Document Document Title
US09430468B2 Online peer review system and method
An online document management system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the online document management system comprises: one or more editorial computers operated by one or more administrators or editors, the editorial computers send invitations and manage peer review of document submissions; one or more system computers, the system computers maintain journals, records of submitted documents and user profiles, and issue notifications; and one or more user computers; the user computers submit documents or revisions to the document management system; wherein one or more of the editorial computers coordinate with one or more of the system computers to migrate one or more documents between journals maintained by the online document management system.
US09430462B2 Guided article authorship
A method includes, determining a target publication, identifying one or more content suggestions associated with the target publication, and causing a user to be prompted to input content. The input content satisfies at least a portion of the one or more content suggestions.
US09430449B2 Systems, methods, and media for managing editable previews of webpages
Systems and methods for managing an editable preview of a webpage are provided herein. Exemplary methods may include receiving a request to generate an editable preview of a webpage, via a preview server, the webpage comprising assets arranged according to a layout, responsive to the request, obtaining, via the preview server, assets from a content repository, generating, via the preview server, an editable preview of the webpage using the obtained assets and the layout, and providing, via the preview server, the preview of the webpage to an authoring environment for editing by a content editor in such a way that when the content editor edits at least one of the obtained assets, the at least one obtained asset is placed in a locked format to prevent editing by additional content editors.
US09430444B2 Iteratively calculating standard deviation for streamed data
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for iteratively calculating standard deviation for streamed data. Embodiments of the invention include iteratively calculating standard deviation in a current computation window based on the standard deviation calculation for a previous computation window. Iteratively calculating standard deviation avoids visiting all previous input and performing redundant computations thereby increasing calculation efficiency. In general, streaming data is added to a buffer of size n until the buffer is filled up. Once the buffer is filled, a sum and standard deviation are calculated for the first n data points. As new data elements are received, a new sum is calculated by reusing the prior sum and a new standard deviation is calculated by reusing the prior standard deviation.
US09430440B2 Environment construction apparatus and method, environment registration apparatus and method, environment switching apparatus and method
An environment construction apparatus that carries out, in a second system, acquiring a connection permission data of a first storage in a first system that was set in a second storage of the second system; and extracting identification data of a first server in the first system based on the connection permission data of the first storage of the first system, and assigning the extracted identification data of the first server in the first system as identification data stored in a connection section of a second server in the second system.
US09430435B2 Multi-protocol tunneling over an I/O interconnect
Described are embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for multi-protocol tunneling across a multi-protocol I/O interconnect of computer apparatus. A method for multi-protocol tunneling may include establishing a first communication path between ports of a switching fabric of a multi-protocol interconnect of a computer apparatus in response to a peripheral device being connected to the computer apparatus, establishing a second communication path between the switching fabric and a protocol-specific controller, and routing, by the multi-protocol interconnect, packets of a protocol of the peripheral device from the peripheral device to the protocol-specific controller over the first and second communication paths. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09430424B2 Universal serial bus (USB) device access from one or more virtual machines
To provide access to USB devices coupled to a client computing device for a user of virtual machine executing on a server, the server, in some examples, may be configured to pack USB request blocks into IP data packets and transmit the IP data packets over a network. Responsive to receiving the IP data packets, the client computing device may extract the USB request blocks from the IP data packets and provide the access to the USB devices for the virtual machine user.
US09430423B2 Embedded multimedia card (eMMC), host controlling eMMC, and method operating eMMC system
An eMMC includes flash memory including an extended card specific data (CSD) register (“EXT_CSD register”), and an eMMC controller that controls operation of the flash memory. The eMMC controller is receives a clock from a host via a clock line, receives a SEND_EXT_CSD command from the host via a command line, and provides the host with eMMC information stored in the EXT_CSD register via a data bus in response to the SEND_EXT_CSD command, the eMMC information including maximum operating frequency information for the eMMC.
US09430420B2 Computing system with multimodal interaction mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a computing system includes: receiving a interrupt request for an interrupt task request; determining a request intent, with a control unit, from the interrupt request; generating a system notification for the interrupt task request based on the request intent; and determining a presentation order of the system notification relative to an existing system notification based on a notification priority associated with the interrupt task request.
US09430419B2 Synchronizing exception control in a multiprocessor system using processing unit exception states and group exception states
A data processing apparatus is provided with a plurality of processing units executing respective streams of program instructions corresponding to respective processing threads. Exception control circuitry controls exception processing for a group of the processing units in response to an exception triggering event. Each of the processing units moves only once and in sequence between normal, in-exception, and done-exception states in response to a given exception event. A group of processing units moves in sequence between states normal, triggering, and completing in response to the exception event. A counter value is used to track the number of processing units which have entered exception processing and then to track the number of processing units which have completed their exception processing.
US09430414B2 Bus independent platform for sensor hub peripherals to provide coalescing of multiple reports
A disclosed computer system includes a processor, an I/O hub including a first host bus interface to communicate via a first transport bus, and a sensor hub. The sensor hub includes a first transport bus interface and a sensor hub microcontroller. The sensor hub microcontroller includes a peripheral stack that includes a second transport bus driver to communicate with a peripheral device via a second transport bus. The peripheral device may comply with a device specification such as the human interface device (HID) standard. The peripheral stack further includes a second transport bus plugin to adapt bus-specific operations to generic operations for the device specification, a device class driver to communicate bus-independent peripheral reports based on the generic operations, and a peripheral management module to coalesce multiple peripheral reports into a single instance visible to the I/O hub via the first transport bus interface and the first host bus interface.
US09430411B2 Method and system for communicating with non-volatile memory
Apparatus and methods implemented therein are disclosed for communicating with flash memories. The apparatus comprises a flash interface module and a processor in communication with the flash interface module. The flash interface module is configured for communication with a first and second flash bank. The processor is configured to generate a plurality of command sequences in response to receiving a plurality of flash commands from a host system. Each of the plurality of command sequences corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of flash commands. Some of the plurality of command sequences comprises a first portion and a second portion and each of the first portion and second portion are atomic. The processor associates each of the plurality of command sequences with a priority, and via the flash interface module, selects one of the plurality of the command sequences based on the priority associated with the one of the plurality of the command sequences and transmits sequentially the first portion of the one of the plurality of the command sequences to either one of the first flash bank or the second flash bank.
US09430407B2 Method and system for secure storage and retrieval of machine state
A machine state vector is received at a memory. The machine state vector has a machine state and a machine identifier. Write access qualification is met if the machine state entry is an initial write, or if the machine identifier matches the machine identifier of a stored machine state vector, and machine identifier and machine state are stored in the memory. A fetch machine state request is received, having a requestor machine identifier. A machine state retrieval qualification is met by the requestor machine identifier matching the stored machine identifier, and the machine state is retrieved.
US09430405B2 Encrypted purging of data from content node storage
Described herein are methods, systems, and software for encrypting and erasing data objects in a content node. In one example, a method of operating a content node that caches content divided into one or more data objects includes encrypting the one or more data objects using separate encryption keys for each of the one or more data objects, the separate encryption keys comprising a common portion shared by the one or more data objects and an individualized portion unique to each data object. The method further provides receiving a purge request to erase at least one data object and, responsive to the purge request, erasing at least one of the common portion or the individualized portion for the at least one data object based on the purge request.
US09430403B1 Optimizing system memory usage
A computer determines whether a page boundary of a page has been crossed by a function. Based on the computer determining that the page boundary has been crossed by the function, the computer generates a hardware exception. The computer resets one or more of a change bit and a reference bit for the page.
US09430402B2 System and method for providing stealth memory
The described implementations relate to computer memory. One implementation provides a technique that can include providing stealth memory to an application. The stealth memory can have an associated physical address on a memory device. The technique can also include identifying a cache line of a cache that is mapped to the physical address associated with the stealth page, and locking one or more other physical addresses on the memory device that also map to the cache line.
US09430396B2 Updating persistent data in persistent memory-based storage
A processor includes a processing core to execute an application including instructions encoding a transaction with a persistent memory via a volatile cache that includes a cache line associated with the transaction, the cache line being associated with a cache line status, and a cache controller operatively coupled to the volatile cache, the cache controller, in response to detecting a failure event, to, in response to determining that the cache line status that the cache line is committed, evict contents of the cache line to the persistent memory, and in response to determining that the cache line status indicating that the cache line is uncommitted, discard the contents of the cache line.
US09430395B2 Grouping and dispatching scans in cache
A method, system, and computer program product for grouping and dispatching scans in a cache directory of a processing environment is provided. A plurality of scan tasks is aggregated from a scan wait queue into a scan task queue. The plurality of scan tasks is determined by selecting one of (1) each of the plurality of scan tasks on the scan wait queue, (2) a predetermined number of the plurality of scan tasks on the scan wait queue, and (3) a set of scan tasks of a similar type on the scan wait queue. A first scan task from the plurality of scan tasks is selected from the scan task queue. The scan task is performed.
US09430388B2 Scheduler, multi-core processor system, and scheduling method
A scheduler that causes a given core in a multi-core processor to determine if a priority level of a process that is to be executed by a core of the multi-core processor is greater than or equal to a threshold; save to a cache memory of each core that executes a process having a priority level greater than or equal to the threshold, data that is accessed by the process upon execution; save to a memory area different from the cache memory and to which access is relatively slower, data that is accessed by a process having a priority level not greater than or equal to the threshold; and save the data saved in the memory area, to a cache memory of a requesting core, when the requesting core issues an access request for the data saved in the memory area.
US09430384B2 Instructions and logic to provide advanced paging capabilities for secure enclave page caches
Instructions and logic provide advanced paging capabilities for secure enclave page caches. Embodiments include multiple hardware threads or processing cores, a cache to store secure data for a shared page address allocated to a secure enclave accessible by the hardware threads. A decode stage decodes a first instruction specifying said shared page address as an operand, and execution units mark an entry corresponding to an enclave page cache mapping for the shared page address to block creation of a new translation for either of said first or second hardware threads to access the shared page. A second instruction is decoded for execution, the second instruction specifying said secure enclave as an operand, and execution units record hardware threads currently accessing secure data in the enclave page cache corresponding to the secure enclave, and decrement the recorded number of hardware threads when any of the hardware threads exits the secure enclave.
US09430378B2 Differential delay compensation
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a plurality of data frames representing at least one virtually concatenated data stream, storing the plurality of data frames in a memory; and recording, for each of a plurality of data frames, a physical write address that indicates a position in the memory and a virtual write address that includes a multiframe indicator and a byte number indicator.
US09430375B2 Techniques for storing data in bandwidth optimized or coding rate optimized code words based on data access frequency
A technique for operating a data storage system that includes a non-volatile memory array controlled by a controller includes storing, in the non-volatile memory array, first data whose frequency of access is above a first access level in a bandwidth optimized code word. Second data whose frequency of access is below a second access level is stored in the non-volatile memory in a code rate optimized code word.
US09430366B2 Distributed logical track layout in optical storage tape
An optical data storage tape includes more than one segment, with each segment divided into multiple zones, which include multiple data tracks. The layout of the logical zones in one segment is in a different order than those of another segment. In an example, the tape includes at least N physical segments, at least M physical zones in each segment, at least M logical zones assigned to the M physical zones, and wherein logical zones of adjacent physical segments are in a different order than an adjacent physical segment.
US09430365B2 Managing high speed memory
A mechanism is provided for managing a high speed memory. An index entry indicates a storage unit in the high speed memory. A corresponding non-free index is set for a different type of low speed memory. The indicated storage unit in the high speed memory is assigned to a corresponding low speed memory by including the index entry in the non-free index. The storage unit in the high speed memory is recovered by demoting the index entry from the non-free index. The mechanism acquires a margin performance loss corresponding to a respective non-free index in response to receipt of a demotion request. The margin performance loss represents a change in a processor read operation time caused by performing a demotion operation in a corresponding non-free index. The mechanism compares the margin performance losses of the respective non-free indexes and selecting a non-free index whose margin performance loss satisfies a demotion condition as a demotion index. The mechanism selects an index entry from the demotion index to perform the demotion operation.
US09430345B2 Command interface for communication test framework
A protocol-independent tool for debugging and testing communication interfaces of devices and systems is disclosed. The tool is configured to receive protocol plug-ins corresponding to different communication protocols. Given a plug-in, the tool instantiates the plug-in's implementation of a tool-defined stack interface. Through this interface and its implementation by the plug-in, the tool can communicate with a device being tested. The protocol plug-in receives commands from a command interface for the device being tested, generates data packets in accordance with the communication protocol implemented by the plug-in, and transmits the data packets to the device being tested.
US09430337B1 Disaster recovery as a dynamic service
A system, method and program product that provides a disaster recovery (DR) brokerage infrastructure. A system is described that includes: a network of intermediate storage nodes and peering points; and a brokerage manager that periodically evaluates a set of DR as a service (DRaaS) providers and selects a cost optimal DRaaS provider for a subscriber, wherein the brokerage manager replicates DR related data for the subscriber in an intermediate storage node prior to delivery to the cost optimal DRaaS provider.
US09430332B1 Systems and methods for enabling efficient access to incremental backups
A computer-implemented method for enabling efficient access to incremental backups may include selecting an incremental backup of a volume of data, the incremental backup of the volume of data storing blocks from the volume of data that have changed since a previous backup of the volume of data, identifying block metadata for the incremental backup that describes a location of each block within the blocks in the incremental backup, detecting synthesized block metadata for the previous backup that describes a location of each block in the volume according to a synthesized view of the volume of data from a full backup of the volume up to the previous backup, and combining the block metadata for the incremental backup with the synthesized block metadata for the previous backup to generate new synthesized block metadata for the incremental backup. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09430315B2 Method and system for constructing component fault tree based on physics of failure
A method and system for constructing component fault tree based on physics of failure are disclosed. The method includes the steps of: establishing, based on common characteristics of component physics of failure and according to six layers based on physics of failure and category of the component, a fault information database containing information of the six layers based on physics of failure; constructing, based on the fault information database and according to the six layers based on physics of failure and logical relationship of physics of failure, a component fault tree of n levels of events of six layers based on physics of failure; and simplifying the fault tree by means of failure mechanism sub-tree transferring and fault module sub-tree importing. The method and system are applicable to construction of fault tree of various components.
US09430299B2 System, method and product for task allocation
A method comprising calculating for each agent, an average quality of tasks that were completed in the past by the agent; allocating tasks to the agents, wherein said allocating comprises selecting an agent to perform a task, the selection is based on the average quality of the agent; in response to the agent completing the task, computing a reward for the agent, wherein the reward is calculated according to a total contribution of the agent to the system by completing the task; whereby biasing said allocating to prefer allocating tasks to a first agent over a second agent, if a quality of the first agent is greater than a quality of the second agent, wherein said biasing is not dependent on prior knowledge of the qualities. Optionally, the agents choose whether or not to perform a task and an agent's quality affects the contributions of the agent performing tasks.
US09430298B2 Vehicle electronic control device and data-receiving method
A vehicle electronic control device having a first microcomputer and a second microcomputer connected to an in-vehicle network. The first microcomputer includes a process load level detecting unit that detects a process load level of the first microcomputer, a table in which the process load level is associated with data identification information, and a reception data reducing unit that, in a case where the process load level becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold level, stops receiving one or more data which the first microcomputer has received before the process load level becomes greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The second microcomputer includes a process load level estimating unit that estimates the process load level of the first microcomputer, a substitute data receiving unit that receives data, which the first microcomputer stops receiving, from the in-vehicle network in a case where the process load level estimated by the process load level estimating unit becomes greater than or equal to a second threshold value, and a data transmitting unit that transmits the data received by the substitute data receiving unit to the first microcomputer at a communication timing of serial communication.
US09430294B2 Elastic management framework
A framework for building an adaptive management system is described herein. Tools for building customized Agents that communicate by way of an interface abstraction over many mediated and non-mediated communications channels are described herein, wherein such tools allow for the Agents to be decoupled in terms of at least one of space, time, transport, synchronization, or communications direction.
US09430293B2 Deterministic real time business application processing in a service-oriented architecture
Methods, apparatus, and products for deterministic real time business application processing in a service-oriented architecture (‘SOA’), the SOA including SOA services, each SOA service carrying out a processing step of the business application where each SOA service is a real time process executable on a real time operating system of a generally programmable computer and deterministic real time business application processing according to embodiments of the present invention includes configuring the business application with real time processing information and executing the business application in the SOA in accordance with the real time processing information.
US09430280B1 Task timeouts based on input data characteristics
Methods and systems for task timeouts as a function of input data size are disclosed. A definition of a task is received. The definition of the task indicates a set of input data for the task. A timeout duration for the task is determined based on the set of input data. The timeout duration varies with one or more characteristics of the set of input data. The execution of the task is initiated. The execution of the task is stopped if the execution of the task exceeds the timeout duration.
US09430278B2 System having operation queues corresponding to operation execution time
A system and method for prioritized queues is provided. A plurality of queues are organized to enable long-running operations to be directed to a long running queue operation, while faster operations are directed to a non-long running operation queue. When an operation request is received, a determination is made whether it is a long-running operation, and, if so, the operation is placed in a long-running operation queue. When the processor core that is executing long-running operations is ready for the next operation, it removes an operation from the long-running operation queue and processes the operation.
US09430274B2 Efficient methods and systems for consistent read in record-based multi-version concurrency control
System and method embodiments are provided for consistent read in a record-based multi-version concurrency control (MVCC) in database (DB) management systems. In an embodiment, a method in a record-based multi-version concurrent control (MVCC) database (DB) management system for a snapshot consistent read includes copying a system commit transaction identifier (TxID) and a current log record sequence number (LSN) from a transaction log at a start of a reader without backfilling of a commit LSN of a transaction to records that are changed and without copying an entire transaction table by the reader; and determining whether a record is visible according to a record TxID, the commit TxID and a current LSN, wherein a transaction table is consulted only when the record TxID is equal to or larger than a commit TxID at a transaction start.
US09430243B2 Optimizing register initialization operations
A system and method for efficiently reducing the latency of initializing registers. A register rename unit within a processor determines whether prior to an execution pipeline stage it is known a decoded given instruction writes a particular numerical value in a destination operand. An example is a move immediate instruction that writes a value of 0 in its destination operand. Other examples may also qualify. If the determination is made, a given physical register identifier is assigned to the destination operand, wherein the given physical register identifier is associated with the particular numerical value, but it is not associated with an actual physical register in a physical register file. The given instruction is marked to prevent it from proceeding to an execution pipeline stage. When the given physical register identifier is used to read the physical register file, no actual physical register is accessed.
US09430242B2 Throttling instruction issue rate based on updated moving average to avoid surges in DI/DT
Systems and methods for throttling GPU execution performance to avoid surges in DI/DT. A processor includes one or more execution units coupled to a scheduling unit configured to select instructions for execution by the one or more execution units. The execution units may be connected to one or more decoupling capacitors that store power for the circuits of the execution units. The scheduling unit is configured to throttle the instruction issue rate of the execution units based on a moving average issue rate over a large number of scheduling periods. The number of instructions issued during the current scheduling period is less than or equal to a throttling rate maintained by the scheduling unit that is greater than or equal to a minimum throttling issue rate. The throttling rate is set equal to the moving average plus an offset value at the end of each scheduling period.
US09430230B2 Method for automated managing of the usage of alternative code and a processing system of operating thereof
The present application relates to a method and a processing system for automated managing of the usage of alternative code. Code sections including original code and alternative code are retrieved from a code basis and the retrieved code is analyzed to detect an alternative code section. A condition definition associated with the identified alternative code section is further retrieved and the condition of the retrieved condition definition is evaluated. The identified alternative code section is activated in accordance with the evaluation result.
US09430228B2 Verification of backward compatibility of software components
A computer processor determines the backward compatibility of a software component. The processor identifies one or more programming interfaces that are exposed by a first version of a software component. The processor converts the attributes of the exposed programming interfaces into corresponding operations. The processor performs a backward compatibility check by comparing the operations of the first version of the software component to one or more operations of a second version of the software component. The processor determines the backward compatibility of the first version of the software component, based, at least in part, on a result of the backward compatibility check.
US09430225B2 Software update service method and apparatus for mobile terminal
A software update method and apparatus for a mobile terminal is provided. A delta generating server determines a plurality of available update versions for a currently installed version of a target software of the mobile terminal and transmits available update version information indicating available update versions to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives the available update version information from the delta generating server and displays the available update version information. When one of the update versions is selected, a delta file for updating the target software to the selected version is generated by the delta generating server and is downloaded to the mobile terminal.
US09430222B2 Controlling a running application for live scene graph editing
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a computer readable medium including software instructions for performing a method, the method including receiving, by a content server, a first request from a client for an application content file, wherein the application content file is associated with a first Java network launch protocol (JNLP) file, providing, in response to the first request, the application content file; receiving, from the client, a second request to edit the application content file, providing, in response to the second request, an application designer tool to the client; receiving, from the client, an altered application content file generated using the application designer tool, generating a second JNLP file associated with the altered application content file, and providing, to a webserver, the second JNLP file.
US09430215B2 Terminal, terminal system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for updating a terminal using multiple management devices
A terminal is connected to a terminal management device and an update management device. The terminal includes: a determination request unit configured to request the terminal management device to determine whether or not an update of a program is executable; an acquisition unit configured to, when the determination request unit receives information indicating that the terminal is able to execute an update of a program, acquire an update program used for executing an update of the program from the update management device; and an updating unit configured to execute the update program received from the update management device.
US09430214B2 System upgrade under high availability constraints
An embedded step is executed to upgrade multiple layers of a system. The embedded step includes multiple nested steps, and each nested step includes a sequence of actions for upgrading one of the layers. A finite state machine defines the state transitions for each nested step. During the execution of the nested steps, an outer step of the nested steps is transitioned from an executing state into a waiting state after the outer step completes a tear-down. During the transitioning of the outer step, the outer step sends a trigger to an inner step of the nested steps to cause the inner step to transition into the executing state. When the inner step is completed, the outer step is transitioned out of the waiting state to execute a build-up phase. Execution of the embedded step is completed when an outermost step of the nested steps is completed.
US09430213B2 Apparatus, systems and methods for cross-cloud software migration and deployment
Embodiments disclosed facilitate obtaining a cloud agnostic representation of a first Virtual Machine Image (VMI) on a first cloud; and obtaining a second VMI for a second cloud different from the first cloud, wherein the second VMI is obtained based, at least in part, on the cloud agnostic representation of the first VMI.
US09430208B2 System and method of remote management and configuration of an information handling system by implementing a customized configuration of a personality module
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure a method of configuring an information handling system comprises configuring a base platform of an information handling system. The method further comprises installing a personality module on the base platform. The personality module is configured to store personality information associated with an information handling resource of the information handling system. The method additionally comprises executing the personality module and installing software associated with the information handling system after executing the personality module.
US09430207B1 Automated cross-platform native mobile application generation with cloud driven user interface and workflow synthesis
A cloud-based web platform providing for creating and managing native smartphone and tablet software applications for devices of different platforms based on a unified mobile specification is disclosed. The platform comprises a mobile application builder for creating, maintaining and editing a mobile application specification. The platform further comprises a mobile application engine for automatic compiling native mobile applications based on the mobile application specification. The platform further comprises a mobile application manager for delivering or deploying the native mobile applications to selected client devices and managing a workflow of the one or more native mobile applications.
US09430198B2 Data processing method and apparatus
A data processing method and apparatus, which relate to the computer field and are capable of effectively improving scalability of a database system. The data processing method includes: receiving source code of an external routine, where the source code of the external routine is compiled by using an advanced programming language; compiling the source code to obtain intermediate code, where the intermediate code is a byte stream identifiable to a virtual machine on any operating platform; converting, according to an instruction set on the operating platform, the intermediate code into machine code capable of running on the operating platform; and storing the machine code to a database. The data processing method and apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present invention are used to process data.
US09430197B2 Compiler, compile method and compile apparatus
A compiler includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute a compilation process, the compilation process includes: reading a source code to be compiled and literal tuples each of which is a combination of a plurality of string literals having meanings that correspond to each other between a plurality of languages, and generating a code in which regarding each literal tuple, a calculation byte length which is greater than or equal to a longest byte length of the string literal among the literal tuple is allocated to each of the plurality of string literals that belong to the literal tuple and a start address of each string literal is referenced according to a locale designated at an execution time.
US09430194B1 GUI-driven symbol management and code generator
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, program products, and systems for modifying source code by managing symbols indicating executable instructions. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to receive one or more symbols indicating executable instructions to be implemented via source code and generate a visual display comprising a dialog box supporting modification of source code that implements the executable instructions indicated by the one or more symbols. Responsive to receiving a user interaction with the dialog box resulting in modified source code, embodiments of the present invention can be used to generate modified source code or a representation of the modified source code that is shorter than the modified source code.
US09430192B2 Method and system for generating random numbers
A method and apparatus for generating true random numbers is provided which is hardware based, and which uses unpredictable physical noise produced by an optoisolator. Specifically, the noises resulting from one or more of quantum shot, thermal noise, flicker, and the photoelectric effect are used as variable energy sources for subsequent conversion into a bitstream used for random number selection. The apparatus is preferably provided with a through hole prototype design and construction which requires minimal number of components reducing overall costs.
US09430190B2 Fused multiply add pipeline
A method for operating a fused-multiply-add pipeline in a floating-point unit of a processor is disclosed. A multiplication is initially performed between a first operand and a second operand in a multiplier block to obtain a set of partial product results. The partial product results are sent to a carry-save adder block. A partial product reduction is performed on the partial product results to generate a carry-save result having a sum term and a carry term. The carry-save result is then formatted to generate a carry-out bit. The carry-save result is added to a third operand to generate a final result.
US09430186B2 Visual indication of a recognized voice-initiated action
A computing device is described that outputs, for display, an initial speech recognition graphical user interface (GUI) having at least one element. The computing device receives audio data and determines, based on the audio data, a voice-initiated action. Responsive to determining the voice-initiated action, the computing device outputs, for display, an updated speech recognition GUI having an animation of a change in a position of the at least one element to indicate that the voice-initiated action has been determined.
US09430175B2 Communication apparatus, control method, and storage medium
A communication apparatus including a near field wireless communication unit which holds communication information regarding a communication sets a communication mode to be used for a wireless communication unit supporting a longer field wireless communication than a wireless communication using a near field wireless communication unit in accordance with write information written from an external apparatus to the near field wireless communication unit.
US09430174B2 Print production system, print production method, non-transitory storage medium storing print production program, and printing management server
A print production system includes an order-receiving server and a printing management server. The order-receiving server transmits an electronic operation manual including ordering information to the printing management server. The printing management server classifies a plurality of items for identifying content of a print job to be carried out into specifiable items that can be specified uniquely according to the electronic operation manual, and unspecifiable items that cannot be specified uniquely according to the electronic operation manual. The printing management server also generates job information by determining content of one or more unspecifiable items according to guidelines, and stores the job information in association with a management identifier of the print job.
US09430168B2 Recording medium storing a program for data relocation, data storage system and data relocating method
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium has stored therein a program for causing a computer to execute a process. The process includes identifying a data block from among a plurality of data blocks in a first storage for relocation to a second storage, determining an access mode of the identified data block, the access mode including sequential access or random access, and relocating the identified data block to the second storage based on the determined access mode.
US09430165B1 Cold storage for data storage devices
A data storage system and method for cold storage. The data storage system includes a plurality of data storage devices (DSD). Each DSD includes a processor, two ports, and a storage medium. The second port of each DSD is connected to the first port of a neighboring DSD, forming a sequential connection. A data command is sent to the first DSD in the sequential connection and the first DSD's processor determines whether the first DSD is a destination for the data command. If the first DSD is the destination, the storage medium of the first DSD is powered up. If the first DSD is not the destination, the data command is sent to a next DSD via the second port of the first DSD. The data command is sent through the sequential connection until it reaches the destination DSD, which services the data command.
US09430154B2 Zero-one balance management in a solid-state disk controller
An SSD controller maintains a zero count and a one count, and/or in some embodiments a zero/one disparity count, for each read unit read from an SLC NVM (or the lower pages of an MLC). In an event that the read unit is uncorrectable in part due to a shift in the threshold voltage distributions away from their nominal distributions, the maintained counts enable a determination of a direction and/or a magnitude to adjust a read threshold to track the threshold voltage shift and restore the read data zero/one balance. In various embodiments, the adjusted read threshold is determined in a variety of described ways (counts, percentages) that are based on a number of described factors (determined threshold voltage distributions, known stored values, past NVM operating events). Extensions of the forgoing techniques are described for MLC memories.
US09430149B2 Pipeline planning for low latency storage system
A write request including payload data is received. The payload data of the write request is stored in a staging area of a storage manager. A transformation pipeline is determined based, at least in part, on an attribute of the write request. The transformation pipeline is queued for execution. Data fragments are generated based, at least in part, on the payload data and the transformation pipeline. The data fragments are transmitted to a plurality of enclosures.
US09430148B2 Multiplexed synchronous serial port communication with skew control for storage device
A method is provided, for example, to implement multiplexed communication between a controller and a preamplifier in a storage device. For example, multiplexed communication is implemented by controlling a bidirectional serial data line of a digital bus to selectively transmit digital signals in either a first direction from the controller to the preamplifier or a second direction from the preamplifier to the controller, in response to a direction control signal, and concurrently transmitting a synchronous clock signal over a clock signal line of the digital bus from the controller to the preamplifier to synchronize transfer and processing of the digital signals transmitted on the bidirectional serial data line of the digital bus. The direction control signal is transmitted from the controller to the preamplifier on one of the bidirectional serial data line and the clock signal line of the digital bus.
US09430140B2 Digital whiteboard collaboration apparatuses, methods and systems
The DIGITAL WHITEBOARD COLLABORATION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“DWC”) transform user multi-element touchscreen gestures via DWC components into updated digital collaboration whiteboard objects. In one embodiment, the DWC obtains user whiteboard input from a client device participating in a digital collaborative whiteboarding session. The DWC parses the user whiteboard input to determine user instructions, and modifies a tile object included in the digital collaborative whiteboarding session according to the determined user instructions. The DWC generates updated client viewport content for the client device. Also, the DWC determines that client viewport content of a second client device should be modified because of modifying the tile object included in the digital whiteboard. The DWC generates updated client viewport content for the second client device after determining that the content of the second client device should be modified, and provides the updated client viewport content to the second client device.
US09430137B2 Touch panel device and display method including dynamically adjusting a magnification ratio
In a multi-functional mobile phone (smartphone), a touch panel is operated to input characters or the like. When an index finger of a user approaches an image key within a predetermined distance, an on-screen keyboard is enlarged with the image key as the center of enlargement such that the size of the image key becomes larger than a contact surface size of the index finger. Touch operation is performed on an enlarged on-screen keyboard displayed.
US09430133B2 Career history exercise with stage card visualization
Techniques and tools are described for facilitating user reflection on past decisions in order to determine trends and to assist in future decision-making. Technologies for administering a career history exercise and for visualizing results of the career history exercise are described. Visualizations include using stage cards representative of stages in a user's career history. User ratings of the stages in his or her career history are displayed on the stage cards using color-shaded ratings units.
US09430128B2 Method and apparatus for controls based on concurrent gestures
In an embodiment, a number of parallel gestures are detected, in a particular area on a touch screen interface of a device. A command is identified based at least on the parallel gestures and an action associated with the command is performed.
US09430122B2 Secondary single screen mode activation through off-screen gesture area activation
Methods and devices for selectively presenting a user interface on a second screen. More particularly, the method includes a change in the display mode of a multiple screen device from a first screen to a second screen while the device is closed. The change in the display mode may be made in response to one or more actions conducted by a user in a gesture capture region. The actions can include tapping the device in the gesture capture region. The actions can also include further input received in a window provided in response to the taps in the gesture capture region.
US09430118B2 Spatially-oriented traversal animations for network address transitions
Embodiments include a method that includes receiving a destination Internet address for a destination web page into a graphical web browser that is displaying a current web page having a current Internet address on a display. The method includes determining a relationship between the destination Internet address and the current Internet address. The relationship is determined by determining differences between the current Internet address and the destination Internet address. The method also includes determining a spatially-oriented traversal animation based, at least in part, on the relationship between the destination Internet address and the current Internet address. The method includes animating bringing the destination web page onto the display using the spatially-oriented traversal animation. The method also includes displaying the destination web page after the spatially-oriented traversal animation.
US09430109B2 Touch screen panel and method for manufacturing the same, and display device
The present invention discloses a touch Screen panel and a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device. The method comprises: forming a pattern of a touch electrode layer on a substrate; forming a pattern of an insulating layer on the touch electrode layer; and then forming the patterns of a bridging layer and a peripheral wiring on the insulating layer by one patterning process. In the invention, the patterning of the bridging layer and the peripheral wiring is accomplished simultaneously in one patterning process, thereby the number of patterning times during the manufacture process can be reduced, the manufacture efficiency of the touch screen panel can be improved, and the production cost can be lowered.
US09430107B2 Determining touch locations and forces thereto on a touch and force sensing surface
A projected capacitive touch and force sensor capable of detecting multiple touches thereto and forces thereof is coupled with a digital device having multi-touch and force decoding capabilities. Once a touch has been established, a force thereof may be assigned to the touch based upon the magnitude of change of capacitance values determined during scans of the projected capacitive touch and force sensor. The touch forces applied to the touch sensor from the associated tracked touch points may be utilized in further determining three dimensional gesturing, e.g., X, Y and Z positions and forces, respectively.
US09430099B2 Touch panel, and touch-type input apparatus and control method therefor
A touch panel having a piezoelectric sheet with a first region and a second region, and a surface protection film bonded to the second region of the piezoelectric sheet with a non-curable adhesive. The non-curable adhesive has a larger elasticity than a material that bonds the first region of the piezoelectric sheet to the surface protection film.
US09430094B2 Optical touch system, method of touch detection, and computer program product
An optical touch system is provided. At least one light source is disposed at a side of a base plane. A first optical sensor and a second optical sensor detect a space in front of the base plane to generate a first signal and a second signal. When two groups of objects approach to or touch the base plane, a processing unit determines at least one first portion of the first signal corresponding to the two groups of the objects and at least one second portion of the second signal corresponding to the two groups of the objects, and converts the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion into a plurality of touch regions, and determines group transformations according to positions corresponding to at least part of touch regions. Additionally, a method of touch detection, and a computer program product are also provided.
US09430089B2 Information processing apparatus and method for controlling the same
The present invention provides an information processing apparatus configured to recognize a touch operation. The information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain a plurality of touch positions touched on a display screen; a specifying unit configured to specify an object displayed at a position corresponding to each of the touch positions obtained by the obtaining unit on the display screen when at least one of the touch positions obtained by the obtaining unit is included in a predetermined range on the display screen; and a determination unit configured to determine, among the touch positions obtained by the obtaining unit, a touch position included in the predetermined range as an invalid input for a touch operation to the information processing apparatus when the object specified by the specifying unit is not a plurality of objects associated with each other.
US09430087B2 Touch detection using multiple simultaneous stimulation signals
The use of multiple stimulation signals having one or more frequencies and one or more phases to generate an image of touch on a touch sensor panel is disclosed. Each of a plurality of sense channels can be coupled to a column in a touch sensor panel and can have one or more mixers. Each mixer in the sense channel can utilize a circuit capable generating a demodulation frequency of a particular frequency. At each of multiple steps, various phases of one or more selected frequencies can be used to simultaneously stimulate the rows of the touch sensor panel, and the one or more mixers in each sense channel can be configured to demodulate the signal received from the column connected to each sense channel using the one or more selected frequencies. After all steps have been completed, the demodulated signals from the one or more mixers can be used in calculations to determine an image of touch for the touch sensor panel at each of the one or more frequencies.
US09430082B2 Electronic device for executing different functions based on the touch patterns using different portions of the finger and control method thereof
An electronic device and a method of controlling the same, where the electronic device includes a touchscreen, a sensing unit configured to sense a touch pattern applied to the touchscreen, a memory configured to store a function corresponding to the touch pattern, and a controller configured to sense a touch pattern of a touch input through the sensing unit upon reception of the touch input through the touchscreen and to execute a function corresponding to the sensed touch pattern, stored in the memory, wherein the sensing unit recognizes the touch pattern based on vibration generated when the touch input is received through the touchscreen. Accordingly, touch patterns can be discriminated based on portions of a finger, which come into contact with the touchscreen to apply the touch patterns, and different functions respectively corresponding to the touch patterns can be executed.
US09430079B2 Determining touch data for one or more objects on a touch surface
A touch-sensing apparatus comprises a light transmissive panel, in which sheets of light are propagated by internal reflection between a touch surface and an opposite surface from an incoupling site to an outcoupling site. The touch-sensing apparatus is configured such that objects touching the touch surface cause a local attenuation of at least two sheets of light. A light sensor arrangement is optically connected to the outcoupling site to measure transmitted light energy. A data processor is connected to the light sensor arrangement and configured to execute a touch determination process. The process operates on at least one projection signal which is indicative of a spatial distribution of light within the outcoupling site.
US09430077B2 Shock mounting cover glass in consumer electronic devices
Apparatus, systems and methods for shock mounting glass for an electronic device are disclosed. The glass for the electronic device can provide an outer surface for at least a portion of a housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a compliant interface between the glass and the electronic device housing. In another embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a mechanically actuated retractable. For example, an outer glass member for an electronic device housing can be referred to as cover glass, which is often provided at a front surface of the electronic device housing.
US09430075B2 Signal enhancement
Technologies and implementations for signal enhancement are generally disclosed. In some examples, a method to enhance a signal may include receiving a determined location of a device on a surface of a touch screen, detecting a first signal and a direction of the first signal from the device with two or more wireless signal detectors, and enhancing a second signal from the device with beamforming. Enhancing the second signal may be based, at least in part, on the location of the device and the detected first signal from the device.
US09430074B2 Dynamic tactile interface
One variation of a dynamic tactile interface includes a tactile layer defining a peripheral region and a deformable region adjacent the peripheral region; a substrate coupled to the peripheral region, a fluid conduit adjacent the deformable region, a fluid channel fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and a via fluidly coupled to the fluid channel and passing through the back surface; a bladder fluidly coupled to the via and the substrate; a structure adjacent a first side of the bladder; and a platen adjacent a second side of the bladder opposite the first side and compressing the bladder against the structure substantially perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the bladder and substantially parallel the substrate to displace fluid from the bladder and into the fluid channel to transition the deformable region from a retracted setting into an expanded setting.
US09430058B2 Touch stylus capable of detecting pressure on a tip and related optical-mechanical system
A touch stylus capable of detecting pressure on its tip is disclosed in the present disclosure. The touch stylus includes a body, a tip, and a pressure sensing module disposed between the body and the tip for detecting a pressure on the tip. The pressure sensing module includes a lighting unit, a pressure sensing unit connected to the tip, and a controller electrically connected to the lighting unit and the pressure sensing unit. The pressure sensing unit detects a movement of the tip relative to the body, and generates a corresponding electrical signal. The controller receives the electrical signal to drive the lighting unit for generating a corresponding optical signal. A scintillating frequency of the optical signal and a value of the electrical signal are in direct proportion, and an optical detector can transform the optical signal into the pressure on the tip.
US09430056B2 Pointing device for a portable computer
A pointing device for a portable computer is disclosed. The pointing device includes an operation cover for covering a first and second pressure sensors. The pointing device also includes one front operation surface and two rear pressure faces. Detection axes are arranged in a vertical direction, and the pressure faces are so inclined that normal lines will approach each other above the operation surface. The operation surface is applied with depression pressure P1 including a horizontal component Ph and a vertical component Pv. Even when any position on the operation surface is pressed down, pressure P2a detected by the first pressure sensor becomes greater than pressure P3a detected by the second pressure sensor.
US09430044B2 Gesture-based load control
A load control system may include load control devices for controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load. The load control devices may be capable of controlling the amount of power provided to the electrical load based on control instructions received from a gesture-based control device. The gesture-based control device may identify gestures performed by a user for controlling a load control device and provide control instructions to the load control device based on the identified gestures. The gestures may be identified based on images received from a motion capture device. A gesture may be associated with a scene that includes a configuration of one or more load control devices in a load control system. The user may perform one or more gestures to program the gesture-based control device.
US09430040B2 Eye gaze detection with multiple light sources and sensors
The subject disclosure is directed towards eye gaze detection based upon multiple cameras and/or light sources. The cameras and/or light sources are configured to provide eye gaze detection for a device display at different orientations, at different tilt angles, at different user positions, at different user distances, and so on. Also described is a controller that selectively controls light source power and camera on/off state to provide images of the eye having sufficient quality for eye gaze detection and/or to conserve power.
US09430024B2 Ultra low power apparatus and method to wake up a main processor
An apparatus and method for waking up a main processor (MP) in a low power or ultra-low power device preferably includes the MP, and a sub-processor (SP) that utilizes less power than the MP to monitor ambient conditions than the MP, and may be internalized in the MP. The MP and SP can remain in a sleep mode while an interrupt sensor monitors for changes in the ambient environment. A sensor is preferably an interrupt-type sensor, as opposed to polling-type sensors conventionally used to detect ambient changes. The MP and SP may remain in sleep mode, as a low-power or an ultra-low power interrupt sensor operates with the SP being in sleep mode, and awakens the SP via an interrupt indicating a detected change. The SP then wakes the MP after comparing data from the interrupt sensor with values in storage or with another sensor.
US09430023B2 Sleep state video interface of an information handling device
An apparatus for a sleep state video interface of an information handling device includes a storage device storing machine-readable code and a processor executing the machine-readable code. The apparatus includes a notification module receiving a sleep notification to place an information handling device into a sleep state. The information handling device receives a video signal. The apparatus includes a sleep module entering the information handling device into the sleep state in response to the notification module receiving the sleep notification. The video signal passes through the information handling device to a display as the information handling device is in the sleep state.
US09430020B2 Method, device and system for data stream transmission
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, a device and a system for data stream transmission, which relate to the field of communication, and can reduce the energy consumption of the data stream transmission between devices. The method includes: receiving, by a resting device, a message indicating to enter into an energy-saving state; after receiving the message indicating to enter into the energy-saving state, sending, by the resting device, stored user information to an on-duty device so that the on-duty device receives and synchronizes user information; and, after the user information is synchronized, setting, by the resting device, the transmission state of the resting device as standby and entering into a sleeping state. The embodiments of the present disclosure are used for data stream transmission.
US09430014B2 System and method for idle state optimization in a multi-processor system on a chip
Various embodiments of methods and systems for idle state optimization in a portable computing device (“PCD”) are disclosed. An exemplary method includes comparing an aggregate power consumption level for all processing cores in the PCD to a power budget and, if there is available headroom in the power budget, transitioning cores operating in a first idle state to a different idle state. In doing so, the latency value associated with bringing the transitioned cores out of an idle state and into an active state, should the need arise, may be reduced. The result is that user experience and QoS may be improved as an otherwise idle core in an idle state with a long latency time may be better positioned to quickly transition to an active state and process a workload.
US09430012B2 Systems and methods of transformer failure detection and control
A system includes an excitation system configured to regulate one or more outputs of a power generating system. The excitation system includes data processing circuitry configured to obtain an electrical voltage measurement and an electrical current measurement associated with the power generating system, a transformer failure detection system configured to detect an abnormality associated with the electrical voltage and electrical current measurements as an indication of a possible transformer failure, and a failure detection deactivation system configured to deactivate the transformer failure detection system based at least in part on whether the abnormality comprises one of a first condition or a second condition.
US09430007B2 Voltage regulator stress reducing system
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for reducing electrical component stress from power cycling is provided. The method may include receiving an indication associated with power cycling an electronic apparatus. The method may also include identifying, based on the received indication, a first one or more groups of electrical components that will not be powered off during the power cycling of the electronic apparatus. The method may further include identifying, based on the received indication, a second one or more groups of electrical components that will be powered off during the power cycling of the electronic apparatus. The method may finally include powering off the second one or more groups of electrical components.
US09430005B2 Server
A server includes a casing, a circuit board component, an assembly component and a power supply. The casing has an assembly channel and a first fastening slot. The circuit board component includes a substrate and a first electrical connector. The first electrical connector is electrically connected to the substrate. The assembly component is located out of the casing and detachably assembled with the casing. The assembly component has a second fastening slot. A distance between the first electrical connector and the second fastening slot is greater than a distance between the first electrical connector and the first fastening slot. The power supply includes a main body and a fastening unit. The main body includes a second electrical connector. The main body is for being movably assembled with the assembly channel, so the fastening unit is selectively assembled with the first fastening slot or the second fastening slot.
US09429993B2 Computing device docking systems
Computing device docking systems are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing device docking system includes a docking station component having an opening defined within a surface. The system includes a pin including a body and an end having a member extending laterally from the body. The end of the pin is receivable within an opening of a computing device component for attaching the computing device component to the docking station. The pin is moveable within the opening between a first position and a second position. In the first position, at least a portion of the body and at least a portion of the member is positioned within the opening of the docking station component. In the second position, at least a portion of the body is within the opening and the member is outside of the opening of the docking station component.
US09429991B1 Wearable memory card holder
A wearable memory card holder for positioning on a limb of a wearer may comprise a band for at least partially encircling the limb of the wearer, and a memory card receptacle integrated with the band and configured to receive a memory card. A transmitter may be mounted on the band and configured to wirelessly transmit data from a memory card when the memory card is inserted into the memory card receptacle.
US09429990B2 Point-of-view object selection
Example methods and systems may be implemented by a wearable computer to utilize optical-flow analysis to recognize a predetermined user-action, such as selecting an object. An example method may involve a wearable computing device: (a) receiving video data from a video camera of a wearable computing device: (b) determining optical flow for the video data; (c) determining that an optical-flow differential exists at an area within the optical flow for the video data; and (d) responsive to determining that the optical-flow differential exists at the area: (i) identifying an object that is located at the area where the optical-flow differential exists; (ii) performing a search on the object; and (iii) causing a graphical display to display information that corresponds to results from the search.
US09429989B2 Interactive electronic device shell
An interactive electronic device shell and light source may enable personalization and increased functionality of an electronic device. The shell may at least partially cover a light source and attach to an electronic device. The shell includes at least some transparent or translucent portions (e.g., light stencils) that enable light from a matrix of the light source to emit through the shell, thus causing a display of light from the shell. In some aspects, the electronic device may be linked with the shell and/or the light source to control light emission through the shell. In various aspects, an illumined portion of the shell may have significance, such as revealing an artistic design or indicating a message based on activity of the electronic device.
US09429988B2 Touch screen panel
A touch screen panel includes a window substrate divided into an active area and a non-active area, the non-active area being outside the active area, the window substrate having a first printed layer formed in the non-active area, a touch substrate including sensing electrodes formed in the active area and having a second printed layer that faces the first printed layer formed in the non-active area, and an adhesive layer interposed between the window substrate and the touch substrate.
US09429985B2 Method of reducing a total computation capacity that needs to be kept, vehicle-to-X communication apparatus and use of the vehicle-to-X communication apparatus
A method for reducing a total computation capacity that needs to be kept, in which an electronic computation module of a vehicle system keeps the total computation capacity, wherein a multiplicity of software modules are executed by the electronic computation module, wherein the software modules take up computation capacity for data processing processes and for input data checking processes and wherein the input data checking processes are repeated in accordance with clocking. The method is distinguished in that the clocking is adjustable. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle-to-x communication apparatus and to a use of the vehicle-to-x communication apparatus.
US09429976B2 Vehicle operation pedal device
In a vehicle operation pedal apparatus, an engagement hook is formed in one end portion of a return spring, an engagement hole or cutout into which the engagement hook is hooked is formed in a bracket plate member disposed on an operation pedal, and a surface direction of a portion of the bracket plate member, in which the engagement hole or cutout is formed, is set such that a contact point at which the engagement hook contacts one of a pair of edges that are ridgelines between an inner wall surface of the engagement hole or cutout and one surface and an other surface of the bracket plate member is a relative pivot point of the return spring that pivots relative to the operation pedal in accordance with a pivoting operation of the operation pedal in an entire operation angle range of the operation pedal.
US09429974B2 Method and apparatus for actively managing electric power supply for an electric power grid
Systems and methods for managing power supplied over an electric power grid by an electric utility and/or other market participants to multiplicity of grid elements and devices for supply and/or load curtailment as supply, each of which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energy consumption and/or reduction in consumption and/or supply, and wherein messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements and devices, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.
US09429962B2 Auto-configuring time-of day for building control unit
Provided according to some embodiments is a thermostat is capable of discerning the time-of-day without external input. Should the user fail to set the time, the thermostat uses one or more sensors to determine the time-of-day through a variety of techniques. In one example, a light sensor can monitor natural light to understand the cycle of sun with respect to the installation location. From the cycle of natural light a latitude, time-of-year, time-of-day, etc. can be estimated through processing sensor information over time. Should the thermostat have its time manually set or gathered from the network, it would override the estimated time-of-day. Techniques can be used to filter input from the one or more sensors to avoid confusion from other inputs, for example, man-made lighting.
US09429959B2 Control apparatus for a linear motion stage, and linear motion system
A control apparatus for a linear motion stage includes: a first filter for filtering the frequency of a signal received from a linear encoder of the linear motion stage; an adder for adding an input signal representing a command position and a negative of an output signal of the first filter; a control for generating a control signal for controlling the linear motion stage based on an output signal of the adder; and a second filter for filtering the frequency of the control signal. Each of the input terminals of the first and second filters has a correction table for storing cut-off frequencies and damping rates measured according to the driven positions of the linear motion stage, thereby applying the correction table so as to determine the cut-off frequencies of the first and second filters and the damping rates according to the driven positions of the linear motion stage.
US09429958B2 Regulator unit
A regulator unit which includes a regulator main body, and a pressure-regulating mechanism part, being installed consecutively thereto; the pressure-regulating mechanism part being constituted by a cylindrical housing provided with a shouldered hole, the shouldered hole being formed by a smaller-diameter bore and a larger-diameter bore, the smaller-diameter bore accommodating an adjusting spring and an end cover; a ball screw being disposed in the larger-diameter bore; an operation handle being mounted to a basal end part of a threaded rod of the ball screw through a fastener; and the operation handle being capable of being turned for expanding or contracting said adjusting spring to thereby change the spring pressure applied to a diaphragm receiving plate.
US09429951B2 Transport management apparatus, transport system, and transport management program
A controller (1) includes: a transfer area setting unit (11) which, when transferring a transported object from a transfer source vehicle of respective transport vehicles to a transfer destination vehicle of the respective transport vehicles, decides a transfer area at a destination to which the transported object is transported by the transfer source vehicle; a transfer vehicle setting unit (12) which decides the transport vehicle that is the transfer destination vehicle on the basis of position information of the transfer area and the position information of the respective transport vehicles; and an instruction unit (14) which instructs the transfer source vehicle to carry out a task of transporting the transported object to the transfer area, and instructs the transfer destination vehicle to carry out a task of transporting the transported object from the transfer area.
US09429928B2 Control method, non-transitory computer readable medium and controller of numerical control machine tool
A method of controlling a numerical control machine tool, includes generating a flag which designates a kind of operation of the numerical control machine tool and an operating variable which is used for controlling the operation of the numerical control machine tool, based on an instruction used for controlling a three-dimensional measuring device different from the numerical control machine tool, storing the flag in a flag storage area and storing the operating variable in an operating variable storage area, selecting an operation to be executed by the numerical control machine tool by referring to a value of the flag stored in the flag storage area, and executing a control of the selected operation of the numerical control machine tool in accordance with a value of the operating variable stored in the operating variable storage area.
US09429924B2 Controlling power generators and chillers
A method of meeting a power demand of a power consumption unit is disclosed. A forecasted power demand for a power demand scenario for the power consumption unit is determined and a probability of occurrence of the power demand scenario is determined. An objective function for operating at least one power supply device is created that includes the forecasted power demand of the power demand scenario and the determined probability of occurrence of the power demand scenario. A substantial minimum of the objective function is located to determine a schedule for operating the at least one power supply device to meet the forecasted power demand. The at least one power supply device may be operated according to the determined schedule to meet the power demand of the power consumption unit.
US09429918B2 Atomic clocks and magnetometers with vapor cells having condensation sites in fluid communication with a cavity to hold a vapor condensation away from an optical path
A vapor cell for installation in an atomic clock or a magnetometer. The vapor cell includes a top plate, a center plate, and a bottom plate defining a cavity for passing light along an optical path. The vapor cell includes one or more condensation sites to trap condensed vapor in order to avoid blockage of the optical path.
US09429910B1 Fan bypass system for contamination control
A contamination control apparatus for controlling contamination in an image forming device is provided. The apparatus includes an air mover located in the image forming device; a first duct, a first end of the first duct receiving non-contaminated air, and a second end of the first duct being fluidly connected to an air input of the air mover such that the air input receives the non-contaminated air from the first duct; an exhaust duct, a first end of the exhaust duct being fluidly connected to an air output of the air mover such that the exhaust duct receives the non-contaminated air from the air output; and a second duct, a first end of the second duct being positioned such that contaminated air is drawn into the second duct, and a second end of the second duct being fluidly connected to the exhaust duct at a position downstream of the air output of the air mover and upstream of the second end of the exhaust duct.
US09429909B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a heat-generating component, a power generation device including a thermoelectric element, a heat radiation device, a cooling device, a temperature detector that detects a temperature increase of the heat-generating component, and a controller. The heat radiation device includes a first radiator plate interposed between the heat-generating component and a surface of the thermoelectric element and a second radiator plate attached to another surface of the thermoelectric element. The cooling device cools the first radiator plate. The controller controls operations of the cooling device and the power generation device by operating the cooling device if the detected temperature increase reaches at least a predetermined threshold value, and causing the power generation device to generate power without operating the cooling device to cool the first radiator plate passively if the detected temperature increase falls below the predetermined threshold value.
US09429904B2 Image carrier unit and image forming apparatus
An image carrier unit includes an engage mechanism configured to attach a protection cover slidably to a unit casing in a rotational axis direction of an image carrier. The engage mechanism includes first and second engage mechanisms. The first engage mechanism includes a first engage portion provided at a first end portion in a width direction orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the protection cover and a first engaged portion provided in the unit casing and engaged with the first engage portion, and is configured such that the first engage portion engages with the first engaged portion in orientation to one side in the width direction. The second engage mechanism is also configured such that a second engage portion engages with a second engaged portion in orientation to the one side in the width direction.
US09429903B2 Image forming apparatus having cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a process cartridge and an exposure unit. The casing defines a first direction, a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The third direction extends vertically. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive body extending in the first direction and a grip having a portion. The exposure unit is configured to expose the photosensitive body. The exposure unit has a part overlapped with the process cartridge as viewed in the second direction when the process cartridge is mounted in the casing. The portion of the grip is overlapped with the exposure unit as viewed in the third direction when the process cartridge is mounted in the casing. The portion of the grip is disposed above the exposure unit in the third direction.
US09429901B2 Photosensitive drum access configuration for an image-forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a photosensitive drum detachably attached to the main body, a light exposure member configured to expose the photosensitive member to light, a developer container configured to store a developer to be supplied to the photosensitive drum, and a supporting member disposed in the main body and configured to support the light exposure member and to hold the developer container detachably. The supporting member is configured to, while holding the developer container, move between a light exposure position where the light exposure member is located proximate to the photosensitive drum and a separation position where the light exposure member is separated from the photosensitive drum while the supporting member holds the developer container.
US09429889B2 Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes: a heater; a supporting member for supporting the heater; and a high heat-conductive sheet sandwiched between a part of the heater and the supporting member. A recording material on which an image is formed is heated by heat from the heater. The supporting member includes a bearing surface contacting the sheet so as to apply pressure between the heater and the sheet and includes an opposing portion opposing a part of the heater not sandwiching the sheet. In a state in which the pressure is applied between the heater and the sheet, the thickness of the sheet is not less than the height of the stepped portion between the bearing portion and the opposing portion.
US09429883B1 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus comprises a transfer fixer which secondarily transfers a first toner image on a first intermediate transfer belt onto a first side of a sheet at a first secondary transfer position and fixes the first toner image transferred to the first side of the sheet while secondarily transferring a second toner image on the second intermediate transfer belt onto a second side of the sheet opposite to the first side at a second secondary transfer position and fixing the second toner image transferred to the second side of the sheet.
US09429878B2 Image forming apparatus including a toner conveyance portion with vent holes having filters disposed thereon
An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a toner conveyance portion, a vent hole portion, an air suction portion, and a filter portion. The toner conveyance portion forms a toner conveyance passage between a developing device and a collection container such that toner discharged from the developing device is conveyed in the toner conveyance passage and collected in the collection container. The vent hole portion is formed in the toner conveyance portion and allows inside and outside of the toner conveyance portion to communicate with each other such that air can be ventilated between the inside and the outside of the toner conveyance portion. The air suction portion sucks the air inside the toner conveyance portion via the vent hole portion. The filter portion is disposed on the vent hole portion and traps toner contained in the air sucked by the air suction portion.
US09429876B2 Toner case and image forming apparatus including the same
A toner case according to the present invention includes a toner supplying portion, a screw portion 50 and a supporting portion 53. The toner supplying portion is arranged at a case body 31 to supply the toner to an apparatus main body. The screw portion 50 includes a screw shaft 51 driven to rotate at an inside of the case body 31 and the conveying blade 52 formed on the screw shaft 51 and rotating with the screw shaft 51 so that the conveying blade 52 conveys the toner to the toner supplying portion. Around the supporting portion 53, a portion of the conveying blade 52 is arranged. The supporting portion 53 is arranged closer to an inside of the case body 31 than a side wall 31a of the case body 31 and configured to support an end portion of the screw shaft 51.
US09429864B1 Charging member, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A charging member includes a conductive support and a surface layer provided on the conductive support, wherein electron emitting energy on a surface of the charging member is equal to or less than 10 cps0.5/eV.
US09429860B2 Toner production method
A method for producing a toner that comprises toner particles, each of which comprises a binder resin, which comprises a resin (A) capable of forming a crystalline structure, and a colorant, the method including: a pressure holding step of, after preparing toner particles, holding the toner particles for 5 minutes or more at a pressure of 2.0 MPa or more under conditions of a temperature T1 (° C.) represented by formula (1): 20≦T1≦Tp2  (1) (wherein, Tp2 represents the onset temperature of the maximum endothermic peak derived from the resin (A)), wherein a peak temperature Tp1 of the maximum endothermic peak derived from the resin (A) during the first temperature rise of the toner particles as determined by differential scanning calorimetric measurement is 50° C. to 90° C.
US09429857B2 Electrostatic clamp, lithographic apparatus and method
An electrostatic clamp (21) configured to hold an object, the electrostatic clamp comprising an electrode (24), a resistive portion (23) formed from a resistive material located on the electrode, and a dielectric portion (22) formed from a dielectric material located on the resistive portion.
US09429843B2 Positive resist composition and patterning process
A positive resist composition is provided comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having a carboxyl or phenolic hydroxyl group substituted with an acid labile group and recurring units of caramel furanone ester, and having a Mw of 1,000-500,000. The resist composition has a satisfactory effect of suppressing acid diffusion and a high resolution, and forms a pattern of good profile and minimal edge roughness after exposure.
US09429834B2 Three-dimensional imaging device
This 3D image capture device includes an image capturing section 100 and a signal processing section 200. The image capturing section 100 includes a light-transmitting section 2 with first, second and third transmitting areas that have mutually different transmission wavelength ranges, a solid-state image sensor 1 that is arranged to receive the light transmitted through the light-transmitting section, and an optical system 3 that produces an image on an imaging area of the solid-state image sensor. The signal processing section 200 includes an image generating section 7 that generates three image signals, representing the quantities of light rays that have been incident on the first, second and third transmitting areas, based on the output signal of the solid-state image sensor 1, and a parallax estimating section 40 that estimates parallax based on the three image signals.
US09429833B1 Projection and camera system with repositionable support structure
A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. In one implementation, the projection and camera system are mounted in a movable housing or head that is supported by a repositionable support structure. The housing can be moved to a desired position and then locked into a stationary and stable position for creation of the augmented realty environment.
US09429831B2 Lighting device and projector
In a lighting device, light in a first wavelength range which is output from a light emitting element passes through a first phase difference plate, and is separated into a first light flux and a second light flux by a polarization separation element. A wavelength conversion unit converts the first light flux to a third light flux. An optical element converts the second light flux into a fourth light flux. A first color combining element combines the third light flux with the fourth light flux. A first control unit changes a direction of an optical axis of the first phase difference plate according to an intensity of the third light flux and an intensity of the fourth light flux.
US09429828B2 Image projection apparatus
An image projection apparatus for projecting an image using light includes a light source configured to emit the light; and an operating unit configured to allow a user to operate the image projection apparatus, the operating unit being disposed above the light source when viewed from a placement surface on which a main body of the image projection apparatus is placed. The image projection apparatus also includes a first flow path in which air flows through the light source; and a second flow path different from the first flow path, the second flow path being formed between the light source and the operating unit.
US09429825B2 Modular projector cage and stacked frame using same
A modular projector cage for operably supporting an optical projector and for forming a stacked frame using another identical modular projector cage is disclosed. The modular projector cage has a rectangular hexahedral open frame. A mounting plate is connected to a bottom section of the frame by first and second articulated elevation assemblies connected to respective sides of the mounting plate adjacent the mounting plate front end, and by a yaw assembly rotatably connected to the mounting plate adjacent the back end. The first and second articulated elevation assemblies are independently adjustable to adjust the elevation at each side of the plate so that the pitch and roll of the mounting plate can be adjusted. The yaw assembly adjusts the amount of yaw, which causes articulated movement of the first and second articulated elevation assemblies.
US09429824B2 Universal adjustable lens adapter
A universal adjustable lens adapter and rig system for smartphones, or similar electronic devices, that is modular in nature and provides a component for manipulating and stabilizing the smartphone. The universal adjustable lens adapter includes a clamp mount assembly, a lens mount assembly, and a handle assembly that includes a clamp mount support that is adjustably and removably connected to a lens mount support. The clamp mount assembly provides a component for securing a smartphone, while the lens mount assembly provides a component for securing a camera lens. The clamp mount assembly includes an adjustable first clamp and an adjustable second clamp between which the smartphone is secured. Both the clamp mount assembly and the lens mount assembly are slidably connected to the handle assembly, such that the camera lens of any smartphone can be properly aligned with the camera lens attached to the lens mount assembly.
US09429810B2 Electrophoresis device and display
An electrophoresis device includes: a plurality of electrophoretic particles included in insulating liquid and configured of a first particle and a second particle, in which the first particle and the second particle have respective charging characteristics that are different from each other; and a porous layer included in the insulating liquid and formed of a fibrous structure.
US09429805B2 Array substrate, display panel and display device
An array substrate, a display panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate comprises pixel units. The pixel unit comprises four sub-pixel electrodes and at least one thin film transistor for controlling the four sub-pixel electrodes. Domain alignments of the four sub-pixel electrodes within the pixel unit differ from each other, and domain alignments of the four sub-pixel electrodes within the pixel unit have a mirror-symmetrical distribution in up and down directions and in left and right directions.
US09429790B2 Array substrate and liquid crystal display device
An array substrate and a liquid crystal display device are provided. The array substrate (11) comprises a first substrate (110) and a switch element (112) disposed on an inner side of the first substrate (110), and further comprises a polarizing light-emitting layer (111), the polarizing light-emitting layer (111) has an EL mode. In the liquid crystal display device (1), the polarizing light-emitting layer (111) with an EL mode is disposed in the array substrate (11), therefore, no backlight is required and the power consumption of the liquid crystal display device (1) is further reduced.
US09429787B2 Transparent display unit
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a transparent display unit with improved transmittance. The transparent display unit comprises: an upper substrate comprising an upper transparent electrode and an upper alignment film in sequence from top to bottom; a lower substrate comprising a lower transparent electrode and a lower alignment film in sequence from bottom to top; and at least a colorful holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) layer located between the upper substrate and the lower substrate.
US09429782B2 Apparatus for supporting flat liquid-crystal display of audio video navigation system
An apparatus for supporting a flat liquid-crystal display (LCD) of an audio video navigation (AVN) system of a vehicle includes a module frame including a first through hole formed at a central portion such that an LCD assembly is disposed therein and second through holes formed on both rim portions to expose AVN system manipulation buttons of an AVN system manipulation panel. The LCD assembly is installed within the first through hole of the module frame to be held therein when a front collision impact is applied. A front panel is assembled to a center fascia panel to lock ends of the rim of the module frame and to be parallel to the front side of the LCD assembly.
US09429781B2 Filter for selective transmission of visible rays and infrared rays using an electrical signal
Disclosed is a filter for selective transmission of visible rays and infrared rays using an electrical signal. The filter comprises: a first filter for controlling the degree of absorption of visible rays by changing the molecular arrangement in accordance with the control of the electrical signal; and a second filter for controlling the degree of reflection of infrared rays by changing reflectivity in accordance with the control of the electrical signal.
US09429776B2 Silicon-based rib-waveguide modulator and fabrication method thereof
Various structures of an electro-optic device and fabrication methods thereof are described. A fabrication method is provided to fabricate an electro-optic device which may include a silicon-based rib-waveguide modulator which includes a first top silicon layer, having a first doped region that is at least partially doped with dopants of a first conducting type, a second top silicon layer, having a second doped region that is at least partially doped with dopants of a second conducting type, and a thin dielectric gate layer disposed between the first top silicon layer and the second top silicon layer. The second doped region may be at least in part directly over the first doped region. The modulator may also include a rib waveguide formed on the second top silicon layer, a first electric contact formed on the first top silicon layer, and a second electric contact formed on the second top silicon layer.
US09429764B2 Control system for a directional light source
Disclosed is an autostereoscopic display apparatus comprising a light guiding valve apparatus including an imaging directional backlight, an illuminator array and an observer tracking system arranged to achieve control of an array of illuminators which may provide a directional display to an observer over a wide lateral and longitudinal viewing range with low flicker.
US09429760B2 Spatial color mixing in a cascade imaging system
Spatial color mixing in a cascade imaging system is provided herein. The system comprises: at least two spatial light pre-modulators; and, a primary spatial light modulator, each of the at least two spatial light pre-modulators configured to vary illuminating light colors spatially across the primary spatial prime modulator simultaneously with at least two of the illuminating light colors, and the primary spatial light modulator configured to form the illuminating light colors into images and turn on pixels of each of the at least two of the illuminating light colors simultaneously in synchronization with the at least two spatial light pre-modulators.
US09429750B2 Dust-free lens driving apparatus
A dust-free lens driving apparatus includes a lens holder for holding a lens, a housing having a central bore in which the lens holder moves, and a film having a first contact region, a second contact region and a buffer region. The first contact region is defined by a first peripheral portion of the film and is used to sealingly attach the film to and around the lens holder. The second contact region is defined by a second peripheral portion of the film and is used to sealingly attach the film to and around a connection portion of the housing. The buffer region is defined by a remaining region of the film between the first and second contact regions and is used to seal an exit of a gap between the lens holder and the housing.
US09429746B2 Micro-optic adapters and tips for surgical illumination fibers
A microstructure optical adapter or tip according to the present disclosure may incorporate precision micro structure optical components engaging the input or output end of light energy delivery devices for customized light delivery of the light energy. The incorporation of precision micro structure optical components in injection molded plastic or glass parts will allow for inexpensive modification of the output light while also serving to protect the end of the illumination device. The micro structure optical components may also be incorporated in an adapter to tailor the light energy to the subsequent device.
US09429745B2 Variable reticle for optical sighting devices responsive to optical magnification adjustment
An optical sighting device includes an electronic controller that is responsive to changes in an optical magnification of the sighting device to resize at least a portion of a reticle produced by an electronic display or other means proximate a focal plane of the sighting device. In some embodiments, the reticle is located proximate a rear focal plane of the sighting device and may be scaled by the electronic controller in concert with changes in optical magnification to simulate a front focal plane reticle. A functional pattern of the reticle may also be automatically changed at different magnification settings to provide different types of reticles, such as CQB and sniper reticles, in a single optical device.
US09429736B2 Optical system
The present invention relates to an optical system.An optical system of the present invention includes, sequentially from an object side, a first lens having a positive refractive power and an object-side surface convex toward the object side; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a negative refractive power; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, a fifth lens having a negative refractive power and an image-side surface convex toward an image side; and a sixth lens having a negative refractive power and an image-side surface concave toward the image side.
US09429735B2 Optical lens system, image capturing unit and electronic device
An optical 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 and a fourth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The third lens element with positive refractive power has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof, wherein both of the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the fourth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof, and both of the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The optical lens system has a total of four lens elements with refractive power.
US09429734B2 Voice coil motor and driving method thereof
A voice coil motor (VCM) is disclosed, the VCM including: a stator including a magnet generating a first electromagnetic field; a mover including a bobbin formed with a hollow hole through which light passes and a coil formed on a periphery of the bobbin that generates a second electromagnetic field responsive to the first electromagnetic field; a base fixed at the stator and formed with an opening through which the light passes; and at least one elastic member elastically supporting the bobbin and forming a gap between the bobbin and the base when the coil is not applied with a current.
US09429733B2 Optical instrument having a stabilization element for mounting and adjusting an optical assembly in a holder, and mounting method for the stabilization element
An optical instrument for measuring has an a stabilization component for stably connecting an optical assembly and holder to at least one stabilization element that can be compressed in the gap. The stabilization element has, in an unmounted state, a thickness which is greater than the width of the gap, and the optical assembly, the holder and the stabilization component are configured and cooperate such that the stabilization element, which is positioned between optical assembly and holder, in a roughly positioned state, is compressed, by way of inserting the optical assembly into the holder, into the gap and is plastically deformed in the gap such that elastic forces act radially with respect to the optical axis between assembly and holder and the assembly and the holder are disposed in the radial direction in a stabilized state with respect to one another.
US09429731B2 Optical fiber cable assembly comprising optical tracer fiber
An optical fiber cable assembly includes an optical tracer fiber, an optical data transmission fiber, and a cable jacket. The optical tracer fiber defines a tracer scattering profile having a scattering loss of >15 dB/km at a tracer wavelength or wavelength range λT that lies in a visible spectrum. The optical tracer fiber is wound about a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable assembly and is either physically coupled to the cable jacket or contained within an inside diameter of the cable jacket. The cable jacket may be engineered to generate light at an optically visible shifted tracer wavelength or wavelength range λT* from visible light at the tracer wavelength or wavelength range λT. The cable jacket may include an optically reflective material such that a portion of dispersed visible light from the optical tracer is reflected by the optically reflective material of the cable jacket.
US09429730B2 Method for installing an optical fibre unit in a tube
A method for installing an optical fiber unit in a protective tube housing a pulling rope includes the steps of: providing a mini tube having a longitudinal opening from end to end; transversally inserting a portion of the pulling rope in the longitudinal opening; contacting the pulling rope and optical fiber unit over a predetermined length; slipping the mini tube over at least a portion of the contacting length of the pulling rope and optical fiber unit; crimping the mini tube around the pulling rope and optical fiber unit; and drawing the optical fiber unit through the protective tube by pulling the pulling rope.
US09429719B1 Fiber optic connector sub-assemblies and related methods
A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The ferrule bore has a first section extending inwardly from the rear end of the ferrule, a second section extending inwardly from the front end of the ferrule and having a width that is less than the first section, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of both the transition section and the second section of the ferrule bore. At least some of the bonding agent in the second section of the ferrule bore has been melted and solidified.
US09429716B1 Mirror systems securing optical fibers to ferrules by thermally securing bonding agents within fiber optic connector housings, and related methods and assemblies
Mirror systems securing optical fibers to ferrules by thermally securing bonding agents within fiber optic connector housings are disclosed, along with related methods and assemblies. A fiber optic connector includes an optical fiber secured within a ferrule by a temperature-sensitive bonding agent to prevent attenuation-causing movement. The bonding agent is activated (e.g., cured) by heat provided by laser energy incident upon the ferrule, which is at least partially disposed within a fiber optic connector housing and which may be damaged by the laser energy. By shaping and disposing at least one mirror of a mirror system, the laser energy may be reflected to be incident upon the ferrule in a controllable intensity distribution. In this manner, the laser energy may be absorbed uniformly or substantially uniformly along a partial length of the ferrule extending into the housing to accelerate securing of the bonding agent while avoiding damage to the housing.
US09429710B2 Silicon waveguide having polarization insensitive and temperature insensitive phase delay
An apparatus includes a first waveguide configured to receive an input signal. A section of the first waveguide has a length between a first initial point and a first end point. A first polarization rotator is located within the section at a first distance from the first initial point of the section of the first waveguide. A section of a second waveguide is configured to receive the input signal, and has the same length between the second initial point and a second end point. A second polarization rotator is located within the section of the second waveguide at a second distance from the second initial point of the section of the second waveguide. More particularly, a relative distance between the first distance and the second distance is configured to achieve a desired phase delay of an output signal from the first waveguide and an output signal from the second waveguide.
US09429709B2 Stack of light guide plates and method for processing the same
A stack of light guide plates is proposed. Each light guide plate includes a light guide plate body and an incident side, thickness of the incident side is more than thickness of the light guide plate body, two light guide plates are reversely arranged and laminated when the two light guide plates are processed, and then a plurality of a pair of laminated light guide plates are stacked. The present embodiment provides a method for processing light guide plates. Even though the thickness of the incident side or the wedged shape of the incident side changes, the method can be adopted. The stack of light guide plates remain neat and flat using the method. Because a batch of light guide plates are cut and polished using the method, the efficiency in processing light guide plates improves. In this way, utilization of the equipment improves as well.
US09429706B2 Optical waveguide coupler and method for manufacturing same
An optical waveguide coupler includes a substrate and an optical waveguide of a multi-layer structure of a first clad layer/a first waveguide layer/a second clad layer, at least, on the end surface side of an optical input and output provided on the substrate, characterized in that the first waveguide layer has such a distribution of the refractive index that the refractive index is the highest at the center of the first waveguide layer in the multi-layer structure in the stacking direction, and the first waveguide layer has such a protrusion in a convex form that the center portion having the highest refractive index protrudes in a cross section that is perpendicular to the end surface of the optical input and output and perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate.
US09429690B2 Diffusion sheet, backlight, liquid crystal display apparatus, and method of producing a diffusion sheet
A diffusion sheet includes a light-transmissive substrate, a plurality of structures, and a flat portion. The light-transmissive substrate includes a first main surface, and a second main surface. The plurality of structures have convex shapes and are randomly formed on the first main surface. The flat portion is formed among the plurality of structures on the first main surface and has a surface roughness (Ra) of no less than 0.9 μm.
US09429685B2 Laminate
The laminate of an embodiment is a laminate including an antireflection film and a protection film bonded onto the antireflection film, wherein the surface of the antireflection film includes a plurality of protrusions; the protection film includes a supporting film and an adhesive layer; the adhesive layer includes an adhesive agent, a copolymer, and a carboxyl group-containing monomer; the weight average molecular weight of the copolymer is 1000000 or more and 2000000 or less; the copolymer includes the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester with the alkyl group having 4 or less carbon atoms in the largest weight proportion among the monomer components; the acid number of the copolymer is 16 mg KOH/g or more and 120 mg KOH/g or less; and the mixing amount of the epoxy cross-linking agent in relation to 100 parts by weight of the copolymer is 1.5 parts by weight or more.
US09429682B2 Method for preparing acrylic copolymer resin for optical film and method for fabricating optical film using the same
There is provided a method for preparing an acrylic copolymer resin for an optical film includes: suspension-polymerizing an acrylic monomer containing a benzene ring, an alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer, and a (meth)acrylic acid monomer to prepare a copolymer; and thermally treating the copolymer at a temperature ranging from 240° C. to 300° C. As the method for preparing an acrylic copolymer of the present invention, a resin having an effectively lowered CTE can be manufactured by inducing the formation of a glutaric anhydride structure by using suspension polymerization that facilitates adjustment of the molecular weight of a resin.
US09429676B2 System and method for formation detection and evaluation
A method for locating planned markers within a log containing borehole data parses log data to locate an uncertainty region for a planned marker. A fingerprint match is located for the planned marker in the located uncertainty region. The located fingerprint match is saved. A determination is made if additional planned markers are present and returns to the step of parsing for a next planned marker if additional planned markers are present.
US09429673B2 Surface-based NMR measurement
Technologies applicable to surface-based NMR measurement are disclosed. A surface probe is positionable at or above a surface of the Earth and adapted to make NMR measurements of shallow or very shallow subsurface volumes. NMR spectrometer components connected to the surface probe are configured to control electromagnetic pulses produced by the surface probe and to record resulting detected NMR signals from the subsurface volume.
US09429668B2 Iterative dip-steering median filter for seismic data processing
An iterative dip-steering median filter is provided for random noise attenuation in seismic data where conflicting dips are indicated in the data. A number of dominant dips inside a processing window or sample of the data are identified by a Fourier-radial transform in the frequency-wavenumber domain. A median filter is then applied along the dominant dip to remove noise, and the remaining signal after filtering is retained for further median filter iterations. Iterations are repeated to apply the median filter along the most dominant dip in the remaining data. The processing continues in subsequent iterations until all selected dips have been processed. The remaining signal of each iteration is then summed for final output.
US09429660B2 Single antenna GPS measurement of roll rate and roll angle of spinning platform
System and method for determining the roll rate and roll angle of a spinning platform. The IQ amplitude and/or phase characteristics of GPS signals received at a single receiver antenna are measured using the signals output directly by a correlator that is driven at the satellite tracking frequency used for forming the navigation solution. The roll rate and roll angle are determined in real time by a Roll filter, which is preferably an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) employing probabilistic data association, whose inputs include the measured IQ characteristics and the navigation solution. Data from non-GPS measurement sources is optionally provided to update the navigation and/or roll solution.
US09429647B2 Classifying wireless signals
The present disclosure discloses a system and method for. classifying Wi-Fi signals from Fourier transform samples. Generally, classifying Wi-Fi signals from Fourier transform samples includes: collecting and dividing Fourier transform samples into frequency blocks; determining the bandwidth for the Fourier transform sample; and determining whether the Fourier transform sample corresponds to a narrowband signal. Further, if a determination is made that the Fourier transform sample does not correspond to a narrowband signal, channel utilization is calculated based on a determination that the FFT sample corresponds to a Wi-Fi signal. If it is determined that the Fourier transform sample corresponds to a narrowband signal, then a determination is made that the FFT sample corresponds to a Wi-Fi signal based on certain criteria. The certain criteria may include one or more of a slope value, a number of sub-peak bins, an analysis of adjacent channels, characteristic matching, or other criteria.
US09429646B2 Receiving circuit, semiconductor device, and sensor device
A receiving circuit (10) includes an amplifier (15) which amplifies receiving signals (SP, SN) of a piezoelectric sensor (2), and a plurality of transistors (11a, 11b) or (12a, 12b), which are connected in parallel to between one end of the piezoelectric sensor (2) and one end of the amplifier (15), and are turned on with phase shift when switching is performed to receiving operations.
US09429645B2 Programmable wavelet tree
An apparatus is provided. In the apparatus, a demultiplexer is configured to receive an input signal, and each of a plurality of sample buffers are coupled to the demultiplexer. A first multiplexer is coupled to each of the sample buffers. A filter is coupled to the first multiplexer. A bypass delay circuit is coupled to the first multiplexer, and a second multiplexer is coupled to the filter and the bypass delay circuit.
US09429644B1 Subaperture clutter filter with CFAR signal detection
The various technologies presented herein relate to the determination of whether a received signal comprising radar clutter further comprises a communication signal. The communication signal can comprise of a preamble, a data symbol, communication data, etc. A first portion of the radar clutter is analyzed to determine a radar signature of the first portion of the radar clutter. A second portion of the radar clutter can be extracted based on the radar signature of the first portion. Following extraction, any residual signal can be analyzed to retrieve preamble data, etc. The received signal can be based upon a linear frequency modulation (e.g., a chirp modulation) whereby the chirp frequency can be determined and the frequency of transmission of the communication signal can be based accordingly thereon. The duration and/or bandwidth of the communication signal can be a portion of the duration and/or the bandwidth of the radar clutter.
US09429637B2 Interventional MR imaging with motion compensation
A method of magnetic resolution (MR) imaging of a moving portion of a body of a patient placed in an examination volume of a MR device. For the purpose of enabling improved interventional MR imaging from acquiring a MR signal data with motion compensation, the invention proposes that the method includes repeated acts of collecting tracking data from an interventional instrument introduced into the portion of the body, subjecting the portion of the body to an imaging sequence for acquiring one or more MR signals therefrom, wherein parameters of the imaging sequence are adjusted on the basis of the tracking data, and reconstructing one or more MR images from the MR signal data set.
US09429634B2 MRI coil design with volumetric trough-shaped coil elements
A coil for a magnetic resonance imaging device consists of multiple coil elements arranged about an imaging space. Each coil element comprise radiating structures oriented at an angle to a tangent of the imaging space. Angling the radiating structures reduces mutual coupling between coil elements and enhances the penetration of the radio frequency field to the imaging space.
US09429633B2 Magnetic sensor utilizing rashba effect in a two-dimensional conductor
A magnetic sensor that utilizes Rashba effect to generate spin polarization. The sensor eliminates the need for a pinned layer structure and therefore, greatly reduces the gap thickness of the sensor allowing for greatly improved data density. The sensor includes a two dimensional conductor adjacent to a magnetic free layer, that can also be separated from the free layer by a non-magnetic, electrically insulating barrier layer and that can also be constructed with or without side shields. A current flow through the two-dimensional conductor in a direction parallel with the air bearing surface causes a spin polarization oriented perpendicular to the air bearing surface. The voltage output of the sensor changes with changing magnetization direction of the free layer relative to spin polarization in the two dimensional conductor.
US09429632B2 Magnetic position detection device
A distortion of a signal of a magnetic position detection device is reduced so that precise position information at a high degree of accuracy can be obtained. The magnetic position detection device 100 includes a magnetic movable body 10, a bridge circuit 20, a correction circuit 30, and a detection circuit 40. The magnetic movable body 10 is magnetized so that N-poles and S-poles alternately appear and has a region in which distances between the N-poles and the S-poles are constant. The bridge circuit 20 is formed of first, second, third, and fourth field detection portions 2R1, 2R2, 2R3, and 2R4. The correction circuit 30 is formed of fifth and sixth field detection portions 2R5 and 2R6. The detection circuit 40 detects a position of the magnetic movable body 10 on the basis of a differential output Vout of the bridge circuit.
US09429618B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device having function for detecting degradation of semiconductor device and method of driving the same
A semiconductor integrated circuit device having a function for detecting degradation of a semiconductor device and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes an NMOS transistor electrically coupled to a PMOS transistor and configured to constitute an inverter together with the PMOS transistor, a first stress application unit electrically coupled to the PMOS transistor and configured to apply stress to the PMOS transistor, and a second stress application unit electrically coupled to the NMOS transistor and configured to apply the stress to the NMOS transistor.
US09429616B2 Test method and test arrangement
A test method in accordance with one or more embodiments may include: providing a semiconductor device to be tested, the semiconductor device including at least one device cell, the at least one device cell having at least one trench, at least one first terminal electrode region and at least one second terminal electrode region, at least one gate electrode, and at least one additional electrode disposed at least partially in the at least one trench, wherein an electrical potential of the at least one additional electrode may be controlled separately from electrical potentials of the at least one first terminal electrode region, the at least one second terminal electrode region and the at least one gate electrode; and applying at least one electrical test potential to at least the at least one additional electrode to detect defects in the at least one device cell.
US09429608B2 Separation of capacitive touch areas
Methods and apparatuses for capacitive sensing are disclosed. In one example, a conductive material is arranged on the mobile device exterior surface outside of a capacitive coupling area undesirably coupling underlying electrodes beneath the surface.
US09429597B1 Phasing voltmeter using capacitive reactance
A phasing voltmeter having a dual input AC voltage measuring device in parallel with a series configuration of two high impedance high voltage resistors and two metering resistors. Shielding surrounds and isolates the voltmeter and is connected to the series configuration at a junction between the two metering resistors. The AC voltage measuring device measures the voltage across two voltage lines as well as the exact values of the stray AC capacitive charging currents associated with all high voltage sources. From these previously undesirable stray capacitive charging currents, a math processor in the voltmeter and in contact with two dual input measuring device receives input from between each resistor in the series, determines and displays the actual voltage across the conductors, its origin, the leading phase, lagging phase, phase sequence and phase rotation of the voltages on the AC conductors undergoing testing.
US09429588B2 Electromagnetic boat speedometer having removable electrodes
An electromagnetic speedometer for a boat having hull containing an opening includes an electromagnetic coil supported by the hull for establishing an electromagnetic field in the water adjacent the hull opening. A plurality of electrodes are supported by an arrangement that both closes the hull opening and supports the electrodes in engagement with the water adjacent the hull opening. The electrodes are connected by conductors with a velocity measuring circuit arranged above the hull interior surface. Preferably, the electrode support arrangement includes guide tubes supporting the electrodes for removal relative to the boat hull, thereby to permit cleaning of the electrodes. The guide tubes are closed by valves when the electrodes are removed from the assembly. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic coil is of the end-fired type, and in another embodiment, the electromagnetic coil is annular and is arranged above and below the hull.
US09429584B2 Antibody against insoluble fibrin
With the intention of providing an antibody which does not bind to fibrinogen and which has a high affinity for and a high specificity to insoluble fibrin, it is found that a site comprising the amino acids at positions 231 to 246 of the fibrinogen Bβ chain and a site comprising the amino acids at positions 232 to 246 of the fibrinogen γ chain are bound to each other in a fibrinogen molecule. Further, it is shown that when fibrinogen is converted to insoluble fibrin, the binding is released, and these sites are exposed. It is also found that antibodies obtained by immunization with these sites do not bind to fibrinogen and have high affinity for and high specificity to insoluble fibrin.
US09429581B2 IP-10 antibody dosage escalation regimens
In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating an Interferon gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10)-related disease in a subject, comprising: (a) administering to the subject a predetermined dosage of an anti-IP-10 antibody; (b) detecting the level of the anti-IP-10 antibody in a sample of the subject; and (c) if the level of the anti-IP-10 antibody from step (b) is below a threshold exposure level, increasing the dosage of the anti-IP-10 antibody in the subject such that the IP-10 related disease in the subject is treated. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides an isolated monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody, or an antigen binding portion thereof, which binds to the anti-IP-10 antibody MDX-1100.
US09429574B2 Cancer therapies and methods
The present invention provides an inhibitor of the ubiquitin-proteasome system for use in treating cancer in a patient, wherein the patient is assessed to establish that the cancer is associated with cells in which the functional activity of SMARCB1 is low or absent. In one embodiment, the patient has, or is suspected of having, breast cancer, an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) and/or a malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT). In one embodiment, the proteasome inhibitor is Bortezomib. Further aspects of the invention provide related uses and methods.
US09429568B2 Silaanthracene as a red and near infrared sensor and a method to manufacture such a sensor
Silaanthracene compounds and methods of producing silaanthracene compounds, in particular silaanthracene fluorophores for use as red or near infrared sensors, probes, dyes, and tags are provided.
US09429567B2 Method for screening substances having weight-regulating action
The present invention relates to a method for screening substances having weight-regulating action.
US09429565B2 Clonal analysis of functional genomic assays and compositions for practicing same
Methods of clonal analysis of functional genomic assays are provided. Aspects of the invention include transducing a population of target cells with a packaged viral effector library made up of a plurality of effector construct subsets, wherein each effector construct subset of the library includes a plurality of effector constructs having a common effector cassette linked to a distinct clonal barcode. Inclusion of distinct clonal barcodes in the effector construct subset allows for determination of the clonal representation of an effector construct subset in transduced target cells that exhibit a specific phenotype. Aspects of the invention further include compositions, e.g., libraries and components thereof, which find use in practicing the methods.
US09429564B2 System and method for eluting and testing substance from exhaled aerosol sample
A method recovering one or more nonvolatile compounds from an exhaled aerosol collected on an electrostatic filter membrane (205) comprises eluting the nonvolatile compounds from the filter with a polar solvent and collecting the eluate. The method is useful for processing samples collected from a portable breath analysis device comprising a sampling filter membrane for analysis.
US09429562B2 Apparatus for determining at least one evaluation parameter of a blood sample
The present invention provides a method for determining at least one evaluation parameter of a blood sample, comprising the following steps: providing (S4) at least one blood gas parameter; providing (S5) at least one hemostasis parameter; and determining (S6 . . . S10″) the at least one evaluation parameter as a function of the blood gas parameter and/or the hemostasis parameter.
US09429557B2 Method for producing web-like material
A method for the production and/or processing of a web-shaped material, particularly paper, with at least one measuring system which records m measurement values yik per measurement position over at least a portion of the width s of the web-shaped material at n different measurement positions within a fixed time interval Δt. The method is characterized in that the method includes determining a rational quality number Q, the value of which for a quality of the web-shaped material that is considered acceptable lies within an acceptance range which is to be empirically determined for the production process and which has a lower limit U and an upper limit O, where U and O are in each case rational numbers.
US09429550B2 Systems and methods for evaluating environmental aspects of shipping systems
According to various embodiments, package evaluation systems and methods are provided for evaluating the sustainability of packaging used in the shipment of goods. In particular, the package evaluation systems and methods are configured for performing package evaluations and managing and providing access to data resulting from package evaluations. The package evaluations are designed to assess, among other things, the ability of sample packages to prevent damage to their contents, the volumetric efficiency of sample packages, and the sustainability of the materials used to construct sample packages. In addition, the systems and methods are further configured for assigning a certification to an entity associated with the evaluated packages based on the results of the evaluation.
US09429545B2 System and method for non-destructive testing of railroad rails using ultrasonic apparatuses mounted within fluid-filled tires maintained at constant temperatures
A rolling search unit including an ultrasonic device and a heat exchanger mounted within a fluid-filled tire may be utilized to perform ultrasonic testing on an underlying railroad rail. The ultrasonic device may transmit or receive ultrasonic beams into or from the railroad rail, and the heat exchanger may be utilized to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the tire at a preferred level or within a preferred range. In such a manner, the results of testing obtained using the rolling search unit may be standardized regardless of the ambient temperature in the environment where the testing is being performed, and regardless of any heat gained or lost by the rolling search unit during operation.
US09429541B2 Gas sensor element, gas sensor and control system of gas sensor
In order to compensate for variation in output of sensor elements 10, there is provided a compensating resistor 220 that has a resistance value reflected by correction information. The resistor 220 is connected in parallel with a VS cell 245 through paired electrode leads 236 and 237 and paired electrode pads 232 and 233. The paired electrode leads 236 and 237 are placed at a position electrically isolated from solid electrolyte substrates 120 and 140.
US09429520B2 Enrichment and identification of fetal cells in maternal blood and ligands for such use
The present invention relates to enrichment and/or identification of fetal cells of a maternal blood sample using fetal cell specific ligands and/or fetal cell specific hybridization probes wherein the ligand or probes are directed to an endothelial/mesenchymal marker, e.g. CD105, CD146 or CD141, in a first round of enrichment and the ligand or probes, in a second round of enrichment, are directed to an epithelial marker, e.g. a cytokeratin, such as CK7, CK8, CK18 or CK19. Enriched or identified fetal cells may be subjected to steps of detection or diagnosis, wherefore the present invention enables non-invasive 5 prenatal diagnostics.
US09429517B2 Lighting device with expanded detection range
A lighting device with expanded detection range includes a housing, which receives a seat to which a detector is mounted and has a circumference along which LEDs are mounted to mount therein, a lens being fit to an opening formed in a top of the housing corresponding to the seat so that a distal end of the lens is exposed outside the housing; a light shielding hood having a top end extending to the housing and connected to the lens and a bottom fixed to the seat to block entry of external lighting; and a reflector assembly including a reflector that condenses a signal source arranged on a top thereof and having inside and outside reflection surfaces and further including a fixing sleeve fixed to a bottom thereof to couple with the detector.
US09429516B2 Device for optical coherence tomography
A device for optical coherence tomography (OCT) is provided. The device includes a light source for generating a sample beam incident on a matter and a reference beam for creating interference with the sample beam; a spatial light modulator enabling a plurality of ramp patterns for controlling an incident angle of the sample beam; and a diffraction grating for transmitting only a first diffraction component of the reference beam; whereby an image of the matter within a medium is captured by generating an interference image formed by the interference between the sample beam and the reference beam.
US09429515B2 Optical microscopy vapor-condensation-assisted device
A optical microscopy vapor-condensation-assisted device comprises an air blowing device, a vapor producing device and a guide pipe connected with each other in seal. One end of the vapor producing device is connected to the air blowing device, another end of the vapor producing device is connected to the guide pipe. The vapor producing device produces vapor. The air blowing device blows air through the vapor producing device into the guide pipe.
US09429509B2 Particle analyzer and particle analysis method
Particle analyzers are described that include a cell for receiving a particles-containing liquid; a light source for irradiating light onto the particles-containing liquid; a photo-detector for detecting optical information from particles in the particles-containing liquid and converting the optical information into an electric signal; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the particles-containing liquid; and a signal processing section for calculating an analysis result of the particles on the basis of an output of the photo-detector and an output of the temperature sensor. Particle analysis methods are also described.
US09429506B2 Apparatus and method of measuring effective porosity using radon
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of measuring effective porosity of various media such as rock or soil using radon that is an inert gas. An apparatus of measuring porosity according to the present invention includes: a gas component detector having two ports and configured to measure a concentration of a predetermined gas; a gas vessel having two ports and configured to accommodate the predetermined gas; a medium vessel having two ports and configured to accommodate a medium, of which the porosity is desirous to be measured; pipe lines connecting the ports of the gas component detector, the gas vessel and the medium vessel; and valves installed on the pipe lines.
US09429501B2 Method for treating a blood component containing sample
Provided is a treatment method for damaging an erythrocyte and a leukocyte while suppressing damage to cells other than blood cells present in blood. In an embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for treating a sample containing blood components, the method including mixing a sample containing blood components with a surfactant A, where the surfactant A is a nonionic surfactant represented by General formula R1—O-(EO)n-R2 (I).
US09429500B2 Methods, systems and devices for multiple single-cell capturing and processing using microfluidics
Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing. Reaction products may be harvested and/or further analyzed in some cases.
US09429495B2 System for measuring the image quality of an optical imaging system
Methods for measuring the image quality of a projection objective include providing a measuring structure on an image-side of the projection objective, providing an immersion fluid between the projection objective and the measuring structure, directing light through the projection objective and the immersion fluid to the measuring structure while shielding the measuring structure from the immersion fluid, detecting light transmitted by the measuring structure, and determining an image quality of the projection objective based on the detected light.
US09429488B2 System and method of magnetic shielding for sensors
A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor further includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil.
US09429486B2 Strain sensor using saw technology
A strain sensor for determining a strain experienced by a body under test in response to forces exerted on the body-under-test. The strain sensor comprises an interface member mounted on a surface of the body-under-test and a SAW sensor mounted on a surface of the interface member. The strain in the body-under-test is translated to strain in the SAW sensor and determined by the SAW sensor. The strain in the SAW sensor is responsive to the strain in the body-under-test.
US09429481B2 Apparatus and method for measuring total air temperature within an airflow
Total air temperature (TAT) measurement systems, apparatus, and methods for measuring TAT within an airflow are disclosed. A TAT within an airflow may be measured by (1) positioning a probe within an airflow, the probe including an airfoil and a wedge defining a single channel, the single channel including a temperature sensor; (2) receiving a portion of the airflow through the single channel; and (3) determining TAT for the received portion of the airflow using measurements from the temperature sensor.
US09429469B2 Apparatus and method for measuring optical component
An apparatus for measuring an optical component (160, 170, 190) of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a radiation source (130) configured to form a measuring beam in a measuring channel (140), wherein the measured optical component configured to be in a first position outside the measuring channel and in a second position in the measuring channel; a first detector (110) configured to receive beams in the measuring channel; a second detector (150) configured to receive beams in the measuring channel; at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to select at least one of the first detector and the second detector to receive beams in the measuring channel, the measuring channel (140) being integrated to a photometer or a fluorescence channel of the apparatus; receive a first beam, using the selected detector, in the measuring channel, wherein the measured optical component is in the first position; receive a second beam, using the selected detector, in the measuring channel, wherein the measured optical component is in the second position; and determine the characteristics of the optical component based on the first beam and the second beam.
US09429467B2 System for non-contact optical-power measurement
The present invention provides methods and systems for measuring optical power that require neither alterations to the optical fiber nor physical contact with the optical fiber, the system including an optical fiber configured to propagate an optical signal, wherein the optical fiber includes a core and at least a first cladding layer, wherein a portion of the optical signal scatters out of the optical fiber along a length of the optical fiber to form scattered fiber light; a detector system configured to receive the scattered fiber light along the length of the optical fiber and to output a detection signal based on the received scattered fiber light; and a processor configured to receive the detection signal and to determine a power value of the optical signal based on the received detection signal.
US09429466B2 Distributed acoustic sensing systems and methods employing under-filled multi-mode optical fiber
An illustrative distributed acoustic sensing system includes a multi-mode optical fiber cable for distributed sensing and a distributed acoustic sensing interrogator coupled to the multi-mode optical fiber cable via a single mode optical fiber. The interrogator derives distributed acoustic measurements from Rayleigh backscattering light that is initiated with a substantially under-filled launch configuration that is designed to excite only the lowest-order modes of the multi-mode optical fiber. Mode conversion within the multi-mode optical fiber is anticipated to be negligible. For elastic scattering (i.e., Rayleigh scattering), it is further anticipated that the scattered light will be primarily returned in the incident propagation mode, thereby escaping the extraordinarily large coupling loss that would otherwise be expected from coupling a single-mode optical fiber to a multi-mode optical fiber for distributed sensing. Experiments with graded index multi-mode optical fiber have yielded positive results.
US09429454B2 Magnetic flowmeter
A magnetic flowmeter for measuring flow rate of a process fluid includes: a magnetic coil arranged to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. A pair of electrodes electrically couple to the process fluid and are arranged to sense a voltage induced in the process fluid related to the applied magnetic field and the flow rate of the process fluid. A flow tube of a non-conductive material is arranged to receive a flow of the process fluid therethrough. The flow tube carries the magnetic coil and the pair of electrodes. Flow meter circuitry applies a current to the magnetic coil and receives the voltage sensed by the pair of electrodes. A magnetic field spreader is positioned proximate the magnetic coil and is arranged to spread the magnetic field emanating from the magnetic coil and direct the magnetic field into the flow tube. An exterior wrapper extends around the assembly and completes a magnetic circuit.
US09429453B1 Method and system for managing water usage
A water usage device for sensing, measuring, collecting, and transmitting water usage data to a remote processing device via a cloud-based communication network and a system for and a method of monitoring and managing water usage in commercial and residential settings that include scheduling preventive maintenance based on current and accumulated water usage data and historical data correlating water usage to repairs.
US09429452B2 Method and apparatus for continuous online monitoring of a pulsating pump
There is described a method for continuous online monitoring of a pulsating pump. A first step involves monitoring discharge pressure patterns caused by each stroke of the pulsating pump. A second step involves using a computer processing unit to analyze each pressure spike in the discharge pressure patterns and arrive at derived calculations for stroke length, stroke frequency and flow rate. A width of the base of the pressure spike is indicative of pump stroke frequency and an area of the pressure spike being indicative of fluid pumped per stroke. The pump's stroke length and the pump flow rate is fluid pumped per stroke multiplied by stroke frequency.
US09429449B2 Sensor having multiple magnetic blocks of unevenly distributed magnetic fluxes in housing
A sensor having multiple magnetic blocks of unevenly distributed magnetic fluxes in a housing includes, sequentially connected, a sensing element, a power-assisted model processor (21), a digital-to-analog converter (27), and an operational amplifier (28). The sensing element includes a rotating disk (1) and an annular-groove fixing disk (40) fitted therewith. Multiple permanent magnetic blocks (2) are fixedly arranged on the rotating disk (1) in a circular-annular distribution, and at least two of the permanent magnetic blocks (2) are different in magnetic fluxes. On a certain side of the rotating disk (1), the magnetic polarities of all of the permanent magnetic blocks (2) on the certain side of the rotating disk (1) are distributed in a pattern of pole N, pole S, pole N . . . ; a Hall element (3) on the fixing disk (40) is arranged at a position which is close to the permanent magnetic blocks (2).
US09429446B1 Navigation device for the visually-impaired
A hand-held device for allowing the visually-impaired to navigate an environment includes a housing defining an interior space of the device. The device recognizes the position of objects in the environment external to the device and is programmed to determine a path through the objects. A speaker delivers audio instructions to a user of the device regarding the pathway through the objects. A method of navigating through such objects is provided by the device.
US09429444B2 Route determination system
An object providing a route determination system that determines a railroad route used by a user, without using a system of a railroad company, includes a distance calculation processing unit, a route identification processing unit, a speed calculation processing unit, and a route determination processing unit. The distance calculation processing unit calculates a distance from each of a plurality of pieces of positional information acquired by a mobile communication terminal that is used by a user. The route identification processing unit identifies a closest route on the basis of the calculated distances. The speed calculation processing unit identifies the pieces of positional information of which the distance to the identified route is shorter than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and calculates a moving speed between positions in the identified route to which the identified pieces of positional information correspond.
US09429440B2 Driving action determination for travel route exit event
Arrangements relate to determining a driving action for an autonomous vehicle. An exit event along a current road of a travel route of the autonomous vehicle can be identified. At least one forward vehicle between the autonomous vehicle and the exit event can be detected. A driving action to take relative to the at least one forward vehicle can be determined based on one or more inputs. Such inputs can include a determined availability or unavailability of passing the at least one forward vehicle and/or a determined sufficiency or insufficiency of distance between the at least one forward vehicle and the exit event. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the determined driving action. The driving action can be, for example, remaining behind the at least one forward vehicle, passing the at least one forward vehicle or prompting an occupant of the autonomous vehicle to select a driving action.
US09429439B2 Method and device for determining a vehicle position in a mapped environment
A method for determining a vehicle position of a vehicle to be located within a defined cruising range in a mapped environment is disclosed, wherein the vehicle position is determined by evaluating the position data of at least one predetermined component of the vehicle, and the position data are made available particularly by way of a plurality of position detecting sensors, which are fixedly arranged within the mapped environment.
US09429438B2 Updating map data from camera images
A method of updating map data entails capturing an image using a camera, determining a location of an object in the image, creating new map data to represent the object in the image, and updating a map database to include the new map data for the object in the image. This method may be implemented on a GPS-enabled wireless communications device having an onboard camera which can transmit the new map data to a map server for updating its map database. Determining the position of the object in the image relative to the wireless device may be accomplished using a rangefinder and compass, triangulation of multiple images of the object, or a stereoscopic camera. The accuracy of the GPS position fix may be improved by capturing images of recognizable objects for which location coordinates are available.
US09429430B2 Course creation support apparatus, computer readable storage medium, course creation support method, and course creation support system
A course creation support apparatus includes an acquisition module configured to acquire at least one of area information indicative of an area and landmark information indicative of a landmark, an identification module configured to identify a component of a circuit course based on the information acquired by the acquisition module, and a creation module configured to create a circuit course includes the component identified by the identification module.
US09429427B2 Inductive inertial sensor architecture and fabrication in packaging build-up layers
This invention relates to inductive inertial sensors employing a magnetic drive and/or sense architecture. In embodiments, translational gyroscopes utilize a conductive coil made to vibrate in a first dimension as a function of a time varying current driven through the coil in the presence of a magnetic field. Sense coils register an inductance that varies as a function of an angular velocity in a second dimension. In embodiments, the vibrating coil causes first and second mutual inductances in the sense coils to deviate from each other as a function of the angular velocity. In embodiments, self-inductances associated with a pair of meandering coils vary as a function of an angular velocity in a second dimension. In embodiments, package build-up layers are utilized to fabricate the inductive inertial sensors, enabling package-level integrated inertial sensing advantageous in small form factor computing platforms, such as mobile devices.
US09429424B2 Angular measurement tool
A right angle square includes a right isosceles triangle shaped right angle square with three sides. The three sides comprise a pitch edge, a hypotenuse, and another side. The right angle square also has a closed and arced angular measurement tube extending along a portion of a circumferential arc between the non-hypotenuse sides and the tube contains a fluid and a bubble that moved through the fluid. The right angle square also has a measurement scale. When the pitch edge is aligned against a slope to be measured, the bubble rises to the highest point in the tube, and the bubble is aligned on the measurement scale at a point along the measurement scale corresponding to the slope being measured.
US09429423B2 Ranging apparatus
A ranging apparatus includes a body, a substrate on which a sensor unit is mounted and fitted to a surface of the body, a sensor holder attached to the surface of the body and configured to hold the substrate, a lens unit attached to another surface of the body, and a positioning mechanism to position and connect the body, the surface and the sensor holder. The positioning mechanism includes first and second engaging parts which are provided between the body and the substrate and configured to engage the body and the substrate, and third and fourth engaging parts which are provided between the substrate and the sensor holder and configured to engage the substrate and the sensor holder. The first and second engaging parts are different in shape, and the third and fourth engaging parts are different in shape.
US09429419B2 Media-tracking system using deformed reference marks
A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A heat source provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently deform the receiver medium to form a reference mark. A light source illuminates the receiver medium, and a sensor is used to sense light from the light source that is transmitted through the receiver medium or reflected from the receiver medium thereby providing a sensed light level signal. The sensed light level signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium by detecting a change in the sensed light level signal that is characteristic of the physical deformation associated with the reference mark.
US09429417B2 Touch and motion detection using surface map, object shadow and a single camera
A method for receiving user inputs in a system comprising a projector and a camera is provided. The method is based on determining an object's height above a reference surface. A surface map is used for mapping a location on the reference surface and a corresponding location in a camera-captured image having a view of the reference surface. In particular, a camera-observed shadow length, i.e. a length of the object's shadow observable by the camera, estimated by using the surface map, is used to compute the object's height above the reference surface (a Z coordinate). Whether or not the object touches the reference surface is also obtainable. After an XY coordinate is estimated, a 3D coordinate of the object is obtained. By computing a time sequence of 3D coordinates, the motional information, such as velocity and acceleration, is obtainable.
US09429408B1 Collapsible container for fluid-jet generation
A fluid-jet-generating container for a flowable material includes a one-piece open-ended body having eight sides and eight corners. Each of the eight corners is defined by a V-notch such that the open-ended body may define a collapsed state when the eight sides are disposed in two parallel planes, and may define a configured state with the eight sides arranged to define an open-ended U-shaped trough. End caps are sealed to the opposing ends of the open-ended body in its configured state.
US09429407B2 Lightweight polymer ammunition
One embodiment of the present invention provides a polymeric ammunition comprising: a substantially cylindrical insert; a substantially cylindrical polymeric middle body comprising a substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end opposite a substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end connected by a powder chamber, wherein the substantially cylindrical polymeric coupling end extends over the substantially cylindrical coupling element and covers an circumferential surface and into the primer flash hole aperture to form a primer flash hole; and a substantially cylindrical open-ended polymeric bullet-end component connected to the substantially cylindrical polymeric bullet-end and opposite a bullet-end aperture; a propellant at least partially filling the powder chamber; a primer inserted into the primer flash hole aperture; and a bullet frictionally fitted in the bullet-end aperture, wherein the primer, the propellant and the bullet form a sealed propellant chamber.
US09429394B2 Staple fiber conductive fabric
A fabric for protecting a wearer thereof from an energy weapon. The fabric is made of a plurality of coupled strands. Each strand is made from staple fibers. At least 30% of the staple fibers are an electrically conductive material for conducting electric current from an energy weapon that contacts or is adjacent to the fabric.
US09429391B2 Rifle scope handwheel kit
A kit for fitting a handwheel to a focussing control of a rifle scope is used to enlarge a focussing ring of the control, without having to remove the focussing ring from the control. The handwheel is secured by a headed bolt to a projecting stub shaft. The handwheel has a side plate supporting an outer rim that has a plurality of peripheral indentations to assist turning of the handwheel. The side plate has a central hole and a hub that projects axially from the side plate and defines a bore for receiving the stub shaft. The outer diameter of the hub is received within an outer end portion of the focussing ring. The hub has at least one abutment that co-operates with the stub shaft to inhibit relative rotational movement. A cap bolt extends through the hole to engage the stub shaft and secure the handwheel t the control.
US09429389B1 Multifunctional cases with locking mechanisms
Described herein is a multifunctional case that can be used for protecting and preventing unauthorized use of different types and sizes of objects, weapons, firearms, or other items. In one embodiment, the multifunctional case includes a first shell and a second shell that is coupled to the first shell. A locking mechanism is coupled to the first shell. An external handle (e.g., handle that is external to the multifunctional case) is coupled to the locking mechanism and causes the locking mechanism to lock and unlock the first and second shells of the multifunctional case based on movement of the handle. The multifunctional case is securely locked and unlocked with no external clips or latches.
US09429381B1 Firearm mounting bracket assembly
A firearm mounting bracket assembly includes an assembly mount bracket; an assembly mounting mechanism carried by the assembly mount bracket; and an accessory rail adaptor including an adaptor body carried by the assembly mount bracket, the adaptor body having a firearm attachment surface; an adaptor roller carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the firearm attachment surface; and an adaptor flange carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the firearm attachment surface and in spaced-apart relationship to the adaptor roller, the adaptor flange selectively moveable relative to the adaptor roller.
US09429380B1 Firearm suppressor with a heat anodization treatment
Embodiments of a firearm suppressor with a heat anodization treatment are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the firearm suppressor with a heat anodization treatment can include a firearm suppressor housing. The firearm suppressor housing can include an outer surface, an inner cavity, and an attachment mechanism that attaches the firearm suppressor housing to a barrel of a firearm. The firearm suppressor housing also can be treated with a heat anodization process to create a design that is a part of the firearm suppressor housing.
US09429379B2 Rimfire rifle
Semi-automatic rimfire rifles have a frame, a bolt operable to reciprocate within the frame, the bolt defining a bolt axis, the bolt defining a firing pin passage, a first firing pin portion received within at least a first portion of the firing pin passage, a second firing pin portion separate from the first firing pin portion received within at least a second portion of the firing pin passage, and the first firing pin portion being operable to contact the second firing pin portion such that the second firing pin portion discharges a cartridge in response to the first firing pin portion being struck by a hammer. The first firing pin portion may define a first firing pin axis aligned with the bolt axis. The second firing pin portion may have a nose portion that is offset from the bolt axis extending away from the first firing pin portion.
US09429371B2 Radiator systems
A system of spacecraft radiators comprising pre-formed thermal-transfer modules joined together by at least one solid-state welding process. Critical failure points are eliminated by forming the thermal-transfer modules as a single unitary piece, preferably by an extrusion process. The thermal-transfer modules allow the formation of larger radiator assemblies, which may comprise a wide range of sizes and physical geometries.
US09429361B2 Systems and methods for adaptive microwave drying of ceramic articles
Methods of reducing transient temperature variations in a microwave drying process for drying partially dried ceramic logs are disclosed. The methods include sending the logs through an output microwave dryer having multiple applicators, each applicator being capable of generating an adjustable amount of microwave power. A transient drying model is employed based on microwave-drying process parameters to determine a predicted log exit temperature at the output end of the output microwave dryer. The exit temperature of each log is measured. The transient drying model, which is used to control the amount of microwave power applied, is adjusted based on a difference between the predicted and measured log exit temperatures.
US09429355B2 Refrigerator
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a moving basket installed in a storage case provided in a door or main body of the refrigerator. The moving basket may be vertically movable within the storage case. A height of the moving basket may be adjustable by an operation mechanism, to efficiently utilize an inner space of the storage assembly.
US09429351B2 Demand air door heater for refrigerator
A refrigeration system includes a powered barrier or air door that controls air flow between refrigerated compartments. The powered door includes a powered actuator that is electrically connected to and in parallel with an electric heating element configured to melt ice and/or frost that could otherwise interfere with operation of the door. A switch determines if the door is opened or closed and a controller provides electrical power to the powered actuator and the electric heating element until the door shifts to the desired opened or closed position.
US09429339B2 Domestic gas-fired water heater condensing flue system
A domestic gas-fired water heater condensing flue system wherein in one embodiment a blower is secured at the outlet end of the flue pipe to direct the hot flue gases through an external heat exchange flue conduit. The external heat exchange flue conduit has a sealed water channel surrounding a narrow flue gas internal passage. Water from the bottom end of the tank is circulated in the external heat exchange flue conduit and release in the top part of the tank. In a further embodiment, an inverted U-shaped flue pipe is supported vertically in the water tank and the domestic water supply for the tank is disposed in a downward section of the flue pipe to pre-heat the water supply to the tank and cool the flue gases before being released to atmosphere. The water in the tank is heated by the upward and downward sections of the U-shaped flue pie.
US09429335B2 Adiabatic cooling unit
Mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can include allowing a first gas at a first temperature to enter a mixing chamber on a non-exposed side of an adiabatic cooling media and utilizing a first baffle to direct the first gas in a direction away from the adiabatic cooling media. Mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can also include allowing a second gas at a second temperature to enter the mixing chamber on an exposed side of the adiabatic cooling media and allowing the first gas and the second gas to mix in the mixing chamber creating a mixed gas. Furthermore, mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can include creating an inlet with the first baffle and a second baffle to direct the mixed gas away from the adiabatic cooling media and allowing the mixed gas to enter through the exposed side of the adiabatic cooling media.
US09429333B2 Humidifier
A humidifier including a storage chamber configured to store water, an electrolytic unit configured to electrolyze water, a first and second pipe to which the electrolyzed water is introduced, a first and second valve configured to open/close a fluid path of the first pipe and second pipe, a filter unit disposed at the first pipe and configured to filter the electrolyzed water, a humidification chamber configured to be supplied with water from one of the first or the second pipe, and a control unit configured to supply the filtered water to the humidification chamber at a humidification mode by controlling the first valve and supply the electrolyzed water to the humidification chamber at a sterilization mode by controlling the second valve, the humidifier further including a drainage hole and a drainage valve to open/close the drainage hole, and a tray to store the water being discharged through the drainage hole.
US09429332B2 Desiccant air conditioning methods and systems using evaporative chiller
A desiccant air conditioning system for treating an air stream entering a building space includes a conditioner, an air treatment unit, and a regenerator. The air treatment unit acts as an evaporative chiller in a warm weather operation mode to cool heat transfer fluid used in the conditioner. The evaporative chiller receives at least a portion of a dehumidified air stream exiting the conditioner and heat transfer fluid from the conditioner, and causes the portion of the dehumidified air stream to absorb water from a water source and thereby cool the heat transfer fluid. The regenerator receives liquid desiccant from the conditioner and absorbs water from the liquid desiccant.
US09429326B2 Combustor nozzle assembly, combustor equipped with the same, and gas turbine
A combustor nozzle assembly includes: a nozzle mounting base which blocks a combustor insertion opening formed in a turbine casing; a nozzle rod which passes through the nozzle mounting base and has a rod tip portion and a rod base end portion; an oil fuel pipe which is as a whole inserted into the nozzle rod, which has a pipe tip portion and a pipe base end portion, in which fuel is supplied to the inside through the rod base end portion, and which injects the fuel from the pipe tip portion through the rod tip portion; and an O-ring which is disposed in the rod base end portion and suppresses leakage of fuel to the pipe tip portion side between the inner periphery side of the nozzle rod and the outer periphery side of the oil fuel pipe.
US09429324B2 Fuel injector with radial and axial air inflow
A fuel injector includes: a pilot injector configured to spray fuel so as to form a first combustion region in a combustion chamber; and a main injector provided coaxially with the pilot injector so as to surround the pilot injector and configured to supply a fuel-air mixture that is a mixture of the fuel and air to form a second combustion region in the combustion chamber, wherein the main injector includes: a first inflow channel through which the air having a major flow component in an axial direction is taken; a second inflow channel through which the air having a major flow component in a radial direction is taken and which causes the air therein to meet the air from the first inflow channel; and a main fuel injecting portion configured to inject the fuel only to the second inflow channel.
US09429323B2 Combustion liner with bias effusion cooling
A system and method for improving the cooling to a portion of a combustion liner of a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The combustion liner is cooled by supplying air through a plurality of cooling holes arranged in axially spaced rows in an upper and lower portion of the liner. The cooling holes are spaced accordingly so as to direct additional cooling flow to an area of the combustion liner not receiving sufficient flow due to maldistributions of air from the compressor discharge.
US09429317B2 Wastewater evaporation apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for evaporating a liquid and incinerating pollutants present in the resulting vapor. The system includes a chamber for containing a liquid, a floatable pan in the chamber with at least one opening to allow a portion of the liquid to enter into a basin of the pan, a heating element at least partially sumergeable in the liquid in the basin of the pan for evaporating the liquid, and a blowing burner to incinerate pollutants present in the evaporated liquid.
US09429316B2 Burner arrangement and burner assembly
The invention relates to a burner arrangement comprising a fluid cooled copper block. Further, the invention relates to a burner assembly, a duct element, a gas circulating duct, and a metallurgical furnace comprising said burner arrangement. The burner arrangement (B) comprises a fluid cooled copper block (3) including a cooling conduit (4) for circulation of the cooling fluid, a first end (5) to which the burner unit (1) is releasably attached and a second end (6), and that the burner channel (2) extends inside the fluid cooled copper block (3) from the first end (5) to the second end (6).
US09429313B2 Steam generator
A steam generator (2) is described in which a combustion chamber has at least one combustion chamber wall formed by a plurality of longitudinal furnace tubes (10) for passage of an evaporatable flow medium, connected together in gas-tight manner by tube webs. As will be familiar different tubes are likely to be subjected to a heat input in use that varies when the combustion chamber is fired. The tube bores of the furnace tubes are larger where subject to higher heat input than where subject to lower heat input. In particular the tube bores of the furnace tubes are generally larger in the middle region of the combustion chamber wall than at the transversely peripheral regions of the combustion chamber wall.
US09429312B2 Component for electric power system and method of determining whether a power circuit in an electric power system is open or closed
A component is for an electric power system. The component includes: a user access panel; a first element for directing visible light; a second element for directing visible light, the second end of the first element facing the second end of the second element; a movable conductor structured to move between a first position and a second position; and a stationary conductor structured to engage the movable conductor. In the first position the movable conductor is disposed between the second end of the first element and the second end of the second element, thereby blocking visible light from passing from the first element to the second element. In the second position the movable conductor is not disposed between the second end of the first element and the second end of the second element, thereby permitting visible light to pass from the first element to the second element.
US09429309B2 Device for securing a source of LED light to a heat sink surface
A device for securing a source of LED light to a heat sink includes an LED light source engaging surface that is arranged and configured to engage at least a portion of the source of LED light and which is provided with an integrated force applying spring. Further, the device may include a continuous metallic path extending between the sources of LED light and the surface.
US09429306B2 DC LED module having bridge rectifying and filtering function
A DC LED module having bridge rectifying and filtering function includes: an insulation seat, formed with a first surface and a second surface, wherein a concave area is formed on the first surface, and an opening and at least one buckle slot are formed at a substantially central portion of the concave area; a reflection cup, formed with at least one buckle structure for being buckled with the at least one buckle slot of the insulation seat; a circuit board, installed with an LED light source, wherein the circuit board is fastened on the second surface of the insulation seat, and the LED light source is aligned with the opening; and a bridge rectifying and filtering member, disposed at the exterior of the insulation seat and electrically coupled to a power input port of the circuit board for providing a DC voltage to the circuit board.
US09429301B2 Semiconductor lighting devices and methods
Lighting device embodiments having a housing enclosing one or more interior volumes, along with a serviceable port in the housing to allow venting of one or more of the interior volumes, are disclosed. The lighting devices may further include internal venting paths to allow transfer of contaminating gases to the serviceable port, and a gas permeable pressure valve to allow transfer of contaminants from the interior of the lighting device. The pressure valve may be selectively permeable as a function of applied exterior pressure. The lighting device may also include one or more electronic circuit elements disposed in the one or more interior volumes, and a selectively permeable barrier element disposed in the housing having a first area exposed to one of the interior volumes and a second area exposed to a gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing to allow diffusion of browning contaminants from the one of the interior volumes to the gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing.
US09429299B2 Optical member with prisms
An illuminating apparatus includes a light source and an optical member that controls light distribution of light emitted from the light source in a forward direction. A plurality of prisms extending in one direction are provided on one principal surface of the optical member in regions on both sides when divided at a virtual plane that includes a reference axis. The plurality of prisms include reflecting prisms that reflect light from a light source that is disposed virtually on the reference axis and emit this light from the optical member. The light source is disposed such that its optical axis is shifted in one direction relative to the reference axis.
US09429291B2 Optical unit
An optical unit includes a lens through which light emitted from a light source enters from behind and the light emits frontward as an irradiation beam. A rotation lens moves periodically, and a front part is scanned with the irradiation beam, so that a predetermined irradiated region can be formed. The rotation lens may be configured such that the lens rotates about a rotation axis connected to a drive part and such that the direction of light, which emits from the light source and is then refracted when the light passes through the lens, varies periodically.
US09429288B2 Lighting film, web roll for lighting film, window pane, roll screen, and lighting louver
A lighting film 1 includes a base member 10 which has light-transmitting properties, a plurality of protrusion portions 11 which have light-transmitting properties and are formed on one surface of the base member 10 so as to be adjacent to each other, and a gap portion 12 which is formed between the protrusion portions. In the protrusion portion 11, a first end surface 11a on the base member 10 side or a second end surface 11b on an opposite side to the base member 10 is configured as a light incidence end surface, and a side surface 11c which comes into contact with the gap portion 12 is configured as a reflective surface of totally reflecting light which is incident from the light incidence end surface. The base member 10 or a member that is formed on one surface of the base member 10 and has light-transmitting properties is exposed in the gap portion 12.
US09429268B2 Dock charger with slidable connector
A dock charger includes a main body and a connector. The main body includes a rear surface and a bottom surface cooperatively defining a recess for receiving one end of an electronic device therein. The rear surface defines a first through opening. The connector is slidably received in the first through opening and able to slide out of the first through opening to connect with the electronic device.
US09429263B2 System and system elements for direct electrical heating of subsea pipelines
A device for high efficiency induction heating or direct electrical heating, DEH, of a number, M, Mε[1, N of a group of parallel subsea pipelines N, where Nε[2, ∞, and where a number of conductor cables, W, supplies electrical power from at least one top side power supply to M of the parallel subsea pipelines N, wherein the number of electric conductors, W, from the at least one top side power supply connected to the M pipelines is defined to be in the group Wε[N, N+1], where N, W and M are natural numbers.
US09429261B2 Plug connection for fluid lines and retaining part for such a plug connection
A plug connection having two intermateable coupling parts that can be releasably locked via a locking device. The locking device includes a radial retaining bar on each of the coupling parts and a retaining part with a circumferentially closed annular contour. In a preassembled state, the retaining is undetachably assembled on one of the two coupling parts. In an assembled state, the retaining part axially and radially encompasses the retaining bars of both coupling parts. The retaining part includes an elastically moving retaining section having a C-shaped section defined by two collars. The collars have different sizes and/or shapes such that one collar releases an adjacent retaining bar upon the radial elastic outward movement out of the assembled state. The other collar remains engaged behind the retaining bar of the other coupling part.
US09429246B2 Faucet with a monitoring device and a monitoring method thereof
A faucet includes a faucet body, a switch unit and a monitoring device. The switch unit is coupled rotatably to the faucet body. The monitoring device is mounted to the switch unit and includes an angle detector, a microprocessor and an alert unit. The angle detector is for detecting angular rotation of the switch unit, and is for generating angle information. The microprocessor is for receiving the angle information, for recording a cumulative time period within which the switch unit is in an open state, and for calculating an outflow value accordingly. The microprocessor generates an alert signal for the alert unit upon determining that the outflow value has reached a predetermined threshold.
US09429239B2 Gate valve
The present invention disclosed herein relates to a gate valve, in which only one driving unit is provided, thus obtaining a reliable structure, and although either a closing operation may be performed in such a way that the valve plate is moved from an opening position to an intermediate portion in a vertical direction, and then from its intermediate position to a closing position in a horizontal direction which is vertical with respect to the vertical direction, or an opening operation may be performed in the sequence reverse to the above mentioned sequence.
US09429224B2 Gearbox lubrication system
A high speed gearbox includes a housing which encloses a rotating gear and a volume which contains oil and air. The gear has an outer first surface exposed to the volume and has a second surface exposed to the environment. A vent arrangement includes first and second passages formed in the gear. The second passage extends axially part way into the gear and has an outer end exposed to the second surface. The first passage extends radially from the first surface to the second passage. A check valve is mounted in the second passage and permits one-way flow of air from the volume to the environment.
US09429223B2 Power transmission device
A power transmission device in which a motor and a reduction gear are connected through a fluid coupling, includes: a fan for reduction gear cooling provided at an input shaft of the reduction gear; and a protective cover configured to cover the fluid coupling, wherein the protective cover is provided with an air intake for the fan, and a guide unit that guides air drawn in from the air intake to the fan.
US09429221B2 Steering pinion for a steering system and method for the production thereof
Steering pinions and methods for producing the same are described. The steering pinion has a toothed section for meshing with a gear rack and a connection section for connecting to a steering shaft. The toothed section includes a toothed part and the connection section includes a connection part. The toothed part and the connection part are pressed together in a rotationally fixed manner.
US09429211B2 Drive system for a vehicle
A drive system for a vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine and a torsional vibration damping arrangement. The internal combustion engine is switchable between operating modes of different performance capability, and the torsional vibration damping arrangement comprises a flywheel mass arrangement and at least one deflection mass pendulum unit with a deflection mass carrier and a deflection mass arrangement supported at the deflection mass carrier such that it can deflect out of a basic relative position with respect to the latter by means of a deflection mass coupling arrangement.
US09429210B2 Device for transmitting or decoupling mechanical vibrations
A device for transmitting or decoupling mechanical vibrations between a first component and a second component with at least one of the first and the second components being free to vibrate in the at least one direction including: a planar coupling element, coupling the first and second components together, having a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface, and having a variably adjustable stiffness extending in the at least one direction; the planar coupling element, having planar dimensions with the planar coupling element being dimensionally stable along the planar dimensions and being elastic in a direction perpendicular to the planar surfaces; the first and second components are rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in the direction perpendicular to the planar surfaces and in which at least one of the components is free to vibrate for adjusting the stiffness.
US09429207B2 Cylinder apparatus including plated component and manufacturing method thereof
A steel base material (11) is subjected to a quenching step, a machining step, a plating step, and a tempering step to form a rod (4). In the quenching step, two axially spaced portions of the steel base material are quenched to form quenched portions (12 and 13). In the machining step, plastic working or cutting is performed on a portion of the steel base material between the two quenched portions to form a full-circumferential groove (4C1) in a machined portion 4C. In the plating step, the quenched portion (12) is not plated, but a region of the steel base material including the quenched portion (13) is plated to form a coating layer (16). In the tempering step, the quenched portions are tempered.
US09429189B2 Resettable downhole torque limiter and related methods of use
Disclosed is a torque limiter having driver mandrel and driven axially aligned mandrels, a piston movable into and out of an engaged position wherein the driver and driven mandrels are coupled together to transmit torque there between. Hydraulically locking the movable piston in an engaged position. Disengaging the hydraulic lock when during rotation when a specified torque magnitude is exceeded to allow relative rotation between the mandrels. Resetting the torque limiter by hydraulically locking the piston in the engaging position when relative rotation ceases or is reduced.
US09429188B2 Bearing assemblies, and related methods
Bearing components, bearing assemblies and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a bearing element includes a base layer and a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) layer comprising a plurality of PCD elements coupled with the base layer wherein each PCD element comprising a substrate and a diamond table. The plurality of PCD elements may be fit together to form a substantially continuous bearing surface. For example, the diamond tables may exhibit substantially square or rectangular geometries that are fit together to define the bearing surface. In other embodiments, the bearing elements may be spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the bearing element may include a single PCD element formed from a prefabricated PCD compact or cutting tool blank. Various bearing assemblies may incorporate such a bearing element including, for example, thrust bearings, journal bearings, and tilting pad bearing assemblies.
US09429185B2 Coupling rod of a turbocharger
A coupling rod (1) for a turbocharger has a first rod part (2) which has a ball head (3). The coupling rod (1) further has a second rod part (4) which has a joint socket (5) for holding the ball head (3). A guide element (8, 9) is arranged between an inner peripheral surface (6) of the joint socket (5) and an outer peripheral surface (7) of the ball head (3). The guide element (8, 9) has at least one spring tongue (10, 11) which bears against the outer peripheral surface (7). The guide element (8, 9) is connected to a support section (12, 13) which is supported on the inner peripheral surface (6).
US09429165B2 Bearing mechanism, motor, and blower fan
In a bearing mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a seal portion in which a surface of a lubricating oil is located is defined in a seal gap defined between an outer circumferential surface of a first tubular portion and an inner circumferential surface of a second tubular portion. The first tubular portion includes, in an area where the outer circumferential surface of the first tubular portion is in contact with the lubricating oil, a maximum outside diameter portion at which the outside diameter of the first tubular portion is greatest, an annular shoulder portion including a surface facing toward the surface of the lubricating oil and at which the outside diameter is smaller than at the maximum outside diameter portion, and an inclined portion at which the outside diameter gradually decreases from the annular shoulder portion toward the surface of the lubricating oil.
US09429160B2 Centrifugal pump and method of manufacturing centrifugal pump
A centrifugal blood pump reliably prevents blood from entering between an impeller and a shaft member. Pump 1 includes a pump chamber 24, a housing 2 including a blood inlet 25 and a blood outlet 26, an impeller 3 as a centrifugal force applying member rotatably encased in the pump chamber 24 and applying a centrifugal force to the blood Q by the rotation of the impeller 3. A support mechanism 4 supports impeller 3 rotatably with respect to the housing 2. The support mechanism 4 includes a rod-shaped shaft member 41 disposed at the rotation center of the impeller 3. Shaft member 41 and the impeller 3 are formed integrally with each other, as by insert molding.
US09429155B2 Tapered sound outlet vane pump
The invention relates to a vane cell pump comprising an electrical pump unit that has a pump chamber into and out of which a fluid can flow and also a rotor with a number of vanes to compress the fluid before flowing out from the pump chamber. The vane cell pump also comprises a sound-damping mechanism into which the fluid can flow after flowing through the pump chamber and that has a sound-damping cover attached to a part of the pump chamber and defining a sound-damping volume. A preliminary sound-damping mechanism with at least one preliminary sound-damping outlet from which the fluid can flow may be arranged within the sound-damping volume, wherein the preliminary sound-damping outlet has a cross-sectional profile tapering in the direction of fluid outflow.
US09429149B2 Polyetherimide pump
A positive displacement pump and methods of making a positive displacement pump having a component, the component having a density ranging from more than 0 to 3 g/cm3, a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than or equal to 150° C., and a yield strength retention greater than 90% after soaking in engine oil for 7 days at 150° C.
US09429146B2 Pressure intensifier
A pressure intensifier including reciprocating pistons located in respective piston chambers, and a valve mechanism which reciprocates corresponding to movement of the pistons. A pressurized fluid is received by the intensifier and is routed to the piston chambers via movement of the valve mechanism to drive the pistons for boosting pressure of an outgoing fluid. Thus, the pressure of the incoming fluid is used to boost the pressure of the outgoing fluid.
US09429137B2 Wind turbine system, an assembling method of a wind turbine system, an inspecting method of a wind turbine system, and an operation method of a wind turbine system
A wind turbine system includes blades which rotate by receiving wind, a nacelle which supports the blades and rotates with the blades, a main shaft for transmitting torque which is connected to the hub and is rotated by the rotation of the hub, and a generator which generates electricity using rotating energy of the main shaft, wherein the main shaft is connected to the hub inside the hub in the axial direction of the main shaft.
US09429134B2 Dual coil ignition system
A method of responding to a detected blowout in a coil ignition system is provided in this disclosure. The method includes receiving a characteristic regarding operation of a coil ignition system; determining a blowout condition exists for the coil ignition system based on the characteristic; and providing a command to the coil ignition system based on the determination that the blowout condition exists, wherein the command is structured to reduce a residual charge amount in the coil ignition system.
US09429133B2 Method and apparatus for generating an ion current between electrodes of a spark plug
The invention relates to a method for generating an ion current which occurs as a direct current between a central electrode and one or more side electrodes of a spark plug of a spark ignition engine which is supplied repeatedly with an ignition voltage from an ignition voltage source, wherein the spark ignition engine is assigned an engine control unit, which, in an engine cycle, determines for each spark plug a target ignition point and/or an activation point for the ignition voltage source before the target ignition point, and a second voltage source is provided, which delivers a second voltage for the generation of the ion current, wherein the second voltage source lying in the engine cycle for a first time interval Δt1, which is shorter than the duration of the engine cycle, is connected to the electrodes of the spark plug, and wherein the ion current flowing as a result of the application of the second voltage to the electrodes of the spark plug takes a path which avoids the ignition voltage source.
US09429130B2 Voltage control in a vehicle electrical system
A method for maintaining a predetermined voltage in a battery-supported vehicle electrical system during the operation of an electrical starter includes steps of operating the electrical starter on the vehicle electrical system during a first time phase in series with a limiting resistor, in order to limit the current flowing through the starter, and operating the electrical starter on the vehicle electrical system during a second time phase with a reduced limiting resistance, in order to increase a power converted by the starter. A transition from the first time phase to the second time phase is controlled on the basis of electrical parameters sampled during the first time phase at the limiting resistor.
US09429128B2 Method for adjusting stroke of fuel injection valve, and fuel injection valve
An objection of the present invention is to provide a fuel injection valve with a reduced variation in an injection amount and, in order to achieve this object, a method for adjusting stroke, the method being able to correct change in an amount of stroke caused by welding. In the method for adjusting the amount of stroke of a movable member of a fuel injection valve including a nozzle member having a seat face, a nozzle holder member to which the nozzle member is joined by welding, and the movable member having a valve seat portion for coming in contact with the seat face, the amount of stroke of the movable member is adjusted by plastically deforming a deformable portion provided to the nozzle holder member after joining the nozzle member and the nozzle holder member by welding.
US09429126B2 System and method for detecting short-to-ground fault
A method of detecting a resistive short-to-ground fault in an injector driver circuit is disclosed. The method includes determining if the injector driver circuit is in an inactive state and providing a pull-up resistor configured for connection to a low-side output of at least one fuel injector. The method further includes selectively enabling a pull-up voltage across the pull-up resistor only when the injector driver circuit is in the inactive state and determining an intersection voltage at a point between the pull-up resistor and the low-side output. The method further includes comparing the intersection voltage with a predetermined reference voltage. The method further includes disabling the injector driver circuit if the short-to-ground fault is detected at the low-side of the fuel injectors.
US09429124B2 Direct injection fuel pump
Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and system control pressure within a compression chamber so as to improve fuel pump lubrication.
US09429123B2 Vane pump
A vane pump includes: a rotor that is coupled with a rotation shaft to rotate; a plurality of vanes that are slidably held by a plurality of vane grooves which are disposed in a radiation direction in an outer circumferential portion of the rotor; a cam ring that is arranged to surround the rotor and the plurality of vanes; and a side plate that covers the cam ring and includes a supply unit which supplies a working fluid into the cam ring between the cam ring, an outer circumference of the side plate being recessed to a radially inner side of the rotation shaft to form the supply unit, in which an outer circumference of the supply unit and an inner circumference of the cam ring are shaped along each other.
US09429121B2 System having a fuel distributor and a holder
A fuel injection system for high-pressure injection in internal combustion engines includes: a fuel distributor; and at least one holder which is used for fastening the fuel distributor to an add-on structure. The holder includes a holder body which has a first layer, a second layer, and an elastically deformable damping layer. The first layer and the second layer are made from a metallic material. The elastically deformable damping layer is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The holder body is connected to the fuel distributor by laser welding. The damping layer is made of a visco-elastic material.
US09429118B2 Fuel pump module
A fuel pump module for a fuel tank having a plurality of fuel tank rooms includes a jet pump with a jet part, a suction part, and a swirling flow formation member that has relatively-small openings that are symmetrically disposed on a center axis of the jet part on one side of the member close to the suction part. The fuel passing through the openings are induced into a swirling flow that is injected into the suction part for transporting the fuel from one tank to an other tank. As a result, fuel may be efficiently transported from the one tank to the other tank without having a fuel pump in the one tank.
US09429114B2 System and methods for evaporative emissions leak testing
A method for a fuel system is provided, comprising: during a first engine-off condition, coupling a fuel tank to a fuel vapor canister, and indicating degradation based on a change in pressure at the fuel vapor canister, and during a second engine-off condition, coupling the fuel vapor canister to an intake of an engine, and indicating degradation based on a change in pressure at the fuel vapor canister. The first engine-off condition may include an absolute fuel tank pressure greater than a threshold, while the second engine-off condition may include an engine spinning unfueled. In this way, a vacuum or pressure may be applied to the fuel vapor canister during an engine-off condition without requiring a dedicated vacuum pump coupled to the fuel vapor canister.
US09429111B2 Failure detection device for exhaust recirculation apparatus of engine with supercharger
In an engine with a supercharger, a low pressure loop EGR apparatus includes a EGR passage to allow part of exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber of the engine to an exhaust passage to flow as EGR gas in an intake passage to return to the combustion chamber, and a EGR valve to regulate a flow of EGR gas in the EGR passage. The EGR passage has an inlet connected to the exhaust passage downstream of a turbine and an outlet connected to the intake passage upstream of a compressor. An ECU controls the EGR valve while the engine is in a predetermined operating condition, and determines whether or not the EGR valve is failed based on changes in intake amount in the intake passage during control of the EGR valve.
US09429109B2 Carburetor assembly
The invention relates to a carburetor assembly (10) for a two-stroke internal combustion engine, the assembly comprising a main intake passage (12) accommodating a throttle valve (30), an additional air passage (14) accommodating an additional air valve (50), a pivotable air valve lever (55) turning together with the air valve (50), and an interlock lever (35) turning together with the throttle valve (30). The interlock lever (35) is configured to be settable in an interlocked pivotal position, in which the throttle valve (30) is open to a certain degree in order to provide a start gas position of the throttle valve (30), wherein the interlock is arranged to be released if the interlock lever (35) is pivoted further in the opening direction of the throttle valve (30). The assembly further comprising a pivotable trigger lever (45) responsive to e.g. pulling of a throttle trigger and being operatively connected to the air valve lever (55). The pivotable trigger lever (45) is operatively connectable to the interlock lever (35) or a member that moves with the interlock lever (35) via an abutting engagement at predetermined relative positions of the trigger lever (45) and the interlock lever (35). Further, the trigger lever (45) is arranged to permit the interlock lever (35) to pivot away from the abutting engagement in the opening direction of the throttle valve (30) at least to an offset angle ( ) relative to the trigger lever (45), such that the interlocked lever (35) can be set in the interlocked position without affecting the pivotal position of the trigger lever (45).
US09429107B2 Solenoid autochoke for an engine
A choke system for an internal combustion engine includes a carburetor having an air intake, a choke valve disposed in the air intake, and a choke lever coupled to the choke valve, wherein the choke valve is movable between a closed position and an open position, a mechanical linkage coupled to the choke lever, and a solenoid attached to the carburetor and coupled to the mechanical linkage so activation of the solenoid moves the choke valve, wherein the solenoid is activated in response to activation of a starter system of an internal combustion engine, thereby moving the choke valve via the mechanical linkage to the closed position.
US09429104B2 Systems and methods for casting hybrid rocket motor fuel grains
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for casting hybrid rocket motor fuel grains. In one embodiment, a method for casting a rocket motor fuel grain can be provided. The method can include providing a positive image of a port made from at least one material. The method can further include disposing at least one fuel material around at least a portion of the positive image of the port. Further, the method can include removing the at least one material, wherein a negative image of the port is formed in the at least one fuel material.
US09429103B2 Variable area fan nozzle with wall thickness distribution
A method of controlling flutter of a fan nozzle includes, for a given design of a fan nozzle, determining a vibration mode that causes a flutter characteristic of the fan nozzle and, in response to the determined vibration mode, establishing a wall thickness distribution of at least one wall of the fan nozzle to include local thick portions and local thin portions that alter the flutter characteristic.
US09429097B2 Direct injection pump control
Methods are provided for controlling a solenoid spill valve of a direct injection fuel pump, wherein the solenoid spill valve is energized and de-energized according to certain conditions. An example control strategy is provided for operating the direct injection fuel pump when fuel vapor is detected at an inlet of the direct injection fuel pump. To ensure pump effectiveness during the presence of fuel vapor, the solenoid spill valve may be maintained energized for a minimum angular duration past a top-dead-center position of a piston in the direct injection fuel pump.
US09429088B2 Lean NOx trap desulfation process
A process for desulfation of a NOx adsorber in a diesel internal combustion engine exhaust system is disclosed, which comprises: determining an amount of post fuel (Q2) required to reach a relatively rich target exhaust air fuel ratio (AFRrich) on the basis of a measured air flow; determining a heating-contributing fuel value (ηQ2) required to reach or maintain a target desulfation temperature in said NOx adsorber by way of an exothermal reaction; calculating a target air flow (Airtgt) corresponding to the air flow required for a substantially stoichiometric combustion of a torque-contributing main fuel quantity (Q1) together with said heating-contributing fuel value (ηQ2); and causing the engine to inject said post fuel amount (Q2) and said main fuel quantity (Q1) while controlling the air flow to meet said target air flow (Airtgt).
US09429085B2 Airflow control systems and methods using model predictive control
A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. A first constraint module selectively sets a predetermined range for first one of the target values. The MPC module limits the first one of the target values to within the predetermined range.
US09429080B2 Method for controlling a motor-vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine having a system for variable actuation of the intake valves
A motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine having a system for variable actuation of the intake valves has a phase of activation of an operating mode with the engine off and the vehicle moving, in which the fuel supply to the engine is cut-off. After the cut-off of the fuel supply to the engine, the system for variable actuation of the intake valves is controlled to vary the opening time and/or closing time and/or the lift of the intake valves so as to control the losses due to the pumping effect which occur within the engine in cut-off condition.
US09429079B2 Method and apparatus for detecting combustion conditions in combustors of a sequential combustion gas turbine engine
In a method for operating a gas turbine (10), a CO2-containing gas is compressed in a compressor (13), the compressed gas is used to burn a fuel in at least one subsequent combustion chamber (14, 18), and the hot combustion gases are used to drive at least one turbine (17, 21). Improved control and performance can be achieved by measuring the species concentration of the gas mixture flowing through the gas turbine (10) at several points within the gas turbine (10) by a distributed plurality of species concentration sensors (22; 22a-1; 23), and utilizing the measured concentration values to control the gas turbine (10) and/or optimize the combustion performance of the gas turbine (10).
US09429073B2 Hyperstatic truss comprising connecting rods
A hyperstatic truss including connecting rods, used for suspension of a first ring, forming part of an engine case, inside a second ring concentric to the first ring, the connecting rods being secured at one end to the first ring and at the other end to the second ring. The tensile stiffness of the connecting rods is greater than the compressive stiffness thereof. The truss for example can be used for suspension of a ducted-fan turbine engine with an elongate bypass duct.
US09429070B2 Turbine engine starting system
System and method for starting a turbine engine are disclosed. These systems and methods for starting a turbine engine may be located on a vehicle, such as such as a Class 8 vehicle, equipped with a turbine engine as the prime mover or as a generator in a hybrid powertrain. In that regard, a fluid forcing device may be employed to start the turbine engine, such as an electric pump/compressor. The fluid forcing device may already be located on the vehicle for other purposes, and can include an electrically powered steering pump (also referred to as an electric pump) or an electrically powered air brake compressor (also referred to as an electric compressor). In order to start the turbine engine, the output of the electric pump/compressor drives an associated fluid circuit, which in turn, supplies fluid over a portion of the turbine shaft, wheel or scroll in order to impart rotational motion thereto. The rotational motion imparted to the turbine shaft, wheel or scroll aims to start the turbine engine. Once started, the output of the electric pump/compressor is either inhibited or redirected to power other devices, such as one or more vehicle accessories (e.g., steering gear, air brakes, power take off (PTO), air conditioner, etc).
US09429069B2 Open brayton bottoming cycle and method of using the same
According to one embodiment, an open brayton bottoming cycle includes a heat exchanger configured between a compressor and an expander. The heat exchanger is configured to receive heat from a heat source and supply at least a portion of the exhaust heat to an expander using a fluid. The compressor configured to supply compressed fluid to the heat exchanger. The expander has a shaft connected to the compressor and configured to supply energy to the compressor. At least one of the compressor or the expander has an efficiency greater than 80 percent.
US09429066B2 Subchamber type combustion chamber for diesel engine
A subchamber type combustion chamber for a diesel engine, which reduces fuel consumption rate and combustion noise. To achieve the object, a subchamber type combustion chamber is communicated with a main combustion chamber through a nozzle hole, a fuel injection nozzle faces into the subchamber, and a glow plug extends into the subchamber. A heat generating portion of the glow plug includes a rod-shaped portion and a projecting portion projecting from an end of the rod-shaped portion. The projecting portion is provided with a convex curved surface projecting from a circular peripheral edge at the end of the rod-shaped portion while the convex curved surface is reduced in diameter. The percentage of value P/D obtained by dividing projection dimension P of the projecting portion from the end of the rod-shaped portion by diameter dimension D at the end of the rod-shaped portion is 3% to 23%.
US09429061B2 Method for metering a reducing agent into an exhaust-gas treatment device, exhaust-gas treatment device and motor vehicle
A method for metering reducing agent to an exhaust gas treatment device having a feed point and an SCR catalytic converter converting nitrogen oxide compounds in the exhaust gas, includes at least: a) calculating the following target conversion rates indicating what fraction of the nitrogen oxide compounds in the exhaust gas can be converted by the catalytic converter: a first rate determined from the power output of an internal combustion engine; a second rate determined from the mass flow of nitrogen oxide compounds in purified exhaust gas; and a third rate determined from a ratio of quantities of nitrogen oxide compounds upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter; b) selecting the lowest rate; c) determining the dosing quantity of reducing agent for the selected rate; and d) dosing the determined dosing quantity into the exhaust gas treatment device. An exhaust-gas treatment device and a motor vehicle are also provided.
US09429059B2 Enhanced real-time ammonia slip detection
Various systems and methods are described for detecting ammonia slip. In one example method, an exhaust system with two NOx sensors uses transient responses of the NOx sensors to allocate tailpipe NOx sensor output to NOx and NH3 levels therein. An ammonia slip detection counter with gains is included that determines a probability of NOx and NH3 based on the measured sensor activities that are further processed by a controller to adjust one or more parameters based on the allocation and changes of sensor output.
US09429058B2 Mixing devices for selective catalytic reduction systems
A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system includes an exhaust pipe for receiving an exhaust gas from an engine. A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit is provided downstream of the exhaust pipe. A first mixing element including a meshed body defines a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of openings extending from the first surface to the second surface. The first surface and second surface are parallel to each other and define an angle relative to a flow direction of the exhaust flow. The angle is less than 90 degrees.
US09429057B2 Method and an apparatus for warming a catalyst in an internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine which is provided with a fuel injector which injects fuel into a cylinder, an exhaust purification catalyst, and a secondary air feed device which feeds air to an engine exhaust passage. First catalyst warm-up control performs stratified combustion to retard an ignition timing, while second catalyst warm-up control feeds air to the engine exhaust passage. A first temperature range of engine cooling water at which the first catalyst warm-up control is performed and a second temperature range of engine cooling water at which the second catalyst warm-up control is performed are set. The second temperature range is set to be included inside the first temperature range.
US09429056B2 NOx reducing device
Provided is a NOx reducing device which is capable of effectively protecting a NOx controller against heat and water, while suppressing an increase in cost of a construction machine and deterioration in assemblability of the NOx controller. The NOx reducing device comprises a device body, a tail pipe provided at an outlet end portion of the device body, a NOx controller, and a mount table supporting the device body. The mount table comprises a top plate and a leg supporting the top plate. The device body and the tail pipe are provided on an upper side of the top plate. The NOx controller is provided with respect to a lower surface of the top plate in such a manner that the NOx controller is entirely covered from thereabove by the top plate.
US09429055B2 Method for purification of exhaust gas from internal-combustion engine
Provided is a method for extending a temperature range enabling combustion of high concentration hydrocarbon, or for rapidly supplying high temperature gas to a later stage catalyst. Provided is a method for purification of exhaust gas from an internal-combustion engine comprised by: providing a temperature-raising catalyst for exhaust gas from an internal-combustion engine in an exhaust gas passage of the internal-combustion engine, along flow of said exhaust gas, at the upstream side of a purification catalyst for said exhaust gas; and introducing hydrocarbon in an amount of 1,000 to 40,000 ppm, as converted to methane, from the upstream side of the temperature-raising catalyst, wherein said temperature-raising catalyst has catalytically active components supported onto a refractory three-dimensional structure, wherein concentration of said components has a gradient such that said concentration gradually becomes lower from the inflow side toward the outflow side of said exhaust gas.
US09429053B2 Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust gas cleaning unit
A method for operating an internal combustion engine having an exhaust emission control unit with at least one exhaust emission control component which acts catalytically and/or by filtration involves operating the internal combustion engine, during a cold start or warm-up of the internal combustion engine, using a cold start engine operating process with predefined values for predefined internal combustion engine operating variables. The cold start and/or the warm-up of the internal combustion engine is controlled or regulated as a function of soot loading of a particle filter of the exhaust emission control unit.
US09429052B2 Muffler
A muffler (1) for an exhaust system of a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine, includes a gas-tight housing (2), a partition wall (31) inside the housing, an inlet pipe (51), a first outlet pipe (61), a switchable second outlet pipe (7) and a resonator pipe (8). The a partition wall (31) divides the housing's interior into a first volume (41) and a second separate volume (42). The inlet pipe and the first outlet pipe (61) and the second outlet pipe and the resonator pipe are in fluid communication with the first volume. The resonator pipe provides fluid communication between the first volume and the second volume. The second outlet pipe passes through the second volume. The second outlet pipe is surrounded, in a circumferential direction, by the resonator pipe in a section in which the second outlet pipe penetrates the partition wall.
US09429050B2 Camshaft phaser
A camshaft phaser, including a stator (1) that can be driven via a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, and a rotor (2) that can be non-rotatably joined to a camshaft of the internal combustion engine, and a torsion spring (5) that has helical windings and that acts between the rotor (2) and the stator (1) and whose first radially inner end (7) is directly or indirectly joined to the rotor (2), and whose second radially outer end (8) is directly or indirectly joined to the stator (1), whereby a central, axially protruding pipe section (19) associated with the rotor (2) is provided, and the first end (7) of the torsion spring (5) is non-rotatably affixed with a positive fit to the pipe section (19).
US09429048B2 Support element for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, and method for production of support element
A support element for the valve train of an internal combustion engine, having a hollow cylindrical housing that holds a displaceable piston. The piston has a hollow cylindrical pressure part and a pot-shaped work part axially adjacent thereto. An inner space of these parts forms a storage space for hydraulic medium. A high pressure space is defined by a base of the work part and the housing. The storage space and the high pressure space are connected hydraulically by a non-return valve with a ball for automatic lash compensation of the valve train. The piston is supported by a compression spring on the housing base, and a retaining ring is arranged radially between the pressure part and the housing, which limits axial travel of the piston. The ball is movably held in the base of the work part in an axial ball guide having first and second integrally formed ball seats.
US09429047B2 Techniques for designing custom contoured rocker arm pads and custom contoured camshaft lobes
A computer-implemented method can include receiving a contact point path between a rocker arm pad and a valve tip. The method can include adjusting the contact point path to obtain a modified contact point path that satisfies a design objective of decreased valve tip wear or decreased valve tick. The method can include determining and outputting a custom contour for the rocker arm pad and the camshaft lobe based on the modified contact point path. The custom contoured camshaft lobe can companion with the custom contoured rocker arm pad to produce the modified contact point path for the specified design objective.
US09429041B2 Turbomachine component displacement apparatus and method of use
Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments an apparatus for displacing a component of a gas turbine from a first slot in a spacer disk includes a body including a mounting member configured to affixedly attach to a second slot of the spacer disk, a linear actuator coupled to the body and a displacement arm coupled to the linear actuator, the displacement arm actuatable in a first axial direction by the linear actuator to contact the component and displace the component relative to the first slot.
US09429038B2 Method for mounting shielding on a turbine casing, and mounting assembly for implementing same
A method and structure negating thermal inertia of a solid portion, such as shielding, which influences mechanical behavior of parts of an engine structure, by reducing forces transmitted to the engine structure during an event in which a turbine blade ruptures, while preserving mechanical strength and vibratory positioning. The structure includes a flexible fastener for a shield, enabling producing a fusible section. An assembly for mounting a shielding onto a casing of the engine structure of a turbine includes connection lugs and points for attachment to the casing and shielding. The attachment points are sufficiently spaced apart in accordance with curvature of the shielding and casing so connection between the lugs and the shielding or casing, and connection of the attachment points, are substantially tangential. The lugs are sized so the connection has sufficient flexibility to control vibratory positioning thereof and ensure sufficient mechanical strength under thermo-mechanical loads.
US09429030B2 Device for locking a root of a rotor blade
A device for locking a root of a rotor blade in a groove in a rotor disk of a turbomachine including: a circular ring sector configured to be mounted, transversely to the axis of the turbomachine, in a groove in the rotor disk; at least one locking wedge, which is rigidly secured and perpendicular to the ring sector, and extends parallel to the axis of the ring sector so as to hold the root of the blade radially in the groove; and at least one locking tooth extending from the ring sector radially with respect to the axis of the ring sector, so as to prevent the root of the blade from moving axially in the groove.
US09429029B2 Gas turbine blade and method of protecting same
An airfoil blade of a gas turbine engine includes a root configured for mating attachment with a cooperating rotor hub and an airfoil extending away from the root. The root is composed of a first metal and has a nanocrystalline metal coating, composed of a second metal, over at least a portion thereof. A method of protecting such a blade by applying a nanocrystalline metal coating to a portion of the blade root is also disclosed.
US09429027B2 Turbine airfoil tip shelf and squealer pocket cooling
An airfoil includes a pressure surface and a suction surface extending from a root section of the airfoil to a tip section of the airfoil. The airfoil also includes a leading edge and a trailing edge defining a chord length of the airfoil therebetween. The airfoil further includes a tip shelf formed along the tip section of the airfoil between the pressure surface and a tip shelf wall. The tip shelf wall is spaced between the pressure surface and the suction surface and the tip shelf extends from within 10% of the chord length measured from the leading edge to within 10% of the chord length measured from the trailing edge.
US09429025B2 Erosion resistant helicopter blade
A rotor blade including a main portion having a main portion leading edge shield; a main portion impact-resistant layer formed on a nose of the leading edge shield; a main portion erosion-resistant layer formed on a top and bottom of the main portion, rearward of the main portion impact-resistant layer; a main portion foil formed on the top and the bottom of the main portion rearward of the main portion erosion-resistant layer; a tip cap having a tip cap leading edge shield; a tip cap impact-resistant layer formed on a surface of the tip cap leading edge shield; and a tip cap foil formed on the top and the bottom of the tip cap rearward of the tip cap erosion-resistant layer.
US09429022B2 Steam turbine
A turbine includes an annular turbine blade body disposed on a flow path, a diaphragm outer ring installed at a tip side of the annular turbine blade body via a clearance, and seal fins formed to protrude from the diaphragm outer ring and configured to form small clearances with the annular turbine blade body, wherein dead water region-filling sections are formed in cavities in which main vortexes are generated, such that a dead water region that the main vortexes cannot reach is filled.
US09429003B2 Method for recovering methane gas from natural gas hydrate by injecting CO2 and air mixed gas
Methods for recovering methane gas from natural gas hydrates are provided. A representative method includes the step of adding a gas mixture containing air and carbon dioxide to a natural gas hydrate (NGH), the step of replacing the methane gas with the gas mixture, and the step of decomposition-replacement of methane hydrate.
US09429002B2 Systems and methods for adjusting operation of an ESP motor installed in a well
Systems and methods for controlling an ESP installed in a well. The ESP is operated at a first voltage, and the current actually drawn by the ESP motor is monitored and compared to an expected current. If the actual current differs from the expected current, the actual horsepower load on the ESP motor is determined by multiplying an expected horsepower load by the ratio of the actual current to the expected current. A load saturation curve for the actual horsepower load is determined, and a voltage is identified on this curve at which the corresponding current is minimized. The ESP motor is then operated at this new voltage to optimize the efficiency of the motor.
US09429000B1 Method and apparatus for dynamically controlling well flow
A system comprising a well flow optimization program and associated control equipment for monitoring changing variables and well conditions and dynamically performing adjustments to one or more established set points. The system is designed to work with a plunger lift system but is also functional on a well that is not running a plunger lift or any type of artificial lift system. The system is also capable of controlling open flow and open flow set points and sales flow and sales flow set points by means of a pneumatic flow control device. The disclosed system also minimizes the time that is needed to optimize a well by a producer/operator.
US09428993B2 System and method for controlling flow in a pipe using a finger valve
Described herein is a system and method for controlling flow in a pipe string using a finger valve. Specifically, the disclosure describes a finger valve comprising a base pipe and a sliding sleeve. The base pipe can comprise a finger port, one or more fingers; and one or more hinges, each of the hinges connecting one of the fingers to the base pipe. The sliding sleeve can comprise a sliding sleeve having a first sleeve with in inner surface comprising a void and a depressor. The first sleeve can be positionable in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the depressor can push the one or more fingers into a closed position. In the second position, the void can rest at least one of the one or more fingers, allowing the at least one of the one or more fingers to move into an open position.
US09428986B2 Disintegrating plug for subterranean treatment use
A disintegrating plug uses a setting tool to push a swage into the plug body that has external ribs that contact the wall of the surrounding tubular. The ribs retain the body to the surrounding tubular wall with frictional contact. Some leakage may ensue but in fracturing some leakage does not matter if enough volume under the right pressure reaches the formation. The sheared member during the setting comes out with the mandrel that is part of the setting tool. In an alternative embodiment one or more o-rings are used to seal while anchoring is assisted by the hardened insert(s) that can be snap fitted in using rib flexing or that can be a c-ring that is expanded and snapped in. The o-ring(s) are axially spaced from the insert(s).
US09428984B2 Drive off method from subsea well with pipe retention capability
This invention involves a method of securing pipe (also referred to as a “string of tools”) when driving off a subsea well or sealing off a well in onshore applications where there is an emergency by grabbing the pipe before it is cut. A pipe ram then is closed on the pipe before a shear ram is actuated to cut the pipe. In subsea applications, the top of the pipe may then be raised clear of the blowout preventer within a marine riser. A blind ram and annular preventer can then be closed above the remnant of the pipe being retained by the pipe catcher. The pipe above the cut is removed through the marine riser and the marine riser itself is then disconnected. The rig is then driven off the well. If the well is reactivated the steps are reversed but the well is safely secured before the blowout preventer components are opened. The pipe supported by the catcher is independently supported before the catcher is released and the pipe lifted through the riser.
US09428980B2 Hydraulic/mechanical tight hole jar
A jar comprises a housing including an anvil. In addition, the jar comprises a mandrel telescopically disposed within the housing and including a hammer. Further, the jar comprises an annular chamber radially positioned between the mandrel and the housing. Still further, the jar comprises an actuation assembly disposed in the annular chamber. The actuation assembly includes a first collet disposed about the mandrel, a first trigger sleeve disposed about the first collet and adapted to releasably engage the first collet, and a first biasing member adapted to exert an axial force on the mandrel. Moreover, the jar comprises a lock assembly disposed in the annular chamber. The lock assembly includes a second collet disposed about the mandrel, a second trigger sleeve disposed about the second collet and adapted to releasably engage the second collet, and a second biasing member adapted to exert an axial force on the mandrel.
US09428971B2 Rock drilling unit and method of changing drill rods
A rock drilling unit and a method of changing drill rods in a rock drilling unit is disclosed. The rock drilling unit includes a feed beam, a retainer device, a rock drilling machine and at least one clamp. The clamp is operable without driving force of the drilling unit. The clamp has a space for receiving one single drill rod. The clamp is positioned at a side position, which is parallel to a drilling axis and is at a transfer distance from the drilling axis.
US09428960B2 Drilling unit
The invention relates to a drilling unit with a carrier vehicle with a hydraulic supply, a mast, a carriage which can be moved along the mast and a hydraulic cylinder for moving the carriage which comprises a cylinder housing, in which a piston with a piston rod is mounted so that it can be displaced. The piston rod is fixed to the mast and the cylinder housing to the carriage. The carriage is connected to the hydraulic supply and comprises at least one hydraulic connection. The hydraulic cylinder is connected via the hydraulic connection on the carriage to the hydraulic supply.
US09428955B2 Retractable wall system
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for erecting a retractable wall system. More particularly, this invention relates to a retractable wall system and its components which may be used to divide a room or space, create an acoustic barrier, create a freestanding structure, or provide an awning.
US09428947B2 Hinge mechanism and panel apparatus
In a state where a panel unit 53 is held at a storing angle with a projecting portion 15 of a click plate 13 fitted in a recessed portion 10 of a bracket 7, the back side of the projecting portion 15 and a pressing piece 20 of a friction plate 18 do not abut on each other, so that only a reaction force of the click plate 13 serves as a resistance. When the panel unit 53 starts turning, the projecting portion 15 abuts on the pressing piece 20 through the elastic deformation at the time when the projecting portion 15 moves out of the recessed portion 10 to get onto a sliding surface 9, so that a sliding resistance is obtained from the reaction forces of the click plate 13 and the friction plate 18 after abutment.
US09428931B2 Multi-functional utility mat
A multi-purpose mat comprises a circular flat body portion having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface comprises a structural fold pattern. The outer surface comprises a plurality of wing pockets extending from a peripheral edge and spaced at ninety degree intervals that may be folded into a plurality of interior pockets between the outer surface and the inner surface, a drawstring interwoven through a plurality of eyelets along the perimeter, a pair of webbing straps positioned at right angles to each other, and a pair of pole pockets below the pair of webbing straps, a bag clip and a bag handle. A functional strap and a plurality of tent poles allow the multi-purpose mat to be configured into a beach mat, a backpack bag, a surfboard carrier sling and a shade shelter.
US09428930B2 Easy fold layout hunting blind framework structure
An easy fold layout hunting blind framework structure comprises two upper supporting frames, a downwardly turning hinged joint control device, a front supporting frame, a rear supporting frame, and a front sustention stand which can be easily folded and developed for conveniently and rapidly usable in the hunting site.
US09428927B2 Pre-fabricated module for multi-dwelling housing units
A pre-fabricated module for multi-dwelling housing units decreases the building time to of the multi-dwelling housing units such as apartment, hotels, and condominiums. The pre-fabricated module is an amenities module which is inserted into a housing unit within the multi-dwelling housing units. Through a plurality of quick-connect couplings and a quick-connect electrical coupling the amenities module accesses a water source, a sewage outlet, and an electrical source from the housing unit in order to provide functional amenities to a tenant. The amenities module includes a kitchen and a bathroom mounted within an enclosure allowing the tenant to cook and maintain hygiene.
US09428925B2 Tool
A tool 1 comprises a handle and a tool blade mounted on the handle. The blade comprises a flexible web member 2 formed of a polymer and having two opposite generally flat side surfaces and a substantially straight free edge. A strip 15 of spring steel is fixed to the web on one side surface and extends along the outer part only of the web adjacent to the free edge thereof such that a portion of the web between the handle and the strip remains uncovered by the strip.
US09428915B2 Heated roof drainage raceway with self adjusting heating cable cavity
If roof top snow melt water is allowed to refreeze on the colder areas of the roof, an ice dam can be formed. A heated drainage path ensures this water is drained away from the structure's foundation. The various sheet metal raceway products disclosed contain spring-like folded members to securely press against the self-regulating heating cable, thereby maximizing the thermal conduction between the heating cable and the sheet metal raceways. The spring-like members of the raceways ensure a tight thermal contact to heating cables of different thicknesses. The spring-like members compensate for metal fatigue to provide a longer useful life of the installed system. The system also allows easy end of life replacement of the heating cable.
US09428906B2 Irregular tessellated building units
A building unit system includes discrete, irregular, non-geometric units, including first units and second units having a different size and shape than the first units. The first units and second units mate with one another to form a continuous surface without overlap between units or large gaps between units, resulting in a natural, custom fitted appearance such that a regular geometric pattern is not readily apparent.
US09428904B2 Modular joint barrier retainer assembly and method
A modular joint barrier retainer assembly, including: a barrier including one or more material layers; a retainer strip coupled to the barrier; and an anchor flange selectively coupled to the retainer strip at a first end of the anchor flange, wherein a second end of the anchor flange is configured to be selectively coupled to one or more of an expansion joint cover and a building substrate. The barrier is selectively disposed within an expansion joint or other gap of a building. The retainer strip is coupled to the barrier via one or more mechanical fasteners that are disposed through the one or more material layers and secured to the retainer strip. The anchor flange includes a hook portion that selectively engages a lip portion of the retainer strip. The anchor flange is selectively secured to the retainer strip via one or more mechanical fasteners.
US09428902B1 Bracket for multi-story buildings
A bracket for a single- or multi-story building is disclosed. The building can include horizontal building member, such as a sill plate, and a bracket comprising a base section and first and second arms extending transversely from the base section. The first and second arms can be spaced apart from one another. The base section can include an aperture. A pair of studs can be disposed between the first and second arms. An outer side surface of a first stud of the pair of studs can be connected to the first arm and an outer side surface of a second stud of the pair of studs can be connected to the second arm. A tie member, such as a threaded rod, can extend substantially parallel to and positioned between the first stud and the second stud and can pass through the opening of the base section and into the horizontal building member.
US09428900B2 Rough-in adapter
A drain assembly includes a drain body connected to a drain pipe such that the drain body is in fluid communication with the drain pipe; and a drain head assembly adjustably connected to the drain body such that the drain head assembly is in fluid communication with the drain body. The drain head assembly includes a shank adjustably connected to the drain body and a strainer assembly connected to the shank. The strainer assembly includes a strainer, an upper frame, and a lower frame connected to each other. The lower frame includes a connection feature that non-threadably and removably connects the strainer assembly to the shank. The drain assembly further includes a cover removably connected to the shank in a position over the shank and to at least partially define a void in a poured concrete slab around the shank.
US09428893B1 Drain trap
A drain trap comprising a lid and bowl where the lid further comprises a central inlet flow tube which discharges into the bowl at a distance above the inner surface of the base of the bowl. Fluid entering through the flow tube and into the bowl fills the interior until the water level reaches the discharge opening to exit from the drain trap. Water flow is in the annular space between the inner surface of the bowl and the exterior surface of the tube.
US09428887B2 Flushing water container system for flushing water of a mobile toilet
A flush water container system for the flush water of a mobile toilet (11), in particular of a mobile vacuum toilet (11), comprising a flush water container (43) having a flush water container inflow (44), characterized in that the flush water container (43) is designed to receive gray water from a washbasin (10), which in particular is a wash hand basin or a shower washbasin, and a metering device (41) is provided, which is in fluidic communication with the flush water container (43) and is designed to treat the gray water by feeding a descaling and/or bactericidal treatment agent, wherein the flush water container (43) is designed to release the treated gray water as flush water to the mobile toilet (11).
US09428884B2 Articulation covering complete range of steering angles in automatic articulation feature
An controller uses one of several transfer curves to map steering angle of an articulated machine to articulation angle. Because an articulated machine may have a range of steering angles that is much greater than the range of articulation angles, the controller uses one of several techniques to map the full range of steering angles to the full range of articulation angles. One technique involves multiple non-zero slope regions, another technique uses a less than one-to-one linear transfer function of steering angle to articulation angle.
US09428883B2 Construction machine including air cleaner
Provided is a construction machine including an air cleaner and allowing the air cleaner to be easily installed with no enlargement of an installed space while surely avoiding the interference with other structure. The construction machine includes: an air cleaner; a pipe connected to an exhaust port of the air cleaner; a seat plate on which the air cleaner and the pipe are mounted to form a subassembly; and a device including an upper surface on which the subassembly is mounted to form a device-assembly. The subassembly is allowed to be displaced between a first position apart from a first structure and a second position close to the first structure and apart from a second structure and to be fixed at each of the positions.
US09428882B2 Construction machine
Provided is a construction machine having a central foothold and a maintenance access passage with high safety. The construction machine includes an upper slewing body including: an upper frame, an engine compartment, a cabin on a right or left region of the upper frame, a central foothold immediately forward of the engine compartment and on a central region of the upper frame widthwise of the upper frame, and a maintenance access passage extending rearward while elevated to guide a worker from the ground forward of the upper frame to the central foothold on a side opposite to the cabin. Widthwise of the upper frame, an inward edge of an upper end portion of the maintenance access passage is located inward of one edge of the central foothold, to thereby form a transit zone between the maintenance access passage and the central foothold.
US09428879B2 Method for manufacturing a retaining wall from a rough soil-mix wall
Systems and methods for fabricating a retaining wall include an operation for making an untreated wall in the ground. This may be done by digging a trench in the ground and simultaneously mixing the ground in situ with a binder. Next may be a further operation for excavating a volume of ground adjacent to the untreated wall so as to uncover a surface of the untreated wall. Following that may be a further operation for treating the untreated wall during which a protective treatment substance comprising a polymer substance is applied to the surface that was uncovered in such a manner as to obtain a retaining wall of a thickness that is substantially equal to the thickness of the untreated wall.
US09428871B1 Original caution tape retainer
A unique flat designed caution tape retainer with diamond shape is disclosed. It can be snapped into the top of a traffic safety cone through its two bottom slits and it can hold a caution tape by slipping the caution tape through its side slit into its caution tape slot. Such caution tape retainer can be removed from the traffic cone easily or can stay on the top of the traffic cone when stacking traffic cones. This handy and simple caution tape retainer is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and it solves a persistent problem by neatly holding the caution tape in construction areas or traffic areas without damaging the caution tape or the traffic cone.
US09428869B2 Adjustable width trail paver
An adjustable width trail paver comprising a prime mover, an adjustable width paver, moveable and controllable materials conveyor, a controller, a base mold, and a trimmer; the control having pivot, tilt, raise, and fold features to move or control the materials conveyor around obstacles along the path to be paved; a prime mover with hydraulically telescoping frame; an adjustable width paver having interchangeable molds or hydraulically expanding pressure compensated side plates; and, methods for achieving continuous paving near or around obstacles along a path to be paved utilizing the adjustable width trail paver.
US09428866B2 Segmented railway regulator blade
A blade segment is provided for use on a railway regulator wing, and includes a blade body having a front surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side edge and a second side edge, the blade body having at least one mounting aperture. Each of the first and second side edges having an irregular configuration such that adjacent segments tightly and nestingly engage each other along complementary side edges as they are mounted upon the railway regulator wing.
US09428863B2 Roll and method for producing a roll
A roll for use in a machine for producing or finishing a web of fibrous material, such as a paper, paperboard or tissue web, has a roll core. At least one bonding layer is formed thereon and at least one ceramic layer is formed on the at least one bonding layer. The at least one ceramic layer at least partially is formed of an oxidic compound in the form of a mixed-oxide ceramic.
US09428862B2 Sheet manufacturing apparatus
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a defibrating unit which defibrates a defibration object including fibers; a cylinder unit which allows a defibrated material which is defibration-processed in the defibrating unit to pass through a plurality of holes that is on a cylindrical surface by rotating; a housing unit which covers the cylinder unit so that the plurality of holes is included therein; a supplying unit which supplies additive agents that bonds the plurality of fibers, on an outer side of the cylinder unit to an inner side of the housing unit; and a bonding unit which forms a sheet by bonding the fibers and the additive agents.
US09428858B2 Wire rope and method of constructing wire rope
A method of constructing a wire rope from plural outer strands and a core, the core having one or more core strands, each of the one or more core strands having plural core wires, the method comprising: swaging the core to laterally compress the core to an extent sufficient to cause concave deformation of at least some of the plural core wires; and closing the plural outer strands over the core to produce the wire rope.
US09428850B2 Process of making pan-based carbon fiber
Processes for producing carbon fiber, the filament thereof and pre-oxidized fiber are provided. In one embodiment, the gel spinning of polyacrylonitrile filament is achieved by using small-molecule gelling agent, and the carbon fiber obtained thereby is increased by 15% to 40% in tensile strength and by 20% to 35% in toughness. In another embodiment, the melt spinning process of polyacrylonitrile is conducted by using imidazole type ion liquid as plasticizer, the process reduces environment pollution, is suitable for industrial production and the fiber produced thereby is improved in its strength. In yet another embodiment, polyacrylonitrile pre-oxidized fiber is produced by melt spinning, so low cost and controllable pre-oxidization of polyacrylonitrile can be achieved. In a further embodiment, high strength carbon fiber is manufactured by using polymer thickening agent. In another further embodiment, low cost and controllable pre-oxidization of polyacrylonitrile is achieved by conducting pre-oxidization before spinning, minimizing skin-core structure, so as to produce high performance carbon fiber, and reduce the production cost of carbon fiber greatly.
US09428840B2 High strength, high heat resistance electrodeposited copper foil and manufacturing method for same
Task: To provide an electrodeposited copper alloy foil with large mechanical strength under normal conditions, and that does not easily degrade due to heat when heated to about 300° C.Resolution Means: An electrodeposited copper alloy foil that includes a metal that exists as an oxide in a solution at pH4 or less or an oxide of the metal, and a method of manufacturing same.
US09428839B1 Electrolysis stack device with adjustable operating capacity
A configuration for an electrolysis stack device with adjustable operating capacity, including a specially shaped polar panel, an electricity connector and a pressing connector. A connection part of the polar panel and a pressing connector ensure that the electrical current can flow smoothly from a power source, via the electricity connector, to the electrolysis stack and back to the power source. In various embodiments, a zigzag track may help an electricity connector move to the correct position to vary the operating capacity of the electrolysis stack device.
US09428828B2 Film forming method, film forming apparatus and control unit for the film forming apparatus
The invention reduces generation of particles. An embodiment of the preset invention includes a target holder (6) for holding a target (4), a power source (12) for applying a power to the target holder (6), a substrate holder (7), a first shutter (14) capable of opening and closing between the target (4) and the substrate holder (7), a second shutter (19) located closer to the substrate holder (7) than to the first shutter (14), and capable of opening and closing between the target holder (6) and the substrate holder (7), and a controller (con) for controlling the power source (12) and the first and second shutters (14), (19). The controller (con) applies a first power to the target holder (6) in the state where the first shutter (14) is closed, then opens the first shutter (14), and further applies a second power higher than the first power to the target holder (6) in the state where the second shutter (19) is closed.
US09428825B1 MCrAlY bond coat with enhanced yttrium
One or more embodiments relates to a method of producing an MCrAlY bond coat comprising an MCrAlY layer in contact with a Y—Al2O3 layer. The MCrAlY layer is comprised of a γ-M solid solution, a β-MAl intermetallic phase, and Y-type intermetallics. The Y—Al2O3 layer is comprised of Yttrium atoms coordinated with oxygen atoms comprising the Al2O3 lattice. The method comprises depositing an MCrAlY material on a substrate, applying an Y2O3 paste, and heating the substrate in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 400-1300° C. for a time sufficient to generate the Y—Al2O3 layer. Both the MCrAlY layer and the Y—Al2O3 layer have a substantial absence of Y2O3, YAG, and YAP phases.
US09428817B2 Footwear and other products incorporating cultured leather
A variety of products may incorporate cultured leather, which is produced in vitro. Examples of products that may incorporate cultured leather include footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, furniture, handbags or any other consumer or industrial product that commonly incorporates conventional leather or synthetic leather.
US09428815B2 HIV-1 reverse transcriptase codon deletion and its use in the management and treatment of HIV infections
The present invention provides an isolated HIV-1 mutant and isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising HIV-RT coding sequences harboring a novel mutation in the S68 codon, and in particular, deletions of the S68 codon. This novel deletion reduces the sensitivity of HIV to various nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Methods of using this mutation for selecting effective antiretroviral agents in vitro and in vivo, methods for monitoring infection progression in HIV-infected individuals and methods for avoiding the emergence of and/or to treat individuals infected with HIV comprising mutations, including deletions, at the S68 codon of HIV-RT are provided.
US09428813B2 DNA methylation analysis for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of adrenal neoplasms
Disclosed herein are methods for detecting, diagnosing and/or prognosing a malignant adrenocortical tumor. Also disclosed are methods of treating a malignant adrenocortical tumor, such as ACC. In some examples, the method of diagnosing and/or prognosing includes obtaining a sample comprising genomic DNA from a subject at risk of acquiring or suspected to have an adrenocortical tumor; isolating genomic DNA from the sample; and measuring the level of one or more methylated genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences in one or more of the adrenocortical genomic targets in the sample, wherein an increase in the level of methylation of the one or more genomic CpG dinucleotide sequences in the sample compared to a control indicates a malignant adrenocortical tumor.
US09428810B2 Detection of a target in a preservative solution
This invention relates to methods, articles and compositions useful in detecting target substances in an alcoholic preservative solution, and for identifying sensors useful for binding to such targets. The methods allow for the simultaneous performance of sufficient fixation of a sample and binding of a detectable sensor to a target of interest in the sample. In one aspect, a method is provided that comprises contacting a sample suspected of containing a target with a detectable sensor molecule known to bind to such target in an alcoholic preservative solution. The method maybe performed in multiplex form to permit simultaneous analysis of a plurality of targets. Methods for identifying a sensor capable of binding to a desired target in an alcoholic preservative solution are also provided. An alcoholic preservative solution comprising one or more such detectable sensors is also provided. Also provided is a sample comprising a bound sensor provided by such a process. Also provided are kits useful for such methods.
US09428794B2 Methods of depleting a target nucleic acid in a sample and kits for practicing the same
Provided are methods of depleting a target nucleic acid in a sample. The methods include contacting a target nucleic acid with two or more polymers that specifically hybridize to the target nucleic acid, and cleaving the hybridized regions of the target nucleic acid to deplete the target nucleic acid in the sample. Kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
US09428782B2 DNA polymerases with improved activity
Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.
US09428781B2 Oscillating amplification reaction for nucleic acids
One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method for amplifying a template of nucleic acid target sequence contained in a sample. The method includes contacting the sample with an amplification reaction mixture containing a primer complementary to the template of nucleic acid target sequence. A temperature of the reaction is oscillated between an upper temperature and a lower temperature wherein the change in temperature is no greater than about 20° C. during a plurality of temperature cycles. The template of nucleic acid target sequence is amplified.
US09428778B2 Method for producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid and other products
This invention relates to metabolically engineered microorganism strains, such as bacterial strains, in which there is an increased utilization of malonyl-CoA for production of a chemical product, which includes 3-hydroxypropionic acid.
US09428775B2 Transformant for production of lactic acid of high optical purity and method for producing lactic acid using the same
Disclosed is the biological production of lactic acid using a microorganism. A transformant capable of producing lactic acid of high optical purity at high yield, a method for the preparation thereof, and a method for producing lactic acid in a convenient and economically beneficial manner using the same are provided. The Zymomonas mobilis transformant can produce lactic acid of high optical purity at high yield without a stringent limitation to production conditions and a regulation of the intracellular metabolism pathway. Because it requires no additional separation and purification steps, the use of the transformant allows the production of lactic acid in a short process, resulting in a significant reduction in production cost, and avoiding the environment problems caused by precipitate wastes, which brings about environmental issues.
US09428771B2 Method for the oxidation of organic compounds
A method is described for the oxidation of organic compounds in which the organic compound that is to be oxidized is brought to reaction in an aqueous solution in the presence of cytochrome P 450, and wherein perfluorinated organic compound is added to the aqueous reaction mixture as activator.
US09428764B2 Methods for using artificial polynucleotides and compositions thereof to reduce transgene silencing
The materials and methods disclosed provide for polynucleotide molecules sufficiently divergent from polynucleotides naturally contained in plants, or polynucleotides previously introduced into plants as transgenes to permit trait stacking in plant breeding methods or plant transformation methods. The disclosure also provides for methods and compositions to detect the polynucleotides of the invention in plants.
US09428763B2 Plants having enhanced yield-related traits and a method for making the same
Nucleic acids and the encoded CER2-like polypeptides, At1g68440-like polypeptides or DEAD-box RNA helicase polypeptides are provided. A method of enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression of nucleic acids encoding CER2-like polypeptides or At1g68440-like polypeptides is provided. A method of enhancing yield-related traits in plants by reducing or substantially eliminating expression of nucleic acids encoding DEAD-box RNA helicase polypeptides and/or the activity of DEAD-box RNA helicase polypeptides in said plants is provided. Plants with modulated expression of the nucleic acids encoding CER2-like polypeptides or At1g68440-like polypeptides have enhanced yield-related traits relative to control plants. Plants with reduction or elimination of the expression of endogenous nucleic acids encoding DEAD-box RNA helicase polypeptides have enhanced yield-related traits relative to control plants.
US09428759B2 Methods for increasing the production of phenolic compounds from Theobroma cacao
Described herein are methods for enhancing the production of phenolic compounds from Theobroma cacao. For example, the devices and methods described herein increase the production of phenolic compounds from cocoa plants, which has industrial and economic value. The phenolic compounds produced by the devices and methods do not require the ultra purification that is common in conventional or commercial methods. The devices and methods described herein also enhance the growth rate of plants.
US09428752B2 Methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of beta-catenin by double-stranded RNA
This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing β-catenin target RNA and protein levels via use of dsRNAs, e.g., Dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) agents.
US09428749B2 Control of whole body energy homeostasis by microRNA regulation
The disclosure provides a method of regulating fatty acid or glucose metabolism in a cell by contacting the cell with a modulator of miR-208a and/or miR-208b activity or expression. The disclosure also provides a method of treating or preventing a metabolic disorder, such as obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, in a subject by administering to the subject an inhibitor of miR-208a and/or miR-208b activity or expression. Also provided is a method of enhancing or improving mitochondrial function and/or redox-homeostasis in a subject by administering to the subject an inhibitor of miR-208a and/or miR-208b activity or expression.
US09428745B2 Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain and variants thereof
The invention provides an isolated Methanothermobacter microorganism that is (a) a microorganism of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain UC 120910, deposited on Dec. 21, 2010, with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under ATCC® Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-11561, (b) a variant thereof, or (c) a progeny thereof, as further described herein.
US09428736B2 Vesicular stomatitis viruses
This document provides methods and materials related to vesicular stomatitis viruses. For example, vesicular stomatitis viruses, nucleic acid molecules encoding VSV polypeptides, methods for making vesicular stomatitis viruses, and methods for using vesicular stomatitis viruses to treat cancer are provided.
US09428732B2 Compositions and methods for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into primitive blood cells and uses thereof
Compositions and methods that employ various combinations of such factors as retinoic acid signaling inhibitors, antioxidants, BMP4, VEGF, prostaglandin E2 pathway stimulants, TPO, SCF, FLT-3, EPO, TGFβ1, p38 MAPK inhibitors, beta adrenergic receptor agonists, cell cycle inhibitors, RXR agonists, Cripto, and chromatin remodelers to drive differentiation of pluripotent stem cells towards primitive blood cells. Uses of such primitive blood cells are provided.
US09428730B2 Coatings and culture media for promoting neurogenesis in adipose tissue derived stem cells
Provided herein are coatings for stem cell cultureware comprising poly-L-ornithine and bovine fibronectin and methods for preparing coated stem cultureware comprising contacting cultureware with poly-L-ornithine and contacting the cultureware with bovine fibronectin. Also provided are stem cell culture media comprising epidermal growth factor, beta-fibroblast growth factor and N2 supplement.
US09428728B2 Carrier for undifferentiated cell culture and subculture method thereof
A colony (cell mass) proliferated under the undifferentiated state is obtained by using a carrier for cell culture in which two or more of a concavity having a porous body in a surface are arranged on a substrate surface in the form of a matrix, inoculating an undifferentiated cell on at least one concavity of the carrier for culture and carrying out culture.
US09428726B2 Modified host cells with efflux pumps
The present invention provides for a modified host cell comprising a heterologous expression of an efflux pump capable of transporting an organic molecule out of the host cell wherein the organic molecule at a sufficiently high concentration reduces the growth rate of or is lethal to the host cell.
US09428724B2 Bioreactor with feed and harvest flow through filter assembly
The present invention relates to a bioreactor and a method for operating a bioreactor which comprises a chamber (100) capable of receiving a liquid media, and a filter assembly (200) comprising a perfusion filter (210; 212; 214). The filter assembly (200) is disposed in the chamber (100) and the filter assembly (200) is free to move within the chamber (100). The filter assembly (200) comprises means for coupling a harvesting flow through said filter (210; 212; 214) and means for coupling a feed flow through said filter in an opposite direction compared to the harvesting flow. Through this arrangement, the clogging prevention of the perfusion filter can be improved.
US09428714B2 Method of increasing the performance of cationic fabric softeners
The present invention is method of boosting the performance of a cost-reduced liquid fabric softener comprising a quaternary surfactant fabric softener by adding a quaternary (meth)acrylic polymer that functions dually as a fabric softening active and a rheology modifier. In particular, poly[{2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl}trimethylammonium chloride], poly[{2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl}trimethylammonium chloride], poly[{3-(methacryloyloxy)propyl}trimethylammonium chloride], and poly[{3-(acryloyloxy)propyl}trimethylammonium chloride] provide synergistic fabric softening with quaternary surfactants to provide superior fabric softening scores from cost-optimized compositions.
US09428712B2 Perfuming compositions and uses thereof
The present invention relates to the field of perfumery. More particularly, it provides a perfuming composition capable of prolonging the release of a perfuming component into the surrounding environment when applied on a body surface. The composition comprises PPG-3 myristyl ether as a fragrance evaporation modulator in the presence of high amounts of ethanol. The invention also relates to consumer articles containing such compositions. It finally provides methods for the perfuming of a body surface and a method for increasing the long-lastingness of a perfuming component using these compositions.
US09428711B2 Chromatographic process for the production of highly purified polyunsaturated fatty acids
A process is provided for recovering a first polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) from a feed mixture including at least one additional fatty acid (e.g., a second fatty acid (FA)). The process optionally comprises: performing a main step of chromatographic separation using an aqueous organic eluent and collecting a first stream of eluent enriched in the first PUFA and a second stream of eluent enriched in the second FA; subjecting the second stream of eluent to a partial concentration step to obtain a concentrated portion including the second FA, and a depleted portion comprising eluent, but depleted of the second FA. The process also includes: at least partially recycling the depleted portion for use in the main step of chromatographic separation.
US09428706B2 Method for low-severity gasification of heavy petroleum residues
A method for co-producing a sulfur-containing raw synthetic gas and an essentially desulfurized solid residue from a sulfur-containing heavy petroleum residue feedstock, comprising feeding a bubbling fluidized-bed gasification reactor with the feedstock, and converting the feedstock to a raw synthetic gas by a partial oxidation reaction in the presence of water at a temperature at or below about 1000° C. and a pressure at or below about 10 atm, thereby also producing an essentially desulfurized solid residue, while the sulfur components are essentially comprised in the raw synthetic gas; and separately recovering the essentially desulfurized solid residue and the sulfur-containing raw synthetic gas.
US09428704B2 Direct aqueous phase reforming and aldol condensation to form bio-based fuels
A method comprises providing a bio-based feedstock; contacting the bio-based feedstock with a solvent in a hydrolysis reaction to form an intermediate stream comprising carbohydrates; contacting the intermediate stream with an aqueous phase reforming catalyst to form a plurality of oxygenated intermediates, wherein a first portion of the oxygenated intermediates are recycled to form the solvent; and contacting at least a second portion of the oxygenated intermediates with a condensation catalyst comprising a base functionality to form a fuel blend.
US09428703B2 Method and apparatus for the making of a fuel
A method (20) of making a fuel is disclosed. The method has a first step of exposing a liquid having biologically derived particles therein to an ultrasonic wave producing cavitation in the liquid and release of a precursor of the fuel from at least some of the particles into the liquid (22). The method also comprises the step of exposing the liquid with another ultrasonic wave insufficient to produce substantial cavitation in the liquid, the another ultrasonic wave providing a reaction between the liquid and the precursor to form the fuel (24).
US09428694B2 Liquid crystal medium
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal (LC) medium, to its use for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in LC displays, especially in LC displays of the PS (“polymer sustained”) or PSA (“polymer sustained alignment”) type, and to LC displays, especially PS or PSA displays, comprising said LC medium.
US09428690B2 Yellow-green to yellow-emitting phosphors based on terbium-containing aluminates
Yellow-green to yellow-emitting, lutetium aluminate-based terbium (Tb) containing phosphors for use in white LEDs, general lighting, and LED and backlighting displays are disclosed herein. The phosphor may further contain gadolinium (Gd). In one embodiment of the present invention, the phosphor comprises a cerium-activated, yellow-green to yellow-emitting lutetium aluminate-based phosphor having the formula (Lu1-xAx)3Al5O12:Ce wherein A is at least one of Gd and Tb and 0.1≦x≦1.0, wherein the phosphor is configured to emit light having a peak emission wavelength ranging from about 550 nm to about 565 nm, and wherein the phosphor contains at least some Tb.
US09428688B2 Phosphor composition
A method is disclosed for forming a blended phosphor composition. The method includes the steps of firing precursor compositions that include europium and nitrides of at least calcium, strontium and aluminum, in a refractory metal crucible and in the presence of a gas that precludes the formation of nitride compositions between the nitride starting materials and the refractory metal that forms the crucible. The resulting compositions can include phosphors that convert frequencies in the blue portion of the visible spectrum into frequencies in the red portion of the visible spectrum.
US09428680B2 Conductive silicone materials and uses
A curable silicone composition comprising a curable organosiloxane composition, copper-silver (Cu—Ag) core-shell particles, and hydrocarbon vehicle; the curable silicone composition being characterizable by: a concentration of the Cu—Ag core-shell particles of from 70 to 89 weight percent and a total concentration of silver of from 7.0 to 12 weight percent, all based on weight of the curable silicone composition; wherein the curable silicone composition has a concentration of the Cu—Ag core-shell particles and hydrocarbon vehicle such that the curable silicone composition remains curable to a conductive silicone material having a concentration of the Cu—Ag core-shell particles of from 88.0 to 92 weight percent and having a volume resistivity of less than 0.020 Ohm-centimeter measured according to Volume Resistivity Test Method, and a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to 2.9 Watts per meter*Kelvin (W/(m*K)) measured according to Thermal Properties Test Method.
US09428679B2 Flame-retardant benzoxazine-containing composition
The present invention relates to flame-retardant polymerizable compositions comprising at least one benzoxazine compound and particular phosphorus-containing polymers. The present invention further provides adhesives, sealants or coating materials comprising the polymerizable composition according to the invention, and polymerization products of said composition.
US09428678B2 Fast curing adhesive useful for bonding to glass
A composition comprising: a one part adhesive composition comprising a) one or more isocyanate functional components; b) one or more catalysts for the reaction of isocyanate groups with active hydrogen containing groups; c) one or more fillers which do not enhance the formation of voids during curing; d) one or more fillers having basic character; and a cure accelerator comprising: e) one or more liquid carriers; f) water; and g) one or more paste forming agents. The one part adhesive composition may be used alone where ambient temperature and humidities afford reasonably rapid cure rates. The cure accelerator may be used when temperatures and/or humidities are sufficiently low such that the cure rate of the adhesive alone is not acceptable for a particular use.
US09428675B2 Pressure-sensitive adhesive composition
Provided are a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, an optical laminate, a pressure-sensitive adhesive polarizing plate and a display device. When a particular block copolymer forming a micro phase separation region in a crosslinking structure is used, and a cohesive strength of the block copolymer is controlled, a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition having excellent physical properties required for an optical member, and particularly having excellent bending preventability, cuttability and pressure-sensitive adhesive durability may be provided. Such a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition may be used for optical uses, for example, to laminate various optical members, or apply an optical member to a display device.
US09428671B2 Starch-based hot melt adhesive
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides starch-based hot melt adhesive comprised of a composition including starch, a thermoplastic polymer, a tackifier, a plasticizer, and an adhesion promoter. The hot melt adhesive according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention contains about 25 to 55 weight % of the starch which is infinitely renewable biomass, and, thus, it is less harmful and more eco-friendly and has a reduced manufacturing costs and is less sensitive to exhaustion of petroleum-based resources, as compared with the conventional hot melt adhesive mainly containing a petroleum-based material. Further, the hot melt adhesive according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention imparts excellent adhesion strength and workability at the time of adhesion between different kinds of adherends such as a hydrophobic adherend and a hydrophilic adherend and can be applied to various fields such as packaging, bookbinding, construction, woodworking, and textile fields.
US09428668B2 Hydrophilic polymer composition and method of forming a hydrophilic polycaprolactone
A hydrophilic cross-linked ionic polycaprolactone polymer composition formed by the process of subjecting hydrophobic caprolactone or a hydrophobic caprolactone monomer to a source of ionizing radiation selected from the group consisting of an Electron Acceleration (E beam), Gamma II, Cobolt, X-ray or a source of UV radiation to form an ionic cross linked polycaprolactone polymer consisting of a soluble component part and an insoluble component part in a gel fraction % of soluble to insoluble parts, adjusting the duration of ionizing radiation and/or the intensity of the radiation until the concentration of the soluble component part is above at least about 65% by weight of the cross linked polymer wherein the cross linked polycaprolactone polymer is converted from a hydrophobic to a hydrophilic state. A coating of the hydrophobic polycaprolactone when in contact with water forms a boundary layer with very low contact angle.
US09428667B2 Member for vehicle and manufacturing process for the same
A member for vehicle according to the present invention includes a resinous substrate, and a protective film being formed on a surface of the resinous substrate partially at least. The protective film is made by curing a curing-type coating-agent composition containing: Component (A) (e.g., an isocyanuric ring-containing urethane (meth)acrylate compound) in an amount of from 20 to 80 parts by mass; Component (B) (e.g., an isocyanuric ring-containing tri(meth)acrylate compound free from any urethane bond) in an amount of from 10 to 70 parts by mass; Component (C) (e.g., a reaction product) between a colloidal silica and an alkoxysilane compound having a maleimide group) in amount of from 1 to 35 parts by mass; a radical-polymerization initiator serving as Component (D) in an amount of from 0.1 to 10 parts by mass; an ultraviolet absorber serving as Component (E) in an amount of from 1 to 12 parts by mass; and an organic solvent serving as Component (F) in an amount of from 10 to 1,000 parts by mass; with respect to a sum of the Component (A), the Component (B), and the Component (C) being taken as 100 parts by mass. Said protective film demonstrates excellent wear resistance and weatherability.
US09428663B2 Indirect printing apparatus employing sacrificial coating on intermediate transfer member
A sacrificial coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system. The sacrificial coating composition comprises a latex comprising polymer particles dispersed in a continuous liquid phase; at least one hygroscopic material; at least one surfactant; and water.
US09428661B2 Aqueous ink composition, inkjet recording method, and colored material
An aqueous black ink composition that can form black recorded images having excellent light resistance and water resistance, in particular, being hardly discolored by light. The aqueous ink composition contains, as colorants, at least both a compound represented by Formula (1) or its salt or a mixture thereof and a colorant having a maximum absorption wavelength λmax in a range of 560 to 680 nm and having a phthalocyanine skeleton. In Formula (1), R1, R2, R5, R6 and R7 each independently represent, for example, a hydrogen atom, a carboxy group, a sulfo group, or a nitro group; R3 and R4 each independently represent, for example, a hydrogen atom or a sulfo group; and n represents 0 or 1.
US09428652B2 Color changing aqueous coatings
This invention relates to color changing aqueous coatings which are stable at a pH greater than about 10.5.
US09428651B2 Fouling and stiction resistant coating
A fouling and stiction-resistant coating suitable for use with marine streamers is made from a silicone undercoat layer and a powdery topcoat layer. The powdery topcoat layer is preferably a non-toxic fluoropolymer which has a low surface energy, a high modulus, and which is not continuous. There may also be a primer layer below the silicone undercoat layer. The powdery topcoat layer is preferably arranged to be penetrable by the feet of barnacles that come into contact with it, with the silicone undercoat layer arranged such that the barnacles' feet that penetrate the powdery topcoat layer bond with the silicone undercoat layer. The powdery topcoat layer is preferably further arranged to peel away from the silicone undercoat layer when force is applied to the barnacles to remove them from the coating.
US09428649B2 Electrophoretic dispersion
The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic dispersion comprising pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, wherein said pigment particles comprises at least one polymer chain comprising a terminal thiocarbonylthio group, attached to the particle surface. The invention also relates to pigment particles suitable for use in an electrophoretic dispersion and methods for their preparation through a RAFT polymerization technique.
US09428648B2 Wheat gluten based compositions and articles made therefrom
Disclosed herein are wheat gluten based compositions having improved mechanical properties as well as articles formed therefrom, and methods of making the same. More particularly, the compositions also include fibrous reinforcing material and may be formed into a variety of products, including but not limited to particle board.
US09428647B2 Self-healing composite of thermoset polymer and programmed super contraction fibers
A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a thermoplastic polymer for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the thermoplastic polymer for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the thermoplastic polymer into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The thermoplastic can be fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.
US09428644B2 ASA graft copolymer composition
Disclosed are an ASA graft copolymer having a structure including a seed which comprises at least one compound of an aromatic vinyl compound, a vinyl cyan compound and an alkyl (meth)acrylate compound, a core which surrounds the seed and comprises alkyl acrylate, and a shell which surrounds the core, comprises an aromatic vinyl compound, a vinyl cyan compound and a crosslinking agent, and having suitably controlled thicknesses and refractive indexes of the respective layers, and an ASA graft copolymer composition comprising the ASA graft copolymer.
US09428639B2 Flocculant composition for dewatering solids laden slurries
Flocculant compositions containing a cellulosic compound, a superabsorbant polymer, and a flocculant, are useful for preventing the formation of an aqueous phase during the shipping of fly ash slurries.
US09428630B2 Water-in-oil polyacrylamide-based microemulsions and related methods
A water-in-oil microemulsion, including a polyacrylamide, a fatty acid, a surfactant, an oil continuous phase, and an aqueous discontinuous phase in the oil continuous phase. The fatty acid includes a tall oil fatty acid, oleic acid, or a combination of a tall oil fatty acid and oleic acid. The water-in-oil microemulsion contains 6 to 48 parts by weight of the polyacrylamide, 30 to 62 parts by weight of the fatty acid, and 20 to 44 parts by weight of the surfactant per 100 parts by weight of the polyacrylamide, the fatty acid, and the surfactant combined.
US09428621B2 Processing biomass
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US09428619B2 Interpolymers containing isobutylene and diene mer units
This disclosure relates to a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, wherein the at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to the diene block(s). The disclosure also relates to methods of making such block interpolymers. Also disclosed is a rubber composition comprising: (a) a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, and (b) a filler, wherein said at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to said diene block(s).
US09428602B2 (Meth)acrylic acid copolymer and method for producing same
Provided is a (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer containing, as structural units, a structural unit derived from a sulfonic acid (salt) group-containing monomer and a structural unit derived from (meth)acrylic acid (salt), the copolymer being capable of expressing an excellent effect on the dispersion of hydrophobic particles. Also provided is a method of producing such (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer. A (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer of the present invention contains: 1 mass % to 20 mass % of a structural unit (a) derived from an ether bond-containing hydrophobic monomer (A) represented by a specific structure; 1 mass % to 50 mass % of a structural unit (b) derived from a sulfonic acid (salt) group-containing monomer (B) represented by a specific structure; and 30 mass % to 98 mass % of a structural unit (c) derived from (meth)acrylic acid (salt) (C).
US09428600B2 Elastic diene terpolymer and preparation method thereof
The present invention relates to a long-chain branched elastic terpolymer capable of satisfying excellent processability and elasticity (flexibility) at the same time, which is obtained in the presence of a Group IV transition metal catalyst, and a preparation method thereof. The elastic terpolymer is a copolymer of ethylene, an alpha-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and a diene, wherein (i) its weight average molecular weight measured by GPC is 100,000 to 500,000, and (ii) x which is an ethylene content (% by weight) and y which is a crystallization temperature (K) of the copolymer measured when the ethylene content is X satisfy a relationship of 2.628x+100≦y≦2.628x+112.
US09428598B2 Amorphous propylene-ethylene copolymers
Amorphous propylene-ethylene copolymers are described herein that can include high amounts of ethylene and exhibit desirable softening points and needle penetrations. The desirable combinations of softening points and needle penetrations in these propylene-ethylene copolymers allow them to have a broad operating window. Due their broad operating window, the propylene-ethylene copolymers can be utilized in a wide array of applications and products, including hot melt adhesives.
US09428587B2 Antibodies to non-functional oligomeric P2X7 receptors and methods of use thereof
The invention relates to purinergic receptors, to antibodies and related fragments thereof for binding to said receptors, to production of said antibodies and fragments and to sue of said antibodies and fragments for cancer detection and therapy. In particular the antibodies described bind specifically to non-functional P2X& receptors expressed by live cells.
US09428570B2 Antibody molecules having specificity for human OX40
The invention relates to antibody molecules having specificity for antigenic determinants of human OX40, therapeutic uses of the antibody molecules and methods for producing said antibody molecules.
US09428565B2 Treatment and bioluminescent visualization using multimodal TRAIL molecules
Described herein are novel compositions comprising multimodal TRAIL agents and cells engineered to express such multimodal TRAIL agents, including cells encapsulated in a scaffold or matrix, for use in the treatment of disorders such as cancer.
US09428562B2 Production of glycoproteins with low N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NEU5GC) content
The present invention relates to a medium for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells, the medium comprising as (an) additive(s) DMSO, N-acetylmannosamine (NAcMan), N-acetylglucosamine (NAcGlc), or any combination of two or more of these additives, including the combination of NAcMan and NAcGlc.
US09428545B2 Process for isolation of plasma or serum proteins
The present invention provides a process for the isolation of one or more proteins from a protein solution. This process comprising the steps of: a) providing a protein solution comprising one or more specific proteins and having a preset pH and a preset ionic strength or conductivity, b) applying the protein solution to a packed bed or expanded bed column comprising an adsorbent, and c) obtaining one or more proteins) from the column; wherein the protein solution has been not supplemented with an alcohol.
US09428544B2 Method for purifying protein
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for eluting an adsorbed protein that suppresses a decrease in protein adsorption ability, in a method for purifying a protein using a protein-adsorbing porous membrane.The present invention provides a method for purifying a protein, comprising an adsorption step and an elution step, wherein in the elution step, at least one eluent is passed in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of the passage of a stock solution containing an adsorption target protein, in the adsorption step.
US09428540B2 Fatty acid esters of glucocorticoids as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents
The present invention relates to certain unsaturated fatty acid derivatives of therapeutically active glucocorticoides-fatty acid esters of glucocorticoids as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents and pharmaceutical formulations containing them.
US09428539B2 2β,3α,5α-trihydroxy-androst-6-one and preparation methods and use thereof
The present invention discloses compound 2β,3α,5α-trihydroxy-androst-6-one, having the structure of formula (I). The present invention also discloses a plurality of methods for preparing the compound and a use of the compound.
US09428531B2 Cyclic nickel-based complexes and their use in a process for the transformation of olefins
The invention describes a novel type of nickel-based complex and its preparation method. The invention also concerns the use of said complex in a process for the transformation of olefins.
US09428529B2 Process for purification of trivalent phosphorous ligands that can be used for preparation of catalysts
The present invention provides processes for purifying a trivalent phosphorous ligand that can be used for the preparation of catalysts for a hydroformylation process. In one embodiment, a process comprises: (A) contacting a trivalent phosphorous ligand, a contaminant metal, a first solvent, a polar complexing agent and a second solvent to form a mixture, (B) obtaining a first phase comprising the ligand and the first solvent, (C) obtaining a second phase comprising the second solvent and at least one complex of the contaminant metal and the polar complexing agent, and (D) separating the two phases prior to preparing a catalyst for use in a hydroformylation reactor.
US09428528B2 Phenicol antibacterials
The present invention provides novel phenicol derivatives, their use for the treatment of infections in mammals, pharmaceutical composition containing these novel compounds, and methods for the preparation of these compounds.
US09428527B2 Symmetric hyperbranched type silicone-modified polymerizable compound, and its modularized preparation method
A symmetric hyperbranched type silicone-modified polymerizable compound contains a compound represented by the following general formula (1). A hyperbranched type silicone-modified polymerizable compound has flexibility at the branched skeleton itself than the conventional ones, and reactivity of a polymerizable functional group is good and it is positionally and sterically symmetric, while it has a highly branched structure having siloxane chains. [(RARB)2CHOCH2]2CHORCcRD  (1) RA represents a monovalent linear, branched or cyclic siloxane chain; RB represents a divalent hydrocarbonylene methylene ether group represented by —CH2CRb1Rb2(CRb3Rb4)n1OCH2—, each of Rb1, Rb2, Rb3 and Rb4 may be the same or different from each other and represents a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may be bonded to each other, “n1” represents an integer selected from 0 to 10; RC, a divalent linking group; “c”, 0 or 1; and RD, an unsaturated polymerizable functional group.
US09428525B1 Tunable electrical conductivity in metal-organic framework thin film devices
A composition including a porous metal organic framework (MOF) including an open metal site and a guest species capable of charge transfer that can coordinate with the open metal site, wherein the composition is electrically conductive. A method including infiltrating a porous metal organic framework (MOF) including an open metal site with a guest species that is capable of charge transfer; and coordinating the guest species to the open metal site to form a composition including an electrical conductivity greater than an electrical conductivity of the MOF.
US09428520B2 Daphne genkwa extracts, and pharmaceutical composition containing fractions of the extracts or compounds separated from the extracts as active ingredients for preventing or treating atopic dermatitis
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of atopy comprising the extract of Daphne genkwa, the fraction thereof, of the compound isolated from the same as an active ingredient. More precisely, the extract of Daphne genkwa, the fraction thereof, or the compound isolated from the same, genekwadapnin or yuanhuacine, of the present invention can increase the secretion of cytokine in Th1 immune cells and suppress atopy in the atopy mouse model, so that the extract of Daphne genkwa, the fraction thereof, or the compound isolated from the same of the present invention can be effectively used for the prevention or treatment of atopy.
US09428514B2 Bromodomain inhibitors
The present invention provides for compounds of formula (I) wherein Y1, Y2, R1, R2, R3, A1, A2, A3, and A4, have any of the values defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as agents for the treatment of diseases and conditions, including inflammatory diseases, cancer, and AIDS. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprised of one or more compounds of formula (I).
US09428508B2 2,4-diamino-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,3]pyrimidine derivatives as FAK/Pyk2 inhibitors
The invention relates to a novel class of 2,4-diamino-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,3]pyrimidine derivatives as a FAK and/or Pyk2 inhibitor, to a process for their preparation, and to a composition thereof, as well as to use of the compounds for the inhibiting FAK and/or Pyk2 and method for the treatment of a FAK and/or Pyk2 mediated disorder or disease.
US09428507B2 Compounds for the treatment of malaria
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of malaria.
US09428501B2 Bicyclic nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic amide compound
Compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof: wherein the variables are defined herein, are useful for the treatment of breast cancer.
US09428481B2 Process for the preparation of 2 substituted tetrahydropyranols
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-substituted 4-hydroxy-4-methyltetrahydropyrans by reacting 3-methylbut-3-en-1-ol (isoprenol) with the corresponding alkenealdehydes in the presence of a strongly acidic ion exchanger with subsequent hydrogenation. Specifically, the present invention relates to a corresponding process for the preparation of 2-isobutyl-4-hydroxy-4-methyltetrahydropyran by reacting isoprenol with prenal, with subsequent hydrogenation.
US09428462B2 4-[-2-[[5-methyl-1-(2-naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]oxy]ethyl]morpholine hydrochloride amorphous solid forms
The present invention relates to solid forms having a low degree of crystallinity or substantially amorphous of the hydrochloride salt of 4-[2-[[5-methyl-1-(2-naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]oxy]ethyl]morpholine (P027) and processes for their preparation.
US09428458B2 Substituted pyridoxine-lactam carboxylate-salts
The present invention provides salt adducts comprising at least one positively charged moiety being a pyridoxine or a derivative thereof and at least one carboxylated 5- to 7-membered lactam ring, optionally additionally substituted, methods of their preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments comprising them. Salt adducts of the invention and compositions comprising them may be used to in the treatment of diseases or disorders associated with or inflicted by alcohol consumption.
US09428451B2 Cyclic process for the production of taurine from alkali isethionate
A cyclic process is disclosed for the production of taurine from alkali isethionate in a high overall yield by continuously converting the byproducts of the ammonolysis reaction, sodium ditaurinate and sodium tritaurinate, to sodium taurinate. Sodium sulfate and residual taurine in the crystallization mother liquor are efficiently separated by converting taurine into a highly soluble form of sodium taurinate or ammonium taurinate while selectively crystallizing sodium sulfate.
US09428444B2 Process for the preparation of levothyroxine sodium
The present invention provides a novel process for the preparation of highly pure Levothyroxine Sodium, i.e., (S)-2-amino-3-[4-(4-hydroxy-3, 5-diiodophenoxy)-3,5-diiodophenyl] propanoic acid sodium salt via two process intermediates viz 3,5-Diiodo L-Tyrosine copper complex and novel Bis (p-anisyl) iodonium Iodide. The invention also provides levothyroxine pentahydrate free from genotoxic impurities and liothyronine levels below 0.04% wt/wt.
US09428439B2 Hydrobenzamide derivatives as inhibitors of Hsp90
The invention provides an acid addition salt of a compound of the formula (1). Also provided by the invention are processes for preparing the compound of formula (1) and alkyl analogs thereof, novel intermediates for use in the process and methods for preparing the intermediates. The invention also provides new medical uses of compounds of the formula (1) and its ethyl analog.
US09428433B2 Control of the viscosity of reaction solutions in hydroformylation processes
The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the viscosity of reaction solutions in the hydroformylation of olefin-containing mixtures.
US09428430B2 Method for storing tetrafluoropropene and container for storing tetrafluoropropene
To provide a method for stably storing tetrafluoropropene filled in a container for e.g. storage or transportation, without occurrence of reaction such as polymerization.A method for storing tetrafluoropropene in a gaseous-liquid state composed of a gas phase and a liquid phase in a closed container, wherein the oxygen concentration (content) in the above gas phase is adjusted to at least 3 vol ppm and less than 3,000 vol ppm at a temperature of 25° C.
US09428420B2 Concrete composition and process
A concrete comprises in relative parts by weight: 100 of Portland cement; 0.25 to 9 of a defoamer; 0.001 to 6 of a surfactant; 0 to 230 of coarse gravel and/or fine gravel and/or shear enhancers; 0 to 85 of sand; 0 to 60 of a particulate pozzolanic or non-pozzolanic material or a mixture thereof having a mean particle size less than 15 micrometers; 0 to 80 of a particulate pozzolanic or non-pozzolanic material or a mixture thereof having a mean particle size between 15 to 88 micrometers; 0.3 to 18 of a water-reducing superplasticizer; 0 to 14 of polyethylene fibers; and 5 to 40 of water. An air mixing process using a tightly sealed mixing tool is used to thoroughly mix the constituents of the concrete before adding the water for curing. By adjusting relative parts in the composition, concretes of high and ultrahigh performance can be achieved efficiently.
US09428417B2 Composite substrate
Provided is a composite substrate, including a glass sheet and a resin sheet bonded to each other, in which the glass sheet has a refractive index nd of 1.55 or more and 2.3 or less and the resin sheet has a refractive index nd of 1.55 or more and 2.3 or less.
US09428412B2 Method for high efficiency reverse osmosis operation
A process for treatment of water. Hardness and non-hydroxide alkalinity are removed from feedwaters in amounts to substantially avoid scaling when concentrated. Sparingly ionizable components in the feedwater are urged toward increased ionization by increasing the pH of the feedwater, and, in an embodiment, up to about pH 10.5, or higher. In this manner, species such as silica become highly ionized, and (a) their rejection by membranes used in the process is significantly increased, and (b) their solubility in the reject stream from the membrane process is significantly increased. Sparingly ionized species such as boron, silica, and TOC are highly rejected, and thus, their passage through the membrane is reduced by a factor of ten or more. Recovery ratios of ninety percent (90%) or higher are achievable with many feedwaters, while simultaneously achieving a substantial reduction in cleaning frequency of membranes used in the process.
US09428410B2 Methods for treating a ferrous metal substrate
Disclosed are methods for treating and coating a ferrous metal substrate, such as cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, and electrogalvanized steel. These methods include contacting the ferrous metal substrate with an aqueous pretreatment composition comprising: (a) a Group IIIB and/or IVB metal compound; (b) phosphate ions; and (c) water. Also disclosed are off-shift methods of removing iron from the pretreatment bath.
US09428402B2 Method for producing finely divided haematite and for producing iron oxide red pigments
The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of finely divided haematite and of iron oxide red pigments made up of the finely divided haematite and the use of the finely divided haematites and iron oxide red pigments produced by this process.
US09428401B1 Separation of the rare-earth fission product poisons from spent nuclear fuel
A method for the separation of the rare-earth fission product poisons comprising providing a spent nuclear fuel. The spent nuclear fuel comprises UO2 and rare-earth oxides, preferably Sm, Gd, Nd, Eu oxides, with other elements depending on the fuel composition. Preferably, the provided nuclear fuel is a powder, preferably formed by crushing the nuclear fuel or using one or more oxidation-reduction cycles. A compound comprising Th or Zr, preferably metal, is provided. The provided nuclear fuel is mixed with the Th or Zr, thereby creating a mixture. The mixture is then heated to a temperature sufficient to reduce the UO2 in the nuclear fuel, preferably to at least to 850° C. for Th and up to 600° C. for Zr. Rare-earth metals are then extracted to form the heated mixture thereby producing a treated nuclear fuel. The treated nuclear fuel comprises the provided nuclear fuel having a significant reduction in rare-earths.
US09428392B2 Methods of enriching different species of carbon nanotubes
A method of enriching specific species of carbon nanotubes by exposing a composition of carbon nanotubes to an azo compound is provided. The method includes a) mixing the azo compound with a suspension comprising the composition of carbon nanotubes to form a mixture; b) incubating the mixture to react the azo compound with the carbon nanotubes; and c) separating a supernatant and a precipitate formed in the mixture. An electrode and a field-effect transistor comprising a single-walled carbon nanotube species enriched using the method are also provided.
US09428391B2 Method and apparatus for producing carbon nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes are grown by supplying raw material gas 30 comprising a carbon compound to be a raw material of the carbon nanotubes into the inside of a reaction vessel tube 14 in which a catalyst 26 to grow the carbon nanotubes is charged. At this time, halogen-containing material gas 32 to reduce the amount of a carbon product such as amorphous carbon produced besides carbon nanotubes that deposits on the surface of catalyst particles 44 due to supply of the raw material gas 30 is further supplied into the inside of the reaction vessel tube 14. Thereby, it is possible to produce elongated carbon nanotubes.
US09428383B2 Amphiphilic nanoparticle, composition comprising same and method of controlling oil spill using amphiphilic nanoparticle
An amphiphilic nanoparticle comprises a nanoparticle having a hydrophilic region comprising a hydrophilic functional group bonded to a first portion of a surface of the nanoparticle, and a hydrophobic region of a surface of the nanoparticle. A downhole fluid comprises the amphiphilic nanoparticle, and a method of controlling an oil spill using the downhole fluid are also disclosed.
US09428377B2 Methods and structures for thin-film encapsulation and co-integration of same with microelectronic devices and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
Methods and structures that may be implemented in one example to co-integrate processes for thin-film encapsulation and formation of microelectronic devices and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) such as sensors and actuators. For example, structures having varying characteristics may be fabricated using the same basic process flow by selecting among different process options or modules for use with the basic process flow in order to create the desired structure/s. Various process flow sequences as well as a variety of device design structures may be advantageously enabled by the various disclosed process flow sequences.
US09428370B1 Sheave and sheave system
A sheave comprising: a sheave body, the sheave body comprising: a groove; a sheave body outer diameter of ODH; a sheave bore, the sheave bore having a sheave body inner diameter IDHN, a sheave bore width of WSB and a sheave bore axis; a first circumferential surface that generally encircles the sheave bore on one side of the sheave body, and is generally orthogonal to the sheave bore axis; a second circumferential surface that generally encircles the sheave bore on an opposite side of the sheave body, and is generally orthogonal to the sheave bore axis; a two piece flanged adapter removeably and fixedly attached to the sheave bore, the two piece flanged adapter comprising: a first piece, the first piece comprising: a first piece adapter bore, with a first adapter bore inner diameter of IDSS; a first inner flange that generally encircles the first piece adapter bore; a first inner flange surface; a second piece; the second piece comprising: a second piece adapter bore, with a second adapter bore inner diameter of IDSS, and the second adapter bore IDSS is equal to the first adapter bore IDSS; a second inner flange that generally encircles the second piece adapter bore; a second inner flange surface, where when the two piece flanged adapter is installed in the sheave bore, the first inner flange surface abuts the first circumferential surface, the second inner flange surface abuts the second circumferential surface, and the first and second inner flange surfaces are orthogonal to the shave bore axis, the first piece adapter bore abuts the second piece adapter bore and forms a single adapter bore, and the single adapter bore has a width of WAB, and the two piece flanged adapter has an outer diameter of ODSS, and ODSS is about equal to IDHN. A sheave system comprising: a first grooved sheave, the first grooved sheave comprising: an outer diameter of a first value; a groove with a first groove size; a sheave bore with a bore diameter of a fourth value and a bore width of a fifth value; a sheave axis located in the center of the sheave bore; a first circumferential surface that generally encircles the sheave bore on one side of the first grooved sheave, and is generally orthogonal to the sheave axis; a second circumferential surface that generally encircles the sheave bore on an opposite side of the first grooved sheave, and is generally orthogonal to the sheave axis; a second grooved sheave, the second grooved sheave comprising: an outer diameter of a second value; a groove with a second groove size; a sheave bore with a bore diameter of a fourth value and a bore width of a sixth value; a sheave axis located in the center of the sheave bore; a third circumferential surface that generally encircles the sheave bore on one side of the second grooved sheave, and is generally orthogonal to the sheave axis; a fourth circumferential surface that generally encircles the sheave bore on an opposite side of the second grooved sheave, and is generally orthogonal to the sheave axis; a third grooved sheave, the third grooved sheave comprising: an outer diameter of a third value; a groove with a third groove size; a sheave bore with a bore diameter of a fourth value and a bore width of a seventh value; a sheave axis located in the center of the sheave bore; a fifth circumferential surface that generally encircles the sheave bore on one side of the third grooved sheave, and is generally orthogonal to the sheave axis; a sixth circumferential surface that generally encircles the sheave bore on an opposite side of the third grooved sheave, and is generally orthogonal to the sheave axis; a first two piece flanged adapter removeably and fixedly attached to any of the sheave bores of the first through third grooved sheaves, the two piece flanged adapter comprising: a first piece, the first piece comprising: a first piece adapter bore, with a first adapter bore inner diameter of IDSS; a first inner flange that generally encircles the first piece adapter bore; a first inner flange surface; a second piece; the second piece comprising: a second piece adapter bore, with a second adapter bore inner diameter of IDSS, and the second IDSS is equal to the first IDSS; a second inner flange that generally encircles the second piece adapter bore; a second inner flange surface, where when the two piece flanged adapter is installable in any of the first through third sheave bores, the first inner flange surface abuts the first, third, or fifth circumferential surface, the second inner flange surface abuts the second, fourth, or sixth circumferential surface, and the first and second inner flange surfaces are orthogonal to the sheave bore axis, the first piece adapter bore abuts the second piece adapter bore and forms a single adapter bore, and the single adapter bore has a width of WAB, and the two piece flanged adapter has an outer diameter of ODSS, and ODSS is about equal to a fourth value.
US09428352B2 Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus
There are provided a plurality of slide rails that are attached to a sheet feeding device; a box-shaped pullout unit that is movable toward an image forming unit on the slide rails; a slide unit and an extended tray that are arranged in the front and back positions in a direction in which the pullout unit moves; a slide bottom plate that is movable up and down by a loading unit and that is slidable on the pullout unit in a horizontal direction; a front-edge sheet positioning unit that raises up when the slide bottom plate is pulled out in a horizontal direction and that falls down when the slide bottom plate is pushed in a horizontal direction; and a connection unit that connects to a handle for pulling out the pullout unit in a horizontal direction when the slide bottom plate is located at a lowest point.
US09428350B2 Mobile loading dock with free fall protection
A mobile loading dock including a planar ramp member having a lower end and an upper end including an upper edge having a lip, the lip resting on a trailer bed. A ramp underside including a wheel assembly thereupon, the wheel assembly having a hydraulic member, a leg hingedly attached to the ramp underside; a wheel attached to the leg at an axle and disposed to contact a ground surface beneath the mobile loading dock and a hydraulic velocity fuse. If the trailer bed moves while the lip is resting on the trailer bed the hydraulic velocity fuse engages and prevents free fall of the ramp member to the ground.
US09428349B2 Impactable vehicle restraint
Systems and methods and methods relating to the control and operation of an impactable vehicle restraint. The impactable vehicle restraint has a vertically movable barrier. The impactable vehicle restraint has a control system having three switch signal inputs that is compatible with two switch input systems. The impactable vehicle restraint has a control system to stop the motion of its drive system for the based on either sensing that the restraining device is at its limits of motion or that the drive system has been activated for a predetermined amount of time, whichever occurs first.
US09428335B2 Waste storage device
A waste storage device is provided comprising a waste storage compartment for storing waste and a lid. The device further comprises a dispenser for dispensing an agent inside the waste storage device and an actuator arranged to activate the dispenser.
US09428333B2 Compressed natural gas vehicle apparatus and method
Systems and methods for installing a compressed natural gas housing apparatus to a vehicle are disclosed. The housing apparatus is configured to be retrofitted to existing cab liners used on refuse vehicles. The complete installation of the housing apparatus and roof liner are disposed below the roofline of the refuse vehicle. The housing apparatus can be configured to contain a variable number of compressed natural gas tanks. The housing apparatus is installed such that the length of the gas pipeline and electrical wiring connected to the apparatus from the vehicle engine and controller is minimized. The location of housing apparatus provides the additional safety of minimizing the exposure of the gas tanks to falling debris or prevent possible contact with the compressed natural gas tanks being damaged as vehicle travels under bridges, other low objects, or contact in the event of a rollover accident.
US09428328B2 Beverage capsule
A beverage capsule has a body, a filter disposed in the body, ingredients disposed in the filter and a cover. The body includes a side wall that extends from an end wall to an opening that is covered by the cover. A boss extends into the interior space from the end wall inwardly of an extraction region. In one embodiment, the boss defines an engagement surface having a plurality of arms for engaging a bottom portion of the filter during use. In another embodiment, the boss engages the filter to define a tented filter zone wherein an inner portion of the filter is spaced a further distance from the end wall than an outer portion of the filter. In another embodiment, a diffusing surface is disposed in the body downstream of where a fluid is intended to enter the opening of the capsule during use with a beverage preparing machine.
US09428326B2 Portable water supply
Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide for a wheeled apparatus suitable for storing liquids, such as water for consumption, when ordinary drinking water may be scarce or unavailable. Embodiments disclosed herein can be collapsed and stored in a small profile arrangement during periods when the apparatus is not in use. Embodiments may comprise wheels so that the apparatus may be assembled in one location and rolled to a water source, and rolled to shelter when full of water. Embodiments may provide a hose to connect the apparatus to a standard household faucets or spigots. Once the present invention is filled, it can be rolled to storage location while awaiting future needs. After an emergency situation passes, the apparatus may be drained and re-packed for storage.
US09428325B2 Package assembly for monetary payment cards and related method
A payment card package assembly includes a payment card, a panel, and a security label. The payment card has a card number thereon. The panel has a front side, and has warning indicia on the front side at a location outward of the perimeter of the payment card. The security label has a first portion that covers at least a portion of the card number, and has a second portion that covers the warning indicia in a front view of the assembly.
US09428324B2 Packaging unit for a roll of material
A packaging unit for a glass wound on a winding shaft includes a transport unit with a mounting support for the winding core which has a transport unit interior part and a transport unit exterior part. The transport unit interior part includes a floor element and side elements. The transport unit exterior part includes a floor element, side elements and a cover element. The mounting support for the winding core is always connected with or formed by two side elements of the transport unit interior part which are located opposite each other. The transport unit interior part is spaced apart from the transport unit exterior part in a floor region by spring elements, so that the transport unit interior part is arranged vibration-decoupled from the transport unit exterior part. A method of utilizing a transport unit for packaging a glass that is wound on a winding core is also disclosed.
US09428322B2 Flexible hermetic package for optical device
An opto-electronic package having two enclosures in which a first non-hermetic enclosure provides the structural rigidity required to maintain the alignment of the optical components for a predetermined environmental range, and second flexible enclosure that provides a hermetical seal for the opto-electronic package.
US09428321B2 Beverage crate with constant-diameter pockets
A nestable crate or container for holding bottles. The crate has a floor portion substantially in a first plane having a plurality of bottle seating areas, with each bottle seating area being adapted to receive a lower portion of a bottle. The crate also includes a peripheral wall surrounding the floor portion and extending upward from the floor portion, a plurality of central columns extending upward from the floor portion and oriented proximate to a longitudinal centerline of the crate, and a plurality of pylons extending upward from the floor portion along the periphery of the crate. Each central column includes at least one first bottle-contacting surface and each pylon includes at least one second bottle-contacting surface. Both the first and second bottle contacting surfaces are substantially orthogonal to the first plane.
US09428307B2 Adhesive reclosable fasteners with visual indicators
A flexible package and method for manufacturing thereof is provided. The flexible package includes a first layer of adhesive material disposed on an interior surface of the rear panel of the package. The adhesive material of the first layer includes at least one visual indicator formed by at least one area of predetermined shape that is more translucent than adjacent areas of the adhesive material of the first layer. A second layer of adhesive material is disposed on an interior surface of the front panel. The second layer of adhesive material is located opposite the first layer of adhesive material. When the flexible package is not completely sealed, the visual indicator in the adhesive material of the first layer is not visible through the adhesive material of the second layer. When the flexible package is sealed, the visual indicator is visible through the second layer of adhesive material.
US09428298B2 Dividerless palletized packaging system with interlocking tray and corner posts
A modular packaging system for shipping and displaying palletized products is provided. The packaging system comprises a plurality of vertically stacked trays for holding the products and corner posts extending between vertically adjacent trays for spacing and supporting the trays. The corner posts and trays are locked together in a number of ways to strengthen and stabilize the system. The system is strong enough not only to support the weight of the products on the trays and withstand the vibration and impact forces that can occur during shipping, but to withstand the weight of one or more units stacked on top.
US09428295B2 Modular material handling system for order fulfillment
Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism.
US09428293B2 Box packing device
A box packing device includes a dropping part configured to drops a laterally opened cardboard box in the state in which the lateral flaps of the cardboard box are open before and after dropping. The dropping part has an upper guide mechanism and a lower guide mechanism. The upper guide mechanism includes first upper guide portions that oppose front faces of the flaps and second upper guide portions that oppose rear faces of the flaps. The lower guide mechanism includes a first lower movable guide portion and a first lower fixed guide portion that oppose the front faces of the flaps, second lower guide portions that oppose the rear faces of the flaps, and a first drive unit for driving the second lower guide portions towards the first lower guide portion.
US09428292B2 Fluid injection system and method for supporting container walls
A system and method for injecting pressurizing fluid into a filled and sealed container is provided. The container is filled with a product and is then sealed with a closure. A pressurizing fluid is injected through the closure into the container cavity after sealing and filling.
US09428287B2 Methods of fabricating test sample containers by applying barrier coatings after sealed container sterilization
Methods of fabricating a culture container include molding a single monolithic layer of polymeric material into a container body having a container shape; introducing a colorimetric sensor material and growth media into the container body; introducing a gas mixture into the container body to define a headspace gas in an upper portion of the container body; attaching a stopper to the neck of the container body with the sensor material; sealing the container body with the stopper closed to define a sealed container with the growth media and the headspace gas enclosed therein; then sterilizing the sealed container; then applying a gas barrier coating to an exterior of the sterilized container body so that the sealed container has an oxygen transmission rate (cubic centimeter/container/day/atm) that is between about 0.001 to about 0.01 to thereby define a culture container that is ready-to-use and shelf stable without autoclaving.
US09428284B2 Cargo container transfer system and method
The present disclosure is generally directed to a cargo transfer system, a method of transferring cargo containers, and a method of handling cargo containers including a cargo transfer pallet capable of supporting a plurality of cargo containers thereon, a cargo loader vehicle capable of receiving the cargo transfer pallet thereon, and a cargo staging structure capable of receiving the cargo transfer pallet thereon and capable of receiving the cargo loader vehicle therein such that the cargo transfer pallet is supported by the cargo staging structure over at least a portion of the cargo loader vehicle.
US09428279B2 Systems and methods for airspeed estimation using actuation signals
Systems and methods for airspeed estimation using actuation signals are provided. In one embodiment, an on-board avionics airspeed estimation system is provided. The system comprises: a flight control surface for an aircraft; a control surface actuator coupled to the flight control surface, wherein the control surface actuator receives an actuator control output signal from an actuator control system and drives the flight control surface into a position based on the actuator control output signal; a wind estimator coupled to a plurality of aircraft sensors, wherein the plurality of aircraft sensors output a set of aircraft measurements to the wind estimator and wherein the actuator control output signal is further provided to the wind estimator; wherein the wind estimator calculates a wind speed estimate by applying the actuator control output and the set of aircraft measurements to an onboard aircraft model.
US09428272B2 Aerial material distribution method and apparatus
A remotely-piloted aircraft for distributing a payload to a target area is provided. The aircraft includes an enclosure, which includes a top lid covering the top, an internal compartment to store the payload, a bottom surface, and a distribution apparatus to allow the payload to pass through the bottom surface. The aircraft also includes a circuit to control the distribution apparatus, a wireless receiver, to receive commands to activate and inactivate the distribution apparatus, and one or more power sources coupled to the distribution apparatus and the wireless receiver. The one or more power sources provide electrical power to the distribution apparatus and the wireless receiver. An operator controls the aircraft and the circuit with at least one of a wireless transmitter and an uploaded program in the circuit. When the wireless receiver receives a command to activate the distribution apparatus, the distribution apparatus distributes the payload from the enclosure.
US09428268B2 Flexbeam hinge for helicopter blade active trailing edge flap
A flexbeam for a rotor blade is provided and includes a first end coupled to a body of the rotor blade and a second end coupled to a flap disposed along a trailing edge of the body to pitch about a pitching axis defined along a span of the body and a flexbeam body extending from the first end to the second end and being configured to retain the flap under a first loading and being flexible about the pitching axis.
US09428259B2 Bi-fold door module
A door module for a vehicle lavatory that includes a bi-fold door having a first panel and a second panel each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The first and second panels are pivotably connected together by a living hinge. The living hinge includes a hinge member that extends between first and second securing members, wherein the first securing member extends along and is attached to an inner edge of the first panel and the second securing member extends along and is attached to an inner edge of the second panel.
US09428256B2 Ship alternatively running fuel gas main drive engine and fuel gas generator engine
A ship includes: a high-pressure injection engine using fuel gas as fuel to obtain a propulsion power of the ship; a generator engine using fuel gas as fuel to generate electricity; a motor generating a power by using the electricity generated from the generator engine; a propulsion propelling the ship; a main clutch connecting the high-pressure injection engine to the propulsion; an auxiliary clutch connecting the gear box to the propulsion; and a gear box disposed in a front side of the propulsion and power-connected to the main clutch and the auxiliary clutch. The high-pressure injection engine and the motor are selectively power-connected to the propulsion to obtain the propulsion power of the ship.
US09428253B1 Apparatus and method for converting stand up paddleboard to a sculling boat
A rowing device conversion kit for a stand up paddleboard (SUP) includes a frame assembly with seat tracks; a seat assembly with a rolling seat; and a rigger assembly. The frame assembly is attached to the SUP with four attachment clamps that each engage a portion of a rail of the stand up paddleboard. Universal attachment clamps are metal coated in non-slip plastic or rubber, so that the clamps conform to the profile of the rails. The clamps are strapped to the frame assembly by wrapping straps around the frame; tightening the straps; and buckling the straps. A locking mechanism keeps the seat in place as the user is climbing on or off the SUP. The rowing mechanism folds up into a bag the size of a golf club bag. The rigger detaches from the framework and breaks down into two pieces.
US09428251B2 Mooring line extension system
A mooring system for a marine vessel utilizing an extension system. The mooring system comprises at least one mooring line having a first line section and a second line section. An extension device is associated with the at least one mooring line. The extension device has a first component and a second component. The first and second component each has a shear pin hole. A shear pin is positioned within the shear pin holes thereby connecting the first component and the second component. The mooring system also comprises an extension line having a first end connected to the first component and a second end connected to the second component.
US09428240B2 Vehicle body frame for a saddle-ride type vehicle, and motorcycle including same
A vehicle body frame for a saddle-ride type vehicle is manufactured by laser welding, and has good dimensional accuracy in a vehicle length direction. A pivot frame includes a grooved member, a lid member put on an opening of the grooved member, and laser-weld beads with which this lid member is joined to the grooved member. The molten metal shrinks during its solidification, and shrinkage occurs in the vehicle width direction. However, no shrinkage occurs in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, the distance between a head pipe and a pivot shaft is maintained properly.
US09428239B1 Bicycle convertible to a stroller
A bicycle convertible from a bicycle mode to a stroller mode comprises a frame having a front portion supporting a carrier and a rear portion. A front wheel supports the front portion of the frame, and a rear wheel supporting the rear portion of the frame in the bicycle mode. The rear portion of the frame is hinged to the front portion of the frame such that to convert the bicycle from the bicycle mode to the stroller mode the rear portion of the frame can be moved alongside the front portion of the frame to position the rear wheel to support a one side of the rear portion of the carrier. An auxiliary wheel, movable between a raised position raised from a riding surface in the bicycle mode can be moved to a lowered position contacting the riding surface in the stroller mode to supports the other side of the carrier.
US09428235B2 Vehicle
A vehicle includes a front end of a front portion and at least a portion of a headlamp disposed on the left of a right end of a right front wheel and on the right of a left end of a left front wheel when the vehicle is in the upright state, above upper ends of the right front wheel and the left front wheel, and below an upper end of a lower cross portion in relation to an up-and-down direction of a body frame in a position located ahead of a front end of the lower cross portion when looking at the vehicle from a side thereof.
US09428233B2 Axle lift assembly
An axle lift assembly includes a vehicle configured to support a load. A slide assembly has a member that is movable along a longitudinal extent of the vehicle. The slide assembly is operable to secure the member relative to the vehicle at a select position along the longitudinal extent of the vehicle. A swing arm has a first end pivotally coupled with the member and an opposing second end biased away from the vehicle. The swing arm is configured to support a wheel assembly with a tire for contacting a ground surface. An actuator is operably interconnecting the member and the swing arm for raising the wheel assembly toward the vehicle to lift the tire away from the ground surface. The slide assembly and the actuator are operable to respectively adjust longitudinal and vertical positions of the wheel assembly relative to the vehicle for accommodating a condition of the load.
US09428231B2 Climbing vehicle with suspension mechanism
A climbing vehicle capable of high payload to weight ratio and capable of climbing surfaces with geometric variations is enabled through a suspension mechanism consisting of a resilient runner chain. The resilient runners contain adhering members such as magnets that create forces directed toward a ferrous climbing surface. The resilient runner has flexibility and internal stiffness or additional springs that transfer these forces to the climbing vehicle chassis and payload to provide equilibrium during the climbing process. It is able to conform to a large range of surface irregularities while providing push and pulling forces between the adhering members and the climbing vehicle chassis to uniformly distribute the climbing loads on the adhering members. The result is a climbing machine that can accommodate large surface irregularities while maximizing the climbing payload with a minimum number and size of adhering members.
US09428229B2 Air guiding device for a motor vehicle
Air guiding device (12) of a motor vehicle has an air guiding element (13) extending in the region of a forward structure part (11) of the motor vehicle completely or partially over the width thereof. An actuating element (16) can displace the air guiding element (13) between an extended operating position in which the air guiding element (13) has an aerodynamic air guiding effect, and a retracted inoperative position in which the air guiding element (13) has substantially no aerodynamic air guiding effect. The air guiding element (13) is formed at least in certain portions from an elastically deformable sheet-like element (15) whose outer contour can be brought into shape in such a way that the sheet-like element (15) ensures laminar flow guidance.
US09428221B2 Drive assist control device
A drive assist control device includes a steering determination unit 21 that determines a steering state of a vehicle, a curved state estimation unit 22 that estimates a curved state of a traveling road where the vehicle is traveling, a threshold value setting unit 23 that, in a case where it is determined by the steering determination unit 21 that a steering occurs after a steering wheel stationary state, sets a determination threshold value at the time of steering ts based on the curved state estimated during a period ts to ts+Tc from the time of steering ts to the set time Tc after the time of steering ts or a period ts−Tc to ts from the set time Tc before the time of steering ts to the time of steering ts and which is sharper than the curved state estimated at the time of steering ts, and a warning control unit 25 that actuates a warning in a case where the steering speed at the time of steering ts exceeds the determination threshold value.
US09428214B2 Steering column for vehicle
The present invention relates to a steering column for a vehicle. The steering column of a vehicle includes: an adjusting bolt that passes through tilting guide holes having slot shapes and are formed on opposite sides of a plate bracket, and telescoping guide holes having slot shapes and are formed on opposite sides of a distance bracket; and an impact absorbing member having a hollow pipe shape into which the adjusting bolt is inserted therein, and having tilting impact absorbing parts, which protrude on an outer peripheral surface thereof that are supported by opposite lengthwise ends of the tilting guide hole, and telescoping impact absorbing parts, which protrude on the outer peripheral surface thereof that are supported by opposite lengthwise ends of the telescoping guide hole. The steering column for a vehicle can allow an impact absorbing member no absorb an impact that is generated when an adjusting bolt collides with a tilting guide hole or a telescoping guide hole during a tilting or telescoping operation, thereby improving the operational feeling and reducing operational noise.
US09428208B1 Baby stroller with a suspension unit
A baby stroller includes a base and a suspension unit is connected to the base. The suspension unit has a movable rod which is movably connected to the suspension unit. A support frame is connected to the distal end of the movable rod and a seat or a bed is connected to the support frame. The suspension unit absorbs shocks and vibration transferred from the road. The distance between the seat or the bed and the base is adjusted by the movement of the movable rod. The seat or the bed can be rotated to face the user or to face front.
US09428205B2 Security cart
A security cart includes a rear wall, a wheeled base frame connected to the rear wall and a base shelf pivotable between a horizontal position and a raised position. A first sidewall and a first door pivotally connected to the first sidewall are movable from locked positions with the base shelf to a folded position forwardly of the rear wall. A second sidewall and a second door pivotally connected to the second sidewall are movable from locked positions to a folded position forwardly of the folded first sidewall and first door. The base shelf is movable from the horizontal position to the raised position, and retained against the folded first sidewall and the first door and the folded second sidewall and second door.
US09428202B2 Train safety system
A method and system for assisting the safe operation of a train adapted to be operated by a locomotive operating crew comprises generating GPS-located critical information at a central location, the GPS-located critical information being based at least in part on one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems; monitoring the real-time location of the train with a GPS device on-board the train; and generating alerts for the locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information and the real time location of the train, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented.
US09428200B2 Device disposed in the roof area of two articulated vehicle parts for limiting the pitch movement of the vehicle parts relative to each other
A device for coupling the roof area of two articulated vehicle parts, for limiting the roll and/or pitch movements of the vehicle parts relative to each other. The device includes at least two consoles. At least one console is disposed on the roof area of a first vehicle part. The at least two consoles are connected to each other by a coupling arm. At least one of the consoles includes a leaf spring.
US09428199B2 Railcar bogie plate spring
A railcar bogie plate spring of the present invention includes: an upper surface member constituted by fiber reinforced plastic in which reinforced fibers are stacked so as to extend in a longitudinal direction; a lower surface member constituted by fiber reinforced plastic in which reinforced fibers are stacked so as to extend in the longitudinal direction; and a core member arranged between the upper surface member and the lower surface member. The core member is constituted by fiber reinforced plastic in which: reinforced fibers are stacked in a width direction perpendicular to a stack direction of the upper surface member and the lower surface member; and in a side view of the core member, the reinforced fibers are inclined relative to a bending neutral axis so as to intersect with one another.
US09428188B2 Lane assist functions for vehicles with a trailer
A system is provided for supporting lane assist functions for a vehicle towing a trailer. The system includes performing lane departure warning and lane centering assist functions that operate differently when the presence of a trailer is detected. The system warns the driver if either the vehicle or trailer will depart the lane, using different warnings for the vehicle and trailer. The system further provides lane centering assist functions that operate to center the vehicle and trailer together. Corresponding methods are also provided.
US09428172B2 Motor drive control device
An appropriate motor control in accordance with a pedal operation of a driver is to be achieved. A motor drive control device according to the present invention is a motor drive control device for an electric power-assisted vehicle that has one-way clutches respectively provided for a motor drive system and for a pedal drive system. The motor drive control device according to the present invention includes: a first calculating part that calculates a pedal rotation conversion speed that is converted from a pedal rotation; and a second calculating part that calculates a second target torque for a motor based on the pedal rotation conversion speed, during a period in which a first target torque derived from a pedal torque is not detected.
US09428164B2 Valve assembly
A valve assembly includes a plate defining a wall of a housing and a valve component included in the housing. A position of the valve component sets a state of the valve assembly. A channel is defined through the wall of the housing. A channel groove is defined along a wall of the channel. A sensor housing includes a sensor detecting a state of the valve assembly. A sensor groove is along the sensor housing. A seal cooperates with both the channel groove and the sensor groove when the sensor housing is seated in the channel to both create a pneumatic seal between the sensor housing and the wall of the channel and retain the sensor housing in the channel.
US09428163B2 Autonomous vehicle emergency braking method
A method for autonomous emergency braking in a road vehicle to avoid or reduce the severity of an accident includes measuring the speed of the vehicle during autonomous emergency braking and additionally determining vehicle speed independent of the wheel rotational speeds of the vehicle. In this way, the vehicle speed can be determined sufficiently accurately even in the cases in which, as a result of sharp autonomous braking, the vehicle speed is higher than the wheel rotational speeds.
US09428152B2 Upgradeable windshield assembly
A windshield includes a notch formed along an edge, and a motor pocket secured adjacent the notch. The motor pocket includes assembly components for securing a windshield accessory, such as a windshield wiper system. A pocket lid is secured to the motor pocket such that the notch is covered for use without the windshield accessory. The assembly facilitates installation of the windshield accessory if desired.
US09428144B2 Three piece hidden D-ring seat belt restraint
A seatbelt assembly includes an adjuster having a guide slidable in a first direction. The assembly also includes a cover defining upper and lower edges and coupled with the guide and first and second extension plates slidably disposed relative to the cover in the first direction so as to be extendable respectively from the upper and lower edges thereof and to be retractable behind the cover.
US09428136B2 Airbag device
Airbag housings that each house an airbag are respectively provided beneath the lateral face of the driver's seat backrest and the lateral face of a front passenger seat backrest inward in a vehicle width direction. The airbags are inflatable and deployable inwardly in the vehicle width direction as well as in a fore-and-aft direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle.
US09428134B2 Side airbag apparatus
An airbag is formed in a bag shape by joining margins of one pair of main body cloth portions. Inflation gas is supplied from an inflator to the airbag according to an impact given from the side of a vehicle seat. With this supply, the airbag deploys and inflates. A longitudinal partition portion is laid between the one pair of main body cloth portions. The longitudinal partition portion partitions an interior of the airbag into a front part and a rear part and has a communication hole. An inside one of the main body cloth portions constituting the airbag is attached to a car. The airbag is attached to a side frame inside the vehicle seat at a position between a rear end of the inside main body cloth portion and the longitudinal partition portion.
US09428126B2 Time sensitive learning interface
A vehicle control system is provided that is able to (i) identify a particular driver from other potential drivers and (ii) monitor various vehicle functions in order to determine if the identified driver repeatedly performs the same behavior at approximately the same time each day. When the control system determines that the identified driver repeats the same behavior in response to the same temporal conditions, the controller learns that behavior and associates it with the identified driver so that it can be automatically performed, without driver interaction, under the same temporal conditions in the future.
US09428117B2 Under cover apparatus of rear bumper multi-carrier
An under cover apparatus of a rear bumper multi-carrier includes a fixed rail cover coupled to a pair of fixed rails to cover a first opening part between the fixing rails. The pair of fixed rails is installed at left and right sides of a vehicle body in front and rear directions. A moving rail cover is coupled to a pair of moving rails to cover a second opening part between the moving rails. The pair of moving rails is coupled to the fixed rails to be slidable along the fixed rails, withdrawn rearward together with a rear bumper, and has the carrier coupled thereto.
US09428116B2 Center console support
A center console has a basic support on which functional parts and trim parts are attachable. In order to provide a center console having a basic support which is of simple construction and/or is manufacturable in a cost-effective manner, the basic support (3), in a front region (5), is formed from a plastic material and, in a rear region (6), is formed from a metallic material.
US09428115B2 Motor vehicle seat/console-supported handbag barrier
A barrier apparatus (“car cache' for purses” or “handbag hammock”) has a substrate sized to approximately traverse a space between a pair of front seats and slightly behind a front center console of a motor vehicle. Straps attached to corners of the barrier apparatus are attachable respectively to an upper portion of each front seat and to the console, holding the barrier in place to receive a purse/handbag or similar small article.
US09428113B2 Rotatable and stowable parcel shelf assembly for a motor vehicle
A rotatable and stowable parcel shelf assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The parcel shelf assembly may include a parcel shelf body having a first edge and at least one attachment feature configured to attach the parcel shelf body to the vehicle within a cargo area. The parcel shelf body first edge is disposed proximate a partition, which is disposed between the cargo area and a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The parcel shelf body may occupy one of a deployed position and a stowed position, and may be rotatable about the at least one attachment feature in a first direction from the deployed position to the stowed position and in a second direction from the stowed position to the deployed position. The parcel shelf body may be secured in the stowed position to prevent further rotation in the first direction from the stowed position into the cargo area.
US09428111B2 Vehicle video system
A method for capturing and displaying images includes a plurality of operations. A first video camera is fixedly attached to a vehicle at a first fixed location in a prescribed orientation relative to a cargo area defined within a vehicle body structure of a vehicle. An electronic display is provided within the vehicle. Video images of the cargo area are captured using the first video camera. The video images of the cargo area captured by the first video camera are processed and a simulated video overhead view of the cargo area is generated. A still image representing an overhead view of the vehicle is displayed on the electronic display, and the generated simulated video overhead view of the cargo area is superimposed on the display over an area of the still image corresponding to the location of the cargo area.
US09428086B2 Over-travel mechanism for easy-entry system
A seat assembly includes an easy-entry system with a seat frame having a seatback pivotally coupled to a seat member. An external lever is operably coupled to an engagement lever disposed on the seat frame and is configured to activate the engagement lever to move the seatback into an engaged position with a sector pivotally coupled to the seat frame. A disengagement rod flexibly is coupled to a spring member disposed on the sector at a first end and further coupled to a track release lever at a second end. As such, rotation of the seatback to a release position rotates the track release lever to unlock the seat assembly from a seat track. Further rotation of the seatback from the release position to an over-travel position loads the spring member but does not further rotate the track release lever.
US09428076B2 Method and system for more efficient operation of plug-in electric vehicles
An automobile having an energy conversion unit, an energy storage unit, a user selection unit, a global positioning system, and a control unit. The automobile can operate in a default charging mode, which is either the charge depletion mode or the charge sustaining mode. Upon a user input, the energy conversation unit and/or the energy storage unit can operate in an extended charging mode or a forced charging mode. In the extended charging mode, the state of charge (SOC) is increased or decreased over a predetermined charging range. In the forced charging mode, the SOC is increased until a predetermined charge limit is reached. The automobile can also use global positioning system signals to operate in the charge depletion mode, the charge sustaining mode, the extended charging mode, and/or the forced charging mode.
US09428074B2 Vehicle comprising a battery and means for determining a maximum allowable power for the battery, and corresponding method
An automotive vehicle with electric or hybrid propulsion including a rechargeable electric accumulation battery and a braking system allowing recovery of energy, the battery being rechargeable during braking phases and during charging phases under control of a supply system including a mechanism determining a maximum allowable power for the battery. The mechanism determining the maximum allowable power for the battery includes a first mapping making it possible to read a first maximum power on the basis of a temperature and of a state of charge of the battery, and a second mapping making it possible to read a second maximum power based on the temperature and of the state of charge of the battery.
US09428064B2 Power supply system and power receiving facility
A power supply system includes: a vehicle; a power cable; and a distribution board configured to be capable of exchanging electric power with an electric power system and the power cable. The distribution board includes: an operation unit operated by a user to select one of a first mode in which the electric power system and the vehicle are interconnected with each other and a second mode in which the electric power system is disconnected from the vehicle and electric power is exchanged between the vehicle and a house; and a switching circuit that switches a source of supply for a receptacle, to which an electrical load is connected, between the electric power system and the power cable and switches the communication line, in accordance with the operation on the operation unit.
US09428060B2 Method for controlling a hybrid vehicle electrical system
A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle electrical system includes driving the vehicle in a first driving mode where the battery pack is connected to the traction voltage DC-link and the battery pack is supplying the electrical auxiliary units with power, shutting down the power electronics unit in order to cease power delivery from the electric machine to the traction voltage DC-link or to the electric machine from the traction voltage DC-link, disconnecting the battery pack from the traction voltage DC-link by opening the relay, and activating the power electronics unit and controlling output voltage of the power electronics unit to a predetermined level.
US09428056B2 Adjustable synthetic vision
Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for displaying a real-time image in a cockpit of an aircraft. Use of a synthetic vision application is provided with a gradient-type feature such that a level of synthetic enhancements applied to an image may be adjusted to a synthetic vision application value that is less than 100 percent. The synthetic vision enhancement may be overlaid with the original image, according to the synthetic vision application value, to generate a modified image. Additional information may overlay the original image with the synthetic vision application such as a three-dimensional weather representation. The synthetic vision application may be used in conjunction with a high-definition camera to generate the original image. The modified image may be updated in real-time such that an updated view is continuously modified with an updated synthetic vision enhancement to provide accurate real-time views.
US09428051B1 Driveline actuator powered by synchronization event
A disconnectable all-wheel drive vehicle driveline having a primary driveline, a power take-off unit (PTU), a secondary driveline, a hydraulic pump and a driveline actuator. The PTU has a PTU input member, which is driven by the primary driveline, a PTU output member and a first coupling that selectively couples the PTU input and output members. The secondary driveline includes a second coupling that selectively inhibits power transmission through the secondary driveline. The hydraulic pump is configured to operate the first coupling but is powered by a synchronization event in which the second coupling is engaged so as to back drive the PTU output member.
US09428049B2 Multi-mode power trains with direct-drive lock-up
A multi-mode power train and multi-mode vehicle include a A power-conversion device that is in communication with an engine via a direct mechanical power-transfer connection extending from the engine to the power-conversion device. A continuously variable power source (CVP) is in communication with the power conversion device via an intermediate power-transfer connection. A lock-up device with first and second engagement states is provided between the engine and the power-conversion device or the CVP. With the lock-up device in the first engagement state, mechanical power from the engine is converted by the power-conversion device for use by the CVP, with the CVP using the converted power to provide mechanical power to a power-output connection. With the lock-up device in the second engagement state, the engine transmits mechanical power through the lock-up device to the power-output connection.
US09428046B2 Alignment and retention system for laterally slideably engageable mating components
An elastically averaged alignment system includes a first component having first and second alignment features, and a second component having third and fourth elastically deformable alignment elements. The first and second components are laterally slidably engageable with each other. The third elastically deformable alignment element is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage with the first alignment feature. The fourth elastically deformable alignment element is configured and disposed to interferingly, deformably and matingly engage with the second alignment feature. Portions of the third and fourth elastically deformable alignment elements when engaged with respective ones of the first and second alignment features elastically deform to an elastically averaged final configuration that aligns the first component relative to the second component in six orthogonal directions by averaging the elastic deformation of the respective elastically deformable alignment elements.
US09428042B2 Electromechanical variable transmission
A drive train for a vehicle includes an engine having an output shaft, a first gear set, a second gear set, a first motor/generator coupled to the first gear set, a second motor/generator coupled to the second gear set and electrically coupled to the first motor/generator, a first clutch, and a second clutch. Planetary gears of both sets are rotatably supported by respective planetary gear carriers that are coupled to each other. The first clutch selectively engages the output shaft of the engine with the second motor/generator, and the second clutch and a third gear set operate to selectively engage at least one of the sun gear and the ring gear of the second gear set with the planetary gear carriers of the first and second gear sets.
US09428039B2 Motor vehicle provided with a protective tarpaulin system
A motor vehicle (V), the vehicle including an outer body (E) and provided with a protective tarpaulin system including a flexible tarpaulin (1) for covering the outer body (E) at least in part. The tarpaulin (1) is windable around a drum (2) between a wound-in storage position and a wound out position. The tarpaulin includes a connection edge secured to the drum, and an opposite edge that is free. The free edge of the flexible tarpaulin includes at least one traction element (13) made of ferromagnetic material; and the vehicle (V) includes at least one magnet (4) movable under the outer body (E), the magnet (4) attracting the traction element (13) of the tarpaulin through the outer body (E) and entraining the traction element (13) of the tarpaulin, so as to bring the tarpaulin into the wound-out position of the tarpaulin by sliding over the outer body (E).
US09428038B2 Foldable tonneau cover for pick-up truck and waterproof flexible strip thereof
A foldable tonneau cover is disclosed and has two frame sections and at least one hidden-type hinge. Two frame members of two adjacent frame sections are correspondingly formed with two embedded holes. The hidden-type hinge is pivotally connected between the adjacent frame members. When the frame sections are horizontally extended relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is substantially received in the embedded holes. When the frame sections are rotated or folded relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is partially exposed out of the embedded holes. Thus, the occupied space of the hidden-type hinge and the gap between the adjacent frame sections can be minimized. The waterproof flexible strip can be continuously extended along the entire length of the two adjacent frame members without being interfered with by the hidden-type hinge substantially hidden within frame members, so as to enhance the waterproof reliability thereof.
US09428020B2 Axle alignment system
An axle alignment system for an axle assembly. The axle alignment system may include a bracket assembly and an alignment plate. The alignment plate may be moveably disposed on the bracket assembly with one or more fasteners that may move along one or more slots that may be provided with the bracket assembly and/or the alignment plate.
US09428017B2 Excess pressure claibrated guage
A valve assembly having a housing, and a valve portion disposed in the housing, where the valve is able to change between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly also includes a variable pneumatic device disposed in the housing, which is able to change between a first configuration and a second configuration, and an inner cavity in fluid communication with the housing. An exhaust aperture is formed as part of the housing, and as pressure builds in the variable pneumatic device, the variable pneumatic device changes from the first configuration to the second configuration such that air is prevented from flowing around the variable pneumatic device, and air flowing through the valve body passes through the exhaust aperture.
US09428012B2 Tire
Two open sipes are formed at a tire circumferential direction central side of a block, and closed sipes are formed in the block at both tire circumferential direction sides of the two open sipes. The depth of the open sipes is set in a range of 50 to 70% times the depth of a first circumferential direction main groove, and the depth dimension of the closed sipe is set in a range of 105 to 140% times the depth dimension of the open sipes. Accordingly high performance on ice is obtained while securing block rigidity.
US09428008B2 Socket assembly
A socket for coupling an end piece to a leg member of an article of furniture is described. The socket is insertable into an opening in the leg member and the socket has an opening therein for receiving a stem of the end piece. The socket comprises a tubular body having upper and lower ends. The lower end comprises the opening for receiving the stem of the end piece and the upper end is insertable into the leg member. In addition, the socket comprises a washer attached to the upper end of the socket. When the socket is inserted into the leg member, the washer has an interference fit with the inner diameter of the leg member.
US09428006B2 Composite wheel, in particular for a cycle, and method for manufacturing such a wheel
A wheel, (1) particularly for a cycle, includes a circular rim (2), a hub (3) concentric with the rim, and spokes (4) connecting the hub (3) to the rim (2). The rim, the hub, and the spokes are made of a polymerized composite material. The spokes (4) are paired two by two on either side of the bond plane of the wheel and are attached without tension at their ends onto the hub (3) and onto the rim (2).
US09427996B2 Graphic alignment for printing to an article using a first display device and a second display device
A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system includes a first display device that is transparent and which may be used to superimpose graphics over an article to align the article with the printing system. An optical device and a second display device provide a fixed viewing angle for a user aligning the article under the first display device.
US09427991B1 Controllers to adjust print speed
An example device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a controller to adjust print speed intra-page according to a response curve to substantially track a power curve of a power supply. The controller is to maximize print speed based on short-term energy data corresponding to present and future print data and long-term energy data corresponding to past print data, without exceeding a peak power output and a thermal limit of the power supply when printing according to the response curve.
US09427982B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a recording head that performs recording on a medium; a first roller that inverts the medium which is fed from a side of the recording head; and a second roller of which an outer circumferential surface is in contact with medium transportation paths before and after the medium is inverted by the first roller and which exerts a transportation force on the medium.
US09427972B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a housing body, an opening/closing member, attached to the housing body via a pivot shaft so as to be capable of rotating freely, that covers the surface of the housing body on one side thereof, and an ink tank having an injection port for filling an ink holding chamber with ink used in recording. Here, the ink tank is disposed so that one end thereof is positioned within the housing body on the opposite side of the housing body as the side in which the pivot shaft is provided, and has a stepped shape including a step portion, the step portion being provided on a side of the ink tank that is further from the pivot shaft. The injection port is provided in the step portion, and when the opening/closing member is opened and the ink is to be filled.
US09427957B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus, head unit, and method of controlling liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a modulation circuit that generates a modulated signal obtained by performing pulse modulation on a source signal; a transistor that amplifies the modulated signal to generate an amplified modulated signal; a lowpass filer that smoothes the amplified modulated signal to generate a driving signal; a piezoelectric element that is displaced when the driving signal is applied; and a circuit substrate on which the modulation circuit, the transistor, and the lowpass filter are mounted. The transistor includes a die, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, a conductive die pad, a first lead which is electrically connected to the second electrode by a bonding wire, and a second lead which is electrically connected to the third electrode by a bonding wire. The die pad, the first lead, and the second lead are electrically connected to different wiring patterns of the circuit substrate.
US09427931B2 Production apparatus of skin-fitted foam molding member, production method of skin-fitted foam molding member, and skin-fitted foam molding member
A skin-fitted foam molding member includes a core material, a skin having a roll portion, and a foam body filled between an internal surface of the core material and an internal surface of the skin. A seal portion is formed by welding an external surface of an end portion of the core material with the roll portion which faces the external surface of the end portion of the core material. The skin has a rib portion which is so formed as to protrude from the internal surface of the skin toward the core material and which faces an internal surface of the end portion of the core material, where the rib portion forms an inward seal portion by sandwiching the end portion of the core material between the roll portion and the rib portion by a foaming pressure of the foam.
US09427930B2 Crumpling mechanism for creating dunnage
A dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side rumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone.