axis, and each having an elongated partial inner bore, such that the tubular body is capable of mounting a tendon or ligament within the partial inner bore.
US09254181B2 Automatic surgical lighting device and its lighting method
The present invention provides an automatic surgical lighting device and its lighting method. The surgical lighting device is located to face a target area and includes a supporting element that is connected to at least a moving element that is above the target area. A lighting capture module set on the moving element is used to illuminate the target area and capture the image of the target area in order to send feedback signal. Both the lighting capture module and moving element are electronically connected to at least one control unit. The control unit, base on the feedback signal received, moves the lighting capture module via the moving element till the whole image of the target area is obtained. By this method, the surgery quality is improved, the surgery time is shortened and the risk of cross infection and the consequent litigation is lowered.
US09254180B2 Surgical instrument with staple reinforcement clip
An apparatus comprises a surgical instrument having a cutter and a stapler. The cutter is operable to sever a portion of tissue. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of staples where the stapler is operable to introduce the plurality of staples into tissue to form a staple line. The apparatus further comprises a reinforcement clip. The reinforcement clip is operable to be in selective communication with the staple line. The reinforcement clip comprises a crown, a leg portion, and a teeth portion. In some versions, the leg portion has a width operable to cover the area defined by the staple line. In some versions, the teeth portion is configured to anchor into tissue.
US09254176B2 Pouch for medical instruments and devices
A pouch is formed from one or more webs of material that provide at least one absorbent surface. The pouch further includes an integral flap, which may be folded over the opening, or entrance, of the pouch so as to maintain the contents of the pouch in place and to help retain moisture within the pouch. The interior of the pouch is defined, at least partially, by its absorbent faces.
US09254174B2 Method for lightening or eradicating pigments in human skin
For lightening or eradicating pigments in human skin, a first conditioning laser optical energy having first optical parameters selected to obtain an ablative effect on the epidermal layer of human skin is provided. A target area of the human skin is conditioned by directing the first conditioning laser optical energy onto the target area and forming in an epidermal layer of the target area discrete pressure and gas release ducts across the target area. A second treatment laser optical energy is provided that has second optical parameters selected to obtain a lightening or eradicating effect on the pigments located within the human skin and to substantially avoid damaging the epidermal layer of the human skin. The second treatment laser optical energy is directed onto the target area subsequent to conditioning, and the pigments within the human skin are lightenmed or eradicated by the second treatment laser optical energy.
US09254170B2 Electrosurgical device with disposable shaft having modular subassembly
An apparatus comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The end effector is operable to manipulate tissue, the shaft assembly is in communication with the end effector and a portion of the shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector. The interface assembly is in communication with the shaft assembly. The interface assembly comprises a housing portion, a shaft cartridge, and a base portion. The housing portion can engage the shaft cartridge. The shaft cartridge is able to rotate and articulate the end effector, and the shaft assembly extends from the shaft cartridge. The base portion and the housing portion are able to enclose the shaft cartridge.
US09254169B2 Electrical ablation devices and methods
An ablation apparatus may generally comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a non-conductive tip at the distal end, a conductive sheath at least partially surrounding a portion of the elongated body intermediate the proximal end and the tip, and an electrical conductor electrically connected to the conductive sheath. The ablation apparatus may comprise a first electrode having a first diameter and a plurality of second electrodes each having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. Methods of using the ablation apparatus are also described.
US09254162B2 Dermal and transdermal cryogenic microprobe systems
Medical devices, systems, and methods optionally treat dermatological and/or cosmetic defects, and/or a wide range of additional target tissues. Embodiments apply cooling with at least one small, tissue-penetrating probe, the probe often comprising a needle having a size suitable for inserting through an exposed surface of the skin of a patient without leaving a visible scar. Treatment may be applied along most or all of the insertable length of an elongate needle, optionally by introducing cryogenic cooling fluid into the needle lumen through a small, tightly-toleranced lumen of a fused silica fluid supply tube, with the supply tube lumen often metering the cooling fluid. Treatment temperature and/or time control may be enhanced using a simple pressure relief valve coupled to the needle lumen via a limited total exhaust volume space.
US09254159B2 Medical instruments for diaplasis
A medical instrument includes a shaft and a movable element. The shaft has a first end having an engaging member. A second end of the shaft has a stopping member. The movable element is configured to move along the shaft. The medical instrument can be used to reduce a fracture. In use, this may include engaging a fractured bone segment with the engaging member and moving the movable element along the shaft towards the stopping member to create a force on the stopping member when the movable element comes in contact with the stopping member.
US09254154B2 Anterior lesser tuberosity fixed angle fixation device and method of use associated therewith
A fixation device serves in facilitating reduction and repair of a fractured humerus. The fixation device includes a bone plate adapted to overlie and contact portions of a proximal humerus and a humeral shaft. The bone plate includes at least a body portion overlying the humeral shaft, and an end portion overlying a portion of the proximal humerus. The end portion can facilitate attachment of the bone plate to the lesser tuberosity of the proximal humerus.
US09254138B2 Tissue disruption device and corresponding methods
A tissue disruption device (10) for deployment via a rigid conduit (100) includes a rotary tissue disruptor (12) insertable along the conduit with its axis of rotation (14) parallel to the direction of conduit elongation (16). An angular displacement mechanism allows selective displacement of the rotary tissue disruptor (12) such that the axis of rotation (14) sweeps through a range of angular motion. A rotary drive is linked to the rotary tissue disruptor so as to drive the rotary tissue disruptor in rotary motion while the rotary tissue disruptor is at a range of angular positions within the range of angular motion.
US09254134B2 Device for implanting electrically isolated occlusion helixes
The invention relates to a device for the implantation of occlusion helixes (3) that can be separated by electrolysis in blood vessels and body cavities, especially aneurysms (12), said device comprising an insertion aid (4), at least one occlusion helix (3) that is distally arranged in relation to the insertion aid (4) and at least one electrolytically corrodible severance element (2), with at least one stabilization helix (5) being arranged between severance element (2) and occlusion helix (3) and said stabilization helix (5) being connected with the occlusion helix (3) by an electrically isolating adhesion layer (7) such that the occlusion helix (3) becomes isolated from the voltage when an electrical voltage is applied to the severance element (2). In this way, the current density in severance element (2) is further increased so that, on the one hand, shorter severance times are achieved and, on the other, the connection between the occlusion helix (3) and one of the stabilization helixes (5) used to stabilize the implant is significantly simplified compared to the known laser welding method according to prior art.
US09254126B2 Non-rigid surgical retractor
The present invention provides a non-rigid retractor for providing access to a surgical site, such as a patient's spine, during a surgical process. When used in spinal surgery, the non-rigid retractor allows a surgeon to operate on one or more spinal levels. The non-rigid retractor includes at least one flexible strap anchored at a first end to the spine or other internal body part at the surgical site. The body of the at least one flexible strap extends from a skin incision and is anchored at a second location external to the body to retract skin and muscle from the surgical site, allowing adequate visualization of the surgical site and providing access for implants and surgical instruments to pass through the retractor and into the surgical site.
US09254120B2 Method for predicting breast cancer patient response to combination therapy
A mass-spectral method is disclosed for determining whether breast cancer patient is likely to benefit from a combination treatment in the form of administration of a targeted anti-cancer drug in addition to an endocrine therapy drug. The method obtains a mass spectrum from a blood-based sample from the patient. The spectrum is subject to one or more predefined pre-processing steps. Values of selected features in the spectrum at one or more predefined m/z ranges are obtained. The values are used in a classification algorithm using a training set comprising class-labeled spectra and a class label for the sample is obtained. If the class label is “Poor”, the patient is identified as being likely to benefit from the combination treatment. In a variation, the “Poor” class label predicts whether the patient is unlikely to benefit from endocrine therapy drugs alone, regardless of the patient's HER2 status.
US09254118B2 Floating transducer drive, system employing the same and method of operating
A floating transducer drive configured to isolate relatively low voltage system electronics from a relatively high voltage transmit circuit in an ultrasound imaging system. A receive circuit is electrically connected to an isolated local ground. An isolation circuit is electrically connected between the receive circuit and a relatively low-voltage processing circuit. The isolation circuit is configured such that during a transmit event during which the relatively high voltage transmit circuit sends a relatively high voltage signal to a transducer, the isolated local ground is electrically connected to the transmit circuit, but when the transmit event is not occurring, the isolated local ground is electrically connected to a system ground.
US09254115B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for cardiac wall movement measurements by re-tracking the cardiac wall
In the case where a tracking process of a moving tissue performing a contraction movement and an expansion movement and represented by a cardiac wall is performed for one heartbeat from the ED1 to the ED2, a contour position (tracking point) initially set at the ES (End-Systole) is tracked until ED1 in accordance with movement information, the tracking point is rearranged and a position of a middle layer is set at the ED (End-Diastole), the rearranged tracking point including the position of the middle layer is tracked in accordance with the movement information already obtained, and then the tracking point is further tracked in the normal direction until the ED2. Alternatively, an initial reverse tracking process is performed from the ES to the ED1 by using plural middle layer path candidates, and a path passing through the tracking point existing on the middle layer or contours of inner and outer layers and rearranged at the ED1 is searched, thereby accurately creating and evaluating movement information of each of an endocardium and an epicardium of a cardiac wall.
US09254110B2 Automatically obtaining optimized output data
A method and a system are disclosed for obtaining image data from inside an examination object from images of a computed tomograph. In an embodiment, the method includes accepting first measurement data of the examination object, acquired based on x-ray radiation of a first energy, and second measurement data of the examination object, acquired based on x-ray radiation of a second energy differing from the first energy; setting an optimized output of target image points on the basis of the first and second measurement data at the respective target image points, each as a function of local optimization parameter values of the target image points determined locally from the first and second measurement data in the area of the target image points, while deriving image point reproduction parameter values representing the optimized output; and determining the output data based on optimized output of the target image points.
US09254100B2 Logging daily average metabolic activity using a motion sensor
An implantable activity detector can detect metabolic stress levels, which can be normalized, such as to identify times of activities such as walking and running or to identify trends such as a decrease in metabolic activity. The data can be derived from different sources such as an accelerometer and pedometer. This data can be compared to independently specifiable thresholds, such as to trigger an alert or responsive therapy, or to display one or more trends. The information can also be combined with other congestive heart failure (CHF) indications. The alert can notify the patient or a caregiver, such as via remote monitoring. Metabolic activity data from one or more of the activity detectors can be used to establish a model of metabolic stress, to which further activity data can be compared for identifying periods of increased or decreased metabolic stress.
US09254093B2 Methods and systems for minimizing and treating cardiac fibrillation
Methods and systems for using feedback to minimize and treat cardiac fibrillation in a patient, includes generating a map of one or more measurements indicative of a number and distribution of electrical circuit cores for a duration across a cardiac tissue substrate in the patient's heart in response to electrical activity, defining an optimal placement of at least one ablation lesion in the cardiac tissue substrate; applying ablation lesion therapy based on the optimal placement; determining whether the ablation lesion therapy minimized or treated cardiac fibrillation; if therapy is determined to have minimized or treated cardiac fibrillation, assessing fibrillogenicity of the cardiac tissue substrate to determine whether fibrillogenicity is below a predetermined threshold; and if therapy is determined to have not minimized or treated cardiac fibrillation, repeating the steps of generating, defining, applying, and determining until ablation lesion therapy minimizes or treats cardiac fibrillation.
US09254087B2 Tissue clamp for noninvasive physiological measurement
A device includes a clamp and a sensor. The sensor can be permanently attached to the clamp and tissue by the force exerted by the clamp. The clamp includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member has a jaw face and the second jaw member has a complementary face. The second jaw member is held in alignment with the first jaw member by a joint. The joint has an elastic member configured to exert a compressive force between the jaw face and the complementary face. The joint is configured to allow movement of the jaw face relative to the complementary face in directions corresponding to pitch, roll, yaw, and heave. The compressive force is distributed over a surface of the jaw face. The sensor is coupled to the jaw face or held in place by the compressive force of the jaw face. The sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal corresponding to a physiological parameter of tissue proximate the jaw face.
US09254086B2 Wireless diagnostic sensor link
A wireless diagnostic sensor link for providing wireless communication between a signal source and a monitoring device. The wireless diagnostic sensor link includes a signal input device operable for receiving a signal from the signal source in a first communication protocol in the form of an analog signal, converting the analog signal to a digital signal, and transmitting the digital signal in the form of a wireless communication protocol. The wireless diagnostic sensor link also includes a signal output device, which receives the digital signal. The signal output device is in electrical communication with the monitoring device, and is also operable for communicating with the signal input device. The signal output device converts the digital signal back to an analog signal, and sends the signal to the monitoring device in the form of a second communications protocol.
US09254085B2 System and method for monitoring change of intraocular pressure and contact lens for sensing change of intraocular pressure
A system and a method for monitoring change of intraocular pressure and a contact lens for sensing change of intraocular pressure are provided. The contact lens includes a first material layer and a first pattern. The center of the first material layer has an optical region, and the optical region corresponds to a cornea region of an eyeball. The first pattern is formed on the optical region. Furthermore, the contact lens may further include a second material layer and a second pattern. The second material layer is located on the first material layer. The second pattern is formed on the second material layer and overlaps with the first pattern to form a moire pattern.
US09254077B2 Endoscopic apparatus having an outer rail
An endoscope apparatus for endoscopic treatment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an endoscopic insertion tube comprising an outer surface including an outer rail formed longitudinally thereon and extending along a portion of the insertion tube. The outer rail has a predetermined shape. The insertion tube comprises an inner channel formed therethrough. An endoscope apparatus for endoscopic treatment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an endoscopic insertion tube without a working channel and an outer surface including at least one outer rail formed longitudinally thereon and extending along a portion of the insertion tube. The outer rail has a first predetermined shape. At least one medical device includes an outer wall having at least one mounting unit formed thereon along a portion of the length of the outer wall. The mounting unit has a second predetermined shape cooperable with the first predetermined shape. The second predetermined shape is formed to complement and slidably cooperate with the first predetermined shape of the outer rail for slidably attaching the medical device thereto.
US09254073B2 Container with trapezoid-shaped longitudinal side and related methods
A container may include a body portion having opposing open and closed ends, and a trapezoid-shaped longitudinal side extending laterally between the open and closed ends. The open end may include a latch portion extending laterally and being opposite to the trapezoid-shaped longitudinal side. The container may also include a handle coupled to the open end, and switchingly coupled to the latch portion.
US09254064B2 Apparatus for processing a food stuff
The present application relates to an apparatus for processing a food stuff. The apparatus has a housing (2) and a cutting tool (5) for cutting a food stuff which is rotatably mounted in the housing. The cutting tool (5) rotates in the housing (2) about a rotational axis and has a radially extending cutting element (44). One end of the cutting tool (5) slides in a circumferentially extending slot in the housing as the cutting tool (5) is rotated in the housing (2). Therefore, the cutting tool (5) is supported in an axial direction by the housing (2). The present application also relates to a food processor.
US09254059B2 Device for heating water and producing steam
A device includes a first water heater, having a first water duct and a first heating member, and a second water heater, having a second water duct. The first water heater and the second water heater are in thermal connection with each other.
US09254045B2 Transformable furniture unit
This invention relates to a transformable furniture unit, and in particular to a changing table with shelving that transforms into two sitting benches, and into a bed. The infant's changing table with shelving comprises four posts that support two tiers of shelving, with the capacity to support additional tiers in another aspect of the invention. The tiers of shelving are supported by wooden beams that connect perpendicularly to the four posts. The changing table with shelving transforms into two sitting benches when one tier of shelving is detached from the other. The furniture can be transformed into a bed when the sitting bench with the high back support is used as a headboard, the second sitting bench with no back support is used as the foot of the bed, and a supplementary support panel is attached in between, holding together the headboard and the foot of the bed.
US09254035B2 Control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace
A cable assembly for use in an opening formed in a table top, the cable assembly comprising a substantially horizontal deck member, the deck member forming a plurality of cable passing openings, each cable passing opening dimensioned to freely pass the intermediate portion of a cable, a separate cable passing through each of the cable passing openings, each cable having a distal end located at a height below the deck member and a proximal end located at a height above the deck member, the proximal end for linking to a video source device.
US09254026B2 Drawing apparatus and drawing method thereof
A drawing apparatus, including: a drawing unit which performs drawing of a design by applying inks of plural types to a drawing target area of a drawing target; and a control unit which controls the drawing unit on basis of image data of the design; wherein the control unit sets a plurality of unit areas each of which has a contact part contacting with each other in the drawing target area on basis of the image data, and the control unit controls the drawing unit to perform drawing on a specific unit area of the plurality of the unit areas when the control unit determines that every unit area contacting with the specific unit area is at least a dried unit area for which drying of the applied ink is finished or an un-drawn unit area to which the ink is not applied.
US09254021B2 Combination cane and grabber device and a method for its use
The present cane and grabber device can be a cane component and a grabber component. The grabber component can be housed within the cane component or can be unsheathed from the cane component and utilized to grab one or more objects. In an embodiment, the cane component can provide support to a user both while housing the grabber component and while the grabber component has been unsheathed. In an alternative embodiment, one or more grabber components can be housed by a walker or other similar support providing device.
US09254014B2 Boot with stretchable opening
In the preferred embodiment, a partial length slit is introduced in the inwardly facing wall of a boot in both the exterior and corresponding interior portions of the boot. Included in the midst of the slit, between the exterior and corresponding interior portions, is a piece of elastomeric fabric which preferably is stitched in.
US09254013B2 Headwear and blanket system and method
Headwear and blanket system and method, comprising a blanket having a first end comprising a lip having a snap or other securing means for removably securing the headwear to the blanket; wherein the headwear includes a snap or other means for removably securing itself to the blanket, preferably at the lip area of the first end of the blanket. The headwear may be detachably attached to the blanket using other means like hook and loop fasteners or button and button hole. The blanket and the headwear may comprise coordinating: themes, e.g., sports, colleges, schools, characters, animals as well as colors, style, and the like. The headwear may be secured in such a fashion as to surround the lip of the blanket of the first end of the blanket. The blanket may be partially or completely rolled up and stored inside the headwear for transportation and retail display purposes.
US09254008B2 Drug delivery system and method
A drug delivery system can include a cylindrical structure extending in a longitudinal direction and formed from a substrate of an electrically conductive material. The cylindrical structure can include multiple electrodes extending laterally on the substrate at respective longitudinal locations. The electrodes each have an electrical resistance small enough to conduct current laterally along the substrate without heating the cylindrical structure. The cylindrical structure can include at least one substrate portion extending longitudinally between a respective pair of electrodes. Each substrate portion can have an electrical resistance high enough to conduct current longitudinally between the electrodes and resistively heat the respective substrate portion in response to the current conducted therethrough. A dose of a drug can be disposed on each substrate portion and configured to volatilize into a gas in response to the resistive heating of the respective substrate portion.
US09254005B2 Electronic cigarette case
An electronic cigarette case is provided, and comprises a bracket configured to accommodate an electronic cigarette; the electronic cigarette case further comprises an elastic soft block mounted on the bracket and configured for holding the electronic cigarette. By implementing the electronic cigarette case in the present invention, the following advantages can be achieved. The electronic cigarette case adopts the elastic soft block to hold electronic cigarettes, so that the electronic cigarettes can be accommodated in the electronic cigarette case firmly and prevented from loosening. Furthermore, since the structure of the elastic soft blocks is made of soft rubber or foam, which has good elasticity and low hardness, the electronic cigarettes can be avoided from being scratched effectively.
US09253999B2 UHT system and method for heat treating temperature-sensitive food products
The invention relates to a UHT system for heat treating temperature-sensitive food products, in particular desserts or dessert-like products, comprising a pre-heating zone and a subsequent high-heating zone. The aim of the invention is to achieve accurate and fast temperature adjustment of the food product leaving the pre-heating zone to the temperature conditions at the inlet of the high-heating zone in a UHT system of the generic type, and at the same time, with an equal dwell time for all partial amounts of the food product, to ensure that the food product is treated in a particularly thermally gentle manner and to keep the mechanical loading of the food product as low as possible.
US09253996B2 Sustainable conversion of citrus peel waste
A sustainable method and system for producing bio-fuels from citrus peels and the recovery of limonene and pectin prior to fermentation of the peel solids. In one embodiment a sustainable method and system for the concurrent recovery of limonene and pectin from citrus peels is disclosed. The peels are optionally zested, mixed with water and an acid, and then exploded in a jet cooker or a pressurized extruder. The exploded peels are transferred to a flash vessel where the remaining limonene and water vapor are separated into water and limonene. The pectin fraction is removed from the flash tank and extracted by centrifuge, precipitation and/or filtration. The remaining peel solids are fermented in an anaerobic digester which produces methane, ethanol, acids, CO2 or other end products which can be used as fuel for power generation equipment sufficient to supply the processing system for sustainable operations as described herein.
US09253995B2 Juicer with soymilk grinding function
The present provides a soymilk machine/juicer with grinding function, comprising a pair of concentric rotator (13) and stator (14) that are vertically arranged in a house. There are at least two thread convex ribs (16) on said rotator (14), and the thread convex ribs (16) are evenly distributed on the outer surface of a rotator body (15). Rotary clearance is defined between the thread convex ribs (16) of the rotator (13) and the inner wall of the stator (14). The middle upper part of said rotator body (15) is a revolved portion with small upside and large downside. The clearance of the upside of the rotator body (15) corresponding to an upper filter net (17) on the stator (14) is largest, which is the smashing section for dealing with stuff after stuff is fed. The clearance of the middle part of the rotator body (15) corresponding to the middle upper part of an abrasive disc of the stator (14) is medium-size, which is for smashing stuff further. The clearance of the middle lower part of the rotator body (15) corresponding to the lower part of the abrasive disc of the stator (14) is gradually shortened to less than 1 mm, which is the grinding section for stuff. The part of the rotator (13) under the grinding section corresponding to a lower filter net (18) on the stator (14) is the separating section for the soymilk from residue. The rotator of said soymilk machine/juicer can rotate stably and have less noise, and stuff can be grinded to be finer.
US09253993B2 Frozen confectionery products
The present invention relates to a method for producing frozen confectionery products comprising a coagulated protein system which contributes to the improvement of textural and sensorial attributes of the confections, in particular of products based on lower fat formulations. Such a protein system is used according to the invention in frozen confection prepared by conventional freezing alone or combined with low temperature freezing wherein it improves the microstructure and stability on frozen products.
US09253980B2 Use of substituted dithiine-tetracarboximides for combating phytopathogenic fungi
The present invention relates to the use of dithiine-tetracarboximide compounds of formula I as defined in the description, and the N-oxides, and salts thereof for combating harmful fungi and seed coated with at least one such compound. The invention also relates to novel dithiine-tetracarboximides, processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds and also to compositions comprising at least one such compound.
US09253971B2 Nestable disposable container for pest electrocution
A method and apparatus for electrocution and disposal of pests, the apparatus including a reusable power source and a low cost disposable container. The reusable power source includes batteries and a circuit to provide a high voltage and low current signal to the disposable container, to electrocute small pests without presenting a risk to humans or pets. The disposable container is constructed from low cost material, for example, cardboard or plastic, and in one embodiment may be nested for efficient retail packaging. The nesting may be accomplished using tapered disposable containers or a series of decreasing size containers. A container floor includes conducting surfaces formed or glued on the floor. Internal leads and connector surfaces are similarly formed on sides and a rear of the container. The connector surfaces are configured to connect to the power source.
US09253969B2 Dual-bearing reel spool braking device and dual-bearing reel
A dual-bearing reel spool braking device is configured to brake a spool that is rotatably mounted on a reel body by centrifugal force. The dual-bearing reel spool includes at least one brake shoe, a rotating member and a brake drum. The brake shoe is arranged to apply a braking force to the spool. The rotating member is configured to rotate in conjunction with the spool. The rotating member includes a pivot shaft portion and a fixing portion. The pivot shaft portion pivotally supports the brake shoe and that movably supports the brake shoe in an axial direction of the pivot shaft portion. The fixing portion engages the brake shoe and non-pivotally fixes the brake shoe. The brake drum is arranged to selectively contact the brake shoe.
US09253962B2 Pocket bed pad with padded inserts for customized plushness
A pet pocket bed/pad comprising of a hollow flexible shell, top wall, bottom wall, surrounding walls which interconnect the top and bottom wall, fill material is disposed inside, to create a pet bed/pad. Additional compartment is added underneath comprising of three side walls, bottom wall, interconnecting the bottom wall of the upper pet bed, to create a pocket compartment, which is equal or greater, with an opening on one end or side, to allow a solid planar flat surface to be inserted inside, working in combination with the bed/pad, secured with closure to keep the flat surface inside the pocket, which prevents bunching up. Padded inserts comprising of a top and bottom wall, surrounding walls interconnected, will create a pillow of similar size and perimeter, to be inserted inside the interior underneath pocket of the bed/pad, to customize the plushness for additional comfort.
US09253958B2 Lettuce variety stefano RZ (79-93 RZ)
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 79-93 RZ, which exhibits resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1-28, Ca-I to Ca-VIII, and strain BE240, resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri), and intensely red deeply incised leaves having a shallowly dentate margin. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 79-93 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 79-93 RZ.
US09253952B2 Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation and expression of rol genes in Kalanchoë
The present disclosure embraces Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants, and considers rol transformation in Kalanchoë species and hybrids. Disclosed herein are methodology and the like for producing rol-transformed Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants, as well as resultant rol-transformed Kalanchoë interspecific hybrid plants with novel phenotypes.
US09253951B2 Emitter tubing clip
An embodiment provides a device for assisting fluid distribution that includes a ring having an inner surface disposed over an emitter tube and an engagement portion to secure the ring to the emitter tube. Another embodiment provides a flow-control system that includes an emitter tube having spaced orifices therein, emitters positioned within the emitter tube adjacent the spaced orifices, and spaced clips positioned on the emitter tube, the clips having an inner surface disposed over the emitter tube and an engagement portion to secure the ring to the emitter tube. Another embodiment provides a method for assisting fluid distribution that includes the following steps: selecting an emitter tube; installing emitters within the emitter tube; and mounting, to the emitter tube, rings, each having an inner surface disposed over the emitter tube and an engagement portion to secure each ring to the emitter tube.
US09253942B2 Trimmer head with automatic trimmer line feed mechanism
An automatic-feed trimmer head for a vegetation trimming machine. A spool is positioned within the interior of a housing. A cam guide formation is disposed atop the top flange of the spool. The cam guide formation defines a pathway. A cam arm is provided that is mounted to the housing with a pivot connection. The cam arm has a cam projection that extends into the pathway. A spring is provided that biases the cam arm into a first orientation. In the first orientation, the shape of the pathway enables the cam projection to move only in a first direction. The cam arm moves about the pivot connection from its first orientation to a second orientation when the trimmer head assembly is rotated above a predetermined rotational speed. When the cam arm is in its second orientation trimmer line is unwound from the spool.