Document Document Title
US09348823B2 Methods and system for distributing information via multiple forms of delivery services
Systems and methods of managing content and content requests are described. A data store of profiles of potential content contributors is provided. A request from a first source for content comprising content criteria is received, the content criteria comprising content contributor characteristics and content subject matter. Based on the content contributor characteristics and the profiles, at least a first potential content contributor is identified. At least a portion of the content request content criteria is transmitted to the first potential content contributor. If recorded content is received from the first content contributor, the first source is provided with access to the received recorded content. At least partly in response to acceptance by the first source of the received recorded content, the first source is enabled to publish the accepted received recorded content.
US09348820B1 System and method for taking action with respect to an electronic media work and logging event information related thereto
A method comprising receiving, at a computer system from a user electronic device, a media work captured by the user electronic device; extracting, using the computer system, one or more features of the captured media work; recognizing, at the computer system, at least a portion of the subject matter of the media work captured by the user electronic device based on the extracted one or more features; obtaining, at the user electronic device, instructions for an action to be performed associated with the recognized media work; and performing, at the user electronic device, the associated action.
US09348816B2 Dialog coherence using semantic features
The present invention provides a method for identifying a turn, such as a sentence or phrase, for addition to a platform dialog comprising a plurality of turns. Lexical features of each of a set of candidate turns relative to one or more turns in the platform dialog are determined. Semantic features associated with each candidate turn and associated with the platform dialog are determined to identify one or more topics associated with each candidate turn and with the platform dialog. Lexical features of each candidate turn are compared to lexical features of the platform dialog and semantic features associated with each candidate turn are compared to semantic features of the platform dialog to rank the candidate turns based on similarity of lexical features and semantic features of each candidate turn to lexical features and semantic features of the platform dialog.
US09348812B2 Method, system and apparatus for assembling a recording plan and data driven dialogs for automated communications
Method, system and apparatus for assembling a recording plan and data driven dialogs for automated communications are provided. At a computing device comprising a memory, a communication interface and a processor, the memory storing a database of statements comprising one or more of first names, last names, greeting statements, sentiment statements, influence statements, call to action statements, and legal statements: one or more statements from the database are automatically assembled, via the processor, into one or more phrases to be recorded; instructions for applying linguistic rules are associated with the one or more phrases, via the processor, including where to insert pauses in the one or more phrases; and, the recording plan, comprising the one or more phrases in association with the instructions, is stored at the memory.
US09348809B1 Modifying a tokenizer based on pseudo data for natural language processing
Techniques for training a tokenizer (or word segmenter) are provided. In one technique, a tokenizer tokenizes a token string to identify individual tokens or words. A language model is generated based on the identified tokens or words. A vocabulary about an entity, such as a person or company, is identified. The vocabulary may be online data that refers to the entity, such as a news article or a profile page of a member of a social network. Some of the tokens in the vocabulary may be weighted higher than others. The language model accepts the weighted vocabulary as input and generates pseudo sentences. Alternatively, regular expressions are used to generate the pseudo sentences. The pseudo sentences are used to train the tokenizer.
US09348798B2 Parallel implementation of maximum a posteriori probability decoder
A MAP decoder may be implemented in parallel. In one implementation, a device may receive an input array that represents received encoded data and calculate, in parallel, a series of transition matrices from the input array. The device may further calculate, in parallel, products of the cumulative products of the series of transition matrices and an initialization vector. The device may further calculate, in parallel and based on the products of the cumulative products of the series of transition matrices and the initialization vector, an output array that corresponds to a decoded version of the received encoded data in the input array.
US09348794B2 Population of context-based data gravity wells
A method and/or system sorts data into data gravity wells on a data gravity wells membrane. A hashing logic executes instructions to convert raw data into a first logical address and first payload data, wherein the first logical address describes metadata about the first payload data. A hardware XOR unit compares the first logical address to a second logical address to derive a Hamming distance between the first and second logical addresses, wherein the second logical address is for a second payload data. A hardware data vector generator creates a data vector for the second payload data, wherein the data vector comprises the Hamming distance between the first and second logical addresses. A hardware data vector sorter then sorts data vectors into specific hardware data gravity wells on a data gravity wells membrane according to the Hamming distance stored in the data vector.
US09348793B2 Method and system for adjusting performance based on vehicle occupants
A vehicle having a system is provided. The system has at least one operating output. The system includes an occupant module and a vehicle system module. The occupant module receives at least one occupant signal indicative of occupants currently located within the vehicle, and determines a current number and location of occupants in the vehicle based on the occupant signal. The vehicle system module receives as input the current number of occupants located in the vehicle. The vehicle system module is configured for determining whether the current number of occupants located in the vehicle is less than a total number of occupants the vehicle is configured to seat. The vehicles system module is configured for adjusting the at least one operating output of the system if the current number of occupants located in the vehicle is less than the total number of occupants the vehicle is configured to seat.
US09348789B2 Computer system and network interface supporting class of service queues
A data processing system adapted for high-speed network communications, a method for managing a network interface and a network interface for such system, are provided, in which processing of packets received over the network is achieved by embedded logic at the network interface level. Incoming packets on the network interface are parsed and classified as they are stored in a buffer memory. Functional logic coupled to the buffer memory on the network interface is enabled to access any data field within a packet in a single cycle, using pointers and packet classification information produced by the parsing and classifying step. Results of operations on the data fields in the packets are available before the packets are transferred out of the buffer memory. A data processing system, a method for management of a network interface and a network interface are also provided by the present invention that include an embedded firewall at the network interface level of the system, which protects against inside and outside attacks on the security of data processing system. Furthermore, a data processing system, a method for management of a network interface and a network interface are a provided by the present invention that support class of service management for packets incoming from the network, by applying priority rules at the network interface level of the system.
US09348788B2 Real-time asynchronous event aggregation systems
A real-time asynchronous event aggregation system, method, and network device are configured to capture real-time asynchronous events, and to pass them as input to one or more aggregation engines to determine a reputation for a target. The aggregation engine(s) may then send out notifications where a reputation category changes for a target, indicating that an action may be taken to inhibit spam messages from the target, highlight a display of content from the target, or the like. As such, the event-driven aggregation engines may be designed to capture real-time asynchronous events, such as reputation reports for a wide variety of activities, including, but not limited to spam and/or not-spam messages, determining a reputation on a posting of comments to a movie, a blog posting, a play list posting, or the like. In one embodiment, a reputation of the sender of the reputation event may also be determined.
US09348782B2 Electronic device assembly
An electronic device assembly includes a main device, and a plurality of peripheral devices. The main device includes a first connector. Each of the plurality of peripheral devices includes two second connectors. Each first connector and second connector includes various types of interfaces, and the plurality of peripheral devices is coupled to the main device via the various types of interfaces; each peripheral device is coupled to another peripheral device via the second connector, to connect the plurality of peripheral devices one by one in series.
US09348776B2 Receiver and method for data processing
The present invention discloses a receiver and a method for data processing. The receiver includes a system on chip and a memory, where the system on chip is connected to the memory through an external buffer bus; the system on chip includes an LLR subsystem, a controller, a rate matching module, an incremental redundancy IR reconstructing module, and a combiner, where the LLR subsystem is connected to the controller and the rate matching module respectively; the controller is connected to the IR reconstructing module, and the rate matching module and the IR reconstructing module are connected to the combiner respectively; and the controller stores LLR data currently corresponding to a data block demodulated by the LLR subsystem into a memory, and read LLR data historically corresponding to the data block and stored in the memory into the IR reconstructing module when the data block is a retransmitted data block.
US09348768B2 Method for implementing encryption in storage card, and decryption method and device
A method for implemented encryption in a memory card, and a decryption method and device, and the method includes: receiving an input encryption key; requesting a subscriber identity card for authenticating the encryption key; after the authentication is successful, using the encryption key to encrypt plaintext data selected in the memory card the to generate encrypted data; generating encryption status information, wherein the encryption status information describes non-confidential information of the encrypted data. By using the encryption key in the subscriber identity card to encrypt data in the memory card, a user can freely select the data to be encrypted in the memory card, thereby enhancing data security in the memory card, facilitating the user operation, and enhancing the user experience.
US09348767B2 Accessing private data about the state of a data processing machine from storage that is publicly accessible
According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for operating a data processing machine is described in which data about a state of the machine is written to a location in storage. The location is one that is accessible to software that may be written for the machine. The state data as written is encoded. This state data may be recovered from the storage according to a decoding process. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09348764B2 System on chip including memory management unit and memory address translation method thereof
A system on chip (SoC) including a memory management unit (MMU) and a memory address translation method thereof are provided. The SoC includes a master intellectual property (IP) configured to output a request corresponding to each of a plurality of working sets; an MMU module comprising a plurality of MMUs, each of which is allocated for one of the working sets and translates virtual addresses corresponding to the request into physical addresses; a first bus interconnect configured to connect the MMU module with a memory device and to transmit the request, on which address translation has been performed in at least one of the MMUs, to the memory device; and a second bus interconnect configured to connect the master IP with the MMU module and to allocate one of the MMUs for each of the working sets.
US09348754B2 Systems and methods for implementing weak stream software data and instruction prefetching using a hardware data prefetcher
A method for weak stream software data and instruction prefetching using a hardware data prefetcher is disclosed. A method includes, determining if software includes software prefetch instructions, using a hardware data prefetcher, and, accessing the software prefetch instructions if the software includes software prefetch instructions. Using the hardware data prefetcher, weak stream software data and instruction prefetching operations are executed based on the software prefetch instructions, free of training operations.
US09348746B2 Method and system for managing block reclaim operations in a multi-layer memory
A multi-later memory and method for operation is disclosed. The memory includes at least one flash memory die having multiple layers and a controller configured to execute block reclaim operations in a layer of the flash memory die until a net gain of at least one additional free block has been made in the layer. The method may include relocating data from reclaim blocks to relocation blocks within the same layer, or within a same partition in the same layer until a net gain of one free block has been achieved and an integer number of relocation blocks has been filled with relocated data. The method may also include moving data from reclaim blocks in a first layer into destination blocks in a second layer until a net gain of at least one free block has been achieved in the first layer.
US09348744B2 Implementing enhanced reliability of systems utilizing dual port DRAM
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing enhanced reliability of memory subsystems utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. The DRAM configuration includes a first buffer and a second buffer, each buffer including a validity counter. The validity counter for a receiving buffer is incremented as each respective data row from a transferring buffer is validated through Error Correction Code (ECC), Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) logic and transferred to the receiving buffer, while the validity counter for the transferring buffer is decremented. Data are read from or written to either the first buffer or the second buffer based upon a respective count value of the validity counters.
US09348730B2 Firmware ROM patch method
A system in which firmware residing in ROM may be upgraded without re-spinning silicon. A one-bit flag may be assigned for each patchable function representing a firmware upgrade. The first statement of each function may check its associated flag and determine if patch-code should be executed in place of the current function residing in ROM. If the flag is not set, the code may continue executing normally. If the flag is set, a function identifier may be placed into a global memory location, and an assembly language “jump” instruction may be executed, redirecting program control to a specified location in a volatile Scratch Read Only Memory (SROM) where the corresponding patched code may be stored. If more than one function is patched, the global identifier may be used to determine which patched function to execute. Using an assembly language “jump” instruction to redirect control results in the patched function's returning normally to its calling function once it has completed executing.
US09348728B2 Trace capture of successfully completed transactions for trace debugging of failed transactions
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for trace capture of successfully completed transactions for trace debugging of failed transactions. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for trace capture of successfully completed transactions for trace debugging of failed transactions is provided. The method includes storing entries in a log with information pertaining to successfully completed transactions in a transaction processing system executing in memory of a host server, detecting a failed transaction in the transaction processing system, generating a trace for the failed transaction, and providing with the generated trace an entry from the log with information pertaining to a successful completion of the failed transaction.
US09348711B2 Copy control apparatus and copy control method
A copy control apparatus includes a processor. The processor is configured to record, in update location information, an update count for each of sectional areas obtained by sectioning a copy-source area. The update count indicates a number of updates of data in a sectional area. The update count is indicative of more than two values. The processor is configured to perform first copy of copying data in the copy-source area to a copy-destination area based on the update location information. The processor is configured to deter the first copy for data in a sectional area for which an update count indicating more than a predetermined number is recorded in the update location information.
US09348709B2 Managing nodes in a distributed computing environment
Various embodiments of systems and methods for managing a plurality of nodes in a distributed computing environment are described herein. Initially a request to process a to-be-processed request is received. Next one or more nodes from a plurality of nodes, included in a cluster, is identified to process the to-be-processed request. Next the to-be-processed request is divided into a plurality of sub-requests. Next the plurality of sub-requests are assigned to the identified one or more nodes and the generated additional node. A node failure of one of the one or more identified nodes is identified. Finally, one or more of the plurality of sub-requests assigned to the failed node is re-assigned to another node of the plurality of nodes.
US09348706B2 Maintaining a cluster of virtual machines
A method and associated systems for monitoring and maintaining a cluster of virtual machines. The cluster contains one or more pairs of a first virtual machine and a second virtual machine, in which each machine of a pair monitors the other one machine of the pair. When a first virtual machine identifies that its corresponding second virtual machine is not operating properly, the first virtual machine automatically requests that a system-management entity restart the second machine. If a certain number of restart attempts fails to restore the second machine to desired functionality, the first virtual machine automatically requests that the system-management entity recreate or reprovision the second virtual machine from a prior backup. If a certain number of such attempts fail, a system administrator is automatically notified that further action is needed.
US09348705B1 Memory controller system with non-volatile backup storage
The present invention is directed to computer storage systems and methods thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an isolated storage control system that includes both a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The non-volatile memory comprises a data area and a metadata area. In power failure or similar situations, content of the volatile memory is copied to the data area of the non-volatile memory, and various system parameters are stored at the metadata area. When the system restores its operation, the information at the metadata area is processed, and the content stored at the data area of the non-volatile memory is copied to the volatile memory. There are other embodiments as well.
US09348704B2 Electronic storage system utilizing a predetermined flag for subsequent processing of each predetermined portion of data requested to be stored in the storage system
A storage system 100 includes a storage apparatus 125 and a storage controller 115 configured to control the storage apparatus. The storage controller adds a predetermined flag 425 to every predetermined size of data requested by a host computer to be written to the storage system, and stores the resultant data in a cache memory 278C. Upon detecting a predetermined trigger for saving, the storage controller stores, in a nonvolatile memory 284, data with the flag added thereto out of the data stored in the cache memory. The storage controller detects, as unsaved data information 620, a data size and a storage location for data with no flag added thereto out of the data on the cache memory, and stores the detected unsaved data information in the nonvolatile memory in association with the data with the flag added thereto.
US09348694B1 Detecting and managing bad columns
A system, computer readable medium and a method. The system includes a memory controller that comprises a control circuit and an interface. The memory controller is arranged to receive or generate bad columns information indicative of bad columns of the NAND flash memory array; wherein the bad columns information has a column resolution. The memory controller is arranged to receive an input data unit to be written to the NAND flash memory array; wherein the input data unit comprises bad column mapped data bits that are mapped to flash memory cells that belong to bad columns of the NAND flash memory array. The interface is arranged to send the input data unit to the NAND flash memory unit; instruct the NAND flash memory unit to write the input data unit to a first portion of the NAND flash memory array to provide a programmed data unit; send the bad column mapped data bits to the NAND flash memory unit; and instruct the NAND flash memory unit to write the bad column mapped data bits to a second portion of the NAND flash memory array to provide programmed bad column mapped data bits.
US09348691B2 Apparatus for transmitting broadcast signal, apparatus for receiving broadcast signal, and method for transmitting/receiving broadcast signal through apparatus for transmitting/receiving broadcasting signal
In order to achieve the above-described technical object of the present invention, a method of transmitting broadcast data in a transmitter is disclosed. The method may comprise Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding transmission unit data that carries broadcast service data, interleaving the FEC-encoded transmission unit data, demultiplexing the interleaved transmission unit data, symbol-mapping the demultiplexed transmission unit data onto constellations. MIMO-encoding the mapped transmission unit data, time-interleaving the MIMO-encoded transmission unit data. building a frame including the time-interleaved transmission unit data and physical signaling data, modulating the frame by an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) method. Herein the physical signaling data includes information on a MIMO encoding process is applied to an associated transmission unit data.
US09348690B2 Correctable configuration data compression and decompression system
An apparatus has a shared fuse array and a plurality of x86-compatible microprocessors disposed on a die. The shared fuse array has a plurality of semiconductor fuses programmed with compressed configuration data and error checking and correction (ECC) codes accessible by a plurality of x86-compatible microprocessors and another plurality of semiconductor fuses programmed with uncompressed system hardware configuration data that is employed to initialize control circuit elements within the plurality of x86-compatible microprocessors. The plurality of microprocessor cores is disposed on the die, where each of the plurality of microprocessors is coupled to the shared fuse array and is configured to access all of the compressed configuration data during power-up/reset, for initialization of elements within the each of the plurality of microprocessors. The each of the plurality of microprocessors includes a reset controller that is configured to access the compressed configuration data and the ECC codes, to correct errors in said compressed configuration data resulting in corrected compressed configuration data, to decompress the corrected compressed configuration data, and to distribute decompressed configuration data to initialize the elements.
US09348677B2 System and method for batch evaluation programs
A batching module that inspects call stacks within a stack evaluator to identify current expressions that can be evaluated in batch with other expressions. If such expressions are identified, the corresponding stacks are blocked from further processing and a batch processing request for processing the expressions is transmitted to the application server. The application server processes the expressions in batch and generates a value for each of the expressions. The blocked stacks are then populated with the values for the expressions.
US09348676B2 System and method of processing buffers in an OpenCL environment
A processor has access to processing units for performing data processing and to libraries. Functions in the libraries are implementable to perform parallel processing and graphics processing. The processor may be configured to acquire (e.g., to download from a web server) a download script, possibly with extensions specifying bindings to library functions. Running the script may cause the processor to create, for each processing unit, contexts in which functions may be run, and to run, on the processing units and within a respective context, a portion of the download script. Running the script may also cause the processor to create, for a processing unit, a memory object, transfer data into that memory object, and transfer data back to the processor in such a way that a memory address of the data in the memory object is not returned to the processor.
US09348675B2 Active service bus
A method of responding to random service request messages received on an enterprise service bus of a computer network, each of said messages being a member of a group of related messages, in which the received messages are stored in a queue when detected by a listener for processing in a process flow having one or more nodes connected by respective edges between the listener and an emitter. In immediate mode, a message is accepted for processing only when a node is available and no other message in the same group is being processed. In batch mode, all of the messages in a group must be present in the queue before the messages in the group can be processed in predetermined order.
US09348674B2 Aysnchronous communications having compounded responses
A first request to execute a first task is received from a first module in a first address space and by a second module in a second address space. The first task is placed into a task queue for execution in the second address space. Pending responses not yet returned to the first module that are results of execution for other tasks in the second address space are extracted by the second module from a response queue. Requests for the other tasks were previously sent by the first module to the second module for execution in the second address space. The pending responses are compounded. The pending responses and a return value for acknowledgement the first request to execute the first task are combined, by the second module into a combined communication. The combined communication is transmitted by the second module to the first module in the first address space.
US09348670B2 Providing a recovery placeholder within an application
Embodiments described herein provide recovery placeholders within an application. Specifically, one approach includes providing an application operating on a client device, and generating a recovery placeholder that defines a current state of the application by analyzing a queue containing a set of messages, and identifying one or more selected events corresponding to the application from the queue. In one approach, the current state defines, at the time the recovery placeholder is generated, at least one of: a position within a window of the application, a current activity of the application, a position of the window within a display of a display device, and a placement order of the window of the application in relation to a stack of other cascaded windows. At a later point in time, the application may then be restored to the current state by accessing the recovery placeholder to replay the one or more selected events.
US09348668B2 System and method for supporting a server-side event model in a distributed data grid
A server-side event model provides a general-purpose event framework which simplifies the server-side programming model in a distributed data grid storing data partitions distributed throughout a cluster of nodes. A system provides event interceptors which handle events associated with operations and maps the event interceptors to event dispatchers placed in the cluster. Advantageously, the system supports handling critical path events without the need for interactions from the client-side thereby avoiding unnecessary delays waiting for client responses. Additionally, the system can defer completion of an operation in the distributed data grid pending completion of event handling by an event interceptor. The system enables the data grid to employ more types of events and define different event interceptors for handling the events while avoiding client interaction overhead.
US09348664B2 Acceleration prediction in hybrid systems
Predicting acceleration in a hybrid system may comprise determining a number of cross system calls in a first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload. Host machine overhead and accelerator overhead in the first host-accelerator computer architecture associated with each of the cross system calls may be determined. Communication delay associated with each of the cross system calls in the first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload may be determined. An application response time may be predicted for a candidate application to be run in a second host-accelerator computer architecture, based at least on the determined host machine overhead, the accelerator overhead, and the communication delay associated with each of the cross system calls in the first host-accelerator computer architecture running a workload.
US09348662B2 Network system and communication control method
A communication control method for a network system includes establishing a first communication path from a first virtual machine to be executed at a first information processing device to a second virtual machine to be executed at a second information processing device, using a plurality of switch devices, and establishing a second communication path from the first information processing device to a third information processing device using the plurality of switch devices, which differs from the first communication path, before moving the second virtual machine from the second information processing device to the third information processing device.
US09348661B2 Assigning a unique identifier to a communicator
Creating, by a parent master process of a parent communicator, a child communicator, including configuring the child communicator with a child master process, wherein a communicator includes a collection of one or more processes executing on compute nodes of a distributed computing system; determining, by the parent master process, whether a unique identifier is available to assign to the child communicator; if a unique identifier is available to assign to the child communicator, assigning, by the parent master process, the available unique identifier to the child communicator; and if a unique identifier is not available to assign to the child communicator: retrieving, by the parent master process, an available unique identifier from a master process of another communicator in a tree of communicators and assigning the retrieved unique identifier to the child communicator.
US09348654B2 Management of virtual machine migration in an operating environment
Embodiments directed toward a method, and a system. A method can be directed toward deciding whether to accept a virtual machine migration on a host. The method can include receiving a request to host a migrated virtual machine. The method can include determining if the host is overcommitted. The method can include selecting a low priority virtual machine in response to the host being overcommitted. The method can include determining if a resource for the low priority virtual machine can be reduced to accommodate the migrated virtual machine. The method can include reducing the resources for the low priority virtual machine in response to the resources being able to be reduced. The method can include accepting the request to host the migrated virtual machine in response to the reduction of the resources.
US09348649B2 Network resource management system utilizing physical network identification for converging operations
The disclosed network resource management system employs a hardware configuration management (HCM) information handling system (IHS) that may couple to a single administered IHS or to multiple administered IHSs via an administrative network. An HCM tool in the HCM IHS may generate, modify and store hardware configuration information, including physical network identifications (PNet IDs), in an HCM database and share the HCM database with the administered IHSs. The administered IHS may be a remote direct memory access (RDMA) enabled network interface controller (RNIC) converging IHS. An RNIC converging tool may extract hardware configuration information, including PNet IDs, from the HCM database. The RNIC converging tool may utilize the hardware configuration information, including PNet IDs, to enable the RNIC converging IHS to communicate over a network with RDMA protocols.
US09348647B2 Execute or cancel a scheduled task that missed execution condition on a device based on rule and execution condition received from a management server
The present invention provides an improved method and device for task processing in a device management. When the current state or the operation of the terminal device is interrupted by an abnormal condition, the method includes checking if any scheduler task exists; prompting the user to select the processing procedure for the scheduler task based on the types of the scheduler task, or processing the impacted scheduler task based on user's selection or processing the scheduler task based on a predetermined process procedure.
US09348644B2 Application-level dispatcher control of application-level pseudo threads and operating system threads
An application-level thread dispatcher that operates in a main full-weight thread allocated to an application is established. The application-level thread dispatcher initializes a group of application-level pseudo threads that operate as application-controlled threads within the main full-weight thread allocated to the application. The application-level thread dispatcher determines that at least one application-level pseudo thread meets configuration requirements to operate within a separate operating system-level thread in parallel with the main full-weight thread. In response to determining that the at least one application-level pseudo thread meets the configuration requirements to operate within the separate operating system-level thread in parallel with the main full-weight thread, the at least one application-level pseudo thread is dispatched from the main full-weight thread to the separate operating system-level thread by the application-level thread dispatcher.
US09348622B2 Method for targeted resource virtualization in containers
A method and computer program product for targeted container virtualization, where only separate components of a computer system or a server are virtualized. The OS kernel and other server resources are not virtualized. Only selected components—applications or resources are targeted for virtualization instead of virtualization of the entire system. Targeted virtualization provides for more flexible container isolation from each other and from a host node. This, in turn, provides for optimized more flexible cloud infrastructure. Each element within a container virtualization model is optional in terms of virtualization. The element's virtualization option can be turned on and off by an administrator or by a client who owns the container.
US09348619B1 Interactive datasheet system
A user interface is provided for selection of a previously specified scenario from a plurality of previously specified scenarios. Each previously specified scenario includes a previously specified topology of the electronic system, one or more previously specified parameter values applied to the electronic system, a previously specified traffic profile, and respective precompiled values of one or more measurands. In response to user selection of one of the previously specified scenarios, the precompiled values of the measurands are displayed. The user interface further provides for specification of a scenario. In response to user specification of a scenario, traffic emulation circuitry in the programmable IC is configured to execute the scenario. The value of the at least one measurand is computed and displayed.
US09348618B2 Systems and methods for enhancing firmware
A measuring instrument includes at least one processor having at least one processor internal resource. The measuring instrument may also include at least one hardware component external to the processor and at least one storage component. Firmware may be stored in the storage component and is accessible by the processor. The firmware includes at least one application; a virtualized hardware system having routines that emulate at least one processor internal resource; and at least one application programming interface between the application and the virtualized hardware system.
US09348610B2 Replacement of virtual functions
Techniques are described for replacement of virtual functions. In one or more implementations, a call to a virtual function is intercepted and redirected to a shim module associated with a replacement function. The shim module is configured to adjust a pointer (e.g., a “this” pointer) for the virtual function. In at least some embodiments, the pointer can be adjusted based on information retrieved from symbol data for the virtual function. The replacement function can utilize the adjusted pointer to access an object instance associated with the virtual function. For example, the replacement function can use the adjusted pointer to access data and/or functionalities of the object instance.
US09348609B2 Framework for ad-hoc process flexibility
The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for providing a unified runtime framework and graphical, process-centric user interface for ad-hoc business process flexibility. One process includes operations for providing process instances of one or more business processes in a process visualization user interface. A request to initiate an ad-hoc change of a selected process instance is received from the client, and client user interaction options for implementing the ad-hoc change are provided to the client. A selection of a particular user interaction option for implementing the ad-hoc change is received from the client, and the ad-hoc change is implemented.
US09348599B2 Confidence threshold-based opposing branch path execution for branch prediction
Embodiments relate to confidence threshold-based opposing path execution for branch prediction. An aspect includes determining a branch prediction for a first branch instruction that is encountered during execution of a first thread, wherein the branch prediction indicates a primary path and an opposing path for the first branch instruction. Another aspect includes executing the primary path by the first thread. Another aspect includes determining a confidence of the branch prediction and comparing the confidence of the branch prediction to a confidence threshold. Yet another aspect includes, based on the confidence of the branch prediction being less than the confidence threshold, starting a second thread that executes the opposing path of the first branch instruction, wherein the second thread is executed in parallel with the first thread.
US09348591B2 Multi-level tracking of in-use state of cache lines
This disclosure includes tracking of in-use states of cache lines to improve throughput of pipelines and thus increase performance of processors. Access data for a number of sets of instructions stored in an instruction cache may be tracked using an in-use array in a first array until the data for one or more of those sets reach a threshold condition. A second array may then be used as the in-use array to track the sets of instructions after a micro-operation is inserted into the pipeline. When the micro-operation retires from the pipeline, the first array may be cleared. The process may repeat after the second array reaches the threshold condition. During the tracking, an in-use state for an instruction line may be detected by inspecting a corresponding bit in each of the arrays. Additional arrays may also be used to track the in-use state.
US09348588B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit and compiler
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a floating point arithmetic unit that includes circuit resources over which power saving control is performed, and executes a floating point arithmetic operation; a power-control instruction control unit that receives a pre-access instruction corresponding to a floating point arithmetic operation instruction, and invalidates stepwise the power saving control over the circuit resources included in the floating point arithmetic unit to operate a part of the circuit resources in the floating point arithmetic unit; and a control unit that causes the floating point arithmetic unit to execute the floating point arithmetic operation, wherein before execution of the floating point arithmetic operation in the floating point arithmetic unit, power consumption is previously increased by the pre-access instruction.
US09348580B2 Processing streaming data with open executors
Processing streaming data with open executors includes receiving input data at a computation dataflow station where the computation dataflow station contains a computation file and an open executor that accepts code plug-ins, converting contents of the computation file into a program string with the code plug-ins from a system library, and launching the program string together with the input data to calculate an output with a graphics processing unit.
US09348579B2 Integration of social networks with integrated development environment (IDE)
Disclosed herein is a framework for integrating social networks with integrated development environment (IDE). In accordance with one aspect, the framework automatically downloads social information based on a user's workspace content. The downloaded social information may be filtered and further displayed. Software development may be performed using the displayed social information and updated social information may be stored in a database.
US09348574B2 Method for having multiple software programs on a diagnostic tool
A method is provided that allows a computing device such as a scan tool, to operate two versions of a software. The scan tool can detect when a updated version is stored on a computer readable device and can automatically load the updated version to use, while allowing the previous version to remain on the scan tool for use at another time.
US09348569B1 Method and system for a configurable automation framework
A configurable automation framework includes a computer that executes an execution driver, a parser, a volume population engine, a configuration checker, an execution engine, and a logger. The execution driver receives user input that specifies configuration options and populates a test case suite based on each combination of the configuration options. The configuration options include operating system options, multipathing software options, volume options, array options, snapshot type options, and/or dataset options. The parser parses the test case to identify script instructions to test an application for each combination. The volume population engine creates volumes based on user input that specifies volume options. The execution engine executes the script instructions to test the application if the configuration checker determines that the computer is setup for each combination. The logger logs a result of executing the script instructions for each combination and outputs the result.
US09348565B2 Compact data marshaller generation
A method for compact data marshaller generation includes determining a plurality of data types having a same memory layout from data to be marshalled using a processor, each of the plurality of data types being associated with one or more separate data marshallers. The one or more separate data marshallers are unified to provide a single data marshaller for the plurality of data types for compact data marshaller generation.
US09348564B2 Intelligent device framework
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate consistent experiences with respect to control or configuration of a feature or function of a device. In particular, a reusable graphical user interface (GUI) component can be employed to interact with a specific feature or function of the device rather than to a specific device or application.
US09348560B2 Efficient execution of graph-based programs
A method includes accessing, at a computing device, data descriptive of a graph representing a program. The graph includes multiple nodes representing execution steps of the program and includes multiple edges representing data transfer steps. The method also includes determining at least two heterogeneous hardware resources of the computing device that are available to execute code represented by one or more of the nodes, and determining one or more paths from a source node to a sink node based on a topology of the graph. The method further includes scheduling execution of code at the at least two heterogeneous hardware resources. The code is represented by at least one of the multiple nodes, and the execution of the code is scheduled based on the one or more paths.
US09348552B2 Network appliance for transcoding or enriching virtual desktop infrastructure desktop images
Disclosed in an example embodiment herein is an apparatus that comprises an interface for receiving image data from a hosted virtual desktop and sending a desktop image to a client device and graphical processing logic coupled with the interface. The graphical processing logic receives the image data via the interface and performs a graphical processing operation on the image data to create a desktop image. The graphical processing logic employs the interface to provide the desktop image to the client device.
US09348547B2 Document distribution server and document distribution method
A document distribution server includes a first communication interface that receives printing data corresponding to a document, a processor that generates image data corresponding to the document, based on the received printing data, a memory that stores the received printing data and the generated image data, and a second communication interface that distributes the generated image data in response to a request for a document which corresponds to the generated image data stored in the memory.
US09348544B2 Printer
In one example a media authorization code may be authenticated in a printer to authorize the colorant supply to print when a counter does not exceed a predetermined amount of authorized media units.
US09348539B1 Memory centric computing
A hybrid memory system. This system can include a processor coupled to a hybrid memory buffer (HMB) that is coupled to a plurality of DRAM and a plurality of Flash memory modules. The HMB module can include a Memory Storage Controller (MSC) module and a Near-Memory-Processing (NMP) module coupled by a SerDes (Serializer/Deserializer) interface. This system can utilize a hybrid (mixed-memory type) memory system architecture suitable for supporting low-latency DRAM devices and low-cost NAND flash devices within the same memory sub-system for an industry-standard computer system.
US09348533B2 Memory image capture via memory write from a running system
Techniques for memory image capture via memory write from a running system are described. In at least some embodiments, a request is received for an image of a portion of memory. Images of memory can be used for a variety of purposes, such as diagnosing and repairing error conditions for hardware and/or software, detecting unwanted and/or malicious processes (e.g., malware), general systems maintenance, and so forth. According to one or more embodiments, various techniques can be implemented to capture an image of a portion of memory. For example, an intermediate write to memory can be employed to write the image of the portion of memory to a memory buffer. Alternatively or additionally, an image of a portion of memory can be captured directly to storage.
US09348521B2 Semiconductor storage device and method of throttling performance of the same
A semiconductor storage device and a method of throttling performance of the same are provided. The semiconductor storage device includes a non-volatile memory device; and a controller configured to receive a write command from a host and program write data received from the host to the non-volatile memory device in response to the write command. The controller inserts idle time after receiving the write data from the host and/or after programming the write data to the non-volatile memory device.
US09348520B2 Lifetime extension of non-volatile semiconductor memory for data storage device
Lifetime extension of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM) for a data storage device (DSD) includes determining a write amplification factor based on an amount of data previously written to the NVSM and at least one of an amount of data previously requested to be written to the DSD, and an amount of data previously requested to be written to the NVSM. At least a portion of the amount of data to be written to the NVSM is directed or redirected to the disk based on the determined write amplification factor.
US09348515B2 Computer system, management computer and storage management method for managing data configuration based on statistical information
A storage apparatus comprises a storage device storing data which is read/written by a host computer and a control device for controlling data writing to the storage device. The control device provides a predetermined storage area of the storage device to the host computer as one or more volumes and, in response to the request from the management computer, provides statistical information relating to the storage areas to the management computer. the management computer comprises a storage device storing a storage area management table for managing the storage area of a plurality of storage apparatuses and a control device for managing the configuration of the storage areas of the storage apparatuses. The control device manages the data configuration of the plurality of storage apparatuses on the basis of the statistical information relating to the storage areas of the storage apparatuses which is provided by the plurality of storage apparatuses.
US09348510B2 Comparing users handwriting for detecting and remediating unauthorized shared access
A method of using handwriting input on a touch screen device to verify the identity of a user. The user writes a profile word in an input space provided on the touch screen. Features of the handwriting are captured and sent to a server, which stores the data in a data record associated with the authorized user. When a user subsequently writes a challenge word, the handwriting features of the challenge word are compared to the authorized user's handwriting data record and given a rating of similarity. If the rating is within a prescribed range, the user's identity is verified as being the authorized user and permitted to access a given asset. If not, the user's identity is not verified and that user may be denied access to the asset or other action taken. This biometric feature of authentication may be used alone or in a multi-factor authentication environment.
US09348496B2 Selecting content based on performance of a content slot
In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for content to be presented in a specified content slot of a specified content page; calculating an active view scroll distance of the specified content slot with respect to the specified content page, the active view scroll distance corresponding to a measurement of a distance that the specified content page would have to be scrolled to change visibility of content displayed in the specified content slot by a specified amount; performing an auction of content items utilizing in part the active view scroll distance; and providing one or more content items in response to the request and as a result of the auction.
US09348489B1 Graphical user interfaces for managing hierarchical systems
A graphical user interface for managing hierarchical systems is provided. A graphical user interface that includes a navigation bar having a domain element and a plurality of object elements is presented. The object elements are associated with different object types in a hierarchical system and are arranged based, at least in part, on the hierarchical system. A first menu that includes a list of objects of a first object type is presented in response to detecting an interaction with a first object element. Information presented on a second object element is filtered in response to a selection of a specific object via the first menu. A second menu that includes a list of all objects that are associated with the plurality of object elements is presented in response to detecting an interaction with the domain element while continuing to filter the information presented on the second object element.
US09348485B2 Image processing apparatus and method, and computer program product
A control unit, method and computer program product cooperate to provide a controllable depth of display of at least a part of a graphical user interface. Moreover, the control unit includes a control circuit that controls a depth display of an icon, which may be a user-selectable icon, as part of the graphical user interface. The control circuit increases the depth of display of the icon when an object is detected as approaching the display. In this way, a user is provided with visual feedback when the user is interacting with the graphical user interface.
US09348484B2 Docking and undocking dynamic navigation bar for expanded communication service
A navigation bar is provided for switching between modules within an expanded communication service such as email, calendar, contacts, tasks, etc. and for providing preview peeks associated with each module to a user. A temporary preview of a module may be provided upon a hover action over predefined navigation bar locations such as icons and/or textual identifiers without actually needing to switch to a module. One or more preview panes may be docked or pinned to a dynamically selected or user defined location on the main user interface so that they are permanently displayed within the main user interface. Users may be enabled to undock one or more of the docked preview panes through a user interface control. New or interesting activity within each module may be highlighted by displaying an information badge next to a module name, for example.
US09348482B2 Modeling system for graphic user interface
A modeling system for universal specification of user interfaces. The system provides a means for defining user interfaces, including highly complex and dynamic user interfaces, in a manner that is independent of any implementation context. The modeling system leads from a user-friendly visual representation of the user interface, through progressively detailed specifications of structural and behavioral aspects of the user interface parts, until a rigorous definition of the user interface in all its contexts of use is achieved. Using the information captured in the model, tools that automatically generate the fully working user interface code can be built.
US09348472B2 Touch screen driver and method for driving touch screen
A touch screen driver includes a touch screen including Tx channels, Rx channels crossing the Tx channels, and sensor nodes formed at crossings of the Tx channels and the Rx channels, a Tx driving circuit supplying a driving pulse to the Tx channels, an Rx driving circuit which samples voltages of the sensor nodes supplied through the Rx channels in response to Rx sampling clocks and converts the sampled voltages into digital data, and a touch controller which modulates the Rx sampling clocks based on an RC delay deviation between the Rx channels, supplies the modulated Rx sampling clocks to the Rx driving circuit, differently controls sampling times of the Rx channels, and analyzes the digital data using a previously determined touch recognition algorithm.
US09348469B2 Patterned conductive layers for sensor assembly and method of making the same
An ITO sensor design and method for making the same is optimized to minimize noise from an LCD. The design includes a two layer sensor design having a transmitter line (Tx) placed in a first layer and a receiver line (Rx) placed in a second layer in a diamond-shaped pattern. The diamond shape maximizes the sensitivity of the sensor.
US09348464B2 Imaging systems and methods for user input detection
An imaging system may be provided that includes a camera module, a transparent or translucent surface, and processing circuitry that is configured to perform character recognition operations based on images of the translucent surface that have been captured using the camera module. The camera module may include an image sensor having an array of image pixels and one or more lenses that focus light from the translucent surface onto the array of image pixels. The processing circuitry may be configured to recognize gestures from one or more users on the translucent surface. The processing circuitry may be configured to extract user input data from captured images of an object seen through the translucent surface by extracting gesture point locations from the captured images, storing coordinate data associated with the extracted gesture point locations, and comparing the stored coordinate data with template data that corresponds to a plurality of known characters.
US09348458B2 Gestures for touch sensitive input devices
Methods and systems for processing touch inputs are disclosed. The invention in one respect includes reading data from a multipoint sensing device such as a multipoint touch screen where the data pertains to touch input with respect to the multipoint sensing device, and identifying at least one multipoint gesture based on the data from the multipoint sensing device.
US09348449B2 Noise reduction method and system for touch detection device
Noise reduction method and system for a touch detection device are disclosed. The noise reduction method includes: step A, performing a synchronous sampling on the touch detection nodes in one same group and storing the sampling data; step B, comparing each sampling data against a corresponding reference data to calculate a differential data which, as a detection data, replaces a corresponding original sampling data; step C, calculating statistics of the replacing detection data to screen out valid data to calculate a DC offset component indicative of a noise ingredient; and step D, obtaining noise-filtered detection data by subtracting the DC offset component from each detection data.
US09348448B2 Liquid crystal display integrated touch screen panel
A display device includes a liquid crystal display with an integrated touch screen panel including a first substrate having a plurality of gate wires and a plurality of data wires and having a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode. The display device also includes a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, an insulating layer on the pixel electrode, a plurality of transparent electrodes arranged in a first direction on the insulating layer, a plurality of metal electrodes forming coupling parts attached to predetermined sides of the transparent electrodes and forming driving wires that receive driving signals, a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged on the second substrate in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US09348442B2 Input apparatus
An input apparatus (for example, a mobile terminal apparatus (100)) includes a display unit (60) that displays a plurality of operation position displays (for example, operation position displays (61 to 66)); and a detection unit that contactlessly detects an operation which corresponds to an operation position set in a specific space of a front of the input apparatus in correspondence to each of the plurality of operation position displays. The detection unit includes a first piezoelectric element (an oscillation piezoelectric element (31)) that oscillates ultrasound toward the front space of the input apparatus; a second piezoelectric element (a reception piezoelectric element (21)) that detects the ultrasound which is oscillated by the first piezoelectric element; and a determination unit that determines whether or not an operation is performed on a certain operation position based on a result of detection performed by the second piezoelectric element.
US09348437B2 Mobile data collection and validation systems and methods
Methods and systems for collecting and validating data are provided. Data may be collected from users at a variety of locations with a mobile device. The mobile device may wirelessly transmit the collected data to a central location. The collected data may then be validated at the central location and any resulting error messages may be transmitted to the mobile device while the mobile device remains in close proximity to the user so that the data may be corrected.
US09348436B2 Mouse having an adjustable grip
This invention discloses a mouse having an adjustable grip, including a mouse base; a first grip housing installed in the mouse base and a front end of the first grip housing pivotally connected with a front end of the mouse base; a second grip housing installed on the mouse base and rear of the first grip housing; an adjustable grip mechanism installed on the mouse base and having an actuator assembly, a first linkage assembly, and a second linkage assembly. The actuator assembly is pivotally connected with the first linkage assembly and the second linkage assembly, respectively. A user is able to operate the actuator assembly to generate force to drive the first linkage assembly and the second linkage assembly, so as to adjust both positions of the first grip housing and the second grip housing simultaneously and meet different user's grip habits.
US09348435B2 Motion-based view scrolling system with proportional and dynamic modes
The present invention provides a system and methods for motion-based scrolling of a relatively large contents view on an electronic device with a relatively small screen display. The user controls the scrolling by changing the device's tilt relative to a baseline tilt. The scrolling control can follow a Proportional Scroll mode, where the relative tilt directly controls the screen position over the contents view, or a Dynamic Scroll mode where the relative tilt controls the scrolling speed. The present invention obtains a criterion for automatically selecting the best scrolling mode when the dimensions of the contents view change. The baseline tilt is updated when the screen reaches an edge of the contents view to eliminate the creation of a non responsive range of tilt changes when the user changes tilt direction.
US09348434B2 Low power management of multiple sensor integrated chip architecture
A method, device, system, or article of manufacture is provided for low-power management of multiple sensor chip architecture. In one embodiment, a method comprises, at a computing device that includes a first processor, a second processor and a third processor, receiving, by the first processor, sensor data from a first sensor; determining, by the first processor, a movement by the computing device using the sensor data; receiving, by the first processor, a modality of the computing device; in response to determining that the modality corresponds to a predetermined state, determining, by the first processor, a modality move distance associated with the predetermined state; determining, by the first processor, a move distance of the computing device using the modality move distance; determining, by the first processor, that the move distance of the computing device is at least a move distance threshold; and, in response to determining that the move distance of the computing device is at least a move distance threshold, reporting, by the first processor, to at least one of the second processor and the third processor, that the move distance of the computing device is at least the move distance threshold.
US09348433B2 Optical touch sensing structure
An optical touch sensing structure includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of optical particles with metallic composition. The optical particles with metallic composition are disposed on the transparent substrate. When an infrared is incident on each of the optical particles with metallic composition, the infrared is reflected by each of the optical particles with metallic composition.
US09348421B2 Gesture and touch-based interactivity with objects using 3D zones in an interactive system
An interactive, zone-based installation enables a user to interact with an object, such as a retail product, an appliance, a food item, a poster, a non-touch screen monitor, an object of nature, or any other of a number of various items. A user approaches the object and reaches for it. The installation displaying the object has a sensor such as a camera. The sensor is coupled to a processor and continuously feeding an image depth buffer stream. Within the field of view of the sensor is a 3D zone. The zone is strategically positioned near or around the object. When a user reaches for the object there is a change in the depth buffer data stream. If this change exceeds time and sensitivity thresholds implying an intentional gesture by the user, an output event is triggered by the processor.
US09348420B2 Adaptive projected information handling system output devices
Projected input and output devices adapt to a desktop environment by sensing objects at the desktop environment and altering projected light in response to the sensed objects. For instance, projection of input and output devices is altered to limit illumination against and end user's hands or other objects disposed at a projection surface. End user hand positions and motions are detected to provide gesture support for adapting a projection work space, and configurations of projected devices are stored so that an end user can rapidly recreate a projected desktop. A projector scan adjusts to limit traces across inactive portions of the display surface and to increase traces at predetermined areas, such as video windows.
US09348409B2 System, method and apparatus for controlling multiple applications and services on a digital electronic device
A services and application controller (“SAC”) is provided for digital electronic devices. The SAC includes four interfaces which respectively interact with four different environments, namely an application interface that interacts with application environments and applications, an extension interface that interacts with engines and enablers, a platform interface that interacts with device platform environments, and a service and network interface that interacts with services and service infrastructures and with networks. The SAC provides a set of core functions and abstracts the environments from each other, which enable interactions between these environments without requiring that the environments be aware of specific aspects of the other environments for the interactions.
US09348408B2 Adaptive power conservation in storage clusters
Each node and volume in a storage cluster makes a decision whether to reduce power consumption based on lack of requests from client applications and nodes over a time period. Node configuration parameters determine how long to wait until idling a node or volume, and how long to wait while idle before performing integrity checks. A bid value is calculated by each node and reflects how much it will cost for that node to write a file, read a file, or keep a copy. A node with the lowest bid wins, and nodes that are idle have a premium added to each bid to ensure that idle nodes are kept idle. In an archive mode, writes bids are reversed, nodes with less capacity submit lower bids, fuller nodes fill up faster and are then idled, while empty or near empty nodes may remain idle before winning a write bid.
US09348407B2 Method and apparatus for atomic frequency and voltage changes
A method and apparatus for atomic frequency and voltage changes in the processor. In one embodiment of the invention, the atomic frequency and voltage changes in the processor is feasible due to the enabling technology of fully integrated voltage regulators (FIVR) that are integrated in the processor. FIVR allows independent configuration of each core in the processor and the configuration includes, but is not limited to, voltage setting, frequency setting, clock setting and other parameters that affects the power consumption of each core.
US09348405B2 Systems and techniques for control of storage device power states
Systems and techniques for control of storage device power states are described herein. In some embodiments, a control system for a storage device of a computing device may include receiver logic to receive a proximity signal indicative of a distance of a user from a proximity sensor, transition logic to determine that the proximity signal satisfies out-of-proximity criteria and generate an out-transition signal based at least in part on the determination that the proximity signal satisfies the out-of-proximity criteria, and state-change logic to cause a change in a power state of the storage device from a first power state to a second power state, in response to the out-transition signal, wherein the storage device consumes less power in the second power state than in the first power state. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09348402B2 Multiple critical paths having different threshold voltages in a single processor core
A processor having a multi-Vt critical path is provided that includes both low-Vt devices and high-Vt devices. If the processor is operating in a high performance mode, the multi-Vt critical path is controlled so as to use the low-Vt devices. Conversely, if the processor is operating in a low power mode, the multi-Vt critical path is controlled so as to use the high-Vt devices. In this fashion, the complication of multiple processing cores is avoided in that a single processor core can operate in both the high performance mode and in the low power mode.
US09348401B2 Mapping a performance request to an operating frequency in a processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes multiple cores each to independently execute instructions and a power control unit (PCU) coupled to the plurality of cores to control power consumption of the processor. The PCU may include a mapping logic to receive a performance scale value from an operating system (OS) and to calculate a dynamic performance-frequency mapping based at least in part on the performance scale value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09348398B2 Method and apparatus for distinguishing momentary loss of battery contact from an undervoltage condition
A method and apparatus for distinguishing momentary loss of battery contact from a battery undervoltage condition in a portable device sense the current into the portable device from the battery, and when the current drops to a level indicating that contact with the battery has been lost, the portable device is allowed to operate at a lower voltage than a nominal undervoltage limit of the battery until contact is resumed.
US09348394B2 Managing computational workloads of computing apparatuses powered by renewable resources
A method described herein includes an act of receiving data that is indicative of predicted weather conditions for a particular geographic region, wherein the particular geographic region has an energy generation system therein, and wherein the energy generation system utilizes at least one renewable energy resource to generate electrical power. The method also includes the act of scheduling a computational workload for at least one computer in a data center based at least in part upon the data that is indicative of the predicted weather conditions for the particular geographic region.
US09348389B2 Power measurement system for multiple power sources and method of operating the same
A power measurement system for multiple power sources includes a plurality of measurement apparatuses, a multiplexer, and a processing module. Each of the measurement apparatuses has a sense resistor and a sense amplifier. The sense resistor is electrically connected to a power source at one terminal thereof and electrically connected to a load at the other terminal thereof. The sense amplifier receives a voltage difference across the sense resistor, amplifies the voltage difference by a gain value, and outputs an amplified sense voltage. The multiplexer receives the amplified sense voltages and outputs one of the amplified sense voltages. The processing module receives the one amplified sense voltage outputted from the multiplexer and calculates an output power of the power source according to the one amplified sense voltage. Furthermore, a method of operating the power measurement system is provided.
US09348386B2 Power-supply cable unit, relay connector, and electronic unit
A power-supply cable unit which supplies power to an electronic device includes in one end thereof an IC card-loading section to which an IC card is loaded, and a connection which is connected to the electric device such that information of the IC card loaded to the IC card-loading section is read with the electronic device, wherein an insertion slot of the IC card-loading section faces in a direction that the connection is fitted into the electronic device.
US09348383B2 Apparatus for starting up switching voltage regulator
Described is a soft-start scheme for a voltage regulator. The apparatus comprises: a first voltage regulator to provide regulated voltage to an output node coupled to a load, the first voltage regulator operable to be in open loop via a bypass unit, the first voltage regulator including a comparator; and a second voltage regulator, coupled to the first voltage regulator, operable to be in closed loop, via the bypass unit, to provide a reference voltage for the comparator of the first voltage regulator.
US09348382B2 Method and apparatus for providing power to an electronic device
In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation a USB power converter for an electronic device includes a USB bus including VBUS power line, a D− data line and a D+ data line, a variable voltage converter, a processor clock, a USB transceiver coupled to the D− data line and the D+ data line, and a processor coupled to processor clock and to the USB transceiver. Preferably, the variable voltage converter has an alternating current (AC) input, a direct current (DC) output coupled to the VBUS power line, and a voltage control input responsive to a voltage control signal to provide a plurality of voltage levels at the DC output. The process is, in this example embodiment, operative to develop the control signal based upon communication from an electronic device connected to the USB bus. In a non-limiting embodiment, the USB power converter further includes a host ID controller having a host ID control input coupled to the processor, the host ID controller selectively coupled to the D− data line and the D+ data line in response to a host ID control signal developed by the processor.
US09348375B1 Tool-less mounting device for hard disk drive
A tool-less mounting device for hard disk drive (HDD) is provided. The mounting device has a tray, at least one flexible member, a backplane, and at least one HDD. The tray has a base and two sidewalls. The flexible member has a fixed portion and an arm. The backplane is disposed on the base between the sidewalls, and has a first connector and a second connector. The HDD is coupled to the first connector of the backplane.
US09348356B2 Embedded multimedia card (eMMC), host controlling eMMC, and method operating eMMC system
An embedded multimedia card (eMMC) includes a clock channel that receives a clock signal from a host, a command channel that receives a command from the host, a plurality of data channels that transmit data to the host, and a return clock channel that transmits a return clock synchronized with the data to the host.
US09348343B2 Bulk material blending control
A technique is disclosed for controlling a material blending process for blending a plurality of raw material feeds using model predictive control in order to produce a blended product conforming to one or more quality standards. The quality standards may be based upon control variables derived from relationships and/or ratios of certain materials in the composition of the raw material feeds (e.g., moduli). The determined control variables are compared to desired set points and, if a deviation from the desired set points is detected, the proportions of the raw material feeds are adjusted to align the control variables with the desired set points. The technique may further take material cost factors into account, wherein the prediction model determines a proper proportioning of the raw material feeds such that the blended product conforms to the desired specifications and is produced for the lowest cost.
US09348337B2 Environment recognition guide system for movable medical equipment and method
An environment recognition guide system and method for guiding a movable medical equipment are disclosed. The environment recognition guide system includes a depth camera, an environment data storage device, and an object image recognition device. When the object image recognition device compares and determines an environment image pixel depth signal acquired by the depth camera matching predetermined object image pixel depth signals stored in the environment data storage device, the medical equipment is driven to move along a preset guide path. The movable medical equipment is further provided with collision protection function to prevent the medical equipment from collision with a front obstacle during the movement.
US09348334B2 Control interface for a semi-autonomous vehicle
The invention provides a control interface configured to cooperate with a vehicle, such as a wheelchair or mobile robot, said interface comprising at least one sensor is adapted to detect the presence of at least one finger of a user and to act as a switching mechanism between manual and autonomous control of the vehicle. The invention provides a highly intuitive and effective means of switching between automatic and manual vehicle control-no user training required. The control interface allows for user to be comfortable in an autonomous vehicle—users can instantly gain full control when needed.
US09348333B1 Modular air delivery
Aspects of modular airborne delivery are described. When a shipping container is provided to an airborne carrier for delivery, the airborne carrier may assess weather across a route for airborne delivery of the shipping container, evaluate an approach to drop the shipping container at a delivery zone, and calculate a remaining amount of time until a target delivery time, for example. The airborne carrier may then select components to assemble a modular unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on those or other factors, and assemble the UAV using the selected components. The modular UAV may then be directed to deliver the shipping container according to instructions from the airborne carrier. According to the concepts described herein, flexibility and other advantages may be achieved using modular UAVs for airborne delivery.
US09348323B2 Device cooperation control system and method based on motion of a mobile device
A mobile device and a display apparatus are caused to cooperate. A user is instructed to do a predetermined action and the user holds and moves the mobile device. A motion of the mobile device is detected by the mobile device and the motion of the user is detected by the display apparatus. A pair of the mobile device and the display apparatus that detect the same action at the same time is caused to cooperate.
US09348322B2 Smart device including biometric sensor
An apparatus can include a wrist worn device configured to be worn on a wrist of a user. The apparatus can include a controller. The apparatus can include a power supply. The apparatus can include a light emitter that can emit light from a user side of the wrist worn device to a wrist of the user. The apparatus can include a light detector that can detect light reflected from the wrist of the user from the first light emitter and can send a detector signal to the controller. The detector signal can be based on the detected light. The apparatus can include a lens coupled to a user side of the wrist worn device external to the light emitter and light detector. The lens can include an opaque section. The lens can also include light transmissive section that transmits light from the light emitter to the user.
US09348320B1 Electronic device and method of controlling display of information
A method of controlling a first electronic device having a display includes, in a time mode, controlling analog watch hands disposed over the display to display a time on a watch dial that includes the display, and in response to receipt of an input to enter a display mode, rotating the watch hands to new locations relative to the display such that display of the time utilizing the watch hands is discontinued and displaying information on the display, wherein rotating the watch hands comprises rotating the hands to the new locations to avoid obscuring the information on the display.
US09348318B2 Effective life indicator and stopper including the same
Provided is an effective life indicator and a stopper including the same, and more particularly, to an effective life indicator and a stopper including the same that are capable of allowing a consumer to easily check a drinkable or usable period after opening a beverage or medicine accommodated in a container by maintaining a state in which a development material receiving section is ruptured by a pressure applied to the container when the stopper is coupled to the container and starting an operation as a development material is leaked to the outside to come in contact with a development medium member when the stopper is initially separated from the container.
US09348311B2 Recording medium conveyor and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A recording medium conveyor, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor disposed facing the first conveyor. The first conveyor and the second conveyor sandwich a recording medium therebetween and convey the recording medium to a downstream side of an image forming apparatus in a recording medium conveying direction. At least one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor includes a belt having an inner circumferential face, and a cooler to cool the recording medium. The cooler has a heat absorbing face that contacts the inner circumferential face of the belt and that has an air flow path formed thereon to expose the inner circumferential face of the belt to open air.
US09348308B2 Process cartridge having force receiving portion and image forming apparatus including process cartridge
A process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body which includes an image bearing member, a developer bearing member, a developing frame member to support the developer bearing member and is able to assume an abutting state and a separating state, a force receiving portion configured to allow the developing frame member to enter the separating state by being pressed by a pressing portion where the force receiving portion includes a first portion to abut on the pressing portion and to extend along the inserting direction of the process cartridge, and a second portion provided on each of an upstream and downstream side of the first portion in the inserting direction.
US09348302B2 Image forming apparatus, and detachable body
Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus main body, a detachable body that is detachably provided on the image forming apparatus main body, includes an image holding member, and moves along a predetermined moving path, and a light emitting member that performs a light emission to the image holding member, is pressed against the detachable body, and a portion of the light emitting member protrudes to the moving path, wherein a first portion of the light emitting member positioned on the moving path is pressed, the light emitting member is moved in a direction, a second portion positioned on the moving path is pressed, and the light emitting member is moved in a direction opposite to the second direction, and wherein one of the pressing of the first portion and the pressing of the second portion is performed first, and the other is performed later.
US09348300B2 Unit retraction device and image forming apparatus including same
A unit retraction device has a hook member which engages with an engaged portion provided on a unit, and a retraction force generating mechanism which exerts a retraction force on the unit. The retraction force generating mechanism includes a first rotary member which is rotatably disposed on a first rotation pivot and to a rotating end part of which the hook member is coupled, a biasing member of which one end is hooked to the first rotary member and which biases the first rotary member in such a direction that the hook member retracts the unit into the apparatus body, and a second rotary member to which another end of the biasing member is hooked and which is rotatably disposed on a second rotation pivot. The second rotary member rotates in the same direction as the first rotary member as the latter is rotated by the biasing member.
US09348295B2 Printing apparatus, method for controlling printing apparatus, and storage medium
A printing apparatus includes a printer unit a shift unit that shifts the printing apparatus from a first power state to a second power state when a power supply switch is turned off, and an obtaining unit that obtains predetermined time from the printer unit, wherein, when the power supply switch is turned on, switch-off time from turning-off of the power supply switch is compared to turning-on of the power supply switch with the predetermined time to shift the printing apparatus from the second power state to the first power state with executing initialization processing of the printer unit when the switch-off time is longer than the predetermined time, and the printing apparatus shifts from the second power state to the first power state without executing the initialization processing of the printer unit when the switch-off time is shorter than or equal to the predetermined time.
US09348290B2 Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying device that passes a sheet to a nip portion formed between first and second rotating bodies, and conveys the sheet, the sheet conveying device includes a separation state determining unit configured to determine a separation state between the sheet having passed the nip portion and a surface of the first rotating body, a sheet separating unit configured to allow force to act on the sheet, and a control unit configured to control the force acting on the sheet by the sheet separating unit according to a result of the separation state determining unit, wherein the separation state determining unit includes an illumination unit, an imaging unit, and an acquisition unit, and the separation state between the sheet and the first rotating body is determined based on the acquired positional information of a tip of the sheet.
US09348276B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a pressurizer constituted of a rotating body, and a heater including a heat source, a fixing belt heated by the heat source, and a pressing portion disposed inside the fixing belt sandwiched between the pressing portion and the pressurizer disposed outside the fixing belt. The fixing device further includes a non-contact type temperature detector for measuring surface temperature of the fixing belt, a displacement detector for detecting a displacement of a measurement target position of the fixing belt with respect to the temperature detector, and a controller configured to adjust amount of heat generation of the heat source on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature detector and the displacement detected by the displacement detector, so as to perform temperature adjustment of the surface temperature of the fixing belt.
US09348271B2 Transfer device and image forming apparatus including same
A transfer device includes an image bearer to bear a toner image, a nip forming device to contact the image bearer to form a transfer nip, a transfer bias power source including a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source electrically connected to each other to output a transfer bias including at least one of a DC bias and a superimposed bias to transfer the toner image from the image bearer onto a recording medium interposed in the transfer nip, a contact-and-separation device to cause the image bearer and the nip forming device to contact and separate from each other, and a controller to control the contact-and-separation device to increase a size of a space between the image bearer and the nip forming device upon transfer using the superimposed bias such that the space is larger than the space upon transfer using the DC bias.
US09348268B2 Belt unit and image forming apparatus
A belt unit includes an endless belt; multiple rollers including a tension roller that applies tension to the belt; a frame to which the multiple rollers are attached; bearing members which are movably attached to the frame and at least one of which is detachable from the frame; and urging units that urge the bearing members from the inner-peripheral-surface side to the outer-peripheral-surface side of the belt. The detachable bearing member includes a hole part that receives a rotation shaft of the tension roller and that rotatably supports the rotation shaft; and a guide surface that guides the shaft to an opening of the hole part while the bearing member is moving toward the frame against the urging force of the urging unit to be attached to the frame.
US09348264B2 Unit, cleaning unit, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning unit usable with an image forming apparatus includes a cleaning blade, supported by a frame and including a free end contactable to an image bearing drum, for removing a developer from the drum; a first seal provided between the frame and the blade by injection molding into the frame adjacent to a longitudinal end portion of the blade, the first seal being effective to prevent developer leakage; and a second seal provided between the drum and the frame in contact with the free end of the blade adjacent to the longitudinal end portion, wherein the first seal includes a seal portion contacting the blade, and a seat supporting the second seal, the seat being deformable to move the second seal to urge the second seal to the free end of the blade when the drum is mounted to the frame.
US09348262B1 Developing device having developer supply port and developer discharge port, and image forming apparatus therewith
A developing device has a developer container, first and second stirring members, a developer carrier, a developer supply port, and a developer discharge port. The developer container has transport chambers including the first and second transport chambers, and communication portions through which the first and second transport chambers mutually communicate. The first stirring member has a rotary shaft and a first helical blade. The second stirring member has a rotary shaft and a second helical blade. The second stirring member has a regulating portion for regulating movement of developer toward the developer discharge port. The regulating portion has two or more turns of regulating blades spiraling in the opposite phase to the second helical blade. The gap between the regulating blades and the inner wall surface of the developer container is gradually small from upstream to downstream with respect to the developer transport direction in the second transport chamber.
US09348255B2 Layer thickness regulating member, developing device and process cartridge
A layer thickness regulating member regulates an amount of developer carried on a surface of a developer carrying member and includes a base portion and a layer thickness regulating portion. The base portion includes an upstream base portion and a downstream base portion. A reinforcing rib portion projects from a rear side of the base portion and includes a first reinforcing rib and a second reinforcing rib disposed in a direction crossing the first reinforcing rib. The base portion, the layer thickness regulating portion, and the reinforcing rib portion are integrally molded. The layer thickness regulating portion and the first reinforcing rib are provided at positions spaced from each other with respect to a tangential direction of the developer carrying member.
US09348248B2 Preparing amorphous polyester resin emulsions
A process for making a latex emulsion including contacting at least one amorphous polyester resin with at least two organic solvents to form a resin mixture, adding a neutralizing agent, and deionized water to the resin mixture, removing the solvent from the formed latex, and separating the solvent from water. Further, the process is carried out above the resin Tg for making the latex, which drives the latex particle size under 100 nm, where toners made from the latex show improved charging performance.
US09348243B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a photosensitive layer containing a naphthalenediimide derivative represented by the following general formula (1). In the general formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally having an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. R2 and R3, independently from each other, each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a halogen group, or a cyano group.
US09348240B2 Mask pattern alignment method and system
An alignment method includes dividing a wafer into a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region, and each region contains a plurality chip areas. The method also includes obtaining alignment offset values for the first region, and determining a first alignment compensation equation for the first region. The method also includes obtaining alignment offset values for the second region, and determining a second alignment compensation equation for the second region. Further, the method includes determining whether a chip area to be exposed is in the first region or the second region, when the chip area is in the first region, using the first alignment compensation equation to adjust alignment of the wafer and, when the chip area is in the second region, using the second alignment compensation equation to adjust the alignment of the wafer.
US09348232B2 Illumination system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
An illumination system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a mirror arranged in a multi-mirror array and capable of being tilted via at least one actuator. The illumination system also includes drive electronics, which include a coarse digital-to-analogue converter with a first resolution, and a fine digital-to-analogue converter with a second resolution, and an adder. The second resolution is higher than the first resolution. The adder can add output quantities that are output by the two digital-to-analogue converters to yield an overall quantity that is capable of being applied at least indirectly to the at least one actuator of the mirror.
US09348223B2 Method for forming resin cured film pattern, photosensitive resin composition, photosensitive element, method for producing touch panel, and resin cured film
The method for forming a resin cured film pattern according to the invention comprises a first step in which there is formed on a base material a photosensitive layer composed of a photosensitive resin composition comprising a binder polymer with a carboxyl group having an acid value of 75 mgKOH/g or greater, a photopolymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, and having a thickness of 10 μm or smaller, a second step in which prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer are cured by irradiation with active light rays, and a third step in which the sections of the photosensitive layer other than the prescribed sections are removed to form a cured film pattern of the prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive resin composition comprises an oxime ester compound and/or a phosphine oxide compound as the photopolymerization initiator.
US09348221B2 Salt and photoresist composition comprising the same
A salt represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 independently each represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or a C1-C12 hydrocarbon group where a methylene group can be replaced by an oxygen atom or a carbonyl group; Ar represents a C6-C36 aromatic hydrocarbon group which can have a substituent or a C6-C36 heteroaromatic hydrocarbon group which can have a substituent; A− represents an organic anion; and “m” and “n” independently each represent an integer of 1 or 2.
US09348216B2 Test pad structure for reuse of interconnect level masks
A test pad structure in a back-end-of-line metal interconnect structure is formed by repeated use of the same mask set, which includes a first line level mask, a first via level mask, a second line level mask, and a second via level mask. The test pad structure includes a two-dimensional array of test pads such that a first row is connected to a device macro structure in the same level, and test pads in another row are electrically connected to another device macro structure of the same design at an underlying level. The lateral shifting of electrical connection among pads located at different levels is enabled by lateral extension portions that protrude from pads and via structures that contact the lateral extension portions. This test pad structure includes more levels of testable metal interconnect structure than the number of used lithographic masks.
US09348194B2 Generating optical pulses via a soliton state of an optical microresonator
A light pulse source (100), being adapted for generating repetitive optical pulses, comprises a continuous wave (cw) laser (10) being arranged for providing cw laser light, an optical microresonator (20) being made of a resonator material, which has a third order (Kerr) nonlinearity and an anomalous resonator dispersion, wherein the cw laser (10) is arranged for coupling the cw laser light into the optical microresonator (20), which, at a predetermined relative detuning of the cw laser (10) and the optical microresonator (20), is capable of including a light field in a soliton state, wherein soliton shaped pulses can be coupled out of the optical microresonator (20) for providing the repetitive optical pulses, and a tuning device (30) being arranged for creating and maintaining the predetermined relative detuning of the cw laser (10) and the optical microresonator (20) based on a tuning time profile being selected in dependency on a thermal time constant of the optical microresonator (20) such that the soliton state is achieved in a thermal equilibrium state of the optical microresonator (20). Furthermore, a method of generating repetitive optical pulses is described based on soliton shaped pulses coupled out of an optical microresonator (20) is described.
US09348188B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: first and second substrates opposed to each other; a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first and second substrates; a gate line formed on the first substrate and transmitting a gate signal; first and second data lines formed on the first substrate and transmitting first and second data voltages having different polarities; a first switching element connected to the gate line and the first data line; a second switching element connected to the gate line and the second data line; and first and second pixel electrodes that are connected to the first and second switching elements, respectively, and separated from each other, wherein the liquid crystal layer has positive dielectric anisotropy.
US09348183B2 Thin film transistor liquid crystal display panel and color filter substrate
Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panel comprising: a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor array substrate facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; and an electrostatic discharge circuit, wherein the color filter substrate comprises: a base substrate and a color filter film which has a first surface attached to the base substrate; a conductive layer attached to a second surface of the color filter film and electrically connected to the electrostatic discharge circuit to release charges on the conductive layer. The embodiments of the disclosed technology also provide a color filter substrate.
US09348169B2 Border structures for displays
A display may have an active area surrounded by an inactive border area. The inactive border area may be provided with an opaque masking material. The display may be a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer. Upper and lower polarizers may be provided above and below the color filter and thin-film transistor layers. The upper polarizer may have a polarized central region that overlaps the active area of the display. The upper polarizer may also have an unpolarized portion in the inactive border area overlapping the opaque masking material. The opaque masking material may alternatively be formed on the underside of a clear polymer substrate that is attached to the display above the upper polarizer or may be incorporated within the layers that make up the upper polarizer.
US09348168B2 Display device
A display device includes a first substrate on which a thin film transistor is formed and which is divided into a display area and a non-display area outside thereof, a second substrate arranged to face an upper surface of the first substrate, a light-shielding film provided in an area between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a circuit provided on an upper surface of the second substrate and in an area facing the display area. The second substrate includes a terminal part of the circuit, which is provided on the upper surface of the second substrate and in an area facing the non-display area. The terminal part is connected with a circuit driving substrate, which drives the circuit, through an anisotropic conductive film covering the terminal part. The light-shielding film is provided to avoid at least part of an area facing the terminal part.
US09348164B2 Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes: a substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the thin film transistor; a roof layer facing the pixel electrode; a plurality of microcavities formed between the pixel electrode and the roof layer, each microcavity including liquid crystal materials; a trench formed between the microcavities; and a buffer region formed at an end portion of the trench.
US09348163B2 Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display is provided. A passivation layer is disposed on a substrate. A first microcavity is disposed on the passivation layer. A second microcavity is disposed on the passivation layer and spaced apart from the first microcavity at a first spacing and along a first direction. A fixing member is disposed between the first microcavity and the second microcavity. A roof layer is disposed on the first and the second microcavities and the fixing member, wherein the first and the second microcavities include liquid crystal molecules.
US09348143B2 Ergonomic head mounted display device and optical system
This invention concerns an ergonomic optical see-through head mounted display device with an eyeglass appearance. The see-through head-mounted display device consists of a transparent, freeform waveguide prism for viewing a displayed virtual image, a see-through compensation lens for enabling proper viewing of a real-world scene when combined together with the prism, and a miniature image display unit for supplying display content. The freeform waveguide prism, containing multiple freeform refractive and reflective surfaces, guides light originated from the miniature display unit toward a user's pupil and enables a user to view a magnified image of the displayed content. A see-through compensation lens, containing multiple freeform refractive surfaces, enables proper viewing of the surrounding environment, through the combined waveguide and lens. The waveguide prism and the see-through compensation lens are properly designed to ergonomically fit human heads enabling a wraparound design of a lightweight, compact, and see-through display system.
US09348142B2 Detachable head mount display device and method for controlling the same
A micro-head mounted display device that may be detachably affixed to eye-glasses and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a detachable HMD device, detecting that the HMD device is affixed to eye-glasses, acquiring identification information of the eye-glasses, acquiring a look up table related to the identification information, receiving an input signal generated when the eye-glasses to which the HMD device is affixed are touched, from the sensor unit, acquiring a control input related to the input signal from the look up table, and performing a function corresponding to the control input.
US09348125B2 Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
A zoom lens system comprising: a negative first lens unit including at least one positive lens element; a positive second lens unit including at least one negative lens element; and subsequent lens units including an aperture diaphragm, wherein the subsequent lens units include a most-image-side lens unit fixed to an image surface in focusing, a first focusing lens unit is provided between the aperture diaphragm and the most-image-side lens unit, and the conditions: 1.0
US09348122B2 Projection lens including first lens group and second lens group and projection device including planar reflector
A projection lens provided is for projecting an image beam. The projection lens is disposed on a transmission path of the image beam and includes a first group of lenses and a second group of lenses. The first group of lenses includes a first spherical lens and a first aspheric lens. After the image beam passes through the first group of lenses, an intermediate image is formed between the first group of lenses and the second group of lenses, in which the first aspheric lens is the lens in the first group of lenses closest to the second group of lenses. A projection device using the projection lens is also provided. The projection device further includes a planar reflector on the transmission path of the image beam.
US09348116B1 Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens may comprise an aperture stop and six lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying several equations, the optical imaging lens may show desirable optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens may be shortened.
US09348115B1 Photographing lens system, image capturing device and electronic terminal
A photographing lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fourth lens element are aspheric. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, wherein the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element are aspheric.
US09348114B2 Optical image capturing system
An optical image capturing system, in order from an object side to an image side, the optical image capturing system comprising a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with a refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements have a refractive power, and the object-side surface and the image-side surface of these lens elements are aspheric. The sixth lens element with a negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface, the object-side surface and the image-side surface are aspheric, and at least one of the object-side and the image-side surfaces has an inflection point. When satisfying specific conditions, the compact optical image capturing system receives lights effectively and reduces the height of the optical system, so as to acquire better imaging quality.
US09348111B2 Automatic detection of lens deviations
An optical apparatus includes an image sensor, which outputs a signal responsively to an optical image formed on the image sensor. Objective optics focus optical radiation from an object so as to form the optical image on the image sensor, while superimposing a characteristic structure on the optical image. A processor processes the signal so as to generate an electronic image of the object while detecting, responsively to the characteristic structure, a deviation in an alignment of the objective optics relative to the image sensor.
US09348106B2 Cable management in rack systems
A rack system includes one or more racks each configured to receive at least one distribution module. Each rack includes management sections located at the front of the rack; troughs located at the rear of the rack; horizontal channels extending between the management sections and the trough; a storage area located at a first of opposing sides of the rack; a front vertical channel that connects to the storage area and at least some of the management sections; and a travel channel at the rear of the first rack that connects the storage area to the troughs.
US09348105B2 Splice chips for optical fiber splice cassettes
A splice chip includes a base, separation members extending upwardly from the base to define a plurality of rows, and latching fingers extending upwardly from the base to further define the rows. At least one of the rows includes at least a first latching finger, a second latching finger, and a third latching finger. The third latching finger is shorter than the first and second latching fingers. The second latching finger is shorter than the first latching finger. The row also may include a fourth latching finger that is the same height as the first latching finger.
US09348102B2 Pin cadence for high-speed connectors
A connector includes pins having a pinout including a functional designation cadence. The functional designation cadence includes a first ground pin, a first signal pin, a no-connect pin, a second signal pin, and a second ground pin, where the first signal pin is positioned between the first ground pin and the no-connect pin, the no-connect pin is positioned between the first and second signal pins, and the second signal pin is positioned between the no-connect pin and the second ground pin. Alternately, the functional designation cadence includes a first ground pin, a first signal pin, a third ground pin, a second signal pin, and a second ground pin, where the first signal pin is positioned between the first and third ground pins, the third ground pin is positioned between the first and second signal pins, and the second signal pin is positioned between the third and second ground pins.
US09348099B2 Optical coupler
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward techniques and configurations for an optical coupler. In some embodiments, the device may include an optical waveguide to transmit light input from a light source. The optical waveguide may include a semiconductor layer, having a trench with one facet that comprises an edge formed under an approximately 45 degree angle and another facet formed substantially normal to the semiconductor layer. The edge may interface with another medium to form a mirror to receive inputted light and reflect received light substantially perpendicularly to propagate the received light. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09348096B2 Passive distribution system using fiber indexing
The present disclosure relates to systems and method for deploying a fiber optic network. Distribution devices are used to index fibers within the system to ensure that live fibers are provided at output locations throughout the system. In an example, fibers can be indexed in multiple directions within the system. In an example, fibers can be stored and deployed form storage spools.
US09348090B2 Optical coupling element and manufacturing method
The present invention relates to an optical coupling element to optically couple optical elements of different kinds to each other, which is provided with a plurality of cores. In the optical coupling element a first end and a second end opposed thereto are different in at least either of a core array and a core interval. The optical coupling element has a bent shape of at least a part of the optical coupling element itself including the cores, so that a light input/output direction at the first end is different from a light input/output direction at the second end.
US09348085B2 Light source module
A light source module includes a plurality of light emitting units, and each of the light emitting units includes a reflection plate, a light extraction plate, a sidewall structure, a light source, and a diffusion plate. The light extraction plate has a plurality of first holes, and the light extraction plate and the reflection plate are opposite to each other. The sidewall structure having a plurality of second holes is located between the reflection plate and the light extraction plate, and the reflection plate, the light extraction plate, and the sidewall structure together constitute a first light guiding cavity. The light source is located in the first light guiding cavity and adjoins the sidewall structure. The diffusion plate is located above the light extraction plate, and a second light guiding cavity is formed between the light extraction plate and the diffusion plate.
US09348082B2 Illuminator for reflective displays
An illuminator for a reflective display (10) incorporates a light guide (14) having substantially transparent front and rear planar surfaces which overlap the display's viewing surface when the surfaces are substantially parallel and adjacent to the viewing surface. A light source (16) emits light into the light guide. A plurality of light redirecting structures (30) is distributed on the light guide's rear surface. The structures are shaped to redirect through the light guide toward the viewing surface light rays which encounter the structures. Most light rays emitted into the light guide by the light source which do not encounter any of the structures are confined within the light guide by total internal reflection. Most light rays emitted into the light guide by the light source which encounter any of the structures are re directed through the light guide toward the viewing surface, substantially uniformly illuminating the display in a low ambient light environment.
US09348055B2 Security scanner
A scanner (200) includes a radiation source (202) that emits radiation that traverses a scanning region and a detector array (204), including a line of detectors (302), that detects radiation traversing the scanning region, wherein the radiation source and the detector array are located on opposing sides of the scanning region. The scanner further includes a mover (208) configured to move an object through the scanning region when scanning the object. The line of detectors (302) is configured to move in a plane, which is substantially parallel to the scanning region, in coordination with the mover moving the object, thereby creating a plane of detection for scanning the object.
US09348042B2 Buried pressurized volumetric source and method
A seismic source configured to generate seismic waves underground. The source includes a tank configured to be buried underground, the tank having a cavity; an actuation mechanism provided inside the cavity, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to have at least one movable part that moves back and forth to generate a seismic wave having a desired frequency; and a first fluid provided inside the cavity and around the actuation mechanism and configured to transform the back and forth movement of the at least one movable part into a varying pressure that directly acts on walls of the tank.
US09348031B2 Delayed GeoTagging
Various methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing a delayed geotag using GPS devices are described. The GPS device includes a wireless receiver configured to receive satellite state data and satellite range measurements from a plurality of satellites, a communications interface in communication with a media device, and a position engine configured to calculate a geotag. The GPS device can be configured to receive satellite range measurements from one or more satellites at a first point in time when the satellite state data for a minimum number of the satellites is unavailable, and to calculate the satellite state data at that time using satellite state data received at a second, later point in time. The satellite state information at the first point in time is calculated using an algorithm to extrapolate the satellite state data back to the first point in time when the satellite range measurements were made. The GPS device can calculate a geotag using the calculated satellite state data at the first point in time and the corresponding satellite range measurements.
US09348008B2 Noninvasive characterization of mechanical properties of materials and tissues using magnetic resonance techniques
Techniques include determining, non-invasively and without applying deformational stress, a nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation rate at a volume inside a subject. The method also includes determining a mechanical property of material at the volume inside the subject based on the nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation rate.
US09348006B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes an acquiring unit, a detecting unit, a deriving unit, and an imaging controller. The acquiring unit acquires three-dimensional image data including a target organ. The detecting unit detects an upper end position and a lower end position of the target organ in the three-dimensional image data. The deriving unit derives an imaging range of subsequent imaging performed after acquisition of the three-dimensional image data based on the upper end position and the lower end position of the target organ. The imaging controller controls performance of the subsequent imaging in accordance with the imaging range.
US09348004B2 Magnetic sensor, magnetic head, and biomagnetic sensor
A magnetic sensor includes a channel layer, a magnetization free layer placed on a first section of the channel layer, and a magnetization-fixed layer placed on a second section of the channel layer. A thickness of the channel layer of the first section is different from a thickness of the channel layer of the second section and a resistance of an interface between the channel layer and the magnetization free layer is lower than a resistance of an interface between the channel layer and the magnetization-fixed layer.
US09348002B2 DLA rotor flux density scan method and tool
A method of measuring flux density and run out to accommodate rotors of different diameters, evaluate intrinsic properties of magnet material and the magnetization process. Circular run out measurement capability is also used to evaluate bearing journal “ovality.” The method includes the use of a scan tool, or a DLA Rotor Flux Density Scan Fixture, which evaluates the electromagnetic field strength (gauss), combined with surface run out and presents the data in a scalable pictorial format. The scan tool includes a probe which measures a magnetic field strength and circular run out of the perimeter of the magnet. Simultaneously, a non-contact measurement sensor is used to measure the rotor surface for subtle variations. The resulting sine wave gauss data and the surface dimension data are manipulated into a scalable “radar” plot. The radar plot correlates magnetic pole field strength and surface circular run out variation to the index position.
US09347999B2 Methods and systems for warning users of a degraded backup capacity in battery plants
A method of warning a user when a reserve time of a battery plant in a system is substantially degraded is disclosed. The method includes determining a baseline capacity for the battery plant by estimating the reserve time of the battery plant while the battery plant is installed in the system, subsequently determining a present capacity of the battery plant by estimating the reserve time of the battery plant while the battery plant is installed in the system, comparing the present capacity with the baseline capacity, and generating a warning when the baseline capacity exceeds the present capacity by more than a defined amount. Example embodiments of systems and control circuits configured to perform the methods are also disclosed herein.
US09347996B2 Remaining life determining system for stationary storage battery, and method of determining remaining life of stationary storage battery
A remaining life determining system for a stationary storage battery has a detecting unit configured to detect an evaluation value indicative of a deterioration level of the stationary storage battery, a first storage unit configured to store a usage history of the stationary storage battery, a second storage unit configured to store remaining life information associated with usage information of the stationary storage battery, a third storage unit configured to store remaining life basic information of the stationary storage battery, and a controller configured to estimate the remaining life of the stationary storage battery, from the usage history, the evaluation value, and the remaining life information.
US09347995B2 System and method for detecting battery failure during a non-operating event
A system is provided for monitoring an energy-storing apparatus during a non-operating event of a mechanism that draws energy from the energy-storing apparatus, which includes a plurality of energy-storing cells. The system includes a plurality of sensing units, each of which is coupled to a subset of the plurality of cells and is configured to monitor conditions of the corresponding subset of cells during the non-operating event. The system further includes a wireless communication unit and a power source. The wireless communication unit is coupled to each of the sensing units and configured to communicate a signal indicative of one of the monitored conditions of the corresponding subset of cells to a computing device. The power source provides energy to the sensing units and the wireless communication unit during the non-operating event.
US09347990B2 Communication device, test system and test method thereof
A communication device is provided, which includes: a baseband chip; a target test chip integrated into the baseband chip; an upper-layer processing unit corresponding to the target test chip; and at least one data transport interface and at least one data processing unit corresponding to the at least one data transport interface. The communication device further includes: a first switch, adapted to connect the target test chip with the at least one data transport interface or the upper-layer processing unit; a second switch, adapted to connect the at least one data transport interface with its corresponding data processing unit or the target test chip; and a test control unit, configured to control the first switch and the second switch to connect the data transport interface with the target test chip, so as to enable the communication device to test the target test chip.
US09347989B2 Test device for testing a PoP stacked-chip
A test device is provided for testing a bottom chip of a package-on-package (PoP) stacked-chip. An upper surface of the bottom chip has a plurality of soldering points for electrically connecting a plurality of corresponding soldering points of a top chip of the PoP stacked-chip. The test device includes a test head and a plurality of test contacts. The test head has the top chip installed inside. The plurality of test contacts is installed on a lower surface of the test head and electrically connected to the plurality of corresponding soldering points of the top chip inside the test head. When the lower surface of the test head contacts the upper surface of the bottom chip, the plurality of test contacts is electrically connected to the plurality of soldering points for testing the bottom chip.
US09347987B2 Direct liquid-contact micro-channel heat transfer devices, methods of temperature control for semiconductive devices, and processes of forming same
An apparatus to test a semiconductive device includes a base plane that holds at least one heat-transfer fluid unit cell. The at least one heat-transfer fluid unit cell includes a fluid supply structure including a supply-orifice cross section as well as a fluid return structure including a return-orifice cross section. The supply-orifice cross section is greater than the return-orifice cross section. A die interface is also included to be a liquid-impermeable material.
US09347985B2 Via chain testing structure and method
A via chain testing structure includes: a substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate; a first via chain disposed on dielectric layer; a second via chain, being disposed on the dielectric on both sides of the first via chain and in thermal proximity with the first via chain; a first heating source disposed under the substrate, for providing thermal heat to the first via chain; and an electrical current source for heating the second via chain so the second via chain acts as a second heating source for the first via chain.
US09347983B2 Wiring structure and display device including the same
There is provided a wiring structure comprising a board, which includes a connection pattern, and a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs). Each of the flexible printed circuit boards includes test patterns connected to the connection pattern. The test patterns included in each of the FPCBs are connected to each other by the connection pattern.
US09347970B2 Probe apparatus
A probe apparatus 10 has a movable mounting table 12 that mounts a wafer W on which multiple power devices are formed; a probe card 14 that is provided above the mounting table 12 and has multiple probes 14A; a conductive film electrode 13 formed on a mounting surface of the mounting table 12 and an outer peripheral surface thereof; and a measurement line 16 that electrically connects the conductive film electrode 13 to a tester 17. Further, the probe apparatus measures electrical characteristics of the power devices on the mounting table 12 at a wafer level. Furthermore, the measurement line 16 includes a switch device 18 configured to open and close an electric path of the measurement line 16 between the conductive film electrode 13 and the tester 17.
US09347968B2 Electronic device and input method
An electronic device includes a storage unit that stores reference data for executing each of functions, an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration of the electronic device in at least two axes perpendicular to each other, a motion detection unit that detects a consecutive motion of the electronic device based on the acceleration of the electronic device and generates data of the detected motion of the electronic device, a correction range determination unit that determines a correction range based on data of a motion in a predetermined section of the data of the motion of the electronic device, a correction unit that corrects the motion of the electronic device to a rectilinear motion when the motion of the electronic device is in the correction range, and an execution control unit that judges each of the functions to be executed based on the motion of the electronic device and the reference data.
US09347963B2 Apparatus and method for transporting sample well trays
An apparatus for transporting sample well trays with respect to a heating device is provided. The apparatus includes a sample well tray holder, a rotational actuator, and a biasing mechanism. The sample well tray holder includes a plate in which a sample well tray may be positioned. The sample well tray holder is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. The rotational actuator is configured to rotate the sample well tray holder about the first rotational axis. The biasing mechanism is configured to urge the sample well tray holder in a generally upward direction along the first rotational axis.
US09347959B2 Oxidative biomarkers in predicting risk of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Provided herein are compositions and methods for examining the progression, regression or risk of individuals for having a stroke, transient ischemic attack or peripheral artery disease.
US09347958B2 Device and method for determination of an analyte in blood
A sample acquiring device, an apparatus and a method for spectrophotometric measurement of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and at least one of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and glucose (FPG).
US09347957B2 Reagent for assaying D-dimer and kit of reagent for assaying D-dimer
The present invention provides a reagent for assaying D-dimer which includes carriers sensitized to first and second monoclonal antibodies which react with D-dimer, but have different reactivity to D-dimer in which the first monoclonal antibody reacts with high- and low-molecular fractions of D-dimer, the second monoclonal antibody reacts with the high-molecular fraction, but reactivity of the second monoclonal antibody with the low-molecular fraction is different from that of the first monoclonal antibody and a kit of reagent for assaying D-dimer.
US09347950B2 Moesin fragments associated with immune thrombocytopenia
The present application provides compositions and methods useful for detecting and monitoring immune thrombocytopenia.
US09347938B2 Methods for detecting multiple analytes with a single signal
Compositions, methods, and devices for the detection of multiple analytes with a single signal are provided.
US09347935B2 Mammalian sweet and amino acid heterodimeric taste receptors comprising T1R3 and T1R1
The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sweet or amino acid taste receptors comprising T1R3 and T1R1, two heterologous G-protein coupled receptor polypeptides from the T1R family of sensory G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sweet and amino acid taste receptors.
US09347930B2 Dispensing mechanism for test strips
A dispensing mechanism for dispensing measurement strips is presented having a strip cartridge with an enclosure for retaining a plurality of measurement strips and a dispensing slot for dispensing one measurement strip at a time, a spring rotatably arranged with respect to the strip cartridge, the spring comprising at least one engagement section adapted to engage one of the measurement strips at a time and move it out of the dispensing slot when the spring is rotated, and a guide slot arranged in the strip cartridge for guiding the engagement section of the spring as the spring is rotated.
US09347928B2 Tagged polymers, water treatment compositions, and methods of their use in aqueous systems
A method and composition is described for controlling the growth of fouling materials, such as scale, in aqueous systems using a tagged (fluorescent) polymer. The tagged polymer can be a fluorescent polymer which has at least one fluorescent monomeric unit derived from a fluorophore which has at least one terminal end comprising an olefinic group. The method of controlling the growth of at least one fouling material in an aqueous system can include the steps of adding the tagged polymer to the aqueous system to be treated, fluorometrically monitoring the concentration of the tagged polymer, and adjusting, as needed, the concentration of the tagged polymer and proportionally used water treatment compound or compounds effective to control the growth of at least one fouling material. The adjustment of pH before determination of the fluorescence signal can be employed to increase sensitivity of the fluorophore and minimize background interference.
US09347917B2 Mass spectrometry systems and methods for analyses on lipid and other ions using a unique workflow
The applicants' teachings provide in some aspects methods and apparatus for mass spectrometric analysis that identify the location of carbon-carbon double bonds, if any, in an analyte by (1) obtaining the m/z ratio of the intact analyte ions, (2) subjecting these ions to collision-induced dissociation and (3) determining relationships between masses and/or mass-to-charge ratios of the intact analyte ions and the fragments produced by such collision-induced dissociation. The methods and apparatus selectively subject analyte ions to ozone-induced dissociation based on those relationships and determine location(s) of carbon-carbon double bonds, if any, from reaction products of ozone-induced dissociation.
US09347915B2 Non-thermosensitive medium for analyzing species in a channel and for minimizing absorption and/or electroosomosic phenomena
An aqueous liquid medium for analyzing, purifying or separating species in an element having walls or for treating the walls of an element. The medium includes at least a polymer consisting of several polymeric segments. The polymer is of the irregular block-copolymer or irregular comb-like polymer type and has on the average at least three junction points between polymeric segments of different chemical or topological nature. The medium may be used in methods for analyzing, purifying or separating species and methods for treating an element to be contacted with a fluid and/or species contained in the fluid during preservation, transport, analysis, purification or separation of the fluid.
US09347909B2 Sample-retainable biosensor test strip
A biosensor test strip includes: a first working electrode and a second working electrode formed on a base plate, having the second working electrode circumferentially surrounding the first working electrode to define a reaction pool within the second working electrode having a biological reagent provided in the reaction pool. Upon feeding a liquid sample of a user or patient into the reaction pool, the liquid sample will be well retained in the reaction pool to be reacted with the reagent to produce a signal which is then converted to be a readable data as displayed on a measurement apparatus or meter.
US09347908B2 Molecular imprinted nanosensors
A molecular recognition sensor system is provided incorporating a molecular imprinted nanosensor device.
US09347903B2 Method for detecting the type of lambda probes
Methods for detecting the type of lambda probes having at least two electrodes disposed on and/or in a solid electrolyte, of which at least one electrode is separated from a gas mixture by a diffusion barrier, and a pump current Ip being applied to at least one of the electrodes. Either the internal resistance of the lambda probe between the electrodes is determined and the type of probe is inferred on the basis of this resistance, or currents are impressed between the electrodes and the type of probe is inferred based on the voltages or resistance ratios thereby resulting.
US09347902B2 Tester for measuring insulating properties of cross-linked polyethylene
A tester for measuring insulating properties of cross-linked polyethylene, the tester including: a housing including a control panel; a high voltage chamber including an insulating cover, a fixed frame, an insulating oil cup, a high voltage electrode, a ground electrode, and a temperature control device; and a test circuit including a high voltage power supply, a voltmeter, a timer, an overcurrent protection device, and a digital thermometer. The high voltage chamber and the test circuit are arranged inside the housing. The control panel is arranged on the housing. The insulating cover is disposed on the high voltage chamber. The fixed frame is disposed inside the high voltage chamber. The insulating oil cup is mounted on the fixed frame. The high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are disposed oppositely inside the insulating oil cup. The temperature control device is disposed beneath the insulating oil cup.
US09347900B2 Real-time redox sequencing
Real time redox sequencing methods, devices, and systems are described. Arrays of redox devices comprising one or two electrodes are used to provide sequence information about a template nucleic acid in a polymerase-template complex bound proximate to the electrode(s). A sequencing reaction mixture comprising nucleotide analogs comprising redox labels is introduced to the array of redox devices under conditions of polymerase mediated nucleic acid synthesis. The time sequence of incorporation of nucleotide analogs is determined by electrochemically identifying the redox labels of the nucleotide analogs that are incorporated into the growing strand.
US09347886B2 Apparatus for monitoring deposition rate, apparatus provided with the same for depositing organic layer, method of monitoring deposition rate, and method of manufacturing organic light emitting display apparatus using the same
An apparatus for monitoring deposition rate, an apparatus including the same, for depositing an organic layer, a method of monitoring deposition rate, and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display apparatus using the same, are provided. The deposition rate monitoring apparatus for measuring deposition rate of a deposition material discharged from a deposition source, includes: a light source for irradiating light having a wavelength within a photoexcitation bandwidth of the deposition material; a first optical system for irradiating the light emitted from the light source toward the discharged deposition material; a second optical system for collecting the light emitted from the deposition material; and a first light sensor for detecting the amount of the light which is emitted from the deposition material and collected in the second optical system.
US09347882B2 Dynamic signal extension in optical detection systems
Systems and methods for measuring a target in a sample, the target being capable of generating an emitted light in response to an excitation light. In an example system, an excitation light source generates the excitation light along an excitation optical path. An attenuation filter arrangement selectively adds an attenuation filter to the excitation optical path. The attenuation filter attenuates the excitation light by a corresponding attenuation factor. The excitation light exits the attenuation filter arrangement along the excitation optical path to illuminate the sample. A light energy detector receives the emitted light generated in response to the excitation light, and outputs a measured signal level corresponding to an emitted light level. If the light energy detector indicates an overflow, signal measurement is repeated with attenuation filters of increasing attenuation factors until the measured signal level does not overflow.
US09347876B2 Infrared optical sensor incorporating a transmission measuring cell
Disclosed is an infrared optical sensor for the continuous analysis of a liquid flowing in a pipe. The sensor includes, in a housing, a central section of duct through which the liquid to be analyzed flows, and a spectral analysis device using a light beam, including an infrared source which emits a signal which is received by a receiving device having passed through the liquid, an optical component which allows the light beam to pass through the liquid, and a support plate which carries the infrared source and the receiving device. The liquid to be analyzed circulates through a loop formed by walls in the form of an arch of the optical component and by a projection of the housing in the optical component. A sealing gasket is compressed between the optical component and the housing, in order to prevent any diffusion of liquid on the interior of the housing.
US09347870B2 Device for photometrically or spectrometrically examining a liquid sample
The invention relates to a device (1) for photometrically or spectrometrically examining a liquid sample (2), comprising a cuvette (3, 3′), which can be arranged in the beam path between a radiation source (4) and a radiation detector (5) and which accommodates the liquid sample (2) to be examined, a radiolucent inlet section (6) for coupling in radiation (20) produced by means of the radiation source (4), which radiation interacts with a sample volume (8), and a radiolucent outlet section (7) for coupling out radiation (20″) intended to be detected in the radiation detector (5), wherein the inlet section (6) has an inlet surface (11) convexly curved in such a way and/or the outlet section (7) has an outlet surface (12, 12′) spherically convexly curved in such a way that the incident radiation (20, 20′) is focused in the manner of a converging lens.
US09347869B2 Multiwell plate lid for improved optical measurements
A lid for a multiwell plates which allows improved light scattering measurement of liquid samples within the wells of a multiwell plate, and which at the same time mitigates evaporation from said samples is disclosed. A surface element protrudes from the bottom of the lid into the fluid in a well. The protruding element may be hollow or solid, and the beam of light, directed into the element may act to capture or direct the beam while preventing backscatter from reaching the light scattering detector or detectors. The protruding element may thus direct the beam from the well without the beam having to pass through a fluid/air interface. The angle and shape of the lid surfaces may be optimized to minimize or eliminate back-reflection. Light absorbing and/or light blocking colorization may also be employed to minimize or eliminate back reflection. Evaporation is controlled by physically capping the well with the lid, either sealing against the face at the top of the well or the inside surface of the well.
US09347860B1 Apparatus for testing vapor emissions from materials
An apparatus comprising a dynamic vapor microchamber having a recessed area that accommodates a test material that includes chemical vapors emitted therefrom; an air inlet chamber that directs a flow of air towards the recessed area; at least one air flow wall adjacent to the recessed area and intersecting the flow of air, wherein the at least one air flow wall disrupts the air flow field as it flows towards the test material and produces a uniform and distributed laminar air flow field across a surface of the test material; a thermal controller under the recessed area that maintains a uniform temperature of the test material and the flow of air over the test material; and an air exhaust port that collects the vapors emitted from the test material. The apparatus may include a plurality of chambers arranged adjacent to one another.
US09347857B2 Microtome with surface orientation sensor to sense orientation of surface of sample
A sample sectioning device includes a cutting mechanism, a sample holder, a drive system, and a surface orientation sensor. The sample holder is operable to hold a sample. The cutting mechanism is operable to cut sections from the sample. The drive system is coupled with the sample holder. The drive system is operable to drive movement between the sample held by the sample holder and the cutting mechanism. The surface orientation sensor is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder.
US09347855B2 Inspection arrangement
An inspection arrangement including an inspection element and a positioning tool for positioning the inspection element, the inspection element being attachable to the positioning tool by an attachment arrangement, and having a fixing element to present the inspection element in use, the fixing element including a plurality of radially extending resilient elements.
US09347850B2 Testing methods for wind turbine blades
Testing method for determining the distribution of a physical property along a wind turbine blade comprising the following steps: a) installing inside the blade a first optical fiber cable (13) along the leading and trailing edges and a second and third centered optical fiber cables (14, 15) at both sides of the blade (9), leaving in them a free end; b) applying one load to the blade (9) in a test bench (10) placed at the blade factory; c) obtaining the strain distribution produced by said load along the blade (9) using a suitable external equipment connected to said free end for measuring the strain using Rayleigh scattered light; d) determining the distribution of said physical property from said strain distribution; e) comparing the distribution of said physical property with its design distribution. The invention also comprises a method of installation of said cables.
US09347828B1 Method for detecting ambient light brightness and apparatus for achieving the method
A method for detecting ambient light brightness comprises the following steps: sensing light from a direction of a projection screen; performing preset operations at an occasion free of projection, so that a first preset image and a second preset image are presented on the projection screen; acquiring light sensing values of the first preset image and the second preset image to obtain a reference value and a threshold value of an ambient light brightness change; after acquiring a current ambient light brightness value, obtaining a change direction and magnitude of actual ambient light brightness according to the reference value and the threshold value; and obtaining a current actual ambient light brightness value according to the change direction and magnitude of the actual ambient light brightness and the light sensing value of the second preset image. An apparatus for detecting ambient light brightness is also provided.
US09347821B1 Refuse container with weight indicator and danger alerting
A refuse container provides an indication of the weight of the refuse stored therein and provides a danger alert when the weight of the refuse nears or exceeds a predetermined maximum. A display can display a value based on the weight of the refuse held in the refuse container. Further, one or more light sources can provide an indication of the weight of the refuse held in the refuse container. For example, the number of light source lit can provide an indication of the weight of the refuse held in the refuse container. A scale in the refuse container measures the weight of the refuse held therein. A controller uses the weight of the refuse held in the refuse container to determine the value to display on the display and whether to activate the light sources.
US09347820B2 Body weight measuring techniques
According to certain inventive techniques, a body weight measuring device measures a weight of a load over a period of time to generate a reading. The body weight measuring device includes a plurality of load sensors, a radio, at least one processor, and a display. The plurality of load sensors is configured to generate load information during the reading. The load information includes a plurality of measurements from each of the plurality of load sensors received over the period of time. The radio is configured to wirelessly transmit reading information. The at least one processor is configured to receive the load information from the plurality of load sensors, analyze the load information to determine weight information, analyze at least one of the load information or the weight information to determine stability information, communicate the reading information to the radio. The reading information comprises the load information and the stability information. The display is configured to receive and display the weight information.
US09347818B2 Automated collection and scale system
The disclosure describes a novel approach of utilizing a collection bin for a side loading waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes a weighing system with a processor for measuring the weight of material collected from each waste container and associating this weight with appropriate data, such as the owner of the waste container.
US09347812B1 Adjustable volumetric measuring utensil
An adjustable volumetric measuring utensil has an adjustable inner member including a repositionable dam member and an outer member including a fixed wall having an incurvate interior surface forming a non-horizontally oriented channel, such that the interior surface of the channel mates with the dam member at a plurality of locations to form a measuring chamber of variable volume, the channel having a full measure indicator defining a horizontal upper boundary plane delimiting from above the measuring chamber of variable volume and defining the correct positioning of the horizontal upper surface of a measured material, whereby the dam member can be positioned partly above and partly below the horizontal upper boundary plane and whereby a variable portion of the upstream face of the dam member is in contact with the measured material, depending on its positioning, the utensil including a series of volumetric measuring indicia or recipe conversion indicia.
US09347810B2 Method and apparatus for measuring a pulsatingly fluctuating flow rate
A method and apparatus for measuring a pulsatingly fluctuating flow rate under a general condition, without needing electrical conductivity for a fluid, and without allowing a phase lag corresponding to a calculation time or attenuation, or resulting from a relation between pressure difference and flow rate, to occur. Ultrasonic waves are repeatedly transmitted with respect to a pulsatingly fluctuating fluid, while the ultrasonic wave is being received, and a signal indicative of the transmission and receipt, and a signal indicative of a timing of the transmission and receipt are recorded. Alternatively, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received based on a preliminarily set timing signal, and the signal indicative of the transmission and receipt is recorded. These signals are used to determine flow rates and transmission and receipt timings to plot a pulsating fluctuation. In one or more implementations, the timing signal may be phase-synchronized with a pulsation reference signal.
US09347807B2 Multi-phase ultrasonic pipe flow meter
A system for determining densities and proportions of phases in a multi-phase fluid flow (MFF) that can include an oil phase, a water phase, and a gas phase from a well. The system includes a first density sensor that senses the MFF at locations where the phases of the MFF are often separated, a second density sensor senses the MFF from the output of a phase mixer-homogenizer, and a third density sensor that senses, in real time, the MFF where the gas phase starts to separate or has separated from the liquid phase but where the liquid phases have not separated. The system also includes one or more processors for executing one or more programs to determine a density of the oil phase, a density of the water phase, a density of the gas phase, and proportions of phases including a water cut and a gas volume fraction based on readings from the first, second, and third density sensors.
US09347802B2 Scale, vernier encoder and apparatus using the same
The scale for a vernier encoder including a sensor relatively movable with the scale in a first direction and configured to read periodic patterns provided in the scale. The scale includes first and second scale tracks each including multiple periodic patterns having mutually different periods in the first direction and being arranged parallel in a second direction. The multiple periodic patterns form, between the first and second scale tracks, multiple pairs of periodic patterns to be used for producing multiple periodic signals, each periodic signal being produced by vernier operation. In at least one of the first and second scale tracks, a first periodic pattern, which is used for producing a shortest period periodic signal among the multiple periodic signals, is provided closest to a boundary between the first and second scale tracks among the multiple periodic patterns.
US09347799B2 Magnetic field sensor system with a magnetic wheel rotatable around a wheel axis and with magnetic sensor elements being arranged within a plane perpendicular to the wheel axis
It is described a magnetic field differential sensor system for measuring rotational movements of a shaft. The described magnetic field sensor system (200) comprises (a) a biasing magnet (210, 510) configured for generating a biasing magnetic field; (b) a magnetic wheel (230) having a wheel axis and a circumferential surface which comprises a regular structure of teeth (231) and gaps (232) arranged in an alternating manner, wherein (i) the magnetic wheel (230) is attachable to the shaft and (ii) the magnetic wheel (230) can be magnetized by the biasing magnetic field; and (c) a magnetic sensor arrangement (220) comprising four magnetic sensor elements (221, 222, 223, 224) being connected with each other in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. Respectively two of the magnetic sensor elements (221, 222, 223, 224) are assigned to one half bridge of the Wheatstone bridge. Further, the four magnetic sensor elements (221, 222, 223, 224) are arranged within an y-z plane, wherein an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis define an orthogonal Cartesian coordinate system in which (i) the x-axis is oriented parallel with the wheel axis of the magnetic wheel (230), (ii) the y-axis is oriented tangential to the circumferential surface of the magnetic wheel (230), and (iii) the z-axis is the symmetry line through the center of the biasing magnet (210, 510) and the center of the magnetic wheel (230). The magnetic sensor elements can be hall sensor elements or magnetoresistive sensor elements (221, 222, 223, 224).
US09347796B1 Wireless remote sensing power meter
A remote radio frequency (RF) power sensing unit including a first module and a second module. The first module may be configured to generate a digital output representative of a power level of a radio frequency (RF) signal. The second module may be configured to convert the digital output of the first module to a digital signal communicating the power level and transmit the digital signal communicating the power level over a wireless communication channel using a wireless protocol.
US09347792B2 Systems and methods for displaying images with multi-resolution integration
A display system is provided for a vehicle. The system includes a first data source configured to provide low resolution terrain data; a second data source configured to provide high resolution terrain data; a processing unit coupled to the first data source and the second data source, the processing unit configured to receive the low resolution terrain data and high resolution terrain data, to integrate the low resolution terrain data and the high resolution terrain data into a common three-dimensional view that includes graphical elements representing both the low and the high resolution terrain data, and to supply display commands associated with the low and the high resolution terrain data; and a display device coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render the common three-dimensional view to thereby allow simultaneous viewing of the low and the high resolution terrain data.
US09347790B2 Power supply system with at least a primary power source and an auxiliary power source for powering an electronic flight bag depending on an whether an aircraft is in a flight condition
A control system for providing electrical power to an electronic flight bag device on an aircraft. The control system including a power switching component coupled to a plurality of power sources and at least one electronic flight bag device. The power switching component is operative and configured to selectively apply electrical power from at least one of the plurality of power sources to the at least one electronic flight bag device based upon a condition of the aircraft.
US09347787B2 Map application with improved search tools
Some embodiments of the invention provide a mapping application with novel tools for examining potential destinations and routes to the potential destinations. In some embodiments, the mapping application includes a route preview page that provides a novel combination of user element tools that allow a user (1) to explore alternative routes to a selected destination, (2) to explore routes to other destinations in a list of destinations. In some embodiments, the route overview page also provides a modal zoom tool that allows the map on this page to zoom to the destination/search result or zoom out to an overview of the entire route to the destination/search result. These three tools (i.e., the tool for exploring alternative routes to one location, the tool for exploring routes to other locations, and the tool for providing modal zoom operations) are highly beneficial in allowing a user to navigate to a location because they allow the user to quickly explore the two-dimensional solution space of possible locations and possible routes to the locations.
US09347785B2 Navigation device for displaying name of guidance intersection
A navigation device includes: an intersection attribute determination unit 731 that determines a direction of a left/right turn at a guidance target intersection on a guidance route on the basis of route information on the guidance route; a display position decision unit 732 that decides a display position for a name of the guidance target intersection on a side opposite to the direction of the right/left turn determined by the intersection attribute determination unit 731 when viewed from an entrance link to the guidance target intersection; a drawing data generation unit 733 that generates drawing data on the name of the guidance target intersection; and an image data output unit 9 that causes a display device 10 to display the drawing data generated by the drawing data generation unit 733 at the display position decided by the display position decision unit 732.
US09347777B2 Mission planning system and method
A system and method for planning missions is provided. The system includes at least one client computer coupled to a network, and a server, coupled to the network, that includes a processor coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform a method for planning missions that includes providing a graphical user interface (GUI) to the client computer, creating a mission including a plan, updating the plan and providing the updated plan to the client computer.
US09347772B2 Apparatus for measurement of three-dimensional shape
An apparatus for measurement of a three-dimensional (3D) shape includes a lens unit transmitting slit beams to a plurality of measurement objects, a light source unit irradiating the plurality of slit beams to the lens unit at different angles, an imaging unit obtaining images of the plurality of measurement objects formed by the slit beams irradiated on the plurality of measurement objects, and a calculation processing unit generating information regarding a 3D shape of the plurality of measurement objects from the images obtained by the imaging unit.
US09347768B1 In line ellipsometer system and method of use
A system for monitoring, in real time, relatively large samples as they are caused to pass by an ellipsometer or the like system, and method of its use.
US09347766B2 Method of supporting an item in a mounting apparatus
A method of supporting an item in a mounting apparatus includes providing an item having first, second, and third members that are at least partially-spherical. The method additionally includes supporting the first member with a first mount configured to constrain the first member against movement along three mutually-orthogonal directions. The method also includes supporting the second member with a second mount configured to constrain the second member against movement along exactly two of the directions, and supporting the third member with a third mount configured to constrain the third member against movement along exactly one of the directions.
US09347761B2 Two-way roundness device
A two way roundness device can be configured as a device in which a tool, such as an indicator rotates or as a device in which the part to be measured or cut rotates. This ability to alternate between these two configurations is enabled by a combination of a rotating spindle assembly and a two-axis stage that can be oriented, in use, with the two-axis stage under the spindle assembly or with the two-axis stage on top of the spindle assembly.
US09347751B2 Mechanical broadhead device
A mechanical broadhead device which includes a plurality of blades pivotably attached to a shaft, where the plurality of blades and the shaft are disposed within a tapered cover, and an arrow comprising the mechanical broadhead device attached to an arrow shaft has an aerodynamic profile in flight that mimics an aerodynamic profile of an arrow comprising a target or field point.
US09347746B1 Armored energy-dispersion objects and method of making and using
An armor system that includes a first armor article that includes a plurality of energy-dispersion objects arranged in a predetermined configuration, wherein the plurality of energy-dispersion objects includes a plurality of hollow objects, and wherein at least some of the plurality of hollow objects are filled with an inner filler material; and a lock mechanism configured to hold the plurality of energy-dispersion objects in the predetermined configuration. A method for manufacturing an armor system, the armor system including a first armor article, the method including producing a plurality of hollow hemispheres; affixing pairs of the plurality of hemispheres to one another to form a first plurality of spheres; treating each one of the plurality of hemispheres with an anti-ballistic treatment; inserting a filler material into each one of the plurality of hemispheres; and locking the first plurality of spheres into a predetermined configuration.
US09347732B2 Apparatus for mounting a dampener and/or stabilizer to an archery bow
An apparatus for absorbing energy from the release of an archery bow. The apparatus of the present invention provides an elongated support structure releasably connectable to a vibration reduction insert. The vibration reduction insert has a substantially cylindrical shape and at least one substantially C-shaped recess along an outer edge of the vibration reduction insert. A releasable fastener is connected to one end of the support structure, and the fastener is releasably connectable to the archery bow such that the support structure is extendible in a cantilevered position relative to the archery bow. The vibration reduction insert may be made from a vibration reduction material. Along an edge of the C-shaped recess, the vibration reduction insert may have a U-shaped recess that extends toward the radial center of the vibration reduction insert. There may be two substantially C-shaped recesses that are substantially coaxially aligned.
US09347729B2 At the ready weapon holder
An at the ready weapon holder for supporting a pistol at its barrel, the at the ready weapon holder including a pistol bore support member including a substantially cylindrical rod having a top end and a bottom end and a base including a base plate and a receptacle for receiving the bottom end of the substantially cylindrical rod. The top end of the substantially cylindrical rod is adapted to removably secure the pistol at its barrel by having the top end of the substantially cylindrical rod inserted into the bore of the pistol.
US09347725B2 Semiautomatic rifle trigger mechanism
Methods and apparatus are provided for a semiautomatic rifle with a trigger in a receiver portion of the rifle positioned substantially forward of a back end of the rifle barrel, and a hammer assembly that includes a pivotally mounted sear, a disconnector, and a hammer mounted in the receiver behind the back end of the barrel. A hammer linkage proximate the hammer assembly has a first end connected to the trigger by a pull rod, and a second end configured to push a back end of the sear in an upward direction.
US09347719B1 Replaceable feed ramp
A feed ramp system for feeding cartridges into the chamber of a firearm. The feed ramp system includes a feed ramp insert having a body with at least one attachment tab projecting therefrom. The feed ramp insert is received within a mating recess formed in the receiver and is removably coupled to the receiver to enable replacement of the feed ramp insert. The feed ramp insert includes a pair of proximal ramp surfaces that align with distal ramp surfaces form at a breech end of the firearm barrel, to define a pair of feed ramps for directing cartridges into the chamber.
US09347717B2 Method for a circuit with heat accumulator
The invention relates to a method for operating a circuit having a heat accumulator, having a coolant circuit, having a heat accumulator in a line of the circuit and having at least one valve and one pump, wherein, when the valve is open, the heat accumulator can be charged with coolant from the coolant circuit by means of the pump, or coolant can be discharged from the heat accumulator into the coolant circuit, wherein the charging or discharging of the heat accumulator takes place in an open-loop-controlled or closed-loop-controlled manner as a function of a temperature difference of a temperature of the coolant in the circuit and a temperature of the coolant in the heat accumulator.
US09347708B2 Furnace with refractory bricks that define cooling channels for gaseous media
A furnace is provided suitable for metallurgical processes, comprising at least one section comprised of refractory bricks with an outer shell plate adjacent to the refractory bricks, including exterior bricks whose external faces adjacent the shell plate define gaseous media cooling channels extending along the exterior of the refractory bricks between them and the shell plate. The furnace further comprises cooling plates within the cooling channels and joints between the successive courses of bricks. Advantageously, the conductivity of the cooling plates is at least 5 times the conductivity of the refractory lining into which it is inserted. Suitable materials include copper and copper-based alloys, brasses, bronzes, cast irons, aluminum alloys, silver, high-temperature steels, refractory metals and their alloys, graphite, silicon carbide, and aluminum nitride.
US09347705B2 Continuous particle drying apparatus
A dryer dries particles, wherein the dryer comprises two circular decks mounted substantially horizontally and rotating in opposite directions relative to one another about a same vertical axis, Z, the surface of said decks being perforated and permeable to air, steam and water, a means for blowing hot gas in a flow substantially parallel to the axis Z, passing through the second deck before passing through the first deck, means for distributing said particles to be dried on the first and second decks and means for recovering the particles after a rotation of each deck, and a means for transferring the particles collected from the first deck by the recovery means to a second distribution means suitable for distributing said particles along a radius of the second deck.
US09347701B2 Refrigerator module mounting system
An elongated spine extends vertically within a refrigerated cabinet, freezer cabinet, or doors and includes ductwork for the transmission of fluids within the spine as well as operating power and/or electrical control or data signals. The spine includes a mounting channel having inwardly extending edges. Modules mate with the spine for the physical mounting of the modules at any desired location within the continuously extending channel and are provided with a flange which fits within the spine and mounts the module in a cantilevered fashion to the refrigerator. Such construction facilitates the distribution of fluids, such as hot or cold air within the refrigerator, and the manufacturing of a refrigerator by providing a readily attached spine and allowing modular construction of a refrigerator with infinite adjustability for the user.
US09347700B2 Low ambient cooling kit for variable refrigerant flow heat pump
Systems and methods for low ambient air temperature cooling in air-source based heat pump systems wherein an outdoor heat pump unit includes a discharge hood positionable over its fan. The hood including a damper that is openable and closeable as a function of outside temperature. The outdoor unit may also include wind deflectors positioned over the coil openings of the disclosure. During cooling operations below a low outside air threshold temperature, e.g., below 23° F., the damper assembly partially closes to reduce airflow across the condenser coil of the outdoor unit to a level below that which is possible at minimum fan speed. As the outdoor temperature continues to drop, the damper assembly continues to close to further reduce airflow.
US09347694B2 Dual suction compressor with rapid suction port switching mechanism for matching appliance compartment thermal loads with cooling capacity
An appliance employing a coolant system that includes a compressor having a housing, a cooling capacity, and operably connected to typically two evaporators for regulating a temperature of the first compartment and a temperature of the second compartment; a shared coolant fluid connection system; a coolant fluid spaced within the shared coolant fluid connection system; and a switching mechanism operably connected to a first fluid conduit that provides shared coolant fluid to the compressor at a first pressure level and a second fluid conduit that provides shared coolant fluid to the compressor at a second pressure level where the second pressure level is less than the first pressure level wherein the switching mechanism is capable of regulating and switching shared coolant flow to the compressor from the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit.
US09347692B2 Low profile solar tracking systems and methods
A solar energy collection system comprises a frame for mounting the system on a suitable substrate and a plurality of solar panels disposed adjacent to one another on the frame. A first set of the solar panels are movable relative to a second set of the solar panels, for tracking movement of the sun during the day. Solar panels of the first set are arranged in alternating fashion with solar panels of the second set. In some embodiments of the invention, the panels in the second set of solar panels are stationary. The second set of solar panels, in some embodiments, are disposed substantially flat, relative to the frame and the substrate on which the frame is mounted. In some embodiments, differing from those in which the second set of solar panels are stationary, the second set of solar panels may be arranged to be movable relative to the first set of solar panels.
US09347689B1 Apparatus and method for renewable energy system
A renewable energy system comprising a solar panel that is adapted to be mounted on a structure and convert solar energy into electrical energy, a windmill that is adapted to be mounted on the structure and convert wind energy into electrical energy, and a means for shutting down the renewable energy system that is adapted to automatically shut down the system in the event of an emergency. A method for a renewable energy system comprising providing a renewable energy system and converting renewable energy into electrical energy.
US09347682B2 Dynamic double-circuit in-line heater
A dynamic double-circuit in-Line heater is disclosed, as well as a machine containing the heater and a method of operating the machine.
US09347677B2 Inerting method for preventing and/or extinguishing fire as well as inerting system to realize the method
The invention relates to an inerting method as well as an inerting system (1) to set and/or maintain a reduced oxygen content in an enclosed room (2), wherein a gas separation system (3.1, 4.1; 3.2, 4.2; 3.3, 4.3) is provided which separates off at least a portion of the oxygen from an initial gas mixture provided in a mixing chamber (6) and by so doing, provides a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture. In order to optimize the operation of the inerting system (1), the invention provides for a portion of the air to be withdrawn from the enclosed room (2) and admixed with fresh air in the mixing chamber (6).
US09347671B2 Household appliance having a warming drawer with a thermally conductive layer
A household appliance includes a warming drawer housing having an interior chamber and a warming drawer module in the interior chamber. The warming drawer module includes a glass heating element forming a floor surface of the warming drawer module for receiving items to be warmed, a thermostat having a sensor measuring a temperature of the glass heating element, the thermostat being disposed under the glass heating element, and a thermally conductive layer disposed between an underside of the glass heating element and the sensor of the thermostat.
US09347667B2 Injector for the combustion chamber of a gas turbine having a dual fuel circuit, and combustion chamber provided with at least one such injector
A starting injector usable in all flight modes without additional cost or weight. The starting injector includes a dual fuel circuit and an air circuit. An injector for a combustion chamber of a gas turbine includes a dual fuel injection circuit including a starting fuel circuit for ignition and then for all the flight modes, and a main fuel circuit for all the flight modes after starting. The circuits include parallel pipes in a common tube having an axis. The pipe of the starting circuit is substantially in communication with a center of a spherical injector body. At the end, the pipe accommodates an injection manifold coupled to a central channel passing through a central wall of a swirler. The pipe of the main circuit is in communication with an annular channel opposite jet channels. An air circuit is guided between two portions shaped as concentric spheres.
US09347651B2 Display device
A display device includes an optical member, a display panel disposed on the optical member, and a plurality of light emitting units disposed under the optical member, the optical member comprising, a diffusion layer, and a reflectivity control layer which is disposed under the diffusion layer and reflects a light provided from the light emitting units, including a first base material, reflective materials dispersed in the first base material, a plurality of first portions corresponding to the plurality of light emitting units, and a second portion disposed adjacent to the first portions, where each of the plurality of first portions comprises a greater amount of the reflective materials than the second portion, when a first portion and a second portion represent a unit area having a predetermined size.
US09347643B2 Light flux controlling apparatus
A light flux controlling member has: a light control/emission surface that controls a traveling direction of light; a concavity that allows a main beam to be incident inside; and a back surface that extends in a radial direction from an opening rim part of the concavity and that allows sub-beams to be incident inside. One of a grid convex part which arranges a plurality of strips of convex parts in a grid pattern and a grid concave part which arranges a plurality of strips of concave parts in a grid pattern is formed in the back surface of the light flux controlling member.
US09347639B2 Optical module of an illuminating and/or signalling device of a motor vehicle
An optical module of a lighting and/or signaling device of a motor vehicle In one embodiment, the optical module comprises a support that supports an optical lens and a heat exchanger, with the support connecting the optical lens to the heat exchanger.
US09347629B2 Inflatable solar-powered light
An inflatable solar-powered light is disclosed. In some embodiments, the inflatable solar-powered light includes the following: an expandable bladder including a plurality of surfaces; a solar-powered light assembly positioned on at least one of the plurality of surfaces of the bladder; and one or more cover portions positioned over the assembly and joined with the at least one of the plurality of surfaces of the bladder around its edges, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the at least one or more cover portions is substantially transparent and each of the one or more cover portions forms a substantially waterproof envelope with the at least one of the plurality of surfaces of the bladder in which the solar-powered light assembly is contained.
US09347623B2 Reflector device and lighting device comprising such a reflector device
A reflector device comprising a reflector (106), having an inner surface (120, 122), and at least one solid state light emitting element (114). The inner surface of the reflector comprises first and second surface portions (120, 122), which are flat and which extend in planes intersecting at an angle. The at least one solid state light emitting element (114) is mounted at at least one of said first and second surface portions (120,122) such that a major part of the light emitted from said at least one solid state light emitting element (114) illuminates the other one of said first and second surface portions (120,122).
US09347610B1 Techniques for making pressure vessels as unitary structures of composite materials
A method for making large pressure vessels using a composite over-wrap process and a soluble mandrel structure that is scalable to a much larger vessel size than can normally be accommodated by the over-wrap process. The method allows the production of very large, lightweight vessels with no seams and no metal liners. Extensions of the method provide for the fabrication of fully embedded threaded or non-threaded bosses of composite materials, and fully embedded longitudinal and circumferential stringers or stiffeners.
US09347601B2 Supporting device
A supporting device is provided, including a longitudinal main body, a connecting member, and a longitudinal supporting member. The connecting member is pivotally connected to the main body, such that the main body is rotatable relative to the connecting member along a first axis. The main body is extended along the first axis. The supporting member is pivotally connected to the connecting member, such that the supporting member is rotatable relative to the connecting member along a second axis. The first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis.
US09347584B2 Gas regulator
A gas regulator includes a valve block, a pressure regulating assembly, and a metal coil. The valve block includes an input gateway, an output gateway, and a pressure reducing chamber. The metal coil is provided in the pressure reducing chamber. The pressure regulating assembly includes a membrane provided in the pressure reducing chamber, a movable member connected to the membrane, and a shielding member connected to the movable member, wherein the movable member has a magnetic element received in the metal coil. The membrane deforms with gas pressure changes of a connected gas source, and makes the movable member move the shielding member to change an output gas flow of the input gateway. The magnetic element is then moved relatively to the metal coil to generate an induced emf, which precisely indicates the gas pressure changes of the gas source.
US09347568B2 Valve and diaphragm for a valve
A valve has a valve housing with a first port and a second port, and has a closing member movable along an axial direction. When in a closed position, the closing member interacts sealingly with a valve seat to block a fluid connection between the first and second ports. An fluid-impermeable diaphragm comprises a central opening through which a closing member arrangement including the closing member extends, and a clamping section that runs in a clamping gap. The diaphragm is held with sealing action between the closing member arrangement and a holding arrangement on the housing. The diaphragm has a first section and a second section adjoining the first section. The first section is held in the holding arrangement with a force fit, the second section is guided in the holding arrangement, and the first and second sections are arranged at an angle relative to one another. A form fit is generated by the first section, second section and holding arrangement.
US09347543B2 Gearbox supporting means of a wind turbine, wind turbine, and method for maintaining a gearbox supporting means
A gearbox supporting device of a wind turbine that has a rotor, a substantially horizontally oriented rotor shaft, a gearbox, and a main frame. The gearbox supporting device includes at least one rolling bearing arranged between a rotor hub and the gearbox and at least two supports on the gearbox. The supports each have at least one central supporting body, at least one frame and a plurality of flat elastomer bodies that are clamped between the frame and the central supporting body. The central supporting body is supported only on one side.
US09347540B2 Flexible shaft drive system for centrifuge with pivoting arms
A drive assembly for a centrifugal processing system is provided for rotating the yoke assembly (36) about a first axis at a first angular velocity and rotating the chamber assembly (30) coaxially with the yoke assembly at a second angular velocity A drive motor (60) is provided for rotating the yoke assembly at the first angular velocity A stationary gear (70) is mounted coaxially with the yoke assembly, with a drive linkage (72) comprising a shaft (74) secured to the yoke assembly so as to be rotatable therewith. The shaft is operatively connected on its first end to the stationary gear (70), so that the shaft rotates about its axis as the yoke assembly (36) rotates relative to the stationary gear. The shaft (74) is rotatably connected on its second end to the chamber assembly (30), so that when the shaft is rotated, the shaft rotates the chamber assembly. Preferably, the yoke assembly (36) comprises a first arm (38) and a second arm (40), with the chamber assembly (30) being rotatably secured to the first arm and the first arm being pivotably connected to the second arm, and the shaft (74) being flexible.
US09347536B2 Spindle nut for a ball screw
A spindle nut for a ball screw with a nut part on whose inner periphery there is a spiral ball groove that winds around a spindle axis for the rolling of balls and with two deflection elements, the balls are deflectable into the curved deflection channel of each deflection element and the nut part has two recesses that are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction and one of the deflection elements is arranged in each recess. The nut part is provided with a straight return channel for the balls, and the straight return channel is connected to the two deflection channels. The balls are movable along a ball track in the curved deflection channel and in the straight return channel, and the straight return channel is arranged within a wall thickness of the spindle nut and is arranged at an angle relative to the spindle axis.
US09347535B1 Fault tolerant electro-mechanical acutator
An electromechanical actuator incorporates a drive housing connected to a motor for rotational motion. A screw is employed with an actuating nut having protruding engagement bosses and a drive coupling is concentrically received within the drive housing having segments equal to the number of engagement bosses. Each segment has a cavity to receive a respective one of the engagement bosses and the segments are cooperatively positionable from an active position radially compressed to engage the bosses within the cavities to a released position radially expanded to disengage the bosses from the cavities.
US09347533B2 Rotational drive system for a biopsy member
A drive system is provided for rotating a biopsy member. The drive system includes a pinion connected to the biopsy member and a rack that drives the pinion during a drive stroke. During the return stroke, the rack rotates away from the pinion so that the rack is not engaged with the pinion during the return stroke. Thus, the pinion is only driven during the drive stroke but not during the return stroke. As a result, the biopsy member rotates in a single direction as a trigger is repeatedly pressed and released.
US09347529B1 Multi-stage transmission for vehicle
A multi-stage transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft and an output shaft, a first planetary gear device, a second planetary gear device, a third planetary gear device, and a fourth planetary gear device provided between the input shaft and the output shaft to transfer a torque and each including three rotating elements, and at least six shifting elements connected to the rotating elements of the first to fourth planetary gear devices.
US09347526B2 Multi-ratio transmission
A multistage transmission with eight forward and one reverse gear, including input and output shafts, planetary gearsets, gear stages, shift elements and shafts. Input shaft couples the carrier of gearset (P1) and, via clutch (15), can couple shaft (5) that couples the sun gear of gearset (P3) and, via clutch (58), can couple shaft (8) connected to the ring gear of gearset (P2). The ring gear of gearset (P1) couples shaft (6) connected to the sun gear of gearset (P2). Shaft (3) couples the sun and ring gears of respective gearsets (P1, P3) and can couple, via brake (03), housing (G). The carrier of gearset (P2) couples shaft (4) which couples gear stage (S1) and can couple the output shaft. The carrier of gearset (P3) couples shaft (7) which can couple, via gear stage (S2) and clutch (27), the output shaft. Clutch (56) can couple shafts (5 and 6).
US09347524B2 Transmission for vehicle
A transmission for a vehicle may include first and second input shafts, first and second output shafts, a first driving gear fixed to the second input shaft, a first medium gear engaged with the first driving gear and a second medium gear integrally connected to the first medium gear at least temporarily, and rotatably installed on the second output shaft, a third medium gear engaged with the second medium gear and rotatably installed on the second input shaft, a first stage driven gear engaged with the third medium gear and rotatably installed on the first output shaft, a second stage driving gear selectively rotatable with the first output shaft, a second stage driven gear installed on the second output shaft and engaged with the second stage driving gear, and an auxiliary clutch for selectively connecting the second stage driving gear to the first input shaft.
US09347509B2 Vibration isolation system
A vibration isolation system, including a housing and a first isolation member which further includes a receptacle to receive an outer body of a motor, a first plurality of compliant arms, and a second plurality of compliant arms. Each compliant arm of the first isolation member has a first end and a second end. The first end of each of the compliant arms is coupled to the receptacle, and the second end of each of the compliant arms is coupled to the housing.
US09347501B2 Drive power transmission system
A drive power transmission system includes-a clutch hub, a clutch drum and a dry clutch. The dry clutch includes-first and second clutch plates, a friction facing and a cover member. The first clutch plate is joined to the clutch hub. The second clutch plate is joined to the clutch drum. The cover member has an external air intake hole and an external air discharge hole. These holes of the cover member are positioned such that, due to rotation of at least one of the clutch hub and the clutch drum, an air flow is generated that draws external air is through the external air intake hole and along the clutch hub to a radially inward location of reduced air pressure, then passes radially outward to a radially outward location of increased air pressure, and then passes along the clutch drum and out the external air discharge hole.
US09347492B2 Retainer cap for shaft assembly
A retainer cap for a rolling element shaft assembly includes a yoke, a solid shaft, and a tubular shaft. The retainer cap includes a body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining an internal cavity to receive the tubular shaft, an axial end surface disposed at the first end and defining a first opening to receive the solid shaft, and a second opening defined in the body second end to receive the tubular shaft after insertion through the first opening. The retainer cap further includes a first tab extending from the axial end surface into the internal cavity, and a second tab extending from the axial end surface into the internal cavity.
US09347490B2 Rolling bearing cage
A roller bearing cage includes the following features:The cage comprises an annular circumferential element, from which bridge elements branch off, roller bodies of the roller bearing being disposable between the bridge elements,the circumferential element comprises a plurality of uniform section elements, andthe initially-loose section elements and bridge elements are connected with each other to form the cage.
US09347483B2 Fall-off preventing structure of propeller shaft
A fall-off preventing structure of a propeller shaft does not allow a companion flange to be completely pulled off and dropped from a spline shaft when a nut loosens and comes off. In the propeller shaft, a round shaft part is provided on a front end of the spline shaft, a length of a threaded part of the spline shaft front end side on which the nut is screwed and the round shaft part is set longer than a length from a front end portion of the companion flange to a seat surface of the nut, and a total length of the length of the threaded part and the round shaft part and a length from the front end portion of the companion flange to the seat surface of the nut is set longer than the tolerable slide amount.
US09347482B2 Method and system for tensioning park brake cables
A method of tensioning a park brake system of a vehicle includes providing an adjustment mechanism having a nut in threaded engagement with a rod that defines a signal to noise ratio therebetween. The nut is advanced on the rod to remove slack until torque applied to the nut indicates that the park cables include a tension equal to an offset tension level. The nut is then retracted on the rod to introduce slack into the park cables and reduce the tension in the park cables to a target slack tension level. A signal to noise ratio between the nut and the rod is improved so that the cable tension may be predicted by the torque required to turn the nut on the rod, thereby allowing a torque indicating tool to measure the tension in the park cables my measuring the torque required to turn the nut on the rod.
US09347481B2 Method of attaching a nut to a panel
A method of attaching a nut to a panel includes forming an aperture in a sheet metal panel by lancing a tab from the sheet metal panel. A root of the tab remains attached to the panel. The method further includes pressing a self-attaching nut into the aperture to attach the self-attaching nut to the sheet metal panel. The tab is bent to substantially prevent material from entering a bore of the nut from a blind side of the panel.
US09347480B2 Nut and vehicle part comprising such a nut
A nut in the form of a mounting element made in a single piece and having a first branch and a second branch connected by a web, the first branch and the second branch each including a proximal portion connected to the web and a distal portion extending the proximal portion. The nut includes a screwing element supported by the distal portion of the first branch, with a bore extending inside the screwing element along a screwing axis and emerging inside the mounting element through the distal portion of the first branch. The second branch includes an opening passing through the distal portion of the second branch opposite the bore. The proximal portion of at least one of the first and second branches is deformable so as to allow the distal portions of the first branch and the second branch to be positioned parallel to one another with different spacings.
US09347477B2 Slatwall display fastener and connector and system therefore
The invention relates to a reusable fastener designed to secure material such as promotional posters, displays, and brackets to slatwall or peg board or other backing in a retail environment. The fastener has a head designed to receive display material without removal, and includes brackets and other items as part thereof.
US09347476B2 Method and apparatus for suspending duct by inserted corner members
An air transport duct, and sections of such duct, capable of connection to a support by support members and attachment members formed from two mating members. Each section has two terminal open ends and a flange disposed around each open end for connection to a flange of an adjacent section. Each flange includes two relatively transverse receiving channels adjacent to a corner of the flange, and an insertable corner member positioned into the channels. The corner member is attached to the flange by a load-bearing connection, and can support a predetermined portion of a weight of the duct by connection of the corner member to a first mating member connectable to a second mating member secured to a corresponding support member. A method of connecting a duct to a support by forming a load-bearing connection between a corner member and a flange.
US09347467B2 Method for controlling flow rate of attachment for construction equipment
A method of controlling a flow rate of an attachment for construction equipment of the present disclosure, in which an engine and a pump are connected to a control device to which various control information according to equipment characteristics, user setting information from an instrument panel, engine rpm adjustment information through an engine control dial, or the like is inputted, and an attachment is connected to the pump so as to perform specific work, includes selecting, on the instrument panel, an attachment to perform work and an optimum engine rpm according to the attachment; adjusting the flow rate by controlling an angle of a swash plate of the pump; and adjusting additionally a supply flow rate of the attachment by resetting an engine rpm when adjustment to the flow rate is necessary while performing the attachment work.
US09347463B2 Turbo-molecular pump
A turbo-molecular pump includes a case member, a rotor accommodated in the case member, the rotor having rotor blades arranged in multiple steps, a rotor shaft provided coaxially with the rotor, a plurality of stator blades provided on an inner surface of the case member and arranged between the rotor blades, and a plurality of spacers for supporting the stator blades. One of the plurality of spacers has a cooling thick portion for covering an outer peripheral side surface of at least one adjacent upper or lower spacer, and a cooling pipe through which a cooling medium is circulated is provided in the cooling thick portion.
US09347457B2 Liquid pump with axial thrust washer
A liquid pump, in particular a water pump, comprises a pump housing, which has a thrust bearing seat, a bearing bolt and a bearing mounted on the bearing bolt. In this case, a thrust washer is arranged between the thrust bearing seat of the pump housing and the bearing. Furthermore, a flexible washer is arranged between the thrust bearing seat and the thrust washer.
US09347441B2 Compressors including polymeric components
Improvements in compressor manufacture are achieved by utilizing polymeric components which retain at least 90% of their dimensions after being exposed to a mixture of refrigerants and/or lubricants for 30 days at 60° C. Polymeric materials include (i) polyetherimides, (ii) polyphenylene sulfides, (iii) polyketones, (iv) polysulfones, (v) liquid crystal polymers, and (vi) combinations thereof. Metal coatings on the polymers are the preferred embodiments for housings.
US09347431B2 Damping wind turbine tower oscillations using gyroscopic forces
A method and a control device for damping an oscillatory movement of the top of a tower of a wind turbine are provided. The described method includes (a) rotating a rotor being rotatably attached to a nacelle of the wind turbine with a rotational speed, and (b) yawing the nacelle of the wind turbine around an axis being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tower with a yawing speed. Thereby, a yawing movement being associated with yawing the nacelle is coordinated with the oscillatory movement in such a manner that a gyroscopic torque resulting (i) from rotating the rotor and (ii) from yawing the rotor damps the oscillatory movement of the top of the tower. A wind turbine comprising such a control device and a computer program for controlling this method are also provided.
US09347427B2 Wind turbine rotor blade having a thick profile trailing edge
A wind turbine rotor blade having an aerodynamic profile which is formed in a longitudinal section of the rotor blade and which has a pressure side, a suction side, a profile leading edge and a profile trailing edge with a thickness of 3 mm or greater, characterized by a plurality of bristles which are arranged on the profile trailing edge and which are arranged in a suction-side row and in a pressure-side row, the suction-side row forming an aerodynamic surface which forms a smooth continuation of the suction side, and the pressure-side row forming an aerodynamic surface which forms a smooth continuation of the pressure side.
US09347425B2 Offshore floating barge to support sustainable power generation
A barge has been designed to function in a four-season environment with a plurality of configurable, peripheral bays (bays) that support sustainable energy capture devices (devices). The barge is round with bays that curve inward, opposite the barge's curvature, and where devices can be placed. The bays allow the devices to be removed for maintenance by support ships. The barge is buoyant and floats independently of the devices in each bay. The barge is hollow and its entire circumference can be traversed by the crew. A central platform is contained within the barge by cables that may have wave energy capture mechanisms installed. The central platform and can be accessed by the crew through one or multiple floating walkways. Devices installed at the bays will float independently of the barge and may have wave energy capture mechanisms on them at the bay-device interface.
US09347422B2 Plasma generation device
In an plasma generation device 30 that generates electromagnetic wave plasma by emitting electromagnetic waves to a combustion chamber 21 of an internal combustion engine 20, combustion is promoted by increasing the amount of gas to be brought into contact with the electromagnetic wave plasma in the combustion chamber 21. An antenna 36 extends along a ceiling surface of the combustion chamber 21. The antenna 36 is provided with an adjustment unit 37 that changes the location of a strong electric field on the antenna 36, which is supplied with the electromagnetic wave. During a generation period of the electromagnetic wave plasma, a control device 10 controls the adjustment unit 37 based on a condition of the combustion chamber 21 and changes the location of the electromagnetic wave plasma.
US09347414B2 Vehicle with an electric system architecture, and method for operating same
A vehicle is provided with a hybridized drive train and a low-voltage onboard power supply system. The low voltage onboard power supply system includes electric consuming devices, an energy accumulator and a starter for an internal-combustion engine. The low-voltage onboard power supply system further includes a support accumulator and a first switch between the support accumulator and the rest of the low-voltage onboard power supply system.
US09347408B2 Saddle type vehicle
A saddle type vehicle including a frame of a monocoque structure having an air cleaner wherein the sealing property can be secured. An air cleaner includes a filter element disposed in a hollow main frame to partition the main frame into a dirty side region and a clean side region. An intake path member connects an engine below the main frame to the clean side region. A communicating opening for communicating with the engine is formed on a lower face side of the clean side region. The communicating opening is covered with a lid member. The lid member includes a first plate member with a communicating hole in which the intake path member to the engine is inserted, a second plate member for surrounding an outer periphery of the first plate member, and an elastic member provided between the first plate member and the second plate member.
US09347404B2 Filter arrangement for a tank ventilation system of a fuel tank
A tank ventilation system of a fuel tank (2) has at least one housing (20) with a tank-side fuel vapor inlet opening (22), an engine-side fuel vapor outlet opening (26) and an atmosphere opening (24). The housing (20) has at least one first adsorption region (32) and a second adsorption region (34) upstream of the fuel vapor outlet opening (26). The second adsorption region (32) has a substantially lower absorption capacity than the first adsorption region (32), which is placed in a direction of flow toward the atmosphere opening (24).
US09347403B2 Fuel tank
The present invention enables a canister in a fuel tank with the canister to be separately subjected to a product inspection and enables the canister to be replaced.The fuel tank according to the present invention includes: a tank body (10m) configured by joining a plurality of shells (12) and (14) to each other; and a canister (20) configured to enable absorption of fuel vapor generated in the tank body (10m), wherein, in one (12) of the shells that constitute the tank body (10m), and engaging portion (120) formed to be integral with the shell (12) is provided, and the canister (20) is configured to be mounted to the tank body (10m) by engaging an engaged portion (20r) of the canister (20) with the engaging portion (120).
US09347381B2 Model predictive control systems and methods for internal combustion engines
An engine control method includes: generating a first predicted engine output torque and a first predicted mass of air per cylinder (APC) based on a model of the spark ignition engine and a first set of possible target values determined based on an engine torque request; generating a second predicted engine output torque and a second predicted mass of APC based on the model of the spark ignition engine and a second set of possible target values determined based on the engine torque request; determining a first cost for the first set of possible target values; determining a second cost for the second set of possible target values; selecting one of the first and second sets based on the first and second costs; and setting target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the first and second sets.
US09347367B2 System having dual-volute axial turbine turbocharger
A turbocharger is disclosed for use with an engine system. The turbocharger may have a housing at least partially defining a compressor shroud and a turbine shroud. The turbine shroud may form a first volute and a second volute, each having an inlet configured to receive exhaust from an exhaust manifold of the engine in a tangential direction, and an axial channel disposed downstream of the inlet. The turbocharger may also have a turbine wheel disposed within the turbine shroud and configured to receive exhaust from the axial channels of the first and second volutes, a compressor wheel disposed within the compressor shroud, and a shaft connecting the turbine wheel to the compressor wheel. The turbocharger may further have a nozzle ring in fluid communication with the axial channels of the first and second volutes at a location upstream of the turbine wheel.
US09347365B2 Air turbine driven EGR pump for diesel engines
A power plant is provided and may include an exhaust gas recirculation passage and a turbo machine having a first turbine rotationally coupled to a pump. The first turbine may include an expanded air passage. The pump may be arranged in the exhaust gas recirculation passage. A pre-cooler may be arranged in the expanded air passage and in the exhaust gas recirculation passage upstream from the pump.
US09347364B2 Temperature control arrangement for transmission oil in a motor vehicle and method for controlling the temperature of transmission oil in a motor vehicle
A temperature control arrangement for transmission oil in a motor vehicle comprises a coolant circuit which fluidly connects an internal combustion engine and a cooler. The coolant circuit includes a thermostat configured to direct at least a fraction of a coolant leaving the internal combustion engine back to the internal combustion engine, either directly or through the cooler. The temperature control arrangement is configured to direct some of the coolant, flowing back through the cooler or directly, first through the heat exchanger and then to the internal combustion engine. The thermostat is fluidly connected to an interior heater, to the cooler, and to a bypass configured to direct a fraction of the coolant directly back to the internal combustion engine, bypassing the cooler. A suitable method for controlling the temperature of transmission oil in a motor vehicle using a temperature control arrangement of this kind is furthermore indicated.
US09347362B2 Adjustable mounting system for aftertreatment or exhaust components
A mounting system for an exhaust system component may include one or more end mounting brackets and one or more intermediary mounting brackets. Each of the one or more end mounting brackets and the one or more intermediary mounting brackets may each include a vertical member, a horizontal member, one or more attachment openings, and an attachment strap configured to secure a component of an exhaust system to the respective end mounting bracket or intermediary mounting bracket. The one or more end mounting brackets and the one or more intermediary mounting brackets may be configured to be selectively attached and detached from a mounting surface via one or more surface attachment members and the one or more attachment openings.
US09347342B2 Valve gear of engine
A cam element portion comprises a slant portion (reverse-rotation return slope portion), which is positioned on a rotary-delay side from a maximum-lift portion (lift ending point) of an end-face cam and slants inward toward the rotary-delay side from an outer peripheral face of the end-face cam. Accordingly, in a valve gear of an engine in which cams operative to control opening/closing of a valve are switchable, it can be properly prevented that the cam element portion is switched unexpectedly and improperly or an operational member breaks down which are possibly caused by an engine's reverse rotation.
US09347336B2 Steam valve apparatus
According to one embodiment, there is provided a steam valve apparatus including a main throttle valve, a steam control valve arranged on a downstream side of the main throttle valve, and an intermediate flow-channel part which connects the main throttle valve and the steam control valve. The intermediate flow-channel part is a circular pipe flow channel forming a circular arcuate shape so as to change a flow of steam, which has flowed out of the main throttle valve, from a perpendicular direction into a direction of flowing out into the inlet part. An outlet part is open upward, and a valve rod penetrates a lower part of a casing downward.
US09347331B2 Electrodynamic control of blade clearance leakage loss in turbomachinery applications
Electrodynamic control of fluid leakage loss is provided. Embodiments utilize electrohydrodynamic (EHD) principles to control and/or reduce leakage flow in turbomachinery. Electrodes can be used to provide a flow actuation mechanism inside the clearance gap for generating discharge. The electrodes can be positioned to have geometric asymmetry. Embodiments provide the electrodes on a turbine blade. The blade can have a DC power that can function as a square pulsed DC wave with the duty cycle equal to the blade passing frequency and the stator can be grounded. In an embodiment, the stator can have the actuator of the electrode-insulator assembly attached to the inside. In one embodiment, the actuators can be arranged just on the stator or casing. The phase and power supply to individual electrodes can be adapted as needed. In one embodiment, the phase can be lagged for accurate control of leakage flow. The control of the power supply to the electrodes can involve a closed control loop that monitors tip gap size.
US09347330B2 Finger seal
An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a component and a finger seal. The component has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has an elevation that differs from an elevation of the second surface. The finger seal is connected to the first surface and extends above the second surface. The disposition of the second surface relative to the finger seal creates a cavity below a curved portion of the finger seal.
US09347327B2 F-class gas turbine compressor exit guide vane repair
A system and method for repairing a turbine. The method includes applying a coating on an outer surface of a tenon that extends from a stator vane. The tenon may be inserted at least partially into an opening defined by an inner shroud segment of the turbine. A bushing may be inserted at least partially into the opening in the inner shroud segment of the turbine such that the tenon becomes at least partially disposed within an opening defined by the bushing. A bolt may be inserted through the opening in the bushing and at least partially into an opening defined by the tenon. The bolt may be threadably engaged with the tenon.
US09347321B2 Methods for optimized engine balancing based on flight data
Methods for balancing rotating machinery, such as gas turbine engines, to minimize vibrations. An optimal engine balance solution is obtained using a hybrid optimization technique based on vibration data from one or more vibration sensors and corresponding influence coefficients which quantify the change in vibration level at the vibration sensors due to a unit increase in unbalance level at unbalance source locations. More specifically, balance weight and angular position are determined based on multiple optimization methods which concurrently process the vibration data, the multiple optimization methods comprising local and global optimization algorithms.
US09347319B2 Dental handpiece structure
Disclosed is a dental handpiece structure including a head having a turbine chamber, a rotor installed in the turbine chamber and having a transmission shaft, and a transmission element composed of a plurality of turbine vanes. A high-pressure air entering into the turbine chamber can push each turbine vane to drive and rotate the rotor, and a breach is upwardly formed between two adjacent turbine vanes. A head cap is covered onto the turbine chamber, and a circular groove is formed at the head cap and between an end surface facing the turbine chamber and the transmission element, and the circular groove and each breach are arranged opposite to each other for collecting the high-pressure air guided out from each breach to enhance the cutting force of the dental handpiece.
US09347318B2 Method and device for welding workpieces made of high-temperature resistant super alloys
A method of welding workpieces of high-temperature superalloys is provided. Welding filler is applied in a plurality of layers to a surface of the workpiece via a heat input zone and a supply zone for supplying the welding filler into the heat input zone. The heat input zone and the supply zone on the one hand and the workpiece surface on the other hand are moved in relation to one another. A polycrystalline weld seam is generated by remelting a previously applied layer of the plurality of layers. Welding parameters are chosen such that a cooling rate during a solidifying of the material is at least 8000 Kelvins per second. Further, a welding apparatus for carrying out such a method is provided.
US09347315B2 Device machining materials by milling or drilling, and method therefor
A method and device for machining materials includes a tool drum having tool shafts that support machining tools that can be driven in rotation. A drive element rotates the tool shafts and the tool drum relative to each other, and a drum carrier can be moved relative to the material by using a movement device. A control device varies the speed of the relative movement between the tool carrier and material and the rotational speed of the tool drum. To avoid critical operating points, one measuring sensor measures the natural translational vibration and/or another measuring sensor determines the rotational vibrations of the tool drum. The control device has a vibration analysis module, by which a vibration spectrum can be determined, and at least one controller module, by which drive parameters can be controlled as a function of the vibrations determined by the analysis module.
US09347312B2 Pressure sensor arrangement using an optical fiber and methodologies for performing an analysis of a subterranean formation
A sensor arrangement using an optical fiber and methodologies for performing an analysis of a subterranean formation, such as a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon based fluid. The sensor arrangement may be used to measure one or more physical parameters, such as temperature and/or pressure, at a multiplicity of locations in the subterranean reservoir. The sensor arrangement may comprise a sensor array comprising an elongated outer casing for insertion in the subterranean formation and into a fluid in the subterranean formation. The sensor array may comprise an optical fiber defining an optical path that links one or more temperature sensors and one or more pressure sensors and transports measurement data generated by the temperature and pressure sensors. A data processing system may be connected to the sensor array to receive measurements from the sensor array and to compute one or more values of a property of an extraction installation operating on the subterranean formation.
US09347310B2 Multiphase flowmeter for subsea applications
Multiphase flow measurement in extreme environments such as subsea or in-well is a difficult task for many reasons including reliability, survivability, and longevity issues; accessibility to the equipment; and complexity of the varying flow field as a function of position and time. Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques and apparatus for performing subsea multiphase flow measurement by combining two technologies. One is based on infrared water-cut measurement technology which is capable of measuring water and oil concentrations in multiphase flow with up to 99.5% gas volume fractions. The second technology is based on in-well fiber-optic flow measurement capable of resolving gas and total liquid flow through the measurements of flow velocity, fluid mixture speed of sound, and absolute pressure and temperature at meter location. This hybrid system represents an approach to subsea multiphase metering that may offer advantages compared to traditional systems for some applications.
US09347308B2 System and method for determining incremental progression between survey points while drilling
A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the system receives toolface information for a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and non-survey sensor information corresponding to a location of the BHA in a borehole. The system calculates an amount of incremental progress made by the BHA based on the non-survey sensor information and calculates an estimate of the location based on the toolface information and the amount of incremental progress. The system repeats the steps of receiving toolface information and non-survey sensor information and calculating an amount of incremental progress to calculate an estimate of a plurality of locations representing a path of the BHA from a first survey point towards a second sequential survey point.
US09347306B2 System and method for the autonomous drilling of ground holes
A system and method for the drilling of ground holes by a track steer drill rig. The system and method include a drilling arrangement that permits the speed of drilling holes to be balanced against the stability of the hole thus formed. The system and method allow for the autonomous drilling of ground holes and, particularly, although not exclusively, for the purposes of exploration, mining, and/or construction. In particular, the system and method relate to the autonomous drilling of ground holes which are used for subsequent blasting.
US09347304B2 System and method for high speed hydraulic actuation
There is provided a device and method for high speed hydraulic actuation. The method includes adjusting a position of an actuator using a hydraulic pressure regulator. Adjusting the position of the actuator includes increasing pressure on the hydraulic pressure regulator to open the actuator using a first solenoid, or decreasing pressure on the hydraulic pressure regulator to close the actuator using a second solenoid.
US09347300B2 Method and thermal-electrical generating apparatus to transport subterranean oil to the surface
A method to extract oil for a pool of oil in the ground utilizes an interconnected series of rotating helical blades extending from the surface of the ground through a canted bore to the pool of oil. The blades can be staggered and interconnected with a gear arrangement that moves oil from pool to pool and up to the surface of the ground.
US09347297B2 Downhole casing expansion tool and method of expanding casings using the same
A downhole casing expansion tool and a method of expanding casings using the same. The expansion tool includes an expansion module for expanding casings and a drive module for driving the expansion module. The diameter of the openhole can be kept consistent by the expansion tool, so that monohole well drilling and completion operations can be carried out. The expansion tool is particularly suitable for constructions in deep, ultra-deep and complex wells.
US09347294B2 Method and arrangement for establishing and operating a riser less coiled tubing
A method and system are for establishing and operating a riser less coiled tubing intervention arrangement from a surface vessel, the vessel having a deck and a coiled tubing reel holding a coiled tubing, and where a subsea injector is connectable to a head of a subsea borehole. The method includes: arranging; the coiled tubing in a surface injector and the subsea injector, attaching, the surface injector to a lifting tackle of the vessel; after connecting a tool string to the coiled tubing, lowering the coiled tubing tool string and the subsea injector through the sea to the head by running the surface injector while paying out coiled tubing from the coiled tubing reel; and inserting, the tool string in the head and connecting the subsea injector to the head.
US09347292B2 Soft landing system and method of achieving same
A subsea wireline system for soft landing equipment during installation. The subsea soft landing wireline system includes coarse alignment members that can be part of a tree and interact with a funnel located on the equipment to be installed by the soft landing system. Smaller alignment members can provide fine alignment and also interact with a funnel located on the equipment to be installed. The funnels are used to trap sea water that provides a cushion for the equipment being installed. Once in alignment, trapped water can be released from the funnel via a restricted orifice or a control valve located on an ROV. The system achieves soft landing without the use of a running tool, thus reducing expense.
US09347291B2 Wellhead seal assembly lockdown system
A seal assembly (30) and a running tool (20) are provided for sealing a casing annulus in a wellhead (14). A casing hanger (12) includes a radially external groove therein, and wellhead has a radially internal groove therein. A locking ring (36) may be actuated by the running tool to move into the internal recess in the wellhead and thereby axially connect the seal assembly and the wellhead. Another locking ring (40) is radially movable to connect the seal assembly to the casing hanger. The seal assembly seals the casing annulus while being interconnected with the wellhead and the casing hanger.
US09347286B2 Flow stop valve
A flow stop valve (200, 300, 400) for placement in a downhole tubular operating in a dual fluid density system, wherein the flow stop valve is arranged such that it is in communication with a pressure difference between one of: fluid outside the downhole tubular and inside the downhole tubular at the flow stop valve; and fluid above and below the flow stop valve inside the downhole tubular, wherein the flow stop valve comprises a first valve element (226′, 326′, 424) arranged such that the pressure difference acts across at least a portion of the first valve element and that the first valve element is movable between open and closed positions under action of said pressure difference so as to selectively permit flow through the downhole tubular, wherein the first valve element comprises a first passage (212, 312, 446) arranged so as to transmit fluid from a first port (213, 313, 447) in a first side of the first valve element to a second side of the first valve element, the first port being positioned such that it is adjacent to a low pressure flow region (290) when the flow stop valve is in an open position.
US09347277B2 System and method for communicating between a drill string and a logging instrument
A wireline configurable well logging instrument is connected to a drill pipe carrier and movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The drill pipe carrier is positioned on a pipe string that may comprise a portion of wired pipes communicatively coupled at each joint. Communication between the drill pipe carrier and the well logging instrument includes the use of inductive couplers, wires and combinations thereof.
US09347269B2 Adjustable bend assembly for a downhole motor
A downhole motor for directional drilling includes a driveshaft assembly including a driveshaft housing and a driveshaft rotatably disposed within the driveshaft housing. In addition, the downhole motor includes a bearing assembly including a bearing housing and a bearing mandrel rotatably disposed within the bearing housing. The bearing mandrel has a first end directly connected to the driveshaft with a universal joint and a second end coupled to a drill bit. Further, the downhole motor includes an adjustment mandrel configured to adjust an acute deflection angle θ between the central axis of the bearing housing and the central axis of the driveshaft housing. The adjustment mandrel has a central axis coaxially aligned with the bearing housing, a first end coupled to the driveshaft housing, and a second end coupled to the bearing housing.
US09347267B2 Horizontal drilling device
A horizontal drilling device according to the invention includes a linear drive, a rotary drive that can be displaced by means of the linear drive, a drill rod assembly and a rod assembly pipe receiver, the drill rod assembly being hollow and the rod assembly receiver being designed as a receiving mandrel, which allows the drill rod assembly to be placed on the receiving mandrel.
US09347266B2 Stator inserts, methods of fabricating the same, and downhole motors incorporating the same
The present invention recites a downhole motor and method of manufacture wherein a mandrel having an outer geometry that is complimentary to a desired inner geometry for the stator is provided. A flexible sleeve is provided over the mandrel and the flexible sleeve and the mandrel are provided into a mold. Additionally, a reinforcing material is introduced into the mold to fill space between the flexible sleeve and the mold. Said material is then solidified to bond the reinforcing material and the flexible sleeve. The solidified reinforcing material and flexible sleeve are then removed from the mold such that a stator insert is fabricated.
US09347260B1 Curtain controller capable of preventing pull cord from jumping away
A curtain controller capable of preventing pull cord from jumping away. The curtain controller is applied to a lower rail to prevent the pull cord from jumping away. The front end of the controller main body has a connection seat main body. A stopper bar is transversely rotatably connected with the connection seat main body. The stopper bar can be rotated to block or unblock the space above the pull cord winder so as to prevent the pull cord from jumping out of the pull cord winder and facilitate the winding of the pull cord on the pull cord winder. The pull cord winder is assembled with the controller main body by an inclination angle so as to lower the height of the pull cord winder. In this case, the curtain controller can be mounted on a lower rail to speed the assembling process.
US09347254B2 Command priority levels for an access controller apparatus
An access controller apparatus and method for controlling physical access to an area are provided to determine a current priority level setting of the access controller and to ignore a received command in response to a comparison of the priority level of the received command to the current priority level setting of the access controller. Thus, a prioritized response to commands is provided such that commands of certain priority levels can be acted upon in certain situations. This helps allow for proper responses to multiple conflicting commands and for prioritized responses to commands of greater importance or of universal impact.
US09347251B1 Stay-open universal automobile door jam
The invention is a simple, low-cost, mechanical device to be inserted in the hinge area of an open door of a parked vehicle to keep the door open while people or equipment are added to or removed from the automobile. A particular use of the invention is as a safety mechanism to hold the passenger-side door open while a disabled passenger is assisted in exiting the vehicle without the care-giving individual having to hold the door open or having the door slam shut on the disabled person. After this use, the device may be removed and stored in the glove compartment for easy access.
US09347247B2 Latch assembly
A latch assembly with a first magnet and a second magnet is provided. The first and second magnets engage each other when the latch assembly is in a closed position. The latch assembly also includes features for determining when the latch assembly is in the closed position. Knowledge of when the latch assembly is in the closed position can assist with operation of an associated appliance.
US09347246B2 Opening and/or closing mechanism on doors, gates/flaps or the like, in particular on motor vehicles
An opening and/or closing mechanism for a motor vehicle, with a lock having a housing, in which there is arranged at least one retention element, which has a pawl and a rotary latch, and with a closing element, which is in operative connection with the lock in the closed position, it being possible for the rotary latch to be moved between a release position and a retention position, in which it catches the closing element. In the event of deformation of the housing, the housing is contacted at least partially by the retention element in order to prevent the door from opening, wherein at least one stop surface of a rotary latch section of the rotary latch enters into a positive-locking connection with the housing.
US09347243B2 Electrical locking device with fail-safe emergency release
The invention relates to an electrically operable locking device for locking a gate. The electrical lock has a frame for mounting the locking device to the gate, and a housing slidably movable with respect to the frame between an upper position and a lower position and comprising a drop bolt arranged to move between an extended drop bolt position and an retracted drop bolt position and a mechanical locking mechanism arranged to lock and unlock the housing to the frame and comprising a key-operated cylinder lock to unlock the housing to the frame. The gate is locked if said housing is in the lower position and said drop bolt is in the extended position. The locking device further has a resilient element positioned between the frame and the housing and arranged to lift the housing relative to the frame when the housing is unlocked from the frame by operation of the key-operated cylinder lock.
US09347242B2 Systems and methods to automatically detect a door state
A door lock/unlock system for a building automatically controls locking and unlocking of a door. A door lock controller interfaces with an electronic door lock and receives messages including door lock commands from a local receiver. In turn, the local receiver interfaces with a hub device through a mesh network. The hub applies a rule set to make lock operation decisions, and sends messages comprising commands to operate the door lock through the mesh network to the local receiver. The local receiver decodes the messages and passes the commands to the door lock controller to automatically control the electronic door lock. A door state device checks the state of the door. When the checking mechanism indicates that the message was not received or the lock operation failed, the system alerts the user to take appropriate lock action.
US09347240B2 Pocket door pull devices
The invention relates to pocket door hardware. Devices are disclosed that include a plate configured to fit over a surface pull of a pocket door, and members protruding from the plate away from the broad plane of the door.
US09347239B2 Systems and methods for storage
In accordance with one embodiment, a system for storing commodities is provided. The system may include a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin may further have an internal strapping. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for storing commodities is provided. The method may include providing a tarpaulin. In one embodiment, the method for storing commodities may include configuring the tarpaulin to provide internal strapping.
US09347237B2 Portable hunting blind and attachment
A cord assembly is disclosed for use in connection with a variety of purposes including with a portable hunting blind. In one embodiment of the invention, the cord assembly has a plurality of resilient cord members forming a main panel and additional resilient cord members extending outward from the main panel.
US09347233B2 Data centre
A data center comprises a plurality of sections (15a-15h) assembled together to define a unitary structure (10) such that there exists at least one personnel area that spans at least two sections; wherein the sections comprise a first section with which there is associated a first service—carrying chassis (40, 50, 60, 70) and a second section with which there is associated a second service—carrying chassis 40, 50, 60, 70), each of the first and second service—carrying chassis comprising a frame (41, 51, 61, 71) onto which is mounted components of at least two different services (42-44, 46); the first and second chassis are connected to each other by means of a junction (47) between the first and second chassis; and the first and second sections each include a ceiling (22) and the first service carrying chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the first section and the second service carrying chassis is mounted on the ceiling of the second section.
US09347231B2 Construction hanger brace
A construction hanger comprising a brace including a first elongated member; an arm extending from one end of the first elongated member at an angle thereto, the arm and the elongated member cooperating to engage the surface of a construction support member; a guide at the end of the elongated member opposite the one end, the guide being capable of receiving a hanger member, the guide being positioned on or formed within the brace and at an angle thereto; the guide tying the hanging member to the construction support member by means of the brace.
US09347229B2 Adjustable sawhorse
The invention provides a sawhorse comprising a base assembly movable between a folded position for storage and an open position for use and a workpiece support assembly having a workpiece supporting surface which faces upwardly when the base assembly is in the open position for use thereof, said workpiece support assembly being mounted on the base assembly for vertical movement in opposite directions with respect to the base assembly through a range of vertical positions. The base assembly and the workpiece support assembly has a cooperating structure operable to enable the workpiece support assembly to be manually moved in said opposite directions into a selected vertical position with respect to the base assembly, which adjustably engages the workpiece support assembly in the selected vertical position and which is operable to move the workpiece support assembly when the base assembly is in the folded position or in the open position.
US09347228B1 Tile spacing device and accompanying system and method
A tile spacing device and accompanying system and method are disclosed for spacing a plurality of tiles having a contour. In one embodiment, the tile spacing device includes two parallel bodies connected by at least one spanning member. The first body, the second body, and the at least one spanning member form a cage-like fused-member structure having a four-tile engagement configuration, a three-tile engagement configuration, and a two-tile engagement configuration, respectively. Within each of the three engagement configurations, engagement of a tile with a spacer can be seen by a user through the cage-like fused-member structure.
US09347227B2 Floating floor system, floor panel, and installation method for the same
A floating floor system and a floor panel and method for use with the same that includes a snap-fit locking assembly that provides vertical locking between adjacent floor panels to minimize and/or prevent ledging therebetween. In one embodiment, a protuberance and a recess are also provide on the floor panels to provide horizontal locking. The snap-fit locking assembly comprises: a locking member protruding from a first flange and comprising an undercut surface; and a locking slot formed in a second flange. The snap-fit locking assembly is configured so that when the locking member of a first one of the panels is disposed within the locking slot of a second one of the panels, the first and second panels are vertically locked together via mechanical interaction between the undercut surface of the locking member of the first panel and a locking surface of the second flange of the second panel.
US09347225B2 Building panel connector
A system for securing plank panels together includes at least one connector clip to secure a pair of plank panels with one another. The at least one connector clip receives the retaining mechanism of each plank panel. The at least connector clip has a body with first and second retaining pockets. The retaining pockets couple with the retention mechanisms. A locator hump is coupled with the body. The locator hump positions the connector clip in place with respect to at least one of the pair of plank panels to secure the connector clip as well as the plank panels with a framing structure.
US09347224B1 Step-block precast stair
A precast step-wall block including a step portion projecting perpendicularly out of a wall system and a wall block portion, is disclosed. Wall blocks used in constructing the wall system are T-shaped in plan view with exemplary dimensions of 400 mm×200 mm×200 mm. These wall blocks are arranged in Flemish bond courses to facilitate the projection of the precast steps from the wall system. A mold designed for preparation of the precast steps of different lengths is also described.
US09347219B2 Convertible roof element and structure with method of operation
A convertible roof element includes a peripheral structure with an opening to be at least partially closed by a membrane, an edge rope and at least one guide rope forming a rope band tensioned against each other. The convertible roof element has a parking position and at least one shading position, the parking position running along the peripheral structure and the at least one shading position running across the opening of the peripheral structure. The edge rope is fixed at its ends via a first tensioning device to the peripheral structure. The at least one guide rope is secured to the edge rope at one end and at the other end to the peripheral structure by means of a further tensioning device. The tensile force of the further tensioning device is variable so that the edge rope is moveable from the parking position into the at least one shading position.
US09347217B2 Insulating cover for wall opening
Embodiments disclose an apparatus for enclosing and insulating an opening in a structure such as an air conditioning unit mounted in a sleeve. The apparatus includes one or more layers required depending on the distance which any equipment installed in the opening extends beyond the wall surface. An embodiment for a rectangular insulating cover apparatus includes corner pieces, horizontal wall pieces, and side wall pieces. Corner pieces are configured to allow the horizontal wall pieces and side wall pieces to be slid into the corner pieces. The depth of the insertion into the corner pieces can be varied depending on the desired dimensions for the insulating cover apparatus. After cutting the top cover the required dimensions for the opening in the insulating cover apparatus, top cover corner boots and C-channels are installed on the top cover which is then pressed into place. A method for assembling and installing the same is provided, as are other aspects.
US09347216B2 Thermal insulation material
The present invention relates to a thermal insulation material comprising date pits and polyester resin.
US09347209B2 Programmable automatic flushometer
Methods for communicating with an automatic flush valve device. The automatic flush device having a variety of operational modes which can be selected from to control the operation of the device. The communication from the automatic flush device providing a user with information regarding the status of the flush valve device.
US09347208B2 Bracket for showerhead with integral flow control
A showerhead bracket having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a valve and a valve housing. the valve may be operably connected between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The valve includes a valve inlet port, a low flow exit port and a high flow exit port. The valve housing is disposed between the fluid inlet and the valve inlet port. And the valve can selectively rotate within the valve housing.
US09347206B2 Variable bypass pipeline heater
A fluid heating system for heating fluid flowing in a pipe to prevent freezing and ice build up. A controllable variable flow heat exchanger is utilized within the pipe to provide thermal transfer to the fluid flow.
US09347203B2 Electric drive unit for construction machine
An electric drive unit for a construction machine is capable of increasing the operating time of the construction machine. The electric drive unit has an electricity storage device, a hydraulic pump of the fixed displacement type which is driven by a motor/generator, a plurality of directional control valves which respectively control the flow of hydraulic fluid supplied to a plurality of hydraulic actuators, a bidirectional converter which performs variable control on the revolution speed of the motor/generator, and an LS control device which controls the bidirectional converter so that LS differential pressure Pls equals a target value Pgr. The bidirectional converter performs regeneration control for converting the inertial force of the rotor of the motor/generator into electric power thereby charging the electricity storage device when the revolution speed of the motor/generator is decreased in response to an excess of the LS differential pressure Pls over the target value Pgr.
US09347190B2 Safety cone and method of making the same
A safety cone is configured to reflect light in any orientation. The safety cone has a base attached to an upper portion. The base further comprises a base top side and a base bottom side. Reflective material attached in a plurality of locations on the base top side and the base bottom side. The reflective material is configured to reflect the light in any orientation.
US09347171B2 Method and device for cleaning a component, particularly an evaporator of a condenser device, and washer/dryer or dryer having such a device
A device for cleaning an evaporator of a condenser with condensation water. The device includes a condensation water pan that collects condensation water condensed from process air by the evaporator, and a collection container above the evaporator that receives the condensation water from the condensation water pan and that dispenses the condensation water with a gush onto the evaporator from a rinsing chamber of the collection container with a sudden opening of a closure part through a downpipe.
US09347165B2 Washing machine
The washing machine includes a tub containing wash water, a drum, a lifter, and a partition. The drum rotates inside the tub and has at least one inlet to introduce wash water contained in the tub. The lifter forms a chamber holding wash water introduced through the inlet together with the drum and discharges wash water into the drum through a plurality of discharge holes arranged from a front side to a rear side inside the chamber during the rotation of the drum. The partition divides the chamber into a front chamber and a rear chamber along a longitudinal direction of the drum and forms an angle inclined with respect to a circumference of the drum.
US09347153B2 Wear-resistant clamping plate device for stuffer box crimper
A cheek plate device for a stuffer box crimper, comprising a bracket, adjusting mechanisms, cheek plates, a base, a pair of nip rollers and thrust devices. The adjusting mechanisms, which can slide relative to the bracket, are arranged on the bracket, the cheek plates are installed on the inner sides of the adjusting mechanisms, a pair of identical brackets, adjusting mechanisms and cheek plates are symmetrically installed on each side of the pair of nip rollers and affixed on the base. The adjusting mechanisms have adjusting blocks and elastic devices, the elastic devices are installed at the ends of the adjusting blocks and push against the thrust devices, the thrust devices push the adjusting blocks via the elastic devices, and the adjusting blocks push the two cheek plates moving towards the sides of the pair of nip rollers.
US09347134B2 Corrosion resistant metallate compositions
A composition for application to a metal substrate comprising at least one metallate compound comprising hexafluorzirconate, zirconyl nitrate, and/or yttrium nitrate is provided. The composition may further comprise additives that promote corrosion resistance of the metal substrate, or the adhesion of subsequent coatings, such as one or more rare earth element salts; allontoin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, surfactants, and other additives and co-inhibitors. A metal substrate such as an aluminum or an aluminum alloy substrate coated with a metallate composition according to the present invention is also provided. A process for preparing a coating on a metal substrate to improve the corrosion resistance of the substrate or improve the adhesion of a subsequent coating is also provided. The process comprises treating the metal substrate with an aqueous solution comprising a metallate compound. The process may further comprise one or more pre-treating the substrate, coating the metal substrate with an oxidizing agent and/or coating the metal substrate with one or more rare earth element salts. A process for preparing the metallate coatings of the invention is also provided.
US09347131B2 Coating substrates with an alloy by means of cathode sputtering
The invention relates to a target for coating a substrate with an alloy by means of cathode sputtering, said alloy having at least one first material and one second material as alloy components. The surface of the target has at least one first section made of the first material and one second section made of the second material. The two sections adjoin each other and form a common boundary line. The invention further relates to a device and a method for coating a substrate with an alloy by means of cathode sputtering using the target according to the invention.
US09347129B2 Interchangeable magnet pack
A sputtering apparatus includes a template having cells. Removable inserts are disposed within the cells. The cells may be circular, triangular, square, diamond shaped, or hex shaped. The removable inserts may be magnetic or non-magnetic inserts. A cover is connected with a first side of the template. A yoke is connected with a second side of the template. The removable inserts are operable to customize or shape a magnetic field over a target. The yoke is operable to provide a return path for the magnetic field.
US09347128B2 Method for forming dielectric thin film
A method for forming a dielectric thin film that forms a PZT thin film having a (100)/(001) orientation. After a seed layer is formed by adhering PbO gas to a surface of a substrate, a voltage is applied to a target of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and perform sputtering, while the substrate is heated inside of an evacuated vacuum chamber. Then, a PZT thin film is formed on the surface of the substrate. Because Pb and O are supplied from the seed layer, a PZT film having a (001)/(100) orientation can be formed without lack of Pb.
US09347123B2 Mg-base alloy
The quasicrystal phase and/or quasicrystal-like phase particles, which is composed of the Mg—Zn—Al, are dispersed into Mg-base alloy material for strain working. The microstructure in this material does not include the dendrite structure, and the size of the magnesium matrix is 40 μm or less than 40 μm. The present invention shows that the quasicrystal phase and/or quasicrystal-like phase is able to form by addition of the Zn and Al elements except for the use of rare earth elements. In addition, the excellent trade-off-balancing between strength and ductility and reduction of the yield anisotropy, which are the serious issues for the wrought processed magnesium alloys, is able to obtain by the microstructure controls before the strain working process.
US09347115B2 Method for recovering rare earth element
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for recovering a rare earth element, which is capable of efficiently recovering a rare earth element with high recovery rate without using any expensive chemicals, solvents or the like. In the present invention, a water-soluble salt other than sulfate ions is allowed to coexist with an aqueous solution that contains a rare earth element, and then an alkali metal sulfate is added to the aqueous solution, thereby producing a precipitate of a double sulfate of the rare earth element.
US09347114B1 Method of synthesizing silver nanoparticles from waste film
A method of synthesizing silver nanoparticles from waste film includes providing waste film including a silver halide salt and gelatin, mixing the waste film with an alkaline solution to form a mixture, heating the mixture, and subjecting the mixture to ultracentrifugation to isolate silver nanoparticles in the mixture. The film can include waste radiographic or photographic film pieces. Glucose and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) may be added to the mixture. The nanoparticles can have an average particle size of about 2 nm to about 10 nm. The silver nanoparticles can be resistant to synthetic stomach fluid and showed high antimicrobial activity.
US09347113B2 Precious metals recovery
Discloses a hydrometallurgical process and system for the recovery of precious metals; specifically palladium, rhodium, and platinum metals, at high purity and with limited waste and environmental fouling.
US09347103B2 Screening method
This invention relates to a novel screening method that identifies simple molecular markers that are predictive of whether a particular disease condition is responsive to a specific treatment. Also, a method of diagnosing the susceptibility of an individual suffering from a disease to treatment with an HDAC inhibitor is provided. Also provided is a method of treating a proliferative disease or a condition which involves a change in cell differentiation or growth rate in a patient.
US09347100B2 Rare cell analysis using sample splitting and DNA tags
The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, e.g. aneuploidy. The present invention involves labeling regions of genomic DNA in each cell in said mixed sample with different labels wherein each label is specific to each cell and quantifying the labeled regions of genomic DNA from each cell in the mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying labeled DNA polymorphisms from each cell in the mixed sample.
US09347095B2 Digital assays for mutation detection
Provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for detecting alleles using a single probe or a single primer set. Also, provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for detecting allelic variants using a single probe or a single primer set. Also, provided herein are methods, compositions, and kits for determining a polymerization error rate.
US09347092B2 Solid support for high-throughput nucleic acid analysis
The present invention provides a solid support which is preferably a bead comprising at least two sequence specific amplification primers wherein at least one primer is bound to the support with an inducible cleavable linker. The present invention also provides various method for preparing a solid support comprising at least two sequence specific primers, further characterized in that at least one of the primers is cleavable.
US09347088B2 Molecular signature of liver tumor grade and use to evaluate prognosis and therapeutic regimen
The present invention concerns a method to determine the gene expression profile on a sample previously obtained from a patient diagnosed for a liver tumor, comprising assaying the expression of a set of genes in this sample and determining the gene expression profile (signature). In a particular embodiment, said method enables to determine the grade of the liver tumor, such as hepatoblastoma (HB) or a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The invention is also directed to kits comprising a plurality of pairs of primers or a plurality of probes specific for a set of genes, as well as to solid support or composition comprising a set of probes specific for a set of genes. These methods are useful to determine the grade of a liver tumor in a sample obtained from a patient, to determine the risk of developing metastasis and/or to define the therapeutic regimen to apply to a patient.
US09347086B2 Method and system for sample preparation
A method for preparing a sample by utilizing a shearing force in the presence of a size stabilizer to break apart the sample to obtain nucleic acid molecules in a usable size range. Once nucleic acid molecules are obtained, magnetic nanoparticles are used to concentrate and clean the nucleic acid molecules for further testing.
US09347085B2 Methods and compositions for reducing amyloid beta levels
The present invention provides methods for reducing the level of amyloid beta protein in a cell or tissue, the methods generally involving contacting the cell or tissue with an agent that reduces cystatin C levels and/or activity. The present invention provides methods for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD), and methods for treating cerebral angiopathy, in an individual, the methods generally involving administering to an individual having AD a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that reduces cystatin C levels and/or activity. The present invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reduces cystatin C levels and/or activity.
US09347082B2 Automated cell growth/migration detection system and associated methods
An automated cell growth/migration detection system includes: a container for containing a cell growth/migration matrix/medium into which deposited cells form a cell surface; an image sensor for capturing images; an actuator for incrementally varying distance between the image sensor lens and the cell surface such that the images correspond to varying imaging depths; and an image data processor for processing the images to determine cell growth/migration. An automated cell growth/migration detection method includes: capturing a first image series of a cell surface within a first imaging cycle corresponding to a sequence of imaging depths between the cell surface and an image sensor; capturing an additional image series of the cell surface within each of at least one additional imaging cycle and corresponding to the same sequence of imaging depths; processing each image series for each imaging cycle to determine a clearest-looking image; and determining cell growth/migration from the clearest-looking image.
US09347079B2 Production of highly purified sodium hyaluronate (HANa) with controlled molecular weight
Disclosed is a process for the production of sodium hyaluronate with a molecular weight of between 60 and 2400 kDa and low polydispersity (1.4 Mw/Mn), which comprises: a) a step of fermentation of Streptococcus equi subsp. Zooepidemicus CNCM 1-4645 in a suitable culture medium; b) a step of ultrafiltration of the cell-free filtered solution; by concentrating and diafiltering the solution under differential pressure conditions (ΔP) of 1.0-5.0 bar(g) and transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 0.5-4 bar(g).
US09347076B2 Recombinant microorganisms that make biodiesel
A carboxydotrophic acetogenic recombinant microorganism is modified so that it produces biodiesel and optionally one or more other products by fermentation of a substrate comprising CO. Biodiesel is produced by microbial fermentation of a substrate comprising CO. The recombinant microorganism is modified to express one or more exogenous enzymes in the biodiesel biosynthesis pathway not present in a parental microorganism from which the recombinant microorganism is derived. The one or more enzymes comprise a nonspecific acyltransferase.
US09347073B2 Mini-intronic plasmid vectors
Compositions and methods are provided for achieving persistent, high level expression of transgenes in vitro and in vivo. Aspects of the invention include vectors comprising an intronic cassette that comprises plasmid elements, and methods that rely on the use of vectors comprising an intronic cassette that comprises plasmid elements. These compositions and methods find use in many applications, including therapeutic applications such as in gene therapy; synthesis applications such as in the synthesis of peptides, proteins, and RNAs, e.g. for research or therapeutic purposes; and research applications, such as in the production of transgenic cells and animals. In addition, reagents, devices and kits thereof that find use in making the subject compositions and practicing the subject methods are provided.
US09347069B2 Hybrid caulimovirus promoters and constructs thereof
The present invention relates to novel hybrid promoters comprising a caulimovirus promoter operably linked to one or more of an EF1α, Act8, Act2 or Act11 promoter. The present invention also relates to novel DNA constructs comprising at least one expression cassette which comprises the hybrid promoter thereof. The present invention further relates to transgenic plants/seeds comprising such DNA constructs.
US09347064B2 Methods of treatment using TLR7 and/or TLR9 inhibitors
The application relates to compositions and methods of regulating an immune response comprising inhibitors of TLR7 and/or TLR9, such as immunoregulatory polynucleotides and/or immunoregulatory compounds. The application also relates to compositions and methods for predicting and/or determining responsiveness of a disease to treatment comprising inhibitors of TLR7 and/or TLR9.
US09347055B2 Method and kit for preparation of sample for use in nucleic acid amplification
The object is to remove substances that can inhibit nucleic acid amplification from biological samples and nucleic acid extracts, and to allow convenient and accurate evaluation of the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid or the expression level of a target gene in a biological sample, by nucleic acid amplification means employing an enzyme. The invention provides a method for preparation of a sample for use in nucleic acid amplification, to be used for amplification of nucleic acid in a biological sample, which method comprises an extraction step in which a nucleic acid extraction reagent is added to the biological sample to obtain a nucleic acid extract, and a purification step in which the nucleic acid extract is contacted with zeolite to obtain a nucleic acid amplification sample suitable for nucleic acid amplification, to allow nucleic acid detection at high sensitivity.
US09347054B2 Polymer factor IX moiety conjugates
Conjugates of a Factor IX moiety and one or more water-soluble polymers are provided. Typically, the water-soluble polymer is polyethylene glycol) or a derivative thereof. Also provided (among other things) are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of making the conjugates, and methods of administering to a patient compositions comprising the conjugates.
US09347052B2 Anti-FH aptamers, method for producing same, and uses thereof
The invention relates to nucleic acid aptamers binding specifically to factor H, to a method for obtaining same, and to the uses thereof, in particular for the purposes of purifying factor H.
US09347046B2 Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase polypeptides and methods of use
Novel hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) polypeptides, variants and fragments thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding the same, capable of conferring commercial levels of conferring HPPD herbicide resistance or tolerance to plants. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for HPPD polypeptides, as well as polynucleotides encoding the same. Methods for the production and use of HPPD herbicide resistant plants that express these novel HPPD polypeptides, methods for selectively controlling weeds in a field at a crop locus, and methods for the assay, characterization, identification and selection of these novel HPPDs are also provided.
US09347045B2 Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into fibroblasts
Methods and compositions are provided for the differentiation and characterization of mammalian fibroblast from mesenchymal stem cells. The methods of the invention provide a means to obtain mesenchymal stem cell-derived fibroblast populations, e.g., seeded on a scaffold, which may be used in wound healing.
US09347043B2 Methods for producing antibodies from plasma cells
The invention relates to methods of producing antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, comprising culturing a limited number of plasma cells. It also relates to methods of identifying antibodies by performing assays on the antibodies produced by the cultured plasma cells to determine their function, binding specificity, epitope specificity, and/or their ability to neutralize a toxin or a pathogen. The invention also relates to antibodies and antibody fragments produced by the methods of the invention as well as methods of using the antibodies and antibody fragments.
US09347042B2 Method for producing corneal endothelial cell
The invention provides a method of efficiently producing corneal endothelial cells, particularly from corneal stroma or iPS cell-derived neural crest stem cells, a method of producing corneal endothelial cells stably in a large amount by inducing more efficient differentiation of stem cells into corneal endothelial cells, and a medicament containing corneal endothelial cells. The method of inducing differentiation of stem cells into corneal endothelial cells includes a step of culturing the stem cells in a differentiation induction medium containing a GSK3 inhibitor (preferably a GSK3β inhibitor) and retinoic acid, with the differentiation induction medium preferably further containing one or more of TGFb2, insulin, a ROCK inhibitor, and the like.
US09347041B2 Method for preparing corneal endothelial cell
The present invention relates to a method for preparing corneal endothelial progenitor cells by adherent culturing a cell population isolated from corneal endothelial cell tissue at a low density by using a serum-free medium. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing corneal endothelial cells by differentiation-inducing the corneal endothelial progenitor cells obtained by the aforementioned method. According to the present invention, corneal endothelial progenitor cells can be selectively grown from a corneal tissue-derived cell population, and corneal endothelial cells obtained by inducing the corneal endothelial progenitor cells can be applied to treatment of corneal endothelial diseases. As a result, problems of corneal transplantation such as shortage of donors and occurrence of rejection can be solved.
US09347033B2 Automated methods for isolating regenerative cells from adipose tissue
A method of processing an adipose tissue to collect adipose derived regenerative cells is provided, wherein the method comprises providing a vessel comprising a fluid jet mixer, introducing the adipose tissue into the vessel, introducing a buffer solution into the vessel; washing the adipose tissue using the fluid jet mixer; introducing an enzyme solution into the vessel; initiating jet mixing into the vessel comprising the adipose tissue, the enzyme solution, and the buffer solution using the fluid jet mixer to digest the adipose tissue to form a digestion product; phase-separating the digestion product into a digested buoyant fat layer and a non-buoyant aqueous layer; and collecting the non-buoyant aqueous layer comprising the adipose derived regenerative cells. A system of processing an adipose tissue to collect adipose derived regenerative cells is also provided.
US09347031B2 Container for forming a cell aggregate and a method for forming a cell aggregate
A container for forming a cell aggregate is provided in which a group represented by a general formula of: (in the formula, each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a an alkyl group with a carbon number of 1 or more and 6 or less and m is an integer of 2 or more and 6 or less.) and at least one of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a hydroxyl group are present near a surface thereof.
US09347020B2 Heated chromatographic separation process
The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product from a feed mixture, which process comprises passing the feed mixture through one or more chromatographic columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, wherein the temperature of at least one of the chromatographic columns through which the feed mixture is passed is greater than room temperature.
US09347013B2 Natural oil derivative based thickener components used in grease compositions and processes for making such compositions
A grease composition is disclosed, having from 75 to 85 weight percent of a lubricating base oil, from 15 to 25 weight percent of a thickener component including one or more of (i) one or more natural oil derivatives comprising octadecanedioic acid dimethyl esters, (ii) one or more carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof, comprising 12-hydroxystearic acid, and (iii) one or more of a metal base compound comprising lithium hydroxide, and from 1 to 15 weight percent of one or more optional additives. Processes for making grease compositions are also disclosed.
US09347011B2 Method and device for treating biomass
A treatment of biomass comprises supplying biomass which contains an amount of moisture to a first treatment device of a torrefaction system where the biomass is heated to a torrefaction temperature and substantially completely dried by evaporating the moisture to form a torrefied biomass. The at least partially torrefied biomass is removed from the first treatment device after a first time period and transferred to a second treatment device where it is kept for a longer second time period.
US09347010B2 Method of predicting/optimizing hydrogen sulfide scavenging capacity and reduction of scale formation
A method of optimizing a hydrogen sulfide scavenger blend that includes selecting a hydrogen sulfide scavenger blend comprising at least two hydrogen sulfide scavengers; determining a scavenging capacity for the blend; modifying at least one blend parameter based on the determined scavenging capacity; redetermining the scavenging capacity for the modified blend; and selecting an optimized blend from the blend and the modified blend is disclosed.
US09347009B2 Processes and systems for characterizing and blending refinery feedstocks
A method for characterizing and optimizing refinery feedstock blends according to their corrosivity is provided. Refinery feedstocks can be characterized based on any of: dissociation of acids in the crude, breakup of naphthenic acid molecular associations, mass changes of carbon steel samples, and/or dissociation of sulfur compounds in the feedstocks. The characterization is performed as a function of temperature via any of electrical resistivity measurement, vibrational spectroscopic analysis, voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, crystal microbalance measurements of weight changes, and combinations thereof. The method employs models and/or hardware to optimize the usage of refinery feedstocks in the blending and valuation of the feedstocks.
US09347004B2 Flame propagation resistant foam and method
A method for making a flame propagation resistant foam from a foam substrate including the steps of preparing a flame-retardant solution that includes an organic phosphate ester in water, immersing the foam substrate in the flame-retardant solution to obtain a partially treated foam substrate and curing the partially treated foam substrate at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time.
US09346996B1 Oil well cementing products with synthetic gypsum and methods
An oil well cementing product comprising DTPA-coated synthetic calcined gypsum, at least one accelerator, at least one retarder, at least one plasticizer and limestone is provided. Also provided are methods for cementing oil wells with mixtures comprising DTPA-coated synthetic calcined gypsum, at least one accelerator, at least one retarder, at least one plasticizer and limestone.
US09346992B2 Thermally conductive dielectric for thermoformable circuits
This invention is directed to a polymer thick film thermally conductive thermoformable dielectric composition comprising urethane resin, thermoplastic phenoxy resin, diacetone alcohol and thermally conductive powder. Dielectrics made from the composition can be used in various electronic applications to protect electrical elements and particularly to insulate and protect both the conductive thermoformable silver and the polycarbonate substrate in capacitive switch applications. The thermoformed electrical circuit may be subsequently subjected to an injection molding process.
US09346988B2 Adhesive composition and structure comprising at least one layer of the said composition
The invention relates to an adhesive composition comprising at least one polyamide A, with a mean number of carbon atoms per nitrogen atom (C/N), noted CA, of between 4 and 8.5; at least one polyamide B, with a melting point of greater than or equal to 180° C. and a mean number C/N, noted CB, of between 7 and 10; at least one polyamide C, with a mean number C/N, noted CC, of between 9 and 18; at least 50% by weight of the said composition being formed from one or more polyamides chosen from polyamides A, B and C, the mass-weighted mean of the heats of fusion of these polyamides in the said composition being greater than 25 J/g (DSC), the mean number of C/N of the polyamides A, B and C satisfying the following strict inequality: CA
US09346985B2 Methods for preparation of polyester/glyoxalated polyvinyl alcohol semi-interpenetrating polymer network hot-melt adhesive
A polyester/glyoxalated polyvinyl alcohol semi-interpenetrating polymer network hot-melt adhesive and preparation method therefore, mainly includes the steps of: 1) transesterification of certain amounts of dimethyl terephthalate and another dibasic ester with 1,4-butanediol and other diols in the presence of an organotin catalyst under a nitrogen atmosphere in a reactor, completed upon the amount of distillation of a monohydric alcohol byproduct reaching greater than 95% of the theoretical amount; 2) after the temperature is maintained for a period of time, adding in a stabilizer and a polycondensation catalyst and incrementally increasing the temperature to trigger a polycondensation reaction under a reduced pressure to produce particles of a copolymer, and freezing and pulverizing the copolymer particles to produce a powder of a copolyester; 3) uniformly blending a polyvinyl alcohol/glyoxal mixture with the powder produced in step 2) at ambient temperature to produce the target product. The product is capable of forming an internal semi-interpenetrating network at application temperatures.
US09346982B2 Amphiphilic pressure sensitive adhesives for human skin adhesion
The present invention relates to amphiphilic pressure sensitive adhesives, specifically, pressure sensitive adhesives with amphiphilic copolymers which improve adhesion under moist environment. The amphiphilic copolymers comprise at least one hydrophobic acrylic monomer or oligomer and at least one hydrophilic or amphiphilic monomer or oligomer. The present invention also relates to the use of such adhesives in securing medical devices to human skin.
US09346973B2 Elastomeric coatings having hydrophobic and/or oleophobic properties
This disclosure deals with novel formulations to create highly durable hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, oleophobic and/or superoleophobic surfaces that can be nearly transparent. The formulations of this invention can be applied by -dip, spray and painting processes.
US09346972B2 Pigmented coating composition with a phosphorus acid functionalized binder
The present invention is a composition comprising a) a stable aqueous dispersion of polymer particles functionalized with structural units of a phosphorus acid monomer or a salt thereof and; b) a water-soluble polymer functionalized with structural units of a sulfonic acid monomer or a salt thereof as well as a method comprising mixing the stable aqueous dispersion of the phosphorus acid functionalized polymer particles with the sulfonic acid functionalized polymer, and TiO2. The composition of the present invention is useful as a coatings formulation that provides improved hiding over phosphorus acid functionalized binders that do not include the water-soluble polymer. Alternatively, the same hiding benefit is seen at lower phosphorus acid concentration when the sulfonic acid functionalized polymer is present.
US09346970B2 Adsorbing vinyl acetate binders
The present invention relates to a composition comprising and a method for preparing a stable aqueous dispersion of polymer particles comprising structural units of vinyl acetate and a phosphorous acid monomer. The composition of the present invention provides vinyl acetate/phosphorus acid based polymer particles that improve hiding efficiency in pigmented coatings formulations.
US09346957B2 Cell permeable, fluorescent dye
The invention pertains to a near-infrared fluorescent dye that is cell permeable and can be attached to selected proteins in living cells. The dye has the general formula or its corresponding spirolactone wherein Y is chosen from the group consisting of Si, Ge and Sn; R0 is —COO− or COOH; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15 and R16 are substituents, including hydrogen, independently from each other. The dye (i) absorbs and emits light at wavelengths above 600 nm; (ii) possesses high photostability; (iii) has high extinction coefficients and high quantum yields; (iv) can be derivatized with different molecules; and (v) is membrane-permeable and shows minimal background binding to biomolecules and biomolecular structures.
US09346956B2 Foamed sulfur asphalts for pavement recycling and soil stabilization
Methods for manufacturing a foamed sulfur asphalt stabilized soil and a foamed sulfur asphalt are provided. The foamed sulfur asphalt stabilized soil includes an foamed sulfur asphalt, an air-dried aggregate, moisturizing water, and Portland cement. The foamed sulfur asphalt includes an asphalt binder, elemental sulfur, foaming air, and foaming water. The foamed sulfur asphalt has a foam half-life equal to or greater than about 6 seconds and a foam expansion ratio equal to or greater than 8. The foamed sulfur asphalt also has an amount of elemental sulfur in a range of from about 10% to about 50% by weight of the combined amounts of elemental sulfur and the asphalt binder in the foamed sulfur asphalt.
US09346951B2 Polyalkylene carbonate resin composition
Provided is a compounding resin composition containing a compatibilizer, based on polyalkylene carbonate and polyolefin or biodegradable polyester. According to the present invention, a polyalkylene carbonate resin composition capable of improving mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, tearing strength, and the like, or physical properties such as adhesive force, oxygen and moisture barrier properties, heat stability, flexibility, and the like, by preparing and applying the compatibilizer for improving compatibility of the compounding resin, and a multilayer film and a molded product manufactured using the same may be provided.
US09346947B2 Hydrogen peroxide as a reactive extrusion additive for poly(vinyl butyral)
A poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) resin formulation, a method of extruding PVB resins, and related materials and products that provide for PVB sheets with a selectable flow (or melt viscosity) by melt blending hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into a PVB resin composition is described herein.
US09346946B2 Composite materials and shaped articles
A process for the preparation of a composite material from a particulate binder material having an average particle size (D9 0) of from 15 to 850 pm and a fibrous material having a density of from 150 to 550 kg/m3, comprising the steps of: a) blending the particulate binder material and the fibrous material, preferably in a weight ratio of 60:40 to 10:90, and b) subjecting the blended material obtained in a) to a curing step under increased temperature and pressure to obtain a composite material. The invention further relates to the composite material thus obtained, and to its use as building materials or as panelling.
US09346943B2 Fiber structure, method for its manufacture and use as well as fiber-resin composite material
The invention relates to a fixed and/or stabilized fiber structure from a fibrous material as well as from an agent for its fixing and stabilizing. The agent for fixing and stabilizing is a statistical copolyester which is formed from the diacid components terephthalic acid and, optionally, isophthalic acid as well as the diol components butanediol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol. A method of manufacturing this fiber structure is also provided. The fiber structure is used as a reinforcement material for polymer matrices, in particular epoxy resins. A fiber composite material containing at least one thermosetting resin as well as the fiber structure in accordance with the invention is furthermore provided.
US09346926B2 High flow urea-formaldehyde powders for particleboard and fiberboard manufacture
Particulate binder compositions made with amine-aldehyde resins and methods for making same are provided. The method for making the particulate binder composition can include spray-drying an amine-aldehyde resin having a total aldehyde compound to total amine compound molar ratio of about 1.55:1 to about 1.65:1 to produce a particulate binder composition. The particulate binder composition can have a fusion diameter of about 35 mm to about 70 mm.
US09346924B2 Dandelion processes, compositions and products
Dandelion processes, compositions and products are provided. One process is a method of preparing dandelion that utilizes a species of a Taraxacum genus, the process including the steps of extracting and recovering a rubber and a carbohydrate from a dandelion root substantially simultaneously. The process employs a dandelion species that is selected from the group consisting of: Taraxacum officianale, Taraxacum kok-saghyz, a rubber-bearing species of the genus Taraxacum, and a combination of two or more thereof. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US09346916B2 Fluidized bed reactor and method for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers from dimethoxymethane and paraformaldehyde
The invention belongs to energy chemical technical field, especially relates to a fluidized bed reactor and a method for preparation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers from dimethoxymethane and paraformaldehyde. The fluidized bed reactor comprises a gas inlet, a gas distributor, a catalyst inlet, a gas outlet, a fluid inlet, a catalyst outlet, a bottom component and an interstage component, a bottom component related gas upward channel, an interstage component related gas upward channel, a fluid outlet, a bottom downcomer and an interstage downcomer. A process for preparation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers comprises the steps of: fluidizing gas is introduced into a bottom bed from the gas inlet via the bottom component related gas upward channel through the gas distributor; the fluidizing gas goes upwards and flows out of the reactor via the gas outlet; paraformaldehyde and dimethoxymethane are introduced into a bed through the fluid inlet; the fluid goes downwards and leaves the reactor via the fluid outlet. Compared with a conventional cannula reactor, the fluidized bed reactor improves the dispersion uniformity of catalyst and conversion of formaldehyde.
US09346908B1 Olefin-metathesis catalysts and method for preparing low-molecular-weight nitrile butadiene rubber
An olefin-metathesis catalyst is provided. The olefin-metathesis catalyst includes a magnetic carrier, a polymer having formula (I) grafted on the magnetic carrier, and a ruthenium complex loaded on the polymer. A method for preparing low-molecular-weight nitrile butadiene rubber is also provided. In formula (I), one of X, Y and Z is nitrogen atom, the others are carbon atoms, R1 and R2, independently, include hydrogen, ester group, C1-10 alkyl group, C3-8 cycloalkyl group, 4-ring to 8-ring heterocycloalkyl or C6-10 aryl group, R3 includes hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl group, m ranges from 10 to 2,000, and n ranges from 0 to 1,000.
US09346905B2 Low viscosity high solids copolymer
A reaction mixture containing a copolymer having a number average molecular weight less than about 4,000 amu and a polydispersity less than about 3 formed in the presence of a free radical initiator and a heated liquid reaction mixture fed with one or more added olefinic monomers, the reaction mixture otherwise consisting essentially of non-homopolymerizable olefinic monomer.
US09346900B2 Processes of preparing estolide compounds that include removing sulfonate residues
Provided herein are processes of preparing sulfonated estolide compounds, and the removal of sulfonate residues from those compounds to provide desulfonated estolide base oils. Exemplary sulfonated estolide compounds include those selected from the formula: wherein z is an integer selected from 0 to 15; q is an integer selected from 0 to 15; x is, independently for each occurrence, an integer selected from 0 to 20; y is, independently for each occurrence, an integer selected 0 to 20; n is equal to or greater than 0; R6 is selected from —OH, optionally substituted alkyl, and optionally substituted aryl; and R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched, wherein each fatty acid chain residue of said compounds is independently optionally substituted.
US09346897B2 Peroxide treated metallocene-based polyolefins with improved melt strength
Disclosed herein are ethylene-based polymers having low densities and narrow molecular weight distributions, but high melt strengths for blown film processing. Such polymers can be produced by peroxide-treating a metallocene-catalyzed resin.
US09346895B2 Monolithic organic porous body, monolithic organic porous ion exchanger, and process for producing the monolithic organic porous body and the monolithic organic porous ion exchanger
A monolithic organic porous body includes a continuous macropore structure that includes cellular macropores that overlap to form openings having an average diameter of 20 to 200 μm, the monolithic organic porous body having a thickness of 1 mm or more and a total pore volume of 0.5 to 5 ml/g, an area of a skeleton observed within an SEM image of a section of the continuous macropore structure (in a dry state) being 25 to 50%. A monolithic ion exchanger is produced by introducing an ion-exchange group into the monolithic organic porous body. The monolithic organic porous body and the monolithic ion exchanger are chemically stable, have high mechanical strength, and ensure a low pressure loss when fluid passes through. The monolithic organic porous body and the monolithic ion exchanger may be used as an adsorbent having a large adsorption capacity or an ion exchanger having a large ion-exchange capacity.
US09346893B2 Process for the preparation of highly O-sulfated, epimerized derivatives of K5 polysacchride and intermediates therein
A new method is described for the oversulfation of epiK5-N-sulfate to obtain an epiK5-amine-O-oversulfate with very high sulfation degree which, by subsequent N-sulfation, provides new epiK5-N,O-oversulfate-derivatives with a sulfation degree of at least 4, basically free of activity on the coagulation parameters and useful in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical field. Also described are new low molecular weight epiK5-N-sulfates useful as intermediates in the preparation of the corresponding LMW-epiK5-N,O-oversulfate-derivatives.
US09346891B2 Antigen binding polypeptides
The invention relates to a platform technology for production of antigen binding polypeptides having specificity for a desired target antigen which is based on the conventional antibody repertoire of species in the family Camelidae, and to antigen binding polypeptides obtained using this technology platform. In particular, the invention provides an antigen binding polypeptide comprising a VH domain and a VL domain, wherein at least one hypervariable loop or complementarity determining region (CDR) in the VH domain or the VL domain is obtained from a VH or VL domain of a species in the family Camelidae.
US09346885B2 Method of treating type 1 diabetes with antagonist IL-7 receptor antibodies
The present invention provides antagonizing antibodies that bind to interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R). The invention further provides a method of obtaining such antibodies and antibody-encoding nucleic acids. The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof for the treatment and/or prevention of type 2 diabetes and immunological disorders, including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, graft-versus-host disease, and lupus.
US09346877B2 Binding molecules
The present invention relates to the manufacture of a diverse repertoire of functional heavy chain-only antibodies that undergo affinity maturation, and uses thereof. The invention also relates to the manufacture and use of a diverse repertoire of class-specific heavy chain-only antibodies and to the manufacture and use of multivalent polypeptide complexes with antibody heavy chain functionality, preferably antibody heavy chain binding functionality, constant region effector activity and, optionally, additional effector functions.The present invention also relates to a method of generation of fully functional heavy chain-only antibodies in transgenic mice in response to antigen challenge. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for the generation of human antigen-specific, high affinity, heavy chain-only antibodies of any class, or mixture of classes and the isolation and expression of fully functional VH antigen-binding domains.
US09346876B2 TIM-3 ligands and methods of modulating immune responses
The invention relates to isolated polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding polypeptides which comprise a tim-3 IgV domain and a tim-3 intracellular domain, wherein the polypeptides do not comprise a tim-3 mucin domain or a tim-3 transmembrane domain. In addition, the invention relates to methods of modulating immune responses in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that modulates tim-3 activity. Immune responses include, but are not limited to, immune tolerance, transplantation tolerance, Th1 responses and Th2 responses.
US09346865B2 Antimicrobial peptides and methods of use
Disclosed herein are novel antimicrobial peptides with useful, improved, or superior properties such as antimicrobial activity, specificity, resistance to degradation desirable levels of hemolytic activity, and therapeutic index against a broad range of microorganisms including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and other organisms having a cellular or structural component of a lipid bilayer membrane. Also provided are methods of making and using such peptides to control microbial growth and in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment or prevention of infections caused by such microorganisms. Certain peptides result from structure-based rational design relating to antimicrobial peptide V681, with single D-/L-amino acid substitutions or charged residue substitutions in or near the center of the peptide on the nonpolar or polar face. Some peptides contain one or more (or all) amino acids in the D configuration. Compositions disclosed herein have useful clinical potential as antibiotics including broad spectrum antibiotics.
US09346861B2 Fermentation process
The present invention provides a process for periplasmic expression of a bacterial toxoid comprising the steps of: a) growing a culture of a gram negative host cell in a fermentation medium, wherein the host cell is transformed with a polynucleotide, and wherein the polynucleotide encodes the bacterial toxoid and a periplasmic signal sequence; or providing a gram negative host cell wherein the host cell is transformed with a polynucleotide, the polynucleotide encodes the bacterial toxoid and a periplasmic signal sequence and wherein the gram negative host cell comprises the bacterial toxoid expressed in the periplasm; a(i)) inducing expression of the bacterial toxoid; b) maturing the host cell, wherein the maturing step comprises: I) subjecting the host cell to a pH shock; II) incubating the host cell with no feed addition; and/or III) subjecting the host cell to a temperature below −20° C.; and c) extracting the bacterial toxoid from the host cell wherein the extraction process comprises osmotic shock.
US09346854B2 Anti-inflammatory peptides and use thereof
Isolated peptides of 13-30 amino acids comprising 5-9 consecutive repeats of the amino acid pair Alanine-Leucine or Alanine-Valine are provided. The peptides further comprise a stretch of 1-3 Lysine residues present at least at one of the peptide's termini, wherein the only Lysine residue in the isolated peptide is present at the stretch of 1-3 Lysine residues. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, methods of treating inflammatory conditions and allergic reactions, as well as methods of neutralizing the activity of lypopolysaccharides are also provided.
US09346845B2 Anionic conjugates of glycosylated bacterial metabolite
The invention relates to anionic conjugates of glycosylated bacterial metabolites that may be used to mimic the structure and/or activity of the anionic bioactive molecules known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the conjugates. Such conjugates are useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of disease conditions and in particular chronic disease conditions such as inflammatory (including allergic) diseases, metastatic cancers and infection by pathogenic agents including bacteria, viruses or parasites.
US09346840B2 Cyclopropylamines as LSD1 inhibitors
This invention relates to the use of cyclopropylamine derivatives for the modulation, notably the inhibition of the activity of Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1). Suitably, the present invention relates to the use of cyclopropylamines in the treatment of cancer.
US09346838B2 Process for the preparation of tris(perfluoroalkyl)phosphine oxides and bis(perfluoroalkyl)phosphinic acids
The invention relates to a method for producing tris(perfluoroalkyl)phosphine oxides and bis(perfluoroalkyl)phosphinic acids by reacting tris(perfluoroalkyl)difluorophosphorane or bis(perfluoroalkyl)trifluorophosphorane with non-metal oxides, metalloid oxides or organic compounds with basic oxygen residues.
US09346832B2 Gold complexes for use in the treatment of cancer
The invention provides compounds of the Formula (I), in which W is independently selected from W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, or W represents a pair of substituents independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl or amide in which the amide is optionally part of a linking chain, and the Zn—Zn′ bonds (n=4-17; n′=n+1) are optionally of any whole or partial bond order, Y is Y1 or Y represents a pair of substituents independently selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, Z5 or Z6 aryl, or Y is optionally a bridging structure that may comprise one or more C1-C6 amide, C1-C6 ether, or C1-C6 ester groups, R—R39 are independently selected from no substituent, a lone pair of electrons, H, halogen, C5-C6 aryl, C1-C12 alkyl, amine, C1-C6 alkylamine, C1-C6 amide, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, C1-C6 ester, phosphane, thiol, C1-C6 thioether, OR40, and suitable pairs of adjacent R groups (R—R39) may optionally together form part of a C5 or C6 aryl ring, a Z5 or Z6 ring, R40 is independently selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, Z5 or Z6 aryl, C1-C6 ester, poly(—C2O—), amine, and C1-C6 alkylamine, Z—Z24 are independently selected from C, N, P, O, and S, and X− is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, for the treatment of cancer.
US09346825B2 Fused bicyclic oxazolidinone CETP inhibitor
Compounds having the structure of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, are CETP inhibitors and are useful for raising HDL-cholesterol, reducing LDL-cholesterol, and for treating or preventing atherosclerosis.
US09346819B2 Method of synthesis of a composition containing at least one internal dehydration product of a hydrogenated sugar by heterogeneous catalysis
A simple, low cost, environmentally friendly and sustainable process for the production of internal dehydration products of hydrogenated sugar, implementing trivalent metal phosphate (metal (III) phosphates) as catalysts during the dehydratation step.
US09346818B2 Benzodioxole derivative and preparation method and use thereof
Provided in the present invention are novel benzodioxole derivatives and preparation methods thereof. These compounds represented by formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, so can be used in the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease. The definitions of R1, R2 and A of formula (I) can be seen in the description.
US09346801B2 Substituted 7-oxo-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines and methods of use
The invention encompasses compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of cancer.
US09346798B2 Dihydrobenzoxazine and tetrahydroquinoxaline sodium channel inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels, in particular Nav 1.7. The compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases treatable by inhibition of sodium channels such as pain disorders. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the present invention.
US09346796B2 Methods and intermediates for preparing pharmaceutical agents
Methods and intermediates useful for preparing a compound of formula I: and salts thereof.
US09346795B2 Substituted sulfonamides useful as antiapoptotic Bcl inhibitors
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: W and Q and G are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as inhibitors of Bcl-2 family antiapoptotic proteins for the treatment of cancer; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.
US09346793B2 Hydroxylated aminotriazole derivatives as ALX receptor agonists
The invention relates to hydroxylated aminotriazole derivatives of formula (I), wherein Q, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds.
US09346790B2 Hydantoin derivatives useful as Kv3 inhibitors
The invention provides compounds of formula (I): Said compounds being inhibitors of Kv3 channels and of use in the prophylaxis or treatment of related disorders.
US09346774B2 Process for the start-up of an epoxidation process, a process for the production of ethylene oxide, a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, a 1,2-carbonate, or an alkanolamine
A process is provided for the start-up of an ethylene epoxidation process comprising: (a) contacting a catalyst bed comprising a high selectivity epoxidation catalyst with a feed comprising ethylene, oxygen and an organic chloride for a period of time until an increase of at least 1×10−5 mole-% of vinyl chloride (calculated as the moles of vinyl chloride relative to the total gas mixture), preferably 2×10−5 mole-% of vinyl chloride is detected in a reactor outlet gas or a recycle gas loop; and (b) subsequently adjusting the quantity of organic chloride in the feed to a value sufficient to produce ethylene oxide at a substantially optimum selectivity.
US09346773B2 Thermo-mechanically integrated process for the production of ethylene oxide from a flow of ethanol
Dehydrating an ethanol feed to form ethylene then oxidation of the ethanol to ethylene oxide: vaporization of an ethanol feed and at least a portion of a flow of diluting water comprising recycled ethanol so as to produce a vaporized feed, compression in a compressor driven by a condensing turbine driven by the steam generated by an oxidation step, dehydration of a mixture of compressed vaporized feed, separation of effluent obtained from dehydration into ethylene and water, purification of at least a portion of effluent containing water and separation into at least a flow of treated water and a flow of diluting water containing ethanol, recycling the latter upstream of the vaporization, oxidation of ethylene containing in the effluent into ethylene oxide, in at least one tubular oxidation reactor cooled by vaporization of a quench flow, said vaporized quench flow being used to drive a condensing turbine.
US09346771B2 Purification method
A diagnostic imaging agent useful for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging as well as to improved hardware for producing such imaging agents is described. Flutemetamol (18F) Injection for the imaging of β-amyloid plaques in the brain and methods and devices for preparing same are described including the automated synthesis and purification of [18F]flutemetamol by means of solid phase extraction (SPE).
US09346766B2 Catalysis of diketopiperazine synthesis
Provided is a method for the synthesis of N-protected bis-3,6-[4-aminobutyl]-2,5-diketopiperazine including the step of heating a solution of ε-amino protected lysine in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and phosphorus pentoxide.
US09346764B2 Imidazolidinedione compounds and their uses
Provided are imidazolidinedione compounds of formula (I), processes for preparation, uses and pharmaceutically compositions thereof. The imidazolidinedione compounds posses androgen receptor antagonist activity and can be used for preventing and treating diseases and disorders related to androgen receptor, such as prostate cancer, alopecia, hair regeneration, acne and adolescent acne.
US09346757B2 Pyridine derivatives and their use in the treatment of conditions associated with pathological thrombus formation
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I), wherein the residues R1 to R6, V, G and M have the meanings indicated in the claims. The compounds of the formula I are valuable pharmacologically active compounds for use in the treatment of diverse disorders, for example cardiovascular disorders like thromboembolic diseases or restenoses. The compounds of the invention are effective antagonists of the platelet LPA receptor LPAR5 (GPR92) and can in general be applied in conditions in which an undesired activation of the platelet LPA receptor LPAR5, the mast cell LPA receptor LPAR5 or the microglia cell LPA receptor LPAR5 is present, or for the cure or prevention of which an inhibition of the platelet, mast cell or microglia cell LPA receptor LPAR5 is intended. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of the formula I, their use, in particular as active ingredients in medicaments, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09346754B2 Method of treating advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
A compound of Formula (I): or a metabolite thereof, or an ester of the compound of Formula (I) or the metabolite thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each thereof, wherein m, n, X1 and X2 are as defined herein, is useful for inhibiting or treating advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, conditions leading to or arising from it, and/or negative effects of each thereof.
US09346753B2 Dithiol mucolytic agents
Provided are dithiol mucolytic agents. These agents increase the liquefaction of mucus in a patient with excessive mucus or mucus with increased viscoelastic, cohesive, or adhesive properties. Also provided are a variety of methods of treatment using these inventive mucolytic agents.
US09346750B2 Salt and photoresist composition containing the same
A salt represented by the formula (X): wherein Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom etc., L1 and L2 independently each represent a C1-C17 divalent saturated hydrocarbon group, ring W1 represents a C3-C36 saturated hydrocarbon ring, R2 is independently in each occurrence a hydroxyl group etc., s represents an integer of 0 to 2, Z+ represents an organic counter ion, and W10 represents a group represented by the formula (X-1): wherein ring W2 represents a C4-C36 saturated hydrocarbon ring in which one or more —CH2— can be replaced by —O— or —CO—, with the proviso that at least one —CH2— in the C4-C36 saturated hydrocarbon ring is replaced by —CO—, R3 is independently in each occurrence a C1-C6 alkyl group etc., and t represents an integer of 0 to 2, or a group represented by the formula (X-2): wherein ring W3 represents a C3-C36 saturated hydrocarbon ring, R4 is independently in each occurrence a hydroxyl group etc., R5 is independently in each occurrence a C1-C6 alkyl group etc., v represents an integer of 1 to 3, and w represents an integer of 0 to 2.
US09346748B2 Functional-group-modified carbon material, and method for producing same
Provided are a functional-group-modified carbon material modified with an isocyanate group or amino group, and a method for producing the material. The material is an isocyanate-group-modified carbon material in which an isocyanate group of a diisocyanate compound is bonded to a graphene-like carbon material, or an amino-group-modified carbon material in which a fragment obtained by radical-decomposing an amino-group-containing azo-type radical initiator is added to the graphene-like carbon material by radical-trapping. The method is a method for producing a functional-group-modified carbon material, including heating and stirring, in a solvent, a graphene-like carbon material, and a diisocyanate compound or an amino-group-containing azo-type radical initiator.
US09346745B2 Process for producing Aliskiren
A new route of synthesis of the compound Aliskiren of formula (I), used in the treatment of hypertension, is described.
US09346737B2 Processes for making cyclohexane compounds
This invention relates to hydrogenation processes for making cyclohexane compounds. More specifically, this invention relates to hydrogenation processes in the presence of tertiary amide solvent compounds, as well as compositions that can result from such processes. The invention thus provides processes for making cyclohexanecarboxylic acid compounds and processes for making hydroxymethylcyclohexane compounds.
US09346726B2 Process for producing compositions rich in crystals of mannitol in delta form, compositions and crystals obtained and uses thereof
A process for producing a composition which is particularly rich in D-mannitol, the latter being present in the form of crystals having a volume average diameter greater than 20 pm, wherein the crystals correspond to a very large extent to the δ polymorph. This process makes use of the evaporative crystallization technique, in which the seeding and then the controlled growth of the crystals is carried out at different evaporation rates. Finally, very pure δ crystals are advantageously obtained, which have a better compressibility than the α and β homologues thereof and which, by virtue of the sizes thereof, result in a powder which is not subject to caking.
US09346722B2 Method for refining squalene produced by microalgae
The invention relates to a method for preparing a composition that is very rich in squalene produced by fermentation of micro-organisms. The method is characterized in that it comprises a purification step selected from the group including: supercritical CO2 extraction in a multi-stage counter-current fractionation column with extract reflux, and short-path molecular distillation.
US09346707B2 Methods for forming delamination resistant glass containers
In one embodiment, a method of forming a glass container may include forming a glass container comprising a sidewall at least partially enclosing an interior volume. At least a portion of the interior surface of the sidewall may have an interior surface layer with a persistent layer heterogeneity relative to a midpoint of the sidewall. The interior surface layer of the glass container may be removed from the interior surface of the sidewall such that a modified interior surface of the sidewall has an interior region extending from about 10 nm below the modified interior surface into a thickness of the sidewall. The interior region may have a persistent layer homogeneity relative to the midpoint of the sidewall such that the modified interior surface is resistant to delamination.
US09346699B2 Method of making a glass laminate having controlled strength
A method for making a glass laminate sheet including: selecting a core glass composition and a clad glass composition combination for a glass laminate structure; determining and comparing the viscosity and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) profiles for each of the selected core and the clad glass compositions with each other over a temperature range of interest including the onset of viscoelasticity to ambient temperature; and processing the selected core and clad glass composition in a laminate fusion draw apparatus to form a laminate glass sheet in accordance with at least one difference condition for the clad effective coefficient thermal expansion (CTEeff core) and the core effective coefficient thermal expansion (CTEeff core). Another method for making a glass laminate sheet includes controlling the cooling rate to control the resulting strength of the laminate.
US09346695B2 Apparatus for purifying wastewater and method thereof
The present inventions relates to an apparatus for purifying wastewater and a method thereof, which comprises: a stirring part to make bubbles impregnated into floc through high speed stirring by adding floc forming materials to influent and stirring them; an air supply part to supply air to the stirring part to make more bubbles impregnated; a pumping part to conduct pressurized conveying of the floc included treatment water; a cyclone part to separate high density floc to downstream and treatment water with low density floc to upstream from the pressurized treatment water; and a flotation part to separate floc from the treatment water with floc supplied from the cyclone part. Therefore, the present invention have an effect that it is possible to improve purification speed of wastewater and obtain good quality of purified water.
US09346694B2 Method and apparatus for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment
One or more reactor and one or more control methods are used for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment to achieve measured control of maintaining high ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) oxidation rates while achieving nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) out-selection, using various control strategies, including: 1) ammonia and the use of ammonia setpoints; 2) operational DO and the use of DO setpoints; 3) bioaugmentation of anammox and lighter flocculant AOB fraction; and 4) implementation of transient anoxia in several reactor configurations and conditions for removal of oxidized nitrogen using anammox or heterotrophic organisms. Controls described maximize nitrogen removal with minimal aeration, through control of transient anoxia and aerobic SRT, out-selection of NOB, and control of DO concentrations or aeration interval by keeping the reactor ammonia (NH4) and oxidized nitrogen (NOx) concentrations approximately equal, and maximize total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal through nitrification, limited nitritation, nitritation, denitrification, denitritation or deammonification making use of the aforementioned strategies.
US09346693B2 Polymer blends for flocculation
Polymer flocculants are described comprising blends of high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and high molecular polyacrylamides. When introduced in desired amounts and with desired molecular weight ranges, excellent flocculation function is found that can be used to reduce polymer consumption to obtain a desired purity of clarified waste water. It has been found that the desirable polymer blends can be effectively added upstream from locations in which polyethylene oxide would generally be added so that the polymer blend can effectively mix with the slime flow to reduce or eliminate the need for excess polymer use to compensate for less effective mixing with the slime flow. Suitable waste treatment systems are described to provide for the delivery of the flocculants in the waste treatment process.
US09346691B2 Tubular high-density plasma reactor, with outer treatment chamber and collinear rotatable inner cylinder
An apparatus and method for simultaneously removing materials from fluids without the need for added chemicals, and without the formation of toxic byproducts, by high-density plasma reaction chemistry is described. Applications to removal of contaminants, such as pesticides, organics, PPCPs, and pathogens, as examples, from water are discussed. Changes in the quality of the raw water are not expected to adversely affect the decontamination process.
US09346690B2 Composition and method for retention of solvated compounds and ions
Storage stable polyhydroxylated aromatic ether adducts of polyalkylene oxide are described. Reactive compositions are formed by combining an ether adduct with an aldehyde, optionally further adding a phenolic-aldehyde prepolymer. The reactive compositions are cured by removing water, by acidification, or both. The cured compositions sorb solvated compounds from environments containing water. The cured compositions are also useful for pre-loading with compounds that are subsequently released at a controlled rate into environments containing water.
US09346688B2 Separator apparatus for gas-water-oil mixtures, and separation process
The present invention refers to a triphasic separator for the separation of oil-water-gas mixtures used in the field of oil extraction from land or sea wells, suitable in particular, but not exclusively, for installation on the seabed in subsea wells.
US09346683B2 Carbonate radical-containing magnesium hydroxide particle and manufacturing method thereof
A magnesium hydroxide particle having a BET specific surface area of 80 m2/g or more and a manufacturing method thereof.The magnesium hydroxide particle has a BET specific surface area of 80 to 400 m2/g and is represented by the following formula (1): Mg(OH)2-x(CO3)0.5x.mH2O  (1) wherein x and m satisfy the following conditions: 0.02≦x≦0.7. 0≦m≦1.
US09346680B2 Mesoporous metal oxide graphene nanocomposite materials
A nanocomposite material formed of graphene and a mesoporous metal oxide having a demonstrated specific capacity of more than 200 F/g with particular utility when employed in supercapacitor applications. A method for making these nanocomposite materials by first forming a mixture of graphene, a surfactant, and a metal oxide precursor, precipitating the metal oxide precursor with the surfactant from the mixture to form a mesoporous metal oxide. The mesoporous metal oxide is then deposited onto a surface of the graphene.
US09346678B1 Method of fabricating macroporous carbon capsules from pollen grains
A method of producing macroporous carbon capsules includes providing pollen grains from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) males, drying the pollen grains, heating the dried pollen grains to a temperature of at least 500° C. under an atmosphere of N2 gas to produce macroporous carbon capsules. The macroporous carbon capsules produced from the above method can have an oval shape with a diameter in the range of about 18 μm to about 20 μm. The macroporous carbon capsules have a mean pore diameter in the range of about 50 nm to about 450 nm. The pores are three-dimensionally interconnected via nanoscopic carbon walls. The carbon walls have a thickness of about 4 μm.
US09346674B2 Catalyst for a fuel cell, a method of preparing the same, and a fuel cell system comprising the same
The catalyst for a fuel cell of the present invention includes a compound including at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, aluminum, and titanium, and a catalytic metal.
US09346668B1 Molded cavity substrate MEMS package fabrication method and structure
Methods and systems for a molded cavity substrate Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) package may comprise a MEMS electronic component, a base substrate comprising a first conductive through via, a molded ring coupled to the base substrate, and a lid substrate comprising dielectric material and a metal layer. The molded ring comprises a second conductive through via and a molded cavity, and the MEMS electronic component is located within the molded cavity. The base substrate may comprise a laminate substrate. The lid substrate may comprise a cavity port. A base assembly mounting adhesive may couple an inner surface of the lid to a principal surface of the molded ring. The dielectric material may comprise mold material. The molded ring may comprise mold compound adherent to an outer region of an inner surface of the base substrate with a central region of the base substrate exposed by the molded ring.
US09346666B2 Composite wafer semiconductor
A composite wafer semiconductor device includes a first wafer and a second wafer. The first wafer has a first side and a second side, and the second side is substantially opposite the first side. The composite wafer semiconductor device also includes an isolation set is formed on the first side of the first wafer and a free space is etched in the isolation set. The second wafer is bonded to the isolation set. A floating structure, such as an inertia sensing device, is formed in the second wafer over the free space. In an embodiment, a surface mount pad is formed on the second side of the first wafer. Then, the floating structure is electrically coupled to the surface mount pad using a through silicon via (TSV) conductor.
US09346659B2 Hybrid beverage dispenser
Disclosed is a hybrid beverage dispenser that can be configured in a number of flexible arrangements, providing the opportunity for a configurable beverage dispensing “station” having a variable “footprint”. The hybrid beverage dispenser may have “on board” refrigeration and/or heating system for providing both hot and cold beverages from the same dispenser. A remote chiller may provide chilled syrups for the beverages. Also disclosed is a countertop hybrid beverage dispensing unit for situations where limited space is an issue. Also disclosed is a hybrid beverage dispenser that provides the ability to dispense from one dispenser beverages which usually are dispensed from separate dispensers. The countertop unit possesses the same beverage dispensing flexibility; however, all ingredients are remotely chilled and pumped to the point of dispensing.
US09346649B2 Finisher, image forming apparatus and image forming system
A finisher includes an ejection port, a stacking tray, a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element, a communication section that performs data communication with an image forming apparatus and acquires a coverage rate of paper stacked on the stacking tray, and a paper-amount determination section that determines whether the amount of paper on the stacking tray exceeds a predetermined stack capacity of the stacking tray by comparing a predetermined threshold value with the amount of light received by the light-receiving element. The paper-amount determination section corrects the threshold value by using the coverage rate acquired by the communication section, compares the corrected threshold value with the amount of the light received by the light-receiving element, and determines that the amount of the paper stacked on the stacking tray exceeds the stack capacity of the stacking tray if the light amount is equal to or greater than the corrected threshold value.
US09346646B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming system
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an image forming unit, a storage portion, a moving unit, a stack portion, and a conveyance unit, wherein if the storage portion can store the sheet, the conveyance unit conveys the sheet on which the image has been formed to the storage portion, and if the storage portion cannot store the sheet, the image forming apparatus transitions to a standby state and waits for a discharge instruction, and when the discharge instruction is received, the conveyance unit conveys the sheet on which the image has been formed to the stack portion.
US09346640B2 Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeder includes a feeding member to contact a sheet and feed the sheet downstream in a sheet conveyance direction, a friction pad disposed facing the feeding member to contact the feeding member, and a receiving table including a pad mount to hold a side of the friction pad opposite a nip between the friction pad and the feeding member. The friction pad includes a fixed range secured to the pad mount upstream from the nip and a movable range extending downstream the nip in the sheet conveyance direction. A first friction force of the pad mount to act on the movable range of the friction pad is smaller than a second friction force of the sheet to act on the movable range of the friction pad.
US09346635B2 Sheet container and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A sheet container, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a container body having a loading face to load a sheet thereon, an extension unit disposed extendable in a sheet feeding direction with respect to the container body to extend the loading face, a length regulator disposed movable in the sheet feeding direction with respect to the extension unit to regulate a sheet trailing end position in the sheet feeding direction, and a sheet size indicator having a strip-shape provided on the container body along with a moving direction of the extension unit as a reference of a position of the length regulator, having at least one sheet size mark to indicate a size of the sheet, and being variable in length in a longitudinal direction with respect to the container body along with movement of the extension unit.
US09346634B2 System and method for passing matter in a flow passage
A system is provided for passing matter in a flow passage of an oil and/or gas drilling or production installation, in particular for passing trash or drill cuttings in a drilling fluid return line. The system includes at least two valves arranged in series in the passage; and a control device configured to selectively or sequentially actuate the at least two valves, such that the material is allowed to pass the at least two valves in the passage. A method is also provided for passing trash or drill cuttings in a drilling fluid return line.
US09346633B2 Fluidization and alignment elbow
An elbow for a solid particle conveyance system includes an elbow body having an inlet duct and an outlet duct with an interior space defined between the inlet and outlet ducts. An aeration insert is mounted to the elbow body for aerating solid particles passing through the interior space of the elbow body. The aeration insert is mounted to the elbow body to provide aeration from an elevation between that of the inlet duct and the outlet duct to facilitate downward movement of solid particles from the inlet duct across the aeration insert, and out through the outlet duct.
US09346622B2 Apparatus and method for tracking conveyor belts
A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.
US09346621B2 Apparatus and method for transferring springs
A spring transfer apparatus, shown generally at 10, is positioned adjacent a spring coiling machine 12 (shown only schematically). The transfer apparatus comprises a conveying substrate in the form of a belt 14 arranged in an endless loop and driven in a direction A by a motor 16. The belt comprises a plurality of magnetic spring holders 18 which are arranged in use to accept steel wire springs 20 from the coiling machine 12. Each of the magnetic spring holders has a pair of ferro-magnets 18a for holding the steel springs. The magnets are arranged such that identical poles are adjacent. The apparatus is arranged such that the magnets begin to attract the formed springs before they are cut from the length of wire by the spring coiling machine.
US09346613B2 Container
A container has a box shape and comprises a bottom wall, side walls forming a circumferential wall of the container and a strap. One or more straps form four lifting loops at the upper side of the container and are fixed to the side walls diagonally such that the strap forms a V-shape on each of said side walls between two adjacent lifting loops. The strap can be free from the side walls at lower ends of the V-shapes so as to form fastening loops.
US09346606B1 Package for revealing an item housed therein
Packages for holding physical items, with the packages being configured to move the physical item from within a housing of the package to outside the housing as the user opens the package. For instance, the package may include a housing to at least partly surround the physical item, a sled to hold the physical item and reside within the housing before the package is opened, and a drawbridge that, when manipulated by a user, moves the sled and the item coupled thereto at least partly outside of the housing. Therefore, when the user receives an item (e.g., upon purchasing the physical item), the user may open the drawbridge to cause the physical item to transition to at least partly outside the box, providing a convenient and positive “out-of-box” user experience.
US09346591B2 Screw cap closure
Composite cap intended to be snapped on the glass ring of a bottle and then to serve as a stopper that can screwed and unscrewed as required, the glass ring being provided with at least one annular bead. It comprises a shell with a skirt provided with an internal annular bead; a first insert, disposed inside said shell, provided with an internal screw thread, characterized in that it also comprises a second insert having at least two roughly cylindrical portions; the first portion being provided on its external wall with a screw thread complementary to that of said first insert, the second portion being provided with axial immobilization means intended to cooperate with said annular bead and axial stop means, cooperating with said internal annular bead, so that the inserts secured together by screwing are trapped inside said shell.
US09346589B2 Easy carry freezer bag
Disclosed is a resealable bag having a gusseted structure with a flared double-flapped upper panel wherein a handle and hang-up notch is incorporated therein. A one-way release valve is disposed on the bag to allow the ejection of air from the bag interior when the bag is exteriorly compressed. The flared upper panels can be folded in a downward position when loading foodstuffs. The bag structure comprises a back panel, a front panel, a floor panel, and a double-flapped upper panel forming the handle. The exterior of the bag further provides a writing surface affixed thereto. The bag structure can be sealed via an interlocking closure means along its open upper. Finally, the bag material is one that is suitable for use in a freezer or cooking environment, wherein the bag can be taken from cold storage and heated without material degradation or food contamination.
US09346579B2 Method for determining the integrity and leak tightness of containers in filling lines
The invention relates to a method for determining the intactness and leaktightness of containers (4) that are processed in a filling plant, wherein the filling plant comprises at least one centering head (2) for holding, gripping and/or turning one of the containers (4), wherein the centering head (2) is arranged movably along a longitudinal axis (3) of the container (4), and wherein the relative position of the centering head (2) on the longitudinal axis (3) is determined and used for the intactness and leaktightness determination.
US09346577B2 Packaging machine
A packaging machine of the type that is used to hand-wrap a package with a stretchable film that is heat-fused/sealed. The machine includes a supply of film for wrapping a package and a hot plate mechanism for heat fusing the film after the package is wrapped. The hot plate mechanism includes a fever arm that moves a sealing platform from a raised position to a lowered, heat sealing position when the package is placed on the platform. A control circuit energizes a heating element forming part of the sealing platform and causes it to reach a desired heating temperature in 2 to 4 seconds, whereby fusing of the sealing film is achieved. An interval timer is used to control a signaling device such as a light to Indicate the machine is in a heating cycle. A separate timer, in conjunction with a temperature sensing thermistor, controls a length of time the heating element is energized and terminates power to the heating element prior to the end of a sealing Interval if a predetermined temperature is exceeded. The sealing intervals are selectable by the operator using a multi-positioned switch which connects selected timing resistors to the interval timers. Power to the heating element is only delivered to the heating element during a heating cycle, thus conserving electrical power.
US09346572B2 Strapping apparatus
A strapping apparatus for strapping a tensioning strap around a packaging item includes a frictional wheel that operates against a support to tighten the tensioning strap. The frictional wheel is operatively connected to a drive unit and can be lifted from the support by a swiveling lever. The swiveling lever includes an interrupting element to interrupt the path of action between the frictional wheel and the drive unit so as to be able to lift the frictional wheel in an unloaded state from the tensioning strap.
US09346571B2 Multi-chamber freezing bag
Methods for preparing and using multiple chambered freezing bags containing biological fluid in the chambers are disclosed.
US09346565B1 Nuclear thermal propulsion rocket engine
A nuclear thermal propulsion rocket engine. A reactor is provided to receive a fissionable fuel and a propellant fluid. Fuel may be transported and injected using a carrier fluid. Carrier fluid for fuel may be hydrogen or an isotope thereof. Fuel may be plutonium or selected actinide. A neutron generator is provided, and utilizes an ion generator and a target container which extends into the reactor to hold a target material therein. Neutrons may be emitted almost omni-directionally by impact of ions from the ion generator on target material. Cooling of the target container may be provided by a cooling sleeve that receives and circulates a cooling fluid, and discharges the cooling fluid after it has been heated. Fuel injectors provide fuel through fuel injector valves regulated to cycle on and off to pulse output power of the rocket engine, by timing frequency and duration of fuel feed, and regulating injected fuel amounts, to regulate the energy released over discrete time periods. The reactor receives reactants and an expandable propellant fluid such as hydrogen, and confines heated and pressurized gases for discharge out through a throat, and into a rocket engine expansion nozzle for propulsive discharge.
US09346561B2 Measurement of coupling misalignment of a driveshaft
According to one embodiment, a system for measuring coupling misalignment of a rotorcraft drive shaft includes a reference device and a sensor. The sensor is configured to receive a signal from the reference device indicative of a distance between the reference device and the sensor. The reference device and the sensor are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of a flexible coupling coupled to the drive shaft and disposed between the engine and the pylon. The flexible coupling is configured to rotate with the drive shaft and comprises a flexure portion configured to flex in response to a difference in alignment between the engine and the pylon. A misalignment measurement system may be configured to generate a misalignment value in response to the signal.
US09346559B1 Aeronautical static discharge device and indicator therein
A static discharge device includes a body an an electrical path carried in the body for discharging static electricity. Carried on the body is visual indicia indicating a present operational status of the electrical path to discharge static electricity effectively. The visual indicia is observable to an airplane operator or technician to quickly determine the operational or non-operational status of the static discharge device.
US09346541B2 Modular power plant and an aircraft provided with a lift rotor
A power plant (10) having a main gearbox (20), a turbine engine (40), and a heat exchanger (60), the main gearbox (20) including a substantially vertical rotor mast (21). The main gearbox (20) comprises at least a rotary speed reduction stage arranged in a flat casing (22), and a pylon (23). The turbine engine (40) has an engine casing (42) with an outlet shaft projecting from said engine casing (42) and penetrating into said flat casing (22), said outlet shaft (41) being substantially parallel to the rotor mast (21), said engine casing (42) being offset longitudinally from the pylon (23) and not being in contact with the pylon (23). The heat exchanger (60) extends longitudinally behind said turbine engine (40), while, on the contrary, said rotor mast (21) is situated longitudinally in front of said turbine engine (40).
US09346539B2 Self-orienting aircraft landing gear
An aircraft landing gear self-orients so to align itself within a plane parallel to the plane defined by the aircraft's roll and yaw axis. A nose gear of a tricycle landing gear configuration includes the ability to not only caster 360 degrees but also self-orient itself to be aligned parallel with the plane defined by the aircraft's roll and yaw axis once removed from any interaction with the ground. A simple and efficient mechanical design provides the landing gear with a substantially constant centering torque that neither impedes nor impairs ground movement yet returns the nose gear to a proper alignment for retraction and stowage.
US09346534B2 Support assembly
An assembly to support a wing leading or trailing edge device during deployment and retraction of the device includes a fixed support member attachable to the support structure of an aircraft wing, an intermediate link arm having one end pivotally mounted for rotation relative to the support member about a first axis and, a primary link arm having a first end pivotally mounted to the opposite end of the intermediate link arm for rotation relative to the intermediate link arm about a second axis. A second end of the primary link arm is for attachment to the device via a bearing element so that the device can move relative to the primary link arm in any direction when the intermediate and primary link arms rotate about the first and second axes, respectively, during deployment or retraction of the device from the aircraft wing.
US09346527B2 Vertically-variable ocean sail system
Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanical sail systems, methods, apparatus, and code which allow use of the Magnus effect to provide thrust to a ship. In some embodiments, a mechanical sail system is provided which includes a silo, positioned below a deck level of a ship, a lift carriage, mounted within the silo, and supporting a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder, and at least a first drive motor coupled to a control system for selectively positioning the lift carriage within the silo, the control system operable to control the at least first drive motor to position the lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders.
US09346521B2 Vessel recovery system and method
A recovery system and method for recovering a deployed vessel having a rotatable support coupled with a stored recovery assembly, including a release unit, line, deployment weight, and drag device on the deployed vessel. A recovery vessel can have a hoist with a coupling element, such as a grapple. For recovery, the recovery assembly can be deployed from the deployed vessel. The drag device can assist in floating and/or maintaining a taut line, especially when the vessel is downwind of the drag device. The coupling element from the recovery vessel can couple with the taut line. Once coupled, the recovery vessel can raise the coupling element with the line, which can rotate the rotatable support to a lifting position above a center of gravity of the deployed vessel. The recovery vessel can then lift the deployed vessel vertically out of the water to a storage position.
US09346519B2 Fluid shield assembly
A fluid shield assembly for preventing fluid from entering a bow of a boat includes a panel that has an outer edge extending between a front side and a back side of the panel. The panel has a pair of slots each extending downwardly from a top side of the outer edge of the panel. The slots are evenly spaced apart from a middle of the top side of the outer edge of the panel to define the door portion of the panel. Each of a plurality of first fasteners engages a boat such that the panel is retained on a bow of the boat. The panel inhibits a fluid from entering the bow of the boat. The door portion of the panel is positioned over a door in the boat to selectively cover and expose the door in the boat.
US09346509B2 Broad view mirror for a cycle vehicle
A mirror assembly for mounting to a handlebar of a motorcycle or other cycle vehicle, including a handle enabling an operator of the motorcycle to rotate the mirror without requiring the operator to remove a hand from the handlebar. The rotation swivels the mirror from a view to the rear to a position with a view to the side. Upon releasing the handle, a compression spring within the assembly returns the mirror to its original position. The mounting arrangement for the assembly includes two portions rotatable perpendicularly to one another, permitting the mirror arrangement to be adjusted after coupling with the handlebar such that the stem of the mirror is plumb. This ensures that when the handle is engaged rotating the mirror, the orientation of the mirror is maintained such that the top edge of the mirror remains level during rotation and that the mirror stem remains plumb.
US09346507B2 Front structure of straddle type vehicle
A separate member is provided in the space between the side portion of headlight and the side cowl. A front structure of straddle type vehicle includes a joint portion that can be precisely positioned, while an increase in the width of the front portion of side cowl is prevented. A separate air intake cover is provided between the side portion of the headlight and the side cowl and is attached to the headlight stay with the headlight, simultaneously. The side cowl engaging portions is disposed behind the side cowl and with which the side cowl is engaged in the vicinity of the joint portion with the side cowl.
US09346505B1 Convertible bicycle seat
A convertible bicycle seat has a saddle, a saddle stem with an upper end and a lower end, the saddle being connected at the upper end of the saddle stem. A plurality of legs are attached at the lower end of the saddle stem and are pivotable between a first position in which the legs are located and aligned with the saddle stem, to a second position in which the legs extend outward from the saddle stem to support the saddle as a separate and independent stool-like seat.
US09346493B2 Floor structure of a motor vehicle body
A floor structure of a motor vehicle body is disclosed as having a floor panel and a support structure arranged below the floor panel. Two cross members substantially extend in vehicle transverse direction and are spaced from one another in vehicle longitudinal direction. The end sections of the cross members facing the same vehicle side are connected to one another via a profile part, each substantially extending in vehicle longitudinal direction, which extends along a side member arrangement and supports itself on the side member arrangement.
US09346487B2 Electric power steering apparatus
The apparatus herein provided includes a plurality of systems including driving circuits (20a, 20b) for driving motor coils (3a, 3b) corresponding thereto, and a control unit (10) for controlling control values of the driving circuits (20a, 20b), wherein, when a fault occurs in at least one of the plurality of systems including the motor coils (3a, 3b), the control unit (10) decreases a control value of a system(s) in which the fault occurs from an ordinary time control value or stops the drive by the system(s) in which the fault occurs, and also increases a control value of another system(s) in which the fault does not occur to more than an ordinary time control value.
US09346486B2 Electric power steering system
When a steering speed reaches a steering speed determination threshold, a steering speed gain is set to “0”. As a result, a final basic assist controlled variable becomes “0”, and application of an assist force to a steering system is stopped. Therefore, repetition of so-called reverse assist that is a cause of occurrence of an unintended steering behavior, such as self-excited vibration, is stopped. Accordingly, the steering behavior is improved.
US09346481B2 Steering column device
A steering column device including a first bracket for supporting a column tube that supports a steering shaft, a second bracket coupled to the first bracket and assembled onto a vehicle body, and a disengaging mechanism provided on the second bracket that allows the column tube to be disengaged from the vehicle body forward along a column axis direction under a set load when a secondary impact is caused with a collision of a vehicle. The first bracket and the second bracket are coupled to each other through an intermediation of a coupling mechanism in a relatively rotatable manner, and a rotation center of relative rotation intersects an axis center of the steering shaft. The first bracket and the second bracket perform relative rotation when an external force exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the disengaging mechanism along the column axis direction before the first bracket, the second bracket, the disengaging mechanism are assembled onto the vehicle body.
US09346480B2 Hand sensing on steering wheel using heater element
A steering wheel system for vehicle includes a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant and a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel. The first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode. The first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode. The steering wheel system also includes a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone.
US09346478B2 Collapsible four wheel golf cart
A collapsible golf cart comprises a frame member, a handle, and a carriage. The handle is pivotably coupled to the frame and the frame is pivotably coupled to the carriage. The carriage has a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. The golf cart is moveable between an extended configuration in which corresponding ones of the front wheels and rear wheels are offset with respect to one another, and a collapsed configuration in which corresponding ones of the fronts wheels and rear wheels are substantially aligned with respect to one another.
US09346468B2 Vehicle vision system with yaw rate determination
A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera having a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield. A control includes an image processor that is operable to process captured image data to determine lane delimiters present in the field of view of the camera. The control connects to and receives vehicle data via a vehicle communication bus. The vehicle data includes a yaw rate sensed by a yaw rate sensor of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data by the image processor and to vehicle data received via the vehicle communication bus, the control determines a corrected yaw rate at least one of (i) when the vehicle is stationary and (ii) when the vehicle is moving straight. The control provides the corrected yaw rate to a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
US09346459B2 Utility vehicle with parallel operated internal combustion engine and electric motor drivetrains
A utility vehicle includes a first axle, a second axle, an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, and a torque transfer device. The first axle is coupled to first and second wheels. The second axle is coupled to third and fourth wheels. The electric motor drives the first axle in a first direction and a second direction at different times. The internal combustion engine drives a transmission output shaft in one direction. The torque transfer device selectively drives the second axle in the first direction in response to rotation of the transmission output shaft in the one direction. The torque transfer device also selectively drives the second axle in the second direction in response to rotation of the transmission output shaft in the one direction.
US09346457B2 Gearing control method for automatic gear mechanism
Disclosed herein is a method for controlling gear shifting of an automatic transmission from an N gear stage to an N′ gear stage. The gear shifting is embodied by means of engaging and releasing friction elements. The method includes selecting at least two among an rpm of a turbine, an rpm of a first motor generator (MG1), an rpm of a second motor generator (MG2) and an rpm of a planetary gear set as control factors, and controlling engagement and release of the friction elements using the control factors.
US09346453B2 Transmission device
A compact transmission device that alleviates shift shock and avoids engine stall at the time of deceleration. A discharge resistance changing unit changes discharge resistance of a clutch oil pressure on a side where a clutch is disconnected due to swapping of clutches in two stages. During a shift period where the clutch on a connection side is changed over from a disconnection state to a connection state, an invalid filling zone where a friction force is not generated on a clutch plate is provided. A control unit controls the discharge resistance changing unit at a time of the shift change such that the clutch on a disconnection side is brought into a state where a friction force is not generated after finishing a half clutch zone when the clutch on a connection side is in a half clutch zone after the invalid filling zone is finished.
US09346452B2 Predicting energy consumption for an electric vehicle using variations in past energy consumption
An example method of controlling an electric vehicle includes altering operation of an electric vehicle in response to a predicted energy consumption rate. The method includes adjusting the predicted energy consumption in response to variations in past energy consumption rates.
US09346445B2 Hydraulically assisted hydraulic braking system
Electro-hydraulically boosted hydraulic braking system having a master cylinder (100) including a thrust chamber (105) and on command receives pressurized brake fluid from an accumulator (300) via an electrically operated valve (200) controlled by a computer (400) on the basis of the signal supplied by the brake pedal (411) sensor (410), and an electrical power source (450) powering at least the electrically operated valve (200), the computer (400) and the sensor (410). An auxiliary generator (470) is connected in a manner that is controlled (472) by the computer (400) to the circuit (L0, L1, L2, L3) powering the computer (400), the sensor (410) and the electrically operated valve (200) if failure of the main source (450) is detected so as to allow emergency operation of the electrically operated valve (200) and allow the brake circuit (C1, C2) to be powered for a limited number of braking actions.
US09346444B2 Booster assembly for vehicle
A booster assembly includes a booster provided at an engine room partitioned from a passenger compartment by a partition plate, a master cylinder disposed outwardly of a front side of the front cell, and fastening members to simultaneously mount the booster and master cylinder to the vehicle. Each fastening member includes a tube extending through the booster and having a front portion extending through a flange of the master cylinder, nuts fastened to respective front portions of the tubes, to fasten the master cylinder to the booster, through-bolts extending through respective tubes and the partition plate, to be mounted to the front portions of respective tubes, and a non-circular coupler formed at a rear portion of each tube, to prevent the tube from rotating when the corresponding nut is fastened to the tube. The rear cell is provided with a hole having a shape mating with the non-circular coupler.
US09346442B2 Cylinder device and hydraulic brake system
When a brake switch is switched from OFF to ON, current is applied to a brake ECU, and a command to switch a master cylinder from a second state to a first state is issued after a lapse of preparation time, so that switching-time change suppression control is performed. A reservoir shutoff valve is closed, and duty control is performed on a communication control valve. The duty ratio is set to 1 when a switching-time control duration expires, and the communication control valve is placed in an open position, to establish the first state. Thus, since the communication control valve is duty-controlled during switching from the second state to the first state, change in the hydraulic pressure of an input chamber is suppressed, and change of the operating feeling is suppressed.
US09346440B2 System and method for controlling braking pressures at wheels on a vehicle
A controller controls respective braking pressures at wheels on a vehicle. The controller includes a processor electrically communicating with each of a plurality of switching valves, which controls braking pressures at respective wheels. The processor, during a braking event having a brake demand above a braking demand threshold, controls each of the switching valves to maintain braking pressures at the respective wheels based on at least one additional criteria.
US09346429B2 Passenger restraint pawl and ratchet assembly with positive engagement
A passenger restraint system is provided for use in vehicles such as ride vehicles used in theme and amusement park rides. The restraint system includes a passenger restraint such as a lap bar, a belt, or an over-the-shoulder restraint includes a locking mechanism for selectively latching the restraint in a desired position. The locking mechanism includes a ratchet connected to the passenger restraint and mounted so as to rotate with movement of the passenger restraint. The locking mechanism also includes a pawl, which is a two piece assembly that includes: (1) a pivotally mounted upper portion; and (2) a pawl arm extending outward from the upper portion. In some embodiments, a first end of the pawl arm is pivotally coupled with the upper portion, and a second end of the pawl arm, distal to the second end, includes a tooth for engaging teeth on a surface of the ratchet.
US09346422B2 Electrical junction box
An electrical junction box includes a bolt fixation portion made of resin, the bolt fixation portion having a bolt insertion hole through which a bolt is inserted to fix the electrical junction box to a vehicle. The bolt fixation portion includes a protrusion extending in an axial direction of the bolt in a state in which the bolt is inserted through the bolt insertion hole. The protrusion is configured to limit a rotationally movable range of an operating portion of a tool that is used in a state in which the operating portion extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the bolt.
US09346416B1 Vehicle cargo liner assembly
An apparatus is for a vehicle having a vehicle section. The apparatus includes a vehicle cargo liner assembly configured to be received in the vehicle section of the vehicle, and the vehicle cargo liner assembly having oppositely-facing liner side walls. The apparatus also includes a movable liner panel pivotally mountable to the oppositely-facing liner side walls in such a way that the movable liner panel is pivotally movable, at least in part, between a panel-storage position and a panel-deployed position.
US09346413B2 Saddle-ride vehicle
The saddle-ride vehicle includes: a front fork that rotatably supports a front wheel; a steering shaft that is coupled to the front fork and is steerably supported by a vehicle body frame; a steering handlebar holder that includes a lower holder and an upper holder and is provided above the steering shaft, the upper holder being in contact with the lower holder from above and fastened to the lower holder; a portable terminal holder that is fastened to the upper holder or the lower holder and capable of holding a personal digital assistance; and a steering system in which a steering handlebar pipe sandwiched between the lower holder and the upper holder is fixed to the steering handlebar holder.
US09346406B2 Motor vehicle equipped with dynamic floor section
A vehicle incorporates a storage area with a dynamic floor section. That dynamic floor section includes a plurality of interconnected panels that slide and fold so as to be displaceable between a home position and a shifted position. Advantageously, the movement of the panels allows better access to objects resting on the dynamic floor section.
US09346403B2 Rearview mirror assembly
A vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element and a touch sensor device disposed behind a portion of the reflective element and operable to sense the presence of a person's finger at a touch zone of the reflective element proximate to the touch sensor device. A backlighting device is disposed behind the touch sensor device and is operable to backlight a portion of the touch sensor device. The touch sensor device includes a touch sensor substrate having a conductive trace established at a patterned conductive zone of the touch sensor substrate. When the backlighting device is activated, light emanating from the backlighting device passes through the patterned conductive zone of the touch sensor substrate and illuminates an icon so that the icon is viewable through the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle.
US09346400B2 Affective user interface in an autonomous vehicle
Data may be collected relating to autonomous operation of a vehicle. A first confidence assessment concerning whether the vehicle should operate autonomously may then be generated, and it may be determined whether the first confidence assessment meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. An alert may be provided via a user interface in the vehicle relating to ending autonomous operation of the vehicle if the first confidence assessment meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold.
US09346379B2 Vehicle seat
A seat back pad 70 has a groove 73 for tucking a skin material therein, formed at borders between a central portion 71 and side portions 72. A hole (slot hole 74) is formed in a bottom of the groove 73 along the groove 73. A tuck-in wire 76 for tucking the skin material in includes a plurality of tuck-in portions 76A provided along the groove 73, and a connecting portion (detour portion 76B) detouring around the hole and connecting the tuck-in portions 76A. With this configuration, when an upper body of an occupant P subsides into a seat back S2 in a rear-end collision of a vehicle, the central portion 71, defined by the groove 73 as a border, is easily and sufficiently moved rearward relative to the left and right side portions 72. Furthermore, the tuck-in wire 76 is not exposed through the hole, and thus adhesion between the seat back pad 70 and the tuck-in wire 76 can be improved.
US09346367B2 In-vehicle device
An in-vehicle device includes: a terminal to which a vehicle-side connector is connected; a hood portion surrounding the terminal; a protection cover functioning with a purpose of holding or protecting constituent components of the in-vehicle device; and a damper mechanical portion formed integrally with the protection cover and installed on a periphery of the hood portion. The damper mechanical portion has an cuter wall portion linked to a base portion of the protection cover and an inner wall portion spaced apart from an outer surface of the hood portion and held on an inner side of the outer wall portion.
US09346365B1 Methods and systems for electric vehicle (EV) charging, charging unit (CU) interfaces, auxiliary batteries, and remote access and user notifications
Charge units for charging an electric vehicle and methods for cloud access and programming of data for charge units is provided. In one example, a charging unit is connectable to a charge source (e.g., electricity) and has an connector (cord) for coupling the charge unit to the electric vehicle. The charge unit including a port for interfacing with and charging an auxiliary battery. A display has a graphical user interface (GUI) for providing charge status information of a main battery of a vehicle and/or the auxiliary battery when connected to the port of the charge unit. The charge unit further including a communications port for providing data of the charge unit to the cloud services, for access and control by a remote computer. An advertising system will serve ads to the charge units, vehicle displays and/or the remote computers while charging or after charging.
US09346356B2 Operation input device for vehicle
An operation input device for a vehicle includes: a first operation unit for executing an operation of an in-vehicle device on the vehicle; and a second operation unit for executing a negative operation of the in-vehicle device so that the operation of the in-vehicle device is cancelled. An operation direction of the second operation unit has a directional component. The directional component of the operation direction of the second operation unit is opposite to an extending direction of an arm of a user, who sits down on a predetermined seat. The user extends the arm along with the extending direction in order to touch the operation input device.
US09346352B2 Arrangement of a vehicle assembly member
An arrangement for an assembly member of a vehicle includes a power unit for generating a driving force; a pair of left and right driving wheels; a propeller shaft extending in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle; a differential for transmitting the driving force to the pair of left and right driving wheels via a pair of left and right drive shafts; a switch for switching the diff-lock of the differential on and off; an exhaust pipe disposed on one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the propeller shaft; and an assembly member for operating the switch via each of a plurality of operation side transmission members and a device side transmission member using an operating force applied to each of a plurality of operating elements; wherein the assembly member is disposed on the opposite side of the propeller shaft as the exhaust pipe.
US09346345B2 Shape memory alloy active hatch vent
A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is opened to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch.
US09346343B1 Rolling cover system motor mount
A motorized rolling cover system for covering the top of an open-top vehicle. The system includes a cover, a shaft, a motor assembly, an arm assembly and a motor mount that supports the motor assembly on the arm assembly. The motor mount is pivotally attached to the end of the arm assembly to provide pivotal movement of the mount in a single plane. The plane of pivotal movement is either the same as (i.e., parallel to) the plane defined by the arm and the shaft, or is perpendicular to the arm-shaft plane.
US09346334B2 Air supply device for a vehicle having pneumatic devices
An air supply device for a pneumatic spring system of a vehicle includes an air filter as a processor for incoming air, an inlet air line, an outlet air line, a compressor, and, optionally, an air drier. The inlet air line and the outlet air line are decoupled by a first and a second check valve, and the processor is arranged between the compressor and the first or second check valve.
US09346323B2 Pneumatic tire
A circumferential narrow groove of a pneumatic tire is disposed at a position that partitions an outer side second land portion and an outer side shoulder land portion. A center land portion is a rib that is continuous in a tire circumferential direction, and an inner side second land portion and the outer side second land portion are rows of blocks divided in the tire circumferential direction by pluralities of lug grooves. Additionally, a groove area ratio S2 of the center land portion, a groove area ratio S1 of the inner side second land portion, and a groove area ratio S3 of the outer side second land portion have a relationship such that S2
US09346318B2 System and method for a wheel lock ring assembly
Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful for use in a wheel assembly. In this regard, a wheel assembly is provided comprising a wheel base having a side rim disposed about a circumference of the wheel base, and a lock ring disposed within a cavity between the wheel base and the side rim. An air seal may be disposed between the wheel base and the inside surface of the side rim. Lock ring has two non-contiguous surface contacts with the wheel base and two non-contiguous surface contacts with the side rim each enabling various torque paths of lock ring.
US09346316B2 Non-rotating wheel cover for large automobile
An positionally stable wheel cover for displaying a design while a wheel is rotating. The wheel cover is mounted on the rim of a wheel through a mounting wire and a support bracket is mounted on the mounting wire. The support bracket is equipped with an internal base with a hollow hub into which another hub of an external base with a bearing mounted is inserted. The external base is able to rotating independently from the internal base and from the support bracket. A display cover is mounted on the external base and a design can then be placed on the display cover.
US09346315B2 Game bird display device
A game bird display device is provided that is configured to display multiple portions of a game bird from a single assembly. The display device is particularly suited for turkey birds, and comprises a rear mounting portion and a front mounting portion in parallel and spaced relation. The rear mounting portion is configured to be supported by a wall surface, while the offset between the portions accommodates the base of a turkey tail fan therein. Fasteners secure the base of the tail fan between the portions. Along the base of one of the portions is a game bird spur support member. The member supports a pair of turkey spurs in opposing relationship. Below or behind the game bird spur support member is supported the beard of the turkey. The display device therefore supports the tail fan, beard, and spurs of a game bird in one assembly.
US09346314B2 Pigment transfer sheet for foods
An object of the present invention is to efficiently dispose a good coloring layer without any pigment bleeding/irregularity on the surface of the food product during cooking a meat product.The present invention provides a pigment transfer sheet for foods having a heat-resistant and water-resistant substrate and a transferable transfer coloring layer disposed on the substrate, wherein the transfer coloring layer contains a water-soluble pigment and at least one binder.
US09346313B2 Ballpoint pen tip and ballpoint pen using the same
A ballpoint pen tip is provided in which a curved contact surface, which has a curvature different from a curvature of the ball, is provided on the bottom wall of the ball holding chamber, and the ball is in contact with a contact part which is a part of the contact surface; and between the ball and the contact surface, a first gap is formed to extend from a side of the ink circulation hole up to the contact part such that the first gap gradually narrows from the side of the ink circulation hole, and a second gap is formed to extend from a distal side of an ink circulation groove up to the contact part such that the second gap gradually narrows from the distal side of the ink circulation groove.
US09346310B2 Systems and methods for marking collectibles to increase their uniqueness
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for marking collectible items to increase their collectible uniqueness includes creating a multiplicity of unique date codes, each of the multiplicity of unique date codes including a representation of a calendar month and a representation of a day in the calendar month, randomly selecting one of the multiplicity of unique date codes, and affixing the randomly selected one of the multiplicity of unique date codes to a collectible item. According to other embodiments, a system with a computer and a marking device may apply a date code to a collectible item. According to yet other embodiments, a method for marking collectibles includes creating at least three hundred sixty-five collectibles in a time period shorter than a year, and marking each with a unique date code combination such that no two visually identical collectibles share the same date code.
US09346305B2 Device for ink-jet printing a surface
An ink-jet printing device is described, said device comprising a first reservoir designed to contain a first volume of printing fluid at a first height with respect to a reference plane, a supply system for forcing the printing fluid towards the first reservoir and a second reservoir designed to contain a second volume of printing fluid at a second height with respect to the reference plane. The second height is less than the first height by a value. The device also comprises a conduit designed to receive the printing fluid from the first reservoir and convey it towards the second reservoir and an ejection plane in which ejector units lie. The ejection plane is arranged in a position higher than the average of the first height and the second height, so as to generate a back pressure in the ejector units. The flowrate of the printing fluid is between about 5 and about 10 times the maximum flowrate which can be ejected from said ejector units. The printing fluid may be a ceramic ink.
US09346303B2 System and method to apply topping materials to print products
Disclosed are systems and methods, including a method that includes depositing a curable adhesive onto a first surface of a substrate in a pre-determined pattern, placing topping material onto the substrate with the deposited adhesive, and applying UV energy to the substrate including the deposited adhesive and the placed topping material to cause curing of the deposited adhesive.
US09346296B2 Tape cassette
A tape cassette that includes a generally rectangular box-like housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall defining a periphery of the housing, a first and second cavities extending from the bottom wall and disposed between a tape containing area and the periphery at opposite ends of a diagonal of the generally rectangular box-like housing, at least one tape wound and mounted within the housing in the tape containing area, the at least one tape including a first tape disposed in a first area, the first tape having a hole at a center of winding, and the first area being one of two areas formed by dividing the housing with respect to a line connecting the first and second cavities, and a third cavity that extends in the hole of the first tape from the bottom wall.